10 Top Tourist Places in India

Ah, it's so hard to choose! What are the most popular tourist places in India? A lot of the time, it comes down to personal preference. However, some places to visit in India remain perennially more popular than others. These 10 destinations all capture the diverse charm of India.
Want to know more about India's top destinations? Check out this India Travel Planner and this guide to the Top India Tourist Places by Region.
Prefer to see India on a tour rather than independently? Consider one of these 15 Top Small Group India Tours from G Adventures.
If you'd like to explore beyond India's popular tourist attractions, here are 12 of the Best Places to Visit in India Off the Beaten Track to inspire you!

David Freund/Photodisc/Getty Images

1.  Delhi

Most first time travelers to India usually land in Delhi, India's capital city. It can be a rather rude shock. The city is primed to take advantage of the unsuspecting tourist. However, bear with it! Delhi's top attractions feature spellbinding mosques, forts, and monuments left over from the Mughal rulers that once occupied the city. Many of these are set in beautiful landscaped gardens that are perfect for relaxing. And the crumbling old city of Old Delhi is a fascinating, albeit chaotic, place to explore.

Copyright http://matthieu.net/photography

2.  Taj Mahal

A part of India's popular Golden Triangle tourist circuit, Agra is home to the Taj Mahal. Enough said really. It's India's most iconic monument and the top historical attraction in India.  For that reason, it's impossible to leave it off the list. (While you're there, why not get off the beaten track and visit some attractions around Agra as well?).

Getty Images/Bruno Morandi

3.  Golden Temple

Amritsar, home to the Golden Temple, was founded in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the fourth guru of Sikhs. It’s the spiritual capital of the Sikhs and gained its name, meaning "Holy Pool of Nectar", from the body of water around the Golden Temple. The exquisite Golden Temple attracts pilgrims from all over the world and the number of visitors it gets rivals that of the Taj Mahal! It looks particularly arresting at night when it’s beautifully lit up, with its imposing gold dome illuminated.

City Palace, Udaipur. Sam Segar

4.  Udaipur

Ah, Udaipur! Famed city of lakes and palaces. (And yes, I really do think it's the most romantic city in India). A must-visit for the ability to immerse yourself in regal splendor.

5.  Varanasi

Varanasi, one of the top spiritual places in India, is a city quite like no other. This mystical holy city openly reveals its rituals along the many riverside ghats, which are used for everything from bathing to burning the bodies of the dead.

www.cepolina.com

6.  Ajanta and Ellora Caves

No doubt India's most popular and widely recognized caves, the Ajanta Ellora caves are carved into hillside rock quite in the middle of nowhere, near Aurangabad, in northern Maharashtra. These caves are simply awe inspiring. Words can't describe how magnificent they are.

Vivek Chugh

7.  Hampi

An incredible energy can be found in Hampi. The last capital of Vijayanagar, one of the greatest Hindu kingdoms in India’s history, it's renowned for its captivating ruins, intriguingly intermingled with large boulders that rear up all over the landscape.

8.  Madurai

Ancient Madurai in Tamil Nadu is home to the most impressive and important temple in south India --the Meenakshi Temple. If you only see one south Indian temple, the Meenakshi Temple should be it. The city of Madurai is more than 4,000 years old, and has remained a major center for Tamil culture and learning. The 12 day Chithirai Festival, featuring a re-enacted celestial wedding of God and Goddess, is held in Madurai during April each year.

Salesmen on boats along the Kerala backwaters. www.sxc.hu user cute mink

9.  Kerala Backwaters

One of the most popular attractions in India, a trip in a houseboat along the palm-fringed Kerala backwaters is so tranquil and relaxing. The lush green landscape, diverse wildlife, and houses and villages that line the backwaters make a journey along these waterways seem like a journey through another world. Freshly cooked Indian food and chilled beer on board the boat make the experience even more enjoyable. Don't miss it!

Goa beach, India. Tobias Helbig/Getty Images

10.  Goa

India's top beach destination, Goa lures visitors with the promise of parties and lazy days at the beach. However, there's more to Goa than just hedonism. The state also offers an eclectic blend of history, nature, culture, and adventure activities.

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Long weekend, discounts boost sales for travel sites

Online travel portals have seen a surge in bookings aided by several rounds of discount offers and a strong demand over the festival weekend.

"Fliers appear to have utilised the promotional fares and discounts to travel from October 2. This is evident from the number of airline passengers who have booked (with us) for October, two-thirds of the total number of our air passengers a year ago. But we expect significant last-minute bookings, given the increasing propensity for impulse-travel and a long weekend,'' said Ranjeet Oak, senior vice-president, MakeMyTrip.

According to MakeMyTrip, the number of bookings for the first two days (October 1-2) is twice the average for the month. In fact, this spike is seen all through the long weekend, with the number of people flying in the first six days (October 1-6) being 1.45 times the monthly average.

Tour operators and hotels, too, have seen a surge in people taking short trips in India and abroad from October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) till October 6 (Eid). The strong demand around this weekend was an indicator of growth in travel this winter, sources said.

"Our bookings have doubled over the last week. We are still continuing to see a rise, with the long weekend approaching. The fares over the last week have been fairly competitive but we have started seeing a marginal rise in air fares and anticipate these to rise as the weekend approaches,'' said Sharat Dhall, president of Yatra.com.

Shibani Phadkar, senior vice-president and head of leisure travel (outbound) at Thomas Cook, said there was significant growth in the number of customers seeking six-seven day tours by extending the Durga Puja and Dussehra holidays. Short-haul destinations like Thailand, Dubai and Singapore saw 25-40 per cent rise in hotel bookings for this weekend, she added.

"First-time visitors are seeking tours to Europe and Australia. We are expecting 15 per cent growth in outbound tours from 2013," said Guldeep Singh Sahni, president of the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India.

"Our sales teams have reported a significant increase of 30 per cent in bookings to a range of domestic favourites like Northeast, Coorg, Mysore, Goa, Shimla, Jaipur, Lonawla and Kerala," said Rajeev Kale, president, chief operating officer, MICE, domestic and sports tourism, Thomas Cook India.

Dhall said, "Searches for hotel bookings have shown a growth of 40 per cent on our website for the weekend. Bookings are up three times from a year ago."

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Tour operators, portals see a jump in bookings around Jan 26 weekend

There has been a surge in bookings on online travel portals for the January 26 on the back of lower airfares with demand for destinations including Puri, Puducherry and Gangtok.

“Keen holiday planners are exploring interesting and offbeat destinations for the Republic Day weekend. On Cleartrip, we are seeing places like Pondicherry, Puri and Gangtok debut amongst the Top 10 destinations that Indians are visiting this January while destinations like Goa and Jaipur continue to be among the favourites. Advance purchase for this weekend has spiralled too. At Cleartrip, over 82 per cent people booked their travel for the Republic Day Long Weekend, over 30-days in advance. Interestingly, over 25 per cent of these bookings were made on Cleartrip Mobile,” said Samyukth Sridharan, president of Cleartrip.

Last week airlines led by Air India halved their fares across domestic network. Other airlines followed suit reducing fares. Lower fares has led to an uptick in holiday planning, said travel agents.

“Domestic and outbound tourism is on an upswing. Excluding Goa we are seeing 5-7% growth in inbound tourists. People are taking short trips to hill stations and destinations like Bangkok, Singapore and Sri Lanka are also popular,'' said Gour Kanjilal, executive director of Indian Association of Tour Operators.

“We are witnessing a huge spike in both planned and impulse flight bookings for the first long-weekend of the year. With a 165%  year-on-year growth in bookings for the period Jan 23rd – Jan 27th,  we expect more last-minute bookings in this week. Not surprisingly, Mobile continues to fuel growth for the online travel business. In this period, we have seen greater than 450% growth in mobile bookings compared to 100% growth on desktop. Higher bookings this year have also been contributed due to fall in fares compared to same period last year,'' said Ranjeet Oak, Senior Vice President-Flights, MakeMyTrip.

“Majority of bookings for the 26th January weekend are by families and young couples. Popular getaway destinations this year are Mahabaleshwar and Goa in the West, Jaipur and Goa out of Delhi, and Yercaud, Hampi, Thekkady, Coorg, and Pondicherry for travellers based in Chennai and Bangalore. The average budget of travel is between Rs. 2000-3000 per person.,'' Oak added.

Average-Fare	2014	2015	Difference
BLR-DEL	7,422	5,666	-24%
BOM-BLR	4,669	3,582	-23%
BOM-DEL	6,910	4,277	-38%
DEL-BOM	6,526	4,119	-37%
HYD-BOM	4,129	2,542	-38%
Note: BLR - Bengaluru, DEL- Delhi, BOM- Mumbai, HYD- Hyderabad
Source: MakemyTrip

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Olacabs to Buy Rival TaxiForSure for $200 mn to Take on Uber

Olacabs is on the brink of closing the deal to buy out rival TaxiForSure for about $200 million (₹1,250 crore), in its bid to take on arch-rival Uber and gain a dominant position in India's taxi aggregation market.

An Uber taxi driver shows an application software in his mobile phone used to track the taxi's location, during a protest against the ban on online taxi services, in New DelhiReuters

The deal is expected to be funded by a combination of cash and stock. Sources directly involved with the negotiations confirm the signing of the term sheet with the finer details of the deal to be finalized over the next 10 days.

The deal is expected to help Ola take on Uber, the $40 billion taxi-app company, while also allowing for lower cost of operations.

Olacabs was started by Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati of IIT-Bombay. The company received $210 million in funding from SoftBank of Japan in October 2014.

International taxi aggregators are in talks to take on the might of Uber. The move could see regional players like Singapore's GrabTaxi, India's Ola and San Francisco-based Flywheel come together.

TaxiForSure

TaxiForSure was started by IIM-Ahmedabad graduates Raghunandan G and Aprameya Radhakrishna about four years ago. The company had spent the last two months looking for funding in order to stay relevant with the bigger players. They raised a bridge round worth $20 million from its existing investors, valuing the company at $125 million. TaxiForSure spoke to Uber, Meru and Carzonrent for a possible sellout, with Ola managing to clinch the deal.
The move marked the growing maturity of Indian entrepreneurial space with smaller players consolidating to take on the larger players, allowing the creation of new start-ups with new business models and better products, Vivek Wadhwa, a fellow at Stanford Law School and a director of research at Duke University told The EconomicTimes.

Radio Taxi Licence

Cab-hailing apps -- TaxiForSure, Uber and Ola -- do not own the cabs, but only provide the technology platform which links the taxi owners and prospective customers, and hence stake a claim to be regarded as technology company.

The rape of a female passenger by a driver with Uber forced the Delhi Transport Authority to ban Uber, and insisted all such companies apply for radio taxi licence.

The Delhi Transport Authority rejected the licence application submitted by Ola, Uber NTL Call Cabs and TaxiForSure finding them 'deficient'. The Authority regulates the taxi market for the capital region and sends out notices pointing to the gaps. A government official said it would take at least 10 days for the taxi companies to re-present the applications.

The report says Ola to have maximum number deficiencies and TaxiForSure to have only one.
The acquisition indicates that companies are willing to go the whole length to survive regulatory scrutiny and supervision. The $10 billion car rental market has a miniscule participation from the organised taxi industry, repoted FirstPost.

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Last Minute Travel Deals App Reaches Half a Million Downloads

Last Minute Travel, a leader in last minute travel deals on hotels, flights, vacation homes, cruises, car rentals, activities and other travel products, today announced that its mobile app, Last Minute Travel Deals, has been downloaded over half a million times since launching in late-March of last year.

LastMinuteTravel.com was founded in 1996 as the first web site serving time-starved travelers. Today, the Last Minute Travel Deals app has an inventory of over 100,000 hotels worldwide, flights from more than 175 carriers, over 25,000 vacation homes, approximately 10,000 activities and transfers, and 18 car rental brands with 25,000 pick-up locations worldwide. The company partners directly with travel providers all over the world, which allows LMT and the LMT Deals app users to access bulk-rate, agent-level prices without markups – either day-of or in advance. 

“We pioneered a website for consumers to find and book last second travel deals nearly 20 years ago and now we’ve brought our massive inventory and unrivaled rates to over half a million mobile users,” said Omer Chehmer, Head of Mobile Communications for Last Minute Travel. “In a rapidly emerging market where travelers are increasingly turning to mobile devices to book hotels and other travel products day-of, the Last Minute Travel Deals app offers quick searches and great value for your dollar – regardless of your location.”

On the heels of its first half a million users, today the LMT Deals app rolled out a new app interface that enables users to one-click search for travel activities, car rentals, flights, and vacation homes – from the home page. The new facelift also simplifies and speeds up the process of one of the app’s main features, finding hotel “Deals Tonight”.

“The LMT Deals App already has an unparalleled inventory and unbeatable prices, but we are constantly reviewing user feedback and working to create the most user-friendly app possible,” said Chehmer. “People want options and great prices, but time-crunched travelers also value a quick, seamless process – and we offer that.”

To download the iOS version of the Last Minute Travel Deals app visit: http://bit.ly/LMTDealsiOS
To download the Android version of the Last Minute Travel Deals app visit: http://bit.ly/LMTDealsDroid
 
About Last Minute Travel
Last Minute Travel, a subsidiary of Travel Holdings, Inc., is a leading global travel distribution company that contracts directly with travel providers, such as hotels, flights, cruise lines, attractions, activities, vacation homes, car rentals, and more. Last Minute Travel works on a high-volume, wholesale model to broker this inventory to over 4,600 clients in 153 countries using proprietary technology.

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SpiceJet joins low fare race; ticket prices start at Rs 1,499

New Delhi, Jan 28: Budget carrier SpiceJet today joined the low fare race in the domestic market putting on the block half a million seats with ticket prices starting at Rs 1,499 under a limited period promotional offer. The bookings under the three-day “Super Sale” offer can be made from today for a travel period between February 15 to June 30, SpiceJet said in a release. Crisis-hit SpiceJet selling tickets at low rates to stimulate demand
The offer comes two days after its competitor AirAsia India announced a discount fare scheme with a seven-day booking window period. January-March and July-September quarters of the fiscal are traditionally low travel demand period in the country and so airlines roll out such discount fare schemes to woo customers and fill the seats. ”We are excited to offer our first signature promotion for 2015 to incentivise customers to try our enhanced schedule and reward early planners with great discounted fares. Such Super Sale offers are meant to sell in advance at attractive prices, seats that would otherwise be expected to go empty, thereby improving revenues,” said Kaneswaran Avili, Chief Commercial Officer, SpiceJet .
“Such offers have made a trip by air even more affordable than train or bus travel for those willing to book early to grab these offers,” he added.
“As we continue on our re-structuring path, the return of our Super Sale in 2015 at the onset of low season is a continued vote of confidence in the fact that such sales and promotions, if done right, are a win-win-win for customers, airlines, and the travel ecosystem at large,” said Spice Jet chief operating officer Sanjiv Kapoor.

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Travel Search Consolidation: Expedia Buys Rival Travelocity For $280M

The move puts most US and global travel market in just a few hands.

Sluggish travel industry growth and pressure from insurgent travel providers have prompted Expedia to buy competitor Travelocity. The Wall Street Journal reports the deal is worth $280 million.

The US online travel market is largely controlled by four companies: Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline and Orbitz. Contending with the same pressures and slowing growth, Orbitz is exploring a sale to private equity or perhaps even Google. (Microsoft created Expedia in the late ’90s and spun it out.)

Google several years ago bought ITA software, which powers the reservations systemsof many airlines and travel sites. A Google acquisition of Orbitz would probably be blocked by regulators. It’s unclear if regulators will try and prevent the Travelocity acquisition — though probably not.

In 2012 Priceline bought travel search site Kayak for nearly $2 billion.

Expedia and Travelocity have had a Yahoo-Bing-like relationship since 2013, when Expedia began powering Travelocity.com. That makes the acquisition very logical from both perspectives.

Currently Expedia owns the following online travel brands: Hotels.com, Hotwire, eLong and Trivago. Soon that list will include Travelocity. TripAdvisor and Travel Zoo are independent public companies that are themselves now ripe for acquisition as the market consolidates.

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9 of Seattle’s top luxury hotels

Seattle is a multi dimensional city that offers a great combination of outdoor activities and urban entertainment. You’ve got seaplanes flying overhead, quirky neighborhoods to explore, fantastic food, a busy iconic market on the water and a ferry system that provides infinite possibilities. If it’s culture you’re looking for, Seattle has theatre, museums and art galleries, while outdoorsy types will find endless opportunity for adventure. It’s a city that can sustain multiple trips without ever doing the same thing twice. Here are nine fabulous options for accommodations in the Emerald City.
Four Seasons
Comfortable rooms with televisions integrated into the bathroom mirrors, soaking tubs, modern furnishings, and floor to ceiling windows framing views of the city, bay, and mountains combine to make rooms cozy and luxe.

This five star hotel’s location a block from Pike’s Place Market makes it convenient for exploring the city while the 12-meter rooftop infinity pool is the perfect place to hang out on a sunny day. Glittering quartz sparkles in the light as you float around taking in views of Elliot Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Bright green patio furniture and a glowing fire pit make it a place to linger both during the day and in the evening.
If the pool doesn’t cause you to fully unwind, head to the Spa for a treatment in elegant surroundings with soothing textured decor like shiny glass tiles and striated bamboo floors.  Melt away your stress with a wide variety of unique treatments inspired by ancient healing traditions from various cultures.
ART, the hotel’s restaurant named for the proximity to the Seattle Art Museum across the street is even more divine than the spa.  Fabulous decor and views combine with even more exciting food options like Indian Spice Rubbed King Salmon and other interesting dishes containing locally sourced and organic ingredients prepared with a twist. Food is served in an artful manor, of course, with style and originality. Even if you’re not staying at this hotel, it’s worth making an effort to have dinner at ART.
Pan Pacific
For the most gorgeous, unobstructed views of the Space Needle, head to the Pan Pacific. This modern, luxurious hotel is in an excellent location in the Lake Union neighborhood.

It’s situated right above Whole Foods Market, so you have easy access to healthy foods and sundries. They also are connected to Sea Star Restaurant, which has fantastic sushi. This hotel shines with a wonderful staff that will go out of their way to make sure you are happy. The atmosphere is sleek and the views are spectacular. Be sure to ask for a room with a view of the Space Needle, as it is a big treat to see Seattle’s architectural icon in this comfortable context. After a long day of sightseeing, have an amazing, totally unforgettable Ayurvedic spa treatment at Vida Spa.
Inn at the Market
If you want to explore Seattle’s Pike Place Market, Inn at the Market is an ideal choice. Situated directly in the Market on Pine Street in a hidden ivied courtyard, this hotel is a cozy retreat from the hustle and bustle.  It’s fun to walk around the alleys and discover restaurants, cafes, and shops nearby.

Rooms are clean and crisp featuring contemporary furnishings and sweeping views of the bay, market and Ferris wheel, which is especially pretty at night when it’s all lit up.
Salish Lodge
For a quintessential Pacific Northwest atmosphere, head to Salish Lodge, a luxurious rustic getaway. Nestled in the Cascade foothills, the lodge is perched to overlook the 268-foot majestic Snoqualmie Falls and offers spectacular views. The soothing environment makes you feel like you are much further away from the city than you are, it’s just a 40 minute drive from downtown Seattle or the airport.

Wood burning fireplaces and huge jetted spa tubs provide in room pampering and that feels like a refuge. And if you need a little extra pampering, the spa offers treatments and amenities for guests like soaking pools, sauna and steam room.
The Dining Room offers a menu featuring local ingredients and organic honey sourced from the lodge’s onsite hives. The veggie Eggs Benedict is outstanding, as are the salads on the dinner menu. Meals are enjoyed in a comfortable room overlooking the falls with a crackling fire in the background.  Several community fireplaces are found throughout the lodge making it extra cozy.
Originally built in 1912 as a last stop for travellers crossing the Snoqualmie Pass, Salish Lodge is a perfect place for family meet-ups. Huge suites with dining tables and large seating areas make an ideal space for gatherings. It’s also a great home base for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and weather permitting, snow sports.
Hotel 1000
Hotel 1000 is a bright modern Asian influenced boutique hotel. You’ll see bamboo throughout the hotel and Asian influenced art. Rooms offer big soaking bathtubs complete with rubber duckies, comfortable furnishings, and terrific views. Try to get a corner suite to enjoy fabulous views of Mt. Rainier, Puget Sound, and the city. The downtown location is great for sight seeing.

The hotel’s restaurant, Boka, features upscale comfort food prepared with local and organic ingredients. The Bear Burger, a veggie burger served with local Mama Lil’s relish and truffle fries is excellent, and so is the sourdough grilled cheese and tomato soup. The restaurant has glowing lights that change color and set a fun mood. The whole hotel has a lively vibe.
Head to the Spaahh for some pampering with a signature Bamboo Massage that utilizes bamboo reeds in a similar manner to a hot stone massage.  Golf lovers will be thrilled to find a Virtual Golf Club at Hotel 1000.  Play on 50 of the world’s most famous golf courses in the virtual golf simulator which accommodates up to four players in two separate tee boxes.
Hotel Monaco
Quirky and fun, Hotel Monaco has a festive atmosphere and great location in the heart of downtown Seattle. Dreamy wallpaper with a cloud motif, bright bold colors, and animal print robes make this AAA four-diamond boutique hotel whimsical and fun. They offer coffee in the mornings and local wine and sodas in the evening in the lobby for all guests, creating an opportunity to mingle. The hotel restaurant, Sazerac, known for happy hour and craft cocktails and has seating at the chef’s counter, which can be very entertaining as you watch food prep and interact with the friendly chefs who slip you random tastes.

Cedarbrook Lodge
This airport hotel is like an oasis you’d never expect to find near an airport or in the city. Lush green trees surround the property and you really feel like you are in a remote haven. Décor is quintessential Pacific Northwestern featuring wood and open space. Rooms are cozy and comfortable with lots of greenery outside your window.

The hotel restaurant, Copperleaf, serves fantastic gourmet meals made with organic and locally sourced food. A complimentary shuttle will take you to and from the airport, which is five minutes away. Included with your stay is a breakfast buffet featuring continental offerings like granola and yoghurt. It makes for a very restful stay right before an early morning flight or a great resting point after a long day of travel into Seattle.
Fairmont Olympic
If you like old world luxury, then the Fairmont Olympic is your hotel. Since opening its doors in 1924, the Olympic has been a Seattle landmark hosting such notable guests as President Kennedy, Joan Crawford, and Elvis.

The Olympic was a hopping destination during the 1920’s and you can easily visualize women in flapper dresses sauntering through the hotel. It still retains much of its original design. An opulent lobby with chandeliers and tapestry make a grand first impression and rooms are classic with traditional furnishings and fixtures. The downtown location is convenient to Seattle attractions.
Grand Hyatt
Located near Capitol Hill in the Uptown neighborhood, Grand Hyatt is a AAA four-diamond hotel. They have a club lounge with a great selection of food including local favorites like baked goods from Macrina Bakery. Rooms feature large marble soaking tubs and great views.  Opt for a corner suite for the most beautiful views of the city and Puget Sound.  This hotel is a great choice for business travelers with conferences rooms available for meetings, express checkin, 24 hour business center access and a special program called the Business Plan designed to streamline travel for the business crowd.

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Weird and wonderful: Quirky hotels around the USA

This nearly 100-year-old hotel boasts the largest collection of keys (20,000) in the world.  Baldpate Inn

Standard hotels are no longer the name of the game with so many boutique guesthouses springing up across the country that are full of personality as well as unique charm. We take a look at ten hotels from coast to coast loaded with character you won't find anywhere else.

Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel: Chattanooga, Tenn.
How often do you get the chance to sleep in historic train cars that have been beautifully renovated into a plush hotel? At the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel, you can choose from 48 luxuriously refurbished Victorian train car hotel rooms, or opt for a standard room or suite. The terminal has been remodeled to accommodate several dining options beneath the grand domed ceiling. So super size your model trains and spend the night aboard this locomotive.
Hangar Hotel: Fredericksburg, Texas
Let your vacation take flight with a stay to remember at the Hanger Hotel. Built to emulate a WWII aircraft hanger, the interior of the Hanger Hotel aims to catapult you into the 1940s era. Furniture is covered in bomber jacket leather, walls are adorned with airplane memorabilia and model planes abound. After spending the day exploring Fredericksburg, unwind at the hotel's Officer's Lounge, equipped with a fireplace, pool table, full bar, grand piano and inviting leather chairs.
Curtis Hotel: Denver, Colo.
A play on pop culture, each of the 13 guest floors of The Curtis Hotel incorporates a different light-hearted theme. Just this year, the hotel launched different "hyper themed" rooms dedicated to Star Trek, Jimmy Buffet and the Ghostbusters. The Curtis Hotel prides itself on helping guests to "Stay Happy," whether that means receiving waking up calls from Elvis, Yoda or Austin Powers (yah, baby) or challenging a comrade to a game of Battle Ship. Don't forget to grab some Bazooka Joe bubblegum from the hotel's Five & Dime store before you leave.
Moonrise Hotel: St. Louis, Mo.
The Moonrise Hotel is a boutique hotel bursting with bright colors and evocative art. Judging by the décor, one could make the assumption that the owner has an affinity for the Final Frontier. The luxury digs are accented with lunar toys, spaceships and unusual space memorabilia. If you've always regretted missing space camp as a child, then beam yourself up to the Moonrise. The rooftop terrace bar and eco-friendly practices like the solar panel roof are just a few of the added bonuses – not to mention the hotel's prime location on Delmar Loop near The Pageant and Blueberry Hill.
Jules' Undersea Lodge: Key Largo, Fla.
After a successful day of scuba diving, stay underwater and hang with your favorite finned friends at Jules' Undersea Lodge – the only undersea accommodations available in the world. Leave your car on the shores of Key Largo, don your scuba gear and dive 21 feet to the lodge's entrance. Cuddle up in bed beneath warm blankets and watch schools of fish swish past the 42-inch windows. And yes, there are luxuries like hot showers, TV and movies to enjoy while devouring a Papa John's pizza. The pizza chain makes an underwater delivery of a fresh, hot pizza. The only caveat is that you must be scuba certified to be an underwater guest.
Baldpate Inn: Estes Park, Colo.
Modeled after the inn from the mystery novel Seven Keys to Baldpate, this nearly 100-year-old hotel boasts the largest collection of keys (20,000) in the world. Until WWI began, the inn gave away a key to every guest in the spirit of the novel. But the shortage of metal during the war terminated this practice. When devoted patrons caught wind of this, they began leaving a key at the inn with each visit – 20,000 times apparently. In addition to this marvelous backstory, the hotel features a welcoming B&B atmosphere and is ideally located within seven miles of Estes Park – practically at the doorsteps of Rocky Mountain National Park. Even if you're in a rush to explore the towering peaks, don't miss the homemade three-course breakfast.
Hotel Vertigo: San Franciso, Calif.
Alfred Hitchcock devotees visiting San Francisco should flock to Hotel Vertigo, located in the hip Nob Hill neighborhood. This is the hotel formerly named Empire that was featured in the thriller "Vertigo." Bright colors (oranges and creams used throughout the rooms) and subtle swirl patterns are a nod to its film heritage while simultaneously generating a playful, yet elegant atmosphere (the film loops continuously on a lobby TV). Go forth and uncover this hilly city, but do stay away from the rooftops!

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India’s New Pink Taxi Fleet for Women Offers Pepper Spray, Panic Buttons

Sarita Dixit, 22, a Meru Eve driver, the new women-only taxi service launched Friday January 16, 2015 in new Delhi.

One of India’s largest taxi companies says it has a solution for women worried about their safety after the alleged rape by an Uber driver: pink cabs with pepper spray.
Meru Cab chief executive Siddhartha Pahwa announced the new service–called Meru Eve– Friday from a dais decorated with daisies and gladioli.
“The incident last month forced all of us to think how we can make roads safer for women,” he said.

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Its new line of taxis in Delhi will be driven by women . They will have pepper spray and panic buttons that immediately notify Meru if there is trouble.
There have been taxi services for women for years-such as ForShe Taxis and Sakha Cabs–but Meru Eve promises to take the concept to the next level. The service started in the capital region Friday with around 20 vehicles and may be rolled out in other cities later. 
Meru worked with the Delhi police to equip the cabs and give the women drivers self-defense training to protect themselves and their passengers.

More In Women's-Safety

• In Profile: Men Arrested in the Alleged Rape of Japanese Tourist in India
• Suspect in Japanese Tourist Rape Also Faces Fraud Charges
• Uber Rivals Are Still Operating in Delhi, Despite Ban
• Japanese Tourist Raped on Way to Buddhist Shrine, Indian Police Say
• The State of Rape in Delhi Since Dec. 16, 2012

Meru’s Mr. Pahwa said that after the alleged rape of a female passenger by an Uber driver, Meru received calls from anxious passengers asking for female taxi drivers.
“This is an important step towards women’s empowerment,” said Tajender Singh Luthra, a joint commissioner of police in Delhi.
Meru’s regular drivers have always been given specific training on the appropriate ways to interact with women passengers. It says it has never had a complaint but decided to go further to make women passengers feel more safe.
“These drivers come from small towns and are not used to big city culture, like women smoking, wearing a short dress or travelling alone at night,” Mr. Pahwa said. “We train our drivers to avoid eye contact with women, maintain two feet of distance and not to adjust the rear view mirror to watch the passenger.”
The Meru Eve drivers will wear pink vests and drive white-and-pink hatchbacks.
One of the new drivers, 22-year-old Sarita Dixit, said that she expects her income to jump with demand for women drivers as more companies start women taxi services. Meru drivers typically earn between 20,000 and 30,000 rupees ($322 to $483) a month, which is more than she earned in her last job working as a chauffeur.
The new services will not only help empower women that can afford taxis but also woman looking for work, said Vimla Mehra, Delhi’s special police commissioner for administration.
“You don’t see many women professionals in India. Programs like this build confidence in women to earn a living. They become role models,” she said.

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Uber resumes cab service in Delhi

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Uber said it wiill improve passenger safety by introducing additional safety measures including more stringent driver checks.

By: Reuters | Delhi | Posted: January 23, 2015 11:06 am | Updated: January 23, 2015 12:05 pm

US taxi-hailing app maker Uber Technologies Inc has restarted services in India’s capital, after its three apps were banned following allegations of rape by one of its drivers.

Uber’s apps were working in New Delhi on Friday after the company agreed to apply for a radio taxi licence, a spokesman said. The company previously said the licence did not apply to a technology company that connects passengers with drivers.

Uber also said it would introduce additional safety measures including more stringent driver checks, an in-app emergency button and a dedicated incident response team.

“We are setting an even higher standard than current industry requirements,” Uber said in a statement. “Our commitment to make transportation safe in Indian cities has never been more absolute.”

Delhi’s government banned Uber from operating in the city last month after the alleged attack.

The case triggered protests and reignited debate about the safety of women in Asia’s third-largest economy, especially in New Delhi, which has been widely dubbed India’s rape capital.

Public outrage was further fuelled when authorities revealed the suspect was on bail for sexual assault, and after Uber acknowledged that it did not carry out background checks on drivers in India.

The US company, which was valued at $40 billion last month, has been dogged by clashes with local governments and concerns about safety.

- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/uber-to-resume-cab-service-in-delhi/?SocialMedia#sthash.ObbkBvuZ.dpuf

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These are the world's 10 safest airlines — and the 4 least safe — for 2015

The website Airline Ratings released a list of the top safest and the least safe airlines for 2015. The rankings are based on government audits, fatality records, incident records and operational history.

BOBBY YIP/REUTERS The Airline Ratings website recently released a report of the top 10 safest airlines for 2015. The safety and product review website also rated the four least safe airlines based on fatality records, incident records and government audits.

With 21 fatal accidents and 986 fatalities, 2014 was a bad year in airline safety, according to Airline Ratings.
The airline safety and product review website AirlineRatings.com recently released a report of the top 10 safest airlines for 2015. The report also listed the four least safe airlines.
Airline Ratings reviewed 449 airlines in its report and rated them on a seven-star scale. The scale system was based on government audits, fatality records, incident records and operational history.
The top 10 airlines were all part of the 149 airlines that received a seven-star rating. However, the Australian airline Qantas was once again the rated the No. 1 airline for again maintaining a fatality-free record and being a leader in innovation.
World's safest airlines (alphabetical order):

• Air New Zealand
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific Airways
• Emirates
• Etihad Airways
• EVA Air
• Finnair
• Lufthansa Airlines
• Qantas
• Singapore Airlines

The four least safe airlines all received one star on the rating scale. These four airlines were part of the 50 that received three stars or less.
World's least safe airlines (alphabetical order):

• Kam Air
• Nepal Airlines
• Scat Air
• Tara Air

Airline Ratings does not consider fatal accidents if the airline was a victim of an act of terrorism or if the airline suffered a fatal accident through no fault of its own. The Malaysia Airlines tragedies would be an example. Flight MH17 was shot down by Ukraine rebels and Flight MH370 disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014. Malaysia Airlines had a total of 537 fatalities total with those two tragedies, which are part of the 986 fatalities Airlines Ratings mentioned in their report.

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A new year has dawned and with it, a blank slate for business travelers hitting the road. This year though, the game has changed dramatically. Both Delta and United will now be both awarding miles and assigning elite status based on how much a passenger spends with the airline, shifting benefits away from the casual traveler and towards the high-spend, frequent flyer. For the heaviest of business travelers, this is great news. They’ll now earn miles faster and will achieve elite status faster than casual travelers. Frugal or infrequent business travelers, however, may not like the changes as much. For them, flying on American or Alaska, two airlines with distance-based elite status and awards is still a strong option.
This year also brings big improvements to the in-cabin experience. JetBlue’s Mint product is now fully operational on select routes, providing transcontinental travelers with spacious, industry leading cabins including lie flat seats, TV and WiFi. American is also now offering the only three-class service from coast to coast with lavish first and business class cabins (both with lie-flat seats) and upgraded Gogo ATG-4 internet.  Later this year, Delta is also kicking off its cabin relaunch with quilted business class seats and a new fresh look.

The Best Airlines For Business Travelers In 2015

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First Class on a Delta 737

Based on their loyalty program and hard product, many consider Delta to be a strong contender for the best business carrier.

Based on their loyalty program and hard product, many consider Delta to be a strong contender for the best business carrier. “They run a tight ship, have upgraded planes, lounges, have Gogo WiFi, lots of frequency out of the busiest business hubs and reward their biggest spenders with the most miles,” John DiScalia, the travel expert behind Johnnyjet.com tells me. Seth Miller, who runs the popular Wandering Aramean blog agrees. “Assuming that Delta can continue to deliver high levels of on-time flights and low levels of cancellations it is hard to argue against putting it atop the list for business travelers. The broad deployment of in-flight WiFi on Delta’s planes is a nice benefit as well.”
Those who travel less frequently and are less concerned about miles or elite status may want to consider the product over the mileage or elite program. Most experts agree that JetBlue’s Mint has one of the best transcontinental cabins, though Virgin America’s product geared for shorter-haul business class has been widely lauded. “Those business travelers lucky enough to be based in a city with service from Virgin America should take advantage of the carriers stellar inflight product and outstanding service,” says Chris McGinnis from TravelSkills.com. ”It has nice new planes, decent legroom, good inflight entertainment and 100% WiFi, all of which is now Gogo’s faster ATG-4 variety”
For most, however, the biggest consideration in choosing a partner airline has to do with the routes served from their home city. After all, it doesn’t make sense to select one particular airline when another controls 98% of the volume in that particular city. Travelers in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles thus have the benefit of carefully considering the above criteria and picking an airline. For much of the rest of the country, as Mr. Miller puts it, “the short answer is ‘whatever airline actually flies where you’re going.’”

Sources : http://www.forbes.com/sites/grantmartin/2015/01/19/the-best-airlines-for-business-travelers-in-2015/

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Shut hotels on Agra routes: US agency

NEW DELHI: A week ahead of Barack Obama's visit, the US secret service has requested police to ensure that hotels and eateries around the Delhi-Agra routes are closed for three days from January 25. Delhi Police sought cooperation from their counterparts in the neighbouring states to implement this during an inter-state security meet chaired by commissioner BS Bassi on Friday.

A liaison team of US secret service and CIA met Delhi Police officials on Friday and expressed their concern about the security of roads heading towards Agra. Police sources said that an input suggests that these hotels can be used by terror modules to lodge their operatives near the capital to hamper Republic Day celebrations.

Police sources said that all routes going towards Agra will also be sanitized days before the arrival of the US President. The meeting, which was attended by police chiefs of Ghaziabad, Noida, Sonipat, Gurgaon and Jhajjar, also shared terror-related intelligence and inputs about various extremist outfits, besides curbing criminal activities in the NCR.

Initiatives have been taken to increase police presence in the city and bordering areas. Intensive and coordinated checks are also being conducted at vulnerable points. Bassi also requested the police chiefs to step up their drives to verify tenants and check guesthouses. Police said that cyber cafe owners, second-hand car dealers, transporters, property dealers, cycle sellers, chemical dealers and PCO booth owners will also be sensitized during this drive.

Police said the top cops also discussed the issue of diverting heavy vehicles from January 23 to 25 as the roads heading towards Delhi will be shut. Armed patrols would also be present at border areas to prevent the entry of criminal elements into the city.

Sources said cops would also make provisions to make sure that vehicles carrying supplies for about 1,600 US officials are also made during this period.

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5 top holiday attractions for kids in 2015

How do you decide where you should go for a great family holiday abroad? What is it that makes somewhere the ideal family holiday destination? And how will you know where is right for your family? Well, one of your top concerns will be making the holiday fantastic for the kids. Many of Europe’s most popular family holiday destinations keep people coming back year after year because they have created world class holiday attractions designed with children in mind. Read on to discover five attractions for kids that will be tops with families holidaying in 2015.

Download our free guide Holiday Attractions for Kids in Europe and find out about another 55 holiday attractions for kids

Europa Park in Germany: is the largest seasonal theme park in the world and attracts more visitors than any other theme park in Europe after Disneyland Paris. 2015 sees Europa Park celebrate its 40th anniversary, with some new treats for visitors lined-up. The theme park has more than 100 attractions, including 11 roller-coaster rides, across thirteen European themed areas. Three other fantasy areas include the magical ‘Enchanted Forest’, the ‘Kingdom of the Invisibles’ which opened only last year (2014), and ‘Viking Land’. Located in Rust, on the Franco-German border, the park welcomes around 5 million visitors annually and hosts the Euro Dance Festival each February. When visitors want a break from the rides there are plenty of shows taking place around the park, with special themed events for summer, Halloween, Christmas and some spectacular fireworks displays.

Europa Park in Germany – Source: Europa Park

• Siam Park in Tenerife: is a Thai themed water park, spread over a huge 18.5 hectare site. The park only opened a little over six years ago and has already become a firm favourite with water park lovers. Siam Park claims a number of World records with its attractions, including a wave pool that produces the highest waves of any similar attraction. Of its 11 main rides, the most popular pulse raisers include the Tower of Power (a transparent vertical slide that takes you through a tank area with sharks and stingrays), The Dragon ( a huge slide that incorporates a light show), and the Mekong Rapids river rapids ride. All the park’s buildings are built in traditional Thai styles and there is a floating market where the gift shops and other retail outlets are designed to look like a typical village in Thailand.

Siam Park in Tenerife – Source: Siam Park

• Chester Zoo in the UK: has been popular with families since it opened in 1931. It covers an area of over 45 hectares and from its very beginnings was designed as a modern zoo. There are no sad caged animals at Chester Zoo  – they are all given plenty of space, with moats and ditches protecting them and the visitors alike. It has more than 400 different species of animal and claims to be the UK’s top zoo, with huge plans to become the largest conservation attraction of its type in Europe. Chester Zoo has an excellent record protecting and breeding some of the most exotic and endangered animals in the world. It also brags some spectacular award-winning enclosures and gardens, with plenty to see and well thought out play areas for the kids. If your legs start to tire, you can take advantage of the zoo’s monorail and in peak season you can also use a water bus along the attraction’s canal network.

Cheester Zoo –  iStock.com/ziquiu

• Cite des Sciences et de l’Industrie: is located in Paris’ Parc de la Villette and is the largest science museum in Europe. Spread across five levels, the museum has been a huge success in the years since its opening in 1986. It welcomes around 5 million visitors each year, making it not just a top attraction in Paris but in the whole of France. The museum includes standalone attractions like itsn planetarium, submarine experience and IMAX theatre and has gone to great lengths to appeal to the kids by developing some superb special interactive areas. Four of the five levels have areas where you can buy refreshments, from snack bars to cafes and a proper restaurant on the lowest level. Being in Paris’ 19th arrondissement, Cite des Sciences et de l’Industrie is also incredibly accessible on the Paris metropolitan area’s public transport network.

Cite des Sciences et de l’Industrie – iStock.com/OSTILL

• The Algarve in Portugal: is a superb destination for those who love surfing and for those who want to learn to surf. The waves in the southern Algarve might not be as dramatic as in other parts of the World but they are still impressive enough that they draw many experienced surfers here every year. The area’s mild climate makes this an all year round destination for surfers, as well as for tourists who just want a winter break with unspectacular weather events. With the waters around the Algarve coastline almost always perfect for surfing, there are plenty of surfing schools that are happy to teach novices the skills they need to discover the thrills of this ever popular water sport. You can choose from novice and family surfing lessons right through to courses that ultimately contribute to recognised certificates that will enable you to train others.

Surf in Algarve – iStock.com/zakochana

We hope that this article has given you an insight into what makes these five attractions so popular with kids. By choosing top attractions for kids across five different destinations, we hope also to have given you an idea of where to go and what makes these destinations so popular. Why not download our ebook ‘Holiday Attractions for Kids in Europe’ and find out about another 55 holiday attractions for kids, that they are guaranteed to love? The ebook has a look at a wide range of the different types of attractions and highlights some of the best to be found in Europe.

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Obama in India: Will he accept an invite to travel the ultra-luxury Maharajas' Express to Agra?

The Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation has formally invited US President Barack Obama to travel on the $3000-a night ultra-luxury Maharajas' Express to Agra along with his family.

According to a report in the Economic Times, IRCTC Chairman and MD AK Manocha had said that the invitation had been sent to Obama through the proper channels after taking clearance from the Prime Minister's Office.

"We sent the invite over a week ago. Though we haven't heard from the US authorities, we still have hopes. The invite has not been rejected. He is expected to travel to Agra on January 27 and the ideal thing would be to travel royalty style on the Maharajas' Express. If there is a time constraint, he is welcome to take a short ride around Delhi or even come aboard for a meal," Manocha told Economic Times.

Each guest cabin in the train is equipped with spacious wardobes, and free Wi-Fi. Live television and CCTV cameras are installed in all public areas, and other facilities include a Direct International dial telephone facility, attached bathrooms, and a mini-bar. The Express also offers gourmet dining which includes lactose free meals, kosher meals, an ovo Lacto Veg Meal, gluten free meals, jain and vegan meals, and non-veg meals. Other highlights include royalty-style furnished suites as well as recreational activities and a treasure Chest, a high end boutique where you can shop for gifts and souvenirs. In addition smoke alarms, mini pantries with a round the clock paramedic and valet service is also available.

Maharaja Express

And if Obama does end up accepting the  invitation, it is sure to do wonders for luxury tourism in India.

India has already put security agencies on a nationwide alert for a militant strike in the lead-up to the visit. Obama is due in India for Republic Day ceremonies on 26 January, making this the first time a US president has attended the parade.

Obama will start his three-day visit on 25 January, during which several agreements are expected to be signed. He is scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra before returning to the US on January 27.

On the first day of his visit, the American President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold comprehensive talks on the entire gamut of bilateral ties and discuss ways to enhance cooperation in key components, including civil nuclear and defence pacts.

The two sides had already decided to renew their pact for 10 years during a summit meeting in September in Washington, so as to start joint development and production of military hardware.

After their meeting, Modi and Obama will make press statements.

The US President will also attend a banquet in his honour by President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhawan, according to the information available.

On the second day, Obama is to take part in Indo-US CEO roundtable and on the final day of of the visit, he is expected to address a town hall. However, the time and place has not been finalised so far.

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