Posts Tagged ‘Enchanting’

South Indian Tours: An Exotic Ensemble of Enchanting Experiences

The peninsular region of South India beckons tourists with its breathtaking natural beauty and rich cultural and architectural heritage that is much older than North India. Surrounded by seas and oceans from three sides, it has some of the best beaches in the world. A complete amalgamation of panoramic landscapes; divine temples; magnificent art forms; entrancing backwaters; and best health tourism opportunities for those who want to experience meditation, yoga and ayurveda, South India tour packages offer a whole plethora of vacation and tourism options to try and explore.

Overwhelming grandeur of its temples and pristine natural beauty of its beaches fringed by palm trees swinging in the cool sea breeze present a mesmerizing sight. Warm and friendly, the people of South India are highly educated in general. The extreme contrasts of South India are its key attractions. Ornate temples and intricately carved monuments stand in contrast with rich humid mangroves and warm sandy beaches that retain the natural bliss of the region. Offering the most exotic expressions of South Asia, South India is full of surprises. Presenting an interesting past that dates back to thousands of years, the intriguing diversity of four major states – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu – of South India is astonishing.

Closer to northern India, Andhra Pradesh bore the worst of the political invasions and external influences, out of the four states of South India. Today, it embodies secularism and Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims live in perfect harmony here. While Hyderabad is famous for its Mughal-era monuments, Tirupati Balaji is one of the wealthiest temples that exist, where religious frenzy can be seen at its zenith. The architectural and cultural legacies of various dynasties such as Mauryas, Pallavas, Cholas, Satavahanas, and Chalukyas can be seen here.

Besides the beautiful beaches, Karnataka is a treat for all the five senses. Carnatic Music, Incense Sticks or Agarbatti, and Coffee and Sandalwood Plantations of Karnataka are some of the most cherished achievements of the state. The most glorious of all states in terms of richness of literature, culture, traditions, history, architecture and artistic formsm however, is Tamilnadu. The ethereal charm of Tamil Nadu makes it a tourist paradise. Rightly known as God’s Own Country, Kerala has some excellent beaches to die for such as the Kovalam beach at Thiruvananthapuram. The backwaters of Alappuzzha and ancient churches of Kottayam are almost as famous as the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple and the Golden Valley of Ponmudi.

Besides these distinctive states, several South India tour packages include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, Pondicherry and Goa in their itineraries. You may also opt for Golf tours in Ooty, Chennai and Bangalore. Romantic and laid-back Goa is known for its world-class music and white sandy beaches presenting the best tropical vacation tourism option. Inaccessible and mysterious, the islands of Andaman and Nicobar seduce tourists with their natural panoramas, dense forest covers and virgin beauty. The tiny archipelago of Lakshadweep has 10 inhabited and 17 uninhabited islands, 12 atolls, three reefs, 5 submerged reefs and attached islets that make for an ideal destination for those who love to explore new regions of the world. The splendid sea resorts of Pondicherry have a noticeable European outset with Portuguese, Dutch and French influence prominent throughout the Coromandel Coast. South India is an ideal holiday destination and the best tour packages will offer you an eclectic mix of magnificent beaches, hill resorts, natural backwaters and unrivaled specimens of temple architecture.

Holiday on the Enchanting Relaxing Island of Isla Mujeres Across the Bay From Cancun

Just across the Bay from the hustle and bustle of Cancun lies the small serene island of Isla Mujeres, nestling on the Mayan Riviera. Here white sand beaches border the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, under the blue skies, as colourful fishing boats dot on the horizon. Isla Mujeres is a very popular destination for those seeking a more relaxed, tranquil, Mexican holiday experience. The Mayan Riviera world famous Coral Reefs create paradise waters for Snorkeling and Scuba Diving. Isla Mujeres white sand beaches, and quaint Mexican street scene takes on back to a bygone era.

There is great holiday accommodation offered which is varied, affordable and comfortable, from where to explore, and enjoy, the pleasures of Isla Mujeres.

Nature is certainly bountiful on Isla Mujeres. There are many vantage points on Isla from which you can see stunning sunsets and breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. Cosy hotels and restaurants located downtown, a Marine Park with world class facilities a haven for snorkellers with an incredible underwater world teeming with tropical fish, with their bright colours, nurturing the senses.

Dolphin Discovery

Swimming and playing with dolphins is a unique and therapeutic experience. Because these mammals have a friendly and sociable nature, it is for people to interact with them safely, and you do not need to be an expert swimmer to do so.

At Dolphin Discovery you can touch a dolphin, shake its fin, go diving with them and even receive a kiss. Visitors have the chance to interact with these amazing creators as well as with other marine species such as sharks, sting rays, spider monkeys, toucans and macaws. Dolphin Discovery definitely is one of Isla’s most fantastic attractions

Garrafon Marine Park

The name Garrafon means ‘decanter’, an excellent name for this natural aquarium where the waters are clear, calm and reefs are so abundant with life that it gives you a feeling of being inside a decanter. You can safely swim and snorkel due to the soft ocean current being almost imperceptible.

The reef in this area is part of the second longest barrier reef in the world and is home to an enormous variety of species, including some which are considered endangered.

Punta Sur

Located on the southern most tip of Isla Mujeres, where the sun rises, in the Park of Sculptures. Due to its unique geographic location, it has been designated as a permanent open air museum in 2001 and displays 23 original pieces by local and foreign artists. Among the most famous pieces are those by the world famous sculptors Sebastian and Jose Luis Cuevas, from Mexico.

It is a splendid site, enhanced by the incredible backdrop of majestic cliffs, enhanced by the stunning turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

Turtle Farm

For thousands of years the beaches on Isla Mujeres have been nesting grounds for marine turtles that return to the same beach every year. Between the months of May and September they lay hundreds of eggs and then return to the sea, leaving their babies to fend for themselves.

The Turtle Farm is on of Isla’s main attractions and a source of pride for the local community and without the important work of Tortugranja (Turtle Farm) only a small number of the hatchlings would survive, as many of the local natural predators and also poachers.

The hatchlings are protected until they are strong enough to live in the sea. At which point the local Island schools are invited to set them free on the shore. This provides a fantastic opportunity for the children to understand about conservation techniques and to learn how to help the survival of this wonderful species.

Templo Maya

Historically speaking, Templo Maya, is one of the most important attractions on Isla Mujeres. In Punta Sur, there is an ancient temple, erected to worship the Mayan Goddess of the moon and fertility, Ixchel. Built on higher ground, archaeologists say it was also used as a lighthouse to guide the trade boats coming ashore from Cozumel, Tulum and Xaman-ha, now known as Playa del Carmen.

Mundaca Hacienda

An interesting attraction, is the remains of an old estate belonging to the famous Caribbean pirate Femin Antonto de Mundaca y Marechega, who is also renowned architect, poet, slaver trader and of course dreaded buccaneer. The Hacienda has many legends to tell, especially famous is one about Mundaca’s heart was broken, leading him to despair and a terribly sad end.

The estate is open to the public and is home to a small zoo, where visitors can see endemic animals species and walk through the lush tropical gardens.

Whale Sharks

Isla Mujeres and her visitors are blessed as once a year, with arguably the world’s most amazing opportunity, to experience Whale Sharks in their natural habitat. During the summer months (June – September) hundreds of Whale Sharks gather just north of Isla Mujeres in a seven mile radius to take advantage of the plankton rich waters created by the joining of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

A quick, but breathtakingly beautiful, one hour boat ride from the docks of Isla Mujeres will place you right within the territory, where a trained guide will search out the Whale Sharks. This will be an experience you will never forget.

The Shark Whale is normally solitary creates, but off Isla Mujeres they socialise in groups of up to 20. This phenomenon gives nearly a 100% success rate of seeing multiple Whale Sharks on a one day tour, not to be missed.

To find out more about the enchanting Island of Isla Mujeres go to www.islamujeres.co.uk