10 Romantic Places to Visit in India

TAJ MEHAL



The eternal symbol of love, one of the seven wonders of world the Taj Mahal is situated in Agra in Uttara Pradesh state. The mausoleum is set against the plain across the river Yamuna, through their reflection, changes the view of the Taj. The Taj is pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden when the moon shines. Walking with your beloved at the pavement of Taj when the moon shines is unforgettable memory. In addition to Taj, Agra Fort, Ram Bagh, Fatehpur Sikri etc are some of the tourist places in Agra.

NANITAL





Nainital is a beautiful, serene and a green hill station situated at an altitude of 6,358 feet above sea level. It is in Uttarakhand state. There are many attractions like snow view, Naina peak, Tiffin Top, ropeway, horse riding and boating etc. ‘View Point’ is another beautiful tourist spot which is 5 kms away from Nainital where you can have a glimpse of mighty Himalayan range. As this place is famous for people who love walking you can enjoy the scenic beauty by taking long walks.

MANALI





Manali is the most beautiful honeymoon destination in Himachal Pradesh state. It is popular for its natural beauty. People say this place as “India’s Switzerland”. The best time for visiting this place is May to October as the climate is very cold during the other months. Rafting, Skiing, Paragliding are some of the adventurous activities that can be done here. Rahalla Falls, Malan Valley, Manali Sanctuary etc are some other attractions here.


OOTY







Ooty is a popular hill station located in Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu state. It is situated at an altitude of 7,440 feet above sea level. This “Queen of Hill stations” attracts tourists with its dense forests, lofty mountains, tea estates and charming flowers.
The main attraction is mountain train journey on a ratchet through many curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines. Several beautiful parks and lakes are here. Lovedale a quiet, undisturbed hamlet is located just a few kilometres from Ooty.

KERELA





The main attraction in Kerala is backwater houseboat. Kettuvallam (houseboat) is made of wood without using a single nail.
The boat has one or two double bed rooms with attached bath room with all modern comforts. It is equipped with lamp and fan that work with solar energy. The cruise through the backwaters of waters of Kerala, visit simple villages to see the products made by the local artisans, paddy fields, temples, beaches etc till sunset. It is anchored at a picturesque location for night. Other tourist places in Kerala include Kochi, Kovalam beach, Kumarkom and Kairali Ayurvedic Health Resorts.

ARAKU VALLEY





Araku valley is a famous hill station in Andhra Pradesh situated at an altitude of 2992 feet above sea level. Journey to Araku by train is a memorable experience as the train goes through tunnels, hill sides and streams. You can spend in tree top cottages that hang 10 feet above the ground level in the middle of green surroundings of Araku Valley.

Another attraction of Araku is Borra caves. Borra caves are located 29 km from Araku Valley at a height of about 800 to 1300 meters above sea level. Inside the caves, there is a formation that looks like the human brain, hence the name.

Anantagiri waterfalls, Dumbriguda waterfalls, Padmapuram Gardens, tribal museum and tribal dance are other attractions.

KHAJURAHO



Khajuraho is a village in Madhya Pradesh. Khajuraho temples are popular for their erotic art. Many people think that the total architecture of temples is carved with erotic art. But only 10% of carvings of the temples contain sexual themes, the remaining 90% depict the everyday activities of human beings. You cannot find sexual art inside the temple. People interpret this, one should leave his/her desires outside the temple and to get divinity one should not affect by physical body. Anyhow the art and architecture make the people enjoyable.

KHAJJIAR



Khajjiar is a small grassy meadow between tall deodar trees in Himachal Pradesh situated at an altitude of 1951 m above sea level. It is one of the most charming spots in the Himalayas. This has a small pond at its center. There are two floating islands in the middle of the pond which are sometimes hidden from view as tall grass grows on them. Chamba Valley and Dalhousie are other tourist attraction. Best time to visit this place is March to June.

GOA





With its charming beauty and popular beaches Goa is one of the most popular romantic destinations. Though there are many beaches, Palolem beach is the most attractive beach in Goa. Little rush when compared to other beaches, cheap and easy availability of transport and cheap accommodation options made Palolem beach favorite to honeymoon couples. Sun bathing and fishing trips are some of the enjoyable activities that can be done here. Other attractions in Goa include Baga beach, Dona Paula, Bogmolo beach etc.

BIKANER





If you are planning for a different experience then try Bikaner. This is a romantic desert destination. It is located amidst Thar Desert in Rajasthan state. This historical city consists of religious shrines, beautiful forts and castles. Junagarh Fort, Camel Farm, Lalgarh Palace, Kolayat and Devi Kund Sagar are some tourist attractions. Best time for visiting this place is October to February.

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Most Beautiful Canadian Island - Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is Canada's smallest and greenest province. Cradled on the waves of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, PEI is known for the vivid colours of its gently rolling landscape. Prince Edward Island is surrounded by miles of sandy beaches and red sandstone cliffs and is sized just right for touring.
According to the 2009 estimates, Prince Edward Island has 141,000 residents. It is located in a rectangle defined roughly by 46°–47°N, and 62°–64°30′W and at 5,683.91 km² (2,194.57 sq mi) in size, it is the 104th largest island in the world, and Canada's 23rd largest island. The island was named for Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767–1820), the fourth son of King George III and the father of Queen Victoria.

Climate

Winters are moderately cold, with clashes of cold Arctic air and milder Atlantic air causing frequent temperature swings. From December to April, the island usually has many storms (which may produce rain as well as snow) and blizzards. Springtime temperatures typically remain cool until the sea ice has melted, usually in late April or early May. Summers are moderately warm, but rarely uncomfortable, with the daily maximum temperature only occasionally reaching as high as 30 °C (86 °F). Autumn is a rather pleasant season, as the moderating Gulf waters delay the onset of frost, although storm activity does increase over that of summer. There is ample precipitation throughout the year, although it is heaviest in the late autumn and early winter and mid spring.

Daytour Regions

• Sunsets & Seascapes
• Ship to Shore
• Anne's Land
• Charlotte's Shore
• Bays & Dunes
• Hills & Harbours

Blue Heron Drive

Blue Heron Drive (about 200 km / 124 mi), in the central part of the island, has as its main attraction the long silvery beaches of the North Shore - the best are in Prince Edward Island National Park (entrance fee only if by car). The drive passes through many little holiday resorts and many of the island's tourist attractions and leisure parks, the most interesting being places connected with that famous book "Anne of Green Gables".

From Charlottetown Blue Heron Drive follows the North Shore, with its fine beaches and red sandstone cliffs, then at New London Bay, further west, it comes to the home of the blue heron after which it is named (the sign is a blue heron on a blue-framed square white background). From here it turns south to the South Shore, with several Provincial Parks and their beaches, campsites and picnic areas, ending up back at Charlottetown.


Cavendish 

Cavendish has one of Canada's most popular beaches. Its Rainbow Valley amusement park of about 9 ha (22 acres) has pleasant gardens, a boating lake and a barn.

The biggest attraction around Cavendish is the Avonlea Village of Anne of Green Gables.


Sandspit Cavendish Beach

Sandspit Cavendish Beach has 18 rides and attractions for all ages including a rollercoaster, go-karts, classic family rides, a miniature golf course and rides geared to children.

Green Gables Farmhouse

The countryside around Cavendish was the setting for Avonlea, Lucy Maud Montgomery's fictional farming community of her famous novel "Anne of Green Gables". The Green Gables Farmhouse, about 2 km (1 mi.) west of the town on Highway 6 near the Cavendish entrance to the national park, is an enduring reminder of this popular children's classic.

Ann of Green Gables Museum 

The "Anne of Green Gables Museum" in Kensington is in the house built in 1872 where Lucy Maud Montgomery lived from time to time, and is packed with Montgomery memorabilia including signed copies of the first edition of the famous novel.

Malpeque 

Malpeque is one of Prince Edward Island's historic sites. A home to the Micmac, it was settled by the French in the early 18th c. Captain Samuel Holland, sent here by the British in 1765, named the place "Princeton", but it later reverted to its old Indian name. Much of the later immigration was from Scotland, and many of their descendants still live here today.

Malpeque Gardens 

One of the finest gardens in eastern Canada, Malpeque has several hundreds of different kinds of flowers, including dahlias and roses, and contains such interesting features as an old windmill and a showcase beehive.

Port-la-Joye-Fort Amherst National Historic Site 

Port de la Joie, was the first place on the island to be settled by the French in 1720. The British built Fort Amherst here in 1758 after they captured the settlement, but today only the earthworks remain. The whole site has been declared the Port-la-Joye-Fort Amherst National Historic Site of Canada.

Green Provincial Park 

The road to Green Provincial Park winds its way through woodland groves and open fields. At the center of the park is the elegant villa of shipbuilding magnate James Yeo Jr. Built in 1865, the villa has been restored and filled with period furniture. The history of shipbuilding on Prince Edward Island is told in a modern exhibition building and a 19th c. shipyard at the water's edge shows how a wooden ship was built. The park has what are probably the finest campsites on the island.

Lady Slipper Drive 

Named after the Lady Slipper orchid, Prince Edward Island's floral emblem which grows in its shady woodland, the drive is signed by a red orchid in a red frame on a square white background. Lady Slipper Drive (about 300 km (186 mi.)) follows the coastline in the western part of the island, with its red sandstone cliffs, silvery sands and lush green meadows, passing through peaceful farmland growing mostly potatoes.

This part of Prince County has lots of little villages, many of them quite old and still following a traditional way of life. Here live the descendants of the French-speaking Acadians who since 1884 have had their own flag as a symbol of their cultural unity.

Acadian Pioneer Village 

The Acadian Pioneer Village at Cape Egmont, 5 km (3 mi.) west of Mont Carmel on the Acadian Shore, is a recreation of an authentic early 19th c. village, with a church, village hall, store, school, a well and smithy. The houses have objets d'art and restored furniture of the period.

Cedar Dunes Provincial Park 

North along the coast, at the island's westernmost point, the 2 km (1 mi.) white-sand beach of Cedar Dunes Provincial Park is overlooked by the West Point Lighthouse, an old wooden lighthouse from 1874 that had its own keeper until thirty years ago. It was restored and now contains a little museum a shop for craftwork and rooms for visitors.

Malpeque Bay 

Malpeque Bay is where Prince Edward Island's world-famous oysters have their main beds. It is the center of Canada's oyster-farming, yielding about 5 million oysters a year. In the west of Malpeque Bay numerous branches of the fishing industry have their bases.

Prince Edward Island National Park 

Take Highway 25 out of York, then turn right onto Highway 220 to Grand Tracadie, then left to Prince Edward Island National Park. This extends from Tracadie Bay in the east to Cavendish Bay in the west, a long line of lovely white-sand beaches. Over 200 species of birds can be seen here, including the superb blue heron. Despite the enormous influx of tourists in summer, the park has surprisingly managed to maintain its ecological balance.

The landscape of Prince Edward Island National Park includes sand dunes, beaches, cliffs, forests, and wetlands. Although it is most visited during the summer months, the park is also open in winter and offers cross country ski trails.

Wood Islands 

Wood Islands, on the south coast, has a ferry terminal with ferries to Caribou, Nova Scotia.

Transportations
By car

Being an island, PEI has limited access by car.

* The monumental Confederation Bridge almost a visitor attraction in and of itself (viewing stations on the New Brunswick side offer good photo opportunities), crosses the Northumberland Strait between New Brunswick and PEI. It's reached from the mainland on TCH Route 16 near Aulac, and stretches 13 kilometers across open water to the island. The CND $41.50 toll (2 axle vehicle) is collected on the PEI side when returning to the mainland.
* PEI Express Shuttle, +1-877- 877-1771, offers van service between PEI and Halifax. 3 days advance reservation is recommended.
* There are a number of car ferries into PEI.
o The Northumberland Ferries, +1 888- 249-7245,cross from Caribou, Nova Scotia to Woods Islands about once every hour and a half, from 6:30AM to 7:00PM ($15 per passenger or $68 per car). The ferries do not operate during the winter months.
o CTMA, +1 418 986-3278, runs ferries from Cap-aux-Meules on Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec to Souris about once a day ($40 per passenger or $75 per car).

By plane

Prince Edward Island is served by a single airport located in Charlottetown. The following airlines operate passenger flights into the airport:

* Air Canada/Air Canada Jazz (Halifax (Nova Scotia), Montreal, Toronto)
* Westjet (Toronto)
* Sunwing Vacations (Toronto)
* Delta Air Lines (Boston, Detroit)

By ship
Throughout the summer months, cruise liners stop in Charlottetown for one day visits.

Get around

Non-metered taxi service is available within the city limits of Charlottetown and Summerside, as well as in most large communities. Most taxi companies are willing to provide transportation to rural areas of the island as well but be prepared to pay a higher rate for this service.

In 2005, the city of Charlottetown introduced a new public transit system that provides bus transporation at a cost of $2 to various locations around the city. Although the service does not extend very far beyond city limits it does provide fast, reliable transportation to most locations within them.

In the summer cycling is popular. Although most roads do not have wide shoulders or designated bike lanes, drivers tend to be quite courtous to cyclists. The landscape consists mostly of rolling hills; there are few steep hills to climb. Additionally, the Confederation Trail stretches from one end of the island to the other. Built on a disused rail bed, the trail has low grades and is reserved for cyclists and pedestrians. MacQueen's Island Tours (based in Charlottetown), and Atlantic Canada Cycling  

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10 Best steaming pools

World's Coolest Hot Springs

Sometimes surreal, always sublime, and occasionally stinky, these 10 steaming pools of wellness are worth a dip.
From the icy tundra of Alaska to the arid desert of the Atacama, our molten-to-the-core planet is laced with underground plumbing that regularly springs a surface leak. And visiting these hot springs can be a therapeutic addition to any vacation.
An hour or two in a thermal pool—especially one surrounded by natural beauty and clean air—is just about the greenest way to relax and recharge, courtesy of our blue planet.

Blue Lagoon

Grindavik, Iceland

The Soak: Healing power on a massive scale—literally, as its real purpose is to supply hot water and electricity to 45,000 Icelanders—this lagoon just outside Reykjavik holds 1.6 million gallons of 99°F–102°F geothermal seawater laced with silica, minerals, and algae.
The Scene: With 400,000 visitors annually, Blue Lagoon has a theme-park feel. Still, a soak here is undeniably cool, like a communal pool party of Icelanders and tourists slathering silky silica mud on their faces and bodies.
When to Go: Year-round, but Iceland’s winters are notoriously glum with just a few hours of daylight, while summers are 24/7 celebrations since the sun barely sets.

Banff Upper Hot Springs

 

Alberta, Canada

The Soak: What’s a little pungent aroma when you’re surrounded by the majesty of some of North America’s most awe-inspiring peaks—including aptly named Sulphur Mountain? Discovered in 1884, these soothing 98°F–104°F waters are loaded not only with sulphate but also with calcium, magnesium, sodium, and bicarbonate.
The Scene: Set amid the glacier-studded panoramas of Banff National Park, the spring-fed pools are serviced by a retro-rustic 1930s bathhouse with splendid views of Mount Rundle. Hike the steep 3.5-mile switchback trail up Sulphur Mountain before a pre-sundown soak.
When to Go: Year-round, but for fewer crowds and peak foliage visit in the morning during early fall.

Pamukkale

 

Denizli, Turkey


The Soak: Known as the Sacred Pool, this divine dip in southwestern Turkey lives up to its name: as you float in spring-fed water that’s a relatively refreshing 94°F, look up at a cerulean Aegean sky and down at 2,000-year-old Greek and Roman antiquities scattered on the pool’s floor.
The Scene: The eye candy here is a panorama of gleaming white terraces—Pamukkale means “Cotton Castle” in Turkish—created as flowing water deposited layers of calcium carbonate. Soaking in these natural pools is no longer allowed, but you can snap photos and then visit the nearby Roman city of Hierapolis.
When to Go: Year-round, but early fall is particularly lovely.

Hot Water Beach

 

Waikato, New Zealand

The Soak: “No pain, no gain” is the motto at this unique beach just south of the North Island’s Mercury Bay: you have to bring a shovel and dig your own “hot tub,” which for two hours before and after low tide will fill with spring-fed water laced with calcium, magnesium, potassium, silica, and fluorine. Note: also bring a bucket to add cold seawater to regulate the temperature, which can emerge at a scalding 147°F.

The Scene: It’s a communal Kiwi beach bash, so arrive early to stake out your circle of sand.
When to Go: Year-round, but summer (December to March) is ideal.

Chena Hot Springs

 

Fairbanks, Alaska

The Soak: The adults-only Rock Lake, fed by sulfur-tinged springs, reaches a toasty 106°F, but the truly hot ticket is the blazing aurora borealis (northern lights), neon-hued curtains of charged particles that dance across the late-night sky above you.
The Scene: Rock Lake is part of the 105-year-old Chena Hot Springs Resort; located 60 miles from Fairbanks, it has 80 rooms and suites, plus an indoor springs-fed pool (chlorinated and 94°F), a spa, an ice museum, and dogsled tours.
When to Go: Year-round, but the northern lights are most spectacular from September to March.

Jigokudani Monkey Park

 

Yamanouchi, Japan

The Soak: The old adage “monkey see, monkey do” is apropos, as this mountain region’s Japanese macaques (a.k.a. snow monkeys) have taken such a liking to the steamy onsens (Japanese for “hot springs”) that they’ve claimed the best for themselves. All we hapless humans can do is watch—and then head to Yamanouchi town, where a dozen-plus traditional (no swimsuits) communal onsens await.
The Scene: Jigokudani means “Hell’s Valley,” and it is a trek to get to these secluded pools located at 2,790 feet and a mile-plus by foot through formidable forest. But persevering monkey fans will be rewarded.
When to Go: Winter, when the simian-filled springs are steamiest and skiers can hit the slopes at nearby 1998 Nagano Olympics site Shiga Kogen.

Thermae Bath Spa

 

Bath, England
The Soak: Enjoy a splash of history at Britain’s only natural thermal springs—the water is believed to have fallen as rain 10,000 years ago—which have vanquished stress for everyone from conquering Celts and Romans (their ancient baths are now a museum) to politicians and poets. Although the water surfaces at a red-hot 113°F, the spa’s intimate Cross Bath and rooftop New Royal Bath are a comfy 93°F.
The Scene: Paging Mr. Darcy! One of Britain’s loveliest Georgian cities, Bath is best known for its honey-hued limestone crescents and celebrated resident-author Jane Austen.
When to Go: Year-round.

Calistoga Hot Springs

 

Calistoga, Calif.
The Soak: There’s lots more than hot water on tap at this onetime hippie hangout in Napa Valley: Calistoga’s mud baths are as free-flowing as Merlot. Chill-out types will find an array of spas—from frayed-at-the-edges to five-star—offering 80°F–102°F geothermal pools and volcanic ash mud pits where sassy slathering is not verboten.
The Scene: Founded in 1885, Calistoga’s wines are known to loosen inhibitions and lips—as they did when Samuel Brannan christened it “the Calistoga of Sarafornia” (he meant to say the Saratoga of California).
When to Go: Year-round.

Dunton Hot Springs

 

Dolores, Colo.
The Soak: Yee-haw! This impeccably restored ghost town, located at 8,600 feet in the San Juan Mountains near Telluride, offers six ways to soak in waters ranging from 85°F–106°F and rich in calcium-bicarbonate, iron, and manganese with a pinch of lithium. The most authentic (and hottest) is under the stars at the source; the most private is the king-bedded Well House cabin for two.
The Scene: Twelve hand-hewn cabins, built by gold miners in the 1800s and given a five-star facelift, bunk up to 42 people. Social hubs are the Saloon (serving organic local cuisine) and the Bath House (with two geothermal pools).
When to Go: Year-round.

Puritama Hot Springs

 

Atacama Desert, Chile
The Soak: The high desert—and at 11,482 feet, we mean high—of this geyser-spiked South American region provides a dramatic backdrop for eight secluded pools named for the term “hot water” in the indigenous Kunza language. While not especially scorching at 91°F, they do, however, have a brilliant blue-green color and an ultrarelaxing aura.
The Scene: Maintained by luxury adventure resort Explora Atacama, the pools, north of San Pedro de Atacama, are open to the public but are rarely crowded.
When to Go: Year-round, but the weather is best from October to June.

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