0 Things to Do in Auckland

If you are headed to the North Island city of Auckland for a weekend, a week or even longer, you are probably wondering what there is that you need to check out. It might be the centre of business and commerce in the country, but that's not all that Auckland offers its residents and visitors. Check out a few of these key attractions for couples, friends or just to entertain the kids on your family holiday. Whether you're travelling from abroad or you are a local heading to the city for a getaway, Auckland is sure to deliver.
Snow Planet
New Zealand's only indoor and year-round ski resort Snowplanet can be found in Auckland. For international visitors who are keen to see the snow but have picked the wrong time of the year, Snowplanet is the best place for beginners, intermediates or experts to hit the slopes and experience some thrills. Gear rentals are available and there's even a cafe and restaurant if you're planning to spend the day. Snowplanet is also the perfect place to chill out during the summer school holidays!
Visit Rotoroa Island
Rotoroa Island is an arts, heritage and conservation island in the Hauraki Gulf where visitors can explore history and nature during their stay. Sandy beaches invite swimmers and sunbathers while those who fancy a tour through native New Zealand bush can do so at the southern headland.
Hobbiton Excursion
Take and InterCity trip to the original Hobbiton movie set in Matamata. The location can be seen in both the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit as The Shire and visitors will get to explore Hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and many other iconic set pieces during a two hour tour of Hobbiton. It's perfect for any fans of the Lord of the Rings and serves as a nice little day trip out of Auckland city itself.
Auckland Museum
Situated in Auckland Domain, Auckland Museum is home to many intriguing and significant stories of New Zealand people as well as Maori and Pacific Island history and culture. Originally a memorial building focused solely on war history, the first and second World Wars are still a centrepiece of the museum.
Check out some of these top things to do in Auckland and enjoy your stay in the city. Share the arts, thrills, history and culture with your partner, family or friends and create some unforgettable memories in New Zealand's largest and most exciting city.

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0 Happy Hours: Fairs and Festivals of Rajasthan

FAIRS IN RAJASTHAN
Hosting fairs is a way people socialise, generate business opportunities and enjoy the spirit of togetherness in Rajasthan. Here enlisted are some of the fairs held in different cities of Rajasthan.
PUSHKAR FAIR
The largest fair across Rajasthan, is held in the small town of Pushkar pre-dominantly in the months of October or November. The Pushkar ka Mela as it is better known as, is the picturesque of Rajasthan's culture, tradition and arts. Rajasthan Tourism is at its best with this kind of festivity on display. The bold use of colours - jovial environment and feeling of pride on the faces of the residents create an atmosphere irresistible to detach oneself from.
The major attractions of the fair are:
Camel Race: Thousands of camels are sold, decorated and raced for theenjoyment of the crowd. Camels also seem to relish the fanfare.
Moustache: Public display of extra-ordinarily huge moustaches by men from across Rajasthan catches spectators in amazement.
Ghoomer: One of the most captivating folk dances in India. The energetic yet swift, delicate and graceful movements of the performers make every foot around the performance tap to the music.
The traditional dressing style of males and females is appealing to the eye. The colourful yet huge turbans followed by shiny apparels on the body and slim Jooti on the foot make males attract a lot of attention. Females don traditional flowing lehengas and full length blouses shimmering with stitched mirrors on them. The full arm covering multi-coloured bangles, long and heavy ear rings and nose rings aka Natni are the dominant ornamental coverings along with heavy necklaces.
NAGAUR CATTLE FAIR
Held in February in Nagaur, Rajasthan is a unique fair starring 'cattles.' The cattles are brought together from across Rajasthan and decorated by their owners. The decorated cattles are quite an eye-candy and the eccentricity of the event enchants the tourists. Tug of War, Bullock races etc. are highlights of the events.
BANESHWAR FAIR
Held in Dungarpur, compromises of many traditional rituals and stretches for a period of 4 days. Many Rajasthan tour package companies encourage tourists to purchase the handicrafts up for sale as souvenirs.
PECULIAR FESTIVALS OF RAJASTHAN
Similar to the fairs, the festivals of Rajasthan seem to bring vigour of their own. The aura of the festivals in Rajasthan generates happy vibes in the air and anyone in proximity to them can feel them.
DESERT FESTIVAL OF JESALMER
Organised by Rajasthan Tourism Board, the Desert Festival aka Thar Festival spring the tumultuous sand dunes into life by adding vibrant colours, plush markets, traditional folklore and much more. The music is celestial and can make you groove with the melodious sounds of instruments like iktara. The festival takes place in the colder days of January or February, and Rajasthan Tour Packages ensure that the tourists get to be involved in the festivities.
ELEPHANT FESTIVAL OF JAIPUR
Celebrated along with the festival of colours i.e. Holi, the Elephant festival provides treats like parade of elegantly decorated elephants, games of polo played on elephants, elephant racing along with heart-pumping music and dance. The elephants seem to enjoy the celebrations as much as the humans involved. Rajasthan Tours increase manifold to witness the festivities like this.
GANGAUR FESTIVAL
The Gangaur festival is a special festival only for ladies. Married, Unmarried and Newlyweds are the dominant participants in the celebrations. Colourful marches are carried out on city streets. Ladies celebrate the festival by making mehendi (henna) patterns on their hands. Female tourists on Rajasthan tours join the celebration and get submerged in the atmosphere of joy.
AND A LOT MORE...
The above mentioned are just a few glimpses of the festivities which take place in the magnificent state of Rajasthan. Rajasthan Tourism ensures merriment and care for all the tourists who participate in the fairs and festivals. There are plenty of more festivals that you shall discover when you plan your own Rajasthan Tours.

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0 Traveling to Goa? Here's How to Get the Best Out of Your Tour Package

For most European and American tourists, India is always a budget deal. That probably explains a lot of backpackers and teetotalers in Indian cafes and restaurants. For most foreign tourists, getting a decent deal on Indian holiday packages is nowhere a straight deal. In case you are one, more often than not, you'll end up getting shortchanged for the high package rates scrupulous tour operators charge. So, how do you escape the ruckus and book a decent package? I cannot say for the entire country but I definitely know a thing or two about getting the maximum bang for your buck when booking Goa Hotel Packages. This article will be your smart guide to avoid getting fleeced by Indian tour operators and deal like a local.
1- Flaunt an Indian connection; If not, fake it
If you have an Indian friend, colleague, kin, teacher, student, plumber etc., let your tour operator know. This would help breed a sense of familiarity, besides serving as an unspoken warning that you know your tour rates. This way, the tour operator will think twice before quoting ridiculous rates for your deal. In case you have no such acquaintance, fake one. Tell your operator, this is your nth trip to India and you have earlier been to ABC city (research a few prominent cities beforehand). New Delhi, Goa, Mumbai, Rajasthan and Kerala are popular with international tourists. In India, connections will take you a long way. So invent one if you don't have any.
2- Quote Competing Quotes; Fake it Again if You Have to
Yes, bargaining is imperative to getting a decent deal with Indian tour operators. Conduct an exhaustive search for major tour operators offering, say, Goa Hotel Packages and cross check package rates along with inclusions and exclusions. Now when you call a tour operator, quote the lesser rates by other vendors. Once again, if you are already calling the lowest bidder, fake quotes. This will help you extract the best and the most out of your deal. Remember, not to go overboard and refer prices that are so low that they either give away your bluff or disengage the operator. Remember you want to close this deal.
3- Start With the Basics and Then Work Your Way Up
Do not ever disclose all your tour plans initially. That will always take your tour costs up. Start with the bare basics of the trip - accommodation, airfare, meal plans etc. Let the vendor take initiative here and offer you add-ons for the trip. For example, when negotiating a Goa tour, call only for hotel and dining reservations. The tour operator will then suggest an additional parasailing tour for the next day. The less elaborate your plans are to the travel agency, the better suggestions you get. Ask for complimentary sightseeing tours, airport transfers and what not.
4- Be Patient
As with most negotiations, patience is the key here. Getting the right hotel deals entails a lot of research. Once you have zeroed in on an operator of your choice, it will still take time grinding the best deal out of him. Never show any urgency when negotiating your tour specifics. If the travel agency wants to get back to you, let them call back. Only when you think the deal is floating away, should you relent.
The four tips above should help you bag a great deal. Stick to them and enjoy a great Indian vacation.

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Detail: Traveling to Goa? Here's How to Get the Best Out of Your Tour Package

0 Places You Must Visit in Delhi Before You Book a Flight Back Home

India has several places and Delhi has lots to explore. New Delhi is a fantastic metropolis with best recreational facilities, tourist spots and a history referring antiquity. An amazing feature is the greenery can be seen all over the city and this is a dream city offering a multitude of attractions and interesting places to see in Delhi. To name few prominent places are:
India Gate: This is a great memorial featuring brave Indian soldiers' names inscribed, who sacrificed their lives during World War I. A popular holiday for old and young alike and a must visit place.
Rashtrapati Bhawan: This building is a very impressive building appears as the India Gate. The stretch is known as the Rajpath is and Republic Day parade is held. Flower lovers will find this glorious Mughal Gardens an amazing assembly of roses.
Red Fort: This fort presents its magnificence and retains some of its lost glory. This Fort was the last fort built in the capital city and witnessed the fall and the splendor of the Mughals, British rule, and also the Independence of India. A must see place for all Delhi tourists.
Raj Ghat: This Ghat is on the River Yamuna and is the final place of resting of the nation's father, Mahatma Gandhi. It is also a dignitary visiting place.
Qutab Minar: The Qutab Minar in South New Delhi. It is a red sandstone tower featuring intricate carvings and Holy Quran verses.
Laxminarayan Temple: This is popular as Birla Mandir. It is a temple having fountains and a large garden. The temple looks attractive on Janmashtami day.
Humayun's Tomb: This was built by Humayun for his wife after nine years of her death. Haji Begum was his wife and this tomb cannot be missed.
Chandni Chowk: The living legacy is another name for this place. Shahjahan constructed Chandni Chowk as a shopping place for his daughter to shop all her choice. Today, Chandni Chowk is the largest wholesale market in Asia. places to visit near Delhi implies visiting Chandni Chowk as many times as possible.
Lotus Temple: This temple is shaped like a lotus and its edifice is truly eye-catching. All the Delhi tour packages include visiting this temple.
Purana Quila: This fort has less on decoration and is a well planned fort of the Mughal rulers. It is strong and has bold designs.

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Detail: Places You Must Visit in Delhi Before You Book a Flight Back Home

0 The Corruption Perception Index Gives Scandinavia Another Reason To Be Cheerful

Each year, the Corruption Perceptions Index produces a report that highlights the perceived levels of corruption of 176 countries and territories across the world. However, its methodology is frequently subject to criticism as there are concerns about its accuracy regarding the exploitation of power in the public sector.
The Corruption Perceptions Index extracts its information from a diverse range of third party surveys and calculations from 12 various organisations. Scoring between zero and one hundred (with zero representing countries or territories with a high level of corruption), a shocking two thirds of the countries attained only 50 or below, which suggests a significant amount of corruption.
But this needn't be too much of a concern for Scandinavia, as it continues to rank highly, defending its welfare state. However, what is immediately obvious about the latest Corruption Perceptions Index of 2012 is that Finland, Norway and Sweden all appear in the top ten, with Iceland closely following in eleventh position, each country scoring between 82 and 90. So, how have these countries managed to remain largely unaffected by the European debt crisis and retain their strong economies and ethics? (Following its economic collapse in the early 1990s, Sweden managed to turn the crisis around and even recompense the taxpayers). Not only does Scandinavia rank well on the Corruption Perceptions Index of 2012, the Prosperity Index, and the Index of Economic Freedom, it also frequently emerges at the top of general happiness surveys. Perhaps the combination of these welfare states' civil liberties and the redistribution of wealth have contributed to the perceived high standard of living and apparent lack of corruption. However we look at it, Scandinavian citizens possess an overall sense of wellbeing, their natural environments are among the cleanest in the world, and the ruling governments certainly seem to be relatively competent and humanitarian.
It starts to make one wonder whether Scandinavia's pristine natural environment and lack of pollution has played a part in the people's happiness, thus in turn affecting how the countries are managed and how their inhabitants respond to decisions made by the public sector. Those struggling with authoritarian regimes in their own country should perhaps think about escaping to Scandinavia, where they can contribute to the local economy, enjoy a more ethical holiday, breathe in the clean air and soak up some of the jovial atmosphere. As well as being at the top of the Corruption Perceptions Index, Scandinavia could also become the next holiday destination hotspot.

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