The Taj Falaknuma was built in 1894, for a nobleman before it was sold off. It changed hands a few times before it eventually became a guesthouse for important VIPs. In the 1990s, it was renovated to modern standards and turned into a hotel fit for royalty. The entire palace is full of antiques and priceless artifacts from the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, whose family now owns it. The Palace Library is a must-visit for anyone who loves books, as it contains over 6,000 books, many of them quite rare. 

There are only 60 rooms in the palace, but each one is sumptuously decorated in a Venetian style. Each room has a canopied bed, expensive linens, and colonial touches. You will feel like you have walked back in time. Be sure to book a suite, if you really want to feel like a foreign dignitary for an evening. 

The surroundings are just as beautiful as the palace itself. There is a pool to dive into after a long day of sightseeing and well-maintained garden paths to wander around on. You won’t forget your stay here.

The post Book a Luxurious Stay at Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad appeared first on Traveler Master.

Rishikesh is a recommended destination for backpackers and is very cheap. You can stay in one of the guest houses in the city’s tourist center, for 10$ a night. Accommodation will be basic and simple, but you will enjoy a real sense of freedom, great weather, amazing food, and a variety of attractions.

It is especially recommended to rent a scooter and drive on one of the rural paths around the city and visit one of the waterfalls located on the city outskirts.

For those interested in more luxurious hospitality, there are options such as hotels and the Swiss guest house that also serves as a center for yoga and meditation studies.

Arriving in Rishikesh is by train or bus and the preferred season to visit is between the months of September and January when the rainy season in the area ends, and the weather is pleasant.

The post Visiting Rishikesh for the First Time appeared first on Traveler Master.

Varanasi is full of markets dedicated to food, fabrics, Indian spices, vegetables, and more. The city also has many ancient temples, sacred to the Hindu religion common in the area.

One of the special attractions of the city is an early morning cruise on the magnificent Holy Ganges. The river is used by the residents for every need, including bathing, drinking water, and bathing of one of the buffalo herds living in the city. It is a strange experience to see the townspeople bathing in the river and brushing their teeth alongside a herd of buffalo bathing next to them.

The river also serves as a cremation point sacred to the Hindu religion that takes place along the bank. Watching a ceremony can be hard for some people, and a great deal of cultural and religious context is required to contain it. Visiting the spot is not recommended when traveling with small children.

In the city, you can buy some of the best textile products in the world, and the local postal services offer home delivery services, so your new silk sheets will be waiting for you when you return from your trip.

The post Fall In Love With Varanasi, India appeared first on Traveler Master.

Bir-Billing

The quaint little village of Bir is like the paragliding capital of India. It is located in the beautiful mountain scenery of Himachal Pradesh. Soar up into the sky and enjoy the luscious greenery, the warm sun on your face, and the wind in your hair. The best time to visit is between October and mid-June.

Nainital, Uttarakhand

Located at 2000m above sea level, this beautiful resort town is to be found nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. Paragliding in this region offers unique views of Naini Lake, which is considered to be one of the holiest places in the world.

Panchgani, Maharashta

This accessible spot has become an incredibly popular paragliding destination. The consistent weather, clear skies, and perfect 1300m altitude make this a great location to soar through the air and feel truly weightless.

Ranikhet, Uttarakhand

The perfect weather conditions and safe, comfortable and convenient campsites make this a great paragliding destination for beginners. The paragliding camp is to be found next to a beautiful oak forest.

The post Best Places to Go Paragliding in India appeared first on Traveler Master.

In addition, traveling in India by train can be a different experience depending on the budget of each traveler. Travelers who want to save money spent on travel can compromise on economy class, and experience the real India. Tourists interested in a luxurious experience can buy first-class tickets, indulge in the meals served, in luxurious beds, a train car used as a restaurant, and even room service offered on some trains.

The train travel experience in India can be magical and romantic but also challenging. With trains being late at times, the journey may take longer than expected and sometimes even for whole days. For those who choose this alternative way to moving around in this magical and full of surprises country, one must be patient and understand that sometimes, the road is the real journey.

The post Train Chasing in India appeared first on Traveler Master.

Pack Charcoal Tablets

The traditional food in India is curry, which can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There may be bacteria in the food or water and this may cause the notorious “Deli Belly”.

Charcoal tablets will quickly absorb any bad bits left over. As you may be eating with your hand, make sure you wash them before and after eating. Also, always check the bottled water is properly sealed before you buy.

Prepare Thoroughly

People will tell you to prepare for a culture shock and these are wise words. Parts of India are very different from the Western world. You may find extreme poverty, intensive begging, dirt, poor air quality and roads crowded with people, cars and bikes. The more you understand what to expect, the more you can embrace the differences and enjoy some of the most splendid sights the world has to offer. Keep an open mind and enjoy.

Be Respectful

Being respectful to other cultures and religions is important wherever you travel in the world. Make sure you understand when to dress more conservatively and cover your shoulders in temples and other religious areas. Also, make sure you take your shoes off.

Exercise Caution

There are scams and petty crime, especially in the busier cities. Watch out for pickpocketers and fake tickets to tourist destinations. If in doubt, wait until you get to the attraction and buy from the official ticket office. Fake guides outside tourist areas may also try and charge you for showing you around.

Learn The Non-Verbal Language

In many parts of the world, we are used to a nod or shake of the head to say “yes” or “no”. In India, locals will waggle their head, which can mean a host of different things. If you want to understand the non-verbal communication (especially when there may be a language barrier), have a look on YouTube to decipher what the different movements mean.

The post 5 Essential Tips For Traveling India appeared first on Traveler Master.

The Taj Falaknuma was built in 1894, for a nobleman before it was sold off. It changed hands a few times before it eventually became a guesthouse for important VIPs. In the 1990s, it was renovated to modern standards and turned into a hotel fit for royalty. The entire palace is full of antiques and priceless artifacts from the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, whose family now owns it. The Palace Library is a must-visit for anyone who loves books, as it contains over 6,000 books, many of them quite rare. 

There are only 60 rooms in the palace, but each one is sumptuously decorated in a Venetian style. Each room has a canopied bed, expensive linens, and colonial touches. You will feel like you have walked back in time. Be sure to book a suite, if you really want to feel like a foreign dignitary for an evening. 

The surroundings are just as beautiful as the palace itself. There is a pool to dive into after a long day of sightseeing and well-maintained garden paths to wander around on. You won’t forget your stay here.

The post Book a Luxurious Stay at Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad appeared first on Traveler Master.

Rishikesh is a recommended destination for backpackers and is very cheap. You can stay in one of the guest houses in the city’s tourist center, for 10$ a night. Accommodation will be basic and simple, but you will enjoy a real sense of freedom, great weather, amazing food, and a variety of attractions.

It is especially recommended to rent a scooter and drive on one of the rural paths around the city and visit one of the waterfalls located on the city outskirts.

For those interested in more luxurious hospitality, there are options such as hotels and the Swiss guest house that also serves as a center for yoga and meditation studies.

Arriving in Rishikesh is by train or bus and the preferred season to visit is between the months of September and January when the rainy season in the area ends, and the weather is pleasant.

The post Visiting Rishikesh for the First Time appeared first on Traveler Master.

Varanasi is full of markets dedicated to food, fabrics, Indian spices, vegetables, and more. The city also has many ancient temples, sacred to the Hindu religion common in the area.

One of the special attractions of the city is an early morning cruise on the magnificent Holy Ganges. The river is used by the residents for every need, including bathing, drinking water, and bathing of one of the buffalo herds living in the city. It is a strange experience to see the townspeople bathing in the river and brushing their teeth alongside a herd of buffalo bathing next to them.

The river also serves as a cremation point sacred to the Hindu religion that takes place along the bank. Watching a ceremony can be hard for some people, and a great deal of cultural and religious context is required to contain it. Visiting the spot is not recommended when traveling with small children.

In the city, you can buy some of the best textile products in the world, and the local postal services offer home delivery services, so your new silk sheets will be waiting for you when you return from your trip.

The post Fall In Love With Varanasi, India appeared first on Traveler Master.

Bir-Billing

The quaint little village of Bir is like the paragliding capital of India. It is located in the beautiful mountain scenery of Himachal Pradesh. Soar up into the sky and enjoy the luscious greenery, the warm sun on your face, and the wind in your hair. The best time to visit is between October and mid-June.

Nainital, Uttarakhand

Located at 2000m above sea level, this beautiful resort town is to be found nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. Paragliding in this region offers unique views of Naini Lake, which is considered to be one of the holiest places in the world.

Panchgani, Maharashta

This accessible spot has become an incredibly popular paragliding destination. The consistent weather, clear skies, and perfect 1300m altitude make this a great location to soar through the air and feel truly weightless.

Ranikhet, Uttarakhand

The perfect weather conditions and safe, comfortable and convenient campsites make this a great paragliding destination for beginners. The paragliding camp is to be found next to a beautiful oak forest.

The post Best Places to Go Paragliding in India appeared first on Traveler Master.

In addition, traveling in India by train can be a different experience depending on the budget of each traveler. Travelers who want to save money spent on travel can compromise on economy class, and experience the real India. Tourists interested in a luxurious experience can buy first-class tickets, indulge in the meals served, in luxurious beds, a train car used as a restaurant, and even room service offered on some trains.

The train travel experience in India can be magical and romantic but also challenging. With trains being late at times, the journey may take longer than expected and sometimes even for whole days. For those who choose this alternative way to moving around in this magical and full of surprises country, one must be patient and understand that sometimes, the road is the real journey.

The post Train Chasing in India appeared first on Traveler Master.

Pack Charcoal Tablets

The traditional food in India is curry, which can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There may be bacteria in the food or water and this may cause the notorious “Deli Belly”.

Charcoal tablets will quickly absorb any bad bits left over. As you may be eating with your hand, make sure you wash them before and after eating. Also, always check the bottled water is properly sealed before you buy.

Prepare Thoroughly

People will tell you to prepare for a culture shock and these are wise words. Parts of India are very different from the Western world. You may find extreme poverty, intensive begging, dirt, poor air quality and roads crowded with people, cars and bikes. The more you understand what to expect, the more you can embrace the differences and enjoy some of the most splendid sights the world has to offer. Keep an open mind and enjoy.

Be Respectful

Being respectful to other cultures and religions is important wherever you travel in the world. Make sure you understand when to dress more conservatively and cover your shoulders in temples and other religious areas. Also, make sure you take your shoes off.

Exercise Caution

There are scams and petty crime, especially in the busier cities. Watch out for pickpocketers and fake tickets to tourist destinations. If in doubt, wait until you get to the attraction and buy from the official ticket office. Fake guides outside tourist areas may also try and charge you for showing you around.

Learn The Non-Verbal Language

In many parts of the world, we are used to a nod or shake of the head to say “yes” or “no”. In India, locals will waggle their head, which can mean a host of different things. If you want to understand the non-verbal communication (especially when there may be a language barrier), have a look on YouTube to decipher what the different movements mean.

The post 5 Essential Tips For Traveling India appeared first on Traveler Master.