“We must not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we began and to know the place for the first time.”
~ T. S. Eliot

Exploring to enrich ourselves and experiencing something new like you never have before. The next few places are known best for their greenery.

Kumarakom

Kumarakom is a tourist village situated in Kerala. It is a cluster of small islands on the Vembanad backwaters. What I did like most when I visited was the lush greenery that the place had. It was pleasant and not overwhelming. I would say that one drives down to the place so as to enjoy the best of nature.

Kumarakom enjoys a well-balanced tropical climate with temperatures ranging from 16 and 37.7 Celsius. These temperatures would mean having a cool, quiet vacation. The Monsoon season is from early June to early August and I say that it is a lovely time to visit. However slight drizzles do persist until early November.

You can get to this place by air, road or train. By air, you would have to take a flight to Cochin and from there travel either by car, bus, or train (75 Kms). By car from Cochin International Airport is around 2 hours. Buses are easily available from Kottayam and Cochin as well. By train it is around 16 Kms from Kottayam. When in Kumarakom, you could visit the Bird Sanctuary and the Bay Isalnd Driftwood Museum. Or you could always take a backwater boat ride or even hire a Boathouse to stay in. While there, I advise you to take a stroll around when not drizzling or raining to enjoy Kumarakom at its best.

Coorg

Also known as Kodagu, Coorg is known for its hospitality and the beautiful scenery. Tourists often visit Coorg for its picturesque natue and the mountain ranges that attract a lot of tourists every year.

When you are at Coorg, visit the Raja’s Seat (it is said that the kings of the yore used seat here and it also offeres fantastic views of the valley), Bagamandala (a temple is situated here; this is where Cauvery River confluences), Talakaveri / Talacauvery, Madikeri Fort, Mandalpatti- View point, Iruppu Falls and Dubare Elephant Camp. While there, you could also trek and walk around to catch a glimpse of local life as well the nature.

If you travelling by plane, you will have to fly in to Bangalore or Mangalore and then rent a cab or take a bus ride to Coorg. When you arrive at Coorg, you can hire a cab or retain the one that you travelled in to travel in to visit all the tourist hotspots.

Manali

Manali is a beautiful, quaint Hill Station located at the Northern end of Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh. It is a beautiful place to visit during the summer as well as in the winter (although it will be very cold). Manali is a popular tourist spot for Indians during Summer and in winter it becomes a beautiful snow-capped hill-station.

When in Manali, you could visit the Rohtang Pass which is at an altitude of 13,050 feet above sea level, Bes Kund – an igloo shaped temple, Hot water springs, Monasteries and temples of Tibetan Buddhist lineages which is located between old and new Manali. You could also walk into the town to experience life there and also try out some of the local food there.

One can reach Manali by Bus or car on the road from the Delhi or Bhuntar (Kullu) if you are coming in by plane; by train, Ambala Cantonment (200 km) or Chandigarh (250 km) from Indian Capital New Delhi.

While you are at these places, it is best that everyone sticks with their group or family – safety in numbers after all. Ensure that you are equipped with appropriate clothes according to the weather and time of visit to the place and more importantly dress according to the place that you would be visiting (for example – although it may seem conservative, you can’t visit a temple while wearing shorts and sleeveless). Pack just enough clothes and ensure that you keep your money and cards safe.

Like Francis Bacon said, “Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience.” So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and travel to these places!

source: http://www.coolage.in / Cool Age / Home> Lifestyle / by Pooja Svathi Mahesh, Jyoti Nivas College – Bangalore / May 07th, 2013