The Winter Travel Options

Agra -- and the quintessential Taj
Described as ``an emperor's dream'' and ``a poem in marble'', the Taj remains an ultimate destination for all lovers. Standing serene and perfect in its garden of flowers and reflecting pools, its cypresses, terraces and green lawns, the Taj spells love and beauty.
Apart from the lovely Taj, Agra has Fatehpur Sikri -- an entire city-capital preserved in near-perfect condition since the time it was built by the Mughal emperor, Akbar.
Love is manifested in so many ways in this area. Lord Krishna's love for Radha in the Brij Shetra, for instance, replete with legendary traditions and folklore, is just perfect for romantic getaways.
The Royal Orient -- Exotica-on-rails
Passing through the enchanting lands of Gujarat and Rajasthan, The Royal Orient takes you on one of the most exciting train journeys in the world. From the sprawling 7th-century Chittaurgarh Fort to the romantic and regal opulence of Udaipur, the triumph and tragedy of Junagarh, the inspiring Somnath Temple, the home of the Asiatic lion -- Sasan Gir, the sun-warmed beaches of Ahmedpur-Mandvi and Diu, the sanctum sanctorum of Jainism -- Palitana, the land of Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram -- Ahmedabad and the mesmerising grandeur of Jaipur city.
Aboard the train, a princely treatment awaits you -- right from the red-carpet welcome at Delhi to well-furnished saloons and well-equipped restaurants serving delightful cuisine. The train crosses the great Indian desert at nights, leaving the entire day for tours and sightseeing. Commencing at Delhi every Wednesday evening, the trip concludes at Delhi a week later, on a Wednesday morning.
Bhubaneswar -- Romancing the stones of time
Capital of the modern State and the ancient kingdom of Orissa, Bhubaneswar is also known as the temple city. From the towering heights of the Lingaraja temple to the windswept ruins of the Konark temple, there are more than 600 temples in the city.
Mukteshwar Temple, built in 10th century A.D., is famous for the stone arch at its entrance. Filled with carvings depicting tales from the Panchtantra, the temple is a glorious synthesis of old and new styles of architecture.
The monumental sun temple, Konark, is anchored on the sands of Konark beach. The edifice is hoisted upon 24 enormous and intricately carved wheels. The Raja Rani temple, likewise, is noted for the intricate carvings. The 11th-century temple is also noted for its unusual tower and the absence of any deity in its precincts.
Bhubaneswar also has several sites of Buddhist importance, museums, hot springs, wildlife park and beautiful beaches.
Kaziranga National Park -- Destination One-horned Rhino
Located along the banks of River Brahmaputra in Assam, Kaziranga National Park is 450 sq. km of lush forest and open land and a haven for wildlife facing near-extinction. From the poacher's paradise of the past, Kaziranga has today evolved into one of the most-visited wildlife reserves in India.
Located about 200 km from the State Capital, Guwahati, Kaziranga is home to rare wildlife species such as the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros and the east Asian swamp deer. A variety of flora flourish around its numerous lakes and huge tracts of marshy land, adding to its wild allure.
Goa -- True-blue seas
From the azure waves of the Arabian Sea to the lush green of the Western Ghats, Goa offers miles and miles of silken-gold beaches set against a backdrop of swaying palms.
The large number of spectacular resorts and the small, quiet stretches of sun-and-sea make Goa an almost ideal holiday destination. Some of the world's finest beaches can be found in Salcette and Gaudalim -- they are picture-postcard beautiful.
But then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. Old Goa abounds in churches and cathedrals built in Portuguese-Gothic style. If you leave the coastal areas and travel in Goa's interiors, you will come across some of the prettiest natural scenery in the country. Palm trees, mangrove forests, cashew groves, banana plantations and a host of other tropical vegetation sway in the breeze, in striking contrast to the rusty-red soil of the region.
Aurangabad -- Forlorn hot-spot
Located in the Sahyadri hills of Maharashtra, the rock-hewn caves of Ajanta and Ellora bear testimony to the astounding excellence of Indian architects, sculptors and artists, dating back to 200 B.C. The horse-shoe formation of the cave series at Ajanta predate the Ellora caves, about 80 km away in the hilly terrain.
Aurangabad also has a 50,000-year-old meteorite crater -- a fairly recent discovery, located about 165 km from the city which is the third-largest meteorite crater in the world. The crater walls have turned into a perennial spring, forming a saline lake in the depression and an unusual eco-system around it. There are ruins of a temple on the floor of the crater, giving rise to many interesting legends.
Kumarakom -- Serene backwaters
Stretching over 1,500 km, the serene, palm-fringed backwaters -- a glistening web of lakes, lagoons, canals and rivers -- are the essence of Kerala. The best place to begin would undoubtedly be Kumarakom -- a small town on the shores of the Vembanad Lake, 83 km from Kochi.
A prime tourist attraction are the houseboats which can be hired for days on end. The floating luxury `home' comes with a living room, bedroom, attached bathroom and other help such as a cook, oarsmen and so on!
You can glide down the waters with lush greenery on either side, the enveloping hush broken only by the music of a thousand birds. As green paddy fields, homes, farms, temples, churches and mosques glide past, you are blessed with the experience of a lifetime.
Mamallapuram -- Deep-south flavour
The 7th-century port-town of the Pallava dynasty is a popular holiday resort today, located about 55 km from Chennai. The romantic 7th-century Shore Temple and the five Rathas are worth a visit. Other prominent sites include the world's largest bas relief -- Arjuna's Penance -- the rockcut caves and the monolithic temples displaying distinctive styles of architecture.
The ocean waters at Mamallapuram are ideal for sea-bathing. Visitors can shop around for curios, indulge in water-sports or simply sunbathe on the beachfront.
As many as 14 beach resorts are clustered together, ranging from deluxe cottages to standard rooms. Don't miss the classic sunrise and the fishermen rowing into the dawn in their boats. Come evening, the beach shacks offer sizzling fish netted just that morning.