Ten tips for New York Tourists

Don't be intimidated by the big crowds and bigger buildings. New York can be a friendly and manageable city for visitors if you heed some of this time-tested advice.

1. Don't be afraid to wander. Start spreading the news: New York is the safest big city in the United States. Gone are the days when people were warned not to venture into Alphabet City or the Lower East Side. Pretty much nowhere in Manhattan is off-limits--though it's still an urban area, so do use your common sense (for instance, you may not want to walk around at 3 a.m. by your lonesome). Most of Manhattan, with the exception of a few downtown neighborhoods like the West Village, the Lower East Side and Battery Park, is laid out on a grid system with very few hills, making it extremely easy to find your way around. In fact, a highlight of your trip will likely be strolling the streets gazing at the fascinating people, buildings and sights that pop up on every corner.

2. Take the 'A' (and the 'B' and the 'C'…) train. Though the New York subway system is ancient—the first underground line started running in 1904—the trains are well-marked and surprisingly fast, often a better bet than cabs if you're trying to cross the city from east to west or vice versa, or traveling during the morning or evening rush hours. The subways do run 24 hours a day, but if you're alone, you may feel more comfortable taking a taxi after midnight, though you'll find many people still riding the rails. Try HopStop.com to figure out which subway line will help you reach your destination fastest, but keep in mind that there can be a lot of routes re-routed or closed for maintenance, especially on weekends, so also check the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's website for the latest subway route updates. Tip: The 7-day unlimited ride MetroCard is usually a good deal so you don't spend $2 on MetroCards each time you hop on the train.

3. Eat dinner early—or late. When New Yorkers eat out, they like to take their dinner between 8 and 10 p.m. If you want to eat at the same places they do, it's best to make a reservation in advance—at least a week ahead of time for most places and a full month ahead for perpetually booked favorites such as Daniel, Babbo and Le Bernardin—and to go for an evening between Sunday and Wednesday rather than the always-crowded Thursday through Saturday. But if you've left things till the last minute, try calling a day or two ahead and reserving a table either for before 7 p.m. or after 10:30 p.m., which exponentially increases your chances of getting seated, even at the hottest spots in town. Of course, this tactic won't work at the handful of trendy restaurants that don't take reservations in advance, like Momofuku, Boqueria and Bar Jamon. There, you'll have to queue up with the rest of the ravenous foodie masses.

4. The world on a menu. New York City houses so much diversity of cuisines that it's a shame to stick to tourist neighborhoods or chain restaurants you probably have at home. Travel to some of the city's ethnic enclaves to sample delicious, cheap and authentic fare. In Queens, an easy subway or cab ride from Manhattan, there's renowned Indian food in Jackson Heights (the area's Jackson Diner is regularly rated some of the best Indian food in NYC) and hard-to-find Egyptian cuisine in the "Little Cairo" neighborhood of Astoria. Astoria is also home to many old-time Greek restaurants, primarily situated on Broadway or Ditmars Blvd. You can have a more authentic Italian meal on Arthur Ave. in the Bronx than in the tourist-clogged streets of Manhattan's Little Italy, and it's hard to beat the soul food found in Harlem, including the famed, family-run Sylvia's. Consider expanding your boundaries with a guided neighborhood food tour, such as one offered by Savory Sojourns and run by Addie Tomei, mother of Marissa.

5. Scout out the smaller shops. It's nearly impossible to visit one of the fashion capitals of the world and not drop some dough on clothes, shoes and other goodies (unless you have a lot of willpower!). But don't just confine yourself to the shopping meccas of SoHo and Fifth Avenue, though each does have its own New York charm—SoHo for its beautiful 19th-century cast iron buildings and Fifth Avenue for its elegant department stores and proximity to Central Park. Head to the Lower East Side to check out intimate boutiques that feature local designers as well as trendy new and vintage pieces that you can't find anywhere else. You'll also find special shops sprinkled throughout the downtown neighborhoods of the West Village, the East Village and Nolita, as well as across the East River in artsy Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

6. Buy-buy Broadway. With the opening of Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein last year, the top price of a Broadway ticket reached $450 for the first time ever. Though this is an extreme case, it's difficult to find a seat at a popular Broadway show for less than $100 nowadays. A couple of options can save you money: Sign up for the free discount ticket listings at www.theatermania.com and www.playbill.com, which offer savings on advance ticket purchases for select Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Or get in line at a TKTS Discount Booth on the day you want to see a performance to save up to 50% on a variety of plays. (Tip: The South St. Seaport location is usually a lot less busy than the Times Square one, and only there can you purchase tickets the day before for matinees.) That said, if there's a particular Broadway show you've set your heart on, buy tickets as far in advance as possible (and be prepared to spend top-dollar). If your show's sold out, check out the online ticket brokers such as www.stubhub.com or www.razorgator.com, where people sell extra seats or re-sell ones they won't be using.

7. Hear the music. It's tough to claim boredom in New York. Every night of the week you can listen to world-class musicians of all types in venues across the city, from classic settings like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Radio City Music Hall to gritty downtown (or, increasingly, Brooklyn) rock clubs to traditional jazz bars (though the era of the traditional smoky bar is over, since smoking was banned at bars and clubs in 2003). You can find indie rock events listed at www.ohmyrockness.com, classical music events at www.classicaldomain.com and jazz at www.gothamjazz.com. Best of all, some of these concerts are free of charge, especially in the summer months.

8. Pack your running shoes. On the weekends, Central Park closes to traffic and becomes a huge open-air running (and biking and inline skating) track. Enjoy the prime people-watching as you exercise, or opt for other scenic paths along Riverside Park on Manhattan's Upper West Side, along the Hudson River heading downtown to Battery Park, on a trail next to the East River, or across the Brooklyn Bridge. Though it's more comfortable to run in the spring or fall, you'll find many hardy New Yorkers braving the extreme heat and humidity of summer or the bitter chill of winter for their outdoor fitness fix.

9. Don't crowd yourself out. A lot of tourists (and relatives visiting local family members) who come to NYC can't get over how crowded the city is. The crazy secret about New York is that many locals can't stand crowds – which is why they stay away, at all costs, from Macy's anytime except weekday evenings, holiday store windows and Rockefeller Center between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Times Square whenever humanly possible (except when they must venture over there to work or to catch a show). While you may want to see these iconic parts of New York City, consider planning your visit so that you're not hitting the big department stores, say, the week before Christmas – unless you think that braving hordes of pushy people is part of that old-fashioned New York City charm. (And it really isn't!)

10. Mind your city etiquette. Unfortunately, tourists have a reputation for doing a few things that drive New Yorkers crazy: taking up the entire sidewalk so that other walkers can't pass; coming to a complete stop at the top or in the middle of the subway stairs, thus blocking the way down; looking over a shoulder or down at a guidebook while ambling straight ahead, thus sideswiping people walking toward them. New Yorkers like to walk quickly with a purposeful strut and are often in (or appear to be in) a hurry. Respect their sense of purpose and be mindful of the space around you – and you'll win renewed respect for tourists from the world over! On the other hand, if you need directions or if you drop something on the subway or sidewalk, New Yorkers will be the first to run after you, offering their assistance. They really are nice folk, after all.

How to travel Like a Raja

In the early 18th century, an ambitious nobleman, Rawat Lal Singh, stabbed his friend in the neck on orders of the local king. The king's reward for removing a rival was a fief here in the southwest corner of the state of Rajasthan, where the nobleman built a fort perched on a cliff above a river filled with crocodiles.

For centuries, the fort proved impregnable. Only in recent months have the gates swung open to a new era of invaders: tourists.

In September, two brothers who are descendants of the murderous nobleman began accepting guests in five restored rooms of the Bhainsrorgarh Fort. The 25-acre property is the latest example of how India's noble families are turning towering antiquities into boutique hotels.

Rajasthan's Department of Tourism estimates that 130 forts and palaces have been converted into so-called heritage hotels during the past decade or so. Many are owned by families, like the Singhs, who lost their powers to govern and tax their fiefs after India's independence in 1947 but held onto much of their property and the historical landmarks on them. In some cases, the crumbling castles reflect crumbling family fortunes--and the hospitality business is a way to rejuvenate both.

The Indian government has nudged along the trend. In the early 1990s, it lifted a ban on India's erstwhile nobles transforming historic homes into commercial properties, according to Daleep Singh Rathore, assistant director in Rajasthan's Department of Tourism.

More recently, the government has extended loans to families hoping to open hotels in palaces and forts. The cash infusions have saved scores of forts and palaces that were falling apart, while helping to meet surging demand for high-end hotels among tourists and business travelers. While Mr. Rathore doesn't have details on how many have done so, he says there has been a substantial increase in recent years.

Indeed, Rajasthan's heritage properties are drawing more tourists who want to break from the well-trodden Taj Mahal path. In 2006, Rajasthan ranked fourth among India's states and municipalities in total foreign visitors, nearly doubling to 1.2 million from 2003.

Big hotel groups have long seen the potential for business. One of the first was Neemrana Hotels, founded by a Frenchman, Francis Wacziarg. In 1986, Neemrana Hotels converted a 15th-century fort between New Delhi and Jaipur and opened it as a hotel, called the Neemrama Fort-Palace. Neemrana Hotels has since restored several other tottering properties, including one in the nearby village of Kesroli, called the Hill Fort Kesroli.

The Tata Group's Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces operates three palaces in Rajasthan, including the Taj Lake Palace, aptly named because it's on an island in the middle of Udaipur's Lake Pichola. India's wealthy Poddar family, which has been involved in several heritage projects, took more than a decade to restore the Devi Garh Palace outside of Udaipur.

To tap into the tourist flows, Hilton International and India's Oberoi Hotels & Resorts are among those that have built properties near Rajasthan's forts and palaces.

Like the Singhs, many royal families are inclined to hold onto their former fiefs rather than sell to a hotel group. As Hemendra Singh was growing up, he estimates his family rejected 100 or so written offers to sell or lease the Bhainsrorgarh Fort, Neemrana Fort-Palace Hotel.

By venturing into the hotel business without established backers, though, Hemendra Singh and his brother Rajveer confront big challenges. Funding and staff training are merely two.

The fundamental challenge is how to turn a military fortress into a comfortable hotel. The fort--which once housed hundreds of soldiers and included stables for 250 horses and three elephants--was able to repulse the mightiest of attacks. The fort also had its own grainary and two separate wings in the main building for men and women. Yet it has stood up less well to Rajasthan's harsh desert climate and decades of neglect. Cracks have opened in now-abandoned rooms. Honey bees have taken over one of them.

Still, the two brothers--with assistance from their wives and a dozen staff hired from the local village--have managed to cater to high-end tourists. They charge about $365 a night for a room, all-you-can-eat royal cuisine included. Indoor plumbing, installed last year, has helped. So have touches like stained-glass windows in some of the spacious rooms. The main draw is sitting, dining and strolling around a fort hundreds of years old and hundreds of feet above the placid Chambal River, home to a crocodile sanctuary.

"This is my dream--to put Bhainsrorgarh on the world map," says 35-year old Hemendra Singh. He grew up in the fort and is now marketing it from New Delhi, where he lives in a less palatial third-floor apartment. The brothers aim to open another 15 rooms in the fort in the next five years.

--the Taj Lake Palace on Lake Pichola

--The Taj Lake Palace on Lake Pichola

Constraining the flow of tourists is the time it takes to reach Bhainsrorgarh. From India's capital, New Delhi, it's an 11-hour road journey or an overnight train to nearby Kota city.

An hour from Kota, after winding through narrow village lanes, the elder of the Singh brothers, 41-year old Rajveer, greets guests at Bhainsrorgarh Fort Hotel. He offers cool glasses of guava juice and wreaths of marigolds. Guests are escorted to rooms past mounted antelope heads, grainy photos of slain tigers and ancestor paintings.

The artwork features the family's notorious Rawat Lal Singh, whom the 19th-century British explorer and historian Lt. Col. James Tod called "a beacon in the annals of crime." In his three-volume history of Rajasthan, Lt. Col. Tod describes how the Singhs' forefather murdered the king's uncle, Nathji Maharaja. As one of his best friends, he was able to slip into the well-guarded chambers at midnight to slit the man's throat as he was bent in prayer.

According to the author, the last words the Maharaja uttered were: "What brings you here?"

The King of Udaipur elevated the Rawat Lal Singh family to the top tier of Rajasthani nobles, able to rule vast swaths of land, and granted it Bhainsrorgarh.

--Trident Hilton Jaipur near the Amber Fort

--Trident Hilton Jaipur near the Amber Fort

Work on Bhainsrorgarh Fort began in 1742, clearly with the worry of revenge in mind. The fort's short doorways force visitors to stoop when entering rooms, so sword-wielding hosts might more easily slice off the heads of unwanted guests.

Bhainsrorgarh's current host, Rajveer Singh, claims no hard feelings remain between the two families. Digging out his ancestor's 16th-century gold-plated dagger, fingering a blade still razor sharp, Mr. Singh says, "because of this dagger, we have this property."

But if the family still has the fort, being a royal isn't what it used to be. Instead of being waited upon, Mr. Singh spends his days hustling up and down stairs serving dishes that he and his wife help cook. The royal cuisine includes blackened chicken, mutton with gravy, freshly plucked okra and sweet shredded carrots for dessert.

Mr. Singh has also done away with the traditional attire of Rajasthani nobles--colorful turbans and pointy shoes--for jeans, leather loafers and a ranch-style canvas jacket. The wardrobe is more suitable to the Jeep drives he takes with guests through desert scrub brush to nearby villages.

Top 10 coastal wildlife hot spots

Stingray City, Grand Cayman

The clear, shallow water of Grand Cayman's North Sound teems with southern stingrays. They began to congregate here because it's where fishermen cleaned their catch. Now, they come for handouts from tourists. Ebanks Watersports (345/925-5273) offers trips to visit the sandbar, where passengers can touch, feed and snorkel among these gentle swimmers.

Depoe Bay, Oregon

From now until June, Oregon's "whale-watching capital" welcomes roughly 18,000 gray whales en route to Alaska. Visit the Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay to learn the best spots to view the grays. (Insider's tip: Northbound whales, which migrate now, swim closer to shore than southbound winter travelers.) Spring Whale Watch Week, when center volunteers will be stationed along the coast to provide viewing tips and facts, starts March 22. Or, for an up-close glimpse, hop aboard a Tradewinds Charters tour

Assateague Island National Seashore, Virginia and Maryland

During spring and fall, this area's famed wild horses spend much of their time grazing the Virginia and Maryland coastlines. The best way to see the privately owned Virginia herd is aboard the Pony Express Nature Tour cruise. Captain Mark Coulbourne knows where the horses hang out (tours run May through October, 866/766-9794). On land, hike or bike the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge's 1 1/2-mile Woodland Trail to an observation platform overlooking the ponies' habitat

Big Pine Key, Florida

This is the only place in the world to see the pint-size Key deer. A subspecies of Virginia white-tailed deer, they stand just 30 inches tall at the shoulder. Go to the National Key Deer Refuge in the early morning or at dusk for the best viewing--you may spot a newborn during the April-to-May fawning season. Stop at the visitor center before heading to an observation platform, or hike trails to see the deer.

Maui, Hawaii

Many green sea turtles (or honu) that gather off Maui's shores eventually make their way to Maluaka Beach, also known as Turtle Town. To view the sea turtles in their natural habitat, grab your snorkel or scuba gear. Maui Eco Tours' Seafari claims an average of 15 turtle sightings per snorkel trip . Sign up with Tropical Divers Maui for an introductory lesson with a guided dive . The Turtle Lagoon at the Maui Ocean Center offers a chance to see the reptiles and stay dry.

Stonington Peninsula, Michigan

During August and September, thousands of monarch butterflies swarm Michigan's Stonington Peninsula on their long southern migration. You're likely to find many at Peninsula Point, a resting spot on the Upper Peninsula. Visitors can climb the 40-foot lighthouse for a bird's-eye view of the butterflies' journey across Lake Michigan, or observe them resting in the surrounding cedar trees. Pack a picnic, and don't forget a camera.

Delaware Bay, Delaware

Head here to visit one of the world's largest spawning grounds for horseshoe crabs. These crustaceans are protected at five community-based sanctuaries--Broadkill Beach, Slaughter Beach, Fowler Beach, Pickering Beach and Kitts Hummock, all accessible to the public. There are also plans for a horseshoe-crab museum and research center in Milton (the only other museum of this kind is in Japan). You can help save the crab: If you see one turned on its back, "just flip 'em."

Mosquito Bay, Puerto Rico

Often called bio bay, this is one of the best places in the world to experience bioluminescence, a natural glow produced by living organisms. You can observe the glowing dinoflagellates (a type of microscopic algae) throughout the year, but the best time to visit is during a new moon when the night sky is darkest. Blue Caribe Kayaks in Esperanza leads educational expeditions and invites you to swim among the "stardust" (787/741-2522/; reservations are highly recommended).

San Simeon, California

Winter is a great time to observe one of California's largest resident populations of elephant seals. Visit Friends of the Elephant Seal's Web site to learn about these funny-looking marine mammals and to get recommendations for the best places to find them. One top viewing spot: the Piedras Blancas rookery just north of San Simeon, where on-site docents will answer questions.

Knight Inlet, British Columbia

To see black bears and grizzlies, head to Knight Inlet, northwest of Vancouver. The Knight Inlet Lodge, open June through mid-October, offers three-, four- and five-day packages. A boat takes guests to a channel brimming with salmon and to other areas the bears frequent.

Lanai--Hawaii

Hawaii is a popular tourist destination and the state's bigger islands usually get the most visitors. That's why the state's smallest island is the perfect getaway for those looking for more low-keyed relaxation.

"It's just so different from any other Hawaiian island. You won't believe it," said Kathy Caroll of Mike Caroll Gallery. "I think people should come to Lanai if they want to experience complete and utter solitude. I can't think of a more relaxing place to be."

The destination spot may have a calmer vibe than the sometimes-crowded beaches and tourist destinations on the larger islands of Oahu, Maui and Hawaii.

"You come to Lanai and you commune with nature. It's a real experience; it's not something that's contrived," said Kepa Maly, of Lana'i Cultural Heritage Center.

Lanai, which also is known as the Island of Mystery and the Secluded Isle, only has about 2,800 inhabitants, which adds to its feeling of quietude.

The island's geography offers a view of different cliffs and rock formations.
"God has made all these rock formations," said Mike Lopez, of Trilogy Excursions. "I believe each formation represents something within itself."

Many see Lanai's landscape as a divine experience.

"One of the most amazing places to see here is Keahikawelo, otherwise known as the Garden of the Gods. It looks like a surreal landscape. It almost feels like you're walking onto the surface of Mars," Carroll said.

"When you go up onto the slopes, there's this amazing geology. The wind erosion that's occurred where the core of lava flows have remained intact," Maly said. "You get up on the flatlands, and onto the slopes above us, and you have this amazing mounding and piling of stones that some people would think, that's man-made. But in reality, it's God-made."

It may be the world’s most beautiful beach

Varadero, perhaps the most beautiful beach in the world, attracts tourists from all over the world and is a wonderful place to visit if you're looking to relax on a pristine, white-sandy beach with unbelievably gorgeous turquoise water.

I've been to the beaches of Australia, New Zealand, southern California, Portugal, Spain and the south of France and I've never seen a more beautiful beach than the 20-kilometre stretch of pure, white sand at Varadero.

Varadero was the winter home for super-rich Americans prior to the Cuban Revolution on Jan. 1,1959, with the likes of Al Capone and Joseph Kennedy (father of U.S. President John F. Kennedy) owning beachfront mansions. After building dozens of new hotels in the 1990s, Varadero now rivals Havana as Cuba's No. 1 tourist attraction.

Since first visiting Cuba in 1986, I've stayed at eight different villas and cabanas in Varadero, but my favourite is the Hotel Internacional. Opened in December, 1950, it was Varadero's premier hotel until the more luxurious hotels were built on the eastern edges of the town over the past 15 years.

A classic art-deco hotel located right on the beach, the Hotel Internacional, like much of Cuba, is a throwback to the 1950s. Its large, beautiful swimming pool is vintage '50s--so much so that you can imagine Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner, sipping a piña colada and daiquiri poolside.

The hotel has a classic room called the Continental Cabaret, which is home to a spectacular dance show that rivals Havana's world-famous Tropicana nightclub for glamour. The room turns into a disco at midnight.

I always try to visit Havana, and this trip was no different as I took a two-hour bus ride to the capital city and spent three nights in the moderately-priced Hotel St. John's located in the lively Vedado area. It is an exciting, cosmopolitan city, teeming with life, energy and excitement, not to mention classic 1950s American cars.

I've decided that Havana is among my Top 5 cities in the world, up there with Amsterdam, New York, San Francisco and Sydney. I love walking around the city, whether along the Malecon -- the seaside road beside the Atlantic Ocean--around Vedado or La Habaña Vieja (old Havana).

On my latest trip, I walked to the bronze statue of John Lennon, which has the former Beatle sitting on a park bench near the corner of 17th and 6th Streets. President Fidel Castro unveiled the statue of Lennon--who has become a hero in Cuba for his stance against the Vietnam War and his fight for world peace--on Dec. 8, 2000.

Music is everywhere in Havana and you can hear incredible music emanating from any number of patios, terraces, bars, lounges and restaurants. You walk in free of charge and have a Cuban beer (Cristal and Bucanero are the best), Cuba Libre (rum and coke) or a daiquiri while listening to amazing music.

Get Active in Norway

Escape your everyday routine and try an adventurous activity holiday in Norway. Get back to nature as you experience this relatively undiscovered activity destination offering a variety of resorts and activities.

Norway’s stunning scenery is the perfect backdrop to enjoy the peace and quiet in a canoe, horseriding or for more adventure join FlatEarth and go glacier walking, abseiling, paragliding and much more.

Activity Holidays in Vradal Log Cabins

Visit the Telemark region of Norway on a self drive break. The beautiful resort borders placid Lake Nisser. Sail from Newcastle to Stavanger late on a Sunday night and your adventure begins as soon as you board the ship–great restaurants, bars, shops, even cinema swimming pool and casino.

Prices include 2 nights onboard ship, carriage of a standard vehicle 4/5 nights in a Vradal lodge, plus live onboard entertainment. After you arrive in Stavanger is about a 4 hour drive through picturesque country to Vradal where you stay in pretty lakeside log cabins. You can enjoy watersports, cycling and hiking. 7 nights from £155 pp 6May – 17 June and 2 Sept to 30 September / 6 nights from £203 pp 20 June – 26 August.

6 night activity holiday at FlatEarth

Sail from Newcastle to Bergen on the DFDS Seaways cruise ferry. If you like Adrenalin sports this is for you. Enjoy 3 fun packed days of activities with FlatEarth in the heart of the Norwegian Fjords. With over 25 years experience and located on the fabulous Hardangerfjord you’ll be enjoy individually tailored activities.

Each day you can choose a different activity including river and fjord Kayaking, glacier expeditions, climbing, abseiling, fishing, sea kayaking, canoing or mountain biking. Prices from £633 pp include sea crossings, return carriage of standard car, 4 nights at the Eidfjord Fjell and Fjord hotel, 3 days FlatEarth pass as well as breakfast and dinner at the hotel

6/7 night activity holiday at Voss

From £578pp for high season 19th june- 27th August, from £444pp for low season 25 Jan – 18 June and 28 August to 27 December.

Situated between the two famous fjords or Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord–Fleischers Hotel in Voss is a popular year round destination. The ideal base for various activities and in a beautiful setting. The attractive swiss style 19th century hotel is still run by the Fleischers family and offers modern amenities and traditional charm.

The hotel’s restaurant is renowned for delicious food including local fish and Norwegian specialities. Summer activities in Voss are extensive. Price includes 2 nights onboard, 5 nights at Fleischers, carriage of a standard car and great onboard entertainment

Activity Holiday to Lilland Hotel near Pulpit Rock

6 nights from £476pp in high season 20 June to 26 August). 7 nights from £505 pp in low season 6 May – 17th June and 2nd September to 30th September.

Pulpit Rock near Stavanger is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Norway with its unrivaled views. It is a popular hiking site. Sail to Norway from Newcastle and stay at the Lilland Hotel 30 minutes from Stavanger, the perfect base from which to visit Pulpit Rock. Two ways to visit Pulpit Rock –3 to 4 hour hike or a boat ride- both offer great views from the top. Price includes 2 nights onboard, 4/5 nights at the Lilland Hotel, carriage of a standard vehicle and a wide range of onboard entertainment.

London –– Budget Hotels

Historians of the English constitution said “London acted constantly as the purse and sometimes as the brain of England”. Time-by-time, its evidence can be seen thru various incidents. In 1665 it overpowered the great plague bravely and in the following year again its supremacy was proved by recovering itself from the great disaster of fire which destroyed more than 13,000 houses, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Royal Exchange, 86 churches and most of the guild halls.

Nowadays, London is known as the most expensive city in the world but still concept of budget hotels exist here. Bayswater and Victoria are the places in London where one can get budget hotels of own choices. One must remember that budget hotels London may misinform you. Hence, visitors must be conscious while choosing accommodation in budget hotels. London is identified as financial as well as educational hub in the world.

But perhaps, the tag of expensive is depleting its reputation and British government is perfectly aware with this fact. Hence, the cultural department along with media and sport department have prepared multi agency strategy entitled: “Winning – A Tourism Strategy for 2012 and Beyond”. Under this strategy, government has decided to promote budget hotels London to attract all income groups to visit London with friends and family.

Suitability of hotels in London mainly depends upon one’s planned activities, interests and budget. It is quite possible that one can get a hotel in London which will match entire required needs. For instances, if someone likes theatre than definitely West End should be the choice. West End is very famous for sound of music and dirty dancing. Some fashion conscious persons also may visit London and in that case Knightsbridge district will be the optimum location. It is famous for fashion boutiques and top department stores like Harrods and Harvey Nichols. If person has visited London due to its beautiful sights than Dockland may be the perfect location due to the proximity of world famous landmarks like St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.

Wherever, you are staying in London but if you are looking for budget hotels then don’t forget to check travel certificate before selecting the accommodation. Beside this one must check linens and carpet on the floor which represent the cleanliness of hotel. Budget hotels are self rated hotels so don’t fix with the tag of three or four stars. Visitors should not depend upon the food service of the budget hotels as there may not be specified criteria about quantity and quality of food items. Hence budget hotel must be close to a good restaurant which could serve delicious and nutritious food. Security issue also may be main area of concern while choosing the budget hotel.

Thus, budget hotels are all about the wise decision of visitors. If, they have wisely checked each and every measures than undoubtedly it may be the amusing deal. On the contrary few stupid acts may ruin you.

Summer season—paragliding in Bhimtal--Nainital

Bhimtal has many tourist attraction, Para-gliding, Island restaurent in Bhimtal lake, Nakuchiatal and seven lakes cluster in Sat Tal, a picturesque picnic spot

Visit to Nainital-Bhimtal-Nakuckhiatal

Lakes has always been tourist attraction for children at their tender age as it is life experience to see water between the hills in form of springs. Colorful peddle, rowing-boats plying on the lakes make the place look more beauitful as the children and tourist take nice long drive with various boats peddling mannually

This facilities are well managed in Northern State of India, Uttarakhand tourist towns Nainital, Bhimtal, and Nakuchiatal the trio cities within radius of 30 Km, but is not given due publicity at national or International tourist maps.Trio towns attarct thousands of tourist round the year especially in Summers when the entire hotels are booked and children along with parents and tourist making beeline to these cities.

Bhimtal has many tourist spots like Island restaurent in Bhimtal lake, Para-gliding, Nauchiatal and seven lakes cluster in Sat Tal, a picturesque picnic spot where Ghatokach of Mahabharat fame lived in these hills with his mother. Bhimtal is very approachable as from road and rail it is hardly five hours journey approximately 250 Km from Delhi and highway is extremely safe and well maintain except some short patches.Near Bhimtal is another mid way city on route to Nainital is Bhowaili which has cantonment plus shppers market with various temples famous as Ghanti temples.Wishes of the devotees gets fullfiled as one comes to these temples.

As we move from Delhi by road we cross philkhua, Moradabad, Rampur, Rudrapur, Haldwani, Kathgodam then the first hill town enroute is Bhimtal which is about 20 Km from Kathgodam and it is about 4250 ft above sea level, three to four Km south of Bhimtal is Naukuchiatal.

The twin city of Bhimtal -Nakuchiatal has nice arragments of boats peddling and Lakes are quite bigs where one enjoys the fresh air and cold environment. Two city has enough tourist accomodation as it has many hotels on the periphery of the two lakes. The hotels are not very costly and moderately priced for stay and in lean seasons the rates are too economical specially for senior citizen cateogory. Just 20 Km from Bhimtal lies the most beautiful city of Naini Hills called Nainital which has its beauty of its own withs hotels line-up in one side of the lakes and on the other side--the Grand Hill which gives a majestic view for the tourist with city downtown and uptown markets for daily needs.

NainiTal is about 6000 ft above sea level and is cooler than Bhimtal and Naukchiatal.The Naintal which has main source of income from hospitality or hotel industry is busy round the years as tourist come from all part of the country to see the queen of Hills Nainital. Nainital is mid town to go to other tourist spots like Rani Khet, Almora, Kausani and other places of religious fervour. Experience to these cities makes you believe that India lives in hills with a quite, serene, life, with peoples worshipping and leading a pious life. Their houses are well kept with flowers and kindergarden well suited for their daily supply of vegetables, fruits and lush green lawns make their living more posh.

Cold breeze round the year,fresh uncontaminated environment and frugal traffic makes the city nice place to recharge ones energy. Bowali, the city on the midway has Lodge of International theosophical society, which has Library and spiritual meeting are held by the local theosophist, but this society is under the federation of Delhi region. Kathgodam to Naini hills many small towns like Rampura, sat Tal, Bowali, Naukchiatal, having hundred years old churchs and temples give its majestic look with natural scenes adds to its beauty.

During the month of April, May and June,july when the plains in Delhi are getting too much hot then the best weather to enjoy during summers are the Nainihills close to capital 280 Km with five hours drive to these cities with most economical lodging and foods, a paradise for health conscious people.