Monthly Archives for February 2017

Urban Outings in San Francisco

Blog, Things To Do - GoroadTrip - February 26, 2017

In a magical city like San Francisco, you’ll soon be surrounded by iconic landmarks, bustling sights, quaint places and, of course, the attitude of the locals. San Francisco’s urban excursions will take you into an urban environment, but you’ll be rewarded with a sense of discovery and your own adventurous experience. Some urban outlets to look at are:

Visit the Golden Gate Bridge and the SF Coast:

There is no place like the Golden Gate Bridge, a historical depiction of San Francisco, to enjoy the views of San Francisco Bay and the city skyline. Once you start on the bridge, you can continue on a hike along the Pacific Ocean. This will take you through Baker Beach and Sea Cliff to Sutro Baths on the Land’s End. Cliff House is the place to end your visit with the sunset on the Pacific Coast.

Flavors and Mural of the Mission District of San Francisco Tour:

The oldest but hottest part of San Francisco is the Mission District. On Balmy Avenue and Clarion Valley, visitors will find a mix of street art, murals and gourmet delights. At the end of the Tour Dolores Park and Mission Dolores you will learn more about the history and stories of this great city.

Visit temples and beatniks, including Chinese tea and dessert tastings:

Go quietly from Beatnik to the Chinese city for a taste of Chinese tea and more. Tea time will be interesting with mythological stories and picks in Fortune Cookie predictions. You can see the Chinese Temple and memorable places such as the City Lights Bookstore and Washington Square Park.

Walk in the pubs of San Francisco North Beach:

If you are in the North Beach area, you can not be far from a pub! Popular for a vibrant nightlife with lots of water features that exude a party atmosphere, part of the San Francisco North Beach Crawl Pub is a must. Enter the festive atmosphere with a sip of local wine and beer flowing through the many pubs. At the end of everything, you can head to the Coit Tower or return to one of the outdoor cafés that are characteristic of North Beach.

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A Memorable Trip to Kottayam

Blog, Destinations - GoroadTrip - February 14, 2017

Keeping Kottayam in Kerala is also called “AksharaNagari”, which means city of letters. The place is also complete with geographical wonders and historical sites. Plan a trip to Kottayam and enter.

Temple of Thirunnakkara Mahadeva:

Built in the 16th century by Thekkumkoor Raja, this shiva temple in Kottayam is very famous. The temple’s Koothambalam, which features traditional dance performances, and epic murals on the walls of the temple are examples of Kerala’s traditional and beautiful architecture. A famous event of the temple is the Aaraattu festival, which is celebrated with a mix of performances by professional artists.

St. Mary’s Orthodox Church:

In Cheriyapalli, about four kilometers from Kottayam, the Syriac Orthodox Church of St. Mary was built by the Portuguese. But there is an influence of the classical Indian architectural style, as seen in the skillful stone carvings and murals on the walls of the church.

Temple of Subramanya Swami:

Subramanya Swamy temple is located in a village called Kidangoor, about 17 kilometers from Kottayam. It is dedicated to Lord Subramanya. It is one of the oldest and largest temples in Kerala and is built on the banks of the Meenachali River. The annual temple festival is a big deal when professional artists perform Chakyarkoothu, a traditional form of Kerala dance.

Kottathavalam Basement:

The Kottathavalam Caves are an ideal picnic spot near the Murugan Hills in Kottayam. A climb up a staircase that leads to the cave in the rocks leads you to these magnificent formations. It is fascinating to see the rocks in the cellars in the form of flesh and layers. Another wonderful work of art are the sculptures of Madurai Meenakshi, Murugan, Ayyappa, Kannakki and images of weapons in these cellars.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary:

For bird lovers, a trip to Kottayam can be completed with a visit to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, 16 km away. The sanctuary on the shores of Lake Vembanad is a paradise for birds. There are approximately 90 species of local birds and 50 species of migratory birds in the 14 acres of natural habitat. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is one of the largest in India.

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