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5 Best Palaces of Tamil Nadu

Blog, Destinations - GoroadTrip - January 5, 2018

Tamil Nadu has several Pandyas, Cholas, Cheras and Pallavas dynasties. It is a natural destination of the palaces which constitute an important part of the tourist attractions of Tamil Nadu.

Visit some of these palaces to experience the kingship of these kingdoms.

Sivaganga Palace:

Sivaganga Palace, also known as Gowri Vilasam, is located in Sivaganga District, about 40 kilometers from Madurai. Built in the 1730s, the palace was the royal residence of the Marava kings. The Raja Rajeshwari is a sanctified Raja Rajeshwari temple, which stood as a deity of the royal family inside the palace and is accessible to tourists. A hall with huge columns, litter and a Nadai Kinaru, a miniature pool built for the women of the palace, are also on display.

Tirumalai Nayakar Mahal:

Built by Tirumalai Nayakar, this palace is about two kilometers from Madurai Meenakshi Temple. It’s in the Indo-Saracen style. A highlight for palace visitors is a light and sound show that tells the story of Tirumalai Nayakar and Silapathikaram.

Tanjavur Palace:

Tanjavur was the capital of Cholas. The palace of Tanjavur was the royal house of the Cholas and later the Tanjavur Nayaks and also the ruler of Maratha. The three kingdoms have left their mark on the palace, which is a fascinating part of the palace tour. With two towers, huge halls, wide corridors and a shady courtyard with a museum, art gallery and music hall called Sangeetha Mahal.

Padmanabhapuram Palace:

Padmanabhapuram Palace was built in Kanyakumari in 1601 by the leaders of Travancore. See a mix of Kerala style architecture, the Palace of the Queen’s Palace, the South Palace and the Council Chamber.

Chettinad Palace:

The Chettinad Palace in Karaikudi, a royal house of the Chettiyars, is an exquisite monument to the architecture of Chettinad. Built by Dr. med. Annamalai Chettiyar, the palace is about 110 years old. He used materials, decoration and furniture mainly from East Asian countries and Europe. Opulence can be seen in every corner of this majestic palace; Italian marble, teak and candlesticks from Burma, crystals from Europe, mirrors from Belgium and Indonesian dishes. The Chettinad Palace is really a spectacular sight.

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8 Getaways for Dawn at Bangalore

Blog, Destinations - GoroadTrip - January 1, 2018

In the months of Monday to Friday there is hectic work and family life on the weekends, there is hardly time for excursions and visits. But for travel lovers in Bangalore, where there is a will, there is a way! There are many escapades in a hundred kilometers from Bangalore that you can visit one after the other. And the lack of time? This can be thwarted by the rides being committed at dawn! Is there a better way to start the day than with your passion? And visit the goals when the place is the coolest?

Plan with Goroadtrip and get up at dawn to see the sun in these places:

Belvedere in the Turahalli Forest:

Turahalli Forest is located about 13 kilometers from Banashankari on Kanakapura Road. A walk of about one kilometer from the main road will take you to the point of view at this location. A small temple is present here. A climb of some rocks offers a magnificent view of the sunrise.

Viewpoint of Turahalli Forest, Bangalore, Karnataka

Hebbalsee:

Located in the north of Bangalore, the Hebbal Lake is approximately 30 kilometers long and is located at the intersection of Bellary Road at the beginning of the National Highway 7. The shape by the Hebbal Lake natural dams is surrounded by greenery and a paradise for birdwatchers. The view of the sunrise is also spectacular on the lake.

Hebbal Lake, Bangalore, Karnataka, birdwatching

Great banyan:

Dodda Alada Mara is a four hundred year old banyan located about 30 kilometers from the city center. It covers an incredible area of ​​three hectares. The campus is a well-maintained park where you can meditate under this ancient tree or take a walk in the fresh morning air.

Big banyan tree, Bangalore, Dodda Alada Mara, Kengeri

Trimurthy Temple:

Trimurthy Temple on Kanakapura Road is about 30 kilometers from Bangalore. Trimurthy Temple with three idols by Lord Ganapathi, Hanuman and Krishna is a small temple with a beautiful campus. Nearby Pyramid Valley with its pyramid-shaped meditation center is a quiet place to spend a few hours of meditation. The beautiful murals on the outer walls of the pyramid depicting the elements of nature and the beautiful paintings and works of art of Buddha are a highlight of the place.

Trimurthy Temple, Kanakapura Road, Bangalore, Karnataka

Manchanbele Dam:

About the Mysore road lead about 37 kilometers from the Manchanbele Dam. This artificial irrigation dam on the Arkavati River has some beautiful hills nearby. Climb the hills and enjoy the view of the water in the red colors of the rising sun. Manchanbele is also a good place for adventure activities such as water sports, hiking and camping.

Manchanbele Dam, Manchinabele, Mysore Road, Bangalore, Karnataka

Thattekere:

It is a small lake about 60 kilometers from Bangalore, south of Bannerghatta National Park. The circular lake, which takes its name from “Thatte”, which means circular plate at Kannada, must be one kilometer from the main road on foot. These feathered friends, inhabited by an incredible number of birds such as kites, storks, kingfishers and lapwings, are more likely to be present at dawn. A small temple of Mahadeeshwara and some watchtowers are also nearby.

Thattekere, Bangalore, Mahadeeshwara, Karnataka

Nandi Hill:

The Nandi Hills are a very popular choice for a picnic spot in Bangalore, about 60 kilometers away. An early morning visit is worthwhile because of the spectacular views and the fresh, invigorating morning air. Get up for a hectic exercise and fill your lungs with fresh air. Relax and enjoy the beautiful gardens and discover the birds early in the morning as they go about their business. Monkeys are also a common sight on the Nandi Hills.

Nandhi Hills, Nandi Hills, Bangalore, new airport

Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta:

About 75 kilometers south of Bangalore is a small hilly area called Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta. The hill has the temple of Lord Ranganatha Swamy, built under a huge white rock. “Bilikal” in Kannada means white stone, hence the name. The hill offers beautiful views of the surrounding streets and hills. There is sometimes fog and, early in the morning, a breeze always strong. You can get lost in the beauty of the surroundings, in the colors of the sun early in the morning

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My Experiences in Disneyland

Blog, Destinations, Things To Do, Weekend Getaways - GoroadTrip - December 26, 2017

Growing up with Disney Books and Disney Channels, Mickey and Donald are as many friends as my kids. No wonder then that a trip to this magical theme park on a summit experienced all our excitement. Launched in 1955, Disneyland Park in Southern California is Walt Disney’s original theme park. Being at the doors of this wonderland was like a dream that came true for all of us.
As soon as we entered, we were in a delusional solution with extravagant fun options. There were eight thematic countries called Main Street, USA, Tomorrowland, Mickey Toontown, Fantasyland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country and Adventureland. These choices are categorized under attractions, entertainment, events and tours and of course gastronomic options.

Here are some of the ways that have given us the time of our lives …

An attraction of Fantasyland, the term “curious and curious!” From the epic “Alice in Wonderland” came alive for us when we jumped on an oversized crawler to see the wonders here. We went into the enchanted rabbit hole and were quickly kidnapped into this wonderland of Queen’s Garden, Tulgey Wood, White Rabbit’s House and many more.

Casey Jr. Circus Train:

We saw our kids board the Casey Jr. train in Fantasyland and make an unforgettable journey through storybook land. Storybook Land is full of miniature versions of Disney’s classic backdrops such as The Little Pig’s House, the manicured park of Peter Pan, the Dwarven House of Snow White, and the Seven Dwarfs and many other fairytales.

Astro Orbitor:

We had the chance to pilot a rocket in this carousel of Tomorrowland. The rocket crashed after takeoff and quickly began to cover a galaxy of planets, giving us the opportunity to experience space travel. We felt very much in control as we controlled the lever for all our value!

Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road:

A fun ride from Frontierland, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad train ride took us through a gold mining town. Tunnels, caves, canyons, a rushing waterfall, rock formations, rocks, the remains of an earthquake were just some of the shocks that shook us and made us rediscover our safety at the station, where it all started!

Buzz Light year Astro Blasters:

This Tomorrowland attraction immediately became our son’s favorite when he fell headlong into an exciting space battle. The fight is the same as the one shown in Disney’s popular Toy Story movie series.

Mickey’s Toontown:

We all had a nostalgic moment in this Disneyland Park with Mickey Mouse comedy series and all the other Disney characters come to life for us. Donald’s Boat, Goofy Playhouse, Chip’n Dale Treehouse. Minnie’s home and so many other charming attractions made it hard for us to leave Mickey’s house.

Indiana Jones Adventure:

From Adventureland, this attraction took us on a fantastic journey with a troop transport. The ride was fast and let us experience what is going on rough terrain as we embark on this adventure to find Indiana Jones.

Fantasy Faire:

This part of Fantasyland had tied my daughter while her princesses and prince charming were animated when they were playing before us. She shook hands with some of her favorite characters from all of her fairy tales, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Tangled.

Mickey’s Soundsational Parade:

We participated in one of the most visual and daring parades in our lives, with this parade led by none other than our favorite Mickey Mouse on the drum. The music came from classic Disney movies and when the characters passed us or in tanks with their own musical instrument, we could not help but get into an animated jitter. The parade started at 16:30. gave us a delicious start to a wonderful evening.

Fireworks at Disneyland Park:

The night at Disneyland Park was celebrated as spectacular fireworks lit up the sky. The fireworks were in harmony with the timeless melodies of Disney and made the experience really magical for us.

The restaurants were phenomenal in Disneyland. There were barbecues, French cuisine, snacks, ice cream parlors, cafes, popcorns and fruit carts, and we felt like we had tried all the dishes on the planet by the end of the year our visit to Disneyland.

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Top Fun Things to do in Johannesburg

Blog, South Africa, Things To Do - GoroadTrip - December 14, 2017

places to visit in Johannesburg

For those who know little or nothing about South Africa, we usually talk about the city of Cape Town for a great holiday but have you ever thought about traveling to the other big city of that country, namely Johannesburg?

This city is located 1800 meters above sea level. Johannesburg was the center of anti-apartheid movement and we can still see sharp scars between the dense downtown and residential suburbs that adjoin the huge townships like Soweto farther south.

We bring you a list of some of the places to visit in Johannesburg.

• The Apartheid Museum

It is impossible to visit Johannesburg without mentioning the apartheid that marked South Africa. The Apartheid Museum is dedicated to this racial segregation policy. Here you can retrace its history and its end with the intervention of Nelson Mandela, famous South African political leader and revolutionary. Here you can immerse yourself in South African history and better understand these tensions, which are not totally erased even today.

• Nelson Mandela Square

After the Apartheid Museum, your visit to Johannesburg naturally takes you to Mandela Square. This public square is in the Sandton City district. It is the wealthiest district in Johannesburg and a popular shopping and dining destination.

• Fashion District

Welcome to a world of colors where fashion lovers will find their happiness. Here, it’s simply a fashion designer’s paradise. If you do not know what to see in Johannesburg, Fashion District will dazzle your eyes with its incredible and colorful fabrics.

• World of Beer

200 different beers are produced in South Africa, and Johannesburg has chosen to create a museum dedicated to this product. The history, production, and tasting of beer are displayed. And of course, in the end, you can enjoy a few beers and come to your own opinion about South African beer.

• Constitution Hill

An essential part of your stay in South Africa is visiting the Constitutional Court located in the ramparts of Old Fort, a former prison where Nelson Mandela was detained. This very informative tour teaches you more about the fight against apartheid.

• The Wits Museum

One of the newer places to visit in Johannesburg since it was completed in 2012, this art museum is also a must see during your visit to Johannesburg. With 9,000 works, it is simply the largest museum of African art. There are collections from the 4th century to the present day. Jewelry, musical instruments, masks, paintings, sculpture are exhibited. Many events take place throughout the year including discussions with the artists.

• Ngwenya Glass Village

Tourists in Johannesburg also visit the outskirt to discover places such as Ngwenya Glass Village. Through the twelve arts and crafts stores in this village, you will learn more about the tradition of glassblowing. Admire the craftsmen in their works and participate with your children in playful and enriching activities at the same time.

• Soweto

Soweto is the abbreviation of South Western Township. It was in this suburb of Johannesburg that Nelson Mandela was born. It is a symbol of resistance to apartheid. You are advised to take a guide who will help you retrace the history of this suburb.

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5 Awesome Places to Visit in Zimbabwe

Blog, Zimbabwe - GoroadTrip - December 6, 2017

places to visit in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has one of the most pleasant climates in the world. The days are sunny with a spectacular thunderstorm in the afternoon or evening. The end of the dry and cool season, between September and October, is the best time to observe the wildlife.

The country is surrounded by South Africa, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east and north. The Zambezi River forms the natural border with Zambia.

Zimbabwe’s national parks and private wildlife ranches with their miombo and thorny acacia tree forests offer great opportunities to see wild animals, including antelopes, zebras, and giraffes, roam the plains and you may have the chance to see at least some of the Big Five (buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion or rhinoceros) from a vehicle, on foot or on horseback.

Here are some interesting places to visit in Zimbabwe.

• Harare

The capital Harare is located in the north-east of the country. Formerly known as Salisbury, the city was renamed in 1982. Harare, nicknamed “Sunshine City”, is rather pleasant with its vast parks and jacaranda avenues. Visit the National Botanical Gardens, the National Museum, the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (exhibitions of African and contemporary art) and the archives exploring the history of colonization of the country, documents in support. At the very gates of the city are several wildlife reserves – Thetford Game Reserve, Kuimba Shiri Bird Sanctuary, Mukuvisi Woodlands, Lion & Cheetah Park, Lake Chivero, etc.

• Victoria Falls

Named to honor of the Queen of England by David Livingstone, the famous explorer, the Victoria Falls are one of the most impressive places to visit in Zimbabwe. The Zambezi pours down the falls at an average rate of 550 million liters of water per minute. The flow is at its lowest around August and the highest around April.

• Hwange National Park (formerly Wankie Game Reserve)

The largest and most famous national park of Zimbabwe extends over a huge territory of 14650 sq km. Mostly covered by savannah, it has one of the largest concentrations of African elephants. There are at least 30,000 and maybe even 40,000.

Situated in the southwest of Zimbabwe, Hwange is home to a hundred or so mammal species and nearly 400 birds. They are ideally observed at the end of the day near water points (most artificial); observation posts have been set up for some.

• Matobo (Matopos) National Park

South of Bulawayo, this “small” park (445 sq km), also a World Heritage Site, is famous for its granite formations carved by erosion, its precarious balancing rocks, and rock paintings.

At Malindidzimu inside the Matobo Park, is the grave of Cecil Rhodes, the man who led colonization of Rhodesia at the end of the 19th century. Many black eagles live on the cliffs. Several black and white rhinos have been resettled here to protect them.

• Great Zimbabwe

This stopover is unavoidable. Here you will discover the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, the capital of a kingdom which, at its peak in the 13th and 14th centuries, ruled a vast territory stretching from what is now Botswana to Mozambique. It is the most important medieval African city south of the Sahara.

The Great Zimbabwe National Monument is one of the principal examples of the nation’s historical heritage.

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