Konark,Varanasi, Udaipur and Khajuraho
Jan 16th, 2004, 12:06 AM
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Konark,Varanasi, Udaipur and Khajuraho
Hi,we are planning a trip to India( Konark, Varanasi, Khajuraho and Udaipur) mid-feb this year. If anyone has been to these cities, would appreciate a couple of tips in respect of hotels etc( Have a lonely planet from previous trips to the south but it is a little outdated)
Thanks
Thanks
Jan 18th, 2004, 06:54 PM
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Have been to Udaipur and Varanasi.
I don't remember where we stayed in Varanasi, but in Udaipur, we stayed at the Lake Palace.
There is also the city palace there, and I believe a newer, and even more luxurious hotel...but I would highly recommend the Lake Palace. There is nothing quite like staying on an island which is completely covered with one building which looks like it is rising from the water.
I believe it will be less expensive than the other two, also, as it is probably more in need of doing up, but much more charming.
I little tip, also...find your way up to the roof of the building in the moonlight if you stay there...the staff go up there to smoke, but the view is fabulous!
Udaipur was by far my favorite place in India. It is like a small country town, and the people are very friendly. It is a surreal experience flying into the airport there....you disembark into a cement shell of a building with holes for windows, but no windows. They pass your luggage through these holes to set it down so you can identify it. It's odd!
You really should try to fit Agra and the Taj Mahal into your schedule if at all possible, and if you haven't been before. I am not easily impressed, but this was a sight to behold that I will never forget, and a MUST if you are going to India.
Varanasi was interesting. It feels very spiritual...I don't know if it's the people both praying and bathing on the river bank in the early morning light, or the faint smoke rings from burning bodies of the dead or the combination of all these things, but it's a bit eerie yet peaceful at the same time.
It's also a bit icky when you think about how they tie stones around those who die from disease..because you are not allowed to burn people who die from disease in India...instead they tie stones and sink them in the middle of the river...and then you see people bathing in this same river and drinking water from it! Uck! But interesting, nonetheless!
I don't remember where we stayed in Varanasi, but in Udaipur, we stayed at the Lake Palace.
There is also the city palace there, and I believe a newer, and even more luxurious hotel...but I would highly recommend the Lake Palace. There is nothing quite like staying on an island which is completely covered with one building which looks like it is rising from the water.
I believe it will be less expensive than the other two, also, as it is probably more in need of doing up, but much more charming.
I little tip, also...find your way up to the roof of the building in the moonlight if you stay there...the staff go up there to smoke, but the view is fabulous!
Udaipur was by far my favorite place in India. It is like a small country town, and the people are very friendly. It is a surreal experience flying into the airport there....you disembark into a cement shell of a building with holes for windows, but no windows. They pass your luggage through these holes to set it down so you can identify it. It's odd!
You really should try to fit Agra and the Taj Mahal into your schedule if at all possible, and if you haven't been before. I am not easily impressed, but this was a sight to behold that I will never forget, and a MUST if you are going to India.
Varanasi was interesting. It feels very spiritual...I don't know if it's the people both praying and bathing on the river bank in the early morning light, or the faint smoke rings from burning bodies of the dead or the combination of all these things, but it's a bit eerie yet peaceful at the same time.
It's also a bit icky when you think about how they tie stones around those who die from disease..because you are not allowed to burn people who die from disease in India...instead they tie stones and sink them in the middle of the river...and then you see people bathing in this same river and drinking water from it! Uck! But interesting, nonetheless!
Jan 21st, 2004, 09:53 AM
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yes if it's a first visit to india - why not behold one of the wonders of the world the Taj Mahal - it is stunning. They've removed the taj mahal by moonlight tour due to security reasons - but during the day is stunning! The history is fascinating - take a guided tour.
Jan 22nd, 2004, 03:39 AM
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Sameera mid range preferably ethnic hotels.
Benderbabe and travel04 thanks, have already been twice to Agra and seen the Taj, no time this time. Seems like the lake palace is all booked up.Was not too sure about Varanasi but after reading your mail have decided to stop over after all.
Benderbabe and travel04 thanks, have already been twice to Agra and seen the Taj, no time this time. Seems like the lake palace is all booked up.Was not too sure about Varanasi but after reading your mail have decided to stop over after all.
Jan 30th, 2004, 07:17 AM
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Christine, what do you mean by "ethnic" hotels?
Here in America, "ethnic" is usually used to indicate non-white, non-Western artifacts. It is a Eurocentric/Americentric term, and in some sense, a racist term (although you may nor mean or intend it to be so). Consider, for instance, the term "third world." It started off as a benign connotation but is often used pejoratively today.
In summary: "ethnic" in India, I would take to mean American, French, or British cultural things.
Here in America, "ethnic" is usually used to indicate non-white, non-Western artifacts. It is a Eurocentric/Americentric term, and in some sense, a racist term (although you may nor mean or intend it to be so). Consider, for instance, the term "third world." It started off as a benign connotation but is often used pejoratively today.
In summary: "ethnic" in India, I would take to mean American, French, or British cultural things.
Jan 31st, 2004, 08:04 PM
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I think by ehtnic hotels, christine, u mean hotels with Indian local flavour and perhpas some history? Go to the website heritagehotels.com and see if anything appeals. Think all the places u want to cover may have a listing. Then you can come back and post specific questions re your choices.
