Archive for December, 2009
December 28th, 2009 | 
Author: What To Do On Your Holidays In Mali
Although not top of the list for the main countries to visit in Africa Mali has its own unique culture and charm with as well as welcoming people and a pleasant atmosphere. Mali is West Africa’s largest country bordered on the North by Algeria and South east and East by Niger. A Muslim country with rich beliefs and customs Mali is becoming a more popular tourist destination in Africa.
Bamako is the capital city of Mali and is considered as the most frequently visited and wellknown tourist destination. Bamako is situated on Niger River near rapids that divide the middle and upper Niger valleys in southern most part of the country. Tourists can travel alongside Niger River via a cruise that will provide them with fascinating glimpses of the villagelife in the exteriors of Bamako. An excursion to view the caves in the exterior of the city place where people lived for centuries can be quite exciting.
Another place to visit in Mali is the national library that boasts a selection of roughly 60000 works comprising software videos audio documents periodicals and books. Visiting the craft centre the zoo botanical gardens and markets are some of the other major tourist attractions.
Djenne is commonly known as the Jewel of the Niger this place has several things to see. Djenne comprises many beautiful mosques; the Grand Mosque is the oldest and the most visited by tourists.
Mopti is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Mali. The place is spread over 3 islands and is around halfway from Bamako to Timbuktu. Mopti is mainly inhibited by the Fulani traders. It is an attractive markettown where travellers can go to purchase amber jewellery masks leather goods and cloth along with wedding blankets woven by Fulani traders. Mopti is the most beautiful place with a lively atmosphere. This place is very well known for the active riverport small villages for fishing and Grand Mosque of Mopti to name a few.
Another major tourist attraction in Mali is Segou. This place was the earlier capital of Bambara Empire but is now the fourthlargest administrative region in Mali. A trip from Segou to Segoukoro would be most fascinating for the travellers. Segoukoro is a small town around 10 kms from Segou. This is the place that the Bambara kings expanded their kingdom and ruled for many years. The port craft centre and market in Segou are worth visiting. Woven bright coloured fabrics in Segou are extremely popular among travellers.
Sikasso is the most beautiful and popular tourist destination in Mali. Visiting Sikasso is an absolute must while holidaying in Mali if you are looking forward to visiting the most famous parts of Mali. There are many attractions here where people can go and enjoy their holidays. The local market in Sikasso religious mosques and Muslim pilgrimages are just some of the many places to visit while holidaying here.
About the writer: Andrew Gibson is MD of Direct Holiday Bookings. It has holiday villas ski chalets and self catering holiday apartments to rent on line as a holiday home rental. To see an example of holiday accommodation have a look at Holiday Accommodation
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What Ails Tourism In India
India a vast land of myriad landscapes flora and fauna climes and people has great potential as a tourist destination. It is a land of contrasts mystical and yet vibrant and colourful. Nevertheless it has only tapped a very small percentage of the worlds tourism industry. Smaller South East Asian Far East and Middle Eastern countries are doing a better job of attracting tourists.
Why is this so? Why are people bypassing India and its Taj Mahal the Himalayas our backwaters etc. etc. when there is so much to see? We need to have a candid look at what ails our tourist industry.
The lack of infrastructure hygiene sanitation safety are major setbacks though some of these are shared by other developing nations too.
India and Indians need to be more service oriented and helpful where tourists are concerned. We need to change our attitude and cut the redtape and bureaucratic approach to business.
Eastern hospitality is well known and an Indian would easily break bread with a weary traveler and give him his bed to sleep on. Yet those who are connected to tourism in various ways could do better they do not appear to follow the age old Indian adage which says Aditi Devo Bhava a guest should be treated like God.
We could be more forthcoming with information when a tourist needs help and more honest in our dealings with him or her exorbitant fares and prices will not endear us to tourists.
Recently I was in a shop on Mahatma Gandhi Road close to Anil Kumble Circle when a tourist walked in and bought a pair of sunglasses. She then asked for directions to Nalli Silks half a mile or so down the road. The shop assistant who had been helpful till then feigned ignorance of the location! She could not be bothered her job was over. It did not matter to her that a person totally new to this country could have done with some help. She was of course shamefaced when I gave her an incredulous look and started giving the tourist directions. The shop was not even busy there were only two customers the tourist and I who were leaving at any rate.
We need to learn that nothing is lost by being helpful and that we can all do better for ourselves and others by going the extra mile.
Going the extra mile that is another concept which is not popular with us. Public transportation accommodation and eateries could be a lot cleaner and made to look a lot nicer by just going that extra mile. Regular maintenance and pride in our vehicles or spaces not to mention ourselves in terms of regular baths and clean clothes would go a long way in attracting more people to India.
While we wait for the government to work on the infrastructure and cut the redtape and bureaucracy these are little things we could do ourselves which I believe will make us a lot more desirable as a nation and destination to the huge number of tourists out there.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Sakhina Sridharan
244 Borewell Road Whitefield
Bangalore 560 066
Email : sakhinasyahoo.com
Written by Sakhina Sridharan
August 25 2007
West Bengal
In the eastern part of India lies West Bengal a land of exotic beauty and charm. It is the gateway to the eastern part of India. A state rich with heritage bustling streets wild life music dance drama festivals and yummy food. West Bengal is famous for its ethnic and cultural diversity. Right from the mighty Himalayas in the north to the seacaressed beaches in the south it is a enchanting expedition over the vardant plains hilly terrains forests and the wonderful mangrove forests the Sunderbans can be enjoyed there. A trip to West Bengal is also a wonderfilled journey through the rich cultural treasures of the state.
Cities of West Bengal
The cities of west Bengal are most interesting and most popular places in India.
Kolkata The capital of the state is Kolkata known as the city of joy. It is a home to the Nobel laureates like Ronalds Ross Dr. C. V. Raman Rabindra Nath Tagore Mother Teresa and Amartya Sen. The land also takes pride in giving birth to the famous personalities like Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Raja Rammohan Roy Satyajit Roy Mahasweta devi and many more. Kolkata is considered as the nerve centre of the intellect art and culture. Tourists attractions in Kolkata consists of the Dutch French English and Portuguese styled building and majestic historical monuments. Other attractions of Kolkata are Vidya Sagar Sethu Raj Bhawan Eden Gardens Stadium Dhakuria Lake Metro Railway Calcutta High Court Birla Mandir Shantiniketan Science City Nirmal Hriday Pure Heart of Mother Teresa Academy of Fine Arts Ochterlony Monument Fort William South Park Street Cemetery Marble Palace Kumartuli BBD Bagh Dalhousie Square etc.
Darjeeling The hill stations of West Bengal are Darjeeling and Kalimpong. The majestic tea garden lush green tea ga’West Bengal’ gives a brief description of the state West Bengal. Its major cities and attractions are described in this article. Kolkata Darjeeling Shanti Niketan and sunderban are described here.rden heritage toy train attract a huge number of tourists.
Shanti Niketan Shanti Niketan is a land of art and literature. An excellent place to visit. The reminiscence of Rabindra Nath Tagore can be felt in every nook and corner of Shanti niketan. Shantiniketan is considered as a land of art and culture. Visiting to Shanti Niketan is a gift of cultural feast to yourself.
Sunderban Home to the Royal Bengal Tiger and the largest mangrove of the world can be enjoyed in Sunderban only. Sunderban is an exotic location in West Bengal where the nature and eco tourism lovers can enjoy variety of animals with water and plants.
The places those mentioned above are just highlights of West Bengal. There are some other spicy places in West Bengal where you will find different colours and spices of life. These are Digha Siliguri Gaur Pandua Murshidabad Bishnupur and Haldia. All most all the places of West Bengal are famous in their own way. For example Digha is famous for sea and beaches Murshidabad is famous for silk sari.
The description of West Bengal will be incomplete if we do not describe the festivals of the land. It is also a land of multiple fairs and festivals. The main festival of West Bengal is Durga Puja. This four day festival is celebrated in grand scale in the state during the month of October. Beside this there are other alluring festivals in West Bengal with variety of food.
Talking to the food habits the staple food of the state is Rice and fish. The mouth watering dishes of West Bengal is also another attractions of the tourists. The different dishes of fish and different sweets of the place tempt every traveler.
About the writer: Know more about the exotic state West Bengal in West Bengal Tour in India Tour