Delhi turned me into a roadie!!! Am Loving it...

Top escapes from Delhi this summer 

What do you fancy - mountains, cities or the wildlife? Imagine...you're holding a cup of coffee with your windows opened towards the lush green hills or opening your windows to face the glorious Taj Mahal. Doesn't it sound euphoric? Yes, it's euphoric as well as easily do-able. Summers are on there way back to North India, schools will observe there holidays and if you are planning a trip to to the Indian capital city with flights to Delhi, there are other closer and quick getaways from Delhi too.

Whether you are flocking into the Indian capital city of Delhi with your family, travelling solo or even planning a honeymoon getaway, there are a few surprising escapes from Delhi to excite your senses. So, from this write-up, pick one and enjoy a refreshing summer break unlike any other.

AGRA...exploring the city of love and culture

Agra grabs the first position on the mind and on the list when it comes to a nearby getaway from Delhi. A city that never fails to attract tourists to the monument of love - The Taj Mahal, despite of being crammed and crowded lures famous people, celebrities and others. Being one of the icons among the Wonders of the World, the white-marbled Taj Mahal draws millions of visitors each year towards its charm.

Apart from this majestic palace, Agra is blessed with mosques, forts, religious shrines and temples and palaces. Alternative to the Taj Mahal, the red sandstone Agra Fort is impressive beyond imagination. Other places of interests that you can explore with cheap flightsto Delhi, are - Firozabad, Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra Fort, Jahangir's Palace, Itmad-ud-Daula and much more.

·         Delhi to Agra is 145 miles

·         November to March is the best time to visit

Jaipur...where 'Pink' is the royal colour

From Uttar Pradesh, let's take you towards Rajasthan, a state steeped in heritage and culture. Jaipur does soak up the summer heat massively, but the city is much more exciting and interesting than imagined. Before moving around the 'Pink City', you need a luxurious stay at one of the elegant hotels. Jaipur has everything you need - magnificent palaces, glorious forts, heritage hotels and an engrossing past.

With tickets to Delhi, if you desire to travel back in time, this is the city that lives up to the expectations of every kind of traveller. Walk down the lanes where the kings and queens strode once. Explore the colourful bazaars and drench yourself in the haunting folk music. Ascend the steep hills of Amber Fort and get a dynamic view of the entire city, as well as drift through the hidden passages and alleys. End your day with a lavish Rajasthani thali.

·         Delhi to Jaipur is 168 miles

·         November to March is the best time to visit 

Shimla...the queen of the hills

Well, let's move towards the coolness of the hills in Himachal Pradesh. Shimla is known as the summer capital since the British Raj in India and it's an all-time favourite not only for international tourists, but for the locals also. Many Delhites flock towards the misty atmosphere of Shimla mostly during the summer holidays.

If you crave snowfalls, December to February are the best months to encounter a whiteout. Being an old, charming city, it has the touch of an European town, especially the with the design of the Christ Church Shimla. Walking down the Mall Road is extremely rewarding. Right from tiny cafes and aromatic restaurants to Lakkar Baazar, the market for wooden articles, you'll fall in love with this lovely hill station.

·         Delhi to Shimla is 215 miles

·         March to June is the best time to visit

Corbett...those eyes are watching you

Away from the collision of the city, culture and heritage, we take you towards the flora and fauna of Uttarakhand that is found in Jim Corbett National Park. This is home to some authentic wildlife such as Royal Bengal Tiger, Elephants and Deer. It's a perfect getaway from all the hustle and bustle of the city life.

The Corbett has its share of thrill and excitement among the tall grasslands, tranquil lakes, riverine belts and tents. Opened from mid-November to mid-June, Corbett calls all safari and wildlife lovers during the winters. With Delhi flights, kids will have a gala time. You can enjoy fishing too at the Kosi River and at Ramganga.

·         Delhi to Corbett is 161 miles

·         November to June is the best time to visit

·         The closest airport is Pantnagar, which is 31 miles from JC National Park.

Eat, Live & Laugh on a Budget in Sydney

After all Sydney can be enjoyed at a budget too

It's lively, beautiful, cultural and coastal too. That's Sydney for you! No wonder, this sprawling city is admired by several nicknames, which eventually ranks it as one of the most expensive cities of Australia and 20th most expensive city on the planet, inviting frequent flights to Sydney. This should not discourage you, in case you're travelling there for the first time. You need not worry about the usual cost of living in Sydney. Being a traveller to a new city, the concerns for food, drinks and sightseeing does discourage many from fulfilling their dream trip.

On one side, where tourism is on the rise, there are cash-saving alternatives that will definitely turn out to be a treat on your Sydney visit. Hence, it's not just being a 'traveller', but a 'smart-traveller' overall, so that you can enjoy a new city without burning a hole in your pocket with tickets to Sydney. So, where do we begin? Let's begin by Food & Drinks as we love to sample the cuisine of a particular city, but refrain when we see things are quite expensive.

Food & Drinks

Surviving solely on a vegetable sandwich just might not do any good while you're in Sydney. You need real elements, you cannot just live totally on burger and fries and also see that your wallet does not cry out. In order not to break your bank with your three meals a day, jut stay glued to sidewalk bakeries and the roadside cafes that you'll come across frequently.

The exciting part is, you can enjoy discounts if you walk away with your coffee and doughnuts. To relish something more stuffed, you can enjoy pies with meat fillings at the Circular Quay. There are options for vegetarian fillings also. Head towards Chinatown or more towards the interiors to find even more cheaper things to eat at several of the Asian and Indian food courts.

In case Plan A does not work out, switch to Plan B. With cheap flights to Sydney, enjoy a getaway at Surry Hillsand either grab sandwiches, burgers or a bowl full of soup by just paying peanuts. With over 70 restaurants and alluring street food, Chinatown is surely the most promising place for chomping Japanese, Korean and Thai delicacies. Well, you need to check out - George Street, Glebe, Tuesdays, CBD and Big Bite Sydney.

The Food Districts of Sydney:

·         Potts Point

·         Darling Harbour

·         The Rock District

·         Chinatown

·         Surry Hills

·         Bondi Beach

·         The CBD 

Accommodation

In any city, hostels are on the cheaper side. The cheapest dig ranges from $20 to $60, totally depending on the privacy that you are looking for. The largest chain of hostels in Sydney is run by YHA and it's highly regarded for its tidy rooms, amiable staff and minimal rowdiness.

You can try Australian Heritage Hotel, Macleay Lodge Sydney or the Glenferrie Lodge. Most of these hostels range in between $54-$74 per night. For other alternatives, you can also opt for University of Sydney's Wesley College that offers B&B for $60 and St. John's College for $65 a night.

Budget Accommodation in Sydney:

·         Ibis Budget St. Peter

·         Central Railway Hotel

·         Meriton Serviced Apartments Campbell Street

·         Sydney Wattle Hotel

·         Springfield Lodge

·         Hotel Coronatino

·         Macleay Lodge Sydney

·         Southern Cross Hotel

Shopping & Entertainment

Yes, there's Armani, Gucci and even Burberry, but those with less cash can rush towards Paddy's Market to buy some eye-boggling apparels, souvenirs and other things for cheap. With cheap tickets to Sydney from London, you can enjoy some cheaper shows for as low as $30, but not in the nosebleed area. The Sydney Conservatorium holds a couple of Musical Series, where you can enjoy classical music for just $15.

Where to explore shopping stores?

·         Darlinghurst to Paddington

·         The Intersection

·         Glenmore Road

·         Queen Street

·         Sydney Harbour

·         Knox

·         Cross Street

·         Surry Hills

·         Kings Street

Is getting around Sydney cheap?

Walking around the Sydney CBD is gratifying, but if you wish to be somewhere else further, you can call for a taxi that will cost $8 for 1.2 miles. The taxi drivers in Sydney are pretty slow.

The city bus or the train network is quite convenient. If you get a My10Pass, it will save you a lot of money. With the pass you can enjoy 10 bus rides or 5 round trips. Buy a single ride and get a return ticket. The 555 shuttle bus is free in and around the CBD.

Hong Kong: Definitely wilder than King Kong

Traverse to the Pearl of the Orient and live life to the full

Hong Kong, with its bigeminal attributes offers diverse choices for picky holiday-makers. This beguiling metropolis does not fail to pull in and becharm you despite of the number of times you visit. It is an impeccable gateway for travellers to Southeast Asia and China, offering a smooth changeover from west to east and inviting frequentflights to Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Island displays a brilliant infrastructureof skyscrapers and prides in their topography, making the city truly dreamy. Hong Kong spoils you with choices you can never imagine.

Spice up your vacay

Book tickets to Hong Kong to chart out a dramatic vacation among impressive aromas and attractions. To witness striking landmarks of the bewitching city, board the convenient Peak Tram atop the irenic Victoria Peak. Do you know, that Hong Kong's attractive Disneyland is the world's 5^th largest, and it's brand new. Anticipate some exciting Broadway shows, fireworks, electrifying rides and exhilarating parades set amidst classical Disney attractions.

The Ocean Theme & Animal Park, located on the Hong Kong Island is home to a large jellyfish aquarium and nourishes giant pandas in their natural habitat.

Alternative to mind-blowing attractions, Hong Kong is home to some unusual pleasures and thrilling experiences. Pamper yourself with an entire city tour and its attractions. You will also get a rare chance to marvel at the pretty-looking, pink coloured dolphins called 'Chinese White Dolphins' or cherish a walk towards the famed Victoria harbour or savour delectable cuisine as well as shop at several inexpensive and convenient shopping outlets. The choices are endless.

Drown in the heritage & culture

Hong Kong lives to flaunt its festivals and Chinese New Year is one of the most celebrated fests in the city. Not to forget, the Dragon Boat Festival is fun to see. Learn about the fascinating heritage of HK by taking a tour of Hong Kong's museums.

With cheap flights to Hong Kong marvel at the state-of-the-art Chinese art gallery and calligraphy at the illustrious Hong Kong Museum of Art, and transfer back 4,000 years to know how everything began. Link up to a heritage tour of distinguished landmarks such as the Man Mo Temple and Kowloon's Walled City.

A gourmets paradise

From award-winning restaurants and avant-garde hotels, you are treated to some of the most succulent Chinese dishes. Do not forget the street-side seafood vendors. Altogether, Hong Kong offers a gastronomic cornucopia. The shopping malls have some great Chinese eateries, and just for a less price, you can relish dim sum and prawn dumplings. Plunge into tea culture, or 'yum cha', and try slurping your noodles. That's the way we do it, says a Hong Kongner and it's delicious!

A true shopping haven

In this prodigious city, shopping is almost a devotional activity. HK for sure, is a shopper’s promised-land. Certainly the city is fortunate to have abundant commodity on offer. Right from jewellery, modern wear to aesthetic, toys and sports equipments, visitors largely select the unique toys, video games, CDs, DVDs, digital cameras and electronic items.

Things are quite cheap in here. A few famous shopping areas and arcades include the IFC Mall, Times Square, Pacific Place and Harbour City. Shopping fanatics would love to examine each and everything and know how to haggle the good deals. Women would definitely prefer to hang out at Ladies Market, Stanley Market and Temple Street and spend lavishly. In one word - Hong Kong will spoil you with choices when you fly down with cheap flights to Hong Kong.