Portugal: Towards the Atlantic Ocean
Many tourists who book tours to Portugal first arrive in the capital of Portugal – the majestic Lisbon. It is the only capital among all European states that has beautiful beaches on the Atlantic coast. Two colorful suburbs of this capital – Estoril and Cascais – are rightfully considered the Portuguese Riviera.
Here there are wide and very long sandy beaches, and the holiday mood is lifted by excellent hotels and restaurants with superb fresh and exotic seafood in huge menus. To this day, many chic villas and magnificent mansions have been preserved in Cascais, built by masters of their craft in the distant nineteenth century, and along the mosaic pavements tastefully laid with black basalt and yellow sandstone, stars of modern show business also like to stroll along with tourists.
Getting to this wonderful place is not difficult at all – local suburban trains constantly depart from the railway station called «Cais do Sodre» – they will take passengers to Cascais in just thirty-five minutes. Their route runs along a surprisingly picturesque coastline. Day and evening walks in Lisbon itself are guaranteed to give a lot of bright and positive emotions even to the most demanding tourist.
Here almost everything pleases the eye – the grand squares, the narrow streets, and, as if from a fairy tale, little white houses with orange tiled roofs. Against the backdrop of the radiant and azure surface of the majestic Tagus River, they look especially attractive.
To get the best and most impressive photos of the Portuguese capital, you must definitely visit the observation terraces, which locals call «Miradouro». Any tourist is guaranteed to enjoy a ride on the local tram number twenty-eight – the route of this vehicle runs through the very center of the city.
It should also not be forgotten that while relaxing in Lisbon, it is simply necessary to take a journey to the very edge of the earth – visit the westernmost point of all of Europe – Cape Roca. Scheduled buses climb up a steep mountain road, along which tourists will be treated to a dizzying and enchanting view of the vast ocean expanse and huge coastal cliffs. Watching these landscapes, one can only imagine what emotional experiences tormented Magellan and Vasco da Gama, what aspirations drove the Portuguese expeditions to search for new worlds.
India: Towards the Indian Ocean
You can also book tours to India. To fully enjoy this multifaceted country, it is better to go to India by booking an individual tour. This will give more freedom of action and spiritual relaxation, and the journey itself will turn into a real adventure. The magnificent landscapes and national flavor will be remembered for a lifetime.
India is an incredibly huge country with a very rich history. There are many attractions here. In every part of it, there is something to see.
The most recognizable place in India, one might say, the country's calling card – the Taj Mahal monument. This architectural composition is located in Agra. It was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is a symbol of eternal love.
Recently, the doors of Bollywood in Mumbai have been opened to tourists. The tour includes a visit to the filming set. There is an opportunity to participate as an extra. Fans of Indian cinema will love it.
In the state of Goa, you can visit Fort Aguada. It is well preserved, and in 2013 it underwent reconstruction. The main part of the fort, where the lighthouse is located, is open to tourists.
The Mahabodhi Buddhist temple is visited by millions of pilgrims. In April or May, the Buddha Jayanti festival is held there, and this is the best time to visit the temple.
Another attraction of India is the Great Stupa at Sanchi. 16 meters high, 37 meters in diameter, later enlarged, it is magnificently decorated with toranas, the finest works of art in the world.
The National Museum in the capital New Delhi is a huge collection of Indian history. Exhibits of antiquity, artifacts, art objects, weapons, and more. Various archaeological finds convey the way of life of past years up to the present day. The museum is replenished with new exhibits and is of great interest to tourists.
The village of Hampi is a mysterious settlement that only a narrow circle of Indian historians knew about 20 years ago. Foreigners can visit the ruins of the city of Vijayanagara. This great empire existed more than 400 years ago. Enjoying ancient art, dipping into the waters of the sacred river, standing next to huge boulders – these are reasons to visit Hampi.
Qutub Minar is a minaret built of brick, 72.6 meters high, the tallest in the world. Its construction was started by a Muslim ruler to show the power of Islam. The minaret was used to call people to prayer, as well as for the purpose of guarding the city. Stone from the ruins of Hindu temples was used for the construction of the minaret, so it contains ornaments not characteristic of Islam.
These are far from all the attractions of India. And having visited this country once, you will definitely want to return there again.