February 15, 2012

Shopping Tips

Travel Agra with good amount of cash, I am sure you will need it.  When you visit India, you will experience a different kind of shopping experiences.

First Rule:


Bargain Hard!

You have to bargain hard here and threaten that there is heaps of other sellers in the market and we will go get one there and they usually come down the your price. India is very famous for Saree, silver decoration, cotton productions, silk scarves, perfume, wood carving,stone carving etc
Sadar Bazar, Taj Ganj, Kinari Bazar, Munro Road, Pratap Pura, Gwalilor Road are markets where you can shop for yourself and your loved ones. Apart from these, some important market places are the Loha Mandi, Civil Line, Dayal Bagh and the Rakab Ganj area, Taj Mahal Complex, Raja ki Mandi, the Sanjay Place etc.
Shopping in Agra can not be complete without beautiful rugs and carpets. Home to the rug and carpet weaving industries, the shops in this former sultanate city sell a wide range of rugs; prayer mats; wall hangings, carpets etc. Though a major percentage of the sold items are manufactured in the modern weaving industries; a sufficiently large proportion of the total market still depends on hand woven items.

The souvenir shops approved by the U.P Tourism and the Government Emporium is other good shopping options.Check this link: http://www.indtravel.com/agra/buy.html

Agra is well known for its leather products. Shoes, Jackets, leather sandals, purses, bags, decorative items, lampshades; furniture as well as beanbags etc would be the cheapest and of export-quality where multinational companies prefer to produce from. The city was once home to some of the best producers of formal leather shoes in the world. The industry staggered due to the aftermath of partition but has once again re-invented itself.

Agra is known for its fabulous marble-made handicrafts and soft stone inlay work. The Mughal were great patrons of arts and crafts. Zari items on the offer also called as embroidery work. You can also look forward to buying the finest of carpets, durries, textiles and sandalwood in Agra. You can also opt for various government-run handicraft shops to shop for these items. Hand made leather items are also popular and most tourists love to buy them while you travel Agra.


Agra offers mini Taj replicas in various sizes for the tourists. This white-marble Taj is often used as decorative items in the homes and are considered to bring good luck for the lovers. It can be made up of marble. The 'marble' can be actually the fake - a stone called 'Talk', which looks like marble so, one should be careful about the quality while buying the Taj replica and pay only the right price for it.

For Brassware: The best places to shop for Agra brassware are located near the Taj Mahal complex. Lined by shops, the areas such as Sadar Bazaar; Kinari Bazaar and Munro Road are some of the best places to shop for brassware. You could also buy authentic brassware from the Uttar Pradesh government owned Gangotri emporium. Alternately you can buy the brassware from the artisans themselves at Shilpagram crafts village. Sold at comparatively reasonable price the items are examples of superb craftsmanship.

For leather products: To buy best quality items on cheap visit the Shilpagram crafts village. Leather workers themselves manage the store. So you can be rest assured of a good bargain. Sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar and Munro Road are lined by a lot of shops selling every possible type of leather goods. Another trustworthy place to buy any kind of leather related item is Gangotri. Owned by the Uttar Pradesh government, this showroom sells leather goods at a reasonable price.

For Marble products: An original marble stone is recognized by its opaque nature. A fake piece of stone, on the other hand, allows light to pass through. Other items made out of Agra marble are: ornamental boxes, tabletops, ashtrays and flower vases. Meticulously designed all these souvenirs make great gift items

For rugs: If you want to buy Agra rugs and carpets on cheap; then head for the Shilpagram crafts village. Made and marketed by weavers themselves, the items sold here would surely catch your eyes. Before buying any rug or carpet, make sure to look for the “Rugmark”. The presence of this mark guarantees that no child labor was used to weave the item.







Safety Tips



Now, as you know safety is extremely important while travelling, you need to take an extra effort when you visit India, travel Agra and Taj Mahal.

Safety is what we look for when we plan to travel to some country. Apart from basic insurance and general precautionary measures, some tips which are extremely necessary when you travel Agra

Firstly, remember that you are a tourist! You have the money, you are unknown and unaware of the place. So, please think twice when you look forward to deal with someone. Deal can be on anything, transport, shopping, services or for no reason. Please don't trust anyone unless and until you are sure about the place or the person you are dealing with. If money is the deal, I suggest think thrice!

Secondly, As you are tourist, you have the money and they know it. So it is important for you to be vigilant, sharp and bold when cash is involved. These also works if you shop or buy or roam in the city, specially near Taj Mahal. Sellers, Guides, Currency Converters etc will surely change their offer and attitude if you be a bit smart with them, but remember to be polite. To grab the best deal, be patient and negotiate smartly.

Health Tips - Eating at small restaurants or roadside cafes can be risky because of unhygienic cooking environments. Food poisoning is common when eating at unreliable places. Drinking water can also be a health hazard.

It is best to carry mineral water bottles bought from a reliable store. In summer the extreme heat can cause heat strokes and dehydration. Taking enough fluids is an absolute must.

Do not accept any type of food from strangers while traveling by trains or buses.

Always buy water bottles from a reputable store.

Some other tips when you visit India:

The girls who traveling by yourself, should be more carefully at the bus station or train station. Many local guys ask you about helping you for your residents, traveling agents or booking tickets. Besides you should prepare enough before you arrive India, you also should remember the urgent numbers for emergencies.







Cost Saving Tips

Let's start from the beginning of your travel: When you start a plan to visit India or travel Agra, here are few tips:

Tips for ticketing: If you plan to purchase tickets to Delhi from some online ticketing agent, please keep a track of prices well before. The prices go up as demand rises, the same ticket will be available after some day at very low price if the demand for it lowers. So don't hurry to buy them if you a good amount of time in hand.
Also, please check as many as ticketing agencies, not only the price varies but also the combo flights they offer, because they are given heavy commission for that. Also, verify with local Indian Online Ticketing Agencies before buying them, for example:
www.travelocity.co.in
www.yatra.com 
www.ixigo.com
www.cleartrip.com


Tips for Currency Exchange: Obviously, the most expensive currency exchangers will be at the Delhi Airport or any airport you arrive. It has a lot of difference from the one which are available in India.
The currency exchangers like authorized exchangers, banks, travel agencies etc will offer you the best deal.

Taj Mahal Tips:

Beware of the crazy taxi driver. You can travel Agra in the amount they ask for. They will ask you unbelievable amount for taking you to Taj Mahal even if it is closer from the place you stay. Here, you have to show smart negotiation skills or threaten them to take a rickshaw or tuk-tuk. Bargain, if he is arrogant, ignore him.
The best possible way to go there is a tuk-tuk, since it goes to the closest of Taj Mahal Area and polluting vehicles are not allowed. Again, they might use the same trick with, so do bargain with them.

Once you walk out of the entrance gate, be prepared to be bombarded with kids trying to get you to buy "authentic" souvenirs. Don't fall for it. These kids get paid by the shop owners to bring in customers. These stores charge foreigners much more. The early morning is the best time to go as the crowds are down also the lighting is good for photographs.

When you visit India, costs can be easily saved!

January 31, 2012

Travel Guide


 This Guide would be more than enough to save a lot of money if you just take few efforts in planning your journey. I suggest never buy any package from Travel Agency to visit Taj, since you miss the real taste of India, also you end up in paying a good amount of profit for them!
Relax, everything is there online! You have to just spend few hours researching your best requirements for  Accommodation and Ticketing. I assure you you will find a good difference between the package provided by your travel agent or online travel agency.
You will find unbelievably cheap services there, which will save up your costs. Believe me most of them are safe as well as exciting.

Further, I will post most of the recommended options, service providers for all your requirements.


From Delhi Airport:
By plane:
It only takes 40 minutes from Delhi to Agra.
Agra airport is 7 km from the city center, 3 km from Idgah bus stand. Major Indian airlines operate daily tourist shuttle flights to Agra, Khajuraho, Varanasi. The city is served by Kingfisher Airlines and Air India Regional, who both fly on the Delhi-Agra-Jaipur tourist triangle route. The flight time to either is less than an hour. 

By train:
Train is most convenient & cheapest way to reach there.The main railway station is the Agra Cantonment station. Agra is well connected by rail to Delhi, Varanasi , cities of Rajasthan. Trains like Palace on Wheel, Shatabdi, Rajdhani, and Taj Express are the best choices if you want to reach Agra from Delhi in luxury.
Agra is on the main train line between the Delhi-Mumbai (Bombay) and Delhi-Chennai routes, as well as many trains connect Agra with these cities every day.
Raja Ki Mandi is a small station. Some of the trains which stop at Agra Cantt also stop here. This station is also a good option if you hotel is nearby to this station, you can check it on Google Maps. From there, you can grab a tuk tuk or rickshaw ride, directly to your stay.

By road:
Idgah bus stand is the main bus stand of Agra, from where one can catch buses for Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Fatehpur-Sikri, etc. Buses for Mathura also leave from Agra Fort bus stand.

In Agra:

You can travel to different parts of Agra using different modes of transport like taxi, tempo, auto-rickshaw, cycle rickshaw from the Taj Mahal area. Prepaid taxis and autos from the railway station are available. Prepaid transport is also available for excursions around the city limits.

Avoid government buses if possible.
If you are traveling in a group, luxury bus is arranged by your hotel or tour operator, they may be fine to use. However if you have the option, choose a private taxi for Agra travel by road.  When you rent a private car in India, it usually comes with a driver.
Prices for private taxis can be negotiated depending on the number of days you need the taxi. Private taxi charges also vary with the make of the car you choose. In Delhi most taxis will quote a price starting from Rupees 7/Km. Check about night charges.


Tips for food

When you travel Agra, you will surely come to its specialities, which are pethas, a type of very sweet candy, and Dal Moth, a spicy lentil mix. Both are also popular souvenirs.
Go for Panchhi Petha  if it is your first time!

Few of the best known are-
2. Pracheen Petha near Chipitolaa state bank and on highway near Guru ka Tal.

If you want to enjoy local and safe food specialities, here are few options you must go for.

Tips for food: 

Keep it to certain limit when you are not used to sweet or very lightly spiced food.

Tourists are readily provided with no spice or less spice if requested, or generally they know.

Small and big vendors all over the city are usually very hygienic, but please avoidvendors selling food on cycles, on road with big baskets, very risky and unsafe.

Aloo Chat (Potatoes Snack), Pani Puri, Dahi Puri are few which might amaze you!
Also go for Allo tikki, Ragda Puri, Bhel Puri etc wherever you see them. Try them, its mouth watering!
Chaat, Bhallas, Lassi, Sweets etc are most recommended  when you travel Agra.



There are several restaurants in the Taj Mahal area, catering for the many tourists staying around the Taj Mahal.
  • Treat Restaurant, South Gate Taj Mahal, 9319697497 (). breakfast, lunch and dinner. 20-60 for main dish, great Indian food.
  • The Silk Route Restaurant (TSR), 18-A/7-B Fatehabad Road (Opposite Howard Park Plaza), 0562 4002786.
  • Only Restaurant, 0562-2364333 / 2266508, 600-800 for main dish of 2.
  • Joney's place Taj ganj. Perfect for early breakfast, when you want to wake up early to visit the Taj at 6 Am. 10 Rs Toast, 10 Rs coffee, 15 Rs cornflakes.
  • Kamat Hotel Roof top restaurant with view on the Taj. Correct quality. Beer available. 70 Rs for a vegetable curry.

General Tips


 


Taj Mahal tips, firstly include a primary thing which is to protect your skin. India is a very hot country, especially in the summer. Sunscreen, lip balm, hats, umbrella and mittens would protect sensitive skin from sunburn.
- Necessary thing is water supply.India is also famous for it dry clime, you'd better take a bottle of water with you. For the ladies, take the serum for optimum hydration and masks, which will be very helpful for your skin protection. Secondly these are few other Taj Mahal tips when you visit India.

Taj Mahal Tips:


  • One tip is to go to the mosque on the left side and for a fee, they will let you frame the Taj through their door ways making some dramatic photos.
  • One gets Rs 50 discount when presenting ticket for Taj Mahal at Agra Fort. 
  • Please note that the Taj Mahal is closed every Friday
  • Self-guided audio tour (allows two to a device) for Rs. 100 in English and foreign languages
  • The city becomes more colorful during the Taj Mahaotsav - the Taj Festival. A large number of dancers and singers gathers at one place to exhibit their performances.


There are many places where you can combine your travel plan, specially for the monument lovers. Travel Agra completely when you pla to visit Taj Mahal. Agra is one of the most beautiful city for monument lovers.


Agra Travel tips:


Red Fort: This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers.


Sikandra: This is also one of the very good historical monument in Agra.


Fatehpur Sikri: It is the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City  of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years.


Buland Darwaza: It is the greatest architectural monument of Akbar's entire reign


Itmad-Ud-Daula: Before the Taj Mahal was built, its design was already standing in the form of Itmad Ud Daulah's Tomb.


Taj Mahal is now disabled friendly.


They will be able to get a closer and more intimate view of the magnificent monument of love


Keep in mind few things:




-  Don't kiss or embrace each other or Indian people in public because it is regarded as part of public sex.

-  When entering the private houses, temples or noble places, DON’T forget to remove your shoes.

-  Indian people are very conservative about clothing, trousers are acceptable but short skirts and shorts are offensive to many people. So avoid wearing short skirts and shorts.

-  Currency is the rupee and all money should be changed with authorized money changes available at various places.

-  India has much different type of foods so grab your fork or simply use your fingers and taste all delicious foods in India.

-  Don't forget to bring a converter plug.Indian voltage is 220 volts.

- Indian Standard Time is 4 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Paris, 3 hours and 30 minutes behind of Tokyo, 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of London, 10 hours and 30 minutes behind New York and 4 hours and 30 minutes behind Sydney.