India offers a range of attractions, shopping options and delightful cuisine. It is one of the most sought after destinations for simply offering its visitors an exotic holiday experience. But to make the most of your trip to India its best that you have a proper agenda which includes all what you need to do and see.

Most package tours to India packs in a lot of sightseeing. But it is better to pick a few destinations and explore them fully than to rush through many attractions. Do your research early and pick what’s best for you. This way your sightseeing tour will be at leisure and you will also have time to explore the bazaars and try local fare.

For specific interests and specific destinations, the best beaches are in Goa, shopping options are great in Delhi, Kerala provides idyllic relaxing holidays and Himachal Pradesh provides the ideal terrain for trekking.

Like any other destination keeping healthy and hydrated is very important when travelling in India. Make sure you carry boiled water with you and avoid drinking tap water all times and avoid consuming food that has been washed in tap water.

As most Indians are vegetarians, it is wise to convert now. You will be assured of quality food and a range of it. But make sure you pick restaurants that are popular; here the food will move faster and thereby guaranteeing fresh food. If you must try a wayside eatery go for deep-fried foods and hot tea.

Reward points, travel insurance and promotions make credit cards an attractive option for travelers. The fact that you get to book flights, pay hotel bills, and shop to your hearts content using your credit card makes travelling so much easier than before. But to make sure you get the best deals here are some tips on selecting the ideal credit card….

The annual fee will most probably tell you how much you will benefit. High premiums often assure first class treatment on most airlines with added benefits such as more baggage allocations and easy class and service upgrades.

Check for loyalty programmes that assure airport lounge access, early and easy boarding privileges and loyalty programmes that are affiliated to the airlines and hotels you tend to use more often. But make sure you don’t sign up for bonuses and loyalty points which require high premiums and high usage of card, and result in heaps of points and advantages you would hardly ever use.

Most European destinations require embedded chip technology as opposed to the common magnetic stripe. So make sure your credit card supports the various technologies preferred by the destinations you intend to travel to. Also make sure the travel insurance the Card offers covers the kind of travel options you use and are valid in the countries you generally visit.

Coffee is the world’s second most valuable commodity and one of the most sought after beverages all over the world. For most it is an addiction and for others it’s a way of experiencing different culture from around the world. Here are some cities with unique coffee cultures which offer you a memorable cup of cofi…

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia claims origins of the coffee drinking culture and offers some of the best coffees. It is the country’s main export commodity and therefore visitors are guaranteed a range of excellent brews. Addis Ababa features a range of small cafes and they are generally packed with people seeking flavours of this wonderful beverage. Try the Tomoca café or try get your self invited to an Ethiopian coffee ceremony for a complete African-coffee experience.  

Havana, Cuba is popular for its strong black espresso shots. These sweet fresh brews are a necessity for socializing and its lovely aromatic and smooth flavor is guaranteed to put you at ease. These homegrown beverages are available at the local coffee houses.

Surprisingly Melbourne, Australia is known to serve some of the best coffees. Their brews include a mix of Italian and local blends and the city boast a prominent coffee culture. For socializing, indulging and relaxing coffee is the ideal beverage to feel the true atmosphere of the city. The city features a range of coffee houses serving some of the best brews.

In Italy coffee is part of the culture. Known as the land of espresso this is the perfect place to experience a range of coffees. Way side cafes feature an ambiance that can be found only in Italy providing you with an opportunity to learn the art of indulging and relaxing.

Known as the Coffee Capital of the World, Vienna’s second best attraction is its coffee houses. As famous as its classical music, coffee in Vienna adds sheer pleasure to your visit. Featuring a range of unique flavours the coffee houses here adds value to this enchanting city.

Though Turkish coffee is a much spoken about beverage it is not actually a common beverage in Istanbul. But the city features a handful of coffee specialists with their traditional coffee houses who will be willing to fix you a much loved smooth and strong brew of Turkish coffee.

A holiday abroad would obviously involve a certain amount of treasure hunting for mementoes and gifts. Air-fare and accommodation along could be rather heavy on your purse and therefore most prefer to look around for the best bargains, where ever in the world they are.

Haggling itself is an art. When and where to haggle and to what extent to haggle comes with practice. And though at times the price you pay and the item you gain is not a real bargain, just to get the price down from what is initially stated is a triumphant moment. Travellers should also keep in mind that bargaining in most destinations is not about saving money, or getting a good deal, but rather a tradition. So, here are some tips for the novice haggler.

Always maintain a friendly atmosphere. A smile will keep the transaction going and most likely that you will succeed. Use your charm to your advantage.

Have an idea of prices. It helps to know what you are buying and the actual cost. Also keep in mind that though item may be unique for you there could be many similar treasures, probably of better quality, further down the street.

Even if you know what you are looking for, always remain impassive as you browse through the shop. And always ask the price of various other items as well, without drawing attention to what you are eyeing.

If you have a particular item in mind, its best to consider before hand how much you are actually willing to pay for it, and keep the amount separately in your pocket. Once you have bargained for a while and if it doesn’t reach your limit, you can always try pulling out what you have in your pocket and pretend to offer all you have.

If you are buying multiple items most shop owners do offer a discount. But make sure to juggle things around to include the items you really need. There is really no need to buy unnecessary items just because you get a discount on what you really need. You can also point out defects to get a better bargain as long as you don’t offend the shop owner.

Buying directly from an artist of a craftsman would be a bargain in itself. But, of course, such items should be cheaper than what you get through third party shop keepers. Also, this way you will actually have an interesting story about the creator to go with the treasure.

Look out for something authentic. Traditional not-so-touristy items make great gifts and souvenirs. And as they are less famous you are assured of a bargain, due to its quality, uniqueness and price.

Lastly, know when to walk away. A tested and much practiced tactic is walking away when you feel verbal bargaining in getting you no where. This is the best way to find out what the sales person’s rock-bottom price is. Walk slowly towards the exit in a disinterested manner and if the vendor is eager to sell a price will be quoted.

Kids can be great travel companions. Being naturally innovative they know how to keep themselves busy even during the most boring long distance flight, transit, or road trip. But for most parents or guardians the most worrisome part is what to do and where to go when holidaying with kids.

Kids are naturally very sociable and since they have no sense of time, can generally put up with any type of travelling, as long as they are comfortably attired, get food on time, have place to put their heads down when sleepy, and feel secure that their caregivers are around them.

As long as you give enough time for them to rest and recover between attractions and explorations, kids can actually be very enthusiastic about any type of sightseeing. So you don’t need to stick to the zoos and wildlife safaris to make a holiday interesting for kids.

Whatever attraction you pick on exploring make sure you take time to explain to your kids about it. Historical events, interesting legends, stories about people and animals or just about anything that can help kids relate to the sight will help them get more involved in the exploration. And it is very important that you don’t rush through sight-seeing tours. Take you time to walk around and find things that might interest you kids. And, most importantly, if your kids find something interesting show genuine interest in it and spend adequate time exploring it.

Food on the go may not be as healthy as you’d want it to be. From long road trips to attraction filled holidays, if your holiday is going to be busy with lots of walking or driving around you are bound to miss your usual meal times and when hunger hits the most likely options would be to grab some fast food to keep the system going until you feel the hunger pangs again.

But a couple of days on meal-deals, happy meals and cheap sodas are bound to wreck your stomach and your immune system; which are of course the last thing an eager traveler would want. With a little planning ahead you might actually be able to pack healthy and tasty food on the go and also avoid the heart-burns, the bugs and unnecessary expenses.

If you are driving you can easily pack a cooler and in it fruits and veggies to consume on the way. Pasta salads, grilled or cured meats, cheeses and breads go a long way. Apples, oranges, tomatoes, grapes, green leaves along with pickles, hummus and peanut butter add zest, crunch and nourishment to your sandwiches and salads. Remember to carry a lot of water. Tea and coffee breaks are fine as long as you consume heaps of water.

For long drives with kids, who undoubtedly want some thing to munch on every five minutes, remember to stock up on oatmeal cookies, nuts (pick both savoury and sweet varieties for spice), pretzels and dried fruit. And still if you crave for some change go for a proper meal, ideally something local.

It is true that accommodation and eating out in London can be a burden on your purse, but this amazing city offers its visitors plenty of attractions which can be explored at no cost. Actually some of the biggest attractions in this city are easily accessible by all due to their ‘entrance free’ policies. And these include some of the best museums, art galleries and architectural icons.

There is a lot to do and see in London and depending on your interests you can come up with a plan to cover the most at no cost (except for transport of course, which can be dealt with by purchasing an Underground season ticket). Listed below are the top three free attractions – typical representations of London…

Start your tour at the famous British Museum – one of the most visited attractions in London. This is a great place to explore the different cultures of the world tracing their origins from prehistoric times. There is a choice of tours covering different themes, galleries and collections.

A not to be missed attraction and an icon of the city are the Houses of Parliament. This extravagant 19^th century neo-Gothic complex houses the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The landmark icon and famous Clock Tower (popularly known as the Big Ben) adorns the complex.

For some of the Western European classics try the National Art Gallery. Located at the Trafalgar Square this gallery is home to two thousand odd masterpieces, from 13th through 19th centuries, by famous artists including Van Gogh, Renoir, Michelangelo and da Vinci. This popular ‘free’ sight is generally packed with visitors therefore weekday mornings are recommended for a leisure feast for the eyes. The free gallery plan available at the entrance comes in handy for navigation through the various galleries.

Buddhist temples

Make sure your head is uncovered and your feet are bare. Generally most temples feature a place assigned for storing shoes. Also make sure your shoulders are covered and that legs are not exposed. Some temples even offer sarongs for those visitors wearing shorts.

Make sure you can take photographs before you actually go about clicking. Some ancient temples allow photographing without a flash in order to protect painting, murals etc. Also keep in mind not to touch Buddha statues or turn your back to them.

Hindu temples

Like in Buddhist temples hats and shoes have to be removed before entering. Also remember that the dress code applies here as well – cover shoulders and legs. And try to refrain from wearing leather products.

Most often at Hindu temples you are allowed to take pictures. So be nice and leave a small contribution if you do take pictures. But to be on the safe side ask for permission before you do around clicking.

Muslim mosques

Prayer times are generally out of bounce for non-Muslims and generally there are different designated areas for the two sexes. Shoes, sunglasses and hats off, but remember to bring a small scarf to cover your hair once you enter the mosque. Conservative dress code should be maintained at all times and also remember to avoid tight clothing and clothing with slogans, disrespectful symbols and advertisements.

Picture taking during prayer times are not allowed but most Mosques do allow cameras during non-prayer times.

Christian churches

Some churches require you to enter barefoot, but generally most churches allow foot wear. Avoid sleeveless tops and wear knee-length pants or skirts to be on the safe side. In Greek Orthodox churches refrain from crossing your legs whilst being seated.

Always ask permission before taking pictures as some Italian churches are rather strict with their photographing policies.

Jewish synagogues

As a rule all males cover their heads with the traditional yarmulkes -these small circular caps can be borrowed at the entrance of the synagogue. Males and females should stick to a conservative dress code with men preferably in suit and women in dress. But what ever attire you pick make sure you are wearing long sleeves.

Like in Mosques there are designated areas for men and women. Some synagogues have separate entrances for the two sexes but some just have different areas, so make sure before you enter and sit in the correct area.

Always ask before you take photographs and keep in mind that cameras are not allowed during Shabbat.

These days all travellers are interested in sustainable travel and are keen to ensure that their explorations of new destinations are actually going to be beneficial for people living there. But most travellers are under the misconception that sustainable travel includes working in farms and not actually going around the country exploring attractions. And most travellers would actually rather hike or cycle through the country side, explore the flora and fauna and shop for rare treasures than work in a farm or spend days helping out with small industries in order to make that worthy contribution.

So how does sustainable travel work and how can you travel wise and ensure your trip to a destination actually helps maintain it? And can you actually make a contribution regardless of what your interests are and what you wish to explore?

The first thing to do is to find out more about the destination. Talk to the locals and get to know about local industries, special tours, local bazaars and cultural performances, and try and make your contribution by what is locally available to you. Little acts like picking souvenirs handcrafted in rehabilitation centres or by persons with special abilities and ensuring that the street performance you are paying for actually contribute towards the teaching and promoting of local culture. For bigger contributions find out from local authorities what kind of nature trails, safari tours, rafting adventures or treks through rain forests, and even visits to museums, are available where the income actually goes back towards maintaining the people and the environment in those areas.

Foreign signs and phrases

If you are planning on exploring the destination on your own its best to pick up a few common phrases and also have an understanding of the common signs used in the country. In most countries the language used differs from region to region, and it’s useful to know few of the words to see you through your visit. Phrases used in asking for directions (especially to the loo), inquiring about food and water (at least being able to request for bottled water) come really handy when travelling.

Know you currencies, measurements and temperatures.

Always keep your self updated on the local currency conversion rate. This is useful in bargaining, getting better deals and for exchanging the notes. You can even use Internet sources to keep yourself constantly updated during a longer visit. Whilst you are in another country be prepared to constantly convert temperatures and measurements as most countries use both the metric and the imperial units of measurement.