Shimla – Queen of Hills

The hill station of Shimla was a favourite haunt of the British. In fact, Shimla was the capital of the British during the Raj, in the summer months. It is because of the beauty of this hill station, its pleasant weather and the many structures dating back to the British Raj that it is called the Queen of the Hills.

Some of the scenic spots in Shimla include:

Summer Hill: At 1,283 m, this hill provides great vistas of the entire region. Summer Hill is just about five km from the Ridge, an important tourist hub in Shimla. 

Summer Hill (Photo Courtesy: https://www.tourmyindia.com)

The Ridge: If you are in Shimla, you cannot miss this place! It is a huge stretch right in the city’s heart and offers brilliant views of the surrounding peaks. The library building (Tudor) and Christ Church are worth visiting.

Kalka-Shimla rail: The railway line is one of the most captivating routes, in the whole of the country. You can chug along on a train and see the beautiful tunnels and hills, and see the light streaming through the gaps between the tall pines. The historic railway line was first thrown open for traffic in 1903. There are over a hundred tunnels on this path.

Kalka to Shimla Train (Photo Courtesy: http://www.himachal.exploreindia.in)

Mall Road: Yet another British contribution to the lovely hill station is the Mall Road, which is the key street in the city. It is the shopping hub of the city, and you can buy handicrafts, clothes and woollens here for your family or friends back home. If you love heritage, you will notice a really old theatre called Gaiety, which dates back to the late 19th century. The structure has now been renovated and the facade retained for its heritage value. It is located on Mall Road.

Gaiety Theatre (Photo Courtesy: http://www.tedxcartroad.org)

Jakhoo Hill: The peak is a mere two km away from the hill station, and is one more point where you can go watch the surrounding peaks and ranges.

Annandale: Also called Annadale, this was a patch/clearing which served as a playground for British officers who created their own Little England here.

Annandale Ground (Photo Courtesy: http://archive.indianexpress.com)

Chadwick Falls: This is a cascade that will bring you cheer! At a mere seven km from Shimla, it is a sight for sore eyes. Spend some time listening to the sound of the water, and watching the greenery, and watch your blues melt away!

Chadwick Falls (Photo Courtesy: https://www.tourmyindia.com)

Best time to visit

The ideal time to holiday in Shimla is summer, when most people from the cities in the North get away to the hills for some respite from the heat. Winter is not a good time to visit Shimla, if you are not accustomed to severe cold, when temperatures drop to sub-zero levels. While you are in Shimla, you could also try your hand at water sports or trekking – there are plenty of opportunities available.

There are plenty of hotels in Shimla, but you may need to make your reservations ahead of time because Shimla is a much-visited destination. If you are booking at one of the Shimla hotels, choose a nice heritage hotel or a charming property with all the amenities and have the time of your life!

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Unique Gateway for an Unforgettable Experience at Exotic Locations

Rich, textured and flavourful – these are the words that best capture the romance of Egypt to me. You could blame it on all the Egypt-based novels I’ve read over many a holiday! So, an opportunity to visit this lovely country presented itself, and I lapped it up! A couple of friends and I set out to experience the joys that the Nile would show us.

We had an itinerary that was charted out for us by a hotel there, and were all set. If you want to experience the amazing sights of the river, you could go on a cruise, and also take in all the sights en route. What the cruises on Egypt’s fabled river offer:

• If you are beginning your cruise from Luxor, you could explore the glory of a once-upon-a-time capital of Egypt, dating back to a really ancient time in history. The old temples here will make you forget everything else you might have seen in the country.
• The temple of Karnak is like a vast theatre full of columns and statues some of which are in ruins, standing witness to the thousands of tourists visiting. It is said that there are over 130 columns here, and of course the massive statues that are typical of Egyptian architectural style. The columns have been inscribed with hieroglyphics and you can’t tear your eyes off this wonderful site. 

Temple of Karnak (Photo Courtesy: http://goshentravelegypt.com)

• If you love history, which is why you are in Egypt of course, also make sure to visit the museum in the city of Luxor. The museum is by the banks of the Nile, and you can spot statues even in the garden outside. Inside there are several antiquities.

Statue of Horemheb & Atum at Luxor Museum (Photo Courtesy: http://www.aldokkan.com)

• If you start from Aswan on your cruise, you could visit another temple, Philae, and also the High Dam.

Temple at Philae (Photo Courtesy: http://www.fanpop.com)

• Happen to stay at Aswan? Make a dash to the markets, the traditional hubs of commerce. There is a wonderful site called the Philae, where there is a noted temple, dedicated to Isis, the goddess, apart from other structures.

Aswan Market Egypt (Photo Courtesy: https://www.flickr.com)

• The cruise itself is a great experience in luxury, with the best of cabins and food on offer. You can also avail of the spa service as you cruise along the river. What an experience!

The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Cruise (Photo Courtesy: http://www.oberoihotels.com)

Clutch of resorts by the Red Sea!

Yet another experience that you must not miss out on is visit the Sahl Hasheesh – the community/cluster or resorts. Here you can enjoy all the luxuries of a sophisticated and classy resort. If you love water sport, this resort region near the Red Sea is where you’d be. You can opt for a stretch of a beach all for yourself, and enjoy the sand and sport there. Back in your hotel, you will be pampered in an ambience that is traditional Egyptian but with amenities that are state-of-the-art and cuisines from all over the world, and Egypt.

You will never run short of 5 star hotels in Egypt so worry not! Ideally, you should visit the country between October and April. Later on, the temperatures really soar, so you would need to take note of that.

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