BY Krishnendu SheetMay 7, 2017

Visiting India is akin to taking a dive into the unknown. Most travelers to India will tell you that the chaos and unceasing hullabaloo is an intrinsic part of it. Others, however, seem to successfully capture the “mystical and harmonious” spirit that apparently, is to be found everywhere in India.  Not only the land of snake charmers but more ethnic wonders, India travel should be on the top of your list for various reasons. However, regardless of what India is, or is not, there are certain tips which must be followed by every visitor to India. This ensures the best of everything while allowing one to discover all that India has to offer. Here are the five tips for first-time travelers to India. Five Tips For First Time Traveler To India: 1. Choosing The Best Route: Among the many tips for first-time visitors to India, this is one of the most important. Plan your India trip according to your interests, priorities, and fascinations. If exploring the fabulous monuments is what you desire, visit the cities of Agra, Delhi and Jaipur. From Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri to Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb, you’ll find it all here for India travel. If spiritual discovery is what you’re after, then visit the innumerable temples in North and South India, the beautiful mosques, monasteries, and churches scattered all over India. India also offers abundant opportunities for engaging in adventure sports and natured oriented pursuits like trekking, skiing, rafting, etc. To get a glimpse of the exotic flora and fauna of India, visit the several nature parks or wildlife sanctuaries, which house an exotic variety of flora and fauna. 2. Go Slow – Patience Is The Key! Too many visitors to India make the mistake of trying to discover and explore everything in one go. The geographical enormity of India renders such a task not just impossible but rather foolish. Once you are in India, slow down and absorb the surroundings around you, while appreciating the uniqueness brought by every experience. Rather than stressing yourself over completing the things-to-do list, focus on doing one thing or visiting one place and exploring it in detail. Not only will this make your trip pleasant, but also give you a glimpse of the local culture and customs. If you want to understand India, this is the way to go about it. If you are complaining about the traffic in your country, then it is nothing less than the traffic in India which makes India travel no less than a hectic journey. So, always keep the assistance of Google Maps, so that you can easily find out short cuts and lanes for a quick escape. Also, drivers tend to ask for more money if they see that you are a tourist. It is better if you do thorough research on the cab rates and bus rates to save some money. 3. Look For Solitude Amid Unceasing Chaos! Any useful guide for first-time visitors to India will tell you that despite being a land inhabited by billions, India still offers plentiful avenues for escaping the maddening crowd and ensuing chaos. This is not to say that you should avoid soaking in the cultural and social atmosphere. However, there will come a point where you would seek moments of tranquility and solitude. Fortunately, India has plenty of hill stations, quiet retreats, isolated beaches, serene backwaters, etc. It’s always a good idea to head to these places when the crowds and the hassle seem overbearing. Doing this will help you relax and rejuvenate before continuing with the rest of your journey. If you are a nature lover, then it is best to start from the north. There are mainly five travel holidays destinations you should be starting on. Now the call is completely yours: Leh-LadakhShimla-ManaliDehradun-MussoorieNainital-RanikhetJammu-Kashmir 4. Prioritize Your Health: Any ultimate guide for the first timer to India will mention the words “health, well-being, safety, etc.” In India, you can never be too cautious regarding your health. Never make the mistake of drinking tap water or consuming food which has been lying around for a long time. Indian food is very spicy. So, be careful in the matter of food choices. Do not drink water from random shops. Instead, keep a bottle of mineral water with you all the time. While street-side snacks are utterly tempting, it’s always advised to assess the cleanliness around you before gorging on them. One of the best ways of determining whether the food is safe is to watch whether it’s being consumed by locals. If yes, then go ahead! Also, do not miss the famous food places to visit in India. You will see that diversity is not only in cultures but in food too. However, each food item is different in taste and in health. Another way of ensuring your health is always carrying an anti-bacterial gel or anti-bacterial wipes. This is because most Indians eat with their fingers, and if you want to emulate them, these are the best tools for the last minute clean-up. 5. Be Calm At All Times: One of the most useful things to know for the first timers to India is maintaining your cool at all times. Certain parts of India, and especially the North, may seem brash, undisciplined and rude, with all sorts of touts out to get your money for more travel holidays. However, it’s important to be extremely alert while politely refusing any unwanted advances or moves made upon you. One of the easiest ways of avoiding being conned is refusing any deal that sounds too good to be true. Conclusion: At the same time, when the situation demands, learn to be assertive without sounding angry. This is the best way of displaying your confidence without appearing to be weak. There are numerous places to visit in India, and you cannot finish it in one month. Therefore, if you are at all planning for an India tour, make sure that your getaway last for more than a month, maybe two. The vast country awaits to mesmerize you with its meandering rivers and lofty mountains and timeless monuments and spiritual hubs of different religions. Read also: Top 10 Famous Wonders Of India5 Must-Visit Offbeat Destinations Near Delhi.Experience Udaipur through Deccan Odyssey.

BY murlijhaApr 3, 2019

Are you planning for your next tour or Agra? Agra, the abode of love, is not only a historical place but also it is proud to have the 7th wonder of the world. Most of the people who have visited this place will tell you that it leaves you with the most memorable moments in life.   Visiting the place is not confined to see the Taj Mahal because there are lots more to experience. You just have to plan for your time well so that you can get the most from your Agra visit. If you are not careful, you may not even see 50% of what the region has to offer because it has too much.    The city has its own aura which is significantly outstanding. Agra holds its heritage intensely and its one of the things you will enjoy while interacting with the locals. The architecture and culture of the place had spectated and narrates tales of long driven history.   Time has made a significant mark which made the place exceptional for people who love tourism, archaeology, food etc. This article will share with you some of the must-visit places while touring Agra. You will discover that going to this destination is one of the best decisions that you can make in life.   Places to Visit in Agra:  As mentioned above, Agra is not the place to visit Taj Mahal alone. There are a lot of other attractions to visit and things to do. It is definitely not a one night stop place. You have to give yourself a few days if you want to get the best that the region has to offer to the visitors.   It is a whole individual tourist destination with a high degree of exploration. Coordinating with the local tour operators in Agra will help you to enjoy the city’s true spirit. The most important thing is to get the best experience while touring Agra.   It will be a good way to get the most value for your time and money. You don’t want to undertake a trip that will be a waste of your money and other valuable resources. Here are some of the top places and things to do in Agra;   1. Taj Mahal The monument that stands for true love is surely Taj. It is one of the most-visited places in Agra because of its natural beauty. Taj Mahal was built in 1653 by Shah Jahan. He constructed it in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz. The building houses the tomb of not only her but also the emperor himself.   The structure is constructed using white marbles, gems, crystals and many more. These are some of the most valuable construction materials in the world. The mausoleum is surrounded by huge, well paved, maintained and eye-pleasing garden. It is a destination that is quite pleasing to the eyes.   River Yamuna flowing beside it definitely add the toppings of a memorandum of everlasting romance. You will get to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere that comes as a result of the presence of the river. It is a site that is truly pleasing to the eyes.   UNESCO has credited it as World Heritage Site in 1983. It shows you the true value that the Taj Mahal has to offer to the visitors. You cannot expect such accreditation for a destination that is not worth it.    The masterpiece truly is the jewel of Mughal architecture and a symbol of India’s rich history. You should not forget to include this on your tour list if you want to get the best that the region has to offer to the visitors.   2. Agra Fort Agra Fort is another UNESCO credited World Heritage Site. If you come across anyone who has visited Agra, he will tell you that it is one of the must-visit places. Agra was the capital city of Mughal India till 1638.   The fort was the residence of the then emperors. It is a good place if you want to get a glimpse of the history of Agra. Stepping into this building will give you some of the best experiences that you can get from a tour.   The fort had gained its glory due to renovation through the reigns of Akbar and Shah Jahan. The fort is more likely described as the walled city. The red sandstone fort has interesting aspects all make Agra Fort a pleasant site to visit.   There are lots of fascinating rooms, pearl mosque, gem mosque, peacock throne, bathing bowl, a room of mirrors etc. All these are some of the beautiful sceneries you will get to view while visiting Fort Agra. Don’t deny yourself a chance of getting to this place while on your Agra tour.   3. Fatehpur Sikri  The city tells the tale of Akbar’s architectural finesse. This town, predominantly made of red sandstone, was once the capital of Emperor Akbar.   For tourists, the place has forts and mahals that can make you feel amazed. Due to the scarcity of water, the city was abandoned.   Despite lack of water, the city holds its rich architecture and heritage that is ought to be applauded.  4. Tomb Of Itimad-Ud-Daulah  The mausoleum is a definite place to visit. The tomb is the exclusive piece of Mughal architecture but it holds a significant difference. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the best inclusions while on your tour to Agra. You cannot tell history well when you have this site excluded from your travel list.   It is much different from the period of Humayun’s and Akbar’s Mughal architectural type. Built by Noor Jahan, wife of Jahangir, the structure is very similar to Taj Mahal and is often referred to as Baby Taj. It carries a lot of value when you are on an Agra tour.   River Yamuna flows near the mausoleum adding more natural beauty to it.  Though most of the inlay works are damaged due to environmental factors, Fatehpur Sikri is famous for the marble lattice screen. Therefore, it is good to include it on your tour list if you want to get the best experience from Agra.   5. City Shopping  Agra will never disappoint you by simply showing you places.  It has some of the most amazing tourist attraction sites that have so much to do. You can spend an entire day hopping to various shops in the city streets.   From food, clothing, footwears, jewelleries, bags to carpets and what not the city holds for its guests. Tourists get mesmerised by seeing the fine products available at such minimal rates. It means that you will have so much to take back home as long as you carry some cash.   For people who loves food, Agra will provide you the richest cuisines made by excellent quality spices and other ingredients. The city shopping gives you a great opportunity to carry some amazing gifts to your loved ones. Make sure you have a shopping budget lest you get the disappointments of having nothing to carry back home.   6. Tips For Taj Mahal Visit  Trip in India is pretty incomplete without visiting the magnificent Taj Mahal. It must contain in your itinerary. It is one of the places that you must visit while heading to India.   This international wonder structure is spectated by millions of visitors every year. Here are some tips that you must keep in mind to make the most of your trip.  Get some brief idea regarding the place by reading a lot about the destination. It will give you a rough idea regarding what to see and explore in Taj Mahal. It is not good to visit Taj Mahal without prior knowledge about what the region has to offer.   The place opens at 6AM for the visitors. Enter through the east gate to watch and feel the purity of true love when the sun rays kisses the marble stones of the mausoleum. There is so much that is pleasing to the eyes in this destination.   There are different entry gates. The nationals shall pay Rs. 20 per person and foreigners shall pay Rs. 750 per person. However, Taj Mahal will give you the value for your money.   Make sure your tummy is full during your visit to the place. Nobody is allowed to bring snacks or food inside the campus.  The place is no doubt always beautiful at any season. But, for your convenience, it is better to choose winters as Agra gets hotter in summers. It will give you a conducive environment of touring the region.   West side of Taj Mahal can create interesting photo frames. Be patient to take some really great snaps as Taj is always crowded with visitors. Plan enough time to visit this area so that you are not in a hurry to leave.   Lastly, you must go for a full moon night tour in Taj Mahal. It was constructed with pristine translucent marbles. When you are inside Taj you can actually see the shimmer of the moonlight due to the marbles. It is one of the best experiences on your Agra tour.   Agra is one of a kind place. Visiting and exploring it will definitely make a lifetime experience. Plan a memorable tour of the place for an enchanting life moment. We wish you have a happening tour to not only Agra but Taj Mahal too.   To get the best from your Agra tour, get a reputable tour and travel agency to take you through the trip. You will not miss even a single opportunity from what you travel has to offer.  Read Also: 6 Best Family Holiday Destinations in India The Best Tips to Travel Around the World

BY Mashum MollahMar 1, 2022

A cup of coffee can be a witness to many things. Well, it might be a misunderstanding between two, a proposal or a business deal. Now, Cafe Coffee Day is probably the best place to have authentic coffee recipes. Here, you can go through the facts about the company and the review of the recipes it makes. As a result, you might develop an urge to visit CCD and have a great cup. For now, read the following points given below. Cafe Coffee Day: History And Overview Cafe Coffee Day (Popularly known as CCD) is a chain of coffee shops in India. The headquarters of CCD is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka. When it comes to the parent company, Cafe Coffee Day Global is an organization from Cikkamangaluru that grows coffee beans in over 2000 acres of land. It produces the Arabica bean on a large scale. As of now, CCD is one of the best places to have coffee in India. Other countries where you could find outlets of CCD are the Czech Republic, Nepal, Malaysia, and Egypt. However, currently, there are no ventures of CCD outside India. In 2011, there were over 1000 CCD outlets all over India. The brand also claimed to invest Rs. 10 billion on CCD resorts. At the same time, CCD changed its logo. So you can consider this period as the “high-time” for the brand. Lately, CCD’s journey has been very dusty as it went through a financial issue. Moreover, the incident led to the demise of the owner. The CCDs business graph is downward. However, coffee shops are still active in several Indian cities. Remarkably, The Cafe Coffee Day share price has also dropped in recent times. Key People Related To Cafe Coffee Day VG Siddhartha was the owner of CCD. Well, this is an essential fact that you need to know while searching “cafe coffee day near me”. He opened the first Cafe Coffee Day showroom on July 11, 1996, in Bangalore. During the high phase of the brand, VG Siddhartha changed the entire outlook of CCD as a business organization. Moreover, he improved the infrastructure of CCD by manufacturing espresso machines and dramatically improving the quality of his products. Furthermore, he changed the company's logo and incorporated a tagline for his business that goes “A lot can happen over coffee”. However, the price of CCD  recipes always remained on the high side. It became trendy among young Indians. The main reason for it is the authenticity and single-standard quality. Inception Of CCD CCD started as a brand under Coffee Global Limited in 1996. The initial capital that Siddhartha got was from his father. However, VG boosted the money by investing in coffee plantations. Till the year 1985, he already became the owner of 10000 acres of a coffee farm. Recipes Of Cafe Coffee Day When it comes to the Cafe Coffee Day menu, you can find several types of coffee. Moreover,  there are multiple side items that you can also try. A few items according to the food type is given below: Drinks Section- Hot Coffee Espresso, Macchiato, Filter Coffee, Cafe Mocha, Inverted Cappuccino, Ethiopian Coffee, Cafe Latte, Aztec Cofee, Toffee Cuuppucino, Vanilla Latte, Ethiopian Coffee. Drinks Section- Cold Coffee Dark Frappe, Cafe Frappe, Devil's Own Vanilla/Cocoa, Kaapl Nirvana Drink Section- Tea Green Tea, Darjeeling Tea, Assam Tea, Kadak Chai, Masala Chai Food Section- Mini Bowls Classic Rajma Rice, Chicken Keema with Rice, Buttery Paneer Masala Food Section- Snacks Cookies, Veg Samosa, Crispy Samosa Kulcha, Saucy Veg Noodles, Veg Cullet, and many more Food Section- Burgers Crunchy Veg, Crunchy Chicken, Spicy Cheese Burger Varients Food Section- Pizza Cheesy Margherita, Paneer Garden Delight, Bar-be-que Chicken, Sriracha Pepper Chicken Food Section- Sippers and Chillers Lemonade, Tropical Knockout, Cool Blue, Print O Virgin Beer, Blue Sparkler Food Section- Chill Shakes Cocoa Cookie, Alphonso Mango, Classic Strawberry Fresh Wave Classic Lemonade, Sweet and Salt Lemony Spritzer, Orange Delight Apart from the above drinks and dishes, there is much more than Cafe Coffee Day has to offer. You should always remember that the availability of a menu would depend on the same for the raw materials. Cafe Coffee Day: Reason Of The Present Downfall To put it clearly, the death of VG Siddhartha has weakened the foundation pillar of Cafe Coffee Day. Where the company has locked out all foreign outlets, many in India are also closing down. Well according to the last letter of Siddhartha, he condemned himself as a failure. A few days from 29th July 2019, his body was found on the Netravati River. At present, multiple outlets of CCD are active in some of the main cities in India. Moreover, you can still taste the outstanding coffee that CCD makes. Mrs. Malavika Hegde is the present CCD CEO. Future Scope As CCD still has the infrastructure, it can again reach new heights in the future. The only thing it has to do is newly make a business plan. The best thing CCD can come up with is a business that provides night and day coffee cafe service. This can easily work in increasing the sales of Cafe Coffee Day. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Q1. Who Is Running Cafe Coffee Day Now? Mrs. Malavika Hegde is the present CEO of Cafe Coffee Day. She is the wife of VG Siddhartha. Q2. Is Cafe Coffee Day Better From Starbucks? Both CCD and Starbucks are good when it comes to quality. It is only that CCD is a budget option while Starbucks is upscale. Q3. Is Cafe Coffee Day In Loss? Yes, currently CCD is at the loss. However, there is a good scope to turn around. Q4. Is Cafe Coffee Day An Indian Brand? Yes, CCD is an Indian Brand. It has its headquarters in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Final Take Away As an Indian brand, CCD is something in which every Indian should take pride. However, it is said that the brand is currently going through a loss. The Covid lockdown has also made a big impact on the profits of CCD. 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