India is a nation that is full of heritage and has a vast selection of incredible places to visit, but one of the most significant of these is Bodh Gaya, where Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment. History Somewhere around 500BC, Lord Buddha discovered the Noble Eight-fold Path under a sacred bodhi-tree in Bodh Gaya. The first temple to be built on this site was under the behest of King Asoka, and resulted in the renowned Mahabodhi Temple. Getting There and Accommodation You can reach Gaya Airport, just 12km from Bodhgaya, through a direct flight from Kolkata. The other nearest airport is in Patna, a 3-hour drive away. If you’re looking for a hotel in Bodhgaya there are a few to be found such as Oaks Bodhgaya. When to Visit …

Phuket is a holidaymaker’s paradise for many reasons. If you are planning a trip, be sure to include these must-visit attractions in your itinerary.   Vegetarian Festival   The Phuket vegetarian festival in Thailand is an event filled with colour and gaiety that is celebrated each year between 20 to 28th October. Good Health As its name suggests the festival lays emphasis on the abstinence of any kind of meat and is a totally vegetarian fair. Supposedly this festival is dedicated to the nine emperor Gods to induce good health and peace of mind. Phuket is amongst the top vacation destinations in Thailand. Origins Get to know more about this festival and local fairs and events in blogs such as The Vacation Gateway. In fact, the origins of this festival can be …

Holi festival is a Hindu event that signifies spring awakening. This is widely celebrated in India and most parts of the world. It is a joyful celebration that is guaranteed to bring loads of fun for your kids and here’s why;   It’s a carnival of colour   Holi festival is an exciting event where people collect in the streets and throw coloured powder at each other, leaving participants coated in shades of vibrant colours by the end of the day. Vibrant shades, cheerful people and playing with coloured powder are some of the elements adored by children and make the Holi celebration experience amongst the highlights on many of the best vacations with kids.   The music and dancing   The festival of colour is …

The religious observances associated with Ramadan are followed by all Muslims worldwide as a testament to their faith. Held during the ninth month on the Islamic calendar, this religious practice involves a month of fasting. The purpose behind this observance is to celebrate when the Quran was first revealed to Muhammad. Those who have heard of this religious observance would very well know of its religious significance. The period of Ramadan is usually around twenty-nine to thirty days, but this may vary based on when the crescent moon is sighted by religious officials. Those who wish to celebrate the festival of Ramadan can also do so by making a trip somewhere abroad. If you wish for a convenient and close by destination, you can always …

Rituals and customs go to the heart of the ancient culture of Sri Lanka. They have been passed down from generation to generation straddling over the 2,500 year history of the island. A majority of these customs and traditions are interspersed with the daily routines and livelihoods of people in their respective regional, social and religious spheres. Taprobana, was the name given to the island of Sri Lanka by the ancient Greeks. Some of these cultural significances and rituals are based on colonial influence and are mostly still in practice within the island and is more to do in Galle , Kandy, Colombo and Negombo and other areas that were subjected to extensive colonial rule. You may catch the architectural wonders when staying at these …

Drenched in sunshine and home to idyllic stretches of shoreline bordered by refreshing ocean waters, Negombo, a slice of paradise has a rich history and heritage and those visiting here have much to do. One of the best ways to enjoy this coastal getaway is to stay at budget hotels in Sri Lanka that are located on the shore itself such as Hotel J Negombo. Being a coastal city in Sri Lanka, Negombo was a very popular city during the colonization of the island. Tipped to be one of Negombo’s most visited tourist attractions, the Dutch Fort is no ordinary remnant of the city’s colonial legacy. Having been under the Portuguese and Dutch rule in centuries past the city’s colonial heritage is one of its …