Most beautiful travel destinations of the world

Here are some:

Lakshadweep

One of world's most spectacular tropical island systems, Lakshadweep is tucked away at 220-440kms off the Kerala Coast. The islands offer a precious heritage of ecology and culture. The unique feature of the Islands is its coral reef, making it a pristine leisure spot to come back to. 4200 sq. kms. of lagoon, rich in marine wealth, is spread over 36 islands in an area of 32 sq. kms. The underwater view at Lakshadweep is kaleidoscopic and breathtaking.

The lagoon offers excellent potential for water sports like swimming, wind-surfing, diving, snorkeling and kayaking. No wonder, Lakshadweep is fast becoming India's one of its kind “Adventure sport – Nature Tourism” location. Each island is fringed by snow white coral sands. The crystal clear water and the abundant marine life enhance the beauty of these islands. Against the vast expanse of the blue sea, the islands look like emeralds. The huge shallow calm lagoon on one side with wall like reef made of marine live coral boulders blocks the incoming swells of the outer sea.


The islands are linked to the mainland by ship, helicopter, Indian Airlines, Kingfisher Airlines and mechanized sailing wooden vessels. The islands like Agatti and Bangaram can be reached by ship and air from Cochin. From Agatti, Kadmat and Kavaratti are linked by speed ferry. In all the islands, elaborate infrastructure is in place to meet the needs of tourists.

Lakshadweep was given the National Eco-Tourism Award 1997.

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Mauritius

Mauritius is known for its coral reefs, sandy beaches and crystal clear beach water which make it a tourist paradise. It provides you with an opportunity to get involved in many aquatic activities such as scuba diving, sailing, parasailing, diving etc and is a paradise for beach lovers as well as water sports lovers. Apart from beaches, it also has historical monuments and wildlife. This breathtakingly beautiful island is situated in South West of Indian Ocean. The package tour to Mauritius takes you through some of the breathtaking attractions such as Casela Bird Park, Pamplemousses Park and Lle aux Cerfs Island.


Mauritius is also becoming the fast growing honeymoon destination. Its heavenly ambiance, cool amiable climate, fascinating charm and marvelous attractions have made it a honeymooner’s paradise.

 Among the attractions of Mauritius are:


• Grand Bay - The heart of the island’s nightlife. Also a first choice shopping and leisure destination.

• Pereybere - A public beach very popular among tourists especially for its shopping facilities, restaurants and pubs. Watersports are also available.

• Mont Choisy - The longest and largest public beach in Mauritius. It is much appreciated for its fine white sand and the facilities has to offer.

• Balaclava Ruins - The ruins of the old Balaclava estate.

• The Triolet Shivala - The longest village on the island, Triolet, is also home of the biggest Hindu temple, the Maheswarnath.


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Phuket


Phuket is Thailand's tourism crown jewel. What it offers covers the whole spectrum of activities, from the most decadent to the most spiritual. Whether a visitor is expecting earthy entertainment of Patong Beach, or meditation in a Thai monastery, Phuket has both and anything in between. All along the west coast of Phuket Island are lovely sandy beaches, bays and coves. These are the best beaches in Phuket. Although the Andaman Sea can get pretty rough at times, the west coast is the main focus of tourists to Phuket, with Patong Beach being the most happening place and the hive of tourism activity. The other beaches on the west coast offer a quieter retreat. Many tourists descend on Patong Beach for the nightlife and shopping, and then return to their resort rooms on the other beaches. The idea of a Phuket paradise may mean a luxury spa with a horizon pool merging with the sea.

 

All that tourism development in Phuket means that it is also one of the most expensive places in Thailand outside of Bangkok. Nevertheless, there is quality and good products on offer for that price. As far as tourists from rich countries are concerned, Phuket is still relatively cheap – you can enjoy fine dining in the best restaurant in Phuket, with quality food and service, at a much lower price than you could have done in any Western city. For the moneyed traveler, Phuket offers good value for the price.


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Bali

Bali in Indonesia is an example of co-existence between the cultures, landscapes and tourism development. It is known for mild climate in all seasons, white sand beaches, 10,000 temples, its interesting culture, the tropical jungle and especially the hospitality of the Balinese. Bali Island is known for its rich culture, beautiful Balinese dances and magnificent landscape panorama from the top hill down to the sea. The landscape consists of mountains, valley, lake, flat area and beautiful white sandy beach and warms blue seawater.

 This island offers holidays in a hinterland spread by rice fields on the volcanic slopes that are likely to be still active. There are vacation resorts on the most beautiful white sand beaches of the South as well as 5 star hotels in Bali. At the same time, the island offers water sports and sea activities such as snorkeling, surfing, diving, swimming, fishing among others.

A holiday in Bali is within the reach of all purses. The basic accommodation is not really expensive. Thus, with its vast beaches of the Indian Ocean, Bali remains a major destination for those wishing to explore new horizons.

Cherrapunji

Perpetual clouds, perpetual mists, perpetual rains

High above misty valleys and foaming rivers, ensconced in swirling clouds and perched on an escarpment, lies Cherrapunji (4,500 feet). This is a stunning location and the year-round rain earned Cherrapunji coveted entry long ago into the Guinness Book of World Records as the wettest place on earth, the place where the rainfall can be recorded in feet rather than in millimeters.

Today, climatic changes have edged Cherrapunji out of the topmost 'wet' slot, but it still retains its pristine beauty, its unusual facets, the perpetual clouds, and the perpetual mists…. Appropriately, Cherrapunji lies in the heart of the State of Meghalaya – the abode of clouds.

Best time to visit: Cherrapunji is perhaps the only place in India, which has just one season: the monsoon. The rainfall varies from heavy to medium to light, but there is no month without rain. Another surprising fact about Cherrapunji is that it rains mostly at night. Day-to-day activity is not really disrupted by the rain.

History: As in days gone by, the faces of Cherrapunji change not with the seasons, but with the pattern of rainfall. The heaviest downpours span approximately five long months – from May until September. The clouds then are dark and menacing, full blown with rain, which descends earthwards with the stinging force of a whiplash.

Throughout these months, Cherrapunji is transformed into a sea of tiny, gushing rivulets. The raindrops beat incessantly on rooftops and treetops creating a compelling tattoo of awesome sounds, which cannot be savored anywhere else but in the Northeastern states. These are also the 'record-making' months, which contribute to records such as the stunning 22,987 mm of rainfall in 1861. The annual average rainfall of Cherrapunji stands today at 10,871 millimeters. Barely 10 km from Cherrapunji stands the village of Mawsynram, which has snatched away the heaviest rainfall record, with 12,163 millimeters of rainfall.

With the passage of September, the rhythm of the rain – its main force spent – changes to a gentle patter. And the Khasis and other residents of Cherrapunji, the flora, and the fauna respond to the change in the Rain God's mood. Soft pastel shades begin to appear in skies that were gray all day and rainbows that are a photographer's delight begin to make unexpected guest appearances.

Tourist attractions: The home of enterprising Khasi clans, Cherrapunji's place in the Guinness Book of Records is not its only claim to fame. Along with falls lesser in height but no less alluring, the spectacular, cascading 1,035-ft-high Mawsmai Falls – the fourth highest in India – lie just a few kilometers beyond Cherrapunji.

Close by is situated a fascinating labyrinth of underground passages beneath age-old caves – a veritable dream for amateur explorers. Elsewhere around Cherrapunji, Khasi monoliths (stones in memory of their ancestors) lie dotted around – a vague reminder of the forests of Bastar.

Amidst all the surprises of Cherrapunji, perhaps the most abiding is the startling realization that the wettest place on earth where it rains every month also has an amazing amount of warm sunshine. When the clouds drift away, there are a series of memorable views, and one can see as far as Bangladesh. Orchids blooming a few feet away form a patch devoid of vegetation. Dense woods interspersed by rocky, cliffs furrowed by erosion.

As the months move on, the smell of decaying vegetation lessens as the showers become intermittent. New plants spring to life, and people go about their tasks with renewed energy.

The hills around Cherrapunji do not have the lush green vegetation one normally associates with wet places. The vegetative cover in the form of dense woods appears in patches and constitutes yet another marvelous surprise: the richness and variety of the flora in these 'zones' has to be seen to be believed. An amazing variety of rare orchids, ferns, and moss convert each pocket into a botanist's paradise. Cherrapunji produces the best quality of oranges as well as pineapples. In fact, Cherrapunji oranges are the ancestors of the famous Nagpuri oranges in the Central India.

Where to stay: Cherrapunji has several comfortable private hotels. Staying at the Circuit House and the Dak Bungalow require prior permission from the administration.

How to reach: Cherrapunji is 58 km from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. A steep motorable road, almost perpetually bathed in mist as it climbs upwards on the last lap, leads up to Cherrapunji. Buses and taxis ply to Cherrapunji from Shillong.