Tuesday, 5 June 2012

TripAdvisor’s Top 7 Waterfall Destinations in India make a splash

If you have been thinking of a break to escape the scorching summer and soothe your nerves, but with a dash of adventure and exhilaration thrown in, this is the trip for you.   TripAdvisor. In® - the world’s largest travel site, lists the top 7 waterfalls from across the country to re-energize you with sights and sounds of breathtaking cascades.

The Top 7 Waterfalls in India Slideshow: TripAdvisor’s trip from Munnar, Kerala, India to 5 cities Karnataka, Wayanad, Jabalpur, McLeod Ganj and Thrissur was created by TripAdvisor. See another India slideshow. Take your travel photos and make a slideshow for free.
In feng shui it is believed that water fountains are a source of positive energy, beneficial for relaxation and even have the power to calm the disturbed mind. Waterfalls are nature’s water fountains of scale, exercising the same power on our mind and body.

Getting to waterfalls is not usually an easy journey and often a lot of effort needs to be made to reach them, taking you off the beaten path and away from the stress of city life. The pure air,  the therapeutic sound of water  and the mesmerizing  sight of  the falls  helps revive the senses making it a great getaway option with family, friends or even alone! In these destinations, travellers can experience the beauty of diverse landscapes from mountains, hill forests, valleys, to coastal cliffs and even a national park!

Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager, TripAdvisor India, says  “With Indian travellers looking for a respite from the rising temperatures as well as offbeat holiday locations, our list of some of the best waterfall destinations in the country offer some great options for just such a break.”     

1.      Shivasamudram Falls (Mandya, Karnataka, India, Height: 322 ft): If you have been looking for a quick getaway near Bangalore or Mysore, hop on to your bike now and head for Shivasamudram Falls. Surrounded by hill forests of the Kaveri Wildlife Sanctuary, the place is a visual treat. As a TripAdvisor traveller puts it, “If you are a nature lover and wish to breathe in the fresh air with water droplets sprinkling on your face, head to this place, it is one of the most beautiful creations of nature.”

2.       Athirappally Falls (Thrissur, Kerala, Height: 82ft): Athirappally falls is the top rated attraction on TripAdvisor website in Thrissur. Mani Ratnam chose this enchanting waterfall to shoot parts of Raavan starring Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai.  If you wish to see huge mountains, deep valleys, dense greenery and a beautiful waterfall – all in their full glory, visit Athirapally during monsoon. A TripAdvisor traveller recommends, “Don't miss it for anything if you are in Kerala.”

3.     Dhuandhar Falls (Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Height: 98 ft): Only 16 kms away from Jabalpur city, Dhuandar Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in central India. The picturesque beauty of this place has been beautifully captured in Shahrukh Khan’s movie Asoka. Visit this place right after monsoons, preferably during Shivratri when the white rocks appear silver in the moonlight. Don’t miss the boat ride if you wish to access beautiful places that cannot be visited by foot. Pick up beautiful souvenirs from road side shops that sell marble sculptures, paintings and customized gift items. According to a TripAdvisor traveller, “Chausat Yogini temple in the vicinity is another hidden gem”, do visit!

4.      Dudhsagar Falls (Goa, Height: 1017 ft): If you are tired of visiting beaches in Goa, Dudhsagar Falls, 90 kms from Panaji should be an ideal choice for you. The entry is through a national park so one can spot animals and bathe elephants. The falls look stunning post monsoon as it ripples with bubbling foam-like water. You might not get a cab but hire a bike and ride alongside the railway tracks! A TripAdvisor traveller says, “Visit this place if you wish to see Goa at its natural best”. So go ahead, enjoy the bountiful nature and be adventurous.

5.      Soochippara Falls (Wayanad, Kerala, Height: 656 ft): Soochippara Falls in Wayanad, also known as Sentinel Rock Waterfalls is an ideal spot for budget travellers who do not want to spend money on costly water parks. Visit during the monsoon and take Meppadi route to enjoy scenic views of some of the best tea estates in Wayanad. The best attractions in Soochippara Falls are the tree top huts presenting a distinct view of the Western Ghats. The waterfalls have a cliff face which is ideal for rock climbing. According to a TripAdvisor traveller, “The trek can get tiring but the view is worth the time and effort.

6.    Attukal Waterfalls (Munnar, Kerala, Height: 196 ft): Set amidst hills and jungles, Attukal Waterfalls is the most noteworthy tourism attraction in Munnar.  The place is known for its tranquility, majestic falls and beautiful locales and is ideal for long trekking and hiking. As a TripAdvisor traveller puts it, “The waterfall set against the backdrop of the tea plantations is just amazing.” The falls are at their glorious best between September and May. When there, make sure you stop and have a Masala Chai whilst watching the falls crash.

7.   Bhagsu Waterfall (Mcleod Gunj, Himachal Pradesh, Height: 7112 ft): Bhagsu Waterfall in McLeodganj is a small but an incredibly beautiful place. The waterfall became popular after an Israeli movie Hummus Curry was shot here. Only 20 minutes walk from the popular Bhagsu Temple, it is an ideal place for those who like to combine a spiritual trip with a small getaway. As a TripAdvisor traveller puts it, “The region offers breathtaking views of surrounding hilly ranges and woody forests. The ambiance of the place is dynamic and the atmosphere is cool and pleasant.” The hilly terrain can make the trek a little tricky but the view after reaching is absolutely worth it! Pick up local handicraft souvenirs from shops on the way.

Monday, 4 June 2012

Travel tips for an eco-friendly holiday


Before your holiday
1.      Start with opting for e tickets and boarding passes on your phone instead of printing out paper tickets (if your airline offers the option)
2.      Cancel the newspaper for the days you are away
3.      Make sure you unplug all your appliances and shut all lights & fans

During your holiday
4.      Cycle with the family to get around to places close by to the hotel instead of hailing a cab every time
5.      Be sure to turn off extra power consuming devices if your are heading out - hotel room Television/ AC and lights
6.      Reduce laundry usage in the hotel: don’t ask housekeeping to change your towels, sheets every day.
7.      Do not litter your surroundings at your holiday spot especially when hiking or trekking in the outdoors.
8.      Find accommodation that is walking distance to the attractions you want to visit or at least walking distance from local trains, subways instead of taking cabs and hiring cars
9.      Take pictures and leave the location as you found it. Never remove wildlife from it’s natural environment including shells, flowers and coral
10.  Use re-chargeable batteries for your gadgets

Tuesday, 29 May 2012

TripAdvisor reveals 10 idyllic getaways in the hills this summer!

-  Top 10 hill station hotels in India for a perfect summer retreat

As the temperatures soar across the country, the hills seem to be the ideal solution to keep your cool on vacation. TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel site*, today announced the list of top 10 hill station hotels in India to consider for your summer holidays. The rankings have been based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travellers from India and around the world.

Himachal Pradesh’s breathtaking natural beauty with its dense deodar forests, snow capped mountains and apple orchards have made it the top destination in the list, followed by Jammu & Kashmir. With as many as five hotels in the top 10 list, Himachal Pradesh and J&K with two hotels in the list are ahead of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttarakhand all of which have one property each.

The list offers options to suit the travellers seeking serenity as well as those looking to taste a little adventure in the outdoors. For those who prefer a vacation amidst the natural surroundings, Machan & Camp Canopy in Lonavala is a perfect getaway. Unique tree house that provides a spectacular view of the Western Ghats also offers luxury comparable to some of the best hotels in India. For those contemplating an adventurous trip, staying at the Ladakh Sarai really completes the Ladakh experience. As a TripAdvisor traveller puts it “One can stay in Mongolian tents and still enjoy all the comforts of a home.”

“TripAdvisor’s top hill station hotels list shares some beautiful escapes in the country for those looking to head to the hills to beat the scorching summer days ahead” commented Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager -India.  

India’s Top Hill Station Hotels:

1.      Wildflower Hall, Mashobra
2.      Chapslee, Shimla
4.      Oberoi Cecil, Shimla
8.      Honeymoon Inn, Manali

Monday, 28 May 2012

TripAdvisor city guides now available for 50 global travel destinations



-          Highly rated mobile app adds 30 cities, plus new features like transit maps and customised itinerary suggestions for Android users



TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel site*, today announced that City Guides, the highly rated and free mobile app, is now available for 50 leading destinations around the world, more than doubling its original portfolio of travel guides.  Conveniently accessible even when the user is offline, the app now includes three new features on its Android version, giving travellers the ability to view local transit stations, create personalised maps, and see itinerary suggestions from travel experts, in addition to reviews and opinions from the greater TripAdvisor community.

“Users have already raved about the ease of use and helpfulness of TripAdvisor City Guides, with more than a million app downloads to date,” said Adam Medros, vice president of global product at TripAdvisor. “We are excited to bring more cities and enhanced functionality to travellers, and ultimately help them enjoy their trips even more.”

New App Features for Android Users

1.      Transit – Users can now view metro or subway stations on a map. Unique to City Guides, the “Nearby Station” feature helps travellers find the closest station to their current location, or to a particular restaurant, hotel, or attraction.

2.      TripIdeas - TripIdeas are customised itinerary recommendations based on popular travel themes, such as travelling with family, foodie destinations, and places off the beaten path. Each itinerary includes beautiful large photos for inspiration. Users can keep track of their favourite TripIdeas in their “Saves” list.

3.      Offline Map Update – Users can now fully customise their own maps. This feature displays saved destinations, metro stations, and any restaurants, hotels, and attractions of interest, to help travellers plan and have their perfect trip.

30 New City Guides, Now Available for Download on Android and iOS
  1. Athens
  2. Austin
  3. Bangkok
  4. Budapest
  5. Buenos Aires
  6. Dubai
  7. Dublin
  8. Edinburgh
  9. Istanbul
  10. Kuala Lumpur
  11. Madrid
  12. Manchester
  13. Marrakech
  14. Miami/Miami Beach
  15. Milan
  16. Montreal
  17. New Orleans
  18. Philadelphia
  19. Prague
  20. Rio de Janeiro
  21. San Antonio
  22. San Diego
  23. Seattle
  24. Seoul
  25. Shanghai
  26. Singapore
  27. Taipei
  28. Toronto
  29. Vancouver
  30. Vienna
The City Guides app, featuring all 50 destinations, is now available worldwide in English. To download the free app(s), please visit Google’s Android Market or Apple’s App Store. More information about TripAdvisor mobile offerings can be found at www.tripadvisor.com/apps

About Mobile City Guides
Mobile City Guides offer convenient smartphone access to a wealth of detailed destination information including traveller reviews and opinions on hotels, restaurants and attractions, as well as suggested itineraries and offline-accessible interactive walking tours. The Mobile City Guides are automatically synched with the freshest TripAdvisor content available so users can access the latest traveller reviews and opinions on the go. This feature also offers walking tours and insider tips that can be viewed on the app without a data connection, including in-depth information on neighbourhoods, history, culture, architecture, weather and transportation. Access to offline information is particularly useful for travellers abroad, who can download the apps before they go, sparing them from expensive roaming charges.

Monday, 30 April 2012

‘Smart’ Mobile, ‘Smarter’ Travel’



-          Mobile devices become new travel essentials, reveals TripAdvisor

·    65% respondents own a Smartphone; 22% possess a tablet
·    53% respondents use at least 1 travel application on their handheld
·    37% have used a mobile device to book a flight or accommodation


If you thought mobile devices were only to talk, think again! According to the ‘Mobile Device Travel Survey’ by TripAdvisor® – world’s largest travel planning site, smart phones and tablets are becoming essential travel accessories as more and more Indians jettison their plain-vanilla mobile phones for smarter devices. The trend is clearly reflected in the survey of over 1000 respondents. While 65% people said they possess a smart phone, 22% confess to being proud owners of a tablet.

Fitted with snappy travel applications, these smart devices are helping travellers go further and do more on-the-go than ever before. The survey found that taking/sharing photos, navigation and games were the top three things travellers use their mobile for while travelling (other than calls & texting).

According to Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager, TripAdvisor India, “For tech savvy Indians, mobile devices are becoming an integral part of their holidays. Starting from pre –trip research on destinations, attractions, hotels to actual booking accommodation or flights for the trip, to location based services at the holiday destination; the mobile fits all in the palm of your hand.” He further adds, “The versatile mobile today serves as a navigation tool, camera, gaming device, local directory… the list is exhaustive.”

Top 3 uses of mobiles for travel planning tasks

Pre-trip planning

·    Book/research accommodation
·    Book/research flights
·    Book/researched restaurants

While travelling

·    Read about destinations, city guides or walking tours
·    Read about destinations, city guides or walking tour
·    Read traveller reviews

App-y Holidays

·    53 % survey respondents said that they have at least 1 travel application with 26% having between 1-2 travel apps installed on their mobile device.

·    The 6 most downloaded Travel Apps are:

                1. TripAdvisor
                2. Google Maps
                3. Make My Trip
                4. Blackberry travel
                5. IRCTC
                6. Cleartrip

Tech Savvy Young-istan

·    Highest smart phone owners in the age group 25-35 (77%)

·    Highest tablet owners in the age group 18-24 (28%)

·    61% respondents in the age group of 18-24 claimed to have used a mobile device to plan their trip.

The Hooked Mobile Social-ite

·    55% respondents said they could not live without their mobile on a holiday with 16% unsure if they could or not survive without their phone on a holiday.

·    58% respondents said they “often” use their mobile device for tasks other than calls when travelling.

·    61% respondents said they connect either often or sometimes to Facebook on mobile while travelling.

·    Check- in seem to be fast becoming the new social fad with 31% respondents claiming to regularly ‘check-in’ to places they are travelling to. This number swells to 52% in the age group 18-24.

·    The gender divide is roughly even, with men and women turning out ‘equally social’ on trips.


Woes of a Mobile Traveller: The mobile travel revolution is not without its moments of frustration.

·    For more than 60% travellers, poor connectivity and roaming charges remain the major pain points while travelling, followed by the annoyance of having a small screen size to navigate on.

·    42% claimed that they have been hit with an unexpectedly large bill after using their mobile device while on international travel. This is probably why 44% said they have switched to using country specific SIM cards either always or most of the time while travelling abroad.

·    29.03% respondents in the age group of 18-24 confessed that poor app functionality compared to a website was their biggest frustration.


The Metro Mobile Mania Meter

·    Bangalore leads among metros with highest number of smart phone users (74%) followed by Delhi (72%) and Mumbai (70%). Despite being IT haven, Hyderabad finished last with 57% respondents claiming to own a smart mobile device.

·    With 34% respondents claiming to own a tablet, Chennai is far ahead of other metros followed by Delhi (27%) and Bangalore (21%). Kolkata lags behind with lowest percentage of tablet users (18%).

·    Chennai & Bangalore seem to be home to tech friendly travel enthusiasts with 59% respondents in both these cities claiming to have at least one travel app downloaded on their mobile device, the highest among all metros followed closely by Mumbai (58%), Hyderabad (57%), Delhi (56%) and Kolkata at a distant 40%.

·    61% Chennaites also claimed to have used a mobile device to plan a trip followed by Delhi (52%), Bangalore (50%), Mumbai (49%), Hyderabad (46%) and Kolkata (39%).

·    Travellers from Chennai seem to be most handy with their mobile devices with largest respondents from their city claiming they have used a mobile device to book accommodations, flights or restaurants online. Delhi finishes second, followed by Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Hyderabad. Delhiites emerge as the biggest Facebook addicts among respondents from all the metros with 37% saying they connect often to Facebook on mobile while travelling. Bangalore comes a close second followed by Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.

Tuesday, 3 April 2012

TripAdvisor unveils 2012 Travellers’ choice hotels for Families


14 Indian hotels make it to the Asia List

Daman and Diu’s Radhika Beach Resort shines in the world list



At #19, Radhika Beach Resort ( Diu) shines in the world list
TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel site, today announced its 2012 Travellers’ Choice® award-winning Hotels for Families. This year, 504 top family-friendly properties were recognized in 25 markets around the globe including the U.S., India, Europe, Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific.

Award winners were determined based on the hotels most highly rated by those who travelled with family. Unlike any other honours, TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winners are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travellers around the world. 
 “One of the most challenging parts of family vacation planning is selecting a hotel that suits the requirements of all family members, especially children. The Travellers’ Choice family list identifies some of the best accommodation options for families in holiday hotspots across the country. For families looking at taking a foreign trip this year, the list also shares the most highly rated family friendly properties across the globe,” said Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager, TripAdvisor (India).
The India list features the top 25 family hotels around the country. Check out the top 10 winners:

Top 10 Family Hotels: India List 



Also listed below are the 14 Indian hotels which made it to the list of Top 25 family hotels across Asia.

Indian hotels in the Asia List 






















The average nightly rate for the India list of the 2012 Travellers’ Choice Hotels for Families is Rs.4, 702 per night1.
For the complete list of the 2012 Travellers’ Choice Hotels for Families, go tohttp://www.tripadvisor.in/TravelersChoice-Family
1Average nightly rates reflect current rates from properties with rates listed on TripAdvisor (India).