Agra, a historically important town situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, reached the zenith of its importance when it was the capital of the Mughal Empire, during the 16th and 17th centuries. It now completes a popular tourist triangle spanning Delhi and Jaipur. The city of the Taj Mahal, Agra is situated 200 km south of Delhi, and is easily accessible by road, air as well as the Indian Railways.

The former President of U.S.A once remarked, “There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who have seen the Taj Mahal and love it and those who have not seen the Taj and love it.” And those words ring true for Taj Mahal lovers, the world over. Sitting in the presence of the Taj Mahal is a magical experience. Watching the sun rise over the Taj Mahal is like watching the genesis of a miracle. Seeing the sun disappear behind its large dome is the perfect way to end a special day. Sitting silently in the courtyard of the Taj, or in one of its large halls you can’t help but experience a strong feeling of wonder. And then you understand the hallowed ground it occupies amongst the seven other wonders of the world.
Looking back in time, and sifting through the annals of history, we find that Agra was a huge canvas depicting the glorious days of Mughal rule in India. It was one of the most important cities in the northern part of ancient India.

Agra was in the limelight for the first time in medieval history when Sikandar Lodhi, the ruler of Delhi, decided to shift his capital from Delhi to Agra in the 16th century. Later, Agra witnessed large-scale developmental work and it was at its zenith during the rule of Akbar and Shah Jahan.

It was Shah Jehan who ordered the building of the Taj, in honor of his wife, Arjumand Banu who later became known as Mumtaz Mahal, the Distinguished of the Palace. Mumtaz and Shah Jehan were married in 1612 and, over the next 18 years, had 14 children together. The Empress used to accompany her husband in his military campaigns, and it was in 1630, in Burhanpur, that she gave birth to her last child and died in childbirth. So great was the Emperor’s love for his wife that he ordered the building of the most beautiful mausoleum on earth for her.

Although it is not known for sure who planned the Taj, the name of an Indian architect of Persian descent, Ahmad Lahori, has been cited in many sources. As soon as construction began in 1630, masons, craftsmen, sculptors, and calligraphers were summoned from Persia, the Ottoman Empire, and Europe to work on the masterpiece. The site was chosen near the Capital, Agra, on the southwest bank of the River Yamuna. The architectural complex is comprised of five main elements: the Darwaza (main gateway), the Bageecha (garden), the Masjid (mosque), the Naqqar Khana (rest house), and the Rauza or (Taj Mahal mausoleum). The actual Tomb is situated inside the Taj. This unique Mughal style of architecture combined elements of Persian, Central Asian, and Islamic architecture.

There are a few other tourist places near Agra, like Fatehpur Sikri, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Vrindavan, and Firozabad, that you can include in your tour itinerary. However, for most people in India, and the world over, Agra will remain the “City of the Taj Mahal”.

Learn more about various tourist attractions in India. Check out the holiday packages and tajhotels.com/Leisure/TAJ VIEW HOTEL,AGRA/default.htm book a hotel in Agra at ==> tajhotels.com/ TajHotels.com

Right now I am reading a truly wonderful book that I highly recommend. It is Reader’s Digest Most Scenic Drives in America (from now on I’ll be calling it RDMSDIA because I’m way too lazy to type that long a title every time).

As you might have already imagined, RDMSDIA portrays over 120 extremely beautiful road trips, and after reading this book, I want to take every single one of them.

So let’s see, where would I start? Maybe I could begin on the west coast where I could take the North Cascades Loop, a 400 miles circular trek that takes Hwy 20 through te North Cascade Mountains National Park, the Wanatchee National Forest and back up along the Puget Sound.

Much of this road trip was not even possible until 1972, when a highway was finally built through the rugged Northern Cascades.

Next, I might take the Big Sur road trip along the northern coast of California. This road trip has long been on my to-do list, and after reading this book I have to wonder why I have been putting it off for so long.

This trip, which runs from Monteray to San Luis Obispo along Hwy 101 has long been considered one of America’s most breathtakingly beautiful scenic highways.

Another California road trip that cannot be missed is the Redwood Highway, which runs from the California-Oregon border down through the giant Redwood National Park. From there it continues on through some of California’s historic gold rush towns like Eureka, where I may stop to see some of the historic old mansions the tycoons of that era built and lived in. The Redwood Highway ends in the town of Leggett, home of the famous Drive Thru Tree Park.

Another road trip I now feel my life would be incomplete without is the Upper Peninsula Drive through Michigan’s (you guessed it) Upper Peninsula. Of course once you get to Mackinac Island, you really can’t drive anymore because the island’s jurisdiction forbids the operation of a motor vehicle.

So you will have to park your car and take a ferry across to the island. But it is well worth it because once on the island you step back in time to the 19th century. When the ferry docks, you can then take a horse-and-buggy taxi, visit any number of the quaint shops and even witness reenactments of the island’s historic past.

I am running out of space here, but I just have to include a short mention of the Hudson Valley road trip. This trek begins in New York City and follows the Hudson River north. Along the way you will pass through Rip Van Winkle country, see innumerable Revolutionary War sites, pass the United States Military Academy at West Point and circle back once you get to the bridges at Newburgh and Beacon.

But make sure you get back before dark or you just might see the headless horseman of Sleepy Hollow.

The Reader’s Digest Most Scenic Drives in America is a great, beautiful book. But be warned that if your travel lust is easily aroused (like mine) it might also turn out to be the most expensive book you ever buy.

In the meantime, I have to go put gasoline in my car. I feel like driving.

COPYRIGHT © 2005, Charles Brown

Think budget travel equals boring travel? Think again!
Learn the Guerrilla Traveler’s insider secrets to budget adventure travel to the world’s most exciting places
and experience the coolest travel adventures without spending a bundle.
Charles Brown is a former attorney who now spends his time indulging his passion
for travel and shares the unique travel destinations and adventure travel bargains
he uncovers on his blog, Guerrilla Traveler – Adventure on a Budget, guerrillatraveler.blogspot.com guerrillatraveler.blogspot.com.

Playacar Palace Resort is the ultimate five star resort for those who want to experience true relaxation. Whether you choose a one week or two week vacation or more, you will never have to leave your resort to enjoy one of the most restful stays of your life.

Playacar Palace Resort is conveniently located in the beautiful Mexican town of Playa del Carmen on the Mayan Riviera in Mexico. It is about a 45 minute drive from the Cancun Mexico airport and is situated across from the island of Cozumel. The town itself has much to offer and is within walking distance of the Playacar Palace Resort. There are the famous 5th Avenue shops that cater to upscale purchasers as well as the local Mexican marketplace where you can get great deals on everything from t-shirts to fine jewelry. You will see lots of Mexican families in the marketplace including some of their adorable Mexican children.

But the main reason to travel to Playa del Carmen is to stay at the beautiful Playacar Palace Resort itself. When you are transported to the resort, you are greeted by a plain, stucco white building surrounded by the local plants and vegetation, including a few sunning iguanas here and there. But don’t let the exterior fool you. As you enter the lobby you will feel the gentle ocean breezes immediately and see the floor to ceiling white sheers dancing about in the wind. The lobby area where the registration desk is located consists of open architecture and you will see many rooms branching out from the main lobby including the waiting rooms, the karaoke bar, the main bar, the store and steps leading to the international and Italian restaurants.

As you take in the sights in front of you and before you do anything else you will want to give your bags to the bell hop and hurry to walk up the flight of steps directly in front of you. As you reach the top of the steps, you will be greeted by an amazing panoramic view that will take your breath away, especially if you have never been to Cancun Mexico before. The stark white of the buildings against the baby blue sky and the ever changing blues and greens of the Mexican Caribbean will imprint a picture that will last in your mind for many years to come. You will want to close your eyes, take a deep breath in through your nose and exhale deeply through your mouth to feel the warmth and pleasure of all that surrounds you. Open your eyes again and realize that one of the most relaxing, best vacations of your lifetime is about to begin at the Playacar Palace Resort.

This article just covers the first impression of what you will see when you reach Playacar Palace Resort. For more information please visit our websites listed in our resource box about Playacar Palace Resorts and the other Palace Resorts to discover why Playacar Palace Resort not only looks good on the outside, but has much to offer inside as well.

Margaret Dunn is an avid Cancun Mexico traveler with a passion for beautiful beaches and relaxing vacations. She is also a VIP timeshare member of the Palace Resorts who will allow you to travel as her guest saving you hundreds of dollars off your next Playacar Palace Resorts vacation. For more detailed information you will want to visit the all inclusive Mexico vacation blog and the Dream Cancun Resort site for the vacation of a lifetime.

You will want to visit dreamcancunresorts.com dreamcancunresorts.com for more detailed information on how to get discounted weeks, or visit allinclusivemexicovacationblog.com allinclusivemexicovacationblog.com You will want to visit Dream Cancun Resorts to find out how you can make your Playacar Palace Resort vacation week even better. Just visit the site and you will see how.

Before you set out on your holiday to Barcelona to enjoy this bustling city complete with architectural wonders and culture, you might want to check out this itinerary. I’ve done it twice and hope to try it again in the future. When you first arrive at the Barcelona Airport, ‘El Prat’, you should go to a great hotel at the Port Aventura theme park. You can also check out Europcar’s special car rental rates for those people staying at Port Aventura. There are several four star hotels located at Port Aventura and they offer various package deals that combine hotel rooms, breakfast, as well as tickets to Port Aventura and the Caribe Aquatic Park. This water park is great for the whole family.

The Port Aventura Hotel is furnished and decorated in a classic Mediterranean colonial style. The El Paso Hotel uses a mix of Mexican and pre-Colombian décor for its unique look. Finally try the Caribe Port Hotel if you want to try out the largest white sand swimming pool in the world! Even if you tried to book a hotel in the heart of the city you couldn’t get this kind of stay. The peak season is designated as ‘A,’ and during this time one night with two days in the park would be around 136 for a single room, 218 for a double room, and 68 Euros for a child. You can also arrange other offers for up to 4 people sharing a room including children. During the low season, the El Paso offers a rate that would end up being 84 Euros for a couple and 42 Euros for a child. You really can’t beat those deals. You can relax totally at these hotels and enjoy the park.

More Barcelona Hotel Choices

I really broke the bank when I stayed at the Arts Hotel in Barcelona. For a great view of the port area I was assured that any double room, suite, or apartment would do. The incredible facilities and great staff helped perfect my experience. I had to try out the Goyescas restaurant and everything on the menu looked amazing. I tried out the house specialty and would definitely recommend it on your visit to Barcelona!

All along the Costa Brava and in the bustling city of Barcelona are some of the best hotels and restaurants one can find in the world. This past year was a special period of both international and national promotion of Catalan food and wine by the town hall and tourism bureau. I think any time is a great time to sample excellent finds from Barcelona. When you are there you can stop by Can Ravell or the Club del Gourmet to have a further sampling!

The copywriter Jack Blacksmith is interested in ideas related to holiday and travel. You can learn about his articles on barcelona-information.com/barcelona-hotels.html holiday and Barcelona Hotels at barcelona-information.com barcelona-information.com