Category: Travel

The Taj Mahal

I remember visiting the Taj Mahal with my parents back in 1998 at the age of 12 in Agra, India. It is the kind of place which gave me the goosebumps and I still get goosebumps whenever I think of that experience. This is because the place and the architecture is like no other.

First of all it is the biggest and the most beautiful tombstone I have ever seen. Two, the mere symbolism of it – A great love story. It was built in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It eventually houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. The tomb made entirely out of ivory-white marble, is a complex of 17-hectare, which includes a mosque, a guest house, and a garden. The Taj Mahal is believed to have been completed in its entirety in 1653 at a cost estimated at the time to be around 32 million rupees, which would be around 53 billion rupees (U.S. $830 million) in our times.

The architecture is not only majestic but the design is very intricate. It includes elaborate calligraphy and the insertion of precious gemstones. The place is peaceful despite of the presence of the millions of visitors. No wonder it is known to be one of the 7 wonders of the world.

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Niagara Falls 🌊

 

Canada is a huge country (2nd largest country by area) and it is blessed with many natural treasures. One of these amazing natural treasures is the Niagara Falls, a.k.a. the horse shoe, which in my opinion should be amongst the wonders of the world.

The place is today a very popular destination for tourists. It is packed with entertainment, shopping and food shops. But the most breath-taking part are the falls itself. It is huge and it gives you goosebumps when you go near to it.

Whenever I go there, I can’t stop myself from thinking about the first person who actually discovered it. It must have been both a scary and jaw-dropping experience at the same time. Most probably, it was a Native who discovered it while exploring the dense forests. I just hope nobody actually fell into it by accident.

It is definitely one of the best destination in North America. It can be visited from both sides of Canada and the United States. So make it a point to put it on your travel bucket list!

Montréal

#Montreal can be both a fascinating and charming place to visit. I happen to visit in the cold winter around Christmas season and it was anything but boring.

This is what I recommend , if you are open to suggestions:

  • Place to stay: #Chateau Versailles Hotel

This 4 star hotel, situated in downtown Montreal is easily accessible to public transport, shops – 2 minutes walk from #Ste Catherine street, which is definitely on the must-do shopping list. The hotel has a cold breakfast buffet. It has an old French style deco – if you are in that sort of thing.

  • Places to eat: #L’Usine de Spaghetti

This traditional restaurant located in Old Montreal will surprise your taste buds. The ravioli and the peach sangria was the best. But they do have a good collection for wine-lovers as well.

Speaking of food, you cannot ignore dessert if you have a sweet tooth. I would recommend the macarons (moist inside and hard outside – just the way they should be!) from #Première Moisson. The products are an absolute treat.

  • Places to visit:

Religious: # St-Joseph Oratory, #Notre Dame Basilica

Shopping: #Underground City, #Rue Ste-Catherines, #Complexe Desjardins #Places Versailles

Recreational: #La Ronde, #Biosphère

These are just a few suggestions. There are other places you can visit. For me, one visit to Montreal is not enough. The city is endearing and you want to go again and again.