This charming, island state, located at the southern-most tip of Continental Asia and the Malay Peninsula, holds the appeal and legend of Koh Samui but without the sleaze and smut of Bangkok. Home to two of the world’s three most expensive buildings, a concert hall shaped like a durian and a museum shaped like a robotic hand, Singapore is neither light on the senses nor the pocket. Simply put; Singapore is currently the most expensive city on earth. But is it justifiably so? Though physically small, Singapore is an economic powerhouse. It has been South East Asia’s most modern city for over a century, replete with a level of sophistication and automation that would make most first world countries look like the Flintstones. The country includes the island of Singapore and 58 or so smaller islands. Because of its efficient and largely motivated and corruption free government, Singapore has become a flourishing economy that excels in trade and tourism and is a model for developing nations. The eponymous capital city (the diminutive size doesn’t warrant a different name), covers about a third of the area of the main island which is uniformly well constructed. In fact, Singapore boasts some of the best infrastructures in the world and is quite simply, one of the best-planned cities on Earth. Chocolate wrappers and potato bags are consistently relegated to green dustbins carefully positioned equidistantly throughout the country. Etymology The English name “Singapore” is the Anglicized version of the word “Singapur” which is derived from Sanskrit: Singh (lion) + pur (village/city), hence the customary reference to the nation as the Lion City. However, it is unlikely that lions ever lived on the island; Sang Nila Utama, the Srivijayan prince said to have founded and named the island Singapura, perhaps saw a Malayan tiger. Social
This charming, island state, located at the southern-most tip of Continental Asia and the Malay Peninsula, holds the appeal and legend of Koh Samui but without the sleaze and smut of Bangkok. Home to two of the world’s three most expensive buildings, a concert hall shaped like a durian and a museum shaped like a robotic hand, Singapore is neither light on the senses nor the pocket. Simply put; Singapore is currently the most expensive city on earth. But is
One word that strikes the mind when one hears the name Paris is magical. The City of Light, as it is popularly known worldwide, unique city is home to around 10 million people. With its beautiful city plan, exquisite architecture, museums, bridges, cathedrals, parks, shopping, flea markets, sidewalk cafes, wide and luxurious boulevards, elegant cuisine and numerous monuments, Paris never ceases to enthrall you with all that it has in store. If the hint of a plan wandering around a visit to Paris is on your mind, here a few tips that could come in handy before and during your visit: TIP 1: You don’t necessarily have to buy tickets for the Eiffel tower or for any other monument online, which will just cost you much more than it would if you purchase tickets at the location or at your hotel. Almost every hotel provides tickets. TIP 2: When you visit the destination, you’ll encounter locals who will offer to rescue you from the queue in exchange for money. Avoid them, keep your patience, and in a matter of 10 to 15 minutes you’ll make it through. It’s best to leave the crowd management schemes to the authorities. VISA Details Indian Visa applications are submitted to the Embassy through M/s VFS, which is the only company authorized by Embassy of India, Paris to collect Indian Visa applications and requisite fee on its behalf. The schedule of the Visa fee for all categories of Visas is mentioned in VFS website. The Visa application can be filled in and downloaded from the VFS website or https://indianvisaonline.gov.in. The Visa applications filled from any other source or website are not acceptable at the Embassy. Also, there is no provision for online payment of Visa fees in respect of Indian Visa applications submitted in France. Best
One word that strikes the mind when one hears the name Paris is magical. The City of Light, as it is popularly known worldwide, unique city is home to around 10 million people. With its beautiful city plan, exquisite architecture, museums, bridges, cathedrals, parks, shopping, flea markets, sidewalk cafes, wide and luxurious boulevards, elegant cuisine and numerous monuments, Paris never ceases to enthrall you with all that it has in store. If the hint of a plan wandering around a
Dubai is one of the most popular seven emirates that makes the famous United Arab Emirates. The country is favorite of many because of its man-made islands, shopping malls and sky-rise buildings such as the Burj Khalifa and Mall of Emirates. Recognised as one of the most expensive city in the world and the most expensive city in the Middle East. Traveling to Dubai will definitely hit you hard money-wise. Looking on the bright side I had a huge list of many things to do in Dubai, on the top of the list there was- dune bashing and camel riding to shopping and of course relishing the delicious Middle Eastern cuisine. TOP THINGS I DID IN DUBAI: Explore the city. By bus, metro or taxi you can get around the city in 2-3 hours depending on traffic. Some of the popular places are the Jumeirah mosque and the old part of town. If you are a budget traveller like me, always and always use public transport. They are not only cost friendly but also very comforting. Though I had a tight budget for this trip I simply paid a Visit to Burj Al Arab instead of staying in. Designed like the shape of a ship and being the world’s fourth largest hotel, this is great sight – seen from the outside. It made my inner tourist cry like a baby- only if I could have stayed here. It costs a whopping $7,000 and $18,000 per night which is like 4.5-11.5 lacs in Indian currency. How could I had given a miss to Al Khalifa, the largest building in the world at 829,8 meters. With a camera in my hand and eyes searching the end of this huge building’s tip, I was all conquered by this spectacular beauty of architecture. The
Dubai is one of the most popular seven emirates that makes the famous United Arab Emirates. The country is favorite of many because of its man-made islands, shopping malls and sky-rise buildings such as the Burj Khalifa and Mall of Emirates. Recognised as one of the most expensive city in the world and the most expensive city in the Middle East. Traveling to Dubai will definitely hit you hard money-wise. Looking on the bright side I had a huge list
Some travel there for a glimpse of the world wars, a few journey to amass learnings about the European Union, but many wander off to the land of Belgium simply for the merriment the nation has to offer in the form of its beer, chocolates and fries. For, fascinating as it might occur, this tiny country easily houses over a thousand breweries within its borders; a fact that might not seem as surprising if one were to know that the brewers of Belgium were among the pioneers of perfect beer brewing. Besides, if waffles and frites are among all those other Belgian things that occur tempting to you, allow this travel guide to show you the way to an effortless trip to this Western European nation. About the Country: Lying in Western Europe, the sovereign state of Belgium shares borders with France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The territory of Belgium is divided into three federal regions: 1) Flanders – the northern, Dutch-speaking region of the country. It includes well known cities like Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges, 2) Wallonia – the southern, French-speaking region, incorporating a small German speaking region in the east near the German border, 3) Brussels – the bilingual capital region of the country and headquarters of the EU. VISA Information: Depending on the purpose of your travel to Belgium, there are different types of visas that will apply to the occasion. Whether you are planning to go on a visit, study or work and reside there permanently, you will have to apply for a different Belgium Schengen Visa, accordingly. Find out more on: http://www.schengenvisainfo.com/belgium-visa/ Culture & Climate Belgian culture involves the aspects shared by all Belgians regardless of the language they speak. Most Belgians view their culture as an integral part of the European culture. However, members of each of the two main linguistic
Some travel there for a glimpse of the world wars, a few journey to amass learnings about the European Union, but many wander off to the land of Belgium simply for the merriment the nation has to offer in the form of its beer, chocolates and fries. For, fascinating as it might occur, this tiny country easily houses over a thousand breweries within its borders; a fact that might not seem as surprising if one were to know that the
Famous for its many canals, its marijuana- dispensing coffee shops and its red light districts, Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands is an interesting and unique destination for travellers from all around the world. Being one of the most watery cities in the world, Amsterdam has a quarter of its surface area taken up by canals and harbours, which not only serve as areas of recreation, but also facilitate legitimate transport across the city via the multitude of pleasure boats registered in the city. Besides canals and boats, Amsterdam has an abundance of bicycles; so much so that the bicycles here outnumber the human population of the city! In fact, cycling in Amsterdam is a way of life made easier by the city’s unbeatable network of cycle routes and flat landscape. Places to Visit Canal Ring: Surrounding the Old Centre of Amsterdam, the medieval heart of the city, is this famous 17th- century district, the whole of which has been designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO for being the world’s most unique urban landscapes with its distinctive cultural and historical value. The Canal Ring of Amsterdam is also a hub for fantastic cultural and sporting events all throughout the year. Van Gogh Museum: Dedicated to the works of the renowned Dutch Post- Impressionist painter Vincent Willem van Gogh and his contemporaries, this art museum has been identified as the 2nd most visited museum in the Netherlands and the 31st most visited art museum in the world. With such credits under its name, it is a must- visit place for lovers and connoisseurs of art. Civic Guards Gallery: For those willing to explore a city’s secrets, a small gate just off the bustling shopping street Kalverstraat and down a tiny square lies the Civic Guards Gallery (Schuttersgalerij). Officially
Famous for its many canals, its marijuana- dispensing coffee shops and its red light districts, Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands is an interesting and unique destination for travellers from all around the world. Being one of the most watery cities in the world, Amsterdam has a quarter of its surface area taken up by canals and harbours, which not only serve as areas of recreation, but also facilitate legitimate transport across the city via the multitude of pleasure
