Charlotte’s skyline can be seen for several miles as you travel on Interstate 77 in the Piedmont area. At night, the city glistens with beautiful skyscrapers and street lights. Since its beginnings, Charlotte has rapidly grown into a center for finance and banking. It is the second largest financial capital in the United States. “Queen City” is Charlotte’s nickname.

As the county seat, Charlotte is located in Mecklenburg County in the Piedmont region of North Carolina and is just above the South Carolina border. Charlotte’s population was estimated at approximately 584,658 in 2003 and is still growing. Nearby cities include Monroe (NC), Concord (NC), Rock Hill (SC), Pineville (NC), Statesville (NC), and Lancaster (SC).

The area attracts folks from all around for business, shopping, dining, recreation, and entertainment. Many people visit Charlotte from South Carolina for work or play. For those who live in the area, Charlotte is only a couple of hours away from the Appalachian Mountains and several hours from the Atlantic coast.

Charlotte, North Carolina Attractions and Events

Charlotte offers activities for all ages. The city’s night life is always moving with live entertainment and music concerts, ball games, restaurants, comedy clubs, movie theaters, and more.

Shoppers can visit one of several malls including the Eastland Mall, South Park Mall and the Carolina Place Mall (Pineville, South Charlotte). The huge Concord Mills Mall in Concord, North Carolina is just a short drive from Charlotte. At Eastland Mall, an indoor ice skating rink has provided many years of enjoyment for families.

Charlotte Festivals

Charlotte is also host to several big festivals and events throughout the year. One is the Festival in the Park, which takes place in Freedom Park. This early fall event has been held in Charlotte since 1964. It is a family-oriented festival where all types of regional works of art and unique crafts are displayed. Entertainment and refreshments are provided.

Charlotte hosts the Great Grapes Wine & Music Festival, where more than 150 North Carolina wines are available for sampling. Live music and gourmet foods are also provided. Each holiday, Charlotte residents and visitors can enjoy a variety of events, from a grand fireworks display on the 4th of July to cheerful holiday parades.

Charlotte Museums

For the history buff, there are many fascinating museums to explore in Charlotte. Discovery Place in downtown Charlotte has always been a favorite for kids with many fun hands-on exhibits, an Omnimax theater, a space station, a rain forest, and more. Other Charlotte museums include the Levine Museum of the New South, the Mint Museum of Art, and the Charlotte Museum of History.

Family Fun in Charlotte

For the active family that’s visiting or those who live in and around Charlotte, there are many parks for biking or hiking on trails, picnics, and family relaxation. One can enjoy fishing, boating, and golfing at Lake Norman. Bird lovers can relax at the Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary.

Straddling the North and South Carolina border is Paramount’s Carowinds. The amusement park is filled with exciting rides for the young and old, entertainment and cartoon characters that will amaze the kids. Roller coasters, kiddie rides, twisting and twirling rides, wet rides – Carowinds offers something for everyone! During the hot months, the Carowinds water park and ocean-wave pool provide cool relief for thousands of visitors.

Charlotte, North Carolina is a great place to live or visit. Come see why Charlotte is one of America’s choice cities!

The name Kottayam is derived from the word “Kotta” which means “Fortress” in Malayalam. The old town of Kottayam was originally founded on the hilltop now known as Kunnumpuram. The small hamlet developed within the walls of the fort and thus was derived the present name from the words “Kottackk Akam” which literally means “Inside the Fortress”. It is commonly believed that down the ages this gradually assumed its present form, Kottayam.

Kottayam has the distinction of being the first fully literate town in the whole of India. The first English school was started here by the missionaries of the Church Mission Society of the erstwhile Anglican Church. Kottayam has been a centre of learning and in recognition of this fact the Government established the Mahatma Gandhi University here.

Places to see in Kottayam:

• Bharananganam
An important Christian pilgrimage centre, the town of Bharananganam is known as the site of the internment of Sister Alphonsa (1916 – ‘46) in a chapel next to the St. Mary’s Church. This millenium-old church features an attractive grotto of Virgin Mary.

• Valiyapalli Church
Dedicated to St. Mary, the Valia Palli is a church built in 1550 for the Knanaya Orthodox Syrians situated in Thazhathangadi, 2 km from the centre of the town. It is famous for its 8th century Persian cross and the Pahalavi inscription on the cross.

• Cheryapalli
Located near the Valia Palli, the smaller church of Cheria Palli, also dedicated to St. Mary, built in 1579, has some Murals and paintings of Biblical and other themes.

• Mannanam
Housing the famous St. Joseph’s Monastery, Mannanam is an important Syrian Christian centre. The town is associated with the name of Father Kuriakose Elias of Chavara (1805 – 1871), one of the saintly figures of the Syrian Catholic Church of Kerala. Established in 1844, St. Joseph’s Press is one of the oldest printing presses in India, where one of the oldest of Kerala’s newspapers was printed.

• Thirunakkara Mahadev Temple
The temple built in the indigenous style is situated in the heart of the town of Kottayam. It features several murals and is thronged by a large number of devotees during the annual festival held in the third week of March.

Excursion of Kottayam:

• Vembanad Lake
16 kms from Kottayam town is a vast network of rivers and canals, which empty into the great expanse of water called the Vemanad Lake, which is situated in Kumarakom village. The lake is an enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing backwater tourist destination. It provides boating, fishing and sight seeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The Kumarakom tourist village also offers houseboat cruises and holiday packages.

• Ettumanoor Temple
A famous Hindu pilgrimage, Ettumanoor Temple is known for its unique and original architecture, wooden carvings and murals. The one that truly deserves a special mention is a statue of Shiva as Nataraja in a stunning pose. The temple is also famous for its 10 day long annual festival held during February-March.

• Grampi Hill
A great place to relax and unwind, the Grampi hill station is a beautiful place to visit and rest in nature’s lap.

• Champakara (Ayurvedic Centre)
18 kms from Kottayam is Champakara, which is an important Ayurvedic Centre for ‘Thirummuchikilsa’. Sreerangam CVN Kalari Chikilsa Kendram attracts people from all over India and abroad.

• Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Located at a distance of 12 kilometers from Kottayam town, this bird sanctuary is known to be home to local as well as migratory birds.

• Peerumedu
A small hill station located at a height of 914 meters above sea level, Peerumedu derives its name from the famous Sufi saint, Peer Mohammad.

How to get There:

By Air
Nearest Airport is at Cochin, 76 kms away. The Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is 152 kms.

By Rail
Kottayam Railway Station 2 kms. away from the Central Bus Station and is connected with major cities and tourist centres.

By Road
Kottayam is connected to major cities of South India by good motorable roads. There are two bus stations, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus station on TB Road and a private bus stand near the railway station. Buses to major centers operate from the KSRTC bus station.

If you choose Washington D.C. as the destination for your student travel or bus tours group, you should know in Washington many of the government buildings are accessible to the public without an appointment, however, there are those that do require a reservation.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is a fascinating place to visit and is by appointment only. The employees who print the US currency are masters of design and color and as an observer, watching the printing process is very interesting.

Each sheet of money is scrutinized and if there is even a hint of difference in one of the bills the entire sheet is destroyed. Those who are working the presses know they are being watched and for the most part they do their work without interacting with the guests aside from the occasional wave of the hand.

As you walk along watching the process through continuous glass hallways the smell of the ink is distinct. Hopefully by the end of the tour you have adjusted to the smell and there are no ill effects.

If there are no appointments available for the date or time you are touring, your group can arrive early at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and stand in line for timed entry tickets for that day. Each individual can be issued up to eight tickets and the tickets will be stamped with the time the ticket holder can go in for their tour.

You may consider contacting a travel company who specializes in your group type or the destination you are interested in. Appointment dates and times can be difficult to manage and time consuming to coordinate.

At the end of the tour be sure to visit the gift shop. There are many fun things that have been made from the money that is disqualified as currency such as rings and pencils. A great souvenir that you can actually purchase for the hard-to-buy-for person is an uncut sheet of currency. Buying money that is not spendable, how cool is that?

To build a well planned, completely organized trip for yourself or for an entire group, contact a Group Travel Professional and wherever the road leads you, enjoy your travels.

Vickie Dodson

There are plenty of places to go see while you are in Barcelona, Spain. The Guell Park is one you might want to check out, this is the most famous park in Barcelona. It has lots of praise, and also some criticism. It was private at first, and then later became open to the public. A few more parks include Park de la Ciudadella, Park Laberint, Park del Palau Reial de Pedralbes, and Park Espanya Industrial. Park de la Ciudadella started as a star shape. There is lots of art here, and you will see gardens and fountains. Laberint was built on many levels with stairways and pavilions. It has railings, gardens, statues, and figures. Park Guinardo looks like a forest. Jardins del Palau Reial de Pedralbes has some nice flower beds and big trees. Park Espanya Industrial has the charming aspect and also the industrial.
There are plenty of museums for you to check out while you’re in Barcelona. They include, Fundacio Miro, Gaudi Casa-Museu, Museu Picasso, Palau de la Musica Catalana, and The Barbier-Mueller Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Barcelona’s has a very nice showcase of art. Gaudi Casa-Museu is an Alice-in-Wonderland house, but now it’s a museum. The Picasso Museum is known for its medieval palaces. Palau de la Musica Catalana is a great music hall; it is one of the worlds greatest. The Barbier-Mueller Museum of Pre-Columbian Art is in a gothic palace, it has a fine collection of art.
Most of you won’t be able to go to Barcelona with out checking out some of the beaches. Nova Icaria is always crowded, because it is closest to the Olympic marina. Bogatell has a stretch of stone walkway that is great for jogging, walking, roller blade, and even bike riding. Since, traffic noise is low; you might think your millions of miles away from any city. Mar Bella has kayaks, and other things, it’s the only naturist beach in Barcelona. Barceloneta has a part of the beach that is traditional and popular; it has locals and is crowded and noisy. There are other beaches as well.
There are some theatres as well for you to check out. Theatres in the city are very lively. Some popular venues include teatre lliure, teatre Tivoli, and teatre poliorama. Palau de la Musica Catalana is a very popular one. Gran Teatre del Liceu was actually built with private contributions. It opened in 1847, but in 1994 there was a fire, and it was also set on fire back in 1861. There are other theatres you can check out as well.
There are a few attractions you might want to go to while you’re in Barcelona. One of these is Maremagnum Monument a Colom. There is a lot to do here, and night life begins at 11PM and ends at 6AM. However, this is where lots of teenagers hang out. Universal’s Mediterranea is an amusement park. If you like amusement parks then this is the place for you. IMAX Barcelona is something you don’t want to miss. They show different 3-d films here. L’Aquarium is the largest in Wurope. You will see fish, water flowers, and even animal invertebrates.
For the shoppers or souvenir hunters there are plenty of places to shop. They have books, jewelry, haute couture, furniture, and much more. El Corte Ingles in the best department store you can shop at. There are many stores to shop at; there are also late-night stores. There is a twenty-four hour general store; they are almost open all of the time. They also have a 7-eleven. There is a place that does photocopies and things in that nature that stays open twenty-four seven and that is Workcenter. There are also markets you can shop at. They have crafts, antiques, coins, stamps, maps, books, and cards.
They have bars, cafes, and clubs for the night owls. They have all types of music at these. Nearby are some more high class night spots if you’re more high class. There are music and dance spots that have a laid-back feeling and they are popular. The Olympic Village has a nice selection of bars for the bar hoppers. They have all sorts of places for the night owls to hang out and party or do what they do.
They have plenty of places to eat as well. Lunch is from 2 pm to 4 pm and that is their main meal for the day. Dinner is after 9PM, and most kitchens close by 11:30 pm. There is also bar snacks and fast food to eat before these times. Drinking coffee and eating a pastry is breakfast to them. There are many places to go for food. There are also many places you can go for coffee, tea, soft drinks, and others. They also have places for wine and beer.
Music festivals are something you might want to check out as well while you’re in Barcelona. This is a meeting point for numerous types of people, from artists, to the public. They also have Sonar by Night, which you late owls can check out. Primavera sound Festival is an important tourist attraction, but at night it becomes an area for the night owls.

Nashik attracts thousands of pilgrims annually because of the sanctity of the Godavari River, which is called the Ganges of the south and also because of the legend that Ram, the hero of the Ramayana epic, had spent most of his banishment tenure here, with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshman.

Like Ujjain this is the site for the triennial Kumbh Mela which comes here every 12 years. The riverbanks are lined with steps above which stand temples and shrines. Although there are no particularly notable temples in Nashik the Sundar Narayan Temple, to the west of the city, is worth seeing.

Places to see in Nashik

• Kala Ram Mandir
The largest and simplest of the temples is Kalaram Mandir, built in 1790 by Sardar Odhekar of Peshwa. It houses a black stone image of Rama, hence the name. The temple is made by complete black stones, which has four doors facing East, West, South and North and the apex made up of 32 tons of gold. In 1930, Dr. Ambedkar performed Satyagraha, to allow the entry of Harijans into the temple.

• Sita Gumpha
The Gumpha is near the five Banyan trees in Panchavati. One can enter the cave with the help of a very narrow staircase. The cave has the idol of Shree Ram, Laxman and Sita. To the left, one can enter into the cave having the Shiva Linga. Devotees believe that Ravan kidnapped Sita from the same place.

• Shirdi
Shirdi is a very sacred and important place of pilgrimage in India. It is about 100 km drive from Nashik. Shirdi was a sleepy little village, tucked away in the interiors of Maharashtra and got famous because the sage Sai Baba. He was the mentor and prophet. Even today the last few surviving elders of the village vividly recall the miraculous wonders of the sage. He died in 1918. people from all the religion have faith in the saint and throng the place for his blessings.

• Pandav Caves
The Pandav Caves are located on a tableland on Trivashmi Hill. Built by Jain kings these Caves are around 2000 years old. There are some 24 Caves that were home to Jain saints such as Tirthankara Vrishabdeo, Veer Manibhadraji, and Ambikadevi. There are sculptures of the Buddha and bodhisattvas as well. The cave complex consists of large Caves, which were probably the meeting place of disciples.

• Panchavati
Northern part of Nashik is known as Panchavati as River Godavari flows. There are five Banyan (Vat) trees and hence the area is called Panchavati. It is believed that Lord Shri Ram and Sita along with Lakshman stayed at Panchavati for some time. Infact it was here that Sita spotted the golden deer and was abducted by the demon king Ravan. People believe that she was abducted from the Sita Gumpha. This is a small cave underneath a banyan tree. One can enter the cave with the help of a narrow staircase. The cave has the idol of Shree Ram, Lakshman and Sita. Thus Panchavati gained lot of importance.

Shopping in Nashik
The main visitors of this city are religious
pilgrims, so the markets pay more attention to their needs. So, it is one of the best places to buy items of religious significance little bronze statues and beaded necklaces. The city is a good place for jewelry lovers, as the prices are reasonable.

How to Get There:

By Air
Nearest airport from Nashik is at Mumbai, 185-km away from the city.

By Rail
Nashik Road is one of the major stations on Central Railway. Nashik is well connected with Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta, Varanasi and Aurangabad.

By Bus
Nashik is well connected by road. There are also several private and state buses available between Mumbai/Thane and Nashik.

The peninsula of Baja California is a piece of paradise situated at the westernmost region of Mexico. Geographically speaking, Baja is a unique and interesting place to see and visit. The peninsula is situated between two large bodies of water, the vast Pacific Ocean on the west and the abundant Gulf of California or Sea of Cortez to the east. All throughout the entire length of the peninsula runs a series of coastal mountain ranges which, along with the beaches and deserts of Baja, make up the peninsula’s land region.

The multitude of environmental regions in Baja California combined with it pleasant Mediterranean climate opens up the doors towards many recreational activities for travelers, visitors, locals, tourists and vacationers.

Of course, water sports aplenty are available in Baja California. There are several beaches, marinas, harbors and bays to be found all around the Baja peninsula, and swimming is an activity many people enjoy in Baja’s fine, white sand beaches. Aside from swimming, another water sport that thousands come to Baja every year to experience is sports fishing. With two very abundant and large bodies of water found on either side of the peninsula, it comes as no surprise that Baja offers an enjoyable fishing experience.

Snorkeling and scuba diving are also very popular among tourists. There are but a very few places in the whole planet where you can dive and swim along colonies of hammerhead sharks or gigantic yet gentle whale sharks and humpback whales. Because of the rich marine bio-diversity in the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean, as well as the interesting underwater landscapes found beyond Baja California’s shores, both diving experts and amateurs can enjoy their Baja diving experience.

Other water sports and seaside recreational activities that you can do in Baja is wind surfing, para sailing, sea kayaking, whale watching, island boating and surfing.

Due to the long strip of mountain ranges found in the peninsula of Baja California, activities such as mountain biking, trekking, hiking and camping are popular recreational activities along Baja mountain ranges. Some very well known mountain ranges in the Baja peninsula are the Sierra de la Giganta and Sierra de la Laguna. These mountain ranges have different environmental regions within them. You can find cool pine forests, dry mountain forests and desert mountain regions.

Deserts in Baja California also offer several recreational activities. Desert biking is a famous sport in Baja and there are plenty of annual biking competitions and events held here. There are also some ranches found along Baja desert regions where you can go horseback riding, touring and ATV racing (all terrain vehicle racing).

And even within the large cities and small towns of Baja, there is always an enjoyable distraction to find. Tours are popular among vacationers and visitors. Old Spanish missions, cathedrals, museums, cave paintings and other historically and culturally significant sites are commonly part of these tours. Shopping is a most engaging activity in Baja California, not just because of the very low prices but also because of the wide variety of choices there is to find.

For more information on Baja California recreational activities, visit www.baja.com for a complete city guide and loads of helpful information.

If you are planning a vacation to Texas then you will not want to miss out the great that FortWorth attractions has to offer. Not only is it a great place for sightseeing it is also great for vacations of all sorts, such as: couples getaways, family trips and group vacations.

When you visit Fort Worth you will be please with the unique array of attractions in Fort Worth that will please even the pickiest of visitors. The attractions range from such things as real cowboys to museums.

They all are famous for focusing on the beauty as well as the history, so you can really get down to what makes Attraction Fort Worth Texas for what they are today.

There are many places that focus on the heritage of this wondrous place. Such places include the Cowtown Coliseum, the Log Cabin Village, Many different ranches, Rodeos just to name a few.

You may also want to check out such places as: The white Elephant saloon, the Stockyard championship rodeo and the Will Rogers memorial center.

There are many places to visit that will teach you what makes the Top ForthWorth attractions. It is no surprise that Fort Worth has been called the “The Museum Capital of the South West”.

If you want to check out the culture of this grand place then you may want to look at such places as: the Amon Carter Museum, Ball-Eddleman Mcfarland house, Fort Worth Community Center and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.

All of these Attractions in Fort Worth have so much to offer in addition to the educational information you will learn. Yes, there are so many different places to visit when taking in the sites at Fort Worth.

When planning a trip to Texas you will definitely want to make a stop in a FortWorth attractions as there is a life time of things to see and do here. You will learn a great deal of history as well as have the time of your life. There is also a great deal of sporting events that you will not want to miss.

You can catch a race at the Texas Motor Speedway or venture over to the all famous Forth Worth Zoo. All of these attractions in fort worth would be great to suit anyone from any age group. You can be sure to never have a bored moment as there is more to see and do then anywhere in Texas.

Ahmedabad is the largest city in the state of Gujarat and the seventh-largest urban agglomeration in India, with a population of almost 51 lakhs (5.1 million). Located on the banks of the River Sabarmati, the city is the administrative centre of Ahmedabad district, and was the capital of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970; the capital was shifted to Gandhinagar thereafter. The city is sometimes called Karnavati, a name for an older town that existed in the same location; in colloquial Gujarati, it is commonly called Amdavad.

Places to see in Ahmedabad:

Gandhi Aashram
Located near vadaj the Sabarmati Aashram was once house of Mahatma Gandhi. The ashram was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1915, and today without doubt it is the biggest tourist attraction in Ahmedabad. It lies on the tranquil stretch of the Sabarmati river and was referred to as the Satyagraha Ashram during the lifetime of the Mahatma. It was from here, that the Mahatma began his famous ‘Dandi March’ in 1930 to protest against the Salt Tax imposed by the British. One can see the three wise monkeys and many more of Gandhiji’s teachings at the ashram premises.

Akshardham
It is a unique cultural complex built in Gandhinagar in memory of Lord Swami Narayan. It is an intricately carved, majestic monument built of 6000 tons of pink sand stones. The entire monument was built without the use of steel and consists of a 7 feet gold leafed idol of Lord Swami Narayan and his holy relics.

Calico Museum
This one-of-a-kind museum housed in a carved wooden haveli boasts of an amazing collection of antique and modern textiles. Its repertoire includes rare tapestries, wall hangings and costumes and also some older weaving machines. The collection of the museum dates back to the 17th century and it also has an excellent reference library on textiles. Closed on Wednesdays and bank holidays, this museum is not to be missed.

Sidi Sayed Mosque
Sidi Sayed Mosque is unique for its exquisite screens, which are praised for their amazing Jhali screen, framed, in the ten semi-circular windows. The screen carved out of one rock is just exceptional. A visit to this superb and outstanding example of delicate carving is an absolute must.

Jama Masjid
Is one of the finest mosques in India with 260 pillars supporting 15 domes at different elevations. Built by Ahmad Shah in 1423, the Masjid is located in the center of the old city.

Kankaria Lake
It is a circular lake constructed in 1451 by Sultan Qutub-ud-Din. In the center of the lake is an island garden with a summer palace known as Nagina Wadi.

Fairs and Festivals in Ahmedabad:

Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti or kite festival held on the 14th January, the, marks the end of winter and return of the sun to northern hemisphere and is hence named “Uttar ayan”. On this particular day everybody in Ahmedabad starts the day with kite flying and continues into the night by attaching lamps to kites so one can see them in the sky.

Rath Yatra
Rath Yatra In the months of June or July a massive procession takes place from the Jagannath (Juggernaut) temple in Ahmedabad. Amidst the chanting of the sacred and Vedic hymns, a sacred chariot is taken out carrying idols Krishna, Balram and Subhadra. If in the area, this shouldn’t be missed. Don’t forget you camera!

Tarnetar Festival
Tarnetar Festival August or September Just 3 hours drive from Ahmedabad, Tarnetar, a quiet hamlet is transformed into a whirl of colour & excitement in the first week of Bhadrapad. The Tarnetar fair is one of the most colourful events in Gujarat & is attended by various tribes of Gujarat. During the festival match making is celebrated over 3 days and 2 nights. It’s another fun filled festival worth viewing.

Shopping in Ahmedabad
Shopping in Ahmedabad is fun wandering through this city of fabrics and curios with a strong old world charm. Premier shopping areas in Ahmedabad are C.G.Road, Ashram Road, Law Garden, and Relief Road. The Khadi Gram Udyog Emporiums, Hastkala, Kapasi Handicrafts Emporium, Saurashtra Emporium, and Bandhej are some of the places where one can get cotton garments, handicrafts, and curios. Gurjari, the Gujarat State Crafts Emporium, has some of the best products not only from Ahmedabad but also from Gujarat. Teen Darwaja in old city, once a great place for antique, will be a fascinating shopping experience if one has the time and inclination for bargaining.

How to get there:

By Air
Ahmedabad airport is 10 km north of the city and has both the domestic and international terminal.

By Rail
Ahmedbad has direct train services to major cities in India.

By Road
Ahmedabad has good highways connecting it to all major places in Gujarat and other states. Interstate buses of different states of India provide services to and from Ahmedabad.

Taj Mahal is a feeling that caresses one’s heart like a pure melody of love. Mesmerizing, majestic, scintillating – the Taj Mahal in Agra India is a wondrous gift to the world that depicts love in all its grandeur. Renowned for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty, it counts among man’s proudest creations and is invariably called one of the wonders of the world.

Synonymous with India, the Taj Mahal in Agra is undoubtedly the epitome of India tourism. India travel is incomplete without experiencing the Taj Mahal. This supreme temple of love, standing gracefully by the sacred Yumana at Agra, has become the monument of a man’s love for a woman.

Taj Mahal, the sensuous temple of love, demand to be savoured without interruption when you tour India. The Taj experience is more then just seeing a beautiful monument of India. It’s an insight into the history, culture and heritage of India.

Best time to visit
From November to February