Around the World

Calton Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, is no ordinary hill. It has national monuments and, as you must have seen in a zillion photos of the place, it is where you should head for a fabulous view of the city’s skyline. Don’t forget to take binoculars!

One of the major highlights of our trip to Sri Lanka was a boat cruise across the Madu River, referred to in the tour operator’s itinerary as 'Delightful Madu River Safari'. It was indeed delightful, and truly marvellous, something that you should not miss out on. It is not some kind of luxury cruise that you may have enjoyed in, say Goa. It is a cruise in a motorboat and as you ride along through lush mangroves, you will be enchanted in many ways.

One of the many, many plus points of staying at Hotel Gautam in Porvorim, Goa is the in-house restaurant. There is absolutely no need to go elsewhere to dine unless you crave non-vegetarian food since this is an only-veg restaurant. The food and service are excellent by all standards and really yummy😋 What's more, they are willing to customize food and lend an ear to a request for something specific. The restaurant is also one of the best we've ever dined in with its bright yellow cheerful interior, flooded by natural light, with sketches on the walls that will bring an instant smile to your face. 

We had a fabulous stay at Hotel Gautam Porvorim last month. A charming hotel with comfortable rooms and delicious food - all that a guest would wish for!  You can choose between a Standard room, a Superior room, a Deluxe room, and a Villa. The tariff is for two persons for the standard and superior rooms, while for the deluxe room and the villa, it is for four persons. There is an additional charge for an extra person in the same room/villa. You can opt for a package that includes the meal plan, but if you plan to travel around and dine out somewhere, you can take the package without the meal plan.

Hotel Gautam, Porvorim, Goa is the place to stay if you are seeking homely, vegetarian food with, naturally, comfortable rooms. Not only is it an ideal place for families with kids, but it is also a 100% safe place for ladies travelling solo or in groups. The tariff plans they offer, with or without meals as per your choice, are value for money, so don't hesitate to book a stay here. As mentioned in my initial post on the hotel location , it is beneficial to book a minimum 3-night stay so that you get free pick-up and drop-off service from the airport/railway station and complimentary sightseeing. 

On a recent trip to Goa, we stayed at Hotel Gautam, Porvorim which is located in North Goa. It was a wonderful 3-night stay in comfortable rooms with absolutely delectable customized vegetarian meals served in their in-house restaurant . Overall, excellent hospitality and a stay worthy of multiple visits. In this blog post, though, I would first like to focus on the location and travelling to the hotel.

One of the most common tourist spots of any tour package to Madikeri in Coorg, Karnataka, is Raja's Seat. On looking up feedback on Raja's Seat, most people say, "There's nothing much to do" or "It is basically just a garden where you can't really do anything" and other such inane stuff. What beats me is why on earth it is necessary to do something each time you visit a nice place. Why on earth can't people simply enjoy relaxing and doing nothing at all?! That is what Raja's Seat is meant for - relaxing, simply enjoying the lovely greenery and the beautiful views.  So here's feedback on this lovely place in Madikeri from somebody who visited some years ago, and loved it for what it is - one of those rare green environments where you are not expected to do any of the usual touristy things!