Date with history this summer: Travel from luxurious Bellary-Hampi to the backwaters of Alleppey

Big fat Indian holiday is all about family fun. Therefs enough reason why this Summer can be one thatfs brimming with exclusive activities with your parents, away from your city. Here are some tips on planning a family vacation. œ Travelling with family can be very enjoyable but it comes with its bit of coordination and double-checks. œ Definitely plan ahead and donft leave anything for lastminute offe.rs

Book your place-of-stay, activities on daily basis, local sight-seeing guided tours and comfort food, preferably the ones that kids love. œ Travelling with your parents along can mean some responsible planning of arrivals and departures.

It may take longer if parentsf mobility is a concern. Make sure their luggage is packed with necessary medication. œ Budgets can fluctuate if activity and meal plans are varied. Be firm and eat at appropriate meal time slots, so you donft end up ordering room service when you could be outdoors during that hour. Keep some time aside for shopping as well, your mother will love it.

Luxury amidst heritage ruins Region:

Bellary-Hampi Apleasant drive away from Bangalore is the temple town of Bellary. It is a historic city in Ballari District in Karnataka. Once you get here, it’s a relatively usual sight to find many foreigners flocking to Hampi to take to the sights of this ancient architectural marvel. Some luxury trains, which stop-over in Bangalore have a special tour for tourists to visit Hampi.

Hampi bliss: Local bards and performers welcome tourists in Hampi
What’s in a name? It is said that the name Hampi can also mean ‘champion’. Located within the ruins of the city of Vijayanagara, Hampi’s beauty is truly spellbinding. One of the most searched Indian cities of Karnataka on the internet, this religious centre also houses the Virupaksha Temple. The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed as the Group of Monuments at Hampi.

Quiet flows the Tungabhadra: Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. With Hospet as the nearest railway head, many visitors flock during the annual fest called ‘Vijaya Utsav’ or ‘Vijaya Festival’.

Shop for some local artefacts: Handcrafted stone artefacts, oil lamps, figures of Nandi, Ganesh and Shiva linga are quite popular with tourists. Tribal Lambani women sells their handmade ware on carts alongside the roads. There are stalls outside the Virupaksha Temple as well. Sandur Kushala Kendra in Sandur (about an hour’s drive from Hampi) is a great spot to meet the artisans, appreciate their craft and then buy the goods.

Backwaters & jungle fun Region:

Alleppey-Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary-Thekkady This trip to the Backwaters will be perfect for your family this season. Read along: While jungles fascinate the nature lover, a slice of history always adds information to the curious minds of children. A fabulous way to make a vacation worthy is with some interactive fun. We suggest you make your way to Alleppey and enjoy the pre-monsoon showers while on a luxury houseboat. A private butler and chef cater to your food needs (definitely try a traditional meal spread) and then book a private viewing of a Kathakali performance. The dancer also sings old narrations about Kerala’s rich history. Your kids will be fascinated with this unique storytelling session, for sure.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary: Just one hour drive away from Alleppey is the lush green getaway of Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. It’s a paradise for bird lovers where you can identify rare species of waterfowl, cuckoo, egret, cormorant, moorhen and Siberian crane.


Support local economy by shopping locally

Thekkady: In the Periyar forest of Thekkady, visit one of the finest wildlife reserves in India called the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary amidst plantations and hill towns. Take a guided short trek in the greens or enjoy a boat ride to view wildlife at close quarters. The herds of wild elephants that come out to play in the lake is another big attraction for tourists who visit Thekkady. Keep a day aside for some fabulous shopping in these spots. Support local economy by buying memorabilia that will become the centrepiece in your home.