India Travel

Book and map outlets in Canada

Related Properties from Gurgaon

North America From Canada

The only direct flight from Canada to India is Vancouver-Delhi on Air Canada (via London, and taking under 20hr). All other routeings involve a plane change and more layover time. Air Canada flies during shoulder and high season from all major Canadian cities to London, where passengers can join the Vancouver-Delhi flight; the rest of the year they fly through Zurich. Other airlines offering services to India, via their capitals, include British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM and Aeroflot. This list doesn't convey the full range of possibilities, however. A discount agent will probably break the journey into two using

Book and map outlets in Australia and New Zealand

Mapland, 372 Little Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC3000 03/9670 4383 The Map Shop 16a Peel St, Adelaide. SA 500008/8231 2033 Perth Map Centre 884 Hay St, Perth, WA 6000308/9322 5733 Speciality Maps 58 Albert St. Auckland 3)09/307 2217 Travel Bookshop Shop 3,175 Liverpool St, Sydney, NSW 2000 302/9261 8200 Worldwide Maps and Guides 187 George St. Brisbane, OLD 4000 07/3221 4330 Mapworld, 173 Gloucester Street, Chnstchurch 303/374 5399, fax 03/374 5633,

Book and map outlets in the USA

ADC Map and Travel Center, 1636 I St NW, Washington DC 20006 e 202/628 2608, Adventurous Traveler Bookstore, P0 Box64769, Burlington, VT 05406 1-800/282-3963,8 Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera, CA 94925 415/927-0960, The Complete Traveler Bookstore, 199Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016 212/685- 9007; 3207 Fillmore St, San Francisco. CA 92123 415/923-1511. Distant Lands, 56 S Raymond Ave. Pasadena,CA 91105 626/449-3220, Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, Seattle, WA 98104 $206/624-6600, Map Link, 30 S La Petera Lane, Unit #5, Santa Barbara, CA 93117 805/692-6777, Phileas Fogg's Books & Maps, #87 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, CA 94304 1- 800/533-FOGG. Rand McNally,

From the West Coast

From the West Coast, it takes about as long to fly east or west - a minimum of 22 hours' total travel time - and if you're booking through a consolidator there may not be much difference in price. Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, Northwest, Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines are the main carriers flying over the Pacific to India, via their respective hubs. Air India doesn't do the trans-Pacific route, but can book passengers on Northwest to any of several Asian capitals and then fly them the rest of the way. From Los Angeles or San Francisco, you're looking at a

Book and map outlets in the UK and Ireland

Blackwell's Map and Travel Shop, 53 Broad St, Oxford 0X1 3BQ 01865/792792, Daunt Books, 83 Marylebone High St, W1M 30E 020/7224 2295, 020/7224 6893; 193 Haverstock Hill, NW3 4QL 020/7794 4006, Heffers Map and Travel, 20 Trinity St, Cambridge, CB2 1TJ 01223/586 586, John Smith and Sons, 26 Colquhoun Ave, Glasgow, G52 4PJ 0141/221 7472, James Thin Melven's Bookshop, 29 Union St, Inverness, IV1 1QA 01463/233500, The Map Shop, 30a Belvoir St, Leicester, LE16QH 0116/2471400 National Map Centre, 22-24 Caxton St, SW1HOOU 020/7222 2466, Newcastle Map Centre, 55 Grey St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6EF 0191/261 5622, Stanfords: 12-14 Long Acre. WC2E 9LP 020/7836 1321; British Airways

Rough Guide travel insurance

Rough Guides now offers its own travel insurance customized for our readers by a leading UK broker and backed by a Lloyd’s underwriter. It's available for anyone, of any nationality or age, travelling anywhere in the world. There are two main Rough Guide insurance plans: Essential for basic, no-frills cover (£23.03 worldwide) for two weeks; and Premier- with more generous and extensive benefits (£28.79 worldwide). Alternatively, you can take out annual multi-trip insurance which covers you for any number of trips throughout the year (with a maximum of 60 days for any one trip) at £83.99 (worldwide). Unlike many policies, the

Shopping for Ramnagar in Eastern UP

With hustlers and rickshaw drivers keen to drag tourists into shops offering commission, shopping in Varanasi can be a nightmare — but it's worth seeking out the city's rich silk-weaving and brasswork. The best areas to browse are the Thatheri Bazaar (for brass), or Jnana Vapi and the Vishwanatha Gah with its Temple Bazaar (for silk brocade and jewellery). State-run emporia in Godaulia, Lahurabir and the Chowk - the three UP Handlooms outlets at Lahurabir, Nadesar and Neechi Bag, and Mahatex in Godaulia - offer fixed prices and assured quality. Housed in a former palace opposite the Taj Hotel in

Shopping at Ramnagar in Varanasi at the Eastern UP

With hustlers and rickshaw drivers keen to drag tourists into shops offering commission, shopping in Varanasi can be a nightmare — but it's worth seeking out the city's rich silk-weaving and brasswork. The best areas to browse are the Thither Bazaar (for brass), or Jnana Vapi and the Vishwanatha Gah with its Temple Bazaar (for silk brocade and jewellery). State-run emporia in Godaulia, Lahurabir and the Chowk - the three UP Handlooms outlets at Lahurabir, Nadesar and Neechi Bag, and Mahatex in Godaulia - offer fixed prices and assured quality. Housed in a former palace opposite the Taj Hotel in

Practicalities of Nainital in Uttaranchal

Two main highways approach Nainital from opposite ends; one arrives at Mallital from Ranmagar and Corbett National Park, the other, which brings in most of the traffic, comes in at Tallital in the south. Buses and taxis from Tallital travel with great frequency to the closest railhead at Kathgodam near Haklwani, 40km south. The nearest airport, at Pantnagar, 72km south, is rarely used and best reached by taxi. ParvatTours and Tourist Information Centre,Tallital (05942/35656), run by KMVN, organizes tours, car rental and books accommodation at all KMVN lodges. Cars can also be rented from agencies along the Mall, such as Hina

Varkalanorthwest Arrival and information in Kerala

Varkala's railway station, 2km east of the village, is served by express and mai trains from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam (hourly; 45min), and most other Keralan towns on the main line. An auto-rickshaw to the beach costs around Rs20-30. Regular buses also run from Thiruvananthapuram's Thampanoo stand, and from Kollam (lhr-2hr 30mm). A few go all the way to the bead" but most stop in the village centre, a five-minute auto-rickshaw ride away. 1 you can't get a direct bus, take any "superfast" or "limited stop" bus along th main highway, NH-47, and change at Kallamballam from where you can ho onto

Once an international port and state capital, Porbandar in Gujarat

Once an international port and state capital, PORBANDAR, smack in the middle of the 200km of coastline between Veraval and Dwarka, is inextricably associated with the family of Mahatma Gandhi, who was born here. In fact, he was just one m an important political line - his uncle, father and grandfa- a ther all served as prime minister to the Maharaja of the Jethwa Rajput state. In " addition, and in common with much of the southwest coast of Saurashtra, Porbandar is linked with the legends of Krishna -

Eating to Amritsar in Haryana and Punjab

Amritsar boasts a clutch of swish a/c restaurants, mostly located in the modern end of town north of the railway. For cheaper food, try the simple vegetarian dhabas around the Golden Temple and bus stand serving cheap and tasty puris and chana dhal. Some local specialities are Amritsari Gsh and pinnies and matthies, sweets made from lentils available at Durga% on Lawrence Road. Bharawan da Dhaba. near the Town Hall. One of the best dhabas in Amritsar, not far from the Golden Temple. Cheap, wholesome and recommended. Crystal, Crystal Chowk. Ore of the city's most popular restaurants, with mid-priced Indian, Chinese and

Airline offices in Hyderabad

Airlines Air France : Gupta Estate 1st floor, Basheerbagh S 040/323 0947 Air India : 5-9-193 HACA Bhavan. opposite Public Garden Saifabad -r 040/323 2747 British Airways : Nijhawan Travel Services, 5-9-88/4 Ainulaman Fateh Maidan Rd . 040/324 1661 Delta / Sabena / Swissair / Singapore Airlines, GSA: Aviation Travels, Navbharat Chambers, 6-3-1109/1 Raj Bhavan Rd Guif Air / TWA / Bangladesh Biman / Air Canada / Royal Jordanian : Jet Air, Flat 202,5-9-58 Gupta Estate. Basheerbagh Indian Airlines : opposite Assembly Saifabad For general flight information: Call 140 Pre-recorded flight info : 142; Jet Airways, 6-3-1109/1 GF Nav Bharat Chambers, Raj

Important Telephone Numbers : Hyderabad

Cycles Bicycles can be rented for Rs 20 per day at a friendly stall on the right as you approach Hyderabad station from Nampally High Road. Hospitals : The government-run Gandhi Hospital is in Secunderabad; the private CDR Hospital is in Himayataagari and there's a Tropical Diseases Hospital in Nallakunta. Internet access : The most convenient internet access is available from Satyam Online at Modern Xerox (daily 9am-10pm: s 040/460 3894, near the Ek-minar mosque, behind Nampally station, for Rs 35 per hour. Other outlets are to be found in the Abids area. Library : The British Library at Secretariat Road (Tues-Sat 11

Books in Calcutta

The month-long Calcutta Book Fair, held on the Maidan near Park Street in January and February, is now among the biggest of its kind in the country, and provides a good opportunity to pick up books at a discount. Classical Books, Middleton Row. Small, friendly and well worth a browse. Dey Bros. B47 New Market. One of several bookshops in this part of the market selling popular books on India and a selection of novels. Family Book Shop, 1A Park St. On the Chowringhee end of Park Street, this place is small but crammed full of books. Landmark, Emami Shoppers City, 3

Arrival, information and orientation of Udhagamandalam in Central Nadu

Most visitors arrive in Ooty either by bus from Mysore in Karnataka (the more scenic, if steeper, route goes via Masinagudi), or on the miniature mountain railway from Coonoor and Mettupalayani. The bus and railway stations are fairly close together, at the western end of the big bazaar and racecourse. Local transport consists of auto-rickshaws and taxis, which meet incoming trains and gather outside the bus stand and on Commercial Road around Charing Cross. You can rent bikes but the steep hills make cycling very hard work. The TTDC tourist office (Mon-Sat 10am-5.45pm) on the corner of Kelso Road and Woodhouse

Fabrics and clothing in Calcutta

Calcutta's dress sense, in general, is conservative, and the choice of ready-made garments is not very exciting. However, a wide range of fabrics is available, and all outlets should be able to point you towards a very good (and very cheap) tailor; there are several around Mirza Ghalib Street and Sudder Street. A handful of upmarket boutiques such as Burlingtons and Benetton, both on Mirza Ghalib Street, cater for the city's wealthy. You can still get shoes made to order at one of the many Chinese shoe shops around Chittaranjan Avenue. Balaram Saha, 14/6 Gariahat Rd.Tangail,Baluchari and Kantha saris from Bengal.

Medical resources for travelers

For up-to-the-minute information, make an appointment at a travel clinic. These clinics also sell travel accessories, including mosquito nets and first-aid kits. Information about specific diseases and conditions, drugs and herbal remedies is provided as well as advice from health experts. You could also consult the Rough Guide to Travel Health by Dr Nick Jones. UK British Airways Travel Clinics Operates several clinics located in London including 156 Regent St, London W1 020/7439 9584 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.15pm, Sat10am-4pm; no appointment necessary). There are appointment-only branches at 101 Cheapside, London EC2 020/7606 2977, and at the BA terminal in London's Victoria Station 020/7233 6661.

Listings in Haryana and Punjab

Ambulance S102Airline offices Air India, SCO 107-108, Sector 17- B (Mon-Fri 9.30am-1 pm & 2-5.30pm, Sat 9.30arrH pm; 0172/703510): British Airways,Nijhawan Travel Services, Sector 9-D 0172/741419; Indian Airlines, #171-2, Sector17-C (Mon-Fri 10am-1pm & 2-5pm; 0172/704539); Japan Airlines, Onkar Travels,Sector 17-B 0172/704910; Jet Airways & Air Canada, Sector 9- 0172/705092; Kuwait Airlines, Trans Air Travels, Sector 17 0172/702833; Lufthansa. Sector 17-C 0172/702435. Bajaj Travels, SCO 96-97, Sector17-C (0172/704500) are agents for internationalairlines, as well as domestic airlines Archana andJagsons. Banks and exchange Several of the banks ranged around Bank Square on the northwest side of Sector 17 change money, including the UCO

By air in Delhi

If you don't already have a ticket for a flight out of India, you'll have little trouble finding one, except between December and March when it may be difficult to get a flight at short notice. While you can buy tickets directly from the airlines, who ail have offices around Connaught Place, it saves time and leg-work co book through an agency (see p.151); reputable agents abound in Paharganj, and there are several on janpath. The cheapest deals are to be had from touts on the street; make sure they're genuine by ringing the airline (see p.148) to check you