India Travel

Book and map outlets in the USA

Related Properties from Gurgaon

Book and map outlets in Canada

Open Air Books and Maps, 25 Toronto St, Toronto, ON M5R 2C1 416/363-0719. Ulysses Travel Bookshop, 4176 St-Denis, Montreal 514/843-9447. World of Maps, 1235 Wellington St. Ottawa. ON K1Y3A3 613/724-6776, World Wide Books and Maps, 552 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3J5 604/687-3320

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 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

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

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

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.

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

Moving on from Manali in Himachal Peadesh

Manali is well connected by bus to other Himachali towns and major cities on the plains. HPSRTC run luxury, deluxe and ordinary buses, all of which can be booked at the bus stand. During the summer, demand invariably outstrips supply, particularly for the faster services, so book as far in advance as possible, and be prepared for regular and fruitless visits to ticket offices. The numerous travel agents dotted around town also sell tickets for private "deluxe" services to Delhi, Shimla and Dharamsala. Consider breaking your journey in Mandi (for Rewalsar) or using the Kangra valley railway to reach Dharamsala,

Amrit Book Co, 21 N-Block, Connaught Place in Delhi

Vast slock of novels and books on history, philosophy and religion. Bahri & Sons, Khan Market. Legendary shop with books piled to the ceiling, covering every possible subject; if you find the cramped shop confusing ask one of the helpful assistants. Bahrf's will order books and ship them abroad and are reliable. The Bookshop, Khan Market. Small but good selection in this popular market renowned for its bookshops, with all the latest titles and a comprehensive section on Indian literature, religion and travel. Book Mark, A'2 Ring Road. South Extension 1. A modem bookshop with a growing reputation and a varied

The beach of Jagannath in Orissa

If a peaceful swim and a He in the sun are your top priorities, you may be disappointed with Puri beach. It's not just the constant stream of hawkers that's the problem - the stretch of beach in front of the fishing village has become a three-kilometre-long open-air toilet and rubbish dump. Although it's a cheaper and perhaps more natural way of dealing with sewage than pumping it into the ocean, it does tend to get between your toes on the beach. If you want to swim and sunbathe, the stretch of beach beyond the Sanskrit University, 3km to the

Listings of Guwahati in Northeast

Airlines British Airways, c/o Pelican Travels, Brahmaputra Ashok Hotel; Indian Airlines, GS Road, Ganeshguri Charili, near Assam Assembly. Dispur; Jet Airways, GNB Road, Silpukhuri; Air India, c/o Aryna Travels, on GS Road, Bhangagarh, 3km from the centre; Sahara, GS Road, Uluwari, near Bara petrol station. Banks and exchange ANZ Grindlays on GNB Road (Mon-Fri 10am-3pm; Sat 10am-12.30pm), opposite the State Museum changes US and Australian dollars, or pounds sterling, and cashes travellers' cheques. The State Bank of India (Mon-Fri 10am-2pm, Sat 10am-noon) on MG Road, 50m west of ARB Road, cashes travellers' cheques and changes foreign currencies. Bookshops There are

Moving on from Goa

Wherever possible, try and book plane tickets directly through the airline as private agents charge the dollar fare at poor rates of exchange; addresses of airline offices in Panjim are listed on p.867. Seats on ail Konkan Railway services can be booked at the KRC reservation office on the first floor of Panjim's Kadamba bus stand (Mon-Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 8am-2pm), or at KRC's main reservation hail in Margao station (Mon-Sat 8arrM.30pm, Sun 8am-2pm 0834/712780). Make your bookings as far in advance as possible, and try to get to the offices soon after opening time - the queues can be horrendous.

Nagpur Practicalities in Maharashtra

Nagpur's busy central mainline railway station, Nagpur junction, is a short auto-rickshaw ride from the main hotel and market districts along Central Ave. MSRTC buses pull in at the State bus stand, a further 1500m southeast of the railway station. Buses to and from Madhya Pradesh use the smaller MPSRTC bus stand, five minutes' walk south down the main road outside the station. The MTDC tourist o6fice (10am-6pm;3)0712/529325) opposite the Hardeo Hotel on Dr Munje Margi Road, can book other MTDC accommodation but will disappoint if you're seeking specific information relating to Nagpur. At the helpful MPTDC tourist office, on the

Practicalities in Goa

Buses leave Margao (from outside die Kauiat Hotel on Praca Jorge Barreto) every thirty minutes tor Colva, dropping passengers at the main beach-front, and at various points along the main road. Auto-rickshaws charge Rs100 from the railway station. To rent a motorcycle, ask around the taxi rank, or in front of Vincy's Hotel, where l00 Yamahas are on offer at the usual rates. Petrol is sold by the Umiiari bottle from a little house behind the Menino Jesus College,just east of 's Resort. This is the only petrol stop m Colva, but the stuff sold may well be adulterated. 'Meeting Pome Travel