OUR DESTINATIONS
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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Asia
- India
- Kerala
- Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
Situated on a hilltop at the southern end of India is Kerala's
capital, Thiruvananthapuram (still commonly known as Trivandrum).
For most visitors the capital is simply a transit-point on their
way to Kovalam, the popular beach resort a few miles to the south.
However, it is worth lingering for a day or so in this easy-going
city to explore the narrow backstreets, old gabled houses and
expansive parks.
The most fascinating part of Trivandrum is the Fort area, around
the Shri Padmanabhaswamy temple (closed to non-Hindus); and Puttan
Malika palace, seat of the Travancore Rajas. Some of the palace has
been turned into a museum, and displays a collection of heirlooms
and artefacts; however, the highlight is the building's typically
understated, elegant Keralan architecture. Beneath sloping
red-tiled roofs, hundreds of wooden pillars carved into the forms
of rampant horses prop up the eaves, with airy verandas projecting
onto the surrounding lawns.
When it gets too hot at sea level, Ponmudi makes a welcome
excursion. This enchanting hill station, tucked away in the Western
Ghats forty miles to the north of the capital, offers a lot to
travellers with a passion for trekking; and just as much to those
who'd prefer a gentle wander along narrow, winding pathways,
through cool green, wooded environs thick with mountain flowers and
butterflies. The hill resort is surrounded by tea-estates and
mist-covered valleys, and peppered with little stone cottages
painted violet, pink and white.
Information & Facts
Language
Although English is generally used for official and
business purposes, Hindi is the official language and is spoken by
about 40 percent of the population. Urdu is the language common
with the Muslim demographic. India has a total of 22 official
languages
Money
The currency is the Indian Rupee (INR), which is divided into
100 paise (singular paisa). Major currencies can be changed at
banks, and authorised bureaux de changes. It is impossible to
obtain rupees outside India, but no matter what time you arrive in
India there will be an exchange office open at the airport. It is
illegal to exchange money through the black market and it is
advisable to refuse torn notes, as no one will accept them apart
from the National Bank. It is best to change money into small
denominations. Travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely
accepted, particularly in tourist orientated establishments. ATMs
are not generally available.