Long Weekend Holidays are special for people who have corporate jobs. By taking one or a maximum of two leaves we get almost Four to Five days leaves to travel. Every year I make a calendar for Long weekend holiday for myself and plan my travels in advance. This year I thought of sharing this Long weekend Holiday Calendar for 2020 so that you can benefit and plan your holidays too.
If you are from Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore then this Long Weekend Holiday Calendar will help you to plan your perfect vacation during Long weekends in India. A small note before I start the local festival holidays may vary based on your company or state. However, I have taken into account the holidays given in 2020 by a few top companies in India. I have suggested the places where you should ideally based on the season however you always have an option to reshuffle the places where you want to travel during these Long weekend holidays in 2020.
So let’s begin the planning for Long weekend holidays in 2020.
If you want the PDF version of the Long Weekend Holiday Calendar , CLICK HERE to Download for Free.
If you want the PDF version of the Long Weekend Holiday Calendar , CLICK HERE to Download for Free.
Its Christmas in Kolkata and it is the time again the city of joy decks ups in beautiful lights. Christmas and New Year in Kolkata is special just like Durga Puja and until you are in Kolkata during Christmas you will not be able to get a feel of it.
Christmas in Kolkata is the time when people of Kolkata have yummylicious cakes, party the old colonial way and just have fun. This fun atmosphere extends from Christmas to New Year in Kolkata. There are lots of things to do in Kolkata during Christmas and New Year. If you plan to spend your Christmas or New Year in Kolkata then keep on reading the blog as Shoestring Travel brings exciting things to do during Christmas and New Year.
Have you ever entered into a Time Machine where time has stopped approximately 300 years back? Bari Kothi is a living time machine where, as soon as you enter you will be transformed into an era of Nawabs. Bari Kothi is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in Azimganj, Murshidabad which has been painstakingly restored to its lost glory. Bari Kothi welcomes you with its majestic Corinthian and Doric columns and lights from beautiful chandeliers. You take a small step inside Bari Kothi and you can’t miss the long corridors, beautiful checkered floor, antique furniture and to keep you company there is a library with old books. Bari Kothi has everything to take you back to the era when the aristocracy was Royal. If you want to get a royal experience Bari Kothi is the perfect luxury heritage hotel in India and is one of the best heritage hotels in India.
Bari Kothi is own by the Dhudhoria family and built by Rai Bahadur Budh Sing Dudhoria who belonged to the Sheherwali community. Before you time travel through Bari Kothi it’s important to understand the Sheherwali community. Understanding the Sheherwali community will help you appreciate the nuances of the Unique Luxury Heritage Hotel – Bari Kothi
Murshidabad Silk : The story of the golden threads. Most of the people relate the place- Murshidabad with Siraj Ud Daulah & Murshidabad Silk. Murshidabad has witnessed a golden legacy of innumerable important historical events that changed the history of India. Murshidabad is the second largest silk producing district in West Bengal. The position of Murshidabad near the Bhagirathi river made the town an important center for Silk Trade. Muslin, Jamdani and Baluchari Butidar Sarees from Murshidabad can be found in the Art Galleries of the Indian Museum in Kolkata, too.
Authentic Bengali food in Kolkata? Don’t worry, you don’t have to splurge. Every time someone comes to Kolkata and asks me where can s/he authentic Bengali food in Kolkata, I don’t recommend fine dining or specialty restaurants but I recommend to go to old heritage places which serve authentic Bengali food and in an authentic way. Well, Kolkata offers the perfect gastronomic journey for a foodie.
Kolkata serves unique food from breakfasts to dinner and you have to taste and try it yourself. One word of caution the places suggested here doesn’t have the best of the décor, however, one assurance you will find the tastiest foods here and will be able to pamper your taste buds with authentic Bengali food.
In search of authentic Bengali food in Kolkata, in this blog post, I will start with Breakfast and then move to lunch/dinner and end with evening snacks.
The pocket pinch in the below places is not more than Rs 200/300 per person. This price is for lunch and for breakfast and evening snacks it will be below Rs 100 per person.
Water Sports in Goa will give you adrenaline rush next time you plan your holiday in Goa. Goa – a most popular beach holiday destination is not only for Indians but foreigners too because of its beauty and ample opportunities for adventure. Goa is in the coastal area offering a wide range of water sports, especially in North Goa. There are a number of hotels, resorts and agencies who offer a wide range of water sports in Baga beach, Candolim beach, Bogmallo beach, Calangute beach, Cavelossim beach or Colva Beach at affordable rates. You can check Goa Yacht which has lots of options for water sports in Goa.
Goa the beach paradise in India is known for many beaches which are frequented by tourists, however, there are many Secret or Hidden Beaches in Goa which are not frequented by tourists. These hidden beaches in goa are almost empty and you will get a feel of a private beach in Goa. When visiting Goa forget the normal beaches like Baga, Anjuna, Calangute instead head to these hidden beaches in Goa.
These beaches are not in touristy areas hence don't expect to get shacks and food at these places. Carry your own lunchbox or packed food here. You and your friends or partner can have a perfect day at these hidden beaches in Goa.
There are sweet shops in Kolkata and there are Heritage Sweet shops in Kolkata. Kolkata or Bengal is synonymous with sweets. Kolkatans are incredibly proud of the sweets of Bengal and their unique appeal. There are numerous sweet shops in Kolkata which has sprouted like mushrooms and which are known for fusion or modern sweets. However, if you are looking for authentic and tasty sweets in Kolkata then where should you head?
My friends who come to Kolkata from outside Bengal often ask me this question - From where can I buy sweets to take back for my family. Most people are aware of one or two shops, however, there is a treasure trove of heritage shops which are serving Kolkata for more than 100 Years.
Yes, these Heritage sweets shops in Kolkata are more than 100 years old and you have to visit these places to get the real taste of sweets which Kolkata or Bengal is known for. They still have the old world charm and follow the authentic recipes of the sweets without adding any fusion to them. These legendary and heritage sweets shops in Kolkata are absolutely a must-visit in your lifetime.
Rangrez a Muslim Marwari community whose tradition involves dyeing of clothes by hand in Kolkata is vanishing soon. Yes, you read it right a unique culture, heritage, and way of living will vanish from the city of Kolkata in the next 10 years if we don't do anything about it. Every year many cultures, communities, heritage vanish from the face of the earth due to modernization and this photo story is one such example of it where communities are vanishing from Kolkata in India.
While I was walking through the lanes of Kolkata in search of the Rangrez community who dye the clothes with hands using colors I remembered the Bollywood song from the Bollywood movie Tanu Weds Manu which means- "my Rangrez tell me which color have to put in the water with love"
Aye rangrez mere,
Aye rangrez mere,
Yeh baat bata rangrez mere,
Yeh kaun se paani mein tu ne,
Kaun sa rang ghola hain…
These days only 10-15 families out of 3000+ Rangrez community practice the art. Rest all of them have shifted to other work. And if the current plight of the Rangrez community continues within 10 years these 10-15 families will stop practicing the art of dyeing clothes using their hands.
About Me
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About me
TANAYESH TALUKDAR
An avid traveller & photographer always on the lookout for unique destinations,culture & food.At last count I had traveled to 26 countries across 5 continents.
I am extremely passionate about documenting the cultures & traditions on the verge of vanishing through my blog & photographs.
Through this travel blog Shoestring Travel I intend to bring travel stories & travel itineraries so that people can pursue their wanderlust on a budget.
If I can be of any help to you anything related to travel or photography I would be grateful.You can reach me at shoestringtravel.in@gmail.com