Located in the heart of Punjab, the city of Amritsar has some magnificent sights to offer. From the famous Jallianwala bagh to the Wagah border which is the only road border that divides India and Pakistan, there is a list of 5 such fascinating must see location in this city. Let’s take a look!

Jallianwala Bagh – Flashback

Ever since we’ve read about it in our history book, the incident that took place in1919 on the cold blooded orders of the British had been etched in our mind. Visting this place is like a flashback as one can find traces of the event even today. It is merely 5 minutes walk from the golden temple where a memorial has been built here to pay homage to all those men, women and children who lost their lives in this brutal incident.  Even today as you walk in you would see bullet holes on walls as well as the adjoining buildings. The well in which people jumped and drowned in an attempt to protect them from the shower of bullets in another site that had been preserved.

Wagah Border – Only road boarder

Located just 28 km from the city of Amritsar, wagah border is the only road border between India and Pakistan. Close to sundown hundreds of locals as well as tourist flock this place to witness the changing of guards’ ceremony as well as hoisting and retreating of their respective national flags. Soldiers of both the countries march in what is known as ‘Beating the retreat’ ceremony. Special buses have been organized from Amritsar to Wagah border and the ceremony takes place at a given time every evening. It lasts for thirty minutes ends with a handshake of guards of both the countries and the closing of the huge iron gates that divide the countries. This short excursion will revive a feeling of patriotism and should definitely be added to your itinerary while visiting Amritsar.

Mata Temple – Adventurous shrine

This is an elaborate Hindu cave temple which is devoted to the female saint Lal Devi. Initially only women who wished to get pregnant would visit this temple with the belief that Lal Devi would grant them an offspring. The path around the temple passes through tunnels and the caves are filled with ankle length water. Inclined pathways, mirrored hallways, variety of deities and the colours used, makes this more like an adventurous ride than a visit to a shrine. This place is also called Sheesh Mahal and Lal Dev and is highly recommended for all those adventure driven travellers.

Summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh – Walk through Sikh history

Located in Ram Bagh Park, this palace is now converted into a museum that houses oil paintings, coins and weapons that date back to the earlier Sikh period.

The Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama is also located here, so if you are in doubt, ask around so that you know you are in the right place.

Ram Tirth – Birth place of Love and Kush 

Known as the birth place of Love and Kush, the children of Ram and Sita, this place also has a hut where Saint Balmiki resided. The hut that he stayed in and wrote numerous holy scripts is still present here. Sita resided here for a long time after the birth of her children. The site also includes a well which is said to be dug by Hanuman. Devotes from all over visit this place to offer prayers to the deties.

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Hagia Sophia or ‘The Church of Holy Wisdom’ has withstood the course of history that has chosen religious sides. This is a church that was later converted to a mosque and ultimately resides now as a museum; one of those architectural marvels that encompass an entire breadth of aesthetic pursuits including bold Byzantine designs, polychrome marble, gold mosaics and stunning glass work.

A bit more

Interestingly even before you step into the structure, there are already three mausoleums of sultans, the church’s baptistery and the excavated remains of Theodosius’ Hagia Sophia waiting for your perusal!

There’s so much to take in but understanding the Hagia’s background will help you appreciate the niceties.

Structurally sound

Covered by an impassive 31 metre dome covered by glass, the Hagia Sophia almost feels like an alien space craft when inside! The light that tails you all the way through the structure illuminates your surroundings in a fascinating manner. The entire 56 meter marvel consists of four triangular parts; each absorbs the weight of the central dome which in turn allow for exquisite archways.

The décor includes polychrome marbles, gold mosaics over brick and other embellishments that have to be seen in detail. The upper floor bears a profundity of mosaics that can be viewed for hours!

The stuccos on the outside walls are also attention grabbing; the building is majestic with the rich flourishes of its many influences.

Restoration to rebirth

Created as far back as the 4th century, Haghia Sophia was initially a church that was plundered making way for a second structure built by Constantius. Burned down yet again in 532 AD and yet again rebuilt in 537 AD, the structure has stood the test of time what with earthquakes constantly uprooting its very base!

The Hagia Sophia was built as the seat for its principal; the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople. It was consigned for Byzantine imperial ceremonies as well.

Constantine who was the first Christian emperor and founder of Constantinople built the Hagia Sophia alongside many others in his sprawling empire.

Isidore and Anthemius, the architects were also professors of geometry at the University of Constantinople. You will see Justinian’s basilica; the very first masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and its influence which has influenced both the Muslims and Christians.

Time Gone By(zantine)

The big change happened around 1453 when Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror entered a defeated Constantinople and declared the beauty of the Hagia Sophia was a perfect fit for his imperial mosque. And so, it was.

As a mosque it has influenced much of the Ottoman aesthetic. Other mosques such as the Blue Mosque, the Suleiman, the Shehzade and the Rustem Pasha have all been influenced in more ways than one by the Hagia Sophia. This has remained a timeless truth.

Treasure Trove

The Hagia Sophia’s past has literally been set in stone; outside the entrance are stone cannonballs lined over the courtyard. Mehmet the Conqueror used these to win Constantinople.

You’ll see a gorgeous marble structure on the ground floor called the mihrab which directs you to Mecca.  The trove of mosaics found in galleries upstairs is nothing short of incredible.  You’ll see the Deësis Mosaic, depicting Jesus as an exultant king flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist.

History and religion were married to one another and this articulation can be found at the end of the South Gallery. The two golden Byzantine mosaics; Christ with Emperor Constantine and his queen, and the Virgin and Child with Emperor John II with his queen are works of art.

The exit also has an impressive mosaic. It depicts the Virgin with two important figureheads at the time; Constantine and Justinian.  Constantine is shown presenting a model of Constantinople to the Virgin while Justinian is shown presenting the rebuilt church of the Hagia Sophia. This is a must see; the mosaic was created in the 10th century!

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The city of Troy and its legendary war have captivated the west for nearly 3,000 years. The plains of Troy which were also treaded by Julius Caesar became a very important historical city. Read on to know more about it.

The city ruins that will leave you mesmerized

There are various gates that led were the entrance to the citadel but probably the most famous today is the South Gate. This is gate is believed to have been the main entrance to the fortress.  Today the gate has been renovated though only the roadway to the fortress survived out of the original structure. This roadway was covered in stone slabs and led to the main fortress. There is a drainage channel at the middle of the roadway that was part of the original plan, right from the main gate.

Another place that will interest you is the Lower City. This part of the main city was flourishing during the Troy IV period, during the 13th and the 14th century. The best part of these ruins is that though the main structure is smothered, the stone foundation of the main houses still remains. Even without much renovation, one can still have a feel of how this lower city looked like thousands of years ago.

Troy City has been a battle field for many years where many wars have been fought. Each major battle destroys the city, prompting the next inhabitants to build it a fresh. This has been done nine times and each time, there is a layer of settlement that is associated with each period. These nine layers are quite visible even though some parts were destroyed during one sessions of excavation in the late 1800s. These layers of settlement form one of the main attractions at the site.

There are other parts of Troy that will leave you mesmerized. They may not be as spectacular as you may think after watching the movie Troy, or reading books on Troy, but they give you a firsthand glimpse of what this magnificent historic city was like. Some of these places include the Roman Odeon, the Sanctuary, the Ramp, the Schliemann Trench, Megaron Building and many others.

A spectacular tour called Troy

Today Troy is more of a site than a city. You can literary visit Troy in one day even if you come from Istanbul. However, for you to have a real experience while on a visit to Troy, you should consider taking self driven tour to Troy with a tour guide on tow. With such a tour, you can visit the Gallipoli Battlefieds from Istanbul. The best time of the year to visit these battlefields is in April around the time of Anzac Day.

It is recommended that you take an overnight drive from Istanbul if you are staying there rather than driving during the day expecting to return by evening. This way, you wouldn’t be able to soak into the splendor of what Troy really was. And while there, you can take a guided tour to the ancient walls of Troy facing the plains of Troy and the waters of Dardanelles all the way to Gallipoli hills. Beyond Troy, you can trek to Mount Ida or Kazdagi, which are situated on the eastern side of Troy.

To crown your tour of Troy, you should make it a point of climbing the hokey wooden horse placed at the main entrance of the citadel that represent the Trojan horse told in the stories of old. The horse is a major attraction at Troy so it may be crowded especially during the weekends. It will be better if you can climb it on weekdays.

For the lovers of history and materials of ancient times, Troy is a place to be. It is one of the few places in the world where you can find some of the world’s oldest ruins that date back to around 3000 BC! Troy will simply sweep you off your feet to the ancient times of old.

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Nestled among ancient temples and architectural splendours, Chidambaram is a small temple town in Tamil Nadu, where Indian culture, tradition and religious rituals are well preserved with all its aesthetic values. Tall and towering temples mark the landscape of this small town.

Natraja Temple- A famed Shiva temple

The origins of this vast temple are buried in antiquity. As per Hindu belief there are five natural elements that form the whole world and there are five Shiva temples representing each of these elements. Chidambaram is one among the five temples that represents the air.

In this temple, Lord Shiva appears in the form of the cosmic dancer Nataraja. Thus, the main deity is a Nataraja idol, a distinct feature from other temples where Shivalingam is the prime deity. Built by the Chola Kings, the temple has imposing architecture with gopurams (towers) on each side and five spacious courts. It also has a deity of Lord Govindaraja Perumal, a form of Lord Vishnu, one of the few temples to have both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

In 5th century, the Pallava king Simhavarman, Hiranyavarman renovated the temple with Dravida style of architecture. The sculptures and images showcase the mesmerizing talents of South Indian and Dravidian creativity and artistic talents.

Arulmigu Thillai Kali Amman Temple

Arulmigu Thillai Kali Amman Temple is a revered temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali Amman and is one of the known Shakthi (Parvati) temples. ‘Thillai Kali’ form of the Goddess is a deity in anger. As per legend, Shiva and Parvati had an argument about their superiority. Both Siva and Sakthi were performing and as Shiva was about to get defeated, he did “Oorthava Thandava”, a position in dance where one raises their leg above their head. Sakthi could not do this step as she was shy. Thus, had to accept defeat and in anger went to the extreme end of the town.

Thus, her deity at Thillai Kali Temple is a deity in anger and has four faces. Brahma pacified her anger by chanting veda and praising her.

Sattanathar Temple

Sattanathar temple is a highly revered shrine with 71 Tevara Patikams. Located near Chidambaram it is considered to be the 14th of the Tevara Stalangal located to the North of the river Kaveri in the Chola region of Tamilnadu. It is place for Bhairava worship.

The temple complex has 3 different Shiva Shrines with the Bhramapureeswarar shrine at the lower level. The second one is called Thoniappar and the last one Vatukanathar shrine. There are 22 Theerthams associated with this shrine with three different forms of Shiva worshipped here- the Shivalingam (Bhrammapureeswarar), a collossal image of Uma Maheswarar (Toniappar) and Bhairavar (Sattanathar).

Chidambaram represents the rich cultural heritage of India through its revered Shiva temples so get ready to relish some ethereal bliss and architectural & sculptural grandeur.

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Basking between Maspalomas and San Agustin, Playa del Ingles stretches as an 8 km beach in Gran Canaria. Although it’s sunny all year round, the actual summers attract the young ones. The rest of the year you will witness a mélange of population with people flying from across the globe. Whoever visits, this sea resort ensures everyone has a perfect holiday!

The beach

The balmy beach here lets you just simply put your feet up. But you can also put your feet down by choosing from myriad leisure and sports activities such as sailing, windsurfing, jet-ski, water skiing, body boarding and also whale and dolphin excursions. Shake a leg at the grooving music at the beach bars and tingle your taste buds at the alluring beach restaurants.

What’s your theme?

If you want a relaxed sight-seeing then explore the neighbouring places here that are equally beautiful. Visit Aquasur and Ocean Water Park just next to the resort to have unexplainable fun. Even the Aqua Park in Puerto Rico is something to write home about. If you have had enough of water then you can also enjoy at the theme and amusement parks. If you want to experience a subtropical oasis and Zoo then Palmitos Park is what your are looking for.  Holiday World is a leisure and amusement park that translates enjoyment in superlative. Mundo Aborigen overlooking the Barranco de Fataga, is a gigantic and most breathtaking gorge on the island that you just should not miss. It is a beautiful done reconstruction of an ancient Canary village devoted entirely to the Guanche way of life.

Go cultural

The beach is not the only showstopper here. It has an entourage of many panoramic views and scenic beauty of mountains, forests, coastal and sand dunes! If you are here in time for their celebrations then don’t miss the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival, Fiesta del Charco and the Fiesta de los Aborigines here. Also ensure you take some culture back by shopping till you drop.

Burn the midnight oil

This place is also all its nightlife. Paint the place red, blue, green or any colour you want by experiencing the lively evenings and night time scenes hopping into Spanish, English, Irish and Scandinavian bars and restaurants. The music you need to grove to will be there waiting for you at one of these extraordinary bars. Playa del Ingles gives you the choice to pick from bars, disco pubs, nightclubs, gay bars and clubs, cocktail bars, Irish bars, sports bars, café bars with live music and almost every other kind of bar imaginable. The best 2 places here are Joy, for pop and commercial music, and for dance music it has to be Cream. You can also spend some mullah at casinos styled the Las Vegas way style show or in the sophisticated ones in Meloneras .

So where do you want to meet? On the beautiful stretch of a lazy beach or at a stimulating evening in the mysterious bars? Whatever you choose Playa del Ingles  will leave you wanting for more!

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Mother’s Day is a celebration of motherhood, maternal bonds and love. This relationship is celebrated world over on different dates in every country. In many countries it is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. Find out ways to make your mother feel special this Mothers day.

Mother’s day out

A delightful way of relishing the mother child bond is to spend the entire day with your mother, doing things that she loves. For instance, treat her to a movie, go out for a meal or just go for a long drive. Just ensure that you spend quality time with her. It will surely make her feel loved and wanted.

Shop till she drops

All girls love to shop so a little bit of retail therapy is a great way to spend this special day. Take your mother out to her favourite stores and let her shop to her heart’s content. You could buy her one of the many things on her shopping list. A little indulgence is always therapeutic.

Pamper her at the Parlour

Home and family are the top priorities for all mothers leaving little time for them to relax and look after themselves. So it’s time you pamper your mother with an appointment at a parlour for a day full of massages and spa. May be you could get yourself an appointment as well and enjoy some ‘together’ time at the parlour.

Message it perfect

If you’re staying away from your mother, a nice way to make her feel good on this special day is to send her a bouquet and a warm Mother’s Day SMS or greeting cards. This would make her feel cherished. There are a lot of websites that cater especially to such occasions so it’s only a click away.

Go down memory lane

There is no better way to spend time with your mom on this day than to go down the nostalgia lane. Bring out old photo albums and scrapbooks of your mother during her growing up years. Talk to her about her childhood. See pictures of your mother and you. As you go through these albums together you’ll create new lifelong memories while listening to her tell you the old ones.

So make this Mother’s day memorable and treat her to a celebration of just the two of you.

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Located four to ten kilometres above Dharamshala and it is an extremely popular with tourists. Mcleodganj was named for lieutenant governor of Punjab Sir Donald McLeod. Apart from its cool climes, lovely Himalayan vegetation and oodles of colonial charm, it is also politically significant as the Tibetan government in exile, the Central Tibetan Administration of the Dalai Lama, has its seat at Mcleodganj. If you’re not satisfied by the verdant hills, the snowy peaks and pure mountain air, there is a plethora of things to see and do at Mcleodganj.

Naam Art Gallery

Situated in Sidhbari, the Naam Art Gallery is a great place for art lovers to indulge their love for paintings. With permanent exhibits by Elsbeth Buschmann and Alfred Hallet, lovely acrylics, water colours and oil paintings, the whole gamut of paint mediums is covered at the Naam Art Gallery.

Peak Art Gallery

Located in the very heart of Mcleodganj the Peak Art Gallery is the perfect spot to drink in contemporary Tibetan art, from paintings to prints. The works of Tibetan artists residing in exile throughout India as well as internationally are featured, here, throwing light on their unique culture and heritage.

Tsuglag Khang

Buddhism is a flourishing faith at Mcleodganj, not least due to the large Tibetan population. A renowned Buddhist temple here is the Tsuglag Khang. A significant attraction, on its premises is located the famous Namgyal Monastery. Featured within the main temple are small representations of Chenrezig and Guru Rinpoche as well a spectacular figurine of the Buddha. As is typical of Buddhist temples there are also stupas and shrines aplenty. A veritable house of peace, this temple is surely worth a visit to experience the soothing atmosphere.

Tibetan Centre for Performing Art

Founded by the fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, on reaching India after being exiled from Tibet. While courses in various Tibetan performing arts such as dance, opera and music are conducted here, this centre was set up with the goal of preserving the artistic and cultural of the Tibetan people as well as serving to remind them of the same. There is also a Tibetan opera company comprised of professional and amateur performers who keep alive the tradition of Tibetan opera.

Picnic spots

In the foothills of the Great Himalayan mountain range, Mcleodganj is a picnicker’s paradise; located near the perennial snowline and ringed with a thick cover of oak, pine, deodar and rhododendron with many lakes its natural beauty will delight the hearts of nature lovers. Numerous cascading waterfalls such as the Bhagsu Waterfall and Galu Waterfall provide a lovely backdrop for trekkers and  picnickers and makes for amazing photographs.

Cuisine

Mcleodganj nourishes not just the soul but the palette and the stomach as well. The cuisine has a north Indian bent with strong Tibetan influences. Global cuisines such as Italian, Chinese and Japanese can be sampled at the many, many restaurants that dot the township. From tandoori to Thukpa, from penne to pizza and everything in between, at Mcleodganj you can eat to your heart’s content.

Accommodation

Mcleodganj is reachable by road, rail and air. There are a variety of accommodation options available from the less expensive to the luxurious that will fit all budgets. Little Lhasa is a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and undeniably the best way to experience Tibetan culture in India.

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Endless entertainment, unique dining experience and a five-star ship with thirteen decks, this journey which starts from Singapore takes you the classic Mediterranean way along the beaches of the lands of the rising sun.  You shop, travel and rejuvenate your senses for a pristine holidaying experience.

Singapore: Sun bath while you shop

Asia’s growing shopping destination Singapore has become a hot favourite among shoppers and travellers alike. Star cruise’s Superstar Virgo gives you an amazing experience as you shop and dine on the sultry streets of Singapore. The ship embarks from the Harbourfront Centre port, Singapore, the cruise’s last destination, giving shoppers an entire time of their life to enjoy the scenic landscape on Sentosa Island. Singapore’s vibrant galleries, art museums and cultural galore takes your holidaying experience just to another level. And, this is not just the day, but their enticing nightlife is something to wait for. You won’t sleep while you are in Singapore.

Langkawi: Laze around in the sun

One of the prime destinations that Superstar Virgo encompasses is the 104 islands of Langkawi in the Andaman Sea. Set on the Malaysian coast Langkawi enthrals visitors around the world with its breath-taking blue water beaches. It also counted amongst the World’s Geoparks by UNESCO. Nature lovers, this is your paradise. The Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, Pregnant Maiden Lake and the Langkawi islands offer you the best beaches and a recreational session with the nature. While on the floating-home, Superstar Virgo’s spacious cabins and an impeccable cuisine in their well-stocked bars and lounges soothe your nerves. The cabins are custom-designed to suit the colourful tastes of the Asian tourists.

Phuket: Entertainment and fun

With countless cuisines on each deck, that include Taverna (Poolside theme snacks bar), Café Gelato (Ice-cream bar, snacks), Mediterranean Buffet (International buffet restaurant), Samurai Restaurant (Japanese restaurant), The Taj (Indian (halal) buffet), Bellini (Champagne bar), Blue Lagoon (24-hour dining outlet with Asian specialties), Noble House (Chinese restaurant), Palazzo (Italian gourmet restaurant), Pavilion Restaurant (Chinese family style restaurant) and Bella Vista Restaurant (Continental main restaurant), the next stop of Superstar Virgo halts at Phuket, the land of jewels. The Phang Nga Bay offers you the best floral experience. Its flora and fauna are something to boast of! The Old Phuket Town surprises you with its funky architecture with some excellent restaurants and lip smacking dishes. While you are crusading through its tiny little streets, remember to peek in one of the jewellery shops, we guarantee you’ll be stunned with the intricate and modern jewellery designs all at affordable prices! And don’t forget the Big Buddha; it’s the star attraction in Phuket.

Redang: Rejuvenate in recreation

Fun-filled nights with family are on the galore with Superstar Virgo’s amazing outlets on the deck. Galaxy of the Stars (Live music, dance lounge and cocktail), The Lido (Show lounge), Out of Africa (Karaoke), Star Club (Games of chance) and Celebrity (Vodka club lounge) are among the few lounges and bars that provide you excellent hospitality, helping you spend some quality time with your loved one(s). Known for its underwater marine life, the moment you descend on its port, Redang presents you with an iconic landscape. Construed of nine islands Redang has a long stretch of beaches where you can go snorkelling or diving to meet the sea turtles! A perfect place for all newly married couples!

Enjoy the super safari of Superstar Virgo while you chill and bask on the sun-kissed deck.

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The wilderness of Canadian Rockies are home to the some of the best front country and back country hiking in the world.  Unmistakable for being home to some of the best experiences nature can provide, they are popular hiking destinations across all ages and skill levels.

Yoho National Park

Deriving its name from a Cree word that means awe and wonder, Yoho is one of the most beautiful national park in the contiguity of the Canadian Rockies. Holding true to its name, its 1,310 square kilometers is home to rock walls, spatial waterfalls, glacial lakes, snow capped mountains, gushing rivers and eerie quiet forests. Almost around 400 km of it is hiking trail that will take you through its 28 mountain peaks (at an altitude of above 3000 m), Emerald lake, Kicking Horse River and through the third highest waterfall of Canada, the Takakkaw Falls, with a free fall of 254 m. Also, on the trails is the Natural Bridge situated at the Emerald Lake Road, which is a nature carved bridge of solid rock made by the Kicking Horse River.

Jasper National Park of Canada

Jasper National Park is sprawled across 11,228 square kilometers, making it the largest of the Canadian Rocky mountain parks. Its sprawling spread is freckled with wide valleys, tough mountain terrains, slippery glaciers, alpine meadows, untamed rivers and forests. This serves as a perfect backdrop for almost 1200 kilometers of beautiful hiking trails that leads through its cascading waterfalls and flowered meadows. Home to an unsolicited and widely safe guarded eco system comprising of elks, bighorn sheep, mule deer to the higher species in the food chain like the wolves, grizzly bears and mountain lions. Among the host of highlights is Athabasca, the most easily accessible glacier in entire North America and Jasper lake dunes which is the only sand-dune ecosystem in the four mountain parks.

Kootenay National Park of Canada

Kootenay is the only national park representing the western edge of the Rockies and its mountain trench. The trench is visible from even the outer space as a major trough in the earth’s crust. Kootenay National Park is known for the vast diversities it offers. From the barren grasslands of Rocky mountain trench to glaciered peaks of the Continental divide, it is home to various sorts of landscapes, ecology and climate. It was in 1920 that all the 1406 kilometers of it was designated as a national park. Kootenay is thronged by millions of tourists who visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site to have a silent confrontation with some of the nature’s best kept secrets. For the escapist, the park offers everything from virgin new forests at the Vermilion pass to the azure blue glaciers and dolomite walls of Marble Canyon. With over 200 km of trails in Kootenay National Park from ranging from short walks to full day hikes, it is a wonderful place to tread with your footsteps.

Waterton Lakes

Out of the current 41 national parks in Canada, Waterton was the fourth to be designated as a national park. With around 500 square kilometers, it is also the smallest in the Canadian Rockies. It is a quiet, uncrowded national park in the south-west corner of the Alberta province where the mighty Rocky Mountains first decide to rise out of the greens of prairies.  It is also the world’s first and only park to be tagged as a World Heritage site, an International Peace Park and also as a Biosphere Reserve. The windswept mountains are home to diverse natural and cultural resources not found elsewhere. There are approximately 225 kilometers of world class hiking trails in Waterton. These trails provide for some amazing outdoor experiences with its breathtaking sceneries and the wildlife courtship it provides.

Banff National Park

Banff National Park was established in 1885, which makes it the oldest of all the national parks of Canada. With over 6,641 square kilometers of treacherous mountainous terrains, snow mapped glaciers, lush meadows and alpine forests; it offers a kaleidoscopic view of nature.  It is home to around 1600 square kilometers of hiking trails, many of which are designed to be mostly covered in a day or less. Also a natural habitat of the grizzly bears, the park warns its visitors to adhere to safety rules while using these trails. Thirteen hiking trails (from a kilometer to 13 kilometers) can be found in the Banff town’s immediate vicinity. The park mandates a group of four to cover the arduous Alymer Pass and the Alymer Lookout trails. There are around fifteen hiking trails in the Castle Junction and another thirty around the Lake Louise region catering to both the casual and serious hikers alike.

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The Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Leavesden, London, provides an amazing opportunity to explore the magic of the Harry Potter films. This unique walking tour takes you behind-the-scenes and showcases a huge array of beautiful sets, costumes and props.

The tour: long but memorable

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour takes approximately three hours to see. During this amazing tour you can explore Dumbledore’s office, step onto the cobbles of Diagon Alley, see iconic props like Harry’s Nimbus 2000 and Hagrid’s motorcycle, learn how creatures were brought to life with animatronics and life-sized models, discover memorable sets like the Gryffindor common room, Hagrid’s hut, Potion’s classroom, Professor Umbridge’s office and see the actual Great Hall.

The Great Hall: an awesome sight of the centre of action

The Great Hall in Hogwarts Castle is the main gathering area where students eat their meals and have certain special events like the traditional Sorting Ceremony. It is also the venue for the spell-bounding scene of the defeat of Lord Voldemort.

In the iconic and breathtaking Great Hall, visitors get to walk on the actual York stone floor laid 11 years ago and see the solid oak tables that were aged with axes and chains and carved with graffiti. In Dumbledore’s office you can see the authentic Sword of Gryffindor, the Sorting Hat and the Hogwarts Headmasters portraits.

Hogwart’s Castle: a bird’s eye view of the incredible model

Get a 360? view of the incredible, hand sculpted 1:24 scale Hogwarts castle model. It took 86 artists and crew members to construct the first version which was then rebuilt and altered many times over for the next seven films. The model, which is nearly 50 feet in diameter, has over 2,500 fibre optic lights that simulate lanterns and torches and even gives the illusion of students passing through hallways in the films.  To show off the lighting to full effect a day-to-night cycle takes place every four minutes letting you experience the full beauty of Hogwart’s Castle.

Gryffindor Common Room: enter the world of enchantment

The Gryffindor Common Room is located in one of the Castle’s towers whose entrance is guarded by an oil painting of the Fat Lady. She permits entry only after being given the correct password. Behind her is a large common room with a fireplace and two staircases leading up to the dormitories. Members of the Gryffindor house meet there for study groups, celebrations, or relaxation.

The Gryffindor Common Room is one of the films’ oldest and most beloved sets. It sits alongside the Gryffindor boys’ dormitory, which has the original beds made for Harry, Ron, Seamus, Neville and Dean.  Here you can see how the filmmakers had to adapt and find unique camera angles, as the years went by, to hide the fact that the cast had outgrown the beds.

Many more amazing sets

There are many more Hogwarts sets you’ll discover, including Snape’s lair, the mysterious Potion’s classroom, and Professor Umbridge’s office, which is radiant in its fluffy pink magnificence, with her amazingly detailed cat porcelain plates, created especially for the films.

The Hogwarts Bridge, last seen collapsing in flames in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is another part of this incredible tour. See the scale of the huge triple-decker purple Knight Bus made famous from Harry’s escapades in London.

Iconic Creatures: leaves a lasting impression

As you walk through the tour you will discover the spectacular detail and imagination behind the Creature Effects Workshop, showcasing the animatronics, exquisite make-up designs and iconic creatures from the films. You will come face-to-face with Buckbeak the Hippogriff, Aragog the giant spider, Fawkes the phoenix and the giant head Basilisk.

In the Weasley kitchen you can see the special effects props like the self-washing frying pan, knitting needles and chopping knives. As you walk around the spectacular Magic is Might statue you will step into the Ministry of Magic, best remembered from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.

Audio-Visual Show: peek into the actor’s mind

The handheld audio-visual guides bring the Studio Tour to life in a completely new way. Narrated by Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series, it contains fascinating facts about the sets, costumes and props, as well as never-before-seen videos featuring interviews with the cast and crew revealing secrets from the making of the films.

One of the few interactive activities is the green screen room, where you can sit astride a broomstick and whizz over the streets of London.

Getting there

Getting to the Warner Bros. Studio is not difficult. The nearest railway station is Watford Junction which is connected by train services from both London Euston and Birmingham New Street. A shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes from Watford Junction to the Studio Tour. Remember you cannot buy tickets at the attraction. All tickets must be bought in advance.

The Harry Potter series of films is fascinating to watch in the theatres.  But what’s more amazing is to see the various ingredients that went into making of the films. So the next time you are in London visit Warner Bros. Studio and experience the wonderful special effects of the sensational Harry Potter series.

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