Universal Studios Singapore: A Guide To The World’s Most Epic Theme Park!

Making sure that all your childhood fantasies come true is a wonderland that is just waiting to get explored by you. Named Universal Studios Singapore, this theme park is more than something for kids to have fun at. Sitting in Sentosa Island, Universal Studios is for every Hollywood and adventure aficionado out there in the world, irrespective of their age groups. Be it dining with your favorite characters from Hollywood blockbusters or witnessing some mesmerizing sci-fi shows, Universal Studios has got it all. Here is a little pocket guide to help you around the most visited spot in Singapore!

Best Time To Visit Universal Studios Singapore

The best thing about the Universal Studios Singapore is that you can visit this place whenever you want as it is open all year round. However, if you wish to escape the busy months and the crowds, it is better to avoid going on the weekends, especially in the months of March, June, September, and December. These months are the peak Singapore season and witnesses a clamour of crowds!

Top 5 Things To Do At Universal Studios Singapore

Here are a few experiences that one must have when visiting the most exciting theme park in the entire world.

1. Witness The Special Effects Shows

If you are a fan of Hollywood fiction blockbusters such as Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Jaws, or any other by Steven Spielberg, then you have got to witness the show dedicated to him named Lights, Camera, Action! This amazing show is all about the special effects that this director is famed for.

2. Take A Ride On The Roller Coaster

No adventure park is complete without a roller coaster and the Battlestar, Galactica has only raised the standards. Your experience would surely be incomplete without taking a ride on this gigantic metal piece which also happens to be the world’s largest. Fasten your seatbelts for the most exciting experiences of all!

3. Watch The Stunt Shows

For those who always go for the action genre on your Netflix categories, the Waterworld Stunt Show in Universal Studios is for you. This show gives one an opportunity to witness some of the most dangerous and hair-raising stunts live. From fire over water to somersaults under it, there are some amazing sights to behold!

4. Meet And Greet Your Favorite Characters

Universal Studios got its fame for giving one a chance to meet their favorites Hollywood characters in real life. They might be impersonations but they still steal away the heart of many. From getting clicked with Marilyn Monroe to making mischief with Minions, you and your little ones get a chance to interact with your all time favorites!



Universal Studios Singapore Ticket Price

For those of you who wish to buy a day pass for the Universal Studios Singapore, it will cost around INR 5,200. Keep an eye out for all sorts of promotions and coupons that might help you purchase your ticket at lower rates.

There is also an express pass that starts from around INR 2000 which is mainly for using the shorter queues for the major attractions and rides. 

Universal Studios Singapore is a dream come true for all the movie and Hollywood buffs out there in the world. Swarming with tourists all day long, all year round, this place surely has made a little space in the hearts of many. From the little ones to the adults, Universal Studios ensures that you have the best time when visiting this gigantic theme park!

Everything You Need To Know About Nainital

A beautiful and peaceful city, surrounded by seven hills, Nainital is the keeper of the sparkling lakes. It is one of the most popular hill stations in Uttarakhand and with its natural beauty and glorious lakes, it is one of the favorites too. Nainital basically has everything that it takes for a tourist to like the place. This city is a mixture of all the colors of nature; beautiful Lakes, greenery, flora and fauna, Nainital has everything which is required to boost Nainital tourism.

Below you will find all the information about Nainital, where to shop, what to eat, things to do and much more.

Top 3 Places to visit in Nainital:

1. Naini Lake

Also known as the kidney lake, a lake that Nainital is proud to have is Naini lake. You’ll spot a lot of colorful yachts in the sparkling water which is a very beautiful site to watch. This lake also hosts the National Level yachting competition which in turn makes this lake the pride of Nainital. This lake is surrounded by seven hills also known as Sapta which provide the tourists with breathtaking views and picturesque landscape. There’s also an interesting history of the foundation of this river which is surprisingly not boring.

2. Naini Temple

Every district, city, state or country in India have their own spiritual beliefs and Naini temple is one of the very famous temples which is visited by people all over India. It’s a lesser known fact that the city got its name from this temple. When you enter the temple, you’ll see two eyes on the roof which is said belongs to Naina Devi, surrounding it would be the statues of Goddess Kali and Lord Ganesha.

3. Mall Road

Who does not love busy mall roads situated in the hills, I mean delicious food, cheap stuff, sweet people, mall roads are everyone’s favorite. The Nainital's mall road was built by Britishers and also has another name Govind Ballabh Pant Marg. You’ll see a lot of hustle bustle in the market, and it would increase during the peak season which is May, June, and October.

3 Best Experiences In Nainital:

1. Wooden Crafts

Nainital is known for its wooden craft; small creatures, temples, toys, and other cute stuff made out of wooden so skillfully are bought by tourists from all over the world for their family and friends.

2. Cuisine

 Food is Fuel for most human beings. When you are done praising the beauty of Nature, the place offers you delicious and mouthwatering food. Nainital. Aloo ka gutka, Kafuli/kappa, Jhangore ki Kheer, Sunpak saag are some of the delicacies which are enjoyed in Nainital.

3. Hotels And Resorts In Nainital

Nainital which is one of the best tourist places also offers innumerable resorts and hotels for visitors to make their holiday even more comfortable and beautiful. Shervani Hilltop, The Naini Retreat, The Vintage Inn are some of the high-end resorts and hotels to stay.

Half of the problem is solved when the place you are planning to visit has beautiful weather, with its pleasant weather throughout the year, Nainital is the destination that can be visited at any time of the year. You’ll feel all the way more blessed when you visit it during monsoon when the rain will seem like showers of heaven.

Bannerghatta National Park: A Complete Guide For You

Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka. This marvelous city welcomes tourists from different parts who never go disappointed. You will get to explore many different places in this heartious city. From serving the best delicacies to being a home to many flora and fauna species, Bangalore has a unique style of alluring tourists. Whether it is a devotee or an adventure enthusiasts, you will not want to miss any corner of this place. If you are a wildlife lover and want to watch some of the most endangered species, Bannerghatta National Park is the next place you should visit. All the details of this place like the best time to visit here, Bannerghatta National Park ticket price and opening hours are given below. Check them out below.

About Bannerghatta National Park

Bannerghatta National Park is a very integral area, situated near Bangalore, Karnataka. You will mostly find wildlife lovers and photographers here. It is one of the most ideal spots in Bangalore where you can spend a good leisure day with your family. It serves as a home to many rare species of animals. Some of the animals found here include Tiger, Lion, Bison and Elephants. There are not many places in the world where wild animals are preserved in such close vicinity to a big city and Bangalore marks its name in this list. It is not a National Park like any other, but is a hub for adventure seekers too. You can also trek around and enjoy the spectacular views of the surroundings. There are even temples inside this park, which makes this place even a spiritual centre.

Thrilling safari rides, an enduring zoo, and a beautiful butterfly park makes it a very favorable tourist destination. Species like cockatoos, Eclectus Parrot, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo and Scarlet Macaw are also found here which you will hardly find in any other place.

Location: Bannerghatta Rd, Bannerughatta, Bengaluru
Timings: 9:30 am- 5:00 pm
Entry Fare:
Phone No. : 080 2977 6466
Best Time To Visit: September to June

Tips For The Visitors

Park your cars only in the authorised places.
There are limited areas where visitors can go. So don’t wander everywhere freely.
Do not feed the animals
You cannot take plastics inside.
Enter the park before the sunset. Entry is prohibited after that.

How To Reach Bannerghatta National Park
Bannerghatta National Park is easily reachable for every tourist. You can visit this area through various transport means.

1. By Bus
Bus numbers 365, 366 and 366 are available every 20 minutes for all the tourists. The city buses are very comfortable and Jayadeva Hospital is the nearest landmark.

2. By Train
For reaching this captivating park, you can choose train. The nearest railway station is Yelachenahalli Train Station. It is 13.7 km away from the National Park. You can easily hire a cab from the railway station to reach your destination which will take around 35 minutes.

What can be a more fun and thrilling destination than this park? This park has everything you need for an extraordinary time. So, make sure that you visit this place when you are in Bangalore. You will surely witness much more things when you go to this park. Spending some time with nature amidst the wild animals will give an extra dose of happiness to your day.

MANALI: A journey to heaven? You’ll find your answers soon.

Nuzzled up at the northern end of Kullu valley, Manali is a beautifully crafted city by the heavens in the Himalayas. Located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh in India, Manali is situated at an elevation of 2000 meters approximately from the sea level. From Rohtang Pass in Manali to the famous Mall Road, Manali has something that lures the tourists in a way like no other place in Himachal Pradesh. 

There are two parts of Manali, which are a rigorous contradiction to each other. Separated by a bridge over the Beas river, these two parts within the distance of 1 km, portrays two different realities of the place. The first part is congested and the busiest place within the district, the Mall Road offers an authentic shopping experience where one will find almost everything and including the traditional products and handicrafts of Himachal Pradesh.

The other part, that is one bridge away, is Old Manali which is away from the hustle bustle of the city is a completely different world featuring laid back and hippie vibes. One can find cool places like cafes, restaurants, bars, etc. while looking at almost surreal views of mountains and nature. 

Weaving its charm like magic, Manali furnishes amazing scenic and a soulful journey that one goes through while wandering through its streets. No wonder it attracts such huge traffic of tourists from across the world. Although it might get a little annoying due to so much crowd, this place still holds its charisma within Old Manali which has so much to offer. The famous Siddu is one of the most popular local food preferred by visitors and locals. And here are the few places one must visit while planning a trip to Manali as mentioned hereafter.

Solang Valley: At a height of 2,560 m, Solang valley is a perfect place for adventure enthusiasts. It offers insanely crazy adventure experiences while going for adventure activities like skiing, trekking, paragliding, hiking, horse riding, zip lining, gondola rides(ropeway) and a lot more.

Rohtang Pass in Manali: Rohtang pass is 51 km from Mall Road situated on the eastern side of the Himalayan range of Pir Panjal. The most famous destination of Kullu district, Rohtang pass also connects the roads of Manali to Lahaul and Spiti. However, one has to get a permit, to cross through this pass while heading towards Lahaul and Spiti, which is allowed only in summer in the months of May- November. 

Hidimba Temple: This ancient cave temple, designed in pagoda style, is devoted to Hidimba Devi. It is at a distance of 2.6 km from Mall Road in Manali. The visiting hours for this temple are from 8:00 am in the morning to 8:00 pm in the evening.

Jogini Waterfalls: This waterfall at a distance of 5km from Mall Road, streams down from 150 feet above. At the top of it is the temple of Jogini Devi. One can also hike up to the fall via Vashisht temple. Featuring beautiful scenic views as you reach higher, this waterfall is considered sacred and has shrines along its trails.

Old Manali Cafes: There are a number of authentic cafes in Manali serving tempting food experiences. Few of these famous cafes are Cafe 1947, Drifters inn Cafe, Nirvana Cafe, and Cafe Meraki.

Other places: Other places than the mentioned above which holds dear the true essence of Manali are Manu Temple, Beas River banks, Vashisht Temple, Van Vihar, Tibetan Monasteries and Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art.

If you’re planning a trip to Manali and wondering how to reach here by various means of transport, then you need not worry because buses are easily available from Delhi and other places to Manali. However, if you are planning to travel by air, then Bhuntar Airport in Kullu is the nearest Airport in Kullu district and from there you can find buses heading towards Manali easily.

Due to the crowds getting attracted and it becoming more and more populous every day, one must avoid the months of May, June, and July while planning a trip to Manali. You can plan your trip in the months of August to October because that will enable you to get access to Lahaul and Spiti via Rohtang Pass in Manali since it opens only in these restricted months and also, the offseason traveling will ensure you enjoy the most of this beautiful place dodging the overcrowded and highly jammed roads when it’s season.

Things to know before visiting the Pine Forest in Vagamon

 An ethereal landscape studded by lofty pine trees on the steep edged hills of the Western Ghats, in the Kottayam district of Kerala is a picturesque paradise for nature lovers. Kerela is known for its beautiful lush green landscape and beautiful valleys. The pine forest meadows of Vagamon is one of the many precious jewels of Kerela.
Vagamon is a beautiful hill station often visited by travelers who wish to relish some tranquility in the majestic landscapes surrounded by tall pine forests, waterfalls, tea estates, and valleys and is an appealing getaway, The Pine Forest in Vagamon offers its visitors some private moments to relish with their friends and families or even have an unforgettable romantic moments for the newlywed love birds.
With such beautiful natural surroundings, you just cand resist yourself from clicking some wonderful pictures.

How to get there:
By Train: if you wish to travel by train, Vagamon Pine Forest is situated just 75Km away from Kottayam Railway Station can be easily reached by the visitors easily.
By Plane: If you prefer airways then Cochin international airport is the nearest one and located just 150 KM away from this forest.
Activities:
Trekking
   
Rock climbing
   
Paragliding


Best time to Visit:
The pine forest is open for visitors all through the year. However, it can be avoided during the monsoon season as the rain makes the tracks muddy and slippery.
The best time to visit is between March to June

Timing: 8:30 am to 6:00 pm

Entry Fees: Rs.10 for adults and Rs.5 for kids(below 12 years)

Nearby Places to explore:

The Chain of Three Hills-
The lush green meadows of Thangal, Murugan, and Kurismala, the three beautiful hills are often frequented by variours religious devotees. It is a great place to sit back and admire the marvels of nature generously scattered around.

Sunset Point-
Watching the sunset behind the hill from the beautiful mountain in Elaveezha Poonchira is a truly enchanting experience. A small lake nearby is fabled to be from the time of the Mahabharata and Panchali, the wife of Pandava came to bathe in this very pool.

Vagamon Orchidarium And Floriculture Project-
The Vagamon Orchidarium houses more than 3000 varieties of indoor as well as outdoor orchids and more than 200 varieties of roses spread across 15 hectares of land. This complex also features meadows and a small pond which provides a perfect spot for a picnic.

Mundakayam Ghat-
Also popularly known as the Suicide Point of Vagamon is a much-sought-after place for campers and trekkers. The picturesque view of the mountain and the valley is a truly rejuvenating experience. The location also offers a perfect spot for paragliding and is one of the most popular sports in the area.

Valankanni Church in Pattumalai-
Nestled among these silken hills at the top is the Velankanni Matha Church, a famous pilgrim center made entirely of granite. This Roman Era Church is surrounded by a beautiful garden which makes this place heavenly.
The Pine Forest in Vagamon is a dense forest and always has a cool atmosphere. Even though it sees a lot of visitors daily, it’s never crowded and always gives a great experience of walking in nature. The magical beauty of the forest is usually captured in the form of stunning pictures by its admirers.