Kolkata Holiday

Located in eastern India, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal. It was the capital of British India till 1911 and its creation dates back to only 300 years. During the British Raj it was called as “ the Jewel of the East”. The place also was the centre of many freedom struggle movements. The city has a soul and offers an unmatched experience to the travellers. Though being densely polluted and populated the city of Kolkata has not lost its charm and till date offers some rare scenic beauty. The ethereal Hooghly River, the Victoria Memorial, the Marxist movement, the Indian Museum and the rich cultural heritage presents a true picture of Kolkata.

Sightseeing
Victoria Memorial – Victoria Memorial is an outstanding architectural structure of Kolkata. The entire monument is carved out of white marble. The Memorial was built in the early 20th century in the memory of Queen Victoria. There is huge bronze statue of the the queen near the entrance that looks spectacular. The Victoria Memorial is also adorned by the brass canons, beautiful lawns and pathways, traditional looking street lamps and a soothing lighting effect.
Indian Museum – The Indian Museum is one of the most prized possessions of Kolkata and was built in 1878. The entire museum bears the awesome mark of Italian architecture and is considered to be the largest museum in the country and one of the best in Asia. The museum has a rare collection which ranges from the Egyptian mummy to the skeletons of the whale and some uncommon statues. The museum also exhibits a unique fossil collection of pre-historic animals.

Eden Gardens –. These gardens were established in 1840 and were named after the former governor general, Lord Auckland's sister. These gardens are considered to be the finest in the world. The gardens are studded with beautiful trees and shrubs. There is also a large, pristine artificial lake. Besides the garden there lies the Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium, which is the oldest cricket grounds in India. The stadium is said to occupy more than a lakh spectators.

St. Paul's Cathedral – St.Paul's Cathedral is one of the most important churches of India and was built between 1839 and 1847. Inside the church there are some interesting memorials that draws the tourist attention.

Dining
The city of Kolkata offers something to all the food lovers. The city is dotted with several restaurants that are not only skillful in serving the typical Bengali food but also serve on the table the cuisine of various lands. Some of the restaurants are as follows:

• Aahar
• Aangan
• Bite Inn
• Biryani House
• China Gate
• Globe Restaurants
• Golden Dragon
• Kurry Club

Accommodation
When it comes to accommodation the city of Kolkata lies no where behind in comparison to other metropolitan cities. Some of the quality accommodation options in Kolkata are:
5 Star Deluxe Hotels

• Taj Bengal
• Hyatt Regency
• Oberoi Grand
• ITC Sonar Bangla

5 Star Hotels

• Hindustan International
• Hotel MBD Airport
• 4 Star Hotels
• Kenilworth
• Peerless Inn
• Quality Inn

3 Star

• Hotel Fairlawn

Shopping
Shopping in Kolkata is a unique experience. The Chowrangee Road (lane) of the city is dotted with a number of quality shops selling everything from carpets to handicrafts. New Market earlier called as the Hogg market offers everything that a tourist may require. Here one can also make a good bargain. Dancing dolls and water pistols are the specialties of the place.
How To Reach
It is very easy to reach Kolkata by Air, Road and Rail. Kolkata has its own international and domestic airport connecting to major cities.The International Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose( locally known as Dumdum airport) is merely at a distance of 20 km from the city centre. Two railway station mainly Howrah and Sealdah offers regular trains that connects to major cities of the country. Kolkata is well connected with most of the Indian cities by roads. One can take the bus from the Esplande terminus which is the main bus terminus in Kolkata.