Calcutta

From colonisation to independence to industrialisation - this destination has been through many transformations in it’s time and as a result you experience a real mix of history on your holiday in Calcutta. During your holiday to Calcutta, you will get a feel for the different cultures that make up this vibrant country. The city is the birthplace of many art forms and Indian literary and nationalism. The blending of the different cultures from the east and west has influenced the way Calcutta is run. This is apparent as you walk down the streets or through the many museums. To get a feel of the cultural diversity of this region, it is important to plan a visit to the national Museum while during your holiday in Calcutta. The Indian Museum and the Asutosh Museum will show you the many phases of Calcutta’s rich past. Even though the face of Calcutta is always changing, the one things that always remains the same is religion. Indians have very strong religious values and it can be seem in the many grand temples, mosques and churches. The most famous and oldest place of worship here is Dakshineswar Temple which dates back 3000 years and is almost in its original form. Jain temple is another famous temple best known for the intricate marble work.

Roaming the city is probably one of the best pastime activities for a holiday in Calcutta. It is amazing how much you will learn about Calcutta by just walking around. The beautiful colours of the traditional outfits come alive and are only outshined by the incredible hospitality of the locals. While you explore the city on foot you will also stumble across one of the many beautiful parks. These are the best places to escape the hustle and bustle on the streets. Head to the Victorian Memorial Garden to watch the fountains dance. Every night at 7pm these gardens become a spectacle of brilliantly synchronised lights and melody. Just sit back and watch how the beautiful water dances to the musical notes. On the other hand if happy dancing water is not for you then you can also go and visit the South Park street cemetery. This cemetery is actually quite beautiful with long walking streets and intricate tombstones. Don’t worry, it’s not haunted, it’s just a nice place to take a stroll. 

Calcutta is a big and stylish city with a wide range of evening entertainments for all age groups and all desires. In and around Park Street is the best place to have a few drinks and enjoy your company and the atmosphere. If you are after something a bit more upbeat and trendy then head to one of the upmarket hotels, which usually has their own bar or club. There are also a number of pubs that attract mainly tourists where you can sit and watch the soccer or cricket. The nightclubs in Calcutta have a mixture of styles and music options. You can find reggae, blues, disco, hip hop, trance, Hindi pop and remixed bhangra (Punjabi dance music).

If you are flying in from another country, the nearest airport to Calcutta is 8 miles from the city. Start your Holidays in Calcutta with one of the 266 flights that fly in from all over the world. There are over 1,120 domestic flights within India. If you prefer traveling by train, you will find the Indian train network more than enough. There are regular train shuttle trips to and from Calcutta from the different major cities. These fast trains are good for someone who wants to get there fast and cheap. If you want to travel in style, consider getting a ticket on one of the executive coaches that focus on luxury and speed. Alternatively, you could board a bus and ply the picturesque roads to Calcutta. The public service buses will get you there in time. If you prefer more luxury and love your space, consider dealing with the high luxury public buses. They will pamper you and make your trip more comfortable.

Your Calcutta holiday can have some pretty unpredictable weather. Winter, which is the best and most stable time to visit Calcutta begins in December and runs as far as February.

The temperatures will be cool but will rarely go below 9 degrees. The tourist season however starts in October and end in March, this is to coincide with the good weather and many festivals. You will have a chance to partake in Durga puja, Laxmi puja and most importantly the Diwali festival.

Sizzling Summer

Calcutta summers are hot and humid. The dryer sections of the summer are between May and June and the temperatures often soar beyond 40 degrees Celsius. Most people stay indoors trying to stay cool and avoid the heat of the sun.

Washed Away Monsoon

The heavy monsoon rain will wash the city from June to September making it the wettest and most unpredictable months in Calcutta. It’s best to avoid this time of year as the traffic is crazy and the rain even crazier.