Coffee is our favorite source of ideas and stories. Coffee itself is a theme of few books including ‘The Romance of Indian Coffee’ by senior journalist P. T. Bopanna from Bengaluru. This book on Indian coffee has won ‘the World’s Best Coffee Book’ title at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards held in China.

Published in 2011, the book ‘The Romance of Indian Coffee’ is a mirror to the history and evolution of Indian coffee. It takes a close look at many fascinating aspects and walks through many interesting facts of coffee culture in India. The book offers a 360 degree view of Indian coffee’s uniqueness and popularity in the global market.

In ‘The Romance of Indian Coffee,’ author P T Bopanna has chronicled the landmark events in the history of the Indian coffee industry, including how the British planter Ivor Bull from Coorg ideated the ‘pooling system’ to save Indian coffee during the Second World War.

The book has a dedicated chapter sharing the author’s secrets of making a good cup of coffee and highlighting different ways of preparing different types of coffee including South Indian filter coffee. It also shares some rare recipes of popular coffee concoctions including coffee liquor from the author’s collection.

One of the chapters is about the day-to-day life of the early British coffee planters in coffee estates across South India in 1880s. The book also focuses on the contemporary scenario of coffee cultivation and delves into how current issues like deforestation, climate change, etc. threaten it.

‘The Romance of Indian Coffee’ contains a number of amazing anecdotes about coffee from high-profile personalities in the industry. It is also an interesting read on what makes coffee a charming brew.

Journalist and author P T Bopanna beat other entries from across the world to win the coveted award for his book on Indian coffee. Even the entries from Brazil and the United States took a backseat in competition with ‘The Romance of Indian Coffee’ at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards which recognize the best food and wine books in both print and digital mediums. It hosts renowned cookbook writers and eminent chefs every year.

P T Bopanna, who got into journalism as a Coorg correspondent of The Hindu newspaper in 1981, has penned five books with focus on his hometown Coorg. Each of the books – ‘Discover Coorg,’ ‘The Rise and Fall of the Coorg State,’ ‘Dateline Coorg,’ and ‘Coorg: Land of Beauty and Valor’ – is a different take on Coorg, one of the weekend getaways from Bengaluru in the Indian state of Karnataka.

Also Read Starbucks to Sell Indian Coffee of Coorg in United States

The post Indian Journalist Wins ‘World’s Best Coffee Book’ Award for His Book ‘The Romance of Indian Coffee’ appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

[pullquote]“Sometimes the most scenic roads in life are the detours you didn’t mean to take.” – Angela N. Blount.[/pullquote] If you are looking for life-changing detours in the labyrinth of mountains, hills, meadows or valleys, travel to India and hit the mountainous or hilly or beachfront or landscaped roads with bikes. India’s best road trips are suitable for biking holidays in the Himalayan region, the desert trails, the Deccan plateau, the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats, and coastal reaches. Some road trips in India are surreal stories, while some are adrenalin-pumping adventures. Indian Eagle shares 10 best road trip ideas for bikers.

Coorg to Munnar Road Trip 

The road trip from Coorg to Munnar is one of the short road trips in India. Both Coorg in Karnataka and Munnar in Kerala are blessed with greenery in abundance. The Coorg to Munnar road trip is a ride through the corridor of lush green landscapes dotted with tea plantations rolling across forested hills.

ALSO CHECK Munnar Sightseeing Guide

Chennai to Pondicherry Road Trip 

The Chennai to Pondicherry road trip in the Eastern Ghats is like a dream swing in the cradle of panoramic sightseeing. The East Coast Road from Chennai in Tamil Nadu to Pondicherry runs along the Bay of Bengal. The miles-long coastline holds scenic views for riders on the way.

Kalimpong to Siliguri Road Trip 

The road trip from Kalimpong to Siliguri in West Bengal is one of the most challenging trips for bikers because of the precarious Zuluk loops. But the beauty of the landscape on both sides of the road takes away the fear of threats to life. Known as the Old Silk route, the Kalimpong to Siliguri road is steeped in history.

Udaipur to Jaipur Road Trip 

The Udaipur to Jaipur road is one of the biking-friendly desert trails in Rajasthan. Biking along this trail through sand dunes from Udaipur to Jaipur is a poetic experience for those who can drink to beauty in the aridity of desert. The rugged landscape on both sides will make you feel like a rough & tough biker.

Manali to Spiti Valley Road Trip 

The road from Manali to Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh is ideal for biking and photography. It is one of the high-altitude routes in the Himalayan region, which remains covered in snow for a longer time of the year. Manali is one of the most beautiful summer destinations in India. Spiti Valley is a pure bliss of nature in the solitude of mountains.

ALSO CHECK A Trip to Spiti Valley

Zanskar to Leh Road Trip 

If you love riding at high altitudes for adrenalin rush, the Zanskar to Leh road trip is awaiting you this summer. Biking from Zanskar to Leh is no fun! It is a strenuous activity that puts bikers to a test of endurance. Scenic views of lofty mountains across rocky terrains will leave you with a fulfilling experience.

Road Trip to Rann of Kutch 

The Rann of Kutch in Gujarat is a vast expanse of salty sands beyond horizon. The flat and plain field rolling beyond measure, that is exactly the Rann of Kutch, offers the ultimate thrills of biking. The ethereal beauty of the moonlit night or the twinkling of the stars in the open sky makes biking a surreal experience in the Rann of Kutch.

Manali to Rohtang Pass Road Trip 

You cannot imagine how spectacular sightseeing can be without taking the Manali to Rohtang Pass road trip. The walls of snow on both sides of the road give the visual high that will remain fresh in your memory for years. Biking from Manali to Rohtang Pass is such an inexplicable experience!

Mumbai to Trivandrum Road Trip 

If you are an adventurer in search of panoramic vibes, ride your bike from Mumbai to Trivandrum via Mangalore. This road trip promises to be a celebration of the senses due to pristine beaches and verdant forests on the way. The Mumbai to Trivandrum road trip is part of the Udupi trail for biking.

Bhalukpong to Tawang Road Trip 

The Arunachal trail from Bhalukpong to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh is the call to those strong hearts which beat for excitement out of adrenalin rush. Be careful to avoid the traps of danger on the way. Landslides cause roadblocks in the seasons when extreme weather is experienced. If you believe in the maxim “All is well if the end is well,” the Bhalukpong to Tawang road trip is a story to be retold several times.

Travel Beats, a digital content portal by IndianEagle, publishes interesting travel stories, useful travel tips and latest aviation news from India and United States.

The post 10 Best Road Trip Ideas for Crazy Biking Holidays in India appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Many foreign tourists are more familiar with the hill stations in the Himalayan region of North India than the hill stations in South India. They think that Himalayan hill stations are suitable for not only sightseeing but also meditation as well as yoga. However, the remedial and meditative power of nature manifests itself in the beauty, solitude, peace and greenery of the following South Indian hill stations. Indian Eagle recommends these five of the best South Indian hill stations for any seasonal vacation in India.

Ooty

Ooty is as charming as a child’s imagination of a toy train making its way through mountains amidst picturesque settings where a lake lies in peace and greenery exudes freshness. This picture of Ooty is not a piece of mere imagination. It exists as a concrete creation of nature with many visual attractions that catch the eyes of a traveler in us. Mother Nature makes her artistry felt in every nook and corner of this hill station at a short drive from Mysore and Bangalore or Bengaluru in Karnataka. Pykara Waterfalls, Doddabetta Peak, Kamaraj Sagar Lake, and Catherine Waterfalls make Ooty a must visit at a height of 7350 feet above ground.

Coorg

Ask an Indian painter to create a picture of Scotland on the canvas, he will paint Coorg. Yes, among the hill stations of South India, Coorg is titled the ‘Scotland of India’. Lavished with greenery and landscaped with coffee plantations, Coorg lets you drink to the beauty of nature through sensory visuals of the Western Ghats. For its soothing and sedating atmosphere, Coorg seems to be a land of lotus eaters on in India. The itinerary of this South Indian hill station in Karnataka is full of tourist spots including waterfalls, temples, national parks and the Kaveri River. Abbey Falls is a favorite of tourists there.

Kodaikanal

If the hill stations of Tamil Nadu compete with each other in terms of height, Kodaikanal is sure to win the competition. Kodaikanal boasts of a height of 7,000 feet above ground. This South Indian hill station is a thing to all catering to the likes of lovers, honeymooners, poets, romantics and peace seekers. The sprawling lake dominates the landscape of Kodaikanal which is further beautified by Bryant Park, Pine forests, Silver Cascade Waterfalls, and Dolphin’s Nose. Sightseeing in and round Kodaikanal is an elixir of warmth for the mind and that of joy for the eyes.

Munnar

According to John Milton, celebrated author of Paradise Lost, hell and heaven exist in our minds. If there is heaven in the world outside the mind, it is Munnar in Kerala. With tea plantations rolling around hills, Munnar is an escape to ecstasy in the solitude of nature. Still, many of the treks are unexplored there. Unlike Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu, Munnar is a hotbed of joyous activities including Sightseeing, cycling and trekking for the fun-loving tourists. Do visit Photo Point, Attukal Waterfalls, Mattupetty Dam, Eravikulam National Park and the hill town of Devikulam at the height of 6,000 feet where Munnar is located.

Yercaud

One of the most beautiful jewels in the crown of Tamil Nadu, Yercaud is blessed with virgin beauty of nature. Located in Salem District near the Eastern Ghats, this hill station takes pride in Big Lake with a floating island. The surrounding of the lake is steeped in green beauty of the place. Besides the lake, it is the cave temple of Servaroyan where the idols of river deities are preserved with mysticism. Yercaud at a height of 4970 feet above the ground is the location of the famous Killiyur Falls. Whiffs of aroma from tea plantations and sandalwood trees make the air pleasant to the olfactory sense.

Have you ever explored the bounty of nature at these superior destinations of South India? IndianEagle.com books the cheapest flights to Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu – the key for you to explore these heavens.

The post These South Indian Hill Stations can be Your Best Travel Destinations appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Bengaluru housing technology biggies and MNCs is a thriving IT hub, popularly known as the Silicon Valley of India. The cityscape is often referred to as a concrete jungle of towering buildings and colossal constructions. However, Bengaluru offers a scenic drive to nearby getaways including hill stations, valleys, waterfalls and historic places which are perfect weekend holiday destinations. Some of our NRI customers from USA and Canada who often fly to Bengaluru on business trips have approached us to know if there is any getaway for relaxation within short drive from the city and its crowd. We recommend the following weekend getaways from Bengaluru to them:

Ooty

Distance: 268 km from Bengaluru
What to see: Hills, boating, lake, forests, trails, park
What to do: Boating, sightseeing, hiking, trekking, fishing

The queen of hill stations, Ooty is a picturesque town in the lap of Nilgiri Hills at a height of 2240m from the sea level. This romantic getaway with stunning locales for soothing sightseeing from Bengaluru was a favorite haunt of the British in India. The landscape dotted with sprawling teagardens offers wonderful vistas of greenery. At a short drive from Coimbatore Airport, Ooty is nature’s darling. Ooty Lake, Droog Fort, Dodabetta Peak, Lamb’s Peak, Avalanche Lake, Mukurthi Lake and Kalhatty Waterfalls are the attractions of Ooty.

Devangere

Distance: 260 km from Bengaluru
What to see: Museum, fort, parks, temples, wildlife sanctuary, gardens, local markets
What to do: Shopping,

Located at the foothills of the Western Ghats, Devangere is a thriving tourist place with lots of economic potential. Also known as the “Manchester of Karnataka”, Devangere was once a hub of cotton mills. As per the history of Karnataka, Devangere had developed into a textile center during the regime of Hyder Ali, Tipu Saultan’s father. Siruvani Falls, Marudamalai Temple, Harihareshware Temple, St. Thomas Church and Clock Tower are the attractions of Devangere. Local South Indian cuisine is the best bite here.

Coorg

Distance: 260 km from Bengaluru
What to see: Lakes, hills, waterfalls, gardens, water parks, valley, botanical garden
What to do: Trekking, sightseeing, angling, rafting, bird watching

The Scotland of India, Coorg is one of the most beautiful tourist spots on the Western Ghats. This holiday getaway from Bengaluru brims with unmatched luxury of nature and green exuberance. Situated at a height of 3500ft from sea level, Coorg is an interface between hill station and valley. The lush green beauty of nature prevails all over the landscape rolling with wavy coffee plantations. Coorg is an exotic retreat on weekends in the season of summer. Abbey Falls, Iruppu Falls, Omkareshwar Temple and Madikeri Fort are the attractions of Coorg.

Nanda Hills

Distance: 100 km from Bengaluru
What to see: Temple, hill
What to do: Climbing

Located within a distance of 100 km from Bengaluru City, Nanda Hills is an ideal weekend getaway which does not require a planned trip. The surrounding of the hill is a thick cover of flora which lends a green look to the landscape. The hilltop houses a temple where it is a thrill to view the sprawling surrounding from. The natural beauty of the place makes it an ideal location for one fine morning drive.

Mysore

Distance: 142 km from Bengaluru
What to see: Museum, palace, zoo, art gallery, temple, gardens
What to do: Trekking, climbing, shopping, sightseeing, hang gliding

Visit to Mysore is a historical exploration drive. The city of Mysore, once the seat of Tipu Sulan’s regime, is a dedicated chapter in the colonial history of India. The city is a living witness to Tipu Sultan’s disobedience and resistance to the British. The story of Hyder Ali, Tipu’s father and his rule is also associated with Mysore. The Mysore Palace is the center of attraction at this getaway from Bengaluru. A part of the palace has been converted into a museum. Mysore is the best visit for Dussehra celebration in India.

Coonoor

Distance: 296 km from Bengaluru
What to see: Waterfalls, hills, tea plantations, flowers, valley, wildlife sanctuary
What to do: Trekking, sightseeing, toy train journey, bird watching, shopping,

If you dream of a leisurely walk on a lazy morning and a laidback evening amidst tea plantations, Coonoor is a perfect getaway for you. The idyllic setting of Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu is the location of this fascinating hill station. The rolling fields of tea plantation offer impressive that soothe the senses. Birth watching is a rare pleasure that Coonoor offers to visitors. The landscape is suitable for hiking as well as trekking. A toy train runs across the hill station offering the best glimpses of nature that you have ever imagined. Catherine Falls, the Hidden Valley, Sim’s Park, Toy train and Lamb’s Rock are the attractions of Coonoor.

Hampi

Distance: 372 km from Bengaluru
What to see: Palaces, forts, temples, art galleries
What to do: Rock climbing, shopping, exploring history

A small town of historic importance in North Karnataka, Hampi was the capital of Vijaynagar Dynasty. The town was constructed on the Tungabhadra River. The townscape is dotted with architectural ruins of the Vijaynagar Empire. Some monumental palaces and forts stand tall amidst the ruins. Colossal temples are the highlights of Hampi, too. Besides its touristic significance, Hampi is a sacred spot for the Hindus because of its association with the mythology of India. It was a thriving commercial center in the medieval era. Lotus Palace, Monolith Bull, Matanga Hill, Old Palace and Hampi Bazar are the attractions of Hampi.

IndianEagle.com books the cheapest flights to Bengaluru in India.

The post Weekend Getaways from Bengaluru are Best Holiday Destinations at Short Drive appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.