SOFTWARE COMPANY - 9

The Top Ten Software Companies in India

Today the software industry has become the backbone of companies around the world. With technology advancing in leaps and bounds, there is no stopping IT professionals from around the world to bridge the gap between huge untapped markets and its customers, as well as creating an opportunity for innovation.



The companies that dominate the software industry are those which look out for these opportunities and provide instant solutions. The Indian software industry has arrived, and the companies that are dominating this industry, based on their turnovers, are:




Rank Names Sales
(in Rs mill)
1 TCS LIMITED 97,272
2 WIPRO LIMITED 82,330
3 INFOSYS TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED 71,297
4 SATYAM COMPUTER SERVICES LIMITED 35,209
5 I-FLEX SOLUTIONS LIMITED 11,386
6 TATA INFOTECH LIMITED 9,743
7 CMC LIMITED 8,074
8 MPHASIS BFL LIMITED 7,657
9 MASTEK LIMITED 5,670
10 NIIT LIMITED 3,984

These companies have one thing in common; they offer a variety of services. These services range from consultancy services to Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) units to customized solutions in the IT domain.

With TCS Ltd featuring in lots of major deals during the year 2005, it will probably continue with its favored status and dominance over the software industry in India. Though when it comes to the most respected company of India, among the pool of all industries, it is no real surprise that Infosys Technologies Limited is number one, with its reputed work ethic and social responsibility factor.

TCS is the largest software services company in Asia, ahead of other Indian software service providers like Infosys and Wipro. Earlier, it became the first Indian software company to cross the coveted US$ 1 billion revenue mark. The company has a wide range of offerings and caters to industries like banking, insurance and financial services (41% of revenues), manufacturing (17%), telecom, (15%) and retail (7%). TCS was one of the pioneers of the much-acclaimed global delivery model and the same has helped it to post good results in the past and will help with future achievements as well.

The software industry has become a part of everyday life, be it providing solutions for business or entertainment. Ample opportunity does not ensure that the companies listed in the top ten will remain there as tough competition from the ever-increasing number of software companies can completely alter the list. There are organizations like Visualsoft Techonologies Limited, Tata Elxis Limited and Geometric Software Solutions Co. Ltd waiting in the wings. The key to survival in this industry is providing solutions a click away and creating and inventing products before someone else does.

SOFTWARE COMPANIES - 8

Top Software Companies of the World

Top software companies of the world are competing heavily with each other to grab the ever growing software market of the world. Backed with skilled software professionals, the top software companies of the world are offering software solution of any kind to their clients.

Over the past few years, the world has been experiencing a new industry – software industry and ever since it started the growth is phenomenal. The software industry has become one of the most important industries in the world with the software companies holding a huge portion of the world stock exchange.

The software companies generally provide software solutions to their clients. Software may be either proprietary or open sources software. The software companies develop software and sell it for commercial purposes. Most of the times, the commercial software are proprietary software but open source or free software are also used for commercial purposes.


Some of the major software companies of the world are:

* Microsoft (USA)
* Oracle Corporation (USA)
* First Data (USA)
* SAP (Germany)
* Accenture (Bermuda)
* Google (USA)
* Yahoo (USA)
* IBM (USA)
* Soft Bank (Japan)
* Symantec Corporation (USA)
* CA (USA)
* Infosys (India)
* Adobe Systems (USA)
* Capgemini (France)
* ASML Holding (Netherlands)
* Advantest (Japan)
* Intuit (USA) TCS (India)
* Wipro (India)
* Autodesk (USA)
* Check Point Software (Israel)
* The Sage Group (UK)
* Dassault Systemes (France)
* CSK (Japan)

The primary task of these software companies is to develop software for various purposes depending on the requirement of the clients. The domain that the software companies serve may be banking, stock market, medical, customs, retail, game, traveling, publishing, legal or government administration.

Just like software development market, the software outsourcing or offshore software development is also a growing industry in many countries. Outsourcing refers to the distribution of non-core software operations to some external companies that are specialized in handling such software development. Offshore software development is unique to this new technology era. The software teams are well equipped with proficient employees and now developing software is a global business with offshore developing.

The countries that are sharing the major part of software development in the world are:

* USA
* Japan
* Germany
* India
* France
* UK

SOFTWARE COMPANIES -7

RANK COMPANIES No. of visas

1 INFOSYS TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED 4908
2 WIPRO LIMITED 4002
3 MICROSOFT CORPORATION 3117
4 TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED 3046
5 SATYAM COMPUTER SERVICES LTD 2880
6 COGNIZANT TECH SOLUTIONS U S CORP 2226
7 PATNI COMPUTER SYSTEMS INC 1391
8 IBM CORPORATION 1130
9 ORACLE USA INC 1022
10 LARSEN & TOUBRO INFOTECH LIMITED 947
11 HCL AMERICA INC 910
12 DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP 890
13 CISCO SYSTEMS INC 828
14 INTEL CORP 828
15 I-FLEX SOLUTIONS INC 817
16 ERNST & YOUNG LLP 774
17 TECH MAHINDRA AMERICAS INC 770
18 MOTOROLA INC 760
19 MPHASIS CORPORATION 751
20 DELOITTE CONSULTING LLP 665
21 LANCESOFT INC 645
22 NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 642
23 ACCENTURE LLP 637
24 JPMORGAN CHASE & CO 632
25 POLARIS SOFTWARE LAB INDIA LTD 611
26 COVANSYS CORPORATION 611
27 PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP 591
28 QUALCOMM INCORPORATED 533
29 GOLDMAN SACHS & CO 529
30 KPMG LLP 476
31 MARLABS INC 475
32 UNIV OF MICHIGAN 437
33 UNIV OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO 434
34 UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA 432
35 THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIV MED INSTS 432
36 SYNTEL CONSULTING INC 416
37 CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC 413
38 BEARINGPOINT INC 413
39 UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND 404
40 KEANE INC 386
41 HTC GLOBAL SERVICES INC 382
42 IGATE MASTECH INC AN IGATE COMPANY 378
43 HEXAWARE TECHNOLOGIES INC 362
44 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES INC 362
45 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 355
46 LEHMAN BROTHERS INC 352
47 YAHOO INC 347
48 US TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES LLC 339
49 INTELLIGROUP INC 336
50 HEWLETT PACKARD CO 333
51 RAPIDIGM INC 330
52 MERRILL LYNCH & CO INC 329
53 GOOGLE INC 328
54 CITIBANK N A 322
55 DIS NATIONAL INSTS OF HEALTH DHHS 322
56 YALE UNIVERSITY 316
57 NOKIA INC 314
58 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC 313
59 CAPGEMINI U S LLC 309
60 HARVARD UNIVERSITY 308
61 EMC CORPORATION 305
62 SUN MICROSYSTEMS INC 303
63 RITE AID CORPORATION 301
64 BLOOMBERG 298
65 GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY 292
66 AMGEN INC 289
67 MCKINSEY & COMPANY INC US 286
68 MORGAN STANLEY 285
69 STANFORD UNIVERSITY 279
70 WASHINGTON UNIV IN ST LOUIS 278
71 VERIZON DATA SVCS INC 276
72 NYC-HHC HARLEM HOSPITAL CENTER 276
73 UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH 275
74 INDIANA UNIVERSITY 273
75 OHIO STATE UNIV 271
76 EVEREST CONSULTING GROUP INC 269
77 UNIV OF MINNESOTA 269
78 AMTEX SYSTEMS INC 268
79 UW MADISON 268
80 STATE UNIV OF NY AT STONY BROOK 262
81 AMAZON GLOBAL RESOURCES INC 262
82 CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION 256
83 DALLAS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 255
84 UNIV OF CA DAVIS 254
85 NORTHWESTERN UNIV 251
86 SYNTEL INC 250
87 UNIV OF MISSOURI COLUMBIA 247
88 GLOBALCYNEX INC 247
89 KANBAY INCORPORATED 246
90 AMERICAN SOLUTIONS INC 242
91 UNIV OF FLORIDA INTL CENTER 240
92 UCLA 239
93 DUKE UNIV UNIV MED CTR & AFFIL INS 238
94 MOUNT SINAI MEDICAL CENTER 236
95 BANK OF AMERICA N A 236
96 SOFTWARE RESEARCH GROUP INC 234
97 BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE 234
98 MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL 232
99 CIBER INC 232
100 VERINON TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS LTD 230

List continued further

100 to 200 .
101 EVEREST BUSINESS SOLUTIONS INC 226
102 VOLT TECHNICAL RESOURCES LLC 224
103 OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY 223
104 COMPUNNEL SOFTWARE GROUP INC 222
105 US TECH SOLUTIONS INC 221
106 SYMANTEC CORP 220
107 JSMN INTERNATIONAL INC 218
108 UBS AG 216
109 CVS PHARMACY 213
110 THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY 213
111 UNIV OF WASHINGTON 213
112 NORTEL NETWORKS INC 212
113 UNIV OF CA SAN FRANCISCO 211
114 UNIVERSITY OF MA MEDICAL SCHOOL 210
115 SPRINT UNITED MANAGEMENT COMPANY 209
116 HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRIC 209
117 PURDUE UNIV 208
118 GLOBAL CONSULTANTS INC 207
119 EMORY UNIVERSITY 207
120 UT HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER 207
121 UNIV OF COLORADO 207
122 VANDERBILT UNIV 205
123 OBJECTWIN TECHNOLOGY INC 205
124 DIASPARK INC 204
125 HSBC BANK USA N A 203
126 EBUSINESS APPLICATION SOLUTIONS 203
127 BROADCOM CORP 203
128 PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY PUBLIC SCHS 203
129 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC 202
130 COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS INC 198
131 TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY 198
132 APPLIED MATERIALS INC 195
133 SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORP 194
134 UNIV OF IOWA 194
135 IBM GLOBAL SVCS IGS INDIA PVT LTD 194
136 DELOITTE TAX LLP 194
137 CUMMINS INC 193
138 ITECH US INC 191
139 COMPUWARE CORPORATION 189
140 INTL STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS OFFICE 186
141 UNIVERSITY OF CA SAN DIEGO 185
142 WALGREEN CO 184
143 HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE 184
144 USC 183
145 VISION SYSTEMS GROUP INC 182
146 T MOBILE USA INC 180
147 MULTIVISION INC 178
148 EDS ELECTRONIC DATA SYSTEMS 177
149 MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECH 175
150 CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 174
151 CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIV 173
152 UNC CHAPEL HILL 173
153 THE UNIV OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM 172
154 DEUTSCHE BANK AG 170
155 CATERPILLAR INC 170
156 HALLMARK GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES INC 169
157 CYBERTHINK INC 169
158 CORPORATE COMPUTER SERVICES INC 167
159 ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES INC 167
160 MEGASOFT CONSULTANTS INC 166
161 ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS INC 165
162 FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC 163
163 UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER AT 163
164 FIRST TEK TECHNOLOGIES INC 161
165 MICHIGAN STATE UNIV 161
166 RESEARCH FDN OF THE STATE UNIV OF 160
167 COMSYS SERVICES LLC 160
168 VIRGINIA TECH 160
169 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC 160
170 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 158
171 IOWA STATE UNIV 157
172 UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA 157
173 FEDEX CORPORATE SVCS INC 157
174 CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON LLC 156
175 BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY 156
176 VERIZON SERVICES CORP 156
177 EBAY INC 155
178 AJILON LLC D B A AJILON CONSULTING 154
179 GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION 153
180 CAMO TECHNOLOGIES INC 152
181 MARVELL SEMICONDUCTOR INC 151
182 CMC AMERICAS INC 150
183 THE UNIV OF TEXAS M D ANDERSON CAN 149
184 NVIDIA CORPORATION 149
185 AT&T SERVICES INC 147
186 WEILL MED COLLEGE OF CORNELL UNIV 146
187 AXIOM SYSTEMS INC 146
188 WAYNE STATE UNIV 146
189 MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER 146
190 NC STATE UNIV 146
191 GENENTECH INC 146
192 MAKRO TECHNOLOGIES INC 145
193 SVAM INTERNATIONAL INC 144
194 MEMORIAL SLOAN-KETTERING CANCER 143
195 NUTECH INFORMATION SYSTEMS 143
196 XPEDITE TECHNOLOGIES INC 143
197 AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING INC 143
198 LOUISIANA STATE UNIV 142
199 FANNIE MAE 141
200 MINDTREE CONSULTING PVT LTD 141

SOFTWARE COMPANIES -6

The Software Top 100 by the Top 100 Research Foundation

A yearly list that is freely available online. As the name indicates, the list offers 100 companies, which are ranked according to software sales revenues. Services revenues are not included, only software license and maintenance revenues. The list is primarily based upon a yearly analysis of a few hundred relevant annual reports by the foundation’s researchers. Both public and private companies are included. In 2008, the Top 10 looks as follows (see their website for more info): [1]

1. Microsoft
2. IBM
3. Oracle Corporation
4. SAP
5. HP
6. Symantec
7. Computer Associates
8. Nintendo
9. Electronic Arts
10. Adore Infotech
11. EMC

WORLD TOURIST -5

I.Kids Beaches

Beach getaways are meant for the elders. Says who? Travour is here to acquaint all those little ones out there with the best Kids beaches around. So start planning a grand Kids Beach Vacation or jot down the plans of a Kids Beach Party full of frolic. Refer to Travour for the awesome party ideas (link to Kids Party Ideas). It is the kids domain where the elders can gain access only with due permission!

Leo Carrillo State Beach - When excessive sun and sand exhausts you come to this place that has plenty to keep the kids occupied. The tidepools, caves and visitor centers interests them to no end. The beach is crowded when the waves are mild. The best part is that you can bring in your pet dog along with you too as long as you adhere to the rules.

Manhattan Beach - It is one of the most popular among the kids beaches with an aquarium populated with a variety of marine life for the kids to watch. Swings and playgrounds are the added lure. Arrange for a game of beach volleyball in one of the volleyball courts. It will be great fun. The lifeguards are on constant vigil on the beach during the daytime. Enough reason for the parents to curb their anxiety.

Zuma Beach - Ranked among the famous family beaches, Zuma Beach supplies playground equipment and has two snack bars. This wide sandy beach is dotted with volleyball courts. Wonder at the migrating gray whales in winter, at the northern tip of the Santa Monica Bay. Don't venture out into the sea as the waves are strong enough. Lifeguards keep a strict vigil during daytime.
Travour is an International travel site that unravels the beauty of the Kids beaches and other exotic beaches round the world. Come, explore the grandeur!

II.Australia Beaches

Wow! There's so much to see and enjoy Down Under in enthralling Australia! Travour is more than eager to give you all the information you would need to plan your beach vacation in Australia Beaches

Australia is an amazing continent of beaches where you will find the most beautiful to the most unconventional of beachfronts and coastlines.

This continent is surrounded by water, with approximately 23,000 miles of coastline and so can offer beaches beyond compare to the visitor - there's something for everyone right here Down Under, says Travour.

So no matter where you would like to holiday Down Under (another name for Australia); Sunshine Coast Beaches, East Coast Beaches, Bondi, Coogee, Manly, Coffs Harbor, Byron Bay or the pristine Gold Coast Beaches consisting of Main Beach, Surfer's Paradise, Broadbeach, Mermaid, Miami and Nobby Beach, Currumbia, Bilinga, Tugun, Kirra or Coolangatta - Travour, your very own beach holiday e guide is here to provide all the information so that you have a wonderful Australia Beaches trip along with the entire family. Other popular Australia Beaches are Airlie, Whitsunday Islands, Mission Beach and Cairns; the last named one being more of a recreation and activity center.
Just a short distance away from Cairns is Four Mile Beach, a cozy little beach within the town of Port Douglas.

There are innumerable beaches in the continent just waiting for you to set foot in; rather soak your foot in! Travour is your personal e guide to the best Australian beaches - from the east coast to Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Of all Australia Beaches - Bondi Beach is the best known as it's closest to Sydney. Gold Coast Beaches embody the 'aussie' essence as they are a true reflection of Australian beach splendor and give you the unmatched feeling of basking in the sun kissed sands while you savor the cool ocean breeze.

Travour is an international travel and holiday hub that gives you all the information on the very best of Australia Beaches just at the click of your mouse

WORLD TOURIST -4

World's Best Beaches

Travour welcomes you to your very own personal e guide to the World's Best Beaches. We provide in depth and practical information on all your favorite beaches across the world.

The beautiful Bondi Beach in Australia, South Beach in Miami, or beaches of Catalina Island California, Fiji Islands, Corfu Greece, Petit St. Vincent Grenadines, Kauai Hawaii, Canary Islands Spain, Maldives, Playa Del Carmen Mexico, Seychelles and Phi Phi Island Thailand are just some of the World's Best Beaches that Travour strongly recommends you to visit, at least once in your lifetime. All these beaches provide ample opportunity for you and your loved ones to sunbathe, swim, windsurf, snorkel, scuba dive, or just laze and relax on soft sands.Travour also takes you straight to the sunny and surfy Caribbean Beaches which definitely come within the fold of the World's Best Beaches.

May to October is the period to avoid visiting these beaches for this is the hurricane season in the Caribbean. We give you authentic guidance to get to Anguilla Beach, Little Bay, Bahamas Harbor Island Pink Beach, Belize Placencia, Belize South Water Caye, British Virgin Islands, Virgin Goda, The Baths, Guadeloupe, Grande Terre Island St. Anne Beach, Puerto Rico Culebra Island Playa Flamenco, Tobago Englishman's Bay, Palm Island Casuarina Beach, The US Virgin Islands, St. John Trunk Bay among other amazing and immensely popular Caribbean Beaches.

Besides our guide to World's Best Beaches also covers other neighboring Caribbean beach hotspots such as Guadalavaca, Caya Levisa, Cuba, Negril and Seven Mile Beach, Jamaican Beaches, Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, Dominican Republic, Luguillo Beach, Burmuda and Puerto Rico. From Australia to Zanzibar, Travour offers to take you on exciting tours to World's Best Beaches. So what's your favorite beach? Just tell us about your dream beach destination and we'll arrange a memorable beach vacation for you.

Travour, an international holiday and vacation e-guide, gives you instant information on the World's Best Beaches and beach holiday destinations.

At Travour we help you in your search for the beaches around the world. To know more about them follow the links:


II. Miami Beach

Miami Beach is one of the picturesque beaches in the state of Florida. The beach is famous for great fishing, sailing and even cruising. The beach is located in the heart of South Beach and acts as a gateway to the Caribbean.

Miami Beach is popular for a number of tourist attractions. The area is always buzzing with nightlife, entertainment and sports. Some of the must see places include the Ancient Spanish Monastery, one of the oldest buildings in the area. The Art Deco Welcome Center and the Art Museum at FIU are must see places for art enthusiasts. The Biscayne National Park is popular picnic area where you can rent kayaks and canoe, fishing or camping.

There are a number of world class hotels near the Miami Beach. Stay at some of the finest hotels in area that offer world class guest amenities and services. Some of these hotels include Miami Beach Resort and Spa, Atlantic Beach Hotel, Best Western Oceanfront Hotel, Deauville Beach Resort and many more. There are number of budget hotels as well for the budget traveler.

Activities on the Miami Beach are aplenty. You could go on a shopping spree at the numerous shopping stores. Also pamper your taste buds by dining at some of the popular restaurants beside the Miami Beach. There are a number of outdoor sporting activities which you could indulge in. Some of these include golf, swimming, scuba diving, tennis, water sports, surfing and many more. Or simply enjoy yourself at the numerous entertainment centers at night.

Miami Beach is known for its entertainment. You will find numerous entertainment centers, bars and discos near to the Beach. These entertainment joints are always brimming with activity. Activity include live shows, rock concerts, live bands, theaters, comedy shows etc. So walk into any of them and have your share of fun.

WORLD TOURISM -3

Europe - U.K.
London

Tower Bridge - London» Buckingham Palace : Home To The British Royalty. Part Of The Palace Is Open To Public Viewing At Specified Times.
» City Tour : Gives You A Feel Of City Vibrancy. London Bridge, Monumental Churches, Big Ben, And Shopping Centers Are Some Of The Attractions Included.
» London Eye : Very Huge Giant Wheel Almost In The City Center. Gives A Birds Eye View Of The Splendid Vicinity.
» Madam Tussad`s Museum : Houses Explicit Wax Statues Of Well Known International Personalities From The Bygone Era As Well As Some Living. Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Mr. Amitabh Bachachan, Mr. Shahrukh Khan, And Many Others Have Been Given A Place Of Honor. Also, A Scary Chamber Walk Forms An Interesting Part Of The Gallery.
» Crown Jewels : An Opportunity To View The Exquisite And Very Precious Jewels That The British Monarch Adorns During Royal Ceremonies.
ASK FOR TOUR

Scotland

» Edinburough : Capital Of The Scots. City With A Rich Culture With A Distinctly Modern Nt.
» Dumbfries : Home Of The Scottish Bard. Literature And Poetry Lingers In The By Lanes !
» Oban : Midway On The Western Coast. Scottish Tap Dance Performance While Dining. Boat Rides And Salmon Fish Farms Is Very Special.
» Inverness : Almost The Northern Tip Of Scotland. Emerald Sea In Lush Green Surroundings Typical Beauty Of Nature Seems To Emanate Here.


LONDON -PARIS

» Effiel Tower : A Symbol Of Magnificent Architecture. Lives On To Be A National Icon.
» Louvre : " Mona Lisa", In Original Is Preserved Here, Besides Many Sculptures And Paintings
» Arc De Triomph : A Majestic Symbol Of Napoleon'S Victory.
» Lido : A Show Of Art And Dignity With A Fitting Score Of Music.
» Palace Of Verseilles : On The Outskirts Of Paris. Hunting Castle Of The " Louis ".
» Sacrecour And Noterdam : Old Churches Acclaimed For Architectural Accomplishment.
» City Tour : Ride Gives A Glimpse Of An Old City Dressed In Modern Attire.
ASK FOR TOUR

Italy

» Rome : The Capital. Modern As Well As, Ancient Parts Of The City Are Wonderful.
» Florence And Pisa : Both Renowned For Old Architecture. " Leaning Tower " Needs No Further Elaboration.
» Venice : A City Carved Out Of The Sea ! Roads Are Water Lanes And Vehicles Are Boats !!

Switzerland

Interlaken» Geneva : Business Center. Great Lake And The Water Spout Adds A Unique Dimension To Beauty.
» Lucern : Take The Cog Wheel Train To Mt. Pilatus. Also Visit Mt Titlis. Many Hindi Films Are Shot Here.
» Interlaken : Want To Feel On Top Of Europe For Real ? Yung Frau Is The Place, It'S A Day'S Outing ! Because No One Can Miss The Ice Palace.

Austria

» Vienna : A Peaceful Place !! Perhaps Many Peace Conventions Have Originated Here ! A Very Modern City Stands In Testimony Of All That It Has Withstood In Past Centuries.
» Salsburg : A Serene Location With Nature At, One It'S Best !! A Classic, " Sound Of Music " Was Filmed Here.
» Innsbruck : For Those In Particular, Who Are Fond Of Winter Sports. Winter Olympics Were Held Here.

ASK FOR TOUR

Netherlands
» Amsterdam : The Only Airport In The World Which Is Below Sea Level ! Replete With Vibrant History And Perhaps, The World'S Shopping Plaza For Diamonds 11


Germany
» Berlin : Remnants Of The Wall Which Once Divided East And West. Museum To See "Nefrettiti ". Hitler Bunker That Reminds Horrors Of The Second World War. Brandenburg Gate Stands Majestic As Any Other Contemporary Structure, And The Berlin Tower For A Top View Of A Remarkable City.
» Nurenburg : For Those Who Are Interested In The Aftermath Of The War.
» Bonn : A Busy City, Almost Entirely Reconstructed Post War. The Underground Train System Is Operated On Honor Code Basis.


Spain
» Madrid : The Capital. Gardens Within The City Are Soothing. Palaces And Museums Are Spectacular.
» Barcelona : Locale For One Of The Olympic Games. Historical Monuments Are Imposing. Bull Fights On Every Week - Ends !!

ASK FOR TOUR

Monaco
A City And Country. Renowned For Casinos And Formula I Racing. Almost A Part Of France And Yet Not Quite !! Actress Grace Kelly Had Married The Prince, And Died Here In A Tragic Car Accident. Beaches Are As Fascinating As The Reviera.


Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway
Lake Vanern, SwedenThe Group Of Scandinavian Countries Have A Different Culture. Monuments Are Architecturally Unique. Finland Has Been Host To Olympic Games, Sporting Facilities To The Tourists Are Vivid, Lake "Inari" Is Heaven For The Fishing Enthusiasts. Hammerfest In Norway Is Very Close To The Arctic Circle And One Can Witness Six Months Of Days Or Six Months Of Nights, Alternatively. Indeed A Unique Experience !! Where Else Will You Find, Antelope Variety Of Wild Life Grazing In The Back Yard And Walking With You On The Streets ? ! !


Czech Republic
» Prague : Bohemian Variety Of "Cut Glass" Is Made Here. Erstwhile Eastern Block Influence Still Lingers ! Modernization Has Been As Rapid As Ever. City Is Simply Beautiful. Very Friendly People. A Trip To Moravia Will Add A Lot Of Fun !!


Greece
» Athens : The Land Where "Olympics" Originated. Known For Their Wine And Island Cruises. Many Monuments Worth Visiting While You Peep Into The Greek Culture.

WORLD TOURISM - 2

I. 50 most visited tourist attractions in the world
Our 1st annual look at the most tourist-heavy destinations on the planet

By Sandra Larriva and Gabe Weisert

At first glance, the Forbes Traveler 50 Most Visited Attractions List confirms several tourist industry truisms: A) Americans love to travel, but they prefer to stick within their own borders. B) Wherever Mickey Mouse goes, he conquers. C) Paris is the unofficial cultural theme park of the world. And D) Niagara Falls isn’t just for lovers anymore.

But the list also contains several surprises. Since the Taj Mahal—our fiftieth and final attraction—receives 2.4 million visitors a year, several popular favorites like the the Prado (2 million), the Uffizi (1.6 million), Angkor (1.5 million) and Stonehenge (850,000) didn’t make the cut. And while Western audiences may not be familiar with names like Everland and Lotte World, these South Korean mega-parks managed to rank 16th and 22nd on our list, respectively.

Not surprisingly, the French are out in force. How to account for the preponderance of attractions in Paris? According to the latest statistics report from the World Tourism Organization, France receives more foreign tourists per year than any other country -- some 76 million in 2005. Spain followed with 55 million, the United States with 50 million and China with 47 million. Italy rounded out the top five with 37 million (with the U.K. not far behind).

II.The sea breeze flapping across heavy canvas sails, wind whistling through salty rigging, and the gentle creak of tarred wood as a proud sailing ship cuts through a swell… maritime heritage isn’t just something to visit. It’s something to hear, feel and smell too.

As the home base of the Royal Navy for more than 1,000 years, Britain is the finest place to experience that complete taste of swashbuckling history, romantic gallantry and seafaring prowess.

The new Russell Crowe film Master and Commander – The Far Side of the World, is set on the high seas during the Napoleonic Wars. Based on the Patrick O’Brian novels, the film follows the adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey whose vessel is attacked by an enemy warship. A man on a mission, he sets sail on a high stakes chase across two oceans to intercept and capture his foe.

If the dashing naval heroes of Master and Commander whet your appetite, Britain’s nautical attractions are a must. Crowe’s Captain Jack Aubrey is the latest in a long line of British heroes of the sea, both fictional and real; for this is the homeland of Admiral Nelson, Sir Francis Drake, Captain Cook and Sir Walter Raleigh. So it’s hardly surprising that Britain is one big treasure island where the nautical gold isn’t buried or hidden, it’s simply scattered all around the beautiful coastline.

Nowhere else in the world can visitors get so close to real sea-going adventurers. You can stand on the green at Plymouth Hoe where Sir Francis Drake played bowls as the Armada approached and retrace the steps of the Pilgrim Fathers as they boarded the Mayflower; stroll round the atmospheric Belfast docks where the Titanic was built; and even stand astride the Greenwich Meridian Line – centre of all timekeeping and map-reckoning.

In fact Greenwich is a wonderful place to launch any nautical tour of Britain. At this World Heritage Site on the banks of the Thames in London, the sense of maritime history is so strong you almost expect to see Captain Aubrey sailing past at the helm of HMS Surprise.

There’s nothing fictional about the world’s only surviving three-masted tea clipper, the Cutty Sark. At Greenwich you can step aboard and imagine the bustle of a Victorian trading ship. Explore the magnificent Old Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum. This is where boatbuilders found original 1757 drawings to create the stunning replica of HMS Rose which doubles as HMS Surprise in Master and Commander.

And as the Thames winds through London, its banks are a sequence of landmarks of maritime legacy. The new Museum in Docklands charts the fascinating history of London’s river port. Head west to the second world war cruiser HMS Belfast. Discover about life on board by touring gun turrets, cabins and even the engine room.

Further upstream, between London Bridge and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is The Golden Hinde, a full-scale reconstruction of Francis Drake’s famous galleon.

Down on the south coast in Hampshire, a couple of hours from London, is one of the Royal Navy’s biggest and busiest ports. The Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is home to three most important warships - Henry VIII's lavish galleon Mary Rose, Lord Nelson's HMS Victory and the world's first iron battleship, the mighty HMS Warrior of 1860.

Further south, maritime treasure hunters will discover a hoard of seafaring gold in the Channel Islands. The more energetic can head for the sea, step back in time and dive amongst the numerous wrecks surrounding the islands. Explore the Maritime Museum in St. Helier, Jersey and learn about the islanders’ relationship with the sea over the past 8,000 years.

120 miles west of London is a city with a merchant naval heritage – Bristol. Here you can board the SS Great Britain, which 160 years ago was the world’s first ocean liner and carried 15,000 emigrants to Australia. Alongside her is The Matthew, a replica of the 15th-century vessel in which John Cabot crossed the Atlantic to claim Newfoundland.

Head north into Wales to find a coastline dotted with old smugglers’ caves and fishermen’s pubs. Seafaring highlights include Swansea’s maritime quarter, Cardiff’s stylishly renovated docklands and a string of dramatic medieval castles commanding strategic waterways, like those at Pembroke, Harlech, Beaumaris and Conway.

On the other side of Britain, England’s eastern counties boast another long and varied coastline.

A few miles inland is the picturesque town of Boston, from where the Pilgrim Fathers attempted to flee in 1607. Make an appointment to visit the Guildhall courtroom and cells where the ringleaders were tried and imprisoned before they fled to the New World via Holland.

In Norfolk visit Great Yarmouth, to see where Nelson grew up and got his first taste for the sea. The town is now home to the Norfolk Nelson Museum.

Further north, the city of Hull has a long seafaring tradition. The original HMS Rose was built here in 1757. But Hull is a modern vibrant centre too with attractions including a Maritime Museum, a North Sea trawler converted to a floating museum and a renovated lightship.

Further up the coast discover Captain Cook Country. The town of Whitby has been associated with the famous seafarer for over two hundred years. Here you can visit the harbourside Captain Cook Memorial Museum.

Conclude your tour north of the border. Scotland has a strong naval history of its own, such as Clydeside’s proud shipbuilding tradition. The Coastal cities of Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee have fascinating maritime museums, and Scotland’s capital Edinburgh is now home to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Visitors can step on board the ship that was once home to the world's most famous family.

WORLD TOURISM - 1

I.Shimla

One of the most famous tourist destinations of India, Shimla located in Himachal Pradesh is a beautiful hill station. Also known as Simla, your travel to this place will be one event of your life that you shall never forget. This beautiful hill station derives its name from "Goddess Shyamla", who is supposed to be an avatar of Goddess Kali. This lovely hill station was 'discovered' by the British who immediately fell in love with this place. Infact, they went to the extent of declaring Shimla as their summer capital. Read about Shimla tourism and know more about Simla travel.

Shimla abounds in natural bounty and looks picture perfect. The small hill station amidst the lofty snow-clad Himalayan ranges, surrounded by lakes and lush green pastures look as though an artist has painted them. The unique thing about Shimla is that it still retains its colonial charm and this creates an ambience that is not found anywhere else in India. Shimla is one tourist destination that can be visited any time during the year. Summers are warm with cool and pleasant evenings while winters are bone chilling and the temperatures can fall below zero. But this difference is what makes Shimla all the more special!


II. Darjeeling: A cool place to visit this year

Darjeeling owes' its grandeur to its natural beauty, its clean fresh mountain air and above all, the smiling resilient people for whom it is a home. Known for its natural splendor, Darjeeling's best gift to its' visitors is the dawn of a new day. The mountains awaken first with a tentative peeking of the sun. A steep ride, five kilometers from Ghoom, or an invigorating walk up a steep incline, leads sun worshippers to Tiger Hill. The air is chilly with darkness and damp.

Darjeeling offers all that is precious in nature-the hush of the hills, the green depth of the forest and the majesty of the mountains. It is a tradition while visiting Darjeeling to go to the Tiger Hill before daybreak to see the first rays of the sun strike the mountains. Another tradition is to spend a few hours everyday taking in the air at the Observatory
Hill, the popular meeting place for tourists as well as residents. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is a paradise for trekkers. You can, if you wish, go on short or long treks, depending on your stamina and enthusiasm.

For witnessing the sheer magnificence of mountains, unsullied and pristine, nothing compares with a visit to the famous hill station of Darjeeling in West Bengal. Even as you drive up the curvaceous roads or take the famous toy train to your destination, you will be awestruck by the resplendence of nature. Go through our tour offers for Darjeeling and decide which one is the best for you. If you are not looking for the one given here, call us.

Mirik Lake,Darjeeling, Darjeeling Travel, Darjeeling Hotels, Darjeeling Tours, Darjeeling Tourism, Visit Darjeeling, Darjeeling all-inclusive tours, Darjeeling travel package Darjeeling is well linked by Air, Road and Rail network. There are flights from Calcutta to Bagdogra which is 90 kilometers from Darjeeling. The nearest railhead is Siliguri. The Toy train runs from New Jalpaiguri/Siliguri. Darjeeling owes' its grandeur to its natural beauty, its clean fresh mountain air and above all, the smiling resilient people for whom it is a home. Known for its natural splendor, Darjeeling's best gift to its' visitors is the dawn of a new day. The mountains awaken
first with a tentative peeking of the sun. A steep ride, five kilometers from Ghoom, or an invigorating walk up a steep incline, leads sun worshippers to Tiger Hill. The air is chilly with darkness and damp.

Darjeeling offers all that is precious in nature-the hush of the hills, the green depth of the forest and the majesty of the mountains. It is a tradition while visiting Darjeeling to go to the Tiger Hill before daybreak to see the first rays of the sun strike the mountains. Another tradition is to spend a few hours everyday taking in the air at the Observatory Hill, the popular meeting place for tourists as well as residents. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is a paradise for trekkers. You can, if you wish, go on short or long treks, depending on your stamina and enthusiasm.

For witnessing the sheer magnificence of mountains, unsullied and pristine, nothing compares with a visit to the famous hill station of Darjeeling in West Bengal. Even as you drive up the curvaceous roads or take the famous toy train to your destination, you will be awestruck by the resplendence of nature. Go through our tour offers for Darjeeling and decide which one is the best for you.

Darjeeling is well linked by Air, Road and Rail network. There are flights from Calcutta to Bagdogra which is 90 kilometers from Darjeeling. The nearest railhead is Siliguri. The Toy train runs from New Jalpaiguri/Siliguri.