The cuisine of England has had a large influence on food all over the world. Many versions of traditional English dishes can be found in other cultures, perhaps with slight differences. English food itself, however, has adapted to tastes from all over the world! Indian curries and Asian sauces have become very popular in England, as have spicy Mexican dishes. This article features three of my favorite traditional English recipes that are still very common in England today. I hope you enjoy them!

Cornish Pasty

Ingredients:
Short crust pastry (make your own: 1/2 lb flour and 1/2 cup of lard or Crisco)
Potatoes (peeled and diced into small cubes)
Stewing steak (diced)
Onion (diced-optional)
Pinch of salt
Pinch of pepper
Pinch of flour
Dollop of margarine

Directions:
Roll out the pastry on a floured surface and cut it to roughly the same size of a dinner plate. Place the pastry circle onto a piece of aluminum foil and place the diced steak, potatoes, and onions in the center of the pasty. Leave enough room so that when folded in half there is still room at the edges to pinch them together. Season the filling with salt and pepper, a dab of margarine, and a pinch of flour. Fold the pastry in half and pinch the edges together. You may want to use a bit of water on your fingertips to help seal it. Fold up the foil around the pasty and crunch it together at the top. Cook in the oven at 375 degrees F for about two hours. During the last half hour, open up the foil to allow the edges of the pasties to brown.

Scotch Eggs

Ingredients:
6 hard-cooked eggs (chilled through)
1 lb sausage meat
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup fine bread crumbs
Vegetable oil for frying

Directions:
Peel the boiled eggs and set them aside for later. Divide the sausage meat into six equal portions. Roll each egg in flour, then press a portion of sausage meat around it until the egg is fully sealed inside the sausage. Dip each sausage/egg ball into the beaten eggs, and then roll them in bread crumbs. Heat the oil in a skillet to roughly 350 degrees F, then cook each egg for about five minutes, or until the sausage has cooked thoroughly and browned. Drain excess grease using paper towels and serve either warm or chilled.

Bread and Butter Pudding

Ingredients:
1/2 loaf of white bread (unsliced)
1/2 pint whole milk
butter for spreading
brown sugar
dried fruit or other soft fruit
pinch of ginger
pinch of cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg

Directions:
Slice the loaf of bread into 3/4-inch slices and cut off the crusts. Butter each slice on both sides and place them in the bottom of a baking dish. Sprinkle the dried or soft fruits on top of the buttered bread slices, then follow with sprinkled brown sugar. Butter more bread slices and place them over the fruit. Pierce the bread a few times using a knife or fork, then pour the milk on top. When the bread is soaked, sprinkle brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg on top. Bake at 275 degrees F for about 2 – 2 1/2 hours, or until the bread has risen a bit. Best served with vanilla ice cream or hot custard.

Hampton Court Palace, which is located in southwest London, is actually a royal palace where tourists from all over the world and the country visit to experience its beauty. It lies in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The Hampton Court Palace was the house of the British royal family before the 18th century. The palace lies at a distance of 11.7 miles towards the southwest of Charing Cross and also towards the upstream of central London on the River Thames.

The Hampton Court Palace was originally built for the favorite of King Henry VIII whose name was Cardinal Wolsey. It was during the year 1529 as Wolsey fell from favor, it was handed over to the king who later extended the palace. The subsequent century, the palace was under rebuilding and expansion project. Due to rivalry, the work was even halted in the year 1694 that led the palace into two different architectural styles, which are domestic Tudor and Baroque. It was an accident that the palace was built in different styles, but the unity could be seen from the use of pink bricks. The symmetrical, albeit vague that is balancing the succeeding low wings also increases the pride of the palace.

Today, the palace remains open to the public and huge number of tourists throngs to see a glimpse of the palace. This makes the Hampton Court Palace a renowned tourist destination. The palace is managed by an independent charity named the Historical Royal Palaces. This charity does not receive any funding from the government or from the Crown. It is the spot where annual Festival Flower Show take place.

Something special that the palace is so renowned and tourists rush to see is its attractions. The Hampton Court Palace houses many works of art and furnishings, which is from the Royal Collection. These collections are mostly during the time of those two prime periods that is – the construction of the palace. Tourists get fascinated by seeing the single most significant works, which is Mantegnas Triumphs of Caesar. You can find this beautiful work in the Lower Orangery. The Victoria and Albert Museum houses the Raphael Cartoons that was once kept by the Hampton Court Palace.

The earlier home, which is the Cartoon Galley located at the south side of the Fountain Court was originally designed by Christopher Wren. From this, a minor artist whose name was Henry Cooke has painted the copies during the 1690s. You are lucky enough to take a magnificent glimpse of such works and designs. Besides this, you can also see the collections on the display like ceramics. The ceramics include many different pieces of blue and white porcelain that has been gathered by Queen Mary II. The collections were of Chinese imports and Delftware.

Besides the work, you can even see the original furniture that are dating back to the 17th and 18th century. Furniture include tables made by Jean Pelletier, India back walnut chairs done by Thomas Roberts and clocks and a barometer done by Thomas Tompion. The best part in this is the furniture that are still kept in their original positions like the Throne Canopy located in the Privy Chamber of the king. Exploring the room will give you amazing experience, as the room consists of a crystal chandelier of circa 1700. May be this is the first charming chandelier in the entire country.

The palace is the best option for those who want to explore the history of over 800 years. The Hampton Court Palace is among the finest palaces in the entire world. Visitors usually get an introductory exhibition, a guide who will take you through the Tudor Kitchens, and also a costume guide tour. In addition to this, you will get an opportunity to see the state apartments of the Queen, the king’s apartment, and also the Wolsey and Georgian rooms. Do not miss one of the most imposing sights that are the Great Hall. It is the last and greatest medieval hall, which is adorned with sumptuous tapestries.

You will be completely lost outside where the most renowned maze in the world lies. Head to the Privy garden that is restored to its glory similar to the time of 1702. The palace remains open during winter from morning 10 to evening 16.30, and during summer the opening time is from morning 10 to evening 18. The ticket price of the palace, maze and gardens for adults is £13.30, where as, children will have to pay 5-16 – £6.65.

So experience the major and breathtaking palace of the medieval times. You can easily found yourself dating back to the centuries.

London, the capital of England, is the most urban area in the United Kingdom. It is one of the world’s leading financial, business and cultural centers and contributes to be a major global city. It houses four major world heritage sites and one of the major developed areas in the world. Not only this, but London is one of the major tourist’s destinations in the world because of several sightseeing tours, parks, gardens, palaces and world famous towers. Due to all these attractions, hotels in London England are well established to provide comfortable accommodation to tourists with several facilities and amenities.

It is beyond doubt that London is well developed city and attracts tourists from the world around. In order to make the provision for tourists’ stay, there is wide network of hotels ranging from star hotels to cheap London hotels, to suit the taste and budget of every traveler. It is ineffable to describe the luxury for travelers in star hotels in London England. The immediate service and warm hospitality of the hotel staffs give the feeling of homely comfort to its visitors.

The visitors to London can easily come across many London airport hotels, which are located in proximity to airport. Most of these hotels include beautiful garden and restaurants, where visitors can enjoy several types of English and international dishes. The array of facilities offered at such hotels is excellent. It covers a wide range of network such as restaurant, bar, soundproof rooms; spa, sauna, pool, etc forms a long list. There are many hotels around tourists’ attractions that add fun to your trip. Travelers can find hotel through London hotel map, which gives you entire elaboration of hotels in London and their location.

Such London hotel map provides ease to travelers to pre-decide the hotel to stay and several tourists’ attractions to view. All these decisions can be taken according to one’s own need. The traveler visiting London for exploring the city can go for some cheap hotel or star hotels on the basis of his affordability or in proximity to the places to be explored by him. A business traveler can look for the comfort of other members or for the facilities of various meeting and conference rooms offered.

The accommodation can be booked online through several agencies, which make the necessary lodging arrangements for the tourists, who might be busy in exploring the sightseeing views of the city. These online booking website have lent a helping hand to travelers in making arrangements for them in advance to save them from hustle and enjoy their trip.

Sussex holiday breaks are a great way to enjoy the South East of England, home to some of the most fascinating historical and entertaining attractions. Whether you’re seeking a quiet, peaceful break to escape the business of life, or looking to immerse yourself in history and cultural attractions, Sussex holiday breaks feature something for everyone.

Formerly known as the ancient Kingdom of Sussex, your Sussex holiday break will situate you in the perfect location to enjoy the rich and ancient history the county has to offer. With three very prominent seaside towns – Hastings, Brighton, and Eastbourne, and an unofficial nickname of ‘Sussex by the Sea’, the county boasts fantastic seaside attractions and historical significance.

A holiday in Sussex can give you the opportunity to explore the quaint and picturesque harbour town of Rye. Part of the Cinque Ports confederation, the ancient towns of Rye and Rye Harbour offer a terrific day out to visitors of all ages. The beautiful town boasts excellent and unusual shops amidst the cobbled streets including an old-fashioned sweet store. Spend your time on the beach or watching the boats come and go from the harbour whilst enjoying some of the finest fish and chips the county has to offer.

If shopping is more your thing then one of the many Sussex holiday breaks available through rental cottages will offer you the perfect base to explore the nearby delights of Hastings, Eastbourne and Brighton. Whether you’d prefer to explore the depths of the many fabulous antiques stores, or check out one of the numerous boutique-clothing stores, you can be assured of a shopping experience rival to some parts of London.

Ireland is one of the most fondly visited European destinations owing to the beauty and charisma that the country offers. Every year, it plays host to millions of tourists who come here from the several global destinations to relish on the traditional warmth and hospitality of the Irish people. One of the best ways to explore through the countryside and get a better insight into the culture and heritage of the place is to embark on backpacking travel. Yes this particular option means that you could visit the interiors of the place, participate in recreational activities like no body else and at the same time save on money! Yes backpacking that was earlier known only for budget travelers has today become popular with all and people have started to explore this genre, more frequently than ever before.

However, before you start off with your ireland backpacking vacation there are a few things that you could keep in mind to make your sojourn interesting and better rewarding. We have compiled for you a list of ireland travel tips that you could find handy while vacationing in any part of the country. Browse on to know about it all ….

ireland is richly dipped in history and therefore guests travelling to this nation should definitely embark on tours that facilitate guests a better understanding of the history and the culture of the place. The wild countryside of the place is also coated with age-old histories and backpacking guests could definitely avail of features that throw light on this feature.

To explore through the city, the best idea is definitely to book for car rentals than anything else. These are cheaper and definitely better over all other options. There are a number of agencies dealing in the same and they surely offer for some of the best deals.

One of the best backpacking travel tips for visitors across all ages is to travel light and easy. Since the climate of ireland remains cool and pleasant throughout the year with occasional rains it is advisable that guests travel with comfortable clothes and carry a few changes to change into, just in case you get drenched in the Irish rains!

Since you are backpacking, you may wish to drive on your own. While doing so remember to stick to the left side as this is what it is here. Wearing of the seat belt is mandatory for all occupants and just look out for winding roads especially in the countryside.

For backpacking guests there are a number of budget hotels and Inns located throughout Ireland and they offer for interesting accommodation in Ireland which are clean and cheap.

So with these handy tips, hope your travel through ireland is pleasurable and fun….

Why do people travel? Finding a definitive answer to that question is difficult, at best. Human nature has many needs and these needs vary from person to person. Perhaps plain wanderlust urges people see new places and have new experiences or the need to get away from everyday stress or pressures at home or work. Some may want to make a religious pilgrimage to a sacred site or find new adventures in the jungle or mountains. New careers may beckon as a cooking school lures you to enroll or the travel writing bug bites you. Whatever the reason, travel allows you to make a connection in another country, meet different people and experience different cultures. But most important, travel allows you to become a citizen of the world…..to make a connection with other members of the human race.

This desire to travel even leads some people to work overseas and has led to the establishment of several agencies that specialize in international travel nursing. One country that is a popular destination for American born travel nurses is the UK. Similar cultures and language make England, Scotland and Wales a desirable nursing post.

Most international nursing agencies have the experience to help the travel nurse through the registration process, including any licensing or training that is required. A travel nursing tour in the UK is typically on a 13 week rotation which mean that a nurse could experience four different settings in her travel country, if desired. Options to extend a 13 week tour are often available if a nurse wants to remain in the same location.

Above average pay rates and full medical benefits offered by the National Health Service are not the only financial incentives to entice the travel nurse. Subsidized housing is provided either close to the health care facility or close to safe public transport. Some agencies also offer 24 days of paid vacation annually, sick pay and continuing education. Travel stipends give travel nurses a little extra financial help to explore their new country. In addition, nursing uniforms are often provided by the hospital. Uniform scrubs have made their way overseas so it is likely that you will not have to wear the traditional black shoes and black stockings that have characterized nursing uniforms in the UK. You will have to provide your own nursing shoes or nursing clogs so check your hospital’s requirements with your agency

Adjusting to life in the UK is easier than ever. Once almost non-existant, large supermarkets are springing up in most areas which means that most of your favorite foods are available on the UK supermarket shelves. Still, there are some products that are simply not sold in the British Isles so you will want to verify if your favorite snack or lunch food is available. Otherwise, you may want to bring a stash of peanut butter or your favorite cracker with you.

Public transportation in the UK is clean, safe and very accessible. Travel in the cities or between cities is made easy by the reliable transit companies. Most areas of the UK can be accessed in less than 8 hours, making for easy weekend touring. Pack a variety of non-wrinkle clothing to layer for the ever changing weather. Evenings can be cool and as a friend of mine found out, wearing thermals for sleepwear was a necessity for all seasons except summer. If you have room in your suitcase, a lightweight but warm fleece blanket is a welcome addition as you can use it as an extra blanket, a leg warmer while reading on the couch or throw it over yourself on a train to a new destination.

With some good planning, being a travel nurse in the UK can be that new adventure that introduces you to a new culture and new people with relatively few difficulties associated with moving to a foreign country. Perhaps being a travel nurse is for you.

In addition

What will make your next Dorset holidays extra special? Book one of the luxurious Dorset holidays cottages and see for yourself the superb accommodation that they provide. These Dorset holiday cottages also offer excellent five star customer service and have a pet-friendly environment. For those who will be bringing their own transportation, ample parking spaces will be allotted by these Dorset holiday cottages.

Dorset holidays would never be complete without trying different adventures that this side of England offers. Seated along the coastline, the mile long stretch of the most stunning beaches in the country are very inviting for swimming, snorkelling, diving and other water sports. An adrenaline rush is what rock climbing, zip lining, mountain climbing and rappelling can offer. The many theme parks will certainly paint smiles onto your kids’ faces. For some unforgettable gastronomic experience, there are various restaurants around the corner. Those who want to engage in historical visits, there are countless of attractions that you can go to. Here are some interesting suggestions during your holidays in Dorset.

The Corfe Castle

Few block away from most Dorset holiday cottages are the remains of Britain’s most exquisite and cherished citadel-the Corfe Castle. The castle holds an intense history within, with more or less 1000 years of being witness to wars and revolutions in England. This is also a nice place to take the kids during your Dorset holidays. You can get to the castle through Purbeck Hills. This used to be the fortress of William the Conqueror during his stronger days. It was Lady Bankes who saved this place from devastation in the 2nd World War.

The Kingston Lacy

For those who want to feed their hunger for history, the Kingston Lacy should never be missed out during your holidays in Dorset. Here lies the Hill Fort of Bradbury Rings that is believed to have been formed during the Iron Age. The architecture is a delight to all experts from around the globe. The mansion is grounded at the heart of a luscious garden. Make sure that you visit the attractions within the Kingston Lacy that include the Spanish Room, Egyptian Artefacts and leather decorated walls. The picturesque garden makes for a good venue for photo shoots.

The Totnes Castle

For those who would love to engage in historical walks, but do not want to travel far from Dorset holiday cottages, the Totnes Castle is the perfect place for you. Here, you will be privileged to see a Norman motte and bailey citadel. It was built to intimidate the Saxon Town during the Conquest. There are entrance fees that range from £3.20 for adults and £1.60 for kids aged 5 to 15 years of old.

Bristol is a vibrant city in south west England. At one time the city was an extremely busy seaport and although the area is still extremely prosperous the main industries are financial services, hi tech related business and retail. The arts, music and film are also strong in Bristol and the large number of students help create a lively nightlife and altogether the city proves an excellent place to take a variety of vacations. In the following article I list a handful of hotels which allow pets, finding pet friendly hotels in Bristol is actually incredibly difficult.

Bristol has a multitude of hotels, guest houses and other accommodation but attempting to find hotels which could be described as “pet friendly” proved immensely difficult with only one hotel allowing pets within a couple of minutes of the very centre and the others listed below are up to a mile and a half away. As I worked through the hotels I was, at first, concerned that I would only find one or two so, in the end, I was surprised to find seven which mentioned “pets allowed” but then pleased to notice that only two mention charges. It was while creating this list of pet friendly hotels in Bristol that I realised how frustrating it must be for people who travel with their pets often and I hope this list will, therefore prove very useful to those folk. If you have arrived here looking for similar hotels elsewhere in the UK then please take a look at my other articles as I plan to do this for as many UK cities as possible.

The list below has those pet friendly Bristol hotels closest to the city centre appearing first.

Novotel Bristol Centre
The 4 star Novotel is just under a third of a mile from the very centre of the city on Victoria Street close to the ICC, NIA and the Bullring Shopping Centre. As well as having 148 rooms the hotel also has a fitness centre including a sauna and a Jacuzzi. This is the most central hotel in which pets are allowed but extra charges may be applicable.

Express by Holiday Inn
The 3 star Express by Holiday Inn is about half a mile, a couple of minutes walk, from the exact centre opposite Bristol Temple Meads rail station. I noticed that in their advertising they state that the SS Great Britain is now situated in Great Western Dockyard but I remember seeing it when I first visited Bristol at the end of the 1970s/early 1980s, although, at that time, it wast merely a rusty hull. 96 rooms.

Berkeley Square Classic Hotel
The 4 star Berkeley Square is almost three quarters of a mile away from the exact centre of the city, in the Clifton area. This unique and exclusive hotel has a total of 42 rooms and it is sometimes possible to pick up a last minute bargain.

The Clifton Hotel
The 2 star Clifton is within walking distance of Bristol’s famous suspension bridge but being roughly a mile from the exact city centre it can also be said to be just within walking distance. This hotel has 59 rooms in a converted Neo-Classical house which retains many of the 19th century features.

The Washington Hotel
The 3 star Washington is also about a mile from the city centre in the area of Clifton. Although this is classed as a budget hotel it has excellent services and is more luxurious than one would expect for the price charged. 46 rooms.

The Rodney Hotel
The 3 star Rodney is another pet friendly hotel situated in Clifton, a great area for walking dogs, just over a mile from the very centre of the city. Described as one of Bristol’s most elegant establishments this 31 room hotel offers a wealth of facilities and services more often seen in 4 star accommodation.

Arnos Manor Hotel Bristol
The 3 star Arnos Manor is about a mile and a half from the very centre of the city which means it is still highly accessible. Sadly this is one of only two pet friendly hotels in Bristol which mention that an extra charge may be applicable if you have a pet in your room. This is another hotel which appears much more than a mere 3 star establishment, featuring 73 rooms, some of which are en suite and have whirlpool baths, in Georgian Gothic buildings set in landscaped gardens.

I hope that you find the above list useful and that you have a wonderful visit to the incredible city of Bristol, England.

Vancouver is the second most expensive city in Canada after Toronto. However Vancouver rarely ranks in the top 50 of worldwide city surveys. Overseas visitors will find Vancouver much cheaper than all the main European and Asian cities and better value than popular American destinations such as New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

A strong Canadian dollar means higher prices for visitors but unless you are planning to buy a house in Vancouver, prices for most things are moderate.

Accommodation rates in Vancouver

After your flight, accommodation will be the priciest part of your trip. Staying downtown is the most expensive option when staying in Vancouver but it is also the most convenient. You’ll cut down on travel costs and food and travel expenses aren’t much more expensive than in the surrounding cities and suburbs.

Like most places the accommodation prices sky-rocket in the summer and the best deals to be had are from October to April. All accommodation prices quoted below are the peak season rates and include taxes.

- Hostels (dormitories): $35 a night

- Hostels (private rooms): $80 to $100 a night

- Bed & breakfasts: $160 to $300 a night

- Three-star hotels: $180 to $250 a night

- Five-star plus luxury: $400 plus a night

When looking for a room make sure you add the tax and service fees (which are about 15% of the basic room rate) before you make a booking.

Food

If money is tight, it is possible to eat out in Vancouver for $30 a day without resorting to fast food value meals. But if you want to live a little, a budget of $40 to $50 a day is more realistic

A coffee and a muffin from a coffee shop will set you back about $7 for breakfast. Vancouver’s numerous sushi restaurants offer lunch specials and bento boxes for under $10 and lots of cafes offer soup and a sandwich for around the same price. In the evening you can enjoy a main course at a good ethnic restaurant for under $15. Alcohol is expensive and a beer or wine with your meal will boost your bill significantly.

- Small cappuccino: $3 to $3.50

- Small latte: $3 to $3.50

- Muffin: $2.25 to $3

- Burger meal deal: $6 to $7.50

- Pizza slice: From $1.50

- Bottled pop/soft drink: $1.90 to $2.50

- Bottled juice: $2.20 – $2.50

- Bottled water: $1.20 to $1.50

- Six-pack of cheap brand beer: $11 to $13

- Six-pack of micro-brew beer: $13 to $17

The cost of travel in Vancouver

Public transit is cheap in Vancouver. One transit ticket is good for use on buses, the SeaBus and SkyTrain and you can use the same ticket within a single zone for 90 minutes. If you plan to do a lot of travel by public transit, buy a book of FareSaver tickets to save money.

- One zone travel: $2.50

- Two zone travel: $3.75

- DayPass (all zones) $9

- One zone FareSaver tickets (10): $21

- Two zone FareSaver tickets (10): $31.50

Vancouver Taxis

Short trips across town (5km) in light traffic will cost just under $15 including a tip.

Gas Gas prices in British Columbia are more expensive than cities in eastern provinces. Prices at the pump are much cheaper than in Europe but around 25% more than the United States. Over the last 3 years, prices have yo-yoed between $1.05 a litre to $1.45.

Entertainment in Vancouver

- Cinema tickets: $9 to $12

- Galleries & museums: $10 to $20

- Other visitor attractions: $12 to $28

Outdoor equipment rental

It’s easy to enjoy the outdoors in Vancouver. There are several bike and in-line skate rentals close to Stanley Park and kayak hire is available at Deep Cove, Granville Island and Sunset Beach and Jericho Beach during the summer.

- Bike rental: $17 to $40 for a half day

- Inline skate rental: From $5 an hour

- Kayaks rental: $30 to $38 for two hours

Taxes

The BC sales tax of 12% is applied to most goods and services.

Tipping

The standard tip rate is 15% for taxis, bars and restaurants.

In order to survive and thrive around proud people like the Indians it would be wise to take the trouble to learn something about their culture. Let’s take some time off to learn about India through its rich culture and heritage.

Language is only mode of communication used to communicate effectively between different races and communities. It doesn’t matter what sort of differences exist between people as long as effective communication exists because it ensures the smooth flow of life.

Indian languages are considered part of the ancient culture of this land. The principal official language of the Republic of India is Standard Hindi, while English is the secondary official language. Individual mother tongues in India number several hundred – with the 1961 census recognizing 1,652. The government of India has given 22 Indian dialects the status of official language.

Syncretism and cultural pluralism dominantly shape the identity of the Indian cultural landscape. Through the many years of its existence the nation has steadily maintained a tight grasp on well-preserved traditions and beliefs while showing remarkable flexibility on acceptance of the changing aspects of the world.

At many levels, Indian society is still founded on the strict bonds of the caste system. Family values are highly treasured within the Indian community. While there are more the nuclear families among homes across the land, there still exists a standard of patriarchal dominance within households.

Arranged marriages are still popular even in the present generation. Parents and respected family members take charge but allow the bride and groom to get to know their soon-to-be spouse before the union.

The bonds of matrimony are still given a great deal of importance and the practice of child marriage is still popular in certain states where a large percent of the female population are made to marry before reaching the legal age of eighteen.

Herbs and spices give the Indian style of cooking its texture and aroma. These have been well documented as are the diverse forms of cooking which are rooted in highly sophisticated regional techniques of food preparation across the land.

Rice and wheat are common mainstays during mealtime. Indian cuisine is famous for being hot and spicy due to the generous use of black and chilli pepper spices that the country is well-known for.

Indians love festivities and make it a point to dress up in their best fashions for a festive occasion. Their garments and clothing are highly influenced by the climate of the region. Styles that are common in Indian fashion include the sari (or saree) for women and the dhoti or lungi for men.

Festivals in India follow a religious pattern regardless of creed and the caste. Some of the festivities are Ugadi, Holi, Onam, Durga Puja, Deepavali (Diwali) and Vaisakhi.

Indian classical music is the dominant form of music in the nation, with Bollywood music being a take-off on it. Two genres are widely followed which are the Hindustani classical from the northern ranks of India and Carnatic music which is basically rooted in the traditionally inspired folk music within the regions of the South.

Dances are also popular in their folk and classical forms which include the likes of Bhangra of the Punjab and the Bihu of Assam, as well as Kathak and Bharatnatyam, which are known world-wide.

Indian architecture is the best mirror of the diversity in Indian culture. There are landmarks within its confines that are highly acknowledged in a world-class level. One vey notable landmark of Indian architecture is the Taj Mahal.

The Mughal Architecture of the north and the architectural forms popular in South India showcase a wide array of methods and techniques depicting local forms mixed with foreign principles.

Learning about Indian culture through books and travels gives you a once in a lifetime opportunity to get to know the mindset of a people that have survived vast ages of time.