Museum of Islamic Art: Why is it a must visit place in Doha?

Museums are magical places. They have this innate ability to transport us into unchartered territories; to places, we’ve never been and to cultures, we’ve never experienced. Without museums, humanity without a doubt would be less emphatic and harsh.

Today, we’re talking about one such museum. It’s the Museum of Islamic art and it’s in Doha, Qatar. Well, now you’ve got one good reason to apply for that Qatar Visa this summer.

Even if you visit Qatar for just one place, make sure it’s the Museum of Islamic Art. If you happen to fly from India, make sure to visit Musafir India; from online visa application to great ticket prices, they are a great travel firm to do business with.

The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) has become an integral part of the Dohan landscape. Among the glittering glass skyscrapers and restaurants is a museum set on its very own island.

As you spot the building, it will remind many of a postmodern fortress with its design and minimal windows. The building’s design draws inspiration from ancient Islamic architecture, especially the Ibn Tulun Mosque in Cairo. The museum houses collections from three continents on Islamic arts. It’s a place where you get a rewarding exposure to Islam.

Renowned Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei whose credits include the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and the Louvre Pyramid in Paris designed the building. It was Pei’s idea to construct a stand-alone island for MIA because he didn’t want any other building to encroach it. The museum’s main building rises five floors, a park with extensive landscaped lawns and trees surround it. The museum’s facilities include a gift shop, classrooms, prayer halls, ablution facilities, a restaurant, and a theatre as well.

The museum collection is impressive, to say the least. The MIA aims to showcase the history of Islamic art world spanning over a thousand years. The collection includes ceramics, metalwork, glass, manuscripts, and textiles. A good way to explore and learn from the museum collections is through the free guided tours, held every Thursday and Saturday at 2 pm, they are free of cost.

Qatar and Doha’s expansion and rise have a motive. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former ruling Emir of Qatar wanted to make Qatar the capital of culture. The Museum of Islamic Art was the result of this endeavour. The museum’s vision it to become the centre of knowledge, dialogue, and learning that throws light on Islamic art.

This is Why the Foodie in You Wants to Take a Trip to Mumbai

Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Hanging Garden, Bandra-Worli Sealink, Mani Bhavan and Jahangir Art Gallery are surely in every tourist’s spotlight, on their first trip to Mumbai. But what makes them come back to the city, again and again, is its crisp and lush treats. Here are five places with their best served foods that allures every foodie:

Graduate Vada Pav

Graduate vada pav stall crowns the crowded street of Byculla station in South Mumbai. Established for over 16 years now, it is owned by a Satara family and gets 1500 to 2000 customers every day; you will never find this store empty. Authentic vada pavs with your choice of chatni—chilli, garlic and/or tamarind, it is as simple as it can get.

Sardar Pav Bhaji

If you are craving for a rich and cheesy treat, you got to stop at Sardar in tardeo circle! A pav bhaji fan or not, no one leaves Mumbai without tasting this spicy preparation of mashed vegetables augmented with dollops of butter and served alongside pav bread.

Badshah’s Chat

Badshah stall in Girgaon Chowpatty serves a range of chats, including sev puri, bhel puri, pani puri, dahi papdi, and aloo chat, with its own healthy additions of sprouted lentils and fresh herbs. Every vendor in Badshah uses plastic gloves, and hence the food here is as clean as it is scrumptious. Above all, it serves these snacks in full spirit of Mumbai, i.e. alongside the sea shore.

New Kulfi Centre

Established in 1960, New Kulfi Centre has deep roots in the city. Based opposite to Girgaon Chowpatty in Charni Road, it serves 36 flavours of Indian ice-creams, everything from pistachio and mango to malayi and chocolate. If you have a sweet tooth, this place has a name for your every craving.

Bademiya’s Chicken Tikka Roll

Mumbai makes even the laziest butt get going, and that’s why it has the tastiest food options on its good to go list. While rolls are the most popular meal in the city, second only to the legendary vada pav, chicken tikka rolls in Bademiya surpasses all. Situated behind Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Colaba, its meaty goodness is best enjoyed in late-night enchantment.

Planning your next trip, already? Check Jet Airways flights to Mumbai and book your tickets online.

Five Restaurants in Mumbai Which Serve Lip-Smacking Thalis

A thali is an Indian style food platter. They are loved by many for it offers them a taste of many dishes; in Mumbai, thalis are loved during lunch hours by the office going crowd. People who catch flights from Dubai to Mumbai or Singapore to Mumbai ensure to have a few hours to spare to feast on these thalis. Here are some of the very best.

1. A. Rama Nayak’s Udipi, Matunga East.

The suburb of Matunga is one of the best places to visit for a simple and delicious vegetarian thali. Reach a bit early to avoid the long queues and decide whether you want their limited or unlimited thali option. The food here is delicious and served on a banana leaf just like a traditional South Indian meal. Under 250 bucks, you will enjoy rice, chapattis, two vegetable gravies, one dry vegetable, curd, sambhar, rasam, and a sweet. It’s a thali which is filling and tasty and that too at quite an affordable rate.

2. Jai Hind Lunch Home, Lower Parel.

It’s quite impossible to find a seat here during lunch hours, that’s how much everybody loves the food here. If you manage to grab a seat here, don’t waste time on the menu and order their fish thali. Fried fish, chappati, and coconut based rassa; it’s literally heaven. A better option should be to skip the chapatti and shell out a few extra bucks for the neer dosa. Your lunch here will be the best one you have for a long time.

3. Golden Star Thali, Charni Road.

When you have the word ‘thali’ in your name, you should by default serve excellent thalis and Golden Star Thali lives up to that expectation. You will enjoy their tasty Gujarati and Rajasthani offerings. Their thali includes three varieties of farsan, four types of rotis and vegetables, three types of rice, varieties of chutneys, papads and pickles. That’s a whole lot of deliciousness in one plate.

4. Gajalee, various outlets

Along with Jai Hind Lunch Home, there’s Gajalee which is popular across Mumbai for its Maharashtrian and coastal offerings. It’s their fish thali which is a winner. Two pieces of Bombil fry, fish masala, coconut and kokam based sol kadi, rice, and two chapattis. Mumbai loves its seafood and Gajalee is at the forefront spreading the love.

5. Thackers

With a gorgeous view of the Arabian Sea, Thackers is the best place to enjoy a vegetarian thali in style. Try their special Gujarati thali where you will be spoilt for choice. Imagine a plate with sweets, farsan, vegetables, puri, phulka, kadhi, dal, rice, papapd, and chaas. It’s a hearty meal, to say the least.

 

These are some of the best thalis you can find in the gorgeous city. Mumbai has so much to offer in terms of food, love, warmth, commerce, and fun. A great way to reach this city from UAE, Southeast Asia, and Europe or anywhere for that matter would be through Jet Airways, one of India’s most loved

5 most wonderful places to visit in Paris

Well-known for its scenic places and romantic appeal, this city is amongst the best travel hotspots all around the world. With a lot of entertainment options available, tourists can have an eventful weekend here. On a trip to Paris, tourists can explore the never-ending list of famous landmarks and can enjoy panoramic views of the beautiful surrounding area. To keep travelers occupied during holidays, this magnificent city offers the most fascinating natural and cultural vistas. Paris as one of the foremost fashion capitals of the world has some very good shopping options for second-hand items and antiques. Apart from these, this city is a home to some of the greatest known monuments in the world that are rich in historical and architectural significance. Paris is a majestic city that never sleeps and you will never get bored here, not even for a single minute. So, if you are planning a trip to this marvelous city, below-mentioned are some of the stunning places that should not be missed:

 

• Notre Dame De Paris- Famed for its rose windows, sculptures, stained glass and dramatic towers, it is popularly known as one of the most captivating Gothic-style cathedral in the world. Tourists from all around the world come and admire this masterpiece. Featuring French Romanesque architecture, our lady love of Paris is the must-see attraction for all travelers.

• The Eiffel Tower- The symbol of Paris, this iconic monument is amongst the seven wonder of the world. The magic of this tower will never fail to amaze you, so, make the best of your visit, go get clicked in front of one of the most romantic spots in the world.

• The Louvre- Showcasing a tremendous collection of art and sculptures, the Louvre is the biggest museum in the world. Also, displaying the greatest masterpieces of those times, this museum is like an evolving work of art. Paris is undoubtedly the most attractive city and the Louvre definitely add to its romanticism and charm.

• Arc de Triomphe – This monument is popularly known as one of the landmark tourist destinations of Paris. Just by the look at this arc, you will be filled with a sense of nostalgia as this monument was Napoleon to commemorate the people who died in French Revolution.

• Disneyland Paris- Make your travel experience a step higher by getting a delightful feel of memorable childhood days. You can spend a fun-filled day here by taking joyful rides and living the mystical life of Disney with your most-liked cartoon characters.

On the whole, this city is an epitome of gastronomy, culture, and fashion. So, what are you waiting for? Convince yourself to witness this beloved, bizarre and beautiful city. Take a flight to Paris and get lost in the beauty of this most desired holiday destination in the world. If you want to avail best deals and discount offers on flights, you may book tickets from Jet Airways, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world.

Checklist for your trip to Malaysia and Singapore

Planning a trip abroad can be overwhelming especially when you are visiting more than one country. From booking a package to deciding on places to visit, you have to ensure that you make the most of your vacation. Also to save yourself from the hassles of packing, it is important that you have a checklist.

Singapore and Malaysia are two most popular tourist attractions of Southeast Asia. There are a number of amazing attractions to visit, activities to try, and scrumptious meals to indulge in. Whether you are on a solo expedition or on a family vacation, both of these destinations are sure to give you a memorable time. To make your vacation experience more pleasant and less troublesome, we have listed down a few things that you need to take care of. Basically, a checklist that will make your travel planning a lot easier.

Important documents: Travelling abroad brings in so much excitement that you pack everything except your passport and visa. The two most important documents on your foreign trip, without which you can get into serious legal trouble. You sure don’t want your trip to be spoiled like that, do you? Make it a point to carry your passport which should have at least six months validity from the date of your arrival. Also, keep digital copies of all important documents on your phone, in case you lose them.

Travel insurance policy: Do not turn down your travel agent for offering you to buy a travel insurance policy. It is the extremely important to avail a travel protection plan before you head out on a foreign trip. It will pay for your medical emergencies abroad. Also, it will compensate in case you lose your prized possessions abroad.

Must packs: Check the vaccinations and medications that you may need. South East Asian countries are not too cold, so you do not have to worry about stuffing in too many warm clothes. If you carrying some strong medications with you, ensure that you a valid doctor prescription for the same.

If you are facing trouble applying for Singapore & Malaysia Visa, you can do it through private travel portals.

Discover the Iconic City of Delhi

The delightful city of Delhi never fails to charm the hearts of each and every person who happens to visit. This proud capital city of India is abound with many amazing monuments and relics of the past. Delhi is among the few rare cities in India that has manages to preserve its historic roots regardless of being a metropolis. Being the capital city of India, it is well connected from all the places in India. Most of the leading airlines offer daily flights from Delhi to all of the major cities in India. Therefore you need not worry about planning the travel. If you are planning to visit this wonderful city, you visit won’t be complete without visiting these wonderful places.

1. Red Fort: – The Red Fort is perhaps the most iconic monument in Delhi. It was home to the Mughal Emperors for nearly 200 years. This majestic building is built out of red sandstone and stands tall and proud against the city backdrop. The Red Fort is of extreme national significance as all the largescale national events such as the independence and republic day are hosted here.

2. Jama Masjid: – This magnificent architectural marvel is India’s largest mosque and definitely a sight to behold. This gargantuan monument was built by the Mughal king Shah Jahan in the ancient times. The view from one of the minarets gives you a beautiful panorama of New Delhi.

3. Jantar Mantar: – This is a striking ancient observatory built by Maharaja Jaisingh of Udaipur in 1794. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Delhi. The observatory has fascinating and accurate instruments to make astronomical observations in the sky.

4. Bahai (Lotus) Temple: – This modern architectural marvel is the last of the seven major Bahai temples around the world. This fascinating structure is made of white marble and is surrounded by a beautiful green landscape. The lotus symbolises peace, hence the temple is open for believers of any faith to pray and meditate.

 

Best Destinations to Fly This Summer

The summers are the best time to plan a fun filled vacation. The water gets warmer, the drinks get colder, days get longer and life gets brighter. There are many fascinating destinations across the world that have a promising weather to ensure a fun filled vacation in the summer. Be it a beach destination, a cool mountainous adventure or a bustling city, summer is the best time for such adventures. Here’s a list of the best destinations to fly this summer:

1. Amsterdam: It is the capital city of Netherlands and the centre point of Europe. Amsterdam is built around intricate canals with breath-taking architecture. It is a vibrant city that has an eclectic mix of the various European cultures.It is an excellent destination that offers great food and wine and an amazing nightlife. The best way to explore this beautiful city is by renting a bicycle or taking a serene boat ride through the serpentine canals of the city,here is the travel guide to Amsterdam ,must watch

2. Hong Kong: located in China, Hong Kong is a modern city that is still follows an ancient culture. The city is an intersection if the various cultures of Asia and truly a place worth exploring. Dive into a festival, hike a mountain trail, catch a show or visit ornate temples. Hong Kong offers a variety of unique experiences to its visitors. This bustling modern city is always teeming with energy that never comes down and here are top 10 things to do in Hong kong.

3. Dubai: This modern day Oasis located in the middle of the desert is definitely worth a visit. It is wonderful city that is exudes an aura of luxury and glamour. Dubai is also known as the consumer’s paradise because everything here is tax free. One can go on an endless shopping spree and indulge in the best food from various cuisines of the world.

4. Dubai: Bangkok is the vibrant capital city of Thailand that is renowned for its ornate shrines and colourful streets. Brimming with numerous malls and boutiques you can indulge in some extravagant shopping at Bangkok. Catch a tuk-tuk along the bustling area of Chinatown or ride on a Longtail boat through floating markets. There are many exciting things lurking around every corner of this fantastic city and there are frequent flights to Bangkok which will make your travel even easier.

 

Air Transport Has Transformed Travel Habits

There was a time when booking air tickets was a big deal. After all, years ago travelling in a flight was a luxury affair and a matter of ‘status quo’. A flight ticket was expensive to buy and only the rich could afford it. Travel was more dependent on roads than air. Departures at airport would see a throng of people to see off their dear ones go on a flight. It was amusing as flights were no regular routine. Also, there was no mode of booking tickets online.

No longer is travelling by flight a big achievement. This is because living standards have increased across the world. Moreover, there has been a development in all spheres of life, be it technology, education, transportation, business, services, or the lifestyle of individuals. There is no doubt that air transport is a boon to humanity. People have progressed and therefore, luxury and time saving have become the need of the hour. No other means of transport is as fast as air transport. Of course, when it comes to destinations from one country to the other, air transport is the only source of travel.

A simple rule of demand and supply applies here. The greater the demand, the lesser is the price of the commodity that is supplied. Today, one can book flight tickets equal to the price of buying grocery for home. There are numerous travel websites that offer plenty of temptations to book cheap air tickets. Also, with the discounted packages such as round trips with the same airline, one can book flight tickets to the same destination at extremely reasonable prices. If a date of travel is already decided, one can receive the benefit of getting tickets to his or her desired destination at nominal prices.

There are a number of travel websites as well as airlines that introduce schemes and offers on a frequent basis. This attracts many travellers to book flight tickets or even plan a visit to the destination simply because ticket rates are affordable.

Top 5 Romantic Getaways For Valentine’s Day In The Us

Nothing says ‘I love you’ on Valentine’s Day like a thoughtful romantic holiday just for two. Which is exactly what you should gift your love this 14^th – a charming getaway in the depths of the US. It’ll give you a chance to know each-other away from the hustle and bustle of routine life and strengthen the bond you share as you discover new delights together.

• Las Vegas, Nevada: Escape to the city of sinners if you want to enjoy Valentine’s Day intimately. You could book a couple’s suite at the Bellagio and spend some quality time together enjoying couple’s massages while you sip on soothing cocktails. Las Vegas presents the ultimate entertainment options from its clubs and casinos to its lavish hotels and buffets. You could also spend a day marveling at nature’s handiwork in the Grand Canyon.

• San Francisco, California: Book a flight to San Francisco immediately if only to have your holiday scrapbook full of pictures of the two of you holding hands on the Golden Gate Bridge, riding in the charming cable cars, exploring the Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum, and gorging on the Dimsum in Chinatown. A trip to this romantic paradise promises some definite memorable times.

• Alaska – Fully wrapped up, snuggled together for warmth and gazing at the awe-inspiring prismatic northern lights – here is one Valentine’s Day that you will never forget.
• Maui, Hawaii: The dream destination for the adventurous hearts, Maui promises a fun time if you and your partner prefer the outdoors. You could spend your days hiking and camping together in the famous Haleakala National Park, exploring marine wonders while snorkeling and windsurfing, and bathing in the luxurious pools of Oheo Gulch.

• Key West, Florida: Everything about Key West screams complacency. One trip to this quaint, subtropical utopia and you’ll return with smug smiles and glorious tans to serve as a reminder of mellow days spent lounging on the golden beaches, exploring the brilliant hued coral reefs, and enjoying the enticing seafood.

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