Mumbai Literature Festival 'to have strong south Asian feel'

Travellers taking flights to Mumbai could be interested to hear that the city's forthcoming Literature Festival will offer a wide range of work from writers across south Asia.

This weekend, the first Mumbai Fully Booked event is taking place between December 2nd and 4th 2011, with associate festival director Namita Devidayal telling CNNGo.com that it will take influence from other countries in the region.

"It's a crossover festival focused on south Asia, curated in a way that brings people together from different fields via books," Mr Devidayal said.

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Mumbai delights in Bollywood flash mob

People who took flights to Mumbai recently may have been among those caught up in a flash mob event taking place in the city.

Around 200 dancers converged on Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station as part of a surprise event on November 27th 2011, where they broke out into spontaneous dancing to the music from the hit movie Rang de Basanti.

People in the station recorded footage of the event and it quickly spread across the country through YouTube and Twitter.

Organiser of the mob Shonan Kothari explained that she put it together as she had not been part of a flash mob when she had been in Europe and wanted to bring the phenomenon to India, which proved to be very popular.

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World Air Race 'likely to happen in Mumbai'

Many people taking flights to Mumbai next year could be planning to look out for more planes during their visit as it is through that the World Air Race is to be held there.

The Red Bull Air Race World Championship, Austrian Trade Commission and Red Bull Air Race company met with Chhagan Bhujbal, the Maharashtra tourism minister, to discuss proposals for the event to take place in the city.

If it is given the go-ahead, it will be one of ten cities to host the event in 2012, with races taking place over three days.

"Like Formula One, this sport does not require space, but people can experience the same thrill," explained Mr Bhujbal.

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Mumbai Film Festival set to begin

Travellers on cheap flights to Mumbai who love to watch the latest movies could get a head start by visiting the city's forthcoming film festival.

Organised each year by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image, the event takes place between October 13th and 20th 2011, with a wealth of home-grown and international movies to be showcased.

The event will once again have a distinctly French flavour to it, as for the fourth year running it is to play host to the Rendezvous with French Cinema.

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Mumbai Comic Convention to attract cartoon fans

People in flights to Mumbai this month who are fans of comics could have a great time if they head to the Mumbai Comic Convention.

The second instalment of Comic Con India will take place on October 22nd and 23rd and follows on from the first successful event which took place in Delhi earlier this year.

Rather than a full-scale event, guests will be able to attend an express version, which has been created to promote local talent across several cities.

Many of the people taking part may not have the access to publishers or readers without taking part.

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Caught in jam, many miss flights in Mumbai

Although flights operated in and out of Mumbai airport on Monday in spite of torrential rains, many passengers missed their flights due to heavy traffic and bad roads.

Even though they started for the airport quite early, they could not reach the airport on time.

Devraj VR, 46, a resident of Mangalore, was in Navi Mumbai for 10 days with his family.

On Monday, the family left their relative’s house at 9am for the airport to catch their flight to Mangalore that was to depart at 1.45pm. “We reached the Santacruz domestic terminal only at 1.10pm due to traffic,” said Devraj.

“We were not allowed to board the flight. The airline has the next flight to Mangalore only the next day. Now we have to stay here for another day and we are looking for a hotel room nearby,” he added.

Maria Gnanam’s (40) family was also among those unlucky passengers who were stuck on the roads for hours and missed their flights.

“We were at Dombivli and had a flight to Trivandrum at 12.15pm,” said Gnanam. As there were no trains from Dombivli, the Gnanam family of five started at 7am. “There were no trains so we hired a cab for Rs3,000. But our cab broke down on the way,” she said.

They reached the airport at 12.45pm after the flight had left. “The airline has accommodated us on tomorrow’s flight so now we will either book a hotel room or stay at the airport. There is no point in going back to Dombivli as you never know when the weather will turn bad,” she said.

Even Gyanendra Singh, 36, and his friends from Lucknow missed their early morning flight to Lucknow as they were stuck in traffic.

“We were at Hotel Host Inn, Marol, and started for the airport at 5.45am as our flight was at 6.50am,” said Singh. “Though it is only a 30-minute drive from Marol to Santacruz, we reached the airport at 7am,” he says.

News Reference: http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_caught-in-jam-many-miss-flights-in-mumbai_1581112

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Mumbai airport 'subject to new security measures'

People travelling from Mumbai have been advised that there have been new security measures put in place.

Travellers who take flights to Mumbai have been advised that when they come to depart the country there are a series of new security measures in place.

In the past, people did not experience any form of search until they reached the security hold area, the Times of India reported.

However, checks on passengers and their baggage will take place earlier, with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security now requiring an X-ray system to be used for baggage and hand-held metal detectors which will be used by airport employees.

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Cheap flights to Bombay (Mumbai)

In recent years, air transport has become more accessible and convenient for everyone. Bombay is one of the most popular travel and people have the easy availability of cheap flights to Bombay and arrive in a very short time. Cheap Flights to Bombay is offered by a number of different airlines makes it convenient for travelers to pay for air travel.

Almost all budget airlines offer cheap flights to Bombay . Therefore, if you need to book flights to Bombay then you can contact good and reliable airline and get the cheapest flight to Bombay . All flights to Bombay is convenient and saves time and therefore people prefer to travel in flight. Now, with cheap flights to minors or Bombay , can train rides and instead a failure can serve the cheapest flight to Bombay and travel in style.

If you are traveling to Bombay , then you may have to travel by train or plane. Although people prefer flights from Bombay , are decided by the trains of Bombay , as they are cheaper. However, it is now very easy to book flights from Bombay and a number of companies have come up with cheap flights to Bombay . The plane ticket for flights from Bombay is affordable for what they have gained much popularity among travel agencies.

These days, it is very easy to learn about cheap flights to Bombay as information on all flights to Bombay and Bombay flights are available through the Internet. The online booking service has made it possible for passengers to book their airline tickets at any time of day. Since the ticket information and ticket reservations can be made via the Internet, passengers can buy tickets for cheap flights to Bombay in no time at all.

The online booking service means that passengers are not dependent on travel agents to book. They just need to connect to the Internet to learn about the flights from Bombay and Bombay flights. Today, Internet is available on mobile phones has also made it much easier for travelers to get information from anywhere. Information is available online 24×7 which makes it easier to learn about cheap flights at any time of day.

Book your cheap flights to Bombay is easy through the Internet. You can only choose a reliable travel portal that deals with online booking can book flights from Bombay at any time. The online travel agencies can help you learn about available flights from Bombay and can provide the flight schedule and flight information.

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Tourist Attractions of India

Mesmerising India remains a visitor’s pride with its myriad inescapable charms. The historic city of Delhi alone overwhelms with its timeless monuments and pot pourri of cultures. With most of the India flights landing at Delhi, the city is also the convenient point to start your golden triangle tour of Delhi, Agra, and Rajasthan. There are scores of hill attractions like Gangtok, Darjeeling, Kashmir, and Mussourie for the mountain devotees.

One can also play golf at the world’s highest golf course in Gulmarg. The wildlife bug bitten may satisfy themselves by coming up close to the famous Bengal tiger and other exotic plant and animal life in one of the many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Those looking for a slice of Eastern mysticism may have their fill in any of the holy destinations like Hardwar or Varanasi. Beach enthusiasts would do well to take a sojourn to Goa, India’s premiere beach haven brimming with numerous delightful beach spots. The country is also home to the world’s most beautiful temples. In fact, this enchanting land has something for everyone.

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Top Travelling destinations in Mumbai

Arguably the largest and the most cosmopolitan city of India, Mumbai (earlier Bombay) is a must for people planning holiday to India. Commercial hub of India, Mumbai is country’s financial powerhouse and the primary gateway to the rest of the world. If you are planning a trip to India, you will find far more flights to Mumbai than Delhi or other metros.

The City is a bustling center of finance, films, fashion, entertainment, culture, media, politics and much more. There is a lot to see in Mumbai, but the typical "tourist" sights are concentrated in South Mumbai. Worth seeing are the Gateway of India, the Victoria terminus (now CST), and the Police headquarters, Taj Mahal Hotel or generally just take a stroll around South Mumbai. Get bowled over with rock cut caves such as the Elephanta, Kanheri, and Mahakali within the limits of the city which comprises much of the land that was claimed from the sea over centuries.

You can also plan to visit the colonial buildings, the museums and art galleries, take a stroll down the beaches, parks, gardens or just get adventurous in the city’s own National park – a rare characteristic of a metropolis. One may check out the modern buildings and malls, the churches and cathedrals along with countless mosques, Hindu and Buddhist temples. Mumbai is also known for its vibrant and colorful nightlife and fun-loving people.

If you are travelling from UK then referring to Southall Travel could be a best choice to search and find your flights fares and booking. It offers unbeatably cheap flights to Mumbai with a range of renowned international carriers that you would love to fly with. Its teams of travel experts are available 24 x 7 to assist you with the planning and booking of that lifetime holiday that you have always dreamt of.

Call on 0844 855 8001 to book your holiday that would be tailored to best suit your every single requirement be it flights, hotels & resorts, transfers, car rentals, insurance etc. Or you can book your travel online. The fare finder helps you find and book the best fare to fly to Mumbai. Just supply your travel details in the Travel Planner and you will find all the best deals on flights to your favorite destination.

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Cheap Flights to Mumbai

Find the latest airfares on Mumbai flights operating from UK.

Get special package deals and saving offers available on all direct and indirect flights to Mumbai.

Extraordinary discounted flights tickets available for First Class, Business Class and Economy Class seats on all the airlines to Mumbai. Save upto 40% on booking flights and hotels together.

Search cheap flights to Mumbai using the travel planner to plan and schedule your journey, compare airfares and book your seats by calling our travel experts or visit online.

All the fares and offers to Mumbai are subject to availability. Terms and Conditions applied.

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Top Children's Attractions in India

If you have children and are booking flights to India, your little ones will get spoilt for choice in the country. Mumbai’s Essel World, the wild denizens of Kolkata Zoo, and the Worlds of Wonder amusement park – the attractions are endless. Read on.

Mesmerising India makes for a wonderful family travel destination and many families with kids return with a quintessential holiday experience from the country. Amusement parks, zoos, and aquariums – India has all this and much more. Check out a little information on just some of the children’s attractions from four major Indian cities.

Mumbai

Think Mumbai, think Essel World. Often billed as the largest amusement park in the country, Essel World is definitely the place to go to if you are catching flights to Mumbai with your kids. Full of a number of exciting rides as well as the opportunities for ice skating, and simulated horror zone, the Essel World has been winning the hearts of children for years. Some of the most popular children’s rides at the park are Big Apple, Caterpillar, Junior Go Cart, Mini Telecombat, Yard Train, and Convoy Track. Essel World is also full of food outlets dishing out scrumptious treats.

Delhi

Many travellers booking cheap flights to India for a tour of the country start their India travel with Delhi. While you are in Delhi, it is a good idea to take your kids to the Worlds of Wonder amusement park in Noida. Snap away pictures as your child gets on the different rides. Whether it is going up in the air on the Mini Jet and Space Shot, going round and round on the Dizzy Diana, or idly whiling away time on the Swan Boats and Mini Train – the Worlds of Wonder makes sure that your kids will keep pestering you for a repeat trip. While numerous rides are available at the park, about 11 of these are especially meant for kids and families. Delhi is also perfect for taking your kids on a sightseeing tour of major historic attractions like Red Fort, Qutub Minar, India Gate, and Humayun’s Tomb.

Kolkata

If you have booked flights to India for a Kolkata trip, make sure that you treat your kids to the Nicco Park experience. If its summer time, definitely try out attractions like Water Chute, Water Coaster, Wave Pool, and Kid’s Pool. Many parents who have often wanted to take their children on a Paris trip but could not afford the tickets, also content themselves by visiting the Eiffel Tower in Nicco Park. The views from atop this tower are just mesmerising to say the least. In fact, Nicco Park is just crammed full of attractions just a handful of the most popular ones are the Pirate Ship, River Cave Ride, Cyclone – the Roller Coaster, Lazy River Ride, and Flying Saucer. Besides Nicco Park, the Alipore Zoo of Kolkata is another wonderful place for children. This zoo is teeming with wild life denizens like the Royal Bengal Tiger, African Lion, Jaguar, Hippopotamus, Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros, Reticulated Giraffe, Grant's Zebra, Emu, Dromedary Camel and Indian Elephant. The Kolkata airport is also well served by quite a few airlines operating cheap flights to India.

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Romantic Reasons for Booking Flights to India

People searching some romance book their flights to India from many parts of the world. The backwaters of Kerala, the beaches of Goa, and the hills of Manali and Shimla are just some of the places to celebrate the spirit of romance in the country.

India has almost every trapping of a romantic holiday destination. Great food, tremendous beach fun, exhilarating mountain destinations, and dense jungles make the country a stunning paradise. The high number of cheap flights to India also makes the country a favoured place for romance, rather than some of the more famed global destinations like Venice or Switzerland. In fact, quite a few specialist tour operators often provide special holiday package deals and cheap tickets for honeymooning couples. Here are some of the best locations in the country for planning a leisurely romantic getaway.

Goa

The sun, sand, and surf experience of Goa amongst myriad other charms makes Goa an irresistible destination for romance in India. With more than three hundred years of Portuguese colonial rule behind it, Goa has also become one of the most Westernised places in the country. Scores of crowded as well as isolated beaches, dozens of water sporting opportunities, cascading waterfalls, a number of churches and cathedrals, cheap booze, and unforgettable seafood – Goa bombards romantic couples with innumerable prospects for fun and frolic. Goa is also famous for its wild parties and gives the perfect opportunity to couples to celebrate their love. Couples who like crowds and parties should book their flight tickets to Goa for the period from December to March, when festivals like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Goa Carnival are celebrated with great pomp and show.

Kerala

Globally renowned for its captivating beauty, Kerala is famed as ‘God’s Own Country’. The destination even won the vote of the most popular Asian holiday destination in a poll conducted by a travel magazine. Very naturally, the destination is a perfect place for romantic couples. Lush green paddy fields, mangrove forests, clusters of coconut palm, and of course, that never ending web like network of tranquil backwaters – Kerala is a virtual treat to the eye and a feast for romantic souls. Most people booking their flights to India for a romantic escapade definitely keep Kerala on the itinerary.

Manali

This fabulous hill destination in the state of Himachal Pradesh is a hot draw with honeymooning couples. Besides a natural knock out beauty of spectacular cliffs, snow capped mountain peaks, rolling valleys, deep deodar and pine woods, Manali is also full of pious spots like Vashisth Hot Water Springs, Ashram and Temple, Jagatsukh, Manu Temple, and Hadimba Temple for the more spiritually inclined couples.

Shimla

Shimla is yet another hill station from Himachal Pradesh, which continues to steal the hearts of most die hard romantics. Exploring the scores of stunningly beautiful locales in and around Shimla with one’s partner ensure a lifetime of fond memories. Absolutely not to be missed spots are Naldhera, Chail, Kufri, Tattapani, Chadwick Falls, and Jakhoo Hills. Shimla also has some enchanting forests of rhododendron, fur, oak, and pine trees.

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How to Find Cheap Flights to India from UK

The process of booking cheap flights to your destination could be highly baffling with a number or airlines and travel agents promising to offer you the best. I implement the following procedure to find cheap flights to India and find it really effective.

Step 1 – Check with Popular Travel Agency Website

Opt for Flexible Date Search in the travel planner. This option queries the website for your travel dates +/- 3 days both on your departure and return dates.

Although you may prefer one particular carrier over other, search for fares on all the airlines by selecting ‘all’ or ‘any’ for the choice of airline. This would present you with an opportunity to compare the fares on different airlines.

Indirect flights are usually cheaper than the direct and non-stop flights. Leave the option which prompts for choice of direct or indirect flights blank to maximise you chances of finding cheap flights.

Submit the travel details in the travel planner and pick the lowest fare for flights to India from an array of fares displayed based upon your preferred date of travel and preferred airline. Note down the detailed travel itinerary and the fare now and in every step forward.

Step 2 – Check on the Airlines’ website

Check directly with the airline for the cheapest fare offered by them. It is recommended that you first check with the airlines that have Indian origin like Air India, Jet Airways or Kingfisher. Apart from increasing your chances of getting cheaper fare, this will also allow you to get the best baggage allowance.

Step 3 – Fare Comparison on Travel Search Sites

Now query some travel search websites which can provide you with a comparison of the fares and itineraries directly from different airlines and various travel sites. kayak.com, Expedia, Orbitz etc are few popular ones.

Step 4 – Finally, Call Travel Agent(s)

Once you have done your research as above and are in the possession of the cheapest fare, call the travel agencies directly. Simply, quote the fare which is available with you and ask the agent to get you something to beat this fare. Some travel agents such as southalltravel.co.uk are able to match their fares with the one that you found online subject to certain conditions.

Other Tips

• Sometimes destination specific sites are also able to quote highly competitive fares.

• Booking different legs of your journey separately also helps cut down on flight costs.

• Booking package deal including flights and hotels can result in great savings.

• Ask for further discounts as many popular travel agents have great negotiated deals with the airlines and are in a position to slash their mark up.

• Always book well in advance as the fares tend to rise as the travel date draws closer.

• Air travel during the off season is cheaper.

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