Diwali - The Festival of Lights

Between 23-27 October this year, in India, Diwali -festival of lights- is celebrated annually as a Hindu tradition. It is also known as Deepawali and is the most famous festival of the year. The streets, trees, sky, buildings, from floor to the ceiling are covered and decorated with candles and lights. Millions of candles are lighted, many wishes are made, thousands of fireworks are used, many houses are decorated throughout the festival in Autumn. If you don't want to miss this important traditional festival of lights, book your rooms online now at Galahotels.com/India and enjoy Diwali festival!

The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair. In a 5 day period, the the festival of lights is completed. During five days festivity, various rituals are followed and with Goddess Lakshmi several other Gods and Goddesses are worshipped. The day which intersects with the full moon is the most significant day of Diwali which is the 2nd or 3rd day. 

Day 1: On the first day of Diwali, housewives consider it auspicious to spring clean the home and shop for gold or kitchen utensils.

Day 2: On the second day, people decorate their homes with clay lamps or diyas and create design patterns called rangoli on the floor using colored powders or sand.

Day 3: This is the main day of the festival when families gather together for Lakshmi puja, a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi followed by mouth-watering feasts and firework festivities.

Day 4: This is the first day of the new year when friends and relatives visit with gifts and best wishes for the season.

Day 5: On the last day of Diwali, brothers visit their married sisters who welcome them with love and a lavish meal.

Before Diwali night, people clean, renovate and decorate their homes. On Diwali night, Hindu people dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up lamps and candles inside and outside their homes, participate in family to Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth and prosperity. After that, fireworks follow, then a family feast including sweets, and an exchange of gifts between family members and close friends.

If you want to witness this beauty made by lights and candles, arrange your tour, think of a city to visit and book your rooms now on Galahotels.com/India with 3D Secure Payment and 3% Member Reward on every booking. Enjoy our Best Rate Guarantee!

Where to Visit in Amsterdam?

The very first thing that comes to mind about Amsterdam is: Fun! Amsterdam is known as the “Venice of the North” since it has so many canals, and a canal boat tour is a great way to see them, including the four main ones – Singel, Keizersgracht, Herengracht  and Prinsengracht – which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city is also known for its bikes since there are so many bicyclers that you must respect their cycling route. Occupying their cycle path is totally a disrespect! Although the city is too small, there are many places that can be referred as a “must see”.

-Dam Square is the city center and Amsterdam Royal Palace and National Monument are located on the square. There are shops on the narrow streets located between the buildings around the square where you can shop with an appropriate budget. For hotels nearby the city center, clickGalahotels.com/CityCenter

-The Anne Frank Museum where Anne and her family lived in hiding during World War II, is an absolute must to see as you are in Amsterdam.

-The Museumplein is where you’ll find the world famous Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, as well as the city’s contemporary art museum, the Stedelijk. For hotels near Museumplein, visit Galahotels.com/Museumplein

-When you are in Amsterdam, make sure you drink a beer and taste the fries which you can find at every step. Visit Heineken factory museum where you can learn about the production stages and materials required to make a real beer.

-The Leidsplein, a little walking distance from Dam square is one of the most alive squares in Amsterdam which makes it a must visit place. It seems to be the true heart of the city and it pulses with bars, restaurants, clubs and theatres.

-Dungeons of Amsterdam is very famous, you can see many different dungeons on the streets. Visit one to get creepy, be ready to scare and be puzzled by what the dungeon offers you.

-As it is already known, Amsterdam is a really sexy city famous with its Red Lght District and museums, sex shops and theatres on sexuality. You can pay to watch a live show in theatres or visit a museum to observe sexual contents and the timeline of sexuality in Amsterdam. 

-Red Light District is a symbol for Amsterdam that’s why a visit to the district is a must! This neighbourhood is where women, of all nationalities, parade their wares in red-fringed window parlours, many ready to offer more than a show in a private cabin. Whatever is your sexual choice, you can still enjoy the district.

-It would be a pity if you come to Amsterdam and don’t plan any visits to a coffeeshop. Bulldog is one of the most famous coffeeshops in the city since there are more good looking people and a better atmosphere than other coffeeshops. If you desire to add your day more fun, you can carefully try the cakes or the cigarettes in many types. 

-One of the 20 Madame Tussauds Museums in the world is located on Dam 20, where you can take some photos with more than a hundred celebrities and royals. 

-Iamsterdam is another symbol for the city and you should visit the symbol to take some snaps. The symbol is located next to Rijksmuseum and it is too big that you can climb on the letters. 

How to travel in the city?

Don’t try to rent a car since the city is appropriate to explore on foot. If you don’t like to walk, you can hop on a bike (which is famous for Amsterdam) or use public transport. You can easily go wherever you want with tramways or busses. 

When to visit Amsterdam?

Since Winter is not an appropriate season for Amsterdam to visit, you should choose a month in Spring and Autumn. October and November will be a good choice, but just because it freezes and snows too much, January is not! 

To check our hotels in Amsterdam, visit Galahotels.com/Amsterdam to benefit from our Best Rate Guarantee with 3D Secure Payment with 3% Member Rewards! For airport hotels in Amsterdam near Schipol Airport, visit Galahotels.com/Schiphol

Best Shopping Streets in the World

For those who adore shopping, stepping in a store is like a child entering a candy
store. Shopping malls continue to increase in number through the world, the joy of
shopping on streets can not be despised. You can see the day light, fresh air and
walk freely on streets without getting depressed, so there is nothing more liberating
than to show your stuff out in the open!

Here we have listed some streets through the world where you can freely hang and
shop within too much luxury.

#1 5th Avenue, New York City

The Fifth Avenue in Manhattan is packed with expensive department stores and
designer boutiques and is ranked among the most expensive shopping streets in
the world. It is known as the best shopping street in New York, with spectacular
window displays, especially around Christmas. To book your rooms close to the
avenue, visit Galahotels.com/5thAvenue

#2 Avenue Montaigne, Paris

The Avenue Montaigne is home to luxury and high fashion stores such as Louis
Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, Fendi, Valentino and Ralph Lauren, jewelers like Bulgari
and many more distinguished establishments are hosted in this famous street of
romantic city, Paris. Galahotels.com/AvenueMontaigne

#3 Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

This glamorous shopping area is known for its luxury stores. It is home to some of
the region’s most expensive stores including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermès,
Burberry, and Coach. Rodeo Drive is especially the shopping street of Hollywood’s
and Beverly Hills’ rich and famous people. Galahotels.com/RodeoDrive

#4 Via Monte Napoleone, Milan

This expensive shopping street is located in one of the fashion capitals of the
world; Milan. The street is world famous for its fashion and jewelry shops and every
famous fashion designer and shoemakers must have a store in this street. The Via
Monte Napoleone is the heart of the Milan Fashion District.
Galahotels.com/MonteNapoleone

#5 Bond Street, London

This major shopping street in the West end of London has been a fashionable
shopping street since the 18th century. It is probably Europe’s busiest boulevard
and holds one of the most expensive strips of real estate in the world.
Galahotels.com/BondStreet

#6 Ginza, Tokyo

Ginza is a district in Tokyo known for its numerous department stores, boutiques,
restaurants and coffeehouses. Ginza is recognized as one of the most luxurious
shopping districts in the entire world. Galahotels.com/Ginza

#7 PC Hooftstraat, Amsterdam

Thisshopping street has developed during the last decade to become one of the
most expensive shopping streets in the Netherlands. Many international and
exclusive brand stores are located along the street, such as Cartier, Chanel,
Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Hermès, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton and more.
Galahotels.com/Hooftstraat

#8 Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich

Bahnhofstrasse is Zurich’s main downtown street and one of the world’s most
expensive and exclusiveshopping avenues. The avenue is lined with trees and
filled with fashion designer boutiques as well as Swiss watches and Jewelry. Galahotels.com/Bahnhofstrasse

#9 Stroget, Copenhagen

Stroget is Copenhagen’s heart and one of Europe’s longest pedestrian streets with
a wealth of shops, from budget-friendly chains (H&M, Zara..) to some of the world’s
most expensive brands(Gucci, Mulberry..). At some point during your stay in the city,
you will without a doubt end of here. This street is the most famous street on
shopping in Copenhagen. Galahotels.com/Stroget

#10 Voukourestiou, Athens

In the center of Athens near Syntagma square, this street hosts the most famous
luxury goods shops including: Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Cartier, Chopard, Prada and
many more. Galahotels.com/Voukourestiou

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