The Belgian Comic Strip Center

For families with children visiting Brussels, the Belgian Comic Strip Center should be the first stop in Brussels.

This is a dream come true for all children and children-at-heart to see their favorite comic strip characters come to life in a Museum.

The museum has taken care to showcase every small detail of the Comic strip history and covers the latest in comic strip industry.

Since Tintin originated in Belgium and Kalpak is a great fan, he was truly delighted to be welcomed by Tintin theme at the entrance and throughout the museum. 

 

The exhibits show how the comic strip was invented and how it has evolved through times.

It covers different art forms such as Pencil drawing, inking, coloring and Digital art. It shows the various methods invented and used in creating popular cartoon characters.

It exhibits various comic characters in an interactive and fun manner.

 
Useful travel information about Belgian Comic Strip Center:

You can easily spend 2-3 hours at this place depending on your interest.

Please visit their website for opening times and entry fees - https://www.comicscenter.net/

Please find the map of the center below:






© Paras Doshi, 2018.

France Miniature - Good family fun time

Not too far from the famous Palace of Versailles in Paris is a wonderful outdoor park named "France Miniature" offering good family time.  The visit to this park can be combined with the visit to the Palace or its beautiful gardens.

The park contains 1/30 scale models of more than 150 landmarks of France in an open setting. The realistic setup of the park brings to life the beautiful architecture and culture of France.

All the monuments are arranged as per their locations in various regions of France. There is a variety in the monuments which includes villages, forts, towns, chateaux, amphitheaters, railway stations, stadiums, and so on. All the monuments have been re-created in great details.

A well paved paths takes you through the entire park and the path contains many interactive activities to keep everyone entertained while watching the landmarks.

The fountains of the miniature Palace of Versailles are controllable making it a real fun for the kids.

The park has its own Railway station and a miniature train system running through the park over models of real bridges.

There is more to this park than just monuments. It has good adventure rides for the kids and adults.

The park also has indoor attractions which kids will enjoy.

Visit this park to get a unique insight into beauty of whole of France.

Useful travel information about France Miniature:

It is easy to spend 4-5 hours in this park. Be prepared for a really long walk though as the park can be covered only by a walk.

It is located just 20 minutes drive from the Palace of Versailles. 

The map below shows the location of France Miniature. 

It is closed in Winters.
Please check their website for opening times as well as ticket rates - http://www.franceminiature.fr


© Paras Doshi, 2018.

Useful travel information to visit Little Rann of Kutch

Summary:

1. Thousands of lesser flamingos

2. The only place left for the Wild Ass (Mixture of Donkey, Horse and Zebra)

3. Awesome Sunset

4. Many other bird species

5. A very unique landscape with mix of Wetland, Desert, Saline plains, dry grasslands.

Base Camps:

There are many places to start the journey into the land. the most popular starting places are Dasada, Dhangadhra, Bajana and

Adesar. The below are some of the resorts that provide accomodations as well as Safari.

Desert Coursers - Jainabad

Rann Riders - Dasada

Little Rann - Dhangadhra

Royal Safari Camp - Bajana

Map:

Click here to see the map of the Sanctury and the resorts.

Click here for the detailed travelogue

© Paras Doshi, 2009.

Kaas Bamnoli - Useful Travel Information

Summary:

1. Maharashtra's Valley of Flowers. Millions of tiny flowers blossom after the monsoon.

2. Shivajisagar Lake - An enormous lake with boating.

Click here for detailed Travelogue

Routes:

When you reach the tunnel at the base of the Ajinkyatara mountain in Satara, do not cross the tunnel and take a right turn before that. You are on your way to Kaas. The road from Satara till the end is in good condition.

Place Km Time

Satara - 000 - 10:15
Kaas plateu - 022 - 11:10
Bamnoli - 037 - 15:23
NH4 Highhway - 079 - 17:15
Pune - 184 - 19:00 

View Kaas - Bamnoli in a larger map

© Paras Doshi, 2009.

Sajjangadh: Useful travel information

Useful Travel Information about Sajjangadh:

1. Samadhi of Swami Samarth Ramdas

2. Spectacular view of the mountains around and Urmodi Dam.

3. The gates to the fort close after Sunset and open after Sunrise. So, it will be better to reach there accordingly.

Detailed travelogue on Sajjangadh

Routes:

When you reach the tunnel at the base of the Ajinkyatara mountain, cross the tunnel and take a right turn after that. You are on your way to Sajjangadh and Thoseghar. The road from Satara till Sajjangadh is narrow and typical village roads, but motorable.

Place Km Time

Pune    000  14:10
Sajjangadh   128 17:15
Sajjangadh   128 18:35
Satara  144 19:30

Map:

View Sajjangadh in a larger map

Links:

http://www.shrisamarthsevamandal.org

© Paras Doshi, 2009.

Mahabaleshwar: Useful Travel Information

Mahabaleshwar is very popular hill station which is visited by over a million people every year. So, most people know about this place. There are numerous packages that are offered to visit it. There are hotels of all ranges, from simple to the most luxurious variety available.

Best Time to visit:

This is a frequently visited place, so if you want to have the best of weather and lesser of crowd, then go sometime in August / September. Only disadvantage at this time is that you won't be able to see or taste strawberries. For that, the best time is after December.

Here are some useful must do activities:

1. Points: Don't miss these points. Wilson Point, Bombay Point, Elephant Head Point, Arthur Seat Point, Parsi Point and Kate's Point.
2. Indoor Swimming Pool: The hotel Valley View has an indoor swimming pool which is best for the Mahabaleshwar weather. They also have a package through which you can only use the swimming pool which can be helpful for people staying in other hotels.
3. Mapro: Shop at Mapro. Their products are really good and they bring new innovations. However, if possible avoid having lunch or dinner over there, as they only offer Pizza and Sandwitches and that to too expensive.
4. OnWheelz Amusement Park: This is really a must do if you have kids with you. The rides are meant for kids and are not of full size. So, adults will not enjoy them as they would in a full amusement park.


See below the map of important points in Mahabaleshwar.


View Mahabaleshwar in a larger map

© Paras Doshi, 2009.

View from various points in Mahabaleshwar

This is the view from are some of the prominent points in Mahabaleshwar.

1. Wilson Point

2. Bombay Point

3. Elephant Head Point

4. Parsi Point

© Paras Doshi, 2009.

OnWheelz Amusement Park at Panchgani

This is a new amusement park opened at Panchgani. It has about 15 rides for all ages. However, we found that the size and speed of the rides, the elders would find it very simple. But, for the kids upto teen age group will enjoy all the rides a lot.

There are two packages:

1. Unlimited - For Rs. 350 for adults (above height 4.4 ft.), the passholder can use any ride as many time as required. The price for kids is Rs. 200.

2. Entry - For Rs. 100 for adults and Rs. 50 for kids, this pass gives the entry and two rides free for one time. For additional rides there is a charge of Rs. 50 per ride for adults and Rs. 30 per ride for Kids.

Some of the rides are:

Ferries Wheel, Free fall, Rainbow, Octopus, Striking car (Dashing car), Break Dance, Sun-n-Moon, Tsunami, Monotrain.

This is a must do if you are travelling with kids.

Click here for its video.

Address & Contact Nos:

Survey No. 7, Taighat, Panchagani-Kundal Road, Behind Sanjeevan School, Panchagani.

Ph. No. (02168) 242012/13/14.

The location of the park is superb with excellent view of the valley. For the exact location, refer to the map here.

View OnWheelz in a larger map

Useful travel information to visit Morachi Chincholi

Click here for the detailed travelogue on Morachi Chincholi

Summary:

1. Peacocks, peacocks and lots of peacocks in natural habitat
2. Excellent tourist center with lots of activities for children
3. Friendly village people

Routes:

There are two good routes to reach there.

1. Via Shikrapur on Pune-Ahmednagar Highway (approx. 60 km)
2. Via Rajgurunagar(Khed)/Pabal on Pune-Nashik Highway (approx. 81 km)

Click here for the route map on Google Maps


We took the Route 2 via Pabal to reach and took Route 1 to come back to Pune.
The condition of the roads throughout was excellent except for about 5-10 kms between Rajgurunagar(Khed) and Pabal which wasn’t too bad either.

Place   Km  Time*
Pune    000  9:45
Pabal   068 11:45
Pabal   068 13:45
Morachi Chincholi  081 14:15
Morachi Chincholi  086 18:33
Pune    144 20:30

(*Time includes few breaks and traffic.)

Best time to visit:

It is best to visit between 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM and 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM as that is the time the peacocks would come out in open. Monsoon months from June to August are the best as Peacocks are at their best due to the rains. Their feathers fall during the months of September to November. So, the time after that you will find peacocks but without their feathers. The months of April and May are best to see them at the tourist center, as they get the food and water they need easily over here during these summer months.

Links:

www.morachichincholi.com - The tourist center at Morachi Chincholi
www.chincholimorachi.com - Another tourist center at Morachi Chincholi
An excellent blog entry on Morachi Chincholi.

Request:

Please respect local habitat including the peacocks, the village and the people who live there. Please protect this place as if you will protect your personal treasure.