Help with a visit to Kolkata?

Question

I want to visit Kolkata later this year (I'm in the UK)

can anyone recommend

- a hotel (not a five star place, just a reasonable, clean hotel)

- what to see

- how to get around (I'm elderly and find walking very tiring, would it be best for me to hire a car and driver do you think?)

- where would you suggest I go to for a trip out into the countryside (I don't want to spend the whole two weeks in the city)

- if I wanted to do a trip to Darjeeling, would that be a good idea and how would I get there

any other ideas would be welcome

thanks !!

Answer 1

Sounds like you don't like 5 star hotels very much.

Maybe you should just accept 5 star hotels for what they are rather than what you want them to be.

Answer 2

Firstly I would suggest a quick check on www.asiarooms.com for hotels, you will find plenty from 5 pounds to 500 pounds, or perhaps buy a copy of the Lonely plannet handbook on India which has plenty of reccomendations for hotels, and how to get around.

There are plenty of taxis, give them a try and if you do not like it your hotel will be able to help (and no doubt charge you double- but still cheaper then home)

Again, a few hours reading the Lonely plannet and you will get ideas where to go. There are plenty of cheap and good quality airlines (www.spicejet.com   www.flyairdeccan.net)

have fun and I hope this helps

Answer 3

spelled: calcutta

Answer 4

For information log on to http://www.wbtourism.com/

Answer 5

Hotel:

The Stadel

Location : Salt Lake

Address :

Gate No 3, Salt Lake Stadium, Salt Lake

Kolkata-700 091 India

Accessibility :

Airport : 10 KM, Howrah Railway Station : 8 KM, Esplanade Bus Stand : 12 KM

Locational Advantage : The Stadel is located between ITC Sonar Bangla & Hyatt Regency.

Description :

The Stadel, a leading Boutique hotel of the city, is strategically located in the hub of activities and is away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The ambience of the hotel seems impressive with extending manicured lawns that give the feel of a top star hotel. The hotel provides all the modern amenities and services for a comfortable and pleasant stay.

Guest Room The Stadel Accommodation at Stadel Kolkata :

The Stadel offers a total of 20 well appointed rooms. These include 5 Suites and 15 Double Rooms.

Restaurants :

The Stadel has 3 restaurants: First Innings, Heka and Rasam.

Services at Stadel Kolkata :

Laundry Facility, Currency Exchange, Cable TV, Telephone, Hot/Cold running water, Free Room Service, Doctor on Call, Valet, Car Rental Facility, Credit Cards Accepted, Parking, Restaurant, Bar, Shopping Walkway, Health Club, Press Room

Transportation:

I would hire a taxi for an elderly and respected person like you. For a taxi, here is some information for a taxi hire:

A.C. Travels

A. C. Travels is professionally managed organization, offering all types of cars on rental with well experienced staff working 24*7.



42/1, Strand Road Second, Barabazar H.O.

Kolkata - 700 007

Tel:+(91)-(33) 2270 4132

What to See:

The Victoria Memorial:

Adjacent to the Maidan, stands the neo-classical attempt at building the Taj, an enormous paean in marble to the Grand Empress - The Victoria Memorial. The failed attempt although, a cross between classical western and Mughal style, yet reveals the global attraction for the monument of love even in those days. It was opened on 1921. There are enormous oil paintings in the Royal Gallery, illustrating episodes from queen Victoria's long, eventful life and reign, an impressive collection of the British colonial period.

Dalhousie Square:

The erstwhile Dalhousie Square with a lake at the centre – is the administrative nerve centre of Kolkata. Writer's Building on the north side of the square dates from 1880 represents Gothic-style architecture and is now the administrative office of the ruling Marxist Government. You can visit the West Bengal tourist office on the eastern side of the square. The General Post Office, with its majestic dome and Corinthian columns is another masterpiece of colonial legacy. It is built on the same site as the original Fort William.

Academy of Fine Arts:

The city's cultural attractions begin with the Academy of Fine Arts. Established in 1933, the latest and arguably the greatest works of contemporary artists are exhibited here throughout the year. Other vibrant and cutting edge Group theatres and dance programs happen everyday in a hall inside. Solely dedicated to the greatest cultural son of Bengal, the Rabindra gallery exhibits manuscripts, paintings and personal belongings of Tagore.

The Asiatic Society

was founded by Sir William Jones in 1784 with Warren Hastings as its first patron.Located at 1, Park Street (in the junction of Park Street and J.L.Nehru Road) it contains a library inside that has approximately 20000 tomes including 8000 rare Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian and Hindi manuscripts. It also houses invaluable archaeological relics, geological and ethnological specimens.

Asutosh Museum of Indian Art:

This museum has rare and valuable collections including Bengal patachitra paintings, 'katha shilpo' art etc. Its location within Centenary building of University of Calcutta makes the highest art very accessible to the youth.

Birla Academy of Art and Culture:

Patronized by an eminent industrial family of India , it has an excellent collection of paintings and sculptures . Situated at Rabindra Sarobar at south Calcutta, you can also witness regular exhibitions here.

Birla Planetarium:

One of the largest Planetarium in Asia, it gives a ringside view of the astral play of celestial bodies. The internal diameter of the tomb measures 82 feet and you can recline to get the finest views. Choose from Hindi, English and Bengali shows.

Indian Museum which is the largest and the best museum in the country. Established in 1814, commonly known as 'Jadughar’, it is also one of the oldest in Asia. The museum preserves more than 54000 coins which are more than 2400 years old.

Darjeeling Trip/Directions:

From : Kolkata, West Bengal

To : Darjeeling, West Bengal

Distance : 635.3 km

Drive time : 18 hrs 13 min (approx.)

Step-by-step driving directions :

Step 1. Start from Kolkata, West Bengal and head East on Jawaharlal Nehru Road | Distance: 0.3 Km

Cross the following on your way:

Esplanade at 0.1 Km

Total : 0.3 Km

Step 2. Continue on Chittaranjan Avenue | Distance: 0.9 Km

Cross the following on your way:

Hindi Cinema Area at 0.4 Km

Total : 1.2 Km

Step 3. Turn right on Bepin Behari Ganguly Street | Distance: 0.2 Km

Total : 1.5 Km

Step 4. Turn left on College Street | Distance: 0.8 Km

Cross the following on your way:

Bow Bazar Area at 0 m

Central Avenue at 0.1 Km

Bow Bazar North at 0.3 Km

Total : 2.4 Km

Step 5. Continue on Bidhan Sarani | Distance: 2.9 Km

Cross the following on your way:

Machua Bazar Area at 0 m

Bow Bazar North at 0 m

City College Area at 0.2 Km

Machhua Bazar North at 0.5 Km

Sealdah North at 0.8 Km

Girish Park at 1.0 Km

Shobha Bazar East at 1.4 Km

Simla at 1.4 Km

Shyam Bazar East at 1.8 Km

Shyam Bazar Area at 2.0 Km

Total : 5.3 Km

Step 6. Bear right on RG Kar Road | Distance: 0.3 Km

Cross the following on your way:

Deshbandhu Park at 0 m

Total : 5.6 Km

Step 7. Take the bridge | Distance: 77 m

Total : 5.7 Km

Step 8. Continue on Belgachia Road | Distance: 0.1 Km

Cross the following on your way:

Tala at 0 m

Total : 5.9 Km

Step 9. Take the bridge | Distance: 0.5 Km

Cross the following on your way:

Belgachiya at 0.3 Km

Total : 6.4 Km

Step 10. Bear left on Belgachia Road | Distance: 1.0 Km

Total : 7.5 Km

Step 11. Continue on Patipukur Road | Distance: 3.0 Km

Cross the following on your way:

South Dum Dum at 0 m

Total : 10.6 Km

Step 12. Bear right on Jessore Road | Distance: 6.1 Km

Cross the following on your way:

Dumdum at 0 m

North Dum Dum at 2.9 Km

Total : 16.7 Km

Step 13. Continue straight | Distance: 615.5 Km

Cross the following on your way:

Barasat at 6.2 Km

Cooper's Camp at 59.5 Km

Ranaghat at 59.8 Km

Aistala at 62.3 Km

Phulia at 68.0 Km

Santipur at 74.9 Km

Baruihuda at 93.4 Km

Krishnanagar at 95.5 Km

Kshidirpur at 123.2 Km

Jagadanandapur at 124.0 Km

Beldanga at 165.2 Km

Gora Bazar at 181.9 Km

Baharampur at 185.8 Km

Goaljan at 192.0 Km

Farakka at 284.5 Km

English Bazar at 316.8 Km

Old Maldah at 320.4 Km

Raiganj at 390.1 Km

Dalkhola at 439.5 Km

Kishanganj at 465.6 Km

Islampur at 500.4 Km

Uttar Bagdogra at 564.2 Km

Bairatisal at 568.6 Km

Kurseong at 594.3 Km

Total : 632.3 Km

Step 14. Continue on Hill Cart Road | Distance: 3.1 Km

Total : 635.4 Km

Step 15. End at Darjiling, West Bengal (DARJEELING) | Distance: 0 m

Total : 635.4 Km

Answer 6

Hi, First i wana suggest you for your destination as you have written you found walking tiring so Kolkata will be better than Darjeeling as its a hill area so you have to walk enough to explore.

Coming to tthe hotels you can try:

Peerless Inn, A.V. Hotels Pvt. Ltd, Astoria Hotel, Hotel Akash Deep,Hotel Akash Ganga,Roland Hotel,The Samilton

A detail about these hotels you can find here:

http://www.tsiindia.com/hotels-calcutta....

In Kolkata you can visit:

Victoria Memorial,Indian Museum,Birla Planetarium,Howrah Bridge etc.

Also you should take a visit to Sundarbans National park. & talking about car rental in Kolkata you can contact here:

http://www.tsiindia.com/car-rental-india...

Or:

Indian Horizons Private Limited

(Inbound Travel Agency of Flexi Tours Private Limited)

TANEJA HOUSE I-84, Lajpat Nagar II,

New Delhi - 110 024 (India)

Tel : +(91)-(11)-46524652 (100 Lines)

Fax : +(91)-(11)-29812210

Email : [e-mail]

Answer 7

Yes visit http://kolkata.clickindia.com/hotels/3st...

You will find it a bit different, humid, and also quite crowded, however you will discover lots of things which, which you will find unique, like food especially fish curry dishes, there is a harbour bridge there too, and lots of excitement.

I myself live in Australia, however find it easy to move around in Kolkatta, you will also find lots of trams as well as trains.

All the best for your trip, and yes dont travel in crowded buses as their are picpockets also.