The southern Indian city of Hyderabad is the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh. This large, lively and somewhat traditional city is also often referred to as the city of pearls and minarets as the city has a rich historical past which dates back to nearly 400 years and is associated with extremely wealthy rulers who were known as Nizams. Hyderabad is located on the banks of the River Musi and is dotted with several historical landmarks which give a visitor an insight to this its rich ancient legacy.
However in recent years, Hyderabad has come to be associated with the Indian IT industry as the city is an important center for Information technology and IT enabled services which form the main source of revenue for the district that contains the city as well as the state of Andhra Pradesh. More than 200 firms are currently registered with Hyderabad’s Software Technology Park. Aside from the IT industry, the district of Hyderabad is also known for its pharmaceutical, entertainment and business process outsourcing industries.
All this vibrant economic activity as well as renowned landmarks like the Charminar, the Jami Masjid, the Qutub Shahi tombs and the Golconda fort have firmly established Hyderabad on the tourists and business travelers’ map. If you have never visited this city, then you should perhaps think of doing so though if you are planning to travel to Hyderabad from a US city you should be aware that you are likely to have a long haul journey in front of you for which business class travel is highly recommended in order to avoid the ex...Read Morehaustion jet lag often produces.
If you do indeed travel in a business class seat to Hyderabad you are sure to arrive in a well rested state for even if you use discount business class airfares to Hyderabad you are likely to be entitled to all the amenities and facilities associated with normal business class like priority check-in, airline lounge access and a seat that will convert into a fully flat bed ensuring a long period of rest on your journey during which you will receive excellent dedicated service and unending good food and wine.
However most people seem to think that business class airfares to Hyderabad are extremely expensive and out of reach for most folk then how does one snag a cheap business class seat to Hyderabad? One way is to look out for special offers promoted by airlines themselves, like Air India which India’s own national carrier that promotes companion free tickets in its business class and first class cabins routinely. These offers simply translate as cheap business class deals to Hyderabad which helps to smoothen your passage to this erstwhile imperial city immensely. If you don’t wish to travel on Air India or cannot comply with the requirements of the offer then your next best bet is to approach an airfares consolidator who is guaranteed to help you procure deep discount business class fares to Hyderabad. These airfares consolidators have access to cheap business class airfares due to the exclusive consolidator contracts that they have with several different airlines as a result of which they can help you acquire a cheap business class seat to Hyderabad which in all likelihood will be 70% cheaper than one procured from regular channels. An airfares consolidator is in fact the best way to go if you want to fly in any airlines business class or even first class.
Hyderabad like much of India’s Deccan plateau has a climate that can be described as semi-arid as the city experiences scorching summers that last usually from late February to early June which are then followed by the monsoon season which usually takes over the city from late June to early October. This monsoon season is then followed by a pleasant winter which usually lasts from late October to early February. The winter season is unarguably the best time to visit Hyderabad for you can enjoy wandering around its many wonderful historical sites like the Charminar which is perhaps considered to be the symbol of Hyderabad.
This world famous landmark of the Charminar gets its name from its four towers or char (four) Minar (towers).The Charminar is a 56 m (185 feet) high arch, which has four minarets, elaborately carved balconies and a small mosque. This landmark which is situated in the midst of the city’s bustling bazaars was built in the year 1591 by Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutub Shahi to commemorate the end of a plague. Located near the landmark of Charminar is yet another attraction of Hyderabad which takes the form of the Mecca Masjid which is one of the largest mosques in the world that was begun by a Qutub Shahi king, Abdullah Qutub Shahi in 1614, but was completed only in 1687 by the Mughul emperor Aurangazeb when he annexed the Golconda Kingdom.
Yet another popular site of Hyderabad is its Golconda Fort which extends over 5 kilometers and is known for its 18 meter high walls which have eight huge gates and 87 bastions which were once used for cannons. The fort which is located on a hill is populated with the ruins of palaces, assembly halls, stables and barracks. Also located within the fort are the seven tombs of Hyderabad’s Qutub Shahi’s rulers who reigned over the city in the 16th century. The Fort is known for its fantastic acoustics wherein sounds made in the Grand Portico can be heard in the Darbar Hall located quite a distance away. A sound and light show is presented at the fort every evening and it is extremely popular with tourists.
Other attractions on the tourist trail of Hyderabad are the Venkateswara Temple which is a white marble temple that was constructed by the Birla Foundation and the Birla Planetarium which is located atop Naubat Pahar Hill.
Also of interest are old palaces and buildings like the Falaknuma Palace and Purani Haveli which are filled with gorgeous antiques that date back to the times of the Nizams and the Hussain Sagar Lake which is an artificial lake that was built by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali in 1562, during the rule of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. This lake was originally built on a tributary of the River Musi to meet the water and irrigation needs of the city however today it extends of 6 km and sports a huge monolithic statue of Gautam Budha in its midst. This statue was erected in 1992 and it soars to a height of 17.5meters.
The Nehru Zoological Park is a must-do for tourists traveling with children along while the Ramoji Film City which is the world’s largest integrated film studio complex which is spread over 2,000 acres of land and hosts both natural and artificial attractions including an amusement park has enough attractions to enthrall both the youngd and the old.
Hyderabad is known for its many splendid handicrafts like ornaments festooned with rice peals lacquer bangles studded with stones, silverware, nirmal and kalamkari paintings and artifacts like, bidri work items, silk, and handloom clothing and if you are at all a shopper then you are sure to enjoy shopping in this city’s many enchanting bazaars and thanks to the extra luggage allowance that your cheap business class fare to Hyderabad will afford you, you will easily be able to transport all these goodies home as gifts for friends and family from your trip to the city of pearls and minarets, H Hide