Kolkata travel makes way for the tourists to the 'City of Joy'. Kolkata, which was formerly known as Calcutta, is known as the Cultural Capital of India. More than 300 years old, it is one of the largest metropolitan cities in India. The city is vibrant and full of life with a cozy cosmopolitan ambiance that never fails to engross and attract people from all over the world. The majestic Hooghly River flows by the city, enhancing its beauty just in the manner the Thames beautifies London.

Previously the Gateway to the country and the capital of the British Raj in India, Kolkata still bears the Victorian imprint on its landscape. Kolkata has witnessed a number of significant happenings of the colonial rule in India. The home of the cultural Renaissance of the early nineteenth century and a number of violent and vigorous nationalist movement, Kolkata continues to be one of the most culturally and politically happening city of India. Home to more than 10 million people, the life of Kolkata is a melting pot of heritage, art, culture, sports, politics and tourism – making it a blissful place for tourists.

The most important city in the eastern India, capital of West Bengal, Kolkata can boast of varied tourist attractions. Some of the most sought after tourist sites in Kolkata, which make traveling in Kolkata all the more interesting, are:

Victoria Memorial

Howrah Bridge

2nd Hoogly Bridge

Town Hall

Kalighat Temple

Birla Planetarium

Fort William

Botanical Garden

Asiatic Society

Ashutosh Museum of Indian Art

Academy of Fine Arts

Nandan Complex

Alipur Zoo

Race Course

Science City

Millenium Park

Aquatica

Nicco Park

Hotels of International standards, like Hyatt Regency Kolkata, Oberoi Grand, Hindustan International, Taj Bengal, Camac Plaza, Sonar Bangla, Kenilworth are spread through out the city. These hotels provide state-of-the-art facilities to its guests. Moreover, there are countless facilities of budget hotels that are available in the city.

Kolkata is well connected to the different parts of the world with an excellent network of transportation. Kolkata is served by the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, that receives flights by a number of national and international airlines. Some of the major airlines that conduct international flights to Kolkata include the following:

Air India

Emirates

Lufthansa German Airlines

Air Deccan

British Airways

Gulf Air

Singapore Airlines

Air Sahara

Howrah and Sealdah are the two major railway stations of Kolkata, connecting the city to all parts of India. Apart from these, the city is well served with a very extensive system of local and long distance transports including buses, trains, trams, taxis, underground metro rail and hired cars.

Kolkata is the capital of the state of West Bengal in the Eastern part of India. The city is oriented in the north-south direction by the banks of river Hooghly. The geographical coordinates of Kolkata are 22º33' N latitude and 88º20'E longitude. The population of the city is around 5,000,000 and the climate is typically tropical and largely wet and dry, with considerable rain in the monsoon season. Kolkata can be visited any time of the year, although the best time to visit is between October and March.