Here we are talking about one of places to visit in Shimla, which, as a tourist, you would be surprised after hearing the name. Why an educational institute would be a part of your travel plans when you are traveling to a hill station, I wondered. The Agent, At Tour Crafters, Mentioned this in his first call and I was like what? I am going to a hefty amount for my trip and I would be visiting an Educational Institute. I argued but he insisted of going ahead what he was narrating. At First instance, My understanding was, this is what standard itinerary he is trained upon so I heard him out. In couple of days time, as we moved towards finalization of the trip, I told him to cut the crap. Again, he insisted and now after visiting that EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE, I remember his words. Sir, Please Trust me and Go ahead what I am telling, You will not be disappointed.
I confess, I am surely Not disappointed. I just called him up and said a Thank You to Him. Since it was an educational Institute, I didn’t even try to explore. But when I actually reached the place and the way it unfolded in front of me, I was stunned. My Arrogance was demolished with which I was trying to dominate the agent at Tour Crafters. It was a place worth visiting. Here is why.
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This building was once the residence of British Viceroy of India and hence It was anciently called Viceregal Lodge. It was also called Rashtrapati Niwas for some part of the past. Needless to mention Shimla was the summer capital of the British Times and hopefully you can connect the threads forward and forward. Later on, when British people vanished, the building was handed over to Ministry of Education and that’s how it became an Educational Institute.
It is a Guided Group tour at a nominal entry fee. The process of paying for entry and waiting for the group entry times will surely pinch you and make you cry foul of travel agent but then you will be lost after entering. The British Architecture is what catch you upfront and then follows the nostalgic letters, Photographs and Articles taking you down the history lanes and you wonder why it is important to not judge a book by its cover. Untill you have experienced something you should not make your mind about it. The tour will end in few minutes but I bet you will lost count of time while visiting this place. To complement the historic things there is a park. A cool and calm place surrounded by the dense Pine Forests.
I would recommend everyone to visit this place irrespective of its name. Because, I went there with not heart however came back apologetically. As they say “Travel is not a reward for working, It is an education for Living. Do Visit Indian Institute of advances Studies. Thank You Tour Crafters for insisting and Kudos to me for going by your instincts though unheartedly. I would not have visited this place if not for Tour Crafters and I am Glad I chose them. When I tried to appreciate the agent, Their response was “Every Travel Company in Himachal will insist on visiting this place, there is nothing we did different. We are here to show you Himachal fully and thoroughly. Probably that is one of the reason you must choose a Local Travel Agent rather than one sitting at a distant place.
Tour Crafters is not just like another travel agency, hovering around for revenues. We Strive for practicing our passion of managing travels with quality and merely making a living out of it.