How to reach
Calcutta has a bustling national and international airport. It is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Patna, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and other important cities. It is also connected by rail to all major cities. Calcutta also has road links with Delhi(1495 kms), Mumbai(2060 kms), Chennai(1734 kms), Varanasi(676 kms), Puri(555 kms), Guwahati(1164 kms) and Darjeeling(731 kms).
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Places to see
Howrah Bridge
This massive iron structure on the river Hoogly is an important landmark of Calcutta.
The Maidan
This area is referred to as the lungs of the city and the lawns here provide the much needed greenery in the town. It is flanked by the river on one side and the Chowringhee lane on the other. Many events are also organised here ranging from football matches to political meetings.
Victoria Memorial
Victoria Memorial is made of white marble and is a legacy of the Raj. There is a museum which has a collection of articles from the british empire. There is also an Art Gallery.
Shaheed Minar
This is 48 metre high and is next to the Eden Gardens.
Eden Gardens
The famous Eden garden stadium, a lake and a Burmese pagoda are situated here.
The Birla Planetarium
It is one of the largest in the world.
Zoological Gardens
The Zoo is one of the largest in India. It houses various species of plants and animals.
Museums
The Indian Museum and an art gallery is located in Chowringhee. The Academy of Fine Arts, Nehru Children's Museum, Netaji Museum, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, Rabindra Bharati Museum and the Ashutosh Museum of Indian Art are some of the museums worth a visit.
Others
The Armenian Church, Nakhoda Mosque(Rabindra Sarani), Rabindra Sadan, St Paul's Cathedral, Raj Bhavan, St John's Church, New Secretariat, General Post Office, Writer's Buildings, High Court, National Library, Marble Place, Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Jorasanko and the Kalighat Temple are also worth a visit.
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Driveaways
Digha
About 180 kms from Kolkatta lies Digha West Bengal's premier sea side resort. From Kolkatta one drives on the National Highway 6 for about 50 kms and then takes the Halsia road. Another bifurcation takes one to Digha. After the highway the journey id on the state roads. Digha has a very long beach which is quite hard. Bathing should only be done at safe spots. Digha has a good eating joint too especially for Bengali and sea food. One can combine a visit to Digha with visits to the fishing village or Shankarpur (10 kms short of Digha) and Talsiri in Orissa (7 kms from Digha) which has a very good beach.
