France-Portugal-Denmark-Holland in a day!!

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A European Day Trip — No Passport Required

No, this is not a whirlwind tour of Europe by jet. This is a day trip by bus to discover slices of Europe in small towns along the Ganges. Once the colonies of European settlers, Portuguese-Bandel Dutch-Chinsurah French-Chandanangore and Danish-Sreerampore are still carrying in them the memories of their colonial past. Crumbling tombs, churches famous and obscure, a Governor’s residence-turned-museum, an imposing Basilica, a restored inn – all have stories to tell. Stories that transport us to a different world altogether, of inspiring missionaries, intrepid sailors, devious indigo planters, and even master cheesemakers! 

Stories that take our breath away.  Stories that slowly grow on us. Stories that have us reciting –

পশ্চিম আজি খুলিয়াছে দ্বার,
সেথা হতে সবে আনে উপহার,
দিবে আর নিবে, মিলাবে মিলিবে যাবে না ফিরে,
এই ভারতের মহামানবের সাগরতীরে।

These little towns beside the river still have lot of memories of the colonial days. One can find plaques written in French, crumbling cemeteries, imposing Basilica, Governor’s residences and some unknown secrets – all without the hassle of any kind of visa!