Destinations

Croatia on a Budget

  If there’s one thing that can be said for almost any country in the world (with the exception of the truly small ones!) is that to truly experience it, you need to travel to at least 3 or 4 different places within it. Time and money constraints, unfortunately do not allow for such itineraries. However, if you have 10 days to spare and a desire to do a whole country, north to south, then think no more and head to Croatia! With a healthy mix of natural beauty, eclectic art and culture, a thriving urban scene, best beers (Karlovačko and Ožujsko) and some of the hottest music festivals in Europe, Croatia is a small package that has something to offer for every traveler. The fact that they use the local currency i.e. Croatian Kuna instead of the Euro makes it easy on the pocket too. So without further ado, let’s get started on the trip which we completed in less than 900 Euros!   Pro-tip 1: Before you book your tickets, check the season you plan to travel in. Tourist season begins in March, hits its peak in June-July and completely fizzles out by August. If you’re looking to engage in a few activities, but want to avoid the tourist rush, March-April is perfect for you. The warmer period of June- July is great for those who don’t mind the crowds, who are interested in the music festivals and who are looking to bumming around on the beach as well.   Pro-tip 2: Always look out for last minute announcements especially in the European airports. We got so lucky at the Frankfurt airport where we received 300 Euros just for agreeing to take a delayed Lufthansa flight through Munich instead of flying to Zagreb directly. Yes, it does not …

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Traveling London on a Budget

London Hotels for the Budget Traveler Despite it being one of the most expensive cities to visit and live in, London still remains a sought after travel destination for a myriad of reasons. And if it gives you any comfort, the capital is actually number 12 on the list of the top 20 cities to visit around the world, so whether you are a budget or luxe traveler, London will welcome you with open arms. If you’re planning on visiting this beautiful city and are still looking for a place to stay, here are three hotels you might be interested in: Hotel 55 – £65 per night Although cheaper than most international chains in the area, boutique hotels in the capital are generally pricey, but there are a few exceptions. Over in Hanger Lane is a minimalistically designed accommodation, a contemporary hotel situated in the suburbs. Here they have 26 cozy, air conditioned bedrooms, with several in-room amenities. And if you’ve got a sensitive back, know that you’ll fall asleep in comfort with high thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and an orthopedic mattress. The Hoxton – £69 per night A dream come true for those on a tight budget, The Hoxton on Great Eastern Street is known for its occasional £1 room sales, which usually sell out after a few minutes. Nonetheless, the regular rates are still within an affordable price range. With services like mini breakfast delivered to your room, they’re all about being more than just a place to sleep. It’s a place of work and play, engaging their guests with hotel neighbors through events. As part of the Soho House Group, you’ll also have plenty of bar and dining options where you can hang alongside the locals. Hotel Ibis London Heathrow Airport – £55 per night Good …

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Pondicherry: What could have been Goa is instead Amazing!

Heritage villas with shaded courtyards turned to hotels and restaurants, catholic churches of immaculate conception dotting the lanes, unending beach strip with sand the color of silver and alcohol available at prices lower than rest of India: well, that could be the tourist giant and party haven, Goa. But lack of shacks by the water or people drinking in public and absence of sun bathing European vacationers or jet skiing Indian weekenders makes it the intimate and cosy, authentic and honest, Pondicherry. It amazes me what Pondicherry could have been – the decadent French speaking town, smugged at its history of having served a colonial power thats not English and a popular beachside getaway close to a big city; much like its alter ego on the other coast of India. But its not. Its better. The roads are not clogged with SUVs driving down from Mumbai, the prices don’t shoot up here on the drop of a hat; the locals are shy but polite and the food has both taste and character. The city was divided into two parts on racial terms: one, the French designed, ocean front “white” town and then on the other side of a giant canal, the Tamil quarter. On either side you see sites emblematic of two cultures very diverse but yet influencing each other. While, the French part feels like small island of history, an open air museum with an air of abandonment and nostalgia of era gone by, the town on the other side continues to move at the speed of any other regular Indian town. The street names are in French, the police still wear French caps called kepis, restaurants serve French cuisine making Pondicherry the easiest place to find croissant in India. However, there is no denying that beyond the white …

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12 Reasons why Iceland should be your dream destination

ICELAND is a land of extremes with unique and sometimes weird things to offer – raw nature – geysers and hot springs – volcano craters – daylight day & night – truly awesome waterfalls – mesmerizing landscapes – practically no trees – gigantic glaciers – pristine lakes – powerful and plentiful rivers – a true getaway from civilization. Here are  12 amazing experiences that will leave you in awe of Iceland. #1 VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS – Holuhraun near Bardarbunga. A very recent volcano has a popular tourist attraction. #2 GEOTHERMAL POOLS – Drinking Beers in the Natural Pools, Need We Say more? #3 GLACIER HIKING – They say the world’s glaciers are disappearing. The area of Skaftafell in the National Park of Vatnajökull has some of the most picturesque glacier hiking oppportunities. #4 ICEBERGS – The glacier lagoon of Jökulsárlón is a unique place of earth. It’s the deepest lake of Iceland. Huge and surreal blue icebergs float in the lagoon. This is one of the rarest sights on Earth. #5 ICE CAVES – A truly unique experience. #6 SNOWY LANDSCAPES – Landmannalaugar is a winter paradise, but accessible only by a super jeep #7 SOFT MOSS – Being such a volcanic island, Iceland’s lava has been covered by a thick layer of soft moss makes a very beautiful outdoor setting. #8 NORTHERN LIGHTS – Iceland is the best location on the planet to enjoy the phenomenon of the aurora borealis during the winter. #9 WINTER ACTIVITIES – You could drive a SnowMobile gazing at this wonderful kaleidoscope of nature. #10 PUFFINS – There are so many migratory birds in Iceland, for once you will fell they are here for tourist-watching. #11 MAJESTIC WATERFALLS – One of the most famous and clicked sights in Iceland. #12 HIKING PARADISE – Need I say more. Here you can see the waterfall Svartifoss, framed in columnar basalt rocks, in the …

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Why Egypt should be on your list!

The ancient Egyptian culture and mystery surrounding the pyramids draws millions of tourists from all around the globe. It is also a great place to experience solo exploration, which is one of the best ways to learn and challenge oneself. The hardest things about traveling alone to somewhere new are: staying safe, deciding where to go and choosing what to do. As a solo traveler, you’ve got time on your side! However, you can easily get overwhelmed by the sheer number of attractions in Egypt. Here’s a little help to whittle down your list. Consider these must-see attractions and experiences in Egypt and tips for staying safe while travelling abroad on your own. World Famous Ancient Attractions The focus of most tourists remains the historical monuments, including The Pyramids of Giza and The Great Sphinx, the Nile, the Temple of Karnak at Luxor, Luxor Temple and the Queen Hatshepsut’s Tomb and Valley of the Kings. Take time to fully immerse yourself in the experience: walking around these ruins brings some real ‘pinch-yourself’ moments and you’ll be able to fully appreciate their magnificence with no one to drag you away from them. Snorkeling and diving along the Red Sea coast or camel trekking into the mountains of Sinai are more adventurous past times in Egypt. If you’d rather take it easy, then there’s always the option to sunbathe on the hot sands of Sharm-el-Sheikh! Try the local foods Egypt is famous not only for its rich ancient culture but also its great traditional food. Egyptian food comprises of a mixture of different civilizations. Kushari is often considered the Egyptian national dish. This vegetarian meal consists of pasta, tomato sauce, green lentils, macaroni and rice mixed together with caramelized onions. This hearty dish is sold widely in restaurants and roadside stalls. It’s …

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Meet Niranjan Das from Tales of a Nomad

Niranjan is passionate about travel, be it long bike rides or treacherous trekking or leisure holidaying or backpacking through the countryside or an engrossing train journey. He dreams of setting foot on every single country on planet earth and meeting adorable strangers and learning new cultures. You can read about his travels at http://www.talesofanomad.com Follow him on Twitter or Facebook  We asked him what are the 3 places every traveler must visit in India? Here is what he said. #1 Gokarna-  Besides the very popular Om beach, Gokarna is a hippie’s haven. With beach treks, secluded beaches, shacks and absolutely nothing to do, this tiny fishing hamlet lures travellers like no other. Laze, walk and enjoy the lovely sunsets over the five beaches that Gokarna boasts of. Two of those beaches are approachable only by boat or by trek. How awesome is that? #2Varanasi-  Varanasi is all about the 3 Gs- the alluring Ganges, the languorous Ghats and the intriguing Gallis (alleyways). Add to it, the chaos, the temple bells and hymns, the famous ganga arti, the sadhus, the numerous temples, the boats, the kulhad chai, the paan and what you get is a cocktail of culture, religion, people and beliefs. Isn’t this more than enough to lure any traveller to the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city? Varanasi can be infectious and there aren’t many who would like to part with the city once they fall for its charm. #3 Varkala- Red laterite cliffs against blue background makes for a terrific landscape in Varkala. Arguably one of the best beaches in the country, Varkala beach is well maintained, attracts hordes of foreign tourists and do not be surprised if you find yourself to be the only Indian out there. With numerous cafes atop the cliff, it is absolutely blissful to stare at the blue …

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The ultimate food guide to LEH!!!

We may not have electricity tomorrow, hence. Is it the high-altitude and the weather that makes everything taste good in Ladakh!!! We gave you 9 reasons to head to Ladakh this summer, if you are still not convinced, here are some great places to eat that will convince of all the great stuff you are missing. #1 Pumpernickel German Bakery Owned by a Sardarji, it has the freshest bakes. So much so that anything leftover is thrown into trash (saw with my own eyes). The most delicious apple crumble We’ve ever had, sink into apple heaven! #2 Tibetan Kitchen Perhaps the best Tibetan food in the city called ‘Little Lhasa’. Try their momos & exotic sounding nutrition filled Ladakhi dishes. The ambience of the mountains is an added charm and so is the sha-bakleb. #3 La Pizzeria This place with a chilled out feel seems to have perfected the art of making sumptuous Italian fare.Their speciality are the thin-crust wood fired pizzas. The funghi pizza is a delight. If you are lucky you might be treated to an impromptu guitar performance by fellow diners.   #4 Desert Rain Real coffee. Enough Said   #5 Lala’s Art Cafe Situated in the dilapidated old part of Leh, getting here is walking through centuries of history. The walk up to the stairs will be fully rewarded when you are having the bake of the day and freshly brewed coffee. #6 Chopsticks The most chic restaurant in Leh, beautifully lit and with indoor seating. It does a good job with noodles and stir fried veggies. But their Pad Thai is the clear winner. #7 Dreamland Restaurant A trusted traveller favourite for delectable Indian food and curries. You can try the mouth-watering butter chicken or the vegetarian dishes on offer. #8 Mentokling Apple Garden Restaurant Always …

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A short Food guide to Madrid, Toledo and Seville

Every time I think of Spain, the first picture that comes to my mind is a group of cheerful, vivacious people having a good time and enjoying some delicious food & Sangria. Unless you try what the locals eat, the experience of the place is incomplete.Tapas, I feel are synonymous to Spanish cuisine.They are referred to as pintxos  in the northern region. They maybe small portions but they are big on taste. You can call them appetizers, starters or snacks, but for somebody who likes variety, a combination of different tapas can form a perfect meal. They can be cold or hot, cooked or uncooked, vegan or vegetarian. The list is long. #1 MADRID – #TAPAS Puerta de Sol Located in the heart of the city, this famous square is lined with restaurants, bars, cafes, ham & cheese shops. Bustling with tourists, its charming and alive. The most fascinating are the cave bars each famous for a particular tapas and some also serve a variety. TIP: Cave Hopping – Visit different caves and try their specialty with Sangria   Pimientos de Padròn (Spicy peppers) – Another superstar from the caves   Jamòn Ibèrico (Ham from Acorn fed pigs) #TIP: Vacuum packed ham is an ideal thing to take back from Spain.   #MARKETS : Mercado de San Miguel The oldest and the most beautiful food markets in Madrid. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, its a market which should be experienced, just for its lovely sights and smells. This market is serious competition to London’s Borough Market. A must visit in Madrid. #Paella – The showstopper in Madrid This stunning dish is a concoction of  vegetables, chicken and seafood. It can be customized as per one’s choice.It is eaten with aioli (garlic mayonnaise). It can be eaten as whole meal or as a …

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Weekend Getaway from Delhi

About 18kms northeast of Narkanda is the little village of Kotgarh. Situated just off the old Hindustan-Tibet road, it is where the apple-farming revolution of Himachal originated. Mostly the entire villagers are Orchardist. The Fruiting season starts may onwards and the commonly sighted fruits are Plums / Apricots / Prunes / Strawberries / Peaches / Pears but the main crop on which the livelihood of the orchardist is the Apple crop. The Season for Apple Blossom in this valley is from August till middle of September. The entire valley is laden with these jewels making it no less than the “GARDEN OF EDEN”. We recommend visiting Kotgarh either enroute to Spiti Valley, infact its better on the way back since you will be super tired. And it is a perfect weekend getaway from Delhi, actually try and spare at least 3 days. Driving Time from Shimla is approximately 2hrs. There aren’t too many options for staying at Kotgarh, and you don’t want to keep running around asking villages if you can stay with them. We highly recommend staying at Apple Tree Cottage  They run a nice tour called ‘Apple Blossom Tour’ which is a guided one where an expert Agriculturist walks along with the group and educates them about the various varieties of apples the participants will also are taught how grafting of trees happens to produce this magnificent fruit, followed by how plucking is undertaken in the orchards along with Apple Grading and packing. There are seperate areas which are earmarked for the guests to engage in plucking of the fruit in guidance of expert pluckers. If your idea of a vacation is too spend some relaxing time and the only noise you hear is of birds chirping and your breathing than visiting this valley is a perfect vacation choice. The …

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5 places every traveller must certainly visit

London : It has the pace of a metro but the heart of a pretty hamlet. The crowds in the old town may disenchant a few but it’s very difficult to not get charmed by London. Bruges : certainly the most pretty town not just in Belgium but all of Europe. One weekend trip is enough to convince you of its charms. It is impossible to not fall in love with the canals, awesome Belgium waffles, the hundreds of beers and the thousands of chocolates. Vientiane : Undoubtedly the most laid back capital city in the world. With a tiny population of 3,00,000, a wide variety of world cuisines, 2-3 traffic lights, no traffic jams, the most friendly people. All in all a place not to be missed when you visit Laos. Istanbul : It is considered to be an ideal mix of Europe and Asia, a proper cusp between cultures of two such varied continents, trust us the Asian side is more pretty, charming,  packed with lots of feel,  awesome food, great markets, and an unending list of sights to see. New Delhi : A delectable multi layered pudding of history with a icing  of century old settlements  and a garnish of unique architectural gems is the city that has been the capital of the largest democracy of the world. There is a contest being sponsored by ” Booked.net – Top Destinations to Go There” To win an iPhone that was nominated by a fellow blogger to participate in. To complete the contest rules, I have nominated 5 bloggers: Tales of a Nomad ,   Renuka,  Navdeep and Sona,  Prasad Np,  Saurav Arya  

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