Author: Dev

Top Tips For Renting A Car In Europe

Published by Dev

Planning to rent a car in Europe, and doing it for the first time? Read these useful tips. During my recent blog trip with Germany Tourism, I ticked off a major bucket list thing — a solo road trip in Europe. Though I understand it was a short one, and a part of me wanted to ride a motorbike over driving around in a car, I think the fact that it was my first time ever attempt for solo driving/riding in Europe, and that too on the wrong side of the road (according to my Indian disposition) driving a car felt like a safer plan. So if are just as helpless as I was before the trip, renting a car in Europe from India (or some other country overseas) for the first time ever, this article will help you answer your questions. The Hidden Costs: My Experience Of Renting A Car In Europe Driving around in Europe is indeed a great experience. But there’s more to the deal than just a great experience. Thanks to hidden …

A One Week Road Trip Along The Romantic Road: Germany’s Most Beautiful Holiday Route

Published by Dev

Last year, while backpacking in Bavaria region in Germany, I got introduced to Germany’s most beautiful holiday route: The Romantic Road. It all happened when I planned a day trip to Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber, almost unknowingly that it is located on the Romantic Road trail, or, the fact that there is something called the Romantic Road, and found out that Germany has not just one but several such picturesque fairy-tale towns. “You should do the Romantic Road sometimes, if visiting similar small medieval towns is your thing” I remember being told as I picked a brochure that read ‘Medieval Germany’ at the tourist information center in Rothenburg At that time I paid no interest in what the lady at the reception desk was saying, and neither did I bother inquiring more on the subject. But as I got back to my hotel later in the evening, and looked at the brochure, I came across the same term again “The Romantic Road”. Naturally Intrigued, I Google more about the subject and found that Romantic Road, …

5 Ways To Brain Train While Travelling

Published by Dev

Travelling is an education in itself — few things are more intellectually stimulating than planning precise routes, finding affordable tickets and accommodation, meeting new people and immersing yourself in unfamiliar cultures. But during a long-term sabbatical, fatigue can set in after a while, which sparks a mental slump for some adventurers that means they might not be feeling as focused and fresh as usual. Fear not — these five ways to brain train while travelling will keep you feeling sharp as a tack and brilliantly on the ball. Rubik’s Cube The Rubik’s Cube was invented in 1974 by Hungarian architect Erno Rubik, who originally envisioned it as an educational model for explaining three-dimensional geometry. It’s since become a favourite brain-teaser for millions of brainboxes worldwide and because it’s so compact, is the ideal travel companion for tuning up your spatial skills and manual dexterity. If you’re tempted to take up this challenging hobby again, pop a cube in a corner of your rucksack and play with it. I have seen a lot of travelers travelling …

Visiting Munich? Don’t Miss The Town Of Augsburg

Published by Dev

Last year I spent three days traveling in Munich and I know a lot of Indian and Asian tourists doing the same — spending a good share of their Bavarian holiday wandering and lazying around in Munich. Where Munich is certainly a great destination to travel to, and you won’t find such amazing beer culture (I still miss its beer gardens!) anywhere in the world, it still makes no sense if you spend all your time there and lose the opportunity of exploring another great town located at only half-an-hour train ride away from Munich. Yes, I am talking the town of Augsburg, on the Romantic Road Trail. If you’ve not heard of the Romantic Road Trail, read about it here: Romantic Road Trail in Germany. My First Impression of Augsburg Despite being located only 70km away from Munich (or a quick half an hour train ride) Augsburg is unlike any part of Munich. I mean statistically it may just be Bavaria’s third biggest town, but when you’re there you don’t feel it that big. …

My First Impression Of Nördlingen

Published by Dev

When, after revisiting Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber, I moved further south of the Romantic Road to spend a night in Nordlingen, I wasn’t expecting anything exceptionally medieval, for the name Nördlingen sounded pretty ordinary and regular. It didn’t seem to hold that weight to its name that ‘Rothenberg Ob Der Tauber’ rather did, at least for my Indian ears. So yea, Nördlingen sounded pretty ordinary and I was hoping for nothing beyond just another small German town, beautified with a colorful Marketplatz, a few dozen half-timbered houses, and cobblestone streets. From Rothenburg, it took me just a little over an hour to reach Nördlingen. Getting to my hotel (that sounded pretty welcoming with its name 2nd Home Hotel) was moreover easy, for it was located right outside of the old town. But as I reached my hotel and to the reception, I saw a brochure drawing out a walking trail for the town of Nördlingen. “We have a city wall in Nördlingen too?” I asked the lady at the reception, sounding taken aback. “Yes, we do. In fact, you can …

Revisiting Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber

Published by Dev

I am not one of those people who appreciates the idea of revisiting places, for there’s so much to see and do in this world that revisiting places feels like a waste of time. But as with everything, for some places, there exists an exception. And one such place happens to be the town of Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber, in the Bavaria region in Germany. I happened to visit Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber the first time less than a year ago while backpacking around the Bavaria Region in Germany. It was moreover the time I was first introduced to Germany’s Romantic Road Trail and I realized how Germany can be so beautiful beyond the popular Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin, among other metropolis, where tourists often frequent. Though of course, small German towns can be expensive for there exists no backpacking culture, and most of the tourists who visit them are either fancy honeymooners or families travelling on a decent budget, the fact that these offbeat medieval towns offer the Real Old European Charm cannot be …

The Best Places to Travel in Uttar Pradesh

Published by Dev

The rich history and cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh make it one of the most loved states in the whole of India. Often referred to as the “Heartland” of India, Uttar Pradesh is home to some of the most beautiful examples of Indian architecture as well as some of its most stunning geographical delights. From the Taj Mahal to the Ganges River, there are plenty of reasons to visit this incredible land. Whether you’re traveling through India on a budget or looking for somewhere to spend a two-week vacation, Uttar Pradesh has everything you could need and more.  Agra One of the most recognized and visited places in India, Agra draws tourists like moths to a flame. But it is not only the magical Taj Mahal that makes this place worth a stop on your tour. There are a plethora of remarkable things to see and do here, so much so that you may end up spending more time here than you anticipated. The Elephant Conservation Centre is an excellent place to see elephants being rehabilitated …

The Bible of Budget Travel In India: Top Tips

Published by Dev

After living in India for almost my entire life, when I quit my job in 2015 to travel, I decided to initially explore my own country, before stepping out in the world. This was for two reasons: one, because I knew if I survived a few months in India and still didn’t give up on travelling, I can handle any place in the world. I wanted to test my endurance. Secondly, because India was among one of the cheapest countries to travel, and given I had no source of regular income at the moment, budget travelling was the only way to afford travelling. So my choice was easy, and I spent the initial 12 months of my travelling stint mapping the length and breadth of my country, before actually stepping abroad (except for travelling Nepal and Bhutan. But they’re more or less India). During my corporate life, I used to travel during weekends and wonder how some poeple (particularly European and Israeli backpackers in India) manage to live a nomadic life. “Where do they get the money from,” I always asked myself, because …

solo traveller

Travel Tips For The Lone Traveler

Published by Dev

Traveling alone is often given a bad reputation, but it can be one of the most fulfilling experiences of your life – if you plan well. Because those who don’t plan their solo journey well, are destined for a world of bumming around endless cities, with nowhere to go and not much fun waiting for them. So Plan effectively, and plan in a way that you’ll be able to wake up from your hotel and hit the road with a clear sense of purpose. What’s more, being a lone traveler means no compromises. This is your journey and that means you can do whatever you like. To help you make the most of your solitary trip, read these tips. They’ll keep you organized and help you have as much fun as you can. Know your airport For the sake of argument, let’s say you’re starting your travels at JFK Airport. This bustling mega-flight hub is jam-packed with fliers at all times. The queue for security will last for hours, finding a parking space will be …

5 Bucket-List Worthy Things to Do in Venice

Published by Dev

Although Italy is loaded with must-visit travel destinations, including the ancient town of Rome and the many island, the city of Venice is truly magnificent. It has been praised throughout history and still remains one of the world’s top tourist destinations. With palaces, churches, and more all constructed on a lagoon, the city appears to be floating and is unlike any other city on the continent. These are a few reasons why you’ll want to add Venice to your destination list. These are a few reasons why you’ll want to add Venice to your destination list. 1.The Secluded Islands Many travelers know that Venice is surrounded by islands, but they don’t know that there are 118 small islands linked by roughly 400 bridges. You can easily see many of them by using the water-bus service run by the city. This is a great way to step off the beaten path and enjoy the authentic city life that’s not been altered much by tourism. You’ll probably want to visit several spots on your trip, but make …