All posts filed under: Places Travelled

Europe: In Pictures

Published by Dev

Europe is a long, long way away. It takes tiresome hours to fly to. Getting there and staying is expensive than many people can afford to. The exchange rate between Euro and with whatever currency you’re holding to is also not very encouraging either. And if any discouragement was left, the super-cheap all-inclusive packages to Bali and Indonesia cost just as much as a return airfare to Europe. So why even bother with travelling to Europe at all? Well, let us count the ways in Europe in Pictures. Europe For Neoclassical Architecture The revival of Classical architecture during the 18th and early 19 century, defines Europe. Almost in every big city, and even in small towns, you can find an elegant piece of architecture characterised either by the grandeur of scale, or something just as charming. Take St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, for an example, which looks both reviving and ancient feel to the city, with its 100-meter high dome, it represents a neoclassical and period architecture, simply beautiful. Europe For Beautiful Drives Whether driving with a purpose or for a moment of joy, in Europe if you’re on the road, you’ll inevitably …

How To Do Southeast Asia In 1 Month

Published by Dev

If Southeast Asia is world’s top backpacking location then there’s a reason for it. It is perfect for millennials, who neither have money, nor time. The kind of people falling in my category. Here, the visas are cheaper, or not required at all, travelling through one country and another is possible by land, and flights cost as low as flying in your own country! And if you just happen to be someone who needs visas for Southeast Asia, please note that right now is even better to do so, because to increase the tourist inflow, Malaysia and Thailand have just cut slashed their visa costs, and they’re particularly focusing on the Indian market. [I’ve just grabbed my 15-day Malayasian Visa for less than INR 1,500. Read: Malaysia eNTRI visa] For Southeast Asia,  all you need is a bit of planning, a little bit of time and you can do (almost) the entire continent in a bargain. If I had one month, and wanted to cover as many countries as possible, in a budget, this is what …

Travel Tips For Slovenia

Published by Dev

What people think about a place, and what it actually is, can be two different realities. And so was the case with me before I travelled to Slovenia. While I was planning the route-map for my first backpacking trip across Europe, I considered Slovenia as something totally different than what it actually turned out to be. I expected it as a part of ‘wild west’ or Eastern Europe. Moreover to my guilt, my heart was always more drawn to the neighbouring countries of Italy, Austria and Hungary. But since there was no way to travel from Hungary to Italy, via land, without bypassing through Slovenia (because I didn’t want to cross through Croatia with a Schengen Visa), I decided to stay in Ljubljana for a few days. [Read: My First Impression of Ljubljana] So if you are visiting Slovenia for the first time, then read ahead. These four significant misconceptions are the most useful travel tips for Slovenia. Don’t Mix Slovenia And Slovakia Slovenian people are very friendly and well-versed. For almost always you will find them smiling, but if there’s one …

What To See And Do In Manali

Published by Dev

I consider Manali, in Himachal Pradesh, my second home. And it isn’t just me, but everyone who lives in Delhi. Manali’s close proximity to the capital, and other big towns like Chandigarh, makes it a favourable holiday destination, particularly during summers, when the heat in Indian cities becomes unbearably harsh and people fancy a quick escape. Other than Indian tourist, Manali has also long attracted the hippies of the West, particularly if we talk about Vashishth (the town next to Manali), which can also otherwise be perceived as the GOA for hippies in the north of India. It might have had something to do with the world famous elusive and guarded Malana cream from the nearby town of Malana, or perhaps something else. But whatever, the reason Manali is one of North India’s top tourist attractions. Things To Do In Manali From enjoying the views of the Beas to experiencing therapeutic hot springs in Vasisht, to driving to Solang Valley and rolling down the hills – there’s enough to do in and around Manali. And speaking of the highlights, here are some… Stroll Along …

Gujarat Travel Guide

Published by Dev

When I was initially planning to backpack across Gujarat I’d no idea what to expect. People suggested that backpacking in Gujarat – particularly inside Kutch – won’t be a good idea. But it wasn’t the backpacking that I was worried about. A limited travel information available on Gujarat was my biggest challenge. Other than its few religious sites, a couple of national parks and the over promoted Kutch festival (or Rann Utsav), very little has been written or known about tourism in Gujarat. A few sources, on internet moreover suggested that backpacking in Gujarat, due to its poor public transportation system, was perhaps the bad idea.So before I start with my usual travel guide format, I’d give you a general overview and help you understand Gujarat better. So before I start with my usual travel guide format, I’d give you a general overview and help you understand Gujarat better. The state has been divided into three parts: Saurasthra, Magadh and Kutch. Saurasthra and Magadh, does not have much to travel, at least if speaking for not-so-religious travel community. Other than Gir National Park (popular for …

From Horse Riding To Living The German Way Of Life: Workaway In Germany

Published by Dev

It has always been a dream of mine to ride a horse, slowly galloping away into the sunset. But the fact is… I never got a chance. Neither to pursue my dream, nor fantasies. The last time I felt a horseback, I was in Darjeeling, some half-a-lifetime ago, under the scrutiny of my parents. And I vaguely remember (well, there are pictures to prove) that I cried the entire time. But then later in life, I happened to grow up with pets around me, and growing up as an animal lover, horses became my biggest fascination. So while planning for my two-month backpacking trip through central and eastern Europe, in February, earlier this year, I came across a host in Germany, on workaway.info who run a horse farm in the countryside of Germany, close to France and Luxembourg. I got super excited and wrote to them immediately. Luckily, they said yes! So, after a week or 10 days of wandering around in Zurich, Stuttgart and Frankfurt (and falling in major love with German Beer), I made my way to Ballhausens household in Mörz, near Koblenz, and their horse-farm, that were going to …

Tips For Your First Solo Motorbiking Trip In Himalayas

Published by Dev

I remember the time I was planning my first ever motorbiking trip in the Himalayas, I was scared more than ever in my life. I’d never done something like that before and I’d no idea what to expect. And to make it worse, I’d decided to go solo, and that too on world’s most isolated and treacherous roads. (Yes, I am talking about Spiti Valley, in higher Himalayas!) But where on one side I was scared and confused, with no past experiences of riding in the Himalayas, on the other side, I knew I was ready for it – at least if technically speaking. I had researched about the entire route map well enough, equipped myself properly, and was not carried away by the romanticism of riding only a Royal Enfield (the most loved motorbike among Indians for off-roading). For a total of 9 days, I drove an average of 200 kilometres per day, covering a total of 2200 kilometre distance from my home (in Delhi) and back, and it was a whirlwind experience. At times I was scared, at times …

Budget Travel Tips For Europe

Published by Dev

Even with more and more budget backpackers making it to Europe, discovering their own quirky ways to travel on a cheap, Europe is still considered as a fairly expensive destination (especially among those who are dealing with a big currency difference, as I did, of 1Euro (EUR)= 70 Indian Rupees). During my recent 2 months in Europe, and especially while travelling across countries like Germany, Austria and Italy, I often get sick to my stomach at how much everything — from transportation to food to accommodation — cost. However, I found that a few things have gone my way… the traveler’s way: weaker European currencies, the rise of sharing economy, new bus options, and lots of budget airlines are a few to speak of. All this has combined to make getting around Europe more affordable than ever. To speak in clear words, here are my personal learning to criss-cross the continent without breaking the budget: Take Buses more often. And Avoid Trains There’s no denying the fact that in Europe buses are a lot cheaper than trains. And most budget backpackers rely on buses to keep …

My Workaway Experience In Rome

Published by Dev

First things first: I was not sponsored to review workaway, which may otherwise feel once you read my post, but what can I do if my volunteer stay turned out to be the best. Moreover the fact that I had a great volunteering experience and that I encourage the idea of Workaway-ing, are not linked. In case you’re wondering what’s workaway… Workaway.info is a site where you can find volunteer positions in tourism, agriculture or as an au-pair anywhere in the world, and where potential hosts can hire you. You start by creating an account. All you have to do is sign-up, pay the fee for one year ($29 for a single person, $38 for a couple or two friends), and create a profile and description about yourself and what you offer. Once you have signed up, you can start contacting businesses or local hosts based on countries, cities, and/or type of work. The general gist in each location is that you get a room and board in exchange for 5 hours work a day. Well, that’s what it’s supposed to be like. But that totally depends …

What To See And Do In Basel

Published by Dev

Basel is so tucked away on the northern edge of the country, bordering both France and Germany, that it’s not on the regular Geneva-Bern-Lucerne-Zurich route and is often forgotten by tourists. But speaking of my first impression of Basel, as I happened to be in town during a 3-day blogging trip, Basel was, undoubtedly, a place to explore. Being Switzerland’s third largest town, Basel offers something for everyone. It has over 40 museums, uncountable art-galleries, world-class architecture, quirky bars, polished restaurants, it’s own trademarked beer, a lively riverside, an old world European charm, traffic free streets, Switzerland’s best town hall… well, I can go on. But honestly speaking I loved Basel not for the attractions it offered, but because of its old town European charm. Its many medieval winding streets that ooze both history and culture, offer a treat for the eyes at every turn. There couldn’t be a better place to conclude my 2 month long solo backpacking trip across Europe. Understanding Basel Before I arrived in Basel, I’d no idea that this part of Switzerland is straddling the borders of …