Month: March 2017

What To See And Do In Stuttgart, And How!

Published by Dev

Before I visited Stuttgart, I had no idea what to expect. A few people moreover discouraged me by stating that it’s not Stuttgart that you’d want to visit in Germany, especially if you’re bound in time. Rather, as they suggested, you go to more vibrant and backpacking-friendly towns of Munich and Berlin. But to hell with unsolicited recommendations, I still decided to take a chance and see what Stuttgart had to offer. And it turned out that I instantly fell in love with Stuttgart. Between lights and life, and the many loud cars chasing around the streets, Stuttgart has its own unique charm. Though the town isn’t very big and it’s fairly easy to move around places using the ever impressive tram and bus connections, I went luckier by staying at a place called International Student Hotel, thanks to its easy location, only a couple of tram stations (or a 10 minute walk) away from the central station or Hauptbahnhof. As I checked-in, the hotel turned out to be very clean, neat and orderly — …

Mercedez Benz Museum In Stuttgart

Published by Dev

Stuttgart, as a town, has been around since the early 10th century, and its numerous cultural and historic buildings offer a sight to behold. But out of all architectural marvels, and museums that this tiny little town has to offer, I loved the popular Mercedes-Benz Museum the most. It showcases the company’s — and moreover the man’s — very first models of an automobile while finding a perfect harmony with the cars of past and of future. So yea, when you think of Germany, and Stuttgart in particular, it’s cars and cars only that should first come to your mind, after all, it was the region of Stuttgart that gave the man its first vehicle designed to be propelled by an internal combustion engine — a technology we are still using more than 100 years later. Stuttgart is the only place in the world with two car museums, and that too belonging to brands like Porche and Mercedes. On my #VisitStuttgart blog trip, I happened to visit the home of Mercedes Benz, the only exhibition of its kind in the world to document a 130-year-old …

24 Hours In Zurich

Published by Dev

If I am going to fly across continents, I will always be wanting to make the most of it and landing at the best of all destinations. So as I decided to backpack across Europe for nearly two months, exploring eight countries in total, I used it to my advantage by starting the journey from one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Yes, I am talking about Switzerland. And in Switzerland, the hub of all activities and cultural treats: the town of Zurich! As I stepped out into the Zurich airport and headed to have my first couch-surfing experience ever, I was more skeptical than ever. I had the impression that it would feel sterile and bounded with punctuality and rules, but it wasn’t anything like that. My 48 hours in Zurich went just as smooth and happening as I wanted it to be. My Couchsurfing host turned out to be one of the amazing people I’ve met in my life. So before I go crazy and end up writing a 2000 word essay on my …

Mount Titlis: A Day Trip From Zurich You’d Not Want To Miss

Published by Dev

Switzerland, for Indians, has always been an attraction for its well-distinguished countryside. For us, it’s a country to skip the big towns, wander off the highway onto the back roads, and experience those unforgettable Bollywood movie sequences we’ve grown up watching. From Sangam (released in 1960s) to Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaege, Indian cinema’s fascination for romantic songs and dreamy sequences, being shot in Switzerland, never took a step back. And to personally experience the never-ending fascination for Swiss countryside and its Alps, I decided to leave Zurich behind, and do a day trip to the mount of Titlis on the very first day I arrived in the country. [Also Read: A Scenic Bus Ride In Switzerland] For those who don’t know, Mount Titlis is a mountain located at 10,000 feet above sea level, in the Urner Alps of Switzerland. It is easily accessible from Zurich, via train, but the best way to explore it is by booking a day trip. This is for two reasons: one because it’s convenient and saves you time, and two …

It’s Never A Perfect Time To Travel

Published by Dev

It has been three years now, since I’m living out of my backpack, without a permanent source of income, owning no more than a handful of belongings, yet I am happier more than ever. We’re caught up in the clutter of day-to-day existence, of paying bills, of buying this and selling that, that taking some time out only to realise that there is a wide world outside has become so difficult. And not only are we forgetting about the free world out there, but we are also moving farther away from it, suffocating our precious lives around the tiny corners of our home, and our workplace. We’ve all read plenty of books, heard dozens of real-life accounts, about happy travellers and blissful nomads, and they always leave us in a complete awe. And within us all, there is a part that wants us to break free and become that rolling stone again that we once were when we were a kid. The good thing is, it really isn’t a fantasy anymore. People are living that life today more …

Before 58 Days In Europe : The Planning Phase

Published by Dev

Yesterday, on my Facebook page, I posted the route-map that I’ll be following during my upcoming 58-day backpacking trip in Europe. And one of the comments on the post, written by Mohit Agarwal, gave me a bright idea. The comment read “Have a great journey…. waiting to hear about your planning phase and the trip”. I realized that I seldom talk about the planning phase of my journeys. And if I don’t talk about that, how can I consider them as journeys. Planning is, after all, just as important to a journey, as the journey itself — you plan better and you will thank yourself throughout the trip! Planning becomes even more important when you want to travel under a budget, and/or you are travelling outside of your country. And on my upcoming 58 days backpacking trip, I’ll be doing both! Hence, I planned enough! However it’s a different thing that I still do not know if I am going to follow the exact route-map I’ve created at the moment, or I’ll alter it and …

How To See Delhi In 2 Days

Published by Dev

Despite Delhi being one of the places I personally don’t endorse, there’s much to see and do here for a tourist here. Delhi is rich in culture and history. After all, there must be a reason why it was declared as Republic of India’s first capital city. So visiting Delhi must be high on your list, and if you aren’t sure from where to start and end your day, this two-day travel itinerary will set you up for a real Delhi experience. This is Delhi on a fast-track… Day 1 Start from the hub of all activity in central Delhi, by taking a metro to Patel Chowk, and then a brief tuktuk ride to the iconic India Gate. This 42-meter structure is the nation’s pride with its two columns inscribed with martyred soldiers names. There is no visitor or photography fee in and around India Gate. Located on Rajpath and close the Parliament house, India Gate is the perfect destination to start with your Delhi tour, and we are doing just that! Once done, take …

Schengen Visa For Indians: How To Apply And Get It Yourself

Published by Dev

I know that Indians are the vulnerable bunch, because of their weak Indian passport. They are required to submit hundreds of documents, prove their existence and go through a process so mentally tormenting, that getting a new birth certificate might apparently feel easier than applying for a tourist visa. And when it comes to Schengen visa things become even more complicated. Perhaps that’s the reason why a majority of tourists contact a travel agency and pay more money. They do it out of helplessness. For a quick rescue. They opt for travel packages and pre-paid itineraries, even if that meant bleeding unnecessary money, and exploring silly places abroad. To tell you the truth, I also considered that option before going through the process myself. But as I pondered upon the idea and calculated the prospects, I realized that it will be a lost deal, especially because I was on a limited budget. I mean we anyway pay over 1500 Rupees to Vfs that is nothing more than a cheap middleman, so why pay more to …

My First Snowboarding Experience

Published by Dev

Confidently balancing on my board, gliding down the slope with all the grace of a gazelle, I slid for a few metres before hopelessly landing on my chest. The last night’s fresh snow was thankfully absorbing the hit every time I crashed. I never imagined snowboarding can be such a mind-invigorating experience. I realised, when I am on a snowboard, trying to balance and not fall, I enter into some kind of meditation mode. My mind turns thoughtless. No wonder, I was getting addicted to it! A few weeks ago I found myself being intrigued by the idea of snowboarding while planning a trip to someplace quieter than Manali. But as I enquired more and watched a few videos online, I got a little scared, for I knew nothing about snowboarding, and the mountain ranges around Manali had some of the trickiest slopes in the entire Himalayas. Then I thought, this would mean learning something new at a place where not everyone tries to, and I bravely said to myself ‘I am doing it’! For the next …

Sethan Village In Himachal: A Place To Relax, Unwind And Just Be!

Published by Dev

After a few lazy nights in Charanag, in Hallan Valley — a small town tucked away from the crowd of Manali, in Himachal Pradesh — it was time to relax, and lose myself in oblivion, yet once again. And Sethan sounded like a perfect name. Located approximately at a 45-minute drive from Manali, Sethan is a place for slow travellers – particularly during winters, when snow claims its ground and any movement beyond this tiny Buddhist town, becomes impossible! In the month of March, and with mercury still falling beyond zero for most of the hours in a day, the valley was draped in white. Little flakes of happiness were everywhere! From Sethan, one can see the towering Dhauladhar ranges surrounding the village, and the river Beas flowing right next to it – perhaps a few thousand feet down. The inhabitants of Sethan are the original migrants from Tibet and Spiti Valley, representing a Buddhist community who share their roots being horse herders in their past. They were given land in the surrounding areas by the then …