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Scottsdale, the lush and plush part of the stirring Sonoran Desert, defies the typical traits of a desert. Find out why this oasis is a must visit and what are the top things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona
In the winters of 1929, the revolutionary 20th-century architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, gets hit by the deadly bout of pneumonia. His doctor gives an ultimatum to Wright’s wife:
In Wisconsin, he may not survive even for two months but he can live for another 20-year, if he listens to me
Wright agreed and went on to outlive promised 20-year. No, his doctor didn’t give him an Aladdin’s lamp. He just advised him to change his winter abode from Wisconsin to Scottsdale – an oasis in the blooming desert of Sonoran in central Arizona. Not only his health improved but the blooming desert inspired him to leave a legacy behind – Taliesin West – a studio, home and a campus for Architecture studies.
Taliesin West, Scottsdale. Pic credit: Experience Scottsdale
Frank Lloyd wasn’t the first or the last man whose life changed after shifting to Scottsdale. Scottsdale is rated as one of the best cities to live and retire in the US. I was completely bowled over by the City of the Spas and Resort. Here are the top 5 things to do in Scottsdale:
When the entire United States is gripped by the cold wave, Scottsdale enjoys a perfect sunny weather. You can always take your convertible out without the fear of a snowstorm. Sunny Scottsdale was such a welcome change from the shivering San Francisco in April. Applying sunscreen is way better than drowning in multiple layers. Every Scottsdale season has its charms. And with 330 days of sunshine every year and plenty of outdoor playtimes, any season is a great time to visit!
Seasons of Scottsdale, Central Arizona
Scottsdale may be in a desert, but stellar restaurants sprout up all the time. World-class restaurants are not restricted to swanky five-star hotels, resorts or chains. Independent restaurants rule Scottsdale food scene. Scottsdale’s thriving food scene encompasses nearly 800 restaurants in a setting of glorious weather and the Sonoran Desert vistas. No wonder even non-foodies become foodies in this Mecca of Dining.
FnB Restaurant, the crowning jewel of Scottsdale food scene, is run by Charleen Badman and Pavle Milic. Badman is a three-time James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef. The James Beard Awards are to food scene what the Oscars are to the movie world. Badman, nicknamed as the “Veggie Whisperer”, is lauded for her globally inspired menu and focus on Arizona-grown ingredients. With her magic touch, she coaxes unimaginable flavors out of veggies that you might discard as bland and boring.
The salad of beets, oranges, strawberries, olives, glacier lettuce, hazelnuts and goat cheese was the best concoctions of flavors one could ever relish. I am not a big fan of Broccoli but the grilled spicy broccoli made with tangerine aioli and pistachios made me its fan. The food, the drinks, the ambiance and the service at FnB were extraordinary.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTFcMuAAGFI/?hl=en&taken-by=travelseewrite
And it wasn’t just FnB that impressed me. Prado, the signature award-winning restaurant at Omni Scottsdale Resorts was equally amazing. As I entered the picturesque resort, I felt I was transported to the gorgeous Mediterranean world. The wood-fired tapas display kitchen, soothing mood lighting, indoor and outdoor sitting arrangement with the views of Camelback Mountain under full moon night made the whole scene look dreamy. The food and drinks were a soothing riot of flavors and colors.
Dinner at Prado, Scottsdale. Pic credit: Mike Shubic
Other places that I loved eating at were AZ88, Farm & Craft, Gertrude’s at Desert Botanical Garden, Scott’s Grill at the Scott Resort and the Mission.
Scottsdale may be renowned for its culinary and cultural scene but being the beating heart of the Sonoran Desert, it is a desert playground for outdoor fun. The natural beauty of the blooming and diverse desert is jaw dropping.
Lower part of the Salt River, Scottsdale
Expect the unexpected in Scottsdale. In a desert where every drop of water is precious like gold, Scottsdale is truly blessed. Two snowmelt-fed rivers and a ring of turquoise lakes make it an ideal destination for water sports like rafting, SUPing, kayaking, and tubing. I loved Kayaking with Arizona Outback Adventures on the lower Salt River, which has national forest on one side and Native American land on the other side. Floating along the towering sandstone cliffs, lush shoreline embellished with Mesquite trees and inhabited by wild horses, turkey vultures, ducks and other desert wildlife was an experience to remember.
Kayaking on the Salt River, Scottsdale
After marveling the lush desertscape overland, I decided to admire it from 5,000 feet up in the air as the sun wrapped the landscape in molten gold. Winds played a spoilsport on day 1 but on day 2 my flight took off smoothly. From the hot air balloon, I soaked up views of the vast expanse of the Sonoran Desert, rock formations, and the tantalizing blue of Lake Pleasant. Captain John and the crew members of Hot Air Expeditions were both entertaining as well as highly skilled. The icing on the cake was the champagne celebration at the end of the smooth flight.
Balloon ride over the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale
In Scottsdale, there’s never a shortage of outdoor activities. You can go for a morning hike at 150-acre Pinnacle Peak Park, choose from self-guided hiking, guided hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, bird watching, horseback riding, and wildflower viewing at Saguaro-studded 30,000-acre McDowell Sonoran Preserve or see the world’s largest collection of desert plants at the Desert Botanical Garden.
Most importantly don’t miss capturing the can’t-believe-the-color sunsets.
He landed in the Sonoran Desert battling against death in 1929 but he infused a new life in the American architecture and went on to create one of the greatest architectural legacies of the 20th century. In the final but remarkable stage of his career, he built Taliesin West – his winter home, studio and school of architecture. It was here, he invented some of the most influential and inspirational pieces of architecture in America — including New York City’s Guggenheim Museum. If you are a fan of Ayn Rand, you cannot miss visiting this landmark as the famous character of Howard Rork in the novel “The Fountainhead” was modeled on Frank Lloyd Wright.
Taliesin West Performance Hall, Scottsdale, Pic credit: Experience Scottsdale
When I saw Taliesin West, my eyes popped out with admiration. The Taliesin West spanning across 600 acres offered a fascinating peek into Wright’s revolutionary thinking. The organic architecture was seamlessly woven into the rugged terrain of the Sonoran Desert. The shapes, structures, and materials used were sourced locally and complimented the geography of the area.
Scottsdale is amongst the top city to live and retire in the US. Despite an expensive cost of living (122 as compared to the American average of 100) it still attracts people from around the world for its upscale desert living. Its lively-meets-laidback character can be seen in its outstanding art galleries and museums, exceptional shopping and dining options, a plethora of golf courses and abundant recreational activities.
HiFi corner, Scottsdale Downtown. Pic credit: Experience Scottsdale
Scottsdale is the Spa Capital of the US with the most resort spas per capita, and six Forbes Four-Star spas. It’s a crime to visit Scottsdale and not experience its legendary pampering spas. Joya Spa at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa is the best thing you can ask for after the exhausting activities of the Sonoran Desert.
Joya Spa at Omni Scottsdale Resort, Pic credit: Joya Spa
The high-end spa and resort experience at Omni was balanced by the eclectic vibrancy of the Scottsdale’s Old Town. A fusion of the Native American crafts and Western-themed bars and restaurants can be seen here on every street. A great walking spot, brimming with boutiques, galleries, art installations, restaurants, nightclubs, and other attractions. The best way to enjoy this spot is to grab a glass of wine and roam through the wide array of galleries.
Old Town, Scottsdale
Scottsdale Museum of the West, Central Arizona
My interest in Native American culture took me to the Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. I got a crash course on Native American Culture by the soft-spoken but extremely knowledgeable Rebecca Heller. I didn’t realize when almost half of the day went past admiring the outstanding permanent and rotating exhibits, rare old west artifacts, and monumental installations. SMOW is unique in many ways – one of them is how the elements of Sonoran Desert are seamlessly integrated into the design of the museum. For example, the walls and flooring had the texture of the Saguaro cactus.
Key ongoing exhibitions:
These were my top five things to do in Scottsdale. There are hundreds of more things that you can do here. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned regular, Scottsdale will welcome you with open arms. Hope these things to do in Scottsdale inspire you to plan a trip shortly to green heart of the Sonoran Desert. Here are some insider tips to help you plan better.
If you are visiting Scottsdale, don’t forget to spend some time in Phoenix, Arizona. Here’s a travel guide to things to do in 72 hours
Also, before booking your tickets to the US read this: The USA Travel – Things you should know before your visit
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I was hosted by Experience Scottsdale but all the views expressed above are solely mine and based on my personal experiences. Many thanks to Experience Scottsdale, The Scott Resort, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, Desert Botanical Garden, Hot Air Expeditions, Arizona Outback Adventures, Prado, and FnB Restaurant for the incredible experiences I had. Pictures posted above are either clicked by me or shared by Experience Scottsdale.
This story was published in DB Post: Scottsdale – The Spa Capital of the US
Scottsdale – The Spa Capital of the US
California Road Trips are a must for any traveller
Sophisticated San Francisco captivates you with its soaring Golden Gate Bridge, iconic seven hills, elegant Victorian homes, classic cable cars, dynamic diversity, and forever breezy joie de vivre. But when you look beyond the 49-square mile cityscape and hit the road, you discover where your ‘Windows wallpaper’ comes from. Northern California is bejewelled with miles of vineyards, staggering limestone cliffs, giant redwoods, plunging waterfalls, fairy tale coastal towns and many off-the-beaten treasures.
If you have not done any of the breathtaking Northern California Road trips, you have not seen the soul of the Golden State. But it’s not enough just to jump in your car and drive. You need the right road with just the right amount of planning. Here are my 5 best Northern California road trips to bolster your soul:
MILEAGE: 87 miles from San Francisco
DRIVING TIME: 1.5 hours
WHEN TO GO: Anytime. June is ideal to see the blooming Sunflower fields.
THE JOURNEY: Visiting California without spending a day at a winery is like going to China and missing the Great Wall. Some experiences are bucket list items, which can’t be missed and shouldn’t be missed. Wine tasting at a California Vineyard is one such experience. But being an offbeat traveller, instead of choosing the usual Napa and Sonoma county, I decided to try a less famous but equally good destination – YOLO. Yolo, the shy kid, has been quietly fueling the Bay Area’s food revolution since the 1970s but has never got its share of publicity but now things are changing.
After one and a half-hour of a butter-smooth drive from the Bay Area, I reached the family-owned Berryessa Gap Vineyards outside of Winters. Nicole, the award-winning winemaker, not only made me taste their signature wines but, also gave a tour of the adjoining production facility and the vineyard.
During our conversation, I got to know the important role immigrants have played in California’s wine revolution. The Mecca for wine was shaped by the immigrants. Berryessa Gap is one great example. In 1960, the Martinez family started farming fruits and nuts in Winters, later expanding into root-stock for vineyards and then wine production. I was trying to absorb everything Nicole was saying while enjoying my wine. I am not a wine Connoisseur but the local wines tasted at Berryessa Gap felt different to my palate. And the reason for that was:
23 different soil types, the rolling hills of the Coastal Range, Lake Berryessa fed Putah Creek; makes growing grapes in Winters unique.
Said Nicole Salengo after observing my happy expressions. The conversations and wine were so good I didn’t want to leave but Corrin, the Séka Hills Marketing Manager, had come in on her day off just for me, so I had to move on.
Seka Hills, Yolo County, California
Yolo County is rapidly becoming known for its excellent olive oil and home to several mills and the UC Davis Olive Center. You can enjoy farm tours, beekeeping, tasting rooms, and one of a kind harvest celebrations such as Séka Hills Olio Nuovo Festival each November.
Said Jim Etters, Director of Land Management Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation /Séka Hills and I couldn’t agree more.
MILEAGE: 122 miles from San Francisco
DRIVING TIME: Over two hours
WHEN TO GO: Spring and Fall
THE JOURNEY: Before I arrived in San Francisco, my friend Mike had vehemently sold the Pacific coast drive to me and I am so glad he did. The rugged windswept coast of Monterey and Carmel is something that should be on everyone’s itinerary. My 12-hour long day-tour with Tower Tours started early in the morning. My bus was comfortable and we were provided with complimentary water and shuttle service.
I was hoping for a clear sunny day but the moody California weather was in a bad mood. The scenic highway along the winding roads of the Northern California Coast ensured I stay glued to my window. My eyes were relishing the stunning windswept mile-long sandy beaches, quiet coves, rocky outcroppings, and rugged coastline views.
During the drive, John, our tour guide, provided the right kind of information and entertainment. We first drove through Salinas Valley, the artichoke capital of the world. We stopped for some quick photos at Pigeon Point Light Station before heading to the charming coastal town of Monterey Bay.
The magnificent Monterey Bay has been called the greatest meeting of land, sea, and sky. Besides the splendid natural beauty, its biggest attraction is the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium with 35,000 animals and 5,500 plant species. I was more interested in exploring the Pacific Grove as it was the season of wildflowers and Harbor Seal Pupping. Taking in the gorgeous views and seeing the mom seals nurse their young pups on the Beach, I must have walked miles. I was so lost that I missed my bus by a minute. Yes, by a minute. I had to call the SF office to get me back on the bus.
Continuing down the coast and taking in the Cliffside outlooks of Pacific Grove we headed down to Carmel along the 17 Mile Drive studded with gazillion-dollar homes, Pebble Beach, Golf course, the 300 years old Lone Cypress, and Seal Rock. The very quaint art-loving Carmel resembled an 18th-century European village with narrow streets lined with gallery-lined streets, unique boutiques, cosy gastropubs, and cafes and even cosier fine dining and casual eateries.
The historic town of Carmel established in 1603 is unlike any other town in the US. You won’t find any addresses, house numbers or red lights in Carmel. Every house’s landline is connected to Police station, in case there is any emergency.
Said John, as we bid goodbye to this living piece of history.
It was a long day of exploring the Northern Pacific Coast and it became even longer when I was mistakenly dropped at the other end of Mason Street. An uphill trek in the cold rain-swept night of San Francisco wasn’t part of the deal. But I learned an important lesson – give the full address.
MILEAGE: 211 miles from San Francisco
DRIVING TIME: 4 hours but spend 1-2 days in the park
WHEN TO GO: Spring
THE JOURNEY: One of the reasons why I madly fell in love with the US is its National Parks (Read The USA travel – things you should know before your visit). And the first National Park I visited was California’s showstopper National Park – the Yosemite. A UNESCO World Heritage site attracting 4 million visitors every year for its giant granite Monoliths, plunging waterfalls and alpine meadows.
My Tour bus picked me up early morning from the hotel and our first pit stop was in the agricultural region of the San Joaquin Valley. The rolling green hills adorned with 4930 wind turbines of Altamont Pass Wind Farm (world’s largest wind turbines at a place) gave me my first WOW moment of the trip. My second wow moment came when following the Highway 140 from Merced we passed through the rich Central Valley farmlands and wineries of the Sierra Foothills. Followed by the 19th-century Gold Rush town of Mariposa. Beyond Mariposa, wild and scenic Merced River accompanied us until we reached El Portal, about ten minutes from the entrance of the Yosemite.
Yosemite is a favourite national park for nature lovers, hikers and families alike. The biggest attraction for them is the treasure trove of giant cascading waterfalls. In the list of the worlds’ 20 tallest waterfalls, Yosemite Valley scores three spots – Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Fall, and Ribbon Fall. Being a hiker and a landscape lover, I wanted to hike up to see the Yosemite Falls in its full crowning glory but because I was on a time-bound tour I had to contend with an easy, but scenic 1-mile walk. The 189-meter Bridalveil Falls was another great WOW moment for me. The only drawback of seeing a waterfall from close-by is that it soaks you from top to bottom. And snow carpeted Spring is not an ideal time to experience it.
Our last stop of the trip was the Tuolumne Meadows, one of the most photographed regions of Yosemite. Two miles long lush green wide expanse cradled by high granite domes and peaks on both sides while the Tuolumne River adds the liquid delight. I really wanted to stay here for long but the Rain gods had a different plan.
Now here is a word of caution if you decide to hike in Yosemite – Spring can be a challenge. The snow on the slopes is turning to porridge and your backyard trail system is a mud slick. So, it’s a good season for a road trip but not ideal for hiking. On the flipside, the rivers are high, parks are less crowded, and resorts offer massive deals.
I visit Yosemite at least two to three times per week and still can’t get enough of it. My favorite season is Spring because it’s less crowded and you get to see so many seasonal waterfalls which vanish in summers
Said my guide, while I continuously nodded my head in affirmation.
This is one of the most famous among locals and tourists and there’s a reason for that. Go find yourself.
MILEAGE: 165 miles from San Francisco
DRIVING TIME: 3.5 hours
WHEN TO GO: Spring and Fall
THE JOURNEY
Imagine a tranquil hamlet of Victorian villages stitched together by a rugged coastline and embellished with sprawling vineyards and towering redwood forests. Where art studios, boutiques, and performing arts are not hobbies but full-time passions. Where everywhere you look, there is a picture postcard waiting to be clicked. Where crashing waves and old-fashioned water towers embrace each other. Where picket fences are covered with flowers. Where beaches have glass bottoms and Botanical Gardens have oceanfront. No, this is not a fairytale. This is Mendocino – a photographers’ paradise, lovers’ hideout and artists’ retreat.
If somebody would have said the above to me before I visited Mendocino I would have brushed it off as an exaggeration. But after visiting Mendocino, I can vouch for every single word said above. With fewer than 1,000 year-round residents and this remote location, Mendocino offers tranquillity in a spectacular North Coast setting.
Mendocino was supposed to be my first stop but as I passed through the gorgeous Point Reyes National Seashore, I couldn’t help but put brakes on my accelerator. The jaw-dropping views of the Pacific waves crashing into the rocky coast and the breathtaking vistas at the southern tip of the Point Reyes bluff is something that cannot be expressed in words. The wide array of blooming wildflowers along the trail made the place look like a fantasy land. But be prepared to be blown away – both figuratively and literally – by strong cold winds.
After a quick bite at Bodega Bay, I stopped 45 minutes South of Mendocino at the Point Arena Lighthouse for a quick photo op but the gusty wind forced me to take shelter in my car and move on to Mendocino.
The artsy Mendocino was such a relief from the humdrum of city life. The Victorian architecture and laid-back vibe of the coastal town of fewer than one thousand people were such a delight. The icing on the cake was the scrumptious local delights. I next headed to Fort Bragg, which has an interesting local lore of how it was formed – apparently from 1906 to 1967, everything from cars to batteries to bottles, and appliances were trashed over the cliffs into the ocean. Mother Nature turned this abuse into a great surprise – the tides over time smoothed and polished all the glass into kaleidoscopic sea glass treasure.
Mendocino is wild, remote and a vacation refuge. It offers tranquility in a spectacular North Coast setting with a trickle of tourists. Much of its charm is its undeveloped beauty and solitude. And I don’t want that to change ever.
Said Rob, a local who moved to Mendocino 20 years back from San Diego.
I was headed to Port Orford, so I couldn’t spend much time here. It deserves an extended weekend break.
MILEAGE: 493 miles from San Francisco
DRIVING DAYS: 2 days but keep at least 4 days to enjoy the beauty of this rugged coast
WHEN TO GO: Spring and Fall
THE JOURNEY
In my last post, Why I left my heart in San Francisco, California, I mentioned how the immigration officer was amazed to know about Port Orford. A sleepy coastal town in Oregon, which would have never been a part of my itinerary, if Mike Shubic (the most road tripped man in the world) had not told me about this hidden gem. That’s why I always prefer local friends over guidebooks.
The amazing thing about the West Coast is that it is still mostly wild, open, and astoundingly beautiful, where you can drive for miles and miles and have the scenery all to yourself. Driving from San Francisco to Port Orford nonstop takes approximately twelve hours but I bet nobody does that. This route is a feast for the senses, and frequent stops are practically mandatory.
I took the following route:
San Francisco – Mendocino – Humboldt Redwoods State Park – Eureka – Arcata – Trinidad – Redwood National Park – Crescent city – Brookings – Port Orford
Every mile of the Pacific Coast drive was gorgeous and no wonder it is the best drive in the West. The landscape changed dramatically from lush green winding roads to giant redwoods to jagged cliffs.
After visiting Mendocino, where Art and Culture merge with Mother Nature in a fairytale village by the sea setting, I continued up North.
As I passed the soaring crashing waves, I noticed the surrounding redwood forests get taller and thicker. The 32 miles winding drive on U.S. 101 highway passed through the Avenue of Giants lined with towering redwoods of Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
After enjoying the stunning wildness on the first half of my trip, Eureka was an inviting and lively switch. An art-fueled Victorian seaport, where nature and culture merge with a small-town feel. The blue hour was just the perfect time to click the beauty of this stuck-in-time small town.
It was getting dark and Port Orford was still far, so I reluctantly moved to Arcata. Next day, I left early morning for Trinidad, about 45 min south of the California border. A very cool and quirky place with lots of B&B’s, little supermarket, cosy coffee shops and excellent restaurant like Larrupen. Driving through Crescent City, I reached the California-Oregon border and the one hour drive from the border was arguably the most beautiful stretch of the Pacific Ocean in the U.S.
The bustle of Trinidad dropped quickly as I reached Red Woods National Park, a World Heritage Site protecting nearly half of the world’s tallest trees. It is home to the world’s 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th tallest trees. I wish I had more time in hand. I would have loved to camp in this spectacular park of giant trees, lush groves, sheltered bluffs, and wild beaches. I was weaving in and out of forests and then back out in the spectacular coast.
This 12-mile stretch of the coastline consists of some of the most secluded beaches on the Western seaboard, along with impressive stone formations like Arch Rock and Natural Bridges. The Secret Beach near the Brookings and Bold Beach was a lucky find. It doesn’t show up on a lot of maps. The trick is to keep looking for it about one-third mile south of milepost 345 on U.S. 101 in Boardman State Park. One of Oregon’s most spectacular pocket beaches, the secluded stretch of sand is reached by a quarter-mile trail from a small parking area along U.S. 101. The parking area comes up quickly, between Mill Creek to the north and Miner Creek to the south, on the west side of the highway. Blink and you’ll miss it because there is no sign. A waterfall on Miner Creek just above the beach adds to the idyllic scene.
Finally, I reached the funky little town of 1100 people. After a scrumptious brunch at Redfish, I strolled around the Battle Rock Park, Cape Blanco, Dolly dock port, and visited a couple of art galleries – Hawthorne and Triangle.
I just had a day on hand otherwise I would have loved to stop by Bandon Dunes, considered by the golf industry as arguably the finest public golf course in the country.
I hope you are inspired to go on these 5 BEST NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIPS. The drive on any of these trips is so much more than getting from Point A to Point B.
So, what are you waiting for? Hit the road to Travel See and Write about the classic and hidden sites.
A ribbon of light defines the roadbed of the majestic Golden Gate Bridge; an average of 40.1 million vehicles cross the bridge annually.
It was my first day in San Francisco, California. The blue-grey clouds had come from faraway places to greet me. The occasional showers were actually the tears of happiness of San Fran. The mischievous spring breeze was needling me from everywhere despite the blanket trying hard to keep me warm in the open-air SF Adventure “woody”. Silence has filled the otherwise lively van. Suddenly I heard “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”, the signature song of Tony Bennett.
It was in April I heard that song for the first time but today after being away from the city for a while, I truly understand its meaning. There was something about the city that took my breath away the first time I visited it. Let me try and share why I left my heart in San Francisco. Since the experiences are many and I don’t want to miss out on anything, I am going to share my experience through series of articles.
Related: Do read
The USA Travel: Things you should know before your visit
5 Best Northern California road trips to bolster your soul
5 Cool things to do in Palm Springs, California
Before I landed in the US, I was skeptical about Immigration but all my doubts were put to rest. The Immigration Officer was very kind and genuinely interested where I was headed to.
Welcome to the US. You said your friend has been here for six years. What took you so long? And from San Francisco, you are going to Port Orford? I had never even heard about this place before. Let me Google it. WOW! It looks amazing! I know where I am going next.
The generous welcome started at the Airport continued at Waters Edge Hotel. A complimentary box of Chocolates, wine-n-cheese, cookies and other items awaited my arrival. My hotel was in Tiburon, an alluring upscale quaint town perched on a historic dock overlooking San Francisco Bay and Angel Island. The boutique hotel really pampered me with a luxurious bed, a bountiful continental breakfast delivered daily to my room, a fireplace, and an afternoon wine and cheese reception.
The welcome tray at Waters Edge Hotel, Tiburon
Who doesn’t love handwritten messages? I definitely do.
Even the 25 hours flying couldn’t bring down my excitement. I was so eager to explore the Wilderness and Wildlife that just after dinner I went exploring. And to my surprise, a herd of deer joined me. Lost in my thoughts I must have walked over two miles taking in the moonlit beauty around me and the sound of the waves crashing into the shore.
Golden Gate Bridgre and San Francisco Bay view from Tiburon
Ferry Terminal at Water’s Edge Hotel, Tiburon
The daily Ferry from Tiburon to San Francisco, California
The day started with a four-hour “Fogcutter” tour with SF Adventure Tours. It was like a tailor-made tour, a small group of six people in a 12-passenger “woody”, which took us around the classic landmarks and quirky side of San Francisco. From Golden Gate Bridge, Presidio, Golden Gate Park, Twin Peaks, Painted Ladies to exploring a lot of historical, architectural and great photo op sites, which only Eric knew. The best part of the tour was Eric’s sense of humor and his knowledge about the city.
The Golden Gate Bridge Park, San Francisco, California
SF Adventure Tours customized “Woody”
Painted Ladies, San Francisco, California
During our entire tour, he kept telling us about the interesting trivia associated with each place like which house was used in which TV show. Eric was the one who made me have my first food truck meal in the US. It was super yummy super filing super-size at a very nominal price. And as I mentioned in the opening of the article, it was Eric who introduced me to the magic of, “I left my heart in San Francisco” song. I had so many of “my firsts”, thanks to Eric. If you have only one day to spend in San Francisco this is the tour you should take!
My tour ended at Pier 33 from where the Alcatraz ferry departs for the island and prison tour.
The top view of San Francisco city from the Twin Peaks
Bird’s view of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco city from the Twin Peaks
After that, I spent few hours at the historic Fisherman’s Wharf, a highly touristy area, lined with hotels, seafood restaurants, famous attractions, Pier 39 market, souvenir shops, and a promenade to enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
One thing that I couldn’t have missed and didn’t miss was enjoying the sourdough soup at the historic Bistro Boudin Bakery.
View from Fisherman’s Warf, San Francisco, California
The must visit Boudin Bakery at Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, California
After getting swept by the iconic landmark sites, it was time to satiate the hunger pangs at the culinary wonderland of North Beach or as famously called “Little Italy” of San Francisco. I met my beautiful guide Blandina of San Francisco Food Tour at Columbus Avenue. Dressed in a pink hat, orange bag, long boots, harem pants, leather jacket, loosely tied hair in two plaits; she symbolized the unconventional and artistic 70’s Hippie generation that was born and bred in North Beach. There couldn’t have been a better local guide than her because she has lived in the heart of North Beach with the first, second and third generation of Italian community as well as world-class painters, writers, and craftsmen.
We started our tour by enjoying the delicious coffee at Cafe Roma, where beans are roasted on the premises of the cafe by three generations of the Azzollini family. We were served Espressos, Cappuccinos, Hot Chocolate and whatever we wished for in a large, airy space, perfect for sipping, thinking and conversations.
Blandina explaining coffee roasting at Cafe Roma, North Beach, San Francisco
Next, we savored the focaccia sandwiches at Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe, an old North Beach treasure run since 1973. Mario’s is one of the few North Beach hideouts worth keeping secret but its prime location is hard to miss. A grilled eggplant sandwich on delicious green onion focaccia bread was Nirvana for a vegetarian like me. The quantity was huge and the taste was heavenly. Too bad I was not hungry.
Mario’s Cafe, North Beach, San Francisco
We then enjoyed chocolate from Z Cioccolato (named one of the top chocolatiers in the US), Cannoli from Stella Pastry (which has been making cannoli since 1942), deli delights at Molinari Delicatessen (a local deli that has making salami in San Francisco since 1896), 100% organic gourmet popcorns at Cornology and lastly, we enjoyed real Italian pizza with homemade mozzarella at IL Casaro made in in their wood-fired ovens.
Must try: 100% organic gourmet popcorns at Cornology, North Beach, San Francisco
Must try restaurant: at IL Casaro for the real Italian pizza made in the wood-fired ovens.
Our gastronomic tour also introduced us to the vintage and architectural side of the North Beach, which has been a hotbed for creative geniuses and had given birth to many movements. Blandina enthusiastically showed us the places where famous Hollywood movies like Big Eyes, Milk were shot. We even went to Caffè Trieste, a favorite hangout of the Beat Generation writers and where Francis Ford Coppola wrote much of the screenplay for The Godfather.
St. Paul Church in North Beach, where the famous movie ‘Big Eyes’ was shot
Victorian Architecture of San Francisco, California
While I was absorbing all this, she took us to Macchiarini Creative Design & Metalworks Gallery, a San Francisco Legacy business started in 1948 which spans three generations, two centuries and 68 years! I was left awestruck with the metal craftsmanship.
Another place that I completely fell in love was Biordi Art Imports. A place more apt to be called a ceramic museum than a classic Italian Ceramic store. The store had exquisite finely hand-crafted ceramics, dinnerware, and accessories of Italian Renaissance style Maiolica.
We are able to maintain a high quality because we search and pick the best artisans from old traditional Maiolica centers of Italy. Our is a place where our customers would send their friends telling them, “You can buy me anything in that store and I would love it!
Said the store owner. Too bad I had luggage restriction. Else I would have bought the entire store.
The day was far from over for me as I wanted to see the shimmering San Fransico at dusk so I decided to join the two-hour Night Tour with Big Bus Tours. Starting from Fisherman’s Wharf, the Night Tour of San Francisco took me through Union Street to the Presidio for spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, before climbing historic Nob Hill for a magnificent close-up of Grace Cathedral. The tour then made its way across the Bay Bridge to Treasure Island for picturesque views of the city skyline.
San Francisco Skyline as seen from the Treasure Island
With yummy in the tummy and a bag full of memories, I called it a day to grow my love deeper with San Francisco in the coming days.
Hope you enjoyed the first part of me falling in love with the San Francisco as much as I experienced. Stay tuned for more.
The iconic Cable car of San Francisco, California
Many thanks to San Francisco Travel and Waters Edge Hotel for hosting me, SF Adventure Tours, San Francisco Food Tour and Big Bus Tours for making me experience the unique sights, sound and flavors of San Francisco. As always, all views are mine.
Travel becomes easy when you have the right luggage
The thing about travel is you never know what exactly is going to come next. Your urban adventure might not have butter smooth landing and can lead you to cobbled streets, rain-swept alleys, barely-there dusty roads or simply jagged pavements – all of which might not be healthy for the wheels of your expensive luggage. And trust me I had been in these situations before. I tried both kinds of luggage – a stylish trolley and rustic backpack. But none worked.
The solution? A backpack that glides beautifully on the marble floors of an airport but can be slung over one or two shoulders at the merest hint of mud or crazy paving. It was time for me to upgrade to a better backpack — and my new Wildcraft Voyager Trolley Backpack fitted the bill perfectly.
A backpack in which I can keep my laptop, camera, accessories like lenses, extra set of batteries, filters, Go-Pro with Gimbal, Kindle, Power banks, various chargers, toiletries, medicines, water bottle, passport holder, a few set of clothes and some snacks to munch in. But carrying all this in my backpack shouldn’t limit my mobility.
Firstly, because my back would hurt towards the end of a long trip with carrying my backpack, and secondly, I carry much more gadgets in my daypack these days, so I needed a slightly bigger backpack than what I was using.
Before zeroing on Wildcraft Voyager Trolley Backpack I did a bit of research. I checked online, read reviews and spoke to a few friends who are using it. The response I got – sturdy plus stylish. I didn’t come across any major negative review except for some people finding it a bit expensive. But frankly, I find it reasonable. After all, quality comes at a price.
I didn’t want to pass the verdict on my bag in a jiffy, so I decided to wait until I had travelled with it for over a month to give a fair review. My thoughts?
I LOVE THIS BAG.
The exterior of the Wildcraft Voyager Trolley Backpack
The wheels and balance are outstanding. The handle is sturdy and easy to manoeuvre.
This large multifunctional wheeled backpack is so strong that it feels like it was made for the Army. The inner and outside compartments are thoughtfully designed keeping in mind the requirements of Urban travellers like me. The Zippers are of good quality and I didn’t face any snag even while zipping them in a hurry.
Smooth good quality finish
There’s abundant space in the bag with various pockets for accessories, laptop, iPad, clothes etc. Additionally, there are a few compartments close to the top of the bag that is good for small items that you need to access easily. I use mine for chargers, medicines and hand sanitiser. There is also a back panel that can to be used for magazines, newspapers, or anything flat.
The sturdy handle that gives you a good grip
The best thing about the bag is – it’s customizable. You can either push the adjustable carry handle inside the pocket and cover the wheels with the pouch provided, for it to become a full backpack. Or remove the straps for it to become a complete trolley bag.
The detachable straps can go inside to become a full trolley bag
Having a trolley backpack made my travel so much better — it was much easier on my body.
It is heavy for a backpack. But this is the price you pay for having wheels on your pack. And Kudos to the Wildcraft team for telling me honestly not to use it for hiking or long walks. Your lower back will not like the hard base and wheels at the bottom. So, if you’re a traveller who enjoys trips to the wilderness, bring along a lightweight backpack. And if you are looking for one, Wildcraft has many great options.
My only issue with this bag is that due to its short and fat shape, it tends to flip over backwards when I walk a bit fast. I can’t zip around like I can with taller skinnier bags.
Still, that’s a very small qualm in the grand scheme of things.
The 45L bag that I am using is available for Rupees 5,999 (93 USD). As far as pricing is concerned, it’s in the mid-range for backpacks. In my opinion, a backpack is a critical investment in your travels. Getting a less-than-perfect backpack can ruin your body and trip. So, paying a bit extra for a bag this good is absolutely worth it. If you’re looking for a new backpack, this is a good option. I highly recommend it.
Wildcraft Voyager Trolley Backpack is ideal for 2-3 days of travel
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If you are looking for more travel gear don’t forget to read the best-reviewed hiking backpacks
Many thanks to Wildcraft for providing Wildcraft 45 L Voyager Trolley Backpack. All opinions, as always, are my own and have been written after using the product.
PS: Since many of my readers have been asking me about the luggage tag I thought I should share the secret: I got them custom-designed from – Perfico Go grab one for yourself!
Santa Fe is a city of superlatives. Sculpted on the foundation of Native American, Spanish and Anglo cultures, it is where the fine arts flourish, New Mexican Cuisine rules the dining table and Adobe are still the preferred building material. At 7,000 feet above sea level, Santa Fe offers visitors a culturally diverse experience served in the most authentic way. It’s over 300 days of the sunshine per year and above-average air quality has been attracting visitors for centuries. With walkable neighborhoods dominated by pueblo-style architecture and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains cradling the city, Santa Fe has preserved its warm, inviting, small-town feel. No matter what interest, season, food, culture and nature buff you are, Santa Fe will give you enough reasons to have a life-long affair with it. Here’s a Perfect Travel Guide for Santa Fe, New Mexico Points of Interest to help you navigate your way through “the City Different”.
Related: My US Trip: Experiencing Santa Fe, “the City Different”
Santa Fe is a destination for every season. Although it is a high mountain desert, its weather has four distinct but hospitable seasons. You can choose your visit depending on your interests. Summer is the peak season when the days are hot and ideal for long outings, but the shoulder seasons of fall and spring are pleasant too with some fantastic festivals. Winters is an ideal time for skiing, thanks to the generous amount of Powdery snow it gets.
Santa Fe has been attracting travelers for long, thanks to 325 days of glorious sunshine a year. December is the coldest month, with an average high temperature of 43°F (6°C), and July is the warmest month, with an average high temperature of 86°F (30°C). The city gets its share of monsoon in late summer, where it rains for about an hour most afternoons.
Fly direct to Santa Fe Municipal Airport from Phoenix and Dallas via American Airlines or from Denver via United Airlines.
Fly to Albuquerque, one hour South of Santa Fe, from 22 major cities of the US. New Mexico Railrunner provides daily comfortable train service to Santa Fe.
The best thing about Santa Fe is how convenient and cheap it is to navigate through the city. There are plenty of options and most are free. While the downtown and Canyon Road are walkable, you’ll need a car or Santa Fe Pickup (a free shuttle) to visit the rest of Santa Fe. The RTD Blue Bus is another very good free option. Uber is a reasonable too.
Santa has great stay options to suit any kind of budget. Either you can stay near downtown or out in the middle of the desert. Near the Santa Fe Plaza, you’ll find several gorgeous hotels—most built in the adobe-pueblo style—with Southwestern décor and contemporary art. Additionally, you can find destination resorts in Ojo Caliente, Ranchos de Albuquerque, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where amenities include horseback trail rides, fields of lavender, and a full Japanese onsen spa.
I stayed at Inn on The Alameda, nestled in the heart of the city, minutes away from the historic Santa Fe Plaza and the Canyon Road. The 72 rooms and suites hotel built in distinctive Pueblo-style architecture is spread across two acres and ten buildings.
I was booked in Santa Fe Suites, which combined the fine amenities of a boutique hotel with the peaceful and welcoming feeling of a private home. My bed was king-size, a separate living area equipped with a sofa, a wet bar with Keurig coffee maker and Newman’s Own organic coffee, a mini-refrigerator, an in-room safe, a Kiva fireplace and a fancy bathroom.
Staying at Inn on the Alameda, was like staying at a friend’s place having a fine taste. From hardwood floors to hand loomed rugs to distinctive regional artwork (which I was told is handpicked by the owners themselves from Mexico); everything reflected Santa Fe’s flair of its artistic heritage.
The daily lavish buffet breakfast and 4-5 pm complimentary wine-and-cheese hour were delightful. The front desk staff, the restaurant staff, and the housekeeping staff were all very friendly and helpful. It was nice being around so many smiling and friendly people. They were so helpful that they became my de facto travel guide, helping me explore places that I could have never explored myself. Their free shuttle was a great touch of customer service. All in all, it is a wonderful property, perfectly positioned to enjoy the downtown plaza and is staffed with great people. I highly recommend it.
With more than 3,000 pieces dating from 1901 to 1984, it’s the largest permanent collection of O’Keeffe’s work in the world. Her collections offer a rare insight into her creative process including the light and landscape of Santa Fe which inspired her. It was the first museum in the United States dedicated to a female artist.
This enormous world-class museum brings America’s West to life through interactive exhibits, photos, and displays. The Palace of the Governors, built in 1609, is the nation’s oldest continuously occupied government building.
This colorful, 22,000-square-foot, immersive multimedia art installation, created by the collective Meow Wolf, is the stuff of childhood imaginations. It is housed in an erstwhile bowling alley owned by Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin.
The mile-long second most iconic street in America is lined on both sides of the street with cutting-edge, conceptual and contemporary fine art galleries and studios.
The 50-acre neighborhood has a thriving art scene with vibrant art galleries, restaurants, Santa (one of the most widely recognized farmers’ markets in the United States), brewery, music venues and a movie theater.
Must visit for four distinct art institutions – the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, Museum of International Folk Art and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian.
Ten minutes from downtown, nestled on a cliff top in Santa Fe’s mountains, the secluded Japanese-inspired spa is the ideal place to relax and soak away the stress after a long day of exploration. The natural, mineral-rich waters ranging in temperature from 80 to 109 degrees Fahrenheit can do wonders to the body and soul.
Plaza and downtown for Native American jewelry and souvenirs. Canyon road to buy art, fine leather goods, chic home furnishings and avant-garde jewelry. Kowboyz at Railyard-Guadalupe District for fantastic selection of used cowboy hats, boots and western wear.
After you are done exploring Santa Fe (which can take an entire lifetime), you can take day trips to any or all of these places –
Hope this Perfect Travel Guide for Santa Fe, New Mexico helps you discover the timeless and earthy soul of the city.
I would love to hear back from you if you likes these Santa Fe New Mexico points of interest or did I miss out on something?
And if you love my stories and want me to continue writing, please don’t forget to share this story on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. Remember your one small effort can make a hell lot of difference to a writer’s life.
I was in Santa Fe on the invitation of Tourism Santa Fe. All views expressed above are mine and based on my experience and interactions during my stay at Santa Fe. All pictures are either taken by me or provided by Tourism Santa Fe
After visiting Santa Fe recently, I can easily see why renowned American artist, Georgia O’Keeffe, fell madly in love with New Mexico and made it her home. I too fell in love with the land of enchantment.
In late April as I was preparing to land at Santa Fe Airport, the Pilot’s announcement hit me like a ton of bricks—“It is snowing in Santa Fe.” This wasn’t the surprise welcome I was looking for.
Melting hot Arizona to snow swept Santa Fe in a matter of 1 hour 20 minutes? How can weather change 180 degrees?
That was my first “The City Different” moment.
Courtesy of my ignorance, I ended up wearing the most inappropriate clothing—summer-ready for an impromptu winter kiss. It was like not reading the memo and ending up in a fancy dress for a corporate dinner.
Luckily Cynthia, The Marketing Director of Tourism Santa Fe, was there for me. She understood my plight and made me change into winter wear before taking me around the city.
After that awkward moment I didn’t goof up and enjoyed exploring the many facets of Santa Fe, “the City Different”:
While exploring the oldest capital city in the United States (407 years), I realised how seamlessly the tricultural traditions (Native American, Spanish, and Anglo) have blended in Santa Fe to create a history which is so unique.
I traveled to Taos Pueblo tracing the timelessness of Santa Fe, which predates Columbus’s discovery of America by a few thousand years. The arrival of nomadic Paleo-Indians in this region dates to 10,000 BC. The distinctive adobe architecture and Pueblo style for which New Mexico is admired for was their gift.
Taos Pueblo, the oldest Native American houses in the USA
And it’s not just the Native Americans who contributed to Santa Fe’s history, in the 16th-century Spanish explorers arrived in search of gold. The reminiscent of Old West can still be found, especially in the Downtown Plaza’s Palace of the Governors, which was built in 1610, more than 300 years before New Mexico became a state.
Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Lastly, the Anglo settlers started arriving in Santa Fe region around 1750, which was followed by the creation of Santa Fe Trail in 1821. In 1846, the United States claimed possession of New Mexico leading to the Mexican-American war, which eventually U.S. Won. In 1912, New Mexico became the 47th state of the United States.
San Miguel Mission Church, Oldest Church in the U.S.
Often history is written by conquerors but in “the City Different” history was written by a mystery man too. The Loretto Chapel’s circular wooden steps were built by an unidentified man who is said to have shown up at the chapel in 1879 with a donkey and a toolbox.
Loretto Chapel’s circular wooden steps, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
Another historic moment that triggered a shift in Santa Fe’s national and even international recognition was the 1981 Esquire cover article on Santa Fe. The cover showed a young hip New Yorker heading to Santa Fe in a convertible loaded with skis, backpacks and clothes. After this story, all roads led to Santa Fe.
Santa Fe is a long-established arts haven for all kinds of artists – from eminent makers to upcoming creators. And why wouldn’t creative minds flock to “the City Different “when they are surrounded and inspired by splendid high-desert landscapes, sweeping blue skies, and 325 days of sunshine per year. The result is a thriving culture economy with 250+ art galleries, over 14 unique museums, numerous art markets, a world-class opera house, and more.
Exploring Santa Fe was like walking through a never-ending art gallery. Each neighborhood had its own charm and people were genuinely interested in conversations – more dialogue, less selling.
Come in. Don’t be afraid. You don’t have to buy anything. You can spend as much time as you want and ask us anything. We love to talk.
said the owner of the Globe Gallery, Canyon Road, Santa Fe.
As I walked through the mile-long second most iconic street in America, I couldn’t help but get blown away by the cutting-edge, conceptual and contemporary Art Galleries. The standout feature for me was a seamless integration of the Western, Native American and contemporary art galleries into the historic adobe and territorial-style home architecture.
The Epicenter of Santa Fe is a hub of fine-art activity where thought-provoking museums like the New Mexico History Museum, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and world-class art galleries hypnotize the visitors. You can’t help but be inspired by the legendary collections.
Plaza and Downtown, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Downtown Art Galleries, Santa Fe, New Mexico
The 50-acre neighborhood has a thriving art scene with vibrant art galleries, restaurants, Santa Fe Farmers’ Market (one of the most widely recognized farmers’ markets in the United States), brewery, music venues and a movie theatre.
Railyard and Railrunner, Santa Fe, New Mexico
David Richards Gallery, Railyard, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Further south, the Midtown Innovation District is home to the Meow Wolf, an artist cooperative, and Prescott Studio. The former has partnered with Game of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin to open a multi-use art complex.
Midtown Innovation District – Meow Wolf, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Meow Wolf Exhibits, Santa Fe, New Mexico
South East of downtown lies museum Hill, renowned for four distinct art institutions – the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, Museum of International Folk Art and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian.
The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Even a person like me (who can’t understand the intricacies of fine art) couldn’t stop falling in love with the beauty of artsy Santa Fe. I was so impressed, I immediately rang my Creative friends to make Santa Fe their next travel destination.
Santa Fe is the first designated UNESCO Creative City for Crafts and Folk Art. And it puts in lot of effort to maintain that tag. It organizes three major annual art markets: the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market; the Traditional Spanish Colonial Market and the Indian Market. One percent of Santa Fe’s hotel tax supports local arts organizations, helping to maintain a flourishing arts community, employ artists and attract tourism. Furthermore, two percent of the cost of city buildings and infrastructure support site-specific public artworks.
Santa Fe Annual Indian Market, New Mexico
It would be safe to say the heart and soul of Santa Fe lies in its culture economy, which has made it the number one choice of Culturephiles.
Santa Fe is all about creativity; from museums, art galleries and artists. The love of art is a driver of economic prosperity here in the City! As one of the top markets in the U.S. for art collectors and enthusiasts, Santa Fe’s art covers a wide range of media and genre of art.
Says Cynthia Delgado, the Marketing Director of Tourism Santa Fe.
Santa Fe is different even when it comes to food. I am not a foodie but the city made me one. I felt at home in the Chile capital of the world. The chile—spelled with an e, not an i—is a big deal, found on every menu in town and featured in dishes from breakfast to dinner, and even found in deserts! Chiles are more than just an ingredient, they are a way of life.
I was placing an order at the La Fiesta Lounge, La Fonda when my server asked:
Red, green, or Christmas?
That’s local parlance for “How do you prefer your chile?” The spicy, capsaicin-rich sauce made from the official state vegetable. Whether you prefer spicy green, mellow red, or “Christmas,” a combination of the two, the little-known secret about New Mexico chile is that red and green are one and the same. The difference is how ripe the pepper is when picked.
The authentic New Mexican Cuisine features dozens of varieties of green and red chile, and dishes that creatively use Chile. You can never have a bad meal in Santa Fe, wherever you might eat – from 400+ restaurants to food markets.
Chile Roasting, Santa Fe Farmers Market, New Mexico
I missed on the Farmers Food Market but I really enjoyed my meal at il piatto Farmhouse Kitchen, where everything is freshly sourced from farmers, foragers, and ranchers; breads, pastries, pastas, and pizzas are made from whole wheat flour and only European styled grass-fed butter is used for cooking.
Chile BIG DEAL in Santa Fe
Food of Santa Fe
il piatto farmhouse kitchen
The United States is…
World Power Centre
Innovation Incubator
Cloud piercing Skyscrapers
StarStudded Hollywood
Sparkling city life
Epic Vistas
Art in nature
Wild Wilderness
Spectacular Parks
Iconic wildlife
Idyllic Islands
Vibrant cultures
Supersize food
…and a lot more.
These were some of the responses I got when I asked Americans to describe the United States in one or two words. I admit my initial perception of the United States was myopic and I related only a few of the adjectives listed above with the most powerful nation in the world. However, I knew the States is much more than the glossy unidimensional picture Hollywood, sitcoms or media paints. So, I decided to explore it for myself.
I wanted to see the side of the United States, which most of the foreign tourists often miss. So, instead of doing the usual New York – Los Angeles – San Francisco – Chicago – Miami loop, I consulted my blogger friend Mike Shubic of MikesRoadTrip to suggest places that are unique and can showcase the diversity of this mega nation. He was driving my visit to the popular and offbeat places of California, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, Alabama and New York state.
A highway in the USA
From April to May 2017, I covered the four regions of the United States of America – North East Coast, West Coast, South East and South West. To get the pulse of the great nation, I travelled the way locals do – using all modes of transport – Planes, trains, cars, ships and, of course, walking. It was mostly a solo trip, but my friends joined in at a few places.
50 states of United States of America
USA Travel: Regions and States of the United States of America
While one lifetime is not enough to get into the skin of the US, I tried to sample as many things as I could – adventure, nature, wildlife, culture, art, food, history, architecture, technology and shopping, among others.
Balloon ride in Arizona
Also, I was lucky to experience different seasons in one season across different regions – cold and rainy Northern California, white snow-carpeted New Mexico, hot and humid central Arizona, sandstorm-swept North Arizona, melting hot Alabama, spring-infused Niagara Falls, grey clouds enveloped wild Adirondacks and sun-kissed upbeat New York.
My USA travel experience has been one EPIC trip, and I have many stories to share in my upcoming posts. However, I’ll begin by sharing my first impressions about this great nation.
While every state has its unique charm and appeal, three things stood out strongly for me:
The United States personifies the word BIG. The land is big. Cars are big. People are big. Food is big. Buildings are big. Homes are big. It’s just big! And when Americans travel, they travel with entire paraphernalia. I was on a five-day road trip with Mike in Arizona, and I felt that he had carried his entire home in his truck. With the amount of stuff he was carrying for a 5-day trip, I could have very easily opened a grocery store in India. No kidding!
Besides India, if there’s any nation that embodies diversity, it is the US. All fifty States are as different as chalk and cheese. Everything from food to culture to topography to dialect changes as you move from one state to another. I still can’t forget my epic Boots and Boats adventure in the “Forever Wild” Adirondacks in upstate New York
The United States is a land of opportunities where immigrants have arrived for centuries (and are still coming) in search of an American Dream. A land that not only gives you the freedom to clinch opportunities without distinction but is also an idea incubator. Freedom to follow your heart is what has made America great.
Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA
Fact: It is not one state but the United States of America made by fifty states
The US is 3.8 million square miles big and divided into 50 states. There are six time zones in the US, and it takes the same time whether you fly from New York to Los Angeles or London. Regional differences across the US extend to accents, food, drink, architecture, culture, people, laws and politics.
Fact: The heart of the US lies in its spectacular 59 National Parks
A land as diverse as the US is bound to offer diversity; therefore, associating just skyscrapers with the US is a crime. The diversity among its 59 National parks covering 84 million acres across every state is astonishing – on the one hand, you can see the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere (Death Valley, California); on the other hand, you can also trek to the highest point in North America (Mount McKinley in Denali National Park, Alaska); you can traverse through the longest cave system in the world (Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky); and also marvel the largest gypsum sand dunes in the world (White Sands National Monument, New Mexico). National parks are the true treasures of the USA, and they should not be missed at any cost.
USA Travel: Your USA trip is incomplete without visiting its epic national parks
Related: Traveling the world alone: 10 tips for Solo Travelers(Opens in a new browser tab)
Fact: Americans are very friendly and helpful
Before arriving in the US, I was afraid of how people would treat me. To my surprise, not only did they treat me well, but they went out of their way to make me feel at home. How often do you see the head of a Tourism Board receive you at an airport? Not too often. But perhaps that’s the reason why Santa Fe is called ‘the city different.’ And it wasn’t just Santa Fe; my experience with other CVBs was equally phenomenal.
The USA Travel: My beautiful Santa Fe host, who is an amazing person
People, in general, are very kind in the US. Yes, even to strangers. I had gone to Priceless Rent-A-Car at Lake Placid to return my car and was waiting for my train shuttle to arrive. I was hungry but didn’t want to leave the place for fear of missing my shuttle. The employee at the station got the whiff of it, and without me even asking, he got food for me. Now, isn’t that a rare kind of generosity seen these days? But that’s how America can surprise you.
USA Travel: An average American is as humane as anyone else in the world
Fact: Americans are relentlessly hard-working
Will Smith showed the hard-working side of Americans in ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’. And not much has changed since then. Most of the people I met were doing multiple jobs at a time – working in a regular 9-5 job during the day and taking up flexible jobs after office hours like driving an Uber/Lyft or serving at restaurants. This is what a young girl from Lake Sarnac had to say,
People outside of the US think we get everything on platter. But we really work very hard. One job is not enough to sustain oneself. During the week I work as a nurse at a hospital and over the weekend I work as a server at a restaurant.
Also, minimum wages in the hospitality industry are too low to sustain life. Therefore, tipping is almost a mandatory custom whether you dine at a hotel or take a tour or get a car valet service.
USA Travel: Behind the beautiful smiles lies a lot of hard work
Fact: Fast food is complemented by gourmet soul food
Although fast food still dominates large tracts of the culinary landscape, the US now excels at wildly innovative, gourmet cuisine. San Francisco and New York regularly show up on the top lists for a number of Michelin stars, and celebrity chefs rival Hollywood royalty, with big names like Mario Batali, Anthony Bourdain and Rachael Ray spawning multimedia empires, with dozens of restaurants, books, TV shows, films and more.
On the one hand, you can get a large size wrap for a five-dollar food truck in New York; on the other hand, you can dine at an Award-winning FnB restaurant in Scottsdale where gourmet cuisine menu changes every week and where the chef-turned-entrepreneur couple handcrafts every dish. I am a vegetarian, and the US spoiled me with food options. I didn’t have a bad meal even once.
USA Travel: FnB restaurant in Scottsdale is a must-visit for any food lover
Fact: Being health conscious is no longer an option but a way of life
My initial image of an average American was a McCheese Burger eating baseball, wearing GOT, and binge-viewing, snap-chatting bloke. While this kind of stereotype does exist, that isn’t how everyone in the US is. Whether walking the streets of New York or driving on Highway 103 on the Pacific coast, you’ll come across people indulging in physical and wellness activities. Being outdoors is an important part of the American lifestyle. City parks are filled with joggers, cyclists and yoga enthusiasts.
The USA travel: Central Park in New York City is an oasis for nature and health lovers.
Healthy living is not limited to physical exercise; even food and lifestyle play an important role. Aisles of shopping malls are filled with healthy and organic foods. Kale is the new queen of food.
For a spa aficionado who is always on the hunt for the unusual, Phoenix was Nirvana for me. The city is becoming the spa capital of the country. You can find the city’s finest spa treatments, from Sonoran Desert-inspired indulgences to Native American healing traditions.
I thoroughly enjoyed my Sonoran-Desert-inspired Spa treatment at Aji Spa, Sheraton Grand, Phoenix
Fact: Diverse ethnicities and cultures are celebrated with aplomb
While America is relatively a toddler when it comes to history, it is very proud of all the ethnicities that made America their home. It is a melting pot where all religions, traditions, and festivals are celebrated with the same fervour. So, while San Francisco celebrates the diversity of the city through the Annual Carnaval San Francisco, Albuquerque celebrates POW WOW – the world’s largest gathering of the nations. It is a festival of one of its kind. You have to see it to believe its magnanimity.
America is the land of wonderful and weird festivals, from the Chainsaw Carving Festival (Pennsylvania) to the Testicle Festival (Montana). The state fairs are even more fun and weird at times.
POW WOW festival, Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, New Mexico is a must-visit
Fact: Art and culture thrive as much as technology
There’s a reason why so many artists have the US as their address. Art and culture are thriving businesses in the US. Cities like Santa Fe have become a cultural melting pot for artists, where art is not a prop but lies at the heart of the city. With over 240 art galleries and 14 museums, Santa Fe is a visual feast for art lovers of all sorts. A place where pesky salesmen won’t hound you to purchase an art piece just because you entered his gallery.
The city of Adobe Homes is an art city where artists like Georgia O-Keeffe, George R.R. Martin (author of Game of Thrones) and like have moved to find inspiration from nature and pursue their creative side. Art is not restricted to galleries here. Sunsets are a show every evening here, and the night sky is just unbelievable. Santa Fe is a place that can change not only one’s external life but also one’s inner, spiritual life.
And New Mexico isn’t the only one supporting the right brain. The Rocket City of Huntsville is as passionate about art as it is about rocket science. Lowe Mill has studios of some of the best artists in the country.
USA Travel: Walking through Canyon Road in Santa Fe is like walking through an art gallery
Fact: Punctuality and professionalism are the unsaid rules in the United States
In the United States, punctuality is not a courtesy but a norm. Time is money, and nobody squanders it. In American culture, the commitment to spend time with someone is more important than anything else that might happen.
Also, being a marketing haven, professionalism is the core of survival in America. It is not acceptable to over-promise and under-deliver. Therefore, everyone follows the rules and delivers on time. There is no aberration when it comes to following rules. Titles don’t matter. Rules do. I was on a press trip to Monterey & Carmel with Tower Tours. Our pickup time was 2:30 pm. I was two minutes late, and the bus left without me. Although, after a few calls, the driver did come to fetch me. I learned an important lesson that day. Hats off to the company for its professionalism. Their service was top-notch.
Fact: America is a lot of things; racism isn’t one of them.
Before landing in the States, I was warned about an increase in racist attacks. However, statistics paint a different picture. But rather than trusting stats, we believe on “proof by example,” where we take one event as evidence of a trend — a dog attacked my friend, therefore all dogs are vicious and should be put down. Proof, by example, is a logical illusion. But logic is officially an endangered species in today’s hyper-partisan political environment.
The truth is that 99 per cent of the 300-plus million Americans peacefully coexist with members of all races day in and day out. Rotten eggs are found everywhere. It’s up to us what we want to absorb. Here’s what I experienced:
I was on a Press Trip to Birmingham, Alabama, a place where the civil rights movement started. Leaving the past behind, Birmingham has moved on. It doesn’t matter whether you are black or white; everyone is treated equally. During my trip, I experienced something worth sharing – my Afro-American tour guide historian and teacher Barry McNealy complimented my extremely humble white host Pamela McDonald on her charm bracelet and told her how his wife wanted a similar one. Without blinking an eyelid, Pamela gifted her bracelet to Barry as a gift for his wife.
That didn’t look racist to me. That was unadulterated love and care for each other. But the media never picks up on the positive stories as it’s easier to sell negativity than positivity. And that’s where we need to do our job. Spread positivity to make this world a better place to live and grow together.
USA Travel: Happiness is multi races dining together in Birmingham, Alabama
So, these were some of the experiences I had during my US travel. Your experience will be determined greatly by where you go. Just to reiterate: No two people in different locales in the US will have the same — or maybe even similar – experiences. So, before you go anywhere, do yourself a favour and choose more than one spot. It’s the only way to get a better, more accurate, detailed, and genuine experience out of this large, diverse country that has so much to offer.
Have you ever travelled to the US? How was your experience? I would love to hear your thoughts or feedback on this article. Please remember that your one comment could be the reason a writer keeps going.
Here’s a detailed travel guide about the best things to see and do in the state including a 7-10 Days Sikkim itinerary covering Gangtok, North, East, and South Sikkim
Gurudongmar Lake in winters, North Sikkim Travel, India
From the time I read James Hilton describe Shangri-La as a mystical, harmonious valley landlocked by Mountains; I wondered if there exists a real-life match to this fictional place. The pursuit of Shangri La took me to the depths of the Himalayas, drawing me into fascinating corners and cul-de-sacs I never dreamed of visiting. And finally, I found it in Sikkim.
Cavernous valleys, snowcapped mountains, roaring rivers, fluttering prayer flags and green homes dotting the zigzag mountain slopes – no wonder Sikkim is known as the Himalayan Shangri La. A jewel-like mountain state of North East flourished under the benign shadow of colossal Mt. Kanchenjunga. The locals revere the third highest mountain in the world as their guardian deity.
Sikkim metamorphosed from the independent Himalayan Kingdom to the twenty-second state of India in 1975. However, one thing remained untouched – Sikkim’s reverence for nature.
Nature is above everything in Sikkim, where ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘all-organic’ are not loosely thrown around terms but practised by one and all in daily life. During my sojourn, I didn’t see any wafer packets or cola bottles spoiling the gorgeous landscape. Sikkim didn’t become an all-organic state by fluke; the local government and people put in a mammoth effort.
To propagate the idea of ‘all-organic state’ Sikkim Government runs lot of eco-conservation programs and hosts lot of exotic festivals,
explained Chen Yang a travel guide who works closely with the Sikkim Government.
Festivals like International Flower festival, Yakten – Bojeytar Village Tourism Festival, Dentam Rhododendron Festival and Pang Lhabsol among others elucidate the love and respect Sikkimese have for their nature.
Besides the unique festivals, Sikkim is great for adventure, wildlife, culture and spiritual travel.
Golden Hour in Sikkim, India
Here’s my experience of traversing through the alpine landscape, thick luxuriant tropical forests, torrents Rivers, high mountain peaks and unruffled high altitude lakes – everything that makes Sikkim a true Shangri La.
Climbing up the winding roads to Gangtok from Siliguri took me more than five hours. The scenic route was picturesque, though pretty bumpy! The indulgent lunch at a small restaurant facing the Teesta River couldn’t provide any respite from the backbreaking journey. I was staying at an Army Guesthouse in Gangtok so thankfully I could enjoy the modern-day luxuries in the lap of Himalayas. My Army friend helped me secure my inner line permit, taxi and homestays in North and South Sikkim. As the night befell, I went to sleep looking forward to experiencing the ethereal beauty of this jewel-like mountain state.
Mt. Kanchenjunga, Sikkim, India
At the break of the day my driver, Ritu Tamang and the magnificent mountains greeted me. After soaking the sweeping view of the snow-capped Mt. Kanchenjunga from the Tashi View Point, I decided to invoke the spiritual side by visiting the Gonjang Monastery, located about 6 km away from Gangtok. A young monk sitting on the edge of the wall watching a WWF fight on his smartphone, a group of monks taking a Coco-Cola break from their studies and teenage monks flirting with the guitar strings behind the closed doors of their room were the sights I couldn’t envisage in a religious place.
Happiness is not guaranteed by giving up the pleasures or desires of life but by not being their slave
explained the senior monk who probably read my mind.
Monk at a Sikkim Monastery, India
Inside the monastery, Gangtok, Sikkim
The rest of the day was spent paragliding over the snowcapped mountains and thickly carpeted forests around Gangtok, enjoying the panoramic views of Gangtok from Ganesh Tok, revisiting the old world charm at the Royal Palace and suicide point infamous for kings throwing their enemies from a drop-dead gorgeous hilltop.
Suicide Valley, Gangtok, Sikkim, India
The day was wrapped up with a passeggiata on the MG Marg, the social-commercial hub. It was packed with restaurants serving toothsome delicacies, export surplus shops staff haggling with customers, travel agents taking last-minute bookings and tourists enjoying the crisp air of Gangtok.
Tsomgo Lake, East Sikkim, India
For most visitors, a trip to Sikkim usually includes a trip to Gangtok, Rumtek and Nathula La via Tsomgo Lake and Harbhajan Baba’s Mandir. However, always curious to discover places beyond the obvious, I chose the road less travelled. Not only I visited the old silk route but even tried my hand at playing golf at Yak golf course in Kupup, the world’s highest golf course (13,025 feet above sea level). Three days were not enough to explore East Sikkim but North Sikkim was already booked so I had to return to Gangtok.
Visit Sikkim to see the world’s highest golf course: Kupup
Visit Sikkim to invoke spirituality: Gangtok, India
Visit Sikkim to revisit the Old Silk Route in India
After an early morning start and backbreaking journey of seven hours from Gangtok, we finally reached Lachen. The arduous journey was made beautiful by – the roaring jade green water of Teesta River rushing through massive boulders, soaring snow-capped peaks embroidered with long ribbons of waterfalls, lush green forests dimpled with alpine pastures and the hot pakodas made to order at Naga Waterfalls.
Visit Sikkim to marvel the beauty of jade green Teesta River
After spending the night at a Bhutia (Tribe of Tibetan origin) homestay, I started my journey at 4 am through stunning frozen mountainscape where the majestic mountain peaks were glowing in the molten golden dust of the sunrise. Sacrificing my sleep was nothing when we saw the staggering snow-blanketed vistas and crag-rimmed Gurudongmar Lake (17,800 feet above sea level). I had not seen anything as phantasmal as Gurudongmar Lake was. Even the -19 degree temperature and AMS inducing thin air couldn’t confine me to my car. I sat near the lake trying to take in the beauty around us. There was nothing but perfect silence. Cautious enough to not get carried away, I took baby steps to enjoy the bounty of nature.
Frozen Gurudongmar Lake, North Sikkim, India
An Army Personnel at his post on Gurudongmar Lake, North Sikkim, India
Visit Sikkim to see Frozenscapes: Gurudongmar Lake, India
After visiting Gurudongmar Lake, I reached Lachung to explore the stunning Yumthang Valley and Zero point the next day.
South Sikkim formed the next leg of my trip. The larger-than-life religious statues at Char Dham, Samdruptse Monastery at Namchi and Buddha Park is a must-visit even for a nonreligious person. I really enjoyed the majestic mountain and valley views from Tarey Bhir, Helicopter Point and Temi Tea Garden, the state’s only Tea Estate.
Buddha Park, Near Namchi, South Sikkim
Visit Sikkim for Spirituality: Chaar Dham, Namchi, India
Visit Sikkim for its gorgeous views – Tarey Bhir, Near Ravangla
Besides the indescribable beauty of Sikkim, I was left awestruck by the calm and composed demeanour of the Sikkimese people.
“So is everyone in Sikkim happy like you?” I asked my driver.
No, of course not but we are less complaining than others and that makes us happy in general. I think it’s a combination of our cultural identity, family ties, respect for Mother Nature and Buddhist traditions of letting go. We are happy with what we have.
I learned a life-changing lesson that day.
My trip had come to an end and I had fallen in love with the mythical Himalayan land worthy of being called the Himalayan Shangri La. So are you ready to visit this mystic land this holiday season?
Visit Sikkim for its revered mountain lakes – Tsomgo Lake, India
Well, you don’t need a particular season or a reason to visit the Himalayan Shari-La. But the best time to visit Sikkim is either between March and May or October and mid-December. I highly recommend visiting the state in Spring (March to May) as you can witness the blooming natural beauty of Gangtok during that time. But, if you want a clear view of the Himalayan range then Autumn (October-November) is the best time.
By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra in West Bengal
By Rail: The nearest railway stations are New Jalpaiguri (125 km) and Siliguri (144 km) in West Bengal
By Road: Regular bus services run by the Sikkim Nationalized Transport directly connect Gangtok to Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Siliguri. For local transport, Cars and jeeps are available for hire in Gangtok and other big towns of the state
Best time to visit Sikkim for its Narnia like beauty is in Winters
Visit Sikkim for its unique culture, heritage and natural beauty
Visit Sikkim for its monasteries in India.
A section of this story has been published in several publications, namely:
El Corazon de San Pancho — The Heart of San Francisco
Love makes you do a lot of cute things like giving a nickname to something you love. And, San Francisco is a city that has many nicknames – The City, City By the Bay, San Fran, The Golden City, San Fran and Frisco among many others. When the Spanish-speaking locals talk about their beloved city they don’t call it “Frisco” but Pancho, which is a common nickname for Francisco in Latin America, so I wasn’t surprised when I heard the 2017 theme is “El Corazon de San Pancho — The Heart of San Francisco.”
The name San Pancho stands for San Francisco’s sense of unity, inclusion and multicultural pride. This year’s theme, “El Corazon de San Pancho — The Heart of San Francisco,” was chosen to pay homage to San Francisco’s enduring legacy as a place that has always embraced people from around the world with open arms. Whether they were refugees or the hippies or the members of the LGBT community. San Francisco always made room for more.
San Franciscans built a city that values belonging, diversity, community-building, and multicultural arts,
said Roberto Hernandez, Carnaval San Francisco’s artistic director.
The ‘heart’ of this city is the value we place on culture, community and empathy toward one another.
On May 27th and 28th, the Mission District will transform into an enormous two-day festival and grand parade throbbing with the red hot energy of the people dancing, drumming, enjoying live music, extravagant costumes and lip-smacking food. Latin American artistry comes alive through traditions from Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia, Colombia, Trinidad & Tobago, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Guatemala, Chile, Haiti, and West Africa. It is an event not to be missed at any cost. But make sure you reach well in time as you will be joined by more than 400,000 people who come from different parts of the world.
It is one of the few events where people from diverse backgrounds come together to celebrate life forgetting their age and race. Where else will you see a grandmother, daughter and granddaughter dancing samba together in the parade? And not just that you will also find a Japanese master drummer leading a Samba comparasa.
Isn’t that a great reason to join in?
The 2–day festival will be held May 27th and May 28th on Harrison Street between 16th and 24th Streets from 10 am to 6 pm. The Festival will delight the attendees with a rich assortment of food, music, dance, arts, crafts and other fun activities and entertainment for people of all ages.
The Grand Parade on Sunday, May 28, will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a brilliant procession of contingents, most of which will feature beautifully adorned floats depicting rich multicultural themes and featuring performers who engage and entertain the crowds.
Brazilian-style
The Grand Parade will start at the corner of 24th and Bryant streets, proceed west to Mission Street, head north on Mission to 17th Street, turn east on 17th and conclude at South Van Ness.
Admission to the festival and parade is FREE. Grandstand seating for the parade, located on Mission Street between 21st and 22nd streets, is available for purchase online at www.carnavalsanfrancisco.org.
The theme for 2019 is La Cultura Cura / Culture Heals that celebrates the spirit of resistance and healing. The Carnaval San Francisco intends to rally behind “La Cultura Cura” as a social and moral statement to counter the polarized political environment in the U.S. today. The 2–day festival will be held from May 25th to May 26th on Harrison Street between 16th and 24th Streets. The 2019 Grand Parade will be held on May 26th at
I hope this post can inspire you to check out the celebration of culture and diversity. I would love to know your feedback on the carnivals in San Francisco. Is there any other event like this that you had attended before.
Interested to know more about San Francisco or California, check out these posts:
When it comes to offbeat travel experiences, Peru is a fantastic destination. Its array of landscapes, cultures, and environments set the stage for a truly unique travel experience.
But what is the meaning of “offbeat travel?”
Just like it sounds, “offbeat travel” means leaving the beaten path and going beyond tourist attractions. It means finding hidden gems and obscure places that are a wonder.
What does this amount to in Peru? Travelers may find themselves trekking through a humid rainforest brimming with life, scaling majestic mountains, or exploring the arid coast. It might mean volunteering in Peru, or exploring lonely villages and befriending the locals. That’s not to mention the ancient temples, artifacts, and architecture that dot the country, waiting to be found.
In Peru, being an offbeat traveler has meaning that spans all these experiences and more. Here are just a few offbeat travel ideas to help interested folks set off down “the road less traveled.”
Huayllay National Sanctuary
A remarkable geological formation, the Huayllay Stone Forest was once at the bottom of the sea. Now well above sea-level, the tall rock faces resemble a forest of giant trees that have been petrified.
This natural wonder is located in a remote area of Peru near the western coast. Determined travelers can reach it with a certain amount of creativity and ingenuity, as transportation and lodging options in the area are slim.
Rainbow Mountain Peru
Vinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain, is a remote peak in the Ausangate range of the Andes. This hard-to-reach mountain is well worth the effort, as it is striped with unusual colors — lavender, turquoise, brown, gold, and terra cotta, among others — due to its unique location and environment.
All but the most experienced hikers need not apply. The peak is notoriously hard to find and can take as many as six days of vigorous hiking to reach.
The Amazon Rainforest covers at least 60% of Peru, and offers up its diverse and fascinating eco-system for exploration to adventurous travelers. Plus, with as much as 30% of the entire world’s animal species residing here, the adventurous are sure to spot strange and beautiful creatures during a trek.
Related: Peruvian Amazon: how to get to Iquitos by boat
Despite its many wonders and natural beauties, Peru is a country dogged by issues such as poverty, rainforest deforestation, water and air pollution, and more.
Travelers thinking about off the beaten path travel destinations should also consider giving back to the beautiful country that will enthrall and delight them. Volunteering in Peru can be a life-changing activity for offbeat traveling. When volunteering, travelers are awarded with the opportunity to truly and authentically experience a local community, its people, traditions, cultures, cuisine, and more.
For instance, adventurers can help support community development in remote areas, promote education for disadvantaged children, rescue abandoned or mistreated street dogs in cities, or help with rehabilitation efforts for Peru’s wild animals.
The goal for any volunteer should be to assist with sustainable, ethical, and responsible efforts to help communities, animals, and environments in Peru.
The ancient city of Kuelap, built in the 6th century, was once a walled fortress that protected the Chachapoyas, or the “warriors of the cloud.” This magnificent city was built on a mountain slope in the northern Andes and was protected by a stone wall averaging over 65 feet tall and 260 feet wide.
Deeper than the Grand Canyon, Colca Canyon also boasts ancient terraces carved into mountainsides, and is home to a bird with the largest wingspan of any in the world, the Andean condor.
Hikers will also come across villages, spectacular views, and winding paths through this unique part of the world.
Along Peru’s western coast, surfing is a natural activity. The sheer expanse of the shoreline (over 3,000 kilometers long) means there are numberless opportunities to catch a wave.
You wouldn’t expect to find a desert in the same country that holds part of the Amazon, but that’s the beauty of Peru. Along with the desert, you’ll find Huacachina, a tiny oasis town and one of the only true desert oases in the world.
It’s the perfect place to rest and relax after sandboarding on the nearby desert dunes. What is sandboarding? Think snowboarding, but with sand.
Secreted away beneath a train station in Lima, the Witch’s Market, or Mercado de Brujas, is the place to find folk remedies and medicines. Everything from curious mixtures of herbs and spices to snake fat and frog (for arthritis) is on offer. If that’s not enough, visitors can also consult with witch doctors and healers.
Mistakenly labeled a ghost town, the village of Zaña actually has a population of about 1,000, according to Atlas Obscura. Perhaps the confusion comes from the town’s history — it was destroyed by a mammoth flood in the 18th century. However, only the Spanish slavers abandoned the town. Their surviving slaves remained behind, and their descendants are who populate the magnificent ruins today.
Offbeat travel experiences in Peru are as diverse as the country itself. If travelers have the gumption, they can leave the tourist traps behind and discover their own unique adventure.
Which off-beat travel destination in Peru will you choose?
And if you are planning to visit the Machu Pichu Inca Trail, make sure you have have packed right.
Related: Inspired to read more about Peru? Do read Explore Peru through Pisco
Seeing Sakura bloom in Japan is on everyone’s bucket list. Here’s a complete travel guide on where and when to see Cherry Blossoms in Japan in 2025.
As nature’s original Instagram bait starts blanketing your timeline, your dream of experiencing the Sakura bloom (cherry blossoms) in Japan gets bigger with every update. Here is a complete travel guide on where and when to see Cherry Blossoms in Japan from South to North in 2025.
Japan is synonymous with Shinkansen, Sushi, Samurai, and Skyscrapers, but the most iconic image of Japan is the sea of cherry blossom trees. Like most travellers, I, too, was smitten by the pink dream. So, after many wasted springs, I finally booked a trip to Japan to see Nature’s limited Art show.
I didn’t know Japan’s reverence for Sakura Bloom spans centuries until I spoke to my host, Takashi. From as early as the eighth century, elite imperialists would pause to appreciate the Sakura bloom (cherry blossoms) before indulging in Hanami (Cherry blossom viewing picnics) and relishing the poetry sessions beneath the blooms. Fast-forward to the modern-day, and the flowers are still revered.
At the onset of spring, when the trees turn pink, the old and the young grab their picnic blankets and rush to the parks to take photos, drink sake (Japanese liquor), nosh munchies, gulp their Sakura-themed bento lunches and relax under the paper-thin pink cherry blooms. It’s like a carnival with food stalls, LIVE music and games. Sakura is the best time to try out Japanese food like sakura mochi (sticky rice cake), white and pink miso (soybean sauce), pink onigiri (rice balls), red bean treats, tamagoyaki (a rolled egg omelette with sugar and soy sauce), taoyaki (octopus balls), grilled clams and taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes filled with custard and chocolate). I discovered all this and a lot more during my first Hanami experience in Tokyo.
On my first day in Tokyo, my local friend warned me that if I wanted to see Sakura, then I should wake up early, and like an obedient child, I obeyed. But I was not alone in arriving early. I had to make my way through the epic-sized elbow-to-elbow crowds to admire the 1,000-plus blooming cherry blossom trees of the Ueno Park, one of Japan’s oldest and most famous public spaces in Tokyo (also home to many top museums, shrines, and ponds).
Sometimes, I walked along the pathways. Sometimes, I stood under the branches laden with soft white, pink, and magenta blooms. The wind would blow, and I would get showered in the Sakura snow. The fluffy, gorgeous blossoms were everywhere – on trees, in the air, on pathways, on benches and on the ground. It felt surreal like I was in a pink wonderland with the occasional Japanese shrine or statue peeking through the pink and white clouds of flowers.
It wasn’t just the parks, shrines or castles celebrating Sakura. Retailers, too, were in Sakura mode – markets draped in plastic cherry blossoms, cafes and restaurants served Sakura-inspired foods and drinks, 7x11s were filled with Sakura innovations, beauty counters were lined with cherry blossom scented lotions, Sakura front (television updates) announced the dates of Sakura travel from south to north.
While I was absorbing all this, Takashi, my local friend, asked me if I knew why Hanami is such a big deal in Japan. Obviously, I didn’t have a clue. And that’s when he revealed the deep connection the Japanese have with the short-and-sweet season,
The ephemeral nature of Sakura blossoms lasting only for two weeks is symbolic of the Japanese spirit. In the days of the samurai, Sakura represented the short life of a warrior often cut off in its prime. In today’s Japan, Sakura serves as a reminder of the power of nature, the fragility and the beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is overwhelmingly beautiful but precariously short too. Therefore you should make the most out of it as it lasts.
In a nutshell, the cherry blossoms are not just pretty pink flowers; they are the floral embodiment of Japan’s most deep-rooted cultural and philosophical beliefs.
After understanding the true essence of Hanami and enjoying it during the day, it was time to enjoy the Yozakura – Night Hanami. If you thought cherry blossoms during the day were gorgeous, night blossoms were outright spectacular thanks to intricate lighting and festive lanterns that brought out the exoticness of the blossoms in the darkness of night. Illuminated trees against the night sky create a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere. It was not a dream but a reality that was better than a dream. A feeling that many poets, painters, filmmakers, and writers have tried to replicate for centuries but failed.
The days passed, and the fragile, cheery blossoms in Tokyo started to bid adieu. But I wasn’t ready for the goodbye yet. I wanted to see more. So I decided to follow them up North to the volcanic Aomori Prefecture and Hokkaido.
The best way to travel in Japan is by a bullet train that passes through the scenic landscapes, where it is possible to lose sight of all the tourists. The four hours of the train journey from Tokyo to Hirosaki by Tohoku Shinkansen (bullet train) and a local train didn’t seem long. I really enjoyed the Sakura view from my window.
But I was in for a bigger surprise at Hirosaki, where 400-year-old Hirosaki Castle was surrounded by approximately 2,600 of Japan’s most perfect-looking cherry trees, including more than 300 trees over 100 years old. A clear blue sky with cottony white clouds and majestic mountains was the perfect backdrop for the dazzlingly blooming cherry blossoms. I had never seen anything more alluring than what I was seeing. Hypnotised by the view, I whispered to the Japanese couple standing next to me, “How come the cherry blossom trees here are so picture-perfect?”
Hirosaki Castle area is famous for its apple orchards,” explained the couple. “So after the locals perfected a pruning technique for their apple trees, they carried it on to the cherries—it makes the trees in this area bloom spectacularly. The cherries here have twice as many petals as anywhere else, thanks to the special cultivation method.
So here is my tip. If you have to pick one place for cherry blossom viewing, pick Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture, one of the best spots for cherry blossoms in Japan.
If you have missed seeing the cherry blossoms in the south or centre, then Hokkaido is your best bet. Though I had relished my share of Sakura bloom, I still wanted to chase them up north. So I continued my onward journey to Hakodate and Sapporo in Hokkaido.
The best place to view cherry blossoms in Hakodate is the Hakodate Tower, where hundreds of cherry blossom trees have been planted in the star-shaped Goryokaku Park, where a castle once stood. I didn’t have time to visit the nearby Matsumae castle, which I was told isn’t as impressive as Hirosaki but is less crowded.
My last stop was Hokkaido’s main city, Sapporo, which was awash with cherry blossoms (Maruyama Park and Hokkaido-jingu shrine in particular). The interesting thing about Sapporo is you can enjoy Sakura views while skiing since the official skiing season lasts until May.
Travelling to Japan during its peak season was a bit expensive, but it was the most beautiful experience I have ever had. The cherry blossom season is ephemeral and fleeting, so mark your calendars and book your flights now before it’s too late!
In Hokkaido, during late spring, a different type of sakura called shiba zakura steals the show. Unlike the pink flowers on trees, shiba zakura is a ground covered with small pink, white, and purple flowers that create a stunning carpet-like effect. Visitors can witness this natural masterpiece in Eastern Hokkaido from May to June.
Higashi Mokoto Shiba Zakura Park, situated among rolling hills, is a must-visit in May and June. The park is adorned with bright pink moth phlox flowers, creating a picturesque backdrop for photographs.
Shibazakura Takinoue Park is another place visitors should not miss during the Shibazakura Festival, which runs from early May to early June. The park is covered in vibrant pink flowers, offering a stunning view.
For a truly unforgettable experience, try these unique cherry blossom activities:
Hanami: Celebrating Cherry Blossoms Like a Local
Hanami is more than just admiring flowers—it’s about immersing yourself in Japanese culture. Here’s how to experience it like a local:
🍡 Sakura mochi & dango – Traditional sweets eaten under cherry trees.
🍶 Sake or umeshu – Sip on plum wine while admiring the blossoms.
🎶 Music & games – Locals often bring instruments or play games.
🌙 Yozakura (Nighttime Hanami) – Stay after sunset for illuminated trees!
Most people planning to visit Japan during Cherry Blossom season will have one question on their mind – “What month is the cherry blossom in Japan?”
The Japan cherry blossom travels like a wave from South to North, blooming as early as January in Okinawa, peaking in Tokyo and Kyoto at the end of March and reaching Hokkaido by the end of April.
Japan’s cherry blossom 2025 season is expected to peak from late March to early April, particularly in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The official forecast is regularly updated by the Japan Meteorological Corporation.
Cherry blossoms in Japan usually last about two weeks from the start of their bloom to peak bloom.
Dress in warm clothes (spring can be chilly in Japan) and comfortable shoes. Bring along a blanket to sit on in the park and pick up a delicious Hanami Bento Box and drinks from a convenience store. Reach early and find a spot under a cherry blossom tree. Voila, you are ready to enjoy Hanami!
Sakura – Cherry blossom
Kirei – Beautiful
Sakura, kirei desu ne – Isn’t the cherry blossom beautiful?
Kanpai – Cheers!
Itadekimasu – Lets eat
Arigato gozaimasu – Thank you
Japan’s cherry blossoms are more than just flowers—they’re about the moments, the traditions, and the unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re picnicking under pink petals, strolling through lantern-lit gardens, or taking in the view from a mountain, sakura season is truly special. Planning your trip? Drop a comment —I’m always happy to share more tips!
A step-by-step guide for multi-visit Japan Visa
Offbeat Japan – Discovering the Autumn beauty of Hokkaido
Facts about Japan – Land of the Rising Toilet Seat
Hotel Review of staying at a Capsule Hotel in Tokyo
10 Reasons to Visit Hokkaido: From Ainu Culture to Winter Wonders, Your Ultimate Guide
Open Season – The Best Time to Visit Japan
1…2…3…Jump
No…No…No…No…I can’t.
Please pull me back. I don’t think I am ready. I need more time to compose myself.
The culprit was my overthinking. I had breached the golden rule of Extreme Adventure – Keep your mind at home. I had forgotten that if you can’t do something, you must give it a try. After all, if you don’t win over your fear, the fear will win over you. And there can’t be anything worse than giving up without trying.
Rodolphe Vincent, the head safety instructor at Jumpin Heights, echoed my sentiments,
You are thinking too much. Just jump. The more time you take more difficult it will become.
And it wasn’t just me who was scared. Gaurav who had bungee-jumped a few years ago couldn’t do it again too. So, the theory of becoming less scared with more adventure might not be entirely correct. The best remedy to get over a fear is to not give it enough time in your mind to spread its wings.
No. Although I didn’t bungee jump the first time I didn’t give up. I tried. I failed. I tried again. And I succeeded. I felt incredible after the jump and cursed myself for letting fear have an edge over me for a brief moment. My fear was completely unwarranted. The jump was completely safe. It refreshed me while the uphill trek (after the jump) to the restaurant drained me out.
At the restaurant, I met Niharika Nigam, the Director –Business Development at Jumpin Heights. During our conversation, she narrated a thrilling story of mental strength and resilience. On May 2, 2010, when she turned 19, she attempted the maiden jump at Jumpin heights or quasi-suicide as her mother called it that time. Her mother was terribly scared and wouldn’t let her jump at any cost but Niharika was determined to lead from the front and demonstrate to the world how safe Bungee Jumping was. So, sneaking out of her mother’s radar she quietly performed the jump.
Niharika Singh, the first bungee jumper at Jumpin Heights, Rishikesh
From that maiden jump to completing 50,000 jumps, Jumpin Heights has come a long way.
Us reaching 50k Bungee Jumps, which internationally is a huge number in Bungee Jumping, is a testimony to the fact that it is gaining immense popularity in India. I remember when we started people would ask weird questions because they had not heard of this sport. And today, we are the #1 attraction on ‘Things to Do’ in Rishikesh on Trip Advisor.
My heart was throbbing rapidly and my hands were shaking. Even the harness snugged around my hips and over the shoulders and the pep talk by the jump instructor couldn’t scare away my fears. Safety checks were performed, my weight and jump number marked on my hand were checked to balance the weight on the harness. With both legs bound together, I started walking like a penguin towards the ledge.
My heart was throbbing rapidly and my hands were shaking. Even the harness snugged around my hips and over the shoulders and the pep talk by the jump instructor couldn’t scare away my fears. Safety checks were performed, my weight and jump number marked on my hand were checked to balance the weight on the harness. With both legs bound together, I started walking like a penguin towards the ledge.
Harnessed for the Bungee Jumping
My feet were on the edge of the ledge and the crew was holding my harness at my back. Neither pushing nor pulling. The jump instructor gave the final set of instructions and started the countdown. 1…2…3…3…Jump! My heart was pumping incessantly. I wanted to turn back but I didn’t. Without wasting a second more I looked at the yellow signboard at the far end of the road, stretched my arms out, leaned forward and bang I JUMPED!
My feet were on the edge of the ledge and the crew was holding my harness at my back. Neither pushing nor pulling. The jump instructor gave the final set of instructions and started the countdown. 1…2…3…3…Jump! My heart was pumping incessantly. I wanted to turn back but I didn’t. Without wasting a second more I looked at the yellow signboard at the far end of the road, stretched my arms out, leaned forward and bang I JUMPED!
After almost a minute of adrenaline pumping, my jump was over. Alas! All good things last for a less time. Finally, two people waiting near the river pulled me down to a deck. My harness was removed, a water bottle was given and I was awarded the badge saying, ‘I have guts’. Yes, I had done it. I had won my fear. There’s no better feeling than winning over your fear. I wish my words could do justice to that feeling.
Bungee Jumping Free Fall after taking the leap of faith
Your fear doesn’t leave you if just watch others take the plunge. Go take the leap of faith. The longer you wait to take the leap, the more time you spend making excuses and convincing yourself to back out.
Jump before 3. If you let the person count until jump, chances are you won’t jump on the first count.
That was the mistake I made. It looks damn scary from the top. Just look at the eye level and perform the jump
Bungee jumping is about your whole experience, not just the leap. So, choose a brand that is trusted, has well-trained staff and is set in a calming environment.
Jump Instructors go through a long, in-depth international training schedule to become a qualified Instructor. You can trust them with your life.
Wear anything you’re comfortable in – T-shirts, shorts, pants! Avoid wearing a skirt, dress or high heels. You can bungee jump either barefoot or with shoes. Just ensure to tie the laces well.
It’s advisable to not jump with a stomach full as you might puke while jumping won’t be a good sight to look at.
After the jump, you would want to brag about your adventure to your friends so don’t look scared (even if you are). Take the plunge with a happy face.
You are not allowed to carry a mobile, camera, jewelry or anything else. So, don’t carry them along when you jump.
Don’t jump if you have any chronic disorders like heart problem, backache etc. mentioned in the list
Age: Minimum 12 yrs
Weight: Minimum 35 kgs and Maximum 120 kgs
Reporting Time: 9 AM and average time to complete the activity is 3 to 4 hrs depending on availability
Weekly off: Tuesday Closed
Bungy Location: Mohanchatti (25 km from Rishikesh)
For more details: visit Jumping Heights website or sent an email to contact@jumpingheights.com
Entry Ticket: 100 / person
Bungee Jumping: 3500 / person
Giant Swing: 3500 / person
Flying Fox (if done alone): 3000 / person
Flying Fox (3 persons in tandem): 1700 / person
Local Transfers from Tapovan to Bungy Station (to / fro): 300 / person extra.
Charges for Video (DVD) of the Activity, if required will be extra. (more…)
Arctic like winter of Changthang, Ladakh is not everyone’s cup of tea. It’s freezing cold, daylight is short and is a treacherous time to travel. Often referred as the ‘Third Pole’ of the world, Changthang is definitely not an ideal place to explore in winters. A region so remote and hostile that there’s a famous Ladakhi saying,
The land is so barren and the passes so high that only our fiercest enemies or our best friends would want to visit us.
But curiosity can take you to places where no map or app can. In March 2016, impulsively I booked a flight to Leh with just one thought – to explore the unexplored rugged beauty of Ladakh, not the airbrushed image projected by Bollywood.
Nestled at an altitude of 14,600 meters above sea level, Changthang is a high altitude plateau extending from Western Tibet to Eastern Ladakh. Winter gets undeniably harsh here. It gets so bitterly cold that even the boiling hot spring water freezes as soon as it oozes out of the ground. But this winter wonderland is worth braving the temperatures as low as -35°C and spine chilling winds of 90 kph.
Come on board and virtually experience my Changthang, Ladakh journey:
Delhi – Leh – Chumathang – Mahe Bridge – Sumdo – Namshang La – Kiagar Tso – Korzok – Chumur – Puga –Sumdo – Tso Moriri – Chumathang – Leh – Delhi
As soon as I landed at Leh, I looked at the Himalayas with the same longing as long parted lovers do. The soaring Himalayan peaks welcomed me with open arms. After securing the inner line permit and acclimatizing for a day, I left for Chumathang early morning the next day. Chumathang is a small village that is at the junction of many routes and is famous for Hot springs. For the entire 139 kms journey, Indus accompanied me. The frozen river would surprise me at times when it suddenly gushed through canyons. I arrived at Chumathang at 3 pm, witnessing the Narnia like beauty of Changthang, Ladakh.
I spent the rest of the evening talking to the locals and visitors halting. Locals are the unsung heroes who turn good trips into great ones and Changthang happened to be one. The village Sarpanch (head) and locals helped me plan my itinerary and made me reach the unheard of places in Changthang during a season when even locals fear to venture out.
We left early morning next day for Chumur, the disputed village on Indo-China Line of Actual Control (LAC). This journey was exhausting, dangerous but rewarding. So awe-inspiring that I easily shrugged off the discomforts and the many heart-in-mouth moments that came as a package deal.
Chumur is famous for ‘the Gompa with a live Mummy’ and the recent Indo-China Border issues. Visiting this small village of thirty houses was like revisiting past. The village seemed to belong to a bygone era, an era that we seemed to have left far behind.
After spending a day at Chumur, it was time to experience the nomadic life of Ladakh next day.
Changthang is home to more than 3500 Chang Pas (pastoral nomads of Tibetan origin), who depend on their livestock for food, shelter, and livelihood. The Rebo Tent of an elderly Chang Pa lady at Puga was my home for the day. In spite of a language barrier, my 66 years old host, Sonam, treated me with utmost love and care. In a harsh barren land where nothing grows, she offered Ladakhi Roti, Satthu, yak soup and raw yak meat. During our conversation, I got to know she migrated from Tibet in 1950 – when Tibetans were fleeing from their homeland to evade the Chinese atrocities. Her Tibet memory bank is blank as she was just a few months old when she arrived in India. However, she lives with a hope to return to her birthplace one day.
With teary eyes, I bid her goodbye and started my onward journey to Tso Moriri.
Tso Moriri is the largest of the high altitude lakes in India. During summers you can see incredulous variety of flora and fauna. However, I witnessed a completely different landscape. The frozen white lake flanked by lofty mountains looked surreal. It was difficult to believe that this snow blanket transforms into a mystical lake, which changes six to seven colours in a day. Mother Nature’s magic knows no end!
After Tso Moriri it was time to bid adieu to the third pole. I was brimming with joy for having experienced the journey of the otherworldly Ladakh that I did not know existed.
So when are you embarking on this epic journey?
The fresh air and beautiful landscapes coupled with adventurous activities make you very hungry in Ladakh. 5 local Ladakhi cuisine items you must try are Shapale, Thukpa, Skyu, Khambir and Butter tea. And you must try apricot in every form – freshly plucked, dried apricot and apricot jams and candies.
Leh is a mecca for bargain hunters. Best things to buy are the locally handmade woolen items and Tibetan handicrafts like prayer wheels, Buddhist masks, and Thangka paintings. I pack my bags with prayer flags, traditional Ladakhi jewellery, apricots, green tea and traditional porcelain items for gifting. The places to shop are Tibetan Market, Moti Market, Ladakh Art Palace, Women’s Alliance and Tibetan Handicraft Community Showroom.
You can choose from a wide variety of hotels to guesthouses to homestays. But it is slightly difficult to find a roof in Changthang. Be prepared to stay in basic homestays. I stayed at an Army Guesthouse at Chumathang but there are local guesthouses available. I would recommend staying at the Sarpanch’s Guest house, which has all the basic amenities.
The best time to visit Changthang, Ladakh is from June to September. During this time the valleys are lush green, the weather is nice and abuzz with the colourful and vibrant festivals. However, for me, Ladakh is beautiful throughout the year. There is a unique charm of seeing Ladakh fully covered in snow during winters.
Srinagar to Leh – from early June to November
Manali to Leh – from mid-June to early October
Air India, Go Air and Jet Airways Direct flights from Delhi, Srinagar and Jammu
Only J&K registered vehicles are allowed in Ladakh
You can easily hire cabs or motorbikes for day tours or long tours
Public buses are the cheapest way to travel but their services can be infrequent
This story was published in the July edition of Air Asia Inflight magazine (Travel 3Sixty India):
It is really easy to get around Singapore. The public transport system is easy to navigate and private hires can be found quickly. Seniors who are not as mobile can still explore Singapore independently and safely under the company of a medical escort from local on-demand care providers such as Homage. These trained care professionals will be with you from your residence to your desired attraction and back safely. If you are here as a medical tourist, they can also accompany you to the hospital for doctor appointments.
Mom…dad lets go. Someone is waiting for us at the pickup area
Wait, let me click some pictures and share with your uncle. I haven’t seen such a beautiful Orchid Garden anywhere.
Beta, wait na. These massage chairs are so comfortable. Not that I am tired but I am loving their foot massage.
This was the first impression my parents had as soon as we landed at Changi Airport. No, it wasn’t their first foreign trip but role reversal had happened. I was the organiser and they were the guests. And who wouldn’t fall in love with an airport like Changi, which has regularly been voted as one of the world’s best airport. There is so much to explore – Orchid Garden, Butterfly Garden, Sunflower Garden, Entertainment Zone, Ice Rink, a rooftop swimming pool with a Balinese theme and the tallest slide in the city, Free Cinemas, Wellness Centres, Food court and outlets for every possible cuisine in the world and at least 300 different retail outlets.
Changi Airport, Singapore. Pic by firesock under creative common Free to use and adapt license 2.0
But I didn’t want to spend our entire trip at the airport so I coaxed my parents to leave. At the arrivals, we had a luxury travel van waiting for us with a warm escort. After twenty minutes we were at the grand and spacious lobby of Conrad Centennial Singapore, where a soothing piano was being played. Conrad is one of the best 5-star hotels in Singapore, located within the business, historical, cultural and shopping districts of Marina Bay. At the reception, a Singapore Tourism Board executive with three bags full of Singapore goodies welcomed us.
Our check-in was smooth into the two suites. The rooms came with Marina Bay view, were spacious, had complimentary fresh fruit, chocolates and different varieties of tea and coffee. Bathroom and minibar were tastefully done. The in-room dining service was good and the food tasted delightfully Indian not the watered down version to suit the western palate.
Marina Bay view from my room at Conrad Hotel, Singapore
In the evening, we decided to take a walk around the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay. Couples, families, and friends flocked to the area to get their selfies clicked in front of the Merlion. It is not just any ordinary statue but this solid concrete, 70-tonne, water-spouting, the half-mermaid-half lion is a mythical symbol of Singapor and the most sought-after photo-op place in Singapore. After getting our share of the clicks at the Marina Bay, we visited the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay where an art exhibition and a live performance were going on.
I went to sleep with excitement to revisit my favourite part of Singapore the next day.
My dad at Merlion, Marina Bay, Singapore
Chek Jawa Wetlands, Pulau Ubin, Singapore
I was invited by Singapore Tourism board with my family, thanks to a story I wrote on Pulau Ubun earlier. It is an island still stuck in the sixties and looks starkly different from the swanky malls and fancy attractions of mainland Singapore. Until sixties it was used for quarrying and as the quarrying stopped so did its development. But that’s what makes it so special.
Us at Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin, Singapore
Palm trees fringed coastline, few kampongs (traditional villages) scattered in the wild, a well-defined trail to explore the Chek Jawa Wetlands (laced with intricate mangroves, corals and sandy beaches) and a well-marked biking trail that earned it the reputation of ‘Bicycle Island’. Though my parents appreciated nature somehow the tropical heat wasn’t ideal for walking.
The best part of the trip was our guide, Rai. Not only did he speak in our native language but he was also of the same age as my parents. my decision to choose Pulau Ubin over other famous attractions surprised him. We spent the entire day chatting about different topics – how his great grandfather moved to Singapore during British colonisation, how World War II affected Singapore and how life changed in the last many decades. Though born and brought up in Singapore he still feels an umbilical connection with India. Listening to him I realised you can uproot an Indian from India but can’t take India out of an Indian.
My parents with our guide, Rai, at Pulau Ubin, Singapore
Like us, Rai was a foodie and he took us to one of the best Indian restaurant in Little India – Banana Leaf, famous for its fish head curry and chicken tikka. The service was quick, portions were large and the food was similar to what you’ll get in India. After our sumptuous south Indian lunch, we strolled through the lanes of little India and visited the Vis Konsep Chocolate Factory near 787 North Bridge Road. My chocolate fantasyland was in front of my eyes – in all kinds of shapes, sizes and flavours.
Pedestrian walkway through Giant Skytrees, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
After seeing the hidden gem of Singapore, we shifted gears to see one of the top 20 most checked-in places in the world – Gardens by the Bay.
Gardens by the Bay contains more than 1,000,000 plants on 101 hectares of reclaimed land.
Rai explained while we were awestruck by the Super-sized trees (orchid flower-shaped vertical gardens of 9 to 16 storeys tall), Cloud forest (35-metre tall mountain covered in lush vegetation amidst the world’s tallest indoor waterfall) and Flower Dome (unique plants from all over the world bloom in an ever-changing display of flowers). My parents were ecstatically clicking pictures of almost everything – flowers, trees, ferns, cherry blossoms, waterfalls, supertrees, domes etc.
Cherry Blossoms in full bloom at Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Our eyes feasted on the beauty of the colossal garden but our stomachs were growling. What we didn’t know was the Singapore Tourism Board had organised a special lunch for us. Our lunch restaurant was not only amongst the top Asian restaurants but had a great history behind it. Situated in the oldest section of the oldest museum in the world, it was originally opened to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887. Yes, we were fine dining at Flutes, a modern European-inspired smart casual dining experience with an impressive menu inspired by its rich heritage.
National Museum of Singapore
After stomachs full, we explored the oldest museum of Singapore – the National Museum. It not only acquainted us with Singapore’s history but also engaged through imaginative and immersive techniques. Instead of staid exhibits, it had lively multimedia galleries. All the major events, as well as personal stories of individuals (who witnessed the history of Singapore), were well documented. It had Living galleries with 4 themes: Fashion, Food, Film & Wayang and Photography.
National Museum of Singapore
We wound up the day by having the most delicious meal of the trip at Rang Mahal, a MICHELIN star awarded fine-dining Indian restaurant serving Pan-Indian cuisine. The food was so lip-smacking delicious that my parents miss it even today. Although be prepared to shell out at least 250$ for a la Carte meal of daal roti sabzi salad & raita.
Botanic Gardens, Singapore
On the second last day of our trip, we decided to do the touristy things. Oh, wait! Wasn’t I doing that all the while? Well, when you are with your parents you want everything to be comfortable and hassle-free so doing touristy stuff wasn’t a bad deal. We decided to use the free passes provided by the Singapore Tourism board. We started with the full day unlimited hop-on, hop-off bus tour, which covered all the major 37 attractions along the City and Heritage routes! Every 20 minutes there was a bus and we could change our route as we liked. We were provided with pre-recorded onboard audio commentary in 9 languages. The best part was we could explore each attraction at our own leisurely pace.
Orchid Garden at Botanic Gardens, Singapore
One of the city’s trendiest nightspots with a variety of restaurants, wine bars, entertainment spots and retail outlets.
A must-visit for nature lovers, the Botanic Gardens is a living museum of a wide variety of flora and fauna. The National Orchid garden within the Botanic Gardens houses over 3,000 species and hybrids of Orchids.
The most famous shopping street in Singapore.
One of the ethnic enclaves that provide some of the best insights into the Indian community in Singapore.
Known as the Thieves Market years ago, this unique flea market is a good place to find second-hand merchandises and Knicks and knacks
Situated along the Singapore River and distinguished by conserved shophouses, Boat Quay is the place to visit for entertainment & dining. A perfect place to sit & relax after a day of sightseeing.
Best place to immerse in Singapore’s Chinese culture and history and witness how early Chinese Immigrants lived & worked during its golden years.
The first leg of our unforgettable trip had come to an end. My parents were excited like a kid in a candy store throughout the trip. Seeing their happy faces I felt there is nothing more precious than their smile. So if you too are thinking to take your Senior citizen parents on a foreign holiday don’t think too much Singapore is one of the most senior citizen-friendly countries.
I was in Singapore on an invitation from Singapore Tourism Board in March-April 2016. We flew by Singapore Airlines and stayed at Conrad Hotel. All the views expressed here are mine and all pictures were clicked by me.
It was the last day of a very adventurous and fulfilling FAM trip to TBEX FAM TRIP – NEGROS Y CEBU in the Philippines. We had done everything from swimming with the turtles at Apo Reef to snorkeling at Cebu to experiencing local cuisine and culture at Siquijor. Everything was impeccably well organized. We were treated like VIPs. The Philippines Tourism Board had won everyone’s heart. I was a bit sad and happy too that the trip was coming to an end. And probably that was the reason why I couldn’t sleep the night before.
Our Negros Y Cebu FAM Trip Group
At 5 am when the world around me was in the snooze mode, I was sitting in my private balcony of the luxurious Shangri-La’s Mactan Cebu Resort and Spa in Cebu, Philippines. The tropical dawn and soothing sea breeze were not only kissing my cheeks but had also awakened the philosopher in me. While the philosopher in me was busy introspecting life mother nature was busy unfolding the magic in front of my eyes—the sky changed colors as many times as a school girl picking prom dress.
Balcony view from Shangri La, Mactan, Cebu Resort
Suddenly, a new reality dawned on me. One of my bags was missing! I called the front-desk:
ME: “Hi, I am calling from room #8019. One of my bags is missing, Could you please check on your end and have it sent to my room.”
Why I didn’t notice the night before is beyond me. I think perhaps I was intoxicated by the sensational meal we had at Cowrie Cove the night before that went late into the evening.
OPERATOR: “Oh, I am so sorry to hear that mam. Let me check with our team and get back to you right away.”
ME: At 6 am I dial the front desk again, “Hi, were you able to locate my luggage?”
OPERATOR: “Mam, we are looking for it. Please give us some time. I’ll call you back”
ME: At 7 am I call the operator again, “Hello, any news on my luggage? How come only one bag reached my room when both were together and had my name on them?”
OPERATOR: “Mam, please give us some more time. We are looking for it. We will call you back soon”
At 7:30 am it was time to switch from patient to panic mode! I frantically tried reaching out to other members of our group. But unfortunately, I had only friended them on Facebook and didn’t have their mobile numbers. I ask the operator to connect me to Ochie, the Philippines Tourism representative, but the operator couldn’t find her name listed in the reservation system. I was frustrated and panicked at the same time.
I only had half an hour to get ready, have breakfast and meet the group for our last day of island hopping. Both my luggage and any members of our group were out of reach. At 8:00 am I finally got through to Ochie. She seemed more upset than I was. She assured me not to worry. I knew with her on my side, everything would be fine. Instead of waiting around and stressing out about my luggage, Ochie suggested that I still join the group for the island-hopping tour. I thought this was a good idea, but there was a minor hitch–I didn’t have any appropriate clothes to wear.
There wasn’t much else I could do, so at 8:30 am I reached lobby donning my sweaty clothes ready to go, but it seemed everyone had already gone to the jetty area to board the boat going to one of the nearby islands. I went back to my room to do a bit of sulking when shortly thereafter I received a call from the front desk letting me know that my bag had been found and it would be delivered in just a matter of minutes. Apparently, it had made its way to another room and no one turned it in. With the use of closed-circuit cameras, they were able to track my bag and retrieve it.
Lady luck smiled but half-hardheartedly at me, the good news was that I had my luggage and was able to change into a fresh set of clothes. The bad news was that the boat had left without me. The hotel staff heaved a sigh of relief when they found my luggage, but the dejection of not been able to achieve their hallmark gold standard of service was written on their faces. It appeared as if they had just lost a World War. They apologized so many times I started feeling sorry for them. I wasn’t mad at all, and besides, Filipinos are so sweet it’s difficult to be angry with them.
The Resort staff wanted to make up for their oversight at any cost, so they went out of their way to arrange an exclusive tour of their huge 13-hectare property and offered other services to me absolutely free. Sometimes a small loss can mean a BIG gain.
The ever-smiling staff of Shangri La, Mactan Cebu Resort, Philippines
During our travels we visited many breathtaking places in Dumaguete, Siquijor and Cebu, getting pampered at luxury properties and relishing in mouth-watering delicacies, while indulging in adventure cum cultural excursions, but everything was at such a fast pace, that this was now my moment to take a pause and enjoy the moment within the stunning sanctuary of Shangri La.
The stunning marine sanctuary of Shangri La, Mactan Cebu Resort
The stunning marine life of Shangri La Marine sanctuary, Cebu
First things first. Pahle pet puja phir kaam duja (first eat then do anything else). First on the agenda was to relish the sumptuous breakfast buffet at Tides, the resort’s all day-dining outlet. It had so many varieties of the world cuisines you can eat daily and still not be able to sample everything in a week. It even had poha and aalu puri (an Indian dish that makes me think of home).
With a happy tummy, it was time to get some eye tonic. True to its name Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort was designed on the concept of “structure nestled in nature.” A picturesque island retreat framed by lush palm trees, ivory sand beaches and postcard-perfect waters. Seems like a dream, right? Well, I was living that dream!
The outdoor Spa of Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu Resort
My beautiful guide took me around the property, which had 530 guest rooms and suites, its own private man-made beach cove, 2 outdoor swimming pools, a 6-hole golf course, and its own marine sanctuary covering 6 hectares that holds over 100 species of fish and corals. My guide told me that the property is so huge, that sometimes even she gets lost.
The Snorkeling beach of Shangri La, Mactan, Cebu Resort
I was just about to end my walking tour when my mobile alerted me. The delightful disturbance was from Mike Shubic, publisher of this very blog.
MIKE: “Hey, how’s your island hopping tour going? Did you finally get your luggage?”
Coincidentally, Mike was also confined to the resort because of some last minute flight issue. Funny thing was, neither of us knew that both were left back at the resort. After I informed Mike that I did not make the boat for island hopping, he said in his confident and baritone voice, “Meet me at the beach in 10 minutes, I have a surprise for you.” I had no idea what he was up to, but I made my way to the beach with great enthusiasm.
Both of us are huge adventure seekers, so I was really excited when Mike informed me that we were going to take a jet-ski out for a spin. Believe it or not, I don’t know swim, but since Mike is a great swimmer, I was comfortable to try something crazy and hop on the back of the jet-ski. Yes, I put my life in his hands. Mike talked me into driving and I think he may have regretted it. It was so much fun to go fast!
After a few hours of water sports, hunger pangs were in full swing, so we decided to listen to their calling and went back to the Tides Restaurant for lunch.
I was having such a wonderful day but didn’t know the next thing was going to blow my mind. Mike and I parted ways and I headed to the other side of the resort to CHI, the amazing spa at Shangri La. I must admit, it was one of the best spas I been to in the Philippines. I had a traditional Philippines Hilot massage using warm coconut oil and banana leaves. It was so relaxing that I even dozed off a few times.
The Chi Spa at Shangri La, Mactan, Cebu Resort
The day had finally come to an end and it was time to fly back to Manila with a bagful of memories. At this time I remembered a famous quote from a Bollywood movie, “Kabhie kabhie jeetne ke liye kuchh haarana bhi padata hai aur haar kar jitne wale ko baazigar kahte hain” (Sometimes you have to lose something in order to win, and the one who wins after losing is called a Gambler.)
All I can say is, It’s more fun in the Philippines to lose Luggage!
Full text of the story Seoul – Old School to New Cool published in the March issue of Jet Airways in-flight magazine
Seoul is called Special City for a reason. It is a city of contrasts that has something special for everyone. Fourteenth-century palaces hold their fort against 21st-century skyscrapers, while you can travel between ancient and modern, simply by crossing a street. Han River neatly bisects the old Seoul of palaces, markets, hanoks and government offices from the new Seoul of cloud-piercing high-rises, swanky stores, and avant-garde restaurants. Delivery boys race their motorbikes with Maseratis on the road, while gadget-toting fashionistas combat peddlers for walking space. A city as passionate about protecting its 600-years-old heritage as it is about K-Pop, while one moment you are in downtown the next you are at Bukhansan National Park. You can shop till you drop at ritzy department stores or haggle around at labyrinthine markets while gorging on affordable street food or relishing the cuisine of the kings. It is this diversity which makes Seoul truly special. So if you are visiting Seoul soon make sure you do explore the diversity of this Special City
You never get a second chance to make a great first impression and Seoul gets it right the first time. As I landed at Incheon International Airport, I realised how efficient, hassle-free and delightful airports can be. Within an hour of landing, I was chilling at my hotel in the city centre.
Seoul is hemmed in by mountains and draped by waterways. The best place to see that beauty is from the needlelike N Seoul Tower on Mount Namsan. You can either take a cable car or trek for 45 minutes through the stone stairway. As I walked up to the base, I was greeted by the tens of thousands of ‘love locks’ hung on fences, gates, railings and ‘trees of love’. My local friend Kim told me love is a serious business in Seoul. So serious that couples match their blood groups to ensure a compatible long lasting relationship. So don’t be surprised if someone pops up the blood group question.
But I wasn’t looking for love so I didn’t get swayed by love locks and took the elevator to the observatory deck of N Seoul Tower. Flabbergasted by the staggering immensity of Seoul I was looking at the panoramic view like an excited kid. The Seoul skyline was bejeweled with high rises after high rises and four guardian mountains cradled the city from four sides. The velvety mist was trying to play hide-and-seek with the city. Wherever my eyes could reach I saw the manicured landscape of Seoul.
After getting the bird’s eye view, it was time to experience the illustrious past of Korea. I started turning the history pages from the fourteenth century Changdeokung palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was the home of Korea’s last emperor. Cobblestoned corridors, elegant open courtyards, alluring Secret Garden, soothing ponds, and pagodas infused a dose of tranquility in a frenetic urban city. I wanted to spend more time exploring the colossal Changdeokung palace but being time-poor I had to sacrifice my wish in favour of attending the Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony at the Gyeongbokgung Palace. At 2 pm sharp the royal guards arrived in their colourful flowing robes, carrying traditional weapons and playing traditional musical instruments. The Ceremony gave goosebumps and transported me to the 14th century Joseon Dynasty when this tradition was enacted exactly as I witnessed. It further stoked my interest in the Korean history and I spend some time at the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum of Korea, both housed in the palace itself.
Within walking distance from the palace was Samcheong-dong, where tradition and artistic sensibilities meet. Samcheong-dong is famous for Bukchon Hanok (Korean traditional houses) village. A maze of 900 antique homes with angular roofs, decorative brick walls and heavy wooden doors were weaved together like a beehive. Chic galleries, distinctive cafes and accessory shops were seamlessly integrated into the calm environs of the traditional village.
The prolific heritage tour had drained me so I needed to refuel. And in Seoul, there can’t be a better fuel than K-pop (Korean Popular music) at Gangnam. The flashy section of Seoul, where crème de la crème lives, works and plays. Thanks to PSY’s ‘Gangnam style’, K-Pop became a viral sensation. But K-Pop is much more than one hit number. It is a cultural movement that brought Korea into the limelight. Upbeat tunes, eye-popping fashion, catchy hooks and sing-along lyrics are the secret sauce of K-Pop. Songs are usually complemented with extravagant videos featuring well-groomed K-Pop megastars or “Idols” showing off their flawless high-octane dance moves.
After soaking in the historic and cultural splendour, it was time to go shopping. Seoul is dubbed as the ‘Milan of the East’, where it’s impossible to find a single soul dressed shabbily. Shopping is a favourite pastime of Seoulites and it doesn’t matter where you are in Seoul, there will always be a shopping place next to you. A Mecca for cosmetics, apparels and electronics shopping and there is a market for every pocket – from transitional markets to luxury department stores to street shopping.
I started my shopping spree from Myeongdong, Seoul’s busiest area where tens of thousands of shopaholics indulge in retail therapy at any given time. Hundreds of shops sell international and local labels of cosmetics, apparels, and accessories. Sales executives would coax me to have a look at their store and generously give away free samples. I really needed an iron will to say no to their enticing offers.
If Myeongdong was difficult to resist, the 24 hours market of Namdaemun was ten times more difficult. A Google of Shopping where you can find anything at any time at any price. If you can’t find a product in Namdaemun then it probably doesn’t exist on Earth. Other markets worth visiting are Insadong for art and craft items, Yongsan for electronics and Cheongdamdong for luxury indulgence.
Shopping is complimented by street food culture. I would often take a break from shopping to gorge on the delicious street food. Just like K-Pop, there is nothing subtle about Korean cuisine. It is a carnival of flavours. The must-try dishes are Kimchi (fermented spicy vegetables), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), Patbingsu (shaved ice topped with red bean paste, ice cream, rice cakes and fruits), dakbal (fiery chicken feet), mindeulle muchim (dandelion salad) hotteok (sweet pancake), bindaetteok (mung beach pancake), odeng (fish cake), and assortments of fried food. The barbecue I had at Hongik Sutbul Galbi was one of the best I ever had. My favourite vegetarian meal was the traditional Buddhist temple cuisine at Baru.
After days of sightseeing, shopping and eating it was hard to bid goodbye. Visiting Seoul was truly special. A must stop for anyone who wants to experience modern Asian city life deeply rooted in tradition.
Hope you find this Seoul Travel Guide helpful when planning your next visit to the City Special.
Here’s the link to the Jet Wings story – Seoul – Old School to New Cool
In my last article, I shared the complete Travel Guide on Finland, answering why, when, where and what to explore in the land of thousand lakes and midnight sun. I am sure by now you would have made up your mind to Visit Finland.
Since it is going to be your first visit to Finland, you would be pretty anxious about a lot of things. Don’t worry. Travel See Write is at your service.
Getting a visa for Finland is not difficult. Just apply for a Schengen visa through VFS and within a week you’ll get it. However, get prepared to be quizzed for a long at the immigration. Post-pandemic, due to the huge application backlog and manpower shortage, getting an appointment at the VFS centre has become a big issue. So, apply well in advance before your travel – at least two months prior to your trip.
Buy a local SIM. Preferably a data card that allows unlimited internet and local calls for a limited period. My card was for 7.50 Euros. Wi-Fi in Finland is fast and usually FREE in public spaces
Finland is an Arctic country where temperatures vary from +30 degrees to -30 degrees. Hence pack your bag accordingly.
Heaven for non-vegetarians but not hell for vegetarians. Vegetarian food is readily available. However, if you crave Indian food, visit Samrat, India House, Maharaja and Gandi. Renowned for its berries, you must try Cloudberry. Nov vegetarians must try Reindeer meat and salmon dishes.
90% of the water is potable in Finland, whether filled from a tap or lake; therefore, don’t waste your money buying bottled water. Like other Nordic countries, Alcohol is expensive, but surprisingly expensive wines are not.
Less population and high labour costs have propelled the Finnish service industry into self-service mode; therefore, don’t expect a room service like India. However, restaurant service is like anywhere else.
The easiest way to explore Finland is by its public transport. You can choose between trains, trams, buses, cruises or boats. However, if you like driving along scenic roads then rent a car.
Finns are modest people with a Sahara-dry sense of humour and Finnish Nightmares who give prime importance to personal space. Therefore don’t intimidate them with your over-friendly attitude. Maintain a safe distance while talking/sitting/eating with a Fin.
The first emotion that gets evoked after seeing a Reindeer is to cuddle it but refrain from doing so. As reindeers think of petting is a sign of danger. Also, never ask a Sami how many Reindeers he owns. It’s like asking a guy his salary or a girl her age.
The entire country runs on ‘honesty is the best policy’ system where everyone does what they should do by default. There won’t be anyone checking your tram/train ticket. Be like a Finn and respect the system.
Finns have an umbilical connection with nature, and green sustainable solutions are a way of living, rather than a gimmick to attract visitors. 90% of bottles and cans are recycled in Finland. So don’t ever litter.
Yes, you heard it right. Take a ferry from Helsinki and visit Russia’s cultural capital, St-Petersburg, for 2 days. 72 hours, to be precise. However, due to Russia-Ukraine issue the border between Finland and Russia is closed indefinitely. All public transport has ended. Once the war ends, the visa-free ferry from Finland to Russia and vice-versa may restart. Stay tuned for updates.
Finland is a winter Wonderland where Fins have devised ways to enjoy winters – whether it is going cross-country skiing or snowmobile riding, or Husky Safari. The real fun is outdoors. Just make sure you are dressed well. If you are not into adventure sports, you can choose Baltic cruises that take you from one incredible view after another as you visit Latvia, Russia, Sweden and more amazing destinations
A trip to Finland is incomplete without experiencing the Sauna in the country of its birth. There are more saunas than cars in Finland, so you would always find one everywhere. After a day full of adventure, it’s great fun to enjoy the warmth of a Finnish Sauna. But ensure not to disturb others and be quiet.
Get a taste of Finland’s obsession with libraries. Be ready to get surprised – from Open Air Libraries to libraries with Canine Reading Therapy for kids with reading difficulties.
If you really want to see the Northern Lights at any cost then you can actually ride a plane at one thousand euros for ten minutes that will take you above the clouds and you will definitely sight them.
I am sure that if you are equipped with these practical tips, you will surely have a great trip to Finland.
Do you have anything more to add to this list?
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The above conversation affirms how little we know about Finland, the Nordic wonderland sandwiched between Sweden and Russia. But we are in for a change as Finland celebrated its centenary of independence in 2017 with yearlong celebrations. There can’t be a better time than NOW to visit. Before you take off, let me take you on a virtual Arctic Safari of the Arctic nation, whose resident is the most famous resident of the world – Santa Claus.
Here’s a complete Travel Guide on Finland answering why, when, where and what things to do in Finland :
Finland is often overlooked for its Scandinavian neighbours, and that’s what makes it an ideal destination for discerning travellers. Queues, jams, and crowds are alien words here. The unspoiled vast expanses of the wilderness like no other. Finland might be wild but it is well geared up from all-included-safari style packages to compass-and-map DIY adventures.
When I first looked down from my Finnair plane, I saw an endless carpet of forests snuggled under a white blanket, speckled by picture-perfect lakes as if an artist flicked a blue dipped paintbrush on a white canvas. Finnish dreamscapes are a treasure trove for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts like me. You name it and Finland has it – from having some of Europe’s best hiking trails to adrenaline-pumping activities like cross-country skiing to kayaking to glacier walking to Aurora Borealis hunting to Bear-watching.
Nature in Finland seems to be a fashion aficionado. Four times a year it changes its wardrobe completely– colour, light, temperature, sounds, and smells. Everything changes mystically in a way that happens nowhere else.
Staying at Holiday Club Resorts Finland, I noticed how conscious Finns are about family well-being – from having separate kids beds to special kids cutlery to Angry Birds Park to personal saunas. Kids are the VIPs in Finland.
There is no better place than Finland to expose your kids to the world’s best education system, which draws educationalists from around the world to learn its secrets. There are no private schools in Finland. Even the Prime minister’s children in Finland need to enrol in a public school.
One of the reasons why Finland is still not hot on Indian tourists radar is because of being perceived as expensive. But thanks to Club Mahindra, even that barrier has vanished. Enjoy the 100% pure Finnish escapades at INR rates. (Details at the end of the article)
The country is an ideal destination for all seasons as it has four distinct seasons that transform the white snowscapes to vibrant colourscapes in just a few months. Temperatures vary considerably from -30°C in winter to +30°C in summer. The best time to visit Finland depends on what you’d like to experience:
The Finland you encounter will depend on the season you visit, but whatever the season, the fresh and pure air will detoxify and rejuvenate you. Like a doting dad, Finland will spoil you with choices. You’ll have countless reasons that will make every season the best time to visit Finland
Here’s an infographic on the seasonal activities you can enjoy in Finland:
I am guilty of arriving in Finland without going through its highly impressive resume. No wonder, I was left awestruck with its versatility and contrasts. The design capital meets remote Lapland. Nordic style gurus rub shoulders with Reindeer herding Sami. Midnight sun plays musical chair with a perpetual night. Rock festivals compete with majestic Aurora Borealis. Finland’s menu is anything but bland. However, one trip is not enough to taste the entire multi-course meal. You’ll keep craving for more.
Finland is best relished through slow travel but stopover holiday is second to none. Just choose your region and enjoy your unforgettable Finnish experience. With a “tip to toe” length of over 1000 kilometers, Finland is divided into four main regions:
When I was a kid, my parents gifted me a snow globe from which snowflakes would fall whenever shaken. I would go off to sleep dreaming to wake up in the snow globe. After decades of waiting, Lapland finally happened.
The Narnia like the mysterious region is the country’s northernmost province, home of the one and only Santa Claus, midnight sun in the summer and almost guaranteed Northern Lights every night of the winter.
I was fortunate to experience the remote wilderness of high fells, hoarfrost-clad forests, arctic adventures of cross-country skiing, a reindeer safari, husky safari, snowmobile ride, snow shooing and heart-to-heart conversations with the Sámi, western Europe’s only indigenous people who inhabit the Arctic. There is no shortage of things to do in Finland in winters.
Lakeland is the largest lake district in Europe. The blue labyrinth of lakes, islands, rivers, and canals is so important in Finland’s culture that it became a part of the identity of the Finnish flag. With over 188,000 lakes it is no secret why Finland is called the land of thousand lakes.
Lakeland has more lakes than land, therefore, it’s a crime not to get out. Per Mikko, my local friend,
Seasons are for couch potatoes. Finns love to stay outdoors in every season – paddle up with their families in summers and go ice-skating or ice fishing in winters. Every Finn has a countryside Lake cottage where their weekends and holidays are spend.
I visited Lakeland when it was a solid mass of ice on which I jumped, skated and did ice fishing. Even -10°C didn’t feel cold. I was just happy walking on the Saimaa Lake, one of the largest lakes in Europe.
Finnish coastline is long and the archipelago off it one of the world’s largest. The Finns love to be close to water almost as much as they love trudging deep into boggy forests picking berries and mushrooms.
Like Lakeland, this region too boasts of wooden summer cottages – decked with saunas – gazing out across the Baltic. The area is best explored by bike, foot or sailing boat/kayak. Island hopping with camping is a great way to experience the area, as is staying in small seaside B&B’s and hostels in old wooden towns like Rauma or Hanko. Unfortunately, this was one area that I couldn’t explore. There’s always the next time.
Helsinki might be the younger sibling to the Scandinavian capitals, but it’s the one that went to art school, enjoys Rock music and works in a cutting-edge studio. The vibrant city of Helsinki is where more than 450 years of history and tradition blend seamlessly with contemporary design and trends. There are a lot of things to do in Helsinki.
Just as architecture makes Manhattan, people make Helsinki. Not only the climate but even Finns are cool – although a bit quiet and reserved. If you dig deeper you’ll see they are warm, friendly, hospitable and especially honest people.
Helsinki is best discovered by strolling through the thoroughfares or riding a tram. This pocket-sized city hooked me with its unhurried attitude, gourmet food delights, renowned museums, East-meets-west-design cathedrals, flourishing design, and cultural scenes and self-deprecating sense of humour.
The cozy and compact city is buzzing with life and there’s always something going on in Helsinki every day of the year.
The best way to experience the untouched wilderness and culture of Finland is to become a part of it. Hope this Complete Travel Guide on things to do Finland inspires you to travel to Finland!
Click here to know about extremely useful 15 Practical Tips for Finland Visit.
Mahindra Holidays is India’s largest leisure hospitality player, providing unique and memorable family holidays for over 20 years. The company is fully committed to providing holistic family holidays experience to its ever-growing community of 211,000 members through its wide network of 77 resorts (46 Club Mahindra Resorts in India and abroad, and 31 Holiday Club Resorts in Finland, Sweden, and Spain).
Club Mahindra is committed to providing unique and memorable family Holidays at exotic locations in a pocket-friendly budget. Taking this philosophy forward, the company recently acquired Holiday Club Resorts Oy, Finland, and made an exotic destination affordable for Indian families. With this acquisition, Mahindra Holidays is now the world’s largest vacation ownership company, outside of US.
All Club Mahindra members can now enjoy Finnish Holidays through their membership. For Club Mahindra members the accommodation cost in Finland per day per person is between 28 euros to 90 Euros in low season and between 38 to 130 euros in peak season. For non-members, it costs anywhere between 40 euros to 150 euros in low season and from 60 euros and upwards in peak season.
If you are in Finland, you might like to check out the things to do in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Belarus.
You can leave Japan but Japan hangover never leaves you. It’s been more than three months since I returned from Japan but i still can’t stop raving about it to every stranger or known person I meet. There is some magic in Japan that rubs on you when you visit it. I am often asked which is the best time to visit Japan. My answer – open season is the best time to visit Japan.
But as a first time visitor to Japan, you want to be there at the very best time to make the most of your stay. If you’re booking a tour, you might want to think about the different sights you want to be on the itinerary and when the most appropriate time would be to visit these in particular. The Travelholics like me might argue that you should make the most of any opportunity to visit Japan, but just in case, here are some of the best times to travel to Japan and some of the main things to see and do while you’re out there.
Quite possibly the best time to visit Japan (and the most popular) is the spring. Depending on your location in Japan, spring lasts from mid-March to May. The Sakura (cherry blossom) starts to bloom at in this time, infusing Japan with a real floral beauty that really endears it to the hearts of all who come to see the country.
If you plan to visit Japan in Spring (Sakura Time) don’t forget to read the Complete Travel Guide on where and when to see Cherry Blossoms in Japan
If you’re planning to go on any sort of luxury tour to Japan at this time, you’ll need to book it well in advance, given the popularity of the season, especially during Golden Week. The Japanese really do feel like having fun in Golden Week. A trip to the onsen (hot springs) out in the countryside is a quintessentially Japanese way of celebrating Golden Week. Give it a try!
Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) in Japan. Pic by torne (where’s my lens cap?), used under Creative Commons license 2.0
Autumn, between September and November, is an excellent time to take a tour of Japan if you’re planning a stop in Tokyo (the capital is an essential stop, of course!). The humidity eases off, the autumn colours start come into their own in the Tokyo parks and the sky stays clear and blue.
While you’re there, you should visit the Tokyo National Museum, which includes an array of Buddhist sculptures, ancient pottery, samurai swords as part of the world’s largest collection of Japanese art. If not the museum, take the time to savour the view from the Tokyo Sky Tree. From this 634 metre you can gaze out over the capital and, at peak visibility, see as far Mount Fuji, which is 100 kilometers away. The view at night is even more beautiful.
If want to visit Offbeat Japan make sure you have read the Offbeat Japan – Discovering the Autumn Beauty of Hokkaido.
Best time to visit Japan -Mt. Fuji during Autumn season, Japan
The Japanese enjoy a good festival, so if you like this kind of celebration summer – May to July –is a good time for you, although the weather does get very warm. If you’re on a tour in July that includes Kyoto – another essential stop when visiting Japan –then you’re in for a treat, as you’ll be able to soak up some of the Kyoto Gion Festival.
The festival lasts the whole month of July and is one of the most important events in the Japanese cultural calendar. Mid-July, the procession of the Yamaboko floats takes place over a three-kilometre route down the Shijo, Kawaramachi and Oike streets. You can reserve a seat in front of the city hall to watch the procession, but there’s not really any need, as there are plenty of good places to stand and view the procession.
Image by Christian Kaden, used under Creative Commons license 2.0Follow
Although Japan is a small country but seasonal experiences vary from top to bottom. Your winter experience will vary drastically depending on what part of Japan you are traveling to. You might experience short cold winters with sunny days and occasional snowfall in Tokyo and Osaka. But if you move towards the mountainous parts of Japan – Tohoku and Hokkaido, the winters become long and harsh with lots of snowfall. And large amount of snowfall makes those places perfect for skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and other winter sports. Heavy snowfall doesn’t limit people to stay indoors. The Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido is a world famous festival, which draws just as many tourists as during the warmer months.
Related: 5 best places to visit in Japan in Winters
Sapporo in winters, Japan
Japan boasts cultural splendour and natural beauty by the bucket load, regardless of which season you visit. Whether it’s the summer, the autumn or the spring, you should always make the most of an opportunity to go to Japan. You might even consider going in the winter when Japan’s highlights are even more special. Either way, you’ll have an amazing time.
Have you been to Japan or planning to visit soon? Hope this article would have answered your questions on what is the best time to visit Japan, where to go and what to do. I would love to know your thoughts.
Don’t forget to read the quirky article on Japan, Land of the Rising Toilet Seat
Sometimes city life can take the life out of your life. Since I was looking for a way to break the monotony of the city, I decided to take off on a short trip to Lonavala and Kumarakom. After travelling on one of the many Bangalore to Mumbai flights, a casual drive from the airport took me to the lush green hill station of Lonavala.
While at Lonavala, the Karla and Bhaja Caves left me spellbound with its 2nd Century inscriptions that depict the beliefs and scriptures of Buddhism. The horseshoe arched entrance was the gateway to Chaityagruha or the main hall of the caves. As I made my way past the entrance, I was completely taken aback by the attention to the detail given by the craftsmen in the caves.
The caves simply transcend you in a well preserved but distant past. They have impressive wooden structures that comprise of tables and musical instruments dating back to over 2000 years ago. The Bhaja Caves were part of the early era of Buddhism while the Karla Caves were a mix of Hindu and Buddhist influences.
Karla and Bhaja Caves, Lonavala
I wanted an offbeat adventure on my own and found myself a quiet spot just for ourselves at Phanasrai for the perfect campsite getaway. Surround yourself with unreal greenery, gurgling streams, and mossy woodlands as you put your feet up and enjoy your holiday at your own pace!
The Western hills offer you an unparalleled experience that encompasses you as you become one with nature. One look around and one witness a ton of adventure seekers that foray into flying fox adventure sports and others that get their adrenaline rush from waterfall rappelling.
Kumarakom, Kerela
For an even better experience of the West Coast, you should book your stay at the Kumarakom Lake Resort in Kerala. I didn’t think twice as it is known for its serenity and it’s a place that I had been waiting to experience! After I had acquainted myself with the pleasant and welcoming Kumarakom, I signed up for a relaxing backwater cruise.
Traditionally, these houseboats were used to transport vast amounts of rice through Kerala’s waterways. These houseboats are popular with both domestic and international tourists that love to indulge in a simple and refreshing experience. The backwater runs parallel to the saline waters of the Arabian Sea and are fed by 38 rivers that open into five large lakes. These manmade and natural lakes are pristine and are home to large pockets of wildlife.
I kept an eye out to spot the local wildlife, flora, and fauna that are unique to this area. As we gently glided through these waters, I got busy capturing beautiful photographs of birds like the Kingfishers, Cormorants, Darters, and Terns. These backwaters are commonly knowns as the ‘Venice of the East’ as it they are so well connected with its large network of canals and backwaters.
A short getaway can always be on the cards for anyone and what better way to relax and detox than a solo trip to Lonavala and Kumarakom.
And, if you need more information about Kerala don’t forget to check www.ekeralatourism.net
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