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Ladakh is a bucket list destination for everyone – whether it is doing a road trip in Ladakh or trekking in Ladakh. What fascinates me the most about Ladakh is its culture and people. Often referred to as Mini Tibet it is a place where you can find adventure as well as spirituality in abundance. Most people visit Ladakh to get clicked on its butter-smooth highways, Pangong Tso Lake, Khardung La and Nubra Valley. Not many go beyond the usual tourist spots to explore the rich food, art and culture of Ladakh. Even in travel forums, you’ll see people asking questions about tourist attractions of Ladakh rarely you’ll come across questions such as what is the art and culture of Ladakh, How many cultures are there in Ladakh, what is Ladakh famous for or why is Ladakh rich in cultural heritage?
We always characterize a place with its non-living attractions such as monuments, natural wonders, architecture, weather, transportation or food. But we tend to forget that the soul of a place is defined by its people. After all, it is the people that make a country, not the country that makes the people. The best trips are the trips where you begin your journey by understanding the social fabric of a place through its people and their culture. I recently visited Ladakh – the coldest desert of India – and during my trip, I tried to get into the skin of the place by understanding the life and culture of Ladakh through its people. While I experienced a lot of facts about the lifestyle of Ladakhi people – their food, culture, Oracles, Arts & Crafts and much more. In this article, I am going to stick to the untold stories of the Ladakhis.
The land of high passes blew my mind with its undying generosity of the locals. By far Ladakhis have been the most humble and down to earth people. They will serve you their homemade food, they will take out time to talk to you, they respect the mother nature, even in the remotest area they have 3 kinds of trash bins to recycle and segregate their garbage and last but not the least they always offer a helping hand. I have had some beautiful encounters and conversations with the charming people of Ladakh. Here is my attempt of understanding the Culture of Ladakh by listening to their untold human stories.
I am 78 years old and I am in this Hotel industry since the last 35 years. I am one of the owners of the Grand Dragon Ladakh hotel. We stay right next to the hotel so that we can take care of it. We have built other hotels as well, in Ladakh. We built the Grand Dragon Ladakh 13 years ago. We completed making 30 rooms just in time for Salman Khan, when he came in Ladakh for his movie. I remember Aamir Khan was the first one to come here to shoot for his film “3 idiots”. After that movie, the tourism in Ladakh boosted. She is my granddaughter and she is very mischievous, she doesn’t even stand still for a minute, always fooling around. Here in Ladakh everything is fresh, the air, fruits and vegetables. All our food is organic and we stay healthy because we eat fresh food without any chemicals in it. We do not fall sick much. Even in this old age, I do not need a hand to walk around.
Do you eat meat? I have some mutton momos!
I have been a driver all my life and I am more than 60 years of age. I and my ancestors have always lived in Ladakh. I love driving tourists around, some of them happened to be celebrities too. I am fond of tourists, I like meeting new tourists, interacting with them and knowing about their culture. I remember being the first person to drive a traveller bus on the risky and dangerous passes; I think I am the tallest person in Ladakh with a height of 6 feet and 3 inches. I joke around tourists and keep them entertained; they think I have a good sense of humour (chuckles). Once a tourist, on our way to Changla Pass, asked me that he wanted to have a massage with all the travelling in Leh, I told him that wait for an hour and we will reach the massage place. He got very excited with the thought of having a relaxing massage, but he didn’t know that we were going to drive through the bumpy and not so developed roads of Changla Pass. After the uneven road ended, I asked him how the massage (laughing out loud) was.
Mr. Shaukat Ali was like a fatherly figure throughout our journey in Ladakh. He was the head of the driver’s troop and took care of all the cars travelling with us. He made sure that every tourist got what he demanded for and made sure everyone was in good health. He fed us even before taking a bite himself, hilarious and charming for his age. He had some amazing networking skills, greeted “julley” to everyone he met; knew most of the places and people in Leh. He additionally was familiar with the exact spots for witnessing some breath-taking views.
I am sorry to keep you guys waiting. Please have some dried apricots and walnuts! We were a part of Baltistan, Pakistan until 15 December 1971, but after the war that took place between India and Pakistan in the year of 1971, which lasted for like 13 days, we became a part of India (as India captured Turtuk and other 2-3 small villages) effective 16 December 1971.
We got separated from our family members in Pakistan, some of our relatives and family members are still over there. I do not have a passport, I got married 2 times, have 7 kids and my youngest daughter wants to be an engineer. There was a time somewhere near the war, when the Pakistan army barged into our palace and took control of it. They didn’t leave even after all the requests and pleading. The king then; had to file an appeal in the Lahore court, and after winning the case, the Pakistan army did vacate the place but leaving it in no good condition.
We like it over here; Indian army takes good care of us and our needs.
I am not dressed properly so my pictures will not come good. (After insisting) Ok just one picture. (After clicking the picture) Show me how I look!
I along with my wife started Jigmat Couture in the year 2010 which reminds me that year we will be celebrating 10 years of our venture. Her name is Jigmat too. With the help of local artisans, we created local woollen textile and after being satisfied with the outcome, we decided to start Jigmat couture. Our area of expertise is Luxury and Lifestyle. We use local resources like Cashmere, Yak wool, camel wool, lamb and sheep wool. We additionally cater to customized wear for occasions, be it a bridal outfit or a red carpet one. We have a theme for every floor in our museum; it is a museum of art, craft and culture. Many of the historical items on display are either donated by the locals or occasional celebrities. We organise various workshops for school children and art lovers to develop an interest in textile art. We recently opened a shop that accommodates affordable textile options; so that it can be beneficial for a crowd at large.
I live in a very remote village; we recently bought a house there. I travelled around 90 kilometres today to reach here. (Why did you travel so much?) There is Buddha purnima today and we come to Leh palace every year to celebrate this auspicious day.
I am originally from Kashmir, but I have been working in Ladakh for a very long time now. My family is over there; I save my work leaves and visit my house whenever possible. Sitting near a flowing river, surrounded by abundant greenery, chirping birds and sipping on some tea is my idea of visiting my birthplace Kashmir.
It was pure love and honesty understanding the culture of Ladakh through its people and listening to their untold stories. These conversations are now imprinted in my memory. Wish I could interact more with them, but not getting disappointed as there is always the next time. Whether you visit Ladakh in summers or winters don’t shy away from greeting “julley” to all. The Ladakhis are very sweet people and are always up for a conversation. For them, giving time to their guests is of utmost priority and hence proved, Ladakhi Hospitality is the best. Also, do check out the cultural survival of Ladakh
Nikita Panchal travelled on the behalf of Travel See Write to Leh Ladkh and she was hosted by Grand Dragon Ladkh. Everything expressed above is based on writer’s personal experience in the region. All images used were either shot by her or provided by the hotel. Please don’t use any image or text without written permission.
Leh Ladakh is on every Indian’s bucket list. From the highest motorable road to the sand dunes of Hunder, from the biggest salt lake to the Bactrian camels, from the highest man-made bridge to the last standing village and from the humans of Ladakh to the cute little furry animals, Ladakh has it all. Ladakh gained its fame after the famous Bollywood movie – 3 idiots and the tourism shoot up. So, if you are dreaming about a dream holiday, now is the time to plan a Leh Ladakh one week trip.
For many, it’s a cakewalk to backpack and leave for Ladakh but for others, planning a trip to Ladakh is not so easy after all. Many factors come into the picture, such as low oxygen levels, dry climate, long travelling hours, nausea during travels through the ghats (motion sickness) and Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Some end up cancelling the trip or not getting enough courage to plan for one, whereas some brave hearts look forward to facing such challenges just to admire the beauty of this place.
Well getting to Ladakh is pretty convenient. There are multiple options to get to Leh.
Airways: There are direct flights to Leh from Srinagar, Delhi, Mumbai and Jammu which commute daily. The airport is named as Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport. Being a military base, photography at this airport is strictly not allowed
Roadways: The roads are pretty well connected all over India, so you can easily make a road trip from whichever place you want, to start from. I have known people who have made road trips from Kanyakumari till Leh, so the sky is the limit. Additionally, there are government and private buses which start from Srinagar and Manali. You can choose the vehicle (bike, bus or car) of your choice and get going.
Railways: Railways are a lot of time-consuming and it can take up to 3 days to reach Ladakh from the nearest railway station which is in Tawi and is around 700 km away from Leh. So commuting by train for Leh is not recommended, as by the time you reach there you will be completely exhausted with no energy to explore.
So once you reach Ladakh, you will need a car/ traveller bus to travel around as there are no timely public transports available out there. The car hire charges are on a higher side in Leh due to presence of Ladakh Taxi Union which is operated by Ladakh Taxi Operator Co-operative Ltd. They have fixed rates for all the tourist destinations depending upon the car/bus, and it cannot be negotiated reason being the Ladakh Taxi Union again. You can check out the taxi rates on https://www.Ladakhtaxiunion.com
You can rent a Bike/ Bicycle if you want to feel the thrill of this terrain. Most of the roads in Leh are in good condition all thanks to the BRO (Border Roads Organisation) except for the roads near Changla Pass and Khardungla Pass. So get ready for a bumpy ride out here. Additionally, you will need permits to get around Khardungla Pass, so in case you are taking your own vehicle then do ensure to complete permit formalities beforehand. Carry necessary Vehicle documents as well as personal documents which will provide an accessible transit throughout Leh.
Ideally, summer (April to mid october) is the best time to visit Ladakh as the snow melts over and you get unblocked roads to commute around in Leh. Many people ask me if it is OK to visit Leh in December? Yes, it is absolutely fine. Mid-October to March is the coldest period in Ladakh, many people do visit Ladakh in this period as well, for Chadar Trek or just to experience the magic of snow covered Ladakh. Snow brings in its own charm. However, getting a warm place to stay becomes a task in snow as most of the hotels do not have the luxury of heaters or even running water for 6 months. If you are in for such adventure, then winter is coming.
I am sure; we all have our preferences and choices when it comes to travel any part of the world. Ladakh is suitable for all types of travellers, be it a solo traveller, families, friends, cousins or a trip with the strangers. Ladakhi hospitality will never look away and will help you whenever you are stuck. But I would highly recommend travelling in a group so that the cost is divided (car cost being the highest) and you can end up having a budget trip
Budget is subjective to the mindset and affordability of an individual when it comes to travelling any place. Some people go with the flow, whereas some are calculative at every step. Some people think that it’s ok to shell out any kind of money when you are out and travelling as you are never going to be at the same place again whereas for some if it’s not a necessity, then the money shouldn’t be spent, it is merely wastage.
In short, you can budget the trip in any manner you like, you can go all lavish and stay in a 5-star, or you can just backpack, hitchhike and stay in homestays. The choice is all yours. But for your information, the most significant expense will be car rental. A five star will cost you anything above 10000 rupees a night whereas you can get homestays for as low as 500 rupees a night. Food is reasonably priced. There are many food outlets throughout the way as well as army based wet canteens where you indulge in some piping hot tea and samosas. One meal can cost you anywhere around 100-500 rupees.
Ladakh is a vast union territory and with vastness comes in a lot of confusion while deciding on a place to stay. Nature lovers would want to stay at a place somewhere near nature, whereas people looking out for convenience would love staying near the stations, markets for easy accessibility. Staying near the markets in Ladakh is a win-win, mainly because it is a hub of cafes and restaurants. Who wouldn’t want to have a scrumptious meal, right? You can explore the surroundings until late at night without any fear. Generally if you are staying at a remote location, it gets a little scary with no one around at night), Ladakh market is pretty vibrant with numerous duds and embellishments to grab on, the shop owners keep their outlet open till late in the night, you get stuff at a pretty reasonable rate, and there is something available for every type of a shopper. I am sure I have answered your question of where to shop in Ladakh. There is only one market in Ladakh, and it is easy to find that out.
Different kinds of accommodation are avilable: luxury, mid-range or budget
Picturing Ladakhi food, we end up thinking of momos and thukpa. But the Ladakhi food is more than that. Jolting down some of the yummiest local dishes you can try in Leh. I am sure, by the end of the list, you will feel famished.
Being a cold region, Ladakh gets quite nippy in some specific areas. Make sure you pack some warm jackets, ear muffs to cover your ears from the nasty and frosty winds, hand gloves to avoid it from getting numb in touristy places like Khardungla, Pangong lake and Changla pass. The lake area gets chilly even in the day time. You can also carry your thermals if your body is not suited for frozen temperatures. It is advisable to not roam without your warm clothes in the crispy chill weather as it will make you fall sick. Precaution is anytime and any day better than cure.
Aptly quoted by Helen Keller, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing”. By saying that I am not implying that it is vital to perform some adventure activities when you are travelling to a new place, but it will be useful if you get out of your comfort zone once in a while to make and cherish memories for a lifetime.
You can satiate your adventure soul by venturing in motorbiking, trekking (Stok Kangri), River Rafting (at the confluence of Zanskar), snow leopard trails, mountaineering and then there is this double-humped camel safari in the Nubra Valley as well, but I would not recommend it, as the animals are not taken good care of.
That’s a difficult question considering even a lifetime is not enough for Ladakh. But on a safer side (and, if you are tight on holidays), a Leh Ladakh one week trip is the bare minimum you should plan.
The following Itinerary can be tweaked as per your likings:
Arrive at Leh and rest for the whole day to acclimatize. Kindly do not take AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) lightly, it is real, and it has its causes if proper precautions are not taken. It is suggested to whiff camphor to prevent dizziness as well as intake garlic soup.
By evening if you feeling healthy, you can drive up to Shanti Stupa and snap the sunset. Do wear a light jacket with earmuffs as it gets a little windy in the evening.
Shanti Stupa – It was built as a peace symbol after the Hiroshima attack as the Japanese wanted to send a peace message in the world. Shanti Stupa was built with an equal effort of Indians and Japanese people. It was built in 1991 as a part of Peace Pagoda mission. The Stupa is a beautiful white coloured Tibetan structure overlooking the Leh city.
Drive to Hemis to visit Thiksey Monastery, have a filling and continental lunch at Cafe Cloud 9 with the views of barren mountains. As it is just the second day, have some rest in the afternoon and then leave for Sangam to witness sunset at the confluence of Zanskar and Indus River.
Thiksey Monastery – It is 20 kilometres away from Leh. It a man-made wonder and probably the most picturesque monastery in Leh. It houses 500 monks, and the buildings are made in a hierarchal order.
Sangam – It is around 50 kilometres away from Leh. It is a confluence of River Indus and Zanskar. Different colour river water is quite evident from the confluence viewpoint. There are river rafting activities performed in here, and if lucky you will get to see the azure Sangam
Turtuk – Turtuk is the last standing village which is just 10 km away from POK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir). Turtuk came under the Indian regime in 1971. To be precise, India occupied Turtuk on 16 December 1971. It has around 450 houses with a population of approximately 3000 people. Although their mother tongue is Balti language, but they even know Ladakhi and Hindi. Things to do in Turtuk include exploring Bali villages, apricot orchards, the heritage home museum and meeting with the King of Turtuk (Yabgo Mohammed Khan Kacho)
Khardungla Pass – It is the highest motorable pass in India situated at an altitude of 18379 ft above sea level. It is a gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valley in Ladakh. It also serves as a gateway to the Siachen glacier, all the troop supplies are transported from Khardung la. Spending more than 10 minutes here is not advised as AMS can kick in any moment. If you have breathing issues, kindly carry oxygen cylinders to help you with a constant supply of oxygen.
Diskit Gompa – Largest Monastery in Nubra Valley. It is built in between the mountain ranges, and it’s vividly colourful. You will get a pleasant view of the Shyok river from this hill.
Sand Dunes – By now, you must be wondering that what is it that Ladakh doesn’t have? Sand dunes right in the middle of the brown mountains with cute Bactrian Camels to give you company. They are found only in Nubra valley in India. Single humped camels are found in hot desserts whereas double-humped are found in high altitude and cold regions. It is believed that some Bactrian camels were left behind following the closure of the Silk route and hence we can have banter with these cuties. When we visited sand dunes, there was a crazy line of tourist waiting in queues to take a ride on this camel. The camels were always on toes without any rest. I would request you to avoid taking a ride on these camels and be a responsible tourist.
Pangong Tso – It is approximately 130 kilometres in length, and the water changes its colour depending upon the sunlight. One-third of the lake is in India whereas the remaining two-third is in China. It is the highest saltwater lake in India. It gets nippy near the lake so dress accordingly. Please do not go inside the lake and spoil the water. It takes in a lot of effort to maintain nature’s beauty, but somehow many people take it for granted and ruin its charm. They have a metal board fitted right at the start of the lake clearly laying down the rule of not going inside the water, and I could still see many people taking a dip in it.
Enjoy your last day at leisure, explore the markets, buy some souvenirs for your friends and family and return back with happy memories
Hope you find this leh ladakh one week trip article useful. Have you been to Ladakh? If yes, please share your experience in the comments section. below.
Nikita Panchal travelled on the behalf of Travel See Write to Leh Ladkh and she was hosted by Grand Dragon Ladkh. Everything expressed above is based on writer’s personal experience in the region. All images used were either shot by her or provided by the hotel. Please don’t use any image or text without written permission.
Ladakh, the first thing that comes to mind is mountains or naked mountains as termed by the locals since there is no vegetation in the cold desert. Wherever you look, you see barren and untamed landscapes. If you’ll ask Indians what is there dream holiday destination, most likely their answer would be Ladakh. Thanks to films like 3 Idiots, Jab Tak Hai Jaan and many more, Leh Ladakh is the quintessential destination for motorbike trips, jeep safari or even a trek. Thinking about a luxury stay in Leh Ladakh seems like a farfetched dream, but the Grand Dragon Ladakh made luxury possible. I have been to Ladakh a couple of times and have stayed at all sorts of accommodation be it guest houses, tents or budget hotels, but the Grand Dragon Ladakh exceeded my expectations with its impeccable service, luxurious rooms, unbiased views of the landscapes and scrumptious meals. The Ladakhi Hospitality goes beyond its limits to make you feel warm and comfortable in a strange land.
It was started by the ABDU family and is still managed by them. Built in 2007 it was the first ever luxury hotel in Ladakh. The best part about thsi hotel that makes it so unique is it maintaining the Ladakhi tradition and culture alive in every corner of the hotel. The beautiful paintings on the walls of the hotel are a work of Mr. Ghulam Mustafa.
The Grand Dragon Ladakh is centrally located in the old city of Leh. Leh is the largest city and it populates approximately 3 Lakhs humans. This hotel is at a height of 11562 ft . It holds a significant place to the people of ladakh as The Grand Dragon Ladakh was the first ever Luxury Hotel built in Leh. You can never miss a flight as you are just 4.5 kms away from the Leh Airport if you stay at The Grand Dragon. It is just half an hour drive away from touristy points like Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Hemis Monastery and Thiksey Monastery. It is walking distance away from the market, where you can easily spend the day browsing the architectural and artistic crafts. Leh market is a hub of all the things you need, which is quite impressive because it is located at such an altitude and is remotely connected to the rest of India.
Zasgyath (The Coffee Shop)
Zasgyath is a huge Dining area on the ground floor of The Grand Dragon Ladakh. It has indoor as well as outdoor seating. The dining area provides majestic views of the snow clad mountains. You can sip on a coffee or grab a bite overlooking the beautiful view. The Dining area is huge and can accommodate huge groups of people. The tables are impressively arranged with a range of cutlery, in line glasses and table cloth. Attention to every detail is given. Zasgyath is a multi-cuisine restaurant and the buffet displays a variety of cuisines from around the world such as continental, Tibetan, Ladakhi, Chinese and North Indian. Servers are well trained and attentive, and they always greet you with a big smile no matter what.
Tusrabs (Oriental Cuisine)
Tusrabs is a cute restaurant overlooking the garden area. With its wooden chairs and tables, it lays out a beautiful seating. It serves flavours of authentic Ladhaki, Tibetan and Chinese Cuisine.
Solja (In House Bakery)
If you are craving some freshly baked bread or pastries, you can head over to Solja to satiate your cravings. Enjoy some tarts, truffles and cheesy savouries pairing it with your favourite beverage.
Ladakh has everything to offer for all sorts of travel enthusiasts. Be it adventure sports, cultural heritage or even ladakhi tradition. Book the Grand Dragon Ladakh and forget about your itinerary woes. Yes, you heard it right. They customize your Leh itineraries as per your likes, interests and also as per your suitable schedule. Be it 5 days or a 2 week plan, they have it all covered. They take care of everything starting from your stay, car booking, sightseeing till your food. My stay at the Grand Dragon was a smooth ride. They had everything planned pretty systematically for me and trust me, it was unlike those tour packages which do not even give you a breathing space. For long duration rides, enough food and beverages accompanied us, giving us no reasons to complain. The planning is so good that you need not have to worry about the timings, the halts to be taken or the places to be eaten at.
Let’s talk about some facts about the Grand Dragon Ladakh Rooms. They have in total 76 spacious rooms:
These rooms display art and culture of Ladakh. The rooms are extremely spacious accompanied with a cupboard, writing desk and a chair as well as a medium sized sofa with a small dining table. The flooring is that of the teak wood and hard wooden furniture has carving details inspired from that of the monasteries. A lot of thought and detailing has been put behind designing these rooms. All amenities in the rooms are ammonia free and nontoxic. In addition to central air conditioning, they have installed fresh air systems with humidifiers that infuse fresh air and moisture in the rooms. It helps guests with the low oxygen levels and dry climate. Every toiletry has been placed thoughtfully; I mean they had put a lip balm in it, how impressive is that! No one thinks of a small thing like a lip balm, but grand dragon thought of it and it helped me throughout my Leh trip.
Ladakhi hospitality is the best. As soon as we entered the hotel, we were greeted by a lady dressed in Ladakhi traditional dress and she presented us with a white scarf known as Khata or Khatag. It is a traditional scarf used in Tibetan Buddhism. It symbolizes purity and is presented at occasions like births, weddings, funerals and arrival or departure of guests. After we were seated comfortably, we were given camphor which helps in reducing the dizziness caused by AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) followed by a beverage of our choice. The hospitality followed us back in the room with a bowl of garlic soup which again helps in the acclimatization process. We rested the whole day with an availability of 24 hour room service.
Talking more about service, the service was always prompt, you name it and you have it. During my stay, I felt a little sick and a doctor on call came in immediately to check up on me. I was provided with necessary medication by the Reception desk and plenty of water to drink. Every staff member will greet you, no matter what time of the day or night it is. They made sure that our needs were catered to. The Staff is really humble and down to earth, always ready to help.
You can either book The Grand Dragon via their website or through a third party vendor like MakemyTrip, Tripadvisor or Booking.com
There are daily flights to Leh from Srinagar, Delhi, Mumbai and Jammu. Once you get down at the airport, the hotel is just 4.5 kms away. It will hardly take you 7-8 minutes to reach the venue. Google Maps will guide you here!
Nikita Panchal travelled on the behalf of Travel See Write to Leh Ladkh on the invitation of Grand Dragon Ladkh. Everything expressed above is based on writer’s personal experience she had in the region. All images used were either shot by her or provided by the hotel. Please don’t use any image or text without written permission.
For centuries, the Danube, the second-largest river in Europe, has both divided and unified Europe. The river has acted as a natural border between countries and empires. The numerous fortresses on its banks testify to its turbulent history, but today, this mighty river connects people rather than divides them. While the Danube flows through ten countries, it exhibits its amoebic personality in Serbia – widest (5.5km), narrowest (150m) and deepest (93m). The legend-shrouded eastern region of Serbia is largely off the grid and unknown to most tourists; however, the entire section of the Danube in Serbia is navigable and is a great way to explore the historical, archaeological, gastronomic and cultural side of the region.
Exploring the Danube in Serbia is like visiting an open-air museum – ancient fortresses, prehistoric archaeological ruins, timeless cities, spectacular national parks, mega hydropower plants, ancestral wine cellars and arresting natural formations bejewel the meandering river. This scintillating scenery is best admired from the water. Adventure spots that dot the river provide an additional incentive to thrill-seekers.
To understand the river closely and deeply, I went on a three-day excursion from Belgrade to Kladovo and back. One day was reserved on the cruise, and the other two were road trips along the River Danube. During the whole trip, I discovered attractions ranging from the sacred to the subterraneous.
At 7:30 am, I boarded the Aquastar Maxim Cruiser from Belgrade. As I crossed the Belgrade Fortress, Smederevo appeared, where the Morava and Danube rivers meet, creating the widest point of the Danube (5.5 km).
Shedding more light on the historical relevance of the place, my travel guide Sara Damnjanović Stanišić said,
Owing to its strategic location, Smederevo was chosen as a site for building a medieval military Fortress in the 15th century to protect the Hungarian empire from Ottoman attacks. The Smederevo Fortress aka Ram fortress was built on a steep slope surrounded by water on three sides and was defended by 25 towers. For a brief period, it even became the capital of the erstwhile Hungarian Empire when Belgrade fell into the hands of Turks.
Our cruise passed through the 15th-century gigantic Golubac Fortress, where we entered the Djerdap National Park, also known as the Iron Gate. It is the longest (100 Km) and the deepest gorge (93m) in Europe and was almost unnavigable till the construction of two dams in 1971.
The Iron Gates hydroelectric project was a joint project of then Communist Romania on the north bank and Communist Yugoslavia on the south. It was both a remarkable feat of engineering and a tragedy for local inhabitants. As the water level rose to 100ft higher, the adjoining villages, all the buildings on the legendary Turkish fortress island of Ada Kaleh and many undiscovered archaeological sites sank beneath the waters forever. The town of Orsova, once a key port for the passenger steamships, was also destroyed by the new lake.
As we sailed closer to Koldova, we crossed an area peppered with monasteries, a 55m high and 25m wide rock sculpture of the Dacian King, Decebalus and Tabula Traiana where the Roman Emperor Trajan left a permanent imprint on the rock. After a 9.5-hour cruise, we arrived at Tekija from where a short bus transfer took us to Kladovo.
Driving from Kladovo, we reached the remote village of Vratna where we saw three gigantic stone arches known as the Vratna Gates. An uphill well-marked trail from the serene 14th century Vratna Monastery through the forest led us to the giant Gates. These gates were moulded by erosion in the Vratna river canyon and are the highest nature made stone bridges in Europe.
The next stop was a delight for oenophiles like me. The Negotin region in the Danube’s hinterland has been making wine since the 3rd century. As I walked through the atmospheric streets of Rajac village I saw 18th- and 19th-century wine cellars made of stone and partially buried into the ground. While walking through the ground I noticed that none of the over 20 stone houses had windows and didn’t show signs of permanent habitats.
Upon enquiring, Sara replied,
Nobody stays in these windowless houses. They existed since the 18th century to make, store, and relish the delicious wine the region is famous for. The villagers visit during the day to work and retreat to their homes at night.
After the village tour, unlimited wines and scrumptious local Serbian lunch was served at a Kafana (traditional restaurant in a tavern). The experience was further enhanced by an accordion-playing musician. Reluctantly we bid goodbye to our friendly hosts to return to Kladovo.
On the last day of the tour, we drove along the Danube to arrive at the archaeological site of Lepenski Vir, located on the right bank of the Danube in the Djerdap gorge near the town of Donji Milanovac. The local guide with a lot of enthusiasm explained that Lepenski Vir is one of the largest and most significant prehistoric archaeological sites in the world from the Stone Age. The culture of Lepenski Vir is considered around 8,5 millennia old and is a cradle of archaeological discoveries that have changed our knowledge about the early Stone Age in Europe.
After Lepenski Vir, we visited the ethno eco-complex called ‘Captain Misa’s Hill’. Here, not only breath-taking views of the Danube and home-made traditional Vlach cuisine lunch welcomed us but also a world-famous sculptor, Zika. When I was talking to him, my eyes froze on his bare feet. Noticing my inquisitiveness, he revealed his secret.
For the last two and a half decades I remain bare feet from Spring to Autumn because I get positive energy from the ground.
He was really happy to see an Indian tourist and shared his most cherished memory of hosting Indira Gandhi, who visited Serbia when Yugoslavian president Tito was in power.
As I roamed around the property, I couldn’t help but get awed by the 400 pieces of wooden sculptures carved by the owner himself, who was self-taught in the profession. Close by, an art gallery and vintage wine gallery enticed me. Although the wines were not on sale, you could buy any piece of artwork. Beautiful pathways lined with flower beds, fruit-laden trees and mini-open chalets led the visitors to the glorious views of the Danube river.
After spending a good few hours, we left for the last stop of the trip, Viminacium. One of the most important Roman towns and military encampments from 1st to the 6th century where excavations are happening till date.
As golden hour embraced Belgrade, my trip came to an end with a promise to return soon.
The biggest music festivals in Serbia are also held on the Danube.
In the first half of July, one of the biggest European music festivals – EXIT festival, is held in a beautiful abandoned fortress – the Petrovaradin fortress in Novi Sad. Here more than 1000 artists perform on over forty different stages.
Founded in 2000, it started as a student movement, fighting for democracy and freedom in Serbia and the Balkans. Since then it has twice won the Best Major Festival award at the European Festivals Awards, for 2013 and 2017. Freedom and social responsibility is still a key aspect of the festival activities.
In 2019, Novak Djokovic Foundation and Exit Foundation jointly organised a new nation-wide charity campaign called “To give every child an equal chance, Build preschools with us!”
Another festival worth attending is the Belgrade Beer Fest that is held on the confluence of the Sava and the Danube rivers, in the second half of July. Here good times are guaranteed with a cold beer and the good music of regional and domestic bands.
Interested to know more about Serbia? check out the following articles:
Serbia is the only European country to offer Visa-free entry to Indians. Indians can enter, transit through and stay in Serbia without a visa, during a period not exceeding 30 days from the date of entry, within a period of one year.
You can get to Serbia by flights, trains, buses, cars or ships.
By flight: Along with the national carrier ‘Air Serbia’ many international airlines have regular flights to Nikola Tesla Airport near Belgrade from around the world.
By bus: The regular bus routes connect Belgrade with all the regions of Serbia. There are also many international buses which go to neighbouring countries and most European countries. Buses are generally more expensive than trains but are more frequent and faster.
By train: The wide network of railroads connects Belgrade with all parts of Europe, and many parts of Serbia with day and night trains. I used Eurail’s night train to travel from Croatia to Serbia and then onwards to Bulgaria. However, I don’t recommend taking a night train if you are travelling alone. Destinations accessible by rail include Belgrade, Nis, Novi Sad and Subotica. Serbian Intercity trains can be crowded, especially during holidays, and sometimes reservations don’t help much. Services are often overbooked, unreliable and unsafe.
By car: It is the best way to explore Serbia.
By Ship: Many European companies organize cruises on the Danube to Belgrade.
Local transport: Buses are the most popular and practical means of getting around. Trams and trolleybuses are good too. Trains are cheaper but slower. Taxis could easily be found.
The currency is the Serbian Dinar, which is worth about 100 per Euro
Three days / two nights – by boat and bus costs 175 Euros per person. Tour price does not include drinks on the boat, optional excursions on the 2nd day and other individual expenses. For more information check Aquastar Maxim or Serbia Travel
The abridged version of this story was published in the Asian Age on 7 July 2019. https://www.asianage.com/age-on-sunday/060719/down-the-danube.html
I was invited by Serbia Travel. However, all the views expressed above are based on my personal experiences in the country during my visit. Images used are shot by me. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
If you have been following my blog, you would have noticed that I have shared tons of information on how to have a perfect holiday in Hong Kong. So far I have shared Discovering offbeat Hong Kong in 4 days, Hong Kong Travel tips for first-time travellers, flying economy class from Delhi to Hong Kong and what to do Hong Kong in 4 days. Here is the fifth instalment of my ongoing Series – ideal Hong Kong itinerary. If you have made up your mind to visit the city but grappling with any of these questions – “how many days do you need in Hong Kong”, “where can I visit in Hong Kong 2019”, “where should I go for 3 days in Hong Kong” and “what can you do in Hong Kong cheap”; read this post. Here you’ll get the right information for you to make your ideal Hong Kong itinerary – whether you have time from 12 hours layover or 2-5 days.
Ideal to explore the local food, markets and key attractions like the peak and iconic Hong Kong skyline. Save the below-given infographic to make the most of your hong kong 12-hour layover.
Arrive in Hong Kong and walk around Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon Park after hotel check-in and for lunch head to Tim Ho Wan, the world’s cheapest Michelin starred restaurant famous for Chinese dim sums. Post lunch, take MTR to Central to explore one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in Hong Kong, Old Town Central. The area is bursting with creativity on every street corner.
Whatever be your taste in art and culture, it will be satiated here – from experimental stage performances held inside a repurposed depot, to world-class art exhibitions and edgy graffiti that graces the walls of small alleys. Do check out PMQ (a designer hotspot), Fringe Club, 21A Lyndhurst Terrace, 42 Staunton Street, 82 Hollywood Road, 45-53 Graham Street, 46 Graham Street / 48 Hollywood Road, Shingo Art, Madera Hollywood Hotel, Tank Lane.
After getting your fill of Hong Kong’s Art and Culture, walk to the Peak Tram for a round trip. Explore Victoria Peak and wait for the sunset. At the side of the Peak attraction is a walking trail, follow the directions and click pictures from here rather than the usual touristic side of The Peak which is the sky terrace.
For more details, check Hong Kong Peak Circle Walk. Around 6 pm head downwards via tram. Walk to Central Station and take an MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui Station to explore Avenue of Stars and watch the Symphony of Lights at 8 pm. While returning stop at the 1881 Heritage building before retreating to your hotel.
Start early and take an MTR to Tung Chung Station. From there, take the Cable car to Ngong Ping. See Tian Tan Buddha and have lunch at Po Lin Monastery. Return to Tung Chung via a Cable car before heading to the Airport to fly out.
Venture out towards Sai Ying Pun’s ARTLANE, where local and international artists have turned the walls of the building into a kaleidoscopic canvas.
Head to Grassroots pantry for a vegan lunch at 108 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan. Post lunch, head to nearby Man Mo Temple to pay tribute to the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo).
Stroll through the local market where you’ll see many traditional stores selling various Chinese herbs, dried goods and other wares. Art galleries are plentiful and boutique cafés are tucked away in every side street in the sub-district known as “PoHo.” Fashionistas would love browsing through vintage clothing and handmade leather goods stores.
Reserve your evening for strolling along the Temple street – Hong Kong’s busiest and liveliest night market
Explore Hong Kong’s long coastline with many idyllic beaches and well sheltered mountains nearby. Keep your day reserved to explore Hong Kong Island’s south coast – Repulse Bay. Shop to your heart’s content at the Stanley market. Don’t forget to visit the Murray House, and Blake Pier. From south coast make way to visit the eastern side of Hong Kong.
If you are a fan of the movie, ‘Transformers’ head to Quarry Bay to get your perfect Instagram shot in front of the ‘Monster Building’. This hulking behemoth is actually five interconnected towers built in the 1960s.
Explore Quarry Bay’s old dockyards, where you can find good restaurants, the ArtisTree cultural venue and pleasant outdoor spaces. If you are a seafood lover, check the terminus in Shau Kei Wan, a historic fishing village that remains home to one of Hong Kong’s best seafood markets.
or
Explore the Islands District (Lamma, Lantau, Cheung Chau and Po Toi islands) of Hong Kong. Take a ferry from Victoria Harbour’s Central Star Ferry Pier and explore the laidback island life. For more details check or Discovering Offbeat Hong Kong in 4 days or Hongkong’s Island District.
Or
Visit the Disneyland Hong Kong and shop at Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Sui
Escape the urban hustle and explore the great outdoors of Hong Kong. Visit Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, High Island Reservoir and Sai Wan Beach. If you love hiking, get your hiking boots on and hike the MacLehose Trail, or the Dragon’s back trail or Shek Pik Country Trail.
Or
Take a Ferry from Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal to Macau. Explore the Venetian, City of Dreams, Senado Square & St. Paul Ruins, Sintra Hotel and the Parisian before boarding a ferry to Kowloon from Taipa Ferry Terminal.
Start early and take an MTR to Tung Chung Station. For a hassle-free check-in and a relaxed day of exploration, try the in-town check-in facilities that Cathay Pacific provides at either Hong Kong or Kowloon Airport Express/MTR stations. After check-in, take the Cable car to Ngong Ping. See Tian Tan Buddha and have lunch at Po Lin Monastery.
Return to Tung Chung via a Cable car before heading to the Airport to fly out. And, if you are flying first class or business class, try and reach Hong Kong Airport early so that you can enjoy Cathay Pacific’s signature Airport Lounge experience.
Hope these DIY itineraries help you plan your perfect travel itinerary for Hong Kong for 3 days or fewer or more. So, where should you start? Well, of course, by booking a trip to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific.
For more details on which airline to fly, where to go, what to see, best time to visit, best places to stay and ideal Hong Kong Itineraries for 1-5 days, check out the following articles:
Cathay Pacific hosted me. However, everything expressed above is based on my personal experience. Images used are shot by me or provided by the airlines. Please copy nothing without written permission.
In my previous article, I shared 12 Hong Kong Travel Tips for the first time visitors who have no idea about the best places to visit in Hong Kong. The Asian financial hub is a world-famous destination that rewards anyone who takes out time to peel away its many layers. Whether you’re seeking glimpses of authentic Hong Kong heritage or shopping for the latest street fashions, hungry for some Michelin-starred feasting, lusting for unforgettable nightlife or eager to trek across mountains to remote coves, there’s plenty to see and do in Hong Kong in 4 days. No other city in Asia offers such an amazingly varied array of the top attractions as Hong Kong does. If you are not sure what to do in Hong Kong in 4 days, these 15 fun things to do in Hong Kong should be on your list:
This waterside Walk of Fame is the most Instagrammed spot in the city. A favourite place to grab a selfie with the skyline of Hong Kong Island as a backdrop. Tip: Going in the evening when the light show happens.
Appreciate the iconic Hong Kong Skyline by strolling along the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, just metres from the Star Ferry Pier. Revisit the Age of Steam under the 44-metres tall red brick and granite tower Clock Tower that was constructed in 1915 as part of the Kowloon–Canton Railway terminus. The once-bustling station is now preserved as a Declared Monument. You can pose next to Bruce Lee’s statue at the Garden of Stars or spend some time at the museums nearby, including the Hong Kong Science Museum. This is one of the best places to visit in Hong Kong at night.
Not too far from the Tsim Sha Tsui lies the 1881 Heritage building. From the 1880s to 1996, this was the headquarters of the Hong Kong Marine Police during the Victorian Era. Several buildings and artefacts of historical interest have been preserved and restored, and the site now features a shopping mall, a heritage hotel, and an exhibition hall.
The oldest neighbourhoods in Hong Kong is a mecca for History, arts, food and culture diggers. The area is bursting with creativity on every street corner -from experimental stage performances held inside a repurposed depot, to world-class art exhibitions and edgy graffiti that graces the walls of small alleys. Must see places are PMQ, Fringe Club, Hollywood Road, Graham Street, Shingo Art, Madera Hollywood Hotel, and Tank Lane.
If you want to see wonderful street art Hong Kong has to offer, venture out towards Sai Ying Pun’s ARTLANE, where local and international artists have turned the walls of the buildings of Ki Ling Lane and Chung Ching Street into a kaleidoscopic canvas.
The best way to enjoy Hong Kong’s harbour views, stunning skylines set against the surrounding waters, is through a DukLing Harbour Cruise, an ancient Chinese fishing vessel complete with wooden decks and classic red sails. While you can take the cruise at several times during the day, the best one is its special Symphony of Lights cruise, which is timed with the nightly show.
Take the Crystal Cabin, a glass-bottomed cable car, to get to Lantau Island while under looking the dense foliage and surrounding waters. You then arrive at Ngong Ping Village, a retro-inspired tourist town with plenty of shopping and dining options. And from there, it’s just a short five-minute walk to Lantau Island’s best sights, including The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery.
The 34-meter-high gargantuan Tian Tan Buddha is one of the symbols of Hong Kong. While visiting it, drop into nearby Po Lin Monastery, to learn about rich histories, stroll through gorgeous gardens and relish a delicious vegetarian meal.
A trip to Hong Kong is incomplete without visiting its highest point – the peak. The sweeping 360-views from the top are stunning. Hop on the century-old Peak Tram from Central’s base or hike up from Hatton Road along the Morning Trail.
Take a trip back to the lives of Tanka fisher-families, coupled with hints of colonial history. The Tanka village houses are built on stilts on the water. Just minutes away is the Tai O Heritage Hotel, a hundred-plus-year-old former police station converted into a retro-styled hotel.
One of the most visited attractions in Hong Kong, Disneyland is favourite among kids and adults alike. From mystical manors to the futuristic Tomorrowland, classic fairy tale rides to Wild West thrills, the park offers something for everyone.
What will you get when you mix history, waterfront, architecture, and shopping together in Hong Kong? You get the momentous town of Stanley, a place where British and Canadian troops made their last stand in 1941 prior to surrendering to Japanese troops in the Battle of Hong Kong. While the battle sirens have long silenced, the place is still abuzz with activity.
Stanley Market is a great place to shop and just next to it, on the waterfront lies the 160-year old Murray House. Since 1846 until 1988 the Murray House stood in the Central business district of Hong Kong. However, the building was dismantled and relocated to its present-day position on the Stanley waterfront in 1998.
Close by is another historic structure, Blake Pier, which was also previously located in Central before being moved in 1965, the Pier is in keeping with the façade of Murray House. Today Murray House forms part of the Stanley Plaza shopping complex with the Maritime Museum located on the ground floor and restaurants on the first and second floor offering superb views.
Next to the Stanley market lies the historic seaside spot surrounded by towering residences. If you find it a bit crowded, walk west to South Bay, a serene little strip with its own bar.
Hong Kong might have grown into a modern global city but the vestiges of its rich past can still be found in its outlying islands, serving as reminders of the city’s roots and the events that have shaped its character and culture. Three must-visit islands are Cheung Chau, Lantau Island, and Lamma Island. You can take a ferry from Central Pier and enjoy the serene seaside island vibe and alfresco seafood dining.
Thanks to the movie, ‘Transformers’, the ‘Monster Building’ in Quarry Bay has become one of the most Instagrammed spots in Hong Kong. This gigantic behemoth is actually five interconnected towers built in the 1960s. Besides the building, you must check out Quarry Bay’s old dockyards, where you can find good restaurants, the ArtisTree cultural venue, and pleasant outdoor spaces. If you are a seafood lover, check the terminus in Shau Kei Wan, a historic fishing village that remains home to one of Hong Kong’s best seafood markets.
I hope this list of 15 must-see attractions gives you an idea on what to do in Hong Kong in 4 days.
So, where should you start? By booking a holiday with Cathay Pacific Airlines.
For more details on which airline to fly, where to go, what to see, the best time to visit, best places to stay and ideal Hong Kong Itineraries for 1-5 days, check out the following articles:
I was hosted by Cathay Pacific . However, everything expressed above is based on my personal experience. Images used are either shot by me or provided by the airlines. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
“I have an upcoming trip and I really need your Hong Kong Travel Tips”
“Is Hong Kong good for family holiday”
“For the upcoming long weekend, I am thinking to do a quick international trip. Confused between Dubai and Hong Kong. What is there to see and do in Hong Kong”
“I am planning to go on a quick international holiday, could you suggest a Hong Kong Itinerary for 3-4 Days”
“What is the best place to stay in Hong Kong”
“When is the best time to visit Hong Kong”
“Out of all the months, when is the cheapest time to travel to Hong Kong”
“There are so many things to do and see in Hong Kong. I am so confused. What are the absolute must-see places”?
These are some of the questions I am often asked whenever anyone is traveling to Hong Kong for the first time. So, instead of answering each one of them individually, I decided to write a post for everyone’s benefit. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
For a short trip to Hong Kong, Indian nationals don’t need a visa. You are allowed a 14-day visa-free entry to Hong Kong after successfully completing Pre-arrival Registration (PAR) online. The application process for PAR is easy, convenient and doesn’t cost a penny. During the period of validity of the registration (six months), you may visit Hong Kong multiple times, each for a stay of 14 days, by presenting the printout of the PAR notification slip and your Indian passport. For more details of PAR, please click here. If your PAR application is not successful, or if you intend to visit Hong Kong for more than 14 days, you may apply for a visa with the Hong Kong Immigration Department directly.
Hong Kong is a season proof place. Ideal to visit any time of the year. Weather is mostly pleasant through. The average temperature is perfect for exploration – 17°C–26°C in Spring (Mar-May), 26°C–31°C in Summer (Jun–Aug), 19°C–28°C in Autumn (Sep–Nov) and 12°C–20°C in Winter (Dec–Feb). I had visited the city twice – March (Spring) and September (Autumn) and both the times I had a great time.
Spring is a perfect time to explore the city’s cultural life, particularly the art scene. It’s Hong Kong Arts Month and for the entire month of March, the city welcomes visors to participate in the plethora of arts and cultural events around town, including the internationally renowned Art Basel Hong Kong and Art Central. The four-decade-old ‘Hong Kong Arts Festival’ features opera, theatre, music, dance and more. You can pick and choose from 166 performances and over 300 exciting arrays of outreach activities by over 1,700 artists from around the world till 29 March 2019. ⠀
And, it’s not just Spring that is the best time to visit the city, you can plan any time of the year and you won’t be disappointed. Here are the monthly highlights:
Like its own unique culture and identity, Hong Kong has its own currency too – the Hong Kong dollar, which is pegged at HK$7.8 to US$1. You can easily get currency exchanged at Currency exchange counters available at the airport, as well as all over the city. International credit and debit cards are widely accepted. You can also withdraw money from most ATMs.
Connectivity is not an issue at all in this global city. Prepaid SIM cards can be bought cheaply from any convenience store. I picked up a Discover Hong Kong Tourist SIM Card, special 5-day or 8-day passes loaded with minutes and data. If you’d prefer to stay mostly unplugged during your excursions and catch up in the evening, free Wi-Fi is available.
All major airlines have regular flights to Hong Kong. I flew with Cathay Pacific and had a very comfortable experience. Currently, Cathay Pacific Airways and Cathay Dragon operate 48 flights a week from India, with double-daily services from Delhi to Hong Kong and ten flights a week from Mumbai to Hong Kong, a daily flight from Chennai and four weekly flights from Hyderabad. Cathay Dragon operates daily flights from Bengaluru and six weekly flights from Kolkata.
And, please keep an eye on offers the airlines come out with like I got a discount of Rs. 300 on their UberPremier ride during Woman’s day to and from the airport. Right now, they even have an ongoing offer wherein if you are travelling before July, you get discounts on a range of popular attractions and more. And, please retain your boarding pass to get discounts at many restaurants where you can get up to 20 % discount on food and beverages. You can read my full Cathay Pacific Airlines review here.
The Airport Express is the quickest way to get into the city, a 24-minute train journey that makes stops in Tsing Yi, Tsim Sha Tsui and Central. There are also buses that cover all major districts of the city. However, they take more time compared to the Airport Express. I took Bus A21 from the airport to reach my hotel in the Tsim Sha Tsui district. While it took approx. 1hr 15 minutes, I didn’t have to change over. On top of that, it’s the cheapest option. For all seven ways to reach the centre, check https://www.rome2rio.com
The best way to get around Hong Kong is by using an Octopus Card, even if you’re visiting for a couple of days. You to travel cash-free on all major transport systems, and can also be used at convenience stores and some shops. It costs HK$150 at any MTR station (HK$100 value, plus HK$50 deposit refunded on return), and can be topped up easily. Here are different modes of transport to explore Hong Kong:
MTR: Hong Kong’s subway system covers nearly every part of the city. You can either buy tickets at cash machines or use your Octopus Card. Tip: Be sure to check the signs to see which exit to take, as walkways can be long.
Bus: Buses operate all across Hong Kong. Double-decker buses are most frequent, minibuses are harder to navigate, green ones have set paths and stops, but red ones follow whatever route is the quickest.
Taxi: Taxis in Hong Kong are cheap and found almost everywhere at any given time. Red taxis run across the city, green ones are for New Territories, and Blue is for Lantau Island. Red taxi metre starts at HK$24, and each piece of luggage carried costs HK$6.
Tram: Street trams travel between the east and west points of Hong Kong Island. The Peak Tram, meanwhile, is really a funicular that scales up to the island’s highest viewing point.
Ferry: Most ferries start from Central Pier, including the Star Ferry to Kowloon, as well as Outlying Island ferries to Cheung Chau, Lamma Island, and Lantau Island. Other piers include Wan Chai, North M Point, Aberdeen, Stanley, Hung Hom, Kowloon City, and Sai Kung.
Cloud-piercing skyscrapers, top-of-the-town panoramas, villages built on stilts, eminent night markets, buzzing art scenes and home-grown theme parks. Hong Kong will spoil you with its variety of attractions. No other city in Asia offers such an amazingly varied array of attractions as Hong Kong.
If you are a first time visitor to the city, make sure you visit the Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, 1881 Heritage, Old town central, DukLing Harbour Cruise, Ngong Ping 360 (the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery), the Peak, Tai O Village, Hong Kong Disneyland, Stanley, Repulse Bay, Outlying Islands of Cheung Chau, Lantau Island and Lamma among others. For more details check out the 15 must-see attractions in Hong Kong.
Shopping is almost a national pastime in Hong Kong, a place where anything can be found if you look hard enough. From designer stores to local markets, Hong Kong is a shopping haven. For thrift shopping, I prefer the CAT market, Ladies market, Li Yuen East and West Streets, Temple Street and Stanley market. Sift through Cat Street’s antiques by day, and then cross the harbour to its nocturnal counterpart in Temple Street.
Browse hipster stores in Wan Chai, and then make your way through Causeway Bay’s frantic mini-malls. Hunt for hidden finds in piled-up vintage stores, and then get fitted for a classic suit at a refined tailor. Whatever you desire, it’s here.
Hong Kong might have one of the best skylines in the world but it has an equally outdoorsy side too. Escape the urban hustle and take a walk on Hong Kong’s wild side. Whether you prefer paragliding over rural hills or reclining on a pristine beach, hiking over mountains for spellbinding views or taking in the thrills of a major sporting event, there’s something for everyone. Some of the places I highly recommend are Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, Sai Wan Beach, MacLehose Trail, High Island Reservoir, Dragon’s back trail, and Shek Pik Country Trail
Hong Kong is the ultimate place for foodies, with some of the world’s very best restaurants. Here the variety is mindboggling – from cheap eats and street food to high-end Michelin-starred eateries. But what makes Hong Kong’s dining scene truly unique is undoubtedly its local dishes.
As you’ll bite into Hong Kong flavours you’ll realise like its DNA, its dishes also capture Hong Kong’s east-meets-west heritage in the most delicious of ways. From traditional Cantonese dim sum to beverages influenced by British culture, there’s a lot to surprise your taste buds. For one of the world’s most affordable Michelin star and Michelin recommended restaurants check out Tim Ho Wan at Tsim Sui Po.
For an authentic taste of Hong Kong food culture, check out wonton noodles at Mak’s Noodles, egg tarts at Tai Cheong Bakery, seafood in Sai Kung, and barbecued meats at Joy Hing.
Hong Kong is not just about meat, here are some of the must-try vegetarian and vegan restaurants:
Grassroots Pantry: A haven for veggies and vegans that serves nutrient-rich food made using the freshest, most nutrient-rich, organic and locally sourced sustainable ingredients, but with a creative spin. Highlights of the menu include the pan-fried gyoza, macadamia cheese, beetroot agnolotti, and the braised jackfruit and konnyaku clay pot rice. One big advantage Cathay Pacific passengers have over others is that you can get a straight 15% discount on the food bill by just showing your boarding pass. So, don’t throw that boarding pass away once you land in Hong Kong.
Bodhisattva, Mong Kok: I was staying nearby so this happened to be one of my first HK vegetarian restaurants, thanks to a quick search on HappyCow. With a seating capacity of 100, this restaurant was pretty packed at lunch hour. The menu was in Chinese but had pictures. The restaurant serves vegetarian Chinese food based around mock meats and is mostly vegan as dairy is rarely used. They have one of the best dim sums in Kowloon. The only weak point is their staff’s limited English vocabulary.
Gingko House: Eating can feed a lot of mouths, especially the ones who have fed others their whole life. Established in 2006, Gingko House provides employment to elderly people, while also promoting vegetarian food. All the waiting staff and the chef are elderly folks, and sometimes they even put on live performances by senior citizens.
Isoya: Love Japanese but struggle for vegetarian options on the menu? No worries. Wan Chai-based Isoya serves up vegetarian versions of beloved Japanese classics. Dishes are delicate, delicious and immaculately presented.
Mana, Central: This popular café, with locations in Poho in Sheung Wan and Central, specialises in healthy, organic and vegetarian fare.
Kind Kitchen: Based in Nan Fung Place, Central, it is a completely vegan café that serves both Asian and Western fare.
Veda: Located in Ovolo Central, Veda is the first hotel restaurant in Hong Kong to serve only vegetarian cuisine.
Chi Lin Vegetarian: Nestled in the renowned temple at Chi Lin Monastery, this restaurant is visited by pilgrims and visitors alike. The vegetarian meal here is a must.
Tulsi Indian Restaurant: Named after a holy herb, Michelin-starred restaurant Tulsi boasts a delectable selection of authentic Indian cuisine.
Pure Veggie House, Mid-Levels: Pure Veggie House does not use any food additives or dairy products in any of its food, and all dishes are prepared with organic produce freshly harvested from a local farm.
Kung Tak Lam Shanghai Vegetarian Cuisine: This Northern Chinese veggie joint’s dishes are completely MSG (Monosodium glutamate) free, with a heavy reliance on mock meats
Tishifang Tea House: Run by Taiwanese Buddhists, Tishifang Tea House offers affordable and healthy dining options for around $60 per head. Try the steamed vegetable dumplings and Indonesian fried rice.
Hong Kong is a place where there is no dearth of good places to stay. Depending on your liking and budget, there are a lot of options. The most popular areas
Tsim Sha Tsui: Located in the heart of Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui is a popular place to stay for tourists. It’s close to Victoria Harbour, Avenue of Stars, Nathan Road. From posh hotels like the Sheraton, Peninsula, and InterContinental to cheap hostels and low-budget hotels located in the Chungking Mansions; Tsim Sha Sui is an ideal place to stay in Hong Kong. I stayed at BP International, which is located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui and is within walking distance of many attractions.
Central: The financial hub of Hong Kong, is an attractive place to stay since it’s located near Lan Kwai Fong and Victoria Peak, two of the most popular spots in the city. Nearby attractions include Man Mo Temple, the Mid-Level Escalators, and the International Finance Center.
Mong Kok: Ideal for people looking for good Airbnb options as it is mainly a residential area. It’s also within walking distance of the Temple Street market and Langham Place which is a good contrast between old and new Hong Kong.
Wan Chai: One of the oldest and the busiest commercial areas in Hong Kong, but relatively cheaper to stay here than in the neighbouring Causeway Bay area, which is arguably the best place to shop.
Hong Kong is a megacity, which will keep attracting you. One trip is never enough. I have visited the island thrice, yet I have barely scratched the surface. I hope these Hong Kong Travel Tips help you to at least explore the key attractions. For more details, check out the following:
I was hosted by Cathay Pacific. However, everything expressed above is based on my personal experience. Images used are either shot by me or provided by the airlines. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
Despite Belgrade being named as one of the best places to visit in Europe in 2015 by Lonely Planet, the Serbian capital is still not seen in the league of the poster boys of Europe – London, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Vienna or even Prague. However, when it comes to taking a city break steeped in culture, history, scenery and gastronomy still untouched by the claws of over tourism; popular European cities don’t stand a chance in front of Belgrade. And, if you are wondering what to see in Belgrade, don’t worry there’s an abundance of attractions in Europe’s most magical yet most underrated city.
Being an offbeat traveller there are a very few cities that have left an undeniable mark upon me during my travels. Cities that have piqued my interest beyond just initial intrigue and have inspired me to dig deeper and to discover more than what meets the eye. One city that has done this more than others is Belgrade, Serbia. When I was planning my four-month-long solo budget travel in Europe, I was most excited to visit Belgrade. While the Serbian capital offers a unique mix of 7000-year old history and the liveliest nightlife in Europe, my reason to visit Belgrade was entirely different. Being a huge Novak Djokovic fan it was my biggest dream to visit Belgrade, his birthplace. And finally, it happened on 30th August 2018.
Disembarking from the overnight train at the main station, it became instantly clear that I was out of the tidy and comfortable safety net of the EU. Strangers fervently tried to lure me into their unlicensed taxis – offers I ignored as I was already aware of the actual prices, thanks to my localhost Darja. I boarded the local bus to reach my hotel, which cost a fraction of the money being asked by the taxi drivers.
And then, all hell broke loose when I realised that I have been robbed in the train. This wasn’t the welcome I was expecting at all. But after the biggest fall comes the biggest high. Belgrade more than made it for the initial blip. In my next few posts, I’ll be sharing my detailed first-hand account of experiencing Serbia and why you should put it on your bucket list. First, let me begin with why you should visit Belgrade
Belgrade is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in Europe, with excavations confirming that the settlements existed here for at least 7000 years. Not far from Belgrade center, at the outskirts of the city, one can find relics of two of the most prominent cultures in Bronze Age – Vinča and Starčevo cultures. These cities were pioneers in trade throughout Europe and the Middle East, and their potential was in trade with vulcanic glass – obsidian.
As per my local guide Bojana Sestovic,
Thanks to its strategic location – the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers and the intersection of Western and Oriental Europe; Belgrade has been fought over in 115 wars and demolished to the ground 44 times. Thus, it appropriately earned a nickname, the White Fenix as it has been destroyed and rebuilt more than 44 times during its history.
Belgrade was conquered by the Romans, the Ottomans and the Habsburgs. Belgrade was also the capital of Yugoslavia from its inception as a kingdom in 1918, throughout the post-World War II socialist era, right up until 2006 when the countries republics became individual countries.
Belgrade is as much a city underground as above – a world of hundreds of caves, tunnels, bunkers, dungeons, fortifications, storage areas, command posts, cellars, and passageways, many of which have yet to be opened. Some archaeologists believe that there are so many tunnels under Kalemegdan and Zemun that it would take decades to explore them all.
The city’s tumultuous history accounts for the unusually rich honeycomb of tunnels below. The secret underworld of Kalemegdan (city’s best-known attraction) reveals a spider’s web of tunnels and caves, some of which date back to the Neolithic period. Under the park, there is also a fascinating bunker that was uncovered in 2005 and was built in 1971 for the needs of the Yugoslav National Army. The bunker could shelter 70 of the highest politicians and officers in case of a war condition. 150 meters under the ground it was sturdy enough to sustain a nuclear attack.
Before this, the Turks used the space for their artilleries, while Milos Obrenovic was using it as a place where he would rest. The bunker also contains Tito and Jovanka Broz’s bedrooms – Tito had a brown room with a small office and a bathroom, while Jovanka had a pink room with a bathroom. The bunker was most actively used in 1999 during the NATO bombing when Slobodan Milosevic was staying there. One of the city’s secrets is a wine vault hidden under Karadjordjeva Street that dates from the early 19th century.
One of the interesting facts about Belgrade is that it changed its name 15 times through history. In the beginning, Celts called it Sngidun, which was later changed to Singidunum by the Romans. Beograd, the name that you still see in the city is its Slovene name. The old Croats called it slightly differently – Biograd na Dunavu. Its Latin name was Alba Graeca and was slightly changed to Alba Bulgarica during the Bulgarian rule. The Hungarians called it Fehérvár, Nandoralba, Nándorfehérvár, and Landorfehérvár. Weißenburg and Griechisch-Weißenburg where the German names, Castelbianco was the Italian one, Velegrad was the Byzantine name, Dar Al Jihad was the Ottoman name, Belgrat was the Turkish one, and Prinz Eugen Stadt was the name that the Nazis gave the city.
In the middle of the city two large rivers, Danube and Sava, meet each other and bisect the city into two halves: the old and the new.
Old Belgrade lies on the south-eastern bank and the southwestern bank houses the New Belgrade and Zemun. New Belgrade was constructed during the socialist era and the grid of blocks retain their Soviet feel. Once a separate town, Zemun is a protected heritage town and has been a municipality within the city of Belgrade since 1945.
While Belgrade was under Ottoman rule, Zemun was an Austro-Hungarian outpost. Climbing to the top of Gardos hill or having a seafood lunch at a kafana along the banks of the Danube still feels like a mini-break from the main metropolis.
While exploring the city I realised that Belgrade has the Mediterranean lifestyle without the coastline. Coffee is taken very seriously here, but as the sun goes down, the espresso cups are replaced by beers or spritzes (the city’s de facto cocktail). No wonder Lonely Planet named Belgrade as the City with the Best Nightlife in the World. The city never sleeps and has exceptional nightlife.
For travellers, locals and VIPs, there is a perfect place for everyone. Belgrade parties seven days a week, all year round. There is no dearth of party places in Belgrade – the famous kafanas, a surplus of bars, cafes, pubs, clubs, and “splavs” – bars and clubs on permanently moored boats along the banks of the Danube and Sava river. The city has more than 170 floating clubs on its rivers which have become synonyms for great parties and never-ending fun. No matter what kind of music you listen to, you will definitely find a river club that will suit your taste. And, then there is Skadarlija, the bohemian street, for a place where music and singing can be heard until dawn.
According to some historians, the first kafana (a traditional Balkan restaurant where they serve a lot of alcohol and traditional food) was opened in Belgrade’s Dorcol in 1522. The place served only black coffee (coffee=kafa), so these kinds of restaurants were named “kafana”. The oldest kafana in Belgrade that still exists is “Znak Pitanja” (A Question Mark), which was opened by Naum Icko, according to the order of Prince Milos.
Rakia is to Serbia as champagne is to France, sangria is to Spain, and baijiu is to China. The fiery This fiery fruit brandy having an alcohol content ranging from 35 to as much as 70 or even 80%, is revered by Serbians and people from the Balkans alike. Rakija can be made from plum, apricot, quince, pear, or peaches—but the Serbian national version (and arguably the most intense) is sljivovica, made from the Damson plums that grow in abundance throughout the country. ‘Real’ rakija is made from pure fruit, with no added sugar, and is double distilled—many Serbs make their own, swearing by its health benefits and drinking a small glass, alongside a coffee and sweetened fruits, for breakfast.
If you are trying for the first time, start with medovaca, which has honey added to make it softer and sweeter. Once you get a hang of it, work your way up to sljivovica. Rakija is served straight and sipped from small vials, accompanied by a glass of water to keep you from dehydrating. Živeli (cheers)!
There is an area of Belgrade called Strahinjića Bana Street that is known as Silicon Valley, but it has got absolutely nothing to do with computers, electronics or technology. In fact, it is a term coined by the locals for the nightlife entertainment area of the city where all the bars, restaurants and pubs are located. The silicon refers to the breast implants of the glammed-up women who like to party there with their dates who drive fancy cars.
The church of St. Sava, located in Belgrade’s part called Vracar, is the largest church in South-eastern Europe. The construction of the church began in 1935, 40 years after ideation. The temple was designed by architects Aleksandar Deroko and Branko Pesic in a Serbian-Byzantine style. The church has the form of a Greek Cross and it represents one of the biggest marks of Belgrade. The dome, which is 44 meters high, has a mosaic that represents the passage of Jesus Christ. The mosaic, created by Hrist Pantokrator is enormous and weighs 40 tons.
Serbia was engulfed in wars for a decade until 2006. So, when Djokovic emerged as a world champion, he wasn’t just a sportsperson; he became a beacon of hope and a point of pride for the country’s more than seven million people. He’s a real idol among the young people in Serbia and has managed to raise tennis on a higher level, not just in Serbia, but in all the Balkan countries. He also does a lot of charity work through his foundation, mainly focusing on children from disadvantaged communities.
While he’s omnipresent in the city through the tennis centre and billboards, one place I couldn’t miss was Novak 1 Café & Restaurant. As you enter the building, a statue of the player guards the entrance. There are cabinets full of silver trophy cups, as well as Novak perfume, Novak sunglasses, and Novak merchandise for sale. The restaurant serves everything from lamb chops to spring rolls, and there is an extensive vegan menu. I had his favourite desert, which he has even now when he visits the restaurant and got lucky to have met his father while he was away playing in the US open
The best thing about Belgrade is the locals. They are very helpful, fun-loving, full of energy and incredibly polite. Should you need any assistance all you need to do is ask. Literally anybody. However, language can sometimes be an issue with the older lot.
Serbia is the only European country to offer Visa-free entry to Indians. Indians can enter, transit through and stay in Serbia without a visa, during a period not exceeding 30 days from the date of entry, within a period of one year.
You can get to Belgrade by airplane, train, bus, car or ship.
Flights to Belgrade: Along with the national carrier ‘Air Serbia’ many international airlines have regular flights to Nikola Tesla Airport near Belgrade from around the world.
Buses to Belgrade: The regular bus routes connect Belgrade with all the regions of Serbia. There are also many international buses which go to neighbouring countries and most European countries. Buses are generally more expensive than trains but are more frequent and faster.
Trains to Belgrade: The wide network of railroads connects Belgrade with all parts of Europe, and many parts of Serbia with day and night trains. I used Eurail’s Global pass that let me travel anywhere on any train across 31 countries in Europe. I took a night train from Zagreb Croatia to Belgrade, Serbia and then onwards to Bulgaria.
However, I don’t recommend taking a night train if you are travelling alone. Unfortunately, I was pickpocketed. Destinations accessible by rail include Bar, Belgrade, Nis, Novi Sad and Subotica. Serbian Intercity trains can be crowded, especially during holidays, and sometimes reservations don’t help much. Services are often overbooked, unreliable and unsafe.
Ships to Belgrade: Many European companies organize cruises on the Danube to Belgrade.
By car: It is the best way to explore Serbia. If you are going to Belgrade by car, then follow the E-70 and E-75 European motorways. Because this city is at the intersection of these roads.
Local transport: Buses are the most popular and practical means of getting around. Trams and trolleybuses are good too. Trains are cheaper but slower. Taxis could easily be found.
The currency is the Serbian Dinar, which is worth about 100 per Euro
The prices of food and accommodation are reasonable. For example, in Belgrade, a coffee might cost you €1-1,50, a restaurant meal may range from €5-10, stay at a three-star hotel may cost anywhere from €30-65, five-star hotels cost anywhere from €95-150 and a hostel dorm bed near the city center may cost anywhere from €12-18
After spending over eight days in the White City, as it is called, I can tell you you’ll fall in love with the booming, vibrant capital of Serbia.
For more information on Serbia, and Belgrade check the following articles
I was invited by Serbia Travel. However, all the views expressed above are based on my personal experiences in the country during my visit. Most of the images used are shot by me. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
A few years back, I had booked my parents on a Cathay Pacific Airlines return flight from India to the Philippines. In the beginning, I was little apprehensive as they were flying on that sector for the first time with the airline and I myself had never experienced their service before. But my parents had only good things to say about the airline. Recently I got an opportunity to fly economy class return from Delhi to Hong Kong with the carrier and here’s my honest Cathay Pacific Airlines Review.
1) Being the moth of International Women’s Day, a lot of good offers are announced for women
2) When spring hits the city, it means only one thing – time for the annual Hong Kong Arts Month. This is a perfect time to experience the diverse
3) During most of March, the weather is very pleasant and comfortable with temperature oscillating between 11 °C – 28 °C. Therefore, one light sweater and a rain jacket are enough to keep you outdoors for long. Also, the misty and drizzly weather with alternate dry and clear spells is great for taking dramatic pictures.
I am a firm believer of the fact that your experience with a service provider starts much before your actual physical experience. And, I have to give 100% marks to Cathay Pacific for a great start. Right from availing the Uber offer to online check-in, everything was butter smooth. While there was a long queue at the check-in counter (because the Delhi-Hong route is a very busy route), it hardly took me five minutes to get my documents checked and get the boarding pass.
The ground staff was very courteous and wore a big smile. They even obliged me with a good aisle seat. Due to some airport issue, the flight was delayed by an hour, still, they managed to get everyone on board quickly. I even got lucky to board before other passengers.
While Cathay Pacific has a lot of good options to keep you entertained throughout the journey, I prefer taking night flights to catch up on my sleep and wake up fresh the next morning. An early arrival in the city gave me ample time for sightseeing.
The airline has recently upgraded its fleet with Boeing 777-300ER, which means the seats are wider and more comfortable with customized seat cushioning. I could adjust the headrest four ways – up, down, and sideways. As a result, I didn’t wake up with a cramped neck. Each seat was supplied with a small pillow, plastic-wrapped blanket and headphones. The seats reclined well and I was pleasantly surprised by the leg room; I could easily stretch out my small legs and store a small bag underneath the seat in front.
Being a frequent flier, this is where I get my entertainment fill. I was so glad to find a nine-inch touchscreen TV loaded with a wide selection of 52 movies and 90 TV shows to fuel my binge-watching. And, for people who are not interested in movies and TV, there were games, music, ‘Discovery’ in-flight magazine, ‘Discover the shop’ shopping catalogue and a wide variety of daily newspapers and magazines.
Also, the USB charging port located at the bottom of every personal TV was pretty neat. However, a point to be noted is that in-flight charging works only after take-off. Another small but thoughtful feature I loved was the small dedicated shelf below the screen at eye-level to keep my gadgets. I comfortably placed my mobile phone there.
For me, they are the real deal. I found the cabin crew extremely warm, friendly and very helpful. They even had a Hindi-speaking cabin crew to help communicate with the people who can’t speak in English or Mandarin. They served everyone attentively. Since I had eaten just before the flight, therefore I requested them to serve me late dinner. And, they didn’t bat an eyelid.
If you fly with Cathay Pacific, your fantastic experience continues long after your journey. Usually, as soon as I get out of the airport I throw away my boarding pass but flying with them gave me a reason to keep it safely. I had one of the best organic vegetarian meals (yes, Hong Kong has fabulous vegetarian options. Detailed post coming soon) at Grassroots Pantry, where I got 15% discount on my food and drinks bill by just flashing my Cathay Pacific Boarding pass. And, that restaurant is not the only one, there are many restaurants where you can get up to 20 % discount on food and beverages.
While I was traveling with no check-in luggage, my friend could check-in her bag at Kowloon Airport Express station early in the morning for an evening flight. Apparently, if you take the Airport Express (AEL) to Hong Kong International Airport, you can take advantage of Cathay Pacific’s in-town check-in facilities at either Hong Kong or Kowloon Airport Express/MTR stations. You can check in and collect your boarding pass as early as one day in advance or as late as 90 minutes before departure.
For more information check https://tiny.cc/FBININTOWNCHKIN )
Cathay Pacific is one of the world’s leading flying carriers with services to 232 cities in 53 countries and territories across Asia, North America, Europe and Africa. Being a frequent flier on international routes, I prefer flying with airlines that are a member of some alliance as you can accumulate Frequent flier miles that you can redeem later. Cathay Pacific is the founding member of the Oneworld global alliance that serves more than 1,000 airports in over 150 countries. You can also join Cathay’s own royalty program – Marco Polo Club.
Hope you liked my honest Cathay Pacific Airlines Review. I had a good time with them and I am already looking forward to flying again with them for my next international travel.
Have you ever flown with them? If yes, I would love to hear from you.
Interested to know more about Hong Kong, check out the following articles:
I was hosted by Cathay
I have just returned from four-month solo budget travel in Europe and still within a week, the post-travel depression kicks in. And, to make it worse, my morning sneezes induced by a smog-smothered Delhi becomes a routine. I am craving to get back to nature at the slightest possibility. I start looking for options – the hills of Himachal, desolate land of Ladakh the pristine beaches of Kerala or the sand dunes of Rajasthan. After pondering for a few days, the decision is made. I am going to visit the forests that inspired Rudyard Kipling’s Mowgli. At the end of November, I set off from Delhi to explore wildlife tourism in India. While there are many options to choose the best jungle safari in India, I settle for a five days Tiger Trail in Madhya Pradesh.
At 5:30 am on a misty morning in November, I leave for the Pench National Park in an open-jeep along with my Naturalist, Alwyn from Jamtara Wilderness Camps. Before starting our Jungle adventures, we are treated to a hot cuppa coffee and tea along with home-baked cookies. Our naturalist reminds us to leave behind all electronic equipment at the lodge barring our cameras and binoculars. The chilly wind stings my cheeks and makes my eyes water but I am well-prepared with several layers of winter clothing, woollen cap, muffler and a hot water bottle tucked under my blanket.
As we enter the park, I see langurs jumping from tree to tree, birds tweeting in unison, chital and sambar herds gingerly grazing in the grassland. We move along the jungle and I smell the sweet aroma of the damp earth at daybreak. I see the morning dew dripping from the trees onto the lush undergrowth. Before I could capture any of those, the jeep moves and the smells and sights disappear. The silence of the jungle is occasionally broken by Alwyn and the local park guide, who encyclopedically and passionately tells us about the flora and fauna of the jungle. They share tales of the forest that are an intriguing mix of scientific facts gleaned from their training and the books they have reading, and local lore from the area.
Suddenly Alwyn hears an alarm call of a langur followed by the grunting of a deer. It is a signal that a tiger is on a prowl. A sense of alertness grips the group as we drive towards the distress call. As soon as our jeep comes to a halt, we cram onto one side of the Jeep to look outside.
After 10 minutes, our patience is suitably rewarded when the majestic cat reveals itself to us from the thick foliage. My heart is forever gripped by the shiny orange coat with black stripes. Just a few feet away…the Royal Bengal Tiger crosses the dirt road…gives us a disdainful look…and vanishes again in the dense forest. My day is made!
We then move on to explore the park’s large diversity of wildlife, including Leopard, Tiger, Jungle Cat, Dhole (Wild Dog), Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Mongoose, Gaur, Cheetal (Spotted Deer) and Sambar. Once our hunger for Tiger satiates, hunger pangs kick in. At around 9:30 am a picnic breakfast is served in the middle of the jungle with a cup of hot tea or coffee. We then stay in the park until 11 am before returning to our base camp at Jamtara.
In the evening, we had an option to either go for the afternoon Safari from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm or immerse ourselves in the tribal lives of the Jamtara village. We walk through the village market selling all kinds of knick-knacks – from silver jewellery to fresh vegetables. Hawkers earnestly call us as we pass through the mud path with our eyes stuck on the cobs of corn, which grow abundantly in the area, dry in courtyards. Bottle gourd vines climb wooden fences and tiled roofs. We are invited for a cup of piping hot tea in a local house made up of wood and mud. As the sun sets, we return to our camp witnessing the domestic cattle coming back home with their herders.
This was my first day of a five-day Tiger Trail in Madhya Pradesh, where Rudyard Kipling got inspired to write the Jungle Book. While visiting the two key national parks, Pench and Satpura, I saw a variety of animals and birds including tigers, leopards, wild dogs, wolves, sloth bears, bisons, wild boars to name a few. Alwyn and Aly Rashid (naturalist and the owner of Reni Pani) kept sharing the in-depth knowledge about the undulating topography and wildlife.
There are over 1,200 species of plants in Pench and 1300 in Satpura including several rare and endangered ones. We passed through an array of vegetation ranging from moist, sheltered valleys to open, dry deciduous forest. Satpura is unlike Pench, though they are just a few hours drive from each other. The former is lusher and has trees greener and taller than Pench. In Pench, there are higher chances of Tiger sighting, while Satpura has plenty of leopards, sloth bears, giant Malabar squirrels, and migratory birds. Pench is best explored on jeep safaris, Satpura can be explored on foot, boat, jeep or elephant.
Every evening, we shared our stories of animal sightings as the snacks and drinks made the rounds around the bonfire. And, each night a lucky person got a chance to sleep under the stars in the Star Bed – a glamorous machan in the middle of fields at Jamtara Camps. The Star Bed experience is a source of income for local farmers, and 80 per cent of the staff are hired from surrounding villages.
In fact, it was here I got to know how deep-rooted company’s history is in conservation. Owner Amit Sankhala’s grandfather – Kailash Sankhala – was the one who started Project Tiger, a conservation programme in India in 1973. And, the legacy has grown ever since then with his son Pradeep Sankhala taking over the charge of the Tiger Trust after his father’s death and setting up eco-friendly Jungle lodges. And, now Amit is holding the fort successfully.
Food is either grown on-site or sourced locally from the surrounding farmlands. Furnishings are made from recycled wood, all-natural products are used where possible, and guests are given a stainless-steel bottle for filtered water.
However, it wasn’t just the national parks and camps that impressed me. I was amazed by the genuine conservation and community development works of Jamtara Wilderness Camps and Reni Pani Jungle Lodge. Not only do they provide a great Jungle safari experience but also connect you with the local communities that call these remote areas home and play a vital role in safeguarding the national forests. Both Jamtara and Reni Pani resorts supply school desks and other items to the community and play an active role in Tiger conservation.
I had gone to central India to get rid of my travel blues but I ended up seeing so much natural beauty and glimmers of hope in wildlife tourism – thanks to enlightened law-making, a few committed individuals, and some truly wonderful lodges.
So, when are you heading on a Tiger Trail in Madhya Pradesh?
While there are all kinds of accommodation options available in the Pench National park area, I highly recommend staying at eco-friendly resort Jamtara Wilderness Camps situated in the Village of Jamtara, near Pench National Park. There are 10 luxury safari tents with en-suite bathrooms and private verandah, outdoor and indoor lounges, library, valet parking, swimming pool and laundry. Rooms are equipped with free filtered water, tea- and coffee-making facilities, hot-water bottles, air-conditioning and Soultree bath products. There are no TVs and no WiFi or mobile signal throughout this remote, eco-friendly camp.
In recent years, the Satpura National Park has seen the blossoming of several boutique jungle lodges. Among these, the Reni Pani Jungle Lodge is second to none. Located in a pristine forest typical of the Satpuras, it gets its name from the neighbouring tribal village. Reni Pani features twelve luxury cottages encompassing three distinct architectural designs.
The nallah units, the forest units and the hill units are all built using local/indigenous material and are characterized by viewing decks, large lounging bay-windows and luxury bathrooms. The ‘GolGhar’ or the meeting place, has a fascinating and unique design and features a dining area, a bar, a library and a lounge set in its various corners. Its true forest environment coupled with neighbouring patches of agricultural land make Reni Pani and its surrounding areas a hotbed for animals and birds.
The Pench National Park is well connected by air, road and railways
The Satpura National Park is a 3.5hr/130km drive from Bhopal. Bhopal is well connected by air, rail and road to major Indian cities.
In case you are interested in wildlife tourism in India and how to behave responsibly in the National parks, do read
Into the wild – Chitwan National Park, Nepal
The abridged version of this story was published in Malindo Air inflight magazine
I was invited by MP Tourism as a part of Adventure Next India event organised by MP Tourism in collaboration with the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA). However, all the views expressed above are based on my personal experiences in the region during my visit. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
In 2012, when I visited Tuscany for the first time, I did things that most first-timers do – tick marking all the attractions, travelling everywhere by car, shopping at Florence’s Via de’ Tornabuoni boutiques, eating four-course Italian meals with a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino, climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and spending hundreds of euros staying in the heart of Florence. I did all this, and it was worth it. It really was.
However, when I returned to Italy after six years, my travel goals had changed. I no more longed to see everything in three days. Sure, I could zip from one place to another. But why let FOMO dictate my travels when there’s a better choice available? The Tuscan countryside is like the Chianti produced there – meant to be savoured rather than gulped. While there is no dearth of interesting ways to explore Tuscany, I decide to walk an ancient pilgrimage route – the Via Francigena Toscana (pronounced Fran-Chee-ge-na). The 1300-miles long route ran in the Middle Ages from Canterbury through France, Switzerland and Italy before reaching the Eternal City, Rome.
Almost forgotten for centuries, the route has been given a new lease of life in recent decades by the fervent efforts of locals and the government. In 2009, the Italian government decided to revive the whole Italian leg of the route based on the journal written by Sigeric, archbishop of Canterbury, on his way back from visiting the Pope in AD 990. However, the revival process was a bumpy ride. Roadblocks existed in the landscape and mindscape alike.
Alberto Conte, Founder of
Ten years ago when I started walking Via Francigena with a group of
travellers , a BMW stopped and said, “we don’t want you here.
With a big smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes, he continues,
But now the attitude of the locals has changed completely. They have seen the cultural and economic benefits of having modern pilgrims in areas that never saw tourists. Now they even offer free water, coffee
and food to the pilgrims.
One day before my trail begins, I arrive in Montecatini Terme, an 18th century Spa town famous for the healing mineral water. Sloways, the local company managing my travel, preps me well in advance.
As the evening befalls, I reach the old funicular tram that goes to Montecatini Alto, an ancient hamlet where our group dinner is planned. During the ice-breaker session, I ask Tullia Caballero, the Director of
The Via Francigena is different from other long-distance trails because it has been in use for nearly 2000 years. This succession of
civilisations , history, architecture, culture, traditions, food and wine, and the constantly changing landscape is a treasure trove for all your seven senses.
Recalling the heydays of the route, Tullia shares how this route was once used by Europe’s best and the greatest minds. Thriving commerce transformed the hamlets into beautiful and powerful cities, many of which are now UNESCO world heritage sites. You’ll see the beauty of this pilgrimage yourself in the next few days.
The next day after driving for two hours, a group of ten people from all around the world – Norway, Sweden, Canada, USA, Australia, Brazil, Japan, India, and Jordan along with three local experts start walking the trail near the hilltop town of San Miniato. I see a tiny image of a pilgrim welcoming us, which later appeared almost on every patch of the trek – whether, on a lamppost, small sign or spray-painted on the pavement – to guide the modern pilgrims like me.
Erica Masini, our environmental guide, talks
As I begin my pilgrimage through a classic Tuscan landscape of quilted green hillocks, freshly harvested golden wheat fields and olive groves, I try to take in the beauty around. Despite walking with a group of people the ringing in my ears stopped – and I was stunned by the silence. The music of no sound, after the clamour of tourist-rundown cities, was so pleasant it was almost overwhelming. Then like an orchestra tuning before a concert, isolated notes started reaching my ear, one by one: the harmonic melody of far off birds, a tractor mowing a field in a distance, a vagabond breeze rustling the olive trees. I am lost in a world where everything is beautiful.
After three hours of walking in 24-degree Celsius temperature on a snaky path stitched with the folds of hills and skirting vineyards, we reach the cool surroundings of a recently restored 1100-year-old Romanesque Church – Pieve a Chianni. It was here, where Archbishop Sigeric stopped on his way from Rome to Canterbury. While we take a tour of the church, Ernesto, our Italian host and trek guide, prepares our picnic lunch of bread, salads, fruit, crackers, meats, cheeses, olives, and wine.
After a hearty Italian meal, we continue our journey to Gambassi Terme.
We spend the night at Ostello Sigerico, a friendly pilgrims’ hostel from the 13th century where we are treated to a delicious homemade Italian meal by our local host Franco and his family.
The next day our eyes and limbs are all set to reach San Gimignano, arguably the most beautiful hill town in Tuscany and a UNESCO World Heritage site worthy of the nickname ‘Medieval Manhattan’ for the 14 towers that adorn its skyline.
Though the route was shorter than the earlier day but more diverse in appeal – we pass through freshly overturned fields with earthy fragrance, golden-yellowish vineyards where most grapes have been harvested, dry sunflower fields, long avenues of cypresses, rolling hills, lush green forests which have started flaunting fall colours. In mid-afternoon, a view of San Gimignano’s famous spires peeks through the trees, and soon we join a road filled with cyclists in bright outfits.
After settling down in our 3-star centrally-located Hotel La Cisterna, we set out to explore the UNESCO city of 100 towers. Our guided tour of the town starts with climbing up the tallest tower of the “Medieval Manhattan” – the Torre Grossa. I travel back in time looking at the panoramic view of the sky-piercing stone towers, and narrow cobbled-stone streets surrounded by an expansive countryside filled with vineyards. Suddenly I am jolted back into reality when Erica narrates the history of the town,
The patrician families who controlled the town built around 72 tower-houses as symbols of their wealth and power. Although only 14 have survived, San Gimignano still has that feudal atmospheric vibe.
Listening to the power struggles of the middle ages, we walk down the stairs to see some of the most beautiful medieval palaces in Tuscany, like Palazzo del Popolo and Palazzo del Podestà.
The star highlight of the day was a wine tasting at the Museo del vino Vernaccia di San Gimignano. As the Tuscan sun hugged the whole valley into its golden dust, an expert sommelier took us on a sensual journey of Vernaccia, a fruity local dry white wine produced only in Tuscany since the 13th century. We wrap up the day by enjoying a typical homemade Tuscan dinner at Osteria delle Catene.
San Gaminino is one of my favourite places in Tuscany partly because it is so emphatically not a ten-minute tourist stop. Every street, every tower, every art piece, every glass of wine compels you to spend some more time here.
With a reluctant heart, I leave San Gimignano to pay a short visit to a completely off-the-beaten-track Agriturismo farmhouse, who’s owners are keepers of the keys to an ancient Etruscan altar normally closed to the public. Torraccia di Chiusi is a 1,030 years old refurbished cosy country house with seven guest rooms, its own restaurant, panoramic pool and picturesque surroundings hard to beat.
And, it’s not just the surroundings, but the owner Donatella, and her staff that makes you feel so welcomed. With glittering eyes, filled with childlike excitement, she passionately shows us around the house, its grounds and the
On the property, we’ve found Roman coins,
jewellery , small marble markers with Roman etchings, and other Etruscan structures.
Before bidding goodbye, we are treated with coffee and homemade snacks.
From here we trudge through vineyard-covered rolling hills, cross the Elsa river valley, jump into the freshwater stream, and rest for a while in historic but abandoned villages before reaching Abbadia Isola, a 1000-year-old abbey. This large Romanesque abbey was covered with marshlands until the 11th century and then Benedictine monks took charge and built an important monastery and church, which is still recognised as a masterpiece of Romanesque art. Hence the town got its name Abbadia Isola which translates to ‘abbey island’. It was an important town in medieval times due to its strategic position right on the border of Florence and Siena territories. Like Archbishop Sigeric, we too take solace here, rejuvenating our body and soul with a hearty meal and a comfy bed in Ostello Contessa Ava.
From Abbadia Isola we walk to the perfectly preserved tiny medieval walled town of Monteriggioni. Despite power changing hands several times, Monteriggioni hasn’t lost a bit of its Medieval character. As we reach the castle, the Mayor of the town greets us and gives a peek into the history of the place,
The castle of Monteriggioni has never been conquered. And, that’s why nothing has changed here – from compactly woven cobbled streets to its city walls. The castle was once surrounded by coal,
that would be lit in case of attack.
We spend a bit of time in the castle gazing at the Armoury Museum and treating ourselves to gelatos and cakes before heading onwards to Siena
We walk through a landscape that changes outfit every five kilometres – from lush green forest to brown hillocks. The beauty of this landscape is enhanced by scattered castles, fortified farms and forests that witnessed many legendary battles between Florence and Siena.
For lunch, we stop at the ‘Punto Sosta’ (means stopping point), a wooden picnic shelter beside a ring of tree-stump seats in the front yard of a house halfway between Monteriggioni and Siena. Soon we were welcomed by one of the most generous persons we met on the pilgrimage – Marcello Pagnini, the house owner.
Starting in 2012, Marcello has dedicated his life to serving the Via Francigena pilgrims. No one goes hungry from his humble abode. Every single day he wakes up early in the morning to bake his bread, curate meats, makes wine, cleans the place, does the dishes, buys new books for visitors and entertains them with his stories. He works on a donation basis and considers pilgrims as his source of positive energy. He recently lost his wife, which made him a little lonely and sad but that didn’t stop him from serving the pilgrims. For the first time in Via Francigena Toscana, I get teary-eyed when Marcello gives me a hug. My heart swells with the generosity shown by a stranger. It is people like him that make Via Francigena a true pilgrimage.
We walk for a while amidst a forest of oak trees before reaching the Hermitage of San Leonardo al Lago, which has treasures from the 14th and 15th centuries – beautiful frescoes – that come alive when the hermitage’s custodian narrates the bygone era tales.
We then get transferred to jaw-dropping Siena, one of the loveliest and busiest towns in Tuscany. In the heart of Siena lies Piazza del Campo, famous for the world-renowned “Palio” (a historic horse race) held twice in the square every Summer. I walk around the cobbled streets gazing at the beauty of the Gothic architecture of the middle ages.
The day ended with us relishing one of the best pizzas in Siena at Il Pomodorino while overlooking the Duomo of Siena.
The last day of the trek is fairly easy. From south of Sienna, we take a shuttle to Lucignano and from there we walk on the soft ochre-coloured Sienese clay hills topped with a line of cypresses leading to isolated farms. After walking for a few hours, we reach our lunch spot – Fattoria Pieve a Salti near Buonconvento, a 700-hectare Agritourism organic farm, from where Barilla, Ferraro and others get the grain for their different kinds of pasta and cereals.
A scrumptious lunch is further accompanied by a great Tuscany wine tasting at Italy’s first all-woman run vineyard – Donatella Cinelli Colombini. We taste various wines of different ages with different pairings, the most thrilling being tasting wine with music. That is a first for me.
The last leg of our trip is on a bus that brings us back to Montecatini Terme where our trip ends.
Before I embarked on the Via Francigena pilgrimage I had no idea what was in store. Frankly, I was more worried about the physical aspect of the journey than the emotional journey. However, once I started walking I realised this trail is no ordinary trail, it changes you from deep within. There are geographical hubs and there are spiritual hubs, and then there are hubs in a completely different sense – places that ground you, that bring you back in touch and balanced with something deeply important inside you.
It was here I met and bonded with people I could have never crossed paths with in ordinary life – who don’t just talk about bringing a change in the world – they walk the talk. Through the rolling hills and heritage sites, the wines and the bites, the sore thighs and the soaking rain, we bonded as a group. Life stories and future plans were discussed over long dinners filled with laughter and unlimited Tuscany wine.
Although, I did meet a lot of interesting people, enjoyed gastronomic delights, saw many exciting places nothing extraordinary happened during the entire trail, and that was precisely the point: the trail gave me a great chance to connect with the heart and soul of Tuscany, and in doing so, offered enlightening insights into the simple pleasures of Tuscan life.
I might not be a classic pilgrim but you don’t even have to be religious to experience the joy of walking the Via Francigena Toscana.
So, when are you walking the 1200-year old pilgrim path to Rome?
Fly from any Indian metro city to Florence or Pisa and then take public transport to reach San Miniato.
May-June and September.
You can stay at pilgrim hostels, monasteries or 3-star hotels on the trail. I stayed at La Cisterna in San Gimignano, Pilgrim Hostel Sigerico in Gambassi, Ostello Contessa Ava in Abida Isola and Hotel Italia in Siena
A self-guided tour for three days starts at €140pps and guided group tour for five days start at €570pps with Sloways (https://www.sloways.eu). Prices exclude flights.
Well-fitted hiking shoes, comfortable clothing and a hat are vital things to carry. Keep your daypack light with a reusable water bottle, snacks, sunscreen and camera.
For more information on the Via Francigena see viefrancigene.org
PS: I am sure many of you have followed by
An edited version of this story was published in the following publications:
I was invited as a hosted media to attend the Adventure Travel Summit Tuscany 2018 by the Toscana Promozione. This pre-adventure trip was part of my vist. All the views expressed above are based on my personal experiences in the country during my visit. Images used are shot by me. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
The Czech Republic and Slovakia peacefully uncoupled in 1993 after Czechoslovakia’s Velvet Revolution in 1989. 26-years after their velvet divorce, Slovakia is slowly and steadily attracting
BTW here are the 11 reasons why you should never visit Slovakia
One such place is the town of Banska Stiavnica, a Slovakian jewel in the Carpathian Mountains of Central Slovakia. This small-town is off the main tourist path, and was once the Eldorado of the Great Hungarian Empire. These days, the town offers a gentle pace of life that is downright serene. However, if you dig deeper, you see how the town of Banska Stiavnica changed the world.
It once used to be just as rich in silver and gold as rich it is now in interesting legends, astonishing places,
On a pleasant autumn morning in October 2018, I landed in Slovakia. Bewitched by the untouched beauty around, I developed a genuine connection with the land of Tatras and healing waters. While I absolutely loved the virgin mountain beauty, it was the people who won me over. One such friendship was with Andrea-Tomas, a beautiful couple from Bojnice. I instantly hit off with them as they made me see Slovakia in the most genuine way – unpretentious and raw.
At that time, I almost made it to Banska Stiavnica but because of a tight schedule, I couldn’t make it. Anyway, better late than never. After nine months, I was at a place where I wanted to be.
Before visiting this ancient mining town, I was treated to an experience, which till date remains one of my
Today, I am here to share my experience in the former ‘Silver Town’ of the Hungarian Empire.
Sometimes high expectations can put undue pressure on others. And, that’s what unknowingly happened to Banska Stiavnica. I arrived with sky-high expectations. Jiri and his team had handpicked the activities for me to experience the true soul of their region – climbing the Carpathian Mountains, trying adrenaline activities at Donovaly and Jasenská Ski resorts, hiking to Harmanecka cave, paying homage at the Museum of the Slovak National Uprising, reviving the medieval memories of castles, mining towns, and steam trains. I was convinced no experience can top the experience I had in Banska Bystrica. As he dropped me at my new exploration site, a tear rolled down my cheeks.
Moreover, the journey didn’t start on a good note. The zig-zag hilly turns made me nauseated and when I arrived in the town I had no energy left to climb up and down the city centre from my AirBnB, perched on a hill top. So, I decided to vacate the place to find myself in a deeper trouble – no rooms available due to a long holiday weekend. Suddenly the reality dawned on me – I was homeless in a foreign land.
And, then a superhero emerged without a cape – Igor Kuhn. He offered me his place and graciously showed me around his place. What I liked the most about him was his attitude towards life. He is a marketing man during the day, a musician during the weekends and a dotting husband and father 24×7. The next few days I explored the vital mining and historical relics of the oldest mining town of Slovakia – Banska Stiavnica.
Banska Stiavnica region sits atop the ore veins – one of the world’s biggest deposits of precious metals in the Middle Ages. And, it would have been blasphemous to visit the town and not retrace its mining heritage. So, Igor and Viki, my local friends, suggested a few important historical places and events
We drove about one and a half kilometre out of town to the Slovak Open-Air Mining Museum, where through a guided tour we learned about the technical and historical aspects of mining in the region. Banska Stiavnica was awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Site title, both for the medieval architecture as well as for its mining contributions. An introductory video and our guide explained,
“The year 1627 was a golden year in the history of Banska Stiavnica – for the first time, gunpowder and explosives were used in mining. And, that was just the start. Over the next 200 years, many of the world’s ground-breaking innovations in mining, metallurgy and forestry took place in this tiny little valley.”
I spend half an hour looking around the ground-level mining exhibits at the
Despite being a sports lover, I had never heard about the World Gold Panning Championship. Therefore, I was very excited to see hundreds of people from around the world – as far as Australia, Canada, South Africa – from all age groups fight for the caveated titles in the Silver town with a golden history. We drove through the Hodruša-Hámre village to reach the SALAMANDRA Ski Resort situated in the middle of the Štiavnické
The Celts, Slavs, Saxons, Turks, Poles, Hungarians, Slovaks, and Czechs all settled here and worked together in the mines of the mountainous region. As a result, the wealth in the veins underneath the town of Banská Štiavnica translated on the surface in the form of opulent buildings lining the town square and central streets. Most of these restored bourgeois houses were built in the 15th and 16th centuries, and now house galleries and restaurants.
The UNESCO protected town
From whichever direction you may arrive, it’s impossible to miss the centerpiece of the square – the Holy Trinity column, a baroque sculpture featuring seven saints. It commemorates the end of an 18th-century plague that wiped out nearly half of the town’s population.
Among all this street splendour, Banská Štiavnica’s old castle stands tall on an incline up from the main square, gazing down on the town like a hawk-eye. Considered as a “stone chronicle of the town” it holds the oldest secrets of Štiavnica. From being a Romanesque basilica in the 13th century to getting fortified 300 years later to defend against Ottoman invaders; the castle is now well restored. It now offers a melange of architectural styles and is home to several exhibits, including a medieval jail.
Not too far away from the Old Castle, the 17th century Klopačka (knocking tower) contains a giant black tower that was used by miners as their alarm-clock, prison, and insurance office. Today, there is an amazing teahouse in this building with
As I continued my hike up the hill, I reached the New Castle (Nový Zámok), a white Renaissance fortress occupying a far more tactically savvy position than the old castle with a commanding view of the town as well as the entire valley.
When I asked Igor and Viki, one place that I should definitely visit, both of them replied instantaneously – Calvary (Kalvária). A great specimen of baroque art perched on a volcanic hill, led through a series of chapels and sacral buildings. The crimson hilltop church with magical panoramic views of the surrounding hills is a great place for sightseers and pilgrims alike.
As I walked through the town centre I stumbled upon the world’s only “Love Bank” where couples can deposit small cherished tokens of their love in lovers’ vault made up of 100,000 tiny drawers. However, behind this Love Bank lies the tragic tale of Marína Pischlová and Andrej Sládkovič, the lovers who made the MARINA house famous.
Marina’s affluent parents — in keeping with the age-old poor boy-rich girl trope — decided to separate the teenaged lovers by getting their daughter married to a wealthy gingerbread maker. A heartbroken Andrej, who was Marina’s tutor, turned to priesthood for solace. His love for Marina found expression in a poem (titled Marina) he wrote for her in 1846. The “world’s longest love poem” runs into 2,910 lines and is read widely across Slovakia.
While the legendary love story is impressive, I was intrigued to know how the idea of Love Bank came into existence and so I approached Katarína Javorská, the Museum Manager for details.
“The love bank is a fundraising project to save and restore the historic House of Marína, and bring more love to the world through Andrej’s poem. We have created love boxes from the poem. Each Love Box bears a piece of the original manuscript and can be taken by anyone for €50 for a year and €100 for a lifetime.” says Javorská
This Valentine’s Day, however, many visitors can get a chance to be a part of the world’s biggest love experiment for 100,000 love seekers. Anyone from around the globe can go on their website www.RealLoveBank.com and share their love wish. They will print the wish without revealing the sender’s identity and store it in the Love Bank. The museum will continuously evaluate the results of the experiment on their website and will publish the final results on Valentine‘s Day in 2020.”
Excited by the idea I then move on to check other interactive exhibits – ‘love-o-meter’ that claims to measure the strength of a couple’s love and the talking portraits that bring alive the eternal love story through emotions of yearning, wrath, jealousy, and passion.
Although, the eternal love story of Andrej and Marina didn’t end on a happy note, till date they inspire lovers to believe in the power of love and work towards preserving it.
Banská Štiavnica is all year-round destination. However, the best time to visit is at the end of summer or during non-touristy season, when temperatures start to cool, days are long, and shops are open till late. In the summer, you can swim in the tajchs (reservoirs). In winter, you can ski or cross-country ski on many kilometres of maintained tracks. Hiking is great in every season.
Banska Stiavnica, the Slovak City of Culture for 2019, urges you to slow down and walk around its churches and mansions that once belonged to rich miners. Cowering in the hills above it are small houses that were home to the ordinary miner. No one knows if love stories — of the kind that the museum celebrates — blossomed in the lanes that led to the mines. But once you are in Banska Stiavnica, love will find you.
Hope you now have an answer on things to do in Slovakia. So, when are you booking a trip to Banska Stiavnica?
PS: I am sure many of you have followed by #OffbeatEuropeWithTSW journey on my social media channels. In case you want to know more, do read
An edited version of this story was published in the following publications:
I was invited by the Banska Stiavnica Tourism in 2018. However, everything expressed above is based on my personal experiences in the country during my visit. Images used are shot by me. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
The down under city on a rise
Ten years back when I was planning my first trip to Australia and asked for recommendations, hardly anyone recommended the Queensland capital. However, a lot has changed in the last decade.
Brisbane, the third-largest city of Australia has successfully come out of the shadow of Sydney and Melbourne by becoming an incubator for forward-thinking creativity. Fine art and live music lovers rejoice in the diversity of the city’s offerings, and nature lovers can’t get enough of the koalas. Newly opened rooftop bars and restaurants have added the mega-city style to this subtropical metropolis. But what I like the most here is its casual and easy-going character. Despite becoming hipper and more fun with times; it still hasn’t traded off its flip-flops for formal footwear.
The outdoorsy, sunny and friendly Brisbane welcomes you with open arms year-round and is worth at least three days of your time. Here are the places you must visit.
Hit South Bank on the Brisbane River to relish the see the best of the city – diverse mix of entertainment, recreation and leisure activities. Evenings are a great time to watch a live band performance while the sun goes down. You’ll never run out of options, thanks to 17 hectares of parklands, restaurants, cafes, bars, boutiques, museums and galleries. While the city is beautiful during the day I love exploring various things to do in Brisbane at night when its cooler and looks very romantic with all the lights.
There is no better way to enjoy the Aussie laidback life than enjoying the beach vibe in the heart of the city. This man-made beach is a top draw in free things to do in Brisbane. No wonder it is a favourite of locals and tourists alike for its sparkling lagoon with white sand and sub-tropical plants. Great place to take a dip or soak up the famous Queensland sunshine.
The sunny Brisbane has a lot of good vantage points to enjoy the golden hour, but there’s something extraordinary about watching it from the water. Whether it’s cruising up and down the winding Brisbane River, or putting about on the expansive blue of Moreton Bay, being out on the water is a real treat. You can choose a boat tour as per your liking – lunch, high tea and dinner cruises or a wildlife boat cruise to cuddle the koalas of Lone Pine
Art lovers will have a great time exploring GoMA, Australia’s largest gallery of modern and contemporary art and Queensland Art Gallery. The galleries are loaded with an assorted range of Australian, international and indigenous art.
If you are a someone who likes smaller but more specialist art shows then visiting Brisbane universities is not a bad idea. Interesting art exhibitions and collections can be found at the University of Queensland, the Queensland College of Art and the Queensland University of Technology’s Art Museum.
Brisbane looks extremely picturesque when you climb its iconic Story Bridge. Whatever daypart you climb, the exhilarating views will take your breath away – Glasshouse Mountains in the north to Moreton Bay in the east and stretching towards the Scenic Rim Mountains in the south along with the brilliant views of the Brisbane skyline and its environs. The adventurous souls can try 30-metre abseiling back down. While it doesn’t fall in the category of free things to do in Brisbane today but it is definitely worth the price.
Unlike its uber-popular cousins, Melbourne or Sydney, Brisbane is much more diverse in its elevation. Within 15 minutes of short drive from the city
If you are a person who loves forests then you’ll love the Lamington National Park, which is home to some of the oldest trees in Australia. And not just that, the Park is filled with flowing waterfalls, lush Gondwana Rainforest and trails suitable for all. Pitch a tent in the wilderness or retreat to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. This is one of my favourite things to do in Brisbane today, tomorrow and forever.
Brisbane is great for adrenaline junkies to get over their fear of heights and take in the adrenaline rush of a lifetime at Skydive Ramblers in Toogoolawah. The parachute centre is Queensland’s largest and longest established operation, where you can go for a tandem skydive.
No other area in Brisbane can match Kangaroo Point and Woolloongabba for its natural beauty, laid-back vibes and location. Decked with unmatched river and city views, the beautiful Kangaroo Point cliffs is a great place to have a barbecue get together. It’s a place where you find everything under the sun – a haven for food lovers, sports fanatics, keen shoppers, cultural experiences, socialites, thrill seekers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Hope you liked the things to do in Brisbane today. If you have suggestions on free things to do in Brisbane tonight or tomorrow, please don’t hesitate to share. So, when are you booking a trip to the down under city on a rise?
Have you been to Brisbane or Australia? I would love to know about your experience. In case you are planning to visit, don’t forget to read these Australia travel guides:
Why Melbourne is the most liveable city in the world
10 reasons why Adelaide is a must-visit in Australia
Travel guide for your first time visit to Australia
10 reasons why I love Australia
Malindo Mag: February 2019 issue
Is Buddhism a religion or a way of life?
This question has hounded me for long. And, finally, I decided to find the answer.
Whether you are religious or not, you cannot remain unfazed by the beauty of the Buddhist temples, monasteries, stupas and Pagodas found almost everywhere in the world – from India to Indonesia, Thailand to South Korea, Tibet to Japan. There’s no dearth of Buddhist shrines, especially in Asia. But none of these places holds the symbolic and historical value of Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha located in the foothills of southern Nepal.
What Mecca is to Muslims or Jerusalem to Christians, Lumbini is to 488 million Buddhists worldwide. A World Heritage Site since 1997, it attracts travellers and worshippers from around the globe for various reasons – one of the four major pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, a place to find inner peace, world-renowned UNESCO
In my case, my visit was primarily driven by the search for spirituality and to attend the first-ever Buddhism Travel Mart (BITM). No cocktail of words can exactly comprehend the inner harmony I experienced at the birthplace of spirituality. It was quite a journey to experience the calm environs of Lumbini after the frenzied hullaballoo of Kathmandu and the fun-filled jungle adventure of the Chitwan National Park. While the distance from Chitwan National Park to Lumbini is only four hours, we took a lot of time because en route, we made many mini stops.
Amid the scenic locale of Devchuli and Barchuli hills of Nawalparasi district in central Nepal lies Sashwat temple that was originally established as a platform for Hinduism but later expanded to include more faiths. As I walked through the old temple, I couldn’t stop myself from being in awe of artists who created such intricate carvings and details on its pillars. And, it’s not just the pillars that are attention worthy.
Spread over 12 acres of land, this Dham houses Ekambareshwor, a Shiva temple, surrounded by a pond which has holy water from famous shrines such as Badrinath, Kedarnath, Haridwar, Muktinath and Pashupatinath.
Shashwat Dham is primarily a place for Hinduism worshippers, but soon, it will have a Buddhist
Being a nature lover, I loved visiting the 12-acre lush green grounds, and the icing on the cake is that there is no entrance fee. If someone would ask me what is the best time to visit the place, I would say at night, when the temple is lit up.
Apart from the temple, the Dham has the Vaidik Karmakanda Gurukul, Sri Sri Centre for Meditation and Yogic Sciences, a heritage store, an organic and pure vegetarian restaurant, a manuscript resource centre, a museum, a spiritual souvenir store and organic farm.
This is a stupa—another word for large, spherical structure. The Ramagrama stupa is a Buddhist pilgrimage site which holds relics significant to the Buddhist Faith. In fact, it’s the only stupa still containing relics from Gautama Buddha, also known as the Lord Buddha. What’s interesting about it is that it is located underground, only marked by a sign. You don’t see much, but the history and trivia behind it is what makes the place fascinating.
The birthplace of Buddha, also known as the gardens of Lumbini, was our third stop during the event. The Lord Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama was born a prince and lived a privileged life before he set off to live a simple and minimalistic life, and finally achieving enlightenment. In present times, it is a Buddhist pilgrimage area and is said to be one of the holiest places in the world.
The main temple in Lumbini is the Maya Devi temple. Other important structures in the area include the Shakya Tank, the Ashoka Pillar, and the monasteries and memorials where the remains of important Buddhist figures are laid to rest. There is also the Holy Pond, where birth rituals were performed upon the infant Lord Buddha, and it is where he took his very first bath as well.
In order to preserve all of the archeological items in the area, there are boundaries in place that allow visitors to observe, but not come too close.
Important points to note:
The sacred heart of Lumbini, Maya Devi Temple marks the spot where Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama in around 563BC. After walking inside the brick compound, I strolled in the adjoining holy garden decked with several important features like the pillar of Ashoka, ancient ruins of stupas, and maroon- and saffron-robed monks congregating under a sprawling Bodhi (pipal) tree decorated with colourful prayer flags.
Important points to note:
As the day was coming to an end and I started walking from the Maya Devi Temple to the Lumbini Museum, I crossed numerous temples and stupas constructed by numerous nations from around the world in Buddha’s honour. My heart was full and eyes were awestruck marvelling at Thailand’s ornate white marble Royal Thai Buddhist Monastery, Myanmar’s eye-catching Golden Temple, Vietnam’s pagoda-style Phat Quoc Tu Temple with dragons on the roof, and Germany’s Lotus Stupa with its colourful frescos of Buddha’s teachings.
By the time I reached the museum, I felt I’d taken a spiritual walk around the globe. One single day had expanded my horizon, broadened my knowledge and made me more compassionate and tolerant towards others.
This amazing experience was all made possible thanks to BITM 2019, which gave us a chance to see all of the terrific Buddhist monasteries and pilgrimage locations that the country has. In addition to showing the religious and spiritual side of Nepal, the event was also aimed at promoting the tourism goals and plans of Nepal for the year 2020.
Hope this experience on visiting Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, inspires you to visit it soon. Also, I would urge you to check out the following articles:
Have you ever visited the
Travel See Write was invited by the Nepal Tourism Board to attend #BITM conference in 2019 and #HTMNepal in 2017. Karla Ramos from Karla Around the World represented TSW in 2019 and Archana in 2017. Everything expressed above is based on their personal experiences in the country. Images used are shot by them. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
What’s the best time to visit Europe?
If you’ll ask this question, most people will say summers. But there’s something truly magical about snowy season. Europe gets a complete makeover in winters. Overcrowded and overpriced cities become refreshingly crowd-free and inexpensive. Moreover, Christmas and New Year Celebrations lend some seriously unforgettable experiences. Experiences that become conversation starters again and again in get-togethers, marriages, and any small or big gatherings. Despite the mercury touching sub-zero temperature, there’s something about Christmas that makes even locals gawk like tourists. Every tree, and storefront sparkles like a star. People are in a jolly mood. Honestly, if you can brave the cold, Christmas holidays are the best time to see Europe on
While there’s no place like home to celebrate Christmas, these five places are my absolute favourite places to spend Christmas holidays:
Paris is never a bad idea but Lille is even better Christmas destination. As the holiday season kicks in, the capital of the Hauts-de-France gets decked up in lights and
More than 900,000 visitors come to Lille’s Christmas Market every year to enjoy the magic of the “Grande Roue” at the heart of the Grand Place. In the Grand Place, a giant 18-meter tall fir, the 50-m high big Wheel, and its 36 nacelles dominate the Christmas decorations offering a beautiful panorama of the city. It’s the best time to relish the irresistible aroma of cinnamon and roasted chestnuts in the Place Rihour, where 80 decorated chalets welcome you with open arms 7 days a week for over a month.
Lille’s privileged location in the heart of the Paris-London-Brussels triangle attracts tourists from all corners. With a great railway network, you can reach Lille in 1 hour from Paris, 2 hours from London, and just 35 minutes from Brussels.
When your city is known as the ‘the Magic city’, you have a reputation to live up to. No city can wear the crown of a winter wonderland like Prague when a dusting of snow coats the ‘city of a hundred spires’.
Prague Christmas markets are legendary, thanks to Gothic backdrop and Czech treats. Even the most jaded traveler like me succumbed to the excellent mulled wine, barbecued sausages and fragrant
The Czech treats and gothic architecture set Prague apart from the rest of European Christmas destinations. Moreover, the five-minute walking distance between the two biggest Christmas markets makes it more irresistible and convenient for visitors to stay outside.
Many people would be clueless when asked to point Banska Bystrica on the map. And, that’s what attracted me to this pocket-size fairytale town of Central Slovakia. The atmosphere is very romantic, festive and cozy like home. You can feel the true sense of Christmas spirit wherever you go.
Folk dancers, actors, and musicians take the
The town is just a snowball’s throw from Jasná, the best Slovakian Ski resort offering high-quality skiing at affordable prices. In the morning, the lovely Tatra Mountains could be your adventure playground and in the evening, Banska Bystrica could be your social ground.
Few cities can look as beautiful as “the most livable city in the world” during Christmas. Following a vintage tradition of organizing Christmas market since 1298, today more than 25 Christmas markets are held on chocolate-box squares across the city.
The festive beauty of Vienna is swelled by a hot punch, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and stalls selling local handicrafts and homemade goodies. Christkindlmarkt (in front of the City Hall) is the biggest Christmas market with the biggest Christmas tree.
The traditional Christmas markets with reindeer rides create a contrasting image with curling (winter sport) on the ice rink.
Zagreb’s Christmas markets were once Croatia’s best-kept secret. But thanks to modern explorers, Zagreb’s advent scene has been discovered. The city is loved so much for the holiday celebrations that it has been voted as the “best Christmas market destination” by European Best Destinations for two years in a row.
Jelačić Square becomes the congregation point where a huge Christmas tree stands tall, the fountain is transformed into a light display and live music is played every day. King Tomislav Square remains abuzz with skaters, live ice sculptures are made, pop-up bars and street food stands serve lip-smacking food. There’s even an area dedicated to “fooling around” (
The Jolly Christmas Tram is tough to beat. Here kids (and big kids) zip through the city center along with Santa and his elves.
Offers a lavish German spread consisting of the Glühwein, the crafts, the twinkling lights and entertainment of 100 performances against the backdrop of Cologne’s landmark cathedral
The oldest and the biggest Chrismas market in Eastern Germany is all about celebrating the traditions. The highlight is a 45-feet high Christmas pyramid and the “Stollen” (buttery fruit cake) representing the entrance to the mines in the nearby Erzgebirge range.
Germany is all about celebrating the traditions. The highlight is a 45-feet high Christmas pyramid and the “Stollen” (buttery fruit cake) representing the entrance to the mines in the nearby Erzgebirge range.
Every year the Belgian capital transforms into a Winter Wonderland. The city puts together an impressive setup with 200 wooden chalets, a covered ice rink, a Ferris wheel, and a light and sound show projected onto the Grand-Place.
The heritage city of Eastern France is home to one of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets dating back to 1570. Today it has expanded to 10 locations and 300 stalls. It’s a great place to enjoy year-end festivities while sipping the local Alsatian wine and enjoying the decorations.
Finland never ceases to surprise – even during their Christmas celebrations. From playing bingo to win a vegan ham to watching a holiday outfit contest for dogs; Finns add a dose of quirkiness to their holidays. Not to forget the wood-heated unisex sauna set in the of the market in Senate Square
The extremely photogenic city of Budapest looks even more photogenic during Christmas time. St. Stephen’s Basilica, Hungary’s largest cathedral becomes the
The pint-sized Slovenian capital is a charming place to spend Christmas. With
With its cobbled medieval streets, awe-inspiring Gothic architecture, and the dramatic Mt Tâmpa towering above, the gorgeous Transylvanian city is a perfect place to spend your winter holidays. Additionally, Poiana Brasov, Romania’s best and most exclusive ski resorts, is only 12 km away.
Have you ever visited any of the above 15 best Christmas destinations or took part in the 10 best New Year Celebrations around the world? If yes, I would love to hear your views. Please do share your feedback in the comment box below.
Related: 4 months solo Europe travel on budget
France is renowned for its UNESCO-listed French cuisine. Move beyond Paris and find out what to see and where to eat in the major cities of Northern France.
The world will congregate in France for the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024. So, while sports will be your main agenda, it won’t be a bad idea to enjoy the world-famous French cuisine on your next trip to one of the most visited countries in the world by travellers. France is hailed as one of the guard posts of fine dining with its UNESCO-listed French cuisine, and no one takes this fact more seriously than the French themselves. For centuries, they have believed that nothing is so fine, so culturally gratifying, so spiritually stirring as indulging in a good meal with family and friends. What is more, the meal is one of the most important parts of French identity.
Recently, when I visited several cities in Northern France, it was nothing short of a gourmet pilgrimage for my taste buds. Food was my entrée for connecting with the rich French culture as I embarked on an unforgettable journey of sights and bites of Northern France. Every dining experience, be it at an upscale Michelin-star restaurant or a tiny food stall, offered a gateway into a new land of gastronomy.
As I explored the best cities in Northern France, I discovered that each location had its own unique charm and culinary delights. From medieval French villages to beautiful coastal towns in Northern France, every hidden gem has a story to tell through its food and culture. Chantilly, known as France’s Horse Capital, Amiens, often referred to as the Venice of the North, and Le Touquet, where the rich come to relax, were just a few of the top 5 places to visit in Northern France. As I studied the Northern France map, I realized how diverse and rich this region is, filled with major cities of Northern France that are famous for their historical and cultural significance.
When it comes to travel, especially for good food and wine, France always tops the list. But most visitors stick to Paris and the French Riviera. While I had visited the city of love and Côte d’Azur several times before, I had never explored the cities of Northern France, which is often dubbed as French Flanders. The 200-year-old border region between France and Belgium was historically a part of the ‘County of Flanders’ (modern Belgium). As a result, everything from the food and language to architecture has a strong Flemish influence and looks distinctly different from the rest of France. This difference in façade and character led me to explore different cities of Northern France.
“The atmosphere in our Estaminets (local cafes of Northern France) is so warm and welcoming you wouldn’t want to leave even after finishing your meal. Moreover, the food of the North mirrors the region – full of
He further continued,
“The food here represents the marriage of land and sea. The dishes aren’t the easiest to pronounce (for foreigners, of course) but mouth-watering to gulp down! Some of the main ingredients of Flemish cuisine are beer, meat, cheese, raisins, prunes, brown sugar, and chicory. A long marinade and slow cooking are crucial for
This delicious explanation of Flemish food was good enough to start my epicurean excursion. However, Northern France is not as small as it may appear on the map, so I decided to focus on four cities renowned for their unique sights and bites: Lille, Le Touquet, Amiens, and Chantilly.
Despite being the fourth biggest city in France, Lille doesn’t behave like a grand French city – snobbish and hoity-toity arrogance. With chocolate-box-pretty town squares and cobblestone streets lined with steeply gabled houses of brick and golden sandstone from the 17th and 18th centuries, Lille is an overlooked gem. Its architecture and cuisine proudly showcase its Flemish roots. After all, the city only became French when Louis X1V captured it in 1667. Today, it’s a hotpot of French and Flemish culture garnished with the charming medieval town square, renowned art museums, stylish shopping boulevards, exceptional cuisine, and a buzzing nightlife.
If Bordeaux is the capital of wine, then Lille is definitely the hub of France’s beer culture. There are plenty of brewpubs, beer shops, and breweries to explore in the region. I started with a family-owned brewery, Celestin’s Beers. Amaury d’HERBIGNY, the Brasseur (Brewer), took me through their epic journey of beer brewing since 1740. As per him, their speciality is brewing beers with different types of hops and spices like La Dix (a blonde with 10 hops varieties), Wal (Tripel with pepper and coriander seeds) and citrusy Hoppy Yuzu (IPA with yuzu), among others, which they source from different parts of the world.
After beer tasting, I continue navigating through the labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets of Vieux-Lille to reach a landmark address – Méert, 27 rue Esquermoise. My local guide, Akine Babinet, explains,
“No visit to Lille is complete without visiting Méert, a legendary pasty shop that has delighted kings, viceroys, generals and gourmands since 1761.”
As I take a bite of the world-famous gaufre (waffle) filled with divine Madagascar vanilla, I realise why Méert was frequented by Charles de Gaulle (the First President and a national hero) and Léopold I (the first king of Belgium). Today, the former confectionery is an elegant patisserie, teahouse, and gourmet restaurant.
Charles de Gaulle once famously said, “How can anyone govern a nation that has two hundred and forty-six different kinds of cheese?” Lille is filled with good cheese shops everywhere. Just across the Méert patisserie lies the famed Fromgerie Philippe Olivier shop, which has been selling over 300 varieties of Cheese since 1907.
The setting sun was a perfect time to try the
The next day, we headed west to the colourful, affluent coastal seaside town of northern France – Le Touquet. Driving through lush pastures and occasional windmills, we soon arrived at seven kilometres long soft golden sand beach dotted with rainbow-coloured beach huts. While walking on the beach, Pierre-Yves shared the historical relevance of the town,
“Le Touquet has long been a playground of the rich, not just from France but from all over the world, where famous figures like French President Emmanuel Macron own a home. In the past, frequent visitors included Winston Churchill, Prince Edward, and even James Bond’s creator Ian Fleming, who lived here and drew inspiration for Casino Royale from the town’s Casino. There’s no dearth of action here – endless sandy beach, horse riding, tennis, golfing, racing, gambling, and sand-yachting.“
I spent a few hours strolling along the promenade and beach before moving away from the seafront to explore famous sites like Phare Le Touquet (a red-brick lighthouse), Eglise Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc Church and Marche Couvert (fresh food covered market). Lastly, I arrived at the Rue St Jean I, which is the most happening part of the town, lined with classy French boutiques, specialist food shops and classy eateries serving the wealthy Parisians who now own most of the villas and come here for the weekend.
Pierre and I settle down to have lunch at Cafe des Sports, a traditional and the busiest brasserie in the whole town that has been serving a wide variety of French and English dishes since 1915. The Menu is extensive, and we order the local specialities – ‘Le Welsh’ (toasted bread, ham, egg and cheese melted in beer), Choucroute de la Mer (sauerkraut and fresh seafood) along with mussels and fries (mussels are to Northern France what Butter Chicken is to Punjab). The restaurant had a huge VIP cocktail bar and a wine bar that offered a selection of more than 48 wines by the glass.
After visiting the two drop-dead gorgeous towns of Lille and Le Touquet, it was time to visit the historic town.
The charming town of Amiens marries the watery beauty of Venice with French small-town elegance. My camera couldn’t stop clicking the Saint-Leu district and Hortillonnages (2000-year-old floating gardens). One building that blew my mind was the UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage site of Notre Dame Amiens, a gargantuan cathedral about twice the size of Notre Dame Paris. We climbed 307 stairs of the cathedral to soak in the panoramic view of the city, which was destroyed over sixty per cent in the two world wars.
A day full of sightseeing was complemented by an equally alluring night spent in the most happening part of Amiens – Saint-Leu district. The district adjoining the Notre Dame Cathedral and situated on the banks of the Somme canal reminded me of other canal cities like Venice and Amsterdam.
For dinner, we decided to stick to the most renowned riverside brasserie of the town, Le Quai. A great place to sample traditional French and Picard dishes with a spectacular night view of the cathedral and canal. The famed dishes of the brasserie include Pâté en croute (a duck pâté baked in a thick pastry crust), Potjevleesch (boned rabbit, veal, pork, and chicken), Ficelle Picarde (savoury pancake stuffed with cheese, mushrooms, and ham), and the homemade ‘Special Quai Hamburger’. We order ‘Special Quai Hamburger’ and Ligurian Trofie pasta along with the local beer. We wind up the delectable meal with the celebrated ‘macaron d’Amiens’.
After spending two hearty days in Amiens, I continue my journey to the last destination.
Just 50-km North of Paris I found a Renaissance gem and the Horse Capital of France, Domaine de Chantilly. The city is famous for two things – Château de Chantilly and Crème Chantilly. The elegant and very well restored château is surrounded by an artificial lake and magnificent gardens, designed by André Le Notre, the landscapist of Versailles. The Château de Chantilly contains a superb collection of paintings (next after the Louvre) and handwritten manuscripts (next after the National Library). The estate’s Grandes Écuries (Grand Stables) and the racecourse are some of the most prestigious hat-and-dress addresses in Europe.
However, it’s not just the historic heritage and horses that Chantilly is famous for. Beneath the vaulted stone ceiling of the Château de Chantilly Kitchens, La Capitainerie restaurant captures and showcases the palace’s splendour and romance through its dishes. The fare is traditional French food made from fresh produce and includes the regional signature whipped cream – Chantilly Crème. I was lucky to witness its live demonstration while relishing a sumptuous meal.
My trip had come to an end, but I had learned a new secret—Northern France is called “the best-kept secret of France.” After exploring the sights and bites of Lille, Le Touquet, Amiens, and Chantilly, I find it difficult to disagree.
So, when are you booking a trip to Northern France? Have you ever visited the region? If yes, I would love to hear from you.
Exploring the towns near Paris and beyond, I found quaint northern French towns and medieval French villages that transported me back in time. The Northern France coastal towns, with their serene beaches and picturesque views, were perfect for a relaxing retreat. Each northern French town had its own speciality, whether it was a local dish, a historical site, or a cultural festival. From the offbeat places to explore in Northern France to the best and prettiest towns in Northern France, my journey was filled with delightful surprises. Whether you’re solving a city in northern France crossword clue or visiting a northern France coastal town, you’ll find that the best places to visit in Northern France are a blend of culinary excellence, historical richness, and cultural depth. So, how many cities of Northern France should you visit? As many as you can because each city, town, and village offers something uniquely enchanting.
In conclusion, Northern France is not just a region; it’s a tapestry of flavours, history, and beauty waiting to be explored. Whether you’re in a major city of northern France or a hidden northern French town, the sights and bites will leave an indelible mark on your soul.
An edited version of this story was published in Food and Wine Magazine – Dec 2018-Feb 2019 issue
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Prague or Praha, the capital city of the Czech Republic, is rightly nicknamed as the ‘Mother of Cities’. A city that has two faces. The first face is of an ancient city attracting eight million tourists every year. The second face is of a modern pulsating city experienced by its one million residents every day. Whether you are seeking cultural immersion or unbridled fun, you will find yourself easily succumbing to its atmospheric life. Frankly, first time I found it too overwhelming. There were too many tourists wherever I went. But then I found a method to the madness and discovered many fun things to do in Prague, which were both popular as well as offbeat. And, in the end, I too succumbed to the magic of Prague.
One thing that I loved the most about the “City of a Hundred Spires” was its tolerance towards freedom of speech and action of its citizens. And, that explains why so many great men lived here – Franz Kafka (one of the major fiction writers of the 20th century), Tomás G. Masaryk (Philosopher, professor, and Czechoslovakia’s first president), Václav Havel (Author, dissident and first president after Velvet Revolution) and David Černý (sculptor renowned for his modern and provocative works set in contrasting traditional places).
During my several visits to the Golden Prague I realised the city has as many attractions you could wish of a European capital; avant-garde architecture from every era, countless lively pubs and restaurants serving world’s best beers and cuisines, and plenty of museums, cathedrals, theaters, opera houses, gardens, and other attractions to treat every visitor. If you are planning to visit Prague soon, make sure you bookmark this article.
The world’s largest coherent castle complex is a UNESCO world heritage containing nearly every architectural style of the last millennium. From the gothic St. Vitus Cathedral to the Romanesque Basilica of St. George, Bohemian baroque buildings to early 20th century renovations, the complex brings alive the history of the city and its many layers. Visit early morning to avoid crowds or at sunset at getting a great panoramic view of the old town and bridges of Prague.
One of the world’s most beautiful libraries, the Strahov Library is the largest monastic library in the country, with two stunning baroque halls from the 17thand 18th centuries. Thanks to numerous renovations it remains strikingly well-preserved, perched atop a hill with magnificent views of the city.
The 10thcentury citadel atop Vyšehrad hill overlooking the River Vltava is a complex of building and structures full of history and legends. It has played a pivotal role for 1000-years in Czech history – as a royal residence, military fortress
The 14th-century bridge is the oldest functional bridge on the Vltava river in Prague and is the second oldest stone bridge in the Czech Republic. Interestingly, King Charles IV, who had it built, had it finished on 9th July 1357, at 5:31. So, the exact time and date of it being finished
Enclosed by buildings of different architectural styles ranging from Gothic to Baroque, the Old Town square or Staroměstské náměstí is a must visit historical central plaza of Prague. Listen to the oldest mechanical clock of its kind in the world – the astronomical clock that has chimed every day since1410. The clock has recently been refurbished and is surrounded by four statues representing four cardinal sins: vanity, greed, death
Located just a stone’s throw from the Old Town Square, the Jewish quarters have magnificent old-new synagogues and old Jewish symmetry with 12,000 tombstones.
This 318m-high hill is the green heart of Prague. Perfect for someone looking for quiet, tree-shaded walks and fine views. Don’t forget to visit the lookout tower and mirror maze.
A modern architecture piece of the architects Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunić from the 1990s that faced a lot of flak initially but is now a famous landmark and even won an award by the TIMEmagazine. The two towers of the building are a reminiscence of the dancers Ginger Rogers (the glass tower) and Fred Astaire (the concrete one).
With a tradition spanning over 130 years, the National Theatre is not only one of the symbols of national Czech identity but is also an important part of the European cultural space. Contrary to its name, the National Theater is made up of four artistic companies– the Opera, Drama, Ballet and Laterna
At first glance, the Lennon Wall is like any graffiti-covered wall you see around the world. But this wall is special, thanks to its unique history – Prague’s equivalent of the Berlin Wall. John Lennon Peace Wall helped inspire the non-violent Velvet Revolution that led to the fall of Communism in former Czechoslovakia in 1989. Even though JohnLennon never lived in Prague but after his
Prague is divided into areas 1 to 10 with two clear demarcations- “upriver” and “downriver”. If you stay in Prague 1 or 2, you stay close to many attractions and public transport is always easy to find. Here are the suggested accommodations for every budget:
Hope these Fun things to do in Prague in 3 days inspire you to visit the heart of Europe soon. While I recommend visiting Prague, I would urge you to also Czech out other chapters of the land of stories – Czech Republic.
For more info, don’t forget to read:
Have you ever visited Prague or Czech Republic? If yes, I would love to hear from you.
I was invited by the Czech Tourism as a featured speaker at the TBEX Europe Conference. However, everything expressed above is based on my personal experiences in the country during my several visits. Images used are shot by me. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
In my previous post on Plitvice Lakes, I shared 10 compelling reasons to go from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes and explore the offbeat gems of the National Park Region. Now since you are interested to know more, let me share a complete travel guide on things to do in and around Plitvice Lakes National Park Croatia. But before that here’s a trailer of why you should spend a few days in the park.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a verdant maze of trails, bridges, woods, and meadows encircling the 16 sparkling turquoise lakes and over90 crashing waterfalls. These lakes are divided into two groups: 12 UpperLakes and 4 Lower Lakes. Both the lakes are accessible on foot via dirt paths and walkways. For people who don’t prefer walking too much, there are Shuttle buses every 20 minutes along with designated areas of the park. Also, to save time you can take a boat ride too.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
The Upper Lakes are larger than the Lower Lakes but the latter is more crowded. It takes roughly around 2-3 hours to walk the entire 5.2 km trail of the Lower Lakeswhereas Upper Lakes takes around 4-6 hours to cover 8.9 km. What made my hiking in the upper lakes so interesting was my interaction with a very knowledgeable and lively local guide, Ana Udovicic, who is a teacher and a dance instructor.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia is not all about lakes. There are many caves too.
I had a two-day pass to the park, therefore, one day I just did Upper Lakes and another day just the Lower Lakes. Boris and Ana were great guides who not only made me see the highest waterfall (76 metres tall Veliki Slap) and the highest lake (Prošćansko 134 metres) above the lowest lake (Novaković Brod) but they also made me hike to the secret viewpoints that only locals know. There are also several caves, springs and flowering meadows in the park. Don’t follow the crowd all the time. Explore the upper and non-touristy parts too but stay on the marked trails. Don’t fall into the water or off a cliff taking a dangerous selfie.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia: 16 cascading lakes and over 90 waterfalls
One day pass costs 55 HRK (7.40€) per person in the offseason and goes up to 250 HRK (34€) in peak season. A 2-day pass costs 90 HRK (12€) in the offseason and 400 (54€) in peak season. For more info, check Plitvicka Jezera
There are many places around Plitvice where you can explore the unscathed beauty of the National Park region by riding a horse under the watchful eyes of shepherd dogs and a trainer. My horse trainer, Andrej, had spent 10 years at the Ranch Equus Igni in Rakovica taking care of 12 beautiful horses. Here you can choose to ride from 1 hour to a full day. The horses are well taken care of and are a beauty to ride.
The price starts at 200 HRK (27€). For more info, check Horse Riding Croatia
Croatia, like many countries, is facing the problem of villages getting abandoned. Youth are moving to cities in search of better work opportunities and old people can’t keep them alive for long. But thanks to people like Branko Sokač, an ex-army person and renowned hunter, who are creating sustainable tourism opportunities for their kids and other youth in the area by running an Airbnb and adventure company.
Branko Sokač: A veteran creating sustainable tourism opportunities in Plitvice, Croatia National Park
He along with his wife Sonja and kids provide you with an unforgettable experience of exploring the real offbeat Croatia by taking you on Quad bike through abandoned villages, virgin forests and rolling hills from where you can enjoy the panoramic views of the entire valley. On the way, he makes many stops to tell you the history and cultural relevance of the place.
Wanna go offroad? Try Quad biking in Plitvice, Croatia
And, even makes you taste the wild berries and fruits, which only an expert like him can spot who have learned the techniques to survive in extreme conditions under his military training. And, once you return home you are treated with a variety of homemade jams, homemade cheese, and cured meat cuts. Besides Quad biking, he also offers activities like horseback riding, cycling, hunting, rafting, fly-fishing, kayaking and other activities.
Quad Biking Plitvice National Park, Croatia
Two hours of Quad biking tour costs 400 HRK (54 €). For more info, check Mrzlin Grad
Croatia, in particularly, Lika-Senj County, has been able to build a strong reputation as a leading European cycling destination, thanks to the country’s incredible natural wealth. Cycling paths are clearly marked in the national parks and Plitvice Lakes has one of the most beautiful cycling paths in Europe. While pedalling you can relish the surrounding beauty, smell the flowers and feel the freshness of the waterfalls, hear the birdsongs or taste freshwater directly from springs. Village roads, forest paths, and field cycling paths will reward you with visits to areas that are completely off the beaten track.
There are many local companies offering organised cycling tours who know the area inside-out and will provide the best excursions and routes you might otherwise not be able to access yourself. If you want to explore on your own, check cycling routes in the area at Lika-Senj County Tourist Board website.
A guided tour costs around 40€ per person. For more info, check Bike and Bed Travel Agency or Discover Plitvice.
Sometimes you neither need wings nor aeroplanes to fly, a simple Zipline is a good option. What if that happens to be Europe’s longest and fastest Zipline with the magnificent scenery of Lika below you? When I visited ‘Zipline Beware of the Bear’ at the western edge of the national park, I was jumping with excitement like a kid. The line is 1,700 m long, 80 metres above the ground and can fly up to 120 km/h (when pushed by the north wind from the back). The Zipline was started by a young and adventurous local called Sasha in cooperation with the local municipality.
https://www.facebook.com/travelseewrite/videos/308106989741009/?
Besides Zipline, there are other activities that you can enjoy like climbing, cycling and disc golf. As per Sasha, the park has some promising future plans like constructing three hostels, 5km of skiing and downhill bike paths, the world’s longest zip line (2950 m) and1250m long Air Bike.
Beware of the Bear: the highest and the fastest zip line in Europe
Price is 240 HRK (32€) per person (Sep-May) and 280 HRK (38€) per person (June-Aug). For more info, check Zipline Plitvice.
Gospić is tucked in the mountainous and sparsely populated region of Lika. My trip started with a quick stopover at a retreat like place called Majerovo Vrilo, the source of Gacka River, where 20th-century flour mills dot the River Gacka Springs. It’s a great place for day picnics. There is a small restaurant run by an elderly couple where you can have lunch and buy souvenirs.
Being an adventure junkie I next headed 70 km southwest from Plitvice Lakes National Park to Adrenalin Park Gospic at Rizvan City, where I freefell from Croatia’s highest giant swing (17 metres). The park is a great weekend getaway for families, friends and corporate team building as it comes equipped with a lot of adrenaline and adventure activities like zip line, climbing, paintball, airsoft shooting, archery, Fussball, kayaking, quad biking, cycling and abseiling.
Free falling from Croatia’s highest swing is a must-do when in Plitvice
But my adventure didn’t end here, it continued at the Kajak Kanu Klub Gospic where I enjoyed kayaking on the calm waves of River Korana and relishing some pears straight from the garden trees. I still can’t forget the smile of the gentleman who picked the best fruit from his garden to give it to me. A priceless gift indeed.
Kayaking in the calm water of Korana River is super fun
For more info, check Visit Gospic, Adria Velebitica and Kajak Kanu Klub Gospic
65km away from Plitvice Lakes and 5km west of Gospić lies the tiny village of Smiljan, the birthplace of one of the greatest minds of the modern world who brought electricity into our homes and invented wireless technology. That person was Nikola Tesla and his home is now converted into a museum displaying key moments of his life and working replicas of some of his most famous inventions. The complex consists of his birth house, a Serbian Orthodox Church (his father was an Eastern Orthodox priest), a multimedia centre, an old barn, and a children’s playground. Every two hours there’s a guided tour that shows a couple of his experiments and a video about the great scientist himself.
Nikola Tesla’s birthplace is a must-visit in Croatia
Ticket costs 50 HRK (7€) For more info, check Nikola Tesla
This was the first place I visited when I was travelling from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes. Located roughly midway between Zagreb and the Northern Dalmatian coast, it is just 25 km from the Plitvice Lakes National Park. A watermill village is situated where the blue-green water of river Slunjčica flows into the Korana river. Rastoke is famous for its historic houses, well-preserved mills and the picturesque little waterfalls along the Slunjcica river, which flows into the river Korana at this place.
Rastoke: Perfect place for a break when traveling from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes or vice versa
For more info, check: Slunj Rastoke
It’s hard to imagine that a fairy-tale-like place could be so close to an underground bunker, which is one of Europe’s largest and most expensive military airbases. Zelijava Underground Airbase is situated on the border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and was built by the Yugoslav government between 1958 and 1968. It was extensively used in 1991, during the Yugoslav Wars.
Things to do in Plitvice Lakes National Park Croatia: visit an abandoned army base
As per Boris, my de-facto local guide, the facility was like an underground city where no one except for the higher officials knew all details about the airbase. At any given time two MIGs were ready to take off within 5 minutes. The bunker was coated with concrete shields to protect it from airstrikes and nuclear attacks. There are four main entrances (only one is open) in the 3.5kms long tunnels. The underground tunnels housed aircraft and entire squadrons, as well as an underground water source, power generators, crew quarters, barbers, and a mess hall that could feed 1,000 people. It also stocked food, fuel, and arms to last 30 days without resupply. It was like a full-fledged city.
Things to do in Plitvice Lakes National Park Croatia: visit an abandoned army base
The underground base once housed dozens of MIG Fighter Jets but was destroyed in conflicts in the region after the fall of Communism. Many of the aircraft, including MIG Fighter Jets, were destroyed in the Yugoslavian war and many were abandoned to rot away. While their original purpose is lost, today they make up for a good Instagram post 🙂
Exploring the abandoned Yugoslavian warplane near Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Croatians are one of the most hospitable people in Europe. If you get invited to a local’s place, brace yourself to hear “Jesti! Jesti! Jesto!” (eat eat eat) a lot. You will be welcomed with a hearty flow of ‘Rakija’ (homemade brandy). And, you won’t be allowed to leave without a few drinks.
Things to do in Plitvice Lakes, Croatia: drink Rakija like a local
When in Lika county, you must try ‘Peka’. A peka is a domed iron lid or “bell”, used to cover a pot, which is then buried into the embers of a fireplace to create a slow-cooking micro-oven. It’s mostly used for cooking veel, lamb, or octopus, along with potatoes and vegetables, with wine and olive oil. Since it involves slow cooking, you need to order Peka dishes at least one day in advance. And, it’s not just the Peka dish that is special, the places where it is served act as community centres where people gather to talk and have a good time.
From Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes: relish traditional Croatian cuisine
Barać caves, Una National Park and Bihac in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here’s a video about my experience of visiting one of the prettiest National Park not just in Bosnia but maybe in Europe. If you are looking for some offbeat adventure, this is the park you must visit. For more info check, Una National Park website.
The park is located between Zagreb and Zadar, very close to the Bosnian border (that’s why it makes sense to do a day tour to Una National Park). The park is easily accessible from all directions. The best way to get to the National Park is by road. Here’s an average bus journey duration:
If you’re travelling from elsewhere in Croatia to Plitvice, take a bus to one of the above places and change for another bus from there.
Buses are one of the cheapest and the best ways to travel from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes in Croatia
Spend more time in Upper Lakes, Plitvice, Croatia
Summer can get very crowded, peaking at up to 10,000 people a day and winters can get very harsh. Therefore, if possible, plan a visit during shoulder season (April-June or Sept-Oct) when the weather is still pleasant, the park is less crowded and open for relatively long hours.
Duration depends on your interests and how much time you have in hand. For all the places mentioned above, stay at least 10 days. If possible, start from Zagreb and end your trip at Dubrovnik
Activities: You can choose as per your liking – nature and adventure, urban explorations, beach time or exploring ancient ruins.
Hope this detailed Travel Guide from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes could help you find the right things to do in and around the National Park. Don’t forget to read Plitvice Lakes: 10 reasons why this is a must-visit Croatia National Park.
Have you ever visited Croatia? If yes, I would love to hear from you.
I was invited by Plitvice Lakes Tourism Board. However, everything expressed above is based on my personal experiences and conversations I had in the country. The images used are shot by me. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
Balmy crystal-clear sapphire waters of the Adriatic coast or the ancient walled city of Dubrovnik? Little unexplored hamlets and remote islands of Zadar and Split or the cascading waterfalls and lakes of Croatia National Park? Gastronomic delights and wines of Istria or Zagreb’s unrivalled café culture and festivals?
Croatia has all this and a lot more. Living up to its slogan, “Croatia – Full of life”, this tiny young nation is filled with attractions of unimaginable beauty and diversity. No wonder, it draws visitors five times more than its own population(18.5 million vs 4 million).
Instagram updates, Facebook galleries, and glossy travel magazines had put Croatia on top of my wish list. Finally, in August 2017, I decided to find out what the fuss was all about. I am happy to say I am bewitched by Croatia, and it is now one of my favourite countries in Europe (I will share that in another post).
While most people spend the majority of their time on its glorious 1778 km-long coast and a staggering 1185 islands, I decided to go offbeat (like always). Instead of running from pillar to post in 10 days, I chose to travel slowly but deep in two places – Plitvice Lakes National Park region and Zagreb. The reason to do that was simple – I didn’t want to be a part of the problem (Over tourism in a few places) but wanted to play a constructive role in finding a solution (under tourism in unexplored regions). You can soon read about that in my upcoming story on how Croatia is fighting Over tourism.
Today, I am here to share why this beautiful Croatia National Park should be on your travel map.
Plitvice Lakes is in the Lika county, which is bejewelled between Zagreb and Zadar and located a stone’s throw-away distance from the Bosnia Herzegovina border. Whether you are coming by road, train or air, getting here is a child’s play. It takes just two hours to reach the park from Zagreb or Split. More info here.
Plitvice is the oldest and the most well-known Croatia National Park. As you walk through the maze of paths, woods, and meadows in Croatia’spostcard-image of Paradise on Earth, you
Spread over a green valley in the Croatian interior, a series of over 90 waterfalls tumbledown from one spectacular cascade to the next, pausing in the 16 sparkling turquoise lakes before disappearing into a sheer karst canyon. These lakes took shape only 12,000 years ago, but even today, Plitvice’s landscape is one of Mother Nature’s ongoing works in progress. Not only is it loved by visitors, but it is also much loved by its resident bears and wolves and over 120 species of birds.
The Lika region is blessed with modest Continental and mild Mediterranean climates, which makes it an ideal adventure playground for various activities that can be enjoyed throughout the year. You can bike the forest trails or hike the mountain peaks, ride a horse or swoosh through a zip line, buggy ride or ride the waves. The possibilities are endless. All you need is an adventurous spirit and let your curiosity be your guide. Wherever you go, the memories will follow.
Locals are the unsung heroes of your travels. They can make or break your trip. Luckily, Croatians tend to be friendly, generous, well-read and bred, culturally conscious and English-speaking, and funny and hospitable. One of the reasons why I can’t stop raving about Croatia is because of the likes of Boris (the funny, caring, intelligent and well-connected man), Maja (beautiful and elegant lady from Plitvice as well as Gospic), Ivica (the man behind the trails of Plitvice Lakes National Park) and many others who went out of their way to make me feel at home.
I was welcomed with open arms and a heart filled with love wherever I went. Whenever I dinned with Boris, he didn’t let me pay even once for my drinks or food. And, not just that. He even took me to his folk’s place to try homemade ‘Rakija’ (fruit-based alcoholic beverage). His sense of humour and caring personality was the reason my trip became so memorable. Never even once did I have a dull moment during the entire trip.
65km away from Plitvice Lakes in the tiny village of Smiljan, the greatest mind of the modern world, Nikola Tesla, was born. Thanks to him, we can enjoy electricity and wireless technology today. Therefore, visiting the Plitvice Lakes and not visiting his birthplace would be a crime. His home is now converted into a museum displaying key moments of his life and working replicas of some of his most famous inventions.
While Istria is the undisputed leader when it comes to the culinary delights of Croatia, the Lika region is second to none with its traditional dishes and drinks. It is impossible not to lick your fingers when the ‘Peka’ dish arrives on your table along with the ‘Rakija’ (local homemade brandy). A Peka is a Dalmatia region signature dish made with a blending of vegetables and meat, drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with herbs, and then baked to perfection under a bell-like dome, or ispod čripnje in embers of a fireplace.
When offered a Rakija, always clink glasses, look into your fellow drinker’s eyes, and shoot it down. It is not meant to be sipped.
And, don’t forget to enjoy Medica(honey liqueur) or digestives after meals.
While the Plitvice Lakes are the biggest draw for the Lika region, other important historical war sites are worthy of a visit. For example, the town of Udbina and Gospic in Lika county, have been military frontiers in many important wars like the Hungarian war with the Turks in the 15th century, WWII between the Axis and Allied forces, and the latest Yugoslavian war fought between Serbs and Croats in the 90s. The wars were so brutal that much of the region and its records were destroyed. The tragic and bloodiest battle on Croatian soil was fought at Krbavsko polje valley with the Turks in 1493. Today there is a Church of Croatian Martyrs and a Croatian National Shrine in Udbina to honour and pay tribute to known and unknown victims of historical misfortunes.
On the brighter side, did you know that Udbina is also the sunniest part of Croatia? It could be raining in the neighbouring Plitvice Lakes, but it will be sunny here.
Just next to the lakes lies Zelijava UndergroundAirbase, built by the Yugoslav government between 1958 and 1968 and extensively used in the Yugoslav war in 1991. The bunker is one of Europe’s last remaining underground airbases built to withstand a nuclear attack. It was like an underground city equipped with all facilities to last for months in case war erupted.
The underground base once housed dozens of MIG Fighter Jets, but it is left abandoned today.
Just a 20-minute drive from the lakes lies the underground world of stalactites, stalagmites, and stagnates in the village of Nova Krslja. There is a 45-minute long guided tour available to help you uncover the underground treasures of Barac Caves.
Just 40 km from the Plitvice National Park lies Una National Park, which is the youngest and one of the prettiest of the three national parks in Bosnia and Herzegovina. While Plitvice is overrun by hordes of tourists, nearby Una National Park is still an offbeat gem and fairly unknown.
As per Amarildo Mulic, the Director of the National Park Una,
The main purpose of the park is to protect the extraordinary river scenery of waterfalls that lie on Una and Unac rivers running through the park.
The showstopper of the park is 24.5 meters high, Štrbački Buk waterfall, the highest and most spectacular waterfall of National Park Una. The best thing is you can raft on the waterfall itself. A 9-km long 2-hour rafting tour starts below Strbacki Buk and continues downstream until Loskun. Here’s a video about my experience. PS: Getting to Una National Park is a little bit difficult if you don’t have a private car. However, you can always rent a car in Bosnia or Croatia.
So, as you might have gauged by now, Plitvice National Park region is a perfect playground for nature lovers, landscape photographers, Instagrammers, wildlife enthusiasts, history diggers and anyone who likes to connect to nature and people. Forests, caves, crevices, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, mountains and hidden treasures mean that at the extremely picturesque Plitvice National Park region, even the most ham-fisted amateur can leave feeling like Ansel Adams.
I hope these 10 reasons inspire you to visit the Plitvice region beyond the lakes. Don’t forget to read the Complete Travel Guide: From Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes.
Have you ever visited Croatia National Park or any other sight? If yes, I would love to hear from you. Also, don’t forget to check the rest of the stories from my 4 months solo budget travel in Europe.
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I was invited by Plitvice Lakes Tourism Board. However, everything expressed above is based on my personal experiences and conversations I had in the country. Images used are shot by me. Please do not copy anything without written permission.
Kolkata, the 350 years old second largest metropolis of India, manifests itself differently from other metros. Being the former capital of British India, Kolkata still has the bearings of colonial-era in the form of trams and architecture. The city has always been regarded as India’s intellectual, artistic and cultural capital. No wonder it has produced several Nobel Laureates like Rabindranath Tagore, C.V. Raman and Amartaya Sen among others.
Friendlier than India’s other metropolises, this is a city you ‘feel’ than simply visit. Whether you are visiting for work or leisure, the city of joy will enthrall you with its laidback character and specialties that you can only get in Kolkata. Here are the ten places to visit in Kolkata:
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