Stay Home and DO NOT travel. Period !
Stay Home and DO NOT travel. Period !
27 years old, 15 countries, 8000+ miles, 11 times circled the globe, 700+ hours, 23 mountains hiked, 9 different time zones..and the list goes on!!
Jet lag — That’s the 2nd most common word in my life.
Over the years I have been traveling to different countries on business or tourist/pleasure while sometimes just to escape the reality and find my focus.
While some people think travel is to : pack all the essentials, just hop on the plane, put your phone in the airplane mode, take that cozy blanket, put on your favorite movie and enjoy glass of fine vintage Château Côte de Baleau Grand Cru.
For me, travel= magic. So quick summary of the things I learnt from my travels :
1.You meet interesting and unforgettable people :
Once I was flying from Munich to New York, and met a very interesting student. She was quite intrigued by the book (Murder on the Orient Express) I was reading. I asked her name and then she introduced herself. As we continued to talk for the next few hours, she told me about her life, how she left everyone to pursue her dreams and how she is working as a part time bartender to make sure she pays her bills and completes her education. While I could see some hesitation in her voice, I was also impressed by her determination to be better in the life.
Life is not “bed of roses”, but how many do you think are determined to make it better every day?
Just 2 months back, I was flying from Shanghai to New York ( business class) and met an investor, must be in her 50’s. While she was happily enjoying her wine, after 50 minutes into the flight, we started talking and that’s when she shared her “grand perspective” towards life and startups. While she had few hiccups as an investor previously and on the personal front due to her marriage yet she never bogged down. I shared few start up ideas, why I thought it can be next the “big thing” and to what level it can succeed or fail. She asked me to send her a business plan. Just few days back I sent her the plan with an empty feeling that she must have forgotten me. I have always been a person who cared about time and details, she replied to me after 3 days and I was completely amazed by her detailed feedback. I thanked her later!
2. You find your “why”
There was a point in my life when traveling wasn’t just a hobby but a therapy. I called it my “inflection” point and it helped me in finding my why. I found myself and it made all the difference in my life.
3. Started writing a book
I have always been an avid reader (completed reading my 457th book recently). Having met so many people in my life and been through so many experiences, I started writing a book ( which I’ll publish soon). Experiences ranged from going on date with an absolute stranger — discovering different “kind of personalities” — an emergency landing — hitchhiking in a new country at 3am — — hiking with different group of people — camping with strangers— drinking wine with guys I never met in my whole life — diving 10 m deep in the sea — — ending up getting hitched for fun in a chapel in the Vegas and many more…
4. You feel “unstoppable”
Someone said it right that if you are feeling over confident, hike a mountain because mountains have a way of dealing with overconfidence. Till now I have hiked 23 mountains and that created all the difference in my personality. One such place where I exhausted myself was “Pinnacles in Borneo”. Sharp blade like rocks ( pic below) tested everything I had in me. I cried with happiness when I completed the hike after 9 hours of climb and descend. It made me feel “unstoppable”.
5. Humbleness and Grateful
More than 8 billion people on this planet from different countries, religion and cultures. Different cuisines, celebrations and colors, I have experienced it all and I cant be more grateful. I became more open to people’s opinion, appreciate the fact that different people react to the same situation in a different way. In short I became more acceptable to the fact that I can be wrong in someone’s opinion and can be idolized in someone else’s mind. Having met so many people I learnt how to be grounded and be a better listener even when I’m talking. Everyone has a story, perception of reality, opinion, experiences and thoughts. There is no right or wrong opinion.
6. Get out of your comfort zone and try new things
Travel allows you to experience living in conditions that you never thought you could survive. But you will. Only when you step out of your comfort zone, then can you really push yourself to your limits and discover what you can achieve. Now whenever I feel I cannot do something, I replay those moments when a task/situation seemed utterly difficult and the way I accomplished it.
“Your strength lies in all those things you completed which once deemed impossible”
7. Finding the way on your own after getting lost.
Ever got lost? No phone, no maps, language barrier, no one to help? Take a deep breath and look around. What do you feel? I felt like wandering on my own.
There is nothing like being lost in Rome where every street corner has another spectacular sculpture; or being lost in Brussels where every neighborhood has a cluster of bistros or bakeries.
By the end of the day, I explored more than I planned. Some one said it right :
“Not All Who Wander Are Lost”
8. Knowledge and fearless mindset
I faced language barrier many times especially when I was in China and Korea. So I learnt Mandarin and Korean. Life is full of adversities and I’m not new to such situations. Bus broke down? Train delayed? Road block? Severe food poisoning? Lost your way? It’s okay, slow down and find an alternative way out.
Many times I asked myself “What’s the worst that could happen?” and that’show I developed a “fearless mindset”.
9. Living the moments
This one is my favourite. I was just out of my cocoon and in Singapore. Like any amateur traveler I was clicking the beauty Singapore has to offer. A European guy was watching me. He came to me and said something I’ll always remember. He said “ Sometimes we are so engrossed in capturing/clicking things that we forget to live the moments and beauty the place has to offer”. He was right! From that time on, I started living in the moments and in my perspective it’s beautiful!
“An amateur traveller tries to capture everything amazing in his/her camera whereas a mature traveller live those amazing things and moments”
Oh did I forget to tell you about the spectacular vast and infinite “ Sky views”?
( Pics I clicked)
Why I wrote this post? Some day I’ll be 80 years old and still be traveling. When I’ll look back, I will read this post again and say to myself “The journey is more beautiful than the destination” and I lived every moment of it.
**** This is my first post, apologies if you find any error/mistake. And, if you like it and want me to write more posts, please don’t forget to “like & comment” because your appreciation would motivate me***** 🙂
Keep traveling !!!
Love Naina 🙂
Disclaimer: *Contents of this story is Authors personal views and presentation.
**Photos from google
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Nestled in the unparalleled beauty of the Western Ghats, lies a scintillating place teeming with natural splendours – Wayanad. Offering some of the most exquisite gems in the form of natural sights, water bodies, flora and fauna, Wayanad is one of those places that will never let you forget it! From mystical and deep forests that are full of millions of different forms of life to streams and rivulets that have been nourishing them; from wonderful remnants of the past to the ancient caves that have once housed people – the list of tourist attractions in Wayanad is impressive and unique.
Well, Wayanad is a place that offers a totally new side of the coastal State of Kerala. So, if you are looking for travel destination inspirations, stop doing that and visit Wayanad. And, to make your stay in Wayanad a truly exotic experience, read the following post. It comprises the things that you should know before booking a resort in Wayanad.
So, here we go!
Whenever we travel we opt for hotels for accommodation which is a satisfactory choice. However, Wayanad is a place that offers many boutique nature resorts that offer much more than a standard hotel. Further, a hotel will not be able to give you the feeling of staying the lap of luxury and nature. The nature resorts are surrounded by forests and trees on all sides. There are plantations and farms to enjoy long walks and fresh organic produce.
Most of the reputed nature resorts offer the in-house spas where you can enjoy traditional Kerala Ayurvedic Massages and therapies. There are many resorts that offer complimentary packages as well. There are dedicated areas for playing, recreation and swimming pools etc. So, all in all, a resort is much better than a typical hotel.
Now, let us move on to know more about booking a resort in Wayanad.
Before booking the nature resorts in Wayanad you must check the service portfolios. The service portfolios will offer you a better overview of the property and you will be able to make a better decision. Instead of settling for some average accommodation that offers generic services; plan your stay at the resorts that offer commendable services. Laundry, Safety Deposit Boxes, Airport Pickup, Non-Smoking Rooms, Tours and Concierge etc are some services that you should look for.
You must check the customer reviews for the resort. Almost all the major resorts are listed on the travel information websites and you can find genuine customer feedbacks there. So, you must read them before making the final bookings.
Checking the photos uploaded by the previous visitors is also a must. These pictures will be the actual representation of the property and will show you how the property actually looks. You will be able to check whether the property suits your requirements and expectations or not. Hospitality Services offered at the Resorts vary greatly from one place to another. So, check them in order to avoid any troubles later.
Wayanad is a premium holiday destination for honeymooners as well. So, if you are looking for the honeymoon resorts in Wayanad, then you must pay attention to safety and security as well.
If you are travelling for business or you are going to Wayanad on a Corporate Tour, you need to book a resort that offers MICE or equivalent services. Finally, if you are travelling with your family, then you must book the best resorts in Wayanad for family. You cannot take risks with family at your side. Having covered the things that should be considered while booking the Resorts in Wayanad, let us move ahead.
You can find a good number of resorts in Wayanad that offers a perfect mix of luxury and nature, this is one place that you can trust when it comes to quality. While choosing the resort, make sure that it offers a pleasant stay, tours, satellite TV, Swimming Pool and amazing balconies to enjoy the surrounding nature in the best manner.
Abad Brookside is a perfect destination for honeymooners and families. Apart from the very many facilities, this resort has a large hanging pool that overlooks the nearby forest and is a mesmerizing sight. Corporate travellers, business people and travellers that are seeking refuge in nature with all luxuries available at their disposal – Abad Brookside is a place that you can book without thinking twice.
There are many tourist attractions nearby that you can explore. Pookode Lake, Kuruva Dweep, Lakkidi View Point, Edakkal Caves, Soochipara Waterfalls and Banasura Sagar Dam – all of them can be explored while staying here.
Wayanad is an excellent place to enjoy nature at its best. If you are planning to explore Wayanad and its nearby place, you just need to hire any car rental service in Kerala and experience this amazing land of beauty.
Disclaimer: *Contents of this story is Authors personal views and presentation.
**Photos from google
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ITINERARY
Day 1. Bali – Arrival
Arrival in the Denpasar Airport, meets with our representative, and will directly proceed to Hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure by own arrangement.
Day 2. WATER SPORT + 60 MINUTES MASSAGE (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning at 09:00am pick up to Tanjung Benoa is a very suitable place for Water sport activities or water sports. Water sports can be enjoyed here include a Jet Sky, Fly fish, and Banana boat.
Afternoon enjoy 60 Minutes massage for relax your body and mind.
Day 3. TRANSFER TO GILI TRAWANGAN (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning at 07.00am will pick up for transfer to Padangbai/ Serangan Harbor for transfer to Gili Trawangan.
Arrive at Gili, take Cidomo transfer ( arrange on clients own) and transfer to hotel at Gili Trawangan.
Day 4. FREE AT LEISURE (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning Free at leisure by own arrangement
Day 5. TRANSFER GILI TRAWANGAN TO BALI (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning around at 08.00am take Cidomo transfer to Gili Harbor ( arrange by clients on own)
Arrive at Gili Harbor check in at boat counter and transfer by boat to Bali. Arrive at Serangan/Padangbai harbor will transfer to hotel at Bali.
Rest of the days free leisure at own arrangement.
Day 6. HD ULUWATU KECAK TOUR (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free leisure at own arrangement.
Afternoon at 15.00pm will pick up for trip to the most southern tip of the island: Uluwatu temple hanging on a cliff over a 100 meters sheer drop to the ocean. Within this area, we also have a chance to see the map view of Bali. As the evening approaches, enjoy the Kecak and Fire Dance to enrich your afternoon.
Day 7. BOUNTY SUNSET DINNER CRUISE (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning free leisure at own arrangement.
Afternoon there’s no better way to spend a balmy tropical evening than on Bounty evening Dinner Cruise. As the sun goes down we set off on a relaxing cruise around the harbour.
Cruise Include
· Return hotel transfer (Nusa Dua, Kuta, Sanur, Seminyak, Denpasar hotel area only)
· Welcome drink
· International Buffet Dinner
· Traditional Balinesse Dance
· Live Music
· DJ on board
· Comedy Cabaret Show
· On Board Entertainment
· Duration : 17:30 pm – 20:30 pm
· Boarding commences : 17:30 pm
Day 8. Bali – Out (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning Free at leisure by own arrangement until departure time to be proceed to the Airport.
Package cost – INR 1,20,000/-* Approx. (Ex-Delhi/ Mumba) for a Couple.
If you like the package, please email us or call/whatsapp us on 9975712713, we would be happy to book it for you.
Of-course we would be glad to tweak and modify this to suit your desired trip.
Story by : Abhimanyu@yatripandit
Image Source : Google images
Gokarna is a small town in Karnataka, well known for two reasons – its beaches and temples. With its pristine beaches and portrait like landscapes, It is a newly found hub for beach lovers and hippies.
The main beaches (Om and Kudle) were clean and serene, we had a fabulous time playing in the waves and relaxing in the shacks. The landscape at Om beach especially during dawn and dusk hours is a sight to watch. The beaches here are meant for a slow, relaxed holiday and everything on the beach goes at the same relaxed pace. Full of coconut and palm trees, the ocean and clean sands, Gokarna is a ‘one of its kind place’ in the country.
Here we go!!
We were three couples who started their roadtrip to Gokarna with great but wrong hopes. We hired a self drive #MahindraXUV500 and started from Pune at 7 am during the month of August.
It was a beautiful drive all till our destination specially the last 100 kms where we had to drive through a forest area in rural Karnataka. Reached Gokarna at around 7 pm just to find out that the accommodation (forgot the name) which I had pre-booked was not a place for not apt for couples. Phew! we were tired, climate was humid and we were stranded. We pulled our socks and asked many places but being a #longweekend, every place was full. Finally, we found a place, which was ONLY a little better to stay but the owner, was a manner less, arrogant lad. We had no option but to pay a premium for a average stay.
Caution: If you are a Gokarna fan, please do not read further… Here I am going to describe Gokarna from a, “disheartened person’s eyes.”
Honestly, I personally did not find Gokarna worth the long drive and money. Probably, I was expecting something else than what it had to offer.
Advice: Visit Gokarna with only with pre-booked accommodation, carry some food and set your expectations right before making plan towards Gokarna.
Please please Do not plan on a long weekend.
Hope this original story would help you plan your trip better!!
Please do share your experience of Gokarna in the comment section below.
Cheers!
Abhimanyu @yatripandit
I wrote this story about 4 years back and decided to post it without modifying because reading it again brought back so many memories.
My younger brother is a ‘CA in making’ and trust me guys he deserves a break after every exam he attempts. So, it was the month on November 2014 when we planned a family trip to rejuvenate and relax. My Mom, dad and bro flew down to Mumbai from Raipur, where I dwell, work and earn just to present myself a few Roadtrips every year.
We started off quite late as my mother was in no mood to hurry-up, keeping it lazy is her idea of a perfect holiday. The destination we embarked on was, Diveagar. It is a small Konkani coastal town in Raigad district of Maharashtra state. It is about 170 km from my place and it takes about 4 hours to reach.
The roads are well maintained except for a few rough patches. We halted at one of many restaurants on the highway to taste local maharastrian food like zunka bhakar, peethla, bhakri and matki and we were not disappointed by any of the dishes.
We reached Diveagar and had to struggle quite a bit to find a good stay as it was a long weekend when many Punekars and Mumbaikars had the same idea to unwind as ours. MTDC’s Exotica resort is right on the beach but it was a little out of budget so we took a U-turn and booked “naughty waves resort” which is located exactly 20 steps from exotica and is 1/4th the price.
After our evening tea and Konkani poha, we decided to hit the beach straight away.
All 4 of us were full of zeal to be embraced by nature. While playing on the clean white sand beach, my father observed a white star shaped impression on the sand. Taking a closer look we found out to be a starfish. Yes, it was a starfish in my father’s hand. We were astonished to see a real starfish for the 1st time ever in our lives. It was dead though. There are not many exotic restaurants in the village but we enjoyed home-cooked egg-curry, roti and dal-chawal at a local mess called Patil Khanawal.
There were zillions of stars visible in the sky as there was no pollution like in metros.
Next morning we went on the beach at 8:00 am as we were told by a local that dolphins come close to the beach. Boasting our life jackets, in 15 minutes we were on a boat in the middle of Arabia sea expecting dolphins to jump out of water. And what that local said, happened so be true. Dolphins emerged; we were numb and awestruck by the naughty dolphins. They were playing, shouting and jumping out of water in regular intervals. The scene was mesmerizing and it felt as they came exclusively for us just to make our trip even more memorable.
Evening we decided to experience a parachute ride on the beach and it was a superb experice have an aerial view of Arabian sea while the sun was setting on the horizon.
Next moring we were on the beach again to bid adieu to the calm, clean and relaxing town of diveagar. While walking on the beach we observed hundreds white tiny star fishes which were pushed out of the water by the mighty waves. Many of them were alive and were trying to meet the water so that they can return back to there colourfull and altruistic world and of ocean.
Total Cost is about Rs 12000/- for 4 person, 2 nights and 3 days including lodging, fooding and travel.
Cheers !! 🙂
Abhimanyu Yatripandit
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Back in Aug 2017, a fantastic Monsoon Saturday. It had been almost a year since I started my professional stint after completing my Chartered Accountancy studies and for obvious reasons I wanted to go somewhere. Did not know where but I wanted to spend some quality time with myself. Three days back I came to know about a travel company called “Unexplored Bastar” who plan trips to Bastar, a tribal district in state of Chhattisgarh. Since, then I could not think anything else but to go and explore my state. The biggest hurdle for me was to convince my mother that I will be safe in the wild trek and can take care of myself. Yeah, I was 25 but my mom thought I was still a kid who still needs her to be around him.
It was 4:30 PM on 12.08.2017 and suddenly from nowhere I decided that I wanted to go. I informed my boss that I need a day off and handed over my work. Bought a new pair of shoes from a nearby shop and reached home at round 7:30 PM. Phew !! my mother was all set to spoil my this plan like every other plan, but this time I was rigid and convinced her with all emotional blackmail and all possible tricks which I learnt during my entire life. Finally, my friend and myself boarded the bus at 10:00 pm to Jagdalpur. My friend felt asleep as soon as he hit that “sticky ragzine’s seat” and I started to enjoy my first solo trip.
We reached Jagdalpur at 5:00 in the morning and immediately went to the office of Unexplored Bastar. At the office Dheeraj introduced me to Mr. Jeet Singh Arya, Founder of “Unexplored Bastar” and some other team members. After this formal meet and greet all guests/travellers along with team of unexplored bastar departed for Farspal village, a small village in Dantewada District.
We pitched our tents in beautiful valley of Dholkal and greeted by hand made bouquets and some local delicacies.
Once done with the food we all geared up for experiencing this thrilling trek. We were a team of around 25 travellers accompanied by around 15 members from Unexplored Bastar. These members were from farspal village only and they had thorough knowledge about the trek and terrain. They told us that there are 10K varieties of butterflies in this forest. We had to trek 8 kms uphill to reach “DholKal Ganesha” . Initially it seems like a cakewalk but at the end trek becomes a bit tricky.
There were many small problems while trekking including sudden rainfall and within seconds’ sun was at its full throttle but in the end, we made it to the peak. After trekking for around for another 45-50 mins we finally reached the Ganesha Idol and believe me people this was one of the best moment of my life. It took me some time to breath the fresh air and realise that I was there, completing the trek.
The Ganesha Idol was around 3ft in height, 3000 ft. above ground level and it is said that it was built around 11th century during the period of Nagvanshi Dynasty. Idol has many serpents covering the body of Ganesha.
We spend some time at the hilltop, worshipped Lord Ganesha , decorated him with flowers and offered prasadi, lived that moment completely and then went ahead for our next destination i.e. Surya Temple. Surya Temple consist of a flat rock and it is said that first light of after dawn falls on this rock. We were told by our tour guide that when light falls on this flat rock , it is reflected on the idol of Lord Ganesha and a magnified view of shadow can be seen on the mountain behind. Due to bad weather, we were unable to experience this unique natural phenomenon.
We came back to the base camp at around 4pm and were served with evening snacks, which were very good and tasty. At around 6:30 we all gathered around for campfire and enjoyed local folk song.
During a casual chat Jeet Bhai, told us that there is immense potential in CG to develop as a tourist state but due to negligence of Govt. and also we as a people of CG never ever thought to travel our own state. He (Jeet) and his team not only developing a fan base for state of CG but also providing employment and training opportunities to local tribal people. Generally, it is assumed that CG is a state of tribes and is dominated by Naxalites but it definitely a lot more than that. After this trip, I promised to myself that I would take measures to travel often and explore CG and India more and more. Unknowingly Dheeraj and Jeet bhai created a difference in my life, thanks to them.
Love !!
Akash Sharma
Note – We have some fantastic stories on Chhattisgarh Tourism, check the by clicking the links below :-
Story By
Akash
Edited By
Abhimanyu
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What can be a better escape on a rainy weekend from Mumbai or Pune than Matheran?
Matheran is the only hill station, where vehicles are banned and you can clearly listen the sound of breeze rustling leaves and the sound of the horse shoes. It is the one hill station that is so close by that one can visit it at the drop of a hat. One can commute and explore the hills either on foot or on horseback. This is a perfect place for Digital detoxification as one can call it, to enjoy in the lap of mother nature.
As far as travel to the hill station is concerned, Matheran can be reached by road from Mumbai or Pune via Road or Train with ease.
We stayed at very calm place and fits in budget. It is a heritage building and is about 100 years old. The rooms were very spacious, the washrooms were okay but the food was really good. Even though they do not serve any non vegetarian food or alcohol, still I would say that the quality of food and variety was good.The rent on a weekend for a single night was Rs 3000/- for a double occupancy room, inclusive of all meals.
As for tourist activities, Matheran has about 22 points which are listed below. These were all developed by Britishers.
Important points are Alexander Pt., Rambag Pt, Little Chowk Pt, Big Chowk Pt, One Tree Hill Pt, Belvedere Pt, Olympia Race Course, Lords Pt, Charlotte Lake,Celia Pt (a water fall mouth), Echo Pt., Porcupine Pt (Sun Set Pt), Panorama Point (Sun Rise Pt), Khandala Pt, Madhavji Garden & Point, Matheran Railway Station, Louisa Point, Mayra Point, Pisarnath Temple.
It takes about 3 days to cover all the points and since we had a time constraint we decided to visit only the important places. We decided to visit all the scenic points but if you are an adrenaline junkie, you can try Valley crossing from echo point. High on the hills, when you witness the fog snd feel the cold wind against your face nothing can taste better in that weather than hot maggie and corn. Its advisable to reach back your resort before it gets dark as the hill terrain is not equipped with street lights. So to reach in time, we decided to hire horsebacks with funny names such as hawa hawai. After sound night’s sleep and a delicious morning breakfast we left for Mumbai. Took a Toy train (15 mins journey) from Matheran to Aman Lodge, then shared taxi to Neral and then Local train to Thane and finally back home after experiencing a much needed Digital Detoxification.
In Portugal you can find most picturesque cities, with a wide cultural heritage and a long historical tradition. If you want to know the exact location of the different districts and cities of Portugal, I recommend you to read the whole article where you will find the 4 most recommended towns for tourists ordered in alphabetical order. Which cities are the most beautiful in Portugal?
The Algarve, name that comes from the Arabic al-Garb, is the region that is to the south of Portugal, in the district of Faro.
With an area of 4960 km² and almost 500,000 inhabitants, it is the most touristic region in Portugal, especially for the quality and beauty of its beaches, but also for the tourist opportunities found there:
Highlights, on the one hand, the Sierra de Monchique, where the Pico da Fóiaand the Ria-Fromosa are located, in which a large natural reserve of 170 km² is located and which is the habitat of hundreds of species of birds.
The city of Almada belongs to the district of Setubal, in the region of Lisbon. It is the sixth city with the largest number of inhabitants of Portugal and one of the most visited in the country. Undoubtedly, in this city there is much to see, but above all, two extraordinary monuments stand out: on one side, the statue of Christ Rei and on the other side 25th of April Bridge or Puente Salazar.
The National Monument of Cristo Rei and Cruz Alta is, in reality, a copy of the Christ Redeemer located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil that measures about 100 m in height. It is a statue in which Jesus Christ can be seen with his arms crossed, so that he alludes to the four cardinal points.
Lisbon is not only known as a capital of Portugal but at the same time it is the largest and richest city in the country, and one of the great cultural centers of Europe. It is also the eighth city in the world most requested for the realization of international events and congresses, having passed through it events such as the Expo ’98, the Euro 2004, the MTV Europe Music Awards, the Dakar Rally, etc.
In addition, if you visit in summer, the tourist can enjoy the popular festivals that take place in Lisbon neighborhoods such as Madragoa, Castelo, Mouraria and Alfama, among others.
During these festivities, the streets are decorated with flower arches and the neighbors put street stalls selling sangria, wine, grilled sardines and other typical foods of the city. The festive period culminates in the night of San Antonio, the eve of June 13, when several parades and choreographies of traditional groups take place on Avenida da Liberdade.
If you really planning to visit this city book London to Lisbon flights & across UK.
Marvão is a small Portuguese town of just 600 inhabitants and belongs to the district of Portalegre, in the Alentejo region. It limits the north and the east with Spain and the northwest with Castelo de Vide.
It is divided into four parishes: Beirã, São Salvador da Aramenha, Santo António das Areias and Santa Maria de Marvão. In addition, it is a candidate to become a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 2000.
Marvão is a fortified town that sits on top of a hill. Altogether, it forms a hamlet of white walls and orange roofs that forms a panoramic of the most picturesque. Since in Roman times it was a strategic military point, it is located on the highest hill to get the best views of the environment and the mountains that surround it.
About Author : This post has been written and compiled by Hasan Johar. He is an avid traveler and loves to share his experience.
Disclaimer: *Contents of this story is Authors personal views and presentation.
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If you’re making plans to travel to Italy, then there should be one must-have experience on your to-do list: enjoying a coffee in an authentic Italian bar, or café as the Italians call it.
However, while the Hollywood movies and sitcoms have popularized large cups, takeaway coffees and lavish spaces of Starbucks brand cafés, actually the true Italian coffee culture is very different. Here are 3 key tips on how to immerse yourself in the local culture on your next trip to Italy:
Design and size of coffee shops – small is beautiful
There are just a handful of huge cafes in the major cities of Italy. This often comes as a surprise to travelers, since most coffee shops are small, tiny establishments, with limited seating and swift service. These places are loud with locals talking to each other or to the barista whom they usually know quite well.
In contrast, the popular American coffee chain, Starbucks, has set the standard with its larger shops, modern design, plenty of facilities and lots of space available. However, the opposite is what makes Italian cafes quite charming, romantic and picture-perfect for your selfies. 🙂
Coffee types and sizes are very different
It’s a known fact that Starbucks, a brand present in nearly every corner of the world, has little connection with authentic Italian coffee. And while many assume that ‘frappuccino’ is a word with Italian origins, it is actually not.
In Italy, if you order a latte, you will likely get just a glass of milk. Also, there is little similarity between an espresso served at Starbucks and one served in a local Italian café. The National Institute of Italian Espresso informs that a traditional espresso shot is approximately 29 millimeters (Italians finish it in three quick sips); but at Starbucks, you will get a generous, larger portion with quite a different taste.
Multiple, quick trips to a café per day is how Italians do it
Even the culture of drinking coffee at a Starbucks outlet and an Italian café is poles apart. While you may take your time lounging on a comfortable sofa, sipping on your Grande or Venti size drink and making use of the Wi-Fi at a Starbucks, an Italian café is hardly a place to hang around. People walk in, grab their standard size coffee and chat for five to ten minutes before making their way out (soon to be back for more!).
If you want to learn more about the intriguing coffee culture of Italy, then take a look at this Med Cruise Guide’s infographic below. It illustrates the key coffee drinking rules that help you avoid looking like a tourist on your next trip to Italy. Enjoy!
Bio: Anna Kay is an avid traveler, photographer, and editor at MedCruiseGuide.com. She loves exploring and island-hopping across the Mediterranean and enjoying local food specialties.
Disclaimer: *Contents of this story is Authors personal views and presentation.
**Photos from pixlebay.com
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