Balkans 2.0 21 Dec 2024 12:58 AM (10 months ago)
Old timers will recall the hilarious movie of 1969 “IF ITS TUESDAY IT MUST BE BELGIUM”, which was actually a satire on hectic coach holidays of those days. So today for me its “If its Monday it must be Macedonia, North Macedonia actually”. The drive from Tirana to Ohrid a beautiful town just across the border from Albania to North Macedonia was a pleasant one as it is in Europe. Lake Ohrid a huge body of water 350 sq. km and inkpot blue in colour was formed 3 millions years ago due to Tectonic disturbances deep down mother earth. With a depth of over 900 feet it is Europe’s deepest lake. There’s a long corniche running alongside the lake and it’s a fabulous walk all along which eventually leads to a steep climb on to a cliff that has a lovely chapel at the top from where you get a breathtakingly fabulous view of the lake. Spending the night in Ohrid, we move on the next day to Kastoria a town in northern Greece.
Kastoria is popularly known as the city of 100 churches fortunately we didn’t see a single one. This city also sits on the banks of a picturesque lake by the same name. We had a stroll in the town and lunch too. Driving down we later reached the town called Meteora famous for its hanging monasteries. We managed to see one of them called the holy trinity monastery a top a mountain making it a jaw dropping and breathtaking site.
Located in central Greece Meteora is a UNESCO world heritage site renowned for its six ancient monasteries. The very name METEORA means suspended in the air. The monasteries were built in the 14th to 16th centuries by Orthodox Christian monks and have survived all enemy attacks because of their inaccessible locations .
Our next stop was a town called Kalambaka where we spent the night and drove down to THESSALONIKI the second largest city in Greece after Athens. Sitting on the Aegean Sea made this town an important port city connecting Europe to Asia minor and the Mediterranean Sea. The city has a multiple of influences left by the people passing it namely the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and finally Ottomans. Stunning coastal view beaches and other historical sites within make it a huge tourist attraction. Taking a stroll through the town, we saw various landmarks: The white tower a 15th century Ottoman fortress, Roman emperor Galerius Palace now in ruins of course of the 4th century is right in the centre of town. Further ahead is Rotunda a 2nd century roman temple. Aristotle square with its main ancient gate is an imposing site and finally the church of St. Demetrios a 5th century construction. These are all declared UNESCO world heritage sites and with this we say GEIA to Thessaloniki that’s goodbye in Greek.
And now we cross over the border into the land of roses Bulgaria. Taking a tea break in Melnik, the town dates back to the 6th century with medieval architecture and known for its rich red wines. A walk down the main street with well-preserved cottages on either side selling homemade articles was truly a relaxing experience. Leaving Melnik we arrive in Sandanski which is the birthplace of the Greek legend Spartacus. The following morning, we do a monastery visit and then proceed to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.
As our guides and driver were all Bulgarians, understandably they were very proud of their country and after checking into the hotel, they took us for a detailed walking tour of the town and the old city which had well preserved homes, all two centuries old of the local Richie Rich. I personally found the place very charming and friendly with stunning well preserved stone buildings and the main cathedral took my breath away. The city founded in 29 BC is the second oldest city in Europe. There was a graduation ceremony in progress in the local open colosseum and beautiful young Bulgarian girls in their local costumes were awaiting their turn for giving a dance performance.
The following morning moving on from Sofia we go to Bachkovo a town in southern Bulgaria which has a monastery founded a 1000 years ago by a monk called Gregory. A mixture of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture with vibrant frescos in the interior make this a must visit site.
We later moved to Plovdiv in Central Bulgaria. Plovdiv is known as the city of the 7 hills, which is an ancient city 6000 years old. We stayed there overnight. The next day we breezed through Kazanluk located in the valley of the roses. This city is famous for the THRACIAN tombs. They were a diverse tribe known for their horsemanship, metal craftsmanship. Spartacus was a Thracian. The next city was Etara. Actually it’s a village which has a ethnographic outdoor museum which depicts the Thracian way of life. A walk through it was a revelation of how those ancient people lived. We had lunch at the restaurant attached to the museum giving us a taste of the local cuisine.
Next in line was Veliko Tarnovo, the city which was the capital of Bulgaria before Sofia. We halted a night here and the next day we cross over to our final country Romania and its capital BUCHAREST.
As they say the best is always saved for the last and truly Bucharest qualifies hands down for this accolade. The city which is called the Paris of the east is a true gem. Whilst doing a thorough walking tour of the city and the effusive explanation given by our local guide, brought out voluntary gasps and ooohhhs and aaahs of the sheer beauty layout of elegantly lined buildings one after the other. The icing on the cake was their old town called “LIPSCANI”. As night falls the area turns into a SOHO of London with restaurants, night clubs and pubs on either side of the street making it a difficult choice.
The next day although the official tour was over, I took a private bus tour to the famous Bran castle. A 200 kms drive out of Bucharest, built in the 14th century the castle served as a fortress and custom point for 200 years and in the late 19th century it became the summer residence of their queen. The Dracula connection comes from the Irish writer Bram Stoker who with his imagination and writing skills transformed the castle into foreboding mysterious and terrifying Castle Dracula.
Close to the Bran castle is another famous castle called the Peles castle built more recently in the late 19th century by King Carol the first as his summer residence. Unfortunately, due to restoration we couldn’t see the interiors but a stroll through the garden attached to the castle was a good pleasant experience.
On this note my Balkan tour concludes. Visiting the Balkan Peninsula with its tiny countries was always a dream and this was realized by Europa Mundo a Spanish touring company with its unique way of operations. 9 countries in 16 days with 3000 kms of coach travel was tough on this 72 years young frame. But as they say where there’s a will there’s a way.
Lastly a word of gratitude to Namaste Tourism for managing my trip so efficiently as always and to my visa person and the tour operator.
Balkans You Beauty 29 Nov 2024 11:37 PM (10 months ago)
The Balkan Peninsula and the word Balkan itself had always pricked my curiosity. Balkan in ancient Turkish means MOUNTAINS and the peninsula certainly has a few mountain ranges running across in all directions. East to west across Bulgaria are the Rhodope mountains extending across the Greek Bulgarian border. The Dinaric mountains run down the Adriatic sea coast to Albania. The Carpathian mountains run in north Romania. But this piece is not about mountains.
A casual chat with good friend Subhash of Namaste Tourism about this region and my wish to cover it, put me onto this hectic two week tour of Europa Mundo a Spanish company sourced out by his ever efficient staff member and my dear friend Amruta. So off I was to see this very charming and beautiful necklace of south eastern Europe, the Balkan peninsula.
Zagreb, the Croatian capital, was my first stop and my second time in this lovely city, right at the top of the western side of the Balkans. A walking tour of the old town which is on a hillock and one reaches there via a ride on the world’s smallest Funicular only 66metres.The town has a watch tower where the bugler would blow his bugle from a window everyday at sunset and the tradition is carried out even today. The town also has a very unique museum called the museum of Broken Relationships in which one of the affected parties would place a remembrance of his/her relationship. Walking down various old buildings on a narrow cobblestone path, brings you to the main town square, a bustling busy area with statues, trams, restaurants and tourists.
The next morning off we were to the second country Bosnia and in between is a very small country, an independent republic called Srpska whose capital is a scenic town called Bania Luka. The drive from Zagreb took us through breathtaking scenery. A walk in the town again through the cobbled alleys threw up modern shops in old buildings. Again continuing down the road got us to the town of Jajce which is in Bosnia where we saw an adorable lake and a very peppy waterfall.
The countries in these Balkan regions were ruled by the Ottomans from Turkey for 500years and their influence is omnipresent even today, with a large percentage of the population being followers of Islam. The end of the day after traversing 400 odd kms got us to the town of Sarajevo the largest town and the capital of Bosnia.
There were six Balkan countries which came under the socialist umbrella of President of Yugoslavia Josip Franz Tito whose socialist policies kept them under his control for 35years till his death in 1980. The countries were Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Macedonia now known as North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. These countries one by one broke away from Yugoslavia and declared their own independence fighting wars in the 1990’s which cost them dear. But that’s all water under the bridge now.
Sarajevo the capital of Bosnia has a very dominant Islamic influence, with names like Ahmedovic, Hasanovic, Ibrahimovic etc. the OVIC means son of Djokovic is an exception… hahaha. The ancient market with the main mosque makes you feel like you’re in a Turkish town. Another very interesting incident which sparked off the start of the first world war also happened in Sarajevo. The Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were crossing the famous Latin Bridge of Sarajevo in a motorcade when a fanatic teenager belonging to a secret Serbian society called the Black Hand murdered them in cold blood. The wife was pregnant then. This incident made Austria declare war on Serbia and the rest of the countries joined in.
After Sarajevo we drove on to Mostar to see the highlight of the trip, the Stari Most -meaning Ancient Bridge. Built in the shape of a stone arch this bridge is one of the main attractions in Europe for tourists. Unfortunately during the Serbian Bosnian war the original bridge was destroyed but the replica as it stands today is absolutely magnificent and it’s a UNESCO world heritage site. The streets of Mostar are very lively and typically touristic. We later drove on to Dubrovnik, another major highlight of the tour.
Dubrovnik- This was again my second time in this very very beautiful and well preserved walled town. The entry into the town is through a gate and till date it’s the only way to enter it. This gate would be locked up in the night and opened the following morning. This city has around it a walkway on the top of the walls two kms in diameter. Time didn’t permit me to walk it. The main attractions are the cathedral, the old pharmacy and a thriving market of local goods, all homemade. No trip to the Balkans can be completed without Dubrovnik on your itinerary.
We stayed an additional night in Dubrovnik and the next day moved onto Montenegro driving through some truly stunning and mouth gaping scenery across the Adriatic coast. First stop being Kotor, a beautiful walled town with strong Venetian influence. Next halt was in Budva which is a rocky islet in the sea and we crossed over in a row on row off boat.
Travelling further down the coast we entered Albania and its capital Tirana. Located in Central Albania, Tirana is a blend of Italian, Ottoman and Soviet architectural influence. For us Indians the most interesting part of Tirana is its city in which our very own Mother Teresa was born, although her parents were Macedonians she was born in Albania. There’s a charming church and a statue erected outside it. The highlight of the city are its magnificent colourful buildings painted in bright colours and very well maintained. I would highly recommend a visit.
As we reach the bottom of the western side of the Peninsula, may I continue my article in the following week.
Chinmay Sengupta – South Africa 3 Jul 2024 5:15 AM (last year)
Name: Mr Chinmay Sengupta
Nationality: Indian
Places Visited: South Africa
Date of Travel: 11 June to 22 June 2024
Today we came back to Mumbai with most intense memories of a tour that was planned impeccably and executed even better. The period from 11th June to 22nd June was just mesmerising, to say the least. A dreamland like experience in Amakhala Game Reserve, fascinating Tsitsikamma, magical Plettenberg bay, enchanting Knysna Lagoon, historical tapestry of Cango Caves at Oudtshoorn, picture-perfect Hermanus and an out-of-the-world Cape Town. These places by themselves are heavenly and you guys at Namaste and your partners in South Africa made it a special one for all of us. Thank you so much. I would like to express our gratitude to all of you with special mention to Obud, Nomandi, Sandy and Thandy at Amakhala and the for the rest of journey, Carlos, the man with the widest spectrum of knowledge over the places we visited and of course, the man of few words but Mr. Dependable Adrian, our driver during the tour. Namaste had set some high expectations with their amazing itinerary before the tour itself. I will only be echoing the emotions of our group that you surpassed our expectations on every count. Thank you very much Namaste, your partners in South Africa and all those wonderful individuals who helped us etch a lifelong, buoyant and vibrant travel diaries. Thank you very much. A line of caution though – you’ve set the bar of excellence high – you alone have to surpass it
Aggarwal Family – Poland & Czech Republic 26 Dec 2023 8:29 PM (last year)
Name: Mr Sandeep Aggarwal
Nationality: Indian
Places Visited: Poland & Czech Republic
Date of Travel: 3 June to 11 June 2023
Dear Namaste Tourism Team,
Thank you for organising a nice holiday for my family in Poland and Czechia (Czech Republic). We started with Warsaw. It is nice city, though not very touristy. The city was largely destroyed in World War 2 (WW2), but has been rebuilt well.
We then travelled south to Krakow (old capital of Poland), which was quite a revelation. We first visited the Salt Mines which are a unique concept. City Centre is very pretty, with lovely buildings, lanes and areas to generally walk around.
We also spent a day in the hills near Slovakia border. We then did a tour of Auschwitz concentration camp which was educative, but rather depressing.
We then later went to Prague, which is one of the prettiest cities in Europe. One can walk around the city centre for a long time just appreciating the surroundings. Here too we spent a day hiking in the hills on the German border.
Tourism is back with a vengeance everywhere; felt like non-stop partying, even as summer is about to begin. Unlike Western Europe, these places feel quite safe; otherwise very European and cosmopolitan. We stayed in city centre everywhere, which helped us to explore places easily.
The coordination, private tours, guides and service provided by Namaste Tourism team in general, were efficient and commendable.
Asrani Family – Türkiye 21 Dec 2023 11:52 PM (last year)
Name: Mrs Aarti Asrani
Nationality: Indian
Places Visited: Türkiye
Date of Travel: 17 June to 24 June 2023
Dear Namaste Tourism Team,
We had a superb family trip to Turkey in June 2023. All bookings of resorts, city tours and other activities were done by Ms Amruta, our travel advisor working with Namaste Tourism. Everything was well planned and organized, right from doing visas and international flight ticket bookings to hotels and city tours.
We covered three most visited places in Turkey namely Kusadasi, Cappadocia and Istanbul. Each city has its own charm. Hot air balloon ride was a mesmerizing experience. It was a memorable trip to cherish. Thanks to Subhash Motwani for guiding us to visit the must To Do Destination. It was truly a wonderful trip.
Explore India the Namaste Tourism Way – Wellness, Royalty & Wildlife experiences 15 Jun 2020 3:00 AM (5 years ago)
Spirituality, culture, architecture, history, civilization, nature, wildlife, culinary experiences, diversity are some of the attributes India is known for. There is lots to explore in India and here we put together a few interesting places that should be part of your bucket list as the world opens up for Responsible travel once again.
Rishikesh
Rishikesh, often known as the Yoga Capital of the World is the most tranquil city in the Uttarakhand state situated on the Ganges river, at the foothills of the Himalayas. Many ashrams provide yoga and spiritual training to tourists visiting Rishikesh. It is the starting point to many treks and pilgrimage centres such as Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri together known as the Chota Char Dham. It is here that the sacred river Ganga flowing through the narrow hills now enters the vast plains.
Ancient legend states that after defeating Ravana, Lord Rama offered penance here and Lakshmana crossed the river using jute ropes. At this same place, we have the Laxman Jhula bridge which is one of the most iconic landmarks of Rishikesh. The iron bridge offers amazing views of the river and its surrounds. Later in 1986, another iron bridge named Ram Jhula was built connecting the two banks of the river Ganga.
Tony Leon from India / CC BY-SA
Trayambakeshwar is an iconic 13-storey temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at a walking distance from the Laxman Jhula. The devotees have to pass through the various chambers on each floor dedicated to other Gods and reach the top where the Shiva Linga is present. In the evening you get to see a beautiful view of the lighted Laxman Jhula and the river below.
Triveni Ghat is a well known bathing ghat to have a holy dip and is well-known for the evening Ganga Aarti which takes place here everyday. It is the perfect place to experience traditional India with its devotees attaining peace during the Aarti.
Rishikesh is also known as the adventure capital of India. In summers, it is a popular spot for white water rafting. It is recommended to do at least 16 kilometres of rafting to have a memorable rafting experience. During weekends advance pre booking is very much recommended. Other adventure activities include Bungee Jumping, Giant Swing, Zip Lining, Hiking, Trekking, Rock climbing, etc.
Image Credit : White Water Magazine
How to Reach
From Dehradun airport you drive south 21 kilometres (30 min) to reach Rishikesh. Rishikesh also has a railway station which is well connected to other major train stations in India.
Jaipur
During the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1876, Maharaja Ram Singh painted the entire city of Jaipur in pink as the colour pink symbolized hospitality. Jaipur is therefore known as the Pink city and is the capital of the largest state(in terms of area) in India. It is a planned city and has UNESCO sites viz, the Amber fort and the Jantar Mantar.
Amber Fort or Amber Palace is a UNESCO site situated at about 11 kilometres from Jaipur. The strong and safe fort was built with red sandstone and white marble with beautiful carvings, precious stones and mirrors. The Maota Lake in front of the Palace adds charm to the place.
Jantar Mantar is the largest and the only working astronomical observatories that were built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. It is a UNESCO site and a must visit. It has 16 devices like the sundial, compass which shows local time, tracks celestial bodies, orbits of planet around the sun and more….
City Palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the 17th Century. The fortified complex includes the Palace of Reception (Mubarak Mahal) which in now turned into a museum displaying large collections of royal costumes. On the other hand the Maharani Mahal (queen’s palace) displays weapons and armory used by the Rajputs. The City Palace is still home to the Royal Jaipur family.
Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds is a 5 storey building with 953 small windows called Jharokhas which provide cool air inside the Palace. It was built by the King Sawai Pratap Singh as a summer retreat for himself and his queens. The windows allowed the queens to stay behind them and observe everyday life without themselves being visible to the others.
Jaigarh fort, located on a Cliff ‘Cheel Ka Teela’ (Hill of the Eagles), 15 kilometres from Jaipur, offers a beautiful view of the city below, Amber fort and the Maota Lake. The fort is connected by underground passages to Amber fort below and has the largest cannon on wheels of those times called ‘Jaivana’. It is an important fort to visit when in Jaipur.
Jal Mahal is an engineering wonder of those times. It is a 5 storied red-stone palace built in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. From the land above, one can view only the top floor, while the other four floors are submerged inside the lake. It is an interesting sightseeing spot visited by many tourists visiting Jaipur.
How to Reach
Jaipur has an international airport located 15 kilometres from the city centre. It is also well connected to other cities within the country by train. It also has good road connectivity from other major cities of Rajasthan.
Wildlife & Tiger Safaris
India known as the Tiger Land has the largest tiger population in the world. Jim Corbett, Bandipur, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Tadoba Andhari, Ranthambore, Kaziranga, Sunderbans are some of the well-known Tiger reserves in India.
Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park and the first Tiger Reserve in India. It is located in Uttarakhand, 62 kilometres from Nainital. From Delhi it is about 260 kilometres drive to Ramnagar and then onwards to the Park. The park covers an area of 520 square kilometres and has a healthy tiger population. The park is divided into 5 zones from where one can enjoy the wildlife which includes the Bengal Tiger, Elephants, different species of deer and birds.
Bandhavgarh National Park is located in Madhya Pradesh, 160 kilometres away from Jabalpur airport. It is also accessible from Khajuraho by car (225 kilometres) and can be combined with a tour of Khajuraho. It was the hunting place for the Maharajas and had captured a white tiger in this area. The park has high density of Tiger population along with other wildlife like the Leopards, Spotted Deers, Sambhar, Sloth Bear, Jungle Cat and over 250 species of birds.
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is the largest and the oldest National Park in Maharashtra, 115 kilometres away from Nagpur. It has 6 core entry gates from where Tiger safari is possible. Leopards, sloth bears, hyena, wolf, wild dogs, Indian bison, sambhar, jungle cat, wild boar and 210+ species of birds are other attractions of this national park. Winter months are the pleasant months to visit the national park. The best time to spot tigers is during the summer months of April and May.
Bandipur National Park together with its adjoining parks Nagarhole, Wayanad (Kerala) and Madumalai (Tamil Nadu) forms the largest protected area in Southern India. The closest airport is Coimbatore (132 kilometres) , also accessible from Bangalore (262 kilometres) via Mysore. Along with tigers, the park is also known for the wild elephants, four horned antelopes, jackals, dholes and over 200 species of birds. Mysore, Ooty/Wayanad can be combined with Bandipur National Park.
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Our travel experts at Namaste Tourism will be delighted to plan your itinerary to these places. We can offer you the best wellness and spa experience in Rishikesh; ‘Live like a Maharaja’ experience in Jaipur and ‘Pristine Wilderness’ in Bandhavgarh.
+91 9833128208 / info@namastetourism.com
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Sri Lanka – more than a teardrop 29 May 2020 4:48 AM (5 years ago)
Known as the teardrop of India, Sri Lanka which is located in the Southern Part of India is one of the crowning jewels of the Indian Ocean. Separated from the Indian sub-continent by the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the administrative capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo continue to remain the commercial capital of the island country that is all of 65610 square kilometres that includes 2905 square kilometres of water an a coastline of 1340 kilometres.
Sri Lanka with a population of about 21 million – 75% of which are Sinhalese, 13% are Sri Lankan Tamils, followed by Moors, Indian Tamils and others. Sinhala language of Indo-Aryan origin is its official language spoken by majority. Tamil and English are also widely spoken by all communities here.
The northern parts and the coastal areas are flat while there are hills and mountains in the central and southern central areas of this island. The average temperature in the coastal areas ranges from 25-30o C while in the highlands the average temperature ranges between 15-20o C. The South West monsoon brings rain in the west and south west part of the island from May to September while the North East Monsoon brings rain to the north east and eastern parts of the island from December to February. Therefore the best time to visit Sri Lanka is from October to February when there are no rains on the west coast and south west part of the country which has major must see places to explore.
The area covering several cities between Anuradhapura to the north, Polonnaruwa to the east and Kandy to the south that includes most out of the 8 UNESCO sites in Sri Lanka is known as the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka. The must visit places in the cultural triangle are:
Dambulla Cave Temple (UNESCO)
Dambulla Cave temple is situated about 130 kilometres or a 3 hours drive from the Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo. You visit this place enroute when travelling to Sigiriya. It is a cave complex of 5 caves dating back to first century BC which has large number of Buddha statues and ceilings covered with Buddhist mural paintings. It is an important Buddhist monastery and Buddhists from Sri Lanka visit this temple to pray and worship. From here you can drive around 20 kilometres to reach Sigiriya.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress (UNESCO)
Sigiriya is a fantastic place to stay for a minimum of two nights and explore places like the Polonnaruwa, Minneriya National Park and Anuradhapura.
Sigiriya Rock is an ancient rock fortress at a height of about 370 metres/1215 feet above the sea level. The rock fortress was built by King Kashyapa in the 5th Century and it may take upto 3 hours to climb up the rock and back down. There are around 1200 steps to the top of the rock. During your ascent you will come across various Sigiriya paintings and graffiti. Once you reach the top you will see the ruins of the fortress and be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding hills & jungles and a sense of accomplishment of climbing the rock.
Ancient city of Polonnaruwa (UNESCO)
Polonnaruwa is an ancient capital city of the 11th and 13th centuries AD, situated about 1.5 h drive (~60 kilometres) from Sigiriya. Here you visit Parakrama Samudra, a huge man made reservoir and Gal Viharaya or Rock Temple to see huge statues of Buddha in seating, standing and reclining positions. You could also explore the city on a bike with a guide, exploring the ancient ruins, palaces, religious shrines and royal baths.
Minneriya National Park
A game drive in the park is a must do when in Sri Lanka. The park is situated about half an hour drive (20 kilometres) from Sigiriya. It is the best place in Sri Lanka to see the Sri Lankan Elephants along with other mammals, birds, reptiles, Purple Faced Langur and Toque macaque. The park is famous for Elephant Gathering in the months between June and September when you may witness about 50 to 300 wild elephants making their way to the nearby reservoir.
Anuradhapura (UNESCO)
Anuradhapura, an ancient capital city founded in the 5th century BC is a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists around the world. It is 80 kilometres or 90 minutes drive north of Sigiriya. The city is famous for its ancient, well preserved ruins of Sinhala civilization. Visit the two white dome-shaped stupas of Ruwanwelisaya and Jethawanaramaya, Samadhi Buddha statue – Buddha statue in a meditative pose and the Sacred Maha Bodhi Tree which bears a branch brought over from India under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. You also see here the fascinating ruins of palaces, monasteries and monuments.
Kandy (UNESCO)
Kandy, the crown city of Sri Lanka is a city surrounded by hills and has rich culture. Sri Lanka’s last king ruled here. The temple of Sacred Tooth Relic is an iconic place located in the royal palace complex where the relic of the tooth of Buddha is kept. You should also visit the Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens known for its orchid collections. In the evening you may enjoy cultural dances at various places in Kandy.
Knuckles Mountain Range (UNESCO)
Another place to visit when in Kandy is the Knuckles mountain range situated at a distance of about 40 kilometres from Kandy. Usually you start early in the morning, en route visit the village and rice fields, do trekking in the mountain ranges, and return back in the evening. The mountains are named for its peaks which appear as knuckles on a closed fist when viewed from a certain point.
Nuwara Eliya
Apart from the Golden Triangle, travellers also visit Nuwara Eliya, a city in the hills of central Sri Lanka known for its Tea Plantations. It is also known as the Little England of Sri Lanka because it was established by the British in the 1840s as a base for the colonialists and still retains some of the British quirks, like the famous red post box. Famous Ceylon tea is produced from the tea plantations here.
Places to visit here are the Hakgala Botanical Garden (Ashok Vatika), Hanuman temple and Seeta Amman Temple (places where Hanuman and Seeta are believed to have stayed here in the ancient Indian epic Ramayana.
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Another place that could be of interest to adventure lovers is the Horton Plains National Park situated 30 kilometres south of Nuwara Eliya. One should start early in the morning before sunrise and reach this place to see the World’s End – a beautiful view of the surroundings from a 4000 feet cliff.
Travellers who love adventure and trekking like going on night trekking tour to Adams Peak to see the beautiful sunrise.
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One of the options is to take a scenic train journey through the tea plantations and beautiful landscapes from Nuwara Eliya to Ella – for some it is an experience especially if you want to travel slow and easy
Ella
Ella is a mountain town in the Central part of Sri Lanka well known for its scenic train ride from Kandy. Here you can stay in a jungle resort and enjoy adventure activities like aerial rope, monkey rope, slithering rope. Sightseeing includes visit to little Adam’s peak, Ravana Cave & waterfalls and walk on the Nine Arch Bridge.
Yala National Park
From Ella, Yala National Park is about 126 kilometres or over a 3 hour road trip. Yala is known for its Leopard sightings but is highly commercialized. Other animal species found in the park are the elephants, spotted deer, mongoose, wild boar, wild buffalo and more than 130 bird species.
Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park is an option to explore instead of visiting the highly touristic Yala National Park. Located only 90 kilometres, the park is well known for its high chances of sighting Sri Lankan elephants but have records of leopard sightings too.
WSThushansenevirathna / CC BY-SA
South Coast
Bentota, Galle, Yala National Park and Udawale National Park are the places to visit when doing a south coast tour of Sri Lanka. Whale and dolphin watching is year round here but November to April is the best time to visit this part of the island.
Bentota
Bentota is a watersports destination, 1.5 hours drive (80 kilometres) from Colombo and can be explored as a day trip from Colombo. Jet skiing, wakeboarding, wind surfing, banana boat rides, canoeing are the water sports activity that can be enjoyed here. Nature lovers can go on a Madu Ganga river safari and explore the wildlife by boat which cruises through the thick mangroves and small villages alongside. Also visit the Turtle Conservation project to see all the 5 species of turtles in their natural habitat.
Galle (UNESCO)
Travellers with more time in hand should visit Galle, a port and one of the well preserved colonial-era cities in Southeast Asia. Galle is around 60 kilometres (1.5 h drive) further from Bentota The places to visit here are the Galle fort, the Dutch museum, Great Church and National Maritime Museum. On your way back to Bentota you should visit the small town of Ambalangoda known for its ancient devil mask, devil dancers and unique fancy jewelry at unmatchable prizes.
Colombo
Colombo is a vibrant city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Some of the city sights include the National Museum, Gangaramaya temple, Galle Face Green – an urban park and Independence square . Shopping, after dark bike tours, walking tours are some other options to explore the city in an experiential manner.
The Ramayana Tour
The Ramayana tour mainly covers visit to temples in Chilaw, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Hot water springs in Trincomalee, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Colombo.
Sri Lanka being a small island country, the travelling distances is not too large. Different holiday itineraries could be planned as per your interest. Places like Jaffna and the East Coast of Sri Lanka are slowly developing as tourist destinations and would be explored to large extent in near future. An ideal way to plan your holidays in the Cultural Triangle with Galle would be to spend 3 nights in Sigiriya, 2 nights in Kandy, 2 nights Galle, 1 Night Colombo. For Yala National Park additional 2 nights is recommended. Nuwara Eliya or the Tea Estates are interesting places to spend a night or two as part of your Sri Lankan itinerary. With flying time of just over 2 hours from Mumbai, different facets of Sri Lanka could be explored as a long weekend destination.
Sri Lanka could also be combined with Maldives for a one week getaway of two very diverse island nations in the Indian Ocean
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Awesome Assam 16 May 2020 3:23 AM (5 years ago)
Assam – the state that opens its doors to the North East of India is a land of lush green hills, flowing rivers, thick forests with a wealth of flora and fauna, rolling tea estates, colourful cultural traditions and warm hospitable people.
Assam’s 5 national parks and 18 wildlife sanctuaries are host to 25% of India’s flora and unique animals like the one horned rhino, pygmy hog and the tiger too. The vast expanse of the Brahmaputra, the snow clad Himalayan peaks make for an incredible river cruise experience with A class facilities linked to rich experiences of marine and adventure tourism on the way. Such a charm of Assam brings visitors from far and wide.
Guwahati
Guwahati is the largest city in Assam and gateway to the North Eastern states of India. It is also known as the city of Temples with Dispur – the capital of Assam located within the city.
Kamakhya Devi Temple is regarded as the holiest of all the sacred places in India. The famous temple is situated in the Nilachal Hills of Guwahati. The Kalika Purana, Yogini Tantra and the Puranas tell us various stories and legends with regards to the origin of the Kamakhaya temple.
The peacock island as the name suggest, gets its name from the fact that it looks like peacock feathers from a distance. It is the smallest inhabited river island in the world. The Umananda temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was built here during the reign of Ahom dynasty. The island is situated in the very midst of the mighty Brahmaputra in Guwahati. It is believed that Lord Shiva turned Kama Dev into ashes for disturbing his prayers. Accordingly to another belief Lord Shiva resides in this Island to provide Ananda or Happiness to his wife Uma and hence the island is named Umananda. Since early times this secret island has been an attraction for pilgrims. Today the presence of the Golden Langur is an attraction to both local and foreign tourists. Journey to this island through the flowing waters of Brahmaputra is full of excitement and thrill.
In Guwahati you should not miss going on a 2 hour dinner cruise on the Brahmaputra river offering delicious food, stunning scenery with folk dance performances and music on board.
For shopping you can visit the Fancy bazaar known as the Chandni Chowk of Guwahati. Here you can shop for designer outfits, traditional jewelry, Assamese caps, tea and gamcha (thin shawl), steaming momos and more.
Manas National park
Manas National park (UNESCO) situated at the foothills of the Himalayas, is about 140 kilometres northwest from Guwahati towards the Bhutan border. It is the only habitat for peacocks in Assam and also a habitat for the one horned rhino. With its unique natural beauty, Manas National Park has biodiversity unique to it. Tourists can enjoy a boat ride across the river Manas situated inside the park and also enjoy elephant rides in the park. The park also provides food and lodging facilities to the tourist. This park is also a Tiger Reserve, Elephant reserve, a Biosphere reserve and home to many endangered species like the pygmy hogs.
Tezpur
Tezpur is known as the cultural capital of Assam and is located 185 kilometres east of Guwahati on the northern banks of Brahmaputra and between the snowcapped Himalayan mountains. It has its ancient connections with the Indian mythology like “Mahabharata” and is known for its beautiful parks, ancient temples and ruins of Bamuni Hills. One should visit the Nameri National park known for wild elephants, tigers, over 400 bird species like the blue eared kingfisher, hornbills, flycatcher, etc. Orang National Park or Mini Kaziranga known for its migratory birds is also worth visiting.
Kaziranga National Park
The Kaziranga National Park (UNESCO) famous in the world for its one horned Rhino is situated by the National Highway 200 kilometres east of Guwahati. From Tezpur it is a 90 minutes drive.. The vigilance in the area has led to an increase in the population of the one horned rhino. Tourists from all over the world visit the park to see the one horned rhino – one of the oldest living species of mammals.
Elephant rides and vehicles are provided to the tourist for visits inside the park. To see the rhino at a very close distance while riding an elephant through the cover of mist in the wintry morning is a lifetime experience. Herds of deer wandering in the park and the panic of other birds and animals due to the presence of other animals and tourists also provide a unique experience to the tourists.
The park is also home to the wild elephants, hog, tiger, wild buffaloes, monkeys and is open from November until April. This vast national park is also home to other endangered species of birds and animals. There are good lodging facilities around the park.
Orang National Park
Another wildlife tourist sport in Assam is the Orang National Park situated 150 km from Guwahati and only 31 km away from Tezpur. The park is known as Mini Kaziranga due to its swampy grasslands and wetlands besides the one horned rhino it is also home to the migratory birds like the American pelican.
Jorhat
The beauty of tea gardens scattered all over Assam appeals to the eye. The scenic beauty of the rows of plants in the tea gardens of Assam is fascinating while the taste of Assam tea is appealing to the palate. This brings tourist to Assam and places like Jorhat which is often known as the Tea Capital of the World due to its innumerable tea plantations that can be found here. It is also an important docking point for Brahmaputra cruises.
Majuli Island
From Jorhat you can visit the World’s largest inhabited river island Majuli. It is a UNESCO world heritage site about 2 hours from Jorhat which includes drive to the ghat, then a boat ride of 1.5 hour to reach the other end of the ghat. Here you can visit the various Satras (religious, social and cultural institutions or monastery), learn the art of mask making, visit potters village, go fishing with the Mishing men (Assamese community) or experience the mesmerizing view of Sunrise or Sunset from any bank of the river.
Sivasagar
Situated 370 kilometres east of Guwahati and 80 kilometres south from Dibrugarh, is Sivasagar or Sibsagar – the ancient capital of the Ahom kingdom – the longest ruling dynasty in Indian history. During the 600 years of reign, Ahom kings constructed numerous memorials in and around Sivasagar. The presence of several Ahom monuments around Sivasagar has made it into a significant tourist spot.
Situated right at the heart of the city is a significant monument, the Sivadol, a Shiva temple constructed during the 17th century. Sivasagar is a site of heritage tourism due to its ancient architecture and monuments like the Talatal Ghar, Rang Ghar, Gargaon Palace constructed by the Ahoms.
Dibrugarh
Dibrugarh is an upcoming tourist destination, a colonial town located in eastern part of Assam. It was an important American base during the second World War and is known for its nearby tea estates. It is an important entry and exit point for Luxury cruises on the Brahmaputra river.
Other places to visit are the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary which is the only rainforest in Assam with a wide variety of flora and fauna. It is often called the Amazon of the East. Other wildlife which would be interesting is the tiger, black panther, Asiatic elephant, leopards, etc.
As you now have information about different places to visit in Assam, you can plan your itinerary or take our experts advice. We would highly recommend you to explore Assam by cruising over the Brahmaputra river exploring important places like Guwahati, Kaziranga, Majuli Island, Sivasagar and Dibrugarh.
Our travel experts at Namaste Tourism will be delighted to plan your itinerary based on experiences that you wish to include whilst visiting Assam and North East India.
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Ladakh – Land of High Passes 11 May 2020 3:26 AM (5 years ago)
Ladakh , a Union Territory of India has the Karakoram mountains to its north, the Great Himalayan Range to the south and Jammu & Kashmir as well as Himachal Pradesh as its neighbouring states. Ladakh is known for its high passes, rugged terrains, glaciers, cold deserts, blue & clear night skies, monasteries and prayer flags. It is ecologically and culturally unique region that has a topography very different from the rest of India.
The extremely fragile and cold desert eco-system of this region has led to the inhabitants living a very adaptive lifestyle. The region is sparsely poplulated, primarily with Buddhists, and has a culture similar to the Tibetan region. Momos and Thukpas form an important part of the culinary for the people of Ladakh.
The best time to visit Ladakh is during summer – between , June to September when the passes are open and the weather is extremely pleasant. Though in winter, the region gets covered with snow and most of the passes remain closed, adventure seekers can still take a few treks which are operational during that period (subject to weather conditions). The temperatures in Ladakh fluctuate, sometimes to extremes. During summer, nights can be cold while days can be pleasantly warm. It is therefore always recommended to dress in layers so that you can improvise on the layers based on weather conditions.
Leh is the main entry point to Ladakh by air and one should not forget to opt for a window seat to enjoy the beautifful views of the Himalayas. Road journeys to Leh are also possible from Srinagar or Manali with night stops in Kargil or Sarchu respectively. Leh being at a height of 3500 m/11500 ft above sea level, acclimatisation of 48 hours is necessary when in Leh. It is a perfect getaway for Nature and Adventure loving travellers. Travellers with heart disease or lung ailments should take their physician’s advice before planning their trip to Ladakh.
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Leh
In Leh, you should spend atleast 2 or 3 nights to acclimatize and unwind. The first day you should rest in your hotel to overcome the high altitude sickness. In the evening you can go for a short walk to the Leh market without exerting yourself too much. Your stay in Leh may include the following places:
Shanti Stupa – a white dome shaped Buddhist structure built by a Japanese Bhikshu on a hill top, from where you get a clear view of the city of Leh and its surrounding snow-capped mountains.
Hall of Fame Museum – dedicated to thoe brave soldiers who lost their lives during the India Pakistan War. The museum is maintained by Indian army and displays arms & weapons, information on Kargil war and items related to the soldiers, history and culture of Ladakh.
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Hemis Monastery located 45 km from Leh is the largest and the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh, famous for the Hemis Festival held every year in the month of June or July.
Reflections by Prajakta / CC BY-SA
Hemis National Park has large number of snow leopards and in winters you have better chances of seeing one. It is also home to some of the endangered species like the Brown bear, Tibetan wolf and red fox. Other species found in the park are the Himalayan Snowcock, Himalayan Griffon vulture, Bharal – a blue sheep, Shapu – Ladakhi urial and Great Tibetan sheep.
Snow Leopard Conservancy/Jammu & Kashmir Wildlife Protection Department / Public domain
Thiksey Monastery is popular for is architecture and is located on a hill that offers beautiful views of the Indus valley terrain. It is also known for its beautiful Maitreya (future Buddha) statue.
Magnetic Hill located 30 km from Leh on the Leh Srinagar highway is a phenomenon that defies gravity. as you ascend up the Hill, you will find a box marked in yellow, where you park your car and mysteriously notice it moving uphill rather than sliding back.
Ashwin Kumar from Bangalore, India / CC BY-SA
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Nubra Valley
Early in the morning, you depart Leh and drive northwards to Nubra Valley (4 hours drive one way, time is weather dependent) passing through thewhich is the highest motorable pass in the world (5600 m / 18380 feet above sea level). Throughout the year, you will find snow here and the temperatures are could get extreme. Winter clothing is must. Stop here to capture a few impressionable memories.
Later you drive through the beautiful rightly known as the “Oasis of Ladakh” and reach your camp in the Hunder village.
Hunder Sand Dunes: White sand dunes located at an altitude of 4000 m / 13000 feet from the sea level, with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains makes Hunder a unique place for spending a night. Another unique feature of this cold desert is the Bactrian camels which are found here. You can take a ride or go on a safari on these two humped Bactrian camels.
Ashwin Kumar from Bangalore, India / CC BY-SA
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Diskit Monastery is famous for the 32 metre tall sitting Maitreya (Modern Buddha) and panoramic views of the Nubra valley.
Ashwin Kumar from Bangalore, India / CC BY-SA
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Turtuk is a beautiful village, 85 km from Hunder, on the banks of Shyok River. It is the northernmost village in India and was taken over overnight from Pakistan’s illegal occupation. This is the last village beyond which tourist are not allowed. It is also the largest apricot producing village in Ladakh.
Panamik is a scenic village on the Siachen route, 70 km from Hunder, famous for hot water springs beneficial to ones health. Pashmina shawls and socks are the items you can shop here.
Warshi is the last village on the Siachen route until which tourist or civilians are allowed. If you are interested in having the beautiful views of the Siachen Glacier “World’s Highest Battleground” then you should definitely consider travelling further 40 km from Panamik village to explore Warshi.
Pangong Tso Lake
Start early from Leh and head towards Pangong Lake (~150 km eastwards) via Changa La pass. Pangong Lake is the world’s highest salt water lake situated at a height of about 4200 m / 14000 feet. The lake is around 140 km long and only 5 km wide at its broadest end. Only one third part of it is in India while the rest is in China. This beautiful lake is featured in the concluding part of the famous Bollywood movie “3 Idiots”. One can stay here in tents enjoying the beautiful landscapes, watching the Himalayan marmots or indulge in stargazing at night. A day trip from Leh is also possible . We highly recommend spending a night here to enjoy the wilderness of this region.
Chushul is a small village towards the eastern part of the Ladakh region in the Changthang block further away from the Pangong Tso lake. Here you can stay in cottages, camps, homestays. It is one of the villages close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) where the officers of two countries meet to maintain peace. From here you can visit the Hanle village where the World’s highest observatory is located. Also visit the Hanle Monastery from where you can have beautiful aerial views of the entire village and the Hanle valley. Kindly note these are very remote places and most suitable for adventure lovers and people wanting to explore such offbeat locations.
Aryan Villages and Lamayuru
From Leh westwards at a distance of 125 km off the Leh Srinagar highway, you may visit the ancient Lamayuru monastery and lunar landscapes known to tourists as “Moonscapes”.
80 kilometres further from the Lamayuru monastery are two Aryan villages called Dah and Hanu- home to Brokpa or Drokpa community. It is believed that the people residing here are the descendants of Alexander the Great’s army.
On your way back to Leh from Lamayuru monastery you can stop near Nimoo to see the spectacular view of the confluence of two important rivers – Indus and Zanskar.
Kargil
Kargil is the second largest town in Ladakh situated at a height of 2700 m / 9000 feet, half way (almost 4.5 hours) between Srinagar and Leh. It is therefore a must stop destination.
Apati is a small village 16 km from Kargil. Here you see ancient Buddha statue about 8 metres tall carved into the limestone.
Kargil War Memorial is a must visit. It is built by the Indian army post the war with Pakistan in the late nineties in memories of its soldiers who sacrificed their life in recapturing some of the peaks like the Tiger Hill and Tololing. It is located off the Srinagar Leh highway about 60 km from the town of Kargil.
Reflections by Prajakta / CC BY-SA
Mulbekh is located on the national highway 45 km from Kargil towards Leh. Here you visit the Mulbekh monastery famous for an ancient gigantic rock cut of Maitreya Buddha standing 9 meters tall. You also visit the two gompas located here and enjoy the beautiful views of region below.
Suru
Suru valley is one of the most beautiful and scenic valleys in Kargil. It is about 3 hours drive from the Kargil town. It is well known for apricot blooming, Himalayan Brown bear and adventure sports like rafting, rock climbing, trekking and mountaineering. Some of the famous tourist spots of the Suru valley are Sankoo, Karchey Khar, Panikhar and Rangdum.
Zanskar
Zanskar is an unexplored region and can be reached via Kargil from either Leh or Srinagar. It is 3 hours drive further from Suru
Pensi la Pass is a scenic mountain pass at about 4400 m / 14500 ft above sea level which connects the Suru and Zanskar valley. It is known as the gateway to the Zanskar valley.
Padum is the main town in Zanskar where you can stay and enjoy the views of “Drang-Drung” glacier which is one of the biggest in the Ladakh region. It is also well known for the famous Chadar Trek which is the only means of reaching this region during the winter months by walking over the frozen waters of Zanskar river.
Ladakh is indeed a wilderness haven but the distances between places are long. Also there are remote places where permits are required and getting a suitable accommodation is not easy. So it is very necessary to carefully plan your itinerary or have an expert plan it for you. The number of days required to plan a Ladakh itinerary would depend on whether you are planning to Fly in and fly out or Fly in and drive out or drive both ways.
So when are you planning a visit to the amazing landscapes of Ladakh?
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10 reasons to visit Morocco 2 May 2020 1:59 AM (5 years ago)
Morocco has been a destination which is on everyone’s bucket list – from mystical Marrakech to the astonishing Atlas Mountains, from the sand dunes of Sahara to the souks and riads and the coastline on the Atlantic, this magical country located on the northwest coast of Africa is an exotic gateway to Africa and forms an interesting link to Europe from the Iberian Peninsula.
Casablanca
Casablanca is a city known for its colonial setting of the 1942 romantic film but the city of today doesn’t quite reflect that dreamy, enchanting feeling. Instead modern day Casablanca is a trading powerhouse and economical capital of Morocco. Hassan Mosque is the famous landmark here which was built by King Hassan II in front of the Atlantic Ocean. It has the world’s tallest minaret and part of the mosque’s floor is made up of glass so that the worshippers can pray right over the sea. Rick’s café, the famous bar from the old film “Casablanca” is the place to visit if you really want to hark back to the black and white films, but do remember it’s a reconstruction.
Rabat
Rabat located on the Moroccan coast is the capital and cultural city of Morocco that has a rich history too. It is one of the top tourist destinations. Tourists are pleased to see wide boulevards and outdoor cafes in the new portion of the city. But most travellers would like to visit the old town, or medina with its fortified walls and buy Moroccan souvenirs, carpet, leather and experience the heart of the city. Also it is worth seeing the Kasbah des Oudaias a UNESCO site overlooking the ocean. You will see many green roofs in the city which indicate either a mosque or palace.
Tangier
Tangier is a port city in the northern part of Morocco on the Strait of Gibraltar that separates the African and the European continent. It is well known for its white beaches and whitewashed medina on the hillside (UNESCO). People mainly from Spain or going to Spain visit Tangier as it is a port city. It is also well known for the Café Hafa and the Hercules caves.
Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is called the blue city because it is filled with buildings coloured in varies shades of blue. Located in northwest Morocco, Chefchaouen is close to Tangier, making it a popular tourist destination. Surrounded by breathtaking mountains, the city’s narrow labyrinth of lanes hide plazas and ancient kazbahs, with plenty of photo opportunities around every corner. It’s popular with shoppers who can find Moroccan handicrafts, such as woven blankets not found elsewhere in the country. Staying in a Riad, a traditional Moroccan house is worth an experience.
Fes
Once the capital of Morocco, Fes is a city that displays culture and history. It has the largest and oldest medina in the world and is known for its oldest existing continually operating University “The University of al-Qarawiyyin, or Al-Karaouine”. The 11th century Chouara Tannery is one of the largest tanneries in Fes and has been making export quality leathers for traders for many generations. For those interested in knowing about the leather tanning process, a visit to the tanneries in the medina should be on your agenda.
Meknes
The historic Spanish-Moorish style city of Meknes has exerted a considerable influence on the development of civil and military architecture along with the art work found in this city. It also contains the rare remains of the city founded by Sultan Moulay Ismail of the 17th century. The Bab Mansour, Bab Berdaine and Bab El-Khemis are some of the grand entrance gates to the Meknes. Behind the walls you will locate interesting and key monuments like the mosques, hammams, palaces, private houses ,etc
Merzouga
Merzouga is a small village close to the border of Algeria in the southeastern part of Morocco. It is well known because it is very close to the famous tourist attraction Erg Chebbi where you find large sand dunes that are formed due to the blowing winds. To reach here, one can either take a flight from Fes or go an adventurous and picturesque long drive to enjoy mountains views, lakes, canyons and desert with couple of stops en route. In Merzouga you spend a night in Berber tents – stargazing, dining and enjoying music. An entire day can be spent in desert activities like sand boarding, quad biking, camel riding or even taking a walking tour of the desert.
Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate is a small city south of Morocco’s Atlas mountains that runs from the coast of Morocco towards Algeria and Tunisia. Ouarzazate is nickname as “the door of the desert” is the entry place to the Sahara desert as well as it is known as the film city of Morocco. From Merzouga you drive through the Dades Gorges, Rose Valley, beautiful Kasbahs and then reach Ouarzazate. Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou is an old fortified Moroccan settlement made from earth and wood using traditional construction techniques. It is a UNESCO site and has been featured in famous Hollywood movies including Lawrence of Arabia , Gladiator and the Mummy, amongst others as well as the Game of Thrones series.
Marrakesh
In the past Marrakesh was one of the imperial cities of Morocco and now sometimes referred to as the Red City because of its architecture and buildings built with sandstones. Many famous celebrities used to visit Marrakesh in 60s and until today is still one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa. The best way to explore this charming city is by walking through the medinas watching the snake charmers, bargaining with the shopkeepers over the price of an old carpet, enjoying local food and delicacies or having an authentic Hammam spa in a public bath. Other possibilities include visiting the Bahia Palace, Jardin Majorelle – a botanical garden, shopping for souvenirs at the Medinas & souks or enjoying mint tea at a traditional tea house. For ski lovers, in winter months you can visit Oukaimedan, a ski resort located under 2 hours drive from Marrakesh. Marrakesh is also home to some of the finest luxury hotels and riads that you will find in the African continent.
Essaouira
For beach lovers, the coastal city of Essaouira on the Atlantic coast of Morocco could be a good option instead of Marrakesh. Here you can enjoy water related activities and also explore the ramparts filmed in the series “Game of Thrones” and the Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif starrer Bollywood flick “Tiger Zinda Hai” . The UNESCO listed medina here is worth a visit.
So when do you plan exploring Morocco ?
Happy reading.
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