Category: Asia

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Adventure Architectural Asia Spiritual Hubs

48 Hrs in Kathmandu

The nonignorable chaos of wonderfully diverse people, most of them tourists though and the places full of pure natural bliss, Kathmandu is Nepal’s capital city. The city, like every other capital cities in the world, happens to be the center of all cultural, social and political happenings in the country. The added charm comes from the Mother Nature herself who has poured her heart into making this city a beautifully constructed piece of architecture. The mankind has also been quite fond of the city, how else would you explain the amazing temples and monuments located here. The recent earthquake almost ruined the city in its entirety but perhaps, it knows quite well how to take care of itself.

There are many things a tourist can do in here to make the most out of their trips. The religious institutions, the majestic Himalayan range, the national parks etc makes the city a complete package. Let us know more about what exactly one should be doing in the city once they land here.

Boudhanath Stupa- One of the very few UNESCO world heritage sites in the country, Boudhanath Stupa is a charming attraction for the tourists. Most of the tour guides always chose this place to start the journey deep into this beautiful city. The religious center of Nepal’s Tibetan/Budhh community, this stupa is a marvelous piece of architecture and a wonderful kick starts to the trip.

Everest Region- Home to some of the tallest mountain peaks in the world such as Kanchenjunga and Mount Everest, the Himalayan range is one other big tourist magnets in the city. Trek into the Everest was somehow closed due to the recent earthquake that shook the country but it was reopened after some time thanks to the heavy pressure by the tourists.

Annapurna Region- If there is anything else in the world that could be compared to Everest region in terms of magnificence is this. The 10-day trek over here is one of the longest and the most exciting trek in the world. The Annapurna Base Camp happens to be the highest point that gives a cool 360-degree view of the entire region, which makes for a sight to savor.

Durbar Square- Affectionately known as the heart of Kathmandu tourism, the Durbar Square remains crowded for the most part in the year. There are countless numbers of shrines and little temples spread in the square which is a great place for the most religious of tourists. Hanuman Dhoka and Taleju temple are two shining diamonds in the crown that Durbar Square is.

Pashupatinath Temple- King Bhupendra Malla, who reigned the country in the later parts of the 16th century, got this temple built and invited some of the most accomplished architects from all over the world to do the task. And the result is for all of us to see. This serves as a great pilgrim spot for the Hindu devotees who come here in heavy numbers.

There is no dearth of tourism spots in this city. There is the Royal Palace, Narayanhiti place museum among many other places. The only Hindu country in the world is being run by the Kathmandu city and its spirit is unbreakable. The latest example is the earth shattering earthquake. The city got up on its feet in no time and from the bruises of it, it became stronger than ever.

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Asia Festival Travel Trends

The taste of Comic Con in India

San Diego in the United States has become a very important place for some reason, and that reason is the annual event that takes place there and goes by the name Comic-Con. The event happens to be a colorfully organized festival like the show where comic book nerds showcase their love to their all-time favorite comic book characters. San Diego has made it famous and as a result, it has been stated to spread its wings in other countries as well. India is the new on the line. But given the fact that Indians don’t have as much comic book superheroes to cherish, does the even hold any significance? Let’s read further and find out.

It’s a two-day event that mostly takes place in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad or Bangalore. The main purpose of hosting this event is to bring the comic book lovers, creators, and publishers under the same roof in order to exchange the mutual respect and admiration. Indian comic book scene wasn’t as big until a few years ago. However, there are still traces of the time when the Indian comic book industry was flourishing with the arrival of some beloved characters such as Chacha Chaudhary, Super Commando Dhruv, Nagraj, Bankelal among many others. But somewhere in between, the whole industry got lost while trying to follow the route taken by the international giants such as Marvels and DC comics. But over time, the publishers understood the fact that Indian sensibilities are different than rest of the world. Comic-con is an attempt to make people more excited about the comic books and the colorful characters that have the potential to tackle any other international superhero.

The first ever comic con in India was organized in the national capital New Delhi in 2011. The event was semi-successful and as more and more people are getting aware of that, the crowds are increasing wherever it takes place. The Indian popular culture is in its adolescent state and with the arrival of the international publishers and artists in the Indian comic cons; the future seems all bright for the Indian fans that go to either Iron Man or Superman and have forgotten Doga and Jwala.

Cosplay is another concept that is getting wildly popular with the Indians as they dress up as their favorite superheroes. This fun event has just started to attract the Indians and is expected to go big in the coming years.If you’re a huge fan of comic books and superheroes, it’s time to plan for the upcoming event of Comic Con 2016. Book your tickets and enjoy the event to the extreme. Experience the magical comic world, look around and see your favorite comic character came alive in the real world.

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Asia

The 6 Best Unconventional Holidaying Places Around Indonesia

Indonesia, the largest archipelago in the world offers a lot of diversity to its visitors. To most Indians, Indonesia means Bali but it has a host of other locations which are must visits while going to the place. 6 of them are listed below.

 Tana Toraja

Tana Toraja is loved for its special tribal culture. Situated in the Central Highlands of the Sulawesi Island, it is one of the places that celebrate death. One can see more action going on during a funeral here than during a wedding ceremony.  The countryside’s greenery, terraced rice plantations, spirit guardians and rock-cut tombs, and unique traditions make this place a must visit.

 Kawah Ijen

Kawah Ijen is the world’s most acidic lake. Located on the eastern end of the Java Island, it gives you the opportunity to experience one of Mother Nature’s most amazing creations and get to see the conditions where sulphur miners of the region eke out a difficult living for a paltry sum.

Karimun Java

Have you ever heard of a place where humans can swim along with baby sharks?! Well, the small equatorial islands of Karimun Jawa are one of such rare spots. Located amidst the rough waters between Kalimantan and the Java Island, Karimun Jawa is home to beautiful white beaches and exotic coral reefs. It is highly recommended to stay with a native family in their home here and cherish a relaxed holiday. Snorkelling and scuba diving are the most popular water sports that can be done here, while jungle trekking is quite popular on the island.

Gunung Merapi

Gunung Merapi is Indonesia’s most active volcano and goes up every 4th year. The eruption is often so heavy that drenches the entire UNESCO world heritage sites of Borobudur and Prambanan in tonnes of ash. Hiking to the top of this active volcano, watching the hot lava boil inside it and seeing the picturesque sunrise over the mountain landscape is an unmatched experience in itself.

Kintamani

Bali is known for its beaches and temples by everyone but a few of them know about a hill station that it has, called Kintamani which is located near the Batur volcano and caldera. This picturesque place is also home to the beautiful Pura Ulan Danu Batur temple. You should go here for its natural beauty, a nice temple experience, cool weather and a luxuriant green countryside indulgence.

Sumbawa

Conventionally, Bali is very popular among travellers for its surf breaks but if you are fond of surfing and wish for a quieter place than it, then Sumbawa is just the place for you! Located in the East Timor Sea at just the north of East Timor, Sumbawa offers a blend of deserted stretches of gorgeous beaches, beautiful surf breaks, and an experience that Bali might have offered about 50 years ago. This place is meant to be visited for the ultimate offbeat beach lover.

Do include the aforementioned places in your Indonesia itinerary next time!

Categories
Asia Travel Trends

Floating Markets of the world that will make you Spellbound!!

A floating market is one where commodities are sold from boats. These markets originated in times when water transport used to be an important mode of transport and consequently became major tourist attractions. Mainly situated in Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, there are other such lesser known markets also. Some of them are as follows:

Damnoen Saduak floating market

Located in Ratchaburi Province of Thailand, this is one of the most famous floating markets in the world. It is best to visit the market early in the morning to avoid too much crowd and the heat of the day. With a variety of items sold for mainly the tourists, haggling becomes extremely important here. Also, one needs to be careful of being conned by taxi drivers and overpriced goods.

Amphawa floating market

This one is not as huge as the Damnoen Saduak floating market but is more genuine where Thais make up for the majority of the visitors. It is located 72 km from Bangkok in the Amphawa District of Samut Songkhram Province. The market operates on the weekends from 4 pm to 9 pm and seafood is its main attraction especially squid, shrimp, and clams.

Dal Lake floating market

The Dal Lake in Srinagar, India is popular for its early morning floating vegetable market. It is Jammu and Kashmir tourism’s prized possession as well as a photographer’s paradise because of its scenic beauty.  It has vast stretches of Lotuses which add to the charm of the place. The annual turnover of the market is estimated to be around 35 crores despite operating for just 2 hours every day from 5 am to 7 am.

Floating market in the Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands are located to the north- east of Australia and Papua New Guinea lies on its west. Though not as large as the South East Asian floating markets, boats drifting on the pristine waters of these islands are a memorable sight. Here, most of the sellers are females and are often accompanies by their kids making the ambience a lively one.

 Cai Rang Floating Market

This floating market is the largest of its kind in Mekong Delta, Vietnam. It has been identified as a National Intangible Heritage of the country. The market is wholesale in nature selling mainly fruits and vegetables.  People visiting Can Tho must take a round of Cai Rang Floating Market too.

The list is endless but the aforementioned floating markets are some of the well- known ones making it a compulsion to visit them for at least once in one’s life.

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Adventure Asia Treks

Hiking on Bhutanese trails

Bhutan- the nation that measures its progress and well-being by the Gross National Happiness (GNH) index- is a different world in itself because of nationalismIt is a country where a majority of the geographic area comprises mountains and has peaks with altitudes ranging from 520 ft to more than 23,000 ft above sea level. Located at the southern end of Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is often called as ‘Mountain Fortress of the Gods’. Therefore, some really good treks can be expected here and all of them are arranged by only local agents. Some of them are as follows:

Druk Path Trek: It is a six-day trek and one of the easy ones. The hike begins from Paro and ends at Druk Path in Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan. On the way, one can enjoy glimpses of Mount Gangkar Puensum (24,836 feet) which is the country’s tallest mountain and even after many attempts by people to climb it, is the highest unscaled peak in the world. The best time to trek on the Druk Path is between March and June or September and November.

The Jhomolhari Trek: This is one of the most popular treks in Bhutan. The difficulty level is above average and one goes through two passes named and Takhung La pass and Bhonte La pass during the trail. The trek gives an amazing view of Mt. Jomolhari (24,000 ft). An annual event called the Jomolhari Mountain Festival, to acknowledge the domestic culture, is celebrated at a different time each year here.

Snowman Trek: Demanding 25 days, the Snowman Trek is probably the toughest trekking routes in the world. It starts from Paro and ends at Lunana stretching between the border region of Bhutan and Tibet. One gets to cross eleven passes including Gangla Karchung La and Loju La, during the journey and there is not much habitation on the way.  The best time to trek here is before winters and after monsoons in October.

Bumthang Owl Trek: Trekking on this route is a great idea for those who have a time constraint but want to take away a flavor of the traditional culture with them. It also gives hikers opportunities to visit ancient Buddhist monasteries on the way.  Mt. Gangkar Puensum can be seen during the trek. It is also likely to spot Himalayan Black Bears here in the autumn season. The best time to hike here is from April to early June.

Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek: Famous for local trout fishing, Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek is a challenging one which requires at least six days. It gives spectacular sights of some of the highest Himalayan peaks including Mt. Everest and Kanjenjunga. The best time to hike on this route is between April and June or September and October.

Apart from the above-mentioned treks, Bhutan offers a plethora of other ones, for obvious reasons. They give travelers a deep insight into the local culture and the lifestyle of the people. It is a very different experience altogether!

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Asia Staycation

The Beautiful Taj Exotica Resort  “Vivanta” at Maldives

As soon as the 15 minutes ride from the airport brings you here, you become assured that the hole that this little expensive trip caused in your pocket, it doesn’t pinch anymore. Everything is forgotten, every qualm or the worry you ever had about the trip. As the delicate flora and fauna welcome you, you feel half of your outwardly stresses slowly fading away.

The hotel’s private speed boat takes you down to the Emboodhu Finolhu Island, where this man made heaven happens to be located. The island is quite on the smaller side at mere 770 meters but never falls short of impressing the visitors in their pursuit of spending some quality times with their loved ones.

Accommodation- The presidential suite, at 10k USD per night may be too expensive for a lot of you, so don’t worry. Other options are there to give you a great value for money for every last penny that you are going to spend. The deluxe Lagoon Villa comes to the rescue, so you might consider booking it. As you step in the 1000 square feet suite, you realize your worth on this planet. The bathroom is massive, maybe larger than the bedroom that you have at your current apartment. The plunge is one added specialty and takes your breath away. There are 64 options in total that you can choose from.

 

Food and Beverages- Vivanta the Coral Reef, Maldives has all the beautiful and mesmerizing ocean views and eye pleasing sunsets that will soothe your heart. The Taj hotel line is not only popular for the expensive stays or the luxury suites, their foods and beverages are considered to be the most vivid and delicious in the entire world. The cooks from around the world are there to satisfy your taste buds to their last core.

The Japanese food is by far the most impressive highlight in here and will take your taste buds on a roller coaster ride. Maldives is also quite known for its enigmatic cuisines, its seafood is marvelous and you may find enough options to choose from. The addition of coconut to their meals is quite brilliant. And in case you miss the taste of your native country, you will have no dearth of your favorite cuisines here. Come let us explore the restaurants here.

Latitude-The multi-cuisine restaurant, Latitude will leave you overwhelmed by the exotic mouth-watering dishes. You taste buds will encounter the range of different flavors from all across the world here!

Open the Grill-Having dinner with your sweetheart under the sky bed and long spread stars till the horizon is the most amazing experience like nothing else. So, Vivanta by Taj brings for you Open – The Grill, multi cuisine dining experience with the lagoon and the swimming pool. Guests are served with a freshly introduced South American concept. You can experience the exotic food having the flavors of Peru, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, it’s a real treat.

Reef Bar- The Reef Bar in the Maldives is the perfect place to soothe your senses. It is a bar-lounge in the Maldives where People gather in evening for fun and enjoy.  The best time to visit the place is before sunset and  having a  sip of sun-downer will be like the cherry on the cake.

Spa- All luxuries aside, let’s take it down to the spa. The hotel being located in the Indian Ocean, the ancient Indian techniques are used thoroughly in the Jiva Grande Spa, which happens to be located just in front of the hotel. Mixing up of some great ancient Indian techniques with some new contemporary practices, this will tell you what relaxation actually means. As you come out all relaxed and fresh as a new born baby, you will come to know the difference.

Taj Exotica Resort is a masterpiece in itself, from the exotic lands of the surroundings to the mind blowing services that are the trademarks of all the Taj’s across the world, everything is here. You can visit the range of restaurants and bar designed in a Unique way to satisfy the guests to the fullest. Some of them are Latitude, Open the grill, Reef bar, Pizzeria and much more. One of the most luxurious experiences of life awaits you, what are you waiting for?

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Asia

Borobudur is a majestic 9th century Buddhist temple and one of the Seven Wonders of the World

Borobudur temple located in Java, Indonesia is a famous Buddhist temple which dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries and is known to be among UNESCO’s world heritage sites. It is the single largest Buddhist structure anywhere on the earth and that makes it an essential pilgrim site for the Buddhists.

How to reach here

The nearest airport to the place is the Yogyakarta’s Adisucipto international airport and Solo’s Adisumarmo International Airport. Both are international airports and a few hours ride from the airport will take you to the temple complex in no time.

About

The site is open to public visits from 6AM-5PM.

The place reeks of Buddhism through every corner and there are more than a hundred little and big statues of Buddhas seated inside perforated stupas and then comes the biggest stupa of them all, located right in the center of the massive complex. The stupas have been here for more than 1200 years in total and are still standing, clearly passing the every test of time put before them.

The Buddha statues are in the universal posture in which Gautam Buddha has been seen, the Chakra parivartan mudra. However, most of the idols are in good condition but a few of them have no heads over them. The local government decided to let them be in order to ensure the authenticity of the monument. Some of the heads have been stolen while some are placed in high-end history museums across the globe.

Each of the stupas mentioned above has a lotus base, telling a lot about the ancient architectural prowess Indonesians had possessed. And the more surprising thing is that there no mortar or nails that were used in sticking the stone together. The stones have been interlocked in a certain way to give it an illusion of being mortared. There are tiny spaces here and there in the stones, giving and impression that the entire structure could fall any minute but as it happens to be the case, it hasn’t and it won’t.

At the top three levels, there are stupas, while there are circumambulation paths on the next six levels. As you walk around, you can clearly see walls around you with scriptures written on them. They talk about the life of Gautam Buddha and some of his most ardent followers.

History

The temple was built around 800 CE by the Sailendra dynasty, making it one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in the world. It has been said that it took around 75 years to make the temple. For the stone interlocked structures, the architects from all over the world were invited, and they performed a great task of merging science with architecture in order to give the world a monument that is as pleasurable to the sense as is a source of wonder.

Tip

If you are still at Borobudur during the late afternoon, at the time nearing sunset, then do not miss the experience and visit the top level for sunset. You will find the surroundings to be very quiet at this time, and the sunset view behind the mountains to the west is quite mesmerizing and magical.

Best Time to visit

The best time to visit the monument is around May to September, and you should carry water with you as there is none available at the monument.

This magnificent piece of architecture has always been a tourist magnet and will continue to do so, as long as the world keeps respecting the sheer power of architecture combined with religion.

The Borobudur Temple, located at Borobudur District, South of Magelang is not the only sight to visit. Besides Borobudur temple, the waterfall named Kedung Kayang should be on your list of things to do in Magelang. This beautiful waterfall is definitely a hidden gem for tourists and remains pretty busy with locals. Besides the waterfall, you should also check out the Setumbu Hill where you can enjoy the glorious sunrise overlooking Borobudur temple.

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Asia Beaches Travel Trends

Bangkok- Why should men have all the fun!

Bangkok is notoriously popular among men, especially the Asians who are on a lookout to have some adult themed fun through the weekend.

For a change, there are more right reasons to visit Bangkok. It could just be a fabulous place for women too and she can make the most of her vacation.

The list of activities to indulge in includes a heavenly shopping experience, a day at a beauty spa, afternoon tea, some low octane sports and not to forget, and a great night out with same-sex partners in crime. Evenings are just as fun taking a stroll in the city and the spicy street food on the way is just an icing on the cake.

 So in case you are planning to spend a week or two in the beautiful country, we have narrowed down a list of activities to do order to make the fullest of your trip.

The shopping run

Bangkok is tantamount with amazing shopping and fabulous malls. Girls don’t forget to visit the world’s largest shopping street comprising 4,332 Shops and 1,285,000 Square Meters of Shopping on a Single Mile!

Bangkok offers a variety of shopping experiences right from Siam Paragon, where you can window shop through the high-end store windows, to Platinum Mall, just down the street. Inside the Platinum Mall, you’ll find literally thousands of shops all selling men’s and women’s fashions. Central World is the biggest shopping mall in Bangkok and also the most popular one with trendy fashion brands.

Karaoke

Unleash the inner singer in you with the Karaoke nights. The ,is located in Thonglor and makes you sing your favorite songs in front of a live audience. Always fantasized to become a rock star eh? This is the place!
The Chocolate Buffet

Don’t be misled by the term Chocolate Buffet as what you will end up finding afternoon tea. Sukhothai hotel is a must visit on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday where it hosts an afternoon tea in their lounge. The travelers are served with fancy French
tea or a glass of champagne. The other things the table includes is savory
sushi, mini chicken pies, and cucumber sandwiches. At only 900 baht, afternoon
tea here is not only delightful and tastes great but also the great value.

The Tasty Food Tour

The Bangkok Food Tour is a great initiation which takes you on a walking tour of
the Bang Rak area near Saphan Taksin BTS. There you will discover plenty of
great restaurants and stalls offering convenient and delicious meals. The Food
Tour experience begins every morning for three hours and during the cool
seasons from November to February an afternoon tour sets out at 14:00.
Beaches

The next thing is to de-stress in Bangkok. So just head south to some of the best beaches in the world, something you just can’t miss in Thailand.
You can board a bus just 3 hours south and end up sipping a mojito on some white sand before sunset. Koh Samet is a popular island among Thai and expat locals and the place is perfect for a real party experience on weekends.


Bangkok markets

Chatuchak is the biggest and most popular market in Thailand and a famous shopping hub studded with smaller, more eclectic shops and markets.

A place for adventurers

 There are fabulous activities to keep up the adventurous spirit right from riding elephants to flying through the jungles or seeking the depths of the ocean. The tourist spots in Thailand are bustling with other independent travelers looking for those unique adventurous experiences. Its place that gives you the perfect opportunity to make new friends and create some memories together!

Women safety in Bangkok is paramount as far as the authorities are concerned. So,

don’t hesitate, women, book your flights now!

Categories
Asia Himalayas

Haa Valley – the beautifully quaint valley in Bhutan

With its boundaries traversing the majestic districts of Samtse, Paro, and Chhukha, Haa Valley is regarded as one of the most exotic destinations in Bhutan. This picturesque art of peace blessed by the grace of the Gods is spread over an area of 1706 sq. km. The place earned reputation for its animist tradition during pre-Buddhist era. People from Haa Valley indulged in animal sacrifices to please their local Gods and Goddesses in that era.

However, these rampant animist beliefs in Haa Valley were soon abolished by the efforts of Guru Padmasambhaava in the 8th Century. Peaceful traditions of Buddhist value had taken over the animist beliefs. Some of this often plays a peek-a-boo in the valley’s festivals and rituals. Animist traditions have not disappeared from the scene completely.

How to reach there

To reach Haa Valley, one should reach Thimpu first which is connected to most parts of Bhutan. From Paro airport, you can board Thimphu-bound taxis which can cost up to Nu 800. Once you reach Thimpu, drive to Haa Valley via Dawakha. The distance is approx 120 kms approx and it’s a 3.5 hours drive via Dawakha.

Tourism

It might surprise you to know that such a beautiful side of the country was first opened for foreign tourists in the year 2002. Two of the most popular sites to visit in Haa Valley are 7th century Lhakhang Karpo also known as White temple and Lhakhang Nagpo also known as Black temples. These temples of immense religious value are situated at the foothills of a venerated three brotherly mountains also called Meri Puensum.

One of the most celebrated festivals of Buddhist significance Haa Tshechu is also observed in the valley at Lhakhang Karpo in the 8th month of Bhutanese month. It is performed on 8th and 10th day of the month.

Places to Visit

One of the best places to visit in Haa Valley is Haa Wangchuklo Dzong. It was built in the year 1915 after Dumchog Dzong was razed by a wild fire. Other major attractions of the valley are Juneydrag of 8th Century, Katsho Goempa, Drana Trashidingkhag, Yangto Goempa, Jamtoe Goempa, Shelkardrag, Takchu Goempa and Haa Goempa.

Culture

The valley boasts an unparalleled cultural significance and diversity not just in Bhutan but everywhere in the country. The traces of its majestic soul can be felt in the air when you are in Bhutan. It is also regarded as a hub of folk culture diversity, legends, and shamanistic rituals.

One of the most common traditions practiced by all the communities in Haa Valley is shamanistic tradition. The communities of the valley celebrate a festival dedicated to honoring Ap Chundu, the deity of the Valley.

Natural Beauty

Apart from a host of festivals and cultural extravaganza, Haa Valley is an ideal destination for nature lovers. It is a paradise of natural beauty with unparalleled scenic views. You can just walk along the beautiful stretches decorated with an azure sky above. Being in Haa Valley is a rewarding experience for you and your family.

While on your way to Haa Valley, you will pass through Chele-la pass from where you can have one of the best views of Mount, Chomolhari, and Jichu Drakey.

Interesting Facts

One of the specialties of this region is a dried variety of Yak Cheese called the “Habi Ruto”. Some of the domestic animals raised by most of the people of this region are Yak, cattle, chicken, pigs and horses.

For those who may not know, the people of Haa valley are commonly known as “Haap”. The people of this place are known for their smiling faces and warm personalities which makes this part of Bhutan a much loved land.

Things to Do in Haa Valley, Bhutan

Go for Hiking

Do explore the hiking option at Haa Valley. There are many Goembas, that is Buddhist temples surrounding the valley where you can go for an amazing one day hike. One can visit Katsho Goemba and Jana Dingkha for some of the best hiking trails.

Visit the Chele La Pass

Chele La Pass located mid way from Haa valley to Paro is in all ways, a place worth visiting. As you ascend up from Haa to Chele La Pass, be prepared as the weather will change drastically. One will experience stronger winds and clouds will give way to rains.

Take a walk along the Haa Chu river side

You must head to the picturesque Haa Chu river flowing right through the center of the valley. You will love the fascinating walk by the river side, listening to the sound of water striking against stones.

Food

While in Haa Valley, you explore the Lechuna Heritage Lodge that is located in the smallest district of Bhutan in the Haa Valley. It has a restaurant that serves traditional Bhutanese, Indian and Continental cuisine. It also offers Bar Services and has a bar that serves wine, beer, soft drinks and fresh clean drinking water.

Explore the unspolit Haa Valley once in a lifetime and don’t miss the beautiful walking and hiking trails there.

 

 

Categories
Architectural Asia Beaches

Why Israel should be in your next vacation list!!

Mistaken are those who believe Israel is a country for those on a spiritual quest. With its beautiful sandy beaches, rich culture and historical attractions it could be a complete holiday destination. Some places that you should definitely visit are

Jerusalem – the holy city

The city of Jerusalem is the landmark for the three major religions of the world- Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The place is of religious significance to the above three communities, and to the rest, it is just another tourist spot. The Via Dolorosa is a street in the old city of Jerusalem which was walked by Jesus and leads to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Just a few steps away are the Western Wall, a structure remaining from the Jewish Temple worshiped by the Jews. The Al-Aqsa mosque mentioned in the Quran is also very close to the above place.

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The Temple Mount is the place where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son and is considered holy by Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Now isn’t that a place to see once in a lifetime?

Tel Aviv – a city that never sleeps

For all the party people on vacation to Israel, there is nothing to get disappointed about as we have something in store for you as well. When in the party mood, head to the vibrant city of Tel Aviv. With its packed nightclubs, cocktail bars, classy eateries and gentry of young and beautiful people, the city comes to life at night.

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While the nights could get rave, days could be spent appreciating the Bauhaus architecture of the city, exploring the traditional Israeli markets and relaxing on the sandy beaches. It has thus been truly billed as the “Miami of the Middle East”.

Yad Vashem, Israel

Israel’s main Holocaust remembrance and education center, Yad Vashem is a somber spot to visit. A place is a significant place for the visitors in order to get a deeper understanding of Israel. The place is a large complex of museums, monuments, exhibition halls with major archives, library, and other resource centers which sprawl over 45 acres.

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Things to Do on your Vacation

A floating session in the Dead Sea

Lying 400m below the sea level, the Dead Sea is regarded as one of the seven wonders of the world. Due to overly rich in minerals and salt, one cannot sink here. So what are you waiting for? Take a float.

This natural property of minerals and salt has made Israel a center for spas, treatments and relaxation therapy. And this has eventually led to the opening of a number of resorts in the proximity of the beaches.

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Eilat  

Eilat is the ultimate resort city if you want to cherish the amazing coral reef, beautiful fish, and crystal-clear water. With great weather practically all-year round, tourists come to relax here. The activities you can undertake here are snorkel and/or scuba. Alternatively, while for the less adventurous there’s always Eilat’s impressive Underwater Observatory and nice beaches.

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 Shopping in Israel

A vacation is always incomplete without shopping. Whether you do it for yourself or your closed ones you ought to do that and take back home some memories in the form of souvenirs. Some of the popular streets for shopping in Tel Aviv are DiIzengoff, Shenkin, Herzl, Nakhlat Binyamin, and Levinsky. For pocket-friendly shopping, you can go to Eilat, a small tourist city. Here, apart from souvenirs and gifts, you can get imported electrical appliances and clothes.

The Old city of Jerusalem offers the wide range of artifacts and ornaments made of wood, seashells, leather and straw. It specializes in works of art and folk crafts which is created by the Israeli artists.

What to Eat

For someone in an alien land, food comes as the biggest challenge. In spite of taking any chances, always go for the specialty of the place. For Israeli’s all you need to know is that they love fresh salad and that too with every meal. Their specialty includes Falafels, Hummus, Dolma, Shishlik – skewered charcoal-grilled meat and Shwarma – grilled meat in pita bread. Try out some restaurants like Burgeranch, El Gaucho, HaShamen, Holy Bagel, MacDavid and Mike’s Place.

Places to Stay
Pre-plan your vacation by making prior bookings of your stay. From bed and breakfast to luxury hotels, you will find all kind of stay options in Israel, the choice is all yours. Some of the best places to stay in Israel are the American Colony Hotel, King David and Dan Boutique Jerusalem, Sharon Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton in Herzliya and Leonada Plaza Hotel Haifa.
How to Reach 

To commute within the city, you can use the train, bus, minivans – known as monit sherut or cab services.There is something special about this place that never fails to beguile. With its welcoming aura, energetic cities, beautiful Mediterranean beaches, and elating nature spots abound, your journey will surely an exception.

There is something special about this place that never fails to beguile. With its welcoming aura, energetic cities, beautiful Mediterranean beaches, and elating nature spots abound, your journey will surely an exception.

P.S-> All pictures have been taken from the official site of Israel Tourism Ministry i.e goisrael. Thank You Team.

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