Things to do is the list of activities that one must carry out to enjoy the place like a pro. One is often spoiled of choices, however, with the better direction it is easy to enjoy the place.
I have read 24 books in the year 2019 & I believe these books are the best books of 2019, out of all the books I have read. You can check my complete list here. Book reading is an essential part of today’s life. So, read often & read effectively to win in life. So, without wasting any more time, lets dive into the list.
Having trouble in your life. This philosophical book about life is amazing & will clear your life concepts. The book is written by a guru Gopal Gaur Das. His videos are popular on youtube & most of his views can be learned from there only. However, this book is written fantastically & will clear your mind. So, I would recommend buying this book, just to have access to it all the time. There are many gems in this book that will help you to maneuver your life during tough times.
Another book that talks about life. This is a book about a dying man & his student, who comes together for the one last time to record his thoughts. The student asks about the questions related to various topics, like life, love, relationships, money, religion, etc. These topics touch everyone in some way or the other. A very short book that can be completed in a day. But, it contains lots of great ideas & some new aspects of the daily situation.
How to live a life is one aspect of life & how to make money is a completely different one. This book by Tony Robbins is an eye-opener about money. The money is hard to earn, but it is doable & if one follows certain steps & stick to the rules, they can make it big. This book will teach you about the game that is not taught in schools or colleges but is the most important aspect of one’s life. With money, life becomes smooth & fulfilling. So, reading this book becomes a must, as if you don’t know the rules you can’t beat it.
Principle is a book by a hedge fund manager & how he lived his life. After creating a successful company, he wanted to continue it. But, how could he ensure, same productivity & same problem-solving process? So, with all his experience & support of his team, he wrote down a list of principles that should be followed by the company in the future. This list was highly appreciated by people not in the company but by outsiders as well. This encouraged him to publish the book on the same topic & this is how principle came into the picture. A great book to read that will help you to figure out ways to deal with difficult problems.
It is tough to come from a family, where a father feels getting an education is against the norms of Christianity. But, 3 people from that family self-taught themselves to become Ph.D. holders. How this becomes possible? Read about their story in this book & in particular about a girl who had written this book. After completing the book, you will be shaken by the journey she took. A great read & an inspiring story about a person with a strong will. A must-read book.
Apart from these, there are many more books which are worth mentioning these are Bad Blood ( a story of a startup that tried to fake it till make it; a page-turner), Animal Farm (a sarcastic take on politics which is relevant in today’s scenario as well), HBR 10 Must-Read on Analytics, AI & More (a great book on how technology will shape your world in coming future). You can check all the list of the books I read in 2019 here.
There is a reason certain places are well-know and travelled for all the stereotypes surrounding them. Paris is the city of love and, even though plenty of tourists who went there kept being adamant about how there are plenty of better cities and towns to visit in France, people still travel to see the Eiffel Tower and experience the atmosphere. When you think of London that way, the Big Ben, red double-deckers, and the London Eye (or the Millennium Wheel) immediately pop to your mind. China is all about that Great Wall, Germany is for beer and sausages and Africa is synonymous with safari. Of course, all of those are great exaggerations and, to some, maybe even insulting stereotypes yet we can’t help but think that way. It’s like when you decide to play any of many interesting sex games – you already know what to expect. However, nothing is set in stone and things are always far more complicated than that. In other words, every tourist place and location offers much more variety than just their most recognizable landmarks and features. With that being said, if you’re looking for a region to travel on planet Earth that offers pure fun and enjoyment in every shape and form there is, then you can’t go wrong with Thailand and surrounding countries.
First things first, you can expect all the “usual” stuff when it comes to a country like this. Numerous sunny beaches with hot and playful girls in skimpy bikinis, spicy and exotic food that will stimulate your senses in ways you’ve never before thought possible, nightlife with different kinds of bars, clubs, parlors, etc. Thailand, Taiwan, or the Philippines might not be world-wide know for this but plenty of young people from all over the world trvel to these places to discover themselves. That means plenty of hot, young chicks and guys from the USA and countries all over Europe getting together for one simple quest which is to enjoy life to the fullest. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Hot sun, sea, booze, night clubs… how is it different from any other beach in the world? Well, until you’ve actually experienced it, words can’t come close describing the adventure that awaits you and, well, you can get much more of the adult pleasure if you catch my drift. To put it simply, New York has The Statue of Liberty, and Thailand has its nightlife and adult pleasures. They offer so much freedom and entertainment to those energetic enough and willing to partake that you’ll quickly forget those famous all over the rest of the world. Even the most persistent minds will go blank once all those nude Snapchat pics of local chicks they’ve met start popping in their phones.
Apart from everyone everywhere being much more open, certain places make a business out of providing various degrees of adult pleasure. There are go go bars where you can sit down and have a drink while watching breathtaking babes dancing on the stage. Some bars have chicks in bikinis, while others have them completely naked for your viewing pleasure. Of course, the fun doesn’t stop there because, if you’re lucky enough and have money to spend, you can end up hiring a babe to go down and dirty with you. You can even bargain for a better price and if that just screams fun. Another important thing to note is that all of the girls out there are doing this willingly because some prefer making money that way and others simply want to have fun. If some chick really likes you, you might even end up getting some for free because, why not?
In addition to dancing bars, there are already mentioned night clubs. What’s important to keep in mind with those places is that they are packed with so many hotties you actually need to pay attention to whether some girls are “working” or just having fun the same way you do. And when I say “fun” I mean something much more in person than playing sex games for android.
Naturally, if you’re looking for every way possible to enjoy Thailand, you would do yourself a favor if you went and had one of those special massages. You know what I’m talking about. Even more explicit than that, there are actually blowjob bars where you can simply go and get one with your drink. And there are always street girls and escorts for those looking for instant pleasure.
Travel Resources:
Below are the few resources you should check before making an itinerary.
Agoda: Best place to book hotels of your liking. Agoda provides the best solution & great offer while booking a hotel.
Skyscanner: Skyscanner compares various sites & sort the flights based on the rates. A great way to check flight cost. Although the only drawback is that rates are flexible. Hence, the cost might change while you are making the payment.
Jetradar: Jetradar is a comparing site which is just like Skyscanner. But, is much more accurate & much more handy in use.
Booking: Best place to book hostel rooms. There are plenty of options available & with so many properties booking becomes much easier.
Couchsurfing: Best place to find free accommodation. It is as easy as filtering people & messaging. If you will get lucky you will find free accommodation in local resident house.
Travel Insurance: There are numerous options available to get one. So, you can choose anything which suits your requirement. Make sure you read the terms & conditions before buying one.
Dubai has always been associated with luxury, grandeur and magnificent architecture. Each one of us wants to experience Dubai at least once in our lifetime. Even after researching online and preparing well in advance for the trip, as a first-time visitor are you still confused as to where to go in Dubai? Well, don’t worry! Just read on to know what to see in Dubai on your first trip.
Best Time To Visit Dubai
There are limitless places to visit in Dubai. But Dubai has a warm climate for most months in a year. Everything is air-conditioned – hotels, indoor attractions, and malls. However, there are a lot of outdoor experiences and adventures in Dubai that you can enjoy only when the weather is pleasant.
The best period to travel is between November and April. The weather is pleasant, and all the tourist attractions are open this time of the year. This is the time when the tourist season is at its peak and the hotels and airfares are really high. January and February are the months when the world-famous Dubai Shopping Festival happens. And most of the people take advantage of this season for travel.
If you want to avoid the peak season and also want to travel on a budget, you can look at the months of May, September, and October for travel. This is also the time when many hotels offer a lot of bargains on their rates.
It is better to avoid the months of July and August as it is extremely hot in Dubai and you won’t be able to enjoy the outdoor activities.
Also, Dubai almost goes on a shutdown mode for 30 days, during the holy month of Ramadan. Most of the restaurants, shops, and cafes are closed during the day to facilitate Ramadan fasting timings. You cannot eat, smoke and drink in public as a means of respect to the people who fast. So, it is better to avoid travel during that time as well.
Where To Go In Dubai:
Dubai is celebrated for its megastructures, skyscrapers, malls, and shopping. As first timers, there is no way that you should miss visiting these places. But apart from these, there are a lot of other activities and adventures too that you can experience. The following are some of the best activities and places you should not miss on your first visit.
1. Burj Khalifa:
No trip to Dubai can be complete without a visit to see the world-renowned building – Burj Khalifa. At a height of 2772 meters, and more than 160 levels, it is the tallest building in the world. Experience one of the fastest elevators in the world that will take you to the 124th floor to enjoy a birds-eye view of this fantastic city. You can also use the telescopes to spot the prominent landmarks. There is a guided tour on the 148th level of the building but it is slightly pricy. The Burj Khalifa is open throughout the year from 8:30 am to 11 pm. There are slots for prime and non-prime hours based on which the ticket prices may differ.
2.Palm Jumeirah:
A visit to the world’s first man-made island is a must on every tourist’s agenda. Home to the marvelous Atlantis, The Palm Hotel, the tree-shaped island is almost a wonder in itself. Dotted with posh restaurants, elegant apartment towers, spas and nightclubs, this place is definitely worth visiting to discover the luxurious life that Dubai is known for. It is open 24 hours for tourists, but the best way to see it will be from the Dubai ferry or through the monorail.
3.Burj Al Arab:
This stunning structure is touted to be the world’s only 7-star hotel. It is the home to the royals and overlooks the Persian Gulf between the Palm Islands and Jumeirah Beach. The glass façade of the building looks like the sail of a boat and it is definitely luxury redefined. Make a reservation for lunch or tea at one of the restaurants in the hotel to enjoy its interiors.
4.Ski Dubai:
This breathtaking indoor ski park is built right in the middle of this desert city. Located inside the famous Dubai Mall of the Emirates, it has an 85-meter high mountain with 5 slopes to ski and other activities such as snowboarding and tobogganing. There are giant snowballs, ice cave and even penguins from Antarctica, this place is full of fun activities and a delight for the whole family, especially the children. It is open throughout the year. The timings are Sunday-Thursday 10 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am to midnight. The basic package costs 190 dirhams for adults and 170 dirhams for children. Based on what you want to do; the prices will differ.
5.Desert Safari:
Dubai is full of golden sand dunes. And what better way than to spend a day full of adventure and fun in the desert. Enjoy some dune bashing, quad biking, sand boarding, and camel riding. There are also night camps and nocturnal safaris, but they come at an additional price. And give in to your wild side and enjoy some Arabian culture that includes belly dancing, henna tattooing, and Tanura dancing. The prices depend on the type of activities you choose. There are different tour packages for day and night.
6.Dubai Creek:
This iconic saltwater creek is associated with Dubai’s trade for ages. It flows through the center of the city, dividing the city into two. The creek is bordered by Bur Dubai Village and Deira Village, both famous for their spice, gold and textile souks. Enjoy a ride on the traditional boats, called Abra and soak in the traditional culture of Dubai. Don’t forget to visit the shops on both sides of the creek to buy some famous Arabian goods. The creek is open 24 hours. The water taxis are open from 5 am to midnight but some even operate for 24 hours. The fare for the traditional Abra ride is just 1 dirham.
7.Wild Wadi Water Park:
Located in front of the magnificent Burj Al Arab, this is touted to be one of the largest water parks in the world. It offers more than thirty rides and attractions for your entire family. It is themed around the tale of Juha, a popular character from the Arabian folklore. The opening hours are from 10 am to 6 pm but subject to change without prior notice. Hence, it is better to check the timings before you visit this park. There is complimentary access for children under 2 years of age. The entrance fee for this waterpark is based on height.
Wild Wadi Water Park Dubai is a highly recommended waterpark in Dubai. However, there are others such as Laguna Waterpark, Aqua Fun Waterpark, Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark, Legoland waterpark, etc. you can choose to visit any waterpark based on your liking.
8.IMG Worlds of Adventure:
This is the world’s largest indoor amusement park and a must-visit when you go to Dubai. Experience the characters from Cartoon Network and Marvel Comics come to life through various rides here. At Marvel Zone, you can enjoy entertaining rides based on your favorite superheroes – Superman, Spiderman, Avengers, and the likes. At the Lost Valley Zone, you can enjoy a gigantic dinosaur adventure, along with Flintstone and family. The Cartoon Network Zone take you to the world of your favorite characters. There are a number of shops and restaurants to keep the adults engaged too. The timings are from 11 am to 10 pm and the rates are based on height.
This is one of the best theme parks in Dubai. There are others such as Bollywood Park, Ferrari World, Dubai Global Village, etc. If you have more time, a visit to these places is definitely recommended.
Tips for Travelers:
1. Process your visa at least one month in advance to avoid last-minute delays
2. Book your flights and hotels well in advance to get the best deals
3. Carry your passport, travel insurance, and all other important documents
4. Commute by Metro as it is the fastest and cheapest way to travel through the city as compared to taxis and buses
5. Carry your international debit cards and credit cards
6. Exchange your local currencies at the airport or malls for a good exchange rate
7. Take a ferry ride across the Dubai Marina for an exotic sightseeing experience
8. Book Air bnbs or service apartments if you want some cheaper alternatives to hotels
9. Pre-book a trip to Burj Khalifa online for a much better price
10. Compare prices of gold and other commodities in a few shops and then buy
11. Dress modestly
12. Don’t drink in public as it is prohibited
Conclusion: Dubai is filled with innumerable adventures and activities. You will require at least a minimum of 3-4 days to visit the above places. But if you have the time, plan a longer vacation so that you can explore the other incredible adventures and places this delightful city has to offer.
Handy Resources:
Below are the few resources you should check before making an itinerary.
Agoda: Best place to book hotels of your liking. Agoda provides the best solution & great offer while booking a hotel.
Skyscanner: Skyscanner compares various sites & sort the flights based on the rates. A great way to check flight cost. Although the only drawback is that rates are flexible. Hence, the cost might change while you are making the payment.
Jetradar: Jetradar is a comparing site which is just like Skyscanner. But, is much more accurate & much more handy in use.
Booking: Best place to book hostel rooms. There are plenty of options available & with so many properties booking becomes much easier.
Couchsurfing: Best place to find free accommodation. It is as easy as filtering people & messaging. If you will get lucky you will find free accommodation in local resident house.
Travel Insurance: There are numerous options available to get one. So, you can choose anything which suits your requirement. Make sure you read the terms & conditions before buying one.
New year is one special occasion where people can start fresh or something new. Many people wait for the new year to make some resolution. Maybe starting all over again is the biggest reason why people crave for the new year. The new year has different meanings in the life of different people, however, for travelers, the meaning is traveling to new locations to celebrate. Most of the people look for affordable locations where they can celebrate as well as enjoy. Destinations outside India are the new rage among the young generation & many people plan a trip during the new year to exotic locations to get dual benefits of celebrating & visiting new places. The year 2020 is around the corner & this is the perfect time to plan for it. If you are confused about Where To Celebrate New Year 2020. This guide is for you.
Udaipur:
Udaipur is one of the royal places in India. It is also among the most beautiful cities in India. Although, the new year parties are not a thing here. But, the beautiful lake of Pichola in the backdrop & lovely evenings awaits you. There is hardly any place which will be as beautiful as Udaipur & offers such beauty. Food without a doubt will get you high.
Udaipur will supersede your expectations in terms of beauty & food. A great quiet & beautiful place to spend your new year.
Rann of Kutch:
Rann of Kutch is also known as the white desert due to the layer of salt covering the surface & once the moonlight is in full glow the places will amaze your every nerve. Like Udaipur, this place is also not known much for the parties. In fact, Rann of Kutch is located in India’s dry state, Gujrat, so finding alcohol will be tough. Rann of Kutch season only starts from Oct to Feb. So, the New year can be a perfect time to visit this place. Stay in desert camps & enjoy the time with your closed ones.
Goa:
Finally a place for party lovers. One of the best party destinations in India awaits you with open arms. The place is LIT during the new year when the prices soar to record high & so is the crowd. All the best clubs are functioning at this time. If you like partying, this place will satisfy you in every sense. But, high prices can be one of the disappointing factors when traveling to Goa during high season.
Gokarna:
Hailed as Goa’s of ’80s. This place is still not much celebrated. Beautiful landscapes, great ocean & secluded beaches are some of the highlights of Gokarna. An ideal evening would be to camp on the beach & dance to your rhythms. Gokarna is a great place to enjoy an evening with your friends.
Camping Near Mumbai:
If Mumbai is too crowded & overpriced which is usually the case in Mumbai. Then, head towards Pavana Lake, a place near Mumbai & Pune will host camping for you. A beautiful backdrop of Pavana lake & view open to the clear sky will be just perfect for you. Enjoy beautiful evening here away from the hush of the city.
Dubai has been on the list of people alot lately. This may be due to the new year celebration at Burj Khalifa. From India, Dubai is not far & also the Dubai shopping festival is one more lucrative option to visit this place. Dubai can be a great alternative to celebrate New Year 2020
These are some of the best ideas you can indulge in too. I believe perfect getaways are made by best people along with great conversations. Do share your getaways meaning with me. Let make this New Year 2020 memorable.
Handy Resources:
Below are the few resources you should check before making an itinerary.
Agoda: Best place to book hotels of your liking. Agoda provides the best solution & great offer while booking a hotel.
Skyscanner: Skyscanner compares various sites & sort the flights based on the rates. A great way to check flight cost. Although the only drawback is that rates are flexible. Hence, the cost might change while you are making the payment.
Jetradar: Jetradar is a comparing site which is just like Skyscanner. But, is much more accurate & much more handy in use.
Booking: Best place to book hostel rooms. There are plenty of options available & with so many properties booking becomes much easier.
Couchsurfing: Best place to find free accommodation. It is as easy as filtering people & messaging. If you will get lucky you will find free accommodation in local resident house.
Travel Insurance: There are numerous options available to get one. So, you can choose anything which suits your requirement. Make sure you read the terms & conditions before buying one.
What to do in Dubai on a budget? It seems expensive, right? The name of Dubai gives an image of tall structures, extravagance shopping and cultures wrapped in a blanket of deserts and colorful man-made islands. The Dubai city tour is characterized as over-the-top luxury, thus it seems difficult for a budget traveler to explore it completely. But honestly, Dubai offers a lot of budget friendly or almost free things to do around the city. Want to know what are best ways to plan Dubai budget trip? Read on!
1. Explore Culture and Heritage in Heritage Village Dubai
Art of potters, weavers, and professionals of other forms of art, and the history of pearl diving in the Middle East make the experience of Dubai’s heritage village extraordinary. You will also get a lot of information on Dubai’s ancient people – the bedus in this region of the city and develop a better understanding about the lifestyle of the people residing in Dubai.
2. Visit Camel Museum for Free
Camel Museum in the Al Shindagha Heritage Village is a free spot to visit in Dubai. Various areas in the gallery are devoted to the historical backdrop of camels in UAE, the connection among camels and Arabs, the camel racing, and the camel as a source of transportation. There is also a huge auditorium where time after time presentations and other programs are arranged for visitors.
3. Spot Free Yoga Classes
There are a great deal of alternatives for budget activities in Dubai for the wellness. However, the best among those is the free yoga class by the – Friends Of Yoga which is arranged in five different areas in Dubai. It is a 1-hour class ideal to keep you healthy on your visit to Dubai. You can attend these classes daily from 5:30 am to 6:30 am or 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. They are arranged in Internet City, Deira Creek, Bur Dubai Creek, Zabeel Park, and JLT Park.
4. Enjoy Watching a Movie Under The Stars
It is one of the best free and amazing things to do in Dubai. You can watch a free movie with your loved one under the stars at Pyramids Rooftop Complex in Wafi Complex. Before you head for this place on Sundays, find out which movie is playing there. Also, the movie starts at 8:30 pm so you need to reach out there early to reserve a perfect spot.
5. Visit Dubai Aquarium
A visit to Dubai Aquarium costs 70 AED/Person. However, you don’t need to spend this amount when you can see the giant tank from the outside for free. Located inside Dubai Mall, Dubai Aquarium houses more than 30,000 species of aquatic animals, sharks and ray fish. You can visit Dubai anyday anytime to watch this spectacular water tank containing thousands of beautiful fishes and sharks.
6. View Dancing Fountain Show
One of the most well-known activities in Dubai is to watch the wonderful presentation of the fountains outside Dubai Mall, moving in a state of harmony with a melodic soundtrack. The choreography is done in such a manner that you will be fascinated by the water moving rhythmically on different songs. The show starts in the evening and lasts only 3 to 4 minutes. Reach out early to reserve the perfect spot to watch this magical presentation.
7. Visit The Jumeirah Beach Corniche
The Jumeirah Beach Corniche offers 800 meters of waterfront, running track, showers, shaded areas for family picnics and a separate children’s play area. The 14 km long corniche starts from Dubai Marine Beach Resort and ends at Burj Al Arab Hotel. It is a perfect peaceful place to spend a romantic evening with your loved one.
8. Visit Gold And Spice Souks
The old souks in Deira are one of the prominent spots to visit in Dubai. The old market is acclaimed for the budget friendly shopping – (if you know how to bargain). There are a number of jewelry shops, spice vendors, perfume shops, and carpet vendors. You can buy scarves and pashmina shawls from there at cheap prices as a souvenir of your trip.
10. Watch Pehlwani Wrestling
It cost nothing to watch this wrestling. You just need to reach out to the Sandlot behind the fish market in Deira on friday at 5:00 pm. Each Friday, several Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi workers gather around to watch this free native form of wrestling.
11. Take A Selfie with Burj Khalifa
Being the tallest structure on the planet, Burj Khalifa displays splendid design as well as great creative imagination of humans. Standing 160 stories tall, this landmark enable the guests to observe the entrancing 360 view of the city. However, it costs around 135 AED to visit Burj Khalifa in the non-peak hours, you can view this gigantic structure for free from the outside and take a selfie to keep it as a souvenir of your trip.
12. Watch Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab – the only 7-star hotel in the world is the 3rd tallest structure on the planet. It offers lavish dining options, VIP accommodation and a luxurious experience to the visitors. However, budget travelers can watch this beautiful structure from the outside in Jumeirah and take some memorable pictures. This Burj Al Arab is built on a man-made island and it is in the list of the most expensive hotels in the world.
13. Visit Jumeirah Mosque
Jumeirah Mosque has been labeled as one of the most excellent mosques in the city. Constructed altogether with white marbles, this spot is ideal to have your inquiries concerning the Islamic religion replied. Following the strategy of ‘Open Doors, Open Minds, the doors of the mosque are open for people of all religions and beliefs. Although, there is a guided tour available in the mosque which costs 12 AED, you can visit and explore the different parts of the mosque all by yourself and appreciate the islamic architecture.
Now you know the best and budget friendly things to do in Dubai, it won’t be a burden on your pocket to explore this beautiful city. Further, you can look for cheaper flights and lowest hotel accommodation in Dubai in off season like Ramadan and summer where hotels and airlines offer special prices for the travelers.
Handy Resources:
Below are the few resources you should check before making an itinerary.
Agoda: Best place to book hotels of your liking. Agoda provides the best solution & great offer while booking a hotel.
Skyscanner: Skyscanner compares various sites & sort the flights based on the rates. A great way to check flight cost. Although the only drawback is that rates are flexible. Hence, the cost might change while you are making the payment.
Jetradar: Jetradar is a comparing site which is just like Skyscanner. But, is much more accurate & much more handy in use.
Booking: Best place to book hostel rooms. There are plenty of options available & with so many properties booking becomes much easier.
Couchsurfing: Best place to find free accommodation. It is as easy as filtering people & messaging. If you will get lucky you will find free accommodation in local resident house.
Travel Insurance: There are numerous options available to get one. So, you can choose anything which suits your requirement. Make sure you read the terms & conditions before buying one.
Traveling is one activity which is memorable with the experiences on the trip & everyone who is not a frequent traveler is always afraid of the unknown & wondering if cape town is worth visiting?. In my previous posts, I have covered the topics like Cape Town travel guide, how expensive is Cape Town, things to do in Cape Town. However, the most important topic is yet to be uncovered. So, not wasting any more time here is the post on the Is Cape Town worth visiting to?
The worthiness of the place is determined by many factors & some of them are listed below. So, based on the below list I will decide if the Cape Town is worth traveling to.
Reaching Cape Town
Accessibility is not an issue here. Cape Town has an international airport & connected to all the major airports of the world. Summer is probably the best time to visit this place. However, the prices are skyrocket during peak season. If you want to enjoy a peaceful time, visit the place during the winters.
Things To Do In Cape Town:
Cape Town has a plethora of activities for you. From sitting in nature’s lap to hiking the most beautiful mountains. From surfing to sun basking, there are many outdoor activities that one can do. If you are looking for some activities you will never be disappointed with Cape Town. One can easily spend 4 to 5 days doing different activities during the stay. Read this to know more about the best things to do in Cape Town.
How Expensive is Cape Town:
Cape Town is expensive for people belonging to the eastern countries (apart from China). For western people, most of the countries are easy to access & even easier to afford. Assume an expense of approx INR 2500 – 3000 per day onwards. This is possible if you stay in hostels & cook your food. I did my trip in approx 50K INR. Check out the link How expensive is Cape Town?
Is Cape Town Safe For Solo Traveler:
The biggest factor which might sour your taste is safety. Although, Cape Town is most of the beautiful cities in the world. Safety is a concern here. It is not advisable to roam alone in the dark & shady places. It is recommended to keep an open eye & know about the surroundings. This is the only negative point while traveling to Cape Town. Read details about Is Cape Town safe for solo travelers.
After considering all the factors mentioned above, I feel that Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world & if you are in the safe surrounding you will enjoy this city. I loved my time here & would love to visit this place once more because of nature. Hiking & trekking is a weekend activity here & what better it can get from here.
Handy Resources:
Below are the few resources you should check before making an itinerary.
Agoda: Best place to book hotels of your liking. Agoda provides the best solution & great offer while booking a hotel.
Skyscanner: Skyscanner compares various sites & sort the flights based on the rates. A great way to check flight cost. Although the only drawback is that rates are flexible. Hence, the cost might change while you are making the payment.
Jetradar: Jetradar is a comparing site which is just like Skyscanner. But, is much more accurate & much more handy in use.
Booking: Best place to book hostel rooms. There are plenty of options available & with so many properties booking becomes much easier.
Couchsurfing: Best place to find free accommodation. It is as easy as filtering people & messaging. If you will get lucky you will find free accommodation in local resident house.
Travel Insurance: There are numerous options available to get one. So, you can choose anything which suits your requirement. Make sure you read the terms & conditions before buying one.
Dubai never fails to surprise the travelers. It is highly modern, attractive and a must see place. Its record-breaking mega structures are known worldwide. The glitz and glamour of Dubai are incomparable to others. The charismatic aura of the city is pleasant.
Dizzying skylines of Dubai will leave you spellbinding with their impressive architecture. An exciting trip to Dubai will cast away your memories. Furthermore, this city offers impressive things to enjoy while being in budget.
I have traveled to many places, but now my wife and I intended to explore something new. We desired to visit a site that redefined luxury and grandeur. Dubai looked a perfect place for us to find all that we wish to see. Thus I planned a seven day trip to this city of gold with my wife.
One of my friends suggested me to try out the service of a famous travel agency as their packages can be customized easily and they could efficiently deliver what I was looking for. This six-night seven days romantic vacation in Dubai was an unforgettable one of my life. Flights, sightseeing, visa fee, taxes, meals, entry tickets were included in the tour package. The formalities of our vacation in Dubai were finally completed after a lot of planning, and coordination.
A Brief Itinerary of Our Dubai Vacation:
Day 1:
Our flight departed from New York. We reached the Dubai airport within 16 hours. We went through the immigration quickly and then were greeted by our trip assistant who gave all necessary details regarding the hotels booking to us. We checked into the hotel. After resting for a few hours, we went to have a romantic dinner. We had dhow cruise dinner on day 1. The cruise sailed smoothly on the Dubai Creek and sparkled with hundreds of lights. Then we returned to our hotel at night.
Day 2:
Had an excellent traditional breakfast in Dubai. We left out for our sightseeing tour. Also enjoyed the best Dubai Desert Safari. The safari tour was to begin in the evening that’s why we spent half of the day in the shopping, took some rest for 2 hours and left out for the visit of the hot desert and adventurous dune bashing.
Day 3:
On day three we visited the tallest building in the world. Had a great time at Burj Khalifa. We were in a fantastic elevator that took us to the top of this building. The breathtaking view from the “At The Top” observatory was mind-blowing. There, we took some snaps and on our way back, visited Dubai Mall that houses hundreds of local and international luxury brands. We also witnessed the underwater zoo and Aquarium in the Dubai Mall.
Day 4:
We enjoyed the Abu Dhabi city tour, booked it with a tour operating company. Visited the Ferrari world, date market, and Sheik Zayed Mosque. This was a short half-day tour in which we explored about 75% of the city.
Day 5:
It was a leisure day. We spend it exploring the local shops in Deira and Bur Dubai near Dubai Creek. There were many vendors selling carpets, scarves, and other souvenir items. Other than that, the gold and spice market were exceptionally a different experience.
Day 6:
Had a lovely breakfast in the hotel. It was a full day tour to Ski Dubai and Mall of the Emirates. Once again had many snaps. This mall is very elegant and beautiful.
Day 7:
We packed our bags and all other stuff and transferred to the airport. Then took the return flight and reached NewYork.
Places To Visit In Dubai In 7 Days:
After spending superb time at Dubai, I realized that every place to visit in this city of dreams offer something unique that the other didn’t. Its skyscraper buildings, shimmering sea of golds and death-defying adventure are worth to see. This place knows how to turn in style and following are some places we visited that did their best.
1. Dhow Cruise Dinner:
We got a surprise on the first night of our romantic vacation in this city. The charming, lively and delicious dhow cruise dinner pleased us. There were cuisines from all over the world. Some entertainment services were also arranged for the meal. The guitar performance and the live dance show were excellent.
2. Evening Desert Safari:
At 7 pm on the second day, we were picked by a 4×4 Land cruiser for our desert safari. The car cutting through red-hot dunes was adventurous. The session of dune bashing tested our strength. We tightly held onto the seats of our air conditioned Land cruiser as it bounced on the hot dunes giving us an adrenaline rush. We enjoyed camel riding too. The quad biking on the treacherous sand was an exhilarating experience. We were dropped off to the desert camp where we enjoyed many traditional performances.
The sunset view at the desert was fantastic. I had never witnessed such a beautiful sunset in my life. Then at the Bedouin camp, we enjoyed a delicious BBQ dinner along with drinks and live dance performance.
3. Burj Khalifa:
This iconic artwork is so tall that at some point when I looked at this tallest building from the bottom it looked an optical illusion to me. World’s third fastest elevator of this building took us to the observatory deck on the 124th floor in no time. The view from that deck was breathtaking. From there one can have the falcon eye view of the city. It looked to me that this city was built so that one can have this fantastic view from the observatory deck.
4. Ferrari World:
I am a Ferrari lover, and this theme park dedicated to Ferrari was the perfect place to visit to fulfill my desire of driving Ferrari. This theme park is a sort of amusement park that is dedicated to the Ferrari lifecycle. It is full of adventure, joy, thrill, curiosity, and imagination. Here one can discover an incredible world. There is an impressive collection of branded products in this park.
5. Sheikh Zayed Mosque
The grandeur and beauty of this mosque were terrific. This beauty encapsulated the true essence divinity for me into gold, silver, and marble. This visit was a mesmerizing one. It felt to me that I was in the modern day Taj Mahal.
6. Ski Dubai:
We felt quite strange that after sweating out in 36degrees, we found ourselves in sub-zero temperature. There we experienced the alpine chill blowing across our faces. My wife and I spent a fun-filled day at this incredible snow theme park.
7. Gold Souk and Meena Bazaar:
We also visited the famous Gold Souk and Meena Bazaar. The marvelously decorated markets kept alive the old Dubai traditions even in this modern wave of transformation.
I felt like a little child in Dubai who was astonished by seeing so many never-before-seen things. We enjoyed a lot and didn’t feel bored even for a single moment. We went exhausted by sightseeing. All the time that me my lovely wife spent in this glamorous city was invaluable.
Final Words:
This is how I spend 7 memorable days in Dubai. Overall I found this city merely amazing. This was a perfect tour. Our romantic trip of the city of dreams started with ideal dinner at Dhow Cruise. We were provided on-trip assistance by the tour company. This made query solving much easier for us.
The falcon eye view from the world’s tallest building was on bucket list, and to check that is unforgettable. The only issue we had to face regarding this trip was that the visa and other documents were sent a bit late to us. We would have preferred to receive all these documents a few days in advance. All other things were excellent.
Handy Resources:
Below are the few resources you should check before making an itinerary.
Agoda: Best place to book hotels of your liking. Agoda provides the best solution & great offer while booking a hotel.
Skyscanner: Skyscanner compares various sites & sort the flights based on the rates. A great way to check flight cost. Although the only drawback is that rates are flexible. Hence, the cost might change while you are making the payment.
Jetradar: Jetradar is a comparing site which is just like Skyscanner. But, is much more accurate & much more handy in use.
Booking: Best place to book hostel rooms. There are plenty of options available & with so many properties booking becomes much easier.
Couchsurfing: Best place to find free accommodation. It is as easy as filtering people & messaging. If you will get lucky you will find free accommodation in local resident house.
Travel Insurance: There are numerous options available to get one. So, you can choose anything which suits your requirement. Make sure you read the terms & conditions before buying one.
When we think of South Africa, most of us tend to conjure up images of sunsets and safaris in our mind’s eye. While the country is certainly famous for its wildlife, plains and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to see the warm heart of the continent, South Africa also has something else to offer; incredible cuisine.
Many visitors to the country are surprised to learn of South Africa’s rich and varied traditional food offerings. While not everything is vegan or vegetarian-friendly, there’s an abundance of dishes to tingle most tastebuds in this increasingly popular destination.
A gastronome’s delight
South Africa is an unlikely but rewarding destination for food lovers – and word is beginning to get out. According to Expedia, more than £6 trillion is spent in the travel sector every year, with some of that making its way into the African economy.
If you’re considering a trip to South Africa in the future, keep an eye out for these signature dishes on your travels:
1. Bunny Chow
Don’t be put off just yet! No bunnies are harmed during the concoction of this dish. It’s a curry which originates from Durban, and it’s usually made with chicken, lamb or minced beef. Did we mention it often comes in an edible bowl, too?
It’s traditionally served in a crusty half-loaf of bread which is hollowed out and then filled to the brim with piping-hot curry. It’s cheap, filling and perfect for backpackers who need some sustenance after a hard days’ hiking. Cape Town will provide you one of the best bunny chow’s you will ever have.
2. Chakalaka & Pap
Vegetarians travelling throughout South Africa are likely to make this a staple during their stay. Chakalaka is a mixture of peppers, onions, carrots, beans and tomatoes with added herbs and spices. Pap is an almost tortilla-like mixture of maize and salt, which is used to scoop up the chakalaka before it is devoured. Put simply, it’s a South African take on Doritos and dip, and makes for a great mid-night out snack at a bar.
3. Gatsby
While the name might conjure up images of high society in the 1920s, think again – a Gatsby in South Africa is far from glamorous. It’s essentially a foot-long sub roll stuffed with… practically everything! Fries are a common filling, along with cooked meats and fresh vegetables. It’s a sandwich designed for sharing and makes for a great choice among groups of weary travellers.
4. Melktart
Those with a sweet tooth are in for a real treat with a melktart. It’s a traditional dessert made with pastry, sugar, eggs and flour, and makes for a great ending to any South African meal. It’s so revered in the country that the locals actually dedicate an entire day to it. Melktart day takes place on February 27th every year, and each region puts its own subtle twist on the recipe. This means you can expect to enjoy plenty of varieties of this sweet, almost cheesecake-like delicacy during your visit.
5. Koeksisters
This is another incredible dessert which is essentially South Africa’s alternative to the doughnut. It’s essentially friend dough which is then dipped in honey. Sometimes it’s braided into a long strip. It’s the perfect treat for reviving those energy levels after a long day on Safari.
6. Boerewors
If you’ve ever enjoyed a Cumberland sausage, you’ll know what to expect from boerewors. These traditional South African sausages aren’t too dissimilar from the Cumberland variety, and even come in the same “ring” shape. There are fewer simpler pleasures than boerewors made from local beef cooking gently on a smoking hot grill – a real must-try for meat lovers travelling through the country.
7. Smiley
Smiley might not exactly be for the faint of heart. After all, it’s essentially a full sheep’s head that has been boiled until its burned hair reveals the teeth of the animal in a smiling fashion. It’s a delicacy in many of the country’s smaller towns, and should come complete with tongues, brains and eyes. While it might sound horrific, in practice it’s actually quite a tasty casserole for those who aren’t easily put off by the appearance of their food.
8. Amarula Don Pedro
Part milkshake, part cocktail, all taste – that’s the Amarula Don Pedro. It’s made with ice cream, fresh cream and Amarula liqueur. While it might be too sickly-sweet for some, it’s definitely worth checking out – particularly as a pick-me-up for those who like to enjoy nightlife.
Handy Resources:
Below are the few resources you should check before making an itinerary.
Agoda: Best place to book hotels of your liking. Agoda provides the best solution & great offer while booking a hotel.
Skyscanner: Skyscanner compares various sites & sort the flights based on the rates. A great way to check flight cost. Although the only drawback is that rates are flexible. Hence, the cost might change while you are making the payment.
Jetradar: Jetradar is a comparing site which is just like Skyscanner. But, is much more accurate & much more handy in use.
Booking: Best place to book hostel rooms. There are plenty of options available & with so many properties booking becomes much easier.
Travel Insurance: There are numerous options available to get one. So, you can choose anything which suits your requirement. Make sure you read the terms & conditions before buying one.
One way to make your tour of Vietnam a memorable one is to plan it around the country’s
festivals. Through these festivals, you get to experience and be part of the Vietnamese
culture first-hand. Most of them are held at the beginning of the year. Below are some of the
most celebrated Vietnamese festivals that are sure to turn your holiday into an extraordinary
one.
1. Tet Nguyen Dan
Tet Nguyen Dan is an important traditional festival in Vietnam and celebrated to thank their gods for the onset of spring. The festival is marked by locals paying respect to their ancestors and getting together as families to usher in the New Year. During this festival, bustling cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are less crowded as most people usually head to their rural hometowns to celebrate the festival with their families.
2. Perfume Pagoda Festival
Perfume Pagoda is an important pilgrimage site that welcomes pilgrims to its sacred caves to pray for a happy and prosperous year ahead. To get to the caves, you will have to pass through a scenic landscape that consists of limestone mountains and rice paddies. You will also walk past hundreds of stone steps and historical shrines before you arrive at your ultimate destination.
3. Hue Festival
Hue Festival is a music event held any time between April and June every two years in Hue city. At this festival, you will enjoy a fantastic array of performances, cultural events, and games that last a week. You will never experience a dull moment during the Hue Festival as there will be kite flying, boat racing, human chess, fashion shows, poetry, percussions, and drums. Also, you get to enjoy street performances, puppetry, acrobatics, film screenings, and art exhibitions.
4. Buddha’s birthday
Buddha’s birthday is an important festival celebrated by many devotees across Vietnam. During this festival, temples across the country are lavishly decorated, and locals bring fruit, flower garlands and Vietnamese dishes as an offering. You can choose to visit Hoi An, which is considered as the best place to celebrate this festival, and participate in street parades and prayer sessions.
5. Hoi An Lantern Festival
This festival is held on the 14th of every month. During this festival, paper lanterns of various shapes, colours, and sizes are displayed. All restaurants, businesses, shops, and bars in the Ancient City stop using electricity and light up using lanterns and candles instead. Although the festival itself is held in Hoi An, it is most colourful in the Ancient Town.
6. Mid-Autumn Festival
This colourful festival is held in mid-September, and adults and children come together to enjoy many festivities. During the night, locals light lanterns. Here, you will get to enjoy biscuits, jellies, moon cakes and other foods. To top it all off, you will witness the famous Lion dance.
7. Wandering Souls Day
This festival is held on the 7th of September during the full moon. In Vietnamese culture, it is believed that ancestors pay their families a visit. The families go to Buddhist temples to offer respect to their loved ones and eat cakes and other food.
8. Lim Festival
Lim Festival is held on the 12th and 13th of February to celebrate ‘Quan Ho’ singing. During this festival, people play local games such as wrestling, bamboo fighting, and tug of war. The main highlight of the festival is when the choir performs. Also, locals wear colourful traditional costumes as they sing their local folk songs. Through this festival, you get to learn about the rich culture and traditions of Vietnam.
9. Phu Giay Festival
This festival is held in Phu Giay Temple in honour of Mother Saint Lie Hanh . It is regarded as the most significant and original of all festivals in the Vietnam calendar. People dress in traditional costumes and carry bamboo relics decorated with beautiful ornaments. You get to participate in various local games and cultural activities during this festival.
10. Tet Han Thuc
This is a unique Vietnamese festival held in honour of Jie Zhitui, a loyal underman to the 7th Century Duke of Quin. Jie suffered neglect by the Duke, forcing him to retreat to the woods together with his mother. Later, when the Duke requested Jie to return to the city, he declined, prompting the Duke to light his house to force them back to the city. Jie refused and instead died in the fire.
The many festivals in Vietnam are a clear manifestation of the rich culture of its people. Taking part in these festivals will leave you with unforgettable memories of Vietnam’s beautiful landscape and admirable culture, before you go, remember that Visa’s are essential when visiting Vietnam.
Handy Resources:
Below are the few resources you should check before making an itinerary.
Agoda: Best place to book hotels of your liking. Agoda provides the best solution & great offer while booking a hotel.
Skyscanner: Skyscanner compares various sites & sort the flights based on the rates. A great way to check flight cost. Although the only drawback is that rates are flexible. Hence, the cost might change while you are making the payment.
Jetradar: Jetradar is a comparing site which is just like Skyscanner. But, is much more accurate & much more handy in use.
Booking: Best place to book hostel rooms. There are plenty of options available & with so many properties booking becomes much easier.
Travel Insurance: There are numerous options available to get one. So, you can choose anything which suits your requirement. Make sure you read the terms & conditions before buying one.
Budget is an important point in planning a trip & most of the people avoid traveling due to financial constraints. But, is it possible to travel to a place on a budget? For anyone who is wondering is it possible or not; this post is for you. Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world & I completed it on budget. So really how expensive is Cape Town? & how much budget you should keep in mind while planning a trip to Cape Town. PS: I completed my trip in approx 50,000 INR.
There are many aspects of traveling, below is the list of things which will cover most of the budget & how can you get the best deals to help you manage the budget.
Flights To Cape Town:
There are direct flights from all over the world to Cape Town. But, from Eastern countries the best route would be to reach Johannesburg & from Johannesburg to Cape Town, this will save you a lot. Further, always book to & fro ticket this will help you to save extra bucks. There is an article about how to find cheap international flights which will help you to find great flight deals. I booked a flight from Mumbai to Johannesburg to & fro for approx 25,000 INR & from Johannesburg to Cape Town to & fro for approx 8,000 INR.
When the most important part of planning a trip is completed. It is time to look to some other points where one can actually save some bucks. As flight tickets & visa process is a fixed cost.
Stay In Cape Town:
Cape Town in the summer season is pretty costly. However, if you travel in winters the cost of a dorm bed will be half the cost in the summers. This is one of the important aspects that will help you to save some extra bucks. The best place to book a hostel is Hostel.com or booking.com. However, there are many other websites which will help you to book great accommodation. Check this link for the same.
I booked hostel accommodation at Long Street Backpackers. For 8 days I paid approx 4,000 INR which was a great deal considering the location of the hostel. Check the review of the place here.
Sight Seeing In Cape Town:
Most of the natural activities like table mountain, lions head, signal hill, etc are free. There are many other things to do in Cape Town like Cape of good hope, boulders beach, Kirstenbosch botanical garden which will charge some admission fee. Typically, the cost of all these activities will be around 4,000 INR. One can do many activities in Cape Town for all those activities, you can check the link Things to do in Cape Town. But, choose your activities wisely, as this will not only save your time but lots of cash as well. It is advisable to choose activities as per interests & only pursue those.
Getting Around Cape Town:
The best way to get around Cape Town is by MyCiti bus. It is one of the easiest ways to get around Cape Town & apart from this Uber is one more convenient option to get around the town. There are 3 days, 5 days 7 days pass which will save a lot during the travel. There is one option of a single journey which will cost 150 INR per journey. Renting a motorbike will cost you around 1500 INR per day. I rented a motorbike for a day so I saved a lot here. I traveled mostly by MyCiti Bus. If you are in the city the local attractions are at a walkable distance.
Food In Cape Town:
There are many cheap options to eat in Cape Town. I mostly cooked food at the hostel, kitchen facility was available which help a lot. Buy groceries from the local supermarkets & cook your food. This will help you to save. Further, if you are willing to eat outside, expect to spend 150 INR for a meal. The cost of a beer can is 60 INR. I spend somewhere around 3000 to 4000 INR in food & alcohol.
So, this is how I completed my trip at approx 50,000 INR for 8 days. One more reason for such a budget trip was that I was not able to do shark cage diving which was my main motive & the cost of doing it was approx 13,000 INR. Because of which I was able to complete my trip on the budget. So, if anyone asks you how expensive is Cape Town? you can share this link with your friends.
Handy Resources:
Below are the few resources you should check before making an itinerary.
Agoda: Best place to book hotels of your liking. Agoda provides the best solution & great offer while booking a hotel.
Skyscanner: Skyscanner compares various sites & sort the flights based on the rates. A great way to check flight cost. Although the only drawback is that rates are flexible. Hence, the cost might change while you are making the payment.
Jetradar: Jetradar is a comparing site which is just like Skyscanner. But, is much more accurate & much more handy in use.
Booking: Best place to book hostel rooms. There are plenty of options available & with so many properties booking becomes much easier.
Couchsurfing: Best place to find free accommodation. It is as easy as filtering people & messaging. If you will get lucky you will find free accommodation in local resident house.
Travel Insurance: There are numerous options available to get one. So, you can choose anything which suits your requirement. Make sure you read the terms & conditions before buying one.
