Travel...a word that leaves you speechless and then make you a story teller. A word that brings exciting flashbacks and a promise to create everlasting memories. It doesnt matter where or with who, the thing is when you travel...you evolve. A tour to the Savannah in Kenya, a bicycling tour of New Zealand, wine tour in Nashik, a trek in the himalayas, a jazz trip in New Orleans, a whisky trail in Scotland, or just to sing 'the hills are alive...' in Austria, the thing is where ever you go, go with all your heart.
I travel alone, i travel with friends and family a few times every year. It doesnt bother me what people thought or how I was going to plan the logistics, I get anxious just by the thought of travel. I am a random traveller and my experiences are personal. So here it is, my top travel list for the wannabe traveller.
1. Turkey: Having seen a fair bit of the world, my top favourite when it comes to suggesting places to friends is Turkiye. Meet the best of Asia and Europe at the Bosphorus river, go to the Grand bazaar where you will get lost in innumerable trinkets for your home, go to the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sofia or just wander around Beyoglu, Istanbul has a great deal to offer to everyone. With an incredible night life, this is one of those places which stole my heart. People are fashionable, the culture is epic and the food is divine. Drive a little over 8 hours and you will reach the most fabulous 'cave land', Cappadocia. It is a tourist haven through the year, although it gets quite chilly in the winter. Take a hot air balloon ride and you can marvel the beauty of this magnificient land.
2. Sri Lanka: How marvellous it is to think that Colombo is less than an hour away from Chennai. Bandaranayake airport is located on the outskirts of Colombo. The minute you get out of the airport, you get a whiff of Srilankan curry, the beaches and incense. Its cheaper than travel in India, and its the quickest international destination for us Indians. A trip to Negombo to soak yourself in sun and sand, a retreat in Kandy to see the tooth relic at the buddist monastery, or to hit the slot machines in Colombo, Srilanka is easy on the eyes, clean and absolutely safe. Shop at the popular Odel for some amazing deals on clothes and shoes or just walk around the city, you will be sure to get back to this place again and again.
3. Havelock islands in the Andamans: When was the last time you took a rejuvenating break from work? If you havent in a while, then this quiet little island is the perfect destination for you and your friends. Leave your high heels and lipstick behind and hop on to a flight to Port Blair and then take a 2 hour fast ferry to this magical place. Stay in one of the resorts that offers beach views, a hammock, and a dive school. Thats right, a scuba dive. Go on a half day discover scuba dive program and meet the sea creatures and the corals. Trust me, you will get back a much calmer person and would crave for more. Evenings are normally quiet, with couple of resorts in the island throwing random beach parties. Go hippie style, mix with the tourists, drink, dance and watch the night fade away.
4. Nashik: The wine capital of India, Nashik offers a wine experience for the fabulous Indian. Its a refreshing weekend alternative. Enjoy the quiet, quaint and cool evening here by walking along the numerous rows of vines. See how the most unadulterated and the world's oldest beverage is made. Sip and taste the various wines made in this region. You don't really need to know your wines to enjoy the experience. Take in the sights, the smells and breathe in a bit of fresh air.
5. Nepal: A place close to my heart, this is one place I love to visit every summer. Trek to the famous Everest Base Camp (EBC) and claim major bragging rights. The EBC is at an altitude of over 5300metres above sea level. The trek offers fabulous views, and 13 days of absolute peace and quiet. Its a perfect chance to be on your own and do a little introspection. Also go visit the highest Irish pub on the trail, at Namche bazaar, situated at an altitude of 3550 metres. Visit with friends and go to the various monasteries along the way. On the other side of Nepal, visit Pokhara or the famed Annapurna mountain range.
These are my top five to-go destinations any time of the year. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, leave the pets with a care taker, put your phone on a 'do not disturb' mode, and check in from the nearest airport. And the most important thing is...Never feel guilty of travelling alone or with friends.
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