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Park Güell Park in Barcelona, Spain

A Compact Guide to the Gaudi City – Barcelona

Published by vaibhav

The city that needs no introduction. Often called as the Gaudi city, Barcelona is famous for its Gothic architecture that leads back to the Roman times, never-ending parties that starts late at night and goes on till the morning, busy shopping streets, lively cafes and restaurants and one of the most famous soccer stadiums in the world ‘Camp Nou’ , the home stadium of FC Barcelona. The major or rather not to be missed attractions of this amazing city are

Sagrada Familia – One of the major attraction and an icon of this city is Sagrada Familia Church which is considered to be one of the major works of Architect Gaudi. You will be amazed by its beauty and unique architecture. Beware of the long queues to get in as everyone visiting this city would be visiting this place for sure, the best time to visit is during the morning in the opening hours.

Park Guell – Another masterpiece by Gaudi, is Park Guell, with amazing views of the city from the top and uniquely designed pillars and other architectures, this park is a must visit.

La Rambla – The most famous and energetic street in the city is La Rambla. Bustling with restaurants, cafes, street shopping as well as a lot of performances from various artists, this street for sure would keep you on your toes with its liveliness.

Camp Nou- Considered as one of the most sacred sites for soccer lovers, this is the home stadium of FC Barcelona football club. It’s a very different experience altogether with a lot of emotions running through. They have everyday visit tours in different time slots.

No Doubt that this city is one of the favorite destinations to visit in Europe and enjoys a steady tourism throughout the year as it is always on a brighter side with a whole lot of positivity and celebrations.

Madrid, Spain

2 Perfect Days in Madrid – Bustling Capital of Spain

Published by vaibhav

The capital, largest and a bustling city of Spain with a lot of museums, restaurants and an amazing nightlife that starts late, like really late, so you have to be an owl to enjoy it is what defines Madrid. With a lot of historic sites, major places to visit are :

Palacio Real (Real Palace) or the city palace, depicting the history of Madrid in the princely times

 

Plaza Mayor – The main and central square with amazing streets leading to shopping places, theaters, endless Tapas restaurants, and bars which are filled with both locals and tourists in the evening times, a very peppy place with a lot of street performances and activities that for sure would keep you on your toes.

Prado Museum– One of the world’s largest museums, this for sure is not to be missed.

 

Churros– If you have a sweet tooth, this Spanish traditional delicacy is not to be missed for sure, you will find shops selling churros all around the city but the best ones are found near Plaza Mayor.

 

Puerta De Sol – meaning the Sun Gate is another happening square in central Madrid which is a just a short walk from Plaza Mayor. The surroundings here are beautiful and also it comes to life in the evening when many people come there for relaxing, eating, having fun etc.

Take free walking tours– like many of the European cities, Madrid also offers many free walking and orientation tours wherein local volunteers come and make you visit the city in groups.

This is a very good activity to know about the local history, places and cultures and that too free of cost which is a boon for backpackers. At the end of the trip, you can, of course, give some tips to the guide but it’s up to you.

Spain

Backpacking Guide to Spain – There’s something for Everyone

Published by vaibhav

A country that needs no introduction. Spain is by far one of the most impactful countries I’ve visited that has left a lasting impression on me. Right from its relaxed and enjoying attitude to its culture, history, food to the welcoming people to the amazing hip nightlife, Spain for sure is the country to visit for a holistic travel experience. The best cities to visit in Spain are Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Valencia.

It is one of the best and pocket-friendly countries to visit in Europe if you are a backpacker.

The typical cost of a bed in a hostel would be anywhere from 13 to 25 Euros, a meal at normal restaurants and food outlets would be around 6 to 10 Euros, local transport costs around 1.5 Euros to 3 Euros and the cities are well connected with the rail lines and buses.

Also, it’s a very good experience to walk around and know the cities by yourself, in addition to it, there are free walking tours almost in every tourist city of Spain where you get to know about the important places and history from the locals.

All the airports are well connected to the city centers by public transport which is quick and comfortable, taking this can save a good chunk of money as compared to the high priced taxis.

Madrid and Barcelona are the Major hubs connecting Spain to the world and also the domestic destinations. There are some very affordable flight operators in the domestic sector if booked some days in advance, traveling between the cities and also to the other destinations in Europe can be very cheap.

There is something for everyone in this country whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture admirer, foodie, relaxed soul or a party animal. Parties in Spain are typical considered the timings, they start after midnight and goes on till the morning, so if at 11 o’clock in the night, you are in the party district of Madrid or Barcelona and you feel that there is no action, just wait for an hour or so and see it for yourself how crazy the parties are in these cities.

 

Welcome to the Sea

Thailand – A General Guide

Published by vaibhav

The land of smiles, Thailand is gaining a lot of popularity amongst the tourist circuit throughout the world as it has something for everyone whether you like to be in the lap of nature, have a relaxing time under the sun on the pristine beaches, dance your heart out in the amazing nightlife, experience the diverse marine life , lip-smacking food or the world-renowned Thai massages. With its capital Bangkok being ranked as the number 1 tourist destination in terms of tourist arrivals inflow and also the easy visa processes, Thailand is emerging as a tourism giant and one of the most favorite destination amongst the backpackers.

There are a lot of places and a lot of ways to explore this beautiful country. Here is a general guide to visit Thailand.

 

Reaching and getting around Thailand

With Bangkok having air connectivity from all over the world and being the major hub for people flying to Southeast Asia, Thailand enjoys year long inflow of tourists. Bangkok is also well connected to the other cities of Thailand via road, rail, and air. There are a number of low-cost airlines operating in the country which makes it way easier and cheaper to get around and know the different regions. Whether you wish to go to Phuket, which is down South or Chiang Rai up in the North, there are regular and economic flight connections. After reaching the cities, the best way to get around is renting a scooter or a bicycle and explore the places like a local. In addition to this, the best option to get around is tuk-tuks and songthaew (the red or blue trucks). You can also use Grab, the affordable taxi booking app which functions throughout Southeast Asia. Getting to and from the airports is also very easy and cheap as the public transport has frequent and quick services.

Eating the Thai way

Thailand offers a variety of food with every region having its own version of the same dishes. The food can be mild and spicy too depending on your taste. As being a coastal region, Thailand has many different varieties of seafood available but try eating at clean places, as sometimes unhygienic places are a cause of food poisoning. Keep yourself hydrated as its very essential because of the scorching sun and humid climate. Savor the amazing varieties of tropical fruits and juices which are very healthy. For vegetarians also there are a lot of options to choose from and almost every major cuisine can be found in the big cities and tourist towns. Street food is fairly priced but it gets expensive if you have it at high-end restaurants and hotels.

Stay

With every kind of visitors, from backpackers to the luxurious travelers coming to visit this country, it offers accommodation that suits every pocket right from cheap hostels to ultra-luxury hotels, resorts, and villas. There are plenty of options starting as low as 7 USD per night. Depending on the particular city or town you are in, the cost may vary a little bit. My suggestion would be to mix and match, i.e in a city like Bangkok, its good to sleep in a cheap hostel and save a few bucks for a more relaxed stay at a resort in Phuket.

Just pack your bags and live it for yourself, Thailand awaits everyone with a smile.

Garden

Knowing and Getting around Chiang Mai

Published by vaibhav

The cultural capital of Thailand, Chiang Mai is also the fourth largest city and a major hub for travelers visiting the north of Thailand. Being covered with lush green mountains and surrounded by beautiful architecture and temples, this city is definitely one of the best places in the country. Chiang Mai is easy to reach as it has regular flight connections from Bangkok and other cities, plus the flights are really cheap if you book a little in advance. There are many great and diverse things to do in Chiang Mai and also getting around Chiang Mai is quite easy as there are many options like Songthaew (red truck cars), tuk-tuks, and you can also rent a bicycle or a scooter which is the best way to get around the city.

The traffic is moderate except in the peak hours in the evening. There is an old city which is being surrounded by a canal and gates on all the 4 sides. This adds charm to the beauty of Chiang Mai. To take a walk around and see the old city is something which cannot be missed. Depending on the number of days you are planning to be in Chiang Mai you can choose amongst the plethora of activities and sightseeing options.

Start with walking around and knowing the city. The city is full of amazing cafes and restaurants to try different kinds of cuisines. If you get tired, there are a number of uniquely designed malls to stroll around especially in the afternoon heat. Amongst many temples to see and explore, the most beautiful is Doi Suthep Temple, which is being nestled at the hill from where you can see the breathtaking views of this amazing city, with a cool breeze. Doi Suthep can be reached by various means of transport and you can also hike to reach there.

 

Also, a little outside the city is Wiang Kum Kam, the ancient underground city which dates back to the eighth century. The Haripunchai Kingdom, which in itself has a lot of history is embedded in the quietness of its maze-like lanes. The best way to explore is to take your own scooter, follow the signs and keep moving as you like. Another less explored place is the Chiang Mai Quarry which is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Chiang Mai. With amazing views and deep structures, it proves to be a good getaway from the city. Enthusiast comes and jumps from the cliff here as the quarry is filled with water and serves as an attraction now.

Another thing Chiang Mai is famous for is its markets. Whether its day or night, you’ll find many options to shop the traditional Thai way. Amongst many of the markets, there are 2 most famous ones, one is the Night Bazaar, which is on the eastern side of the old walled city filled with clothes, souvenirs, handicrafts and what not. If you are good at bargaining, this is the place which will excite you as you’ll get some very good stuff at very low prices. The market is also full of eateries and entertainment which doesn’t let you feel bored.

Another less touristic and a huge market is Warorot Market, which is most famous amongst the locals. Unlike its counterpart Night Market, this market is operational during the daytime. You can find anything and everything here, but most shops sell clothes and handicrafts which are worth a bargain.

The city is as beautiful by the night as its during the day time, as it gets dark, the gates and fountains get lit up. Overall, it’s one of the places that has magic to leave you spellbound and that always stays in the heart.

Wat Rong Khun, Thailand

2 Days in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Published by vaibhav

The North of Thailand is as beautiful as South, in fact, it’s magical and very soothing. Chiang Rai lies to the north of Thailand close to Laos. The town is surrounded by scenic mountains, forest cover numerous temples and many places to relax. 2 days are more than enough to experience this beautiful town. The best way to get around is by hiring a scooter as the main attractions are a bit far from the center.

The most important and famous attraction to see here is Wat Rong Khun, commonly known as the White Temple which is something marvelous to see. A Buddhist temple, made of all white material and carved out designs depicting various aspects of life like greed, desire, salvation etc. The temple lies around 15 km from the center and the way throughout is amazing.

Located at a fair distance is the hidden Khun Korn Waterfall, which falls under national forest region.

Surrounded by dense greenery and a narrow path, a short trek leading to this beautiful waterfall is really worth it. You’ll feel inner peace and proximity to nature.

If tired you can get back to town and spend the evening strolling around the night bazaar to look for Traditional Thai Wears, Handicrafts and Other Souvenirs, or try the amazing and aromatic Northern Thai Food at 2 huge food courts in the Night Bazaar, both of them have live performances of traditional music and dances.

Don’t expect a hip nightlife as in the south as the north is quieter.

The next day can be used to stroll around the small town and visit the Black House Museum which has some very unique and ancient Thai art creations. Also, the Blue Temple is worth a visit. There are also day trips to Elephant Sanctuaries where you can ride, feed and learn about elephants. Thai people love cats a lot, so for the pet lovers, there is a cafe where you can pet cats and savor some good snacks and beverages. The Singha Park is also worth a visit as it has amazing lush green gardens with very soothing views.

There are also many festivals going around throughout the year which can be experienced depending upon the time you Chiang Rai is not very expensive and the people here are very friendly and hospitable. Just greet them with a smile and they will be ready to help you out with their heart.

Map My Escape

A Vegetarian’s Guide to Thailand

Published by vaibhav

Thailand being a coastal country is famous for its seafood and is a paradise for seafood lovers. Being a vegetarian, you need to look a little harder to find places which serve good vegetarian food. With the growing number of tourists and a good number of vegetarian clientele nowadays, there are more and more restaurants serving vegetarian options. Whether you are in the South or North of Thailand, you will get good vegetarian cuisine options.

Being a foodie, I cannot stay away from food. Though I love trying local cuisine, being a vegetarian leaves me with a few options throughout the world. At the same point in time, I love having my kind of food if I find an Indian restaurant during my travel and Thailand has them in plenty as Indian tourists have a major share in total tourism of Thailand.

Being a tropical country Thailand enjoys amazing varieties of fruits, majorly Pineapples, Mango, Watermelon etc., so for fruit lovers, Thailand is the perfect place.

Plus there are many traditional dishes that are being prepared in their vegetarian versions and are delicious. Some of them are:

  • Sticky rice with mango – A very healthy and delicious option to try for vegetarians is sticky rice with mango which is easily available in restaurants and roadside cafes too. These are traditional Thai rice which is a bit sticky and served with chunks of mangoes or mango pulp for that matter. Very filling yet good for the stomach.

 

  • Pad Thai – Thai style noodles. Although essentially served to non-vegetarian, but has its vegetarian version also. The streets are full of vendors serving this traditional Thai dish. It is a perfect blend of different ingredients being mixed and stirred in a big wok.

 

  • Thai Curry (Gang Jay) – World-Renowned Thai curries whether green or red, have their vegetarian versions which are essentially being served with tofu, but without any compromise in taste. Heavy and delicious is what describes Thai curries the best. It can be prepared as spicy or non-spicy according to the taste that suits you.

 

  • Papaya Salad (Som Tum) – The most common yet one of the most delicious traditional Thai salad is Som Tum. This lip-smacking salad is a mix of beans and fresh shred green papaya being seasoned with lime juice, tamarind paste, fresh tomatoes and a hint of sugar which adds a sweet note to this spicy dishes.

 

This is not all, there are many other vegetarian options being prepared with tofu and stir-fried vegetables instead of meat. Although they understand basic English but depending on the place that you are eating, just ask the waiter or the attendant for vegetarian options, Mangswirati (Thai meaning for vegetarian).

Mountains and Sea

A General Guide to visit Phuket

Published by vaibhav

Paradise with life is what describes Phuket the best. With its long beaches, clear skies, numerous water sports, endless food and nightlife options, Phuket serves as the complete package. Depending on the length of your stay, you can plan what and how to explore this beach city of Thailand. There are many options for stay depending on the budget.

With Patong as the most famous and visited part of Phuket, it is where all the action lies. Be it the beaches, some great restaurants serving all kinds of cuisines to satisfy your taste buds, numerous nightlife options full of zeal, water sports or some great spas offering traditional Thai massages which are heavenly and relaxing. It also has some great less crowded beaches like Kata and Karon. The best way to explore the town and the nearby areas is by hiring and riding a scooter which is very economical.

This town has some of the most beautiful temples and local markets. Also, you may find some really amazing spots on the way that can be explored. Taking a speedboat ride to the Andaman sea is a must. There are many travel agencies who provide this service but the price varies from one another, so be ready to negotiate a bit in the cost. This ride is generally a full day activity wherein they make you visit 5 islands including the beautiful Maya Bay and Phi Phi islands.

You can also snorkel (included in the cost) and Jetski (extra) to experience the marine life. The lunch is generally included in the cost. The ride is amazing with breathtaking views of the island. Be sure of having enough water as sometimes its very hot and humid.

To get more close to the Thai Culture, I recommend experiencing the Phuket Fantasea show which showcases many aspects of the Thai Tradition and is a complete entertainment package.

 

Overall, Phuket is a place where nobody can get bored.

Roads

2 Days in Bangkok

Published by vaibhav

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, bustling with huge malls, palaces, temples, markets and a lot more things to see and explore.

There’s always a time crunch for people traveling to Thailand as it’s big and there are a lot of destinations to cover. 2 days are decent enough to see and experience various things that this city has to offer.

Being a backpacker, obviously, we like to stay at affordable hostels or hotels. Khao San road and the old quarter is the major backpacker hub of Bangkok and the best place to stay as everything you want to see, do and experience would be nearby so this cuts the major cost of transportation.

Depending on which airport you land in Bangkok, it takes nearly an hour in public transport to reach Khao San, and there you’ll see the first look of Bangkok. The streets are a little quiet in the afternoons, but comes to life as it gets dark, so missing the fun and action is not an option as it has a variety of eating and drinking options, entertainment, music, and parties going on till early in the morning.

The first day may be used to feel the culture of Thailand by walking around the old quarters and experiencing the floating markets and train market which are typical in South East Asia. Also, there are many beautiful temples primarily Buddhist with beautiful architecture and a lot of peace.

The evening can be utilized to stroll around the high-end shopping malls and some great cuisines in the Siam area. To enjoy the night, Khao San is the place one should go.

The next day can be utilized to see the King’s Palace and other architectural sites around. All the places are at a walking distance from Khao San. If you happen to be in Bangkok on weekends, then Chatuchak weekend market is a must visit.

It’s an array of thousands of shops with everything from clothes to footwear to souvenirs and a lot of street food restaurants. 

If you still have some energy left, then keep walking and exploring. But if you are tired a little bit, taking a traditional Thai massage is the best that you can do to relax and rejuvenate yourself.

Map my escape

The Ultimate BunGee Experience in Nepal

Published by vaibhav

Craziness is the word that can best describe this adventure activity where you tie your legs with a rope and jump fall free from a good height conquering your fears. Many people don’t know but Nepal has one of the highest Bungee jumping around the world.

I was very skeptical while doing this, in fact I wanted to experience it when I visited Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and that was way before I visited Nepal but wasn’t able to make my mind whether to do it or not. This time when I was in Nepal, I finally decided to give it a try but I kept this activity for the last day of my trip (for obvious reasons, avoiding death till the end hahaha).

Came the day on which I could not turn back, there were many many thoughts running in my mind during that briefing on how to jump, the best thing that the instructor told was ‘its very easy, we will say 1 2 3 jump and you have to jump, that’s it’, but was not as easy as it seemed. I was the 5th one to go, saw 4 people jumping before me, screaming on top of their voice and I was standing there imagining myself jumping.

Here was my turn, the trainer asked are you scared?, I answered Yes, Do you trust me? I said No.. you have to trust me and jump..ok ok..’don’t look down and on the count of 3, just jump’..3 2 1 jump, and there I was jumping upside down, tied on a rope, realising the warmth of blood flowing throughout my body, screaming on the top of my voice, blinking eyes and a lot of emotions running inside with that rope stretching up and down.

Finally came back on the ground, it took me 5 minutes to realise what I just did and how moving it was, how important it was for me to conquer this fear of jumping, and what an immense adrenalin this activity has given me. I would really recommend bungee, if you want to conquer your fear. Don’t look down, just 3 2 1 jump…