South Asia, which consists of 8 countries that form part of the sub-Himalayan SAARC countries was largely formed from the administrative boundaries of the British Raj. While the Indian subcontinent takes up the largest area, along with the other core lands of the British Empire, namely Pakistan and Bangladesh, the question about Afghanistan’s place is still debatable. Although Afghanistan is included as part of South Asia, questions about whether it should instead be included in the Middle East are continuously raised. The mountainous nations of Nepal and Bhutan renowned for their beautiful landscapes and mystique, and the equally spectacular island countries of Sri Lanka and the Maldives also form part of Southern Asia.
South Asia is the most populated region in the world, with a population of about 1.749 billion. Customs and traditions vary from one region to the next with a number of languages spoken and religions practiced. South Asia is the land of Buddha and Yoga and spirituality is dominant in the region. Temple cities and beautiful monasteries abound in this part of the world. Once a much sought after land for its wealth and spices, its rich and varied history is reflected in the grand old monuments that dot the land. From the glory of the ancient Indus Valley civilization to the remnants of the various kingdoms and invaders that passed through the land, there is much about the region to marvel at.
Tucked on India’s charismatic Konkan coast is its smallest state, Goa. A gorgeous blend of Portuguese and Indian cultures, Goa is all about the sun, sand, sea, spirituality, seafood, and sossegado (a Portuguese concept meaning “quiet”). If there’s anywhere in India where LGBTQ travelers can feel comfortable, it’s the unconventional Goa. In fact, being a…
Home to 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites, Sri Lanka is a tiny island nation south of India in the Indian Ocean. A rugged land of misty mountains and rainforest, golden beaches and diverse wildlife with mighty elephants, stealthy leopards and giant whales. Marco Polo described it as the finest island of its size in the world,…
Consists of 1,190 coral islands and spread among 26 major atolls (200 inhabited islands), Maldives is an archipelago of islands quite unlike any other. The Maldives is recognized for its amazing coral reefs, hardly touched by illegal fishers, which is why its reefs are in such pristine condition. It houses so many different species of fish, making it a world-renowned…
When people hear the word Kathmandu, all they imagine is a small village filled with rickshaws and cattle all over the place, but Nepal’s capital is more than that. It is chaotic and peaceful at the same time. No matter where you come from Vienna, Monaco or Zurich, Kathmandu’s fast pace is contagious. It is…
Famed for nestling Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the modern world, Agra is a trip to remember. This astonishing Indian city is located some 200 km (124 miles) from New Delhi, and has witnessed the construction of numerous buildings on an elaborate scale. It is home to various monuments which are quite magnificent…
Bangladesh is a beautiful country (which most people skip) with exotic beaches, hills, forests, natural wonders and colorful cultural life. It has a delicate and distinctive attraction of its own to offer and it is definitely not a tourist haunt like Nepal or India. Here you will find historical buildings, archaeological sites, the world’s longest…
Tourism in Bhutan was introduced in 1974 , Since then Bhutan has pursued a cautious policy in tourism guided by principles of sustainability that is today the envy of many destinations in the world. WOW Travel put together for you a list of some of the must see places in Bhutan.
Varanasi’s claim to being the oldest city in the world may still be undecided, but there is no doubt whatsoever that this city is known to every Hindu in the world as a place they must visit at least once in their lives. A dip in the Ganga here is supposed to cleanse one of…
Male the capital of the Maldives is throbbing with energy with the number of visitors that constantly descend on the island. Visitors either come to explore the attractions of the island or transit from Male to the other resort islands. With its ever-growing population, Male has the distinction of being the fifth most densely populated…
Lahore is the capital city of the Punjab Province of Pakistan. It is the second wealthiest city in Pakistan after Karachi. Its wealth is not only monetary but Lahore also displays a very rich cultural heritage. Dating back to days of Indus Valley Civilization, Lahore has been under the rule of various rulers ranging from…
Cushioned between the Himalayan Range and the Karakoram Range in Northern India, Ladakh, “the land of high passes”, is a popular tourist destination for adventure seekers and mountaineering enthusiasts. This rugged and beautiful landscape is a part of a long-running political battle and is sometimes known for its armed conflict between India and its neighboring…
India‘s smallest state, Goa, packs quite a punch when it comes to hospitality and vacationing. With more than 100km of beach stretching across the state and a party vibe that’s unparalleled to the rest of the country, Goa is where India heads to bring in the New Year. Located on the southwest coast of India,…
The naturally beautiful land of Afghanistan has been embattled by invasions and conflict throughout its history. From Alexander the Great to the Mauryas, Mughals and more recently British, Soviets and Americans, the country has continuously been besieged by military campaigns. However, the civil war that followed the Soviet withdrawal has pushed the development of the…
One of India‘s most popular travel destinations is the ‘Pink City,’ Jaipur, a new entrant into the UNESCO World Heritage List. Jaipur is an intriguing mix of grand historical palaces staring down in consternation at chaotic streets where camels amble amongst cycle rickshaws and motorcycles. Jaipur, roughly a 5-hour drive southwest of New Delhi, is…
Dharamsala is a special place in India. It is where the Dalai Lama calls home after fleeing from Tibet. There are Tibetan people that settled here on the upper part of Dharamsala, also known as McLeod Ganj. On the lower part, it is mainly Indian people. With such diversity, there is much to see here.…
Mumbai is known by many monikers – City of Dreams, City of Illusions, Maximum City, and rightly so. It brims with manic energy and is bursting with awe-inspiring architecture, history, and cuisines. Moreover, it’s also India’s financial powerhouse and the birthplace of the famed ‘Bollywood.’ So, it’s no surprise that Mumbai has a cosmopolitan vibe…
Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, is India’s third-largest city and whose origins go back almost 400 years. India’s cultural and intellectual capital also happens to be one of the first Indian cities to have organized gay parties! Despite Kolkata remaining largely conservative, the city is home to a large gay population that blends in at mixed nightclubs,…
If the color pink had a home, then Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur would be it. Before King Edward VII’s visit in 1876, the entire city was given a fresh coat of pink paint. Close to 150 years later, Jaipur still preserves that rosy glow. At its heart sits the magnificent city palace, which continues to be…
Hyderabad has one of the most polarizing skylines in India. On the one hand, Old City is home to winding spice bazaars and architectural marvels. On the other hand, we have ‘Cyberabad,’ a.k.a. HITEC City, its snazzy cousin brimming with pubs, restaurants, and malls. Given India’s traditional outlook, you might be surprised that Hyderabad is…
India’s capital New Delhi, or just Delhi, is like an assault on the senses – but the good kind. Whether it’s the winding, vibrant lanes of Old Delhi, the delectable street food, or its eons-old architecture, Delhi is one enthralling destination. It’s also considered a forthright “pink” destination in a deeply conservative country where LGBTQ…
New Delhi, one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, is the capital city of the Republic of India. Built on the banks of the Yamuna river, New Delhi is a beautiful blend of historical past and a vibrant present and visitors are always awed by it. Check out our Top 10 Things To Do…
Rich, vibrant, colorful, spicy, exotic, expressive, warm, friendly, busy, spiritual, millenary are just some of the adjectives used to describe Mumbai. Whether you go on a luxury trip to India or backpacking this city has it all for every single kind of traveler. Just like any other harbor city Mumbai is a bustling metropolis with more…
Looking for the top 10 things to do in Kandy, Sri Lanka? We’ve got you covered. This ancient and historic city is the capital of Sri Lanka’s Central Province. Once the seat of the country’s ancient kings, Kandy dates back to the 1st century AD. Today, many visitors flock to Kandy to see the beautiful…
Planning a trip to India? Don’t miss Jodhpur, the land of kings and forts, and the second largest city in the desert state of India, Rajasthan. Popularly known by the name of “Blue City”, because it has peculiar blue buildings all over the place, this is because Jodhpur was mainly inhabited by Brahmins, the highest…