Once referred to by geographer Raoul Blanchard as the “Pearl of the French Alps,” the largest city of the Haute-Savoie department in southeastern France definitely lives up to its name. Deriving its name from the beautiful lake on which it lies, Annecy is a gorgeous blend of natural beauty and manmade charm. Its Old Town…
Barring a small 26km stretch of coastline to the south, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a landlocked country with some of the most contentious nations at its borders. Despite the turbulence that surrounds it, Jordan has remained an oasis of calm and is one of the safest countries in the Middle East, Asia. Renowned…
Founded in the 12th century by the Almohad ruler Abd al Mu’min, Morocco’s capital city Rabat comes as a breath of fresh air after the tourist-ridden Moroccan cities of Fez and Casablanca. The clean palm-lined boulevards and the clear roads are a pleasant surprise from the bustle of most tourist cities in this part of…
Who doesn’t love a great party, especially when it’s celebrated outdoors on a huge scale! Festivals around the world have grown from small community gatherings to some of the most happening events in the world. Most festivals have a religious angle to them but there are many that have their origins in folklore and agriculture,…
The tropical paradise, Koh Phangan is the fifth-largest island in Thailand, located 12 km from Koh Samui. It has sandy beaches stretched along the coastlines while the inner part is covered with rain forest. Koh Pha-ngan doesn’t have an airport and travelers take ferries to reach the island from the mainland. We have picked up…
Krabi is located on the western coast of Thailand, facing the Andaman Sea. Krabi Town is the capital of the province of Krabi with the Krabi River falling into the Phang Nga Bay. The picturesque Phi Phi Islands are also part of the Krabi province which is famous for its tropical beaches, limestone cliffs, and…
The global rankings for the Most Powerful Passports in 2019 were recently published by the Henley Passport Index and have 31 countries occupying the top 10 positions. The rankings which were started in 2005 takes into account the passports of 199 nations and the visa-free travel access that citizens of those nations have to visit…
A small, old-fashioned, charismatic and gorgeous city located in the western coastal area of Norway, Stavanger has a lot to offer to its visitors. As one of the priciest locations in Norway, Stavanger exudes wealth and charm. Although the outskirts of the city are quite modern, the old center has retained its old-world charm with…
One of the most embattled regions of the Middle East is the country of Yemen, located at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. From fighting an internal war against poverty and corruption to an al-Qaeda insurgency and Houthi rebellion, and a cholera epidemic, Yemen has endured a lot over the past few decades. However,…
It’s difficult to imagine present-day Mali was once a dazzling center of learning and one of the three main African Empires that controlled the trans-Saharan trade. Continuous ethnic conflict in the region is a constant threat to the culture and the stability of the land and has resulted in throwing the budding economy into great…
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…
Sitting at an elevation ranging from 1,712 meters to 2000 meters in the north, on the lower slopes of the Alborz Mountains, Tehran is the 9th highest capital city in the world. The wealth of cultural attractions in Iran‘s capital city is a huge draw for visitors to this part of the world. Over 250…
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,…
One of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Umbria, Italy is the medieval town of Assisi, renowned as the birthplace of Saint Francis, who founded the Franciscan order. Assisi dates back to the 7th century as an early Umbrian settlement which was conquered by the Romans four centuries later. Traces of its Roman past are…
Mongolia’s largest city, Ulaanbaatar, is rated as the coldest capital city in the world with temperatures plummeting to between -30 to -40 degrees Celcius in January. The city which was founded in 1693 was initially a yurt monastery located about 230kms from its current location. The ‘mobile town’ shifted continuously until between 1733 to 1778…
The small island of Boracay in the Philippines, located south of Manila is a vacationer’s paradise. Just 7km long and 1km across, the island is renowned for its pristine beaches and throbbing nightlife, making it the most popular beach destination in the country. Visitors to the island generally come here to relax on the numerous…
The largest landlocked country in the Southern Hemisphere and only one of two landlocked countries in the Americas is the intriguing nation of Bolivia. Bolivia has aptly been described as a land of ‘superlatives’ with the highest capital city, largest salt flat and the driest desert in the world all within its boundaries. From the…
One of the more popular getaway destinations for travelers is a tropical island, characterized by lush green lands, surrounded by the sparkling blue sea, fringed with white or golden beaches. Other islands that lure travelers are those with a bit of mystery, islands with luxuriant jungles, verdant valleys and stunning peaks. However, in recent times…
Sometimes referred to as the ‘City of Stones and Saints,’ the spiritual city of Ávila located in the Autonomous Community of Castile and León about 111km north-west of Madrid, boasts of having the highest number of Romanesque and Gothic churches per capita in the country. Founded in the 11th century to defend the Spanish territories…
Rather surprisingly, hordes of tourists have not yet descended on Zadar, the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia and the second-largest metropolis in Dalmatia. Zadar has a rich and varied history right from the Late Stone Age, to its Roman era and invasion by the Huns. In the early 15th century Zadar was sold by…
One of the most enigmatic countries of South America is Peru with its megadiverse landscapes combined with a rich ‘golden’ history. Its 5000-year history is showcased in the numerous archaeological sites that are scattered throughout the different parts of the country. From pre-Incan Geoglyphs of Nazca and remnants of Chan Chan, hoto the Incan sites…
Most people who live in important metros often complain about the high cost of living. Their complaints are usually based on the affordability of finding a home and the daily expenses of running that home. The Economist Intelligence Unit Worldwide, which brings out an annual listing of the most expensive cities in the world, bases…
Most people travel to Italy to marvel at the historic sites of Rome or to soak in the beauty of Florence and Venice, or marvel at the fashion in Milan, but not many actually go off the tourist track to explore Italy’s hidden gems; its beautiful villages. Nestled between majestic mountains, perched on the edge…
Lubeck, a historical city known for its rich heritage, is located in Northern Germany. It gives an insight into Old World Germany and is positioned near the Baltic Coast. Due to its status, its nickname during the 14th century was “The Queen of the Hanseatic League.” There are several cultural spots that offer tourists a…