The Kingdom of Bhutan which is otherwise known as the land of Thunder Dragon, is a Himalayan paradise perched high in the Eastern Himalayas, bordered by India and Tibet. This country is home to many ancient monasteries, fortresses (called Dzongs) and legendary ancient temples. Thimpu is the capital of Bhutan and it is the largest city, while Phuntsholing is the country’s financial centre.

All visitors traveling to Bhutan are required to have a visa (except for the tourists from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, visa is not needed). One can travel to Bhutan through three modes of travel i.e. by flight, train or by road, In all three modes of transport, you are allowed to travel within the country only with a Tourist Permit. The Tourist Permit lets you explore three tourist destinations, i.e. Thimphu, Paro and Punakha, to visit other places like Bumthang, one needs to acquire a separate permit. Phuntsholing, is an exception as it is the only place you can explore even without a permit.

Tourism in Bhutan is flourishing, especially during peak time between September -November, due to the pleasant temperatures and greatest number of festivals that fall under this timeline. Springtime, from March to May are also good as they experience comfortable temperatures but with slim chances of rain. The rest of the year ( summer – from June to August and winter- from December to February) because of rain or cold temperatures, see fewer tourists.

The border town of Bhutan, Phuntsholing is a small town with quite a few attractions like, Karbandi Monastery, Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang– a Buddhist shrine  and a Crocodile Breeding Centre, called Amo Chhu

The Country’s capital, Thimphu has a few tourist attractions and the dining experience in the city is also top-notch, giving your taste buds an experience to savour the Bhutanese Cuisine. The must try Bhutanese dishes are Ema Datshi with Red Rice and the dry pork.

Around 85 kms east of Thimphu, Punakha a beautiful valley that is known for its Dzong/Fortress. The valley and the dzong, both are popular tourist places in Bhutan. The place has a lot of visitors during the Punakha Tshechu and Drubchen.

One of the widest valleys in Bhutan, Paro, is a picturesque place that can make you fall in love with it. It’s main tourist attractions are the Rinpung Dzong, National Museum and the immensely popular Taktsang Monastery/Tiger’s Nest Monastery.  Paro is also a destination for adventure lovers. The Tiger’s Nest Monastery trek is definitely a thing to do in Paro, and so is watching the snow-capped Jomolhari from the ruins of Drugyel.

Bhutan, the ultimate bucket list destination, is a simple yet mesmerizing land that somehow manages to touch your soul and balm it with peace. If you wish to slow down your fast-paced city life and relish a moment or two in the lap of Himalayas, Bhutan is the place for you!

As someone who’s never visited Rome, I’d have to admit that all my experience and knowledge comes off the online and virtual world. Books, tv shows and movies have, from the very beginning, given Rome a spotlight in their stories and episodes and emphasized it’s ornamental and exquisite appearance. It’s impossible for someone to hear the word ‘Rome’ and not be able to visualize a vivid image of the scenic architecture or at the least, recall a historic time of gladiators and the colosseum, that the city is known for and that media has put in great effort to depict.

Rome is the capital of Italy; whose population lies approximately 3 million. It is a major and immensely inhabited part of Italy, comprising the greatest number of communities and cultures. It’s situated in the central-western part of the Italian Peninsula near the coastline of Tiber river. Rome was once called ‘The Eternal City’, as ancient Romans believed that regardless of what happened in the world, their city of Rome would always remain to stand. Travelers say that the best way to get around and soak in the city would be by foot. They say that the monuments and especially the colossal are far too splendid and captivating to only get a glimpse of them. The best parts about Rome are the way you can tell all the monuments and remains have been preserved in a way that it tends to take you back to the time of when Rome really stood tall and held justice to the words ‘glory that was Rome’

Through our history textbooks, albeit a bit boring, we learned what a powerful and engrossing time period it was to read about. Or perhaps that was just me, but either way – we’ve all read of the great empires and the emperors of Rome; who fought brave battles and built the city from dust and ruled over vast acres of land. If you’re a history buff and don’t visit this city for all its ancient glory and hidden gems, what is the point?

If I were to visit Rome, it would probably be for the famous Colosseum, the Castle Saint Angelo and- of course- the Vatican museums. Something I’ve only seen in pictures, but can almost fantasize about how grand and beguiling the actual structures would be in real life. I’ve heard that January is the coolest month and other than that it’s quite warm/hot all year round. According to most tourists, the people of Rome are friendly and there isn’t much of a language barrier. Despite Italian being the main language of the country, they’re well-versed with the English language making it easy to get by. It’s probably another reason the city is such a major tourist attraction.

By Sheeba Muskaan

Seychelles is a place that is usually called paradise, once you land foot here, it takes you by awe. It is located on the east of Kenya and has over 100 various islands popular for coral and granite. Hiking is considered the best activity here in Seychelles. Another thing to do is to dive into the sea or explore the islands heritage sites.

Cousin Island

Lush mangroves surround this island between dense forests, freshwater, rocky land and stunning beaches. Cousin Island is popular as it is extremely eco-friendly and it is the first island and sea reserve. This place is perfect for nature lovers. It is a very clean island that is visited very less during the year round. A few hours will help in exploring the island that was once a coconut plantation and now a major home for various types of birds.

La Digue Island

This island is popular for nature and its beauty. With amazing granite rocks, turquoise water, coral reefs and rocky roads, La Digue is absolutely incredible. The transportation facility here is very limited, with just one helipad to access the island. This place is small and has very less population too and it is best to hire a bicycle here while you enjoy a relaxed vacation.

Mahe Island

Mahe being the largest island of Seychelles, is also the most beautiful one. It is scenic on all sides, with granite peaks to clear waters. Mahe has it all. It is also popular for coconut trees and lush green forests. There is also a mixed culture here along with a lot of activities to do. It is also great for exploring National Parks.

Praslin Island

The most important beach of Praslin is Anse Lazio which is a perfect place for a laid back afternoon. With white sand all around, the beach looks gorgeous. You can also snorkel or do other water activities right at the shore. Fishing is very popular here which can be viewed through boats deep down the sea.

Sainte Anne Island

This place has a warm weather and is popular for Sainte Anne Marine National Park. It is also very famous for six main beaches. The most fun thing to do here is watching sea turtles that are extremely eye catchy too. Destinations to visits at Sante Anne are Round Island and Long Island mainly and a few other places.

Overall, Seychelles is the right place for a beach lover and nature lover, it is a must sea in your lifetime as it is the most serene and beautiful destination.

By Sheeba Muskaan

Culture, nature and the thriving metropolitan cities of China are extremely fascinating. The Southern and Western parts are filled with beauty that gives one the scenic views of valleys, rivers, mountains and plains. Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong are exciting to visit while it is filled with a vast culture, delicious cuisines and ethnicities as well.

History here is filled with deep meaning and the countryside will get you awestruck with their touristy gems. Most people are expats from other countries who have settled in China mainly for teaching as an occupation. But if one wants to enjoy a calm vacation, the calmer locations in China are apt.

Tian’anmen Square

This is very popular in China, to stand in the center of the square is a must in the bucket list. As seen in pictures it looks marvelous, however, in reality it is even better. While one visits this place, they can also see a lot in The Great Hall of the People, The People’s Heroes Monument, The National Museum, Tiananmen Tower and most importantly the Mao Zedong’s Mausoleum.

Gorge on Food

Every area in China has its own food delight because the country is big; the food here is to die for! There are four types of Chinese food that involves Cantonese, Beijing, Shanghai and Sichuan and the spiciest of them all is available at Hunnan. The North of China offers salty and sour food like pickles and meat however, the cities have every cuisine.

Cruise the Li River

Hop on to the cruise and go down the river, the most beautiful sight ever! It is 272 miles long and has a lot to explore. The best locations would be Laozhai Hill, Xiaolong and Karst Mountains. The cruise is not very expensive as well.

Forbidden City

This city was also known as the Imperial Palace during Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has various artifacts from old dynasties and covers a lot of history and is definitely worth the trip.

Silk Road

This a stunning long trail that leads into Italy, most of the track covers China. The road is perfect for a traditional drive. It is over 2400 miles and it houses Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, The Ancient City of Turpan and The Rainbow Mountains near Zhangye.

Explore Tibet

This place is surrounded by very unique locations. Exploring a little about Buddhism, the white capped mountains and other scenic views here are amazing. The place has various historical sites as well. Visiting monasteries here is perfect too.

Karst Mountains

The mountains can be seen from Li River where one can enjoy the view on a boat or take up the roads with bicycles to see these huge mountains. Guilin is a place to stop by while visiting the Karst Mountains.

China is a place that covers it all from shopping to food and nature and much more. It is a wonderful tourist destination and must be visited at least once.

By Sheeba Muskaan

Kazakhstan being the ninth largest country has a lot to offer in times of historic locations, exciting towns and much more. A large portion of the land is covered with steppe landscape. Its biggest city is the Almaty which includes attractive sites like Altyn Emel National Park, Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lakes. Skiing and ice skating are very popular here as the one can see the Tian Shan Mountains.

Nur Sultan is the capital of Kazakhstan, River Esil homes this place. There are many popular architectural sites here hence it is praised for its historic foreground. The most significant and beautiful location is the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan.

The wildlife here is definitely a must-see as it includes snow leopards, wolves, brown bears and ibex. The best place to see the wildlife would be at the foothills of Tian Shan Mountains. The best time here is in autumn during seasonal migration and is a sight to cherish. One can visit the Aksu Jabagly too for their incredible tulips and wild apples.

It can get very hot in summer here and extremely cold in winters. Best time to visit this place would be at the beginning of June or end of August when the climate is mild. It is best to visit Almaty in spring or fall seasons. If one is interested in fun activities then it is apt to visit Tian Shan between June and September. It is the hottest in July.

Food here means a lot of meat. The most popular drink here is fermented horse or camel milk and is loved by a lot of tourists. Kazakhstan offers various cuisines because of the neighboring countries. Its most famous dish is the Besh Barmak. After a good meal, shopping is a must here. Ornaments here are outstanding and very decorative. Apart from which, one can purchase felt rugs, felt figures and bags.

Other places to visit in Kazakhstan are Baikonur Cosmodrome where spaceships were launched, Semipalatinsk Polygon where Soviet atomic tests were done, if this seems interesting, the Museums of this place are very exciting as well. Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve has very pretty flamingos too to complete your trip. Various other UNESCO sites are Saryarka, Silk Roads, Petroglyphs and many more that one could consider in their itinerary.

By Sheeba Muskaan

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Iceland is perfect for family or solo trips; it is all about adventure, road trips, scuba diving, and eating delicious local food around the place. The place is beautiful and there is a lot to explore too. From chilling in hot springs to swimming in the ocean Iceland has it all.

Blue Lagoon                       

The Blue Lagoon hot spring is a must-do while one visits Iceland, the water is milky blue and looks absolutely stunning. This place is prefect for the last day of your trip. One can spend half a day here and feel relaxed. The place is mad-made and looks dreamy. It is surrounded with saunas, cafes, restaurants and much more.  Blue Lagoon is located in Grindavik, in Iceland.

Golden Circle

This place takes the traveler one whole week to complete. The Golden Circle is 300 kilometres; one can see wonderful scenic natural sites or even historic buildings in Central Iceland. It gives a diversified experience to the traveler. Icelandic horses are alluring and a must-see during the trip. There are too many things and places to see in the Golden Circle hence it is best to rent a vehicle. Some of its popular destinations would be Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, Kerid Crater Lake, Strokkur Geyser and many more places.

Ring Road

One can drive around for ten days on this Ring Road and also take a few detours. July and August are good times to visit this place as it is usually very cold here. Even the summers reach 16 degrees only. One can also consider October as you can witness the Northern Lights during this time. One must try horseback riding and their geothermal pools, it is the most exciting! A few places to stop by at are the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Skogafalls and sunset at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.

Silfra Fissure

Silfra Fissure is very popular for diving and snorkeling. This is the space between two continental plates of North America and Eurasia. The water is extremely clear is visible until deep down. One can enjoy the view at any depth of the water, even just floating on the surface.

Solheimajokull Glacier Hiking

Firstly, to visit the glacier, one must go on a long walk, which is incredibly scenic. The glacier is a crawling one which shrinks and constantly moves. This glacier has ice caves, sink holes and much more. One can see blue ice, waterfalls and volcanic rocks too.

Iceland is a place that one can even visit more than once, it is filled with a lot to see and do. If adventure and nature is what it takes to bring joy, then Iceland is apt.

By Sheeba Muskaan

Being a tropical wonder, Hawaii is perfect if beaches, waterfalls, and jungles are the gems one is looking for. The place offers various fun and exciting activities like surfing, diving and much more. It is beautiful for honeymooners and families too. The six islands to visit in Hawaii would be Oahu, Maui, Hawaii or Big Island, Kauai, Mokokai and Lanai.

Waikiki

Start your day with a picture of the Duke’s Statue; it is the most welcoming feeling on the center of the Waikiki Beach. To take a walk across the city will help one explorer beauty in the parks, hotels and everything around it. Head to the water and sail away, followed by many activities like turtle snorkeling and others. Taking a ride on the Outrigger Canoe certainly gives one a fantastic 30 minutes experience.

North Shore Beach and Hanauma Bay Tour

Firstly, one must try the pineapples here as they are extremely sweet in taste. Absolutely delicious! This place is the most scenic destination of Hawaii, starting from Banzai Pipeline, a place popular for surfing to Waimea Bay where one can sunbake, stroll and swim. Head to the farm called Tsue’s to see farm animals like ducks, turtles and rabbits and then to the river for kayaking or stand up paddleboard. A few other places to visit here are Manana Island, Oahu’s east coastline before heading to Hanauma Bay. It is a place well-known for snorkeling, and seeing the amazing beauty of the surrounding.

Kauai

The most serene place of Hawaii, Kauai is the best if one wants to relax. The rains here are beautiful and landscapes are jaw-dropping. To name a few places to visit here would be Waimea Canyon, Napali Coast, Hanalei Coast and Wailua River.

Oahu

For some tasty wine, exciting surfing and sun-tanning; Oahu is apt! It has nightlife and is rich in history, arts and culture too. A few places to explore would be Waikiki Beach, North Shore, Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head.

Maui

Maui stands out from the rest of islands for its charm. It is great for families as it offers modern tourism services without it being crowded. It has cute towns and high-end restaurants. Places to visit here include Kaanapali Beach, Molokini, Haleakala National Park and Iao Valley.

Hawaii Island

A large and chill island that is great for trekking and retreats. The people of Hawaii Island are extremely friendly and the food and traditions here are wonderful. One can see the snow-capped mountains, learn history, and star-gaze as well. Hawaii Volcanoes, Maunakea, Puuhonua National Park and Hamakua Coast are their finest destinations.

By Sheeba Muskaan

The country is popular for its culture, history, hilly regions and its adventurous activities. New Zealand an Island country is an alluring destination if one wants to have various experiences. From national parks and glaciers to Cities and mountains, it is perfect! Make sure you pick the right seasons to get the best out of this escapade.

Auckland

The biggest city of New Zealand, offers real beauty and serenity while it is also located away from the city. It is filled with excitement and fun activities. Located in the North of the country it is famous for glacier trekking, national parks and much more.  A few important natural beauties of Auckland to name would be Waiheke Island, Waitakere Ranges, Rangitoto Island, Great Barrier Island, Piha Beach, The Coromandel Peninsula and especially Waitomo Caves.

Matakana

This place lies just outside Auckland, a market filled with stalls and vendors with delicious dishes. From fresh meat to fritters, and fruit concoctions, this market has it all. It is a vibrant market apt for taking pictures. The market also has many homemade and organic products making it even more attractive.

Queenstown

Start your day with a burger for breakfast and then a pie while heading to Bob’s Peak for a spectacular view of the city. One can also visit the Skyline Gondola with a fun cable car experience. An absolute thrill! A must-try here would be rafting or jet boat and a chilled beer afterwards!

Tongariro Crossing

Tongariro is well-known for hiking and taking walks on the highest and one of the most beautiful places of the world. One can witness volcanoes and colourful cater lakes. 

Waitomo Caves

These caves have various glow worms and are truly a sight not to be missed. It is the most popular destination. One can also see the southern lights from here.

New Zealand a blissful place that covers it all!

By Sheeba Muskaan

A place filled with adventures, old ghost towns, chilly mountains, and sandy desserts with good luxurious properties serving all kinds of people. Nevada is the city of lights and money. One can go hiking, biking, skiing, and star-gazing at nights to get the best of this stunning destination. Nevada is located in the US and it is bordered by Oregon, California, Arizona, and Utah.

It is best to travel to Nevada during cold times as the heat in the summers gets too uncontrollable. During fall and spring is it best to visit for the outdoor activities. There is very less rainfall hence that is taken care of. When to visit Nevada totally depends on the tourists itinerary.

South Shore of Lake Tahoe

The city is a great place for outdoor activities like biking, hiking, water activities and much more and it is made up of many small towns. It is outdoorsy and warm. A city for all the warm hearts filled with enthusiasm.

Las Vegas

This city is popular for its bands, jams and music. It is perfect for live music and casinos too. Las Vegas is the place you need to be at if you like fishing. Brooklyn Bowl, a destination for DJs who will keep your soul buzzing in beats.

Boulder City

If one loves biking, it is the right place for advanced mountain biking. The city is well-known for the Hoover Dam, the beautiful Lake Mead and multiple antique stores, attractive diners, breweries and the Bootleg Canyon. A stroll down the lanes of this city will bring out the explorer in you.

Activities

Hiking – There are a lot of mountains in Nevada, especially the Red Rock Canyon. Hiking around the Lake Tahoe, the White Mountains and a few more places are the most exciting things to do.

Star Gazing – Tonopah and Great Basin are two places scenic for star gazing, especially because of their dry climates and clear skies. The city is perfect to relax in the evenings looking into the sky. As city lights are far away from the destinations.

Skiing – As the northern part of Nevada is snowy and cold, it is therefore suitable for skiing and snowboarding. In Ruby Mountains, helicopter skiing is popular and the Sierra Mountains is where you can enjoy in the snow.

Mining – Opal is what you can find in the Royal Peacock Opal Mine. Nevada has hidden gems in the city. It is absolutely a fun activity for the tourists who visit this place.

National Parks

The Red Rock National Conservation area is a beautiful park for horseback riding and then there is the Death Valley National Park, perfect for exploring canyons, camping and other activities. Other must see places in Nevada are Valley of Fire State Park, Black Rock Desert, Lamoille Canyon and a few other destinations that take your breath away.

By Sheeba Muskaan

Egypt being rich in culture, nature and adventure is a place that has to be a part of one’s bucket list destinations. This place never fails to surprise tourists, from their marvelous sand-covered tombs to the Sahara. The ancient stories from their past rulers are stunning to hear and experience among their surroundings. Visiting Egypt between Octobers to April will be perfect for an exciting vacation. It has very soothing and calm weather conditions during this time.

Cairo

The biggest city here in Egypt, everyone will first land here, it homes the Pyramids of Giza and the astounding Sphinx. One can also visit Coptic Cairo here that gives you the most serene vibes from their famous Hanging Church to other small Christian localities that will keep one beguiled. The place has an interesting market, walking along the streets finding bookshops and much more among these markets is the most satisfying feeling for a tourist.

Mosques here are eye-catching, the most significant beauties of this place, especially the mosque of Muhammad Ali. The architecture of these mosques is absolutely breath-taking. A very famous trade center called the Khan El-Khalili or the Cairo Bazaar is very popular for selling souvenirs and one can relax as the sun sets with a cup of coffee.

Alexandria

A coastal city in Egypt, Alexandria named after Alexander the Great, the city is popular for its historical aspects. The City of Qaitbay, Montaza Palace and the Library of Alexandria are places that one must visit. One can travel in buses or trains to visit Alexandria and spend one whole day at this city while also savor into their delicious seafood.

Aswan

Once in Aswan, a trip to Abu Simbel would be apt, it is the most historical attractions of Egypt which ruins of Nubian between the border of Sudan and Egypt. One can see huge statues which are just bewildering. Temples of Queen Nefertari, temple carved mountain and much more will keep one enthralled. By the evening one can relax and watch the sunset across River Nile.

Luxor

The Valley of the Kings and Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut are located at Luxor as it used to be the capital city of ancient Egypt. Other attractive historical sites here are the Medinet Habu Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. In the beauty of the deserts, the perfect activity would be to get onto a hot air balloon trip to watch the sunrise. Luxor is definitely incomplete without the hot air balloon tours.

Spending two to three days in each city is ideal as there is a lot to do and see. The cities are filled with a lot of tradition and chronicle, an ultimate to travel and history.