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If you’re a traveller at heart then like all fellow travellers you would surely have a checklist of all the attractions in the world that you aspire to visit in your lifetime. My travel list had Paris on the top and rightly so, as a trip to the city can leave you yearning for more. Paris is a city one can never tire of. The allure of Paris is hard to miss, the colourful graffiti in metro stations, chic shopping arcades, the intriguing cuisine that gradually grows on you, the vibrant arcades around the Champs-Elysees, the sea of tourists that throng the city’s streets, the beautifully adorned facades on very old buildings that complement the new modern ones, old historical castles, French wine, gorgeous French women and, of course, Moulin Rouge, the famous cabaret in Paris. Cabaret shows come with baggage, a certain kind of disdain for the art that is accompanied by hordes of bosom-revealing women dancing and prancing around for the pleasure of the guests. But Moulin Rouge is much more than that. It's art in its lucid form with a dash of titillation and loads of mass appeal. Any apprehension that I initially had about going for the show was put to rest the moment I saw a long serpentine queue in front of the big red windmill at the famous Boulevard de Clichy. This famous landmark synonymous with Moulin Rouge beckons visitors from around the world, you can spot it from a distance. The boulevard can be easily identified by the huge windmill on the top. A few tips that I picked along the way.... - Guests, both men and women are expected to arrive dressed in elegant attire, as they choose to call it, for the show. - Jeans are okay but no shorts or flip-flops for anyone. -I'd like to put in a word for people travelling with families here. Although the Moulin Rouge website puts the minimum age for visiting as 12+, I strongly feel that the entire area around the cabaret is not kid-friendly, in the sense that though the area is absolutely safe it will be right to call it sleazy. - The queue in front of the entrance to Moulin Rouge is long and entry into the main hall can take its fair share of time. So, arriving early to settle down well before the show begins is a good idea. Late entries are not allowed. Once inside, your attention will easily be drawn to the décor that has an old-world charm about it. It must have been obviously redone from its old 1920s days, it looks entirely revamped to accommodate the lighting and all the trappings of this new-age technology that comes with it. The hall is huge and my eyes inadvertently try to seek out the stage. I am thrilled to see that our seats are well located in the second but front row, so we won’t have to crane our necks over fellow audiences to see the stage. Seating is not theatre-like, it is around tables laid out for guests who wish to opt for dinner or champagne alongside the show the cost for which is included in the ticket. As far as we are concerned, dinner can be a distraction and can take away the focus from the show. We restrict ourselves to a glass of champagne that is quickly served the moment we settle into our seats. Photography is strictly prohibited during the show. And finally, the show begins.... Dancers in elaborate costumes with colourful plumes and intriguing head gear start pouring onto the stage. The accompanying music and the dancers grooving to the famous French Can-Can dance are exhilarating. The dance is very high on energy and pleasantly seductive as the lively dancers’ skirts swirl across the stage in sweeping movements that leave the audience in rapture. Their steps are synchronized to the very last detail and make quite an impact. The riot of colour, lights, and music on stage with almost four dozen beautiful topless women is sure to make your jaw drop! The performance follows a plot throughout the show which can be understood from the tone and context as there is no narrator introducing the show to the audience. It can be a good idea to just sit back and soak in the exuberance and immense talent of the dancers. These days a lot of information is available on the net, but in 2008 when we visited, information was available only in pamphlets available at the venue itself. In the case of Moulin Rouge, our only source of reference was the movie 'Moulin Rouge' starring Nicole Kidman. There is a main dance sequence, with interludes of the speciality shows to add to the zest of the evening. There is a circus show with a clown and the usual buffoonery followed by another short comical interlude. There is an acrobat on roller skates where the performer is extremely agile and graceful. The one performance that really stood out for me both in terms of grace and novelty was the ‘Water Tank Spectacle’, as I choose to call it here. Out of nowhere, a huge water tank appeared from the middle of the stage. As if this was not enough to perplex the audience, a gigantic snake boa constrictor appeared in it. I was waiting with bated breath as to what was going to come next. A pretty dancer wearing nothing more than a thong jumped into it. The brazen boldness of her jump let out a collective sigh from the audience. I am sure the ones sitting right in front would have winced in their seats. Catching the boa in her hands, the girl started playing with the huge snake, sliding it over her body in a rhythmic motion, whirling around with it in the water and making sensuous movements completely in sync with the music being played in the background. The sheer prowess she displayed in the water is befitting of only one word ‘Spectacular’. The one thing that stood out for me in this gala evening of dance and music was the extremely talented troupe of performers and the colourful palette of costumes that brought the stage to life. A quick pic before the show begins... A visit to the Moulin Rouge can be a journey into erstwhile Paris's turbulent yet colourful past and vindicate its position as the world’s most romantic destination.

The Plitvice National Park Croatia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site spread over an area of 295 sq km. The park is picture perfect, its magnificent beauty comparable perhaps only to the Garden of Eden itself. There are waterfalls, lakes, rapids and more waterfalls gushing and foaming their way into these lakes and spilling out of them. I had read somewhere before our visit that there are wild animals like wolves and bears in the forest around the national park but they've never been sighted because of such a heavy influx of tourists to the area. That's good to know! Let me start with some basic info about the National Park - Plitvice National Park has a total of 16 lakes, 12 upper and 4 lower. These lakes cascade into waterfalls of varying sizes and intensity, there are more than 90 waterfalls in the park. The park is divided into parts, Upper Lakes and Lower Lakes. These two parts are separated from each other by the 3 km-long Lake Kozjak. - In the vicinity of the park are many beautiful small villages with accommodation facilities for tourists. - The park has two main entrances - Entrance 1 will take you to the lower lakes. Entrance 2 will take you to the upper lakes. There is a shuttle bus and a shuttle boat that takes you from the upper lakes to the lower lakes and vice versa. - Ticket prices include all these rides. Please retain them till the end of your trip, since they are checked while taking the shuttle boat ride on Lake Kozjak. The beautiful village of Mukinje The weatherman had predicted heavy rain the following day, so we decided to set off for the parks the same day post-lunch. First look at the winding wooden paths....lots more to come! Our two-day exploration of the park On Day 1, we started our trip around noon. Our landlady felt that by noon, entry from Entrance 1 would get very crowded. So, we should start from Entrance 2, Upper Lakes. After some inquiry from the Information office, we opted for Trail H and set forth. The trail is 8.9 km long and is moderately tough. It takes around 5 to 6 hours to walk on this trail. There are other trails also each one laid out on a different route and with varying degrees of difficult terrain. We are greeted with small waterfalls emerging from everywhere, from behind the bushes and rocks. A sturdy wooden path takes us over a wide lake which is home to a large variety of fish. The path winds further into the park and over a very fast-gushing waterfall. We keep walking on the designated trail, soaking in the beauty of this wonder of nature. Every possible variety of waterfall is visible here, small, medium, large, noisy, and silent ones, high and low, flowing into the lake and from the lake. The walking trail leads us to the ferry point. The ferry takes us to the other side of the park in continuation of the journey. Ferry and train tickets are included in the entrance ticket to the park. The ferry drops us off at the lower lakes. The lower lakes are placid, and the scenery is still bewitching but the waterfalls look different. Towards the end of the trail is the signage for the ‘Big waterfall’. This is called 'Veliki Slap' and is 78 meters high. If you have the energy to walk an extra couple of kilometres then don’t miss this one. If you do miss it then the only consolation is that the huge cascading waters of the fall are visible in all their glory from the main trail too. On Day 2, we started a bit early and decided to venture out into the park from Entrance 1 at the lower lakes. We had seen both the upper and lower lakes on Day 1 itself, so this day we just spent lazying around and gaping at the beauty of this nature's wonder. This time we took a different trail. It starts from the main entrance leading up to the waterfront. Equally beautiful with a different view of the waterfalls. My Tips about a visit to Plitvice National Park - - The entire park is worth seeing. There are a lot of forums that advocate taking one entrance over another, I think taking Entrance 1 or 2 should be based on where you are staying. We stayed in an apartment in Mukinje, a quaint village very close to the park. Entrance 2 was closest to our place. So, we started with the upper lakes. - Upper lakes are more exciting for families with teenagers and young children. There are small wooden footbridges that go over cascading waters that create a roaring sound as they fall into deep rapids and waterfalls. Lower lakes, on the other hand, are calmer. And, of course, the Big Waterfall is located here. - One should try to understand the layout of the park before starting on the trip, depending on the amount of time you have and the level of difficulty of each trail. Trails vary from 3 hours to 6 or more hours of walking time. Pick one trail and stick to it. Chances of you getting lost are thin as there are exiting routes, if you follow them, you will reach one of the exits. - A visit to the park involves a lot of walking. We walked close to 25,000 steps on Day 1. Wear very comfortable shoes and carry some light snacks and water for your outing. - If you are travelling with small kids, then remember, there are no protective rails on the footbridges. I feel that even taking prams over these tricky wooden ledges might be difficult. So, plan accordingly. - If you plan a day trip only, take the bus directly to the Plitvice National Park entrance. Bus connections in Croatia are excellent, there are many buses plying between Zagreb and Plitvice at frequent intervals. With just a day at hand, you will have to rush through the park. It's best to have pre-purchased online tickets to save time and avoid queues. Ideally, one should plan to stay in one of the villages nearby and see the entire park over two days. We've walked all this way uphill from the lower waterfalls to the top of the park to get this mesmerizing picture! Worth every step I must say.....

Ladakh with its capital at Leh can easily be called any traveller's dream destination. About Ladakh In a short trip of 7 to 8 days, one can see beautiful vistas of snow-capped mountains, emerald blue lakes, lusty rivers, gravity-defying mountainous roads, cold sand deserts, old palaces and Buddhist monasteries and so many other wonders of nature. Hard to believe? But it's true! The Union Territory of Ladakh lies at an elevation of 6000 m. The quickest way to reach Ladakh is to fly directly to Leh's capital city. The problem with flying directly to such a high altitude is that it can cause severe altitude sickness with symptoms like dizziness and headaches. If you're travelling by road, then your body gets time to acclimatize gradually which in this case happens suddenly. If you've hired a tour operator, they will leave your day of arrival in Leh free to give your body a chance to acclimate to the altitude. This is an absolute must before you embark on your Ladakh adventure. A few more things to keep in mind before travelling to Leh are - One, an Inner Line permit or ILP is required to visit some places in Ladakh. Restricted Area Permit or RAP is required for other places close to Siachen or LOC. We visited Ladkah in 2014, and none of these permits were needed at that time. Your tour operator should ensure all permits are in place before the journey. Two , Ladakh is a desert, it can be very hot during the day when the sun is shining and it can get quite cold at night. So, while travelling outdoors, always wear clothes in layers and carry a jacket. Three, altitude sickness is real. It can cause severe dizziness and discomfort in some people. Please ensure that you carry medicines that you think might be needed to combat this problem. Four, there can be some last-minute delays and cancellations in flights to Leh because of weather conditions in Leh. If you're travelling with kids and seniors in your family, then be prepared for some hardships. Carry drinking water and snacks for such eventualities. In peak season, the crowds are really heavy and delays could occur because of that. We visited Leh in June 2014, the Indian Government had instructed the airlines to reduce their passenger load owing to safety concerns about landing at the high altitude in Leh. We had to endure a lot of difficulties and delays flying in and out of Leh. However, once you've landed the stunning landscape of Leh will mesmerize your senses.... Day 1 Check-in at the hotel and a complete day of rest and acclimatisation. Day 2 Thikse Gompa After a full day of rest on arrival, we ventured out into the beautiful landscape to visit Thikse Gompa or Monastery on Day 2. The monastery is about 19 km from Leh and the route to the monastery was through a beautiful road with views of snow-clad peaks. Thikse Monastery is a massive structure built atop a hill with stunning views of the Indus Valley. On first look, the monastery gives a very familiar feel owing to its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa whose pictures one might have seen on many travel sites. The main attraction of the monastery is Maitreya Buddha , a 15m high copper and clay statue of Lord Buddha that reaches up to two storeys. There is a long winding staircase that runs through the monastery. An arcade with a giant rolling drum fixed to its ceiling is the first attraction. Apart from this, there are temples, an assembly hall, smaller drum rolls with colourful Buddhist inscriptions, a beautiful courtyard with multicoloured arches, and the monastery rooftop with stunning views of the valley all around. The place oozes a sense of calm and one can easily spend about two to three hours basking in the serene surroundings of the monastery. The giant drum roll and colourful facades and amazing views from the monastery rooftop! Shanti Stupa After spending about two hours in the monastery, we headed to 'Shanti Stupa'. It's a short ride from the monastery amidst beautiful scenic mountains that are so integral to any road trip in Leh. The Stupa is a pristine white dome structure built on a mountain facing the Leh Palace by Japanese Buddhists in 1991 to promote world peace. My Tip - The thing to remember is that one has to climb 500 steps to reach the entrance to the Stupa. So wear comfortable shoes for the climb. The views of the valley from the top are spectacular and worth the climb! There is also a nice cafe for refreshments. Old Town From Shanti Stupa, we travelled to the Old Town in Leh to the 17th-century Leh Palace. This was the residence of the royal family of Ladakh. The palace is in a dilapidated condition but the large wooden balconies and impressive facades tell tales of the glory of the past. Day 3 Hall of Fame After breakfast, we headed to the 'Hall of Fame', the war Museum in Leh constructed by the Indian Army. It's dedicated to the soldiers who fought in the Indo-Pak wars. The museum showcases the way soldiers live in the Siachen glacier, what they eat, the tents where they live, the weapons they use and many other interesting artefacts. There is an entire wall displaying photos of the Kargil War and a documentary on 'Operation Vijay' in the projection room. My Tip - If you're travelling with kids, this will surely be a fun outing for them. There is also a small adventure park for kids. My boys were thrilled to see army tanks on display and the many adventure activities in the park. Most tour operators also give you a tour of the local market in Leh, take you to some shopping areas and show you some local attractions, especially places where some films have been shot. Again, if you're travelling with kids, they would be thrilled to see such 'hotspots'. A backdrop of the Hindi film '3 Idiots' Magnetic Hill After an adventure-packed morning, we went to another thrilling activity of the day, 'Magnetic Hill'. This site is at a distance of 30 km from Leh. The mountain is known to defy gravity since your car, with its engine, switched off, will appear to be going uphill instead of downhill. This strange phenomenon was met with squeals of delight from all of us. Zanskar River The thrill continued on Day 3 with our journey to the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers, called Sangam, in Nimmu Valley, 35 km away from Leh on the road towards Kargil. The spectacular merging of these two mighty rivers is a sight to behold with two distinct streams of colour forming one before flowing away into the mountains. View from the top! Day 4 Pangong Lake Early morning, we set out for Pangong Lake which is about 160 km away. Please remember that this trip requires you to carry an ILP. The road trip takes about 6 - 7 hours, over the beautiful Chang-La, which is counted among some of the highest passes in the world. The roads are good and the route to reach Pangong is as beautiful as the destination. This was a full-day outing and definitely a high point of our Ladakh trip. En route to Pangong......first glimpse of the lake! The mesmerizing Pangong Lake! My Tip - Plan to stay longer, the lake appears to change colours as the day progresses and offers some amazing photo opportunities. We came back in the evening, exhausted but rejuvenated from this outing. Day 5 Nubra Valley and Khardung-La Pass The trip to Nubra Valley is an overnight excursion via the Khardung-La pass, which is the highest motorable road in the world at a staggering height of 18832 ft above sea level. Awe-inspiring .....desert, mountains, rivers, sand, vegetation, even snow and a glorious sunset in the Nubra Valley! The 5-hour journey goes through some beautiful topography and picturesque mountain scenery. There is a stop at Khardung-La for photos and some light refreshments. My Tip - The condition of the road initially is quite good but from South Pullu to Khardung Peak, the road becomes bumpy and bad. Please carry your medicines if you have a medical condition that could get worse by such a hectic road journey. Things to note are that Nubra is a valley, so it's less cold than Leh. Avoid carrying very heavy woollens. Dressing in layers is your best bet as it can get cold at night. Overnight staying facilities are tented, so carrying toilet paper and some other toiletries is a must. Although, tented accommodation has very good nets to keep mosquitoes and insects at bay, but you should carry some mosquito repellant. Stunning vistas at the Nubra Valley... Nubra is unbelievably stunning. There is a cold desert, sand, some scanty vegetation, a river flowing by, and snow-covered peaks all together in one place. We waited for the sunset behind the mountains and the effect was magical. The next day, Day Six of our journey, we started back for Leh. By late noon, we were back in our hotel after this exhilarating outing. We decided to spend the last evening of our trip exploring the local market which is replete with shops of souvenirs and local handicrafts. Our trip to Ladakh came to an end but the memories of this enchanting land live on in our minds!

Andaman or 'Kaala Paani' as its popularly known in India evoked thoughts of a dark, grim island lying amid the Indian Ocean where Indian freedom fighters were sent to their doom in the early 1900s. Now, a visit to the island throws open a lush green land enjoying the bounties of thick deciduous and evergreen forests, rich marine life and a host of adventurous water sports. Some basic facts about planning a visit to Andaman - There are over 800 islands in Andaman and Nicobar, out of which 31 are inhabited. - Tourists confine themselves mainly to Port Blair, the capital of Andaman, Havelock Island (now called Swaraaj Dweep), Neil Island (now called Shahid Dweep), Ross Island (now called Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island), North Bay Island, Jolly Buoy, Parrot Island and some more. - These islands offer attractions like scenic landscapes, amazing beaches, a large variety of marine life, water sports like snorkelling, scuba diving, jet skiing, sea walks, and places of historical interest. - Basically, a vacation to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can be a fun-filled enriching experience for the whole family. Most people wonder about Nicobar and whether they can visit that too. Let me inform you that Nicobar is inhabited by some preserved tribes and is out of bounds for tourists. Our 8-day itinerary in Andaman Day One - Cellular Jail, Port Blair We started our vacation from Port Blair, which is the point where all tourists land in Andaman. Port Blair is a small town, there are some specific attractions here that are not to miss. By the time we reached Port Blair and checked into a hotel, it was noon. That evening we decided to visit the Cellular Jail, the place that has given Andaman the infamous name of Kaala Paani. The infamous Cellular Jail and the watch tower There are two must-watch attractions in the jail, One, the premises of the jail and Two, the Light and Sound show in the evening after the jail closes. There are tour guides available, I would suggest going with one. The guide we hired showed us around the jail with interesting anecdotes and historical incidents from British rule in India. Once the tour is over, one has to wait for the show to begin. The show is in English and Hindi, kindly check the timings for the language of your choice. My Tip - The show is spectacular. It depicts the torture that was inflicted upon Indian freedom fighters by the British and the way the prisoners were kept in the jail under sub-human conditions. The audio-visuals and commentary are excellent. The prison walls and trees all around are used as communicating mediums in the show! Our mood had turned quite sombre after watching this show, to brighten up our spirits, we decided to try some local seafood. We went to a restaurant called 'Seafood Delights' in Phoenix Bay. It's one of the best restaurants in the city, the prices, though, are on the higher side. We ordered garlic butter prawns and a dish made of King Mackeral, both were delicious and worth the price. If you're planning to stay in Port Blair for the next day, then you can visit Ross Island and North Bay Island or Corbyn's Cove. In case, you're leaving town, then these attractions can be covered on the return journey. North Bay Island is known for a variety of water sports in Port Blair. We were staying in Port Blair for two nights, so on Day Two, we decided to go to Corbyn's Cove. Day Two - First half - Corbyn's Cove The cove is a beautiful part of the beach with very calm waters. You can hire an autorickshaw to go there. It will take about 20 minutes from the main city. The scenic route to the cove from the city centre is spectacular with beautiful views of the Andaman Sea on the side. The main attractions of the place are jet skiing, sea karting and speed boating. Sea kart is available only in this cove in the whole of Andaman because very calm water is needed to ride it. We could not do it because it was slightly windy that day. So, we opted for speed boating. The boat takes you to Snake Island, a small island off the cove with beautiful views. There are some eateries and souvenir shops along the beach. My Tip - One can spend a whole day exploring the sea and trying out different water sports. Day Two - Second half - Chidiya Tapu In the evening, we went to see Mundapahad Beach in Chidiya Tapu. As the name suggests, the island is home to a lot of migratory birds, so you can do some bird-watching, the island is a biological park with a mini zoo that can be a fun outing with families for kids. The island is about 30 kilometres from Port Blair and the approach road is very scenic. It's famous for its beautiful sunsets, ideally, one should plan the outing in the evening and wait for the sunset. The beach has a lot of deposits of black rocks and mangroves lending it a very scenic and mysterious look. Two things that you should remember if you're visiting this island are, One, do not enter the water as it has saltwater crocodiles. Stepping in the water is absolutely forbidden. Two, one has to wait for the sunset out in the open near the sea, there is no shade or shack available. There are a lot of mosquitoes here, carry a mosquito repellant and sunscreen to protect yourself from the scorching sun. On the way to Chidiya Tapu is the beautiful Symphony Samudra Beachside Jungle Resort and Spa. After having waited for almost two hours for the sunset in the scorching heat, we decided to spend the rest of the evening in this resort. There is a nice lounge aptly called 'Sunset Lounge' and a restaurant to unwind and see the last of the sunset. Mesmerizing sunset on the horizon...view from Sunset Lounge Day Three - Havelock Island (now Swaraj Dweep) We take a ferry from Haddo Jetty. The ferry takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to arrive at Havelock. Please reach the jetty point at least 45 minutes before departure. Havelock is easily the high point of visiting Andaman. It's a small island, with verdant greens all over, beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, nice eateries and exciting water sports. We were going to spend three nights on this island at the beautiful Sea Shell Resort. Crowned welcome at the Sea Shell Resort! Havelock is known for five major beaches, Radhanagar Beach, Kaala Patthar Beach, Govind Nagar Beach, Elephant Beach Vijaynagar Beach Each of these beaches is distinctly different from the others, so if you have time, try to visit all five of them. Our resort was situated on the Govindnagar beach, so that is where we spent the afternoon. The beach is rocky, one has to be careful while walking in the water. It's known for Nemo Reef, which is a favourite spot for scuba divers. One can see a lot of scuba divers gearing up for their dive from this beach in the mornings. Walking on the rocks and corals and seeing micro-marine life was fun. We set out for Radhanagar beach in the evening. According to Time Magazine, this beach holds the ranking of the seventh best beach in the world. It has also been awarded the title of a Blue Flag-certified beach. And rightfully so. The waters are a placid blue, the 2-kilometre long coastline extends into the horizon offering beautiful sunset views, there are thick green mountainous forests all around and the changing facilities on the beach are good. Radhanagar Beach....white sands with nature's intricate patterns, an elderly man walking in the water holding his stick and another glorious sunset! We were taken by complete surprise to see so many people splashing around in the water since it is quite shallow far into the sea. After spending a good 3 hours on the beach and watching the stunning sunset, we came back to the resort to spend the evening in the Bo no va Cafe inside the Sea Shell Resort. This is considered to be one of the best places to eat in Havelock. Day 4 - Havelock to Elephant Beach In the morning, we headed to Elephant Beach. At some point in time, a lot of elephants used to roam around on this beach, hence the name. Elephant Beach is the hub of water sports in Havelock. But now no elephants can be seen, only hordes of tourists trying all sorts of water activities. One has to take a small boat from Havelock to reach Elephant Beach which takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Tickets are issued at the Jetty point for the boat and the activity, though tickets for the water sport are available at the beach too. We decided to start with deep-sea snorkelling. There are trained divers who equip you with the snorkelling gear and the life jacket, then they take you out into the sea holding your hands while you float on the surface of the water. There are lifeguards stationed at the beach and the water is completely safe from any dangerous marine creatures and saltwater crocodiles. Deep sea snorkelling ....An unbelievable riot of colour under the sea This was a delightful experience, the sunny day ensured that we saw some colourful marine life and corals. Elephant Beach offers a Sea Walk in Havelock. If you're not too scared of water and you do not have any pressing health conditions like hypertension, Asthma, Sinusitis, or diabetes then this is a must-experience attraction. The sea walk is done on the sea bed about 7 to 10 meters deep. The amazing Sea Walk! You are given a headgear resembling a big helmet that covers your head and shoulders. The underlying purpose of this helmet is to provide oxygen so that you can continue breathing normally inside the helmet once underwater. The helmet is quite heavy and weighs about 35 kg so it's put on your head only once you're about to touch the water's surface. The experience is unique and fairly simple. Once underwater, one gets to spend about 20 to 25 minutes watching marine life very closely. What enhances the experience is the live photos and videos of you that are taken throughout. If you have time, then one can add jet skiing also the mix. My Tip - Please take note of two things when going to Elephant Beach, One , carry an Android phone if possible. All photos and videos can be taken down immediately if you have an Android phone on you. We were carrying only iPhones, so had to wait till 10:00 pm that night to get all our photos and videos from the concerned people on WhatsApp. Two , if you're travelling with small kids, carry something for them to eat there. The shacks at the beach offer some basic snacky stuff and some drinks only. Day 5 - In and around Havelock We planned to hire a Scooty to gallivant around the island and see what remained in our itinerary. Scootys are easily available for a reasonable price in Havelock. First on the list was Kaala Patthar Beach. We spent some time here and took some pictures amidst this stunning backdrop. Vijaynagar beach is also quite close by and falls on the same route back into the city. In the evening, we savoured a delicious lobster at a very happening place in Havelock called 'Something Different'. The place is rustic, right next to the sea and the food is delicious. They can get you picked up from your hotel or resort and will even get you dropped off at the end of your meal, click a picture and hand it over to you before you leave. So, that's really something different! With this, we finished seeing all five beaches, and now what remained to be seen was one sunrise over the sea. We did this on the last day of our travel at the Kaala Patthar beach at 4:30 a.m. We scooted to the beach, the cool fresh morning air is something we really miss in big cities. The sunrise was mesmerizing, no photograph can do justice to that magical moment when the sun struggles to get up and start its day's job..... Day 6 - Havelock to Neil Island (now called Shahid Dweep) Our next stop was Neil Island, via a one-hour ferry from Havelock. Try to reach the jetty point early, it's chaotic and very crowded. Neil Island is now called Shadid Dweep, it's a small island, laid back and much smaller than Havelock but as scenic. We checked into this beautiful seaside resort called the Sea Shell Samsara. This exotic resort is located on Laxmanpur Beach No.1. Stunning twig-shaped shells are littered all over the beach This is a white sand beach laden with shells that have been cut to precision by the sea over millennia. The fact that all shells have the same twig-like structure just shows the astounding precision with which nature operates. Needless to say, I filled my pockets with these beauties for bringing back home. We had dinner at Malacca, the multi-cuisine restaurant at Sea Shell Samsara. The dinner was good, although I always prefer to step out of the resort and look for more authentic food options. But in Neil, eating-out options are limited, there is another restaurant called Dugong in Sea Shell Neil, a sister resort of Sea Shell Samsara, which is also considered to be good. Day 7 - Scuba Diving at Neil Island The last day at Neil, the big day that we had been waiting for throughout the trip, was here. We had planned a scuba dive with 'DIVE India' for this day. 'DIVE India' is considered to be the best in the market, in terms of safety and expertise. As a first-time diver, these are the two things we were looking for the most. Also, there are fewer mangroves in Neil, so the waters are much clearer offering better visibility of marine life. And the best part is that the crowds are missing here. Most people opt to dive in Havelock, so this spares Neil the tourist rush. Early morning we headed to the jetty area where the 'DIVE India' Neil Dancing Dugong Resort is located. The resort has a reception area, independent cottages, a cafeteria and basic changing facilities before your venture into the sea. We slipped into our wetsuits and followed the instructors into the shallow water for our training session. I will talk about our scuba experience in a separate blog...keep reading! https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/scuba-diving-at-neil-island-in-the-andamans Exhilarated by our scuba dive at Neil, we took the afternoon to relax. In the evening, we went to see Laxmanpur Beach No. 2. The beach has a stunning natural formation of rocks called the 'Howrah Bridge'. One can walk up to the bridge only when the tide is low, we checked the timings of low tide on the internet before starting for the bridge. The approach to the beach is interesting, there are steps followed by a small area full of shops and souvenirs and then comes the beach. There are many dead corals throbbing with marine life around the bridge. One can spend about 2 hours wandering around till sunset. We decided to spend our last evening at Neil to celebrate our scuba experience at Dugong, at Sea Shell Neil. There is live music here to unwind and enjoy. My Tip - Kindly note that internet connectivity in both Havelock and Neil Island, especially in Neil, is very poor. This can pose a problem if you're depending on last-moment online tickets and confirmations. We had hard copies of all our documents, this certainly made our life easy! Day 8 - Neil Island to Port Blair Early the next morning, we head back to Port Blair by ferry. As I mentioned earlier, a visit to Ross Island was still left on our itinerary. So, on the last day of our Andaman trip, we took a ferry to Ross Island from Marina Park Sports Complex. Ross Island was the old capital of Andaman, now it serves as a base for the Indian Navy. It's now called Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island or NSCB. A few things to remember when going to Ross are, One, the boat leaves the jetty when there are a minimum of 10 people travelling to Ross, Two, one has to make online bookings for the light and sound show at the Ross Island, Three, the island closes at 4:00 pm, so you can go in the evening only if you have tickets for the show. Once the show is over, the boat that took you is the one that will bring you back. Going to Ross brought back the sad memories of our freedom struggle that we had experienced on Day one in Cellular Jail. Ross bore the brunt of this struggle the most. My Tip - The light and sound show is spectacular, beautifully conceptualized with amazing 3D graphics depicting the tumultuous history of the island. The script and narration are by Gulzar, so one can imagine the high poetic content of the narrative. The show tells the history of the island, its inception by the British to make a penal colony as a means of punishment for the freedom fighters of the revolt of 1857, and its ultimate destruction by a massive earthquake in 1941. The show highlights the stark contrast between the lifestyles of British officers who were living on the island in their mansions equipped with facilities like swimming pools and tennis courts as against the life of Indian freedom fighters who were made to survive in sub-human conditions on this island of horror. But apart from this show, Ross Island has nothing more to offer. What it needs is a facelift. The island suffers from poor infrastructure, there is no provision to address any contingencies considering that the island is in the middle of nowhere, and the apathy of local government agencies is written all over the place. Since the island closes at 4:00 pm and the show starts at 5:30, even the toilets were non-operational. No kiosks were offering any refreshments or even water. It was disappointing to see the historical ruins of British colonial power that need to be better preserved for future generations to see are all lying in shambles. Our last sunset at Ross Island! Andaman is beautiful, it is blessed by all the bounties of nature, forests, oceans, marine life, sun, beaches and more. My only hope is that the tolls and travails of excessive tourism do not end up ruining the fragile ecosystem of this enchanting island.

Going to Varanasi, also known as Benaras or Kashi is every pilgrim's dream. As per popular Hindu belief, taking a dip in the holy Ganges on the banks of Kashi can absolve the person of all his or her past life sins. And leaving one's mortal body in Kashi is a sure-shot route to salvation. But Varanasi offers more than just salvation.... The city is a pulsating reminder of the ethos of Hinduism, that religion is a celebration, it's an integral part of life, not just for the living but also for the dead. Little wonder then that Manikarnika Ghat on the banks of the Ganges is always burning with funeral pyres while alongside, the banks on the opposite side of the river are buzzing with people as they go about their daily routines, washing laundry, bathing and offering holy water to the Sun God. The inevitable cycle of life and death is on full display at these ghats at all times. We reached Varanasi in the evening. The roads leading to the ghats are extremely crowded in the evening as tourists throng them to see the Ganga Arti. We decided to start our sightseeing the next morning with a visit to the Assi Ghat. There are 10 things that you must see and experience in Varanasi 1. 'Subah-e-Banaras' at Assi Ghat This is the first must-do thing on our itinerary. Assi ghat is known for 'Subah-e-Banaras', a cultural extravaganza that is held at 5:00 a.m. every morning. The setting is simple yet aesthetic, people can sit on chairs or the steps around the ghat. In the background of a very enthusiastic rendition of Vedic hymns by young children of the nearby Gurukul, young men clad in red dhotis, holding brass oil lamps in their hands make powerful, graceful movements in sync with the recital to worship the Ganges. My Tip - Stay a little longer around the place. Once the Arti is done, the scene shifts to a small stage on the side of the ghat for some classical recital. The soulful voice of the singer welcoming the morning Sun is nothing short of magical. Magical mornings with Subah-e-Banaras! 2. Kashi Vishwanath Temple From Assi Ghat, we hire a boat to reach the main attraction of Varanasi, the famed Kashi Vishwanath Temple. This is the highlight of the trip to Varanasi. The temple has a 'Jyotirlinga', a symbolic representation of Lord Shiva in his 'Vishwanath Roop', meaning Ruler of the world. The temple complex can be approached from the river and the city side. As we approach the temple, the huge impressive facade of the temple becomes visible. Very close to the temple complex is the Manikarnika Ghat . There is so much activity around the ghat in the morning, some fresh pyres are spewing thick smoke into the air, and the sight makes me unwittingly cringe. Our boatman senses my discomfort and has an interesting folklore to share. He tells us that it is believed that the continual funeral pyres at the ghat are also a reminder of the continuity of life, the locals believe that if on any given day no funeral pyre is lit at the ghat, then all life on earth will end. Talking of folklore, there is an abundance of them in this most ancient city of the world. Every autorickshaw driver, every chai wallah (tea vendor) and every other local has one to share. We walk through the massive temple complex, along the long corridor to the Sanctum Sanctorum. There are beautifully adorned statues along the way. Beautiful statue of Bharat Mata in the corridor....first look at the temple that houses the Jyotirling... beautiful graffiti on the wall behind the temple complex! My Tip - Reach early before the crowds thicken. Pilgrims visiting the temple are not allowed to carry phones, wallets, belts, shoes or any other item made of leather. There are safe deposit lockers right outside the temple. You can also buy ' Prasad ' from a counter inside the temple complex. The golden spire of the main temple is visible from the outside The main temple houses a black stone Jyotirlinga, placed imposingly on a silver pedestal, with some small jyotirlingas all around. We join the queue leading to the Jyotirlinga, with folded hands and fervorous chanting of 'Om Namah Shivay' and 'Om Vishwanath', we look at the Jyotirlinga of the Ruler of the World in awe as we go by. There are colonnades all around the main temple housing other deities too. On less crowded days, one needs about an hour to see the temple and do the darshan. 3. Ram Bhandar - Eatery The morning darshan has left our souls rejuvenated to face the crowded and turbulent world once again. Now we head to the famous 'Ram Bhandar', a small roadside eatery that has shot to fame because of its sumptuous breakfast menu of Sabji-kachori and jalebi. Be prepared to wait for at least an hour before you get your breakfast and to eat it practically sitting on the roadside, that too in a dingy lane. My Tip - In all honesty, there was a lot of hype around this eatery, so we came like everyone else before us. Sorry for the spoiler, but the food was average, not worth the effort and the wait! Ideally, this should not be on the must-see list but everyone will tell you to go to Ram Bhandar, so I thought it's wise to give a heads-up. 4. Bengali Tola Varanasi has always been known to attract sages and saints from all walks of life. One such saint is Mahavatar Babaji, or the deathless Guru as he is called. It is believed that he is the human incarnation of Lord Shiva himself. His disciple, Lahiri Mahasya's ashram is in Bengali Tola in Varanasi. I read about this many years ago in the book 'Autobiography of a Yogi' by Paramhansa Yogananda. The urge to see the ashram has lingered in my mind ever since. So, after breakfast, we head to Bengali Tola. We walk through the narrow lanes and by-lanes of Varanasi for at least half an hour, enquiring from passersby about the Lahiri Mahasya Ashram. Finally, we reach the ashram only to learn that it is not open to the public at all times. We waited for about an hour near the Ganga-ghat for the ashram to open. The ashram is a small residential complex of Lahiri Mahasya, with statues of Mahavatar Babaji and Satya Charan Lahiri and a small temple. It's not a museum, it's just about the life of Lahiri ji and how he got catapulted from being an ordinary man to the status of sainthood. My Tip - The ashram is not spectacular if that's what one expects. But there is a magnetism in that place that is hard to miss. We spent about 30 minutes in the ashram, soaking in the spiritual vibe all around. A small cave room for Mahavatar Babaji and Mahasya Lahiri house 5. Sankat Mochan Temple Varanasi is home to a lot of temples. This temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the monkey God, is held in great reverence by Hindus. The temple has scores of monkeys living in and around it. The saint poet Tulsidas, who wrote the Ramayana, established this temple in the 16th century. My Tip - The temple attracts lots of visitors but it is fairly organised and the massive queues keep moving, so waiting time is very little. 6. Durga Temple Very close to the Sankat Mochan Temple is the Durga Temple. This is one of the most famous temples in Varanasi since the folklore states that the idol of Ma Durga in this temple was not made by human hands. It is believed to have appeared on its own at the site of the temple. My Tip - If you're a believer, then one doesn't need any coaxing to visit the temple of Durga Mata. 7. Godowlia Chowk Your visit to Varanasi is incomplete without spending one evening scouting around the famous Godowlia Chowk. The entire zone is pedestrian-only and you will find a sea of people thronging the shops and eateries there. Some famous eateries that offer mouth-watering delights are Kashi Chat Bhandar and Deena Chat Bhandar. These places offer delicious local Banarasi fare at very reasonable prices and are really crowded. I have never seen so many people waiting to eat in a restaurant ever. And the best part is there is no jostling or pushing, people are just patiently standing around in groups, waiting for their turn. My Tip - We have seen so many town squares in so many cities of the world, which are pedestrian zones. But the rustic country vibe in this chowk is amazing. 8. Sarnath The next morning we travel about 13 km to see Sarnath. Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon in Sarnath and founded Buddhism. The entire complex has many stupas and an 80-foot-tall statue of Lord Buddha. The place is clean and quiet, one can easily spend two hours seeing the sights, including the famous Ashoka Pillar with the Indian Emblem on it. There are some more temples built by China, Japan and Sri Lanka too. The place has a lot of historical significance and is fun to watch. My Tip - The moment we reached the parking slot in Sarnath, all kinds of guides thronged us from all sides. Most of them claim that they are students at the university nearby and are doing this as a part of their training. Please make it a point to check their ID to see if they are authorised guides. The guide we got cooked up some fictional stories and facts to entertain us, which I later discovered, was all false. So, be choosy when it comes to hiring a guide. Certify his credentials before he starts with his stories. If you're travelling with kids, then they would be thrilled to see so many historical artefacts in one place. Replica of our National Emblem Buddha temple, the 80-foot-tall statue in Sarnath and the Stupa 9. Ganga River Cruise In the evening, we have bookings for a cruise on the river Ganges that goes by the name of Alaknanda Cruises. The cruise starts at 5:45 pm each day from Assi Ghat and ends at 7:30 pm, bringing you back to the same point. The air-conditioned boat has provisions for refreshments and some beverages. It has a PA system that runs a commentary in both Hindi and English as it sails by the various ghats. The beautiful temple complex is lit up at night! The boat goes down the river, showcasing the entire history of Varanasi which is intricately entwined with its 84 ghats. My Tip - The boat cruise is a wonderful experience. The entire history of Varanasi has been put on display here along the banks of the river. The commentary is crystal clear and very informative. The boat goes past the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Manikarnika Ghat... By the end of the ride, the boat parks itself close to the Dashashwamedh Ghat for a spectacular Ganga Arti. The scene at the Arti has to be experienced, it cannot be expressed in plain words. 10. Evening Arti at Dashashwamedh Ghat There are people everywhere, in front of the ghat, on boats, big and small, on boat cruises, on luxury boats of the nearby hotels, perched on rooftops all around the ghat, on the streets nearby, everywhere. The Ganga Arti starts with the customary jingling of bells and conches and then the fire is lit in big brass lamps to worship the river Ganges and its master Lord Shiva. People on the boat scramble to the side of the Arti and watch the spectacle with bated breath. The distinct blue pillars of Dashashwamedh Ghat, the brightly lit umbrella-like canopies, and the sound of conches and bhajans as they echo on the gentle rustling waters of the Ganges create a dazzling effect for the pilgrims. The Arti and the pageantry surrounding it will remain etched in our minds forever! This is undoubtedly a must-see attraction. Spellbinding experience of the Ganga Arti If you have time, then you can explore the vast variety of rich Banarasi silk sarees. There are shops all over the city offering goods for all kinds of budgets. The prices at most shops are negotiable, so you can try your bargaining skills! We spent three days on the streets of Varanasi, looking at the sights, soaking in the raw exuberance of life here, tasting its many delicious delights, visiting temples or just looking at them from the outside because there is a temple at every nook and corner of the city, even saw death being celebrated so closely, listening with awe to the folklore.. At the end of it all, I realized that people come to Varanasi to find salvation, to find themselves. And the ones who truly find themselves are the ones who have the courage to lose themselves in the crowds here!

' Kerala - God's own country,' a catchphrase introduced by Kerala Tourism is truly an apt reflection of this southernmost state of India, nestled cosily in the western ghats along the Malabar Coast. The state is blessed with a rich bio-diversity, lush green forests, vast tea plantations and backwaters. And sailing on one of these backwaters of Kerala which is a network of canals, lagoons and lakes running along the Malabar Coast, can be an exhilarating experience. We flew from Delhi to Kochi for this journey. From Kochi, we hired a cab to reach Alappuzha or Alleppey as it is commonly known. It's a distance of 53 km that can be covered in about 90 minutes. Alleppey is world-renowned as the backwater tourist destination of India. The backwaters in Alleppey are spread over an area of 300 sq km. There are various options available to stay in Alleppey, both on or near the backwaters. We had made our bookings for an overnight Houseboat cruise with Spice Route Luxury Cruises , a company that specializes in conducting boat cruises on the Alleppey backwaters. We had high expectations from this trip since we had read that quite a few celebrities have also stayed on this boat for an overnight cruise. There are many kinds of boats depending upon the number of people in your group. We had opted for 'Saffron', a boat with one bedroom for a couple. Upon reaching Alleppey, we travelled through rustic bylanes to reach the Spice Route Office. The office turns out to be a vintage villa that also serves as an embarking centre for the boats. The dream boat 'Saffron' We're greeted with warm smiles and traditional garlands before getting on Saffron. The boat has a crew of 3 dedicated staff to look after the two of us! The driver or captain of the boat, a cook and a caretaker. 'Saffron' is like a dream sailing on the water. It has a traditional thatched roof from the outside and an uber-luxurious interior, very tastefully done, as promised on the Spice Routes website. It offers all the luxuries and amenities one can imagine on a small cruise boat. The air-conditioned boat has a small bar, a lounge area, a sundeck on the first floor, and an amazing massive jacuzzi in the spacious bathroom. We spent the first hour exploring the boat with childlike enthusiasm and clicking pictures. The three-man staff go about their business to get our lunch ready. 5-star accommodation and facilities on board...this is as luxurious as it can get! In about an hour, a sumptuous lunch comprising of delicious fish curry is served with rice and various accompaniments. The caretaker had enquired about our food preferences at the start of the journey itself. After lunch, we spend a lazy afternoon on the sundeck. The boat moves at a very leisurely pace giving ample time for the cool sea breeze to swirl around us in soft manoeuvres. The friendly hum of the boat's engine is broken only by the chirping of birds and the gently cascading waters as it sails past small villages and paddy fields. Hearing the sound of silence! The entire area around the Alleppey backwater is lined with quaint villages that appear to have been frozen in time. The water line along the coast is dotted with charming houses with thatched roofs and small verandahs facing the water body. One can spend the entire day looking at the flurry of activity taking place here. People use this water for washing, bathing and doing their everyday chores. The caretaker informs us that we can get out of the boat to see one of the villages, get an Ayurvedic massage done, talk to locals, inspect the paddy fields and even get a hand-picked fish or lobster for our dinner that evening. The last two options sound very appealing. A little before dusk, we step out into the village nearby and take a walk to the nearby paddy fields. We picked a big tiger prawn from a nearby vendor for our dinner that evening. The prawn was cooked to perfection. A walk in the nearby paddy fields till dusk falls! The day happened to be our wedding anniversary, and as a special surprise gesture, we even got to cut a cake on the boat. At night, the boat docks around 10 km away into the backwaters. The dark water all around is absolutely still, suddenly there is commotion and beams of light come out of nowhere. I wake up to see lots of small boats around full of people, shouting out to each other, ferrying everyday goods from one boat to another, maybe for their own use or for tourists who are staying all along the water line. After an hour or so of brouhaha, the dark quiet of the water returns. The next morning, we woke up to a glorious sunrise visible from our room and the appetizing smell of freshly cooked Appams* and chicken stew that they had cooked on our request. Sunrise on the Alleppey backwaters The boat comes back to the point where it started the day earlier at Alleppey at around 10:30 in the morning. The staff bids us a warm farewell, and we, in turn, thank them for their hospitality. This was a one-day trip on a houseboat into paradise and back! *Appam is a thin pancake made from fermented rice batter and coconut milk.

I’d need a whole lot of adjectives to describe the beauty of Norway in plain words, it’s breathtaking, stunning, awe-inspiring, and more. I can also use some pretty serious adjectives about how expensive this country is. Add about 15-20% to your regular European vacation to holiday in Norway. But let me assure you that it’s worth every extra penny of your hard-earned money! Norway is largely untouched by the spoils of excessive tourism. There are tourists, of course, who flock to this land to soak in its many natural wonders but their numbers are still low compared to other popular European destinations like Paris, London and Venice among others. This also translates into the fact that the country is clean, like really clean!! You will not find a single shred of paper or any kind of rubbish anywhere, unlike most tourist destinations that bear the brunt of heavy footfall. This also means that no touts are thronging you as you approach any sightseeing spot. Scenic spots are less commercialised and therefore still retain the sanctity of nature. And that my friend, is really refreshing! Bird's eye view of Oslo... There is also no overtly done touristy stuff like funiculars or ropeways connecting you to any of the high mountain peaks. If you want to see a mountain top, you gear up and climb! No wonder, one of the top tourist attractions in Norway, Pulpit Rock or Prekestolen, has no such shortcuts, not yet. One has to hike for around 4 to 5 hours to reach the top. However, as the number of tourists grows, touristy attractions also grow. So, there is one funicular in Bergen, the Fløbanen, (pronounced as Flo-banen) that connects the city centre with the mountain Fløyen since the city of Bergen is a major tourist attraction. And there is a popular Gondola in Andalsnes too, that takes you to the top of the mountain and another one takes you to the top of the Skanda Ski Resort near Ålesund. Talking of mountains, Norway has one of the most spectacular mountain peaks in the world. What I found especially interesting was the way Norwegians talk about them, they revere them, to say the least! And talking of Norwegians, they are a helpful lot. I can recount so many incidents during our stay, that left us totally in awe of their nicety towards tourists. And how can one forget to mention the lavish salmon spreads in breakfast buffets all over Norway? Another thing that struck me was the seriousness of recycling in Norway. This picture speaks for itself….They are referring to the famous environmental activist Greta Thunberg. If you look at the map of Norway, you will see that it’s spread vertically along the Norwegian Sea and the northern territories reach as far as the Arctic Ocean. Travelling length-wise across the country can be a daunting, expensive task. So, we decided to restrict ourselves to the country’s southern parts only on our 21-day trip. Starting with Oslo, the capital city of Norway to Bergen, then to Ålesund, further to Andalsnes, and back to Oslo for our journey ahead. Oslo, the Capital of Norway Oslo, like most capitals, is the seat of the government. The entire city can be covered on foot, there are cobbled streets flooded with people, restaurants and roadside kiosks. Karl Johann Gate is the main city hub. The one thing that immediately caught my attention was that the entire street and the area around it are lined with planter troughs filled with seasonal flowers. One can find these planters everywhere in the country, in varying sizes but identical! These planters were huge and were placed along the main boulevard at Karl Johann Street. On asking around, we learned that this was done deliberately in the year 2017 to prevent any rash rundowns on the street since it was an all-pedestrian area. These troughs also served as ‘terror hindrances’ to provide extra security cover to the area around the parliament to avoid any drive-ins by the terrorists. Imagine using flowers to stop terrorists!! This impressive piece of information set the scene for our journey into this beautiful country. Oslo is quietly vibrant, the harbour front on the Norwegian Sea is lined with sailboats and fjord cruises. These are cruises that head out into the Oslo fjord and offer drinks and shrimp on board. Along the waterfront is Aker Brygge , an area popular for eateries, shopping, and entertainment. The famous Nobel Peace Prize Centre is also located here. If you’re interested in history, then spending a couple of paid hours in the museum can be a very enriching experience. The Nobel Peace Centre and the Peace Bench Otherwise, the museum offers some great free photo opportunities on the famous ‘ Peace Bench ’. Located just outside its premises named after Nelson Mandela's famous quote "The best weapon is to just sit down and talk". The entire area around the harbour offers cosy sitting spaces with parks and benches and some beautiful sculptures in bronze and cast iron. So, keeping aside an extra hour to roam around the harbour is a good idea, especially along the harbour promenade along Karl Johann Street . Large, conspicuous orange information towers have been set up along the way to keep you on your path. And how can one forget the Vikings while in Norway? Oslo has lots of museums, I mean lots! Some of them are free but most of them are not. Ticket prices are steep. If you have an eye for art, then visiting ‘ Munch Museum ’, which displays the artworks of Norwegian artist Edvard Munch can be rewarding. But one open-air museum that is sure to catch your fancy is the Vigeland Sculpture Park . Entry to the park is free and there are frequent trams from the Oslo Train Station to the park (Tram line 12). It is the largest park in the world to exhibit bronze and cast-iron statues of the same artist, Gustav Vigeland. One can easily spend a few hours in the park, looking at the statues and marvelling at the detail that has gone into crafting them. You just need to keep in mind that though the park entry is free, the toilets are chargeable Kr. 15/- for use and accept only cards, no cash. I was lucky that a young local woman readily paid for me on her card. Another free attraction in the city of Oslo is the Change of Guard at the Royal Palace at 1:30 p.m. each day. The ceremony is quite sombre compared to the ceremony at Buckingham Palace or the Royal Palace of Stockholm, for example, and lasts for about 40 minutes. But it can be a good pastime on a sunny day. Bergen The train ride from Oslo to Bergen lasts 6.5 hours and is absolutely scenic. My word is that don’t miss it to opt for any other mode of transport. There is not a dull moment on this train as it flies past quaint little towns, snow-covered peaks, lakes, and ponds. I have never seen so many stunning snow-covered peaks from the cozy confines of a train! The train journey from Oslo to Bergen...don't miss this one! The one thing that comes to mind the moment I think of Bergen is the incessant rain. It rains for almost 200 days a year. If you’re planning any outdoor activity, looking up the day’s weather forecast is a good idea. Bergen has a funicular, as I mentioned earlier, that takes you to the top of the mountain and offers beautiful views of the scenery all around. The highlight of your trip to Bergen is, of course, the row of coloured houses at The Hanseatic wharf . This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must on your visit. The wharf has antique shops, picture galleries and museums hidden in small lanes and alleyways offering trinkets. The famous backdrop that Bergen is known for, the Hanseatic Wharf! My advice is that if you want to buy any souvenirs, this is the most reasonable place to do so. We discovered that the prices of such trinkets in other cities in Norway were higher compared to here. We had to pay more for similar stuff that we did not buy in Bergen. Bergen has an aquarium, if you’re travelling with kids, then it’s worth visiting. I had read somewhere that Bergen has been named the UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Being in Bergen and eating the local cuisine with fresh produce from the sea, I know why. If you’re looking for something exotic, then a trip to ‘Cornelius’ Seafood restaurant, off the coast of Bergen, is a must. The restaurant is located on a small island that offers beautiful views of the fjord. The seating is interesting, one sits right next to the water body in a closed, comfortable space. There is a steward allocated to each group of guests who makes you feel like a royal. There are options for 5-course meals excluding drinks. It includes, though, a 30-minute boat ride from the Wharf to the island with paid drinks on board. The dinner package can dig a hole in your pocket but the food was every bit sumptuous and the entire experience was delightful. We were in Bergen for our wedding anniversary, so we decided to splurge. Bergen to Flåm Your visit to Bergen is incomplete without a day trip to the fairy tale village of Flåm (pronounced Flum). Apart from the village itself, it’s the train ride with Flåmbana, Flåm railway, that is the show stealer. Whether you're coming from Oslo or Bergen, you need to get down at Myrdal to board the train going to Flåm. We had read a lot about this beautiful train ride from Bergen to Flåm, which side to sit on, what to expect, and so on. After having visited Flam, there are a few points I’d like to make of my own. One, the train runs on a normal gauge, so it’s spacious. This means that whatever side you sit on, you will still be able to see the scenery all around. There are no reservations on this train, so one can sit anywhere. Two, the train maintains a comfortable pace, so one has enough time to look around and take in the sights. So, just relax! The Fairy tale village of Flam.....view from the train! A few minutes into the journey, there is a halt at the famous Kjosfossen Waterfall . Don’t forget to get off the train. The halt is only two minutes but what a memorable two minutes! Suddenly there is music and a water nymph appears out of nowhere around the waterfall. I later learned she’s called Huldra, the enchantress, a forest spirit who lures away men. The spectacle lasts barely two minutes but I am sure you'll remember those two minutes always whenever you talk about Flåm. The mesmerizing song-and-dance by Huldra, the enchantress! The rest of the journey is all oohs and aahs from fellow passengers who are gaping at the scenic sights. Flåm is touristy, and overnight stays can be expensive. It’s a small place and one can see the entire village easily within a few hours unless you want to spend time biking and hiking around the stunning scenery. There are a few eateries, a souvenir shop and even a small museum at the train station itself. The main village of Flåm is about a 25-minute walk from the train station. Instead of returning to Bergen by the same train, we opted to take a cruise from Flåm to Bergen, because, however scenic, return journeys are never as much fun. This cruise is on the Sognefjord, the King of Fjords . Sognefjord is the deepest and longest fjord in Norway. The cruise station is right next to the railway station in Flåm. The Cruise on Sognefjord, King of Fjords! Sognefjord is majestic! It serpentines its way through the North Sea and is surrounded by massive, verdant mountains on all sides with beautiful waterfalls dotting the landscape. The trip takes about 5 and ½ hours. Ålesund Our next stop is Ålesund by air from Bergen. Ålesund is considered to be the most beautiful city in Norway, with a stunning harbourfront and its location right at the entrance to the Geiranger Fjord. One can get stunning views of the city from the Aksla Viewpoint . Ålesund in the background from Aksla viewpoint It takes 418 steps from the town park to get to the top of the viewpoint. On a clear day, one can see the city on one side and the sea on the other. Also, I noticed a lot of trolls in Ålesund, in front of shops, and even grocery stores, which gives a very touristy vibe to the city. Art Nouveau along the shore The city is known for its Art Nouveau , there is a long story behind it. To cut it short, the city was drastically burnt in 1904 and was rebuilt again according to the art style of that time. You can take a walk along the harbour and see a lot of houses with colourful facades and curvy outlines along the harbour lending an old-world charm to an otherwise modern city. There is an Art Nouveau museum if you wish to learn more about the history of the city. In Ålesund, one can get the best Fish and Chips ever! There is a small eatery called ‘Jafs’ right next to the harborfront. Their tagline is ‘Probably the best Fish & chips in the world’. I think they should change it to ‘The best Fish & chips in the world’. Ålesund is a popular destination for taking day trips to Trollstigen , the mountain road with curvy bends and a viewing platform. This is a sure not-to-miss attraction. There are many local trips available in the city of Ålesund. In fact, the agency we opted for is called LocalTrips. The owner, Trond, was exceptionally helpful and friendly. This blog would be incomplete without mentioning his name. We had to get some changes made in our bus bookings onward from Ålesund. Every time we called, we were put in a long queue and ultimately greeted with an automated message in Norwegian. Trond volunteered to speak to the people at the booking counter on our behalf and got our ticket dates changed. The trip was personally conducted by him and was very interesting and informative. Stunning mountain scenery outside of Ålesund The trip started with a short stop at Gudbrandsjuvet , a tumultuous ravine which is easily accessible from the main road. There are viewing bridges to see the ravine from the top. There is a folklore about a boy named Gudbrand who eloped with the girl he loved and jumped over the cliff, hence the name. Here, one can taste some freshly grown strawberries of the region directly from the field. There are gushing rivers and waterfalls everywhere you look. Next, we drove to the top of Trollstigen via a splendid landscape lining both sides of the road. One has to walk to the top of the mountain to reach the highest viewing platform to see the road, but it’s not as tough as it sounds. The steps are broad and evenly spaced out. Once you reach the top, you’ll know the effort was worth it. One gets a bird’s eye view of the curvy road with hairpin bends with stunning mountain scenery as the backdrop and the lusty Stigfossen Waterfall in all its glory from here. Stigfossen on the left and Trollstigen far below When you’re driving down Trollstigen, remember to keep your camera ready to catch a very up and close view of the cascading waters of this waterfall that you won't want to miss! Our next stop on the trip was the Troll Wall . The wall is an awe-inspiring vertical piece of rock, the tallest cliff in Europe. You can get some great photos here to bring back home and boast about. There are some huge troll figures also waiting to be photographed with you. Don't miss the massive cliffs in the background...The Troll Wall Lastly, is the trip to Fjellstua, the 418 steps that can take you to the top of a viewing platform for mesmerising views of the entire city of Ålesund, its colourful houses and the surrounding sea. From Ålesund, we embarked on the last leg of our journey in Norway to Andalsnes by bus which takes about 2 and ½ hours to reach. The route, again, is breathtaking. But by now I am done making videos, so I just sit back and gaze at the beautiful bridges and lakes passing by. Andalsnes Andalsnes is a mountaineer’s paradise. It has the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre in the hub of the town. There is a gondola ride of 4 and ½ minutes to the top of Mount Nesaksla to look down on Andalsnes and Romsdalsfjord. Apart from these mountaineering and hiking activities, Andalsnes is quite laid-back and relaxing. We spent a whole day strolling along the shoreline. We stayed at the Grand Hotel which boasts panoramic views of the Romsdalstindene Peaks . We were lucky to get a room facing the peaks. The view at night was astounding! View at 1 a.m. from our room There is a small cafe around the corner as you walk down from the hotel, called Sødahlhuset. The food was excellent and it was accompanied by a live singer on her piano. The young girl’s melodious voice breaking through the quiet all around was magical. With this our trip was coming to a close, there was one attraction remaining though. Our train trip from Andalsnes to Oslo via Dombås . This train ride has been rated as the most scenic train journey by Lonely Planet and rightly so. I took out my camera and could never put it back. The train runs on the famous Rauma Line and the views outside could make you catch your breath. It chugs its way through the beautiful valley of Romsdalen , and the high cliffs, rivers, green mountains, and waterfalls, all seem to be following the train. These picturesque last 5 and ½ hours by train will always be my lasting memory of this beautiful country.

We reached Copenhagen via an overnight cruise from Oslo. The first view one gets of the city is the windmills on the harbour. The sight is beguiling and sets the tone for tourists waiting impatiently to disembark the ship. First view of Copenhagen Harbour from inside our cabin Copenhagen is a beautiful city with its vast open vistas, canals and roads running alongside, its beautiful palaces, bicycle lanes and gardens. As you walk around the city, you can't help but notice some very old buildings with tall spires on their rooftops. Don't miss the impressive spire on top... Copenhagen is called the City of Spires! Day One Nyhavn, the harbourfront and Ferry Point We start our trip with a visit to Nyhavn, the harbour front lined with houses with colourful outer facades. This place is every bit touristy and bustling with people from across the globe. This is the place where all the water ferries start, they run very frequently so waiting time is negligible. This is the best way to see all of Copenhagen in about an hour, the Christiansborg Palace, Amalienborg Palace, Black Diamond Library, Opera House and the Little Mermaid. It's a good way to start your vacation in Copenhagen. Christiansborg Palace Just about a 10-12 minute walk away from Nyhavn harbour is the Christiansborg Palace. But before setting out for the palace, we decided to gorge on some Danish ice cream. The street next to the canal where the ferry drops you off is lined with eateries and ice cream parlours, and you will find people sitting on the roadside licking ice creams as they watch ferries come and go. We take an easy stroll to the palace. Tickets are easily available at the reception counter. The palace has many wings, the most popular being the Royal Reception rooms and the chapel. The palace houses the Danish Parliament, the PM's office and the Supreme Court of Denmark. We were happy to discover that a lot of information was written in English on placards next to most attractions inside the palace. The palace reception rooms are a historical heritage of Denmark and are a treat to watch. Fun fact - The term 'green room' originated in this palace. The kings' performers in the palace used a room with all green tapestries as a changing room, so the name stuck. My Tip - One can easily spend about two to three hours wandering in the palace and absorbing the interesting bits of information about the royal household. You can spend the rest of the evening loitering around Nyhavn or walking along Strøget, the longest pedestrian street in Europe. The street has everything, premium brand outlets like Gucci and Louis Vuitton and everyday shopping brands like Zara and H&M. There are also some old buildings and attractions that you can see as you shop. I had read a lot about the expression 'Hygge' in Danish, in English it would roughly translate to an overall feeling of well-being. I think what we experienced in that street on that day was hygge! Day Two Amalienborg Palace We start this day with a visit to Amalienborg Palace . We had seen the stunning palace from our canal boat trip and a closer look sounds like a good idea. En route to the palace, we came across this bakery. Sadly, the name eludes me, but one billion flies were certainly not wrong! We ate a sandwich made of local rye bread, that was to die for and a Danish pastry. Interestingly, the Danes don't call their pastry Danish. My Tip - Amalienborg is the official residence of the Danish royal family. The Amalienborg Palace Square has four palaces. All of them are not open to the public. Christian VIII Palace houses the Amalienborg Museum where you can take a guided tour through the journey of monarchy in the past 150 years. The private chambers of the king and queen can also be seen on this tour. The tour takes about an hour but has to be booked well in advance. Please check the tour dates and timings beforehand. The official website of the palace is https://www.kongernessamling.dk/en/amalienborg/ . There are four quarters in the castle square and in its centre is a great photo opportunity in front of the impressive statue of King Fredrik the Fifth, who had this part of the city built and named after him. Also, there is a change of Danish Royal Lifeguards every day at noon. Exactly opposite to Amalineborg is the impressive modern structure of the Royal Danish Opera . There is a nice walking path alongside the water body as you step out of the Amanlienborg palace. The entire area is adorned with stunning artwork including the iconic Little Mermaid . En route to the mermaid is the magnificent sculpture of ' Gefionspringvandet ', a fountain that depicts the story of the Norse Goddess Gefion and her oxen pulling a plough. The sculpture suddenly appears on the path leaving the pedestrians awe-struck by its sheer size and intricately carved stonework. We clicked many pictures around the fountain but none of them does justice to this beautiful piece of craftsmanship. And finally, we reach the Little Mermaid.... for the uninitiated, this little mermaid is the central character of a fairytale written by Danish Author Hans Christian Andersen. The petite statue has been made by Edward Eriksen. My Tip - We spent a whole hour around the area trying to figure out why this small statue was so famous. But then that holds for so many tourist attractions.... as a tourist, we wouldn't leave Copenhagen without seeing the Little Mermaid, so there you go! We took a picture for keepsake and bid goodbye to the little nymph! We had done our fair share of walking for the day, so in the evening we decided to dine at a local bistro to try out some local delicacies. Some rye bread again and a Danish! Day Three We head to the Round Tower . The tower is open all days of the week and can be a fun outing. It dates back to the 17th century and is still a functional observatory. There are so many steps inside the tower, just a wide spiral ramp to walk on. One can see the entire city of Copenhagen from the top. The climb sounded quite tough in the beginning but the slope is gradual and an easy climb. There were massive crowds at the entrance. Although, once inside, one should set aside at least an hour to look around. Day three also happened to be our last evening in Copenhagen. A trip to this beautiful had to end on a high. And what better high than a trip to the iconic Tivoli Gardens? Tivoli Gardens , I learnt, is the second oldest amusement park in the world, preceded by the oldest, Bakken, which also happens to be in Denmark. We have been to many amusement parks, Disneyland in Hong Kong, La Aventura in Barcelona, and Canada's Wonderland to name a few. But Tivoli has an unmistakable old-world charm. We stayed for a better part of the evening in the park to see it all light up as night fell.

As the train from Copenhagen approaches Stockholm, the sight of a water body and the entire city thriving around it is breathtaking. The water body, I learnt later, is Lake Mäleran. The city comprises fourteen islands, all of which are located between the lake and the Baltic Sea, thus giving Stockholm the title of 'Venice of the North' . Just some observations about Stockholm - Stockholm, like some other European cities, like Paris, Berlin and Rome to name a few, cannot be just seen, it needs to be experienced. We had only three days, but if possible, I would recommend at least 4 to 5 days in the city to see its many sights and absorb its vibrancy. - We were in Stockholm in July in summer and it was warm and pleasant, but this is the peak season, there are crowds everywhere and prices are skyrocketing at this time. Stockholm, in any case, is an expensive city, so planning your vacation is important. This also means that one needs to prioritize what one wishes to see since there are so many museums and conducted tours. - 'Fika' is the word that I hear quite often in Stockholm. It refers to hanging out with friends and having coffee but I think there's more to it than just coffee. The Swedish people flaunt their rich cultural heritage, the museums and the monuments with understated pride. - Swedish are a bit reserved I noticed, in the sense that they will not wave out to strangers like the Brits and Americans but they are helpful and tourist-friendly. - Buses in Stockholm do not accept cash, only cards. It's best to buy tickets at the vending machine beforehand. I have enumerated the Top 8 Attractions in Stockholm in my 3-day itinerary... In my opinion, this is what you can comfortably cover in 3 days. Besides, Stockholm is such a beautiful city, it would be a shame to not spend some time along its lakes or take one of the many cruising options available. Day One Ericsson Globe Arena, or Globen Drottninggatan, the main street in Stockholm Day Two Stadshuset - Stockholm City Hall Change of Guard at the Royal Palace The Royal Palace Gamla Stan, the old town Day Three Island of Djurgarden Vasa Museum Day One Ericsson Globe Arena or Globen We reached Stockholm by train. It was noon by the time we checked into our hotel. We headed out to see the Globe Arena, people in Stockholm call it the 'Globen'. It's about an hour of walk through the city or one can catch a metro line that will drop you right next to the mammoth structure. This is the largest spherical building in the world and can accommodate up to 16,000 people when events are hosted here. There are gondolas fixed to the outer facade of the sphere that takes you to the top and offers beautiful views of the city. This entire outing will take about 2 hours to complete. My Tip - Most tourists might not agree with me, but honestly, I did not find the place very exciting. I am sure it must be bustling with activity when there is an event but on the day of our visit, the entire area wore a deserted look. If you have done many gondola rides over mountains and valleys, then skip this one. Go visit the Globen only if you have extra time on hand or if there is some event going on. Drottninggatan, the main street in Stockholm After a slow start at Globen, we decided to spend the remaining part of the day at Drottninggatan. Our hotel Best Western was situated right in the centre of the street. This is an important pedestrian street in Stockholm, almost 1 and 1/2 km long and also one of the busiest. The entire area is flooded with tourists, eateries, restaurants, fashion brand stores and souvenir shops. My Tip - You will get a first-hand experience of the culture and the people of Stockholm on the street. The place is very lively in the evening, so spending some time there can be fun. I learnt about the concept of Fika in a small bakery on the street from a friendly, talkative vendor. Day Two Stadshuset - Stockholm City Hall City Hall is one of the most iconic buildings in the city. It is the seat of Stockholm municipality and is open to tourists only in the summer. Its claim to fame is also the fact that it's the official venue for hosting the Nobel Banquets. It has the famous Blue Hall and the Golden Ballroom. The best way to see the City Hall is by taking the 45-minute guided tour. My Tip - It is a must-see attraction I believe. But the most important thing to remember is that the City Hall can be visited only on a guided tour. However, the timings of the guided tour keep changing because there is a lot of state activity in the place since it's an operational office. So, your best bet is to cross-check the timings for the day you plan to visit. No bookings are allowed in advance, only same-day tickets are issued. Sadly for us, all tours of the day were sold out. I had to settle for a picture from the outside only. Take a guided tour and check their website for any changes in timings on the day of your tour on the official website of the City Hall at https://stadshuset.stockholm/en/ Plan ahead and try to arrive early, well before the tour timing. There was a lot of confusion when we reached the venue since some tours for the day had been moved around and a lot of complaining tourists could be seen loitering around. But I still got a nice shot of the iconic Three Golden Crowns on the top of the City Hall! Change of Guard at the Royal Palace After having missed out on our tour of the City Hall, crestfallen, we headed to the Royal Palace to watch the Change of Guard. This is one attraction that brought back the smile to our faces. The Royal Palace is about 2 km from the City Hall, with a walkable distance of 10 to 15 minutes. It's a not-to-miss attraction and worth all the walk to the palace and the wait. This change of guard is ceremonial and elaborate. If you have seen the change of guard at Buckingham Palace, then this is comparable to that in terms of pageantry and fanfare. My Tip - It's better to reach the palace a bit early and take a nice spot under the shade since the entire ceremony lasts 40 minutes, sharp at 12:15 p.m. on all weekdays and 1:15 p.m. on Sundays. The Royal Palace The Royal Palace of Stockholm, one of the largest in Europe with 600 rooms and long corridors, lies on the waterfront close to Gamla Stan, the old town. It is the official residence of His Majesty the King of Sweden. There are 3 museums inside the palace - The Treasury Tre Kronor Museum depicting medieval history through interesting artefacts Gustav III Museum of Antiquities There is a curious vibe about the palace since the palace serves a three-fold purpose, it is the residence of the king, an active workplace for the state and also a monument that has a lot of cultural and historical significance. There is a lot of grandeur around the palace and visiting it is surely worth your time and money. Keep about 2 to 3 hours aside to see the entire palace which is replete with beautiful reception rooms, royal costumes, armoury, the royal treasury, the royal change of guard, of course, and the royal stables with the ornate royal carriages. My Tip - Even a very conservative estimate would mean spending at least 3 hours on the tour of the palace. Like most palaces, there is a lot of walking involved here too. So, wear comfortable shoes. One can buy tickets both at the entrance to the Royal Apartments and the Treasury too. It wasn't clear which entrance to use to buy tickets. This caused some confusion for us although eventually, we figured it out. The confusion also ensued because massive crowds hit the entrance as soon as the Change of guard was over. In retrospect, I think we should have seen the palace before the change of guard. I am normally not a big fan of conducted tours with guides who dish out a lot of information that one quickly forgets as one leaves the place but in this case, I strongly recommend a guided tour to fully appreciate the beautiful artefacts all around because the palace is massive and there is lots to see. Gamla Stan, the old town The visit to the palace was rather tiring, so we decided to spend a lazy evening at Gamla Stan, the old town centre. It's a short walk from the palace and one can see some amazing architecture along the walk. Gamla Stan in Stockholm is the oldest and best-preserved medieval centre in Europe. Buildings with colourful facades, churches and squares lined with shops are a treat to watch. We just sat in Stortorget Square and watched the crowds go by. Look for Storkyrkan, the cathedral with its tall clock tower that you would have to crane your neck to see! It's right next to the Royal Palace, you can't miss it. Just about 5 to 7 minutes away is the islet of Riddarholmen, also called Knight's Island, which is also home to the Church of Riddarholmskyrkan. The church, with its impressive spires and red facade, stands out imposingly on the island. It was earlier used as the resting place of Swedish monarchs. The entire area around the church has stunning views of the city and is separated from the old town of Gamla Stan by a narrow water channel. There is a small stone statue of the 'Swedish Ear' on the embankment called Evert Taube Terass after the famous Swedish poet. Day Three Island of Djurgarden The Island of Djurgarden is 3.5 km from Gamla Stan. You can reach there in about 20 minutes by bus or tram from Gamla Stan. The island is very serene and beautiful with excellent infrastructure and one can easily spend a good part of the day here. There are many historical buildings, monuments, museums and galleries on the island. My Tip - If you're travelling with kids, then there is a small amusement park Groena Lund, Skansen, an open-air museum, the famous ABBA museum and of course, the Vasa Museum touted as the most visited museum in all of Scandinavia. We decided to first visit the Vasa Museum and then spend the rest of the day at the Royal Djurgarden Park. Vasa Museum The Island of Djurgarden has many museums. You will have to take your pick of the museum depending on your area of interest. In my opinion, the absolutely not-to-miss out of the whole lot is the Vasa Museum. You can easily spend about 2 to 3 hours inside the museum. Inside Vasa Coming back to Vasa, this refreshingly engaging museum will take you on a flight of fancy through 17th-century life in Sweden. Vasa is the name of a warship that sank on its maiden voyage and the entire ship was salvaged 333 years later in 1961 and is now put on display at the museum. How this massive warship was built and how it sank on its maiden voyage form the crux of this exhibition. The museum displays the lives of sailors, how they lived, what they wore, what they ate, life on the ship and many other facets of their life in the 17th century. A short film is played throughout the day in the small amphitheatre and is included in your ticket. Kindly check the language of your choice and pick the show. My Tip - Very close to Vasa is Nordiska, another museum, just a 3 to 4-minute walk from Vasa, that offers interesting insights into Swedish culture and history. Once a week, the entry in the evening is free. If one has extra time, then one must find out the day of free entry. We were left with a last evening in Stockholm. To make the most of it, we spent some time in the beautiful Royal Djurgarden Park. Entry to the park is free. The royal hunting grounds make for some nice walking trails. There are benches to sit along the waterfront. After spending a good two hours, we headed back to Gamla Stan. On the previous day, we were exhausted but today we walked along its narrow streets and saw the 'Alley of Marten Trotzig', the narrowest alley in Sweden which is only 35 inches wide. One can never tire of sitting in the town centre of a vibrant city and watching its people go by. Gamla Stan is one such town centre. We spent the entire evening gawking around, savouring locally made cinnamon rolls or Fika, which Sweden is so famous for and soaked in the exuberance of a thriving metropolis that still has its roots in the 13th century.

The Swarovski Museum in Innsbruck is an art installation with 18 rooms or chambers with stunning artefacts made of Swarovski crystals. The facility is open to tourists around the year. It has open gardens with some amazing installations spread over 7.5 hectares of land. The Giant at the entrance of Swarovski Crystal World Getting there - Swarovski Crystal World is about 22 km away from Innsbruck - There is a shuttle bus that starts every 20 to 30 minutes from the Main Train Station in Innsbruck that takes you directly to the facility. It goes through the scenic locales of the Alpine mountains to the town of Wattens near Innsbruck, where this facility is located. - You will not have any problem locating the shuttle bus as it stops right in front of the entrance to the train station. The bus is conspicuously painted in a bright green with a huge Giant Face as shown in the picture. - If you have the Innsbruck Card, then this transport and a visit to the Swarovski centre are included in it. There is ample parking space around the facility for self-driven cars. - Audio guides are available at the reception counter for an additional 2 euros. What to expect - The entrance to the glittering world of crystals starts at the head of the giant. As you enter the premises, you will enter the Blue Hall. - Once inside, there is a beautiful display of many artworks made out of crystal. What caught my attention was the statue of Chetak, the legendary horse ridden by the Indian king Maharana Pratap. The stunning piece of art is heavily embellished with crystals. There is also a shimmering crystal wall with thousands of crystals on it. - You will be led through a series of rooms called Chambers of Wonder, one room leading to another. There are 18 such rooms, each one depicting a different facet of crystals. There are artworks decorated with crystals in dainty designs and patterns. There is an ice cave with crystal decorations, complete with snowflakes and some very delicate artwork. You are allowed to stay for about 2 to 3 minutes in the cave. - There is a hall of mirrors with two beautiful crowns that get reflected all over to create a dazzling effect although the name of this hall eludes me. - Then you will be led to Hollywood, a hall filled with dresses and costumes, heavily embellished with Swarovski crystals that many celebrities have worn at various functions. There are many other glittering accessories like a glass shoe, glasses and bags used by many celebrities over the years. Beautiful chandeliers adorn the ceiling. - In the adjoining room is a very impressive replica made out of crystals of many famous landmarks of the world like the Big Ben of London, the Statue of Liberty and so on. - More rooms follow with stunning pieces of art. The section Ready to Love is a riot of colour and music. - The 'Chandelier of Grief' in one of the rooms is very eye-catching. The chandelier casts a thousand luminous shadows on the floor and the ceiling in an enclosed space that looks quite ethereal. - The last section of the tour leads to the Kristallwelten Store selling jewellery, watches and other artefacts made of crystal. - At the end of the exhibition area, is a huge beautiful colourful globe made of crystals. Perfect for a photo opportunity. There is a nice cafe serving snacks and beverages. - As you step outside into the gardens, you will be mesmerised by the sparkling crystal cloud. This art piece has over 800,000 Swarovski crystals mounted on it. Adjacent to the crystal cloud is a mirror pool. The shimmering crystal clouds cast their shadow on the water in the pool and create a stunning visual effect. - The gardens are massive, they are spread over 7.5 hectares of land and have intriguing art installations everywhere you see. - If you are travelling with kids, then there is a Play Tower for them. At 20 m, it's considered to be the highest indoor playground in the world. There is a maze and a carousel too, to keep your kids occupied. My Tip - The museum is artistic, with its artworks embellished with thousands of crystals. The entire facility is well-organized, clean and tourist-friendly. On the flip side, I would say that I had expected to see something different. I was hoping to see the making of crystals and how they are cut and polished to such perfection. Something more informative, along the lines of porcelain factories that we have seen in Meissen, Germany or the glass factories of Murano, Italy. After having seen the jaw-dropping artworks of the Austrian museums in all the days preceding this visit, I can't help but say that this museum looks too commercialized. And you certainly do not need the audio guide. Calling this place a museum is misplaced, it should ideally be called Swarovski Entertainment Arena or something like that. It's like a family entertainment park with a display of crystals and lots of fun stuff for everyone. However, as a tourist, none of us would want to miss out on this attraction. So, go for it but have realistic expectations. And if you're interested in getting some practical, hands-on travel tips, click here

Innsbruck is called the Capital of the Alps and rightly so. This beautiful city is tucked in the Inntal Valley between the Nordkette Mountain ranges in the north, as the name suggests, Nord meaning north and Kette meaning chain in German, and some other Alpine peaks in the south. Top of Innsbruck refers to the glorious viewpoint that lies on the top of Mount Hafelekar at 2300 meters above sea level in the Nordkette range. The Nordkette range of mountains is part of the Karwendel Nature Park, the largest nature park in Austria. Getting there Just a little walk away from the Hofburg Palace in Altstadt, you will see this distinct piece of modern architecture, the Kongresshaus Station, which serves as the entry point to the Hungerberg funicular. Kongresshaus Station, Entry point to the Nordkettenbahnen in Innsbruck A large cable car, with a capacity of at least 15 people, plus bicycles and prams, will take you to the top of the mountain in about 30 minutes. From Kongresshaus Station, you will take the Hungerburgbahn, a steep funicular that will take you to the first halt on this journey at Hungerburg at the Herman Buhl Square, named after the famous Austrian mountaineer. Just walk a few paces and you will reach the Valley station of Seegrubenbahn. From there, you will be made to switch to a gondola that will go even steeper to Hafelekarspitze or the Hafelekar Peak, Top of Innsbruck at 2334 meters above sea level. Once on the top, one gets stunning 360-degree views of the Karwendel region all around. There are short viewing paths, and more scenic points all along. There is Innsbruck on one side and the vast conservation area of Karwendel on the other. Some things to know - - Plan this trip on a clear day and start early. The queues for the funicular swell as the day goes by. Also, try to go on a weekday rather than a weekend. Weekends are crazily crowded, even on the top. - Kongresshaus Station is very well connected to public transport of Innsbruck, so getting there is easy. The Sightseer bus stops very close by too. - If you have the Innsbruck Card, then the entire excursion including all rides to and fro, is included in it. Please note that there are some discounts offered on tickets purchased early morning, I think before 9:30. Kindly check the official website https://nordkette.com/en/home.html for Nordkettenbahnen for more details. - The funicular from Hungerburg stops at the Alpine Zoo which is almost halfway up the mountain. This is one of the highest zoos in Europe. I saw many families travelling with kids getting off at this station for the zoo. - The valley station at Seegrubenbahn offers some great photo opportunities. - You need not go all the way up to the Top of Innsbruck. A lot of people go to Hungerburg till the Herman Buhl Square. The views from here are also quite good. This is especially for people with mobility issues or the ones travelling with small kids. I feel taking strollers all the way to the top might not be easy. - Tickets can be purchased at the Kongresshaus Station and at Hungerburg also. Online tickets are also available. There are a number of options available for buying tickets, please check the website for all updates. - The entire trip to the Top of Innsbruck takes about 3 to 4 hours, depending on how many activities you engage in. In winter, there are many fun things that you can do around this place like skiing and snowboarding. In summer, there are hiking trails to higher vantage points in the mountains. -The ride up is absolutely sensational as the mountain scenery starts to unfold in front of you. I was reading somewhere that in 2023, the Nordkette cable cars have been rated among the Top outstanding 10% of the World's attractions in terms of visitor reviews and ratings. This is most certainly a not-to-miss attraction in Innsbruck that will give you glorious views of the Alpine scenery. And if you're interested in getting some practical and useful travel tips, click here

Innsbruck was the last destination on our Austrian itinerary. We travelled by train from Salzburg to Innsbruck for a little more than two hours. Unlike Vienna and Salzburg, where we spent 5 and 4 days, respectively, we had a day less here, but that did not deter me from having a long list of must-see attractions, all of which had to be fitted into this tight 3-day schedule. We reached the train station in Innsbruck. Our rented apartment was within walking distance of the station, we checked in our luggage and immediately set out for our exploration. Since we had already seen so much of Austria by then, the comparison of these two cities with Innsbruck was inevitable. In my opinion, the capital city of Vienna with its baroque architecture is classy. Salzburg has an old-world charm that is the textbook definition of a touristy city. Innsbruck, on the other hand, is gloriously scenic. It's the closest to the Nordkette Range of Tirolean Alps and one gets unparalleled views of these peaks from here. The mountains that we had been seeing all the time from far away Salzburg were now close, really close. Stunning mountain ranges are visible from all over the city.... 5 things you should remember while visiting Innsbruck 1. The city lies on the river Inn. Owing to its proximity to the mountains, it's considered to be a winter paradise for skiers. If you're interested in skiing, then you're in luck! There are 8 skiing points around the city, all of them well connected by public transport or cable car. In summer, there are cable cars that take tourists to the top of these mountains for majestic views of the Alps. 2. Innsbruck is not very big, the entire Altstadt or Old Town can be covered on foot. There are a lot many things to see here, just wandering around the Altstadt with its narrow, cobbled streets is an attraction. You can just walk around to see the famous Golden Roof and the Triumphal Arch. If possible, stay around the Altstadt since this area is the heart of the city. 3. The best way to travel in Innsbruck is with an Innsbruck Card. Even if you visit just 2 or 3 attractions, the cost of your card will be covered. We bought a 3-Day Innsbruck Card the moment we got out of the train. That way all our travel, in all kinds of transport, plus a whole lot of attractions and museums was covered from the word go. The conducted tour bus, Sightseer Bus is also included in the card. 4. There are 52 museums in Innsbruck in all. So, anyone visiting the city should be sure of which ones they wish to see, depending on their personal choice and taste. Some research in advance will help. We saw four museums in our 3-day trip, each one more interesting than the other. Ambras Castle tops the list, followed by Hofburg Palace, the Folk Art Museum, and the absolutely riveting Tyrol Panorama. I will discuss these museums later in my post. 5. Apart from the museums, the two top attractions in Innsbruck are Swarovski Crystal World and the Top of Innsbruck. You will need half a day each to see both of these places but I would strongly recommend doing both of them on your trip to Innsbruck. Top 12 Attractions in Innsbruck for a 3-Day itinerary You can squeeze in more attractions, of course, but that would mean rushing through them. All the attractions mentioned below from Number 7 onwards, take about 2.5 to 3 hours each plus travel time. 1. Altstadt 2. St. Anne's Column 3. Goldenes Dach, Golden Roof 4. Triumphal Arch 5. Hofkirche or the Court Church 6. Stadtturm or City Tower 7. Top of Innsbruck 8. Swarovski Crystal World 9. Ambras Castle 10. Hofburg Palace 11. Tyrolean Folk Art Museum 12. Tyrol Panorama Museum Altstadt We started our tour of the city on Day 1 with the picturesque town square of Innsbruck. This is one of the most beautiful town squares I've ever seen. The old town with its gothic, baroque, and rococo-style buildings set in the backdrop of the Tirolean Alps is a sight to behold. The old town has some of the most famous attractions of Innsbruck - St. Anne's Column, Triumphal Arch, and the famous Golden Roof. My Tip - Spend at least half a day gaping at the stunning architecture strewn across the old town, each building has a history of its own to share. There are many cafes, roadside eateries, and souvenir shops as well as some malls like DEZ Einkaufszentrum and Rathaus Galerien that have good shopping options. St. Anne's Column The most famous pedestrian street in Innsbruck, Marie Theresia Strasse, runs through the old town. And right in the heart of this street, lies St. Anne's Column. The column was erected as a mark of gratitude for the withdrawal of Bavarian forces from Tyrol in the 18th century. My Tip - Look carefully at the column, on the top is a marvellous statue of Mary as the 'Woman of the Apocalypse,' rising 137 ft from the street. There are more statues of the Patron Saints of Tyrol around the column. If possible, see it during the day and also at night, when the column is lit up. Goldenes Dach, Golden Roof Walk from St. Anne's Column towards Hofkirche for about 4 minutes and you will reach Goldenes Dach or the Golden Roof. The Golden Roof is a balcony decorated with 2657 fire-gilded copper tiles that was made to commemorate the wedding of Maximilian I in the early 1500s. It's remarkable that the tiles have withstood the travails of time and still shine like new. My Tip - There is a museum inside the Golden Roof, it's included in the Innsbruck Card. We skipped the museum but the roof is worth watching. Great photo opportunity! Triumphal Arch The beautiful stone arch is located at the southern end of Maria Theresa Street. The arch was built to celebrate the wedding of Archduke Leopold to the Spanish Princess Maria Luisa. Archduke Leopold was the second son of Maria Theresa, the famous Archduchess of Austria whose stunning monument Maria Theresa Platz in Vienna is one of the not-to-miss attractions in Vienna. You can learn more about this in my blog on Vienna here - https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/destination-vienna-the-quintessential-austrian-experience We learnt on the Hop on Hop off tour that just a few days after the wedding of her son, Leopold, Marie Theresa lost her husband Francis Stephan. So, when you go to see this monument, you will realise that this monument commemorates two major life events in the life of the Archduchess. On the south side are stone motifs depicting the wedding of her son and on the north side are motifs that pay homage to her departed husband. My Tip - These names from history might not mean much to any of us but after having spent so many days in Austria, visiting museums and looking at so many historical monuments, these historical figures started to fall into a timeline and make sense. Watching this monument, I felt really sad for Queen Maria Theresa, who has commanded so much respect in the archives of history. For me, this monument is a symbol of the transience of life, of life and death literally being on opposite sides and yet so close to each other. St. Anne's Column, Golden Roof and Triumphal Arch Hofkirche or the Court Church Walk back to St. Anne's Column on Marie Theresa Street and from there walk another 5 minutes to reach the Court Church or Hofkirche. The 16th-century church is free to enter. This stunning gothic church is a cenotaph, a burial site of Emperor Maximilian although his actual remains are elsewhere. All around the cenotaph, there are 28 massive bronze statues of his ancestors, relatives and some historical figures, the micro-detailing on each one of them is exemplary. The faces, costumes, weapons and postures of each statue are worth a watch. My Tip - Seeing this church is a visual delight. There is so much detailing in each statue, even in the wrought iron casing around the cenotaph. There is an interesting audio-visual presentation before you enter the church. It gives an insight into who Maximilian was in a very interesting way. It's available in many languages, so choose the language of your choice. It's a small church but awe-inspiring. Don't miss it! Stadtturm or City Tower Barely a 2 to 3-minute walk away from the Hofkirche is the City Tower. I wouldn't call this structure really striking from the outside but the views from it, of the entire city and the Nordketten Range of mountains are resplendent. My Tip - If you're around the old town, then you should plan to go up to the top of the tower which is about 150-odd steps to get very beautiful views of Innsbruck from above. We had an Innsbruck Card, so the climb was included in it. Even if you don't have the card, you should do this one. I think the ticket was only 3 euros if I am not mistaken. Top of Innsbruck Day Two turned out to be bright and sunny. It was a perfect day to plan a trip to the Top of Innsbruck. This is a must-do attraction in Innsbruck, offering glorious views of the Alps all around. I have written about this in more detail in a separate blog. Please click on the link below - https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/a-cable-car-ride-to-the-top-of-innsbruck-the-jewel-of-the-alps Swarovski Crystal World The crystal world made by Swarovski is a treat for anyone visiting this facility. After Top of Innsbruck, we came back to the train station to catch a bus to Swarovski Crystal World. There are lots of things to talk about Swarovski Crystal World. Please click on the link below to learn more about this wonderland - https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/half-day-trip-to-swarovski-crystal-world-in-innsbruck Ambras Castle This was our last day in Innsbruck. There was still lots left to cover. So, we started our day early with Ambras Castle by taking the Sightseer Bus. The castle is located on a hill around Innsbruck, a little away from the main city of Innsbruck, so taking a tour is the simpler way to reach it. Although, there is a bus stop quite close to the entrance of the castle in case you plan to take public transport. Fun fact - The castle is the first and the oldest museum complex in the world, still existing at the very site where it was first made almost 450 years ago! I was quite surprised to learn that this museum is treated as a part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum of Vienna (Museum of Fine Arts). You can read more about Kunsthistorisches Museum by clicking on the link below https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/a-visit-to-the-kunsthistorisches-museum-museum-of-fine-arts-in-vienna About the castle - This Renaissance castle was built in the 16th century by Archduke Ferdinand II at the site of an old medieval castle, for his wife Phillippine, whom he had married in secret. He got this beautiful romantic castle made, with its vast array of collectables from all over the world, as a gift for his beautiful wife. The Upper Castle served as the residence of the Archduke while the Lower Castle was made into a museum. It contains Armouries spanning many eras and the Spanish Hall with its intricate wooden ceiling which is very impressive. The Chamber of Arts and Wonders is the only one of its kind to have been preserved at its original location. My Tip - You should plan to spend about 2 to 2.5 hours at the castle. As I've mentioned earlier, the palace houses intriguing collections from all over the world. The armoury is a must-watch. There are many different things to see, art objects, murals, huge wall portraits, idols and the not-to-miss Plate of Fools. The Chamber of Arts and Wonders has so many intriguing objects that will surely catch your fancy. I read on one of the placards here that this chamber was an exhaustive collection that attempted to reflect the entire knowledge of that time by Archduke Ferdinand II who is considered to be the most important collector of the Habsburg Dynasty of Austria. I would say that seeing Ambras Castle is a collector's dream and should be a must-see on your itinerary. Hofburg Palace The stunning Hofburg Palace lies in the heart of the old town of Innsbruck. You can see it so many times while passing it, it looks splendid at night when it's lit up. The palace is quite massive, Giant's Hall is impressive, and there are living rooms of Maria Theresa and Elizabeth or 'Sisi'. You will have to read my blog on Vienna to learn more about Sisi by clicking the link mentioned above. The palace is a living example of the sheer opulence of the Austrian monarchy. The costumes, decor, chandeliers, furniture, artwork... all of it is breathtaking. My Tip - The Hofburg Palace in Innsbruck is interesting but rather small, if you have seen the Hofburg Palace in Vienna already, then you can give this one a miss especially if you do not have an Innsbruck Card. With the Innsbruck Card, entry to the palace is included. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the palace complex. We did not opt for any audio guide and I am honestly not sure if there was one available. Finding the entrance was a bit difficult, we kept following the dome. If you're going from the Golden Roof, then walk for about a minute on Hofgasse and your destination will be on the left. Tyrolean Folk Art Museum This is a must-see attraction. I didn't know that folk art could be so mesmerizing till I saw this museum. The museum is located right in the heart of the old town very close to the Hofburg Palace. Entry is included in the Innsbruck Card. My Tip - There is much to see in this adorable museum. Right at the starting point of the staircase leading to the museum, is a painting of The Last Supper. This iconic painting has been adapted to modern times most creatively. This should set the tone for the rest of your tour of the museum. Audio guides are not required since all the detailed information is written on placards around the exhibits that comprise many intriguing artefacts and stunning idols and statues. Lifesize models of kitchens with medieval tools, combs made from horns, coins, furniture, masks, and bells from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries....you name it and you will find it in this museum. There is an entire floor dedicated to 'Trachten' or the traditional garments worn in German-speaking countries displayed on lifesize marionettes that are very interesting to watch. You will not tire of watching the amazing collection of this museum and can easily spend about 2 hours or more inside the museum. Tyrol Panorama Museum This splendid museum depicts the history of the state of Tyrol in a novel way using a 360-degree Giant Panorama painting on a circular wall with a viewing balcony in front of it. The painting shows events from the battle that took place between the Napoleonic army and the Tyrolean rebels in 1809. The interesting aspect of the museum is that it is situated in the same spot where this battle took place. Apart from this giant painting, the exhibits under the name 'Showcase Tyrol' are worth a watch. They are quite an eloquent statement on the history, culture, and lifestyle of the Tirol region. From the museum, goes an underground passage to the Kaiserjaeger Museum (Museum of Tyrolean Imperial Infantry) which is located right opposite the Tyrol Panorama. This museum also has an amazing collection of artefacts. My Tip - It's not just the painting but rather its setting that is very interesting. Sightseer Bus will drop you right in front of the museum. There are lots of escalators to navigate through to get to the inside of the museum though. We had read some pretty bad reviews about the management or rather the mismanagement of the museum before our visit on some online forums. The museum, I believe, is not equipped to accommodate people with mobility issues, that is a real problem, hence the bad reviews. Otherwise, it's a great place to see the history of Tyrol unfold in front of your eyes in such an artistic way. There are lockers available to keep your bag packs at the entrance. There is a nice restaurant outside the museum offering great views of the scenery all around. Starting at Tirol Panorama, a panoramic loop trail goes around Bergisel Mountain. We were short on time, so had to skip it. If you have extra time, then I believe the trail offers scenic views of Innsbruck. Apart from the attractions that I've mentioned above, there are 3 more that I would not have missed if we had more time. They are Bergisel Ski Jump, Bell Foundry and Museum and Audioversum, Science Centre. All these 3 attractions are fully covered in the Innsbruck Card. The Bergisel Ski jump has a funicular, a tower lift and a viewing terrace. Bell Foundry is a 400-year-old museum of bell-making, run by a single family. I've read so many good things about this museum. Go for it and tell me about your visit. I would love to hear a first-hand account of the same. Audioversum is quite a fascinating museum I believe. Don't miss it especially if you're travelling with kids. So, that is Innsbruck for you in a nutshell. As they say, save the best for the last....and so was the case with Innsbruck. It was our last stop in the beautiful country of Austria. From there, we went to Munich, Germany by bus through the spectacular Alpine scenery. Munich serves as a gateway to a trip to the Disney Castle of Neu Schwanstein, that has been on my bucket list for the last 20 years or so. Finally, we made it there. Read on for my visit to the fairy tale castle by clicking on the link below - https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/day-trip-from-munich-to-neu-schwanstein-the-fairytale-castle-in-the-bavarian-alps And if you're interested in getting some practical, hands-on tips for travel, click here