Why London is my favorite holiday destination?

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London for me is the best place to enjoy vacations whether you are traveling alone, with friends, family or kids. London is a place for all kinds of people and people of all ages.London has that vibe of happiness and welcoming smiles from people making you feel like a part of their city. London still has its rich culture and heritage intact along with its tremendous growth as a powerful city. It is the central hub for retail, fashion, IT, films, and theatre, finance et all, hence has one of the busiest and beautiful airports in the world.

It has numerous tourist attractions and sight-seeing places to visit. They are unique in their style, architecture, and history, awe-inspiring and lovely. The mode of transportation in London is so systematic and the sign boards throughout the city are self explanatory and never make you feel lost. The London Underground…

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My Favorite list of Movies that Inspired me to Travel!

Reel-life inspire people in real life and many times real life inspires reel life too. Being a movie buff, movies have always inspired me, all genres except horror, i have enjoyed movies from most of the languages across the globe. But travel was something I was not that familiar with, it took me great deal of time to come out of my comfort zone & try something new.

Here are a list of movies that inspired me to travel and the travel bug has bit me for good ever since.

Vicky Christina Barcelona

Woody Allen’s film narrating the journey of two American women, who travel to Barcelona, made me go weak in the knees with its exotic locales.

Lost in Translation

In Lost in Translation, 2 American strangers abroad form an unlikely bond in their isolation. Tokyo’s high-energy culture wakes up their passion for life and for me, my passion for travel.

Under the Tuscan Sun

Under the Tuscan Sun shows a recently divorced American woman venturing off to Italy to buy and restore a villa in Tuscany. The film inspired many travelers like me to seek out the film’s locations in the stunning countryside.

Eat Pray Love

Eat, Pray, Love runs on a similar theme, with Julia Roberts travelling to Indonesia, Italy and India in a quest to add meaning to her existence. I was particularly amused by the Roman architecture, and the mouth-watering pizzas that Italy offers.

Mama Mia

Mamma Mia created a tourism boom to the Greek Islands for destination weddings. Mesmerized by the film’s spectacular scenery, fans booked trips to this Mediterranean paradise to have a Big Fat Greek Wedding of their own. We’ll I’ll make it someday too.

Lord of the Rings

Think you can only visit J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth in your imagination? Escape into the epic fantasy of Lord of the Rings by visiting one of the locations in the film, Milton Sound (pictured here) in the South Island, New Zealand.

Motorcycle Diaries

In a journey that spans Argentina through Chile, Peru and Colombia to Venezuela, this is one film that truly inspired me to go on a backpacking trip to Latin America. The award-winning film tells the true story of the Cuban revolutionary, Che Guevara and his friend on a motorcycle expedition.

Before Sunrise

When two strangers meet on a trans-European train from Budapest to Paris, they decide to disembark at Vienna spontaneously. The film stumbles upon street-side cafes, picturesque town squares and beautiful parks of the ancient Austrian city.

The Beach

In The Beach backpackers search for a hidden beach in Thailand, inaccessible to tourists. Since the movie was filmed in 1999, Maya Bay has become one of the main tourist attractions in Thailand.

Out of Africa

The draw of Out of Africa isn’t just icons Robert Redford and Meryl Streep, but stunning scenes of Kenya’s raw and untamed landscapes. After the movie was released, Kenya became a popular tourist destination for safaris.

Roman Holiday

The Eternal City’s famous sights are the backdrop for the love story in the Roman Holiday. While the leads, played by Hollywood icons, Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, fall for each other, and I fell for all things Italy.

The Hangover

The Hangover tells the hilarious story of Phil Wenneck, Stu Price and Alan Garner, who travel to Las Vegas for a bachelor party celebrate their friend Doug Billings’ impending marriage. There is a boom in bachelor parties ever since in Nevada.

My list is just growing bigger & better…

 

When the going gets tough, these quotes get me going!

Destiny

Parents Love

I love my Brother

Attitude

Happiness

Inner Peace

Gratitude

Friends

Ambition

competition

Success

Control

Travel

Passion

Loving Yourself

Fitness

Love

Clever travel hacks for women travelers

Packing for the trip can be a real issue if you are not an organized person. To ensure the pleasure for your next trip I am sharing my travel hacks and tips that will be more than useful when you start packing your bags.

Dryer Sheet will keep your clothes smelling fresh

Attach both keys and money to binder clip and then on your belt

Pack your hair straightener into pot holder

Hide your cash in empty chapstick tube

Store Cameras into hard plastic soap case

Medical Organiser Will help with small jewelry

 

Store Necklaces into straws to keep them from getting tangled.

 

Roll silk scarves around empty paper tower holder to avoid wrinkles

Store Necklaces into straws to keep them from getting tangled.

Christmas in Sydney – A Hot Summer Affair

Red and Green and HOT?!

Sydney Harbor during Christmas

Christmas in Australia is truly unique in every way. The reason? Location! Australia, being situated in the southern hemisphere is one of the few countries that celebrate Christmas in summer. So when in Australia, be sure to carry sunscreen lotion to your Christmas parties!

Sounds bizarre, doesn’t it? Well, that’s how it is down-under. Christmas is celebrated in the middle of summer vacations for schools. So it is often a tradition to go out camping into the jungle to cool off. The sizzling temperatures make it impossible for the typical and clichéd practices like sitting by the fire and enjoying ahot cupcocoa. So what do the Australians do? They innovate! And how! The fire is provided by the sun anyway and what about a drink you ask? How about a citrus cocktail or a chilled beer?

It isn’t that any of the traditions are dispensed with. The children do go out to sing Carols on Christmas Eve. In fact, there are special caroling services that are broadcast throughout the country.  They also have beautiful red and green wreaths that decorate the houses. But the Boxing Day traditions involve something very Australian. You guessed it! A delicious barbeque! What’s more? It’s at the beach!

One thing is for certain, if you are spending Christmas in Australia there is never going to be a dull moment. There always is so much to do! And the best place to be in is Sydney.

Sydney is a stunning cosmopolitan city and it is definitely the place to be for a very Australian Christmas. To be on Bondi Beach in the sweltering heat and shout “Merry Christmas” to fellow beach-bums or frolicking in the water while watching the “barbies” sizzle and hiss is a surreal experience. The food gets a summery twist and so does the fun. The beaches have these natural rock swimming pools that you can take a leisurely dip in and enjoy the sunset. If it gets too hot you can always take a trip to the Blue Mountains to cool off. Alternatively, head over to Hyde Park with the kids for a Christmas on the greens. Another interesting thing to do is to go on a Christmas lunch cruise which is available from the famous area called “the Rocks”

Come evening, if you prefer something a bit more traditional, do surely check out the Martin’s place children’s concert. The concert is undoubtedly brilliant but the whole place is mesmerizing. All the trees and buildings are lit up with a thousand lights kindling the spirit of Christmas in everyone. There are also fireworks and other displays. Most importantly, this event is held for a good cause and truly keeps the idea of Christmas alive. There are also many night cruise parties that you can head off to after the concert.  Watching the fireworks display at Sydney harbor is also something everyone swears by.

But are you not so interested in the gorgeous lighting, music and fireworks? Are you a slightly eccentric creature who likes to do things differently? Never fear! Or do because, The “Nightmare on Christmas” is the jazziest and creepiest party that takes you through all the strangest parts of Sydney.Exploring the lore, magic, music and  all the creepy displays are sure to please the Goth spirit in you.

That sort of a thing isn’t for everyone though. Those with a slightly gentler spirit can head over to The Rocks where they decorate the tree and have many fun activities. To be honest, there is so much to do it cannot all be wrapped into a single post! One thing is for certain, there is no limit to the fun that can be had in Sydney during Christmas! No matter where you go you will have a Red, Green and hot Christmas!

A bit of caution is advised though. The Sydney Christmas and Sydney New Year are very popular so be absolutely certain to book all tickets in advance. Make sure that you have transport options available. Hiring a car is a good idea as the public transport cannot be completely relied upon on the day. With a little bit of caution and a little bit of care the unique Sydney experience is sure to make your Christmas vacation memorable and stay with you forever!

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Down the memory lane at New Orleans

City of old romance and new opportunities, New Orleans, in Louisiana, USA is a very popular destination for tourists and travelers flock this city for its exotic attractions and activities, Jazz music and culture, sumptuous cuisine, groovy night life and opulent accommodation at reasonable prices. There are tons of things to do in New Orleans; I have listed few of my favorites like,

 

Mardi Grass:

 

This is one of the famous attractions in the county and it embraces several social and cultural variety of the city, the place dates back to 1699 and the parade still rolls on the streets with maskers riding on floats. Another famous significance of the Mardi Grass is the king cake pastry baked in a circle to symbolize the crown and with a plastic baby inside. The cake is also decorated in green, gold, purple and other Mardi Grass colors, the one who finds the baby in the cake should throw the next king cake party.

French Quarter:

This was founded in 1718 by a French Canadian and a naval officer. New Orleans sightseeingdoes not get completed without exploring the French Quarter which is renowned for its museums, restaurants, shops and of course night life. The quarter is also home for many historic landmarks such as the St. Louis Cathedral, the Napoleon house and the French Market. One of the famous streets in Orleans, the Bourbon street known for adult theme and entertainment venues is also present here.

Natchez steamboat:

Launched in 1975, and has one of the steam powered stern-wheelers.  The boat travels the Mississippi River and has an antique and genuine steel and copper whistle. The boat offers daily harbor cruise and dinner cruise along with the romantic view of the night skyline. There are accommodations for weddings, and special event cruises all through the year.

 

Bourbon Street

Mardi Gras

French Quarter

Super Bowl

Beach Lovers

Yummy New Orleans Platter

Food and Beverage Museum:

This museum is the best among all New Orleans places to visit, and preserves the culinary history of the south and its cooking patterns. Its arte-facts include the cooking utensils and recipe scrapbooks. The museum runs the menu project that is collecting different menus from different restaurants, even those that have got closed.

Museum of Art:

This is the city’s oldest fine arts institution and has a permanent collection of 40, 000 pieces, and is a must part of New Orleans sightseeing. The collection has artwork from national and international painters and includes photographs, paintings, glass work and even sculptures.

Beauregard- Keyes House:

The house was built in the year 1826 and lies in the French Quarter, and is listed on the National register of historic places. The house was designed by Francois Correjolles and was built for Joseph LeCarpentier. The exterior of the house has two staircases leading to the porch upstairs and the house is adorned with antiques from 19^th century.

I must admit that ever since my visit here, New Orleans is one of the top places to visit once in two years in my wish-list.

 

Leh – An Ultimate Road trip for single women travelers

Leh is located in the Indus river valley at a crossroads of the old trading routes from Kashgar, Tibet and Kashmir in India and stands 3,505 meters above sea level. It is one of the sought after tourist destination in India by travelers across the globe. This place is considered as one of the toughest route for trekking and road trips, and best for white water rafting as well. For women who seek extreme adventure, this is ‘THE’ place.  Numerous cultural activities like dancing, processions and other activities are a treat for solo travelers. Single women travelers are assured to have a supreme gratification for their soul.

Accommodations                                                

The Spic and Span Hotel can be a modest and beautiful place to stay. The place is spacious and equipped with all necessities. The staffs are friendly and welcoming. Hotel Caravan center is another good option single women travelers to Leh.  There are many budget hotels as well.

Leh Attractions

There are lots of tourist attractions to enjoy and relax. The Buddhists monasteries and historical memorials are surprisingly awesome. The most fascinating shanti stupa, Kali mandir for gathering of masks, the traditional Tibetan style Leh Palace, Thiksey monastery, and the Hemis monastery are a few places of interest, the Leh palace is a must visit here. Pangong Lake is one of its kinds in the world which will definitely leave you spell-bound.

Drass

Highest Eat-out Joint in the World

Pangong Lake

Leh

Safety tips for women travelling to Leh

• With an alarming increase in the number of sexual assault cases it is the mere duty of women to give first priority to safety and security. Women are easier target for theft and hence being alert about your surroundings would be very useful.
• Carry a light weight luggage with essentials which makes it comfortable when shifting to airport and other places. Place your wallets, mobiles, cameras in your front pocket to avoid theft and show your smartness.
• When travelling in a train it’s better to accommodate yourself beside a women traveler. Regular eye contact or signaling through eyes should be avoided, as this paves way for serious sexual harassment problems.  Lock your luggage to ensure safety.
•  In case you come across a procession or traditional crowd avoid participating as the horde would surely have drunken men around.
• Reading through the reviews and testimonials in websites is another way which gives you a clear vision about safety and security as a single women traveler.
• Carry a torch (flashlight) at night, as there is next to no street lighting, and there are some very deep drainage ditches. Beware of stray street dogs as they get aggressive and sometimes territorial after dark, especially in the inner alleys and near the restaurants.

For more detailed information about travel, hotels, sightseeing, restaurants, shopping and more about Leh, visit the website,  www.JoGuru.com

 

 

 

 

Why London is my favorite holiday destination?

London for me is the best place to enjoy vacations whether you are traveling alone, with friends, family or kids. London is a place for all kinds of people and people of all ages.London has that vibe of happiness and welcoming smiles from people making you feel like a part of their city. London still has its rich culture and heritage intact along with its tremendous growth as a powerful city. It is the central hub for retail, fashion, IT, films, and theatre, finance et all, hence has one of the busiest and beautiful airports in the world.

It has numerous tourist attractions and sight-seeing places to visit. They are unique in their style, architecture, and history, awe-inspiring and lovely. The mode of transportation in London is so systematic and the sign boards throughout the city are self explanatory and never make you feel lost. The London Underground, popularly called tube stations have tube maps and are very easy and cost effective mode of traveling. Even buses are a good option. The trademark London black cab is very good to try a small distance just for the experience sake of it and not a preferable mode to travel, they very expensive. There is a hop on hop off tour bus which tours along London Attractions and major landmarks of the city. There are night tour buses too. Cycling is also an option for tourists.

There are innumerable eat outs, cafes, pubs and restaurants in London. Being a foodie myself, trying out English food is what I enjoyed the most. English people prefer breakfast as the biggest meal of the day, big breakfast with English Tea is sumptuous, tasty, healthy and soul gratifying. English desserts are a must try, they are gooey, sweet and juicy (yum yum).

People of any place represent their Country’s culture and ethics. English people come across as the most warm and friendly people, I have had an amazing experience with locals and some of them helping me during my travel, hence making my trip a memorable one. London is one of the most fashionable cities in the world. I was amazed by their impeccable dressing sense and the way they carry themselves. There are many places to shop some exclusive designer clothes, trendy dresses and shoes et all. Central London is the shopping hub and you can find almost all major brands and designer shops here.

The Royal Quote

River Thames, Westminster

Tower Bridge

Iconic London Phone Booth

Hop on Hop Off Tour Bus

Buckingham Palace, Royal gaurds

The famous Fish n Chips

Regent Street for Shopping

London Eye

Hyde Park

There are many bed and breakfast options available for people looking for cheaper accommodation, there are many hotels across London which fits in your budget.

Weather is unpredictable in London, and you can expect spells of rain at odd times of the day even during off seasons, nevertheless the spirit of Londoners and the lively attitude of making tourists feel at home make London the most happening city in the world for me.

The Nightlife in London is just wow. The young and the old enjoy alike. The clubs are safe for women and the music is upbeat and trendy. Some clubs do have a dress code. No stags allowed in most of the clubs. My favorites are ministry of sound and tiger tiger.

There are many kids entertainment spots and hang out places. Special attention is given to kids at several stores. There are many easy travel access options for physically challenged, elderly people and pregnant women. 24 hours police helpline is available for safety and protection.

River Thames flows across the city, giving London an awesome look and feel. The city itself is very clean and they have well-kept it. The theatre urbanity is very good as someone who loves watching plays; I had time to watch a play called ‘The Suit’; I thoroughly enjoyed the performance of the artists. The Royal Albert Hall and O2 arena always have concerts happening almost every weekend and its bliss for all the music lovers.

London is a cosmopolitan city and you find people from almost every part of the world. Of all the places I visited in London, Greenwich is my favorite spot; this place is away from the hustle bustle of the city and is very calm, especially cutty sark overlooking the river. The royal Naval College is nearby and allowed for public view. The prime meridian or mean time at Royal observatory is one of its kinds in the world and a part of National Maritime Museum situated here. The Greenwich market exhibits antique and vintage things on display and sale and there are many street food stalls to try out. I plan a London trip almost every year and now it feels like my second home.

Why travel is not an option but a requisite lifestyle?

Are you a frequent traveler? Then, you are the best person to ascertain that travelling is not just an option but a need for a seamless standard of living today. Since centuries, travel has been a desired pastime for people of all ages at all times. Today’s hectic and stressful life has made people to squeeze in time for small trips, meaningful traveling and of course optimum utilization of quality of time. However, it is something that is needed for sure in order to discover the best within you and the best of the world.

Let’s look at the overview of why and how travel plays a major role in present lifestyle.

Travel Bug

Family & Vaccation

Travel Suitcase

True travel quote

• Traveling lets you explore new things

Things that you have not come across before could be best known only when you travel. Having a realistic experience of the existing situations is something that is easily learnt and cherished for a long time. Sharing your experiences with others with a similar taste will increase your repute.

• Learning new cultures is best possible with travelling

People travel to learn about new ways of leading life. Perhaps, reaching to a far off location will let you explore some of the best features on par with the actual requirements you got in your life. Traveling and acknowledgement of the new culture and tradition of other places makes you more humble, friendly and a giving person.

• Get acquainted to new living conditions

Travel is all about learning and growing as a person. Be prepared for the change as change is always good. When you are traveling for the first time, don’t expect all the comforts of back home, be happy to adjust and let go. The more open minded you are about living in any decent place, adjusting and accommodating you will enjoy your travel and surely have a memorable experience with the locals.

• Explore cheapest modes of travel and accommodation

Affordability is one feature that you get to explore for sure. For instance, you can know the best modes of travel to a specific location and how people travel in other places. Making acquaintances in a new place will be highly useful in future in case of emergency whenever you visit the new location.

• Do your research about the place you are visiting.

Not knowing about the city and expecting a sour experience leaves a bad taste and sometimes you might end up not traveling to that place again. Instead, do your home work about the city, culture, tradition, best and worst, do’s and don’ts in the city and without doubt you will enjoy the best holiday trip.

Apart from the above reasons, there are several reasons that why travel has become more of a necessity in recent times. Travel is more than sight-seeing and relaxation. However, there are many travel websites which help amateurs and frequent travelers to plan their itinerary and know more about the city they are visiting, info, reviews and advice, tripadvisor,JoGuru.com, wikitravel to name a few. My friends, travel is the only thing that makes you richer and bolder and better.

Kyoto – Best Tourist Attractions for Lasting Memories

Kyoto

 

Kyoto is one of the major cities in Japan and also cultural and spiritual center giving tourists more than one reasons to visit this city time and again.  Tourists across the world enjoy a perfect tour with the availability of maximum choices to enjoy and relax and explore Kyoto. Spending some of the beautiful moments of your life is ideally possible in this regard.

Kyoto is the perfect destination for you to spend some quality time along with your friends and family in serene locations. Kyoto is different in culture, architecture, lifestyle and food habits. It will be rejuvenating experience for the first  timers. Regarded as the royal city of Japan, it has served as the official residence of emperor for almost 1000 years. Here are some of the best locations for you.

Spend your best moments in Kinkaku-ji

The Golden Pavilion in Kyoto holds special place among the hearts of not just locals but visitors as well. Watching the rippled surface in the beautiful small pond in its premises provides some of the best moments for the tourists.

Here some of the other places to visit

• Ginkaku-ji
• Toei Kyoto Studio Park
• Ryoan-ji

Best Kyoto sightseeing Locations for You

Spending memorable moments in the city of Kyoto will leave behind some of the special feelings, which you would like to cherish for a long time. Getting along with your friends and family will let you explore all those feelings for which you have been raring to give a go.

Gion is the perfect sightseeing place with its collection of streets full of wooden buildings providing an ultimate feature on an overall. Having been in Kyoto for a long time will let you explore all those feelings that you must have been missing.

Prefer the best sightseeing locations given below.

• Kyo-Ryori
• International Manga Museum of Kyoto
• The Arty East End

Things to see in Kyoto for Memorable Feelings

Being in Kyoto to spend special summer vacations will leave behind some of the refreshing moments for you. You need to consider ll those options available for you in this regard to  prioritize your requirements is the best possible way. In fact, this fast developing Japanese city is the exact place to be in case you would like to explore best features. Some must see things in Kyoto are listed below.

• Katsura Imperial Villa
• Mount Kurama
• Fushimi Inari-taisha
• Nijo Castle

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There are many other beautiful attractions in Kyoto which is a must-see list for all the tourists. For more information on planning a comprehensive tour to Kyoto, please go through some travel related sites like wikitravel, tripadvisor and JoGuru.com travel guide.