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What to see in Bucharest? – A Bucharest Bucket List

Bucharest – An Introduction

Bucharest – the capital city of Romania and also the largest, usually acts as the entry point into Romania and as a gateway to the historic region of Transylvania comprising cities like Sighisoara, Brasov, Cluj – Napoca, Sibiu among others. Dating back to 1459 (as per some documents), the legend has it that the city of Bucharest on the banks of Dambovita River was founded by Bucor, a shepherd – the name literally meaning ‘joy’. His flute playing apparently dazzled the people and his hearty wine from nearby vineyards endeared him to the local traders, who gave his name to the place.

I visited Bucharest for the first time back in May 2018, as a part of the Experience Bucharest and Experience Romania initiative. After a year, I got the chance of visiting Romania again in July 2019, and this time I experienced a yet a different shade of Bucharest. While Communism changed the face of Bucharest forever, Bucharest has grown into a promising metropolitan European capital city, and the Bucharest of today – which is without a doubt, one of the best destinations in the World for Solo Travellers, has become a very interesting mix of old and new that has little to do with its former reputation.

With so much of history associated with a lot of buildings and neighbourhoods, to get a good understanding of what Bucharest is all about and what it has to offer, I highly recommend you spend a minimum of 3 days in this capital city, which is home to three big parks, a lot of churches and also the second largest administrative building in the world (after Pentagon) – the Palace of Parliament.

If you’re wondering what to do in Bucharest? Or What are the top things to do in Bucharest? I highly recommend that YOU check out these 5 Sights in Bucharest that should definitely be there on your bucket list, irrespective of the days you decide to stay.

Also if you are not aware, three of these places – Bucharest Old Town, the Romanian Athenaeum and the Palace of Parliament, Bucharest have a Bollywood connection. These are 3 of the 5 Iconic Gems in Romania where the bollywood movie Singh is Bliing was shot.

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Palace of Parliament

The Palace of Parliament is the world’s second-largest authoritative structure (after the Pentagon) and will presumably be the first spot you visit in Bucharest, as it is without a doubt, one of the most iconic landmarks in Bucharest. However, please note that the entry is by guided visit only, so please book ahead. Entry to the palace is from B-dul Naţiunile Unite on the structure’s northern side (to discover it, face the front of the palace from B-dul Unirii and stroll around the structure to the right).

In front of the Palace of Parliament on my ride by Blinkee

A guided tour of the Palace of Parliament takes visitors through a small selection of dazzling rooms, huge halls and quarters used by the Senate (when not in session).

It was commissioned under the communist dictatorship of Ceausescu, who employed 700 architects, and around 20,000 odd workers for this venture and, you too can visit this 12 storied fortress and see the grandeur for yourself.

This 270 m by 240 m Neoclassical structure exists as much underground as it is visible over the ground, and on the off chance that the measurements don’t give you a legitimate picture, at that point simply note that the structure has more than 1,100 rooms!

While the Palace of Parliament is visible from most parts of Bucharest, its real impact needs to be experienced and grandeur to be admired, up close at Strada Izvor.

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Arcul de Triumf

The next iconic attraction in Bucharest that you need to visit is the iconic Arcul de Triumf (Arch of Triumph). Raised in 1922, to commemorate the fallen soldiers in World War 1, the original Arc was made of wood. It was then replaced by the concrete version that we see today, standing at 27 m high, and inaugurated in September 1936.

It was designed by architect Petre Antonescu and decorated by famous Romanian sculptors, including Ion Jalea and Dimitrie Paciurea.

Today, the Arcul de Triumf stands as a monument of Independence, honouring the martyrs of both the War of Independence (1878) and World War 1 (1922); and is visited by tourists around the year. Every year on 1st December, a military parade is held under Arcul de Triumf on the occasion of Romania’s National Day.

Arcul De Triumf | Photo by Nicole Baster on Unsplash

There is a staircase leading all the way up, however it’s open only on special occasions. The view from the top, is indeed a panoramic one overlooking one of the busiest roundabouts in Bucharest.

It’s not everyday that you get the chance to view the city from the top of Arcul de Triumf, and I’ve been lucky to have done this twice, thanks to Experience Bucharest.

Bucharest Old Town

Any trip to Bucharest is incomplete without spending some time in the vibrant Bucharest Old Town, sometimes referred to as Little Paris, or as Centru Vechi (the old centre) by the locals.

After decades of neglect, major infrastructure renovation works have breathed new life into Bucharest’s Old Town, and made this vibrant city centre a hub of activities. A walk through the cobbled stone streets, lined with historic buildings, is definitely one of the best things to do in Bucharest, and warrants a blog post of its own as well 😝

Some of the best experiences to have in Old Town Bucharest are, to visit the churches, go pub crawling, trying out yummy Romanian dishes, visiting one of World’s most beautiful bookstores – Carturesti Carousel among others.

The Instagrammable Carturesti Carousel in Bucharest

The historic architecture, the old churches, the outdoor terraces and cafés and the romantic feel make the Old Town, one of the most enticing areas of the city, and something that you don’t want to miss out on for sure.

Old Town Bucharest | Photo by Hari Nandakumar on Unsplash

Lipscani Old Town Bucharest

Pasajul Macca – Vilacrosse

Two of the best restaurants and bars in Bucharest Old Town that I recommend you to experience are the Pura Vida Sky Bar and NOMAD Skybar. Sundowners at Pura Vida Sky Bar is an experience in itself. 😎

One of the best ways to explore Bucharest Old Town is to join one of the Free Walking Tours by BTrip Bucharest. This way not only will you get to know your way around, but also learn about the history associated with multiple sights.

Sunset Vibes at Pura Vida Sky Bar

Romanian Athenaeum

Another one of the striking attractions of Bucharest within walking distance of Bucharest Old Town, on Victory Avenue, is the Romanian Athenaeum. Built between 1886 and 1888, Romanian Athenaeum, dubbed as the Romanian Temple of Arts, is essentially a grand concert hall. It is home to the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra and normally only opens during concerts.

One of the finest buildings in Bucharest, The façade of the Romanian Athenaeum is guarded, so to say, by 6 monumental 12 meters high columns, and the entire structure is overtopped by a monumental dome which rises to 41 meters above the ground level.

The Romanian Athenaeum is without a doubt one of the most Instagrammable locations in Bucharest.

The inside of the athenaeum has a capacity of almost 800 seats, and its highlights refer to the 12 Carrara marble hallway columns and to the four monumental Gothic stairs which make the connection between sundry sections of the venue.

The Romanian Athenaeum is one such landmark in Bucharest, that will definitely not go unnoticed, as you explore Bucharest on foot, primarily because of the majestic facade. Almost all the walking tours in Bucharest, cover this Bucharest attraction as well.

Seeing the grandeur of the Romanian Athenaeum from inside was definitely one of the highlights of my first trip to Bucharest in May 2018.

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Piața Unirii / Unirii Square

Piața Unirii or Union Square / Unification Square in english, is one of the largest squares in Bucharest. Originally built during the Communist era as the Boulevard of the Victory of Socialism, it was renamed after the Romanian Revolution.

Today Piața Unirii is home to 44 synchronised musical fountains, however before the 1980’s, this area was home to houses and food markets, and was pretty small, compared to what it is today.

While the fountains have been there for quite a while, it was only in late 2018, when a major refurbishment took place, making it one of the major Bucharest attractions. It is now designed as per latest technologies, and is a spectacle to admire. Every weekend from May to October in the evening at 8:30, for a duration of 45 minutes, the Unirii square in Bucharest is filled with spectators, who come to witness the Symphony of Water – A synchronized fountain spectacle accompanied with colourful lights music, leaves everyone in awe.

Bucharest – Symphony of Water | Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash

PS – It gets crowded, so make sure to reach there before time – giving you plenty of time to choose a good vantage point, to enjoy this spectacle without anyone obstructing your view.

Also note that this is also walking distance from Bucharest Old Town (opposite direction of the Romanian Athenaeum), so you can plan your route accordingly.

Bucharest One Day Travel Itinerary

All of these 5 Sights and Attractions in Bucharest can be covered in a day. A suggested Bucharest One Day Itinerary can be as follows :

Start the day by strolling around the cobbled stone streets of Bucharest Old Town, understanding the history of the different structures, then head towards the Palace of Parliament for a guided tour (check the timings and tickets here).

While exploring Bucharest, if you want to grab a quick bite, look out for Langos – which is one of the Best Street Food in Europe.

Thereafter head back towards Bucharest Old Town, covering both Arcul de Triumf and Romanian Athenaeum. If time permits, do spend some time surrounded by greenery by visiting one of the three major parks in Bucharest such as the Herăstrău Park. Come evening, make your way to Pura Vida Sky Bar for a couple of drinks, whilst enjoying the sunset.

And finally around 8ish, start making your way on foot towards Piața Unirii, to witness the musical fountains. Post this, you can go on a Pub Crawl in Bucharest Old Town, have a hearty traditional meal, such as the sumptuous Gulas, and call it a day.

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Where to Stay in Bucharest?

If you are wondering Where to stay in Bucharest? Here’s my recommendations :

Budget Properties / Hostels in Bucharest – Pura Vida Sky Bar and Hostel | Little Bucharest Old Town Hostel

Mid Range Properties in Bucharest – Mercure Bucharest City Centre | ibis Styles Bucharest City Centre | Novotel Bucharest City Centre

Luxury Properties in Bucharest – JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel | Intercontinental Hotel Bucharest

View from InterContinental Bucharest

Hope you guys enjoyed reading about these Top 5 Sights and Attractions in Bucharest. If you want to read more of my Romania travel articles published here on the Eat | Travel | Live | Repeat blog, check these out :

Sighișoara Photo Blog

5 Iconic Gems of Romania

Experience Romania – A Weekend in Danube Delta

Don’t forget to Pin this Bucharest Travel Bucket List featuring 5 Unmissable Sights and Attractions in Bucharest and if you have any queries, or need any help in planning a trip to Romania, please feel free to drop in a mail to [email protected]

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Experience Bucharest – Top 5 Sights and Attractions What to see in Bucharest? - A Bucharest Bucket List Bucharest - An Introduction Bucharest - the capital city of Romania and also the largest, usually acts as the entry point into Romania and as a gateway to the historic region of Transylvania comprising cities like…

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Travel Bucket List – Most Colourful Destinations in the United States (U.S)

The varied topography, climate ranges, and cultural hubs of the United States provide some of the most diverse and dynamic scenery on the planet.

Ramp up the hues on your next vacation; pack your bags and visit some of the most colourful destinations in the US.

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Ocean Drive, Miami Beach

Hop a flight to South Florida, and the color palette’s guaranteed to impress. Along Miami’s Ocean Drive in South Beach, palm trees flutter in the coastal breeze, and pastel-painted Art Deco structures overlook the teal waters of the Atlantic.

This culturally-rich stretch of street features nearly 1,000 historic buildings, plus boutique hotels, rooftop terraces, and a chic dining scene. Want to consume some colors when you visit South Beach? Nab a seat at an award-winning ethnic eatery or spend a Saturday morning strolling through the SOBE Farmers’ Market.

Don’t stop the scenery-spotting here, though; there’s more to see in sunny South Florida. Rent a car, drop off your non-essential gear at a Miami luggage storage site, and hit Highway 1 for the Keys.

Ocean Drive Miami | Unsplash | Hector Falcon

Where to stay in Miami?

Nautilus by Arlo | Hilton Cabana Miami Beach | Loews Miami Beach Hotel

Key West, Florida Keys

Another colorful Florida destination, Key West wows with paradise vibes, turquoise skies, and whimsical neighborhoods peppered with hue-riffic Caribbean-style cottages. This small Florida Keys community is planted in the southernmost section of the United States, with a laidback lifestyle and hopping bar scene.

To maximize your exposure to this vibrant Florida Keys vacation destination, set off on a sunset sailing excursion or scope out the city scenery with a bike tour of Old Town Key West.

Where to stay in Key West?

Havana Cabana at Key West | Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina | The Laureate Key West

River Walk, San Antonio

Colors come from countless sources on the stunning San Antonio River Walk. This urban South Texas oasis lines the San Antonio River, with waterfront walkways winding between the shore and sections of shops, restaurants, and cultural hotspots.

Have lunch alfresco under the rainbow of Casa Rio’s umbrellas, appreciate the elaborate architecture of the Mediterranean-style Hotel Valencia Riverwalk, or enjoy views from the water on a San Antonio river cruise.

San Antonio River Walk | Flickr | Nan Palmero

Where to stay in San Antonio?

Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk | Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk | San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter

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Painted Desert, Arizona

In northeast Arizona, the surreal, rugged landscapes of the Painted Desert explode in rust-colored rock formations, purple-hued hills, and sparsely-spaced succulents. Spanning the land gap between the Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest National Park, the Painted Desert is one of Earth’s most unique places.

For the best views, hike the Painted Desert Rim Trail near Chambers, AZ, or take the Painted Desert Scenic Drive, which begins about 25 miles east of Holbrook. And, whatever you do during your colorific visit, don’t miss a Painted Desert sunset.

Las Vegas, Nevada

While in pursuit of America’s most colorful destinations, consider a Vegas visit. The lights and sights of this world-class entertainment hub are picture-perfect. Las Vegas hits high on the colorful destination spectrum, from the vibrant, over-the-top themes of the hotel scene to the vast, dusty desert land just beyond the city limits.

Spend a day touring The Strip (consider hailing an Uber or two while spot-hopping; these aren’t your typical city blocks), and as night falls, hit the glimmering streets of the downtown area for some of the best performances in Vegas.

Where to stay in Las Vegas?

M Resort Spa & Casino | Cancun Resort Las Vegas By Diamond Resorts | Marriott’s Grand Chateau

Painted Cove Trail, Mitchell, Oregon

For a tranquil sight-seeing stop, plan a trip to central Oregon. In this land of lava fields and lush, mountainous terrain, you’ll find the Painted Cove Trail near Mitchell. This unassuming path flies under the radar but offers some of the most picturesque views in the Pacific Northwest.

Just 30 miles north of Ochoco National Forest and a two-hour drive from Bend, Painted Cove Trail weaves through a section of the John Day Fossil Beds, and this place is totally worth the trip.

This easy, family-friendly trail is less than a half-mile long and winds around sienna-colored clay mounds that flow into charcoal gravel beds. Views span for miles from various points along the boardwalk-paved trail, and benches are planted along the way.

Did you know that Crater National Park is the only National Park in Oregon. It also happens to be one of the Best National Parks in the USA for Adventure junkies and nature lovers. So don’t forget to add that to your Oregon Travel Itinerary as well.

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Waimea Canyon State Park, Hawaii

For some Hawaiian hues, head for the Big Island. Waimea Canyon State Park spans over 1,800 acres of the Island of Hawaii’s northwestern region.

Nature’s paintbrush put in some overtime here. Rust-colored canyon walls frame lush rainforest valleys, and rushing waters cascade over mountain ledges. Hiking at Waimea Canyon State Park is probably the best way to access the most breathtaking views; trails range from easy to extremely challenging.

When you plan on visiting Hawaii, do spend a week at least in Oahu – the third largest island in Hawaii, and this 7 Day Oahu – Hawaii Travel Itinerary, would prove to be quite helpful to you. So don’t forget to bookmark it and save it for the future!

Where to stay in and around Waimea?

The Cabins at Kokee | Koloa Landing Resort at Po’ipu, Autograph Collection | Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kauai by Outrigger

New England in the Fall

For the ultimate color-filled vacation, head for New England in the fall. As summer temps begin to dip, the region’s vast forestlands erupt in explosions of fiery hues. Leaf-peeping is a popular pastime throughout the area, though there are some specific spots to visit if you want to get the most of your New England fall foliage trip.

Fall in New England | Petr Kratochvil | Public Domain Pictures

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Vermont

For top-notch leaf-viewing opportunities, take a road trip on one of Vermont’s longest stretches of road. Route 100 runs for over 200 miles, from the state’s northern border to its southern neighbor, Massachusetts. The highway winds along mountainsides and farm fields, and through some of Vermont’s most popular cities.

While scoping out the most beautiful foliage in Vermont, you might as well toss some bridges in, too. Montgomery, VT, is just south of the Canadian border, and this little city is surrounded by rivers. Snap some bridge pics, hike one of the roadside trails, and, with all these scenic distractions, remember to look at the leaves.

Foilage in Vermont | Flickr | Richard Ricciardi

Where to stay in Vermont?

Trapp Family Lodge | The Pointe at Castle Hill Resort & Spa

Maine

Move onto Maine for more spectacular views. This sprawling state’s array of climate conditions cultivates some of the most varied plant life (and leaf shows) in the region.

Aroostook State Park is an excellent place to launch your fall foliage tour in Maine. This northern park is one of the first places to burst into glowing golds and rich reds each season and offers some fantastic hiking trails for supreme color exposure.

For a little adventure during your Maine leaf-peeping trip, make a beeline for the Moxie Falls Trail in western Maine. Rustic boardwalks and rugged pathways weave through peaceful forests, eventually ending at the 100-foot-tall Moxie Falls. Pack a camera for this one…and some bug spray, too.

Where to stay in Portland – Maine?

The Press Hotel, Autograph Collection | The Francis | Portland Harbor Hotel

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10 of the Most Colourful Destinations in the United States (U.S) Travel Bucket List - Most Colourful Destinations in the United States (U.S) The varied topography, climate ranges, and cultural hubs of the United States provide some of the most diverse and dynamic scenery on the planet.

#2020 #America #Things To Do #United States

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The Best of Aruba in 7 Days + A suggested 7 Day Travel Itinerary

Bon Bini ! Welcome ! While One Happy Island makes for a great getaway for a long weekend, Aruba is best enjoyed over a magical week. This island country is a constituent of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, along with Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the Netherlands. The country is just miles from the Venezuelan coast.

Aruba’s location in the southern Caribbean means that it has idyllic weather year-round. It is far enough south that it avoids the hurricanes that threaten the rest of the islands in the Caribbean. But this also means that it receives little rain, creating what is mostly a desert island. This is great news for sun-seekers.

At less than 70 square miles (180 km²), Aruba is the ideal destination for a one week trip. Visitors can easily travel from the northern end of the island to the south in just over 30 minutes — barring any traffic. Most people coming to Aruba are looking for a beach escape. But you’ll also want to explore the island.

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Best Things to do in Aruba – The Aruba Travel Bucket List

Flamingo Beach

One of the most popular attractions on Aruba is Flamingo Beach, where you can sun yourself with a flamboyance of flamingos. Located on a private island, Renaissance Island, this adults-only beach is reserved primarily for guests of the Renaissance Hotels. There are plenty of other activities on the island, including kayaking and a spa. But by far the most popular, and Instagrammable, is posing with the flamingos on the beach.

Natural Pool

Aruba’s rocky eastern shore has an area in the Arikok National Park in which the rocks have formed an area that collects water from the adjacent Caribbean Sea. The natural pool, Conchi, is a can’t-miss spot in Aruba. Visitors can swim and snorkel in the Natural Pool. The more adventurous will jump in. The busiest times are from mid-morning through mid-afternoon, when tour groups arrive at a steady pace.

Eagle Beach

Consistently ranked one of the world’s best beaches every year, Eagle Beach is worth a visit. Better yet, book a resort on Eagle Beach to enjoy its beauty each day of your stay. With its white sand beaches and azure waters, Eagle Beach is a beach lover’s dream come true.

California Lighthouse

Located at the northwest end of the island, visitors will find the California Lighthouse, named for a steamship that wrecked nearby in 1891. Because it is far away from built-up areas, it provides a beautiful view of the island and Palm Beach.

Aruba California Lighthouse | Flickr | Serge Melki

Ayo and Casibari Rock Formations

The Aruban government has created hiking paths along these rock formations and they each have observation towers near the top. Not only can you cool off, but you can see Venezuela from the top. These are also spots to see ancient (petroglyph rock art) drawings of island inhabitants from thousands of years ago.

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Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins

In the 19th century, the island served as a gold mine, with more than 3 million pounds of the precious metal excavated from the land. Today, all that remains are the ruins of the gold-smelting facility.

Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins | Flickr | Rick Seidel

Arikok National Park

Located on the eastern side of the island and covering almost a fifth of the area, the Arikok National Park is truly a treasure. The $11 admission fee is a true bargain considering everything it covers — great hiking trails, Quadiriki Caves with ancient drawings, and the Natural Pool.

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Best Experiences in Aruba

Go windsurfing, kitesurfing, or kiteboarding

If, like me, you don’t know the difference between these three different activities, Aruba is the perfect place to learn. Aruba’s constant trade winds make it the ideal place to learn or perfect your skills in these.

Try wreck diving

Well-known for scuba diving, divers can explore the Antilla, the Caribbean’s largest wreck, among others. (Or stay dry and ride the Atlantis Submarine if you want to see underwater life and wrecks.)

Go snorkeling

Bring your snorkel gear with you. You’ll appreciate it for the Natural Pool. There is some good snorkeling available at Mangel Halto, Arashi, Palm, and multiple other beaches as well.

Ride an ATV or UTV

The island is covered in inaccessible spots and getting to them is half the fun. One of the best ways to do that is to drive or ride in an ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) or UTV (Utility Task Vehicle). What’s the difference? A UTV allows driver and passenger to ride side-by-side, where you sit on a bench. An ATV carries a single driver, who straddles it like a bike. Either way, this is a fun way to explore Aruba’s natural beauty!

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Where to stay in Aruba ?

Hotels / Apartments | Aparthotels in Aruba

Swiss Paradise Aruba Villas and Suites | Blue Residences | Bananas Apartments | Aruba Comfort Palm Beach Condo

Luxury Resorts in Aruba

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino | Holiday Inn Resort Aruba – Beach Resort & Casino | Eagle Aruba Resort & Casino | Courtyard by Marriott Aruba Resort

A Recommended 7 Day Aruba Travel Itinerary

Because Aruba is such a small island, and because you’re on vacation, this one week Aruba itinerary should be less structured than what you’re used to finding. Instead, find some recommendations on how you may want to arrange your days, taking into account how much sightseeing you may want to do compared to lounging in the sun, your budget, and interests.

The Magical Sunsets in Aruba

Day 1 and 2 – Flamingo Beach

If you plan on going to Flamingo Beach, reserve a night at one of the Renaissance Hotels, either the first or last night of your stay. Since admission costs $125 per person, the cost of a room is often equivalent to the price of admission for a couple. You’ll be guaranteed admission to the beach and have access to the beach both the day you check-in and the day you check out. If you choose to stay at one of the Renaissance Hotels, use this time in Oranjestad to also:

Ride the trolley

Explore Oranjestad

Go shopping

Visit the casino (if that’s your thing)

Day 3 – Relax and Chill

Relax in your new hotel. Enjoy the amenities. Try snorkeling.

Day 4 – Book an ATV, UTV or 4WD tour

Adventure awaits! Bring a refillable water bottle, something to cover your face to protect from the dirt (many tour companies provide this), sunscreen, towel, snorkel gear, and sunglasses. Wear a swimsuit and clothes that you don’t mind if you don’t ever get the dirt out of them!

Include a visit to these places on Day 4 of this 7 Day Aruba Travel Itinerary

Natural Pool

Arikok National Park

Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins

Ayo and Casibari Rock Formations

Day 5 – Try something new or Explore the island in a rented car

Try something new – windsurfing or kitesurfing perhaps. Or rent a car and explore the rest of the island if you need to escape the sun.

Day 6 – Chill by the beach

Last full day to enjoy the sun. Enjoy the beach at your hotel or explore new beaches.

Day 7 – Souvenir shopping and Departure

Last minute sunning and souvenir shopping. Depart for home.

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Aruba’s tourist-friendly environment welcomes visitors. While Dutch and Papamiento are the official languages in Aruba, just about everyone speaks at least some English. The official currency is the Aruba florin. But US currency is widely accepted (though you may receive change in florins). Tipping is not obligatory, though some restaurants and bars add a service charge of 10-15%.

If you’re looking for a tropical getaway, Aruba fits the bill. Aruba’s perfect climate and white sand beaches provide the perfect setting for great travel memories. It isn’t surprising that so many couples and families choose Aruba. You should visit the One Happy Island too and make your own memories!

We hope you found this 7 Day Aruba Travel Itinerary, to be of help to you, as a reliable Travel Resource for planning your Trip to Aruba. Don’t forget to Pin these images, and save this One Week Aruba Travel Itinerary, for future travel planning.

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If you enjoyed reading this 7 Day Aruba Itinerary and Travel Guide, you might want to check out some other 7 Day Travel Guides and Itineraries, as well.

The Best of Oahu – Hawaii in 7 Days

The 7 Day Nairobi Travel Itinerary and Guide

One Week in Scotland | Travel Itinerary and Travel Guide

Best of South Africa in 7 Days

The 7 Day Myanmar Road Trip Itinerary

One Week in Crete | Greece – Travel Itinerary and Travel Guide

7 Days in Israel – A Detailed Travel Itinerary

7 Day Road Trip to Bhutan – The Last Shangri La

One Week in Kerala – God’s Own Country

The Epic 7 Day Leh Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

Best of Netherlands in 7 Days

One Week in Cambodia – Travel Guide and Itinerary

And if you like reading the content I create and curate, I will be really thankful if you could

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The Aruba Travel Guide + A Recommended 7 Day Itinerary The Best of Aruba in 7 Days + A suggested 7 Day Travel Itinerary Bon Bini !

#2020 #7 Day Travel Itinerary #America #Guest Blog #Things To Do

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Oahu | Hawaii – A 7 Day Travel Itinerary

Hawaii brings to mind beautiful beaches, brightly coloured fish, surfing and luaus. Although all of those things are true, there is so much more to this beautiful island nation, and there is a reason so many people visit again and again.

Oahu is the third largest island in Hawaii, as well as the most popular for visitors. It is currently home to over a million people, and gets many visitors from across the world, especially from the mainland U.S, Australia, Japan and Korea. Hawaii has its own airline, a full service provider called ‘Hawaiian Airlines’, which flies between Hawaii and North America, Asia and the South Pacific. There are also many other airlines that fly direct to Honolulu from across the world, giving you plenty of options to find cheap flights to Hawaii and start planning your own dream vacation in Hawaii.

We recommend staying in Waikiki so you can be where all the action is, though if you want a more relaxing vibe, head up to the North Shore. We also suggest hiring a car, which makes it much easier to get to all the best places, and there are plenty of cheap and convenient options both at the airport and in Honolulu.

Here are some suggestions for spending a week in the Hawaiian island of Oahu!

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[toc]

Day 1 – Waikiki

Open up your eyes on your first day in paradise, and get ready to ease into island life with a relaxing wander around beautiful Waikiki. Depending on where you are staying, make your way down to the waterfront and walk along the famous beach, have a swim, or take advantage of one of the many kiosks that offer beach lounges, stand up paddle boards or surf boards for hire. Make sure you keep an eye out for fish, turtles and even seals, who are known to frequent the beach (apparently they don’t mind the crowds!).

Once you’re full of sun and sea (never!), venture one street in to Kalakaua Avenue, which has all the shopping, markets, bars and restaurants anyone could need. This bustling street is the hub of Waikiki, and is often busy even late at night. Take your time exploring, visit one of the famous ‘ABC Stores’, say hello to the statue of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku (the man responsible for bringing surfing to the world) and enjoy the relaxed vibes of the open shopping centres, markets, restaurants and bars dotted along the main strip.

Waikiki Beach Hawaii

At the end of a long day exploring, relax with a drink under the big banyan tree at the iconic Moana Surfrider hotel (we recommend the ‘Lava Flow’).

Day 2 – Day trip to Kualoa Ranch

Time for some adventure! Head off in your car across the island to Kualoa Ranch (if you don’t have a car, they also offer hotel pick-up), a family owned ranch that offers a range of amazing and fun activities for kids, grown-ups and everyone in between. Visitors can opt for a movie-sites tour (the ranch has been the setting for many Hollywood films including Jumanji, Jurassic Park, King Kong and 50 First Dates), an ATV tour, horse riding, a beach cruise or an adventure jeep tour.

Kualoa Ranch

There are several packages that combine different tours and activities, and it is best to book early to get the best availability. Most packages also include a buffet lunch, and there is a great gift shop on site too, as well as several small exhibitions to peruse while you wait for your next activity.

If you’re not too exhausted after all the fun, have dinner at the amazing Duke’s restaurant (named after the man himself, Duke Paoa Kahanamoku) in Waikiki – make sure you book in advance for this one. There is often live music, and an incredible menu featuring the most delicious ‘surf n’ turf’ around.

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Day 3 – North Shore

Get away from the bustle of Waikiki and head north…to the North Shore! Known for it’s incredible surf break, the beautiful North Shore is laid back and comprises a bunch of towns spread along the coast, with Haleiwa being the main hub for tourists. Along the way, stop in at the Dole Pineapple Plantation which – along with many, many pineapple plants – features a fun maze, and is also a great place to try delicious ‘Dole Whip’; the dairy-free pineapple gelato (which is so yummy, Disneyland have it at their parks!).

Haleiwa itself is full of cool stores and quirky cafes, and don’t forget to try the infamous shaved ice at Matsumoto’s (they have around 40 different flavours). If you want to check out the biggest waves, venture to the nearby Waimea Bay or Sunset Beach, home to the famous ‘Pipeline’ surfing competitions – though we recommend getting lessons before trying them yourself.

While you’re up that way, you can also visit the Turtle Bay Luxury Resort, which features in the film ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ and has a much calmer beach to swim at, if you feel like a dip.

Turtle Bay Resort | Flickr | Scott McLeod

And don’t forget to try the famous garlic shrimp! Found only at the food trucks scattered throughout the North Shore, these delicious morsels are sought after by locals and tourists alike.

Day 4 – Get cultural at the Polynesian Cultural Centre

Time to get cultural! Rated as the number one tourist attraction on Oahu, the Polynesian Cultural Centre is about an hours drive from Waikiki (though they also provide hotel pick-ups, if you don’t have a car), but an absolute must-visit. Visitors can explore the culture, history and lifestyle of six Pacific Island nations, with each represented by their own ‘island’, where visitors can meet locals, see shows and engage in cultural activities – even paddle a canoe! There is plenty of fun to be had by everyone, and once all the different islands have been explored, grab a seat, relax and enjoy the evening shows, or get involved in a traditional luau.

If you choose to do your Luau elsewhere, there are many options for you to choose from – just make sure you choose one! A luau is a really fun and entertaining way to have a traditional Hawaiian experience…and we haven’t even mentioned the amazing food! Definitely an event for your stretchy pants.

Day 5 – Hanunama Bay

Up early today for a visit to beautiful Hanauma Bay, where you are surrounded by vibrant ocean life as soon as you enter the water.

The beach isn’t far from Waikiki (only around 15 minutes by car), and visitors can easily get a bus or even an Uber to the entrance if you don’t have a car. There are also tours that offer hotel pick-up and include snorkel equipment, if you don’t want to buy or hire your own. We recommend getting there around 8am, when it opens, as it can get very busy later in the day.

Hanauma Bay Oahu -Hawaii | D Ramey Logan | Wikimedia Commons

Upon arrival, you will be asked to watch a reef safety video before entering the beach, which takes roughly 10 minutes and teaches visitors about how to keep themselves and the reef safe while snorkelling. Once that is done, head down the hill to the sand, pick a spot and get your snorkel gear ready (you can bring your own, or hire it at the beach). There is an incredible display of brightly coloured fish, turtles, octopus and even seals in the bay, and it is easy to spend hours with your head under the water. Make sure you wear (reef-safe) sunscreen!

Once you’re done making friends with the fishies, stop by the nearby Hālona Blowhole, where a natural formation causes sea water to blow metres into the air; check out the beautiful Waimānalo Beach, with its pristine sand and turquoise water; and continue on to the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden. Many visitors will know it from it’s ‘insta-famous’ entrance, with it’s long driveway and mountain backdrop, but it is also full of gorgeous native trees, flowers and plants and well worth a visit. It’s a perfect way to relax after all that swimming, and it’s a great idea to bring a picnic (or grab snacks on the way) and eat amongst the banyans.

The Hālona Blowhole

The instagrammable road to Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

Day 6 – Pearl Harbour

No visit to Honolulu would be complete without stopping by Pearl Harbour. Only around 20 minutes drive from Waikiki (parking is free), there are also several tours available which offer hotel pick-up and include a guide for the day. The site became famous in 1941, when the naval base was subjected to a surprise bomb attack by the Japanese, which was the catalyst for the U.S to enter World War 2. The remnants of several ships, submarines and aircraft set the backdrop for visitors to absorb the events and history of the site and the military operations undertaken there.

There are five main historic sites to visit, including the U.S.S Arizona Memorial, the Aviation Museum, the Battleship Missouri, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park and more. Visitors can choose to visit one, a few or all (totally up to you) of the sites, and there are plenty of interactive activities, films, exhibits and and actual battleships, planes and submarines to experience.

If you’re not exhausted by your jaunt into history, once you’re finished at Pearl Harbour head over to the nearby Ala Moana Centre, Waikiki’s premier, open-air shopping centre. With all the major department stores and brands as well as smaller boutique stores, this beautiful centre also has plenty of restaurants, entertainment venues and even a cinema.

Don’t miss a visit to the quirky, underground Japanese section, with a hawker-style food court, market-style stores, karaoke and arcade games, making you feel like you have somehow stepped straight into Tokyo.

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Day 7 – Hike up Diamond Head

Start your final day off with a visit to an iconic Honolulu landmark – Diamond Head. An extinct volcanic crater that looms over Waikiki, visitors can hike up the side of the cone and are rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views at the top. The hike can be reached from Waikiki either by walking (its around a 2.5 mile walk from the main street), or you can drive there and park at the entrance. It can be difficult in parts, but the entire path is paved and it is quite an easy – and very doable – hike, even with kids.

A Bird’s Eye view of the Diamond Head – Oahu Hawaii | Flickr | Eric Tessmer

At the top, visitors can see all across Waikiki beach, as well as inside the crater itself. Take a moment to catch your breath, grab a photo and admire the amazing views before heading back down (don’t worry, the walk down is much easier). At the bottom, if you didn’t get a chance earlier, you can try ‘Dole Whip’ from one of the food trucks, and there are also several other options for hungry and thirsty hikers, like fresh pineapple juice or ice cream.

However, we recommend skipping the food trucks and heading straight to Leonards Bakery (you’ve earned it) only a few miles away, to try the famous ‘Malasadas’ which are traditional Portugese doughnuts (without a hole), filled with a range of delicious flavours which change weekly. The store (which retains its vintage fifties charm) has been an institution in Honolulu since 1953, and now people are known to queue down the street for these delicious puffs of pastry.

Once you’ve eaten your fill, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping at the Waikele Premium Outlets, which offer a bunch of top fashion, homewares and beauty brands at significantly discounted prices. And we mean significantly discounted – sometimes up to 90% off. It’s a great place to pick up some last minute gifts, or treats for yourself (go on, you’re still on holiday).

Where to stay in Oahu – Hawaii ?

Boutique Properties – White Sands Hotel | The Equus | Aqua Oasis

Luxury Properties – Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach | The Laylow, Autograph Collection | Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk

Hawaii is an incredible destination, and if you’re lucky enough to visit we hope you enjoy every second! It is hard not to, in this magical place, and we bet you’ll be itching to go back as soon as you leave.

We hope you found this 7 Day Oahu – Hawaii Travel Itinerary, to be of help to you, as a reliable Travel Resource for planning your Trip to Oahu in Hawaii. Don’t forget to Pin these images, and save this One Week Hawaii Travel Itinerary, for future travel planning.

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If you enjoyed reading this 7 Day Oahu – Hawaii Itinerary and Travel Guide, you might want to check out some other 7 Day Travel Guides and Itineraries, as well.

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eat-travel-live-repeat · 4 years

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A Foodie’s Guide to Bir Billing – The Paragliding Capital of India

Bir is a town situated in the west of Joginder Nagar Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India. Now popular as the “Paragliding Capital of India“, Bir is likewise a prominent centre for ecotourism, spiritual studies and meditation. Bir is also home to a significant Tibetan refugee settlement with severable known Buddhist Monasteries . While Billing is the take off site for paragliding and Bir is where the landing site is; collectively it is referred to as “Bir Billing”.

In the past few years, Bir has become quite popular with the travellers, specially with those who are living the Digital Nomad Life. Popular hostel chains such as Zostel, The Hosteller, The Bunker etc have opened up properties in Bir, catering to the demand of the growing travellers, and likewise the Cafe culture has also grown and developed in the past 2-3 years.

A lot of creative minds, who chose to escape the city life and move to the mountains, have made Bir their home now! And the fact that there are direct buses plying between Bir and Delhi on a daily basis, has contributed significantly in the growth of tourism in the Paragliding Capital of India.

All these factors have made Bir Billing not only a popular Weekend Getaway destination, but also one of India’s growing Digital Nomad Hotspot.

I was fortunate to have spent around 2 weeks in March 2020 (Before Coronavirus aka COVID – 19 was declared an Pandemic by WHO), in Bir Billing, getting High on Himalayas, with a bunch of amazing people, and trying out different dishes to Eat in Bir Billing, on a daily basis, which helped compile this Bir Billing Food Guide, which mainly highlights what’s special to Eat in the different cafes and restaurants in Bir Billing.

These places have been listed in chronological order, with respect to their location, as you walk from Choughan Chowk towards Landing Site in Bir.

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Steamed and Fried Momos – Ram Bahadur Cafe

If you have a craving Momos, there’s no place better than Ram Bahadur Cafe !

This small ordinary looking food joint, holds a special place in the hearts of everyone who stays in Bir!

They have got Vegetable / Chicken / Mutton as a filling, which can be enjoyed either steamed, or fried. And my recommendation would be the Chicken Fried Momos, with spoonfuls of the yummy spicy chutney!

PS – Their momo chutney is to die for – just yummmm!

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Thukpa and Devil Momo’s – Nyingma Restaurant

Another few steps from Ram Bahadur Cafe towards Gandhi Chowk, and you’ll find Nyingma Hotel – a bright yellow structure, on the Left side of the road.

This will look like one expensive restaurant, because of the plush interiors, but trust me, the rates are pretty economical, and the food tastes yummy.

While the restaurant serves a variety of dishes, I found the Thukpa and the Devil Momos to be the highlights at Nyingma Restaurant. And Ginger Lemon Honey tea of course.

Unlike a lot of places, where the Thukpa turns out to be either bland, or too spicy, the Thukpa here is just perfectly balanced, and pretty heavy too!

Devil Momos are basically fried momos, tossed and served in a spicy garlic gravy.

If you are looking for a place where you can chat with your friends, while having some really sumptuous food, Nyingma Restaurant is the place to be!

TBH, I found this to be one of Bir Billings hidden gems, with respect to this Bir Billing Food Guide ! You will mostly find locals here, rather than the tourists and travellers!

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Hogging on Momos in Bir, be it fried, steamed or the devil momos, will forever remain one of my Most Memorable Experiences in the Himalayas.

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Home Cooked Food – Kuckie’s Cafe

Kuckie’s Cafe deserves a special mention in this Bir Billing Food Guide !

Why ? You may ask ?

Well, ask any one who has been staying in Bir for a while, where they go to when they crave some Home Cooked food, and the answer will be unanimous – Kuckie’s Cafe !

The food served by Kuckie Aunty is simple, but yummy, and not that heavy on the pocket. The moment you step in Kuckie’s Cafe, you’ll feel as if, you’ve entered the living room of your house, and having a few words with Aunty will make you feel at home.

Whether you are looking for a quiet place to read a book, or work, or simply have a conversation – Its very easy to find a spot for yourself at Kuckie’s Cafe.

BTW if you are looking for a place to volunteer, Aunty is always on the lookout for a helping hand.

Yummy Home Cooked Food

Ghar ka Khaana

Kuckie’s Cafe

Hot Chocolate – June16

The strategic location of June16 Cafe, makes it one of the most popular and frequented cafes in Bir Billing, where travellers can be seen throughout the day, sipping a hot beverage like hot chocolate or coffee chatting with other travellers, and Digital Nomads, engrossed in their work, while sipping some yummy Hot Chocolate, which is what I would recommend you to try out as well.

Hot Chocolate @ June 16 Cafe

Vada Pav and Cutting Chai – Bombay Local

If you are craving some authentic and yummy Maharashtrian street food, such as Vada Pav and Pav Bhaji, along with the famed Cutting Chai, Bombay Local is where you should go to.

The Vada Pav is economically priced at INR 40, and will definitely take you back to the streets of Mumbai or Pune.

Vada Pav @ Bombay Local

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Pasta’s and Fresh Green Salads – Paloma Vegan Bistro

Probably the only Cafe in Bir Billing, that caters only to Vegan Food.

Paloma Vegan Bistro serves some really delectable cakes, pastas and fresh salads, which you should definitely try.

Fresh Green Salad @ Paloma Vegan Bistro

Himachali Siddu – The Northern Cafe

The Northern Cafe is one of the best places to catch the famed sunsets of Bir, with a panoramic view of the landing site in front, and the mighty Himalayas on the back.

While the food is a bit pricey here, its one of the few restaurants and cafes in Bir Billing, where you can have the traditional Himachali Siddu. Also to try are the yummy pakoras, while enjoying the sunset.

Also, if you are a Digital Nomad, and are looking for a quiet place to work, I would highly recommend you to make The Northern Cafe, as your workspace during the day, when there aren’t that many travellers present.

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Mint Ice Tea – Musafir – The Traveller’s Cafe

If you are a traveler and are interested in the Indie Music scene, you might be aware about Musicathon Bir. Musafir Cafe is where it all started!

The Mint Ice Tea is sort of a legend, and I highly recommend you try it at Musafir – The Traveller’s Cafe, while enjoying the sunset, with soft Indie Music playing in the background.

If you are an artist, you are going to love the vibes at Musafir Cafe for sure.

I’ve also heard that their chicken curry is also quite sumptuous. So if you happen to stay here post sunset, you might want to check it out.

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South Indian Food – Avva’s Cafe

Strategically located beyond the Landing Site in Bir Billing, overlooking the green terraced fields, Avva’s Cafe, serves the best South Indian Food in Bir Billing. Period.

Yes, dining at Avva’s cafe, will be a bit heavy on the pocket, but the moment you’ll have your first bite, you’ll realise, that its worth every penny.

The idlis are going to melt in your mouth, the sambar is perfectly balanced and is neither too sweet nor too spicy, the coconut chutney is something that you’ll keep asking more and more, the dosas will be crisp with just the right amount of filling. And did I forget to tell that, you’ll get Rasam with kaala chana on the house.

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Avva’s Cafe has one of the Best views in Bir Billing, from where you can see the gliders fly in the sky, all day long.

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Bnoffee Pie – Silver Linings

Another quaint cafe, famous with artists, digital nomads and the local community is the Silver Lining Cafe, just opposite Avva’s Cafe.

What usually happens is that, travellers have a heavy meal at Avva’s Cafe, and then cross the road and make their way to Silver Lining Cafe, where they just chill, connect with other travellers, and enjoy their cup of coffee!

The Bnoffee Pie along with Coffee is what I’ll recommend you to try at Silver Lining.

Bnoffee Pie @ Silver Linings

Anything and Everything – Kaafila

Tucked in the bylanes of Chaughan village, amidst bright yellow fields with the backdrop of snow clad peaks is a quaint cafe named Kaafila – from the streets of Bombay that offers you a slice of Bombay in the mountains.

From the iconic Bombay wada pav to pav bhaji and other mouth watering delicacies of mumbai street food, Kaafila serves it all.

Occasionally, you can find artistic souls creating soothing music or just leaving their footprints behind by painting a part of them on their art wall. Also, on bright sunny days they bake amazing sweet treats too giving you a complete experience of a guilty food trip filled with tons of entertainment as you connect with fellow travellers!

They also host pizza and burger nights, live sports streaming nights, BBQ and bonfire nights and gaming nights where the community of travellers meets and interacts with each other.

Musafir Cafe as mentioned above in this Bir Billing Food Guide, was previously where Kaafila, is today.

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Vegetarian Thaali – Suryansh Bhojnalaya

This is the only place in this Bir Billing Food Guide, which is not near the landing site in Bir Billing, but on the highway from Bir to Palampur. Its 4 – 5 KM from the landing site, and the best way to go there is in a cab / your own vehicle if applicable.

The speciality of Suryansh Bhojnalaya serving only Vegetarian food is the Himachali Thaali and its pretty simple and straightforward affair. The food is sumptuous, healthy, and very economical.

One Thali for INR 150, is sufficient to feed two people, if they are not that hungry.

Himachali Thali @ Suryansh Bhojnalaya

Maggi and Chai – Multiple Places

This goes without saying, that the joy of having piping hot Maggi, while sipping Chai, is an experience thats synonymous with getting High on Himalayas.

Any any trip to the mountains is incomplete, if you haven’t sipped hot Chai, and slurped the Masala Maggi, while enjoying the view of the mighty Himalayas.

Getting Maggi and Chai in the mountains, is very easy, and can be found at multiple places through out Bir Billing, but the ones where you’ll have the best experience, are literally in the lap of the Mountains, away from the town.

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I hope you enjoyed going through this Bir Billing Food Blog, and found it as a useful Travel Resource for your Trip to Bir Billing. Don’t forget to Pin this Bir Billing Food Guide, for your future trip.

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In the Post-Pandemic World, Road Trips are going to be the trend and definitely going to take prominence over other kind of trips, specially in Europe. Not only does it give you more control of who you are getting in contact with, road trips give you plenty of freedom to experience any destination at your own pace.

Now that Europe has started to open its borders, it only makes sense to pick up your car, or rent one and go on an epic road trip. This post is a curation of 20 of the Most Scenic Road Trips in Europe, including road trips in the Scottish highlands, Western Fjords, Faroe Islands, along the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland, the Golden Circle in Iceland, among others, that have been recommended by travellers and road trippers themselves.

These European Road Trips have been listed on the basis of the total distance they cover, with the least distance of only 30 odd kms to as much as 2500 odd kms.Thats the beauty of road tripping in Europe. Some are short distances involving only a few hours drive, while other are spanning over a couple of days but cover a lot of amazing pit stops, while driving only few hours a day.

Just to warn you, it’s a long post, so if you are a bit short on hand at the moment, make sure to Pin this post, and Bookmark it for a leisure and detailed read.

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20 Best and Most Scenic Road Trips in Europe

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The Alsace Road Trip | France

Distance: 30 kms / 19 miles

Duration: 5 Days

Starting point: Colmar

Destination: Ribeauvillé

The Alsace is home to the best vineyards in France and fairytale-like Beauty and the Beast villages. Two perfect ingredients for one of the most scenic road trips in Europe! As this trip only covers about 30 kilometers, you could already explore the area in two days. But I’d recommend planning at least five to a week for your Alsace road trip.

Start your road trip in Colmar, one of the bigger cities in the area with charming timbered houses. Spend at least a day exploring town.

Head north to the village of Kaysersberg, located in a valley between the Voges mountains. One of the best photo spots in the picturesque town is the small bridge in the town center. Another highlight is walking around the vineyards and the old castle. The castle tower is still intact and you can climb up for splendid views.

Your next stop is small Riquewihr, a famous tourist magnet despite its size. Arrive early to avoid the crowds and walk around the cute streets with timbered houses, imagining yourself in either a Beauty and the Beast film set or the Middle Ages.

Continue your Alsace road trip to Ribeauvillé and spend at least a day to enjoy the old town and hike in the area. The town itself is charming and very picturesque with its traditional timbered houses, cobbled streets and flower baskets at every bridge and street lamp. One of the highlights though is a hike to the three castle ruins on the hill next to Ribeauvillé, offering beautiful views of the historic town and the surrounding vineyards.

Recommended by Maartje & Sebastiaan from The Orange Backpack

Wine Route | Germany

Distance: 85 kms / 53 miles

Duration: 1 Day

Starting point: Bockenheim

Destination: Schweigen-Rechtenbach

The wine route in Germany is one of the most beautiful road trips that one can take when traveling through Europe.

# It is the oldest tourist route in Germany.

# The route covers 53 miles (85km), and is nearly 100 years old.

# While it can easily be done in 1 day, it is best to spend 1 week on the route.

To get the most out of the wine route that showcases stunning scenery, amazing wines and countryside and some seriously wonderful cities to stay in along the way, it is best to spend at least a week exploring the route. The route begins in Bockenheim and ends in Schweigen-Rechtenbach, right on the French border.

Some of the things to see on the route include Neustadt’s half timbered houses as well as Hambach Castle, the castle in Wachenheim, the wine gate in Schweigen-Rechtenbach and Bad Durkheim. When taking this route in the spring, summer or fall, there will be dozens of festivals and events in the towns and villages along the wine route as the warmer months are a popular time for wine and other festivals. On the route, tourists will see plenty of vineyards and over 100 wine communities, many of which will have unique and local wines for non-locals to try.

The best part? Wines are cheap and plentiful, making the wine route one of the best road trips in Europe.

Recommended by Diana from Travels In Poland

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Croatia to Montenegro Road Trip

Distance: 100 km / 62 miles

Duration: 2-3 hours

Starting point: Dubrovnik, Croatia

Destination: Kotor, Montenegro

There are lots of amazing road trips to take in Europe, from the highlands of Scotland to the scenic Peso da Regua in Portugal, but travellers should not miss out on a drive from Dubrovnik in Croatia down south to Kotor in Montenegro.

Dubrovnik is no stranger to many, being one of the filming locations of the worldwide hit Game of Thrones. It is here that you can set foot in a medieval walled city. Be sure to take the time to walk on its walls, and get amazing views out to the Adriatic Sea.

Starting off your road trip from here, it takes just under 2 hours to reach one of the best cities of Montenegro, Kotor. The overall driving distance is less than 100km, making for a smooth and pleasant drive.

The driving experience affords you multiple viewpoints, each unique on its own. This journey takes you along the coastline and passes through beautiful mountainscapes.

Less than 30 minutes into your drive, you will hit the border control where you enter Montenegro.

Tip: Ask a local about the best time to cross the border. As this is a popular day trip, traffic can build up quickly. Also make sure that your car rental company provides you with the ‘green card’, which is needed to enter Montenegro.

The typical route for this trip is to circumnavigate the Bay of Kotor and reach Kotor through the small town of Perast but go against the grain by hopping on to a vehicle ferry to cross the body of water instead. Kotor is an amazing destination that sits at the water’s edge. Enjoy the most stunning views of Bay of Kotor by climbing to a high point, and be sure to enjoy a fresh seafood dinner back in the Old Town.

Recommended by Shang from Zip Up And Go

Isle of Wight Coastal Road | Scotland

Distance: 113 kms / 70 miles

Duration: Around 1 hour

Starting point: Chale

Destination: Chale

Europe is an amazing continent to explore by car. With so many amazing scenic roads it’s not easy to find the most beautiful one. If you are visiting London or the south of England, you have to drive to the Isle of Wight. It is home to one of the most spectacular roads in Europe.

The A3055, known as Military Road, is a 10 miles long road on the south-western part of the island. It only takes 20 minutes to drive from Chale to Freshwater, but it will take you much longer with a few stops for short walks. The Military road is part of the Isle of Wight coastal road – a 70 miles loop around the island.

With a few amazing beaches like Ryde beach and unusual places like visiting the Garlic Farm and the Needles, there is so much to see while driving around the Isle of Wight.

It is recommended to book 2-3 days for the whole trip (depending on where you start your journey from). Book a hotel in Yarmouth in the western part of the island or Ryde on the east coast.

Recommended by Darek from Darek and Gosia

Road Trip in the Faroe Islands

Distance: 120 kms / 75 miles

Duration: 3 – 5 Days

Starting point: Vagar Island

Destination: Eysturoy

One of the best road trips to take in Europe is throughout the wondrous Faroe Islands. The Faroes are made up of 18 islands in between Iceland and Norway (north of Scotland) and the scenic opportunities will astound you.

A road trip throughout the Faroes is unlike anywhere else in that you will circle back and forth throughout the archipelago. There is even a ‘Buttercup’ road that is marked that showcases the highlights of the highway.

Before starting your road trip, you will want to be sure to have an account on Airbnb as that is the best way to find accommodation in villages in the Faroe Islands. There are many Airbnbs in the Faroe Islands that will offer you a diverse trip and a chance to stay in places that don’t have a hotel or alternative options.

It is best to start your road trip on Vagar island, home to Mulafossur and Sorvagsvatn (and the airport!). Depending on when you land, it is easiest just to grab a rental car and start exploring that island right away or you’ll have to pay a toll to cross back over.

From Vagar, head to the capital city of Torshavn where you will find many great places to stay. On the same island, you’ll have Fossa (the largest waterfall), Tjornuvik, Kirkjubour, Vestmanna, and Saksun, all worth exploring.

After a day or two on Streymoy, the best option is to head to Kalsoy island up north. This narrow island is only accessible by a ferry and you can drive from the port to Trollanes village, home of the Kallur Lighthouse. It is so remarkably beautiful that even the upcoming James Bond movie has scenes shot there!

When you’re done with Kalsoy, you can explore the northern islands of Kunoy, Vidoy, and Bordoy before heading to Eysturoy. On Eysturoy, you will find the most charming village in the Faroe Islands, Gjogv.

While this is the standard Faroe Islands road trip, there are many chances to deviate and create your own. The southern islands of Suduroy and Sandoy are fantastic off-the-path options. Nevertheless, a Faroe Islands road trip is outstanding and something everyone should experience!

Recommended by Megan C. Starr

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Azores Road Trip | Portugal

Distance: 150 kms / 93 miles

Duration: 3 Days

Starting point: Ponta Delgada

Destination: Furnas

The road trip in the Azores can be done on pretty much any island, but Sao Miguel offers a lot more to see than the rest. While on the road trip you will see lots of natural landmarks like lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, mesmerizing vistas and wild animals.

On the first day of your road trip, you can start by exploring the capital of the Azores – Ponta Delgada. It was one of the first cities inhabited on the islands, which makes it historically important. In particular, it is famous for its ancient buildings and fortresses, vast marinas and beautiful colourful streets. Then, in the early afternoon, you can head to the village of Sete Cidades. There you can climb to Boca do Inferno and enjoy a heavenly sunset of Lagoa Azul, Lagoa Verde and the Atlantic Ocean.

The next day you can continue your road trip to Lagoa do Fogo, or the Fire lake as the locals know it. It is set in the middle of the island just 20 minutes driving from the city of Lagoa. Lagoa do Fogo is the most beautiful lake on the islands but is usually covered in fog, thus it is best to check the forecast for the day before going there. After checking the beaches of Lagoa do Fogo you can head to the city of Villa Franca do Campo and climb up to its famous chapel – Our Lady of Peace. From there you can have the most incredible view over the islet of Vila Franca do Campo.

On the last day, continue to the city of Furnas known for its unique cuisine and hot geysers. There you can visit the lake of Furnas and it’s hot springs, where locals cook cozido – buckets of meat and veggies cooked in the hot ground. While in Furnas you can take a dip into the hot springs either at Terra Nostra or Dona Benija. Eventually, if you have some time left, head down to the Hot waterfall of Ribeira and explore Sao Miguel’s deepest tropical forests and the only hot waterfall!

If you plan to stay in Furnas some more, I would recommend checking Furnas Boutique Hotel which will make your wildest dreams come true!

Recommended by Alex from EarthOSea

Transfagarasan Highway | Romania

Distance: 160 km / 100 miles

Duration: 4-6 hours

Starting point: Bucharest

Destination: Sibiu

When in Romania, opt for travelling by road between Bucharest and Sibiu, since part of the route takes you on the Transfagarasan Highway, one of the most scenic roads in the world even dubbed so by Jeremy Clark of Top Gear.

It’s where a road crosses a major mountain pass to get through the Fagaras Mountain Range. You can expect plenty of hairpin turns winding like a large snake and revealing stunning views below. Small waterfalls and often streaks of snow accompany the serpentines, even in summer months.

On the highest point of the road, at the height of 2042 m, you’ll find a beautiful glacial lake called Balea. A chalet right by the lake provides accommodation too.

The whole distance between Bucharest and Sibiu takes 4 hours of driving time, but you’ll want to spend at least an hour taking breaks along the Transfagarasan Highway, which is open only from June till October. The 160km long distance can be traveled faster only when flying. Of the 160 km, 90 km is along the Transfagarasan Road.

Both Bucharest, the capital of Romania, and Sibiu, a cultural gem with Germanic influences, are well worth visiting. Spend at least two days in each city! I can recommend e.g. Continental Forum Hotel in Sibiu.

Recommended by Veronika Primm from Travel Geekery

Drive from Glasgow to Fort William | Scotland

Distance: 169 kms / 105 miles

Duration: 2-3 hours

Starting point: Glasgow

Destination: Fort William

The journey from Glasgow to Fort William boasts some of the Scottish Highlands most beautiful views and is the perfect road trip for nature lovers. While the drive only takes about 2.5 hours to cover the 105 miles between, it is worth taking longer to admire the sights along the way.

The drive from Glasgow to Fort Williams,not only is one of the most scenic road trips in Europe, but also makes for an amazing add on experience to this 7 Day Scotland Travel Itinerary.

The first stop is about 40 minutes outside Glasgow at Luss. A stroll down their beautiful pier will provide you with views of Loch Lomond and the Ben Lomond Mountain.

Continuing north on the A82 for another half hour to Inverarnan, the Drover’s Inn provides an excellent stop for lunch. This pub and hotel has been around for nearly 300 years and is supposedly home to several ghosts.

Just around the corner, the Falls of Falloch provide a short opportunity to walk off lunch and enjoy views of the 10m falls before continuing your journey.

Keep an eye out for the iconic Buachaille Etive Mor Mountain out your window as you pass through Glen Coe. There are numerous spots to pull over and take photos as you drive through the highland nature.

Just about 20 minutes from your final destination, you’ll reach Loch Linnhe, which provides scenic views across the water. Finally, you’ll reach Fort William, which is known as the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak.

Nature is best experienced outdoors and Scotland allows wild camping, so bringing a tent and staying a night outside is highly recommended. If you’re expecting the classic Scottish rain or sleeping in the great outdoors isn’t your cup of tea, a glamping pod might be the perfect option for you – there are some near Loch Lomond, Glen Coe, and Loch Linnhe.

Recommended by Graham Grieve from My Voyage Scotland

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Slovenia to Italy Road Trip

Distance: 195 km / 121 miles

Duration : 1 day

Starting point: Most na Soči, Slovenia

Destination: Laghi di Fusine, Italy

This road trip may easily become an adventure that lasts an entire day. The route is filled with stunning viewpoints, noteworthy stops, and jaw-dropping panoramas of the mountains.

The journey starts in Slovenia’s Most na Soči – a small and cozy town in Triglav National Park. From here, the route heads deeper into the mountains, and accompanying it for the first half of the mileage is the Soča river.

There are quite a few great stops worth making along the way: Tolmin Gorges with an easy and memorable hiking trail, Slap (waterfall) Kozak, and the highest waterfall in Slovenia, Boka.

A small town Bovec high in the mountains may be a good stop for lunch and some stretching. This town is also a gateway to many mountain activities, including canyoning, kayaking, hiking, and paragliding.

The second part of the road will be a bit more demanding as it runs through the Vrsič Pass. Built by the Russian POW, it is known for its 50 breathtaking hairpin turns. All of them are numbered. Hairpin #8 is famous for a lovely Russian Chapel. Hairpin #49 is the starting point of the great Triglav National Park hike to the top of the mountain.

Right after the pass, the route runs through Kranjska Gora, another lovely town perfect as the base for many adventures in the Triglav National Park, and finally leads to the stunning Laghi di Fusine in Tarvisio, Italy. These are two glacial lakes, Superiore and Inferiore, connected via an easy hiking trail and surrounded by the majestic mountain peaks.

Parking by the laghi is free, and next to the smaller lake, there is a cozy cafe Belvedere. From here, some other road trip suggestions are either back to Slovenia via the Mangart Saddle, or to Venice in Italy via route A23.

Recommended by Inessa and Natalie of Through a Travel Lens

The Golden Circle | Iceland

Distance: 305 kms / 190 miles

Duration: Day Trip

Starting point: Reykjavik

Destination: Reykjavik

Gulfoss Waterfall | Flickr | Giuseppe Milo

The Golden Circle in Iceland is the best day trip you can take from Reykjavik and one of the best sightseeing trips as well. This is an iconic Iceland itinerary and one of the most popular routes tourists take to experience the beauty of Iceland. The total distance covered is only 190 miles but believe me you will want to take a lot of stops along the way.

You can explore the Golden Circle in summer or winter and this popular driving route will take you through the southern portion of the island. On this route you will experience such iconic natural wonders of Iceland. You will go as far south as Selfoss and then you will head east all the way to Gullfoss before heading back west to Reykjavik with a few stops along the way.

Highlights:

Gullfoss Waterfall,

Geysir Geothermal Field,

Thingvellir National Park

See Icelandic Ponies

This is an easy drive and does not require a 4×4. Just remember to charge your camera the night before because there are so many photogenic stops along the Golden Circle.

Recommended by Nicole LaBarge

Causeway Coastal Route | Ireland

Distance: 322 kms / 200 miles

Duration: 2-3 days

Starting point: Belfast

Destination: Derry / Londonderry

Running along the north coast of Northern Ireland the Causeway Coastal Route is considered one of Europe’s best road trips. It showcases some of Northern Ireland’s most magnificent scenery and there is a huge variety to see and do along the route.

The Causeway Coastal Route’s most famous sight is the Giant’s Causeway where 40,000 interlocking columns are surrounded by ocean and basalt cliffs. Crossing the nearby Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is an adrenaline inducing experience with only a rugged rope bridge connecting the mainland to a tiny island.

Game of Thrones is one of the huge draws to the Causeway Coast and many filming locations are dotted throughout the area. Fans can visit the Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbour and Downhill strand to relive scenes from the iconic HBO series.

Other incredible sights include the medieval ruins of Dunluce Castle perched on the edge of jutting coastal cliffs and Rathlin Island, an untouched island with only 100 residents. A walk along the Fairhead Cliffs offers incredible views across the ocean while local cows sunbathing on the White Park Bay beach is an amusing sight. The famous Bushmills Whiskey distillery is another popular stop.

The entire Causeway Coastal Route covers less than 200 miles and can easily be explored in a weekend. The Roe Park Resort hotel or the Causeway Hotel are both great accommodation options for exploring the Causeway Coast.

Recommended by David from Your Ireland Vacation

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Drive from Porto to Lisbon | Portugal

Distance: 322 kms / 200 miles

Duration: 4-5 hours

Starting point: Porto

Destination: Lisbon

One of the most beautiful road trips you can take in Europe is the drive from Porto to Lisbon. There are multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites to be seen along the way, from the Douro Valley to Coimbra to the Convent of Christ Tomar. In addition, you can visit the modern-day pilgrimage in Fatima, see a bit of the Camino Portuguese, and appreciate the beauty of both Porto and Lisbon.

You can enjoy this road trip in three or four days, but ideally, you should take a week to ten days to get out and see everything. The longer you have, the more cities you will get to enjoy. If you just have four days, make sure to spend at least a half-day in Porto, the Douro Valley, Coimbra, Sintra, and Lisbon – recommended to be one of the best destinations in the world for Solo Travellers. However, if you have a week, you can add in Fatima and a handful of UNESCO sites in central Portugal.

If you were to just drive the route straight, it would only take three hours to cover the three hundred and twenty kilometers that separate the two cities. However, if you give yourself time to see more you will cover more distance because many of the best sites are a bit further inland.

Recommended by Stephanie Craig from History Fangirl

Romantic Road | Germany

Distance: 350 kms / 218 miles

Duration: 3 Days

Starting point: Würzburg

Destination: Füssen

Known as the old Roman trade route, the romantic road in Southern Germany leads over 350 kilometers (218 mi) from Würzburg to Füssen via the city of Munich and magnificent chocolate-box towns such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Augsburg, Landsberg, and Nördlingen. The name ‘Romantic Road’ or “Romantische Strasse” is deducted from the beautiful sights of charming Bavarian villages along the way and the postcard-worthy Neuschwanstein Castle, which most probably every seasoned traveler has seen in a tourist brochure of Germany at least once.

Based loosely on the old Roman route between a range of picturesque German towns from Würzburg to Füssen, Germany’s Romantic Road really does live up to its name. Taking you to the foothills of the majestic Bavarian Alps, it is particularly pretty in winter, with a dusting of snow bringing out the sheer beauty of the landscape. In addition, if you visit during winter, you will see very few other tourists.

The road is studded with plenty of worthy spots to stop at on your way down to Munich, revealing a wealth of European history, art, and culture. Arguably the main reason to drive the Romantic Road is Neuschwanstein Castle, the dream-like castle of Bavarian King Ludwig II that sits atop its rocky crest and forms a fitting marker for the end of one of the most scenic road trips in Europe.

For the average tourist, it is suggested to set aside at least 3 days for the Romantic Road. It’s just enough time to see all the highlights on the route. However, you can always extend the trip by a couple of days if you’d like to explore more villages on the way.

Recommended by Ivan from Mind The Travel

Andalucia Road Trip | Spain

Distance: 350 kms / 218 miles

Duration: 3 – 5 Days

Starting point: Seville

Destination: Granada

The road trip between the sultry Spanish cities of Seville, Cordoba and Granada, will take you through some of Spain’s most dramatic and picturesque landscapes. From wild mountains, to perfectly manicured grove upon grove of olive trees, a road trip in Andalucia is one of the best road trips in Spain.

This 350km trip will take 3 to 5 days, depending how much time you want in each city.

Visit Seville for the romantic ambiance and beautiful royal gardens, Cordoba for the magnificent Mezquita and Granada for the sublime Alhambra Palace.

In Seville, head for the Barrio Santa Cruz, the lively and central old Jewish quarter, where you’ll find a great street scene and delicious tapas. You’re close to the cathedral, Giralda tower, Royal Alcazar and Plaza de Espana here, the four must sees in Seville.

In Cordoba, head for the Mezquita (mosque-cathedral), one of the most dramatic in the world. The mix of Moorish and Renaissance architecture is sublime, the history fascinating and the warren of alleys surrounding it perfect for a lazy afternoon’s meandering.

In Granada, it’s all about the Alhambra Palace, a fabulous and fitting monument to Moorish architecture, and love. You will be enchanted by this beautiful palace with gorgeous gardens, which has been carefully restored over the centuries. Book well in advance though, it gets very busy in the summer with up to 6000 visitors a day.

For a true Spanish experience, stay in one of the many atmospheric Parador’s; hotels which were monasteries, palaces and castles before being converted. You’ll find historic settings and artefacts blended with contemporary extensions to suit the setting. Immersing yourself in the history of Spain has never been so easy!

Recommended by Izzy and Phil from The Gap Decaders

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Ancient East Road Trip | Ireland

Distance: 400 kms / 249 miles

Duration: 5 days

Starting point: Cobh, County Cork

Destination: Bray

Photo by Luke Myers, Creating Agency: Fáilte Ireland

The east coast of Ireland is home to many historical treasures, mythical ruins not to mention some of Ireland’s most stunning, if somewhat underrated, scenery. Regardless of when you travel to Ireland, this is an ideal area to explore if you want to be flexible with your road trip and visit lots of interesting sights along the way.

One very scenic route along this trail is the coastal route from Cobh in County Cork to Bray, just south of Dublin. It is best to plan at least five days for the 400 km route to ensure that you have enough time to take in all of the best sights.

One of these must visit locations is Spike Island. This 18th century prison fort was once one of the biggest prisons in the world and shipped a large number of convicts to the colonies. Don’t forget to walk around the star-shaped fort to get some unrivalled views of the harbour and the picturesque maritime town of Cobh. The short boat trip to the island is also highly enjoyable!

The Copper Coast UNESCO Geopark is also part of the route and it is worth taking the time to explore this very scenic, historical copper mining area. There are several great short walking routes which allow you to explore the unusual geology, rugged beaches, dolmens, promontory forts and ruins, including Dunhill Castle. It is an ideal location to explore by bike as well, with several recommended cycling routes.

As you follow your way up the east coast, another destination that should definitely be added to your itinerary is Hook Head Lighthouse, one of the oldest functioning lighthouses in the world.

If you fancy visiting some of the filming locations used in Brooklyn and Saving Private Ryan, check out the fabulous beaches of Ballinesker and Curracloe in Wexford.

Recommended by Emer and Nils from Let’s Go Ireland

Tuscany Road Trip | Italy

Distance: 400 kms / 249 miles

Duration: 10 days

Starting point: Florence

Destination: Florence

It’s hard to beat Tuscany in scenery and the region is perfect for a road trip. There are so many cute towns in Tuscany yet you find remote wine tasting opportunities in the middle of nowhere nestled between green hills far from the next village.

Start your 10 day trip in Florence. You should at least spend a day or two in the astounding capital of Tuscany. Make sure you cover at least the cathedral and don’t forget to climb to the top for spectacular views, Ponte Vecchio, and Piazzale Michelangelo for the best city views.

Continue the road trip to Pisa for the Pisa tower, stopping by the charming town of Lucca on the way. Stay the night in Pisa before you continue past Pontedera and then stay a night in Volterra. On the way to San Gimignano it’s perfect to stop by a wine farm. You can even stay a night or two so you can indulge in sweet, local wine before you explore the medieval towers of San Gimignano, Tuscany’s Manhattan.

Further, Monteriggioni is a perfect place for a stopover but if you want something bigger for the next nights, continue to Siena for the night where you can spend a couple of days drinking wine at the Piazza del Campo and wander through the old medieval city eating pizza and take pictures.

Before you return to Florence, make sure you stop by Arezzo, also a perfect place to spend the night. Once one of the most important Etruscan cities, rich in history and art, Arezzo easily captures one’s heart. Once back in Florence, splurge in ice cream and walk through the busy streets. If you have the time, check out more sights in this lovely, old city.

Recommended by Linn Haglund from Brainy Backpackers

London to Paris by Road

Distance: 482 kms / 300 miles

Duration: 6-7 hours

Starting point: London

Destination: Paris

Dover White Cliffs

We started our trip from London, heading towards the ferry crossing from Dover to Calais, and ended in Paris. You should give yourself approximately 6 hours of travel time, with the total trip being 300 miles. There are two great times to take the trip, the weeks leading up to Christmas and at the start of summer. Christmas is great because the streets of Paris are buzzing with beautiful lights and there’s lots of street markets happening. But wrap up because it can get very cold!

As you head out of London towards Dover, you must take a few moments to catch some pictures of the Dover White Cliffs. They are a famous UK landmark with a beautiful gleaming white reflecting off the chalk cliffs. Once you get to Calais port, you can drive non-stop to Paris, however you will pass through stunning fields of flowers on route if you take the slightly longer route. This is highly recommended as the white cliffs and these fields of flowers are the reason this road trip is stunning and one of the best and most scenic road trips in Europe, connecting two amazing cities which are world renowned for their culture.

There are many chic hotels around the Eiffel Tower, which are great for families who want to be able to walk to the landmark and enjoy the beautiful park and greenery that surrounds it.

Recommended by Manpreet Kaur from Hello Manpreet

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Transylvania Classic Road Trip | Romania

Distance: 500 km / 310 miles

Duration: 6 Days

Starting point: Sibiu

Destination: Brasov

Hunedoara Castle aka Corvin Castle Romania

The classic road trip in Transylvania includes some traditional villages, the best known cities of the region and landscapes that will amaze your eyes. Six days are enough to explore it.

Start your trip in Sibiu with a long walk in the old town. The next day head to Cluj Napoca, the largest city in Transylvania. On the way take a detour to visit one of Iconic Landmarks of Romania – Corvin castle, a beautiful medieval jewel and stop also in Alba Iulia, the white citadel.

You can dedicate your third day to Cluj Napoca for its old town, modern restaurants and a great botanical garden. If you like horror stories, just a few kilometers outside Cluj Napoca you can get lost in one of the most haunted places in the world: Hoia Baciu forest.

On the fourth day it’s time to head towards Targu Mures and discover its less known attractions. On the way, you must stop in Turda to enjoy a salt mine like an amusement park, Turda salt mine.

Your fifth day will take you to an UNESCO heritage site: the medieval citadel – Sighișoara, where you can enjoy colorful buildings and narrow streets.

On your last day of the road trip you can stop in Viscri, a traditional village connected with Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. The main attraction in this village is the white fortified church.

End your Transylvanian trip in Brasov, one of the most visited cities in Transylvania. The total tour is around 500 kilometers, but it is enough to fall in love with this region.

Recommended by Corina and Florin of Another Milestone

The Albania Road Trip

Distance: 500 kms / 310 miles

Duration: 7-10 Days

Starting point: Tirana

Destination: Tirana

Albania is still a relatively offbeat destination, but nonetheless offers some of the most scenic road trip routes in Europe. Car rental is affordable, distances are short, and as long as you learn to manage the traffic, self-driving in Albania is perfectly safe.

This Balkan nation is incredibly varied, from the Accursed mountains in the north to the Albanian Riviera along the Adriatic Coast and the rugged interior. In as little as 7-10 days you can see a good cross-section of the country. An ideal route is a loop starting and finishing in the capital, Tirana, taking in the centre of the country and the coast. This involves roughly 500km (or a total of 8 hours) of driving.

Start by soaking up modern-day Albanian culture and history in Tirana. Visit Bunk’Art (a museum housed in an old communist bunker) and go café-hopping in the colourful Blloku neighbourhood. From Tirana, head south to Berat and Gjirokaster, two historic cities in the interior, both with impressive castles and UNESCO World Heritage-Listed Old Towns. The famous Blue Eye, a scenic swimming hole, is a short drive from Gjirokaster.

From there, you can continue to Saranda on the coast. Himara to the north offers some of the country’s finest beaches and is less-touristy than the bigger coastal cities. Drive up the coast to finish in Tirana, perhaps with a quick detour to Kruje, another historic city, on the way. You can easily extend your road trip by continuing north to Shkoder and Theth, where you’ll find incredible alpine trekking.

Beautiful scenery at every turn paired with a fascinating history, good food and wine, and old-fashioned hospitality – a road trip in Albania is hard to beat.

Recommended by Emily from Wander-Lush

NC500 | Scotland

Distance: 830 kms / 516 miles

Duration: 7 Days

Starting point: Inverness

Destination: Inverness

If you’re looking for a spectacular road trip in Europe, look no further than the NC500 in Scotland.

This road is one of the most scenic road trips in Scotland– and for good reason. The scenery is some of the prettiest in the UK and you’ll discover all sorts of incredible places you never knew existed!

The NC500 begins in Inverness, although you can join and leave it anywhere. From Inverness, most people go clockwise, head through the Highlands, aiming (eventually) for Britain’s most northerly town- John O’Groats, (where you can take a day trip to Orkney) before heading south again to Inverness.

The route is fairly well signposted, although some of it is single track and very narrow. Be careful where you stop- you don’t want to block the road!

Highlights of the NC 500 include:

Inverness- the most northerly city in the UK

Smoo Cave

Clachtoll Beach

Kylesku Bridge

John o’Groats

The route is 516 miles, but the road is slow. Expect to stop often for vehicles coming the other way or for stray highland cows! We recommend at least a 7-day trip to really make the most of it. There are plenty of B & Bs and hotels on the route to enjoy as you stay.

Recommended by Kat from Wandering Bird

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Road Trip from Rome to Venice | Italy

Distance: 985 kms / 612 miles

Duration: 9 days

Starting point: Rome

Destination: Venice

Highlights of this road trip are the beautiful regions of Umbria and Tuscany and many of central and northern Italy’s major cities and sights.

After leaving Rome, a recommended first stop is Villa D’Este, famous for its fountain-filled gardens. The route then heads north and enters the lovely province of Umbria, with medieval hill towns, olive groves and vineyards. Spoleto, which has a famous aqueduct, is a good place to spend a night.

After leaving Spoleto the route continues past more hills topped with tiny medieval towns. One worth visiting is Spello. The next part of the trip turns off the main roads and dips through the hills and valleys of the Montefalco region, past farmlands and vineyards. This is the perfect area to visit a winery; many of them, such as Scacciadiavoli, have tours and tastings. Other highlights include Assisi, where the founder of the Franciscan order is buried, and an overnight stop in Perugia.

From Perugia, the route continues northeast through the Tuscan hills to Florence. Siena is a great place to break this leg of the trip. The town’s famous sloping scallop-shaped main square and Duomo are both worth visiting.

After spending several nights in Florence (AQA Palace is a recommended hotel), the road trip continues north to Verona. This part of the trip is mostly on major highways, but Parma makes a fascinating side trip. There are several small cheese-makers that are open for visitors to see Parmesan cheese being made. From there, the road passes through more farmland to Verona. A well-preserved Roman amphitheater is still used and summer performances of the opera Aida are an annual event.

It is then just a short jump to Venice, where highlights include St Mark’s Square and the duomo, taking a gondola ride and even learning to row a gondola.

Recommended by James Ian from Travel Collecting

Road Trip in the Western Fjords | Norway

Distance: 1000 kms / 622 miles

Duration: 5-14 days

Starting point: Stavenger

Destination: Kristaiansund

Western Norway is home to over 200 fjords created by a succession of Ice Ages. Its stunning coastline is interspersed with deep blue fjords, lush landscape and mighty glaciers.

Some of the most beautiful fjords include Lysefjord, Geirangerfjord Hardangerfjord, Nærøyfjord and Sognefjord. Due to their exceptional natural beauty both Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord make up the West Norwegian Fjords listing on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Hiking is also popular and the region has some amazing trails: Pulpit Rock, Flørli 4444, Kjerag, Trolltunga and the Romsdalseggen ridge are considered among some of Europe’s best hikes.

Other popular sites include Trollstigen, the UNESCO designated Urnes Stave Church, the Jostedalsbreen Glacier, Lake Loen and the Atlantic Road. Trollstigen, a winding road comprising hairpin bends, is known as the Troll Road due to the legend of trolls roaming in the mountains while the Atlantic Road, snaking over the Atlantic Ocean, is considered an exceptional engineering feat, and rightly one of the most epic road trips in Europe.

With most international visitors arriving via Oslo, it takes at least one day to make the drive south west to Stavanger or north west to Geirangerfjord to access the fjords.

A 2 week Norway itinerary will allow a meandering pace through the 1,000 kilometres of Norway’s western fjords covering Stavenger to Kristaiansund. For visitors with less time to explore it is still possible to see a variety of the highlights in 5 days although.

Recommended by Elaine from The Whole World is a Playground

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The Wild Atlantic Way | Ireland

Distance: 2500 kms / 1554 miles

Duration: 7 days

Starting point: Derry

Destination: Kinsale

The Wild Atlantic Way is a 2,500 kilometre route along the west coast of Ireland. It is actually the longest defined coastal route in the world. Not bad for such a tiny country. The drive takes you along rugged cliffs, past beautiful beaches and through quaint little towns full of friendly locals. To make the most of this road trip it is recommended to take at least 1 week and you can easily spend a lot longer on this trip.

The route starts just outside of Derry and takes you up to Malin Head, the northernmost tip of the island before it winds its way West and South all the way to Kinsale on the South coast of Ireland. While most of the journey takes you through the emerald green countryside you will pass through Galway, one of the most popular and vibrant cities in the country.

The highlights of the trip include the sea cliffs at Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) and the Cliffs of Moher, Galway city and Mizen Head. There are also so many awesome hidden gems scattered throughout this road trip as well and the more time you are able to spend completing this road trip the more you will discover.

When deciding where to stay there are some main stops such as Sligo and Galway but the best places to stay for the rest of the route are generally in the smaller towns and villages. This will give you a chance to experience the real local culture and most importantly you will find plenty of authentic Irish pubs to enjoy a pint of Guinness.

Recommended by Luke from The Coastal Campaign

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I hope you enjoyed reading about these 20+ Most Scenic Road Trips in Europe. Don’t forget to Pin this Travel Bucket List featuring the Best Road Trips in Europe, for the future and share with others.

If some of these Road Trips ended up on your Travel Bucket List, you might also want to check out some other bucket lists featured here on the Eat | Travel | Live | Repeat blog for some travel inspiration :

Best Street Foods in Europe

Best National National Parks in United Kingdom

Best Destinations for Solo Travellers

Or Some Destination specific travel blogs:

Scotland : One Week in Scotland – Travel Itinerary and Guide

Romania : 5 Iconic Gems of Romania | Sighisoara Photo Blog

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The Best of Nairobi in One Week – A Travel Itinerary

This 7 Day Nairobi and Surrounding travel itinerary is designed keeping the following factors in mind:

Fly in and Fly Out from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport

Hire a car or book a car and driver (Nairobi roads can be hazardous)

Have 8 days in your hand

Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya. It is a buzzing, hustling, vibrant, gritty and chaotic place. It sits in the Kenyan highlands on top of the Great Rift Valley. Populated by colonists in the 18th for its cooler climate, the rains and fertile highlands made it a prime spot for European settlers who suffered under the scorching African sun.

Nowadays Nairobi is no longer a sleepy village, it is the third-largest economy in Africa and the city is expanding at a huge rate. Everywhere you will see tower blocks emerging, restaurants and bars being opened, and swarms of tourists heading to world-famous sights. But Nairobi isn’t a city of ancient architecture and pristine plazas. Nairobi is famous for its animals. And it is the only city in the world with a National Park in the city bounds. Nairobi is also one of the destinations that is perfect for a family vacation as there are lots of things to do with kids in Nairobi, most of which are mentioned in this Nairobi Travel Guide as well.

Nairobi National Park is 100 sq km right in the city where wild animals are free to roam and to come and go as they please. 4 of the big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo) are in the park, elephants had to be relocated due to human-wildlife conflict. In Nairobi , animals aren’t just confined to the park, you see giraffes on the way to work, warthogs on the school playing fields and monkeys in your garden.

Animals and humans coexist in a way that is special and unique to this vibrant African city.

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[toc]

Day 1 – Nairobi

Land at Jomo Kenyatta International airport, make your way to your accommodation in the leafy suburb of Karen. Karen is on the outskirts of Nairobi, close to the wildlife points and filled with many fabulous shops and restaurants.

Relax by the pool, take a walk in Ololua Forest and have dinner at the unbeatable Talisman restaurants. If it’s a Friday you’ll find locals dancing to the local DJ until the early hours of the morning. The best way to kick off your epic trip to Kenya and Nairobi.

Day 2 – David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Giraffe Manor

Start the Day 2 of your epic 7 day trip to Nairobi, by visiting the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. This charitable organisation rescues orphaned elephants from all over Kenya and Tanzania and rehabilitates them before returning them to the wild. Visit DSWT to meet the most adorable baby elephants, spend time getting to know them and meet their keepers and trust owners who will happily share information on the work that the trust does.

Stop for lunch at craft centre Utamaduni.

Visit the Giraffe Centre and Sanctuary. This charity rescues the endangered Rothschild Giraffe and provides them with a place of safety in the sanctuary. Visit the Giraffe Centre, meet the giraffe and feed them by hand. Get up close and personal to these gentle giants on raised platforms. Although these are wild giraffes they are used to visitors.

Day 3 – Safari at Nairobi National Park

The third day of this 7 day Nairobi Travel Itinerary is reserved for a full day safari at Nairobi National Park.

The park may be small but it packs a punch; lion, leopard, hyena, cheetah, rhino, hippo, crocodiles, jackals and many more live in the park. As traditional corridors are open and animals are free to come and go, you have the opportunity to see most Kenyan wildlife here, except for elephants. There are various habitats across the park, from savannah to marsh, rivers and lakes to dense woodland. Stop for lunch at the KWS clubhouse and stay in the park for the full day.

Day 4 – Drive to Naivasha & visit Crescent Island

Naivasha is a thrilling 90-minute drive from Nairobi. The view as you drive down the Great Rift Valley is awe-inspiring; volcanoes rise from the bottom of the rift and eagles soar across its expanse.

Spend the afternoon on a walking safari at Crescent Island. This crescent-shaped peninsula sticks out into Lake Naivasha. The lake hosts vast numbers of hippos, which frequently come onshore at Crescent Island. The sanctuary allows animals free access and you will get the opportunity to walk alongside giraffe, zebra, oryx, kudu, eland, Thompson gazelle, wildebeest, impala as well as buffalo and possibly hyena. Be wary of the hippos, hyena and buffalo.

Day 5 – Naivasha – Hells Gate

Hells Gate National Park | Flickr | Ninara

Hells Gate National Park is the park on which the Lion King movie was based. A dramatic volcanic landscape of peaks and valleys, caves, rivers and its infamous gorge. Essentially a wildlife sanctuary – the park is largely filled with Kenya’s more friendly animals; Zebra, Hartebeest Thomson’s Gazelle, Klipspringer, Antelope and Reedbuck, although there are buffalo too and the odd Leopard and Lion may haunt the mountains. Hell’s Gate is named for its geothermal activity; hot springs and plumes of scalding steam are a common site and huffing, puffing, belching park that is an experience not to be missed.

Day 6 – Naivasha – take a boat tour and visit Crater Lake

Spend the day on the lake. Take a boat tour and get up close and personal with the hippos. You can tour the entire lake where experienced guides will navigate your stomach clenchingly close to huge hippo families. The lake has amazing birdlife, eagles and herons in huge numbers as well as the fiercely ugly marabou stork.

In the afternoon visit the dormant crater lake volcano. A jade-green lake fills the pit on the extinct volcano. Visit the sanctuary with its many trails up and around the volcano, the park is filled with game and has views all over the rift and Naivasha surrounds.

Day 7 – Return to Nairobi & visit Spinners Web

Return to the top of the rift and back to Nairobi.

Spend your last afternoon shopping for souvenirs at the wonderful Spinners Web. A huge house filled with treasures from all over Africa. Pick up Maasai beads, wooden carvings, woven rugs, reed bowls and vibrant clothing and jewellery. Enjoy lunch in the greenhouse before returning to your hotel.

Where to Stay in Nairobi?

Tourists may prefer to stay in the outer suburbs of Karen and Langata where the Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre are situated and there is easy access to Nairobi National Park.

Karen Gables

This Cape Dutch-inspired boutique hotel is situated down a quiet lane at one of the most prestigious addresses in Nairobi. Once inside you are spirited away from city life into a world of tinkling streams and nature-filled gardens.

Hemmingways Nairobi

Part of a collection of elite hotels it’s hard to imagine that this grand plantation hotel has only 45 rooms. Its elegance and serenity are unmatched in Nairobi. It houses an excellent restaurant, a sundowner bar with views over the Ngong Hills and an onsite spa and pool.

When to visit Nairobi ?

Nairobi is in the highlands and the weather is considerably cooler than the rest of Kenya. In the long rains – April to June it can become quite cold and the rains can be long and frequent. In the short rains- October to November the rains are more sporadic, often sunny days with rainy evenings and nights. For the rest of the year, the weather is mostly hot and sunny. It can get very warm during the summer months of Dec-March.

Things to Shop in Nairobi to remind you of your trip to Kenya

# Maasai beaded products- animals, bags and jewellery

# Maasai Shukas

# Kanga clothing

# Kikoy wraps

# Aberdares tea

# Carved wooden animals

Summary of the 7 Day Nairobi Travel Itinerary

Day 1 – Land in Nairobi

Day 2 – Explore David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Giraffe Centre

Day 3 – Safari at Nairobi National park

Day 4 – Naivasha and Crescent Island

Day 5 – Visit Hell’s Gate Park, Gorge and Hot springs

Day 6 – Boat tour on Lake Naivasha and trip to Crater Lake

Day 7 – Return to Nairobi + Visit Spinners Web

Day 8 – Departure from Nairobi

We hope you found this 7 Day Nairobi and surrounding Travel Itinerary, to be of help to you, as a reliable Travel Resource for planning your Trip to Nairobi and Kenya. Don’t forget to Pin these images, and save this One Week Nairobi Travel Itinerary, for future travel planning.

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If you enjoyed reading this 7 Day Nairobi Itinerary and Travel Guide, you might want to check out some other 7 Day Travel Guides and Itineraries, as well.

One Week in Scotland | Travel Itinerary and Travel Guide

Best of South Africa in 7 Days

The 7 Day Myanmar Road Trip Itinerary

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Best Travel Quotes - 50+ Inspirational Travel Quotes of All Times

Best Travel Quotes – 50+ Inspirational Travel Quotes of All Times

50+ Best Travel Quotes that will Inspire YOU

No matter, who we are, how old we are, or where we are, we all need a little bit of motivation every now and then. And I found Travel Quotes to be the most inspiring of the lot, not only because of the ease of relatability, but because the essence applies to Life in general too.Having said that, I’ve compiled a list of 50+ such Travel Quotes, that have…

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Did you know that Cambodia is home to South-East Asia’s Largest Freshwater Lake – Tonle Sap ? Cambodia is also one of the few countries where luxury is very affordable. And despite having the eighth wonder of the world in its backyard, Cambodia’s real treasure is its people, as they have been to hell and back, struggling through years of bloodshed, poverty and political instability. Facts like these make Cambodia difficult to resist for the travellers, and if you haven’t yet been to Cambodia, it’s time to plan your Trip to Cambodia with this 7 Day Cambodia Travel Itinerary.

As you scroll down and go through this suggested One Week Cambodia Travel Itinerary, you will realise that this Cambodia Travel Guide, might be the one of the most useful travel resources that you might need in order to plan an epic Trip to Cambodia – The home of Angkor Wat.

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The 7 Day Cambodia Travel Itinerary

[toc]

Day 1 – Arrive in Phnom Penh

Chances are that you might either reach Phnom Penh by flight, or by bus from Ho Chi Minh City aka Saigon in Vietnam, to start this epic 7 Day Trip to Cambodia, and will be travel fatigued. So the best option is to relax at your hotel, and head out a while before sunset. This way you can enjoy a nice stroll along the boulevard, adjacent to the Mekong River, followed by exploring the Phnom Penh Night Market.

Day 2 – Killing Fields and S – 21 Prison | Phnom Penh Exporation

The first half of Day 2 of this 7 Day Cambodia Travel Itinerary, will go in visiting the Killing Fields and the S-21 Prison.

The Choeung Ek memorial is about a 45-minute drive from Phnom Penh. We highly recommend in this Cambodia Travel Guide that you combine the visit of both the S-21 Prison and The Killing Fields, for the sake of historical context.

Many of those who perished under the Khmer Rouge regime ended up in one of the dozens of ‘killing fields’ that can be found scattered across the country. These killing fields were ad hoc places of execution and dumping grounds for bodies.

Prior to 1975, Choeung Ek near Phnom Penh was an orchard and a Chinese cemetery. But under the Khmer Rouge the area became one of the infamous killing fields. This particular killing field is the site of the brutal executions of approximately 17,000 men, women and children, most of whom had first been through interrogation, torture and deprivation in the S-21 Prison (now the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum) in Phnom Penh.

After the fall of the regime, memorials were set up at many of the sites, some containing the bones and remnants of victims gathered from the area.

Post lunch, explore the different markets of Phnom Penh such as the Russian Market, Central Market, The Old Market or The Olympic Market, or visit other Phnom Penh attractions such as the Royal Palace, Wat Phnom, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum.

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Day 3 – Bus / Flight to Sihanoukville | Boat to Koh Rong

After exploring Phnom Penh, it’s time to relax by the beach. And there’s no place better, than the Koh Rong Islands off Sihanoukville.

To reach Sihanoukville, you can either take a morning bus from Phnom Penh, or even a flight. Once you reach Sihanoukville, it’s time to get on a speedboat and make your way to the Koh Rong Islands.

By the time you will reach, it will be post lunch, so after checking in your resort, and a quick nap later, you can enjoy a magnificent Sunset from the jetty of your resort, followed by the evening at your leisure.

Day 4 – Koh Rong Activities

Start the day with a hearty breakfast at the inhouse restaurant, on day 4 of this 7 day Cambodia Travel Itinerary, after which you can opt for a plethora of activities to do around your resort in the Koh Rong Islands, such as Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Island Hopping Tour or a private boat tour to the nearby floating village and the mangrove forests. All you have to do is, fix up the schedule for the day, with the hotel concierge.

Day 5 – Boat to Sihanoukville | Bus / Flight to Phnom Penh

Post breakfast, head back to Sihanoukville on a boat from your hotel in the Koh Rong Islands, and then head back to Phnom Penh for the night, either by bus or by flight.

Once back in Phnom Penh, you have the option of staying for the night at the same hotel where you stayed before, or in a floating bungalow, known as Flotation by MAADS, on the Mekong River, overlooking the Phnom Penh skyline.

Enter the Bungalow Complex

And we highly recommend, in this Cambodia Travel Blog, for you to get this unique experience, of spending the night in a fully functional floating bungalow complex.

This will definitely turn out to be one of the most memorable experiences of your 7 Day Trip to Cambodia.

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Day 6 – Bus / Flight to Siem Reap

After exploring Phnom Penh and Koh Rong Islands, it’s time to head to Siem Reap – Home to the famous Angkor Wat, and also the last destination in this Epic One Week Trip to Cambodia.

This you can do, by either taking a bus or flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. While the former will be a cheaper alternative, the latter will be a quicker option.

Reach Siem Reap, check into your hotel, and, around sunset head out to explore the night markets and the famous Siem Reap Pub Street.

An interesting addition to your 7 Day Cambodia Travel Itinerary will be the Siem Reap Brew Pub, where you can head to before going to the Pub Street, and have a brewery tour and taste the different varieties of the inhouse beer.

Day 7 – Angkor Wat Full Day Exploration

It’s the last day of your Trip to Cambodia, and no trip to Cambodia is complete without witnessing the sunrise at Angkor Wat and exploring the different temples in the Angkor Wat complex.

Angkor Wat, as you already might be aware of is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic and important archaeological sites in South – East Asia. The word ‘Angkor’ means ‘capital city’ in the Khmer language, while the word ‘Wat’ means ‘temple’. It was originally built in the first half of the 12th century as a Hindu temple. Spread across more than 400 acres, Angkor Wat is said to be the largest religious monument in the world.

Did you know that Angkor Wat was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, but became a Buddhist temple by the end of the 12th century.

In order to catch the famous Angkor Wat Sunrise, you need to start your day early, probably by around 5 AM, so you can first head to the ticketing complex,and then to Angkor Wat for the sunrise. After the sunrise, you can make your way back to the hotel for the complimentary breakfast. Around midday, you can resume your Angkor Wat exploration, at your own pace. In case you need any help or guidance, the hotel concierge, will be more than willing to help you out, and make your life easy.

Day 8 – Trip Ends and Departure from Cambodia

After spending One Week in Cambodia, starting from Phnom Penh, then to Koh Rong Islands, and finally to Siem Reap, it’s time to end the trip, with bucket loads of happy memories and memorable experiences, and depart from Cambodia to your next destination.

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Where to Stay in Phnom Penh ?

The Pavilion

This Heritage Oasis Hotel, located a few steps from the Royal Palace and the Wat Botum (Royal Pagoda), comprises four period buildings, including Queen Kossamak’s former residence, giving out a sense of timeless tranquility among exuberant flora. Two large swimming pools each one with its own atmosphere and set up in a distinct part of the property, and private plunge pools contribute to the oasis feel of a place where each and every one of the accommodations keeps its own character and atmosphere.

All 36 rooms and suites at The Pavilion retain a distinctive character. There are rooms fitting all kinds of budgets and comforts. And the hotel has a strict policy of only 16 + aged guests, which kind of makes the whole atmosphere romantic and relaxing.

The location of The Pavilion is a huge plus point, as is its walking distance from the riverfront, where one can find a plethora of options to dine. There are few supermarkets as well, in the vicinity where you can get the fix of practically anything.

Flotation by MAADS

If you are really looking for some unique offbeat experience, then, in this Cambodia Travel Blog, we highly recommend you to spend a night in the Floating Bungalow by Flotation Phnom Penh.

The Floating bungalow complex comprises a bar, restaurant and of course a king size bedroom, overlooking the Phnom Penh skyline.

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The River Suite comes with a lounging terrace, a large and stylish double bedroom with king size bed and sofas, a bathroom and separate toilets. Screen windows open to the majestic Mekong and magical views over the city, so close and yet so far away.

If you are lucky, and get a cloudless sky, you are in for a memorable sunset and a glorious sunrise the next day.

Where to Stay in Koh Rong ?

Sok San Beach Resort

Sok San Beach Resort, Koh Rong island, is a traditional yet modern Khmer-style hotel located on one of the most beautiful islands of Cambodia.

Sok San Beach Resort is located in an idyllic and untouched location in Koh Rong – a 78 km2, lightly populated island where rainforest-covered hills, pristine mangrove estuaries and miles of pure white sand invite you to explore natural wonders.

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During the duration of the stay at Sok San Beach Resort, the guests can indulge in a wide range of activities like Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Fishing, Kayaking, Island Hopping, or even take a Sunset Cruise. If you are lucky and the weather is in your favour then Plankton Discovery should definitely top your list of activities to do at Sok San Beach Resort. Mind you all these activities are decently priced with the average rate of around 20 – 25 USD per activity per head.

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Where to Stay in Siem Reap ?

Templations

Templation by MAADS is literally a sprawling Oasis barely 4 KM away from the mighty Angkor Wat, in the city of Siem Reap in Cambodia.

The location of Templation is one of the biggest USP, as it is conveniently located 3 KM from the Angkor Ticketing Complex in one direction and the mighty Angkor Wat, just 4 KM, in the other direction, which can be reached in as less as 5 minutes, which is like a blessing in disguise specially when you intend to witness a sunrise at Angkor Wat.

There are 33 suites and villas spread out throughout the property, along with an in house Spa, Gym, Restaurant and Bar; and while you can choose from The Junior Suite, The Pool Suite and The Pool Villa, our recommendation in this Cambodia Travel Guide would be to go for the Pool Suite.

Click here for a detailed Property Review of Templation by MAADS.

There you go, here’s our 7 Day Cambodia Travel Itinerary to discover the best of Cambodia in One Week. The Kingdom of Cambodia has a lot to offer to the travellers, such as the warm, welcoming and hospitable locals; the rich culture; the delectable Khmer cuisine; the budget friendly prices; among others.

Tips and Recommendations

# Spend 3-4 days in Siem Reap, take the 3 day Angkor Wat pass (value for money) and explore the unexplored corners of the Angkor Wat Archeological Park on cycle at your own pace. Also include a sunrise / sunset trip to Tonle Sap – South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake.

# Spend a few extra days in Cambodia and explore the cities of Kampot and Battambang.

# Carry your own water bottle, refill it wherever possible and keep yourself hydrated at all times.

# Also, make it a point to keep some munchies in your day pack, whenever you head out to explore anything, or anywhere in Cambodia.

# Be Responsible. Don’t throw your trash anywhere, rather keep it with you and properly dispose it off at your hotel at the end of the day.

# Support the locals. You’ll find a couple of artists in and around Angkor Wat, creating art and trying to sell. Do take a moment to appreciate their efforts, and shop from them, without haggling much. And trust me, these handmade drawings / paintings make for awesome gifts and souvenirs.

7 Day Cambodia Travel Itinerary – Summarized

Day 1 – Arrive in Phnom Penh | Promenade Walk and Phnom Penh Night Market

Day 2 – Killing Fields and S-21 Prison | Phnom Penh Exporation

Day 3 – Bus / Flight to Sihanoukville | Boat to Koh Rong

Day 4 – Koh Rong Activities

Day 5 – Boat to Sihanoukville | Bus / Flight to Phnom Penh | Stay in a Floating Bungalow

Day 6 – Bus / Flight to Siem Reap | Siem Reap Pub Street and Night Market

Day 7 – Angkor Wat Full Day Exploration

Day 8 – Departure from Cambodia

Now that you’ve got a good idea about what all destinations you should visit in Cambodia, where should you stay in Phnom Penh, Koh Rong and Siem Reap, and about the different things to do on your Trip to Cambodia, it’s highly recommended that you, get a Travel Insurance and check if you need a Visa to travel to Cambodia.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); And we recommend SafetyWing – The Travel Medical Insurance for Travellers

We hope you found this 7 Day Cambodia Travel Itinerary, to be of help to you, as a reliable Travel Resource for planning your Trip to Cambodia. Don’t forget to Pin these images, and save this One Week Cambodia Travel Itinerary, for future travel planning.

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If you enjoyed reading this 7 Day Cambodia Itinerary and Travel Guide, you might want to check out some other 7 Day Travel Guides and Itineraries, as well.

One Week in Scotland | Travel Itinerary and Travel Guide

Best of South Africa in 7 Days

Best of Netherlands in 7 Days

The 7 Day Myanmar Road Trip Itinerary

One Week in Crete | Greece – Travel Itinerary and Travel Guide

7 Days in Israel – A Detailed Travel Itinerary

7 Day Road Trip to Bhutan – The Last Shangri La

One Week in Kerala – God’s Own Country

The Epic 7 Day Leh Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

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Uttarakhand Tourism saw a sharp rise in popularity the last couple of years. This northern state in India is a cornucopia of many hill stations and tourist attractions. There is so much to do and so much to see as Uttarakhand is blessed with natural beauty – jungles, rivers, snow-clad mountains and an inherent sense of divinity. The state is also called “Devbhumi” (“The Land of the Gods”) as it is home to many highly revered shrines like Badrinath, Kedarnath and so many others. And then there is offbeat Uttarakhand that we keep exploring whenever we can find an opportunity.

It can take a whole book to write about what are the best things to do in Uttarakhand. But that is for another day. Here is our humble attempt to create an Uttarakhand guide about what all can you do in 7 days, through this 7 Day Uttarakhand Travel Itinerary and Guide. We have tried to include destinations that you can reach within 6-7 hours of journey from each other.

How to reach Uttarakhand

The best way to reach Uttarakhand from any part of the world is by starting from Delhi. Delhi is very well-connected with Uttarakhand via road, rail and air. Though there are 5 airports in Uttarakhand, you may or may not get a direct flight. Once you are in Delhi, you can opt for road transport like a rented cab, bus or a self driven car. From our experience, Uttarakhand road trips are most convenient to reach some of the offbeat places.

The Best of Uttarakhand in One Week

[toc]

Day 1 – Delhi to Haridwar

Haridwar is famous for River Ganges. It is a temple town in Uttarakhand and is famous for its Ganga Aarti that is performed every morning and evening. One can cover the 200 kms odd strech from Delhi to Haridwar within 5 hours and the road condition is good. The stretch is full of eating options like dhabas, hotels and cafes. The good part is Haridwar is in the Himalayan foothills so one can expect decent weather.

Things to do in Haridwar include Ganga Aarti especially in the evening. It’s a spectacle like no other. Thousands of devotees gather around the river banks to offer prayers to Goddess Ganga. Priests with lamps in their hands chant mantras and the atmosphere looks blissful. There are myriad temples in Haridwar each with a different story. You can also visit Rishikesh from Haridwar which is barely 45 minutes drive and there are some famous temples and ashram in Rishikesh. The famous Beatles Ashram is also in Rishikesh. One can opt for hourly meditation and spa sessions in Rishikesh as well. This zone is also the most popular water rafting zone in North India.

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Day 2 – Haridwar to Mussoorie

Haridwar to Mussoorie is around 85kms and is not more than a 3 hours drive. Mussoorie is also called the “Queen of Hills” and hence from Day 2 your trip is going to be mostly on high terrain. Mussoorie is immensely popular with tourists because of many reasons. For one, Mussoorie has great weather throughout the year. Further, it has access to all sorts of hotel options from basic to luxury, from family friendly places to hostels and dormitories. Thirdly, this place has fantastic connectivity to other locations in Uttarakhand.

Things to do in Mussoorie include pottering down the famous Mall Road, trekking to Char Dukan, St Paul’s Church and early morning walk to camel’s back point. While trekking, do look out for antique and cobbler shops that make handmade shoes on order. A visit to hill resort Rockby’s Manor and savouring cheese omelette at Lovely Omelette Shop are also highly recommended. You may shop for souvenirs from the Mall Road of Mussoorie. It is full of gift options for all tastes and budgets.

Day 3 – Mussoorie to Chakrata

You will drive 100kms and reach Chakrata in a span of 3 hours from Mussoorie and see a completely different side of Uttarakhand here. While Mussoorie is extremely touristy, Chakrata is quite the opposite. It is an offbeat place and you may not see many tourists here. But it is breathtakingly beautiful and has retained its tranquillity. Chakrata is less explored but there are also many things one can do here in addition to soaking in the natural beauty. The most popular activity here is to visit Tiger Falls. These falls create sounds of roaring tigers when water drops from top of the hill to the pond at the bottom. It is a perfect picnic spot and you can frolic in the water. Apart from the waterfalls one can also visit Mahsu Temple and Budher Caves.

For adventure lovers there are arrangements for water rappelling at Kimona Falls.

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Day 4 – Chakrata to Lansdowne

Start the day early and within 6-7 hours of driving from Chakrata, covering around 250 kms, you will reach Lansdowne, a sleepy hill station in Uttarakhand. Lansdowne is essentially a Cantonment Town, and is home to the eilte Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army and hence you can expect peace, cleanliness and order. It is one of our most favorite places in Uttarakhand, no wonder we have visited it many times.

Things to do in Lansdowne include visiting Bulla Taal, a manmade lake which almost looks like a set from Indiana Jones movie, St Mary’s Church and trek up to Tiffin Top. We would highly recommend doing all these things by foot. All these things are under one hour trekking from each other and you will be able to absorb the beauty of Lansdowne better. Don’t forget to savour the famous chocolate burfi and Baal Mithai – the specialty desserts of this region. We bet you will get these packed for friends and family.

Day 5 – Lansdowne to Nainital

A 6-7 hour drive covering around 250 kms will take you from Lansdowne to Nainital, which is perhaps the busiest hill station in Uttarakhand. Just like Mussoorie, Nainital also gets tourists all through the year. Summer vacations are the peak season in Nainital and if you don’t like crowds you should avoid holiday months for visiting this place. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful hill station any day.

The Naini Lake surrounded by green mountains is the heart of this place. Boating in Naini Lake is just one of the things to do here. Apart from this, you can visit the Naina Devi Temple, enjoy cable car rides and visit Eco Caves Garden. The Mall Road is a perfect place for shopping. Look out for hand carved wax candles here. This is a local handicraft and the candles come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. We would also highly recommend breakfast and bakery items at The Sakleys, A Mountain Cafe on Mall Road.

Day 6 – Kausani Day Trip

Don’t check out from your hotel at Nainital when you start for Kausani the next morning. Kausani can be visited from Nainital and one is advised to come back the same night since there are not many lodging options in Kausani. The driving time from Nainital to Kasauni is less than 4 hours and Kausani will give you a much-needed break from the humdrum of Nainital. Start early in the morning and you can visit Neem Karouli Ashram and Katarmal Sun Temple on route to Kausani. If you love history, Katarmal Sun Temple may turn out to be a spectacular experience.

Kausani is a quaint little hamlet in Uttarakhand and would be loved by travellers who like peace and solitude. Apart from watching the valley from the binoculars from the highest point here, one must visit Gandhiji’s Anashakti Ashram in Kausani. It is a beautiful ashram cum museum displaying Gandhi memorabilia. Kausani is a perfect place to just be and not do anything. Just be one with nature and be awed by the variety of brightly coloured wild flowers. Start on your way back around sunset and you’ll be in Nainital by dinner time.

Fredy’s Bungalow – The perfect place to disconnect with the World and reconnect with nature and yourself

Another interesting alternative, is to head out of Nainital, and drive to Bhimtal, an hour away, and check into Fredy’s Bungalow – A Colonial style bungalow, for the night, surrounded by nature, which is perfect for disconnecting and reconnecting with nature. Among the many things that you can do, the best of the lot is to go hiking which also involves plenty of bird watching.

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Day 7 – Nainital to Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park, the last destination on this 7 Day Uttarakhand Road Trip Itinerary, is barely 2 hours from Nainital and this would be your drive downhill back to the plains. Jim Corbett National Park, which also happens to be one of the Best National Parks in India, is famous for its jungle safari which happens early mornings and evenings. Most of the accommodation here are resorts, such as Aahana Resort and there are barely any standalone restaurants. It is highly advisable to pre book your jungle safari as the better zones get full very easily. If you are lucky you may see tigers in the jungle but it highly depends on which zone are you in and which month you visit Jim Corbett. Don’t focus too much on tiger sightings and enjoy the deer, nilgai, and host of birds like kingfisher that would surely come your way. The overall safari experience is beautiful.

Snippets from the Corbett Jeep Safari

Apart from jungle safari, one can go for a village tour on foot or on a bicycle that your resort may provide. Since it’s your last day in Uttarakhand we would highly recommend taking it easy and Jim Corbett is a perfect place for that. The place has a very relaxed and laid-back vibe. Being forest area travellers are not advised to venture out in the night. That is the best time to chill in a pool or rejuvenate in a spa inside the resort.

Day 8 – Back to Delhi

Start after breakfast from Jim Corbett National Park and after a 5 hours drive, you will be in Delhi with your cameras full of beautiful pictures and your hearts full of amazing memories.

7 Day Uttarakhand Itinerary – Summary

Day 1: Haridwar

Day 2: Mussoorie

Day 3: Chakrata

Day 4: Lansdowne

Day 5: Nainital

Day 6: Kausani Day Trip

Day 7: Jim Corbett

We hope you found this 7 Day Uttarakhand Travel Itinerary, to be of help to you, as a reliable Travel Resource for planning your Road Trip to Uttarakhand. Don’t forget to Pin these images, and save this One Week Uttarakhand Road Trip Itinerary, for future travel planning.

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7 Day Uttarakhand Road Trip Itinerary Uttarakhand Tourism saw a sharp rise in popularity the last couple of years. This northern state in India is a cornucopia of many hill stations and tourist attractions.

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10 Disney World Tips & Hacks for the Perfect Vacation

Disney World is the happiest place on Earth, but it can be difficult to plan you first Disney World vacation. There are so many contradicting Disney World tips that you don’t know where to even start.

This post covers the Top 10 Disney World tips and tricks you need to know. They’ll help you plan the perfect Disney World vacation and make magical memories on your trip.

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Travel and food go hand in hand ! And the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach ! – Having said that, here’s a list that I’ve curated about the Best Street Food Items in Europe that you need to Try on your next trip to Europe !

I’m sure that you are going to drool ( I sure did when I was compiling this 😜) while going through these 25+ Yummy Street Foods from European countries like Bulgaria, Turkey, France, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Hungary and others.

While I have been to some of the European nations, I have just tasted maybe 4-5 of these Street Foods, and now all I want to do is plan a trip to Europe, specifically to tick off all the Street Food Items listed in this Europe edition of the Foodie Travel Bucket List, such as Gyros and Souvlaki in Greece, Khachapuri in Georgia, Pierogi in Poland, Potato pancakes in Czech Republic and Poland, Waffles and Frites in Belgium, among others !

So if you are wondering What to Eat in Europe ?

All you need to do, is to scroll and check out these yummy and popular European Street Foods!

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25+ Street Food in Europe that You Need To Try

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Balik Ekmek in Istanbul

By Anca and Sinan | Dream Book and Travel

Without a doubt, the Bosphorus is what makes Istanbul tick, a unique destination uniting two continents and millennia of human history. Assume you were to only see one place in Istanbul, that will definitely be the Galata bridge, across the Golden Horn. It links two of the city’s oldest districts and it is lined with traditional fishermen boats which sell the most famous street food in all Istanbul – the fish sandwich, also known as balık ekmek.

Prepared on the spot, with fresh fish straight out of the Bosphorus grilled on the spot and seasoned in a bread bun with vegetables, this is the best snack to warm you up on a cold winter in Istanbul together with a hot glass of Turkish tea. If it’s summer, go for pomegranate or apple drinks, and don’t be surprised if you’ll rub shoulders with businessmen on their lunch break or women on a break from running errands.

Balık ekmek is not there just for the tourists, it’s as popular with locals who appreciate the fresh flavors of the city they love just as much as you will!

As the price of one sandwich is below one euro, you will probably be able to get like 4 for the price of a Starbucks latte, so don’t hesitate to go back for more! Enjoy!

Banichka and Kifla in Bulgaria

By Alexandrina Nikolova | EarthOSea

The cuisine in Bulgaria is one of the most delicious in Europe and is definitely a must-try. Thus, while you are spending some time in Bulgaria, you should definitely try fast food too. Among the best street options for traditional Bulgarian foods are the Banichka (Banitsa) and the Kifla.

The Banichka is a traditional Bulgarian salt pie made with a special type of phyllo dough and Bulgarian white cheese. In addition to that, you can get Boza, which is a wheat sour drink that is usually drank by locals while eating Banichka. The Banichka can be found in every bakery or street food stand and varies in types. The price of the Banichka is half the price of a Starbucks coffee and is absolutely worth the try!

The Kifla is another traditional street food in Bulgaria that is definitely worth the try. It is made out of nice puffy dough and is usually filled with rosehip marmalade, but you can also get it with chocolate or other types of marmalade. Thus, if you are craving something sweet you should definitely try it out! Also, it is not expensive and usually costs half the price of a Starbucks coffee.

Belgian Waffles

By Bhushavali | My Travelogue by Bhushavali

Belfian Waffles | Flickr | Marco Verch

Did you know there are 2 very different types of waffles within Belgium namely Brussels Waffles and Liège Waffles?

While Brussels waffles are lighter, thinner and are a perfect rectangle, Liege waffles are thicker, chewier and have uneven & caramelized edges!!! Though they’re named after 2 cities, you will get both types of waffles in all the cities! Quite amusingly, the very busy waffle kiosks close to the very busy tourist spots of Brussels – Grand Place & Mannekin Pis – are actually Liege waffles!

You can have the waffles plain or customize them with a gazillion toppings including whipped cream, icecream, fruit slices, syrups and more. My personal suggestion – skip ice cream on it – waffles are meant to be had warm and ice cream topping spoils the temperature and flavour of it! Best place & time would be a hot afternoon sitting down at Grand Place! The fresh, plain waffles cost €2, the ones with all the toppings go upto €6-7! Pre-packed waffles are available in most super-markets. While they are great souvenirs, they don’t even come close to the freshly prepared ones, right out of the waffle iron!

Bocadillo de jamón in Spain

By Inma Gregorio | A World To Travel

One of the things Spain is most famous for is Serrano ham.

Born and raised in this country, I have eaten Serrano ham from a young age in multiple ways, with melon, alone, with olive oil, in small squares with pasta or pizza, with peas, and many other ways. But perhaps the most common way to eat this delicacy is as part of a simple ham sandwich.

The Museo del Jamón chain of establishments – which can be found in some of the most central squares, avenues and streets of Madrid, the capital – knows this well. Thus, they have created a pack of 1 sandwich and 1 can of soda for € 2.5.

But you don’t have to go there to enjoy it. In any of the 17 Spanish regions, it is very easy to get the two main ingredients, bread, and ham, in a supermarket. The kg of ham is around € 15 to € 60 (depending on its age, how the pigs were fed, and the general quality of the product) but you will only need around 100 grams; and a good loaf of bread can be purchased for € 1. Enjoy!

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Boquerones in Southern Spain

By Joanna | Andalucia In My Pocket

Boquerones | Flickr | Kent Wang

Boquerones is Malaga’s most famous dish. No matter how you have them, boquerones have deep roots into the city’s culture, as far as the locals proudly call themselves by this name.

Boqueron, in translation, means anchovy. However, they are not what you would imagine when you think of an anchovy. Boquerones are bigger and fleshier fish, that grow between 9 and 12 centimetres long and are cooked from fresh and not preserved as their relatives do.

Everywhere you go in Malaga you will find boquerones: in the form of espetos – grilled on a skewer over an open fire, boquerones al limon – marinated in lemon and then deep fried, boquerones en vinagre – marinated in vinegar for 24 hours and served raw.

There is no complete holiday in Spain without having boquerones on the beach, accompanying a cold pint of beer. They are relatively cheap, with espetos costing between 5 and 7 euros, and a tapa of fried boquerones costing around 3-5 euros. There are some places in Malaga where you can even get them for 2 euros.

Bramborák in the Czech Republic

By Veronika Primm | Travel Geekery

Bramborák is one of the most typical dishes of the Czech Republic, and one of the best street foods in Europe. Essentially a potato pancake, it consists of only a few ingredients and is not hard to make, just a little laborsome.

Bramborák is often sold at markets as popular street food. To have just one as a hearty snack is often a preferred way to making the potato pancakes at home and eating a plateful of them.

The best bramboráks should not be too oily, have crisp edges and a soft center. They have to be made from quality potatoes and smell of marjoram and garlic.

The price can be anything from a few crowns in villages to a 100 CZK and more in cities (especially Prague), even surpassing the price of a tall cappuccino at Starbucks. The price is often counted by weight.

Similar types of potato pancakes can be found in the whole Central and Eastern Europe and parts of Germany.

Cevapi in Serbia

By Mark Anderson | VogaTech

If you find yourself in Serbia, but also in the entire Balkans, and ask the locals which street food to try, you will most likely get the answer cevapi!

Every chef has his own unique recipe and way of preparation, which makes his cevapi different and special. Generally, cevapi are made from pure beef or a mixture of beef and lamb or pork. The meat is finely minced and spiced with salt, ground pepper, and other spices. Then, it is shaped into rolls 8-10 cm long. It is grilled on BBQ over moderate heat to keep the meat juicy.

In a portion, there are 5 or 10 cevapi served in a bun or somun (specially prepared flatbread) with traditional side dishes such as onions, crushed peppers, and kajmak. But, it will also offer you other side dishes such as french fries, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, ketchup, sour cream, and others. Cevapi are very tasteful and juicy if you travel to Serbia, it’s must-taste street food.

The price of a small portion of cevapi (5 pcs) is about 250-300 rsd, which is around 2-2.2eur, similar to the price of coffee late in Starbucks.

Chimney cake in Budapest

By Krisztina Harsanyi | She Wanders Abroad

Chimney cakes are one of the most popular street food in Europe, especially in the Christmas markets. While many people associate them with Prague, chimney cakes originally come from Hungary! The first known recipe of chimney cake comes from Transylvania (West-Romania, which was also part of the Kingdom of Hungary at that time) but this recipe didn’t include any sweetening. The sweet version of chimney cake was first born in 1795 when a Hungarian recipe suggested sugar coating.

So, what is a chimney cake exactly? It’s practically a sweet dough that is rolled in granulated sugar, wrapped around a cone and roasted over charcoal. During the baking process the sugar caramelizes so the crust will become golden brown on the outside and the sweet scent of caramelized sugar will catch your nose immediately. The last stop is choosing the coating, which is totally up to you. The most popular choices are coconuts, cinnamon, walnuts or chocolate, but nowadays ice cream filled chimney cakes are becoming more and more popular.

Even if you spend only a weekend in Budapest, you should try this traditional Hungarian street food! You will find many stalls across the city selling chimney cakes all year round. The price can vary a lot as you can get a small chimney cake for 300 HUF (0.8 EUR) at the kiosks around metro stations and main squares, while you can also spend up to 1,800 HUF (5 EUR) for a full-extra chimney cake at the Christmas markets.

Cig köfte in Turkey

By Sasha | Mog and Dog Travels

If you are looking for a good vegan street food snack in Turkey, then look no further than spicy çiğ köfte to set your tastebuds alight. Originating from Eastern Turkey, this dish, according to local folklore, has apparently been enjoyed since the time of Abraham. In Turkish, çig means “raw” and köfte means “meatball”. “How on earth is that vegan?” I hear you ask. Well…

The original version of the dish was made with very finely ground beef or lamb however in 2009, the Turkish government banned the street sale of raw çiğ köfte, thereby leading to the now popular vegan version (for those still hankering after raw meaty goodness, the ‘original’ version of the dish is still served in a few specially licensed restaurants).

Çiğ köfte restaurants usually have a big burly man at the helm – no surprise when you consider the amount of physical work involved in making the dish. Bulgur wheat is kneaded into chopped onions, parsley and water until it all gets very soft. Huge dollops of tomato paste, pepper paste, red chilli flakes, urfa pepper flakes, cumin and sometimes walnuts are then added as everything continues to be kneaded until well combined.

The kneading process (which can take 30 – 90 minutes in some places) is supposed to ‘cook’ the mixture, making the end result look and taste very similar to meat. The good news is that most places have a çiğ köfte mix ready, so you won’t have to wait that long.

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Currywurst in Berlin

By Vicki Franz | Vicki Viaja

One thing is clear: anyone who visits the German capital Berlin cannot leave without trying a real Berlin Currywurst. This dish is as much a part of Berlin as the Brandenburg Gate and should definitely be an integral part of every Berlin itinerary.

The Berlin currywurst can be served in two ways. You either buy them as a snack in between. Then it is served as a chopped sausage in a tomato curry sauce.

Or you can order them in a restaurant. Then there is a large German sausage, which is also served with a curry tomato sauce. Of course, there are also fries and, depending on the restaurant, a small side salad.

The price of this Berlin specialty naturally changes depending on whether it is enjoyed as a snack or as a whole meal. As a snack, you can find them in some places for less than a Starbucks coffee. In the restaurant, they are often cheaper than many other dishes (usually fewer than 10 €) – but they still fill you up entirely.

Good news for all vegetarians: By now, you can even get the famous German sausage as a veggie version in many currywurst restaurants throughout Berlin.

Frites in Belgium

By Babs and Kath | Next Stop Belgium

If there’s one thing you should know about Belgians, it’s that they absolutely love their ‘frietjes’. This potato dish known as chips or French(ed) fries exists in its ultimate version in the tiny Western-European country, where locals eat them at least once a week.

While they are often made at restaurants and at home to accompany an array of meat, fish or vegetable dishes, Belgians usually eat them straight from the ‘frietkot’. In the past those places looked like a shed/stall, but times have changed and now the golden deliciousness is mostly (but not always!) sold in a regular take-away restaurant – in Belgium known as a ‘frituur’.

We do not only eat frites though, we accompany them with a sauce of choice and some kind of deep-fried side dish (usually meat but nowadays there are many fish and vegetarian options as well).

To compare the price, a Starbucks Caffe Latte Grande will cost you €3,65 in Belgium. You can pick fries in a couple of sizes, usually setting you back between €1,50 and €2,50 for a package. Sauce will be about €0,80 and a side dish ranges from €1,50 to €4. This means you can get an entire meal for about €5-6. That’s about the same price as a McD menu, but a whole lot better!

Gyros in Greece

By Nisha Dalal | And There She Goes Again

Gyro is my favorite wrap sandwich that is a staple of the Greek Cuisine with a variety of meat fillings and vegetable options. It is similar to my favorite German-ized fast food, Doner Kebab.

Gyro contains meat (that could be pork, lamb, beef or chicken) that is roasted and cut into paper-thin slices. These meat slices are then piled on pita bread and topped with onions, spices, tomatoes, roasted potatoes, cayenne pepper, and tzatziki. Tzatziki is a classic greek dressing made of strained yogurt and infused with cucumber, salt, pepper, garlic, and dill.

In Greek, gyros mean to turn and it refers to the vertical meat holder than turns and roasts the meat gradually.

Fun fact: Even though Gyros are one of the most famous Greek dishes, it’s one of the most mispronounced ones as well. It is pronounced as yee-roh. The G is silent since there is no letter G in the Greek language.

I had eaten gyros before but I understood its true flavors during my short but epic trip to Thessaloniki. The best part is this amazing and filling dish costs only around 3 euros, a Starbucks small cappuccino costs more than this!

Hot dogs in Iceland

By Nisha Dalal | And There She Goes Again

What do you eat when you travel to one of the world’s most expensive countries? Hot dogs! As weird as it sounds, Hot dogs are Iceland’s most popular street food. Locals eat them, visitors eat them and even Bill Clinton ate them when he was in Reykjavik. You can find them in all the major streets in the capital Reykjavik.

I love the Icelandic hotdogs: grilled sausage, toasted soft bread, fried crispy onions, a mix of mustard and tomato dressing, all with the side of the stunning view of the city.

While Reykjavik city is not very budget-friendly, these hotdogs help a bit. You can get an average hotdog for about 4-5 USD, i.e. same price as a medium cappuccino in Starbucks. One of the fun facts about Iceland, aside from their cool Viking clap and Icelandic horses, is that there isn’t a Starbucks or McDonalds in their country.

Kapsalon in Netherlands and Belgium

By Lieze and Josh | Glitter Rebel

Are you looking for a nice and greasy midnight meal after all those amazing (and strong) Belgian beers? Then you will HAVE to try a ‘Kapsalon’. This amazing meal literally means ‘’hairdresser’’ in Dutch and got its weird name after Nataniël Gomes, the owner of a hair salon, would regularly ask the owners of the Turkish restaurant down the road to make this exact dish. The dish made it onto the menu of the restaurant and soon became an absolute favourite in shawarma and doner restaurants in the Netherlands and Belgium. In 2017 kapsalon even became a fan favourite in Kathmandu after a Dutch chef introduced it in the Nepalese capital.

So what is a Kapsalon I hear you ask. Well, it is a layer of perfectly cooked fries, topped with doner meat and a massive layer of cheese. This is put under a grill for a few minutes so the cheese is deliciously melted over the meat and fries. On top of all this cheesiness you will get crispy salad and tomatoes and a massive squirt of garlic sauce. That, by definition, makes it a balanced meal – no?

Anyway – this calorie bomb is one of the most amazing fast food dishes I have ever had and everyone I ever introduced to this heavenly delicious dish has fallen in love with Kapsalon. If you visit Belgium, the Netherlands or apparently even Nepal, you need to try a Kapsalon!

Khachapuri in Georgia

By Maggie Turansky | The World Was Here First

Ajarian Khachapuri | Flickr | Marco Verch

Arguably the most internationally famous dishes in Georgian cuisine also happens to be one of the best fast food dishes to eat in the country — and that is khachapuri! Khachapuri, or cheese-stuffed bread, has countless different iterations throughout Georgia but still remains one of the favourite dishes in this Eastern European nation.

Khachapuri is available almost everywhere in Georgia, from streetside bakeries to finer dining establishments. While there are many different types of khachapuri that can be found throughout the country, arguably the most notable is Adjaruli khachapuri, a boat-shaped cheese bread filled with molten cheese and topped with a golden egg yolk and a pat of butter. Hailing from the Adjara region of Western Georgia, this decadent treat can be enjoyed at divey cafes or proper restaurants throughout the country and it is always delicious.

The most common type of khachapuri that one may find in a streetside bakery, however, is khachapuri Imeruli. This iteration is a bit more simple and is simply a round bread stuffed with cheese, however, it is nonetheless completely delicious.

So if you want to experience one of the most delicious street food dishes in Europe, then head to Georgia and sample a khachapuri!

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Lahmajo in Armenia

By Megan and Aram | Absolute Armenia

Lahmajo is one of the most common street foods you’ll find in Armenia and it is known as an Armenian pizza here because of its flat nature and that it contains a lot of ingredients. In other parts of the world, many will refer to it as ‘lahmacun’ or ‘Turkish pizza’.

Originating in the Middle East, lahmajo received a huge boost and movement around the world with the Armenian diaspora and food enthusiasts enjoying this simple, yet tasty treat. One of the biggest perks about ordering lahmajo is that it merely takes minutes to prepare and cook and even fewer to consume!

On lahmajo, you will find minced meat marinated with spices and herbs, parsley, and tomato sauce. Sometimes, they will even include options that contain cheese or other ingredients. To have a truly Armenian experience, enjoy lahmajo with a glass or tan (Armenian salty yogurt drink) and lemon.

Another great thing about lahmajo is the price point. In Yerevan or Gyumri, the two largest cities in Armenia, you will pay around $0.50 for one at small kiosks and bakeries. If you order in a fancier restaurant or setting, it will be about $1 for one. It truly is a must-eat fast treat when you visit Armenia!

Langoș in Transylvania

By Ana Grozea | Jaunting Trips

It’s no secret that in this part of the world, South-Eastern Europe and the Balkans – we share a lot of recipes, be it homemade or street food. And if it’s so wide spread, you know it’s good.

Langoș (langoshi) is a traditional food in Transylvania, with Hungarian roots. Due to the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this delicious street food can be found from Poland down to Bulgaria, and from Czech Republic all through Croatia, Serbia and Slovakia. However, if you come to Dracula’s land, in Transylvania, it’s one of the “must eats”.

The Langoș is made from basic ingredients: flower, yeast, salt, water or milk, fried in oil. After trekking in the Carpathian Mountains it’s the perfect snack to compensate for all that workout. The advantage of this quick delicious dish is that you can have it with either sweet or savory toppings. Of course, if you are in Transylvania, you should definitely go for sour cream and garlic. But you can add ham, graded cheese, powdered sugar or delicious homemade jams.

You can find it around most pastry shops in cities like Brașov, Sighișoara and Sibiu and it is one of the most popular street foods in local fairs and traditional or medieval festivals in Europe. Since it’s a street food, it’s also cheap. A plain one can be around 8 Ron (less than 2 euro or 2 USD) and one with toppings can go up to double that price. Basically, between a Regular and a Grande latte.

Oysters in Bordeaux

By Jennifer and Tim | Bordeaux Travel Guide

You might not think of oysters as a street food, but in Bordeaux, oysters are one of the ultimate street foods found year round. Located just 30 miles from Bordeaux, the Bassin of Arcachon is famous for its oyster production. Unlike Brittany oysters that are sold in mass commercially, the Cap Ferret oysters of the Bassin of Arcachon are only sold directly to consumers at markets throughout the department, direct at the no-frills oyster shacks that dot the Bassin, and to very few restaurants locally. That’s because there’s only around 350 oyster farms producing a small production of 10,000 oysters per year.

Cap Ferret oysters are a Bordeaux specialty, and priced typically around just 1.50€ per oyster, are a bargain at that. You won’t find the oysters exported or sold at grocery stores, but you can find oyster producers selling their fresh oysters at local markets. Take your plate of 6 oysters with a glass of white Bordeaux to one of tiny tables set up to enjoy the oysters at. Typically at markets a plate of 6 oysters and a glass of white Bordeaux is just 6€ and Jennifer and Tim of Bordeaux Travel Guide say you’ll definitely feel like a local indulging in this Bordeaux tradition.

Paella in Spain

By Manjulika Pramod

No trip to Spain is complete without digging into Paella. It is one of the oldest and most popular dishes in Spanish cuisine. I definitely knew about Paella before traveling to Spain but I learned about it more when I visited Valencia and Ibiza. My first tryst with Paella had taken place in a culinary fest (Sunday Farmers Market) in Johannesburg but I am not sure if I liked it. But what I ate in Valencia, the place which deserves all the credit for inventing the dish, was definitely worth remembering. I relished every bite of it. Though the rice is quite different to what we eat in India, the charm lies in the stock, the grain variety and the way of preparation.

The metal pan or “paellera”, in which Paella is made, is made from iron (cast iron preferred) or polished steel. It was interesting to learn that Paella gets its name from the vessel (wide, shallow traditional flat pan) in which it is prepared and served too. Paella is actually not about single serves but its is about many people eating together. So its very important to order your Paella as per the number of people who would be eating. At good restaurants, its might cost you somewhere between 20 to 35 Euros per head for a Paella meal without wine. Paella is not just staple food of Spain but street food too. It is available everywhere and one can relish it in its many recipes. One need not get confused about the variety and must go for it at 2-3 places. Every chef in Valencia has a story to tell when it comes to Paella, so you will not be disappointed.

A classic Paella is about simple and traditional flavors. The Sea food paella seems to be popular at most of the places but originally Valencia claims that it was originally cooked with rice and meat. And don’t you worry because you do get a vegetarian version too. Also, Paella has different tastes in different cities of Spain. What I ate in Ibiza was different than in Valencia but both were good.

Panelle in Sicily, Italy

Contributed by Wendy Werneth | The Nomadic Vegan

Panelle is a ubiquitous street food snack that you will find all over the streets of Sicily, and especially in the city of Palermo. It’s quite a regional specialty, though, so if you go looking for it in other parts of Italy you’ll probably be disappointed. Panelle is made from a dough of chickpea flour, which is seasoned, fried and cut into squares. Since chickpeas have their origins in the Middle East, it’s believed that they were introduced to Sicily when Muslims conquered the island in the 9th century AD.

Vegetarians and vegans traveling to Italy will be happy to know that panelle is one of many vegan Italian street food snacks. The reason it’s my favorite is because it’s vegan yet also quite filling and full of protein. Sometimes you’ll see a slice of panelle stuffed into a bread roll and eaten as a sandwich. My favorite place to eat panelle is at the is Rosticceria Palermitana da Andrea, a little hole-in-the-wall eatery in the town of Noto.

Panzerotti in Southern Italy

By Susanne | My Golden Pear

Panzerotti are not only a popular street food in southern Italy, these deliciously filled, deep-fried dumplings are a statement and art, especially in Campania and Puglia where they are available in every corner. The otherwise already picky Italians are especially picky when it comes to this. And, of course Mama’s Panzerotti are the best!

These handmade, palm-sized delicacies are filled with mozzarella and tomato, with cime di rape or seafood. But also other creations are available in the Panifici. The ones filled with sweet chickpea purée are particularly interesting. Choose one from the display cabinet, take it and eat it immediately and warm while standing or sitting. Freshly deep-fried Panzerotti should be left to cool down a bit because the inside is extremely hot.

Pro Tip: Make sure you take several napkins with you. The delicious filling likes to drip out.

Depending on its size, a Panzerotto is a whole meal and very filling. With prices between 1,50€ and 3€ you are well fed. Order a cafe for 90 cents afterwards and you are happy! Guaranteed!

Patatas Bravas in Spain

By Jiayi Wang | The Diary of a Nomad

One of my favourite European dishes is patatas bravas from Spain. It’s a very popular tapas dish that consists of fried potatoes cut into irregular cubes and served warm with a spicy tomato sauce. While it originated in Madrid, you can find it in restaurants and tapas bars all over Spain, especially in Seville. It usually costs around €5 (in comparison, a cup of coffee costs around €1.50 in Spain).

One thing I love about patatas bravas is that it’s so simple, you can easily make it at home when you’re missing Spanish food! All you need are potatoes, onions, garlic, tomatoes, sugar, paprika, and chili powder. Once you’ve roasted the potatoes, you just need to mix everything else in a boiling pan to create the sauce. Not only is this dish very filling, it’s also super flavorful — imaging french fries with ketchup, but a lot classier and tastier. So next time you visit Spain, make sure to give patatas bravas a try!

Piadina in Italy

By Giulia | Travelling Sunglasses

There are so many delicious dishes to try in the region of Emilia-Romagna, in Northern Italy. However, it is safe to state that “piadina” is an institution. When travelling to Bologna, to Rimini, and any city in between, make sure you taste this traditional Italian street food.

Piadina is a flat disc of bread, very thin in some cities and thicker in others. The piadina is warmed up, folded in half, and filled with different ingredients, such as cold cuts, cheese and vegetables.

While the classics are certainly reliable, such as prosciutto ham and mozzarella, make sure you explore some of the local delicacies, such as the salty “porchetta” ham or bresaola, grilled vegetables, aged or smoked cheeses.

The traditional piadina is filled with prosciutto crudo (you may know it as Parma ham), a soft cheese called squacquerone, and rocket salad. It’s the perfect combination of salty, fresh and bitter flavors. Just thinking about it makes me crave it!

A piadina costs between 4 and 7 EUR, depending on the ingredients and on the location of the restaurant.

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Pierogi in Poland

By Debjani | The Vagabong

Pierogi is the best street food in Poland. In fact, these are the tasty little dumplings that originated mainly from Poland and is fairly popular in Eastern Europe. Once, in Poland, you can find pierogi of different varieties and fillings. They are super easily available and are very cheap.

Pierog is generally semi-circular dumplings made of dough and is filled with plenty of choices like chicken, pork, soya, tofu or sometimes you may get to taste chocolate-filled Pierogi as well.

In fact, tourists are spoilt for choice for places to try pierogi and there are endless types of Pierogi to sample. Polish dishes are often difficult to understand but pierogi could be a safer option to choose from. A plate of pierogi generally cost from 3-5 Euros depending on the place you are having.

Infact, Pierogi in Poland is as similar to Tapas food in Spain or Enchiladas in Mexico.

Placki Ziemniaczane in Poland

By Reshma | The Solo Globetrotter

Potato Pancakes, called in Polish as Placki Ziemniaczane or Placki Kartoflane are one of the famous dishes in Poland. Although it has now become a popular fast food item, Potato Pancakes is a traditional Polish dish from Mazovia region, which originated as a substitute for meat for Catholics who cooked them on Fridays.

Gradually, the recipe of these delicious pancakes spread far and wide, with people developing various forms of these Pancakes. The Jews in Poland and Europe prepare Latkes, which is a type of Placki.

I tasted them first at Poznan, which was one of my day trips from Warsaw, and I completely fell in love with the dish. No wonder, I had them many times after that, throughout my journey, every day. The are not only delicious, but far better than plain pancakes. Also, the portion size is large and filling for one, especially as they are usually served with sour cream.

They are available everywhere in Poland, with the cheapest and the best ones in Milk Bars, where a plate of Potato Pancakes will cost you less than 3 or 4 Euros. You can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and you will feel energized for a long time! Also, better to have them with Borscht(Clear Beetroot soup).

Souvlaki in Athens

By Chrysoula | Athens and Beyond

Souvlaki is a classic street food option in Athens and all over Greece that comprises tender meat cooked on a skewer and either served on a stick with sides or in a heartily-filled pita as a gyros (pronounced “year-os”). This meat is juicy and delicious with little crispy bits that have been left to cook a little longer, and when it’s served ‘apo ola’ (with everything) it comes with tzatziki, tomato, onions and fries all wrapped up in a fluffy pita. This makes for a tasty, cheap and cheerful lunch, that comes in at just €3-3.50 in Athens and even cheaper on the islands.

There are souvlaki restaurants and takeaways all over Athens so you’ll never have to search far to find yummy gyros and they’re perfect for those strapped for time or cash! I would suggest sitting down to eat your souvlaki though, as they can be a little tricky to eat on-the-go without getting tzatziki all over your face!

Tortilla de Patatas in Spain

By Sabine and Sean | The Travelling Chilli

Tapas bars are not just places to eat, but also an integral part of Spanish culture where you will often find large, loud groups of families and friends, and that’s without the music. You will be hard pressed to pass through any Spanish city, town or village and not find a tapas bar. Spanish tapas are little plates of various finger foods which are a classic Spanish food dish that is usually accompanied by some kind of refreshment, such as soft drink, beer or wine. 2×4 tapas plus a whole bottle of wine can set you back about as much as a single large cup of coffee at Starbucks.

One of the most common tapas is ‘tortilla de patatas’. This classic Spanish omelette is filled with a scrumptious, gooey potato and onion mix and is cut into little squares and served on French baguette which makes it really easy to eat as finger food.

What I like most about tapas is they can constitute as a full meal if you have enough of them, and considering the variety on offer, eating out at a Spanish tapas bar is one of my favourite all-round experiences when visiting Spain.

Zapiekanka in Poland

By Deeptha Doshi | The Globe Trotter

There’s nothing not to like about this Polish street food. Zapiekanka is an open-faced sandwich (usually made with plain baguette cut lengthwise) topped with sautéed white mushrooms and a generous helping of cheese. It is served hot with ketchup and is one of the best street foods in Poland!

Zapiekanka has its origins in the austere times Poland faced in the 1970s when even the most basic ingredients were difficult to come by. And it is popular even today and is available across Poland, Krakow being the hub where you will find a Zapiekanka stall in almost every major street. You cannot miss it. A stop at a Zapiekanka stall is also included in most food tours in Krakow.

While the recipe remains the same across vendors, there can be a slight variation with some vendors using additional ingredients (meat, pickled cucumbers, olives etc.) and sauces (BBQ sauce, Garlic sauce).

Zapienkanka is hearty, filling and cheap making it one of the best street foods in Poland. The price ranges between 1-2 Euros depending on the toppings. Don’t forget to try it when you visit Poland.

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Peru for the Budget Traveller | Best Budget Travel Hacks for Peru

I love Peru. And I am sure that you have heard that before. Peru is one of the most popular countries in South America for backpackers. After Brazil and Argentina, it’s the biggest country in South America by land area, and very diverse. If you go to Peru, you will meet all kinds of travelers. People flocking to Machu Pichu, hiking the Inca trail, taking helicopter rides to see the Nazca lines, just chilling in Cuzco, wandering in the Amazon, heading to Lake Titicaca or hitting the pristine beaches in North Peru. You can easily spend months here and not notice how time went by. And, if you plan to visit Peru, a Peru tourist visa is cheap and easy to get. If you are planning to backpack around Peru for a long time, it’s better to learn more about the entry and exit requirements for Peru, and Peru visa extension.

You know what else I love about Peru apart from all these gorgeous places and the mouth-watering food? That it’s not very expensive to travel here. If you plan it well and use the right budget hacks, you can easily travel in Peru for a long time, and save a lot of money.

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Learn to love buses | Take Colectivos

While you could fly from one city to another, buses are very popular in Peru for intercity travel. Most of these buses are really comfy and cheap. On some longer journeys that last more than 6 hours, you will be provided a meal and comfortable seat that converts to a bed. Want more? If the bus is overnight, you can save that night’s accommodation. The whole time I was in Peru, I took many long-distance buses and saved money.

Inside the city, you can use colectivos rather than taxis or Uber. The colectivos look like vans. They are mostly white in color. Normally, they cost around 1–2 Soles ($0.30–0.60) for a ride. There is always a guy at the door to guide the people inside and collect the fare once the colectivo is on the road. You can ask him if it’s going to your destination if you are not sure.

Sample the traditional lunch “Menu” | Eat where the locals eat

Peru has some of the tastiest food out there. Be it Ceviche or Arroz con Marizcos ( Rice with seafood) or Causa (Potato Casserole), everything will leave you wanting more. And it’s cheap. Well, it’s cheap when you eat at restaurants that have a traditional set lunch menu that would cost anything from $2–5, depending on where you are. Most of these restaurants are run by a family, and the food they serve is delicious.

For dinner, you can choose to eat at local markets where locals eat. You can get everything starting from soups to noodles at these markets.

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Learn and Speak Spanish

I know it’s not easy to just drop by and learn a new language just like that. But if you are gonna spend months backpacking in Peru, try to take a one-week course and learn the basics. The courses are not that costly. Rather than thinking of it as an expenditure, think of it as a small investment to save more. And if you are planning for a week or two, pick up some words. And download a Spanish dictionary or language app on your smartphone.

You would be taken aback how everything will suddenly become cheaper when you start haggling everywhere in Spanish. And if that’s not enough, you might end up making some friends.

Book tours last Minute

Rainbow Mountain in Peru

This one can sound weird but it happens all the time.

If you want to book a tour for the Inca trail or a city sight-seeing tour, don’t go for the impulse buy. Wait. Show up half an hour before they start, and you could get a tour for a lower price most probably. And this happens everywhere in Peru.

Learn to barter

Probably you come from a developing country where bartering is not the norm. In Peru however, you need to learn to barter. They often tell you a higher price as soon as they realize that you are a foreigner.

No, this is not about being the greatest haggler out there. Bartering here is pretty different from Asian countries. Be it for tours, taxis or markets, you can ask them politely to give you a discount. And to top it off, ask them in Spanish : Un pequeño descuento, por favor.

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Avoid Package Tours | Go for DIY tours

Get this. While I was in Cusco, I saw all these pamphlets promoting these day tours to a bunch of tourist attractions like Sacred valley of Inca, Saqsaywaman, Qorikancha and a couple more for $100 (330 soles). This didn’t include the entrance fees to these places. And foreigners (except for those with Andean nationalities) were to pay an entrance fee that would be exponentially higher than the locals. And on top of that, some of these places were the kind I could easily give a miss. So I ended up taking a local bus on my own to a couple of places I liked and saved more than $50.

Machu Pichu

The same goes for Machu Pichu tours. Big chances are that if you are going to Peru, you went there to do the Inca trail and see Machu Pichu. Some of these Inca trail treks are quite pricey ( a few hundred dollars) and they are sold out months in advance. You can plan your own trek by taking a colectivo from Ollantaytambo to Hidroelectrica, and then hike for a couple of hours to Aguas Calientes, and take a bus to Machu Pichu from there. While coming back, you can plan it similarly depending on your budget.

Visit local markets

Peru has markets that are specifically geared towards tourists. These places are better organized. The shops look pretty, and most shopkeepers would speak a bit of English, if not fluent. There would be all these souvenirs. And you guessed it- the stuff you would buy from there would be on the costlier side.

What you can do is to visit a local market. Every city has got one of them. Most of these markets would be housed in a gigantic building with a couple of floors or more. Sort of like shopping malls. They would be selling all kinds of things starting from fresh produce to fish, meat, pullovers. And they would always have these small restaurants where you could have dinner.

Stick to these markets for most of your needs and you will end up saving a lot of money easily.

The truth is Peru is relatively cheaper than some of its neighbors like Chile, Argentina and Brazil. If you use these budget travel hacks, you can have a great time without burning a hole in your pocket.

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7 Day Netherlands Travel Itinerary and Guide

The Netherlands is a beautiful country filled with towns, cities, and villages that are all very unique and diverse, and also one of the best destinations to travel to for Solo Travellers. It is a small country and therefore, spending one week in the Netherlands is just enough time to get a taste of some of the top places within the country. Of course, more time is always better, but this 7 Day Netherlands Travel Itinerary will give you the best Holland experience in the limited time that you have.

What’s great about travelling around the Netherlands is that, as previously mentioned, it is a very small country and that means getting around and travelling around seeing a lot of cities is very easy. Journeys between destinations are scenic and quick and offer tons to see along the way. With only seven days in the Netherlands you have to be picky on the places you choose to go to. In an ideal world you would go everywhere but, in this case, you have to pick the best of the best.

This Netherlands travel itinerary covers cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Haarlem, Utrecht, Gouda, that will give you the best Holland experience. Feel free to moderate this one week Netherlands itinerary to fit your needs if you prefer to travel slowly and spend a little more time in cities you could cut one or two of the places out of this itinerary in order to make it fit your travel style.

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[toc]

Day 1 – 2 | Amsterdam

The first stop on your Trip to Netherlands is the very famous capital city of the Netherlands, Amsterdam. This is by far the most popular city in the Netherlands that attracts millions of tourists a year all eager to explore the stunning canals, quirky houses, and famous landmarks. But to do and see everything you should in Amsterdam, it is suggested you spend at least two days here. The best two days during the week to spend in Amsterdam are the weekend, as Amsterdam during the weekend is when you will find most events and special surprises.

During the two days in Amsterdam be sure to go to The Anne Frank House, visit the Jordaan, eat Dutch cheese, and admire the architecture. There’s so much to see and do and you will surely be lost in the streets and wishing you had a few more days.

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Day 3 | Utrecht & Gouda

After visiting Amsterdam, take a short 20-minute train ride to Utrecht. Here you will find mediaeval buildings, old canals, lively streets and a ton to see. Spending the day here will show you another beautiful city in the Netherlands that is much less busy and touristy than Amsterdam. Utrecht is also very close to Gouda which is another city in the Netherlands famous for its Gouda cheese. Therefore, after spending one day in Utrecht it is suggested to leave early the next morning and make a quick top in Gouda before visiting the next city.

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Day 4 | Rotterdam

A quick morning stop in Gouda is perfect before visiting Rotterdam. Gouda is an authentic Dutch town whereas Rotterdam could not be any more different. Rotterdam is a city that was completely destroyed during World War II and therefore it looks very different from the other cities in the Netherlands because it was rebuilt in a more modern style than the classic style. It is such an interesting place to explore and see a more modern futuristic side to the Netherlands.

Day 5 | Den Haag

The Hague | Flickr | R Boed

The Hague is an interesting city that is known as the political capital of the Netherlands. Find various embassies, political buildings, and palaces in the Hague which are stunning and great to photograph. The most interesting and enticing aspect of the Hague is the beach called Scheveningen beach. This is a large sandy stretch of beach that becomes filled with people in the summer!

Day 6 – 7 | Haarlem

Spend the last two days of this One Week Netherlands Travel Itinerary, in Haarlem. Haarlem is also regarded as a mini Amsterdam because it looks quite similar but with much fewer tourists. This is a great place to explore by foot or by boat, plus it is close to the famous Zaanse Schans which is an area full of authentic Dutch windmills!

Spend two days in Harlem and you will be able to explore the city plus venture outside and go to Zaanse Schans. What’s also great is that Harlem is very close to Amsterdam (only 20 minutes by train) so if you are flying out from Amsterdam you are close and don’t need to travel far to get to the airport.

Zaanse Schans, Netherlands | Unsplash | Tommy Ferraz

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The 7 Day Netherlands Itinerary – Summarised

Day 1 – 2 | Amsterdam

Day 3 | Utrecht & Gouda

Day 4 | Rotterdam

Day 5 | Den Haag

Day 6 – 7 | Haarlem

Tips and Recommendations for your Trip to Netherlands

How to get around The Netherlands

The Netherlands is very easy to travel around. The easiest way is by train and luckily the train transportation system in the Netherlands is one of the best in Europe. The trains are running constantly throughout the day and are a very fast way to get from city to city all around the country. However, if you are taking the train very often you might see the price catch up with you. The trains in the Netherlands are on the more expensive side and if you find yourself on a train every day it can get quite pricey.

If you are looking to save some money on transportation you can also rent a car. Driving in the Netherlands is quite easy as there are not many major highways. Plus if you have your own car you can stop along the way and check out any additional places that are along the route.

Weather in The Netherlands

The one thing that is not so great about the Netherlands is the weather. The Netherlands is notorious for raining very often and seemingly out of nowhere. You’ll most likely get used to these types of weather conditions and you just have to make the best of exploring in a little bit of rain. However, what’s great about the weather is that the Netherlands is a pretty mild country meaning in the winter it is cold but not very often in the negatives and during the other seasons you can expect mild and not extreme temperatures.

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I hope you found this 7 Day Netherlands Travel Itinerary, to be of help to you, as a reliable Travel Resource for planning your Trip to Netherlands. Don’t forget to Pin these images, and save this Best of Netherlands in 7 Days – A Travel Itinerary and Guide, for future travel planning.

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If you enjoyed reading this 7 Day Netherlands Itinerary and Travel Guide, you might want to check out some other 7 Day Travel Guides and Itineraries, as well.

7 Day Road Trip to Scotland

Best of South Africa in 7 Days

The 7 Day Myanmar Road Trip Itinerary

One Week in Crete | Greece – Travel Itinerary and Travel Guide

7 Days in Israel – A Detailed Travel Itinerary

7 Day Road Trip to Bhutan – The Last Shangri La

One Week in Kerala – God’s Own Country

The Epic 7 Day Leh Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

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One Week in Netherlands | Travel Itinerary and Guide 7 Day Netherlands Travel Itinerary and Guide The Netherlands is a beautiful country filled with towns, cities, and villages that are all very unique and diverse, and also…

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A Comprehensive Travel Guide for Myanmar and F.A.Q’s

Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a Southeast Asian nation of more than 100 ethnic groups, bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand, and this Myanmar Travel Guide makes for a comprehensive travel resource that will help you plan your trip to Myanmar.

With the opening of the land border, a couple of years ago, and the ease of obtaining an E Visa, travelling to Myanmar from India has become quite easy and affordable.

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I was lucky enough to have visited Myanmar for New Year’s with Debjani (The Vagabong), where we visited the Big 4 destinations, i.e. Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake and Yangon, which also forms the famous Golden Kite Itinerary of Myanmar.

Each of these destinations is unique in itself, and while, Yangon (formerly Rangoon), the country’s largest city, is home to bustling markets, numerous parks and lakes, and the towering, gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, which contains Buddhist relics and dates to the 6th century; Bagan on the other hand is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is home to countless temples and Pagodas, including the Shwezigon Pagoda.

The Itinerary that we followed for our Trip to Myanmar was :

Imphal (1 Day) – Moreh Border – Tamu – Mandalay (2 Days) – Bagan (3 Days) – Inle Lake (2 Days) – Yangon (1 Day) – Kolkata

It took us almost 24 hours to reach Mandalay from Imphal by road, which included an hour for all the India – Myanmar Border crossing formalities, around 2-3 hours for different meals throughout the journey.

The journey time between Mandalay and Bagan is 4-5 hours, whereas from Bagan to Inle Lake is 7-8 hours, and from Inle Lake to Yangon is 9-10 hours, which went by very comfortably in the VIP Semi Sleeper Bus that we took.

Our main mode of transport for the entire trip was the Bus.

Now that you’ve got a vague idea about Myanmar and our trip, its time to scroll down and know more about Myanmar, in this Myanmar Travel Guide as I’ve tried to answer most of the Frequently Asked Questions, a traveller has in their minds, before planning a Trip to Myanmar.

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Q – Do I need a visa to travel to Myanmar?

Yes, you need a Visa to Travel to Myanmar. However, there are some nationalities that are exempt from Visa for 14 / 30 days, and some are applicable for Visa on Arrival or eVisa. Check here to see the eligibility of your passport for entry into Myanmar.

The Bagan Sunrise !

Q – How To apply for the Myanmar VISA?

The Myanmar VISA process simplified, in 9 steps below.

The cost of the Myanmar eVisa is 50 USD, and the whole process is very simple and straightforward.

Step 1 – Head to the official website – https://evisa.moip.gov.mm

Step 2 – Go to Apply VISA > New Application > Tourist VISA

Step 3 – Fill out your Passport Number | Nationality | Email address | Port of Entry and Proceed to the next page.

Step 4 – Fill out your Personal Information

Step 5 – Make the payment of 50 USD via Credit Card / Debit Card

Step 6 – You will get acknowledgement receipt via mail which will mention your Application Number, Passport Number and Payment Reference Number

Step 7 – If you have provided all necessary details as required, you will get another mail in a matter of hours or maximum 2 days, with the VISA Application Result. Print this and keep it along with your Passport

Step 8 – Get the VISA Letter stamped during Immigration and keep it safely, until you exit the country.

Step 9 – Enjoy Your Trip to Myanmar

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Q – When should I apply for my visa?

Ideally, you should apply for it, anytime between 20-30 days, before your planned arrival in Myanmar, as the approval letter you get after applying for the eVisa is valid for 90 days, from the date of issue.

Q – Do I need insurance for this Trip to Myanmar?

Yes, it’s highly recommended to get Travel Insurance, before travelling to Myanmar. And I personally recommend you to go ahead with SafetyWings – The Travel Medical Insurance for Travellers.

Q – What is the best way to stay connected?

The most economical way of staying connected while Travelling in Myanmar, is to get a local Myanmar SIM Card !

As of now, you can choose between MPT, Ooredoo and Telenor. The average rate for the 5 GB data bundle pack with a validity of 30 days is around 5,000 Kyat.

Getting a local SIM Card in Myanmar, turns out to be extremely helpful, especially when you are planning your walking tour in Mandalay, or while navigating through Bagan on your E Bike.

Q – How easy is it to get money exchanged in Myanmar?

There are plenty of places where you can get money exchanged in all the major cities in Myanmar. However, if you are entering Myanmar, via road crossing the border from India, it’s highly recommended to exchange your Indian Currency into Kyat in Tamu, before starting the journey to Mandalay.

You can still convert Indian Currency in Bagan, but it’s a tough nut to crack in Mandalay !

The best option is to either carry USD’s which can easily be exchanged anywhere, or withdraw from ATM’s which are found in plenty, everywhere.

Q – Can I make payments via Credit Card / Debit Card in Myanmar?

Yes, at most of the resorts / hotels / hostels / restaurants, you can pay via Credit Card or Debit Card, however, it’s better to have Kyat on you, as it becomes easier, when you are shopping or eating out.

Also note that the businesses might charge a surcharge when paying by card, and the exchange rate might not be the best.

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Q – Is it safe to travel in Myanmar as a Solo Traveller?

To be honest, Myanmar while still underdeveloped as compared to other South-East-Asian nations like Thailand, Vietnam or Indonesia, is perfectly safe for Solo Travellers of both the sexes.

Myanmar is one of the safest countries in Asia. Crime goes against the Buddhist culture and theft and robberies are rare.

The hostels, which already exist in major tourist hotspots like Mandalay, Bagan Inle Lake and Yangon, provide a safe haven for solo travellers, and provide ample opportunities to interact with other travellers as well.

Q – What is the best time to travel to Myanmar?

The best time to travel to Myanmar is in the winters from mid October/November to February/March when the country is green, dry and relatively cool.

April to May is the worst time to visit as the temperatures can go as high up as 40 deg C.

The Temples of Bagan

Q – How many days are required to explore Myanmar?

Anywhere between 7 – 14 days is ideal for travelling in Myanmar. If you are short on days, then check out this detailed 7 Day Myanmar Road Trip Itinerary, with recommendations to make the most out of your trip to Myanmar.

Q – Are there any hefty fees that I should be aware of ?

Yes, be advised that you have to pay 25, 000 Kyat, when you enter Bagan, as the Bagan Architectural Fee, which is valid for a duration of 7-8 days, and another 15, 000 Kyat as the Inle Lake Development Fee on your arrival in Inle Lake.

Q – What to Do in Myanmar?

Follow this Ideal Best of Myanmar in One Week – A Road Trip Itinerary which forms the backbone of this Myanmar Travel Guide.

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Day 1 – Explore Mandalay on Foot – Mandalay Hill | Kyauktawgyi Pagoda | Sandamuni Pagoda | Mahamuni Buddha Temple

Day 2 – Discover the flavours of Mandalay – Go on a food tour | Mingun | U Bein Bridge

Day 3 – Mandalay to Bagan | Mt Popa Sunset Tour

Day 5 – Full Day Inle Lake Tour – Click the famous fishermen of Inle Lake | Visit Lotus Stem Weaving Factory | Cigar Making Factory | Boat Making Factory | Interact with the long-necked women tribe (Kayan tribe)

Day 6 – Visit the In Dein Market | Get a Spa Treatment | Visit the Red Mountain Winery – Overnight Bus to Yangon

Q – What to Do in Mandalay?

Tracing back its origin in 1857, Mandalay is now the second largest city in Myanmar. It is found in the upper part of the nation, situated on the east bank of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Mandalay is the place, which was home to the Royal Palace of the Konbaung Dynasty, which was the last government and free realm of Burma.

Be that as it may, Mandalay was bombed in WWII and the palace vanished, alongside much else. The royal residence was revamped during the 1990s, and from that point forward Mandalay has experienced a heedless development blast that was never about aesthetics.

The first place we explored was the Kyauktawgyi Pagoda which is located near the southern entry gate to reach Mandalay Hill.

The Kyauktawgyi Pagoda was built by King Mindon in 1853 on the model of the Ananda Temple at Pagan. The pagoda was completed during 1878. The highlight of the Kyauktawgyi Paya is the huge seated Buddha figure sculpted from a single block of pale green marble from the Sagyin quarry twelve miles north of Mandalay. It is believed that about Ten Thousand men took about 2 weeks to transport the stone block from the Ayeyarwaddy River to the site where it is today.

Next, we started climbing the stairs up to Mandalay Hill which took us around 30 odd minutes. We primarily went for the views. And it didn’t disappoint us at all 😜

All the way up Mandalay Hill

While we were up there the multiple white stupas caught our attention, and that is where we headed to after climbing down the stairs.

The multiple white stupas with slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings along with the large golden zedi is known as the Sandamuni Pagoda.

Sandamuni Pagoda as viewed from the top of Mandalay Hill

As the large golden zedi was under restoration, we weren’t able to see the largest iron Buddha statue in Burma. However, the multiple white stupas made for an amazing setting as the sun decided to give us a little peek a boo before going down.

On our 2nd day in Mandalay, we explored the different foods and items in the by lanes of Mandalay with Beyond Boundaries Myanmar, and it gave the kick-start to our Myanmar Trip that we needed.

Post our food adventure, we made our way to the jetty, where we crossed the Ayeyarwady river, to reach Mingun, where the highlight was the Hsinbyume Paya, apart from Mingun Pahtodawgyi which is a monumental uncompleted stupa and then finally headed to U Bein Bridge, our last attraction in Mandalay, to witness the sunset. But all we saw were human heads. U Bein Bridge during sunsets is a typical case of the attraction losing its charm owing to overtourism.

One of the most unique Sunset Shots captured by me!

Q – What to Eat and Drink in Myanmar?

So, in case you are wondering What to Eat and Drink in Mandalay, we got your back 😎 📸 1 Tempura and Sticky Rice (White and Brown)

📸 2 Mohingar – Essentially a rice noodle soup with fish/chicken/vegetables, usually consumed during breakfast. It is also dubbed to be the national dish of Myanmar.

📸 3 Fried Stuffed Sweet Potato and Fried Bananas

📸4 Rice Cakes

📸5 Khao Soi / Khao Suey – Served widely in Myanmar, but modified versions of Khao Soi can be found in Laos and Northern Thailand as well. Traditionally, the dough for the rice noodles is spread out on a cloth stretched over boiling water. After steaming the large sheet noodle is then rolled and cut with scissors, cooked in coconut milk and served with a variety of contrasting condiments.

📸6 Fresh Fruit Juices / Smoothies

📸7 Burmese Tea Leaf Salad / Lahpet thoke –Lahpet means “green tea,” and thoke, meaning “salad,” is an eclectic mix of flavours and textures that includes soft, pickled tea leaves, crisp, roasted peanuts and other crunchy beans, toasted sesame seeds, fried garlic.

And last but not the least

📸8 BEER

Q – Tips and Recommendations for Mandalay?

If possible, visit U Bein Bridge during sunrise, and go directly under the bridge. And if that’s not an option, making the sunset the only time, plan to reach U Bein Bridge an hour earlier, and head straight under the bridge, and find your vantage point to capture the sun going down, behind the stilts.

However, if you have more time in Mandalay, I would highly recommend you check out these Top Things To Do in Mandalay and add the following experiences in your trip to Mandalay!

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Climb up Yankin Hill

Visit Mahamuni Paya

Go shopping at the Jade Market

Admire the 75 feet high Skinny Buddha

Visit a Gold Rose Workshop

Read the World’s Largest Book at Kuthodaw Pagoda

See a Puppet Show at Mandalay Marrionettes Theatre

Hike up to the Dat Taw Gyaint Waterfall

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Q – What to Do in Bagan?

Day 1 – Arrive in Bagan from Mandalay

Day 2 – Explore Bagan at own Pace | Mt Popa Sunset Tour

Day 3 – Bagan Full Day Tour with Beyond Boundaries Myanmar | Overnight Bus to Inle Lake

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After spending three days in Bagan, we rounded up these 5 destinations, that should figure on your Bagan To Do List No Matter what:

#1 Shwe Zigon Pagoda #2 Ananda Phaya #3 Dhammayangyi Temple #4 The small hillock near Sulamani Temple for Sunrise #5 Lacquer Workshop

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As we had an amazing time with Beyond Boundaries Myanmar in Mandalay, we decided to explore Bagan on the last day of 2019 with these guys, and what a day it turned out to be!

We visited the 5 places, mentioned above, and then headed for lunch in a local house in a village, after which we took a Boat Ride over River Ayeyarwady and witnessed the last Sunset of 2019.

However, if you have more time in Bagan, I would highly recommend you check out these Top Things To Do in Bagan and add the following experiences in your trip to Bagan !

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Experience Bagan from the skies by Riding the Hot Air Balloons.

Visit the Archeological Museum.

Take out time and visit a Monk Monastery.

Visit the Mani Sithu Market.

See the sunset from the ‘Nan Myint Tower‘.

Visit the Dhammayazika Pagoda

Go on an early morning Cycling Tour.

Q – Tips and Recommendations for Bagan.

Everything is scattered in Bagan making E Bike the best option to travel.

The best location for choosing accommodation is on Nyuang U – Bagan Road, closer to the river.

Bagan is expensive – Be prepared 😔

There isn’t much to do here. So, keep that book you wanted to read with you, but didn’t find time for it. 😉

Everything closes at 9-10 PM.

When you catch Sunrise and some local approach and tell you that they’ll take you to a good spot – Go for it. 😎

ATM’s everywhere but if you want to exchange Indian currency, there’s one currency exchange near India Hut restaurant.

No Grabs in Bagan. And Tuk Tuk are expensive, so HAGGLE!

Go to Mt Popa but during the Afternoon, so, you can catch the Sunset from the top.

Get pampered after a long day of exploring. It’s cheap – 5 USD for an hour-long foot massage / 8 USD for 1 hour full body traditional massage. 😎

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Q – What to Do in Inle Lake and Where to Stay?

After witnessing the first sunrise of 2020 in Bagan, we found ourselves in a Minivan, headed towards Inle Lake in the Shan State of Myanmar.

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First day of 2020 First Sunrise of 2020 Couldn't find a better picture to share than this, as the first one of 2020 and to kickoff #ETLRTravelDiaries2020 😍 . After all it's not an everyday affair to start the day with views like these 😎 . Bagan turned out to be the best place we could be in to usher 2020 in a way that will remain etched in our memories forever. No late parties. No getting drunk. No loud music. . Making it an easy task to wake up at 5 in the morning and rush to catch the sunrise. . Here's wishing my entire social media FAM a very Happy and Adventurous 2020, and may you travel more and travel often to places you always desired to 😊 . . . . . . . . . . . #EatTravelLiveRepeat #ETLRWithArnav #baganmyanmar #Experience_Myanmar #myanmartravel #TravelDiaries2020 #oldbagan #templesofbagan #indiantravelblogger #igmyanmar #myanmarburma #happynewyear2020 #snapseededit #googlelocalguide #SonyHX400V #sonyphotography #ig_myshot #ig_landscape #ig_sunrise #ig_sunriseshots #photographers_of_india #outlooktraveller #lonelyplanetindia #BeyondBoundariesMyanmar #instasunrise #destinationunknown #destinationunlocked #discoverit #wanderon

A post shared by Arnav Mathur | Travel | INDIA (@theetlrblog) on Jan 1, 2020 at 1:06am PST

After a full day of travelling we found ourselves at ViewPoint Eco Lodge and were delighted to be spending the first few nights of 2020, in the lap of luxury, and being pampered by the hospitable staff here.

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While our time at ViewPoint Eco Lodge was spent either trying out different food items from the Shan cuisine, getting pampered at the SPA or just appreciating the beauty of the moment, sitting by the water side and listening to the sounds of nature. We managed to explore the beauty of Lake Inle when we stepped out of ViewPoint Ecolodge, in our private speed boat. Yes we saw the famous fisherman of Inle Lake, strike a pose for the tourists with their traditional bamboo nets. We also visited the Lotus Stem weaving factory and the Cigar Making factory and interacting with the long necked women – Kayan Tribe was the highlight.

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One of the experiences, during our stay at ViewPoint Eco Lodge which stood out was having our lunch on a boat in the middle of the lake, being prepared by the cooks on another boat, and being brought to us on yet another boat.

The whole experience of trying out the unique Shan Cuisine coupled with the fantastic wine, was too good to be true, and we managed to gulp down the entire bottle by the end of our meal.

We also visited the Red Mountain Winery, which provides an awesome panoramic view of Inle Lake and the surrounding mountains, making it the perfect spot to chase the sunset.

Q – Tips and Recommendations for Inle Lake.

As we had limited time on hand, we had to skip out on the 2-day hike from Kalaw to Inle Lake, but this is a popular choice with many backpackers and travellers, and something that we’ll recommend in this Myanmar Travel Guide, for you to check out for yourself.

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Q – What to do in Yangon and Where to Stay?

Yangon was our last destination in our Myanmar Itinerary, and as we were short on time, we could only spend a day in Yangon.

But we managed to do quite a bit in one day, thanks to Beyond Boundaries Myanmar, such as visiting both the Sule Pagoda and the famous Shwedagon Pagoda, exploring the old colonial area on foot, and the village of Dala across the river in a Trishaw.

The icon of Yangon

We were lucky that the hotel where we decided to stay in Yangon –Esperado Lake View Hotel, had a rooftop dining area and a bar, from where we enjoyed panoramic views of the Shwedagon Pagoda and the Yangon Skyline during our Breakfast and Dinner there.

The Panoramic View from the rooftop of Hotel Esperado Lake View Yangon

Q – Tips and Recommendations for Yangon.

If your hotel doesn’t have a rooftop area, I would highly recommend you go to any of the Rooftop Bars and Restaurants for one of the meals.

However, if you have more time in Yangon, I would highly recommend you check out these Top Things To Do in Yangon and add the following experiences in your trip to Yangon.

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Experience the essence of Yangon by taking the Circular Train.

A food walk on the 19th Street.

Explore the different Night Markets of Yangon

Visit the Taukkyan War Cemetery.

Take a stroll around Inya Lake and Kandawgyi Lake.

Visit Kyauk Taw Gyi Temple.

Admire the 65-metre-long reclining Buddha at Chauk Htet Kyi Pagoda.

Visit Bahadur Shah Zafar’s grave.

Explore Yangon’s Chinatown.

Visit the Maha Wizaya Pagoda and Kaba Aye Pagoda.

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Q – What are the common phrases in Myanmar that I should know?

Here are some basic phrases, I recommend in this Myanmar Travel Guide, that every traveller travelling to Myanmar should know :

Hello – Min ga la ba

Thank you – Je zu tin ba deh

Yes – Ho de

No – Ma ho bu

Goodbye – Ta ta!

How are you? – Neh kaun la?

I’m well – Neh kaun ba deh

Where is the restroom? – Toilet beh ma lay?

Hope you guys enjoyed reading this Myanmar Travel Guide. If you want to read more of my Myanmar articles, check out these articles :

The 3 Day Bagan Itinerary | The Bagan Travel Guide

ViewPoint Eco Lodge – Nyaung Shwe, Myanmar | Where Luxury Meets Sustainability

The 7 Day Myanmar Golden Kite Road Trip Adventure

Don’t forget to Pin this Myanmar Travel Guide and if you have any queries, or need any help in planning a trip to Myanmar, please feel free to drop in a mail to [email protected]

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Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this article, however ViewPoint Eco Lodge in Inle Lake, and Esperado Lake View Hotel in Yangon offered our stay complimentary, and Beyond Boundaries Myanmar, offered us complimentary tours in Mandalay, Bagan and Yangon. As always, the opinions on theETLRblog.com are (and always will be) my own!

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