#Offbeat Barcelona

[brokelings]

#WithHer- Mansi in Barcelona!

#WithHer- Mansi in Barcelona!

View On WordPress

#backpacking #Barcelona #budget travel #Catalunia #cheap travel #hostelworld #offbeat travel #solo travel #spain #travel #travel writer #women travel

[holidayspackagesglh]

Euro Delights: Curated Tour Packages for Indians with Wanderlust

Are you an Indian globetrotter yearning for the enchanting landscapes, rich history, and diverse cultures of Europe? Look no further! Euro Delights presents meticulously curated Europe Tour Package From India, crafted to satiate the wanderlust of every spirited traveler. From the romantic streets of Paris to the scenic wonders of Switzerland, our packages promise an immersive experience that goes beyond sightseeing. Join us on this European odyssey and let the adventure begin!

Discovering Europe: Unveiling the Allure of Our Tour Packages

Euro Delights offers a range of Europe Tour Package From India, each designed to capture the essence of the continent. Immerse yourself in the timeless charm of cities like Rome, Barcelona, and Amsterdam, as our expertly crafted itineraries take you on a journey through iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and culinary delights. Our packages are not mere vacations; they are carefully curated adventures that blend exploration, relaxation, and cultural immersion for an unforgettable experience.

Tailored Excellence: Personalized Europe Tour Package From India

At Euro Delights, we understand that every traveler is unique, and so are their preferences. Our Europe Tour Package From India are not one-size-fits-all; they are tailored to cater to your specific interests and desires. Whether you're a history buff eager to explore ancient ruins or a nature enthusiast seeking the tranquility of alpine landscapes, our personalized packages ensure that every moment of your European escapade is tailored to your liking.

Beyond Borders: Experiencing Cultural Extravaganza

One of the highlights of Euro Delights' Europe Tour Package From India is the immersive cultural experience woven into each itinerary. Walk through the cobbled streets of Prague, savor authentic pasta in the heart of Rome, and witness the vibrant flamenco performances in Barcelona. Our packages go beyond the touristy façade, providing you with a genuine taste of European culture, ensuring you return home not just as a tourist but as a cultural connoisseur.

Seamless Adventure: Hassle-Free Travel with Euro Delights

Embarking on a Euro Delights tour means leaving your travel worries at home. Our seamless itineraries and expert guides ensure a hassle-free journey, allowing you to focus on creating memories rather than navigating logistics. From airport transfers to accommodation, we've got it all covered. Our commitment to excellence extends to every aspect of your trip, making your European adventure as smooth as the romantic melody of a Parisian accordion.

Euro Delights Exclusive: Hidden Gems and Offbeat Destinations

Unearth the lesser-known treasures of Europe with Euro Delights Exclusive tours. Venture off the beaten path to discover charming villages, pristine landscapes, and hidden gems that often escape the typical tourist's eye. Our offbeat itineraries promise an authentic and intimate experience, allowing you to connect with the heart and soul of each destination. It's time to go beyond the postcard-perfect scenes and delve into the true essence of Europe.

Euro Delights' Commitment to Sustainable Travel

As passionate advocates of responsible tourism, Euro Delights takes pride in promoting sustainable travel practices. Our Europe Tour Package From India are designed with a commitment to minimizing environmental impact, supporting local communities, and preserving the cultural integrity of each destination. Join us in exploring the world responsibly, leaving behind only footprints and taking home memories that last a lifetime.

Conclusion: Your European Journey Awaits with Euro Delights

Embark on a journey of a lifetime with Euro Delights' Europe Tour Package From India. Our meticulously curated itineraries, personalized experiences, and commitment to excellence ensure that your European adventure is nothing short of extraordinary. Whether you're captivated by the romance of Paris, the history of Rome, or the scenic wonders of Switzerland, Euro Delights has the perfect package to fulfill your wanderlust. Let the countdown to your European odyssey begin!

Must Read: Discover America with Ease: Tailored USA Tour Packages for Indian Travelers

[jaydeemedia]

[ad_1] Europe in January might not seem the most exciting prospect on paper. Christmas markets have closed, festive cheer has been replaced by New Year’s resolutions and, let’s be honest, we’re all ready to save some cash after December’s expenses. But that’s precisely why these picks are some of the best places to visit in Europe in January; they all promise the perfect post-Christmas rest and recharge.  For some, that might mean starting the year by strapping on skis and hitting the slopes. If you’re feeling burned out, now is the perfect time for a cost-saving scenic spa getaway or to cosy up inside watching the northern lights. Maybe you just want a bit of winter sun or a cheeky city break away while the prices are lower? Yep, those off-season deals can be motivation enough to visit the best European destination in January. Well, whatever you’re seeking from a start-of-year vacation, these are my suggestions of the best European countries to visit in January, broken down into skiing and snow, adventures, relaxation, city breaks and winter sun. And sure, some of Europe’s best cities, like Barcelona and Rome, might be a little lighter on crowds — these famous metropolises are never tourist-free — but instead of just listing the headliners as suggestions for slightly lower hotel rates, I’ve tried to focus on destinations with a compelling reason to visit in January. Best European ski and snow destinations in January Many of Europe’s most popular January places are focused on snow and winter spots. You’ve got the slightly offbeat, such as Slovakia’s Tatras Mountains, and the old favourites, like Innsbruck in Austria, but the following three stand out for their own compelling and different reasons. Plus, you can usually snag some decent deals if you visit mid-month after the Christmas holidays are over but before February sees the slopes get busier again. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France Indulge with pristine pistes and après-ski in France’s fabulous winter wonderland, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. With over 3000 mountains — including the famed Mont Blanc — in this Swiss border-touching region, there’s a resort for all. Plus, France just seems to have the edge when it comes to skiing. If you want to splurge, book a stay in one of the luxury ski chalets in Courchevel, arguably the region’s most upscale resort. Known for its Michelin-awarded restaurants and first-class boutiques, you’ll have plenty to pamper yourself away from the pistes of the world’s largest continuous ski area, Les 3 Vallées. Plus, January also often brings the best fresh powder. But there are also some more budget-friendly options, with Le Semnoz being a solid choice for affordable ski passes. Another great reason to visit Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes for your skiing holiday in January rather than December or February is that you miss the school Christmas and half-term breaks. As such, it’s a much more adult-only affair, perfect when it comes to the all-important après-ski. From the top of the mountain at Bansko Ski Resort Bansko, Bulgaria Bulgaria might not have the same international reputation as France for skiing, but that makes it the perfect pick. Bansko is one of the best places to go in Europe in January if you’re a beginner, budget-conscious, or both. It’s actually where I first (attempted) to learn to ski, and even though my skiing trip in Bansko was a bit of a failure — I realised I’m more suited to the après than the actual skiing — I had no hard feelings; I’d paid the same for my whole weeks trip as the most expensive ski pass in the Alps. Not only are the rentals, chair lift passes and accommodation options fairly priced, but you can actually base yourself in Bansko Old Town and then take a gondola up into the UNESCO-listed Pirin National Park, where the slopes are located, each morning. I loved this, as it meant I could experience the more traditional side of the country by staying in an actual lived-in town while also having the snow on my doorstep.

Enjoying the hot springs in Bansko, Bulgaria Sierra Nevada, Spain My final suggestion of the best places to visit in January in Europe for skiing is the Sierra Nevada mountain range in southern Spain. While this isn’t the best-rated ski resort in Europe, it offers the chance for a much more rounded holiday as you can combine the slopes with visits to some of Spain’s best cities, such as Granada — the magnificent Alhambra looks spectacular when backed by the snowy peaks — or Seville, one of the warmest cities in Europe in January. With more than 100 slopes — the highest tops out at 1200 metres — to choose from, more experienced and beginner skiers are served. There is also a cross-country track, which doesn’t require a ski pass. And, if you plan your visit for early January, you’ll be around for Three Kings Day on the 6th, which sees Spain’s Christmas celebrations kick-off with parades on the night before, followed by gift-giving on the actual El Día de los Reyes Magos. In Andalucia, you can ski and tour the magnificent Alhambra Where to go in January in Europe for adventures Europe’s January snow isn’t only reserved for skiing; there are plenty of other adventures to enjoy across the continent if you visit the best European destination in January. From northern light explorations in the Arctic to snowmobile rides to remote villages, winter brings plenty of opportunities. Plus, you might still find some sunny hiking trails and roaring surf in Europe’s best beach destinations. The aurora borealis put on a show above Luleå, Swedish-Lapland Lapland and Nothern Nordics Picking the best places to visit in January in Europe in the Nordics is challenging, as each country has similar offerings. As such, I’ve grouped them all together, as Lapland isn’t limited to the Santa Village of Rovaniemi in Finland but also stretches across Sweden and Norway. Budget can also be a factor in where you decide to visit, as having just come back from a couple of months up north, I can confidently say the exchange rate in Sweden makes it much more appealing than Norway for the cash-conscious. Once you’ve made your way up and beyond the Arctic Circle, you’ll be in a true winter wonderland. Epic views on the Lofoten Islands, husky-sledding in Lapland, snowshoe hikes along Sweden’s King’s Trail, and cinematic rail rides to Norway’s most northerly points all bring awe alongside adventures. You can even sleep in igloos or check in at a hotel built of ice, often for a fraction of the price of coming for Christmas. But what truly makes it one of the best places to go in January in Europe is the chance to spot the aurora borealis (northern lights) in all their glory. And while sightings aren’t guaranteed — January can mean some cloud cover — January 2024 is an especially good time to give it a shot, as the 11-year peak of the solar cycle is peaking in winter 23/24. In Georgia, the Caucasus Mountains see their winter coat of snow Georgia One of the most under-the-radar European destinations in January is Georgia. It’s well worth considering a trip to this gorgeous country and the Caucasus Mountains if you want to enjoy some adventures without breaking the bank. Plus, the Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7th, so you may get to see the all-dressed-up Alilo parade and traditional carols. The main gateway to the country (and capital city), Tbilisi, is a delightful winter city break, with small terraces dotted with heaters and blankets to keep you cosy while sipping on the scrumptious Georgian wines and some of the best cuisine in the world. But for an adventure, it’s the Caucasus Mountains that call loudest. Certainly, it’s worth knowing that snowfall is heavy up here, and some roads to remote communities can be shuttered due to weather. However, affordable ski resorts like Gudauri are always kept accessible. Here, you can also get an adrenaline hit on a snowmobiling adventure, paraglide over

the snow-capped peaks, or strap on some winter hiking gear to tackle the trails around Kazbegi for epic views of Gergeti Trinity Church. The big waves of Nazare are just one of Portugal’s January adventures Portugal One of the most all-round adventure destinations in Europe in January is Portugal. Can you think of many other places where you can ski, surf giant waves, and set off on a sunny hike across beaches in one weekend? But that is precisely what my perfectly formed and compact chosen home country offers. In the Serra da Estrela mountain range, you’ll find mainland Portugal’s highest peak, Torre, and while it might be surprising, snow does fall here in the colder months. The small ski resort isn’t really much to shout about, but it can keep you entertained for a couple of days. Then, along the coast, you’ve got surfing of epic proportions. The most impressive swell is in Nazare, where the world’s biggest waves are surfed by the pros, though there are plenty of more laid-back options, such as Sagres or Ericeira, to enjoy a less extreme surf camp. And then you’ve got the hiking options. From the Algarve’s Fisherman’s Trail, a multi-day hiking route that clings to the coast, to the archipelagos of Madeira — with its soaring peaks and levada trails — and the Azores, where adventures abound, there are plenty of options. A bonus is that Madeira and the Algarve are two of the warmest European destinations in January. Madeira’s levada trails offer a great January combo of sun and hiking adventures Best places to go in January in Europe for relaxation If adventure isn’t exciting for you — let’s be honest, we all need some R&R post-Christmas — then there are some excellent places to visit in January in Europe to enjoy a pamper. From hot springs and healing baths to forested spa resorts far from the crowds, these European spots ensure that January is more about switching off and seeking out serenity. Karlov Vary, Bohemia, is ideal for a January Spa escape Karlov Vary, Czechia  Tucked away in forest-heavy Bohemia, the adorable spa town of Karlovy Vary is one of the best European cities to visit in January to soothe your soul. It’s rare that I take spa breaks or visit retreats, but a couple of years back, I was craving some peace and pampering and ventured here on a whim, mainly driven by the competitive pricing of upscale hotels. And boy, am I glad I did. Not only did I get to stay in two incredible resorts (Retro Riverside Wellness Resort was a magical bolthole) shrouded by dense forests, but when I eventually tore myself away from the spa, I found an enchanting Old Town with a fascinating tradition. You see, the warm healing waters that Karlov Vary is known for aren’t just used in treatments but are sipped on the daily by the city’s residents. These traditional Spa cups (locally called Karlov Vary drinking cups) date back to the 17th century and are often carried around to and then filled up at one of the city’s free fountains. You’ll easily be able to get your own porcelain cup (it’s a great souvenir) from one of the market stalls or shops, so you can make a brew and sip tea as you explore the historical highlights. Entering Iceland’s Blue Lagoon on a dark January night was R&R101. Iceland Iceland is one of the best countries to visit in Europe in January for multiple reasons, and it could easily fall into any of these categories. You’ll have the chance to chase the northern lights, enjoy underwater adventures as you snorkel between tectonic plates or hike atop glaciers, and witness waterfalls tumbling into snowy valleys, and the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Reykjavik are genuinely something to behold. But Iceland in winter is particularly incredible for a little respite, as there is an abundance of spas, geothermal waters, and hot springs — such as the famous Blue Lagoon — to relax in. Slowing down is also almost forced upon you, as access to parts of the island can be restricted in the winter months, and the shorter days mean less time for outside exploration.

Still, I absolutely adored my Christmas and New Year snowy break here, and in January, you might even snag a great deal. If you prefer your waters colder, follow my lead and go snorkelling or diving in Iceland Latvia’s Gauja National Park Latvia is criminally overlooked, and while its vast swathes of forests and local obsession with getting out in nature make it a fantastic summer hiking destination, it’s also one of the best places to go in January for Northern Europe’s famed sauna culture without Finland’s price tag. For centuries, saunas and bathhouses have been a staple in Latvian culture. There is no shortage of spa hotels, remote cabins, and luxury hotels in the country, and a sauna is pretty much guaranteed. So, if you want an affordable, relaxing and rejuvenating winter getaway, set your sights on this Baltic state. Personally, I’d suggest getting out of Riga (it’s most magical at Christmas) and heading into Latvia’s pristine Gauja National Park. Not only is it postcard-perfect when snow coats the trees and trails, but there are some fantastic castles — such as Cēsis, where you’re given a candlelight to explore — when you’re taking a break from being pampered. Amsterdam is just as magical in the colder months Best European cities to visit in January Once the Christmas markets have closed and the last of the mulled wine supped, Europe’s cities say farewell to festive cheer and instead welcome back fairer-priced hotels. It can also be one of the quietest months to visit popular destinations such as Venice (before the carnival in February) and over-touristered Dubrovnik in Croatia. On the flip side, warmer January cities, such as Lisbon and Seville, are still pretty popular. But beyond fewer crowds and more affordable flights, the best European city breaks in January offer a strong argument for visiting. Amsterdam, The Netherlands  The capital of The Netherlands is arguably one of the best European cities to visit in January. Not only do you have plenty of world-class museums to tour if rain showers come, but there’s still an enchanting air to the city, especially if the canals are frozen, and locals are out ice skating. Adding to the magic of a January weekend break in Amsterdam is the Light Festival, which continues well into the middle of the month. Illuminated creations from global artists brighten the city’s canals and streets with a digital app guiding you to the twinkling and neon installations. By day, you can explore Amsterdam’s excellent collections of museums, such as the extensive collection of the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh’s most impressive pieces, and the Rembrandt House collection. In January, San Sebastian is more about the culture and cuisine than the coast San Sebastian (Donosia), Spain Spain is one of the best countries to visit in January in Europe for a multitude of reasons. The sun is still shining in the Canary Islands, Granada has its ski slopes, and the 6th of January sees Christmas celebrations. But in the country’s verdant north, the Basque Country is hosting its festivities, and there’s no better place to experience them than in one of my favourite cities, the food-obsessed San Sebastián. Already an absolute gastronomy mecca, thanks to being home to the Basque Culinary School, multiple Michelin star restaurants, and bar tops laden with pintxos — a Basque style of tapas — there’s never really a wrong time to visit the city. But the best dishes often come from underground, with invite-only gastronomic societies long being credited with creating some of the country’s best chefs.  Luckily, as part of the lively Tamborrada drum festival (San Sebastián Day) on the 20th of January, these exclusive private culinary club kitchens open their doors to visitors, allowing anyone in town to take a peek into a members-only world. This is due to the parades accompanying the 24 hours of drumming (yep, you read that right) being a tradition of the societies and their members.

Being one of the best European cities to visit in January for a well-timed visit, you’ll need to book your hotel well in advance. Being invited to one of the underground gastronomic societies was a highlight of my trip Budapest, Hungary While many people rave about Budapest, it’s not one of my favourite cities. Still, I can appreciate why so many people fall in love with it, and the many thermal baths across the city make it a decent choice for a January city break in Europe. That means, once you’ve explored the city’s highlights — such as the Fisherman’s Bastion and the hulking parliament building — you can sink into some medicinal warm waters and relax.  Széchenyi Baths, one of the largest in Europe, is most impressive, boasting more than a dozen indoor and outdoor pools. But there are plenty of smaller, more offbeat choices for a dip. What I found made the bathhouse culture so special in Budapest was that it wasn’t just tourists using them, but you’ll get a good insight into local life too, as people play chess and families get together to warm up in winter. Budapest, with its multiple bath houses, makes for a great January city break Warm European destinations in January While there aren’t really any hot January destinations in Europe, there are some warmer spots where winter sun is likely, if not guaranteed. Still, even when you head south, it’s best to book prepared for some cloud cover or showers and understand that a ‘beach holiday’ in January does come with some risks. However, if you want a cheap-ish getaway to get away from the grey back home, these three are some of January’s best European beach destinations. Near empty beaches await on an off-season trip to Portugal’s south The Algarve, Portugal With a lot of personal experience of the Algarve in January — it’s home — I’d say it’s a pretty good bet. Even writing this article now in late November, I’m sitting outside basking in 20 degrees, and I often enjoy my Christmas dinner on a sun-kissed terrace. Still, showers do come and go throughout the winter, although the most significant rainfall is usually recorded in December, with January usually hitting a pleasant 16 degrees in the daytime. But one of the reasons I love January so much is how peaceful it is. Many businesses in smaller villages close for their holidays around now, which can put some visitors off, meaning cliff-top hikes and afternoons on the beach are blissfully devoid of people. It’s also one of the best places to visit in January in Europe as the hotels are heavily discounted at this time of the year; sometimes, I even take a little staycation to enjoy a 5* experience for less than €30 a night. Madeira and Porto Santo, Portugal’s more southerly islands, are also two more of Portugal’s best places to go in January in Europe for warmer climates. If you’re chasing winter sun, Malta is one of the best bets in Europe in January Malta A twin-island escape to Malta and Gozo, one of Europe’s smallest countries, will help you enjoy one of the warmest January destinations in Europe. Highs are usually around 15 degrees, and while there is rain, it’s usually only short showers every few days. Alongside the fantastic beaches and great value January deals, there are also plenty of cultural attractions to enjoy if the weather does turn, such as exploring the underrated capital city of Valletta, a gorgeous mishmash of medieval sandstone buildings, or venturing inside museums spanning everything from archaeological sights to fine arts. For around three weeks in January, you can also enjoy the Valletta Baroque Festival, with a program of classical concerts in some of the island’s finest Baroque buildings. Pin it: Best European destinations in January (Top: Bankso, Bottom: Lanzarote/Canva) Canary Islands, Spain  Spain’s Macaronesia islands are geographically in Africa, meaning you’ll certainly enjoy warmer weather than mainland Europe. In fact, the archipelago is one of the few places in Europe which regularly hits 20 degrees in winter.

Each of the eight main Canary Islands has its own personality, and while beaches are a common thread, you’ll want to research which island ticks your personal boxes. Arid Lanzarote is usually regarded as the hottest of the group, as it’s closest to the Sahara and has a wide variety of excellent beaches ranging from golden sands to red and volcanic black. For more volcanic vistas, venture to the UNESCO-listed Teide National Park in Tenerife, the largest and perhaps most rounded Canary Islands, or enjoy a more offbeat experience in Fuerteventura, where there are fantastic winter wind sports, or El Hierro, the smallest and least visited isle. If you’re looking for the warmest European destinations in January, it doesn’t get much better than the Canaries. [ad_2] Source link

[athingcalledbliss]

Stacy Koren by Laura Chia for Golden Sunset Blanc Magazine

#fashion editorial #fashion photography #editorial #blanc magazine #laura chia #stacy koren #Offbeat Barcelona #blow models barcelona #Iria Salgado #Virginia Bruni

[orojondo]

🔥del 14 al 31 de agosto @offbeat_bcn cierra por vacaciones🔥así que tenéis hoy y mañana, y del 1 al 7 de septiembre para ver mi Expo 💥PERRAS Y YEGUAS💥 en Barcelona!!!! Pasen y vean señoras 💃💃💃 #offbeat #perrasyyeguas #orojondo #expo #art #barcelona #bcn #elraval (en Offbeat)

#perrasyyeguas #barcelona #art #offbeat #elraval #bcn #orojondo #expo

[c-a-c-h-i-c-h-i]

Cachichi presenta: UR • Amas • Melmann • Jason Kolàr • Ragul

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ i̾n̾s̾t̾a̾l̾a̾c̾i̾ó̾n̾ ̾s̾o̾n̾o̾r̾a̾ ♥ 18:30 – 20:00 UR – Resonant Room #2 Resonant Room propone una serie de sesiones de escucha que parten de la reflexión en torno al sonido y la relación con el espacio físico en el que éste acontece. Presentado en un contexto siempre nuevo e interesado en explorar las implicaciones directas con el entorno, este espacio de reflexión audible pretende generar una experiencia sensorial envolvente que permita percibir la materialidad sonora en sus múltiples matices. Para la segunda sesión de Resonant Room, Ur presentará una instalación sonora que pone en diálogo, a través del elemento del agua, el contenido simbólico que ésta representa como entidad matricial, principio generador de toda experiencia humana. 🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞 (っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ a̾c̾t̾u̾a̾c̾i̾o̾n̾e̾s̾ ♥ 20:00 – 23:00 Jason Kolàr (live) https://stroomtv.bandcamp.com/album/modified-perspectives For more than a decade, Cristian Subirà has been an active member of Barcelona’s underground music scene; promoting shows, releasing tapes, playing in bands (Dead Man on Campus, Coconot, Narwhal, Maresme,...), hiding behind different monikers (Summer Recreation Camp, Nubian Deli, Venessa Milano and Tim Robertson) or co-founding dublab.es. At his back more than 100 solo live shows around Europe and the United States sharing stage with Lucky Dragons, Daniel Higgs, Ariel Kalma, Joanne Robertson, The Space Lady, Julianna Barwick, Maria Minerva, Zbigniew Karkowski, White Magic, Pedro Magina or MANS O, aside appearances in festivals such as Sonar, Primavera Club, LEM, Grec, Meakusma, Online Radio Festival Amsterdam, Milhoes de Festa or Baleapop. Subira’s sound explorations navigate on and around new age, ambient and drone, always trying to build a porous bridge between them. A final construction where is easy you listen to the huge influence that Brian Eno, Roedelius, Hiroshi Yoshimura, Benjamin Lew, Craig Kupka, Vini Reilly or Sean McCann had in him. As a radio host he’s been running a six-year-old show at dublab Los Angeles focus on musical obsessions. Apart from that, while traveling, recorded specials for Red Light Radio, The Word, Kiosk, Stroom.tv, Operator or Berlin Community Radio. melmann (live) https://melmann.bandcamp.com/ Nicolás Melmann is a (ARG) composer and sound artist uses sound as the raw material for his compositions. A multi-instrumentalist, Nicolás creates sonic collages using electronics, non-conventional instruments (Koto, lyre, glass lyre, harp, ukulele, percussion, hangdrum, flute,etc.), field recordings and spoken word. The result is contemplatives soundscapes where melody and experimentation come together. Nicolás participated in the RedBull Music Academy (New York, 2013) and several art residencies and tours around the world bringing his music to stages like the Metropolitan Art Museum of New York, he Victoria and Albert Museum (London), Museum of Contemporary Art (Denver), Mutek, Sónar, Polytech Museum (Moscow), Seoul Museum of Art, EXPO MILANO (IT) etc. Touring extensively through Asia, Europe, North and Latin America, working as a curator at MAR - Museum of Contemporary Art (Arg) and as a composer for films, TV, theatre and dance performances, and participating in educational projects around new music and sound art in different parts of the world. Amas (live) https://amas11.bandcamp.com/releases Amas son mujeres valientes que se sumergen en las oscuras profundidades de la consciencia para traernos Perlas de Sabiduría. Un dúo post-industrial experimental, formado por Ivana Ray Singh y Maria Gatasanta, figuras clave de la escena underground Barcelonesa y las fundadoras de sellos como A Love Supreme, Màgia Roja y Shaddock entre otros. Su música está encauzada por el ritmo, a veces de mínima expresión y lisérgico, otras machacador e hipnótico, guiado por una voz que invoca y destierra a voluntad, creado por electribe er-1, cassettes distorsionados de ruido encontrado y voces “fuzzeadas”. En directo incorporan elementos de performance ritual 🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞 (っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ d̾j̾ ♥ 23:00 – 00:00 Ragul (dj set) https://soundcloud.com/ragul This young artist from Barcelona (or from another planet, according to the man himself) is influenced by the more offbeat side of science fiction imagery and the golden age of bedroom electronica. Music box melodies converted into landscapes of sweet and intimate bleeps 🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞🍞 (っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ e̾n̾t̾r̾a̾d̾a̾ ♥ 10€

#cachichi #listening #barcelona #sound installation #urbild #sound art

[d2diamond]

The door to the apartment slammed open, shaking the pictures on the walls and making Otabek jump as he brushed his teeth. He knew without looking that Yuri had returned from his run, and seemingly hadn’t worked off the mood that he had been in since the night before.

They had been living together for three years. There was a quiet rhythm between them that drummed through their lives and made every day a little better. Chores were completed without the need for nagging on either end, food preparation was always a joint activity, and they trained with each other in quiet support and mutual understanding. Bad days were resolved with junk food and video games, good days were celebrated with cooking elaborate meals and teasing each other straight through the process. They had traditions and schedules, fights and friendly cuddles, and basically filled the void in each other’s lives without an extreme amount of effort. Their coexistence was easy in a way that everyone had said it wouldn’t be, and both of them were a little smug about it.

Until recently.

It had started at Skate Canada where they were both assigned during the Grand Prix run. They shared a hotel room to cut the cost of travel and spent their time on and off the ice within a comfortable distance of each other. Their rhythm existed even outside of their apartment, and Otabek had felt a sense of peace because of it.

Then a reporter had asked the question that had been asked behind whispered hands for at least a year. Bold and brass, she shoved a microphone in Yuri’s face and asked how long he had been dating his best friend. Startled Yuri hadn’t answered the question, scowling at the reporter as he stormed away to the locker room.

Two days had gone by since they had returned to St. Petersburg. The plane ride home had been tortuously silent and every moment since had been offbeat and out of whack. Otabek could feel the lingering of something heavy, but couldn’t find the words to chase it away. Eying his own reflection briefly, he dropped his tooth brush back in the holder and prepared to face whatever Yuri was about to throw his way.

Yuri paced across the living room. He had run for almost two hours, but his body was as keyed up as it was when he left. The thoughts that had been in his mind, all the memories swirling together in a confusing tornado, were beginning to break his sanity. Otabek was the person he would talk to in these situations, but this time it was Otabek that was leaving him off balance.

The words that started the tornado were simple. How long have you been dating Otabek Altin? He remembered the question as if it was still being asked, and every time he replayed the moment in his mind, his heart gave a definitive squeeze. He wasn’t dating Otabek Altin, but he wanted to, and that realization knocked him completely off of his feet. Growling at his own stupidity, Yuri continued to pace, silently pulled at the end of his own ponytail as he tried to calm the anxious hum vibrating through him.

Even in angered motion, Yuri was beautiful. Otabek had always thought so, but it hadn’t been until the past year that he allowed that thought to reach the front of his mind. When he had finally met Yuri, on that faithful day in Barcelona, he knew immediately that Yuri needed a friend. He didn’t need someone to love him the way Yuuri and Victor loved each other, Yuri needed someone he could count on without any ulterior motive. So, Otabek had carefully boxed up all those feelings, putting walls around his heart so that he could fulfill the role. And he had been, without question, for more than four years. In moments like these though, when Yuri was full of raw emotion, those feelings began to leak from the overfilled confines of the hidden parts of Otabek’s heart.

“You!” Yuri yelled, pointing a finger at Otabek. He didn’t mean to sound angry, but he still hadn’t learned to control his overzealous ways of expressing affection. “Look, I need to talk to you, but…” lowering his voice from its current shout volume, Yuri sighed, “I don’t know where to start.”

Staying safely at the end of the hallway, Otabek swallowed hard before nodding. “How about telling me why you have been avoiding me since Canada?” He saw the blush wash over Yuri’s face and felt the dread land in his stomach. If Yuri told him now that he didn’t have feelings like that for him, Otabek was positive that he could make himself forget that he had always loved Yuri. He was also positive that he was completely lying to himself.

“I… uh…” Yuri’s words faltered as his anger deflated. The truth was he didn’t know why he was avoiding Otabek. Normally when a reporter said something stupid, they would spend an hour laughing it off and then move on. This time Yuri couldn’t laugh it off and for a day or two he pretended he didn’t know why. Yesterday, however, he had taken to the internet, googling himself and Otabek together out of an insane need to do something potentially self-destructive. What he had found had left him with a lot of questions.

Clearing his throat, he finally faced Otabek. “That reporter asked me how long we’ve been dating. But we’re not… you know… dating.” The carpet was more fascinating than Yuri gave it credit for, and he acknowledged this as he stared down at it to hide his own awkwardness.

Otabek didn’t say anything. The pit in his stomach felt like it was opening wider, sucking in every hopeful thought he had ever possessed. He would have never pushed Yuri into a relationship, and had long ago accepted the fact that Yuri may not ever want a relationship with him or anyone else for that matter. Even with the shift in their relationship over the past few months, physically and emotionally bringing them closer than they had ever been, Otabek had still suppressed his hope. Leaning against the wall of the hallway, watching Yuri shuffle patterns into the carpet with his toe, Otabek knew that his denial had been broken. He loved Yuri, and he was about to sacrifice his own heart because of it. “I-”

“Are you in love with me?” Yuri snapped his head up, challenge burning in his eyes. Why he couldn’t have a conversation about feelings without sounding ready for a fist fight was beyond his comprehension, and he continued to glare at Otabek, daring him to answer. “Don’t lie to me. If all these internet psychologists are full of crap and you aren’t in love with me, just tell me. Then I can stop wishing it was true and we can go back to normal.” Shocked by his own admission, Yuri clamped a hand over his mouth feeling his heartbeat thud loudly in his ears.

It took Otabek’s brain a second to catch up. “You want me…” Otabek stopped to take a shaky breath. “Do you want me to be in love with you?” He felt the threat of tears and bit the inside of his cheek to steady himself. His stomach dropped as he watched Yuri begin to shake his head, but his breath stopped when the shake became a nod. Yuri’s own eyes were filling with tears, the pink on his cheeks darkening to an embarrassed red.

Then Otabek was moving. He reached the back of the couch and vaulted over top of it, throwing himself at Yuri and dragging him into a hard hug. Unknowing which one of them was shaking, Otabek pulled back and laced his fingers around Yuri’s wrist to pull the hand away from Yuri’s face.

“Do you love me?” Yuri still had an edge to his question, brows furrowed and eyes laser focused on Otabek’s face. They had been this close before, but Yuri had never felt it the way he was now. The tornado dissipated in his mind, and all that was left was the truth. He loved his best friend. He loved Otabek Altin.

“Damnit, Yuri,” Otabek reached up to touch Yuri’s cheek, wiping away a falling tear with his thumb. “I love you. Best friend and more.” Realizing he was the one who was shaking, Otabek took a steadying breath trying to calm himself down from the rush of the moment.

“I love you too,” Yuri almost laughed as the pressure released in his chest. Placing a hand on Otabek’s hip, Yuri lifted his own hand to caress Otabek’s cheek. “Are you going to kiss me or not?” Yuri lifted an eyebrow, presenting the question with a hint of mocking.

Relief swept over Otabek as he studied Yuri’s lop-sided smile. Teasingly, he shook his head. Otabek laughed as Yuri growled, grabbing Yuri’s face with both of his hands and guiding him into a kiss which was filled with all of Otabek’s renewed hope for the future.

#N3rdli343va #Eclair #GoldenTiger #OtaYuri #I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!! #submission

[thisdaynews]

BREAKING:Mcafee Anti-Virus Founder, John McAfee Found Dead In Barcelona Prison

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/breakingmcafee-anti-virus-founder-john-mcafee-found-dead-in-barcelona-prison/

BREAKING:Mcafee Anti-Virus Founder, John McAfee Found Dead In Barcelona Prison

Offbeat tech business person John McAfee kicked the bucket by self destruction in a Spanish prison cell Wednesday evening – hours after reports surfaced that he would be removed to deal with government indictments in the US, as per neighborhood media.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();

McAfee, the organizer of an antivirus programming organization (McAfee Anti-infection), was captured in October of last year and anticipating removal when he was discovered dead, police sources told the paper El Pais

[swedeandsour]

Swede + Sour - Selections (Vol. 1)

From the recently minted to those not-so-distant memories, “Selections” is a list of revisited tracks that we think resonate with the ethos of our blog. Here you might recognize some familiar names or maybe here you might find some new favorites. Either way, we believe any time is a great time for music, so reflecting the unique pop currency that Scandinavia and the Nordics deals with, without further ado is the first volume of “Selections”.

chillpill - LiL B**** (feat. Rico Nasty & Soleima)

“LiL B****” is the happenstance meeting between anonymous producer chillpill and his quirky, offbeat counterparts Rico Nasty and Copenhagen’s Soleima. A quirky yet sharply-spoken single chirping to its electronic chatter, Soleima’s helium squeak contrasts with the track’s lacerating delivery. Living in its digital world, the video also offers itself as an interactive video game experience.

Christine Ekeberg - Drama

A stirring track from one of Scandinavia’s newest pop voices, the former The Voice Norway contestant invites listeners to “Drama”. Building over the sharp hooks of its heaping emotion, the track erupts with its catchy lyricism over its hip-hop driven production. A track about embracing the chaos, “Drama” is about being yourself while living in the moment.

christineekeberg · Drama

Circumnavigate - Keep a Moment

London via Oslo, Norwegian collective Circumnavigate go with the notion less is more on their quiet ballad “Keep a Moment”. A solemn track held by its slow but dignified strings, the track resonates to the soft, striking emotion from their vocalist Sigrid A Zeiner’s gentle vocal tenderness.

Circumnavigate · Keep a Moment

Felin - C19

Fronted by Stockholm’s indie songstress Elin Blom, Felin highlights her pop singer prowess with vividly visual lyricism. With “C19″, Felin’s single is much more than a pandemic song, resonating with hopeful emotion and underlining resilience in times of trouble. Requiring great voices and cinematic textures, and “C19″ has all that and more to satisfy pop ballad perfection.

FELIN · C19

Ida Laurberg - Love Me Right

Hailing from Helsinge just outside Copenhagen, Ida Laurberg first shot to social media-fame at the age of sixteen. Now an established songwriter with a considerable following, “Love Me Right” is a fine example of the Danish singer’s musical aptitude. Soft and whimpered through its quiet melodramas, the heady trips mulls over bluesy emotion as textured through Laurberg’s soulful slick. 

Nicky Namah · Love Me Right

For something more upfront and in your face, also see Ida Laurberg’s “No. 1″:

Nicky Namah · No 1

Melpo Mene - All of This is True (feat. Russian Red)

Swedish-born but Los Angeles-based Melpo Mene, channels a transcendental, otherworldly sound as witnessed through his latest single “All of This is True”. Sharing the stage with the sweet, childlike vulnerability of  Russian Red’s (aka Lourdes Hernández González) vocals, the track’s façade of distant textures and combing guitar ease peers through the track’s soaring instrumentals that compliment its dreamy allure. 

heymelpo · All Of This Is True

Pale Moon - Stranger

Now based in sunny Barcelona, Pale Moon’s origins stem from both Iceland and Russia where their members Árni and Nata hail from respectively. Reflecting their warmer climes, track “Stranger” dawns on its beachy haze where its soothing warmth is accompanied by a retiring calm.

Pale Moon · Stranger

Rokky - Sunshine

Though born in Oxford, England to Icelandic parents, ROKKY knows that home is where the heart is. Speaking six languages and now finding her home base in Berlin, “Sunshine” is just one of many track inspired by her travels. In what began as a quiet acoustic track inspired by vacations in Southern France, thunders with beaming disco emotion and the retro-futuristic grit of its analog synths.  

ROKKY · Sunshine

Vasco - Like That

Off his “The Butter Love Mixtape” Nick Labajewska Madsen, better known as Danish indie-producer giant Vasco present “Like That”. Slick bassy grooves mesh with the helium squeak of its pop tenderness, as the two contrasting textures meld into the subtle flows of its bluesy consistencies.

#chillpill #rico nasty #soleima #christine ekeberg #circumnavigate #felin #elin blom #ida laurberg #melpo mene #russian red #pale moon #rokky #vasco

[peekabookrp]

newly accepted !!

i !

welcome to the roleplay! please add the mod / (mobile) within three (3) days. we’ll see you soon; until the moon hangs on the jungle gym, let’s play!

                                                                                                 ⧩ basics

ii !

home was: i. the inner stitches of her father’s trench coat. she’s eight years old and his voice teeters back and forth from soft to stern. stern to soft. “it’s past your bedtime.” the crease in his brows is telling. she knows. she always knows. “go to bed.” his puffy sigh and a thick hand smoothing down the back of her head. her fingers sticky from hot cocoa and from peeling too many oranges. her, hidden under his coattail. “i am in bed. you’re my bed.” she can smell the bourbon and the cigars. the other lady and her cheap candy perfume. home is: apologies, apologies, apologies. “will you stay, daddy?” “i can’t, sugar.” ( i’m sorry. ) ii. sinatra crooning in chromatic blues. a vintage record player. their own version of the 50s. then the 60s. he twirls her around in circles, barefoot as always. laughter shallow and never, never enough. hair tumbling free and wild down her back. red toenails and red lips. fingertips calloused and rough down her waist. too much, too much, stop stop stop — “please don’t make me say it.” (iloveyouiloveyouiloveyou) “will you believe me if i do?” she shakes her head. he bites her cheek, her lips. cherry bright and swollen from leftover words. leftover phrases. a quarter of her heart and everything he will never have. ( will you believe me? ) “can you?” iii. lee jieun, in blank ink. lee jieun. jieun, jieun, jieun seared into his mouth. into his tongue. scrawled across his chest, across his cheek. “don’t forget,” breathed into his skin. down his spine and into the center of his palm. into hers. “i’m staying, i’m staying. god, i’m trying.” but he never does. “i’ll try.” he never does. iv. “jieun, jieun, jieun.” her mother from barcelona. from budapest and berlin. some telephone booth in the middle of the rustic countryside. southern france, she says. "i miss you, flower. you’d love it here." ( i miss you, i miss you — ) “will you stay?” “i can’t, sugar.” ( i’m sorry. ) “i have to go.” “me too.” “i love you. i love you. i love you—” [ end call. ] v. dark citrus, patchouli, and leather. 2 o’clock cigarettes. sheets tangled between her legs and her nose buried in a chest rising slow. falling steady. sinatra croons in a distant subconscious dream. offbeat and only secondary to the low humming in her ear. she wakes with a silent gasp, shadows lurking beneath her eyelids and his breath soft against her cheek. he’s there when it counts. there when it doesn’t. “told you i wasn’t going anywhere.” (iloveyouiloveyouiloveyou) “will you stay?” ( home is: hiccuping laughter. those eyes. the swelling in her chest. ) his lips against her forehead. against her eyelids. soft fingers curling around her hand. “where the hell else am i gonna go?”  home is: you, always you.

                                                                                              ⧩ nonau

iii !

+  she remembers the piece of paper torn from his notebook. the dull point of his pencil scribbling across the smooth surface, almost angrily. feverishly. matching the way his brows scrunch up together, lips pursed like the words will burst from his mouth if he doesn’t keep it closed. the pencil drops, spiraling down to the chair, to the floor. jieun doesn’t really look. instead, follows the way his hands move across the keyboard next, chords transgressing quietly like footsteps. sevenths and elevenths that stretch his fingers across the black and white keys, tender strokes that mimic the way the evening shadow falls across his face. what she remembers is not wanting to let go. there’s stifled laughter and playful eyes, a slender finger hooked around his pinky as it trills between the keys. the pencil finds its way back into his palm, and he continues just like this, pulling her along and smiling when her hand smudges graphite in between syllables. what she remembers are stolen glances in between the change of chords, the nudge of a shoulder, her 'promise i’ll give you credit for this piece i’m writing', and the squeak that follows when he threateningly wiggles his fingers so close to her side. what she remembers is simple happiness. sometimes, that had been enough.

                                                                                                           ⧩ au

#pkb; accepted #lee jieun #iu #soloist

[inhyelation]

What is home to you?

i. the inner stitches of her father’s trench coat. she’s eight years old and his voice teeters back and forth from soft to stern. stern to soft.

“it’s past your bedtime.” the crease in his brows is telling. she knows. she always knows.

“go to bed.” his puffy sigh and a thick hand smoothing down the back of her head. her fingers sticky from hot cocoa and from peeling too many oranges. her, hidden under his coattail.

“i am in bed. you’re my bed.” she can smell the bourbon and the cigars. the other lady and her cheap candy perfume. home is: apologies, apologies, apologies.

“will you stay, daddy?”“i can’t, sugar.”( i’m sorry. )

ii. sinatra crooning in chromatic blues. a vintage record player. their own version of the 50s. then the 60s. he twirls her around in circles, barefoot as always. laughter shallow and never, never enough. hair tumbling free and wild down her back. red toenails and red lips. fingertips calloused and rough down her waist. too much, too much, stop stop stop —

“please don’t make me say it.”(iloveyouiloveyouiloveyou)“will you believe me if i do?”will you ever?

she shakes her head. he bites her cheek, her lips. cherry bright and swollen from leftover words. leftover phrases. a quarter of her heart and everything he will never have. will never keep. ( will you believe me? )

“can you?”

iii. lee hyeri, in blank ink.

lee hyeri. hyeri, hyeri, hyeri seared into his mouth. into his tongue. scrawled across his chest, across his cheek. “don’t forget,” breathed into his skin. down his spine and into the center of his palm. into hers. “i’m staying, i’m staying. god, i’m trying.” but he never does.

“i’ll try.”

he never does.

iv. “hyeri, hyeri, hyeri.” her mother from barcelona. from budapest and berlin. some telephone booth in the middle of the rustic countryside. southern france, she says. i miss you, flower. you’d love it here.

( i miss you, i miss you — )

“will you stay?”“i can’t, sugar.”( i’m sorry. )

“i have to go.”“me too.”“i love you. i love you. i love you so—”

end call.

v. dark citrus, patchouli, and leather. 2 o’clock cigarettes. sheets tangled between her legs and her nose buried in a chest rising slow. falling steady. sinatra croons in a distant subconscious dream. offbeat and only secondary to the low humming in her ear. she wakes with a silent gasp, shadows lurking beneath her eyelids and his breath soft against her cheek. he’s there when it counts. there when it doesn’t.

“told you i wasn’t going anywhere.”

(iloveyouiloveyouiloveyou)

“will you stay?”( home is: hiccuping laughter. those eyes. those eyes. the swelling in her chest. you’re the only one who — )his lips against her forehead. against her eyelids. soft fingers curling around her hand.“where the hell else am i gonna go?”

home is: you,always you.

#Anonymous #13 #/ 2 months later #all the word vomit jfc #thank you baby #whoever u are #i'm forever late

[blaisemoritz]

We preferred our ghosts towns romantic and quaint. Ancient places recovered from sands and jungles suggested that every city is a future ghost city, but perhaps not any more. The living would go on living, their scale and modernity made them of a different order than those picturesque place suggestive of echoes left by a knowable tribe of souls, maybe only forty, maybe only two. Most of all we preferred our ghost towns physical. In the virtual domain, highways and sites multiplied far beyond the real building that might be seen as having encompassed the world and yet left so much untouched and was so famously invisible from outer space. The internet suggested that the ghost town does not belong to any offbeat utopia. The ghost town was an archetype, an image of our capacity for abandonment and waste. #inktober #inktober2019 Day 22 For #inktober2019, I’m working on digital drawing with the free #inkscape application and a #wacomtablet. Also, I’m starting with a short automatic text based on the results of a google search of “quotation” + the prompt word for the day. Quotation for day 22, “Ghost”: “Living in Barcelona, I have my own little ghetto utopia. There are 3,000 ghost towns in Spain, and I've used the images of them a lot in my backdrops for my solo spoken-word stuff. The ghost towns could be from two buildings to 40 - things died out, or there were plagues, the roads don't lead there, whatever.” –Lydia Lunch #inktober #inktober2019 #draw #drawing #drawings #drawingoftheday #digitaldraw #digitalart #sketch #sketches #sketching #penandink #blackandwhite #blackandwhiteart #art #artists #artistsoninstagram #graphic #graphics #illustration #illustrations #illustrator #comics #comix #comicbooks #comicpanel #comicpanels https://www.instagram.com/p/B385b6Vg13T/?igshid=1e27r92xj4tvn

#inktober #inktober2019 #inkscape #wacomtablet #draw #drawing #drawings #drawingoftheday #digitaldraw #digitalart #sketch #sketches #sketching #penandink #blackandwhite #blackandwhiteart #art #artists #artistsoninstagram #graphic #graphics #illustration #illustrations #illustrator #comics #comix #comicbooks #comicpanel #comicpanels

[orojondo]

Ya podéis ver en el Facebook de @offbeat_bcn todas las fotos que @stagemediaagency hizo en la inauguración de "PERRAS Y YEGUAS" 💘 Muchas gracias a todos los que vinisteis y los que queráis ver la Expo tenéis hasta septiembre !!! #expo #barcelona #offbeat #orojondo (en Offbeat)

#barcelona #expo #orojondo #offbeat

[marxpobert-blog]

It was a warm and sunny morning in Edinburgh and my husband and I were rather excited as we had planned our first driving holiday in the UK. We were planning to drive around the Highlands and head to some of the distilleries, explore castles and lose ourselves in the beautiful landscape. However, the travel gods had other plans for us. There was some technical issue with our prior booking and we could not get a car at the last minute. We tried a couple of rentals and they were all booked for the weekend. As we mulled silently in our disappointment, we decided to drown our sorrows in a distillery. Glenkinchie was one of the closest distilleries to Edinburgh, but it was too late for any tours. Eventually, we set out on an exciting adventure. On an impulse, we boarded a bus that took us to small hamlets and we hiked a bit. We wandered aimlessly without a map into a little village which seemed practically like a ghost town. Everything was shut. Even the church was closed. The roads were empty. There was just an inn which was open and as we feasted on some baked potatoes, the hostess asked us about our plans. When I mentioned Glenkinchie was on our agenda, she immediately called her friend, a taxi driver, to take us to the distillery. That was the only cab working on that weekend from the village as everyone had taken a break. We had a great time, driving through some of the prettiest landscapes, with a complete stranger, listening to stories as we eventually landed in Glenkinchie. Travel is not about what you miss out on the road but the many experiences.  There are several ways beat FOMO while you are travelling and here are some travel tips to deal with Travel FOMO.

Travel is essentially about the joy of exploring and the little serendipitous discoveries that you make along the way. Personally, I have always felt that travel is a way of life and as a traveller, who is constantly on the road, I feel that there is very little room for FOMO. However, several travellers exhaust themselves as they try to cram in a lot of things on their itinerary. And even then,  FOMO takes over as they see a beautiful image on Instagram and they realise that they have not been there. Here are some travel tips to combat FOMO if you are constantly pressurised with social anxiety.

Focus on the little joys of travel

It is always the little things that make for great memories. A fun conversation, a hot meal, a sudden discovery – travel is made up of these precious moments. While we may miss out on a tourist attraction or a fascinating activity, it does not take away the joy of travel. Travel is more than just sights and sounds or a bag of experiences. It is important to shift the focus from the destination to the journey. People make places and very often, the little acts of kindness from strangers add a special element to the travel.

I was heading to the Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin and my credit card was not working. An elderly couple nearby came to me and gave me their unused tickets saying that they were too tired to explore the palace and they had to head back. I was grateful and was also overwhelmed by their kindness. Such unforeseen events can happen anytime. As we travel a lot, this started becoming a pressing issue too. What if something happens to us? Have we secured our loved ones? Have we secured their financial requirements? That was the starting point for me sitting down and starting to plan for all the what-ifs in life.

Be a mindful traveller

Travel is not just about getting into an autopilot mode. Most itineraries turn us into a robot. We are either forever in a planning mode, or we are mindlessly rushing from one place to another. And that can sometimes leave you exhausted or even with a sense of FOMO. There is never a dearth of the top ten or the top 100 places that you must see. But if you’ll run behind travelling to every place, you’ll not even enjoy the top three places since you will not be able to soak in the moment.

A mindful traveller is always immersed in the present – be it sipping a cup of coffee or attending a culinary class or trying kayaking for the first time or even doing nothing. Less is more becomes the mantra. Travel is also about being practical. You cannot obviously do everything. I was in Rome for just a day and I could hardly explore a couple of sights. Whenever FOMO hit me, I reminded myself that even Rome was not built in a day. I have stopped planning a detailed itinerary during my travels and I go with the flow. And that leaves me with no room for FOMO.

Every trip does not have to an exotic destination

FOMO usually creeps in when you realise that your travel plans have just been quashed, but the rest of the world is bombarding you with their photo-shopped photos from exotic locations. But not every trip has to be to a far-flung offbeat destination. You may not be able to travel all the time. Work may come in your way of planning a holiday. Your finances may bog you down. I remember going through a bad phase of health and had to revisit my travel plans. A huge sum of money was spent towards my health and this came in between my travel plans for the rest of the year. That got me thinking, while I can plan for most of the things in life; illnesses is something which cannot be predicted. Also, treating illnesses these days is a costly affair. Hence post that phase, I choose to invest in a Term insurance plan from ICICI Prudential Life – ICICI Pru iProtect Smart. The plan provides me cover against 34 critical illnesses and also secures my family with a life cover in case of an unfortunate event. Also, the plan gives me the freedom to decide on how I want to receive this money at the time I need it the most. This allows me the freedom to travel anywhere, without a single worry in my mind.

Stay flexible with your plans

It was a sunny morning in Amsterdam and it seemed like an idyllic day to explore the Spanish city. But my mood was rather low. My husband and I were on holiday in Europe and we had just landed in the city. This trip had been special as I was on the road after a long bout of illness. But the day we landed in Amsterdam, we got a call from my husband’s boss who asked him to cut the holiday short as there were some sudden developments in the workplace. Within minutes the entire holiday plans had altered. The weather changed as well and the rains descended upon Amsterdam. We were both hugely disappointed and I was almost on the verge of returning home with my husband. However, I decided to continue the trip solo. A few days later, I sat alone in the vibrant Plaza Catalunya near the iconic La Rambla in Barcelona and watched life pass me by. Although I wished that my husband was around, I was glad that I did not head home with him. I have always enjoyed control over my decisions in every aspect of life. My husband recognises this and gives me a freehand in almost all aspects of life. For example, when I was planning to invest my savings in some plans, I chose ICICI Pru Signature. One of the key criteria’s to select this plan was that it offered me flexibility in choosing where to invest my money in be it pure equity or a pure debt or a balanced one and I was the one deciding where my money would grow. I have invested in the plan for the last few years and I have been quite happy with how hassle-free the entire process of buying or after service is.

This journey is about you

Travel is about being you. It is your journey, your holiday, your interests and your choices. You do not have to live up to the expectations of anyone, who claim to have “done the destination. “ I have always been a bit of a laid back traveller, revelling in the very essence of a journey, listening to stories and exploring the culture of a destination. I am not into adventure sports and I also have a bit of a water phobia. Initially, I would feel a sense of FOMO when I used to see all the travel photos dripping with adrenalin, but then I realised that this is not me. As my health slowly deteriorated, I also learnt to focus more on my body and mind than allowing FOMO to get to me. I realised that my interests lay elsewhere and I travelled for my personal gratification and not for a bunch of likes on Instagram. I started to remove things that created anxiety in me and started concentrated on things that kept me happy. Being a full-time traveller, finance is something that will always bug you and to be frank; you cannot ever ignore this aspect. However, what you have control over is – planning for your finances, as I did by investing in plans from ICICI Prudential Life. Their plan provides the growth of money and at the same time also ensures that my loved ones are financially protected. For any queries regarding my policy, I can reach out to them over phone, email or advisors. In short, they remove the hassle of planning for my finances and lets me enjoy my trip to the fullest.

Travel consumes me as a person and I like to be alive and energetic savouring every moment of it. And there is absolutely no scope for FOMO to ruin it for me. While my passion needs constant funding, I always plan ahead and stay invested keeping long term commitments in mind and hence, I chose ICICI Prudential Life.

This post is written in collaboration with ICICI Prudential Life

The post Why travel is not about FOMO appeared first on Lakshmi Sharath.

[unclebeggar93-blog]

13 stunning & spooky Halloween wedding rings

Custom Rose Gold Black Diamond Halo Engagement Ring from Joseph Jewelry

Well, well, well, what have we here? Halloween-inspired rings? Oooh, I'm really scared…

It's that spookiest of times where the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest: Halloweeeeen! And if you're ring taste matches your taste in holidays, then this Halloween wedding ring roundup is for you.

Skulls, black diamonds, coffin shaped moonstones(!), and sleek goth styles abound…

10k White Gold Natural Coffin Cut Ring – Choose your stone from Sapphire Design Studio

Memento Mori Skeleton Ring in 18K Gold Plated Silver and Garnet from Sacred Barcelona

Black Rhodium Emerald Ring from Brilliant Earth

Skull Engagement Ring from Pmdatelier

Stephen Webster Skull & Bones ring from Eragem

Bone Ring from Pmdatelier

The "Lora" ring from Iz&Co

Cthulhu's Cradle and Treasure Wedding Rings from My Crystal Grove

Till Death do us Part ring from Rickson Jewellery

Carved Black Rhodium Plated ring from RUSTIC for MEN

Skull Engagement Ring from KIPKALINKA

Black Diamond Ring from Juttou

This post features Offbeat Vendors! Check out their vendor listing to see how they cater to Offbeat Brides:

Source: https://offbeatbride.com/halloween-wedding-rings/

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

[the-alternative-offbeat-bri-blog]

Ever heard about Burning man?.  Well these babies got married with an burning man ending party... That is an alternative wedding. We love alternative offbeat brides!! 

#alternativebrides #alternativewedding #burningman #offbeatbride #bodasdiferentes #bodas diferentes #alternative brides #uniquebrides #quirkyweddings