Welcome to Goa – the land of expansive sandy beaches, hippy backpacker culture, swaying palm trees, seafood curries and seaside cows. It’s a must on any traveller’s bucket list — and if you need inspiration, here are 12 photos of Goa:

In This India Photo Essay You Will Discover:

• The Architecture of Old Goa
• Beach Culture in India
• Surprises on the Sand

Two weeks in Goa wasn’t nearly enough. Time simultaneously flew by while seeming to stand still. Days were spent lazing on the beach, town-hopping via scooter, shopping at markets, swimming in the Arabian Sea and snoozing in a beach shack. It’s tropical perfection at its finest. If you haven’t been, you must go. Here are 12 photos to inspire your own trip to Goa:

The famous Tomb of St. Francis Xavier, in Old Goa.

Kids play a game of pickup cricket on Patnem Beach, in southern Goa.

Our lovely beach shack, home for seven nights in northern Goa,

Waking up to this each morning was one of the highlights of our month in India.

Cows roam the beaches of Goa – like this lazy bovine on Agonda Beach.

An 1800-era Catholic church in Old Goa.

Village Susegat, northern Goa. Relaxation is the key word.

Not a welcome sight. (Morjim Beach, north Goa.)

Rajbagh Beach, in far-south Goa, is one of the quietest beaches in the state.

A cow roams into a restaurant in Palolem Beach — before being chased out by the presumably-Catholic owner.

Old Goa – a juxtaposition to the lazy beaches of Goa’s coastline.

The culinary highlight of Goa is dining on fresh-caught fish every evening.

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When people decide to go on a vacation during their holidays to run away from the hectic life, they would normally wish to visit some new place that they haven’t explored before. The Caribbean is one of the most popular vacation spots that attract tourists from all around the world. With few of the world’s most gorgeous beaches and exotic islands, the Caribbean is undoubtedly one of the most wonderful tourist destinations. If you are planning to visit the Caribbean, you need to find out the best spots to visit in the region.

Here is a list of the Top 6 Caribbean vacation spots; check out what’s special about each of them in the following sections.

Anguilla

If all you want to do during your vacation is to relax and enjoy a peaceful time, you should not miss out on visiting Anguilla, which is an island off the coast in the Caribbean Sea. Though it is a small island, it has good reputation as a holiday destination in the Caribbean.

Things to do: You can visit historic sites, art galleries, ride on horseback into the mountains, dance to the island music or explore the world under the sea.

Aruba

This island in the Caribbean provides vacation deals throughout the year that are ideal for individuals who love the sun — a perfect spot for a thrilling vacation! Aruba has plenty to offer for outdoor action, owing to its tropical warm weather all through the year.

What to do: The amazing hidden beaches are the most interesting places to visit in Aruba. Activities that keep tourists engaged include surfboarding, snorkeling, casino, boating, nightlife, and much more.

Barbados

If you are trying to find a place that fits within your budget and if you love nature, look to Barbados. There are several all-inclusive packages offered to fit into the budget of tourists who don’t want to shell out a fortune. This splendid coral island is located in the East Caribbean Sea.

Popular Spots: Few interesting places to visit in this island are whitesand beaches, exceptional botanical gardens, and sugarcane plantations.

Curacao

This is the perfect place for people who love to relax and enjoy on exotic beaches. With 38 beaches lining the island, this spot is highly recommended for beach lovers. All these beaches are well known for their hospitable locals and sparkling clean beauty.

Main Attractions: Curacao is also the home of a huge national park for guests who love hiking. Casinos and the island’s nightlife are great pastimes in this place. The 68 diving sites on this island are what attract tourist traffic to this island.

Cayman Islands

The natural beauty of Cayman Islands is a must see for nature lovers — there are three islands totally. An absolutely entertaining vacation spot with strange things like feeding iguanas while dining at a local restaurant!

Heaven for the Adventure Lovers: It is a great place to enjoy extensive shark diving, waterfall climbing, swimming with the stingrays, fishing, island hopping, and shopping. People who love rock climbing will undoubtedly enjoy climbing the bluff of Cayman Brac.

Jamaica

Jamaica is one of the popular islands in the region, popular for its fabulous resorts and beautiful beaches. Among the best things to do in this island are shopping in the open markets and visiting Dolphin Cove; here you can enjoy swimming with stingrays and dolphins. Thousands of tourists visit this place every year.

These are just few of the many exciting vacation spots in the Caribbean that you can visit, while also ensuring that the trip will be a memorable one. Click here to get an affordable Caribbean vacation packages.

Enjoy the (relatively) empty streets and the freedom to roam from town-to-town, beach-to-beach, with a scooter tour of India’s quietest state: Goa.

In This India Article You Will Discover:

• How to Get Around Goa
• Must-See Stops
• Scootering Tips

Goa was the first place in India where we enjoyed total freedom to roam — no longer dependent on tuk-tuks, taxis, trains and flight schedules, we hopped on a rough-and-tumble scooter and headed off into the jungle. It was refreshing not to have to barter every time we felt restless; even though we’d had some wonderful drivers thus far.

The streets of Jaipur, Agra and Delhi are utter chaos. On the India Mike forum, while responding to a query regarding self-drives in the country’s large cities, one poster put it best: “You need a check-up from the neck-up.”

Not much room for a scooter when busses and trucks pass one another.

I had remarked to our driver in Delhi how incredible it was that seemingly few crashes occur on these wild streets. He raised his eyebrows — we just hadn’t seen any yet. According to him, more than 120,000 people lose their lives on India’s highways every year. And that’s just the reported number.

It’s a different story in Goa. Panjim and Mapusa get a bit busy, and you’ll want a motorcycle capable of highway speeds to cruise the freeway, but other than that, you’ll discover the freedom to roam in relative safety. We were there over Christmas — peak season — and some roads in the far north and south were essentially deserted.

Scooters and motorcycles are a part of everyday life in Goa.

It’s not to say that “any idiot” can scooter around Goa. Even in small towns like Chaudi (in the south) and in and around Calangute and Baga, things get tight. Keep your eyes wide open, scan all intersections, look three moves ahead and never stop honking that horn. Honk to slow down, honk to speed up; honk to turn, honk to go straight. Honk around corners, honk at intersections; honk for cows, honk for kids. Just honk. Don’t be timid — it’s India.

Cows are constant road-hazards — especially pesky black ones after the sun sets. Keep an eye out for them, they won’t for you.

North Goa

Scooting from Morjim, a tour of northern Goa is a good introduction to the area’s motorcycling etiquette and safety. Head north past Mandrem and Arambol, the latter being a nice place to stop for lunch or tea, and carve through the jungle-rimmed streets to Querim and the ferry to Fort Tiracol. Watch out for trucks and busses — it’s best just to pull over when they come rambling up. Especially watch for trucks and busses coming in opposite directions at the same time. They edge by one another with centimetres to spare — or not. Plug your ears if you hate the sound of scraping metal-on-metal.

Crossing the Terekhol River from Querim to Fort Tiracol.

Fort Tiracol is a lovely spot to sip a cold drink (non-alcoholic, you need your wits!) while enjoying expansive views of empty Querim Beach and the Terekhol River estuary. Keep a special lookout for dolphins.

South again, past Morjim, you’ll scoot across the lengthy bridge into Siolim. Stop for ice cream, then scoot west to Vagator Beach, and Anjuna, then ride south past Calangute and Baga to check out Fort Aguada at the mouth of the Mandovi River. It’s a bit of a hike, so feel free to take in the view of this ruined Portuguese Fort from below.

South Goa

In the far south, near the golden-sand stretches of Palolem Beach, you’ll find similar scootering as in the north — perhaps even less crowded. Scooter rentals can be had for 300 Rupees per day (or less) at Palolem Beach, right at the main beach access. This is your best bet for finding an available bike — although often they’ll deliver them right to your hotel (for a tip).

Chaudi, one of south Goa’s main hubs. On market days, the streets can be much more crowded.

Palolem, as lovely as it is, is a tad busy during higher seasons, so we cruised to the lovelier (and far less crowded) Patnem, about three kilometres south. From there, a nice, 25-minute ride takes you to Agonda, a beach with a similar vibe to Patnem, though with a few fancy high-end accommodations offsetting the budget shacks.

The road to Agonda is as empty as any road in coastal Goa will ever be. Enjoy the temperature changes as you dip from sunlight to shadow, as you rise in elevation and drop again, as you skim past rivers and down to the ocean. Ride the day away. It’s freedom, Goa style.

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Are you headed to Goa? Well, good for you! Here are six things you must do while spending time in India’s beachside paradise.

 In This Article You Will Discover:

• The Best Markets
• The Best Accommodation
• Top Destinations

 Welcome to Goa — India’s beachside paradise destination. While it’s tempting to let the days drift by, lounging on the beach sipping Kingfisher, don’t forget to get out-and-about during your time here. If you need a little inspiration, here are six must-dos in Goa:

1. Anjuna Flea Market

Barter hard at the Anjuna Flea Market — prices are always laughably high to start.

This is a classic Goa experience. One of the original “hippie markets,” in operation for a few decades now, the Anjuna Flea Market is held every Wednesday in a dusty field on the outskirts of the main town. Expect to see an equal mix of local Goans fleecing poor-bargaining tourists and expats from the world-round flogging their wares in an attempt to finance just a few more months in paradise. Most of what you’ll see is typical junk — mirrored bedspreads, trinkets, designer knock-offs, silly T-shirts, but every once and a while there’s something truly interesting for sale… in our case, a merchant selling actual vintage designer sunglasses (Chanel, etc.). Food, drink and live music abounds. Barter hard, initial prices are always ludicrous.

2. Rent a Beach Hut

Rent a beach hut for the ultimate Goa experience — I recommend Village Susegat (pictured).

Accommodation in Goa ranges from rickety shacks with communal bathrooms, tucked away in the jungle and available for pocket change, to the Taj Exotica, where a night will cost several hundred to $1,000 or more USD. However, for the best experience, find a beachside hut with an open air café. Sleep to the sounds of a whirring fan and the crashing surf. Kick your shoes off and don’t put them back on for a week. Goa is best done as such; simple and authentic.

3. Fort Tiracol

The view from Fort Tiracol — spectacular.

Quite literally the farthest point north in Goa before you hit Maharashtra, this cliffside 17^th century Portuguese fort is accessed via free-of-charge ferry ride from Querim, a 30-minute scooter ride from Mandrem. Here, you can take in expansive views of the Goan coast, complete with empty sand beaches, ever-flowing river estuaries and the occasional pod of dolphins frolicking in the surf. Fort Tiracol offers accommodation (130 euros), though it might be a little boring to stay there more than a few hours. The restaurant is quite nice, though — we whiled away the afternoon, sipping cold Pepsi and getting a sunburn. (It was worth it.)

Let time and tide drift endlessly by on the sunny shores of Goa, India’s hippie backpacker tropical Nirvana.

In This Goa Article You Will Discover:

• Tropical Bliss
• Reasons to Visit Goa
• How to Relax in India

Specific time does not exist in Goa. The sun rises, and the sun sets. That is all you need to know. And that in itself is a reason to spend days, or weeks, on the sandy shoreline of India’s smallest state, watching the palms sway, the waves crash and the tide ebb and flow.

Erin and I arrived in Goa sick as dogs, reeling from a bad chicken curry dinner in Jaipur the night previous. By the time I flopped into bed, following an epic eight-hour layover in the Mumbai Airport drifting in and out of consciousness as my body tried to rid itself of the toxin, I could not even appreciate my proximity to the waves, the gentle sea breeze and the silence (the latter a first since arriving in India a week-or-so earlier).

But awakening just after sunrise the next morning, a welcome by-product of jet-lag, antibiotics coursing through my veins, I immediately realized we had, in fact, truly arrived at the paradise we had flown 18 hours to find.

Morjim Beach, Goa — one of the state’s quietest beaches.

Morjim Beach is empty, save a couple of joggers and the morning’s last fisherman returning with the day’s catch. It is already in the mid-20-degree Celsius range, and the sea is just cool enough to be refreshing but warm enough to offer time-unlimited swims. The mercury will spike to the mid-30s today, with little breeze.

We nosh a light breakfast. This bout of food poisoning came on hard and fast but is leaving us quickly. The only lasting effects are to be an intolerance for curry that lasts for another 10 days, limiting us to simple seafood dishes and British pub grub. Could be worse.

Our first day is easy — a swim in the sea, followed by a long sit in a cozy beach chair, followed by another swim. Little time seems to have passed before we head into our local café for a cold drink, thinking it perhaps 10:00 a.m.; just time for a mid-morning refresher.

Wandering Morjim and Ashvem beaches; letting time slip away in Goa.

It is already 2:30 p.m. And this would set the tone for our two weeks in Goa. Time is meaningless. Rise when you rise, sleep when you sleep. Do as you feel in the hours between. In Goa’s far north and far south, away from the legendary Trance parties and gap-year crowd, it is tropical bliss as you’ve always imagined, although, perhaps, have not yet found.

As the resorts and crowds expand outward from Calangute and Baga in the north-central, quiet stretches of sand, like Morjim in the north or Patnem in the south, will no doubt lose a touch of their charm. However, for now, Morjim remains the Goa of your dreams, a place not where time stands still, but where it moves forward at the pace you set for it.

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Welcome to India’s tropical paradise — Goa! With beaches too numerous to list, it can be difficult to decide where to stay. Here is your guide to Goa’s five best beaches:

 In This India Article You Will Discover:

• How to Find Seclusion
• White Sand Beaches
• Travel & Accommodation Tips

Ah, Goa. Lapped gently by the Arabian Sea, it is one of the world’s quintessential tropical paradises. And despite the area’s popularity, secluded strips of sandy beaches fringed with swaying palm trees and beach-shacks with a low-key backpacker vibe are all easy to find — if you know where to look:

Morjim Beach

Morjim Beach, North Goa.

I think there is a conspiracy afoot regarding Morjim Beach. The latest edition of the Lonely Planet India gives this wondrous stretch of silver sand merely a few sentences, not all of which are positive. Methinks the travel writer clique is trying to keep Morjim for itself… As this is the Goa of your dreams. Sparsely populated, expect relative seclusion even around peak season. The water is warm with just enough waves to have fun in. Dining options include the spectacular Sublime (400 rupees for a five-star meal); accommodation is best found at the lovely Village Susegat ($2,250 Rupees/night with a minimum seven-night stay). Let the days drift by, rent a scooter and explore the area, dine under the starlight, spot Olive Ridley Turtles hatching under the full moon… I wish I was there right now.

Ashvem Beach

Ashvem Beach, North Goa.

Consider Ashvem as Morjim’s (slightly) bigger brother. Located just to the north and with a similar environment — a few more palm trees compared to the arid backdrop of Morjim — this beach is more developed, complete with higher-end resort-style accommodation. There are even a couple of surf schools, for when seasonal waves are large enough, and the town offers a good selection of restaurants and shops to peruse. If you fancy an off-the-beaten-path beach, but still like it a little bit lively, consider Ashvem the best of both worlds. La Plage is a popular restaurant, and Marbela Beach Resort offers trendy, high-end cabanas.

Palolem Beach

Palolem Beach, South Goa.

Just a few years ago, Palolem was considered Goa’s “undiscovered gem;” an unspoiled paradise of whitesand beaches backed by thick jungle. Well, people have certainly discovered it nowadays — but the whitesand beaches and palms remain. In peak season, Palolem can get quite busy, but it is a lovely place to stay and eat (Magic Pizza is a good bet for dinner) — and for those who like action and nightlife, Palolem is far-south Goa’s liveliest choice (still quiet when compared to Calangute and Baga). Rent a scooter, rent a kayak… go for a boat tour, have a Kingfisher beer at a beach shack… peruse the souvenir shops, people-watch to your heart’s content. You won’t get bored in Palolem.

As summer approaches and motorcycle riding season comes into full-swing, it’s time to daydream about the world’s ultimate two-wheeled adventures.

 In This Motorcycle Article You Will Discover:

• How to Hit Dizzying Highs
• Long-Distance Touring at Its Finest
• A Land Without Fences

When I dream of adventure, I picture myself on two-wheels, alone, riding unfamiliar and expansive terrain — not stuffed in jam-packed buses or jet-setting overtop oceans. Motorcycle travel is a tactile way to experience the land — one experiences every nuance, from a bump in the road to the smell of a pasture .

Here are 3 Dream Motorcycle Trips I’ve got in the works:

The Pan-American Highway

Passing through 18 countries along its 48,000 km length, the Pan-American Highway is the longest motorable road-way in the world. Officially stretching from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina, it is unbroken save a 159-km near-impassable stretch between Panama and Colombia known as the Darien Gap. From boreal forest, to desert, to metropolis, to coast and more, this is the world’s ultimate motorway — it has been called an “idea as vast as Pan-Americanism itself.” I expect the journey will take three months, although technically I won’t be completing the whole length, as I will depart from Vancouver, BC, rather than Alaska. Still counts though, right?

Himalayas By Enfield

After I spent a month in India, I returned with a stronger-than-ever desire to tour the country by motorcycle. By Royal Enfield, (India’s signature steed) to be specific. Sure, I rambled around Goa on a scooter… but it’s not the same as true adventure touring. And I’d do it in the chilly north, not the sun-baked south. As I’m a sucker for one-of-a-kind roadsigns, a ride along Khardung La — the world’s highest motorable road at 5,602 metres — would be worth it just to pose by its famous altitude marker. The scenery of Kashmir and the isolated Himalayas would be icing on the cake.

Mongolia on Two Wheels

Vast wilderness, foreign landscape, unique culture — the world’s least-populated country calls out to every true adventure rider. Pick a direction and ride; you are a nomad in a country of nomads. Gobi Desert with camels in the background? High altitude peaks interconnected with valleys of tundra? The path once ridden by Genghis Khan? My only worry is whether I’ll be able to stomach sheep testicle soup. The riding excitement is a sure thing.

When riding, having the right motorcycle gear is paramount. Get geared up with a good motorcycle textile clothing and your trip will be infinitely better.

Special Sponsored Post: Where to Find the Sunshine in Ibiza This Spring.

We’ve seen it a hundred times. The weatherman stands in front of a map and promises us that for a few precious days we will be bathed in “spring-like sunshine”. What they actually mean is “spring like sunshine… for 20 minutes before it clouds over and rains.” This spring, grab a cheap flight to Ibiza and guarantee yourself good weather, beautiful beaches authentic food.

Discover your own secluded beach in Ibiza

Ibiza is not all nightclubs, glow sticks and … well, noise. The Balearic Island of Ibiza has some of the most beautiful and secluded stretches of beach in Europe.

Cala Llentrisca

Picture this: Crystal clear blue water washing gently against unspoilt stretch of sandy beach bathed in warm sunshine all day through. If idyllic is your thing, then Cala Llentrisca is just what you need. A rickety old timber jetty cutting into the water gives the bay a nostalgic romantic feel. It makes for a perfect diving board or simply a quiet spot to sit and reflect.

Es Portitxol

Luscious green clifftops are not what you would think of in Ibiza but they can be seen in all their dramatic glory from the bay of Es Portitxol. This beautiful beach is cut into the sprawling overhanging cliffs to form a natural harbour of turquoise water. Relax watching the local fishermen come and go as they have for centuries. This secluded little spot is the perfect place to take in some Spanish spring sunshine.

Es Boldado: Put the fine in dining

For a dining experience you’ll never forget head to southwest Ibiza near San Jose to Es Boldado. You can eat al fresco in the seating area and watch the sun go down over the stunning coastal rocks.

If you like seafood you won’t get much fresher then picking your own crab or lobster from the restaurants’ swimming pool. The menu is typically Ibizan, fresh salad starters, paella with crab, cod and mussels. For dessert you can sample the local cinnamon spiced bread pudding, Gaixonera, a light and fluffy way to end the meal. The view is priceless and three courses with a bottle of wine will set you back about 30 to 40 Euros.

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The Las Vegas Strip is the home to several iconic casinos that exemplify all of the excitement associated with the gambling industry. Visitors from around the world come to Las Vegas every year to play casino games here. One of the most iconic casinos located in Vegas is the Bellagio. Most notable for its fountains, the Bellagio also offers a botanical garden as well as fine art gallery. Within the Bellagio casino the most popular section is the poker room. However, it does offer all of the expected casino games within its casino.

The famous fountains of the Bellagio.

When one thinks of Vegas, another iconic casino which may be thought of is Caesar’s Palace. The casino first opened its doors over 50 years ago and it’s still going strong. Its appearance in many movies has helped to catapult it to iconic status as well as its long history for providing casino games. Caesar’s Palace offers some of the same games found at online casinos. You can expect popular casino games such as craps and baccarat as well as Pai Gow Poker. Visit here to practice online before your trip. Six card poker is one of the less common casino games played here. With this poker variation, players compete against the dealer with this heads up game.

Caesar’s Palace is one of Las Vegas’ most famous hotels.

Within Caesar’s Palace probably the most action filled room is the Poker Room which caters to both new players as well as experienced ones. Poker can come in many forms including stud poker where players are unable to discard unwanted cards for new one. Draw poker games are when players are able to discard certain cards and receive additional ones from the dealer. Community poker games, such as Texas Hold ‘Em are quite popular as these games feature a set of cards face up on the table that any player can access in building their poker hand.

We were in Goa last December when news of Delhi’s infamous gang-rape hit the papers. We read reports of the repugnant details, horrified, praying for both the victim and for India’s societal and legal evolution. The victim was not to recover from her unfathomably savage injuries — but what about India’s societal adjustment at-large? Protests on the streets of Delhi indicated such change was in the wind.

There was a sliver of muted optimism when we returned home to Canada to discover the news had made worldwide headlines. Every society has its breaking point. Perhaps this was to be India’s?

In the face of the most recent high-profile gang-rape, this time of a Swiss tourist, it seems not much has changed since the protests in Delhi. Yes, the latest rapists (“alleged,” I’m supposed to say) have been arrested, but clearly they, and too many others, thought little of the crime to begin with.

Uma Shankar Gupta, Home Minister of Madhya Pradesh, summed up his thoughts on this attack with this pedestrian statement:

“What happened is unfortunate for our nation,” Gupta said to media.

Following the assault in Delhi last December, a law was passed that made voyeurism, stalking, acid attacks and the trafficking of women punishable under criminal law.

Consider: a law passed only in December of 2012 made the above crimes actually punishable.

In fact, from December of 2012 until today, there have been cases of rape in India ranging from that of a two-year-old child in the nursery ward of a hospital (while her mother was giving birth to a baby in a nearby room), to a copycat gang-rape on a bus in Indore. It is estimated that a woman is raped every 20 minutes in India.

Here is another pearl of wisdom from India’s higher-ups, this time from Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament, Ramesh Bais:

“The rape of grown-up girls and women might be understandable, but if someone does this to an infant, it is a heinous crime…”

Note the first 11 words of that quote. It is not surprising that little has changed when elected officials hold such views.

My reason for posting this article was to address not only these crimes, but the underlining issues within Indian society that facilitate them, some of which we saw first-hand during our time there — albeit to an infinitely lesser extent. I simply could not post another article promoting the beauty of India before I addressed this ugliness.

Of course, we’ve now seen similar sentiments expressed in the USA recently too, following the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Ohio — the convicted attackers have been lavished with sympathy by news agencies such as CNN. CLICK HERE to see the clip; these problems are not India’s alone.

After a month travelling around India, we returned awestruck. It is the first place I have ever visited where I was planning my return before I had even left. I reminisce on the trip daily. I loved every moment I spent there.

India, goddamn it, you are breaking my heart.

Tour the capital city of the Land Of Kings, Jaipur, India — home to temples, forts and rich character.

In This Photo Essay You Will Discover:

• Top Sights in Downtown Jaipur
• Temples on the Outskirts of Town
• Gorgeous Rajput Architecture

If I have one regret from my month-long trip to India, it’s that I didn’t spend enough time in Jaipur (and Rajasthan as a whole). Jaipur is a place of boundless charm and my favourite city in all of Northern India by a wide margin. If a picture is worth one-thousand words, here is a 16,000-word essay on the princely city of Jaipur:

The 300-year-old observatory, Jantar Mantar, in Old City Jaipur.

Looking down from the Hawa Mahal, in Old City.

Jaigarh offers expansive views of the valley below, and a nice garden within.

Jaigarh – an Indiana Jones-like vista.

Old City’s Hawa Mahal – Palace of Wind.

Colourful stained glass in Old City’s Hawal Mahal.

The arches of the Amber Fort are quintessential Rajput architecture.

Relaxing at the City Palace, near the Hall of Public Audience.

Detailed peacock paintings in Jaipur’s City Palace.

The sprawling Amber Fort.

The stairs to the secret Siladevi Temple.

Detailed painting within Jaipur’s Amber Fort.

Gazing out over the Amber Fort from one of many rooms and halls.

Playing around at the Amber Fort.

Albert Hall Museum (Central Museum) — I liked the architecture better than the exhibits.

Jaigarh, one of Jaipur’s most stunning attractions.

Jaipur is so easy to reach — with its modern international airport, simply fly to Delhi and hop over to Jaipur (via short–haul carriers like Jet Airways, SpiceJet or IndiGo) or take the train from anywhere in India to Jaipur. For North American travellers, many India-bound flights stopover in London — use this to your advantage, and book a couple of nights via Hand-Picked Hotels on the way there on the return and tour the UK’s finest at an add-on to your trip. It’s a nice antithesis to the sensory-overload of India.

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Yeah, I know, cruises are for old folks. Except maybe these ones — check out this list of three cool cruises that don’t suck.

In This Article You Will Discover:

• How to Get Up Close to Glaciers
• Travel the Northwest Passage
• Sail to Nunatsiavut

Cruises have a bad reputation with many travellers — obnoxious guests, buffet food lines, add-on fees, claustrophobic cabins and basically the feeling that you’re doing little more than stuffing your face in a tanning bed, not actually travelling, are the main complaints. Well, hold your horses on that snap judgement, here are three cruises worth considering:

Explore the Arctic

Hop aboard a 90-metre ship and set sail from Kugluktuk, Nunavut, Canada on a 17-day exploration of the Northwest Passage to Greenland. This is frontier adventure — ice and weather conditions determine your actual route. View at desolate and beautiful fiords, get up-close-and-personal with towering glaciers and even spot polar bears roaming the Arctic ice. Further on, stop at seabird colonies, see primeval-looking muskox and travel the route once forged by the doomed Franklin expedition. (You’ll fare better.) Zodiac excursions, cultural tours of Inuit settlements and one-of-a-kind experiences abound. All this for only $7,595 (and up). Visit adventurecanada.com.

Seven Knots to Labrador

Hop on a 50-year-old fully converted Dutch trawler and enjoy a leisurely cruise from Nain, Nunatsiavut (Labrador, Canada) to the odd-duck French Island of St. Pierre, located off the coast of Newfoundland. (Or a return trip.) Set up in comfy cabins and enjoying home-baked goods, you will experience and old-school boat trip, stopping at ports and remote natural areas along the way. Meet local Inuit in Labrador, cruise through Iceberg Alley and see where the Vikings first landed more than 1,000 years ago. This is a true wilderness adventure aboard a classic, character vessel. Visit wanderbirdcruises.com.

Alaska Passage

Of the three, this is the most akin to a quintessential cruise — but with a twist. Alaska cruises aren’t just ocean-going hedonism, they offer the adventurous a chance to view spectacular glaciers, misty coastal rainforest, wild whales and embark on shore trips for active experiences — like hikes, cultural tours and zip-lining. The trick is to ensure you book the right cruise — certain operators cater to older and younger audiences, so pick the one that fits. Find the perfect trip via cruise deals from Cruise Kings.

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Take a taxi tour of Jaipur’s outskirts and visit the city’s impressive historic forts.

In This India Article You Will Discover:

• The stunning beauty of Amber Fort
• Jaipur’s Hidden Gem
• Where to see Jaipur from Above

We only had three days in Jaipur; not enough, as it would turn out. In fact, the state of Rajasthan will be the focal point of my next visit to India — it could take a year or more to see all the wonders within the Land of Kings.

After the previous day’s walking tour, we hired a taxi to tour us around the outskirts of the city, visiting the mountaintop forts of Jaigarh, Nahargarh and the famous Amber Fort with a stopover at Jal Mahal. We were matched with Rakeesh, probably the nicest taxi driver in all of India; he earned his tip (whole day tour set us back 2,200 Rupees plus gratuity; cheaper is probably available but you get what you pay for). With that, here are four must-sees on the outskirts of Jaipur:

Amber Fort

The spectacular Amber Fort, on the outskirts of Jaipur.

Sprawling and ethereal, a visit to the famous, 400-year-old Amber Fort — located in a mountain valley some 11 km from Jaipur — is reason enough to visit Rajasthan. A golden hued Rajput architectural showpiece, expect to wander this fort for an hour or two, exploring the nooks and staircases, marvelling at the Hall of Public Audience, Hall of Victory, Hall of Pleasure and the secluded Siladevi Temple, where goats were once sacrificed. (No photography or leather clothing/bags is allowed within Siladevi.) Walk to the fort from the lakeside parking lot, pay 1,000 Rupees per person for the 10-minute elephant ride or drive right to the gate — an audio tour helps illuminate each section. (If you’re scared of snakes, keep clear of travelling charmers who love to open cobra-baskets right at your feet.) Admission is 300 Rupees.

Nahargarh

The view over Jaipur from the imposing stone fort of Nahargarh.

Overlooking the city from the northeast, 300-year-old Nahargarh is an imposing stone fort with a panoramic view of downtown Jaipur. The drive to this fort will take longer than your exploration of it, but it’s worth a visit — if only to take a wander of the stone walls lining the cliff-face or have a Kingfisher beer at the open air-café. But really, the number-one reason to head uphill to this area is next… (Admission 30 Rupees)

Jaigarh

One of Jaipur’s lesser-visited attractions, stunning Jaigarh.

According to Rakeesh, Jaigarh is skipped over by many tourists and taxi-drivers alike — verified by the lack of crowds — which is bizarre given that it is second only to the Amber Fort in its magnificence, and its valley vistas easily surpass those offered by any other local attraction. (When you visit the Amber Fort, look uphill — that enticing cliffside structure looming overhead is Jaigarh.) Red sandstone walls line a steep precipice and surround a picturesque English garden. Watch for troublesome monkeys. Although it takes less than an hour to tour the attraction, I could have looked out over the Amber Fort, still-water lake and the dusty, desert mountains all day. Before you leave, check out the world’s largest wheeled cannon, but ignore uniformed “officials” — they will begin “touring” you without your consent, and expect to be paid for it. Admission is free with a City Palace ticket less than two days old.

Jal Mahal

Jal Mahal — soon to be a five-star restaurant.

Located beside the highway to the Amber Fort, and set in the middle of a misty lake, the Jal Mahal is a gorgeous water temple — that is currently closed. Yep, you can’t go out there; you will, though, be swarmed by touts when you stop for a photo. However, according to Rakeesh it has been purchased by a hotel developer and will soon be a five-star restaurant. So if you head to India in late 2013, and don’t mind spending a couple of bucks, dine at Jal Mahal.

Thankfully, India is so easy to fly into these days, especially for Western travellers coming from or via the UK or Europe. A stopover in Doha or Dubai in the Middle East, also a good place to do a currency exchange with Travelex, is an easy way to reach Delhi, Mumbai, Goa and, of course, Jaipur.

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Everyone agrees that learning is good for the soul. For some, the path to wisdom lies in the pages of a textbook. For others, knowledge can only be gained through experience.

While travelling the world provides an almost infinite well of new experiences, some find that the passive absorption of other people’s cultures a little meaningless. That’s why increasing numbers of people are opting to volunteer during their time abroad and give something back to the places that they visit.

A Worldly Outlook

While globalisation is making people ever more interconnected, nothing beats coming face-to-face with difference cultures. Volunteers, more so than travellers, have the opportunity to really get to grips with the ins and outs of a particular country.

For example, voluntary teachers have daily interactions with a range young people who are only too keen to expand on their experiences. The workings of the school further furnish a sense of how a country’s system works.

Increasing Independence

While it might seem counterintuitive that volunteers on gap year placements should become more independent, experience shows it to be the case. Normal travellers tend to huddle together and limit themselves to the whims of the group. By contrast, those on volunteer placements are furnished with responsibilities and forced to make their own decisions.

Feel-Good Factor

Many countries in the world (particularly in Africa and South East Asia) lack the resources to properly staff their schools and hospitals. Volunteers in these areas can therefore make a very real difference, despite their relative lack of experience.

Severely underfunded industries, such as conservation, particularly relish the help of volunteers whose eagerness can really take projects forwards.

The benefits of volunteering abroad.

Finding a Path

Choosing a career is no easy task. Indeed, some people never manage to find their calling. For those who are unsure of what job they’d like to do, volunteering can be a great way of testing the water and trying something different.

For those that are hoping to enter a highly competitive profession, a stint of voluntary work in a relevant area can give them the edge.

Providers such as Projects Abroad can arrange placements in a number of industry areas – from archaeology to human rights. Visit their website for more information.

A Range of Relationships

All too often, travellers abroad find themselves meeting people from the same country, and even the same town as them. Those on voluntary placements by contrast, are forced by necessity to form relationships with a wider group of people. As well as being more rewarding, learning to simultaneously manage personal and professional relationships is a valuable life skill.

Photos courtesy:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38314728@N08/4175416373/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/briangratwicke/5005532528/

Welcome to the princely city of Jaipur — home to stone forts, ornate temples, a sprawling palace and a seriously confusing observatory; truly one of India’s loveliest cities.

In This India Travel Article You Will Discover:

• Jaipur’s Delightful Pink City
• Advice for a Day-Long Walking Tour
• The Most Impressive Sites in the City

Jaipur is India’s first planned city — and it shows. Rather than a labyrinth of twisty roads all intertwined like a bucket of snakes, a distinct grid of thoroughfares cuts through downtown, offering some organization to the usual chaos of Indian urban traffic. Some. In rush hour, cars, motorcycles, rickshaws and autorickshaws are all practically rubbing against one another — and meandering donkey and camel carts and the occasional man on horseback tend to hold things up even more.

The busy streets of Jaipur’s famous Pink City.

It was, however, the only place we got into a car accident — a wayward van scraped up the side of our auto-rickshaw, bending the side-view mirror, ripping the canopy and puncturing a tire. No real harm done, I suppose — not even enough for the two drivers to so much as exchange words, in fact. Just another day driving in Jaipur.

On the plane ride to Delhi from London, a man sitting next to me had described Jaipur as a “princely city;” a fitting description, considering its status as capital of the Land of Kings — Rajasthan. Jaipur has also recently gained even more international fame as the setting for the film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Built in 1799, Hawa Mahal is where the king kept his concubines.

Our second-class train ride from Agra that morning had left us mentally drained — some obnoxious fare-jumpers crowded our berth and spend four of the six hours annoying us with their banter and belligerence. So we called it a night early at our hotel, the charming Naila Bagh Palace — a heritage boutique hotel just outside of downtown Jaipur that once served as home to the Prime Minister (about 150 years ago). Or goal was a full day walking tour of the city the following day; we needed the rest.

Old City (Pink City)

Sure, it’s really more of an orange — but it’s called the Pink City, so I’ll bite. We rode another autorickshaw, this time incident free, to the New Gate of Pink City and hopped out at about 9:30 a.m. Nothing really gets going in India before 10:00 a.m., so early-ish in the morning is the best time to roam if you don’t fancy being approached by every shopkeeper in Old City. We strolled past the world’s largest movie theatre, the famous LMB Hotel (home to the vegetarian LMB restaurant — try the Special Thali) and proceeded to quickly lose our bearings. Thankfully, we were simultaneously approached by a Dutch ex-pat and a fast-talking local kid. The Dutchman pointed us in the direction of Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Wind, and dismissed the kid who was begging us to take him on as our tour guide.

“They don’t like pressure. Vamoose,” the Dutchman said. The kid relented. It’s so true — we Westerners put our guard up when hassled, no matter what’s being offered. This guy should hire himself out as a Tout Consultant.

Brightly coloured stained glass is featured in multiple rooms on the third level of Hawa Mahal.

Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal — Palace of Wind — is downtown Jaipur’s most beautiful structure. A fairy-tale like building of pink sandstone and honeycombed windows, it towers above the streets as the area’s most prominent landmark. From ground floor to seven storeys above, every level we walked upon was prettier than the next — stained glass windows, spiralling and ornate architecture and the signature item, the aforementioned honeycomb windows. Since Hawa Mahal was quite literally where royal Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh kept his concubines (built in 1799), these one-way windows allowed his ladies to view the city below while remaining hidden from peasant onlookers. It is, for all intents and purposes, a house of ill repute — but a stunning one at that. The top floor offers a panoramic view of the city with the Jantar Mantar in the distance.

Hawa Mahal — Palace of Wind — is so dubbed as the palace is designed to allow cool winds to pass through every floor and room; the original air conditioning. it really works.

Jantar Mantar

Somehow, we got lost walking from Hawa Mahal to the Jantar Mantar. Hopelessly turned around, we slipped a tuk-tuk driver 50 Rupees to drive us the three minutes back to the Jantar Mantar. Money well spent. The Jantar Mantar is one of several observatories built by Jai Singh in the early 1700s — but the only one that is still fully functional and is yet another of India’s innumerable UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is an impressive collection of stellar maps and cartography instruments, albeit a confounding one.

Jantar Mantar. I… don’t… understand…

The centrepiece is the 20-metre-tall sundial, which we stumbled upon at exactly noon — experiencing its full effect. We had bought audio tours, which attempted to explain each item in the Jantar Mantar in the most elementary way possible; the narration was that of a father speaking to his young daughter. It just made me feel dumber, as I still couldn’t understand half of what I was looking at — but it sure was cool though.