Travel - Best Places of Interest

April 27, 2021 Travel

Tour the World from the Comfort of Your Home

woman enjoying her virtual reality goggles

Image from Pexels.com

Travelling is by far one of the best ways to experience different cultures and enjoy much of what the world has to offer. However, with the recent outbreak of Covid-19, many countries across the world have been on lockdown, thereby restricting free travel to prevent further spread of the virus.

It is therefore unsure when we can venture into the world again and see different places like we used to. If you’re someone that loves to travel a lot, this is unfortunately, bad news. Luckily though, technology has made travel easy and available to everyone right from the comfort of their homes.

Many museums, landmarks, national parks, and several other destinations offer virtual tours for everyone to have a walkthrough and learn about what they offer in real life as though the tourists are actually present.

Few Ways to Explore the World

Here are a few of the best virtual travels you can embark upon to explore the world:

Virtual Museum Tours: Many Museums around the world preserve historic arts and documents that have a significant impact on human civilizations.

Museums like The Louvre, The Guggenheim Museum, The Van Gogh Museum, and many other museums offer virtual tours of their facilities. On display are Egyptian Antiquities, the Galerie d’Apollon, Mona Lisa, and many other significant works of art.

Stream Virtual Travel Programs: Virtual travel programs are a great way to see the world through the eyes of other people. It is always an exciting experience as these virtual travel programs document all that is important about the trip. They more often than not answer all the questions you might have, and prepare you for the trip if you plan on taking it.

Installing a VPNis always advisable when you want to stream virtual travel programs as a VPN would allow you access to a myriad of content that would originally be unavailable in your home location.

Landmark Virtual Tour: A few landmark sites across the world offer free virtual tours to everyone. These tours are well-detailed and informative. Some of these landmarks include Buckingham Palace, The Statue of Liberty, etc.

A guide is available for most of these landmark sites with well-detailed explanations and narrations about them. It promises to be an amazing experience for you.

Explore the Safaris: Are you a big nature lover that loves to see wildlife and experience animals in their natural habitat? If yes, this virtual tour is for you. From Africa to North America, there’s a lot of wildlife on display via virtual tours.

You can easily stream live webcams of various safaris at a specified time from anywhere in the world and you’ll be amazed at the content on view. These tours are well detailed and there are tour guides to always ensure all your questions are answered.

Conclusion

Virtual travel does not compare to the feel of experiencing the world in person, but while we still fight off this virus, it is essential to take these virtual trips to ensure we don’t lose a feel of the world in general.

Matthew Stern is a technology content strategist at TechFools, a tech blog aiming at informing readers about the potential dangers of technology and introducing them to the best ways to protect themselves online.

As a tech enthusiast and an advocate for digital freedom, Matthew is dedicated to introducing his readers to the latest technology trends and teaching them how to gain control over their digital lives.

February 10, 2021 Travel, Round the world

Best places of interest in Sri Lanka

person standing on dirt surrounded by coconut trees

Situated in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka offers its visitors an astonishing range of environments to experience and enjoy. Cities such as Kandy and Colombo help trace the enthralling history of the island from early times to the colonial era to the present day. The country is a paradise for any beach lover since the place is swamped by some of the best beaches in the world.

Following are some of the best places of interest to visit in Sri Lanka

Colombo

The capital city blends urban amenities with colorful native and colonial history. Sri Lanka has had strategic significance for trading powers in Europe as a major stop on the spice trade routes in the world. One can observe the influence of the British, Portugal, and the Netherlands culture in arts, architecture, and food. The city has the best museums on the island and several other things and places that help you connect with the local culture.

Arugam Bay

You are sure to have the best experiences in the country at this place. It is custom-made for people who like adrenaline-pumping activities. Take your swimwear and head to the waters to indulge in speed boating, surfing, and several other activities. The blue waters and coconut tree rows make the location one of the most appealing destinations on the island.

Beira Lake

Once you are done with your shopping or sightseeing, you can hop in for a peaceful boat ride here. Located in the heart of the capital city, this lake provides green and calm waters that offer a stimulating experience. You can rent a paddle boat and go out on the lake while observing cute ducks and swans around.

Yala National Park

This national park is a well-known wildlife sanctuary situated nearly 200 km from Bentota. You can go on an adventurous trip into the forest. It is one of the perfect places to go to on the entire island and so you need to make sure you list it out in your itinerary. You will get to see some Sri Lankan leopards and elephants on your trip.

Galle Fort

One of the most famous tourist spots in the entire country, the Galle Fort was constructed during the 16th century by the Portuguese and reinforced in the 17 century by the Dutch. You can take pleasure in the stunning sea view from this fort or stroll around the cobblestoned trail around the fort area. The area surrounding the fort has several food joints, shops, and cafes. You can look at the most splendid sunset view at this fort.

Dambulla Cave Temple

You can go to this temple to get a touch of old culture and history. This cultural hotspot is one of the largest temple complexes in the country and hosts a wide assortment of paintings and statues that date back to the 12th century. This temple has 5 rooms each containing a striking statue of Buddha of various sizes. You can climb to the temple’s top to get a good view of the surroundings.

Jaffna

The capital city of Sri Lanka’s northern province has some of the finest temples. The Nallur Kovil temple is the most crowded in the area. You can visit the Jaffna Fort to know more about the rich history of Sri Lanka. The Nagadeepa Purana Vihara temple is yet another best place to go in Sri Lanka and is accessible only by boat. The calmness that you get to experience here is beyond compare.

Trincomalee

Trincomalee’s beach getaway is little known, however, a great place for spending a good time when you are in the country. It is a famous tourist spot that provides exceptional watersport activities. The perfect part of the place is the opportunity it offers for deep-sea diving. You can get in touch with the SLDT [Sri Lanka Diving Tours] to assist you to take a quick look into the marine life in the Trincomalee waters. You can indulge in beach hopping and temple sighting as well.

Pollonnaruwa

This significant city ruin site is one of the World Heritage Sites of the country. It was the 2nd capital city prospering approximately over a thousand years ago. The city is preserved, though the majority of its structures are remnants. There are palaces, gardens, and temples and while the place is compact mostly, it can be explored easily by bicycle. There is a modern, small-town located a few miles from this place with bike rentals, guesthouses, and cafes.

Polonnaruwa Sri-Lanka Buddha Asia Image by lapping from Pixabay

Ella

At times it is as much as important to consider the journey and not worry much about the destination. Ella is a good example. It is a hill-country town located amongst the tea plantations in Sri Lanka. The place is filled with amazing food, small guesthouses and friendly people. It is a place for anyone who wants to get away from the buzz of the city and enjoy hiking for a few days. The slow train goes up and down the hills, via small towns and arrives in the mountain town after nearly 6 hours.

The compact island possesses 8 of World Heritage Sites and some of the best outdoor landscapes you will ever get to see in your life. You can opt for the Sri Lanka tour package from India offered by Packyoutrail. Their team of experts will help you make full use of your time in the country at an affordable cost.

Best places to visit in Sikkim for a relaxing experience

August 10, 2020 Travel, Within India

Tips on how to Travel Safely to Uttarakhand During and After COVID 19

COVID 19 had put the whole world to a sudden stop with an uncertain future. It came as a piece of heartbreaking news, especially for the travellers. However with people adopting various measures, practising social distancing norms, and diligently wearing a mask everywhere the pandemic is slowly and steadily coming under control.

Some places in India have reopened for tourist visits with a set of rules that are compulsory to follow when you are in Uttarakhand and these sets of rules are established by the government for the safety of the people there.

Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has tackled the situation very well and with a brave face on. They had already permitted inter-district travel for the locals with the help of an e-pass. However, as the situation seems to be coming under control on a daily basis Uttarakhand has now opened its doors to travellers and pilgrims from everywhere.

Devbhoomi Uttarakhand
Image courtesy- Pioneer Edge

Here is how you can safely travel in and around Uttarakhand during and after COVID

Mandatory COVID 19 Test Report

The pandemic has effected and largely changed the normal state of functioning. While travelling from one place to another it has been absolutely mandatory not only to Uttarakhand but also to various different parts of India by road.

Make sure to get yourself tested for COVID and once the reports come out to be negative be sure to carry the genuine/authentic test reports with you anywhere you travel. You will be asked at various polls and checkpoints to show the COVID negative test report as the government of Uttarakhand is very particular about only allowing people who are not a threat to their locals.

Travel In Your Private Vehicle

Do not be extremely ambitious regarding your travel plans. Be realistic and plan your trip practically to suit these uncertain times. It is not wise to be depended heavily on local transportation as nobody knows for sure the sanitization procedure the buses or shared cabs has undergone and it is better to be safe than sorry.

Travelling in your own vehicle will guarantee that you keep it sanitized, clean, and in good condition. You will also be able to get back safely to your home in case there is some dire situation suddenly.

Prepare For Lengthy Stay

Staycations or lengthy vacations have quickly become one of the most talked-about trends among travel enthusiasts. As of now, home quarantine is being levied on everyone arriving from out of the state of Uttarakhand. You should book your stay for at least 10-14 days. This is one of the most important precautionary measures that every traveller should take.

There are hotels and cottages available for longer stays that you can book by contacting a trusted travel and tours company. Apart from that as per the instructions of the tourism minister of Uttarakhand, you must present the 7 days booking of the place that you will be staying in case the authorities ask for it.

Follow All the Protocols As Mentioned By the State Government

All the states in India have come up with a list of strict rules and regulations to be followed by all tourists and travellers coming in from different parts of India to minimize the probable outbreak of the pandemic.

The rules mentioned above are some of the vital points to follow while travelling within Devbhoomi. There are restrictions on public movement as well from 10 pm to 5 am. All these rules have been created in the light of unlocking 2.0 and to provide the safest experience for both locals and tourists.

Note: Be sure to ask beforehand at the accommodation you shall be staying regarding the sanitization conditions and the date of the last person staying there.

Miscellaneous Travel Tips for a Safe Experience

Always keep a good stock of hand sanitizer with you and if possible a sanitizer spray to clean all your small items like wallet, keys, rings, Jewellery, etc.
Carry multiple disposable masks and N95 masks as well. N95 masks are the best choice for travel as advised by ICMR.
Always carry disposable paper soaps as soap water is the best defence against the COVID virus, it has also been mentioned in the Who guidelines.
Always keep yourself covered well i.e. with the help of stoles or caps keep your hair covered in order to maximize protection.
Follow all the social distancing norms and stay at least 3-6 feet away from everyone outside as you may never know who the carrier is.
Never touch your face, mouth, nose, eyes, or ears. But if you feel itchy then you can use a sanitizer and then touch your face.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can travel safely in Uttarakhand if only you follow protocol and make sure that you are safe in order to ensure the safety of everyone around you as well. Check out the list of guidelines and rules of the state government so that you don’t end up following all the regulations to the t. Always remember prevention is always better than the cure.

We believe these points are surely to help you in taking a break from your regular life along with fighting against COVID-19 to make it one of your Best Uttarakhand Tours where you could gather some really amazing moments.

If you find this article helpful and informative to you then do show us your love by sharing with your friends and other contacts and we would also love to hear your feedback for this post, so write down your views in the comment box below.

August 4, 2020 Travel, Within India

A Guide for Your Chardham Yatra by Helicopter Trip

The Chardham Yatra is a sacred pilgrimage to the four holy shrines in ‘Dev Bhoomi’ Uttarakhand. Believed to be the holiest journey, the Yatra cleanses all sins and grants salvation to the pilgrims who complete this journey. Chardham Yatra by helicopter is an easy and hassle-free way to complete the journey to the divine shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Chardham Yatra by helicopter starts in the beautiful city of Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand.

The Yatra is planned in a clockwise direction in Uttarakhand. It takes around 10-12 days to complete the whole journey by road as the shrines are nestled high up in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand. But for a Chardham Yatra by helicopter, it takes only 4 to 5 days. Therefore pilgrims prefer Yatra by helicopter as it saves time as well as energy.

So, if you’re planning a Chardham Yatra by helicopter then here is all you need to know including the day-wise itinerary.

Where to Book Chardham Yatra by Helicopter Package?

Tourism-of-India provides multiple options for Chardham Yatra tour packages for the devotees. They also have a pre-planned Chardham Yatra by helicopter packages with cost or you can customize for a better travel experience.

Detailed Information about Char Dhams:

Yamunotri Dham

Yamunotri is the holy shrine of the River Goddess Yamuna, the sister of Lord Yama “The God of Death”. The black idol of the Goddess is visited by pilgrims from far ends of the world. A visit to Yamunotri Dham is said to cleanse all sins of a lifetime and allows pilgrims a boon of preventing an untimely death.

The helicopter journey takes almost 40 minutes and you will land at the Kharsali Helipad to get to Yamunotri. The holy Chardham destination is at a distance of a 5 km trek. You can choose to walk or get a palki or pony to get to the temple.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the mountains and feel blessed by the divine temple. Two hot springs near the temple are also visited by pilgrims. Pray at the revered temple and after your darshan.

Gangotri Dham

Gangotri is the revered shrine of the River Goddess Ganga. According to a legend from Hinduism, the river was brought on earth after great penance. It is believed that bathing in the holy waters of Ganga cleanses one of the sins of life and grants salvation. The white-marble temple, built in the 19th century is a sacred shrine.

The Gangotri temple can be reached in a short walk from the hotel. Pray to the Goddess and get blessings. The divine ambiance of the temple blesses pilgrims with serenity and bliss.

Kedarnath Dham

Kedarnath is one of the 12 holy Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. According to a Hindu legend, Lord Shiva in his form of the bull was hiding from the Pandavas of Mahabharata. On getting discovered the lord divided his bull form into various regions of India and Nepal. The hump became the revered lingam of Kedarnath Dham. The holy temple is set in the middle of the Garhwal Himalayan range with a backdrop of snow-covered mountains and near the Mandakini River. It is blessed with an ambiance of spirituality and the breathtaking beauty of the mountains. It is easily one of the most beautiful temples in India.

Badrinath Dham

Badrinath Dham is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India, which is both a part of the Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand and the other Chardham circuit in India. The holy shrine prays to the Badri form of Lord Vishnu.

Get a helicopter ride to Badrinath helipad. The journey of the land of Narayan is a scenic one. Enjoy the pictorial views of the mountains in its snow-draped glory.