It's not an easy task to drill down to just 10 favorite places I visited. The list is based on how much I loved and enjoyed my visit and stay at these places and hence could be biased and/or subjective.
(10) Manali, India
While I haven't visited salt desert of Kutch, sand dunes of Rajasthan or backwaters of Kerala yet, I will rate Manali and the great Himalayan aura as the best tourist place in India. Serene Beas river, snow capped mountains around, strong pahaadi culture and character make the place unforgettable. Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley and the Hadimba temple vicinity still bring in vivid and vivacious memories. Personally, this is the place where I first experienced snowfall, sub-zero temperatures, river crossing, paragliding. The hill region imbibed in me a strong urge to be a perpetual backpacker. My travel-mania is in a way triggered by my visit to Manali. My honeymoon spot. Visited: 2007
(9) Niagara Falls, Canada
50 mins drive from my house, Niagara Falls is figuratively my backyard. I might have visited the falls over 30 times in the last one decade but never ever came close to getting tired or exhausted of the roaring cascade, green and white waters, perennial rainbow, mist, tourists and their cameras. Have seen the falls from either side of the border (American side being a poor cousin of the Canadian), from the tunnel behind the falls, from the foot of the falls, on the boat and every time felt like an experience to cherish. I know that Iguazu Falls of Argentina, Angel Falls of Venezuela are more imposing than Niagara but since I haven't been to either of those, Niagara is still on my list. First Visited: 2007
(8) Isle Mujeres, Mexico
Caribbean Sea is undoubtedly THE most beautiful sea in the world. So every place with a resort on the shore of Caribbean is a spot to die for but Isle Mujeres is a bit more than that. Think about this: A tiny island 7 kms long and less than a km wide which can be seen on a golf cart in few hours, picture perfect turquoise sea with high tides every direction you look at, magnificent Cancun skyline at some distance. That's something everybody must experience atleast once in their lifetime. I got lucky once. Visited: 2012
(7) Venice, Italy
Always rated among top few places to visit in any poll across the world, Venice should've been a world wonder. A city on canals, life on boats, trips on gondolas, strolls in narrow lanes, a grand canal, a majestic cathedral, an enthralling square make Venice look like a dream. Visited: 2013
(6) Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Another beautiful European city which is sobriqueted Venice of the North, Amsterdam is the original sin city, much sinner than Las Vegas and more beautiful than Venice with it's concentric canals (minus gondolas). The fact that Marijuana is legal with cannabis bars sprawled like any other bar or cafe is a sight in itself. Another ironic tourist attraction is the red light area where sex workers showcase themselves from enclosures to tourists walking around the streets. And that happens to be a must visit sightseeing point in the city. Friendly people, rich Dutch culture, a unique blend of historic and modern worlds make Amsterdam a deserving alpha city of the world. Visited: 2013
(5) Hawaii Big Island, USA
Always a favorite beach holiday place especially for Americans, Hawaii is so unlike America in America. More than the waves and surf, I was amazed and astonished watching active volcanoes and black sand beach. Strong Polynesian culture, Luau, Hula adds to the magic. Visited: 2011
(4) Paris, France
City of Love. Fashion Capital. Many nicknames, many tales to narrate about the spectacular city. The towering Eiffel tower, calming Seine river, proud historic old town, ultra fashionable people, world renowned Monalisa and the Louvre, Versailles, the bridge of love-locks (we visited before the locks were removed) and Notre Dame - Paris can't be narrated or explained but only be experienced. Get drenched in the magic, go to Paris. Visited: 2013
(3) Banff / Athabasca Glacier, Canada
I was mind-blown and could hardly breath enough to relish the nature at one glance. An emerald turquoise crystal clear lake right under the nose of snow capped Canadian rockies and a carpet of pine trees is something which can blind your eyes. And then there is Athabasca Glacier on which the ice is as thick as the height of Eiffel Tower and you get on to the glacier on a bus, take a stroll and gaze at death trapping crevices; the glacier which feeds into Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Don't even try imagining. Just realize Canada is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. Visited: 2010
(2) Lucerne - Interlaken, Switzerland
It's a no-brainer that those who visit Switzerland can't forget the heaven on earth in their lifetime. Interlaken, a sleepy small town on banks of a river which is also a gateway to the highest point of Europe, Jungfrau in Swiss Alps is as picturesque as a postcard. Lucerne is a small big city where every glance can remind you of some poster or wall hanging. But the most mind-boggling experience in Switzerland will be a train journey between Interlaken and Lucerne. You'll regret having just two eyes. Visited: 2013
(1) Madrid, Spain
Choosing the top spot among so many places is a daunting task but Madrid was an outright choice for me right from the moment I stepped out of my hotel in Madrid. I felt the happiest in the city. The old world charm, strong Spanish character, friendly Spaniards, alleys, squares, museums, palaces simply grew in me. There were many other historic cities I visited but Madrid left me spell-bounded, captivated and observed me into itself. Visited: 2016
While I could only fit 10 best places in the top ten list, others which come close to the list are Innsbruck (Austria), Brussels (Belgium), Rome (Italy), Lisbon (Portugal), Koblenz (Germany), Chicago (USA), Delhi (India). Hoping to add more places in the list in the next few years.
PS: “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” – Anonymous
(10) Manali, India
While I haven't visited salt desert of Kutch, sand dunes of Rajasthan or backwaters of Kerala yet, I will rate Manali and the great Himalayan aura as the best tourist place in India. Serene Beas river, snow capped mountains around, strong pahaadi culture and character make the place unforgettable. Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley and the Hadimba temple vicinity still bring in vivid and vivacious memories. Personally, this is the place where I first experienced snowfall, sub-zero temperatures, river crossing, paragliding. The hill region imbibed in me a strong urge to be a perpetual backpacker. My travel-mania is in a way triggered by my visit to Manali. My honeymoon spot. Visited: 2007
(9) Niagara Falls, Canada
50 mins drive from my house, Niagara Falls is figuratively my backyard. I might have visited the falls over 30 times in the last one decade but never ever came close to getting tired or exhausted of the roaring cascade, green and white waters, perennial rainbow, mist, tourists and their cameras. Have seen the falls from either side of the border (American side being a poor cousin of the Canadian), from the tunnel behind the falls, from the foot of the falls, on the boat and every time felt like an experience to cherish. I know that Iguazu Falls of Argentina, Angel Falls of Venezuela are more imposing than Niagara but since I haven't been to either of those, Niagara is still on my list. First Visited: 2007
(8) Isle Mujeres, Mexico
Caribbean Sea is undoubtedly THE most beautiful sea in the world. So every place with a resort on the shore of Caribbean is a spot to die for but Isle Mujeres is a bit more than that. Think about this: A tiny island 7 kms long and less than a km wide which can be seen on a golf cart in few hours, picture perfect turquoise sea with high tides every direction you look at, magnificent Cancun skyline at some distance. That's something everybody must experience atleast once in their lifetime. I got lucky once. Visited: 2012
(7) Venice, Italy
Always rated among top few places to visit in any poll across the world, Venice should've been a world wonder. A city on canals, life on boats, trips on gondolas, strolls in narrow lanes, a grand canal, a majestic cathedral, an enthralling square make Venice look like a dream. Visited: 2013
(6) Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Another beautiful European city which is sobriqueted Venice of the North, Amsterdam is the original sin city, much sinner than Las Vegas and more beautiful than Venice with it's concentric canals (minus gondolas). The fact that Marijuana is legal with cannabis bars sprawled like any other bar or cafe is a sight in itself. Another ironic tourist attraction is the red light area where sex workers showcase themselves from enclosures to tourists walking around the streets. And that happens to be a must visit sightseeing point in the city. Friendly people, rich Dutch culture, a unique blend of historic and modern worlds make Amsterdam a deserving alpha city of the world. Visited: 2013
(5) Hawaii Big Island, USA
Always a favorite beach holiday place especially for Americans, Hawaii is so unlike America in America. More than the waves and surf, I was amazed and astonished watching active volcanoes and black sand beach. Strong Polynesian culture, Luau, Hula adds to the magic. Visited: 2011
(4) Paris, France
City of Love. Fashion Capital. Many nicknames, many tales to narrate about the spectacular city. The towering Eiffel tower, calming Seine river, proud historic old town, ultra fashionable people, world renowned Monalisa and the Louvre, Versailles, the bridge of love-locks (we visited before the locks were removed) and Notre Dame - Paris can't be narrated or explained but only be experienced. Get drenched in the magic, go to Paris. Visited: 2013
(3) Banff / Athabasca Glacier, Canada
I was mind-blown and could hardly breath enough to relish the nature at one glance. An emerald turquoise crystal clear lake right under the nose of snow capped Canadian rockies and a carpet of pine trees is something which can blind your eyes. And then there is Athabasca Glacier on which the ice is as thick as the height of Eiffel Tower and you get on to the glacier on a bus, take a stroll and gaze at death trapping crevices; the glacier which feeds into Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Don't even try imagining. Just realize Canada is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. Visited: 2010
(2) Lucerne - Interlaken, Switzerland
It's a no-brainer that those who visit Switzerland can't forget the heaven on earth in their lifetime. Interlaken, a sleepy small town on banks of a river which is also a gateway to the highest point of Europe, Jungfrau in Swiss Alps is as picturesque as a postcard. Lucerne is a small big city where every glance can remind you of some poster or wall hanging. But the most mind-boggling experience in Switzerland will be a train journey between Interlaken and Lucerne. You'll regret having just two eyes. Visited: 2013
(1) Madrid, Spain
Choosing the top spot among so many places is a daunting task but Madrid was an outright choice for me right from the moment I stepped out of my hotel in Madrid. I felt the happiest in the city. The old world charm, strong Spanish character, friendly Spaniards, alleys, squares, museums, palaces simply grew in me. There were many other historic cities I visited but Madrid left me spell-bounded, captivated and observed me into itself. Visited: 2016
While I could only fit 10 best places in the top ten list, others which come close to the list are Innsbruck (Austria), Brussels (Belgium), Rome (Italy), Lisbon (Portugal), Koblenz (Germany), Chicago (USA), Delhi (India). Hoping to add more places in the list in the next few years.
PS: “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” – Anonymous
3 comments:
Thanks for sharing. It makes easy to pick up destinations when we want a vacation.I am so tempted to visit Isle Mujeres and want to experience train journey in swiss. Our Hawaii trip back in 2012 was inspired by ur post. We had fun with less efforts. :)
Your travel pics are an eye feast and the information is too good. :)..
Your travel pics are an eye feast and the information is too good. :)..
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