Showing posts with label Nature. Show all posts

A Romantic Vacation in Australia : Things you must do

The enchanting natural beauty of Australia can be summed up in three words – Pure, Tranquil and Untouched. This part of the world will definitely make your love bloom with many colours.


1. Go for a seaplane ride over the Heart Reef


Nestled in the flamboyant Great Barrier Reef, the Heart Reef is surely a ideal place for lovebirds. Go for a seaplane ride to witness the heavenly beauty, enjoy a romantic dinner on the beautiful white sands of Whitehaven Beach or drench yourself in the pristine blue waters of the famous Whitsunday Islands.

2. Dine under open sky at Sounds of Silence of Uluru


Set against the canvas of the magnificent Uluru, Sounds of Silence pledges a unique romantic dining experience. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner under the starry sky with your sweetheart. Uluru is also regarded as one of Australia's most notable landmarks and it is a World Heritage Site.

3. Experience the incredible view with a Twilight Bridge Climb at Sydney


It is said that a city becomes most romantic at twilight, when the setting sun colours the horizon in a red-gold hue. And there is no other place than the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to get a better view of the city. A climb across this iconic structure takes about three and a half hours.

4. Stay at an underground hotel at Coober Pedy, South Australia


Experience a romantic coziness at a underground hotel at Coober Pedy. In the summer months most of the city's inhabitants takes refuge to unique underground residences called 'dugouts.'

5. Pamper your sweetheart at one of Australia's famous lavish retreats.


At the lap of the national parks, overseeing the ocean or amidst the desert sands, Australia's luxury retreats are famous for their grandeur and remoteness. Head to the Qualia Resort on Hamilton Island or the Southern Ocean Lodge at Kangaroo Island to have a lavish romantic date.

6. Hot air balloon ride over Yarra Valley


Floating among the clouds over the verdant greenery of Yarra Valley is a perfect romantic experience . Yarra Valley has lot more to offer with its rich art and culture, famous wine regions and its charming parks and gardens.

7. Drive along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria


You, your loved one, a top open car and the picturesque Great Ocean Road – you cant ask for more on a romantic holiday. With the natural wonders like the Twelve Apostles spicing up the way, this beautiful stretch will make you fall in love again.

8. A concert at the Sydney Opera House


Australia is synonymous with the beautiful Sydney Opera House. The iconic shell roof has become a definitive symbol of the country. And nothing could be more romantic than witnessing a performance at the Sydney Opera House.

9. Walk under the green canopy of Daintree Rainforest


This place seems like it was made for the romantic souls. Hand in hand, taking a stroll through the exuberant green forests of the Daintree, engulfed only by your thoughts and the distinct sound of the jungle. Daintree Rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest of Australia and also a World Heritage Site.

10. Visit the Remarkable Rocks of Kangaroo Island


Located by the margin of the sea at Flinders National Park, the Remarkable Rocks are superbly balanced boulders. Created by 500 million years of sea spray and rain, the charming rocks also provide the fitting vantage point for the spectacular Casuarina Islets. A perfect destination for a romantic evening out with your loved one.

Travelling Back in Time on the Island of Zanzibar


Image credit: Sakke Wiik, all creative commons

Have you ever dreamed of running away to a tropical island and turning back the clock from the fast-paced urban era to the times when man was one with his environment and Nature was still unblemished by the hazards of civlizational progress? Avid travelers plagued by desire for time alone in the lap of Mother Nature should consider Zanzibar as a potential destination for their next trip. With clean, sunny beaches, untamed wildlife and numerous historical sites that testify of the region’s turbulent past, the island is slowly climbing up the lever of the world’s top tourist destinations. If you want to travel back in time and take refuge in an exotic paradise, check out all the wonders Tanzania and the Zanzibar Archipelago have in store for you.

  Nature of Zanzibar: Africa’s Garden of Eden

 Since its potentials are still largely undiscovered by mass tourism, Zanzibar takes pride in clean, silky beaches free of tourist crowds. Situated around 50 kilometers off the Tanzanian coast, the island is surrounded by crystal clear waters and its moderate tropical climate makes it a perfect romantic getaway throughout the year. Here, some of the world’s rarest birds and animals are still thriving, and the island offers a safe haven for a handful of endemic species such as the Zanzibar bishop, the nlue duiker, the Zanzibar leopard, green and hawksbilled turtles and the Zanzibar suni. Off the island coast, you can even see dolphins, whales and giant whalesharks, and the island’s underwater world abounds in fascinating coral reef formations and colorful fish.

  Prison Island: Journey to the past

 One of the most popular tours in Zanzibar, Prison Island is a true embodiment of exotic heaven, but its history is far less stellar than its current purpose may let on. The island still holds remains of an ancient slave prison which was at one point transformed into a quarantine hospital to treat sailors from infected ships. The main gaol building was later redone into an upmarket hotel. Other interesting things you can see on and around Prison Island that stand out from the typical 21st century tourist attractions include amazing coral reefs, clownfish and a family of giant Aldabra tortoises brought to the island from the Seychelles toward the end of the 19th century. Prison Island is one of the best wild spots in Tanzania to go diving and snorkeling, so make sure you give water sports a go if your time on the island allows it.

  Stone Town: Where history and modernity collide

 Another landmark example of how closely the past and modern life are intertwined in Zanzibar, Stone Town is home to some of the region’s most important historical sites that date back to the era of Arab reign and early British explorers. During your stay on the island, check out the House of Wonders: formerly once of the six palaces of Sultan of Zanzibar Barghash bin Said, the edifice now serves as the Museum of History and Culture of Zanzibar and the Swahili Coast. Other important structures built centuries ago include the Palace Museum that dates back to the era of Omani reign, Forodhani Gardens, Arab Fort (the oldest building in the area) and Dr Livingstone's House, which was built back in 1860 for Sultan Majid and was later used to accommodate missionaries and explorers.

  Image source: Jonathan Stonehouse, all creative commons

  Colorful markets: The true spirit of the Old World

In addition to untouched flora and fauna and numerous historical monuments, the local markets are perhaps the best embodiment of the spirit of the Old World. During a tour of Zanzibar’s busy markets, you can see people selling handcrafted items, freshly caught fish and other seafood, traditional garments and various everyday objects made by hand from locally sourced materials. Unlike in the rest of the world, prices in this part of Tanzania are surprisingly low, and you can haggle with the vendors if you want to get the best value for your money. If you have the time to stop by a Zanzibari market, make sure you stock up your collection of spices, herbs and souvenirs: the island is a genuine paradise for shopaholics!

 Away from modern chaos and technology, Zanzibar is a place of magic, wilderness and wonders long forgotten by contemporary tourists. On this captivating island, time seems to stand still, preserving history and nature at their finest and most memorable.


Author bio: Oliver Hyde is an experienced business consultant from the UK. His job allows him to
travel, which also happens to be one of his greatest passions. Being a wanderer, he rarely stays at the same place for a long time, but Africa stole his heart. He had been travelling through the continent for more than a year. You can follow his travel adventures on Twitter.

10 Best Indian Sea side destinations apart from Goa

Goa is definitely the top beach destination of India. Millions of people visit this famous tourist getaway throughout the year. Here we have listed few more Indian beaches which also have a great charm and worthy enough to make a trip.   

1.  Anjarle, Maharashtra



The drive to Anjarle is very long and tiring. But this heavenly place is worthy enough for this gruesome journey. 220 kms away from the city of Mumbai, the pristine waters and white beaches of this place are almost virgin.

2. Kovalam, Kerala


With a 17 kms long coastline, Kovalam is the perfect spot if you want immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Kovalam consists of three beaches and It's famous for two things - The sunset and the vintage lighthouse.

3. Radhanagar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands


The Radhanagar beach of Havelock is known for its pristine blue waters and white sands. The place is an ideal getaway for scuba diving and snorkelling. The breathtaking beauty of this island will definitely give you an out of the world experience.

4. Tarkarli, Maharashtra


Tarkarli is the only certified scuba diving joint of the state which offers a lot of water-sports activities. Apart from the blue waters and colourful coral reefs, Tarkarli is famous for its dolphins.

5.  Puri Beach, Odisha


Puri is known for India's best beach art and Beach festivals. It is a great place to visit if you want rediscover your artistic side.

6. Devka Beach, Daman and Diu


Golden sands,palm trees, a dense stretch of coconut trees and cool sea-breeze throughout the year – This is the beautiful Devka Beach. Indulge in the exciting water adventures like jet skiing and para-sailing or just relax on the beach with a bottle cold beer. This place will leave you mesmerized with all its calm and serene beauty.

7. Agatti Island, Lakshadweep


Agatti Island has a great variation of coral fish and is best known for its pristine clear waters. That makes it a perfect spot in India for scuba diving, kayaking and snorkelling

8. Ramakrishna Beach,  Andhra Pradesh


Vizag’s Ramakrishna Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast of the country. The beach is famous for the activities like sunbathing, swimming and beach volleyball.

9. Nagaon, Maharashtra


Sparkling black beaches with muddied waters creates a different charm at Nagaon. This is a place of excellent sea-food and a variety of water sports.

10. Diveagar, Maharashtra


This pristine tourist destination boasts of soft, sparkling sands, colourful crabs, and gentle waters dotted with rocky patches. A delightful place to have a perfect beach vacation.