My Spain escapade - Introduction to destinations visited in spectacular Spain by Sanjeev Nanda

We see bookstores overflow with journals, magazines, and titles of places one ought to visit before we die; we must also understand that merely reading such facts and experiencing it in real are completely different entities. Don’t travel itineraries of ‘things to do’ and ‘places to visit’ excite you enough, even before you take the ultimate trip to your desired destination?

We are inundated with a cottage industry of websites popping up ever so rapidly each day that it has made our lives easier to plan our trip and live that ultimate dream that would often just remain a desire in our hearts.

Personally and as a travel enthusiast, I have had the opportunity to exchange ideas with a diverse lot of people I have met along my journeys, whether it is about learning a language or getting a tattoo made. This has definitely been a positive addition to my travel experience and has exposed me to certain facts that I was never aware of.

From my Spectacular Spain travel diary - the Palacio Real, Pamplona, the Beach of La Concha, the Aqueduct of Segovia, Cuenca, Ibiza, the Sagrada Familia, El Escorial, the Mezquita of Cordoba, and the Alhambra; and other places I have had the opportunity to visit, the experience was truly inspiring and worth my time.

Hence, I do urge all just to venture on and fulfill that long awaited dream of traveling to your favoured destination. Whether you visit one or a couple of these destinations listed in my blog, I do ensure that your life will be further enriched by the travel experience! So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and set on that road trip or travel to your favorite destinations and live your dream of being a vagabond solo traveler like me!

Do look out for my articles on my trip to the top tourist attractions in Spain by Sanjeev Nanda!

Image credit: IES Abroad (dot) org

Chandigarh – By Sanjeev Nanda

After Manali, I wanted to visit Chandigarh, one of the most planned cities in India. The city mesmerizes you with its simplicity as well as well as modernism. The city has turned itself around in the past few years. Chandigarh boasts of modern architecture and natural beauty both at the same time.

If you love to shop, the sector 17 market in Chandigarh will be your dream come true. From elite brand stores to restaurants that sell all kinds of cuisines, the market has so much to offer. The market is also dotted with fountains, sculptures and trees thus making your whole shopping experience all the more beautiful.

You can also visit the Sukhna Lake, the most famous man-made water body in Chandigarh. Every day numerous tourists as well as locals visit the place, sometimes to escape from the scorching heat, and sometimes just to spend some quality family time.

The next place I absolutely love and would suggest every traveler visits is the Rock Garden. The garden is one of its kind and has structures made out of waste materials. From broken bangles to nails, you will find beautiful pieces of art with all these components. There is a very nominal entry fee you would have to pay, but it is going to be worth every penny.

This season, plan a trip to Chandigarh and witness some of the best infrastructures.

Hope you enjoy your Chandigarh trip as much as I did. Keep reading for more Sanjeev Nanda tales.

Exploring Monasteries on my Day 2 in Manali – By Sanjeev Nanda

My second day in Manali, started as a lazy one. Curled up in my blanket with temperature outside dropping, though I wanted to sleep all day, I also didn’t want to miss the picturesque views the place had to offer. 

My second day at this hill station began with a trip to the famous Tibetan Monasteries. The existence of several monasteries was evident with the major population being Tibetans. These monasteries preserve the culture literature and the handicrafts of the people of Tibet and hence are of high significance to the community. 

The Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa, situated near the Mall in Manali, is a monastery run by the local people with the help of the funds they gather through donations. The monastery sells handicrafts of Tibetan artistry and carpets that are beautifully woven. The monastery was constructed in the year 1969 and it represents the Tibetan style of architecture with Lord Buddha statue as its presiding deity.

All the Lamas at these monasteries are trained as preachers and performers of religious rites. The Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa monastery also runs a Thanka school of arts as well as a carpet-weaving centre hence preserving the art.

The next monastery I visited was the Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa, situated near the market. The architecture of this monastery is modern as compared to the Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa. The monastery is surrounded by beds of sunflowers and is a sight to behold when its premise is it lit up at night using light bulbs thus, adding serenity and charm to its overall presence. This monastery features a huge gold-faced statue of Lord Buddha.

The Tibetan monasteries use aromatic and fragrant incense sticks that are burnt throughout the day. The ambience is very peaceful and emanates an enchanting feel. These Tibetan monasteries are one of the chief tourist attractions of the hill station and experience massive tourist footfall all-year-round.

Look out for more of Sanjeev Nanda’s travel stories to the Hill Stations of India!

Manali Magic! Day 1 – By Sanjeev Nanda

A 40-km drive from Kullu, north of Himachal Pradesh, India is Manali. It nestles on the edge of a valley through which the National Highway runs leading you to Leh, another stunning destination to visit in India.

The journey had just begun. It was during the month of January and the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with the sting of the freezing cold of Manali. The first thing I did once I set foot was to try the local specialty, flavored hot tea and delectable snacks to go with it were refreshing!

The landscape of Manali is breathtaking! The first thing I noticed was the series of undulating landscape, valleys, and mountain ranges that surrounds this hill station. The drive was worth every moment of my time and I would recommend a road trip versus taking a rail. You will instantly notice its well-defined snow-capped peaks, the stunning Beas River, clear as crystal, meandering through the crevice.

Along the River, you will notice thick deodar and pine trees abound with greenery, pockets of small fields and fruit orchards that truly pull you closer to nature. Manali is a trekker’s delight, the routes through Lahaul-Spiti, Bara Bhangal in Kangra, and Zanskar ranges, are worth exploring. Whether it is the ancient Temples, picturesque sightseeing spots, and adventure undertakings, Manali has loads to keep you well occupied.

Manali is indeed the land of snow, mist, tranquility and serene beauty. The wonderful sight of the snow-capped mountains adding a stunning backdrop to the quaint town is a mesmerizing sight. Clouds making their way through the cliffs and gorges, and the cascading River Beas gushing forth to announce its arrival is captivating and a photographer’s delight!

I stayed at a guest house with no fixed itinerary in my pocket. All I had was my backpack and a mind filled with the list of adventures to look forth to. Early morning I ventured to view the stunning Snow Point site near Kothi, a place extensively used by Bollywood to scene their songs. It was a sight to behold. The white-laden landscape was captivating and all I could think was to catch hold of a ski suit, related gadgets and ski around.

After a wonderful skiing session over the slopes of Manali, I proceeded to the Manali Club House to relish some of the best Indian recipes. The food instantly captured the essence of India. It brought in loads of warmth and a feel of rejuvenation. I got back to the guest house with a sense of accomplishment that my first day in Manali was indeed a pleasurable one.

Manali Magic! Introduction – By Sanjeev Nanda

My trip to Manali has been one of the most enthralling of all trips and I have had the pleasure to enjoy it to the hilt. If you haven’t decided on a trip to Manali as yet, then this write-up may just help you firmly decide. It offers a glimpse of what you can look forward to when you do eventually plan your vacation.

It was only a couple of weeks in Manali and my memory still retains the striking aura and appearance of this quaint hill station. As if you’d just visited a lost world and came out of it only craving to go back for more. It was an interesting visit that captured the nuances of my vision and if I ever get the chance, I would definitely plan a re-visit.

Manali is a picturesque hill station surrounded by majestic snow-laden mountains and dense pine forestlands. The meandering Beas River is the iconic symbol of Manali and is renowned for its aesthetic beauty. Manali nestles at an altitude of 6260 feet and is a premier hill station of Himachal Pradesh, North India, cocooned within the Valley of Kullu.

The splendor of Manali this lies in the seemingly refreshing Beas River fringed with conifer gradients and crop orchards that stretches way up to the snow-clad knolls of the majestic Himalayas. It is sandwiched between Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal Peaks, known for their captivating beauty and imposing heights.

It was a curious find that Manali is famed as one of the most visited Pilgrim destinations in India and hence, is often referred to as the land of numerous Shrines of Gods and Goddesses, capturing distinctive significance in the ethnic tradition and culture of India. It is indeed a gorgeous hill resort that beckons tired souls to its abode rendering a vibrant display of attractions to scout through and I felt blessed to be here.

Manali is also renowned as the Queen of Valleys owing to the numerous stunning valleys is nestles within the lower Himalayan ranges. The skyscraping mountainous ranges, undulating landscapes, and vast expanse of unending greenery and terrain is bounded by obscure rock ravines and gorges.

Manali has been one of the most distinguished holiday spots for me. The thick forests and the soft gush of cool gentle breeze can rejuvenate a tired city dweller. Its vast expanse of meadows, tiny quaint settlements, vibrant orchards, the natives and their warm hospitality can melt even a heart of stone.

I was completely bowled over by the mere appearance and serene ambiance that Manali offers. Its natural vista gives way for interesting outdoor activities, which I thoroughly enjoyed. From mountaineering to trekking and skiing, I experienced it all. There were numerous short off-the-beaten trails through the dense forestlands that were indeed worth exploring with the local guides, and it was one of the best treks I have had a chance to experience in a very long time.