Winter in Turkey, a Land That Turns into Heaven

If you are a frequent traveller chances are that you already know that nothing gets better than travelling during off season. Visiting a destination during off season has more advantages than any other seasons. The same applies to Turkey. The whole world wants to flock to the country during the typical summer months. Let them do so. You go ahead and take the offbeat path when you visit Turkey in winter.

Here is some reason why Turkey is better in the winter.

Scenic Views: Most people envision Turkey as a destination bustling with rocky beaches, rustic-chic villages, breathtaking beautiful streets and endless sunshine but the place has many other good sides. Winter season hits the country with heavy snow. The experience is not less than a magic. All you get to witness is an absolutely serene and peaceful ancient land completely bereft of people and landscape adorned with fresh and soft snow.

It is quieter: with Turkey being such a popular holiday destination, summers there can get pretty busy. Booking a winter sun holiday in Turkey you’ll have all the hotspots to yourself. Beaches will be much quieter and you’ll be able to get the great photos of all the best attractions as there won’t be big crowds like there are in summer. Ancient ruins such as the impressive Ephesus should be explored in winter.

Cheaper rate: Nothing like a cheap getaway. Travelling off season screams nothing but discounts, discounts and only discounts. During winter the rates are incredibly cheap. Hotels rates are discounted, restaurants are significantly cheaper and there are cracking deals on Turkey winters tours and activities. Travelling can’t get any better than this.

Crowd: If there is one thing that most people hate when travelling, it’s the crowd. They love to travel and see the world without the crowds. If you want to travel without the large crowds of people and tourists then Turkey is the perfect location for you in winters. No crowds of annoying people, No cruses. Turkey is less busy and no waiting in lines during winter.

Amazing Ski Resorts: you an adventure lover and want to indulge in skiing then Turkey in winter is a good choice for you. Going all the way to Switzerland when you have equally breathtaking ski resorts in Turkey is no point. The soaring Turkish mountains are speckled with magnificent resorts. Depending on your location and skiing preferences there are an array of ski resorts you can visit including Uludag, kartepe, Palamdoken and many more. There are amazing ski resort in Uludag, Izmit and Palamdoken.

It’s relaxing: winter temperature in Turkey is still quite mild. But if it does ever get a little chilly then go and warm up in a Luxurious spa? Going all the way to Turkey without being treated to an unforgettable Turkish bath and losing yourself in a sea of foamy bubbles will be injustice done to you. It’s popular and traditional experience over there and is the perfect way to chill out and unwind, even more so if you follow it up with a relaxing massage.

Winter season in eyTurkey (December, January and February) can be chill, rainy and snowy with occasional cold but sunny days. Everywhere except the southeast which remains temperate but lower prices and fewer tours are compensations.

We hope Turkey has changed your perception and the next time instead of Bahamas or Indies you will pack heavy and go off to Turkey during winters.

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Secret Places in London Still Unknown to Tourist

London is one of the greatest cities in the world full of iconic landmarks. You can stop during your tours that will enable you to see all the main sights.

If you are looking for a more unique and local experience and want to discover a different side of London off the beaten path.

You may like this selection of some of the less visited secret place known as the hidden gems of London.

Neal’s Yard: if you love walking around aimlessly looking for colourful streets, pretty corners, secret bookstores and quite tea shops, then you will love discovering London. One of the best secret found in London is a small alley called Neal’s yard. It is open into a courtyard defined by colourful facades, housing, health, food shops and cafes. . The place may seem small but being there separates you away from the busy atmosphere of London. You can have a snack, coffee even lunch quietly while admiring the surroundings and watching people just go by. There are wooden chairs around the courtyard you can sit on to take a perfect selfie with the quaint features as your background.

The Rolling Bridge Paddington Basin: The Rolling Bridge is the brainchild of British designer Thomas Heather wick. During the day it is a regular bridge, but at 12 noon on every Friday it rolls up forming an octagonal shape.

St Dunstan’s is one of London’s hidden treasures. Right in the centre of the city between Monument and Tower Hill this stunning garden features Gothic architecture by Sir Christopher Wren. It’s a delightful oasis from the bustle of the city.

The church hill Arms: Not many people know about it. It is located in the notting Hill area of the city. The Churchill Arms is a pub with a beautiful array of floral decorations. At Christmas the festive spirit is in full spring with Christmas trees and lights having their moments to shine. The Churchill is probably one of the most photographed pubs in London. When you see it for yourself, it is to understand why.

If you have passed through waterloo you have probably passed through this world famous Leake Street Tunnel without knowing it was there. It became famous when renowned street artist Banksy himself launched the Cans festival here in 2008. Since then artists from all over the world makes a trip to this tunnel leaving their mark behind.

Light of Soho is a rabbit warren full of surprises. No matter the number of times you visit, there are always new things to discover. Like Lights of Soho, this social enterprise is a gallery, culture hub, member club and bar. Their mission is to support artist and creative and to keep some of the original Soho vibe alive.

The seven noses: Soho is a colourful and interesting district to wander around. And while you are enjoying the ambiance of this exciting part of central London be on a lookout for the seven noses. These seven noses is an art created by artist Rick Buckley. They are plaster of Paris reproduction of his nose. He created them n protest of the amount of CCTV cameras put up n London. It makes for an interesting treasure hunt.

The Hidden ears: Once you’ve found the seven Noses, head off to Floral Street in Convent Garden to look for the Hidden ears. They were created by artist Tim Fish lock.

Gods own junkyard, Walthamstow: how to describe God’s Own Junkyard. Is it a psychedelic paradise of neon lights and vintage signs? A Bakery? Or A Shop? Make sure to visit this place, it will keep you entertained for hours.

There are restaurants that only a handful of locals and regular customers know about. For instance restaurant in a basement tucked away behind a hidden door or found in an unmarked unexpected location. Here are some restaurants.

Viet Hoa Mess: It is an underground restaurant beneath Shoreditch’s popular, family run Vietnamese cafe? It’s something of an architectural wonder. The design is absolutely Gothic and classic, featuring embedded dining tables with individual grill station. It’s like dining in an exquisitely lit cave.

Kyoto Garden in Holland Park is a hidden gem wrapped in another hidden gem, Holland Park. The beautiful park in Kensington has plenty of hidden corners with winding paths, statues, peacocks, an opera house and the tranquil Kyoto garden.

These off the beaten track treasure don’t stay secret for long so get exploring.

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A Day in Suzhou China, Paradise on Earth

Suzhou stands 18th among the entire place in china. Suzhou is the perfect place to unwind and lose yourself in a green oasis unheard of in Shanghai.If you only have one day to indulge in a break, you’ll need to look in further than Suzhou for rest and relaxation mixed with authentic cultural experiences. Suzhou is the perfect day trip for anyone looking for a break from the big cities. It is one of the wealthiest cities. There are many attractions such as rivers, hills, historic temples, beautiful ancient towns and unique gardens.

Following are the list of places that combines the classic spots with alternative choices that will bring out a different side of Suzhou.

Tiger Hill is a popular spot around 2500 year old. The Peak is known for a massive leaning pagoda. Tiger Hill scenic pot is a hillock about 30 meters in height. This hillock is also known as Surging sea Hill. It is a must to see when visiting Suzhou both for its beauty and history. This tiger hill is a luxuriant hill where the Tomb of King He Lu during the spring and autumn Period is located. It is famous for precious cultural relics, including the Tiger Hill pagoda, sword testing stone, a rock spilt cleanly in two pieces and the lopsided Yunyan Pagoda or Leaning Tower of China and a sword pool. A miniature classical garden is situates at Wanjing villa with potted landscape and bonsai shrubs. Tiger Hill gets its name from this garden resembling the shape of a crouching tiger.

Humble Administrators Garden: of all the classical gardens of Suzhou the Humble Administrators Garden is the largest, most famous and best preserved. This is famous as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hall of Drifting Fragrance is a traditional Chinese residence at the centre of the garden offers views of vast lawns, flowing water and crape myrtle trees. While the nearby small flying bridge is the only bridge in the garden you can walk across.

Night Cruise on the Grand Canal: Enjoy a cruise on Suzhou Grand Canal at night. While sightseeing on the boat of this fantastic city, you can view the backyards of Suzhou residents, whitewashed houses with gray titled roofs, white bridges and narrow alleys criss-cross. The passages beside those male boat guides, female boat guides also can be a good company when you join this activity. Sometimes you may enjoy the folk songs that are sung by them.

A glimpse into the world of Chinese opera: Expect culture elegant costumes and extravagant makeup. Chinese traditionally opera originated in the 4th century and took off during the Ming Dynasty. You will discover Kunqu style opera which is listed as one of the Masterpieces of the oral and intangible Heritage of humanity by UNESCO.

Venture to the Silk Factory: take a tour and see how the famous silk cloth is made, while you are strolling along the many displays of silk clothes, quilts, rugs and accessories before heading back to your hotel.

Take an excursion from Shanghai city and visit the Zhujlakiao water village often referred as the Venice of Shanghai. You will notice many unique and ancient bridges along your boat ride. One of the most distinct is the Fangsheng Bridge. Admire this long and large stone bridge, which has 5 openings and crossed from Zhujlakiao to Shanghai. Proceed to the narrow streets of the mainland and visit the many temokes and shops in the area.

The lingering garden is one of the great four gardens in China, The East Garden, Central Garden, West Garden and North Garden. The lingering garden amazes tourist by its striking architecture, perfectly combined corridors, artificial hills, rocks and water features. It was first built in Wanli reign of Ming Dynasty in 1593 as Xu Taishi private garden. The best time to visit Lingering Garden is during spring. During those days the weather is pleasant and the garden is full of vibrant trees and beautiful flowers.

Suzhou could be paradise for gourmets. The taste of the food is sweet with fresh and seasonal vegetables as one of its raw materials. The squirrel shaped Mandarin fish is a traditional dish in Suzhou. It is highly appreciated by guests from home and abroad. Other dishes like steamed white fish, water shield with egg flakes, fish flavour spring rolls, fried steamed buns are famous.

Suzhou is one of the many beautiful cities that you’ll find yourself gushing about when travelling to china.

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Best Hiking Trails in Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park is a scenic mountain haven of the MidAtlantic. The glittering jewel in the crown of the Virginia Appalachians is known for inspiring lookouts and high waterfalls. Many of the trails in the park are relatively short, although often steep and intense it leads to astounding views and impressive natural features. Appalachian Trail runs through the park extending from Maine to Georgia in its entirety. Hikers will inevitably cross this trail or spend time on it as they compete many of the hikes in the park.

Hike the Old Rag Mountain: Old Rag Mountain is a beautiful hiking destination located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Shenandoah National park. This trail is a beautiful and challenging to all hikers. This 9 mile circuit offers breathtaking panoramic views. The entire trail is a favourite of many hikers. They are prepared to deal with the crowds especially on the rock scrambles which tend to cause a bottle neck. This trail has a steep incline and l lead you through a green luscious forest.

If you ever get lost or are unsure of which way the trail goes just keep an eye out for the blue marks that line the trails. You‘d like to have a nice glass of wine after your hike so check out sharp rock vineyards, located on the foot of the Old Rag Mountain at 5 Sharp Rock Road. It’s just a short distance from the parking area and is a perfect place to unwind after a long hike.

Frazer Discovery trail loops: its way past a scenic rocky outcrop. It is easily accessible from the loft Mountain campground and Lot mountain wayside. The trail is short and has a moderate climb. This trail takes the visitors to several picturesque overlooks on Loft Mountain.

The trail passes through woodland providing diverse species habitats. It is a wonderful family hike in the southern part of Shenandoah National park. The trail is well marked with cement post markers and blue and white blazes all along the way.

Bearfence Mountain trail is loop trail located near Shenandoah Virginia that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a numbers of activity options and is best used from April until October. The Bearfence Trail has a steep slope that eventually turns into a scramble climb up to the summit of the mountain.

This Scramble climb makes this trail a unique hike. Anyone who is reasonable fit and flexible should be able to handle the scramble climb, but hikers who have issues with heights may want to skip this trail, this is also definitely both the trail for families with kids small enough that they have to be carried and older children may also find the climb difficult.

White Oak Canyon trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. Dogs are also allowed to use this trail but a leash is a must. White oak Canyon trail is a great hike where you can splash around with the waterfalls.

The trail is well maintained and has a few marking to keep you on track. The path is very narrow with lots of rocks and fallen leaves. As a result it is a bit slippery so you should wear hiking boots or shoes with good tractions.

Hawksbill Mountain view is one of the best in the park with two lookout areas bear the summit. Hawksbill Mountain is one of the highest mountains at Shenandoah National Park. If it’s a busy day for hikers, there is plenty of room at the top for everyone to spread out, relax for a while and enjoy the moment. Near the summit is a stone hut with a picnic table that looks out over the valley.

With limited time and a single day for hiking, its’ best to either choose two or three short hikes.

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Lambasingi the Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh

South India is loved for many things, the breathtaking coasts or its delectable cuisine. But one thing that is never associated is snowfall. When we think of a snowfall, we promptly think about Gulmarg, Nainital and Manali. But there’s a small village in Andhra Pradesh, Lambasingi where you can catch a glimpse of snow. In fact Lambasingi is also known by another name Korra Bayalu, which means if someone stays out in the open they would freeze like a stick. Lambasingi has a lot more to offer because of its tourist place Surrounded by mesmerising hills, dense forests and a lot more, the local people are engaged in the pepper and coffee plantations.

The Kothapally waterfall lies at a distance of about 27 km from Lambasingi. It is wrapped in the lush embrace of a tropical rainforest. The waterfall cascades over tiered rocky drops into pretty plunge pool. It is a popular iconic spot for locals and visitors. This beautiful waterfall is a perfect place for a relaxing dip.

Enjoy the misty mornings in Lambasingi. The experience is just as beautiful. The Lambasingi temperature throughout the year is less than 10 degrees Celsius. So you can accept a beautiful, chilly morning every day during your stay there.

Experience an overnight camping in Lambasingi. It is a great pleasure sitting around a bonfire and sleeping under the sky. Lambasingi has the perfect surrounding for overnight camping. Carry your own tent and supplies. Do not depend on the village shops.

Adventure Quotient: Trekking and camping on remote Hills. The hills and valley also provide opportunities for adventure activities at and near Lambasingi. Many people come here to engage in adventure activities and go for hiking, trekking and camping on remote hills.

Stroll through cloud kissed gardens: the man occupation of the residents of Lambasingi is coffee and pepper farming in winter. The orchards around the tiny hamlet are peppered with an enchanting sprinkling of wildflowers and laced with silvery clouds. An evening stroll through the winding trails of these cloud kissed garden is very romantic.

While travelling to Lambasingi you’ll be welcomed with a beautiful view of yellow and black Susan flower garden. It’s open to all. Visitors can just sit, relax and soak in the beauty around these amazing flowers. Wait for the sunset view when the sky turns all colourful, adding to the gorgeousness of the surroundings. It gets more than just picture perfect here.

How to reach Lambasingi: reaching Lambasingi is not a big deal, as the village is well connected to Visakhapatnam by road. The village is a 100 km drive away from the city centre. Since the place is not fully developed there is a lack of accommodation open. One has to stay at Visakhapatnam during the visit. While a scarcity of guesthouses and hotels are one of the biggest drawbacks of Lambasingi. It’s awesome and full of beauty that is worth visiting.

Best time to visit Lambasingi is from November to January. It is usually considered the best time to visit Lambasingi. Four years back on January 15, 2012 Lambasingi experienced snowfall. Temperature does not go below 0 degree every year but when it does, Lambasingi gets an all white snowy cover.

The hills, the dense forests, the valley and the plantations contribute in making Lambasingi a place with prolific natural beauty. People who visit the tiny village are always in awe of its natural splendour and its tranquillity.

Lambasingi is a beautiful nature friendly place and great for a recreational break.

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