The most recent articles from my travel blog. Stories, news and peculiarities from all over the world. All you need to know to prepare for your next trip.
Discover the unusual rock formations of the valley of balls, or Torysh valley. Automobile-sized spheres scattered along steppe valleys in Mangystau, Kazakhstan. And then an emotional look at the Valley of Castles, Airakty Shomanai, so called by the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko.
Mangystau desert extends for about 400 km between the coasts of the Caspian Sea and the border with Uzbekistan. It has a very low population density, about 2 inhabitants per km². If Kazakhstan is a sparsely populated country, Mangystau is its most uninhabited region. It is easier to come across a camel or a scorpion than another human being.
A travel to Kerala is a real treat for the soul. Dubbed the “country of God”, this narrow and long region of Southwest India is the perfect destination to relax after the chaotic crowds of the rest of India.
Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, is so rich in diverse influences that it now houses a Jewish synagogue, ancient mosques, traditional Chinese fishing systems, a Portuguese fortress and a Dutch museum!
With over 900 km of navigable networks, Kerala’s backwaters are a haven for diving and relaxing. Just embark on a comfortable houseboat and walk the waterways. The flourishing vegetation and the lively life that flows on the canals will conquer your heart.
You can’t visit Kerala without seeing a Kalaripayattu fight, the oldest martial art in India. It dates back about 3,500 years and is the mother of all other Indian warfare styles. Along with yoga and ayurveda, it is one of the pillars of the Indian tradition.
One of the oldest forms of Indian theatre-dance, Kathakali is one of the most interesting folkloric elements of Kerala. Elaborate and exaggerated costumes, hypnotic and colorful tricks, gestures full of emotion and energy make the Kathakali dance a show not to be missed. To see is to believe!
A charming trek in Periyar National Park, the most famous nature reserve of South India. The forest ranger takes me to the teak forests, looking for monkeys, wild dogs and elephant families. An adventure on the edge of human civilization!
Thanks to its pleasant summer temperatures, Munnar once was the summer residence of the British Government. Today, the bucolic atmosphere of the rolling hills that surround it and the spectacular tea plantations, treated as garden hedges, make Munnar one of the most visited places by tourists from all over the world.
Wondering if Tamil Nadu is worth a visit? Here are 10 reasons to visit the sunny southern Indian region. A trip to Tamil Nadu will make you recharge your batteries, among temples carved in rock, myths and Hindu legends, tasty and spicy dishes… but above all it will give you a taste of the incredible joy of life of the Tamil people!
What is tilaka, or pundra, or bindi, and why do Indians draw it on their foreheads? The tilaka or pundra is a sign placed on the forehead by Hindus to indicate belonging to a caste or to a precise religious orientation…
You can’t visit Tamil Nadu without visiting Madurai, the beating heart of sunny South India. The Meenakshi temple is an absolute masterpiece of sacred architecture, like the Taj Mahal, as well as the Tirumalai Nayak Palace. Not to mention the lively streets of the city center.