The crossroad of civilization, Turkey, between Europe and the Middle East, retains a disconcerted balance of both east and west, expressing a cultural mix with an enchanting diversity capable of impressing even the most demanding travelers. On the one hand, the modern city's boutiques and exotic bazaars will help you get a taste of Turkey. On the other hand, the Roman rubbles and the beginnings of Christianity compete for recognition and attention with the history of the Ottoman Empire.

The diversity of landscapes, activities and characters as well as the climate's diversity in accordance with the area's historical and cultural value has got something to offer to every visitor according to his/her special needs and taste. The popular Istanbul, with one part in Europe and the other in Oriental Asia, is a stunning city with its traditional market places, cultural face, lively night life and impeccable culture. Cappadocia, situated in Central Turkey offers a breath-taking landscape of eroded volcanic rock cones and fairy chimneys describing a perfect landscape.

Western Turkey is undoubtedly the most popular holiday destination preferred by travelers from all around the globe, with its picturesque seaside resorts along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, stunning attractions, well-preserved archaeological sites and fascinating museums that will bring up memories of the past.

As a Country, Turkey spans two continents (Europe and Asia) and boasts some 8,000km of coastline. For those of you who love art, history as well as nature and historical sites, sandy beaches in perfect accordance with the amazing scenery, be prepared to live an one in a lifetime experience in Turkey.

Before you come: Things to Consider

Car hire

For those of you who intend to hire a car during their stay in Turkey be aware that you may find that some car rental companies that offer additional insurance cover which is optional and payable locally. Also, be aware that all car rentals are based on a 24-hour period from the time that you collect your car.

Passports and visas

British citizens whose passports were assigned within the UK be mindful to verify with the passport office if in any uncertainty. Anyone who is not a British citizen (this includes oversea British citizens) should consult the Turkish Consulate or the Home Office immigration department to check whether they require any special documentation for visiting Turkey or for returning to the UK. In case you you require further information you can browse the Internet for more information. To browse safely, check out VPN providers that work in Turkey or the UK Govt website for more details.

Health and safety

If you or a member of your family or traveling buddy is an expectant mother or suffers from any serious medical condition, you must check with your doctor about the advisability of traveling abroad and be sure that you have the correct travel health insurance.

Unfortunately, crimes against people and property are a fact of life throughout the world and you have the same obligation for your individual safety and security as you do at your home country home.

Money

You will not face any problem changing major currencies in exchange offices, and many post offices found in Turkish Embassies, as well as shops and hotels. Cashing even major travelers cheques can be a hassle, although post offices in tourist areas are a good bet, and the exchange rate is usually slightly lower.

Things to Do in Turkey

Play Golf

Turkey is recognized globally as an elite golfing hub where players from around the globe can meet with prestigious facilities and magnificent surroundings. Above all, the resort of Belek,30km east of Antalya, is home to five magnificent top-class courses. You can also find amazing golf courses in Istanbul, Ankara and Muğla.

Yachting

The azure waters of the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, and the Aegean are welcoming you to a sailing paradise trip with one and only destination: Turkey. With over 8,333 kilometres of coastline, "the cradle of civilization " as it has being called is an impeccable treasure for the lovers of yachting which with its coves, inlets, bays and beaches. Be prepared to go sailing with the winds, by hiring a yacht, with or without crew, or even sail to Turkey in your own yacht.

Choose this sailing journey and be carried to the stunning private beach of Cleopatra. Also, be aware that the tempered winds which generally blow from the west and northwest make the long summers ideal for yachting securing your perfect getaway. The pleasure of yachting in Turkey will, with no doubt, remain an unforgettable experience since, for the lovers of the sea, it's the exploration of another stretch of coast and the satisfaction of being able to devour the luxurious ease of life on the sea. Whether you choose to hire a yacht, with or without crew, in Turkey or you decide to sail to Turkey in your own yacht, this unforgettable experience will undoubtedly make yachting your favorite sport.

Shopping

Shopping in Turkey is a real pleasure since its market can satisfy even the most demanding tastes. From kilims and carpets, to gold and silver jewelry, ceramics, leather and suede clothing to the most recent technology at the most reasonable prices, you can find anything you can think of. The current city of Turkey is welcoming you to an unforgettable shopping trip, an introduction to the area's culture, with the numerous carpet stores where a carpet is more a piece of art rather than an everyday use object. The treasure house of carpets attracts the interest of most visitors whereas leather processing is a traditional handicraft in Turkey. Istanbul's traditional leather manufacturing industry is also very popular.

A destination for all tastes, Turkey is inviting you to have the time of your life. Whether you wish to enjoy the comforts of the most luxurious hotels, resorts and villas worldwide, or you wish to spend the most modest holiday of your life at the numerous traditional hotels on a bed and breakfast basis; the choice is yours. Today's Turkey, full of life and energy with its crashing economy and cosmopolitan life in combination with the local's hospitality and the area's astounding attractions, will offer you the most memorable holidays of your life.

Lock-down might have dampened the wanderlust spirit in you, but that’s something a traveler should allow. Instead, lust on travel stories, drown in the ecstasy of bucket listing a good place, and go through photographs. Let the desire mound up and when the lock down is over, grab a rucksack and unleash the traveler in you!

I’ve got a list of three fantastic and incredible locations for you to drool over and to set your travel goals. While landscapes, architecture and woodlands please me to no end, funky, entertaining places ignite that spark of excitement in me! Here are my favorite places!!

GOD’S OWN JUNKYARD, LONDON

The psychedelic, neon wonderland in Walthamstow, London, God’s own Junkyard (as groovy as the name suggests), is a fabulously fluorescent warehouse which houses an enormous collection of hand-made neon signs. A funky space, all sorts of odd, brilliant sings are crammed into it, piled up high on the floor. If you’re okay blowing up some cash, the neon signs are actually on sale. It also has its own eating outlet called The Rolling Scones. Highly Instagrammable, with a cool vibe, God’s Own Junkyard is easily the sexiest place you can go to!

POKEMON CENTER, TOKYO

Love Pokemon? Addicted to the video game? It's a shame if no one has told you of this remarkable place yet!

Remember the Pokemon Center they showed in the cartoons? There's actually something like that (yes, you heard me right- an actual Pokemon Center).

Pokemon Center TOKYO DX & Pokemon Café is Japan’s biggest Pokémon center. It has probably the biggest range of Pokemon plushies you’ve ever seen! From collecting rare cards to shopping for Pokemon merch, the Pokémon center serves it all. Also, do not miss the Pokémon café- another awesome place with creative food and friendly staff. You just got to bucket-list this place if you love Pokémon!

ARTS DISTRICT, LAS VEGAS

Ever wanted to visit those cool streets will graffiti sprawled all over the walls? With a number of galleries, chic cafes, pubs, shops selling vintage and funky stuff, Arts district in Las Vegas is a free-for-all outdoor canvas which presents a kaleidoscope of art graffiti. Remember the mainland from the GTA Vice City game? You’ll find an uncanny similarity of that place with this. Beyond the casinos and cliché of Vegas, you should definitely discover this cultural hub in Vegas and I promise that you won’t regret it!

Since all of us can not go out of our home,

How about a fun challenge where you can get creative and share your now and then story?🏡

Share what’s your now and then moment and participate in this fun challenge by using #quarentineandchill and don’t forget to tag @beparwahparinda 🌻

Let's do it travellers!

Amidst the lockdown, the empty streets bear witness to the most unprecedented situation the world is facing now. The past few weeks have made us realize the fickleness of life and emphasized the value of appreciating the smallest things in life.

To help families re-live their happiest moments, to enable millennial's to relive their most cherished childhood memories and to give the youngest generation a taste of the world that we grew up in, TV channels are resorting to re-telecasting some of their most iconic serials and shows.

One such show that probably all of us grew up seeing is the record-breaking serial Ramayana created by Shri Ramanand Sagar in 1987-88. This serial has garnered mass viewership throughout the world over the years and during this Covid-19 lockdown, it has helped family members reconnect and relive their happy moments.

Besides being a historic story portraying the law-abiding ideal man and a great warrior in the form of Shri Ram and his brother Laskhman and the devoted, brave and righteous Sita Ma, this piece of literature is truly a treasure trove of sorts, in terms of the geographical, historical, cultural, scientific and astronomical information, it carries.

The journey of Shri Ram from Ayodhya to Lanka, through the forests of erstwhile India, is beautifully portrayed with vivid descriptions of the places he traveled through. From narrations of the night sky and the position of the different stars, to descriptions of the flora, fauna and landscape of this place, let us embark on a journey of Ramayana, through some of the places that were part of Lord Ram's vanavas . Alongside, let us also see a comparison of the places over the thousands of years and the significance that they hold till date, from a traveler's point of view.

So here is the journey from the capital of the Kosala empire, Ayodhya to Ravan's kingdom in Lanka, a trip through the past and present, and hopefully, soon we can all visit some of these historical sites with a purpose.

Ayodhya, the historic capital of Shri Ram and the Ikshvaku dynasty, is home to a plethora of temples dedicated to the four brothers, to Lord Hanuman and Ma Sita. Situated on the banks of Saryu nadi (river), it has several ghats. One thing to not miss out on is the evening aarti on the banks of the River Sarayu.

Believed to have been founded by Lord Manu, today it is visited for being Ramjanambhoomi and has thr Hanuman Garhi temple, Nageshwarnath Temple and Kanak Bhawan.

Prayagraj finds mention in numerous ancient scriptures for here lies the confluence of the three holy and large rivers of India, Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical/lost Saraswati. Around 45 km from here is Shringaverpur where Lord Ram crossed the river Ganges on his way to exile along with Sita and Lakshman. It was the ancient kingdom of Nishadraj who himself washed the feet of Lord Ram before crossing the holy river, Ganga.

Prayag has 6 notable ghats. The temple of Indeshwar Shiva , Tarkeshwar Kund, Tarkeshwar Shiva, Dasashwamedh Ghat, Lakshmi Tirtha, Mahadevi Tirtha, Urvashi Tirtha, Urvashi Kund, Som Tirtha are some other holy spots in Prayag. Prayag is also famous for it's 12 Madho temples. Prayag also identifies itself as one of the four places in India where the Kumbh Mela is held.

Moving south towards Chitrakoot, located in Madhya Pradesh, this place is identified with the Bharat Milap scene in the Ramayana and hence it hosts the Bharat Milap Mandir which is located on the Kamdagiri Hills, which when circumambulated (parikrama) is believed to liberate people from their sins. It also evidently houses the footprints of Lord Ram and Bharat.

Then known to be a forested, serene and tranquil place and the abode of great sages such as Sages Atri Muni, Rishi Agastya and Sage Sharbhanga, it is here that Sita met Sati Anasuya. Her Aashram is enclosed amidst a dense forest located along the sacred river Mandakini. Every evening the Ram Ghat is magically transformed by the sight of lamps and lights glistening through the dark of the night.

The ancient Sita Kund (bathing place), the Hanuman Dhara and Param Kutir build by Lakshmana with the original wooden structure being replaced by a domed shrine with a pillared verandah overlooking the Mandakini River, are some other historical places to pay a visit to. Sita ki Rasoi and Devi Anusuya Temple are other noteworthy places connected to the Ramayan.

Dandakaranya forests is vast forested region comprising parts of Chattisgarh, Orissa, Andhra and Telanagana. In the past during Ramayana, it was also spread out in parts of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and it is this part of the forest that Shri Ram, Ma Sita and Lakshman ji crossed on their way to Panchvati. Derived from the name "Dandak" and "Aranya" referring to "The Jungle (aranya) of Punishment (dandakas)", this place was a stronghold of the Rakshas clan, and part of Ravan's Lanka kingdom.

In today's time, Dandakaranya forests are mainly located in Bastar district Chattisgarh, thanks to all the development that has taken place and is home to several waterfalls like the famous horse-shoe shaped Chitrakoot falls. As a relic of the past several caves dot the landscape such as Kutumsar (Kanger Forest near Jagdalpur) and Kailash caves (Kutumsar). They have natural shivalinga formation. Other ancient caves of this region are the Dandak Cave, Karpan Cave, Kanger Cave and Devgiri Cave. Don't miss out on the Bhairamgarh Wildlife Sanctuary.

Ancient day Panchvati and modern Nashik, this is one of the most prominent places in the story of Ramayan for here Lord Ram spent most part of his exile. It was here that Lakshman cut Surpanakha's nose and Ravan kidnapped Ma Sita. The entire Aranya Kanda of the Ramayana is set in Panchavati, which was then a part of the Danakarayana Forests

It was called Panchvati in the past for the five "Vat Vrisksha" (banyan trees) it contained, while today Nasik derives its name from "Nasika" or "Nose" referring to Surpanakha.

Modern day Nasik is a holy city on the banks of the River Godavari, flocked by millions of devotees for the Kumbh Mela, occurring every 12 years. Sita Gupha siutated near the five banyan trees in Panchavati is believed be to have been Sita's worship place to Lord Shiva, while an adjacent cave is widely accepted to be the location of Sita's kidnapping. One can also visit the Kala Ram Mandir, built of black stone, on the ancient site of the Kutir (cottage). There are numerous other temples in its vicinity.

Banganga is a medieval water tank situated in Malabr Hills, Mumbai and is within the Walkeshwar Temple Complex. Legend has it that during his pursuit of Ravan, Lord Ram paused here for he was overcome with thirst and fatiugue. To satiate his need Lakshman shot a 'Baan' (arrow) in the ground, and a gush of water poured out, creating a tributary of the Ganga. Hence, the name Banganga.

The ancient Shivling at Walkeshwar Temple is said to have been installed by Lord Ram himself, made up of sand and hence, the origin of the name Valuka Ishwar (idol made up of sand).

The tank was later on built in the 12th century by a minister in the Silhara dynasty and what is most unique is that the water of this tank is sweet, despite being very close to the salty Arabian Sea.

"Le Pakshi" or Lepakshi a tribute to "Jatayu", the gaint holy bird holy giant bird that tried to rescue Sita from Ravana's Vimana, fell after Ravan cut his wings. As narrated in the Lord Ram and Lakshman met a dying Jatayu who informed him of Sita's kidnap and was given a suitable cremation as he died in Ram's lap.

Situated in Andhra Pradesh, Lepakshi is today a famous tourist site for the galore of temples it is decorated with. A part of the art and culture loving Vijaynagar empire, it houses the Veerbhadra temple and believe it or not, this temple has a hanging pillar, whose mystery confounds all those that visit it. The place is known for mural paintings of the Vijayanagar kings along with age-old Kannada inscriptions on the walls.

Filled with mysteries, legends and tales, they say that "every stone has a story to tell here" and "every pillar has a connection with an epic". The Lepakshi temple is situated on a low rocky hill called Kurmasaila, strangely resembling a tortoise. Decorated with magnificence of the Vijayanagara style of architecture, some noteworthy places to visit are the 100-pillared Natya Mandapa with intricately carved pillars and exquisite sculptures, timeless and beauteous paintings on ceilings and colossus sculptures of monolithic Nandi and Nagalinga. Also, don't miss out shopping on the precious and intricately carved handicrafts of Lepakhi. Wood-work statues, Etikoppaka and Kondapalli toys, Kalamkari paintings, leather puppets, it has it all.

Though there is some dispute regarding where Jatayu excatly fell, as some claim it to have been in Chadayamangalam, Kollam Kerala, where the gigantic and magnificent bird sculpture has been made, nonetheless, this place has a unique charm and beauty.

Kishkindha or modern day Hampi, a UNESCO world heritage site and probably the most famous of all the Ramayan sites.

Kishkindha was the kingdom of the "Vanara" king Bali and his brother Sugriva who were embroiled in a terrible feud. It was here Sugriva took shelter in the Matang Parvat, which today can be climbed to catch a bird's eye view of the rocky ruins. It is believed that Sita dropped some of her jewellery wrapped in a torn piece off her sari hoping that whoever finds it, can inform her husband that she was taken over this place by Ravan. The Sugriva gupha where the jewels were hidden and where Lord Ram met Sugriva still exists.

Close by, lies Anjani Parvat, the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. One can climb the parvat for a visit to the historical temple and a spectacular view at sunrise/sunset.

Besides, this site was later became the capital of the Vijaynagar empire who built massive temples, palaces, markets, statues fromthe enormous boulders that dot the landscape. From the Virupaksha and stone chariot at Vitthala temple to the Hemakuta Hill temple and Kadalekalu Ganesh and from the Lotus Mahal to a not-to-missed-out-on Coracle ride on the Tungabhadra, Hampi is every traveler's delight.

The southern most tip of India, Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi is hauntingly picturesque and carries with it, one of the most speculated mysteries of the Ramayan, the secret behind Ram Setu or Adam's bridge. Dhanushkodi, now, an abandoned town in the southern most tip of Pamban island is the starting point of this 'setu'.

Yes it is here, that the Ram setu was constructed to connect India with Sri Lanka, and the conundrum of the floating rocks still mystifies researchers. The floating rocks of Rameshwaram have different theories behind them, some believe that the rocks are similar to Pumice stones (they are similar but not Pumice stones), which basically have air bubbles trapped within lava as it solidified, making the rocks lighter than water. These rocks float in such a position or configuration where the potential energy is minimum, and hence, only one side of the rock can face the viewer as they float (even if you try to overturn it, it realigns).

One of the most significant Hindu pilgrimage sports and part of the char dham, Rameshwaram is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva housed in the Ramanathaswamy Temple which is a famous site for its ornate corridors, huge sculpted pillars and several water tanks. A chakra (wheel) here is believed to have an imprint of Lord Rama’s feet. Gandamadana Parvatham is a hill with a scenic view of the island.

Carved out of Senthooram Stone (precious stone), the five faced Hanuman idol at the Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple is another important temple in Rameswaram . It depicts the five manifestations of Lord Hanuman.

Untouched coastlines, endless beaches, Rameshwaram is a major hub for water-sport activities. Beaches such as the Kathadi North Beach have numerous adventure companies that offer paddle boarding, wind surfing, scuba diving and so much more. Heck!!! You can't miss out on all this in India and in pristine waters. Moving south-east lies the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, with a rich multitude of bio-diverse islands, coral reefs and forests.

Rameshwaram is accessible by road or train. As the Rameshwaram Express heads down the Pamban bridge, built over sea, the view is surreal.

This is the place that the Ram Setu joined the Lanka kingdom. It was here that Lord Ram and his Vanar Sena set foot into Lanka. It is also the historical battleground of the Ram - Ravan war.

Today, Talaimannar is a beach town in Sri Lanka. It offer wonderful views of the bridge and a lighthouse. It can be reached by road from Mannar which links the island to the rest of the country through a causeway.

Ussangoda, is believed to have been set on fire by Hanuman after meeting Ma Sits in Ashok Vatika. Supposedly, it was used by Ravana to land his pushpaka vimana, a flying chariot. Around five such landing pads have been discovered in Sri Lanka. The soil in Ussangoda is very unusual. Varying beliefs range from a meteor crash to the ashes when Lanka was set on fire.

Today Ussangoda is a national park and designated archaeological site. It is a breeding place for southern sea turtles. It can be reached by road as it lies between Colombo and Kataragama.

The Hakgala Botanical Gardens is believed to be the ancient site of Ashok Vatika. Its name is derived from the abundance of Ashok trees, which till date thrive in the gardens. It was here that Ma Sita spent her time in Ravan's captivity. According to the epic, this area had a wide variety of fruit trees in the Ramayan era, which were consumed and destroyed by Lord Hanuman during his Lanka visit as a messenger of Lord Ram. 

Now known as Ashokavanam, there is a temple named after Sita, Sita Amman Temple located in the village called Sita Eliya. The best way to reach is to  by boarding a flight to Colombo and then driving/taking a cab to Nuwara Eliya, where it is situated.

The wealth of information that epics, puranas and vedas provide is something that needs to be revisited. Not only are their tales of kings and their tribes, but the vivid descriptions of the geography, botany and zoology of a place is like an overflowing bottle. Moreover  they are our best  moral and spiritual guide.

1.Married to a guy Haryanvi Jaat (no offence to anyone ),who loves to spend most of his vacations in his village with the green fields surrounding him and a fragrance of soil in the air.My husband made sure that even in our trip to Europe his vacation time in village was not compromised.With a heavy heart of leaving Paris and dejection of wasting 3 days out of our 20 days Europe trip we boarded a High-speed rail SNCF and headed towards Hazebrouck the nearest town for Cassel.

2.The scenic beauty of the route made all the articles describing the beauty of euro rail journeys that i had read before planning my trip ,come alive.Even though its been a year now thinking of that ride still makes me happy as Lary.

3.At a small 2 track station in Hazebrouck we were received by Mr Catteau an old man with a smiling face with whom our talks most of the time were based on gestures and sign language .Yes we did use google translator but most of the times it was all understood without knowing each others language weather it was him telling us where wine and juices were kept at our Air BNB accommodation or how to reach the local market.

4.As i entered the apartment my heart was full of the joys of spring it was a fairly tale house. 4 of us (2 couples) had the entire house for us.Me and my husband took no time in keeping our luggage and then getting out to explore the village .Awed by the beautiful houses with white curtains and well maintained gardens and spic and span roads ,i didn't take much time in forgetting Paris and falling in love with this small village .We strolled to the fields where the yellow mustard fields for a second took us back to India but as soon as we closed our eyes to fill our lungs with the mist of soil a the sound of a high speed train passing by the field brought us back to Cassel .Cassel is a commune in the Nord départment in northern France. Built on a prominent hill overlooking French Flanders, the town has existed since Roman times.

5.Walking for around 20-25 kms a day in Paris ,Cassel was a break from our Europe exploration goals.

DAY 1

6.Apart from strolling around in the village and imagining that dream house to be ours for next 2 days ,we walked to a local store around 2 K.ms from the house to buy some groceries .On the way we visited Common wealth War Graves of 100 soldiers , 1939-45 war casualties commemorated at that site. Of these, almost 20 are unidentified and one of the soldiers from the United Kingdom whose grave could not be precisely located is commemorated by a special memorial inscribed "Buried near this spot".At the end of May 1940 the western flank of the British Expeditionary Force was on the line Dunkirk-Cassel-Hazebrouck, and Cassel .

Later at that big department store with so many options to choose from wines to breads to anything one could have ask for made me wonder is this what a village life in France looks like.

Day 2

7.This day was kept for the tour to the market .On the way to the market through the fields we met farmers going to their farms with dogs that cute ,that i had only seen in cartoons .The village people didn't speak much of English but every person passing by would greet you with soft ''Bonjor''.

8.Bakeries ,flower shops ,organic cosmetics shops they had all of this on the two sides of the road of this small market .After walking all around the market and screening all the shops with unintentional Calculator calculating all the stuff i wanted to buy ,we sat to enjoy our brunch at a local restaurant where although the local cuisine that we ordered with fresh cheez could have made a very hit Insta story didn't gel well with our north Indian taste pallet .That night was put to use by enjoying the wine and chit chatting at the loft of the house.

Day 3

9.First i didn't want to come here now i didn't want to go .These two days were enough for me to start day dreaming of making my retirement plans just to settle in this village.After having a full Breakfast we had a train to catch in the after for our next stop to Brussels .Therefore we spent the time roaming around the house and clicking pictures to cherish theses memories in future.

10.Before leaving India we had asked our Air BNB hosts if they would like to have anything from India.Our Cassel host Sandrine had asked us to get the spices from India ,although we could not meet her physically but she made all arrangements to make our stay comfortable and memorable.

11.On one hand it was Paris which is on the check list of anyone planning for a Europe trip with beautiful Museums and mesmerizing art at every nook and corner and locals and tourist on a run to explore everything and to achieve something ,and on the other hand it was Cassel with people walking at a slow pace who would stop to greet you and smile back at you.

With these corona times keeping us locked in our houses often my mind and my heart gets swayed away int0 the memories of that village .......

Cost :

a. Accommodation: 17,000/-(3 days 2 nights for 4)

b.Food: 3,000/-( for 4 persons where only one meal was at restaurant and rest were made at accommodation )

c.Train tickets from Paris : 1500(per person)

From Lilley a town near Cassel to Brussels : 3,500 per person

This article is an extract from my blog. Please do visit my blog Ftrouble for more travel stories, travel itineraries and facts. You can also get in touch with me at : surabhikeerthi@gmail.com

The Hippie movement might have remained in the 60's but the people have not. Little did we know that their happy free - spirited trail would end up in India. The small unexplored, tranquil and quaint towns of India are the most sought-after spots for these pot-smoking, vibrant and peace-seeking nomads called Hippies from all over the world.

This Hippie influence has been present in India for many years now, and the motive has still remained rigid. They are celebrating, exploring, learning in their own pace, in their own terms and 'tripping' on the life they have chosen. And all against the norms of the society. It is one of the cultures all of us should try and embrace for a while.

In this post of mine, I am listing down the top 5 Hippie places that I cannot wait to visit. If you are looking to get away from your daily routines and try your hand at being free-spirited you might want to visit these places. They offer you a pleasant location, a beautiful weather and some great herbs.

The places I have listed are also under green zones, and is absolutely safe to travel post corona.

1. Hampi, Karnataka - The city of ruins

This city of architectural ruins and vast landscapes has two different stories. Don't get fooled by the heritage sites, temples and monumental beauty of this place. There is another side, a complete opposite to the touristy history destination the place seems to be. While most of the tourists tend to remain to the south of Tungabhadra river, some prefer the other side which is a haven for a rich, chill and hippy vibe. Upon reaching Hampi, you can get to the island by catching a small boat strictly between 9 AM - 5 PM or choose to ride for 45 kms from Hospet.

The Hampi Island or Virapapur Gadde is also called the Hippie Island. Just as much as the beauty of the ancient monuments, remains of the Vijayanagara kingdom and carved temples will awestruck you, this small hidden part of Hampi Island will leave you forever wanting more. It is a gorgeous setting with murals in every corner giving out happy vibes. This rocky land has everything you can possibly ask for. You can find hippies dancing around to psychedelic music, any sort of drinks or smokes and a no-crowd environment. A perfect spot for relaxing amidst the nature, vibrant cafes offering delicious meals and Bob Marley in the background, this sure is a place I and probably you would love to visit.

2. Malana, Himachal Pradesh - Valley of Cannabis

This is known as the city with the best hash in the world and the people in this city have some secrets they are keeping from the rest of us. This place grows the most fine weed in India. Malana is famous for 'Malana cream' - a high purity hash. This Malana cream can cost 2.5 to 3 Lakhs INR, so a pretty expensive product from a place so secluded. Like in the rest of India, Malana cream is banned and not legal. But this does not stop them from selling it.

To know the mysteries of Malana and what makes this place and the people living here so peculiar please visit Ftrouble. I have listed down 6 mysteries and interesting facts of this place which will leave you spell bounded.

3. Kasol, Himachal Pradesh - Mini Israel of India

No list of Hippie places is complete without mentioning our own mini version of Israel , Kasol. This small village sits in the Parvati valley of Himachal Pradesh and is nestled in the vibrant greenery of dense forests. There are some great cafes on the hills to sit back, chill and enjoy a view of the snow-capped mountains. Whether you are a solo traveler or with a gang of your own, you can turn any place alive by engaging in some music and dancing your heart out. The place offers an abundant amount of good quality herbs grown in the local regions to bare the cold winters or beat off the hot summers.

Kasol is also a very famous trekking paradise. There are trekking trails to Sar Pass, Pin Parbati Pass and many more. The place is inhabited by a very large number of Israel people, and hence got the name of Mini Israel of India. The diversity is so concentrated that you can see signboards in Hebrew - Israel's official language. There are also plenty of street food stalls serving up delicious Israeli food. The flea markets in Kasol are famous for selling semi precious stones and other souvenirs.

There is also a small village called Tosh in close proximity to Kasol. To learn more about why this place is called a 'Hidden Gem' and to get a glimpse of the party scene at Tosh, please visit Ftrouble.

4. Pushkar, Rajasthan - A City Raw and Untouched

The city has endless temples and hundreds of ghats. The only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma is in Pushkar. And you might want to visit these for all the hippie sins you are going to commit later on. It has threefold mountains in the background, a clear sight of the desert and getting stoned by a sitting in front of the lake with chanting of mantras as background music makes it one of a kind. Pushkar also hosts the best International Holi party in India during March. It is considered the best trance party with people from all over the world coming to lose their mind on good herbs and music. The famous Pushkar Camel festival is held during November for the purpose of Camel trading. It is a colorful sight with a blend of Hippie-ness and authenticity.

To read more about the true Hippie-ness of Pushkar, the Israeli Neighborhood, their rules and an Chabad - an exclusive place for Israelis, please visit Ftrouble.

Pushkar is famous for Jewelry making. You can find foreigners coming for the sole purpose of buying semi-precious stones and to learn the art of Jewelry making. The place is very religious and hence alcohol and meat is prohibited. But the variety of Bhaang, Chillums, Hash and streets full of fast food stalls serving delicious Falafels will fill up that void unknowingly. Pushkar is very famous for Vegan food. The town is so small you can cover it in an hour on foot. If you get a little away from the main streets, it becomes super quiet. All the traffic noises, the horns, the vehicles, everything fades away and you can find yourself in peace. Pushkar is a paradise for people wanting to relax and I definitely have to visit it.

5. Almora, Uttarakhand - A Spiritual - Hippie Ridge

Almora is one of the popular hill stations in India, at an elevation of 5400 ft. above sea level approximately. Kasar Devi is located in Almora and the locals call it by the name 'Hippie Hill'. Almora is a much cleaner and peaceful spot than Kasol. This ridge of Hippie Hill is called as 'Crank's Ridge'. For people looking to score here, there are a lot of places supplying the necessary stuff. Not to forget, Nainital grows very good quality weed and it is just 60 kms away from Almora. So you can expect a lot of people in possession of what you are looking for. In search of peace, spiritual development and a bucket full of fun? Well Almora must be an option you want to consider.

6. Gokarna - A must visit if you haven't already

The one place I have gone 3 times to and I do not think I will get bored of it anytime soon is Gokarna. Some sort of a newly found hub for Hippies from all across and beach lovers. It is a Hindu pilgrimage center but these spiritual souls are not restricted just to devotion. The calm beaches transform into a an amazing nightlife you cannot resist. If you have music to play and some stuff to score, Gokarna will take care of the rest.

Gokarna suddenly became the place Hippies wanted to settle for a while because of its simple beaches and how perfectly it is secluded. Another reason for Gokarna being newly recognized as a Hippie's paradise is because Goa is very commercialized and flooded with people all times of the year. If you have music to play and some stuff to score, Gokarna will take care of the rest. The calm beaches transform into a an amazing nightlife you cannot resist.

If you wish to know more about every beach in Gokarna, the stays, the food, the party scene and places to visit in and around Gokarna, I have a dedicated blog post for it. You can visit the page on my blog through here : Gokarna Blog Post - Ftrouble.

If you want a brief list of a bunch of other Hippie places in India, please visit Hippie Places to Visit in India - Ftrouble. Or if you want to know more details about the places I have mentioned here, feel free to get in touch with me through surabhikeerthi@gmail.com

Thank you, I hope you enjoyed this space!

This article is an extract from my blog. Please do visit my blog Ftrouble for more travel stories, travel itineraries and facts. You can also get in touch with me at : surabhikeerthi@gmail.com

Sometimes when we plan things in life, it never turns out according to what we have in our minds. Well at least for me, be it with a small outing to a restaurant or a trip, but I can definitely say that impromptu trips are always the most fun. Which I’m sure all of you quite agree with. Our Gokarna trip was literally planned the night before, went through a lot of hassle with communication but was the perfect relaxing, fun, adventurous vacation with loads of unexpected events. It is a journey of 9 hours from Bangalore to Gokarna and every pre-booked bus leaves in the night and reaches the Gokarna main bus stand early in the morning. We were 4 of us and decided to catch a bus the coming night.

I can 100 percent surely say that the hassles of communication between us started even before we took off on the journey. Me and my other friend Vibha are right on time waiting for the boys at the point, and well what can I say? Boys are boys. The bus was supposed to leave at 9 PM and we were on our knees begging the bus driver not to start the vehicle. The boys lied to us about leaving on time, had to rent a two - wheeler that only gets punctured half their way to the bus stand, had to enter the bus stand in the opposite side, and not only did they make me run in different ways to find them but also managed to let Vibha get practically shouted at for making everyone in the bus wait.

After this huge mess, we were finally onboard the bus, laughing at ourselves and fighting for a better seat. We reached the Gokarna main bus stand at 7 o’clock in the morning. Just when we thought we were done with our share of being in a mess, a whole new day was ahead of us waiting eagerly. This was my third time in Gokarna and I was so excited to go around because I don't think I can ever get bored of this place.

Upon reaching, we had to rent vehicles to travel for the next 3 days. We rented two vehicles and started off to reach our stay for the coming days. It takes almost 20 mins to get away from the main city. We made a pit stop at an empty ground to rest our heavy baggage, run around to loosen our bodies from the 9 hour bus journey. We then started to see ourselves in another mess.

Our first day was going to be beach hopping. The excited us got ready with our sunscreens, fully charged phones + power banks, a hungry belly and the will to get tanned as hell. We decided to go to 2 beaches starting from Paradise beach. There is no road to directly reach the Paradise beach. We either have to go in a boat or trek to it. We parked our vehicles at God’s own beach because that is the nearest point. And began to trek. My third time being in Gokarna and I don’t know how I still messed it up. I made us walk for half an hour to bring us back to the same point where we started. All of us were devastated. My friends hated me but with Vibha to the rescue we made it to the Paradise beach.

Now how do I explain how beautiful Paradise beach is? This heaven of a place is so perfectly isolated. There is absolutely no crowd. Most of the beach is filled with hard rocks and the rest has smooth fine sand filled all over. This was also a former Hippie spot where Indians weren’t allowed, but it was very long back and there are obviously no such restrictions now. The place has tall standing coconut trees every 10 inches making it the perfect spot to sit and relax on extreme sunny days.

There are fresh coconut stalls, fresh fruit stalls, a freshwater well and a very diverse crowd wandering around in their own space of mind. We played in the water, took some naps under the trees and on some rocks. Found crabs, clicked our pictures obviously, had lunch in a small stall set up there and decided to leave for Om beach to catch the sunset.

To reach the most renowned beach in Gokarna, the Om beach we had to trek back to our vehicles and ride for around 20 mins. Not a lot of us know this but Om beach is actually in the shape of the representation of Om (ॐ). There is a long story behind this formation. Our timing was perfect considering a lot of factors. ONE - It was absolutely not sunny at all and we could build our little sand castles without worrying about sunburns.

TWO - Staff from the cafes stalled at the beach came out all together with huge fishing nets to catch some fish for their dinner preparations. It was an amazing thing to watch as there were around 20 people holding all corners of the net. Some of them half submerged in water while the others at the shore to put the fish in a plastic cover they got. The fish breed was apparently ‘Sandy’. And Mahanthesh our friend even tried to catch it with his hands and ended up getting bit on his thumb.

THREE - We could see the perfect sunset over the sea. Changing colors gradually from orange to red to finally disappearing and we witnessed this scenic beauty from a cafe on Om beach. Chilling and snacking up, so happy bellies and happy moods.

We rode back to our stay at Kudle beach to freshen up, get rid of all the sand on our sticky bodies and just when we thought our day was done, we decided to take a walk on the beach. Walking for about 15 mins along the shore only to hear some good loud music playing at a distance. We were obviously curious to see what was happening and walking towards it. We found a huge crowd dancing their hearts away in the night, some of them were randomly fire dancing, some were totally engaged in the music, some were popping & locking to the rhythm while the others were doing a headstand out of nowhere.

We came to know it was Bob Marley’s birthday that day. For a minute we were all lost, seeing such an active crowd at 2 o’clock in the night. We were approached by a magician calling himself ‘Alan’, who exhibited some mad skills with cards and apparently a new technique he was learning called ‘mentalism’. Which totally left us speechless. I swear! We danced like never before on Reggae music, went hunting to find a shop open, because we were so hungry. Even though we had a confusing start to our day, we surely ended it with a bang!!

Another day, another great mood waking up to the sound of the waves. I want to mention that my friends are heavy sleepers. But considering the night we came back from it was understandable. I was the first one to wake up. I could not wait to go and play in the water again, so I got out to the beach only to see a whole lot of people doing yoga on the shore. Like wow these were the same people from the party last night and I’m standing there contemplating. I started to walk along the water line to find sea shells, reaching one end of Kudle beach. My other two friends later on joined me and we got into a competition to find the prettiest shells possible.

After some fancy looking breakfast and playing Frisbee which I forgot to mention. We happened to buy the worst Frisbee possible out of the lot. It never really went up in the air the way it was supposed to. So it was more like us admiring other Frisbee players than actually us playing with our own. When in Gokarna, you can't not buy the hippie outfits the place offers. So we bought some, decided to wear them and somehow ended up looking like we were all wearing a uniform. Believe me or see the pictures yourself.

Our plan for today was to visit Yana caves. It is at a distance of 50 kilometres from Gokarna Kudle beach and will take us almost an hour to reach. Yana is a pilgrimage center because of cave temples and is located in Kumta. To reach the cave we have to travel through a thick forest, bumpy roads and trek for half a kilometre. There are police checkpoints before entering the forest area so one should make sure not to carry unwanted things. Yana is known to be the wettest and cleanest village in Karnataka.

The rock formation here is so very peculiar. There are two massive rocks standing each at 390 ft. and 300 ft. in height respectively. So yes, pretty gigantic and you are sure to be spellbound by the girth of it. The story behind the black limestone formations is that a demon called ‘Bhasmasura’ turned himself into ashes somewhere nearby. The fire from this act was so intense that it gave black color to the limestone in this entire region. The entrance to the cave is after climbing some steps and a 10 mins walk inside, to the exit on the opposite end. This cave is very secluded and is a must see if you are visiting Gokarna.

There was another deviation in the entrance to Yana caves, to a place called Vibhuti falls. I am so glad we decided to visit this falls because, my god, what a beautiful place. Before that we obviously had to have put ourselves into some mess yet again. And this time it was quite different. The place closes at 5 o’clock in the evening and we happened to reach at 5. Yes. We spent 15 minutes begging the security guard to let us in. He didn’t agree so just when we were about to leave we realised our vehicles were out of fuel. We had a 50 kilometres journey back to Kudle and we were almost out of fuel.

It kind of worked towards our favor. The security guard told us to go see the falls while he went to get us fuel for the vehicles. Provided we come back in 45 minutes which is a lot of time you would think. But it takes 15-20 mins to walk to the waterfalls. We sprinted only to see a beautiful waterfall amidst rocks falling into a pool of crystal clear blue water. The temperature of the water was so refreshing my friend had to take a dip and get bitten by fishes. Yet again. We lost track of time and the guard came in search of us and walked us back to the exit. But all this was definitely worth it!

And just like that it was our last day here in Gokarna. We checked out of our stay and kept the baggage lying around in the cafe. The buses back home were scheduled to leave at 8 o’clock in the night. We still had the entire day to spend. After some brisk morning shopping, some fulfilling heavy breakfast and admiring a lot more Frisbee, we went off to visit the only beach we had skipped, the Half - Moon beach. There are again only two ways to reach this place, either by boat or trek. We parked our vehicles at Om beach and started trekking for about 20-25 mins.

On the way to Half Moon, there is a Dolphin spot. If you are lucky enough you can spot Dolphins jumping off the edge of the water. Just like how the third time’s a charm, our third day was indeed lucky. We could spot so many Dolphins while trekking, got the greatest view of the ocean and reached Half Moon. Half Moon beach is also a very secluded shore amidst rocks, like paradise. But a lot more crowded because it hosts stays and cafes. One surprising thing about this beach is there were no prominent harsh waves at all. The water was so calm we floated for I don’t know how long but it was very relaxing.

By the time we reached Kudle, we knew we were late and if we did not hurry up we will definitely miss our bus. So it was a running race from the steps to Kudle to our stay, back with our even heavier bags to our vehicles. We decided the boys will go return the vehicles while we yet again stop the bus from leaving. But to our good luck that day, the bus hadn’t arrived yet. And so we boarded the bus with a part of our minds still at the beach, laughed the entire journey back. Talking about our messed up adventures, and slept uncomfortably with the happiest memories of an unforgettable trip on our bumpy ride back home.