10 best places to visit

I’ve been researching on the internet about what’s trending in the blogging world. To which I found out that List posts are totally in and a must have on your blog if you really want to engross your readers. And hence I decided that I will write my own list post today but the bigger challenge was what should I base the list on? Something that I loved doing or something that people didn’t know about me. I kept on thinking till my mind enlightened with a topic very close to my heart and which I am passionate about. Travel. Most of you would have read my earlier post ‘Wandering dreams’ and would be aware of my love for travelling. Those who haven’t read it can find the post here. This, you can say is a kind of sequel to that post and you will see a list of the best places I have had the opportunity to travel to, mostly in the US and India, and explore the beauty each place has to offer. Though most of the post is described through my own words and experience, I have taken a little help from a few related sites on the internet for reference and to refresh my rusting memory. So sit back and begin your journey to these exotic locations through my eyes!

So, here goes my list of the Ten best places to visit according to me. The list is written in a random order as and how my memory served J

1. Miami  & Keywest, Florida

Miami, one of the world’s most popular destination, is the place to be in if you are a beach person or even otherwise. It offers various incentives for all age groups from the trendy and happening South beach to seemingly endless opportunities in modern & sprawling malls, from plush hotels to exotic restaurants all around, from a quiet day at the beach for the family to the underwater as well as water adventures for the thrill seekers. Miami boasts of all this and much much more to make your trip memorable and enjoyable. We stayed about three days in Miami covering all the major attractions possible in that time frame. But undoubtedly the most fun we had was at the South beach. The aura, liveliness and rhythm that place exudes is like no other place I’ve been to. I can say to the extent that it was indeed one the holidays where we enjoyed the most and to the fullest.

Keywest, the southern most point of US, is known for watersports, lively nightlife, beautiful beaches and historic sites. Duval street is one of the most famous and happening strips with shops, bars and cafes. The drive from Miami to Keywest itself is breathtaking with a bridge going over the ocean for miles and all you are surrounded is with water everywhere. The emerald green waters of the ocean in Keywest beckons you and you can’t help but be mesmerized with the beauty and serenity it exudes. The more adventurous souls have the greatest possibility for scuba diving & snorkeling as it has one of the finest corals in this part of the world. Being non-swimmers, we also had the opportunity to see the corals from a glass bottom boat ride and it was just as amazing. But the highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the para-gliding and the thrill that came with it since it was the first time we did something so adventurous and completely out of our leagues. We were there just for a day, unfortunately due to time constraints, but the memories of that one day are etched forever in our minds and hearts.

2. Disneyworld, Orlando.

The happiest place on earth, Disneyworld! A place where the magic begins but never ends. And it truly is magical. The place, the experience, the characters, the aura each and everything you see or feel around there is indeed magical. You are swept away into a different world and you may even think you are dreaming. It’s a surreal journey where reality is a dream. You are transported to a world of fairies & princesses yet would probably feel like Alice in wonderland did. All the four theme parks namely  - Magic kingdom; It feels like a fairy tale right out of a book where you become a princess for a day and also live like one in this oh-so-Magical kingdom. Epcot; This is the place where the entire world becomes one and you get the opportunity to travel across different countries like Mexico, China, Japan, Italy, Morroco, US, Canada, UK and Norway and experience their culture and cuisines, all in a day. Animal kingdom; As the name suggests is apparently all about animals. As in a wild safari, you are escorted to the jungle adventures and you are guaranteed to have a ‘wild’ time whilst you encounter exotic animals. Hollywood studios; Due to the time constraints we had to let go of this park so I won’t be able to describe it much but as the name suggests it has to be all about movies, glitz and glamour of Hollywood - are worth a dekko . Each one of their parks has something new and magical to experience. The fantabulous rides across all the four parks are a once in a lifetime opportunity and totally worth the long waits. Absolutely NOT to miss are their fireworks and musical parades. Both of these are the most spectacular, glorious and magnificent proceedings I have ever witnessed in my entire lifetime. Please please don’t miss it for anything in the world whilst you are at Disneyworld. Period.

3. San Francisco & Big Sur, California.

San Francisco is a popular tourist destination, known for its cool summers, fog, steep rolling hills, eclectic mix of architecture, and landmarks including the famous Golden Gate Bridge and the former prison on Alcatraz Island. SFO, as it’s prominently known, is one of the major cities of California and a base of many a Fortune500 companies. It is a city like no other with an old city charm yet contemporary like any other modern-day city. The age old trams, more famously known as cable cars, run along with the modern day metro train all around the city. The steep inclined roads feel no less than a rollercoaster ride making the drive around the city more intriguing and amusing. The famous crooked Lombard street is a visitors delight and is a treat for eyes to watch a car make its way through this maze like street. The icon of SFO, Golden gate bridge, is truly a spectacular monument not worth missing. On a clear day, it stands tall and prevailing over the entire city and makes it a sight to behold. SFO’s Chinatown is yet another place worth a visit as it is one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in the whole of US. It will definitely transport you to China for a while without acknowledging the fact that you are still in the US. There are many other attractions like the fisherman’s wharf, pier 39, sunset cruises and a lot more activities that can engage you for days and you will never feel like leaving the city- ever!

The Big Sur Coast is world renowned as the best of scenic drives as it follows each twist and turn of the rugged and picturesque California coast. Big Sur is located along Scenic Highway One approximately 150 miles south of San Francisco. Historically, the name Big Sur, was derived from that unexplored and unmapped wilderness area which lays along the coast south of Monterey. It was simply called El Sur Grande, The Big South. Today, Big Sur refers to that 90-mile stretch of rugged and awesomely beautiful coastline between Carmel and San Simeon. The route winds along its length and is flanked on one side by the majestic Santa Lucia Mountains and on the other by the rocky Pacific Coast. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the deep blue ocean on one side and fog covered mountains on the other. While here, I also recommend the 17 Mile Drive which brings you around the Monterey Peninsula to Pebble Beach and is well worth the toll charged.

4. Las Vegas, Nevada.

The sin city, Las Vegas, is renowned as a gambling and entertainment capital of the world. It is one of the liveliest and happening cities of the world. A city that never sleeps. It is quite well-known for its grand and majestic hotels and casinos. Each of these hotels presents notably diverse ambience and discovering each of them is a unique and incredible experience in itself. It’s like unfolding the hidden mysteries each of these hotels warily guards. You will, without a doubt, discover something that intrigues you and makes visiting them a worthwhile experience. Some of my personal favorites include MGM Grand, Luxor, Venetian, Paris, Caesars Palace & Bellagio. All of them are highly recommended and not to be missed for anything while in Vegas. The city comes alive on ‘The Strip’ where all of these exotic hotels and casino reside. As you stroll along the strip you will also see some free shows like the fountain show in Bellagio or the Volcano show outside of Mirage and a few noted others which are well worth a watch. And of course, you absolutely cannot miss some of the spectacular and grand paid shows like O, Le Reve, Mystere, Zumanity and KA.  I bet you would never have witnessed such finesse, grace and grandeur in a show. So if budget is not a constraint then I’d irrefutably urge you to watch all of these shows and have an exhilarating and implausible experience. All in all, Vegas is the place where all your wildest dreams can come true (it ain’t called sin city for nothing ;) but as they say ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’ so let your hair down for once and indulge without any qualms!

5. Grand canyon, Arizona.

The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. The only one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World to be located in North America and is the most visited national park in the US. Its pine and fir forests, painted deserts, sandstone canyons, the Colorado River, perennial streams, and waterfalls breathtakingly combine to form one of Earth’s greatest landmarks. It seemed as if God gave the world a scoop of His sculpting skills. Standing at the top, I was finding it hard to believe that this place was once upon a time submerged in river. Looking down at the canyons from up above getting a bird’s view of the place you can appreciate the grandeur of the place. Unfortunately, due to time constraint, we couldn’t go down to the canyons and explore it more closely and discover the ambiguity behind the canyon. If luck has it and if we are given another opportunity then this is one place we certainly would want to re-visit and do this - live and experience the canyons to the core.

6. Niagara Falls, NY

Niagara Falls, are the largest falls in the North of America. This is one of the few places on this list where we had the good fortune of visiting it more than once. And each time you visit, it is a different experience altogether and you can’t help being enchanted with the beauty of these falls which keeps you coming for more, every time you visit it. The force of the falls will keep you awestruck all the while and you will be left gazing at this wonder of nature, agape. The maid of the mist boat ride amidst the Niagara river surrounded by the falls is an experience in itself, not worth missing. There, all the three falls - American falls, Horseshoe falls and Bridal veil falls – become one and are set free by the borders and boundaries of both the countries. The famous Rainbow Bridge which connects US and Canada across the river is also a major tourist attraction. In short, this magnificent and majestic falls should most certainly be on your priority list of places to see before you die, if not already.

7. Newport, Rhode Island.

Newport is famously known as the New England summer retreat with its magnificent and stupendous mansions. It is a beautiful little town with historic monuments and an ancient feel to it. Ironically, even though it is an old town you will see more youthful crowd here since it is famous for its university. The major attraction here is the cliff walk – a walkway on the sea cliff looking over the deep-sea on one side and the sprawling mansions on the other. It is indeed a pleasurable walk wishing for the most part to own a small house here, if not a mansion, overlooking the ocean with breathtaking views. This was a very noteworthy trip since we went there on my birthday and this trip was planned as a surprise gift from my dear hubby and hence, for reasons understandable, the trip to Newport holds a special place in my heart and memory.

 8. Lake George in Adirondacks, New York.

Another stunning location where we had the privilege to visit twice in two different seasons- summer and fall. Lake George is a part of the Adirondacks Mountains that cover a vast region in upstate New York. It is formed by various other lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, waterfalls and mountains. The abundant beauty that surrounds the entire Adirondack region is mesmerizing. The myriad of colors that engulf you during the fall season are absolutely vivacious and striking. It is so picturesque that it looks straight out of a Hollywood movie or as if the autumn wallpaper on your computer has suddenly come to life. We rented a cabin with a group of friends when we went the first time and without a doubt we had the time of our lives. The most fun and adventurous part was the ATV ride that we did. It was a bit scary at first but as we got the hang of it, it eventually turned out to be super-fun and a thrilling adventure. As luck would have it, we stumbled on to this amazing waterfall while coming back, which was totally unplanned, and it was an absolutely peaceful and soulful experience to hear the sound of the water gushing down. It felt so relaxing, romantic and appealing to the soul. How we wished that time would just stop right there and we never had to leave this amazing place. We could only wish though, sigh!

 9. Manali, Himachal Pradesh.

Manali, a popular tourist destination in the North of India, is a traveler’s delight. The landscape here is breathtaking with snow-capped peaks and Beas river with its clear and frosty water flowing through the town. The sound of the river flowing through the rocks is like music to the ears. The river is also famous for white water rafting which I gathered the courage for ultimately. It was truly an awesome experience, even though with fluttering heart, and I feel proud of myself for seeing it through without passing out! It felt like an achievement of sorts that day and will always treasure that moment till eternity. The snow-capped peaks are an incredible sight and it would be hard to put down your camera and resist clicking the tall beauty. You would be in a dilemma whether to savor the moment and letting that moment engulf you in tranquility or to capture the moment in your camera thereby seizing it forever to behold as and when your heart desires. Rohtang-pass is the place where you can actually get to feel and experience the snow. You can take a sledge ride, ski or just play around with the snow whatever suits your whims. In India, where we don’t get to see snow so often except the Northern part, this comes like a blessing and has a thrill of its own to see, feel and play in the snow! It’s like a dream come true of sorts for people like me who loves snow and always dreamt about living in a place surrounded with snow which did come true later after going to US, but that’s a different story altogether.

 10. Munnar & Backwaters, Kerela.

Kerela, God’s own country, is undoubtedly the most beautiful state in India, according to me. It has a massive coastline to explore and discover the unseen splendor it has to offer. The tropical climate and the exotic culture of Kerela is truly compelling. As I had read somewhere ‘You don’t visit Kerela, you romance it’ holds true for me and to realize its deeper meaning you have to experience and feel it. Kerela has to offer a lot of beautiful places worth seeing but Munnar and Backwaters top that list hands down. Munnar, according to me, is a heaven on earth. A heaven of peace and tranquility in God’s own country. It is one of the best hill stations down south and has become the most sought after honeymoon destination in India. The never ending expanse of tea plantations, pristine valleys and mountains, exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests and aroma of spice scented cool air ..yes! Munnar has all these and much more. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit this heaven on earth twice and would love to make it my summer retreat some day. Its bountiful natural beauty will compel you to fall in love with it and be enchanted with the captivating surroundings. And while you are in Kerela, you absolutely cannot miss to see the backwaters. The Venice of India, as it is referred to, is a sight worth watching. The backwters basically is a network of interlinked waterbodies such as lakes, rivers, canals and inlets. A leisure cruise in the houseboat or a simple kayak through the backwaters gives you an insight of the village lifestyle and it rustic activities like coir making. The harmony amongst the water, land, birds and human beings is just out of the world and an experience in itself.

And so here ends my list of best places I’ve visited so far. I know there are still many beautiful places left to see in this world so till I go and explore them, God only knows when, you will have to make do with my ‘Places to see before you die’ list, which will be coming up soon too, for now.

 So, what are the best places you have been to? Please share your bucket list in the comments below, I’d definitely love to read about it.