The magical essence of Bali enjoys a reputation spread far and wide. With its exotic beaches and scenic paddy fields, Bali sees a considerable influx of tourists every year. While beach parties are a craze at the Kuta Beach, the Pura Luhur temple scores well in playing the part of a popular religious shrine in this earthly paradise.

Below is a list of some of the many amazing must-visit places in Bali which the prospective traveler should not forget to list on thier bucket list.

Sanur Beach

Located in the village of Denpasar in southeast Bali, quiet Sanur Beach is a popular destination for older visitors, which has earned the spot the nickname “Snore Beach.”

In addition to the area’s well-kept beach, Sanur has several important historic sites, including the Blanjong Temple, which contains a column bearing inscriptions that date back to the 9th century.

Nusa Lembongan

Part of Bali Province, Nusa Lembongan is a small island located off the southeastern shores of Bali’s mainland. The island’s beaches attract the most visitors.

Many areas around Nusa Lembongan are also good for diving and snorkeling, with abundant marine life and healthly coral. Surfing can get a bit crowded, but the waves are good.

Lovina

The largest resort area on the north coast of Bali, Lovina is best known for the black volcanic sand of its 5-mile beach.

The calm sea is perfect for swimming and dolphin watching too, making the area an ideal vacation destination for families.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu

The Bukit Peninsula located at the southern tip of Bali is home to the Pura Luhur Uluwatu, one of the nine major Hindu temples on the island. Founded in the 11th century, the temple was built at the edge of a limestone cliff top jutting out over the sea.

Statues of Ganesha flank the entrance to the temple complex, and live monkeys beg for treats from visitors. Dances are performed for visitors every evening at sunset.

Mount Batur

While it’s not the highest point on Bali, Mount Batur is situated on one of the island’s most dramatic landscapes. The peak is a sometimes-active volcano that includes four craters, a lake and several villages.

Climbing to the top of Mount Batur to watch the sunrise is a popular activity. Visitors also come to Mount Batur to see Pura Ulun Danu Batur, one of Bali’s nine major Hindu temples.

Kuta Beach

Located on the southern point of the island in the village of Kelurahan, the long, broad stretch of sand one of the best-maintained and most scenic beaches on the island.

Known for its active nightlife, the southern section of the beach is usually crowded, day or night. A short stroll to the north end of the beach, however, offers visitors a quiet sense of solitude.

Ubud

Perched among the terraced rice fields that climb up the foothills of Bali’s central mountains, Ubud is considered the island’s cultural heart. Ubud is home to the island’s most important museums, including the Neka Art Museum with its expansive collection of Balinese paintings.

There are dance and music performances every day throughout the city as well as numerous art galleries and craft shops to explore. Ubud is surrounded by gently rolling rice paddies which create a beautiful impression of greenness.

TOP 7 AFFORDABLE DESTINATIONS FOR A REAL TASTE OF VACATION

Destinations to Visit Things to Do

7 Best Bali Attractions You Need to Visit in this Year

Antilog Vacation Travel Blogs 1

Read More

So, what is it about the US fall that takes you by storrm? Come autumn, many of America's national parks are at their most visually stunning. It's not only the fall foliage that amplifies their beauty, but also the waning light casting the landscape in an almost magical iridescence. And after the heat of summer, the crisp air offers a welcome reprieve.

Whether you prefer to drive through or hike through, these parks will prove unforgettable. Check out some of the must-visit great fall destinations; you would book your next fall vacation at the skip of a heartbeat, we bet!

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK (Maine)

The historic, unpaved carriage roads in Acadia National Park are closed to motorized vehicles, making for an idyllic setting to hike or bike the park's blazing reds, oranges, and yellows afforded by maple, birch, and poplar trees. Alternately, you can drive the scenic loop along the rocky coastline. We recommend doing both in this great fall gateway.

CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK (Oregon)

The deep blue abyss of Crater Lake National Park collects in a dormant volcano crater surrounded by 2,000-foot cliffs. This is a breathtaking sight that's set in a harsh environment with a very short window for visits. Even in July, there's still snow on some of the hiking trails, and by mid-October you're too late—it's already winter again. The best time to visit is September, when the weather is crisp and the summertime tourists are long gone.

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK (Wyoming)

The Tetons have large stands of deciduous trees—cottonwoods, aspen, willows— whose leaves blaze yellow and orange come fall, making it one of the great fall destinations. There's also plenty of wildlife action in Grand Teton National Park as elk spar and sound their mating bugle, bull moose search for a mate, and bears scramble for berries before hunkering down for hibernation.

LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK (California)

This area may be best known for it's volcanoes (all four types found in the world are represented here), but the remote wilderness of Lassen Volcanic National Park also serves up a splendid cornucopia of fall colors. The golden palette—courtesy of aspens, oaks, and sagebrush—paints a startling contrast to the crystal-blue lakes, giant lava pinnacles, steamy sulphur vents, and jagged craters.

MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK (Washington)

Fall foliage at Mount Rainier National Park is very different than in the more eastern parts of the country, but just as spectacular. Starting in late September, every huckleberry bush, aspen, cottonwood, vine maple, elderberry, willow, and tamarack (western larch), bursts into hues of gold, amber, and crimson.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (California)

The spectacular Yosemite National Park is mostly evergreen trees, and not known for its fall foliage. This makes it ideal for autumn visitors, who get the park's normally overrun granite cliffs, ancient giant sequoias, and waterfalls practically to themselves in October and November, which undoubteldly makes for a great fall gateway.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK (Colorado)

The famous Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park tops out at over 12,000 feet, providing an exceptional vantage point to view the vibrant gold aspens. The park is dominated by a species known as the quaking aspen, which has a flat stem causing its leaves to quiver at the slightest breeze. The effect is mesmerizing in the sunlight.

Magic of Travel

7 Best Fall Getaways In The US

Antilog Vacation Travel Blogs 0

Read More

Looking for the ultimate dinner destination to impress your special one? Sometimes we all need a little help when it comes time to impress a date. Certain restaurants may please the tongue and fill the belly but don’t tug on our emotions. Thinking about making something different for Valentine ’s Day but have no idea where to go? We’ve put together 10 extraordinary places from around the world, where the setting, the flavors, and the moonlight contemplate to offer you an unforgettable romantic experience.

SECRETLY PLAN A ROMANTIC GETAWAY TO SURPRISE YOUR PARTNER

Le Sirenuse – Positano, Italy
Perched on the hills leading down to the Amalfi Coast, in the heart of postcard-perfect town of Positano, Le Sirenuse awaits its guests in a warm and inviting atmosphere, yet with all the luxury amenities of a high-end hotel.

 All of its 59 individually designed rooms are delightfully decorated with an eclectic mix of antique and contemporary furniture, modern technology and charming marble bathrooms. Additionally, the hotel features a modern spa designed by Gae Aulenti and a fabulous Michelin restaurant that offers guests exceptional local and Mediterranean cuisine in outstanding surroundings.

Le Jules Verne, Paris

An Alain Ducasse restaurant, Le Jules Verne’s romance factor is down to its location. Not only is it in Paris, it’s within the Eiffel Tower. Although service can be a little off on occasion – as mentioned, it’s in Paris – the spectacular views and unique setting means meals here are very special.

Fregate Island Private, Seychelles

The sea, the sand, and the moonlight have long been the epitome of romance, and dining at the outstanding Fregate Island Private in Seychelles offers a wonderful combination of them all. Add to all these the unique flavors of the island-grown produce and some innovative gastronomic techniques and you’ll probably have the perfect dining experience.

Breeze, Bangkok

Breeze restaurant within the Lebua hotel in Bangkok stands out through its rooftop, open-air setting and balmy evenings spent dining here invariably are conducive to romance. As well as views over the twinkling sprawl of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River below, the restaurant occasionally offers other surprises – one of our travel team was particularly impressed when a nearby fireworks display erupted while he was dining at Breeze and he and his partner were able to take in the display from above.

Golden Well, Prague

With an exclusive wine list, a tasty menu, and the spires of one of Europe’s most romantic cities on the background, the award-winning restaurant of Golden Well hotel in Prague is a wonderful place to dine with your special one.

Dream Luxury Suites, Santorini

The candlelight dinners at Dream Luxury Suites in Santorini are all about privacy, mesmerizing views, and delightful food, all shrouded in the glow of the world’s most spectacular sunset.

Kasbah Tamadot, Morocco

Dramatic views over the Atlas Mountains, delicious Moroccan menus and a mystical ambience that reminds of the Arabian Nights – that’s what you get if you choose to take your date to dinner at the fabulous Kasbah Tamadot.

TOP 7 AFFORDABLE DESTINATIONS FOR A REAL TASTE OF VACATION

Food & Drinks Romantic

7 Best Romantic Restaurants in the World

Antilog Vacation Travel Blogs 0

Read More

The dollar never had more value against the euro as it is of now, which makes it the perfect time to take a trip to Europe right away. There is no better time to take your dream trip to Europe! London, Paris, Rome are commonplace, we know, and this is why we have sourced out some of the under-the-radar destination in the European continent you might not have heard about before, but are definitely must-visits.

These towns and cities are way less crowded and provided ample opportunities to the prospective tourists looking for some peace and calm, and of course, some really amazing food and drinks. Here we go.

Goreme, Turkey

Wonder what’s “even more” exciting than seeing Goreme’s stunning rock formations into which some gargantuan, gorgeous churches have been built? It’s viewing the same, but all abroad a hot-air-balloon from hundreds of feet overhead.

Torun, Poland

Torun- the birthplace of the science genius, Copernicus is reason alone to be worth a visit. But Torun, surprisingly, has more to it. Considerably less crowded than the other two major Polish towns (Warsaw and Krakow); this town also has a thriving theater scene and the famous Gingerbread Museum.

Manarola, Italy

Italy always has been a gastronome’s delight, and this under-the-radar Italian town serves no less the purpose. The oldest and the second smallest of the Cinque Terre towns, Manarola is known for fresh seafood from the Ligurian Sea, sweer Sciacchetra wine, and some peace and quiet (no cars are permitted in Manarola). Easy to reach by the Pisa Centrale train, Manarola is a must-visit at least for a day while you are in Italy. 

Ikaria, Greece

The best time to visit this town is between May to October when the town celebrates Panagiria- religious holidays that take once or twice every week during this season. And also, you might be more interested to know that the people of this town are known to typically live to 100. There is something in the water that gives them the longevity? We feel the same too. 

Hallstaatt, Austria

Austria is well-known for picturesque countryside, fine wine and amazing European food. Hallstaatt simply adds more to the list. Also known as “the pearl of Austria”, Hallstaatt is striking old village surrounded by salt mines; trekkers would love to have a tour of. Also, this village is essentially car-free which makes it a perfect nature escape from the hustle and bustle of the city life. 

Alesund, Norway

Think the Northern Lights is not enough reason to visit Norway? Well, Alesund adds a lot more to your trip. The Atlantic Sea Park at Tueneset is the biggest saltwater aquarium in northern Europe! Still want more? Go for advanced-skiing in the Sunnmore Alps in the month of December.

Porto, Portugal

Lisbon is not the only reason you would want to visit Portugal for. Porto, the second largest city in this country provides ample tourists-opportunities; if only you knew about it before. With rich culture and livelier-colored buildings, Porto is hub to a plethora of tourist-activities, including a visit to the massive indoor market of Mercado do Bolhao, where you can pick up culinary delights ranging from freshly-baked breads to delicious servings of lusciously-cooked fish.

Amazing Facts You Never Knew— Europe

Destinations to Visit Europe

Under-the-Radar European Destination You Should Visit Right Away

Antilog Vacation Travel Blogs 0

Read More

While India enjoys the reputation of being one of the most happening destinations during September through March, when the weather is cool and opportunities are plentiful, there are a few brave ones who tend to gather the guts of traveling to this country during the monsoons- not the best time to travel to India, whatsoever. And this blog is intended precisely for that daring few to update them with tips on how to survive through the harsh yet magical Indian monsoon. Here we go.

But before we proceed with the tips, there are a few things a prospective foreign traveler to India should know. In spite of the fact that Indian monsoons are a pleasure to contemplate, it comes with a price.

We certainly do remember the delicious hot pakoras and the masala chai from a street tea-stall with the rain battering on the roof above you head, but as you go through a reality-check, the ugly side of the Indian monsoon hits you hard on your groin in the form of flood and epidemic— Landslides, water logging, flood, mosquitoes & flies are just to name a few.

SECRETLY PLAN A ROMANTIC GETAWAY TO SURPRISE YOUR PARTNER

So, here is what you need to do if you are a foreigner and happen to be in India to enjoy its exquisite monsoon.

1. Be very careful of what you drink and where you drink

Most tropical disease like cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid is water borne. So, what you can do here is to avoid drinking water from a source that you are not sure about. It is better to carry your own bottled water or better still, boiled water just to be sure. In the absence of both, carry water purifying tablets and dissolve them in water before drinking them. They may not taste good but will save you from falling sick. Another thing to remember is not to add ice to your drink unless it is from a trusted source. You should check if the ice has been made from filtered water. If not, avoid it.

2. Say no to cut fruits

In most of the tourist cities in India like Banaras, and Jaipur, you will find that vendors setting up their stall of cut fruits by the roadsides. While you may be tempted to taste them, it is a good idea to resist the temptation as the water used to keep the fruits fresh may not be free from contamination. You can always buy uncut fruits, wash them and eat them after cutting, but anything that has been already cut and raw should be avoided.

3. Book your tickets well in advance

A lot of tourists who come to India want to take things in stride and arrive without tickets booked for further journeys within India. While you should generally avoid this, it becomes more important during monsoons as a lot of trains at times are running late due to heavy rains, and you may not get last minute bookings because of the rush. Also, never buy tickets from unauthorized agents or touts as there is no guarantee those tickets will be genuine.

PLAN YOUR INTERNATIONAL VISIT 'WITHOUT VISA' OR 'VISA ON ARRIVAL'

4. Trekking in the Himalayas

Most of the Himalayas during monsoons get heavy rainfall, and there are higher chances of landslides during this season as compared to other times of the year. Consequently, hundreds of tourists get stuck in the landslide prone areas (like Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal) during the monsoons. But if you still want to go for trekking in Himalayas, you should go to Leh in Laddakh. Leh is in the close proximity of the Nubra Valley which falls under the rain shadow area and gets very little rainfall during this period.

5. Best Places to Visit in Monsoon

So, you still want to experience Indian monsoons? Well, if such is the case then there is no better place than Kerala, Goa or Mumbai (needless to mention, North East India) that has an abundance of monsoon magic for you. All these places are well connected to the rest of the world by air. Goa and Kerala and the North East will give you the magic of monsoon in its natural form while Mumbai will show you how a modern metropolis faces the onslaught of monsoon while the life goes on.

FROM PROPOSAL TO HONEYMOON- A COMPLETE JOURNEY ON MOST ROMANTIC DESTINATION

Explore India Travel Advice

5 Basic Tips for Monsoon Travel in India

Antilog Vacation Travel Blogs 0

Read More