A different side of Venice – Staying in the Venetian countryside

Venice – about 3 years ago I found myself in this city at a really short notice of 2 days. While looking for a place to stay online,  I realized that last minute trips to Venice is not a good idea as all places that I liked and within my budget were full. After a lot of research I  ultimately stayed at the Faronhof B&B, a small bed and breakfast in Oriago di Mira (about 15 kms from Venice). Though I would have loved to stay in Venice; it all worked out much better in the end as this B&B gave me an opportunity to get a glimpse of the Venetian countryside.

The Venetian countryside, near Venice, Italy

Photo Essay: Venice through my camera lens

Venice. About 3 years ago I found myself in this city at a really short notice of 2 days. With no time to research or read on it, I was quite unprepared as to what to expect or the unique things to see and do here. So I just spent all my time just walking around and exploring the nooks and corners of this unique city.

Venice in one pic – Gondolas, Cupolas and Lamps

Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflections

This week’s Weekly Photo Challenge is Reflections, a topic that can be captured in a multitude of ways i.e. via landscapes, in people’s expressions, in the mirror etc etc. But for my post I close this picture that I had taken in Venice, Italy.

One of the canals in Venice, Italy

My Reflections on 2013 and Expectations from 2014

As I sit down to write this post today, I can’t help feeling that 2013 has just flown by. It seems like one minute I was penning down my travel targets and resolutions for 2013 (you can read more on it at 2012, the year that went by and 2013, the year to come) and suddenly it’s time to plan for 2014. But a year has definitely gone by and a lot has been achieved, many lessons learnt and many stories collected. When I had set my targets my 2013, I was so focused on travel that I set all my targets and energies just around it, but in the real journey I actually ended up learning so much more and meeting so many amazing people that I feel I have grown as a traveler and a person.

Chinese Fishing Nets of Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala

Weekly Photo Challenge – Layers

This week’s weekly photo challenge is “Layers” and my image for the same is this flower, whose name I earlier didn’t know. But after this post went live last night, I received numerous responses from my blogging world friends who identified this flower for me, and it’s the Passiflora – the Blue Passion Fruit flower. I would like to thank everyone who commented on this post and helped me identify this flower. 🙂 Super thanks everyone.

I saw this flower on one of the 5 islands of Cinque Terre in Italy and instantly loved its colors and numerous layers. This was growing like a creeper all around these islands, but surprisingly I dint see them anywhere else in Italy (i.e. wherever I traveled).

Passiflora or the passion fruit flower 🙂

And it’s time for Europe again

I have been fascinated with Europe for a while. It all started in 2004 when my BFF, P first moved there and started sending postcards and sharing stories of a gorgeous world full of snow-clad mountains, fairy tale castles, scenic lakes, etc etc. All her stories created an image of a wonderland in my mind and I resolved to visit it as soon as I could collect some money. And as Paulo Coelho said in The Alchemist “if you truly want something, then the entire universe conspires in helping you achieve it” – well, mine sure did. After numerous failed plans, my first international trip was to Spain in 2006. And with this trip, the fascination increased.

Italy