15 Best Beaches in Europe for Honeymoon

15 Best Beaches in Europe for Honeymoon
Are you looking for a honeymoon idea in Europe? There is nothing quite like an idyllic beach for a honeymoon in some of the hottest beaches in Europe. A place to laze, take in the atmosphere and just let time pass you by, and we have put together a list of some of the best honeymoon beaches in Europe in this travel guide.

These top beach destinations in Europe are beautiful and inspiring whether your travel solo in Europe or in honeymoon, ideal for writing your memoirs or just dreamy letters home. The sun has finally started to look up here at home and we are counting the days to the holiday with heat, morning without an alarm clock and salt water in your hair.

Today we highlight destinations with breathtaking beaches that are only worth the trip in itself, on scenic islands like Madeira, Sardinia and Malta. Here you can enjoy the sunshine, comfortable temperatures and fine sandy beaches. Pack a good book, a soft towel and get ready to move to the beach. In the summer, or perhaps even now?

Europe is one of the most favorite places to travel for many people in the world. London, Paris, Rome, Venice, Barcelona, Vienna - all these places are dreams for millions of tourists. Of course, undoubtedly you know that there are many other popular, less popular and almost unknown places in Europe. But are you sure you know how big is Europe and how many more interesting places exist somewhere on its surface?

You will be surprised, unless you are good in geography, or live in some of those places. So, let’s make a journey to the off the beaten path boundaries of Europe, the so-called Old Continent.

For now, though do not worry about that, read our travel blog and just start picturing yourself on these good beach destinations in Europe.

1. Isola Bella, Italy


Take a walk at sunset through the Isola Bella Nature Reserve and see how the sun hides behind the calm waters. The best time to travel to Sicily is in spring.

2. Marina di Alberese, Italy


Marina di Alberese is in the heart of the Maremma National Park. The beach has next to no services (there are a few chemical toilets here and there and, in Summer, a few food trucks on the main road to the beach). It is never too crowded (although in Summer on Saturdays and Sundays it can be pretty packed) because the access is limited. From the village you can get to the beach by car buying a ticket in advance, by bus (the shuttle runs hourly from the village to the beach) or by bike (you can rent in the village, and it takes around 40 minutes to get to the beach). Behind the beach there is a 3 km (around 2 miles) wide maritime pine wood with a ton of natural life. This is separated from the beach proper by a sand dune with a unique natural environment. The park also allows great horseback daytrips. In the area there are a ton of farmstays where you can rent a bedroom or a whole small apartment for a week or for how long you wish to stay. The water and the sand aren’t superclean, but mainly they are dotted with natural waste: pieces of fallen trees from the woods, or seaweed.

3. Camogli, Italy


The beaches in Liguria are a bit on the narrow side and often covered with pebbles, not sand, but this narrow region compressed between the sea and the mountains have some of the most fascinating coastal areas of Italy. Camogli and the nearby towns have brightly colored houses that allowed the fishermen to identify their home even from afar. Being right in front of the town, the beach do not need to have extravagant services: at any moment you can pop into the town for a meal, a drink , or just some rest.

4. Madeira, Portugal


Madeira was named the world's best island, also called Atlantic Botanical Garden. Visit Porto Moniz, known for its natural sea swimming pools and the island's lava beaches, such as Seixal.

5. Es Trenc, Spain


Head towards Es Trenc beach. Find a spot to relax and immerse under the sunny weather. Indeed Mediterranean weather is quite friendly for those seeking a balmy holiday in Spain. The average temperature fluctuates around 20 to 25 Degrees. With nearly 300 days of sunshine, there is indeed plenty of warmth to soak up.

6. Meia Praia, Portugal


Meia Praia is one of the best known beaches in Lagos, in the Algarve. There is also a network of walkways (dune cordon) in the dunes, which allow for walks very close to the sea. If you don't feel like lying on the towel, you can always walk along the water. It has beach bars and restaurants, and dealers to rent sunbeds and umbrellas, activities such as volleyball, beach football, kitesurfing and windsurfing.

7. Zrce Beach, Croatia


The Sonus takes place on the well-known beach of Zrce, which in the last decade has become one of the most famous beaches and visited by tourism in the Mediterranean. During the days of Sonus this beach becomes an incredible setting for fun.

8. Stintino, Italy


The beaches of Stintino, often called the Italian Maldives, are about 50 minutes north of Alghero. Feel the charm in one of the largest Italian islands in the Mediterranean.

9. Mondello Beach, Italy


The beach of soft pale sand and turquoise sea is located close to Palermo. A beach is an ideal place for a family gateway. The place is full of tourists and locals during the summer season; however, a significant portion of the beach is a privately owned one, but some are also available for the public. The place helps you to witness white sands backed by lush green vegetation.

The proximity to the center of Palermo makes Mondello Beach a very popular and easy to navigate beach destination. They have plenty of facilities when it comes to restaurants and shops, but there are also stretches of the beach that anyone looking to escape the crowds can appreciate. The water is amazingly clear and blue, and during the summer months it is almost like swimming in bathwater. It’s hard to find a beach in Sicily that won’t impress most visitors.

10. Barceloneta Beach, Spain


Barcelona also has a central beach, Barceloneta - you can take the metro there at any point during the day. Without leaving the city, you can also sunbathe in La Barceloneta and from there, jump on board a cable car that will take you to the top of Montjuïc. Easily one of the most popular beaches in Barcelona for tourists and locals alike, Barceloneta Beach attracts a loyal fan base with its soft sand, warm water, and fresh fish dishes.

Visit the beach to while away a relaxing day under the gentle sun, the Mediterranean lapping at your sun-dappled toes. Not just for sunbathers, the beach offers facilities for games like volleyball and table tennis to test your athletic prowess, if swimming out to sea isn't enough.

11. Playa de La Malagueta, Spain


Sand sculptures are one of the best past times on the beach, don't you agree? What if I say that grilled fish on skewers is perfect for your cravings at the beach? Like the rest of beachy vibes of Costa Del Sol, this beach is a great fun spot for all group ages alike. Malagueta is a prime choice for all travellers for its easy viability and obviously, the climate is suitable for all.

12. Perivolos, Greece


Names such as Perivolos, Red Beach, Pori with its harbor and colorful houses are names that should not be forgotten. The center square of Fira and the beaches of Kamari, Perivolos and Perissa are the liveliest and most fashionable places.

13. Navagio Beach, Greece


Navagio Beach is probably one of the most famous best beaches in Europe to honeymoon and most photographed beach in Greece. It is certainly one of the country's most picturesque. Surrounded by spectacular limestone cliffs in total seclusion, Navagio beach is only reachable by boat. This adds to the mystique, as do its alternative names of Shipwreck Cove and Smugglers Cove.

It is a must-visit European beach honeymoon destination if you are in Zakynthos or close by. The best views are from above, but the best place to relax is on the beautiful white sand and in the crystal-clear waters. The best time to go to Greece is June to September. It has got its nickname as Shipwreck Beach as a ship ran aground here in the 1980s. The remains are still lying on the sands. It was originally known as Agios Georgios.

Navagio is a secluded cove located on the northwest shore of Zakynthos Island and is regarded as the most spectacular beach in Greece. It is also one of the most photographed sites and is featured regularly in travel magazines. In 2018, this was named as the world’s best beach in a poll by over 1,000 professionals and travel journalists.

The beach is surrounded by turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea and steep cliffs. The beach is only accessible by boat.

14. Balos Beach, Greece


Do not forget to visit the Balos beach, considered the most beautiful beach in Greece, or the Samariá Gorge, the largest in Europe. Balos is known for its turquoise water. The grand view from the shoreline is the thing that tourists desire for. The area of Balos tidal pond is between the little Cape Tigani and the Cape Gramvousa. Balos shoreline is a blend of white and blue turquoise water and gleaming white sand.

The shoreline offers pink sand beaches formed because of shells. The magnificence of the shoreline can be enjoyed as the ocean is shallow with warm waters. It has a length of 16 kilometers and an altitude of 1200 meters and can be visited from mid-April to the end of October. It will delight lovers of nature and hiking. The island is well known to most people, but nevertheless renewed constantly. The food still tastes authentic Greek, due to booming of several family hotels.

15. Cap Ferrat, France


Located a few kilometers from Nice, Cannes, Monaco or Italy, the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula is an oasis in the heart of the French Riviera and has more than 300 days of sunshine per year. Located in the heart of the town, Cros Dei Pin is one of the largest beaches on the peninsula. Very easy access, which is next to the yacht club and has a playground and a beach volleyball court.

Pointe Saint-Hospice is undoubtedly the most pristine beach on the peninsula.

Visit any or all of these best beaches in Europe for the best European honeymoon and they will imprint themselves on your memory for a lifetime!

Road Trip to Leh and Ladakh

Road Trip to Leh and Ladakh
It's better in the mountains, isn't it? Ladakh is referred to as the forgotten kingdom! A life in the mountains and one which is straight out of a beautiful picture! A cult among the wanderlusts or the Mecca for the thrill seekers, Leh in Ladakh is the destination that can tempt anyone to ditch the rest of the world!

Himalayas will remain a dream ride to all who love riding a motor cycle for years to come. For it's challenging paths and harsh environments, for the views on offer, for pushing your limits, for the feel of pride of achievements, this is one ride you shouldn't miss. If you are bored with your everyday life, then visiting Ladakh will be a good option. Ladakh is an important place for people who want to roam. Ladakh's Zanskar Valley, Khardung-La-Pass, Hemis National Park, and Spituk Gompa are excellent places to visit.

Seated high in the lap of the Indian Himalayas it's a traveler's delight and can satiate all your cravings for an adrenaline rush. The alluring landscape, cerulean lakes, cobalt skies, hospitable culture and roughly set monasteries make visiting Ladakh a picturesque place and such a dreamy vision to capture.

Ladakh can also be enjoyed with your friends through many tour companies. Such companies are always available to assist and entertain you through your Leh Ladakh tour offering the best of services throughout. Sumptuous breakfast, lunch, and dinner are mostly inclusive and many of such tour companies also offer a zero money on tour policy.

Ladakh is one of the most exotic destinations in India. If there is paradise, it's here as well. Most common on the list of all tour operators, Ladakh is a great and majestic place to visit but some precautions need to be kept in mind as well. Make sure you are fit and healthy and get a physical check-up done before you embark on any of the Ladakh tours to be doubly sure of your health.

Ladakh is at high altitude. The oxygen levels are generally low which are not taken too well by most of the travelers and especially people who are unhealthy in any sense. It's going to be an exhaustive journey to this place. Keep that in mind and prepare yourself accordingly.

Best Road Trips in Ladakh Some highlights of Leh Ladakh tour and the itinerary is mentioned here that are offered by most tour operators in Ladakh. Looking to plan your next road trip? Buckle up! From a biker's haven to unforgettable scenery and discovering skiing trails, here are some of the coolest and exciting road trips to plan your next 'pawri'.

Day 1: Arrival in New Delhi


Arrive at the airport in New Delhi. Go to the hotel to spend the night.

Day 2: Delhi - Leh (3,500 m)


Take a Delhi-Leh flight, very early in the morning, which flies across the Himalayas. On the first day, after reaching Leh airport, go to the hotel for check-in. Rest in the hotel and revel in the peace of this place. In less than 24 hours, be at 3500 m altitude, in the bustling bazaar of Leh to establish a first contact with the Little Tibet. Leh is a city rich in history.

Indeed, it was a recognized center of commerce. Caravans from Tibet and Central Asia stopped there before continuing on their way to Kashmir. In the old quarter, under the Stok Palace, come across women dressed in black dresses with a fuchsia pink belt. They are Ladakhi women who come to sell their vegetables. This 4-storey building, typically Ladakhi style, is the official residence of the royal family of Ladakh.

In the museum there are beautiful paintings, ritual, ceremonial and thankas. In addition, get surprised by a sword that they have exposed whose blade is knotted. Matho gompa, or Tibetan monastery, becomes one of the best visits of Ladakh. A young monk opens the doors of the monastery and shows a very dark little museum, but what impresses most is a prayer room with thick orange garments prepared for the winter ceremonies.

During the summer the monks do not live in this monastery, and they move to another and leave the prayer room ready for their return in the cold winter. Stakna Monastery is surely one of the most photogenic of Ladakh, since it is located in a privileged place, on top of a hill and with the Indus River meandering at its feet.

The views from the road before entering Stakna are impressive, although the gompa itself is not one of the prettiest in Ladakh. Travel the rooms alone, in the company of the monk and enjoy incredible places with hardly any visitors.

Arrive at the Takthok monastery but the old gompa, founded in the mid-sixteenth century. Approach the new gompa and there find all the monks of the monastery. In the Takthok monastery there is a mixture of Buddhism and Bon culture, an ancient shamanic and animist tradition from Tibet. The Gungpa order is present in the monasteries of Lamayuru and Fyang.

The Drugpa order maintains the monasteries of Hemis, Hanle, Chemré and Stakna and the saskyapa order is represented in the Matho monastery. Head to the Thiksey Monastery, a 15th century monastery, that holds Tibetan manuscripts, numerous works of art and murals. See the panorama on the the Indus valley.

Then head to the Chemrey monastery, one of the most photogenic monasteries in Ladakh. It is impressive for its size and unusual architecture. Take the road back to Leh. In the evening visit Shanti Stupa and Leh market for meeting locals. In the evening relax with a good tea in the garden of the pleasant guesthouse. Have dinner in front of the Stok Kangri while eating momos.

Day 3: Leh - Dah


Leaving Leh, cover the Leh to Srinagar Highway for some sightseeing in the daytime. Supposed to be built to mark the visit of Guru Nanak Dev to this area, visit the Gurdwara Pathar Sahib, the Hall of Fame and Kali Mata Temple. Admire the confluence of Indus and Zanskar which are simply gorgeous and experience the effects of Magnetic Hill which is set to defy the law of gravity. Visit Alchi Monastery, Likir, and Basgo.

Dah is a village 130 km from Leh and northwest of the town of Khalsi, in the Ladakh area. The road to Dah is of an unexpected slowness. The streets in Ladakh are in very poor condition and in permanent repair. The hours will pass and the expectations will be transformed and the path becomes abstract.

Dah is not accessible by car. Dha is lost in time and in the desolate geography of Ladakh. It does not have a single street. To access the village, you have to leave the road that borders the Indus River and walk along a high path over a narrow valley full of flowers.

From time to time, travelers like me, with a backpack on their shoulders, appear in the village and stay a couple of days, in love with their golden valley, their solitude and their infinite peace.

The people of this area are known as Drokpas or Brokpas, literally meaning people who live in the mountains. Its origin is unknown but for its features and its skin color, and perhaps for its clear eyes are believed to be Aryans, descendants of the invading forces of Alexander the Great.

Their religion is called Bon and seems to be similar to Buddhism, and the dialect is Tschina - an archaic language. And for centuries they have protected their race by prohibiting inter caste marriages. Arriving in Dah was quite an experience.

After so many hours of travel (which do not amount to many kilometers), the tiredness and late night was having to surrender to the moon to illuminate my path and sleep in what I thought was a cave where someone offered me a mattress.

Day 4: Dah - Parkachik (3400 m)


In the morning pass the Mulbekh chorten, impressive in size. Leave for Parkachik and the green Suru Valley. The number of hamlets start reducing until the Nun Kun pass. A ride through Himalayas is never a usual ride that you do on our most touristy spots. The mountains will keep throwing challenges at you. It's a test of your will and might. And hence it's a one of a kind experience.

Motorcycle is one of best way to connect with your surroundings on your travel. Unlike the closed protection offered by four wheelers, it's a different feel to ride out in the cold or under hot sun or under rain or in mist covered valley. Of course take necessary precautions to protect yourselves using proper riding gears.

And this connect is a stronger one when you are in these mountains. Because at the end of the rise you would have experienced atleast two different climatic conditions if not all. It has all sorts of landscapes on the route. From lush green forest areas to snow caped mountains to barren lands and cold deserts. It's the nature at its best as an artist. Just make sure you don't get hypnotised or fall into a trance with all those breathtaking views.

You are all in your comfort zones at your workplace or at your homes. Well this one ride is your chance to push your limits. Value the things that we are blessed with in our life's in the plains, the things we took all these years for granted. Food, water, air etc.

Camp here.

Day 5: Phe - Ating - Dzongkhul Gompa - Camp near Malung river


From the center of Phe, the large agrarian village located on the Kargil-Padum road and 25 kms from Padum, walk on the road for 2 km. After the last houses of Phe, find the pedestrian bridge that allows us to cross the Stod Chu and find ourselves at the foot of the village of Ating. Go up a small path along the meadows to reach the track that passes in the middle of houses.

From Ating a vehicle to reach the gompa effortlessly can be found for a few hundred rupees, this one being located at 3850 m and the distance from the village is about 9 kms. Cross the Doda river on a bridge before entering the Malung valley. On foot, it is not necessary to follow the laces of the track when it rises to the right to bypass a gigantic landslide from above.

Continue on a artificial slope to find the track a little further at a concrete ford. Reach the foot of the monastic complex. See the various prayer rooms and especially that which is at the top of the building in a cave. Unfortunately the murals are very old and especially too blackened by the smoke to be appreciated at their fair value.

The descent starts. There is no need to go down to the grassy areas at the foot of the gompa because a path has been traced at the base of the cliffs. Beyond, it descends slowly to reach the edge of the stony moraine at 3770 m. The trail is well serviced despite the hostile atmosphere of scree large blocks.

Pass a chorten. Just behind go back to bypass an avalanche corridor. Descend into a green hollow where wild rhubarb grows. The zangskarpa are very fond of it. Continue to reach a little further to one of the arms of the river in a big meander. Cross a space before a small climb to a big rock. A slight descent leads to a large grassy area by the river, the last opportunity to find a welcoming space after two hours.

Day 6: Camp near the Malung River - Hinju Pullu


Leave the turf spaces of the doksa to tackle a day with a mineral character a little more assertive. Continue crossing the moraines of the Malung Togpo valley using a few traces and cairns to squeeze between the granite blocks. Now cross a large scree of yellow rocks before descending to a wide grassy clearing in the middle of which grow young willows.

Continue on the moraine down to cross the river on a bridge using a tracery of fallen stones with the torrent rumbling below. Move into the valley side to see the Malung Glacier at the bottom. At the level of a large dejection cone, cross a torrent that has a high flow before continuing on a green expanse. Reach the site of Gaura.

From the grassy platform go through a collar in the middle of blocks before descending just behind to reach an alp where graze yaks. Then cross a stretch of pebbles before turning on the G to take an alley between two stony moraines towards the valley which opens on the left. Climb to the side of the cliff on crumbling rocks and enjoy in the distance the end of the Malung Glacier which has greyish seracs.

The climb is not very steep but the terrain is rough so look for the route in the middle of the blocks that overlap. Finally reach the moraine lock with a well-shaded alpine lawn opening the view of a new glacial complex at the foot. Start to go to cross a daring stone bridge, again enjoying a rocky chaos and under which roars the muddy torrent.

Then cross an area of pastures until reaching a source that dies from a lateral moraine. Continue towards the valley floor where the trace helps to find the best passage between the collapsed blocks and the tiny meadows present around the springs that spring from everywhere. Around 4480 m, move away from the bed of the torrent to pass a collar and just behind reach Hinju village in Pullu located at the confluence of two glacial valleys.

Day 7: Pullu - Omasi La


From the camp on the moraine, cross the large flat expanse and bypass the moraine to get a little further on the black glacier covered with stones. Go up the glacial tongue to the slight slope until the altitude of 5000 m. Go up the rocky banks often covered with snow to reach the Omasila.

Located in the Paldar Valley, Umasi La rises to 5300 m altitude, and overlooks a sea of ​​ice. This valley opens on a magnificent glacier which contrasts with the usual landscape of Ladakh. See the Zanskar in the north, Kashmir and Pangi in the west and finally Lahaul in the south. Sersank is a magnificent peak of about 20000 feet in the Himalaya Range.

The Sersank Pass is a mountain pass that is left of the Sersank and connects Sural Bhatori in Chamba valley with Dharlang. This difficult passage has fallen into disuse. Currently there is virtually no marked track in the glacial areas. But it is used by climbers. People of Sural Bhatori are Buddhists and have an ancient connection with Zanskar and with Tibet. Go back through the glacier to reach the place to camp for the night.

Day 8: Hinju Pullu - Ating


Descend by the same path as that of the climb until the crossing of the big stream after Gaura. But instead of going to the stone bridge below, continue to a large grassed area. Follow the river on a trail that is better serviced and come to the face of Dzongkhul gompa. Follow the path drawn on the side of moraine to reach the top of the pastures of Ating and quietly reach the village.

There are many variations to cross the Sach Pass, but the most beautiful circuit is from Bairagarh to Killar and forward to Udaipur in the Pangi Valley and beyond to Lahaul, a part of the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh. A longer circuit that can be tried is from Dalhousie to Manali through Sach Pass.

At 4420 m, the Sach is a treacherous and narrow passage and lies on what is widely considered to be the most dangerous road in India. Another path from the pass leads to Kashmir, to Kishtwar. Stock up on food in Bairagarh, since there is absolutely nothing after that until you reach the charming town of Killar.

There are no roads in the country of rocks, and nature rules here. Pray your prayers to the gods and count your rosaries; This is a trip you will never forget.

Day 9: Parkachik - Padum (3600 m)


The big day of departure arrives. Everything is ready on our side. The great adventure begins in the direction of the West Valley of Indus to Zanskar, Padum! The circuit will allow us to explore a beautiful alpine valley to the foot of Umasi La and to the pass.

The delimitation between the Muslim part and the Buddhist part is constituted by a long plain. Visit the Rangdum Monastery. Going towards the Padum valley, the Drang Drung glacier is visible from the highest point of the road from the Pensi La pass, which rises to 4400 m height.

Pass by Zangla, Thongde and Karsha monastery. Founded between the 10th and 15th centuries, Karsha is arguably the largest and largest Buddhist monastery in Zanskar, with some thirty buildings on a hillside. About 150 yellow hat monks from the Gelugpa sect live here. Spend the night in guest house, in the direction of the east of Zanskar.

Day 10: Uleytokpo - Leh


Cover a good stretch of Leh and proceed to Lamayuru (the oldest monastery in Ladakh). Take some good snaps of the moon landscape (land which reassembles the lunar surface) and enjoy the stunning views on the way.

Day 11: Leh to Pangong Lake


Proceed to Pangong via Changla Pass, the third highest pass in the world and make some lovely memories and as you visit places like Shey and Thiksey. Nothing remains of Shey Palace. You cannot visit because there are only a handful of ruins. This palace was for some time the summer residence of the kings of Ladakh, until it was abandoned. We have read that it is in the process of being restored, as is the royal Leh Palace.

Being 6 to 7 KM broad at the longest point and 135 KM in length, Pangong Lake is a saltwater body. It is bisected by the international border between India and China (two third of the lake is in China's possession). Enjoy outing along the banks of the lake as you visit the lake which is the exact location of the famous 3 idiots movie.

Chushul was an airstrip used in the Sino-Indian War. It is close to Rezang La and Pangong Lake at a height of 4360 meters. Stay overnight in one of the camps in Pangong Tso.

Day 12: Pangong Lake to Leh


Travel back to Leh and give rest to some of your nerves. Enjoy a cup of hot steaming tea en route Leh as you take a short halt at Changla Pass. Return to Leh after visiting the Hemis Monastery. We had already been to the monastery of Hemis on the day of the Tshechu festival, but we decided to return so that we could tour it without crowds.

We are fortunate to find a young monk who tells us many things about Buddhism, his life in the monastery and the history of the monastery of Hemis. It seems incredible that days before there were so many people in the courtyard of the gompa, and today we are walking through the rooms of the monastery alone.

Day 13: Leh to Nubra Valley


Considered to be the highest motorable road in the world, Khardung La is a must visit. Offering a spectacular view, are the never-ending snow-capped mountain ranges around Khardungla Pass (17,580 feet). Khardung La is the gateway to the Nubra Valley and the Siachen Glacier. After spending some time at Khardungla, proceed to Nubra.
Drive back to Leh via Khardungla pass.

Day 14: Departure from Leh


Get transferred to Leh Airport for boarding the flight to your destination on the last day of your journey. Tour concludes with some wonderful long lasting memories.

Best Time to Visit Ladakh


The best time to visit Ladakh is from April to June and September to Mid November. At a given time the weather remains pleasant and there is not any kind of climatic difficulty you will face. In monsoon, the Ladakh trip is not advisable due to heavy rain and the worst conditions of roads. May to October is the most popular period to travel in Ladakh.

This is when there are more tourists, especially between June and August. If you want to do trekking, it’s better to come at that time.

During winters there is freezing temperatures below zero so many activities remain closed. It is also possible to travel to Ladakh in winter, and this is a great time with a different atmosphere and ambiance and almost no tourist at all. Be ready for cold temperatures. In winter, all roads within Ladakh remain open (road to Nubra valley, Pangong lake, etc.).

We wish you an absolutely wonderful, adventurous and rocking journey to this place which is full of magical stories!

Mobiistar Selfie Camera Phone - The Mirror in Our Pocket

In the train, days ago, a girl was doing the trick. It was of watching herself in her cell phone. I think it's normal, nowadays. Among the many accessories that the phone has incorporated, replaced and made useless to bring along (agenda, address book, flashlight, clock, notebook, recorder, navigator, and of course camera) there is also the mirror in the bag.

The girl adjusted her lipstick in front of the glass mirror of the smartphone. She turned on the selfie camera mode, and it worked perfectly. She saw her on the display like in a mirror. Why do I tell you this banality that you all know?

Sometimes we have the opportunity to meet a great product without first expecting it, and that's what has happened to me with the Mobiistar. Will this smartphone be able to cope with the other existing models? Many manufacturers have realized for some time that the front cameras of our mobile devices are key to attract users.

Mobiistar Selfie Camera Phone

The selfie has become a very important part of the mobile experience. So improving the quality of those cameras is increasingly important for different smartphones. Yes, maybe you've already noticed it. But perhaps, like me, you have never given us so much weight. However, the thing is like this. Our photophones, when it looks at us, lies there because it pretends to be a mirror, but it is not.

We had actually seen more and more eye-catching sensors in those front cameras with resolutions and apertures that offer remarkable quality. Mobiistar have a smartphone that makes use of a dual system of cameras in the front. It stands out for its clear attention to the facet of selfies, the most powerful trend among the smartphones.

This new smartphone shows a viewing angle of 120 degrees. It allows you to obtain a broader capture of your photo or video thanks to its sensor of 120 degrees, which makes more people enter a selfie or a group selfie and more elements when you shoot landscapes. It's like you have a GoPro-type camera, but without that fish-eye effect.

Mobiistar has done very well bringing features that, in many high-end phones, have not yet been able to see. The shots will leave good detail and above all black and white photos without equal in the market. Smartphone users expect better and better photographic experiences, especially in their selfies.

In addition, the front camera can capture selfies with a bokeh effect, creating an unfocused background similar to portraits made with large aperture lenses. Achieving the perfect selfie is now a reality. I started thinking about it some time ago, as I also needed a mirror to fix that annoying patch I had to wear for a month on my nose.

Mobiistar Selfie Camera Phone

Like a selfie-maniac, while I did it, I felt like taking a self-portrait as a souvenir. And, after the click, on the same screen, the patch passed suddenly on the other side of the nose. Because the photocell is mirror only until we press the camera shutter button. Then something happens to me that seems natural, but it is not so much.

The phone captures the image and shows it to me straight. Not inverted like a mirror, but straight as in a picture. If I raise my right hand, the left hand appears on the display, but after the shot, in the photo that remains in the archive, the right returns.

Between what shows in a mirror and what shows in a picture the difference is crucial. Try to read the page of a book in the mirror. It is illegible (except for painting from Leonardo da Vinci). The face we see in the mirror is not at all the face we see in a photograph (that is, the face that others see).

Do you want to try again? On the Internet you will find repeated the experiment of split portraits a thousand times. It is two portraits of the same person, one done by mirroring the right half, and the other just on left half. Almost always you are faced with two rather different people, or two identical twins.

It's not that this counts for nothing, you know. Before photography, the only way to see one's face was, in fact, the mirror. But in the mirror, precisely, we see each other only specularly. (Yes, there were portraits of painters but the degree of infidelity in manual translation made them appear even more unfaithful than the mirror).

But in fact, the daguerreotype worked like a mirror. So, those who saw each other in one of those metal plates did not exactly see their face. Yet with the mirror equipped with memory millions of portraits were made that the interested ones certainly found very similar.

It took a mind awake like that of Mark Twain (still a boy) to unveil the specular infidelity of the daguerreotype with a double somersault. He had himself portrayed holding his real name, Sam, composed with typefaces, which in reality are specular and then in the daguerreotype mirror they return straight.

I mean that, for centuries if not for millennia the awareness of our face was a reversed awareness. There was very little to do, if not a fancy effort, to imagine how in reality others saw us. Only for less than two centuries photography has finally allowed us to see it.

But suddenly something else happened that brought us go back two centuries. That thing, in fact, is the selfie experience. Again, the face that shows us the reverse camera of the photocell held in front of us with the arm stretched like dowsing. That face is not the real one, but is only its mirror version.

So this idea that we produce of the selfie to give to others an image of ourselves that we are in full control of here falters a bit. There is the selfie camera that we program, that is what we see in the display. Then there is the selfie photos that will be seen by others when we put it on the social media. And they are two different faces. I hope you are now convinced of it all.

Where do I want to get here? The selfie is illusory and is the possession of a face that is not really ours. That face that you shoot seeing it in the mirror, the others will see it overturned in a picture. They will remain two different faces.

Facebook and Snapchat does not mirror the image taken with the front camera. I checked and it's true. The photo taken remains specular, as you see it in the display before shooting, even when you share it. And the same happens in Whatsapp and in Instagram if you click inside the app with the back camera. While if you shoot with your front camera and then share, the photo is overturned correctly.

In short, self-made selfie returns to the philosophy of the daguerreotype. But then, what is our social face? What we have when we see in the mirror or what we have when we take a picture?

I have an answer. The apps want to flatter us, showing us to others as we like each other more. And our mirrored face pleases us more for a simple reason that we recognize it. It is the same face that every morning greets us from the bathroom mirror. It is the most familiar. And it is different from what we then see in photos (which in fact often does not paice), then also from what others see. And to others, in selfies, we prefer to show how we see each other, not how they see us.

In spite of nearly two centuries of photographic portraits, our physiognomic self-consciousness is still specular. We are still all the evil before the mirror of desires. The problem is that if we recognize ourselves in our mirror face, others recognize us in our straight face.

So the image that I have of myself and the one that others have of me do not fit to set off in the era of photography. The selfie I send to my friends has a face that my friends do not know. So, what is a selfie for? It is to make ourselves known for what others do not know about us?

15 Best Things to Do in Ireland

15 Best Things to Do in Ireland
Ireland is one of the best tourist destination to visit in Europe located near United Kingdom. This country posses rich cultural and heritage sites. Ireland is also known as the Emerald Isle as this country is surrounded by natural tourist attractions. It attracts large number of tourist from all over the world. This tour will take you from Dublin to Cork, through Killarney and on to Galway (via Limerick).

Visit incredible sights such as the Blarney Castle and the Ring of Kerry. The best thing about a good weekend in Ireland is the road trips one can go on this beautiful island. Packing all the goodies, having your best friends/family together, an amazing playlist ready for the journey and some great edible eateries packed, there is no better feeling for such an adventure.

A weekend when you can encounter all the mesmerizing views, laze around some beautiful and calm places and add some new experiences in your life, is what we can say wish come true! Just fill-in adequate gas in your car or caravan or any other vehicle you wish and think will suit best for this expedition on an adventurous weekend coming by for a great jaunting with your loved ones.

The best part of this island is that nothing is really far and therefore taking your own car and traveling with all the ease in the world is the best part for the trip. I was curious to discover just how much my visit to the Atlantic coast of Ireland would add to my experience. It was to prove an enlightening trip, yet also unforgettable for the natural beauty and excellent hospitality I found there.

When travelling it's always nice to beat the herd, so that you can visit exotic places with few tourists about. There's nothing worse than having to sidestep boatloads (actually, make that cruise ship loads) of tourists during the European summer swelter in an Italian city, or finding yourself walking in the road in London during rush hour, because there just isn't any room on the pavement in Oxford street.

So, here are some of the BEST LOCATIONS for all those who are looking for a getaway to a short and thrilling road trip during the weekend in Ireland.

Here we give you Ireland's second to none road trip destinations you must plan for the coming weekend.

1. Athlone


Sean’s Bar, in the town of Athlone, is one of the oldest (still existent) companies in the entire world. It was established as an inn and trading post in the year 900 by a man named Luain (to whom the town owes its name, which is an anglicized version of Áth Luain). It’s quite possible that it once served Vikings. To this day, it’s still a popular pub.

2. Sligo


A visit to Sligo Town and its surrounds in early summer or October will certainly help you beat the herd, with a cracking outdoor holiday also thrown into the bargain. Locals will confirm that October is one of the best times of the year to pay them a visit.

The droves of US tourists during the summer season also means that standards for tourists are very high, and you'll not believe the quality of coffee served in the most budget-friendly bed and breakfasts and castle hotels in Ireland, which to my mind are the best places in which to lodge during your stay there.

Hostels in Dublin and Cork, Galway, Limerick are nice so it doesn't matter which one you choose. Hostels are cheap and a great way to meet people. In the students season in August, September hostels are full and crowded with a lot of students.

The people are just so warm and also very welcoming. Sligo is a very charming and laid back town, built around the rushing Garavogue river that pushes out to the Atlantic. Sligo Town's also got some absolutely great restaurants, with 'Coach Lane' still sticking in the memory, and rated 4.5 on Tripadvisor. The locals are extremely friendly without being intrusive, and there's some pretty good shopping to also be had.

It's also the perfect place to start visiting the sights around Sligo County which are a hiker's paradise and more. Personally I was very curious to travel to Streedagh Strand, which was the scene of the Armada shipwrecks which feature in my novel. The sound of the bracing ocean winds are the only disturbance in an otherwise serene and peaceful location, which is after all the westernmost edge of Europe.

The hulking peaks of the Dartry mountains run alongside the coast, which are an incredible sight to behold and lead up to a picturesque spur called Ben Bulben. These countless mountain ranges also make for some great rock-climbing, with climbing for beginners.

If the story of the Armada survivors grabs your interest, you'll certainly be familiar with the letter written by sea captain Francisco de Cuellar, who managed to somehow make his way back home to Spain following his shipwreck in Ireland.

If you pull on your hiking boots you can visit many of the locations he mentions, starting with the ruins of Staad abbey further south along the coast, which is not to mention the great lakes in the valleys of Glencar and Glenade. It was here that de Cuellar was famously put to work by a ruthless blacksmith, until he was freed by sympathetic Irish natives of the MacClancy tribe.

Following the captain's footsteps will lead you north towards Lough Melvin, which was famously frequented by Charlie Chaplin, who had a house there. If fishing's your thing you can spend hours happily seeking to catch the Gillaroo (derived from the Irish for 'red fellow') trout, which is native only to Lough Melvin.

Yet if you want to keep to the De Cuellar trail, you can head to Rossclogher and walk along the banks of Lough Melvin, where you can observe the sole surviving keep of the MacClancy chieftain, a crannog (castle on an island) which sticks out like a finger of defiance in an otherwise calm and pristine lake, also home to many white swans. The best way to shadow De Cuellar's footsteps would be with excellent guide Eddie O'Gorman (who I had the great fortune of meeting during my visit to Sligo) of Wild West Irish Tours.

The architectural and natural sights are just endless, and making your way back to Sligo you can spot the huge cairn (Irish tomb) of Queen Maeve atop the flat-topped rise of Knocknarea, which stands alongside other beautiful bays of Sligo and Ballysadare where you can ride horses along the ocean. The house of Lord Mountbatten (who tragically also met his end there) can also be seen at the beautiful inlet at Mullaghmore.

Yet it's not all about hiking, and if surfing is your thing, you can pick up a wetsuit and board and join some of the other surfers hitting the waves at Mullaghmore, as well as Strandhill, Easky and Enniscrone. Windsurfers and kitesurfers can also be spotted on the ocean, and you'll sometimes also see them in huge lakes like Lough Allen.

If relaxing on a boat is among your things to do in Ireland, you can grab a ferry to tour Lough Gill, with the captain reciting the renowned poetry of the world famous Irish poet William Butler Yeats, who spent his childhood in Sligo, even coming to think of it as his spiritual home. Yeats' tomb can also be visited at St Columba's Church, Drumcliff, a fine example of neo-Gothic architecture.

The more inquisitive visitor can also grab a boat while traveling Ireland even further westward from the Atlantic coast towards the island of Inishmurray. Three of the Armada's galleys (one of which bore De Cuellar) berthed in its inlet before they were battered upon Streedagh Strand. Inishmurray was the site of many historical pilgrimages over the centuries, with the remains of an early Monastic settlement still clearly visible.

Although you'll instantly feel at home in Sligo, there's also many other areas close by which are worth a visit. You may fancy a drive to the old garrison towns of Belleek and Ballyshannon, further north of Rossclogher, or even visit Fermanagh, once the seat of power of the Gaelic chieftain Hugh Maguire.

A southward jaunt to Ballymote Castle and Boyle is also worthwhile, but along the way make sure you park the car and make your way up the steep uphill track towards the legendary Caves of Kesh. Although the caves themselves are remarkable in size, the stunning view from them of Lough Allen and surrounds will endure long in the memory.

3. Achill Island


Speaking of sea cliffs, Ireland is home to the third largest in Europe - after Hornelen in mainland Norway and Cape Ennisberg in the Faroes. It forms one side of the mountain Croaghaun, on Achill Island, and towers some 688 metres above the sea. Achill is also the largest Irish isle.

4. Westport


Have you ever heard of Croagh Patrick? In 441 AD, Saint Patrick climbed this mountain and fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. It is one of the most challenging hikes, with loose gravel, steep angles, but worthwhile views of Clew Bay. It is said that Clew Bay has 365 islands, one for each day of the year.

5. Ring of Kerry


Travel around the Ring of Kerry and stop off in the famous town of Dingle which is full of great pubs and eateries. And leave the crowds of Dingle and the Ring of Kerry for a lesser known part of Ireland.

6. Doolin


One of the scenic landscapes are located in Ireland itself. Ireland offers you the view of the best places to visit such as Cliffs of Moher which is one of the major tourist attractions to visit. Ireland’s most famous natural landmark (at least in the Republic) is the Cliffs of Moher in the west. The Cliffs of Moher is the place of most interest in Ireland in recent years.

The Cliffs of Moher is located in County Clare, bathed by the Atlantic Ocean. They are the oldest natural rock structures in Ireland. They rise to a height of 120 meters above the Atlantic Ocean at the point called Hag's Head and extend for 8 kilometres to reach a height of 214 meters. They are up to 214 metres tall, and stretch along 14 km of coastline.

The Cliffs of Moher renders you speechless. It’s a geographical and geological wonder. The rocks that make up the Cliffs of Moher were formed over 300 million years ago. The wind is unrelenting and looking down into the Atlantic from a height of over 200 meters is a daunting task.

The Cliffs of Moher in county Clare is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Ireland with easily over a million visitors per year. The natural beauty of the cliffs is breathtaking. To walk around the cliffs is free and is a serene walk, listening to the Atlantic ocean crashing against the cliffs. Definitely one of the top highlights along the Wild Atlantic Way.

What most do not know is that it has one of the world’s most dangerous mountain biking trails, less than a metre wide in parts.

Sail through the Burren National Park, which has won the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site and have one of the most charismatic and exquisite landscapes IN THE WORLD. This site is full of fascinating views, interesting places to visit in Ireland with an array of flora and fauna that is perfect to add some awesome, charismatic and beautiful Instagram feeds. Enjoy your lunch at Ennis Town.

From the top, you can see the Aran islands, Galway Bay and the Connemara Mountains. It is the most visited tourist attraction in Ireland, so you can find small shops in ancient caves and a restaurant.

As we take our food, we take the opportunity to have lunch at the top of the cliffs. We could not be happier, since the last time we were there was too much fog and cold. With a smile from ear to ear and after having disconnected a lot, we head to Sligo. The trip lasted about 3 hours but they flew by with the stories that our guide told us. Even on the way back, he gave us a movie recorded in Ireland.

7. Bunratty


Make sure you visit the Folk Village adjacent to see examples of Irish houses and town buildings plus all their trimmings from the past. Also - drop into the very quirky Durty Nellies pub nearby before you leave - magical!

8. Dingle


Travel 2 peninsulas south to the Beara Penninsula in West Cork, with less crowds and every bit as scenic. A visit to Garnish Island from Glengarriff is recommended. You’ll pass the seal colony on the way out. You won’t want to leave the island but after 90 minutes, you’ll have to be back to Glengarriff where you can see the Blue Pool and have lunch.

The Public park near Glengariff gives great views of Bantry Bay. Driving south from Glengarriff there are plenty of stops to admire the view. Take the scenic Healy Pass over the Caha mountains, best travelled from Cork to Kerry. And do the Ring of Beara drive stopping off at Allihes half way for a swim. Some days it’s wild but the villages are pretty and the scenery is always stunning.

There’s also trips to Bere Island from the Harbour 2 miles before Castletownbere, a cable car to Dursey Island at the tip of the penninsula, boat trips from Garinish Harbour (not to be confused with Garnish Island), the grounds of Dunboy Castle 1 mile south of the fishing village of Castletownbere (where sadly McCarthy’s Pub is closed) and walks and hill climbing throughout the peninsula.

9. Killarney


On Valentia Island (the third-largest offshore isle of Ireland), you can find the fossilized tracks of an ancient amphibious tetrapod, dating back to 385 million years ago. They are among the oldest evidence in the world of vertebrates venturing onto the land, and thus are of great scientific importance.

10. Waterford


Waterford is the oldest city of Ireland surrounded by beaches. Start your trip via Hook head from Wexford to Waterford, encountering all the scenic beauty on the way. Take some breaks and get yourself clicked at some picturesque locations. Park your car somewhere near to the World’s oldest working lighthouse which is on its roll since the 13th century.

Hire a car-ferry to Waterford and drive to one of the many good pubs in the city for a perfect beer and some good and thrilling music to shake your leg. Reginald’s Tower is part of the Waterford Museum of Treasures. The spiral steps are quite steep so you have to be careful. There’s a cannonball still lodged in the buildings outer wall today.

A lot of artifacts from its era are displayed here. The windows are tiny due to the weaponry back then - bows and arrows. It was originally built from wood but was later rebuild with stone for extra protection. Museum of Treasure is FULL of Irish history, there’s a lot to take in.

11. Kilkenny


Kilkenny is the most beautiful town and you really can't stop admiring it. Kilkenny has one of the most beautiful castles in Ireland in the centre of the city which adds to its beauty. Kilkenny is also a touristy place where people come crowding on the weekends.

12. Wicklow


Escape on a weekend from the busy life in the capital city, and see the magical views of the greenery and a peaceful rural hicksville getting closer to the Wicklow Mountains. To enjoy a different day, schedule an excursion to the Wicklow Mountains, where you will find a dreamlike landscape and discover why it is known as the Garden of Ireland.

On the way you will pass through Kilkenny and you will also see the interesting town of Glendalough.

Grab a picnic spot at Powerscourt Waterfall, give yourself a restful, peaceful and calm time while enjoying the views at Sally Gap’s Pass and sip-in a great coffee in a charming and overwhelming village of Laragh. On the way to Portlaoise stop by to take the blessings of the almighty at St. Kevin’s Monastery.

A ride to Boyne Valley will give you some ancient monuments to explore in complemented with glaring green views. This historic town of Drogheda has some great places to visit in Ireland. One of them is St. Peters Church which gets its popularity of containing the real head an Irish Saint of 1600s named Oliver Plunket. Apart from this church, there are many other treats to your eyes like The Battle of Boyne Site, Hill of Tara, Slane Castle and many more.

13. Tralee


Wherever you go in Ireland, enjoy the experience and don’t just rush around, take it slow and use your feet as much as possible, you’ll discover far more. Much better, and you can even see Skellig Michael in the far distance, that had an ancient monastery on it, and was the filming location for Luke Skywalker in the new Star Wars movies. But being on the ground here and walking around you’ll also discover a bit of history at Lohar Pound.

The full Butter Road is 56-miles between Kerry and Cork. If you talk to the locals nicely they might even take you out on the lake, there is a little island within it, and on it the ruins of an old 7th century monastery. Or they might let you in to their backyard to see the Ogham stones.

14. Atlantic Way


If you could rent a car it would be easier to get around, you could take a trip down the Wild Atlantic Way, this is a scenic route that runs along the west coast of Ireland. You will get to see magnificent scenery, great beaches and picturesque towns and villages along the Wild Atlantic Way.

15. Connemara


Drive from Galway to the Abbey. The drive is just as amazing. Zig-zag along the road, passing through traditional Irish towns and villages that are hundreds of years old, occasionally getting down to take pictures of the countryside. The Abbey in itself is okay. But the overall trip is well worth the time. The Bonus factor of this trip is having some lovely towns alongside this journey giving you the exact break-time you wish for.

8 Indiana Destinations for a Weekend Getaway

From incredible destinations to authentic experiences, Indiana is a perfect getaway that offers it all during a weekend getaway in USA. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, history buff, food lover, or a sports fan, Indiana has awe-worthy surprises that will match up to all your vibrant tastes and preferences.

Indiana Destinations for a Weekend Getaway

If you are planning a remarkable weekend getaway to Indiana, then here are some best cities to visit that you will cherish!

1. Bloomington


A place that nurtures aspirations and creativity, Bloomington is a breeding ground that boasts being one of the best college towns in America. With a beautiful campus, the Indiana University Bloomington is well known for its innovation, creativity, and academic freedom. Other amazing destinations of the city include Indiana University's Eskenazi Museum of Art and WonderLab Museum.

Offering cuisine from all over the globe, Fourth Street is home to Bloomington's restaurant row and is a favorite among foodies. The city also features a few pizzerias and wonderful wineries, too. One can also enjoy a variety of arts in Bloomington, which encompasses a diverse range of performances, concerts, and movies throughout the year.

Watch an ensemble at the African American Arts Institute or ballet at Indiana University's Opera and Ballet Theater.

2. Westfield


A thriving community with a rich heritage, Westfield is a perfect getaway for sports buffs. The city is well-known for Grand Park Sports Campus, a premier 400-acre facility that hosts many community and sporting events year-round. For outdoor enthusiasts, explore the 18-plus mile Monon Trail that begins in Westfield.

It eventually connects to Carmel and Indianapolis. For foodies, the city also has several amazing eateries that cater to diverse taste buds. South of downtown Westfield, located on Parker Street, "Restaurant Row" features a mix of restaurants for visitors to devour. Since there are so many attractions to explore in Westfield, it would be beneficial to find accommodations nearby.

3. French Lick


A fantastic romantic getaway, French Lick is all about fine dining, rejuvenation, and entertainment. The city is famous for its historic early 1900s French Lick Resort, located in an extravagant facility, complete with mineral springs healing waters.

Other enthralling places in town include the French Lick West Baden Museum, which features a large circus diorama, and the French Lick Scenic Railway that offers beautiful scenic rides. For all the wine lovers out there, the town also has an exclusive wine trail known as Indiana Uplands Wine Trail at French Lick Winery.

4. Valparaiso


Rich in culture and attractively located in a rural setting, the city of Valparaiso is a hot spot for arts, cuisine, and entertainment. Valparaiso is perfect for foodies as the city hosts many food-themed festivals. It is particularly known for its annual popcorn festival. With mouth-watering delicacies, downtown Valparaiso has an array of eateries that any foodie will crave to explore.

Also, the city has a plethora of breweries that provide locally brewed craft beer to locally grown wine for every bibulous person to relish.

5. Madison


Look no further than Madison for the prettiest town in the Midwest! Lined with a historic main street and scattered with charming mansions, Madison is a great day trip from big cities like Louisville in Kentucky or even Cincinnati in Ohio!

6. Gary


Transporting motorists from the Gulf Coast of Alabama to just outside of Chicago, well-known I-65 covers 887.3 miles and terminates here, ending at East Dunes Highway in Gary about 3.7 miles from the Jackson family home.

Obviously, the most popular attraction in Gary is the tiny 672-square-foot house where Joe and Katherine Jackson and their nine children lived in poverty. No one could have predicted that their seventh child Michael would become the King of Pop and one of the most recognizable celebrities in the world, selling 750 million records and winning 13 Grammy awards. He was 13 when they moved out of the home.

Joe and Katherine purchased this house in January of 1950 as a young married couple, only 21 and 19 respectively when they bought the property. They lived there for the birth of all nine children, including Michael Jackson in 1958. The family lived in this miniscule residence as the Jackson 5 catapulted to stardom, scoring their first number one hit 'I Want You Back' that topped the charts on January 31, 1970, nearly 17 weeks after its release.

The Jacksons still lived there on February 24, 1970, when the song 'ABC' was released, eventually knocking The Beatles off the top of the Billboard charts. They lived in the home on May 2, 1970, when the Jackson 5 started their first national tour. By 1971, after the success of the ABC album, the Jackson family moved to a 10,476-square-foot mansion in the Los Angeles area.

Behind the Jackson family home at 2300 Jackson Street is a school serving grades 7–12. But it was once Roosevelt High School where by all accounts Michael Jackson had his second public performance in 1966 at the age of seven. The Jackson 5 stood on this stage and won the school talent show with a memorable performance. Four of the Jackson children attended high school here. The GPS coordinates mark the spot of the auditorium.

The school also played a role in an early fight for civil rights. In 1927, funds were appropriated to build this school for African-American students with the intent of offering facilities equivalent to white schools, a concept that became known as the Gary System.

There is not even a commemorative marker on the site. On June 22, 1918, a train carrying people, animals, and props for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus failed to park completely off the main track. A US troop train approached at night while the engineer was asleep at the wheel, colliding with the circus train.

The wreck and ensuing fire killed 86 people and also killed circus animals, the fourth deadliest US train wreck at the time. Driving to the end of Hobart Street, the closer track to you is where the circus train was parked. The farther track from you is where the troop train would have been passing at about 35 mph from right to left, traveling from Detroit to Chicago.

Oddly, and quite tragically, the second deadliest US train wreck (Nashville) and third deadliest US train wreck (Brooklyn) both happened later that year, three of the ten worst within the a six month span.

Cathedral of the Holy Angels is a Gothic Revival church built in 1947, the first Catholic congregation established in Gary.

7. Indianapolis


Given that metalworking fueled the Indianapolis economy in the late 19th century, it’s little wonder that automobile manufacturing emerged from the sparks. While the Indiana capital is home to the Motor Speedway, your visit doesn’t have to coincide with the Indy 500 race to satisfy your petrol lust. You can get up close to some roaring V8s at the Motor Speedway Museum, too. Whatever you do, rest assured you’ll be close enough to smell the burning rubber.

8. Merrillville


The department store is now an outdated strip mall. But this is where the legend of Michael Jackson was born, his debut performance singing at a fashion show with his siblings at the local department store on August 29, 1965. People in the audience were so blown away by the talent of Michael Jackson, performing on his seventh birthday, that they rushed the stage and cheered loudly, almost sensing his greatness and future stardom.

Admittedly, the strip mall is technically in Merrillville, but the parking lot is only 18 feet outside the Gary city limits.

Gear up for a perfect weekend getaway in Indiana. Explore unique places, delicious eateries, and fascinating locales at one of these four cities in Indiana.

11 Best Places to Visit in Goa with Friends

11 Best Places to Visit in Goa with Friends
Goa is among the best places to visit with friends in India. Famous for its beaches, mouth-watering food and Portuguese heritage, Goa is the ideal place in South India for you to hang out with friends. Its countless beaches will pull you more into the heartland of Goa. The places in Goa gives a sneak peek into the old colonial era with its brilliant churches and colonial mansions.

The state is split into two districts of North Goa and South Goa. Although, it may seem to people that all the urban cities have the happening places in the south, however, Goa has everything in the North. Even the state capital, Panaji is in the north. Some of the popular beaches in Goa are Palolem beach, Baga beach, Vagator beach and Butterfly beach.

Contrary to the common notion that Goa is not safe for women, Goa is the safest destination for solo female travelers.

A paradise for solo female travelers, Goa lets them indulge in uninterrupted sessions of shopping, relishing electrifying music and satiating their gastronomic cravings. These are some top places to visit in Goa especially if you are a first timer to enjoy the surf, sun, sand and sea. Goa is better for having some seafood, really nice western and Indian food, drinks, making friends, and partying or just sitting on a sun lounge on the beach.

Goa is popular all over the world for the exotic beaches and nightlife, women, partying, and beach side resorts. Many tourists visit this place for all the fun filled adventure in this place touching the Arabian Sea. The fishermen culture goes alongside the celebrations and colors of exciting beaches.

Ancient Churches, old mansions, palm trees, festivals, casinos and nightlife mesmerize travelers. It is a favorite holiday destination for all the bachelors. Well, why not, right! Among the best things to do in Goa for bachelors who can ignore the cheap beers and the beach party with Russian girls in places like Siridao?

Goa is a place where you can enjoy a relaxing vacation on the beaches but there are more recreational things you can enjoy with your family and friends. Yes, we are going to talk about Parasailing in Goa! A fun activity that is a favorite for many tourists in Goa.

There are many places in Goa where you can enjoy parasailing. The famous among them are Calangute, Baga, Sal, Dona Paula, Candolim, and Anjuna. Here you will get the parasailing with combo package where other fun sports like jet ski, banana ride, boat ride, and bumper ride are available. But you can also enjoy parasailing individually.

Parasailing is a fun recreational activity and does not require any special skills. Actually, you are towed behind a speed boat with a parachute. As the boat moves fast you are lifted in the air and fly above the sea with a beautiful view of the scenery below. It’s an amazing experience when you soar above the sea and glide through the air.

Here are the best places to visit in Goa with friends:

1. Chapora Fort


Remember Dil Chahta Hai? The good old days, where movies meant something and used to leave impressions on our mind. Do you know that the Chapora Fort was built with a vision that the tall walls will not be able to cross by anyone? But Maratha chieftain Sambhaji broke this vision and his army crossed the wall with ease.

Nonetheless, this fort holds the essence of history and you can feel the freshness of its surroundings while gazing at the Chopara river and is one of the places in goa to visit with friends. Morjim Beach located on the north side of the mouth of the Chapora River is famous as a nesting site for the olive ridley turtle.

Apart from the Olive Ridley turtles a variety of birds such as sand plover, Bay-backed shrike, Quill, Turnstone, Cuckoo, Kingfisher, Washerworms, Seagulls, Brown-headed, Black-billed and Slender-billed gull together with Crested Terns, Sea eagle, Osprey can be seen. The dolphin watching trips are offered by the local fishermen of Morjim. Russians have made the beach a permanent holiday destination.

2. Basilica of Bom Jesus


It’s true that Goa has the ultimate party-city reputation. However, not many people realize that the steeped-in-history destination is also among the best pilgrimage places in India. Owing to its past Portuguese influence, Goa is home to some really incredible churches that Catholics will love to visit.

Enjoy the brilliant architecture of these churches and the peaceful ambiance they sit in. The most famous one, however, is the Basilica of Bom Jesus which holds the remains of the beloved Catholic Saint Francis Xavier.

Although it is 400 years old, Basilica of Bom Jesus still embraces the authenticity of Christian beliefs. It is Goa's most famous Church and stand still till today. Known for its elegance and simplicity, Bom Jesus stands for good or infant Jesus. Christmas is the best time to visit here with the rows of decorated Christmas tree in Goa.

The mortal of St. Francis Xavier remains here. Once in every ten years you will be enlightened enough to see the Holy remains of his body. If you are in Goa with friends, you must visit Bom Jesus at least once to feel the charm of this beautiful church. Make sure to visit this amazing historical monument which is an approved UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3. Dudhsagar Falls


Dudhsagar Waterfalls, impressive in the monsoons, are about 10 km from the Collem railway station, on the eastern border of Goa, and accessible by train. if you are willing to pay more jeeps can also get you there over the 14-km stretch through the Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary. One of the highest waterfalls in India, the water falls from a height of 2,000 feet, creating a surreal mist at the bottom.

The view from the top of the falls is breathtaking, especially at dawn. Visitors can stay at Margao and plan a day trip to the fails. 60 km from Margao, along the Goa-Karnataka border.

Dudhsagar Falls, which literally means sea of milk, is one of the main waterfalls in India. Located on the Mandovi River and falling from a height of 610 meters (2,000 feet), these waterfalls are impressive. The milky white water that flows down the mountainsides and the lush green surroundings that create a picturesque backdrop is a sight to behold. Come here during the monsoon when you are in your best shape.

The name itself translated Sea of Milk is self-explanatory to suggest how amazing this waterfalls is. It is a 4-tiered waterfall formed by Mandovi river originating from western ghats. You cannot miss this absolute gem of waterfalls in monsoons.

Away from the hustle-bustle of the city life, stands the Dudhsagar falls situated in South Goa on the eastern border of Karnataka. It is one of the highest waterfalls in India. The waters of the Mandovi River get divided and fall down the high cliff forming milky white foam at the base. Here you can come and enjoy the breeze of the beauty of it. As the name suggests Dudhsagar literally stands by its name dudh, meaning milk.

Although you won't be able to stop there to feel the nature's wonder, but many trains cross this scenic beauty and they usually slow down there to let the passengers enjoy the grace of this fall. This majestic waterfall calms the soul and helps to ease anxiety. Nearby is also the Mollem national park.

The forests of the splendid Western Ghats is a breathtaking view you must see. Other interesting activities around here are swimming at the base pool and trekking through the jungles. It is a true gift from mother nature and one of the best place to visit in Goa with friends.

4. Aguada Fort


Goa has a number of unknown and popular beaches and there are incredible historical structures including the oldest church in Goa. Centered by the Candolim beach, Sinquerim beach and River Mandovi on different sides, this fort dates back to 450 years ago in the sixteenth century. It was initially a defense fort against foreign invasions and part of it is a Jail in Goa.

There is also a functional towering lighthouse of this fort. It offers excellent views of the surrounding beaches and countryside from top.

5. Indian Naval Aviation Museum


This museum is for all those aviation enthusiasts who want to have an experience of a lifetime. It was established in October 1998. Did you know that this it is India's only Naval Museum? Yes, you heard it right. This makes this place a must visit when you are in Goa. You will be bombarded with all kinds of aircrafts, bombs and rockets. This is a museum that you must visit once in a lifetime.

6. Fontainhas


If you are in Goa with friends only for enjoyment and some cheap beers, then you are missing on some great things my dear friends. If you are on excursion, then make it an experience to remember. A Goa trip with friends is an experience to share with the next generation. Go to Fontainhas and explore the old Latin quarters. Barring few occasional temples, it resembles an authentic Portuguese village, let alone an European City.

These are the oldest Latin quarters in Goa that you will see in Goa. It is in the heart of Panjim city. These quarters are bright in colors and extremely delightful to your eyes. You will also see beautiful name plates on these houses as well. You can also visit Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church. If you enclave the region between Patto (Panjim bus terminal) upto Miramar, It will appear as if you are in Portugal.

And these are not some standalone heritage spots. These buildings are regular houses and full-fledged administrative offices.

7. Cabo de Rama Fort


Apart from the beaches, South goa is famous for ancestral Portuguese houses and villas. Also great architecture can be spotted in the beautiful churches of Goa. You wouldnt mind to enjoy the local waterfalls and the culture connected here. Since not developed more you are sure to find the big belly Poders and Goans speaking broken Hindi and English like in old Bollywood movies.

Before reaching, the beaches of Canacona, if you take the coastal route you can see the Cabo de Rama Fort (Cape of Rama) dating back to pre-Portuguese times. It was occupied by British troops and also used as a prison before the end of colonial rule. It is surrounded by a moat and has a small chapel inside.

8. Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary


If you go to south Goa visit Kuskem waterfall. It’s inside the Cotigao wildlife sanctuary. After a ride of about 3–5 km from the old highway you will reach a small village at the foot off the hill. From there you need to climb a little to reach the point where a tall waterfall splashes onto huge rocks. The streak is very thin. You can actually stand below the fall if you can climb in wet rocks.

9. Harvalem Waterfalls


Hidden away in dense jungles, this is one of the most scenic waterfalls of Goa. The waterfall is not known to many and thus visiting this place can allow you to be completely cut off from the crowd. Other nearby places to visit include Arvalem caves and Rudreshwar temple.

10. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary


On the same islands, the Salim Ali bird sanctuary is a mangrove habitat for so many species of birds along the Mandovi river. The trails are well paved. It’s a wonderful experience.

11. Anjuna Flea Market


Shopaholics have an amazing time shopping at the markets including the Saturday Night Bazaar, Anjuna Flea Market, in addition to enjoying the thrill of water sport adventure such as parasailing. You can take a romantic stroll on the shacks while purchasing souvenirs, and handicraft items in Anjuna Flea Market. The Anjuna Flea Market opens only on Wednesday.

This is one of the famous night markets. Legend says that this market was started hippies who came from Europe and settled down in Anjuna. They started selling their belonging in this very place to get some money to stay here for a little longer. With the time the small hippie place grew into a famous Anjuna flea market. For girls, there are plenty of beautiful dresses and accessories at very affordable prices.

Anjuna Flea market is one amazing place to visit! Its a place to shop some fun-hippie clothes and hand made stuff, enjoy some trance music, get mouthwatering local food and drinks and call it a night. You will find a lot of beautiful ceramic work here. Never buy on the first price, always bargain. Rates are twice and thrice there.

Creative keychains, cool scarfs, tattoos (don't fall for this tattoo trap as they would say it's just for 20 bucks, then afterward ask you 300, 400 bucks), bags and slings and pretty vintage stuff can be seen there.

These are some of our best places to visit in Goa with friends. But, there is more than this to do in Goa. Goa is one of the most exciting places in India. If you want to visit Goa in the budget, then visit it in October-November only because after that there is a crowd of tourists. If you stay in hostels instead of hotels in Goa, then you can save a lot of money. Here, good rooms are available in hostels for less than 500 rupees. Take our advice to plan a trip and make your Goa expedition a stay to remember. Happy holidays amigos!