10 Best Places to Eat in Munich, Germany

Munich is a beautiful city, located in south Germany. Filled with a wonderful mix of historical and modern architecture, it houses buildings such as the historical town hall and the Frauenkirche. When you visit Munich, however, there is much more to the city to experience. Other than the Oktoberfest in Munich, the culinary variety of the city adds another layer of depth to its rich history.

One must not limit themselves to the classic German foods, as there are many specialties from other countries there too.

In addition to the wide variety of foods, Munich is famous for its beer. There are seven different breweries in the city, each of which has a different flavor. The beer is delicious, and simple; as per German law, only four ingredients may be used, and alcohol-free beer is also available, and tastes just as good.

The variety of brands and varieties is very wide (the Germans say they have more than 5,000 different beers), you will even see that many restaurants and pubs make their own.

While visiting Munich, there are many foods from which to choose, whether you want German specialties, delicious breads, or foods that mix German and European culinary ideas. Whether you are staying in a humble Gasthaus or Pension, or in a five-star Luxushotel, the food that you are served in an establishment in Germany should contain at least some of the following elements.

German cuisine is known above all for its sausages, very varied in terms of colors and flavors. In the country you can find about 1,500 different types of sausages. Each German region offers a different specialty. The sausages of Frankfurt, with a mild flavor, the sausages of Nuremberg, which are served roasted, or those of Bavaria, with a lighter color.

You can order them as a dish in any German restaurant, but the most common is to buy them at any street stall accompanied by a bun (Brochten) for just € 1.5 (and whoever says street stall, says to one of those curious little men who carry the grill hanging on slopes and you'll find in all tourist areas).

In the more expensive establishments, smoked salmon (Räucherlachs) may be offered - mit Kapfern (with capers). A pork based spread traditionally made from the less desirable parts of a pig, like stringy meat, innards, fatty tissue and meat from the head of the animal. It used to contain up to 40 % pork liver (Leberwurst means liver sausage), but these days it’s made primarily from muscle tissue, because eating offal widely went out of style in the past century.

Delicious, but still has an air of mystery meat surrounding it. It’s also related to Teewurst (tea sausage - does not actually contain any tea).



Classic Cultural German

If you’re looking for some of the best places in Munich that serves German specialties such as sauerkraut, bratwurst, spaetzle, these restaurants should do the trick. They are often more expensive, however they are full restaurants, offering a full atmosphere and cuisine.

1. Servus Heidi - Landsberger Str. 73

And if you are vegetarian or vegan, do not panic. Greeting every customer with Servus, a common bayerisch greeting, this restaurant offers beloved bayerisch dishes, such as Knoedel (dumplings) and Wammerl (pork belly), along with vegetarian and vegan options.

Kartoffelsuppe is a recurring first course in the menus of all German restaurants. It is a kind of soup or cream of potatoes with vegetables and bits of sausage. Very comforting for cold days.

The rustic vibes of this restaurant are sure to complete the German atmosphere. Service can be less than optimal at times, however the moderate pricings and tasty food do make up for that.

2. Ratskeller - Landsberger Str. 73

Located under the historic Rathaus off of the Marienplatz, this restaurant cooks up delightful regional specialties, especially sausages. Vegetarian and vegan options also make up the main dishes on the menu. Its rooms wind through the architecture, forming a maze structure on the inside. The special wine cellar offers a variety of flavours for guests. Be warned though, as this restaurant can be pricey.

3. Alles Wurscht - Nikolaiplatz 3

Currywurst is a classic modern German specialty, and Alles Wurscht cooks up a mean one. Currywurst is a sausage that is served sliced, sprinkled with a ketchup with curry and is usually accompanied by french fries. So popular is the curried sausage that can be found practically in any restaurant or street stall, in the hands of high political positions or enthusiastic tourists.

This little place is near the Englischer Garten, and is run by a family, giving the service a more cozy feel. They offer vegetarian options, in the form of salads and vegetarian sausages, and compliment that with a German potato salad.

Bakeries and cafes

Germany is famous for its hundreds of different varieties of bread. Because of that, it has wonderful bakeries in every city, along with smaller cafes, which, all combined, serve a tasty mix of coffees, cakes, and breads.

Brot is non-negotiable. Germany bakes hundreds of varieties of bread every day, and starting the day without some form of bread is almost unimaginable. German bread is cheap, wholesome, tasty and good. Gebäck (baked goods) are the approximate equivalent in the German-speaking world to the Danish pastries of the English-speaking world or the viennoiseries of the French-speaking world.

4. Brotmanufaktur Schmidt - Neumarkter Str. 47

With quality bread, this bakery has its specialty named. The bread lasts long, tastes wonderful, and has a solid crispness, and has enough variety to serve as both a breakfast and lunch option.

5. Tanpopo Konditorei - Maillingerstr. 6

It’s a small cafe, but hides wonderful cakes, whether they are filled with almonds or cheesecakes or tea cakes, baked by a master baker. The Mailingerstrasse subway station is also nearby. Vegan options are plentiful.

6. Man vs. Machine - Müllerstraße 23

When you’re looking for a good cup of coffee, Man vs. Machine is the way to go. They have a selection of side foods, like cakes, but their coffees and teas are top notch. It’s a short ride from the Marienplatz with the subway, and in a district with many restaurants around, for after the coffee.

Non-German cuisine

Munich is a multicultural city, after all, and it would be a shame to leave out Germany’s popular fast food - döner, a mix of shawarma, vegetables, and sauces in bread, which comes from Turkish immigrants. If you have had your fill of the classics, and are looking for a new taste, these places might be right.

7. Türkitch, Humboldtstraße 20

Serves döner, and also other Turkish specialties. As Döner places go, a little expensive (€6 instead of €4), but very delicious. Offers vegetarian, vegan, and halal options, in the form of falafel and other dishes.

8. Okra Gemusekebap - Schellingstrasse 44

Cheap, good, veggie-based Döner. A new twist on the classic formula. Offers the usual vegetarian, vegan, and halal options. It is near some universities, and as such has lots of student traffic.

Non-traditional eating

If you’re not in the mood to sit down somewhere, or even buy something at a traditional imbissstube, Munich has food options that differ from the common tastes. For a snack or even a meal to eat on the go, mixed from a few foods bought in separate locations, these offerings are well-loved, if a little different.

9. Cheese & More - Marienplatz 16

This cheese shop is a crowded affair, and does not have seating. There are tasting samples for all of the varieties, and sauces to add additional flavors. With some bread from a nearby bakery, this cheese makes a fine snack, especially when considering the price, for it can be expensive.

10. Viktualienmarkt - Viktualienmarkt 3

The marketplace in the center of Munich has a lot of classic German foods to offer, from large pretzels to bratwurst, but it houses many other styles of food that come from around Europe. It is outdoors, and often crowded at lunchtime, as many go there to buy their lunch and see all of the market stalls, which sell more than just food and beer.

10 Best Places to Visit in Malaysia

Malaysia, an amazing country located beautifully at the very end of Southeast Asia is one of the most gorgeous crowning jewels of the world and it is also said that if countries were nominated for witnessing the most level of diversity then Malaysia would come first in the list.

First and foremost, Malaysia is very cheap when compared to the western standards, and it’s quite average when compared to countries surrounding the area such as Indonesia and Thailand. There are lots of hotels in the KL area which cost only 60–70RM ($14–16) a night and these are decent hotels. You could even get cheaper hotels outside the KL area!

Despite being quite a cheap place to live and travel in, Malaysia is definitely clean and organized. So you should expect clean streets, beautiful architecture, decently organised places, good services and high standard of food hygiene.

The country with diversity spread all around, Malaysia is pretty popular as a unique country that has been segregated into two vivid land masses i.e. West Malaysia and East Malaysia. A wonderful country showcasing the eclectic blend of ancient traditions, customs, and culture mixed with a dash of modernity.

It means more flavours, sights and sounds to explore and experience. Nowhere in the Southeast Asian region are there such exciting diversity of cultures, festivals, traditions and customs, offering a myriad experiences.

Geographically the country is as diverse as its people - verdant hills and mountains, pristine beaches and million year old rainforest. There's so much nature adventure to explore and eco activities to discover all in one beautiful country.

The country has a lot to allure its discerning travelers as the country is flooded with a plethora of tourist attractions including quaint towns, glimmering beaches, picturesque landscapes, adventure spots, and heritage sites. Whether you are seeking an adventure trip or in the urge to witness the incomparable architecture, wonders of nature, and so on, Malaysia always comes first in your mind.

Outdoor theme parks in Genting Highlands and Sunway Lagoon; tea, flower and strawberry farms in Cameron Highlands; indoor theme park at Berjaya Times Square; night pubs and clubs at Solaris Mont Kiara (where most expats live) and Changkat Bukit Bintang; beaches at Redang Island, Pangkor Island, Tioman Island, Langkawi and East Malaysia; excellent resorts at Avillion Port Dickson, The Banjaran Hot Springs Retreat etc - whatever your interest is, you will always find something that suits you.

Singapore is located just four hours away from Malaysia’s capital city Kuala Lumpur, and even though everything is at least twice as expensive there, it’s worth a visit.

You could consider taking trips to Langkawi (Sailing) Penang, Melaka, Cameron Highlands (Colonial charm) or one of the island resorts. Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Tioman or Pulau Redang (Scuba or Snorkelling). Alternatively jungle trek in Taman Negara (National Park), or travel to Borneo to explore the caves in Mulu, Sarawak or climb Mount Kinabalu in Sabah.

For the adventurous spirit, however, the Malaysian capital has a whole lot to offer from bungee jumping to hiking trails in Kuala Lumpur.



Below mentioned are some of the best places to visit in Malaysia you can explore on your holiday in Malaysia where you can visit to experience the best of what this captivating nation has to offer.

1. Niah National Park

Nestled at the foot of Mount Santubong, the Sarawak Cultural Village is just 35km from Kuching City, the stage for the annual Rainforest World Music festival. The 3-day internationally acclaimed festival is staged against the backdrop of the rainforest in Kuching Sarawak, east Malaysia.

2. Perhentian Islands

Immaculate white sand beaches, swaying palms, hidden coves, colourful reefs, fire shows and zero motorized vehicles, Perhentian Kecil is a tropical paradise! Located not far from the Thai border, the Perhentian Islands are the must-go place in Malaysia for budget travelers. The two main islands have some of Malaysia’s most beautiful beaches and great diving with plenty of cheap accommodation. Visitors can also explore the tropical jungle that covers much of the islands’ terrain.

Located closer to the border of Thailand, Perhentian Island is a collection of coral edged islands and has been serving as a stopping point for the traders moving from one country to another. Established almost 19 km ahead of North- Eastern Malaysia boasting an astonishing marine park where one can indulge themselves in various fun activities including and at this place you are not allowed to do fishing.

If you are on a Malaysia tour with your friends then Perhentian Island must be on the top of your bucket list of tourist destinations as here you can enjoy some amazing friend moments. The best known sea and sun destination in the country is Perhentian Island, which is famous for its marine wildlife, but you will find less exploited beaches in the eastern region of Sabah that are just as beautiful.

Major Attractions: The perfect glimpse of the colorful corals at this popular tourist destination.

Entry Fee: INR 80-INR 100 per person to enter into the marine park.

Travel Tip: Keep your camera charged and perfectly ready to capture the amazing views of the corals.

3. Sandakan - Perfect Place for Animal Lovers

Pretty popular for its rainforest remains, Kitabangan is located to the east of Sabah and is one of the must visit destinations on your Malaysia trip especially if you are an animal lover. Despite being named like a place full of animals, Kitabangan is also an amazing romantic destination where you can spend some really amazing moments with your loved ones.

You can also enjoy a cruise ride and also the jungle camp activity to add some thrill and excitement to your trip.

Major Attractions: Visiting the jungle camp to witness the wildlife experience in such a dense habitat.

Entry Fee: INR 6000 (a minimum of 2 adults must be there in the group) for 2 days and 1 night trip including the jungle camp to Kitabangan.

Travel Tip: Enjoy the jungle cruise ride in the morning to witness the rich wildlife.

4. Kota Kinabalu - A Wonderful Marine Life

The Mantanani Islands of Sabah is established near Kota Belud and is enlisted among some of the most popular tourist destinations in Malaysia that serves as one of the best platforms to indulge yourself in diving activities.

However, the site has a lot to offer its every travelers but if you are an adventure seeker and love water sport activities then do not skip visiting Mantanani Island which is dotted with clear waters and is a home to seahorses and stingrays. Scuba diving and snorkeling are the most sought water activities that you can opt to make it an amazing holiday.

The Sun always shines on Sabah and that's why outdoors is where you gotta be as soon as the cocks crow to the morning light. Which by the way are many (cocks that is), as Sabah's rural life is a symbiotic identity of its multicultural ethnicity.

Major Attractions: The sites offering snorkeling and diving activities.

Entry Fee: There is no entry fee but to indulge in the fun activities you will have to pay accordingly.

Travel Tips: Carry your swimsuits to perform water activities.

5. Gaya Island

Malaysia is diverse and it’s filled with natural goodness. If you’re the type of person who enjoys natural beauty, then Malaysia should definitely be in your list. There are lots of wonderful beaches and natural parks.

In some islands bordering the coast, Gaya Island in Malaysia is the most imposing, allowing both to enjoy the beach and hiking in the interior jungle land for those who prefer to play sports to rest. You only need a few minutes to leave the urban environment of Kota Kinabalu to reach this preserved and relatively beautiful island.

Do not hesitate to tour the island, instead of settling for the first beach you find when you arrive. Maybe you can find a small resting place for yourself. Rest on a white sand beach north of the island, not forgetting a little snorkeling.

6. Miri

Borneo is one of the most gorgeous places on the planet and is known for its diverse wildlife. For those who harbor a love of nature and exploration, there are few locations so perfect. Journey to Malaysian Borneo where can visit the Danum Valley and Kinabatangan River. Here you will encounter the magnificent orangutan in its stunning rainforest habitat alongside an incredible array of other wildlife.

While many locations in Borneo offer a chance to view the regions incredible animals, among the most fascinating, are the native orangutans. These playful and intelligent primates give off a sense of serenity and wisdom and deserve to be treated with love and respect. This is especially as we are responsible for the widespread deforestation that has led to significant habitat loss for these noble creatures.

Like Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, Camp Leakey Orangutan Rehabilitation Reserve was devised with the welfare of the animals rather than profits or tourism in mind.

Located just off the banks of the Sekonyer river inside Tanjung Puting National Park, the reserve has earned quite a reputation for itself since it was first founded in the 1970s. While it sees an influx of tourists, the facility is also an active research facility where scientists come together to protect and observe the orangutans.

The park itself is one of the most naturally beautiful of its kind with a wealth of beautiful and fascinating plant life. The orangutans here are treated with respect with minimal human interference, although in some cases tourists are invited to help feed some of the orangutans. But the park doesn't just stop at primates. It is also home to stunningly beautiful clouded leopards and Malaysian sun bears.

Aside from the life-affirming greatest adventures Southeast Asia also has a plethora of luxurious hotels, sumptuous Thai foods and no shortage of luxurious beaches. Here you can sun yourself, relax and recuperate. Make sure you add these destinations and activities to your bucket list. Your life will be all the richer for them.

Surrounded by the South China Sea, Pulau Tiga in Malaysia literally translates to three islands. It makes for a perfect weekend getaway and is far away from the hustle-bustle of the cities. Picturesque sceneries of the vast ocean, white sandy beaches to sink your toes in, and a therapeutic soak in the mud pools will be a sure way to ease away tension and churn out a couple of laughs within your party.

7. Malacca

Is Malaysia a melting pot where you will find a diversity of cultures and races? Yes, it is. You know you are in Malaysia where the majority of the people you meet are Malay in traditional dresses.

Without a doubt, all cities open to the sea or with a river always have a special charm. Malacca could not be less. But do not be fooled, the Malacca River is much bigger than you might expect and it was much deeper that turned the city into one of the largest ports in all of Southeast Asia. There passed all boats from Europe, Asia, China, India.

After the conquest of the city by the Portuguese, the Dutch arrived. They were there for 200 years and definitely left their mark in the center of the city. The so-called Red Square or Dutch Square is one of the most photographed places in Malacca with its simple and smooth reddish walls with shutters, its clock tower and even a mill next to the bridge that goes in the direction of Jodamer Street.

On Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock street you will find a famous craft shoe store. Today you can still buy hand-made nine-centimeter shoes. During the 19th century, for Chinese women, having small feet was synonymous with beauty. So the feet were bandaged from girls to stop their growth and to be able to wear those tiny shoes.

8. Kuantan

Most tourists don’t know that Malaysia has a waterfall with an almost guaranteed appearance of a rainbow every morning at 9 (if the weather’s good). It’s called Air Terjun Pelangi, and it’s situated near the ex-mining town of Sungai Lembing in Pahang. Even without the rainbow, the pool is deep enough to bathe/wade in, and it’s among the nicer waterfalls in Malaysia.

If you’re adventurous, you can also explore parts of the tin mine in Sungai Lembing (once among one of the biggest in the world, with a depth of approximately 700 metres). Of course, you can’t go that deep as it’s an old mine from the 1880s. The whole town has quite a charming Bioshock-ish vibe, if you’re into the whole vintage and steampunk aesthetic.

The nearby Bukit Panorama also offers beautiful, misty views. Most tourists also don’t know that there are two beautiful mountains in Kedah called Gunung Baling and Gunung Pulai which offer awesome views. Both are accessible by day-tripping from nearby towns, and the hike up takes only 2–2.5 hours. Did you know that you can stay with some Bajau families on their above-water homes in Pulau Maiga, Pulau Selakan, and some other Semporna Isles?

It’s not going to be luxurious like a Maldivian water villa, but at least you get to enjoy a heavenly sea view without having to sell your organs. Plus, you contribute to the local economy directly. The hiking you can do near the Bajau’s backyard is not bad, either. For those who enjoy being challenged, have you ever dreamt of entering Sasuke or Ninja Warrior?

Well you can do so at your own leisure at the SkyWarrior Rainforest Challenge on Tasik Putrajaya. It’s really fun and doable for the average person. For avid rock climbers who are very determined to explore relatively unknown rocks, you can scale up this very obscure but unique mountain in the Kelabit Highlands of Sarawak, called Gunung Batu Lawi.

When tourists think about Ipoh, they tend to think only of food (because the city’s been branded as such). What they don’t know is that there’s a hidden natural attraction in the city’s suburbs, in the form of a unique lake that is enclosed on all sides by limestone hills. By making a somewhat exhilarating trip through a man-made tunnel, you can journey to the mysterious, hidden world that is Tasik Cermin.

If you’re into exotic, traditional but modern dresses which would turn heads at cocktail parties (Because Chinese qipaos and South Asian sarees are too mainstream), you can get designer kebaya pieces like these in KL. You can also go tandem skydiving on Pulau Langkawi, Kedah. If you don’t like the idea of possibly falling to your death, you can always take a heli tour.

Lubang Biru Terumbu Tingkayu is situated in Teluk Darvel, which is near the towns of Kunak and Lahad Datu. With a depth of 15 metres, it’s not that deep, but there are two holes for you to explore.

Be an intrepid traveller and be your own gourmand and anthropologist or whatever they call people who study food and people culture. For Malaysia is 'Instant Asia' where English is the common lingua franca, in the urban areas. The three main races are Malay, Chinese and Indian. And then you have other indigenous races as well. That is on top of the different types of Malay, Chinese and Indian. It is truly a cosmopolitan multiracial multicultural multireligious multilingual multicuisine paradise.

When you land at KL International Airport, after clearing Immigration and Customs, catch the KL Airport Ekspres to Sentral or Brickfields. At Sentral Stesen ask for walking directions to YMCA in Brickfields. It is actually less than 10 minutes walk from Sentral Stesen.

Stay in YMCA and let that be your 'camp' for your stay in KL. They will advise you on what tickets to buy for use on the various metropolitan train lines which will get you anywhere in KL. They will also tell where to go for cheap eats (Malaysian hawker or street foods) and even buses to catch to outer suburbs not accessible by train.

Just a hint - tell them you were told about Brickfields (Indian), Malay Street (Indian), Petaling Street and Bukit Bintang (Chinese) and Kampung Baru (Malay) for food and culture. Of course visit all the modern mega malls as well for the air conditioning comfort. But remember you are not a 'tourist' but an 'adventurer'. If you drink, then note that it is miles cheaper to drink at any local 'kopitiam' (literally 'coffee shops').

Lots of kopitiams in Brickfields! Do not drink more than 1 big bottle. Control yourself and your senses. Your own safety and security is in your own hands. Unless you long for Western company and want to get drunk do not go to the fancy touristy pub areas where Western tourists go to get drunk and 'pick up'!

Better to travel 'incognito', i.e. do not be ostentatious - dress decently but cleanly and simply, and just tell people you are a student, travelling to write an article on Malaysian local food and culture. Wear a cheap watch. Do not wear jewellery. And do not carry more than RM200 on cash. That should be enough for each foray or expedition from 'camp' (YMCA). There is a safebox at the YMCA. Leave your passport with them.

Carry a photocopy of your passport as well as a YMCA contact card in case you get checked by the police or need to catch UBER in an exigency. Keep a sentinel eye on your smartphone. Ask YMCA for a list of emergency contact numbers to put in your 'Contacts' in your smartphone. Get your SIM card immediately as you complete Immigration at KLIA. There will be a row of telco competitors vying for your business.

Be always polite and civil, but act shyly inquisitive and be casually (i.e. not overly) friendly but be reticient and cautious and not be gullible. Even in paradise there are 'snakes' everywhere. So, trust no one unless you have been to their homes and met their parents. You can trust the staff at the YMCA. Or else, you will be taken for a ride.

Do not buy souvenirs or memorabilia off the street vendors. They are pirated or fake anyway and you might also end up being 'pickpocketed' in the process. Stick to eating and experiencing the living ambience. Take photos. The street food would naturally be ingrained in your memory. They are so delectable and fascinating to your tastebuds, that it is a culinary experience beyond description or measurement.

Happiness is not about posh and luxurious surroundings and a ostentatious and decadent lifestyle. Happiness is having a simple meal with friends, and watching the world go by, and hanging loose in the tropics 'beneath the sway of the coconut palms' (speaking metaphorically of course). What more, you can venture out at 2 am or even later in the wee hours of the morning for 'teh tarik' and 'roti canai' at the 'Mamak' hawker stalls. That is the other thing - 'Instant Asia' never sleeps!

Then when you are ready to move on out of KL to the other major towns, ask at the YMCA for how to travel by air-conditioned inter-state bus to and stay at YMCA in Penang. The YMCA in Penang will be your 'chaperone' in Penang doing what you have done in KL. Then travel south to Melaka. Get advice from YMCA as well.

Once you have done the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, you will be ready to venture out to the Muslim East Cost of Peninsular Malaysia. It is dominated by Malays and Malay culture and therefore more conservative and rustic and bucolic. And English might be a problem as well. But that makes it more exciting. Just one simple rule in Muslim East Coast. No shorts or singlets.

You will quickly observe that the Malays do not frequent Non-halal premises. So, once again, if you want to be a bit more 'carefree' it at ease stick to Chinese kopitiams in the East Coast.

Approximately 13 km from the Malaysia capital, Batu Cave, the Hindu temple complex is a series of cavernous spaces inside limestone rock, housing ornate shrines. It attracts worshipers and tourists, particularly for the annual three-day festival of Thaipusam. Just outside it stands the world’s tallest statue of Murugan, the god of war, at 42.7 metres high.

The 272-step staircase, built fifty years ago was originally wooden and later replaced with stone, was painted in dazzling rainbow colours in preparation for the temple consecration ceremony (Kumbhabhishekam), which takes place every 12 years.

9. Kuala Selangor

Air Terjun Berkelah, Maran, Pahang are all quite hard to reach and are a bit off the beaten track for most people, local or foreign. That said, there is actually one emerald river just south of KL which is very accessible, called Sungai Rasau (One of the waterfalls here is erroneously called ‘Air Terjun Ayer Hitam’, ‘Air Terjun Bukit Puchong’, ‘Air Terjun Bukit Wawasan’, and ‘Puchong Blue Lagoon’).

It’s about a 35-minute drive from the Petronas Twin Towers and a further 2-hour trek into the jungle—a jungle in the middle of the city, albeit. Unfortunately, the area is off-limits as it’s been designated as a forest reserve and a research area. That hasn’t stopped people from trespassing, though.

10. Tanah Rata

Watch the tea plantations while enjoying a cup of tea in a cafe overlooking the valley in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. Cameron Highlands is a popular retreat in Malaysia because of its moderate weather. With temperatures between 25 degrees Celsius during the day and 18 at night, this area offers a nice break from the 30+ temperatures the rest of the country often has.

This makes the highlands a very good place for growing fruit, vegetables and of course tea. For lovers of history, Cameron Highlands offers numerous hikes in the cool hilly terrain. Dotted with colonial British architecture, prehistoric land formations, and tea plantations, it is a welcome respite from the heat in the city.

There is no dearth of tourist destinations in Malaysia but it is not easy to compile all of them in a single article so if you are excited to read about more places then write down in the comment box and motivate us by liking and sharing our post.

Essential things to carry on a bike trip to Ladakh

Bike trips to Leh and Ladakh are gaining popularity year on year. Loads of enthusiastic bikers make a bike trip to Leh Ladakh every year during different times of the year. Note that the best time to plan your bike trip would be between June and September for first timers. Experienced bikers who have already done a trip here can try doing a bike ride in the off-season between October and April.

However, even they should avoid the winters as many roads are closed and travelling on those open is pretty risky on account of snow and ice on the roads. Ladakh is very attractive in terms of beauty. Here you can enjoy exciting things. Snow falls here in the months of January and December. So, you can also enjoy snow skating here.

In a road trip to Leh Ladakh, the journey is what you must make the most of. The scenic natural beauty all along the route is breathtaking. A 10-day road trip to Leh Ladakh from Delhi should preferably be via Manali – Leh highway. It is important to remember that a Ladakh bike trip may not be suitable for everyone.

While the high-altitude journey makes for amazingly beautiful landscapes, it also brings with it the difficulty of facing the harsh cold weather. The low oxygen levels in the air makes the view literally breathtaking.

A trip to any location requires preparation. Most times the preparation is with reference to travel planning, itinerary, stay etc. However, a lot of more preparation and planning is required for a Ladakh trip especially for a Ladakh bike trip. Most of Ladakh is a barren heaven. Through a Ladakh bike trip, there are times when you don’t come across human habitat for 100s of kilometres.

If you run into trouble on the way, it is very difficult to find help. Low or no network signals in most locations can leave you stranded with no means to reach out for help. Hence, a Ladakh trip requires a lot of preparation for yourself, physically as well as mentally; and for your vehicle to get ready for the adventurous journey ahead.

Acclimatization, day travel duration, overnight stay locations, preventing AMS, fuel re-fill stops, ATMs, permit requirements etc. are some of the most important aspects to consider while planning and preparing for the Ladakh bike trip.

'Prevention is better than cure', and that here is only possible if you are fully prepared.



Important points to consider are:

1. Start working on your physical fitness atleast a month before the trip. You need to build up a good stamina in order to cope up with the low oxygen levels at high-altitude.

2. Take time to acclimatize properly on your way to reduce the chances of getting hit by AMS.

3. People suffering from asthma, heart problems or high blood pressure should take doctor’s advice before planning a trip to Leh Ladakh.

4. Low oxygen levels can lead to breathlessness and even unconsciousness. So, refrain from too much physical exertion such as running around and games.

5. Carry preventive medicines to aid acclimatization and treat altitude sickness. Garlic soup also helps.

6. Headache, dizziness, fatigue and nausea are symptoms of high-altitude sickness. Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking on high altitude to prevent AMS.

7. Stop at Keylong, Jispa, Darcha on the Manali – Leh highway and avoid Sarchu in case of the above symptoms.

8. Stay hydrated through the journey. Recommend increase of water consumption by not more than 1 litre per day.

9. Keep your head and ears covered with something warm to protect from cold weather.

Things to pack for Ladakh trip

1. Soaps, towels, general medicines, bandages etc.

2. 4-5 pairs of socks (must for bikers)

3. Protective wear to carry – Biking gear – Carry all type of protections like gloves, elbow pads, knee pads, helmets, bandana, balaclava, UV sunglasses and sunscreen lotions

4. Clothing – Waterproof winter jacket, thermal inners, woolen gloves and socks, woolen/fleece upper layer, quick dry t-shirts and pants, water resistant trekking shoes

5. First Aid medicines for bandages, fever, headache, cold, cough,ointments handy always. Avoid painkillers when at high altitude cold locations. Carry mustard oil and lip balm for moisturizing the skin and lips.

6. High nutrition food – Carry multiple packets of nuts, energy bars, biscuits, other glucose and food items that quickly energize the body. Appetite reduces at high altitudes, hence frequent snack of these helps keep the body charged.

7. Carry one warm sleeping bag if you are planning to camp along the route

8. Documents and IDs – The roads on this route may not require specific permits for bikers but sometimes they do. In either case, please keep your personal IDs and bike’s documents with you at all times through the trip in case of checking by local authorities or military.

9. Mobile, camera and gadgets – BSNL network has a good coverage in Leh Ladakh. Use a BSNL SIM if available, in your mobile phone.Carry additional power banks and batteries for the phone. It would be wise to save some of the major routes and directions from Google Maps in the mobile phone.

Leh-Ladakh Bike Ride Itinerary

Here’s a quick itinerary of that will be best help you plan and make your bike trip from Delhi to Leh an experience of a lifetime. This will give you an overview of planning your day by day travel, overnight halts and places to visit on route.

Day 1: Delhi to Manali – 520 kms

Take the NH1 from Delhi to Ambala, NH22 to Chandigarh and then NH21 to get to Kullu and Manali. Start early to spend a pleasant evening and rest the night in Manali.

Day 2: Manali to Sarchu – 230 kms

Rohtang Pass, Keylong, Jispa, Darcha, Zingzing Bar, Baralacha La

Check in at Sarchu in the evening and stay overnight

Day 3: Sarchu to Leh – 260 kms

Take only restroom and snack/lunch stops

Reach Leh early in the evening

Day 4: Leh City Tour

Hemis Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, Shey Palace, Shanti Stupa

Retire early for the day and relax through the night in your hotel

Day 5: Leh to Nubra Valley – 160 kms

Khardungla Pass – Highest motorable road in the world

Reach Nubra Valley and stay overnight in tents

At Nubra Valley, you can do local sightseeing, Desert Safari, Star Gazing and Camping experience

Stay overnight at Diskit or Hundar village

Day 6: Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake – 276 kms

Pangong Lake

Local sightseeing

Arrive at Leh for overnight stay

Day 7: Leh to Kargil – 218 kms

Magnetic Hill

Zanskar River + Indus Confluence

Zanskar River Rafting

Stay overnight at Kargil

Day 8: Kargil to Srinagar – 202 kms

Drass Region (Kargil War Memorial), Pathar Sahib, Zojila Pass, Pahalgam, Sonmarg

Spend night at Srinagar

Day 9: Srinagar sightseeing and ride to Udhampur – 200 kms

Shikara ride on Dal Lake

Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden, Nishat Bagh, Tulip Garden, Chashme Shahi, Pari Mahal

Stay overnight at Udhampur to spend the night recollecting the beautiful and fun moments from the trip.

Day 10: Udhampur to Delhi – 615 kms

Start early morning to take NH44 returning to Delhi.

While the above 10-day road trip to Ladakh itinerary covers most major attractions, there are many more less explored locations that you may want to include here. You may skip a few listed above and make time to squeeze them into your schedule.

Leh Ladakh road trip is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful journeys in India. Have fun and enjoy it to the fullest!

10 Most Instagrammable Places in NYC

When you talk about the United States, the cities that come to your mind are - New York City and Los Angeles. New York City is Gigantic with five huge boroughs. It’s nearly impossible to cover all the boroughs if you are on a vacation for a week or less. NYC can be intimidating at times but in a sumptuous way. There is so much to see and so little time.

New York City has always been a magical place for anyone that steps foot on the iconic busy streets. Whether you’re interested in sight-seeing or shopping, New York City has something for everyone. Either as a tourist or a native, it is always fitting to commemorate your experience with a taxi ride, Broadway show, and of course, an Instagram picture. This city is filled with life, culture, and an aesthetic that is perfect for any feed.

There are enormous number of events happening in NYC and it becomes overwhelming for someone who visits for the first time to cover it all and not get tired at the same time. Whether you are an avid foodie, aspiring artist, or just an eager check-box tourist, NYC has something to offer to all its visitors.

This city has such a fond spot in my heart. Granted, it’s congested and either humid or blizzard-ing, BUT this city is more than amazing. It feels almost life changing. Just a few days in the Big Apple and the surrounding boroughs will leave you wanting more and more. As a solo traveler, this is a great place to visit because the public transportation is efficient and there’s just so much to do. Never a dull moment and you don’t even really need anyone to do things with. You’re bound to meet others easily.



Here are the most Instagrammable places in NYC.

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, better known as the MET, is New York's most famous museum that is filled with culture, fashion, and history. The MET is home to some of the world’s most notable art such as paintings by Vincent Van Gogh and sculptures from the 1st Century Roman era. However, the MET is known for so much more.

The MET also features an annual Costume Institute Exhibition that is inaugurated every year in partnership with Vogue. The MET Ball, also seen as the biggest night in fashion, is a star-studded event where celebrities and designers come together to introduce the launch of the exhibits annually changing themes.

Recently, this event, hosted at the museum itself, has integrated YouTubers to the invite list. This is also an ideal Insta-worthy spot both inside and outside the museum. The MET is known for their iconic steps of the MET at the entrance where both tourists and locals sit casually and take in the city (and of course commemorate their time with a picture for social media).

The MET Prices:

Admission + Souvenir	$32
Adult Admission	$25
Senior Admission (age 65+)	$17
Student Admission (with valid ID)	$12
Child Admission (age 12 and under)	Free

2. Pietro Nolita

Pietro Nolita is an ideal Instagrammable place in NYC for anyone who loves to think pink. This healthy Italian restaurant, known for their pasta dishes on a night out, will give you much more than a good meal. Pietro Nolita’s all-pink aesthetic carries both in and outside the restaurant.

The interior is all pink everything from the walls, to the furniture, to the napkins on the table. Outside of the restaurant also keeps with this theme. The outdoor bench seating that leads to the underground entrance of the restaurant is fully painted pink with hints of green plants.

This minimalist pink look would complement any Instagram feed. Pietro Nolita has become such a trendy spot for pictures and pasta that they have started a series of merchandise featuring their slogan, Pink as F**k. Their merchandise, available online, features mugs, stickers, t-shirts, and more.

3. Grand Central Station

Grand Central Terminal in New York City is so much more than just another train station. This city stop is architectural experience with its gold wall detailing and teal arching ceiling. Grand Central Station is a must-see Instagrammable place in NYC for its classic New York feel and vintage aesthetic.

This station is the kind of stop that makes you wonder if walls could talk, what would they say. The busy feel of New York is perfectly encapsulated in this station and makes you feel like a true New Yorker. Aside from its Instagram appeal and New York notability, it is also a famous spot seen in classic movies and TV shows such as 'Friends With Benefits' and 'Gossip Girl'.

Whether you really have somewhere to go or you just want to do it for the gram, Grand Central Station is the stop for you. This station has 56 tracks unusually arranged on two levels. The passenger (or causal visitor) is treated to Beaux-Arts design and eye catching clock. Over 20 million people visit, in addition to passengers, making it one of the top 10 attractions in the world.

4. NoMo SoHo

NoMo SoHo is another popular restaurant that is one the most Instagrammable places in NYC. This restaurant works in tandem with the NoMo SoHo boutique hotel, but the Instagram picture on everyone’s radar is at the entrance of the restaurant. Leading into the dining area, that serves breakfast through dinner, is a long green arch that is made of plants and string lights.

This famous arch is the perfect spot not just for an Instagram moment but also for a full-blown photoshoot. Inside the restaurant as well, is a semi-outdoor area that has a modern-rustic vibe that has a sea of decorative plants, lantern lights, and walls of painted rainbow hearts. If you wanted to partner the experience with a stay at their hotel, the rooms also have an Instagram experience with their minimalist white and royal blue aesthetic.

5. Coffee and Clothes

Coffee and Clothes is a (as mentioned in its name) coffee shop with a twist. In one of the fashion capitals of the world, it is only fitting that this Instagrammable place of NYC has both a coffee and a clothing experience. Coffee and Clothes is a vibrant café that features both designer clothes and designer coffee.

This is not your typical quick and caffeinated experience because each coffee is surfaced with the cocoa-coated brand logo of a high-end fashion designer. Not only is this an Instagrammable spot in NYC but the picture you take will most likely feature your beverage opposed to yourself. Common brands featured on the coffee include Gucci, Prada, and Dior. So whether or not you can afford Gucci, you definitely will be able to drink Gucci.

Fashion Brands Featured: Pradamm, Gucci, Adidas, Louis Vuitton, Nike, Christian Dior, Hermés

6. Glossier

Glossier is a popular skin care/beauty brand known for this minimalist yet colorful aesthetic. Despite its growing popularity, Glossier only has permanent locations in New York and Los Angeles, making it an exclusive experience for their in-person customers. Because of this exclusivity, Glossier has made great effort to really make it an experience.

Inside their store, is access to all their products as well as unique interior designing that makes it a stand-out Instagrammable place in NYC. Inside the store keeps up with their pastel feel with complementary colors and plenty of mirrors for the perfect mirror selfie. Most mirrors in Glossier story have printed sayings such as you look good, that have become a Glossier staple.

Inside the store is also an oversized version of their products that are attached to the wall and floor that really makes you feel like you are stepping inside your own beauty bag. This design not only lets you play with endless beauty products but also your Instagram game.

7. Bronx Zoo

If you widen your map, you'll find the Bronx to be an interesting option filled with family-friendly attractions, dining and accommodations. This multicultural borough on the edges of the Big Apple sits ready to help you make memories, enjoy meals and sleep well throughout your stay. Here are a few lesser-known ideas and options—and some well-known but often overlooked places—for a true New York experience.

The Bronx has its famous Zoo. You could spend all day there. Spanning 265 acres, the Bronx Zoo welcomes families through its famed front gates to take a walk on the wild side for the day. Over 700 species of mammals, reptiles and other animals reside here, and the zoo is home to the first established modern vet hospitals for animals.

Winding pathways take you past penguins, apes and towering giraffes, and a children's zoo lets your little ones get up close for hands on interaction with a variety of furry friends. Stop for lunch at the Dancing Crane Cafe before heading to a monorail ride through the "Wild Asia" exhibit.

New York City's Little Italy might have a reputation as a tourist trap, a neighborhood where locals don't venture — unless they are stopping by the San Gennaro Festival. The truth is, Little Italy is home to a few hidden gem restaurants that everyone who is visiting New York City should try at least once.

Yes, Little Italy gets crowded, and there are waiters standing outside almost every door trying to tempt passersby inside, but if you know where to go, you can find some great Italian food. From beautiful backyard spaces to dishes like lobster ravioli and chicken breast coated in pistachio sauce, these restaurants offer locals and out-of-towners alike unforgettable dining experiences.

Little Italy is an excellent choice for a walk when you are into good coffee, Italian delicatessen and Italian Gelato. Grab the kids and head out for a fun food-filled walk through the Little Italy in Bronx. The aura still harkens back to Ellis Island days, while authentic Italian cooking can be had from mom-and-pop restaurants on virtually any corner.

Share a pie with your family before diving into truly gourmet Italian ices in a range of flavors. The area is completely walkable and quite safe for daytime excursions with the little ones. Take your little sailors to the City Nautical Museum before heading to play in Ambrosini Field.

8. New York Botanical Garden

Brooklyn has its Museum and Botanical Garden. Located next to the zoo, the New York Botanical Garden offers lush greenery, bold blooms and a relaxing landscape make a great place to wind down after a busy day with the kids at the zoo. The newly renovated Edith Haupt Conservatory is home to some of the rarest palms and plants from around the globe.

Stroll through while the sun filters through the glass dome to dapple your walk. Every day at the gardens offers a new experience for families to enjoy, from seasonal celebrations to educational programs based on different plant species.

9. Williamsburg

Among the things to do in New York City, after taking the pictures of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and Times Square, forget about the tourist guides and get into the real city. It's beautiful now. It is visually stunning, especially just after sunset when the lights seem much brighter and more colorful.

It's lovely to look at but there's not much to do. It isn't fun anymore. The video game parlors and cheap restaurants are gone, in favor of national chains and tourist traps.

10. Coney Island

In summer, hop the subway to Brooklyn's Coney Island to soak up some rays, enjoy a world-famous Nathan’s hot dog, ride the landmark Cyclone roller coaster, and catch a Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game. Note that Brooklyn also has a growing number of less-expensive hotels, all near subway lines.

Let yourself be seduced by all the neighborhoods like Meatpacking District, where you can enjoy the most lively nightlife in the secret spots of New York City. Go to Harlem with its new restaurants where you can enjoy the most New York jazz, Williamsburg, the most hipster neighborhood, Upper East Side with Central Park where you relive movie scenes and much more.

Other Notable Instagrammable Places in NYC:

Sight-Seeing	Restaurants	Shopping
Times Square	Taco Electrico	Tiffany's at Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn Bridge	Pastagram	Macy's Herald Square
Empire State Building	While We Were Young	Naked and Famous Denim
Statue of Liberty	Eataly	Acne
Central Park	Bar SixtyFive	Meatpacking District

10 Top Romantic Places to visit in Australia

Australia is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Its nature, architecture, and cultural heritage offer various destinations you can go to for a romantic break. Whether you want to have an active couple’s getaway, or just dine every night on a private tropical beach, this continent has it all.



So, here are top romantic places in Australia perfect to spend time with your special someone.

1. Color of love near Esperance

Although Lake Hillier doesn’t offer any accommodations, that doesn’t stop thousands of couples to come and visit this pink attraction. Accessible only by small plane, helicopter, or boat, this saline lake in Western Australia is one of the favorite romantic destinations on the continent. As one of the most famous pink lakes in the world, it’s often used to say ‘I do’ or as a proposal spot.

Since it’s located on Middle Island, you can stop by to see the colony of Little Penguins, the smallest of its species on the planet. Cape Le Grand National Park is just a few miles away from Lake Hillier, and Blue Haven Beach nearby is perfect to take a swim in the ocean. The town of Esperance is a good place to stay while exploring the area and even see some of its attractions, like Stonehenge and Whale Tail.

2. Naturally romantic sights of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Make sure you visit the Great Barrier Reef, one of the most famous Australian landmarks. It's a spectacle unlike any other. One of the most iconic instagrammed places to visit in Australia is none other than the Great Barrier Reef, and the reef itself is bigger than the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Netherlands combined. Being the largest coral reef system in the world, it is also home to some of the most incredible sea life in the world.

This is a simply stunning place to be and a thrilling place for water sports and activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling. Book a diving tour and explore the ocean depths of this, one of the seven of the Earth's natural wonders. The turquoise waters teem with over 15,000 varieties of tropical fish, from the bright orange Clown Fish (say hello to Nemo) to the once seen and never forgotten Parrotfish.

Pretty boys indeed! If you don't have the courage to scuba dive, you can still take a glass-bottomed boat, and see the beauty of the ocean from a dry distance. Either way, many incredible wonders await you at the bottom of the sea. You should find the time to go diving if you can. Getting up and close to some of the stunning creatures that live there will really put things into perspective.

Snorkelling is a great way to see the many shallow reefs and the life around them. Most tourist diving boats also offer snorkeling and encourage the use of pool noodles to make it even easier for those who don’t want to go underwater at all. Helmet diving is an option for those who don’t mind going underwater and want to get to a slightly greater depth, but who don’t want to swim or want to keep their eye-glasses on.

In a helmet dive, you have a helmet that keeps your head dry and is connected to the surface by an air tube. You stand on a platform that is lowered into the water. There are also underwater hotel rooms on rafts over the reef, where you can watch reef wildlife through the windows of your room. It’s another quite spendy option, of course.

You will definitely want to protect beautiful natural places such as this once you see it for yourself. All in all, this is definitely one of the most mesmerising destinations that should be in the Australian bucket list.

The Great Barrier Reef is full of romantic sights that many couples simply can't resist to see. One of those is the Heart Reef perfectly visible from the air. Flying over this naturally-formed heart-shaped reef is a favorite way to pop the question and some have even exchanged the vows.

Those wanting to enjoy the ultimate romantic luxury can stay at one of the local resorts, like on Lizard Island.

3. Sunrises in Cairns

The town of Palm Cove is also nearby with its great sunrises and relaxing atmosphere far away from the urban fuss. If you want to have a feel of the Australian rainforest, The Daintree is close to the Great Barrier Reef and you can turn it all into a private adventure. Staying in Cairns will give you access to a lot of activities for couples like snorkeling in the Reef or cruising around its most memorable islands.

4. Queensland Lava Tubes

Formed relatively recently from basalt, they are less than 3 million years old. There are five separate tubes and each is around 30 kilometers long though.

5. Black Mountain National Park

Black Mountain, located in Black Mountain National Park west of Cairns is a 108 meter tall mass of millions of black granite boulders dated at almost 300 million years. They formed when volcanic subterranean lava set into granite and was eventually exposed through erosion and heated by the sun and cracked over millennia (sometimes explosively).

6. Low-key romance in Adelaide Hills

Go on a road trip to Adelaide Hills. Adelaide Hills is full of European charm and the old-world architecture accompanied by numerous wineries in the area. As a wonderful spot for couples who want to spend time completely dedicated to one another, this is often a favorite low-key destination for those seeking ultimate privacy. The Adelaide hills have many areas you could visit as a family, Gumeracha, Handorf and Cleland Wildlife Park. Even the Monarto Zoo plains beyond the hills.

Couples come here for anniversaries and Valentine’s Day with flower delivery from Adelaide straight to their rooms and candlelight dinners on the balcony. Thorngrove Manor is one of the most romantic accommodations to stay here with antique settings and baroque architecture. Since the area is also one of the oldest wine-producing regions, you will enjoy some of the finest wines, like Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.

These are some places accessible some hours from the capital city of Adelaide. In the city are also many frequented beaches such as Semaphore and Glenelg being two of the most popular.

7. A romantic wine getaway to New South Wales

Usually visited for being one of the best wine regions in the world, Hunter Valley is also a favorite couple destination as a getaway, but also as a wedding venue. The lush greenery of the vineyards, lavender fields, and exquisite cuisine turned this area into one of the most wanted Australian couple’s retreats. Many estates, like Spicers Vineyards, offer wine and dine experience with nestling around a fire for stargazing.

During the day, Hunter Valley has a lot of places you can have a romantic picnic, like the banks of Paterson River. Hot air balloon rides are the most beautiful in the afternoon when the sun is slowly setting behind the horizon, leaving shades of orange and pink over the landscapes. Hunter Valley Gardens will dazzle you with its many waterfalls, murals, and artistry so it's no wonder many couples get engaged in this 14-hectare space.

Pass through Beechworth and pick up some Beechworth honey. You can get this in the main cities but it comes from here and they have much more varieties. Next stop, is Jindabyne. To get there you’ll pass Thredbo, a ski village in winter. Outside winter you can take the chairlift up and walk to the top of Australia, Mt Kosciuszko.

Besides skiing, Thredbo also doubles as a downhill mountain bike course in the warmer months. Next stop is Canberra, the nations capital. See the national institutions if that’s of interest. Once you’ve crossed from Victoria to NSW there’s no shortage of idyllic beach side towns. Eden, Merimbula, Moruya, Batemans Bay, Ulladulla, take your pick.

Continue on to Cooma. Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre is worth a visit if you’re into feats of engineering. You can also visit and tour hydroelectric generators and dams in the region if you’re a full nerd like me.

8. Heaven for couples in Byron Bay

Byron Bay is the ultimate destination for couples who want to enjoy luxury and privacy together. This coastal town is full of beaches, resorts, spas, and diving sites — perfect to relax and hide from the world for a while. Byron Bay is known for its bohemian and relaxed lifestyle and its beaches. Next on the route to Cape Byron enjoy beautiful views of the ocean and if you go between June and November you can spot humpback whales.

If you intend to come here between June and November you are in for quite a sight. That’s when humpback whales migrate and you can watch them splash in the ocean from the Captain Cook Lookout. When you get tired of spending time in the five-star resorts, you can catch some sun and swim on the Clarkes Beach or a more secluded Tallow Beach.

Those looking for a more active holiday can go hiking in the surrounding rainforests and to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, located a few miles outside of town.

9. Bunda Cliffs

The Bunda Cliffs are a line of sea cliffs up to 100 metres high that extend westward from the head of the Great Australian Bight to Eucla, near the border of South Australia and Western Australia. Their total length is about 210 km, of which about 180 km is unbroken cliff line. They form part of a much longer escarpment at the southern edge of the Bunda Plateau.

Once a continuous sea cliff, local uplift has isolated two sections from the ocean. The greater escarpment comprises the Bunda Cliffs, Hampton Range (inland; total length 300 km), Baxter Cliffs (160 km of coastal cliff) and Wylie Scarp (inland; total length 160 km).

There are five lookouts off the Eyre Highway with views of the cliffs and the Southern Ocean. The cliffs can be seen from the highway at several places, where they curl away from the road, so you don’t even have to stop the car if you don’t want to.

10. Lake Bumbunga, SA

Do you love to snap? If yes, then this is going to be one of your favorite places. Depending on the time of year, the hues of South Australia’s Bumbunga Lake switches from white to blue to pink, thanks to its salinity. This extraordinary lake is just 2 hours’ drive from Adelaide. All in all

It’s hard to choose one destination when Australia is full of romantic places. Maybe the best strategy is to stay in one place and then go on day-trips from there to see it all. Or, you can pick one spot and have your romantic holiday just there. Whatever you decide, Australia promises a great romance for those looking to celebrate love and strengthen their bond.

9 Ways to Bounce Back After a Vacation

So, you probably took a break from work and went on a well-deserved vacation. You went for days and weeks for relaxation, a comfy hotel bed, foreign foods, soaking in different sights and sounds, exciting cultures, wishing it will never end. Getting back to your old routine is not easy, but it also does not mean that you could not get it done.

Of course, you can wait it out, but the process of procrastinating will not help you in the long run, and you will wish that you have kicked back to your old routine a lot sooner. Bouncing back and embracing the daily grind after a well-deserved break is important.



Thus, we have listed down how to make your transition back to work a lot smoother:

1. Get enough sleep

Make sure that you get enough rest the night before you get back to work to make you feel at your best. Doing so will let you have more focus and discipline once you return to work. Sleep helps increase your mental alertness while helping lift your general mood. So, aim for at least eight hours of sleep before getting back to work. If you feel a bit tired, you can take a short nap in the afternoon.

2. Arrive at work a bit early

On your first day back at work, make sure that you arrive a little earlier. This will give you more time to process the fact that you're no longer on vacation. This also gives you an ample amount of time to reply to emails. Moreover, you'll probably want more quiet time alone before your co-workers will bombard you with questions, asking about your recent trip. All the more reason why you need to show up early.

3. Have a to-do list

You probably have an extensive to-do list waiting for you as soon as you get back to work. But even if you feel that you should throw yourself right away with these projects to get it done as soon as possible, it's one of the easiest ways to get burnt out. So, make a list of the major goals that you want to accomplish. Then break down these goals into simpler more actionable tasks, setting realistic targets as you go.

Ideally, try to take one step at a time so you won't be overwhelmed with all the post-vacation work that's waiting for you.

4. Communicate with coworkers

You should also use the opportunity to re-engage and talk with your co-workers when you get back. You can use these as an opportunity not to get caught up with work-related tasks, and also check if certain priorities have changed while you were away. Ask your colleagues what's important to them now, and how you can help them in the best way you can now that you are back.

5. Clear your mind

As soon as you get back to work, you will realize that there is a lot of clutter. After the buzz of your recent holiday starts to wear off, you definitely have to do something about it. There are a couple of things that you need to consider. You can start by decluttering and cleaning your workspace. Second, you need to do the same thing with your devices.

Start sorting out your folders, your emails, and your inbox. Sometimes, it is more than just decluttering. It is all about getting reacquainted with your office. Finally, you need to declutter your mind. You can start analyzing your usual work processes. Identifying at least three opportunities for improvement. Make your pick and start changing things for the better.

6. One task at a time

To reduce your workload, you may feel pressured to take on a number of tasks all at once. But the thing is, multitasking is not the most efficient way to get things done. This will only increase your stress levels, break your concentration, and even hinder your goals at times.

So, try focusing on one project at a time. You will feel more accomplished if you take on one task at a time, simultaneously checking them off from your to-do list, and ease your worries by doing too many things at once.

7. Do usual work routine

Breaking your routine while you're on vacation is the reason why it could be difficult to get back to work. Establishing a daily routine will help promote efficiency because it takes off the need to deliberate over decisions, which can take up your time and energy. As soon as you get back from your holiday, it's highly likely that you need to do extra work on top of your average tasks.

When you recommit yourself in a pre-vacation routine, you'll free up your time and energy whenever you need it.

8. Declutter your workspace

Decluttering your workspace is always a challenge. Accumulating a lot of things for a long period can sometimes be inevitable. New office supplies will come in to replace previous ones, documents will pile up, and clutter doesn't seem to leave your place. All of these can make you feel overwhelmed and anxious once you return to work.

You can still keep your past projects, records, and other things in a storage container. What you can do is browse through them to determine if they're necessary and dispose of them if it’s not. Try to keep your workspace clean and tidy without burning yourself out. That way, you’ll feel a boost of productivity, and you'll be more willing to take on tasks for the day.

9. Take what you’ve learned

Vacations provide us with a much-needed break from work, daily chores, and deadlines. This could be a great time to examine how your vacation is different from your day-to-day routine and then identify which part of that experience can you incorporate in your daily routine.

Some people realize that they need to use their phones less, watch less TV to kill time, and incorporate more relaxation activities and downtime to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

There is nothing worse than having a fun, relaxing holiday ruined by the anxiety of going back to work. These tips will help you transition back to the normal workday that works best for you.

15 Best Places to Visit in Brazil

Are you thinking about going on vacation to Brazil? The largest rain forest on Earth. The longest beaches. The most famous statue. The wildest and best parties in the world. In Brazil, everything is larger than life.

Are you fed up of being stuck in a rut? Do you want a break from your monotonous life? You would like to plan a trip undoubtedly. Of course, you would not like to revisit the same place. Whether you are planning a romantic trip or a family trip, Brazil can be the best vacation spot. There are numerous places to visit in Brazil, from rain forests to magnificent beaches.

Brazil is eminent for national parks and Portuguese architecture, including the new Seven Wonders of the World – Christ the Redeemer. Brazil has several appealing tourist attractions that capture the imagination of people from all across the globe. It is generally famous for landscapes that can hold your breath.

Apart from monuments, landscapes, and beaches, Brazil is also renowned for its colonial towns. If you go there, you will feel like you have stepped back in time. Swim among vibrant fish and corals at various diving sites and treat your taste buds at a local Churrascaria with traditional Feijoada.

Brazil is very underrated when it comes to travel options out of the stereotypes carnival, Rio de Janeiro, beaches, and soccer. The country has options for all the tastes from canyons to winter resorts, as well as unique gastronomy and traditions such as rodeo and festa junina.

Each region of Brazil is highlighted by tourist attractions such as beaches, forests, jungles, rivers, waterfalls and also cities.

If you are going to Brazil the first time, you should consult a travel agent to get a line on famous places to visit. Here are the best places to visit in Brazil.

Here's our supersized Brazilian bucketlist.

1. Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses

Lençóis Maranhenses, is also nicknamed Brazil’s Sahara Desert. It is made of several sand dunes filled with natural pools. According to some, this is South America's most underrated tourist attraction. It is filled with many natural pools made of rainwater.

2. Foz do Iguacu

If you love nature, you should not miss seeing Iguazu falls. It is one of the most beautiful things to experience. Some consider it the beauty of Brazil. If you have not witnessed it, you have missed the most delicate part of Brazil. It is the largest waterfall in the world. The roaring sound of splashes will fill you with excitement. The total height of the fall is 82 metres, and the fall’s width is 2.7 kilometre.

If you visit Brazil, you must witness Iguazu falls. These waterfalls are part of the Iguazu River and are located in both Argentina and Brazil. Iguazu Falls are the largest waterfall system on Earth. The area around these gorgeous cascades was inhabited by Eldoradense hunter-gatherers about ten thousand years ago before the Guarani displaced them in 1000 CE. During the sixteenth century, Portuguese and Spanish conquistadors took over.

The falls are formed by three basalt layers that cause a staircase effect. Each step is between thirty-five and forty meters high - between one hundred fifteen and one hundred thirty feet. The average annual flow of Iguazu Falls is about sixty-one thousand six hundred cubic feet per second, but the highest recorded flow was one million six hundred fourteen thousand cubic feet per second.

These cascades aren’t just enormous and powerful though; they’re also absolutely stunning. The blue-green water against the greenery Argentina and Brazil have to offer provides a natural contrast that’s hard to come by.

3. Salvador

Salvador is situated in Bahia state. This place is famous for its colonial architecture. Though it is known as a new Portugal world, you can still trace to colonial architecture. You can find the traces of a historical town in Pelourinho. You will get to see multi-painted buildings in a traditional way, narrow alleys churches with wooden work.

You will feel as if you have stepped back into the colonial era when you walk into the state. It will give you a complete traditional look of the country. Besides, you can experience Portugal’s art. You will see drummers on the street who will play Olodum’s music. This ritual is performed during Salvador’s carnival.

This ritual symbolizes combating social discrimination, boosting self-esteem and pride. There are several other festivals you can witness when you visit the state of Bahia. The culture that people follow is Afro-Brazilian. You can also get a chance to attend religious ceremonies, rituals and enjoy the delicious traditional food of Brazil.

The mid-western culinary is one of the most diverse in Brazil. There are influences from European and African countries as well as India. Cuisine in this region also uses a lot of meat, since livestock is one of the most important economic activities around.

Local fruits and vegetables are frequently used, like pequi. Some care needs to be taken when eating this fleshy fruit, since it has spines surrounding the pit, which can lodge in mouth causing considerable pain. Besides pequi, fish from the Pantanal ecosystem are also used in stews and roasts.

Pequi is a fruit and the most popular typical ingredient in Goiás. The most popular dish is Arroz com Pequi, or Rice with Pequi. Chicken, Guariroba palm hearts, olives and Minas cheese are also commonly used to make dishes like the local pie known as empadão goiano.

If you're going to try any dish from the Northeast, be prepared to taste different spices. Lots of spices. This region’s cuisine is marked by the wide influence from African culture, seen in the use of peppers, coriander (instead of parsley, as in the southern parts of the country) and two local ingredients: azeite de dendê, or palm oil, and manteiga de garrafa, or “butter-in-a-bottle”.

It is hard to divide the typical dishes per state in the Northeastern region since there are many similarities between them. The most relevant differences can be detected between cuisines from the Northeastern coast and from Sertão, the backwoods of the region. Also, Salvador/Bahia cuisine is very specific.

4. Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is the largest and most beautiful city in Brazil. If you want to try Brazilian cuisines and experience Brazil's rich culture, you must visit this city. In addition to skyscrapers, loud nightlife, you will also experience art galleries, theatres, museums, and stupendous dining. The town also has upscale bars.

If you want to see a sophisticated Brazil, you should visit Sao Paulo city. It is a vast city and hence there is a lot of hustle and bustle, but you will not experience a headache to see the fast-moving life here. You will have a vibe like New York City. Paulista Museum, Altino Arantes, and many others, all of them become objects of the cultural heritage of the world and remain as emblematic monuments for Sao Paulo.

If you have enough time to take a trip out of São Paulo, it is worthwhile to rent a car and look for a lost village 160 kilometers from the city and 1,628 meters high in the Mantequeira mountain range.

The cuisine from the state of São Paulo is definitely the most diverse in Brazil, due to being the most cosmopolitan state of the country and receiving a lot of immigrants from elsewhere, so you will never have only one answer when asking someone what is the state’s typical dish. Some will say pizza and pasta, due to the huge Italian influence - Italian immigration in São Paulo was huge in the past.

Pizza in São Paulo is something of an experience, such as this typical Castelões pizza, with toppings of cheese and Linguiça calabresa, a type of brazilian sausage. Some others might even mention japanese food, due to the large amount of Japanese descendants. Brazil has the largest numbers of japanese descendants outside of Japan, most of them concentrated in the city of São Paulo.

Japanese dishes have been adapted to local tastes for over a century and are basically available everywhere around the country, but São Paulo is known as the Mecca for japanese-brazilian food. Maybe the most typical dish is a simple sandwich, the Bauru. Its traditional recipe calls for cheese (usually mozzarella) melted in a bain-marie, slices of roast beef, tomato and pickled cucumber in a French bun with the crumb (the soft inner part) removed.

The Lebanese influx also created a local lebanese-brazilian culinary tradition that already encompasses a full century. Kibe, the brazilian version of kibbeh, along with other lebanese-influenced foods, are basically found everywhere. In the hinterlands of São Paulo, one unusual dish is farofa de içá, which is, basically, flying ants bellies prepared over firewood, toasted with pork fat or fried with cassava flour.

Yes, brazilians also consume some insects! Off the coast of São Paulo, there is also Camarão na moranga (Shrimp stuffed pumpkin). It is a pumkin stuffed with shrimps and melted cheese, cooked in the oven.

5. Campos do Jordão

This is Campos do Jordão, the small Brazilian Switzerland that in the months of July and August - with its winter temperatures in this hemisphere - becomes a hive of skiers and tourists from the cold.

The structure and roofs of the houses as well as the brewery (which can be visited) recall the Central European towns, with the exception that it is less than two hours from São Paulo. Other essential plans of this region are the forests to lose yourself of walk, routes of senderismo and escalada, as well as rise in cable car to reach the top of the Morro Elefante.

Nothing like sitting outdoors to taste craft beers accompanied by typical German snacks. In addition, in Campos do Jordão is the Baden-Baden microbrewery.

6. Bonito

Choose the expansive Pantanal for your instagram worthy backdrop. Try and learn a few samba moves from the locals. Book tickets for The Sambadrome, and watch Samba performances that will leave you spellbound. Here you can experience magical moments in a perfect combination of sun, beaches and excellent weather.

The aromas of the Atlantic forest, warm waters and the white sand beaches of Brazil are flavored with the joy and hospitality of the Brazilian people. The Pantanal is the largest marshland in the world with more than 180,000 square meters distributed by the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraguay and Bolivia.

Pantanal can be accessed, mainly, from two towns of Corumbá to the north and Campo Grande to the south. Crossing all its extension there is only one road, the Transpantaneira, which in the rainy season can even get to be flooded by the waters.

Avoid visiting northern Pantanal during the rainy season from December to March as the presence of mosquitoes is so intense that the trip can become bitter. The wildlife lovers could make a competition between Amazon and Pantanal. Simply evoking the Amazon has the ability to awaken our adventurous instinct, in search of unprecedented discoveries.

But the Pantanal, besides being the most beautiful animal reserve in Brazil (incredible, but true), is also a little known place and, therefore, the antithesis of the places where the concepts of ecotourism and the multitude go hand in hand. Brazil’s enormous wetland offers some of the finest wildlife watching in South America – and the onset of the dry season allows for better sightings of capybara, caiman, storks, ibis and majestic jaguar.

7. Curitiba

Curitiba is the most sustainable green city of Brazil, another European looking city in Latin America after Buenos Aires.

A popular snack during the winter in the entire South is roasted or boiled pinhão, the seeds of the Araucaria tree (Brazilian pine), which are similar to large pine nuts.

8. Vale do Javari

In the Western Brazilian Amazon, lies Vale do Javari, (translated as the Valley of Javari), one of the few places on earth where no outsider has never set foot in. It’s home to up to 3,000 indigenous peoples, making it the largest concentration of isolated groups in the Amazon and the world.

These uncontacted peoples live in tribes made of hunters-gatherers, and have never seen a sophisticated car, nor have they known the wheel! Yes, even in our current 21st century, they still live in the same way as hunters-gatherers in prehistoric times.

Despite its vulnerability to deforestation and climate change, the Amazon rainforest remains as large and uncharted as it were before. So it’s a land of mysteries waiting to be discovered, including signs of ancient civilizations that have yet to be fully investigated, as well as numerous undiscovered species of plants and animals.

Sure enough, up to 381 new species are discovered every year in the region, and the number just keeps on growing as time goes by. So, who knows for sure what new discovery lies out there in this dense, untouched jungle?

9. Porto Alegre

Xis, a local reimagining of the American hamburger, is probably the most recent addition to the list of traditional dishes in the state. It is basically a huge sandwich, about 16 cm in diameter (almost the size of a plate), filled with beef, chicken, sausage or any other meat, with mayonnaise, corn, peas, lettuce, tomatoes, fried egg and mozzarella cheese and then pressed.

The Xis Coração variation, filled with chicken hearts, is a local favourite. In the southern coast of the state and in the region of Lake Guaíba and its islands, there is a popular dish known as Tainha na taquara. The dish consists of a mullet roasted over red-hot firewood attached to a skewer made of taquara, one of the numerous brazilian bamboo tree varieties.

A common drink in the state is chimarrão, prepared by steeping dried crushed leaves of yerba mate (known in Portuguese as erva-mate) in hot water and sipped from a metal straw in a shared hollow calabash gourd. The heavy German and Italian immigration also lead to a local cuisine heavily influenced by these countries. Sausages, dairy products, a wide variety of breads, cakes, cheeses, pork, grapes, local wine and beer are widespread.

The Italians immigrants also brought some of their tradition along in a very traditional dish from the mountainous region of the Serra Gaúcha. Galeto al primo canto - or spring chicken - comes served with either spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce, or with olive oil and garlic sauce or with butter sauce, along with other side dishes such as fried polenta, cappelletti in brodo or raddicchio.

Sweets in Brazil are usually very sweet - a delight for anyone with a sweet tooth - but in the south, especially in the areas with heavy German influence, sweets tend to be more mild on sugar levels, roughly on par with northern european tastes. Cakes, puddings and milk-based sweets are a local tradition.

Cassava, or manioc, the native Amazonian root originally cultivated by the indigenous people of Brazil, now serves as one of the backbones of Brazilian cuisine. Cassava is heavily featured in the country’s cuisine in many different forms, usually as a side dish.

Cassava is most of the time consumed as a seasoned powdery side dish known as Farofa, that looks like sand, but tastes like heaven. There are a thousand types of farofa, but the basic preparation involves toasted manioc flour. Beans, yellow rice, some salad, a piece of steak sprinkled with some farofa will surely make your day. Most Brazilians prefer this plate over something fancy.

The Northeastern backwoods, or Sertão, is one of the poorest regions in Brazil. This affected the local cuisine historically as people adapted themselves to use the ingredients available when cooking, resulting in dishes with jerked beef and “less noble” parts of the cow or animal like guts and other organs. Also, the plates are most reminiscent of the indigenous cuisine, with many vegetables being cultivated in the area since before the arrival of the Portuguese.

Fried manioc is also a typical dish, and cassava tastes its best in this recipe: delicate but tasty, crispy on the outside and creamy inside.

Some of the most exotic, typical dishes are sarapatel, made from pigs’ or goats’ viscera and other organs, cooked with various spices and the animal’s blood. And buchada de bode, made from goats’ kidneys, viscera and livers cooked in the goat’s stomach.

The most exotic region in Brazil also has an exotic cuisine, heavily influenced by indigenous cuisine. The Northern culinary makes an intense use of local ingredients: fish and fruits found in the Amazon forest and its rivers. The Indian influence is also very present with the use of native ingredients that are not even known by some in other parts of the country.

10. Florianópolis

Of all the states in the South, Santa Catarina is the one where seafood is consumed the most. Oysters from the city of Florianópolis are known throughout the country, but shrimps, shellfish and various fish are part of the regional coastal cuisine as well. This state is also strongly influenced by German gastronomy, because of the immigration in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

Some of the results of this influence are german pastries like Apfelstrudels and traditional dishes such as Eisbein with potato salad and sauerkraut. And lots of beer, of course! Italian cuisine also left its dent. Polenta com carne is a local dish.

11. Belo Horizonte

Food from the Southeast is influenced by every other region in Brazil and also from other countries, since many people from Europe and Africa settled there. The only possible exception is the state of Minas Gerais, which has one of the most characteristic cuisines in the country. A large part of Minas Gerais is sustained by agribusiness, so the state became known as a countryside area, or caipira, in Portuguese.

Cuisine there follows several traditions, even in the way food is prepared, as some farms and houses still use wood burning stoves and iron cookware to prepare the meals. Besides rice and beans, chicken and pork are widely consumed, along with vegetables like couve, which is a type of cabbage, okra and abóbora d’água, which is similar to winter melon.

Another highlight of caipira cuisine are the desserts. Minas is particularly famous for its simple cakes made out of corn or corn meal and compotes made of fig, cider, orange or pumpkin. A famous dessert from Minas Gerais is Romeu e Julieta. Like the star-crossed lovers, the flavor combination in this Brazilian Romeo and Juliet recipe is a perfect pairing.

Salty, soft Minas cheese and sweet, goiabada (guava marmalade) combine in this unique and simple dish, which can be served as an dessert or appetizer.

12. Arraial do Cabo

Cabo Frio in Brazil is worth a few minutes of thought for surfing and for beaches. A great thing about Brazil is that every city in the country has Rodízio de Pizza, for a fixed price (excluding the beverages), it is an all you can eat pizza fest. Every waiter has a Pizza flavour and they go table to table to serve people slices (it is the same system that Fogo de Chão uses). Usually, Brazilian pizzas do not have a lot of tomato sauce and also Olives seems to be mandatory.

13. Belém

Some of the most popular ingredients used in the state of Pará - which boasts the most remarkable cuisine of the North - and in the Northern cuisine are açaí berry, fruits like cupuaçu and bacuri and castanha-do-pará, or Brazil nut, amongst an infinity of other local products. Manioc, Tucupi, a yellow sauce extracted from wild manioc root, as well as local herb jambu (a native variety of paracress) are widely used in local preparations.

Açaí, in particular, is a staple food for the people of Pará, has been freshly consumed as a dietary staple in the region around the Amazon river delta for centuries. It is a small, round, black-purple berry about 25 mm (1 in) in circumference, similar in appearance to a grape, but smaller and with less pulp. The fruit is processed into a creamy pulp and eaten in a bowl.

Castanhas do Pará (Brazil nut) are indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and produce large nuts that are a staple of the local cuisine of Pará.

Tucunaré (peacock bass) are very widely consumed. Its flesh is white and sweet when cooked, and has very little oil, making it similar in taste to snapper or groupe.

The most basic and common salad is a combination of lettuce, arugula or watercress with sliced tomatoes and onions, seasoned with vinegar, salt and olive oil. But some other variations are also common, such as this one with palmito (palm hearts). In the south, potato salads are very common.

Fruit juices are everywhere in Brazil. Basically, in any big city, anywhere, you can get freshly made juices from local fruits. In Rio in particular, there is a Juice Bar in almost every corner. These are the local fast food, only what they serve is actually not bad for your health. In some places, you can get a menu with over 70 different options of fruits for a fresh juice order. And, boy, do they come in all colours and sizes!

But wait: if you decide to go to the beach in Rio, don’t forget to taste some amazing ice cold mate (made from the same yerba mate as chimarrão, only toasted). Or maybe some Guaraná, native to the Amazon basin and especially common all over the country as a carbonated or uncarbonated soft drink. Or maybe Jabuticaba wine, perhaps?

The mutant mayhem displayed by the local plants only gets more and more apparent. The Brazilian grape tree, also known as jabuticaba, has purplish-black, white pulped fruits that grow directly on the trunk – an unusual feature among trees and can be eaten raw or used to make jam and juice (oh, and it tastes like grape, hence the name).

Jabuticaba, are purplish-black, white-pulped fruits which grow directly on the trunk of its parent tree. They can be eaten raw or be used to make jellies, jams, juice or wine. It tastes similar to blueberries.

Maracujá, known in english as passion fruit, are round or oval fruits and can be of yellow, red, purple or green colours. The yellow variety is most commonly found in the country and used for a number of preparations, including jams, yoghurts, cakes, ice cream, chocolate truffles, mousse, juices etc. The fruit itself has a crunchy and somewhat sour taste with a very distictly pleasant flavour.

Goiaba (Guava) are widely consumed as well. The pulp of this fruit may be sweet or sour and off-white to deep pink. It is usually consumed raw, in candies, jams or juices, as well as goiabada, a type of marmalade. Red guavas can also be used as the base of salted products such as sauces, substituting for tomatoes, especially to minimize acidity.

Cupuaçu is a relative of the Cacao tree that is native to northern Brazil. The white pulp of the cupuaçu has an odour described as a mix of chocolate and pineapple and is frequently used in desserts, juices and sweets. In a similar fashion to Cacao, it is also prepared into a butter and a chocolate-like preparation known as cupulate.

Pitanga (Suriname or Brazilian cherry), a personal favourite, is a plant native to the entire eastern coast of Brazil, which produces a small green, red or black cherry that tastes sweet to sour, depending on the cultivar and level of ripeness (the darker red to black range is quite sweet, while the green to orange range is strikingly tart). Its predominant food use is as a flavoring and base for jams and jellies, but it is also commonly used for juices or eaten raw.

As a dietary supplement, guarana seed is an effective stimulant: it contains about twice the concentration of caffeine found in coffee seeds (about 2–4.5% caffeine in guarana seeds, compared to 1–2% for coffee seeds) and it is widely used in soft drinks and as a supplement in energy drinks.

Fruta do Conde or ata (Sugar-apple) has a fragrant and sweet pulp, with a creamy white through light yellow colour, and resembles and tastes like custard. Its origin is probably from the Caribbean, but has been introduced in the country since early colonial times.

Caju (Cashew), known worldwide for its nuts, is a native plant from Northeastern Brazil and also produces an apple that is commonsly used for juices or eaten raw. Its taste is sweet and aromatic. Abacaxi (Pineapple) are native to South America, around the Paraguay-Brazil border. Pineapples have infinite culinary uses, but are most often eaten fresh or as juice.

Siriguela are very common in the North and Northeast of the country. This yellowish fruit tastes and looks like a miniature mango and is very juicy. Brazilians like to enjoy siriguela on its own as a snack and some use it in juices or to flavor ice creams. Cagaita, native of the Cerrado, the central savannah region of Brazil, is a yellow-orange small berry with a sweet-sour and slightly astringent pulp, usually eaten raw or used for sweets, jams, beverages, and sherbets.

Jenipapo can be eaten raw, but have a strong taste are most often eaten in preserves or made into drinks, jelly, ice cream or liqueurs. Bacuri is native to the Amazonian rainforest and present in the North and parts of the Northeast. It is one of the tastiest fruits of the Amazon and is usually made into various condiments and beverages. The fruit's sticky white pulp is strongly aromatic and tastes both sweet and sour.

Buriti, typical of the Amazon, is a fruit from the buritizeiro palm tree that can be eaten raw or made into juices, jams, ice creams, wines, desserts and snacks. It also yields a precious beauty oil that has been used by the indigenous people of the Amazon basin for centuries.

Acerola tree produces bright red drupes that are juicy and very high in vitamin C as well as vitamins A, B1, B2, and B3, as well as carotenoids and bioflavonoids, which provide important nutritive value and have antioxidant uses. They are used for a number of products, such as flavourings, jams, juices etc. and can also be eaten raw, with a very characteristic sour taste.

Graviola (Soursop) is described with an aroma similar to pineapple. Its flavor is a combination of strawberries and apple with sour citrus flavor notes, contrasting with an underlying thick creamy texture reminiscent of banana.

Mamão (papaya) are also native from Northern South American. The ripe fruit of the papaya is usually eaten raw (usually as breakfast), without skin or seeds, or used for preserves or sweets. It tastes mildly sweet and has a soft texture, with a slight muskiness which adds to the distinct papaya flavor. Also, the white flesh of the coconut is very often eaten after drinking its water.

Do you want more bizarre features from the Amazon? This one is straight out of a science-fiction horror movie: a special type of fungus is responsible for what is called zombie ants. Many species of ants encounter the fungus on the jungle floor or become coated with its spores as they float through the air, making their way inside the ant’s body and mind, and manipulating them.

In the process, just like a zombie, the ant accomplishes unconscious actions, reaches the highest leaves in the canopy (an normally uncommon behavior among ants), and permanently locks its mandibles around one of these leaves. After some time, it dies, allowing the fungus to reproduce and grow into a bulbous capsule full of spores, straight from the poor insect’s head. Pretty scary, huh?

14. Fernando de Noronha

This incredibly stunning archipelago is made up of twenty-one islets and islands within the Atlantic Ocean about two hundred twenty miles off the coast of Brazil. The main island is almost seven square miles and makes up ninety-one percent of the entire area. There are about fifteen endemic species of plants that grow here, including flowers, cacti, and gourds.

Fernando de Noronha is also home to two exclusive bird species, the Noronha vireo, and Noronha Elaenia. There’s also a species of an eared dove that resides here. The islands also house two types of endemic reptiles, including the Noronha skink and Noronha worm lizard. But, in addition to the creatures living on the islands, there are plenty of animals that roam the waters surrounding them.

Sea turtles, spinner dolphins, and whales attract divers from all over the world. Plus, this tropical climate offers a relaxing vacation spot.

It is the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year thousands of tourists visit this island, and you can experience here the marine life. One of the most popular beaches in Fernando de Noronha is Praia do Sancho. It is the most picturesque beach in Brazil because rocky cliffs and lush vegetation add to its grandiosity. Walking down on the coast and sunbathing will be a pleasant experience for you. Make sure that you visit there if you go to Brazil.

The state of Pernambuco, while sharing many similarities with the rest of the Northeast and Bahia, also boasts some culinary gems. Arrumadinho is a complex Brazilian dish that is usually served as an appetizer. The dish is a combination of four elements that are neatly organized and served together as a complete meal.

The essential parts are sliced, sun-dried beef, diced and mixed vegetable vinaigrette, beans, typically black eyed peas, and farofa. All of the ingredients are seasoned with clarified butter, neatly arranged and served on a plate.

One of the iconic traditional dishes of Brazil's Northeast is a seafood soup or stew called caldo de sururu. The sururu is a bivalve mollusk like clams, oysters and mussels that is cooked in coconut milk, dendê oil, coriander and spices to make a rich broth.

Brazil is one of the most beautiful places to spend your holidays.