Throw a dart at a map, spin the globe, or simply visit Truly Traveled’s Travel Destinations page. With a vast selection of destinations, experiences, and activities for all types of travelers, you don’t have to guess your next trip. Whether you’re seeking destination ideas or ways to enhance your travel experience, you’ll find something that sparks your interest. Culinary enthusiast, adrenaline junkie, or cultural explorer—this is your go-to source for destination inspiration!
Iceland and Greenland are just the opposite by nature. Iceland is full of greenery while Greenland is full of Ice. Iceland’s charm lies in its many large and very beautiful waterfalls and glaciers, unique geology and fascinating medieval history. So, if you are going to Iceland, especially to see the Best Waterfalls then here you go. There is no point to die before watching all these heavenly waterfalls.
1. Dettifoss Waterfalls
If you have seen the Sci-Fi movie Prometheus, then you probably might remember this waterfall. It was shown as landscape on a primordial Earth.
It is not only powerful waterfall of Iceland but also in Europe.
To see the Dettifoss Waterfalls, you will have to go in Vatnajökull National Park. It is situated on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, which flows from the Vatnajökull glacier.
This is another Very Beautiful Waterfall of Iceland. Selfoss Waterfall is also situated on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river.
Selfoss waterfall is located 30 Kms before the Dettifoss Waterfalls. The are around this waterfall looks like animated. You will feel so much peace around here.
Godafoss Waterfall is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. The water of the river Skjálfandafljót falls from a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 meters.
It is situated in the Mývatn district of North-Central Iceland at the beginning of the Sprengisandur highland road.
As I said it looks like an animated world. It is also known as the Waterfall of Gods.
5. Aldeyjarfoss Waterfall
You can find The Aldeyjarfoss waterfall in the North of Iceland at the Sprengisandur Highland.
It is also one beautiful waterfall and one most fascinating features of the waterfall are the contrast between the black basalt columns and the white waters of the fall.
Have no doubt about it – visiting different waterfalls around the world always feels as if you’ve just seen a fall for the first time. The raw power of nature emanating from these epic cascades of water is sure to put anyone and everyone into adventuring mood.
Dream Of A Vacation on the edge of Waterfall
One year back, I saw the animated movie Up. It was a movie about an old man. When he was young, he and his woman promised to each other that they would go on an adventure trip together to Paradise Falls in South America and build a house there. I liked this movie so much that I decided to go there myself, but I have never heard of this Paradise Falls before. I thought I had good knowledge of the world’s geography. I knew all the little waterfalls in South America that no one knows.
So, I tried to find where the hell this Paradise Falls is in South America, but I couldn’t find it. All I found out was some Paradise Falls Bars, pubs for vegans and some other stuff. Finally, I found out a similar location as the location in the movie Up.
I found out there were two waterfalls in South America that were looking exactly the same as Paradise Falls that appeared in the movie Up. One was Angel Waterfalls (that everyone knows) in Venezuela, and the second was Tequendama Falls in Bogota of Columbia.
The first image above is from the movie Up which shows its fictitious Paradise Falls. The second photo is Angel Falls, and the third photo belongs to Teguendama Falls.
No doubt Angel Falls looks more exciting, but after reading about Teguendama Falls, I liked this place more as I can’t make a house at the edge of Angel Waterfalls.
Tequendama Waterfall is a 132m high waterfall on the Bogotá River. It is located about 30 km southwest of Bogotá. These falls emerge in a very dramatic area. You have to make your way through the jungle and you will be rewarded with amazing scenery! Exciting isn’t it?? This waterfall was also the most common suicide spot at some point in time.
Haunted Hotel at Tequendama Falls
The most interesting thing I liked about this place was a haunted hotel. The name of this hotel is Hotel del Salto. It is haunted not because of any ghost or bad spirit skulking there. It is an old abandoned hotel and its old design makes it look like a little haunted.
Looks interesting?? Planning to go to Bogota now? Wait, I have news for you. This historic Colombian hotel that has been abandoned for nearly two decades will soon reopen as an ecological museum.
I wish they could allow us to spend one night in this hotel at the edge of the waterfall.
As soon as Delhi – Naypyidaw – Bangkok Highway became operational, my fellow amateur and professional travellers have started making plans. Going from India to Thailand by road has never been easier than it is today.
Everyone is just making plans and dreaming driving 4,350 kms long mega road trip via Myanmar, full of adventure, driving in Guwahati between the clouds, crossing down mighty Brahmaputra river, taking a nap close to the highway, passing by the signboards that say “welcome to India-Myanmar friendship road”.
Well, It all looks adventurous!! Indeed it is but not as easy as it looks. There are many disappointing aspects of this road trip too.
Myanmar
Let’s just talk about Myanmar first.
1. You will still need an Agent prior to the Road Trip
It’s not like to pack your bags, start your bike and start riding. You will still need to contact local agents. While entering into Myanmar, you will need to get a special overland permit and for that, you will have to start preparing for this 40 days prior to the trip. A road trip could be dangerous too if it is raining there especially from May to October. So watch out!! There are many chances that you will constantly have to stay in contact with your agent.
2. It sucks when your IDP doesn’t work
Myanmar is a country that will not allow either of your licences. Neither your Indian licence nor your International Driving Permit (IDP). So, what now? Go ahead, get through with all the formalities and attain a temporary driving licence. Once you get a temporary licence then drive carefully. It’s because according to Myanmar’s law if you hit any pedestrian or any pedestrian hits you then no one is going to hear your excuses. Myanmar’s law is made in their favour.
3. Be prepared, Your International GSM might not work
Be advised International GSMs doesn’t work in Myanmar. I am just not sure about Indian GSM cards. So, if you are a travel blogger, freelancer programmer or someone who continuously needs to stay online then arrange to get their local card. Or if you have any card from Thailand or Singapore then it will work well.
If you are thinking that after attaining licence now you can travel without any hassle then you are wrong. Locally licensed tour operator is mandatory. The Burmese government charges high prices if you travel there with your own vehicle. These prices can be reduced significantly if enough SUVs/bikes (people) can be found to join the convoy.
5. Forget Couchsurfing here
You are not entitled to stay at any place other than the registered hotel. Couchsurfing is not legal here. So, if you are looking to save some money by staying with locals then you might get disappointed here again.
Those were some reasons that could disappoint you in Myanmar. Now take a turn for Thailand.
6. Get ready to pay 200 per cent Carnet fees
You will have to apply for Carnet De Passage. A carnet is simply a document that allows you to take your personal vehicle into a particular foreign territory. What sucks is – its carnet fees. To enter Thailand you will have to deposit an amount equal to two hundred per cent of your vehicle’s value. It hurts, though it is refundable. Contact automobile association of India in this regard.
7. Keep in Mind that a Return Road Trip could be boring
It is always exciting to explore the unseen but when you start your return road trip then it gets a little boring. Especially if it is 15 days, 4500 kms long Road trip. Plan your itinerary in such a way so that you find it exciting during your return trip too. I mean you can leave natural places like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries for the return trip and just watch historical monuments at the beginning or vice versa. Or maybe keep watching all the places and once you reach to Bangkok, you may want to get a mobile phone service and just ship your bike or SUV back to the Indian port. (Hit me a mail for custom made itinerary)
Useful links for this Road trip
Well, those were some reasons that could disappoint you for this road trip but I must also say that it is once in a lifetime road trip that you must do. If you are a desperate traveller then those obstacles can’t stop you. Here I am mentioning some links for your help –
P.S. – Don’t forget to make a checklist for carrying the essential items before the road trip. And we don’t want to discourage you to take the trip but always know that you have an option to take a budget airline like AirAsia too.
Okay, as some of you were asking about a trip to the filming locations of Jurassic Park movie. So, here is my new post of A trip to Jurassic Park. Apart from the Universal and Warner Brother studios, the Jurassic park was filmed mostly at 10 places of Hawaii which are worth to pay a visit. I am going to share 10 very beautiful places from the movie Jurassic Park. Lets feel the virtual adventure.
1. Chavon River – Trip To Jurassic Park
Tell me if you remember anything from the movie??
Now you do remember the scene from the movie!! Okay, so where is this Chavon River? Chason River is Located in the Dominic Republic. It is a nation on the island of Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region.
Chavon River, Dominic Republic is the same place where Rambo 2 and Apocalypse now were also filmed.
2. Blue Hole, Hawaii
Here you enter in the Jurassic Park in the Blue Hole. This place was built to show the large entrance gate of Jurassic Park. Blue Hole is located in the most beautiful place of Kuwaii in Hawaii.
Lawai is located in Kauai, Hawai. It was also the part of fictitious Island Isla Nublar.
5. Griffith Park Observatory, Griffith Park
Now, this is what I call a very famous place. This is one of the unique places where lots of movies were filmed including – Jurassic Park, Yes Man, Transformers, Crash and Burn, Charlies Angles, Terminator, Midnight Madness etc.
The Observatory is located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, California. It is an icon of Los Angeles, a national leader in public astronomy and one of California’s most popular attractions.
It is open for tourist activities such as horseback riding and hiking, but is best known as a film location for productions such as Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young, Pearl Harbor, Windtalkers, Godzilla, and Lost.
7. Manawaiopuna Falls, Hanapepe Valley
If you remember the last scene when a chopper takes off from a waterfall to get out of the Island.
The Waterfall is known as Manawaiopuna Falls located in the Hanapepe Valley of Hawaii. The Island is only accessible via a helicopter. It is a part of private land owned by the Robinson family. Ever since it was shown in the movie, it became too famous and known as Jurassic Falls.
8. Olokele Valley
In the movie, it was used for the electric fence on Isla Nublar.
It is again located in Kauai and it is one of the Kauai’s most exotic locations, with time to linger for that perfect camera shot. In winter, whale watching may be feasible. Aerial points of interest include Kipu Kai, Hanapepe Valley, Olokele Canyon and the Na Pali coastline.
As a blend of Chinese, Spanish, and American influences, Manila boasts 14.88 square miles filled with unexpected adventures. In this article, we prepared 5 things that you can actually do to maximize your visit to the Pearl of the Orient.
1. Ride a bus, and talk to the “konduktor”
Why not?: Riding the popular Sarao jeepneys may be part of your to-do list but public utility buses in the country are quite different. The driver has an assistant called the “konduktor” that roams inside and collects the fares from the passengers. Their job may be tiring but they’re energetic enough to tell you the stories of Manila, based on the road’s view.
When?: Anytime except for office rush hour which is usually 7 to 8 am and after 5 pm.
2. Attend a street feast, knock on a random house, and join the family for (free) lunch!
Why not?: A fiesta is a great setting to witness Filipino hospitality. If there’s a feast, every household, whether small or huge, prepares food that is beyond the capacity of their appetite. This is because everyone is expecting guests coming to their houses. After all, solidarity reigns if there’s a feast to celebrate.
When?:It’s better to consult the local barangay (administrative region) officials first because they usually organize the activities for the feast. They can even offer you assistance and tips.
Why not?: A Carinderia is a localized version of the whole fast-food concept. They are usually located along a busy narrow street. You get to try Filipino dishes and desserts on the cheap. Popular Filipino and/or World-Class buffets may sound fancy but a closer interaction with the locals is far more authentic and memorable.
When?: Whenever your stomach begins to growl. A Carinderia a kind of place that usually keeps extra seats and tables. If the establishment near your hotel does not have one, sharing a table with locals is not a bad idea at all!
Why not?: Manila is not only famous for job opportunities but also for a good education. There is even an unofficial district called the “University-Belt” or U-belt for short. You just need your ID and proper intention to get in. Visit their museums, talk to the students, and check out the special collections in the libraries. These are the activities you don’t usually get from city tour packages!
When?: It’s advisable to check the website of the universities you’re planning to visit. They tend to post events that are open to the public.
5. Visit the palengke and get Filipino recipes from the locals!
Why not?: The wet markets in the Philippines provide you lower prices of goods compared to supermarkets and an awesome unique experience. Whether you’re motivated to cook in your hotel room or just want to experience the hustle and bustle, checking out the raw ingredients for sale at your the nearest wet market will surely be a memorable experience. If you’re not sure what to buy, but want to buy something cool, you can actually ask the sellers for recipes of Filipino dishes.
When?:Hours before your scheduled time to eat. Remember, you still have to look for the best offers and ingredients in the palengke.
Have other fun and unique things to do in Manila? Let us know in the comments below.
As in my previous article, I wrote about a beautiful destination ideal for camping, sightseeing, photography, and videography. This article was on Devil’s garden in Utah. The whole idea of this post came from a video filmed by a Bollywood movie.
A few days back I was having conversation cum debate with a so-called “Indian Nationalist” on Youtube. According to him India or Bollywood should not promote International destinations and should promote only the national destinations. Well, this friend of mine has kind of forgot that we are living in the world of globalization where one’s thinking process should be global, not local. The Internet has removed all the boundaries and barriers between countries. What if Hollywood starts producing movies within the boundary of LA or America? Then half of the world would miss the opportunity of watching great destinations. What if Bollywood’s greatest hit DDLJ was shot within the boundary of India? then, no one among the population of 1.2 billion would ever come to know about the beauty of Switzerland nor movie would have been such a hit. Its just B2B business.
Well, allow me to share some facts based on Bollywood’s Impact on Tourism Destinations (a report based on my primary and secondary research).
Countries around the globe offer various type of incentives to encourage film producers to use beautiful locations to shoot films. They generally provide benefits such as easy processing of visas, discounts in accommodation and travel, location tariffs to facilitate road or shooting permits, assistance in identifying locations, etc. In turn, such benefits generate revenue for the local communities in the form of employment opportunities and boost to tourism.
The Ministries of Information & Broadcasting and Tourism have now signed an MoU to provide incentives to the film industry. According to the MoU, the Ministry of Tourism will provide budgetary support for identified film festivals and offer single window clearance for permission for shooting film. Promoting India as a great films destination will garner it much positive attention from producers worldwide.
Globally, travel and tourism have emerged as one of the fastest-growing industry that demonstrates continued expansion and diversification. The industry is perceived as a key driver of socio-economic progress, providing large-scale employment, promoting infrastructure development and serving as a key source of foreign exchange earnings.
In 2011, India’s travel and tourism industry contributed US$1.7 trillion (or 2.8% of the global GDP), which is expected to rise to 4.2% (US$2.9 trillion) by 2021. Furthermore, investments in the global travel and tourism industry are expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% to reach US$1.5 trillion by 2021 from US$0.6 trillion in 2010.
Emerging economies have left a great Impact on Tourism Destinations, including China, India, and Brazil are expected to outpace the travel and tourism growth in developed markets, driven by rising disposable incomes and improving infrastructure.
The share of emerging markets in foreign tourist arrivals has increased from 31% in 1990 to 47% in 2010. India has not been an exception in this strong growth story, with foreign tourist arrivals growing at a CAGR of 7.7% between 2000 and 2010 to reach 5.5 million in 2010. In 2010, the domestic travel and tourism industry contributed US$42 billion (3.1%) to the country’s GDP and was positioned as one of the largest employers in India, employing 18.6 million people in 2010. The sector has evolved over the years and has witnessed the convergence of traditional stakeholders such as hotels and travel agencies and new stakeholders including online tour operators.
Traditionally, India’s travel and tourism industry have been largely unorganized and fragmented. However, in the last few years, it has witnessed a rise in M&A activity, which has resulted in some consolidation. Not only has this attracted more visitors to India, but has also increased the output of its own globe trotters. This is also evident from the fact that MakeMyTrip had one of the most successful IPOs on NASDAQ in recent history and global majors such as Expedia have set up a shop in India. M&A activities have picked up pace in the country in the last few years, although the ease of doing business continues to be a challenge. The complexity of indirect taxation is one of the factors adversely affecting industry growth. Currently, there are multiple indirect taxes levied on the travel and tourism industry in India. This has resulted in cumbersome compliance procedures and increased the cost of operations in the industry as a whole.
In the last decade, new technologies have improved the way in people from around the world communicate. The travel and tourism industry has also benefitted from this and there have been some major changes in the way it currently functions.
Over a period of time, there has been a sharp increase in the number of avid travelers. Most middle-class families, including the young and the old, are increasingly opting for unexplored and diverse travel destinations. With the heightened impact of urbanization and a rise in disposable incomes, traveling families have become more decisive, well-informed and open to experimenting with innovative holiday packages, which has led to a rise in leisure travel in the country. The number of outbound visits by Indian nationals increased by 13% to 12.5 million in 2010 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12% by 2015. Tour operators have begun offering special packages for different age groups since this growth in outbound visits is witnessed across all ages.
If you’re reading this you have probably heard about the amazing and affordable beach life that Thailand has to offer. Pale sand is so fine that it almost feels like golden dust. Gorgeous sunsets, cheap food, and drinks. The good life.
However, you may have also heard about how the beaches are trashed. Some of that is true. Many of the beaches are a great way for the locals to cash in on the tourist craze. Just notice the lack of locals swimming around you. And this is part of the problem. The infrastructure to handle large amounts of trash is not there. In Tonsai, much of the trash just gets dumped into the surrounding jungle and inevitably ends up on the beaches.
Another part of the problem is the amount of plastic that gets used. Every time you order an item you get at least 2 plastic bags. One bag that contains your food. One bag that contains your bag of food. Bags are given for disposable drink cups. Bags are given for Styrofoam food containers. So the lack of infrastructure mixed with all this plastic creates the perfect storm.
Plastic bags and Styrofoam are the norms for any outing.
The problem is made worse by careless tourists. Many people come to Thailand to relax and unwind from their busy and hectic lives. And they should, it’s an awesome place! So they live in the moment. Not caring about dates, schedules, timetables, plans. This “living in the moment” also breeds carelessness. Too many tourists will leave their empty plastic bags/trash where they last sat on the beach. Assuming someone will pick it up. They won’t. Others will just carelessly toss trash on a trail or the street. Then fellow tourists will follow suit thinking it’s a trash pile; which it is but no one picks it up.
Is It Worth Visiting Thai Beaches Given the Trash?
YES! Absolutely. Definitely. Thailand’s beaches are popular for a reason. Gorgeous. Warm. Inexpensive. There is plenty of beauty to see. Cool people to meet. And epic beaches to chill out on. You will have the time of your life.
Klong Kong Beach in Koh Lanta Island. Definitely go to Thailand!
Minimize the trash you create. If you have the means, bring a plastic container (a nice one with clasps) with you. Use it to for all your take out food. This way you will avoid Styrofoam and plastic. If you don’t have a reusable container, ask if you can borrow one for a deposit, and bring it back.
Dine in the restaurant and avoid takeaway. Do this as much as possible. Almost all places that give you the option of taking away have a place to sit. It’s perfect because you’re on vacation. So sit down and relax. You will not create any trash because the restaurant will give you plates and glasses.
Get water from the dispenser (self-serve refill stations that charge 1 THB/liter) or buy a 20L cistern.
Become part of the solution. Pick up trash that you see and place it in a trash bin. Make comments to your hotel/hostel and the locals. Ko Phi Phi requires a 20 THB “environmental fee”; about $0.75; this is a good step. If beaches get trashed no one will want to come. Educate other travelers. Be polite and tell them that they should be responsible for not creating and picking up trash. Picking up their trash within eyesight sends a strong message!
So, yes there are problems with Thai beaches. But you should go, it’s amazing. And having a conscious person such as you stay at home will only make the problem worse. Tourists created this problem and travelers can also fix it.
Have you ever got arrested? Or have you ever spent a night in prison? If not, would you like to? In that case, visiting a jail hotel should be the next item on your bucket list.
Jail hotels are the places where you pay to stay in jail like a prisoner. These are some of the world’s craziest and funniest places to visit. In these hotels, you will be treated like a real convict. They provide an opportunity to feel what it’s like to be behind the bars without committing a crime. So stay in one of the places on our list and learn why you should avoid the life of crime.
1. Charles Street Jail – Boston, Massachusetts
The infamous Charles Street Jail was originally a model prison in the 1800s that fell into disrepair in the mid-1900s. If you’re in Boston, don’t miss your chance to visit this place.
Constantly plagued by riots, this jail was finally abandoned and shut down by authorities in the 1990s. Although it was designed by two most prominent architects of the time, Fox Bryant and Dwight, the prison conditions were said to violate the basic constitutional rights of the inmates. As a consequence, the prisoners were relocated to another facility.
Today, it serves a much nobler purpose as a fully-fledged four-star hotel with so much luxury that you wouldn’t believe. The traces of the former formidability are still there, though. The hotel was symbolically dubbed ‘Liberty Hotel’.
Website: Liberty Hotel Address: 215 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114
2. Karosta Prison – Liepaja, Latvia
While entering into this jail hotel, you’ll be greeted by drunk guards and officers. This jail hotel brings you closer to the real prison atmosphere and the harsh conditions criminals used to live in as a punishment.
If you complain about anything, you might get shot! Keep in mind that you are going to be treated unfriendly and hatefully. After all, prisons are some of the most hostile facilities to be in so embrace yourself!
This former brutal KGB jail has no bells and whistles – just everything it had when it was fully functioning detention and torture center, barbed wire included.
You will be treated as an actual prisoner throughout your stay, complete with threats and warning gunfire and crying fellow inmates. The light is dim and there is stale air all around you. The clothes you’ll be given will also follow suit so that everything is as realistic and truthful to the original setting.
This jail hotel offers all sorts of ‘fun’ activities. You can take part in a spy game and escape from the USSR, find clues and unlock secret messages to free yourself from a locked room or take part in many other blood-pumping activities organized throughout the facility.
Website:Karosta Address: Liepāja, Karosta, Invalīdu iela 4
A prison hotel from the middle of the 19th century, this jail hotel goes beyond simply renting out former prison cells as overnight rooms. Their motto is ‘Sleep behind bars’ so let’s see what awaits for you there.
‘VIP criminal’ can relax in a double cell with a shower and single beds. You might avoid mistreatment by simply paying extra to stay in what used to be a library or an office, now a completely renovated luxury suite. Some of the artwork painted on the walls belongs to the most notorious criminals who had spent their sentences there. They serve as a reminder of the hotel’s initial state.
The layout of this prison hotel is rather creative, and you’ll surely find something to do during your stay here. You may even read the books that were available to prisoners not so long ago or play games, such as table soccer or pool. Unlike the second prison on our list, this one has been fully refurbished and tastefully decorated so you might forget the fact that you’re sleeping in the former solitary confinements!
Today, it offers a great opportunity to spend the night at a highly affordable price ($30 per person in a shared dorm) and more luxurious options ($195 for Cell 27 accommodating an entire family in a private suite).
The hotel has some local flavor and features some interesting odds and ends and regularly-scheduled events from monthly jam sessions to a local produce market. With three onsite courtyards, stylish lounge, historic sites, and a study area, this jail hotel offers an authentic prison atmosphere with budget prices and a stylish interior.
So, there you have it – the world’s best jail hotels. Although these places served as the final destinations for some hardened criminals, today they look nothing short of exotic. It’s high time you spent the night in some of them.
