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Showing posts with the label travel

How I Experienced Luxury Umrah on a Budget: My Journey from Mumbai to Mecca

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In this blog, I'll guide you through my budget-friendly yet luxurious Umrah trip, highlighting how you can do the same. Planning the Trip Umrah packages often range from INR 90,000 to INR 2,50,000 per person. However, with a bit of research and planning, I completed my Umrah for just INR 70,000 per person. Here’s how I did it. Affordable Flight Options Typically, flights from India to Jeddah can cost upwards of INR 50,000 per person. Instead, I chose a connecting flight: Mumbai to Bahrain : INR 8,000 per person Bahrain to Jeddah : INR 16,000 per person (round trip) Visa Cost : INR 11,000 per person This brought my total travel cost to INR 35,000 per person. Comfortable Accommodation We stayed at Al Kiswah Towers , a four-star hotel that feels like a five-star with its superb hospitality and comfortable amenities. The cost was incredibly reasonable at INR 1,000 per person per night. For four people, this totaled INR 4,000 per night. The hotel...
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Pet-Friendly Travel Tips: Italy Adventure with Ryu Greetings, travelers! I’m Gavin Dsouza, and I’ve recently returned from a profound 20-day journey through Italy with Ryu, my one-year-old Golden Retriever. Traveling internationally with a pet adds layers of complexity but also immense joy to the experience. Here, I share our journey and essential tips for fellow pet owners venturing abroad. Preparation and Departure Our journey began on the 1st of March, 2024. Before embarking on our Italian adventure, Ryu needed thorough preparation: Microchipping and Vaccinations : Ryu was microchipped and vaccinated at The Mumbai Veterinary College , which provided a comprehensive health check and necessary vaccinations, including rabies. Health Certificate : We obtained an EU health certificate from a Pet Travel Scheme compliant veterinarian, issued within 10 days before travel, ensuring all health checks aligned with EU entry requirements. Choosing the Right Airline We chose Emirates for ...

Food Vouchers for Layovers: A Savvy Traveler's Guide to Dining at Bahrain Airport

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 Hello everyone, it’s Gavin again, and this time, I’m sharing an unexpected culinary adventure during a layover at Bahrain International Airport. Layovers can be tiring, but they become a highlight of any journey when seasoned with a dash of unexpected gastronomy. A Tasty Transit My travel itinerary was packed: Mumbai to Bahrain and then onwards to Jeddah . The first leg of the journey aboard Gulf Air treated me to a delightful meal of a rice bowl, chicken gravy, bread, dates, cookies, and beverages—a nice setup for what was to come next. The Food Voucher Fiesta Upon landing in Bahrain and after a quick transfer check-in, I was handed a free meal coupon, a golden ticket to the airport's food garden. This area was a global village of sorts, featuring popular chains like KFC, Burger King , alongside local delights such as a Biryani outlet and various pizza and coffee shops. Decisions, Decisions... Each outlet had tailored meal offers for the voucher. K...
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  From Mumbai to Manila: A Solo Traveler’s Tale of Discovery and Wonder Hello everyone! This is Gavin, freshly back from a fantastic solo journey through the vibrant archipelago of the Philippines. From Manila’s dynamic streets to Palawan’s tranquil beaches, each step explored the spirited soul of this marvelous country. The Call of the Islands My adventure began in Manila , a bustling metropolis — a true melting pot of history, culture, and modernity. As I walked through the historic walls of Intramuros, I could almost hear the whispered tales of Spanish galleons and revolutions. Yet, the city’s true spirit, full of hope and fervor, was best captured in a breathtaking Manila sunset over the famous bay. Meet the Past A Historical Walk in Cebu I then ventured to Cebu, the “Queen City of the South.” Here, I marveled at the Spanish-era Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and the monumental Magellan’s Cross . However, the real thrill came from a gentle, humbling encounter with whale s...

India in Vietnam: The Unvarnished Truth of Solo Travel

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The Raw Challenge of Communication Imagine trying to order a bowl of  phở  when you don’t even speak a word of Vietnamese or make it through the place without an able  translator  guiding you. That was my life. The language barrier is not a difference in pronunciation or a misunderstanding of an order. It is something rock-hard that is able to isolate you in a crowd. But still, it made me learn how to be exact, using signs, smiles, and even drawings. It was frustrating, comical, and, strangely, it was where the first seeds of growth were sown. Lost and Found in Translation Traveling alone throws you into the unknown. In Vietnam, “the unknown” was nothing more than a maze of streets and a system of  scooter  logic. Such exhilarating moments of really finding true hidden gems in the  Old Quarter of Hanoi  or the  secrets of Cu Chi near Ho Chi Minh City  usually gave way to bewilderment. Each time, though, I found my way. I was not just dis...

Top 5 places to get a passport cover in Asia

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As a travel enthusiast, I've been to many places in Asia and have seen many different passport covers. Here are my top 5 picks for the best places to buy a passport cover in Asia, with TPC Gifts at number one: 1. TPC Gifts, India TPC Gifts is my number one pick for the best place to buy a passport cover in Asia. They have a wide selection of passport covers to choose from, in a variety of materials, styles, and price ranges. Their passport covers are also very well-made and durable. Additionally, they offer excellent customer service and personalization options. Here are some of the things I love about TPC Gifts: Wide selection of passport covers to choose from High-quality materials like leather, fur, vegan leather, velvet, etc and construction Excellent customer service Personalization options available Worldwide shipping 2. The Leather Workshop, Hong Kong The Leather Workshop is a Hong Kong-based company that sells a variety of leather products, including passport covers. Their ...