We were yet again on a road trip through Morocco, this time our journey would take us all the way to Mauritania, but before, we wanted to explore the northern parts a bit more. Moulay Idriss made its way onto our map, because we wanted to see for ourselves, what made this city so holy.

We arrived in Tangier with the ferry from Geneva and had already passed beautiful Chefchaouen. Moulay Idriss would be our next destination before continuing to Fez. We heard that it was considered an alternative to the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca by many Moroccans. It was here that Moulay Idriss I, the great-great-great grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, arrived in 789, bringing with him the religion of Islam, and starting a new dynasty. In addition to founding the town named after him, he also initiated construction of Fez, continued later by his son, Moulay Idriss II.

Given its picturesque setting, colourful streets, historic core and Moroccan importance, it’s a mystery why not more tourists visit. It’s lack of popularity is a good thing though, because you can often have the place all to yourself. And it’s safe to say that the city will surprise you with it’s beauty and calm atmosphere.

The colourful streets of Moulay Idriss seem like another Chefchaouen, but instead of blue, cyan is the main colour in use here.

For some (Western) visitors, Moulay Idriss may still be too “dirty” or “undeveloped”, yet it is exactly that, that makes it authentic and gives it its charm.

Moulay Idriss was off limit to non-Muslims after 3pm until 2005. This was because of the town’s holiness: it’s a pilgrimage site, the burial place of Moulay Idriss I. In 2005, Muhammed VI, the current king of Morocco, issued a decree to open the town to non-Muslim visitors as part of his plan of Western-oriented reform.

The sheer endless streets of Moulay Idriss reminded us of colourful Chefchaouen, but also a little bit of the Medina of Marrakech.

Donkeys can be seen everywhere in Moulay Idriss. They’re used to transport everything from people, shopping, luggage, beds, fridges, tables due to the hilly nature of the town.

In the medina quarter of Moulay Idriss you will find many colourful streets that are the perfect photo spot.

Due to Mouy Idriss’ location high above, the views are absolutely spectacular.

One reason the Romans chose Moulay Idriss was for its potential for making olive oil, which is today the town’s primary product.

Moulay Idriss is reachable by just a pair of roads and spreads across two foothills of Mount Zerhoun, at the base of the Atlas Mountains.

The Mosque and Mausoleum in Moulay Idriss.

The archaeological Site of Volubilis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Volubilis is a partly excavated Roman city, commonly considered as the ancient capital of the Roman-Berber kingdom of Mauretania.

While the streets in the Medinas of Marrakech, Chefchaouen or Fes are invigorating, they can also be exhausting. Moulay Idriss is the perfect spot to get away from the bustling city life, while still being in a city.

There are two kinds of people – those who’ll go to a market to buy fish and those who won’t. Markets (especially fish markets) can be stinky, and many of us would rather go to the supermarket. We love markets not only because of the great photo opportunities, but because this where the real deal happens. Sassoon Docks is one of the largest fish markets in the city and for us, it was just the right spot to go to. Turns out that the Sassoon Docks is also one of the oldest docks in Mumbai (142 years), and one of the few docks in the city open to the public.

Where Modern And Traditional Lives Cross.

The entrance looks like the gateway of a fortress, but we knew we were at the right spot when the salty whiff of the ocean and the scent of fish greeted us from afar. More and more people shoving large boxes of fish crossed our path and we knew that we were getting closer. What we didn’t know then is that the Sassoon Docks just recently got a funky street-art turnover called Sassoon Dock Art Project as part of the St+art Mumbai 2017 Urban Art Festival. Despite its historical value and with Mumbai’s try to escape its fishy roots, this place has rather been avoided by Mumbaikars. Like the docks, the memory of Mumbai’s Koli past is all but wiped clear.

The Sassoon Dog is hard to miss when walking along the Sassoon Docks in Mumbai.

Koli women are crucial to the running of the fishing trade at the Sassoon Docks and multiple installations and paintings are built around them.

St+art India is dedicated to making art public, taking it out from niche spaces of galleries and museums and the Sassoon Docks in Mumbai where just the right spot to shed light on this historic party of the city again.

Home Of The Koli People.

The Sassoon Dock in Mumbai is home to the city’s traditional Koli fishing community. The Koli people are an ethnic Indian group native to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana states. It’s believed that the Koli people are Mumbai’s original inhabitants and whose goddess Mumbadevi lends her name to the city. The communities have thrived in the hidden quarters of the city, the koliwadas, which essentially means “a home that opens to the sea“. Much of the art here represents the lived realities of the Koli community – its people, their trade and its smell.

The art project started on November 11 and will run until December 30, 2017. Whether the Sassoon Docks will still be visited as frequently after, is unclear. After all, all the art in the world can’t make the notorious smell, the endless heat and the piercing noise – which are a few reasons people have not come here before – go away.

This has been our second visit to Sassoon Docks and tourists are still a rare sight here. The art installation has brought some upwind, yet only the eager and especially smell-resistent make it all the way to the end of the docks.

Currently, about 1,500 trawlers operate at the Sassoon Docks, bringing in around 20 tonnes of fish every day.

Once you reach the Sassoon Docks, at least 500 people are packed on to a partially-covered chunk of jetty, boats bobbing alongside.

A typical day at Sassoon Docks begins at 5 am when the fresh catch is brought in from the sea.

Over 150.000 people depend on the Sassoon Docks for their livelihood.

Men push loaded handcarts through the crowds at Sassoon Docks as they yell for people to get out of the way.

Despite the fact that most tourist wouldn’t buy fish at Sassoon Docks, women holding tubs full of fish will still ask you.

The docks were built in 1875 by the merchant, Sir Albert Abdullah David Sassoon, a prominent member of the Bombay Jewish community.

Where there’s fresh fish, there needs to be crushed ice. While fish is unloaded off the boats, tons of ice is crushed to keep the fish fresh at the Sassoon Docks.

There are so many ice-trucks on Sassoon Docks, that counting them would be impossible.

In addition to the jetty, the Sassoon Docks house a series of warehouses where the Koli fisherwomen shell prawns with staggering ability.

The sheer variety of fish on offer at Sassoon Docks is mind-blowing: red snapper, tuna, octopus, baby sharks, cuttlefish, blue crabs and stingray are some of the fish you can expect to find here.

Initially, the Sassoon Docks serviced the cotton trade as the Sassoon family were cotton merchants. It was after the decline of the Indian cotton industry that fishing became the main activity here.

The Sassoon Docks are ‘wet’ docks, which means it allows boats to enter at all times because the water level remains the same regardless of the tide.

Due to its special form and beauty of its landscape, the tiny island is often referred to as “butterfly of the Aegean”. Still due to her manageable form, Astypalea offers quite a lot. Especially for vacationers who long to travel away from tourist crowds, it will be love at first sight. Astypalea is quite, mystical, idyllic, familiar with typical Greek ambience, dozens of beaches and crystal clear water. Yet her name holds no meaning to many – 90% of the islands visitors are Greek. The majority of foreign tourists are yet unaware of this hidden island secret.

Astypalea offers few sights. There are several small villages worth a look, yet Chora is the real highlight. Narrow alleys, traditional windmills and the remains of an old Venetian castle grace the islands largest village. Apart from the castle and the red-hooded windmills, a stroll through the streets is the best way to explore. You will also come across the famous white houses with blue roofs, normally associated with Santorini.

But let’s not forget about the stunning beaches. A holiday in Greece would be nothing without spending at least a couple of hours along the shores. It would be like spending a weekend in Paris, without gazing upon the Eiffel Tower. The beaches of Astypalea don’t have a cosmopolitan vibe or white sands, yet they offer turquoise, light-flooded water, relaxation and peace.

What can we say? Our trip to Astypalea was one of the most pleasant experiences we’ve encountered. Here, everyone knows everyone, which makes the island even more likeable. Only in August could you encounter not finding a room. During all other months, it’s quiet. Cozy. What fortune for island and visitor.

Infos & Tips:

• Best time to visit: From spring to fall you’ll find temperatures the most pleasant. This is when the water is warm enough to jump in.
• How to get there: From Athens you can fly to Astypalea in about 40 minutes, or you can take the ferry from Piraeus (even with your own car), which will take about 8-10 hours.
• Where to stay: The number of hotels on Astypalea is limited. The largest house offers only 28 rooms. You’ll search in vain for hotel bunkers. Instead several families rent out private rooms and apartments.

Chora is the capital of Astypalea, built on the hill slope. On top is a Venetian castle situated, known as the Querini Castle.

Querini castle in Chora is a wonderful sight placed on top of the hill. The castle was constructed by John Querini, a noble Venetian family who had taken over the rule of Astypalea after the siege of Constantinople by the Crusaders in 1204. It was built as a shelter against pirates and other enemies.

Due to its isolation, Astypalea has not made it onto many bucket list, yet this is what makes it special for eager travellers wanting to discover something new.

We could spend hours strolling through Chora, looking at all the different houses, cafés and taverns.

In the main square of Chora, you will find eight traditional picturesque windmills.

Astypalea fulfils every Greek island dream: whitewashed houses, blue painted doors and windows, tavernas with fresh seafood, the friendliest people, no mass tourism and all next to crystal-clear waters.

Chora amazes visitors with its unique architecture. The white houses, with their blue windows, wooden balconies and outdoor stairs, give it a traditional Greek charm.

All beaches in Astypalea have crystal clear water and they’re much quieter than beaches on other Greek islands.

Querini castle was made with black stones that shows a strange contrast with the white-walled cluster of houses around it. From up here, you have an amazing view of Chora.

Strolling through the streets of Chora is the best way to explore the village.

You’ll find few accommodation options in Chora and there are also many cafés and taverns that offer delicious traditional dishes.

An Educational Center That Survived For Centuries.

Craco is a hilltop village in the southern region of Basilicata, about 60km from Matera, that was once a monastic center, a feudal town and center of education with a university, castle, church, and plazas. When approaching Craco, you’ll immediately notice its striking appearance. Situated on a very steep summit, which was the perfect spot for defensive reasons, the town is crowned by a Norman tower.

The first written account mentioning Craco dates back to 1060 AD, but Mycenaean settlements developed the land between the 10th and 9th centuries BC. The oldest building of Craco, the magnificent Norman tower, was built in 1040. The population steadily grew to an average of 1.500 inhabitants over the next centuries with 2.600 at the highest in 1561. The construction of the Monastery of St Peter in 1630 helped established a permanent monastic order. However, in 1656 a plague struck Craco, killing hundreds and reducing the population significantly. Towards the end of the 19th century, a severe famine due to poor agricultural conditions caused a mass migration of Craco’s population. Still, many of the “Crachesi” (inhabitants of Craco) were very much attached to their beautiful medieval town and refused to leave.

So what happened? The old part of town was built on bedrock, like most hill towns. When it came time to think of expansion, the people in charge decided to plant houses on the clay that sat over the slippery slope of rock. Modern roads where a must as well and instead of each house having its own water tank, there would be a humongous water-holding tank built to distribute water to the “new city”. Lots of water in the water tank and the added weight of modern roads put an immense pressure on the big field of clay. After a torrential downpour, she came down. Half the town, gone in one sweep.

A Ghost Town Fit For The Movies.

Surviving for over a thousand years, Craco survived the plagues and its share of thieves and bandits, but finally succumbed to natural disaster when landslides occurred. In 1963, the last 1.800 residents were forced to leave Craco for their own safety and were relocated to a new town just a few kilometres away.

Today, all that is left is a ghost town. But thanks to the dramatic landscape and unique atmosphere, Craco has been the set of many movies including Mel Gibson’s the Passion of the Christ or James Bond 007 Quantum of Solace and is a popular tourist destination in the area.

Craco was built on a very steep summit for defensive reasons, giving it a stark and striking appearance and distinguishing it from the surrounding land. The way Craco’s ruins sit high up is quite creepy actually.

Craco is not open to the public. You’ll need a guide to walk you through the ruins due to safety reasons.

Not only do you need a guide to explore Craco, but you’ll also need to wear a hard hat.

It was here that the level of Craco’s destruction became more apparent. This part of the town which was built upon the clay and that suffered the worst of the damage.

It wasn’t difficult to imagine what living in Craco must have been like, standing at the large windows overlooking the surrounding fields which go on for miles or peering inside a desolate church which was once the focus point of a community.

Before Craco was abandoned it was alive with people. People who filled each room with stories and secrets.

It was actually quite difficult to comprehend that less than 50 years ago, this Craco would have been buzzing with life.

Craco was built upon a hillside with the safety of its population in mind. Today, the views over the surround region are absolutely stunning!

Admiring the beautifully decorated windows of 5th Avenue, ice skating in Central Park and seeing the most iconic Christmas tree in front of the Rockefeller Center – just a couple of things I’ve always wanted to do. But I tell you what, Christmas in New York is not that special. Why? Well, because coming here this time of the year means crowds, crowds, crowds (and by crowds I mean crowds larger than in India or Bangladesh).

Just trying to fulfill one of my dreams was pure horror. Getting to the Rockefeller Center was one of the most uncomfortable situations I ever got myself into. If you’re claustrophobic, stay away! If you don’t go to festivals because of the crowds, stay away! And if you actually want to enjoy yourself, rather that being squashed, bumped into or pushed in all directions, stay away! I was pretty upset that it was like this. I mean sure, I knew that there’d be people, but this is madness (I’m exaggerating, I swear)! Still, I kept my spirits up and gave Christmassy New York another chance. So I continued with my exploration and made my way up to 5th Avenue. Yet again, this meant more crowds and a hell of a lot of kitsch. Nah, unfortunately didn’t enjoy this either…

It took 30 minutes and a whole lot of patience to get this photograph of the famous Christmas tree in front of the Rockefeller Center.

I decided to skip my fantasy and explored the way I usually do: away from the beaten path. Chinatown and Soho were my next stops and here I felt right at home.

Chinatown is its own destination: Great for bargain shopping, food, history, and the chance to soak in Chinese immigrant culture. It’s really a fantastic neighbourhood though maybe a bit confusion for first time visitors. If you’ve been to China or Hong Kong, you’ll know how to navigate though.

When strolling through New York’s Chinatown, you’ll sometimes wonder whether you’re really in the United States or after all in China.

The basketball courts just off of Grand Street in Chinatown are the perfect spots for people-viewing.

Exploring Chinatown was definitely a highlight during my short New York City trip.

Just like home: fresh fish is sold right off the streets in Chinatown.

Close to Chinatown (with Little Italy in between) lies Soho. The lower Manhattan hood, which refers to “South of Houston” is well known for its hip art galleries and trendy shops. Soho also is home to great New York restaurants for any budget. I enjoyed this part the most and therefore spent most of my time strolling through the streets of Lower Manhatten.

Soho is home to a vibrant artistic community, which makes this my favourite place in New York City.

In the other direction of Chinatown lies Manhatten Bridge and further south Brooklyn Bridge. Two iconic landmarks of the city along the East River. It was freezing cold, because the wind is quite strong here, but the views all made up for it!

Walking from one end of Manhatten Bridge to Brooklyn Bridge gives you an amazing view of both of them.

Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest of its kind in the United States and an iconic landmark of New York City.

So I was happy with what I got to see in Chinatown, Soho and Two Bridges neighbourhood, but still wanted more of the “must-visit touristy New York City”. Clearly, Time Square was on that list. It’s always been pretty impressive from what I’ve seen in movies or photographs, but in real life, not so much. After all, it’s just a lot of bright, flashy billboards with advertisements…

Times Square is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world and is sometimes referred to as “The Crossroads of the World”. If you forget about the road blocks, armed police officers and the 330.000 people crossing every day, I could start to like this spot after all.

Times Square has risen to fame through movies and the media, which unfortunately made me expect more than what I got.

Well, my “Christmas in New York city-trip”, turned out to be more of “trying-to-stay-away-from-Christmas-in-New York-trip”. Which doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy it. I honestly loved NYC! It just seems like a lot of the must-see sights are well overrated, especially during the holiday season. But this gives room for lesser known parts, which is great for city explores like myself. I’m leaving today, but New York, New York, I still want to be a part of you.

After 1.450km & 14 Hours Of Driving: You Have Reached Your Final Destination.

Matera is located in a remote corner of southern Italy in the small region Basilicata. It’s not the easiest place to reach and it took 14 hours of driving from Vienna, but because of its remoteness Matera has managed to remain relatively unknown, especially to foreign tourists. Getting there without a car is possible, but nerve wracking. You can fly into Bari, but then you’re pretty much on your own. Still, since it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, visitor numbers have slowly increased. And they will continue to increase even more if you ask me.

From A Lost City To A Culture Capital.

It’s difficult to imagine that not too long ago Matera was known for its poverty. Inside the sassi (Italian for stones), families lived alongside their livestock without electricity, running water or sewage. In such unhygienic conditions, diseases were on the daily menu. In 1952 the government forcibly relocated the approximately 20.000 inhabitants into modern housing in the new town on top of the cliff. Ironically, Sassi di Matera, once the shame of Italy, turned into the fame of Italy. What was an ancient network of subterranean slums has been transformed into a destination unlike any other in Italy and may be Europe’s most dramatic rebirth.

Things To Do In And Around Matera.

• Strolling through Sassi di Matera: Start of at the Church of San Agostino and continue walking along the Via Madonna delle Virtù from where you have an amazing view of Murgia National Park. Once you reach the beautiful Church of St. Pietro Caveoso, be sure to walk back through the old towns center past Matera Cathedral. Around every corner lies another building or view that will leave you breathless.
• Hiking in Murgia National Park: The park is located between the towns of Matera and Montescaglioso and is characterised by a soft limestone, which has played an essential role in the shape of the landscape.
• A visit to the ghost town Craco: Approximately 60km south of Matera lies the town of Craco. It was abandoned due to natural disasters and has since then become a famous tourist destination in the area.
• A day trip to the town Pietrapertosa: Pietrapertosa is a 1 1/2 hour drive (80km) west from Matera, but well worth the trip. This picturesque hilltop town is classed as one of the most beautiful towns in all of Basilicata, and also the highest. It overlooks the stunningly beautiful mountains of the Dolomiti lucane.

Best Place To Stay In Matera.

There are many cave hotels in Sassi di Matera, but Albergo Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita is definitely the best choice! It was one of the coolest, most unique and luxurious hotels we’ve ever stayed at. A detailed review will follow soon!

This is the view of Sassi di Matera from Church of San Agostino. It’S the most iconic image of the city.

Welcome to the real Flinstones village. The ancient Sassi di Matera is believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited cave city in the world.

Matera Cathedral is located on the highest point of Sassi di Matera and it’s tower is the landmark of the city.

In 2019, Matera will be the host of the European Capital of Culture.

The Sassi district has gone through extensive re-development and hosts some incredible cave hotels, private homes and restaurants, lovingly restored to enhance their original features.

Sassi di Matera features some breathtaking buildings such as the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Today approximately 2.000 people live in Sassi di Matera. Most of the caves are either still abandoned or occupied by little chic restaurants and hotels.

Sassi di Matera is a maze with hidden gems around every corner.

Welcome To The Garden Of Pere Lachaise Cemetery.

The world’s most visited cemetery opened in 1804. Père Lachaise is notable for being the first garden cemetery. Finally someone realised, that cemeteries don’t only need to be a place of sorrow, but comfort and peace.

The main attractions at Père Lachaise lie six feet under though: Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Frédéric Chopin, Yves Montand, Oscar Wilde, Maria Callas, Georges Bizet and many other celebrities have found their resting place here. Most visitors come here to find at least one of the mentioned graves, I didn’t care much about that. I rather enjoyed the sheer aesthetic beauty of the cemetery.

At Père Lachaise cemetery, 70.000 tombs (many of the rich and famous) form a verdant, 44-hectare sculpture garden.

The Père Lachaise cemetery takes its name from King Louis XIV’s confessor, Father François de la Chaise.

The number of bodies buried at Pere Lachaise cemetery vary widely. Anywhere from 300.000 to 1.000.000 souls are estimated.

Pere Lachaise cemetery is a major tourist attraction in Paris.

I imagine that Pere Lachaise cemetery is worth a visit anytime of the year, but during autumn this place seems even more mystical…

Pere Lachaise is laid out in numbered divisions, and the divisions are separated by roads and paths.

Plan on spending at least a couple hours at Pere Lachaise to really soak up the atmosphere and to get a sense of the place.

Grave to Valerio at Pere Lachaise: “He liked Stendhal, Pavarotti, Gamine, Pink Floyd, but when he was 29…”

Pere Lachaise was the first garden cemetery, laid out in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. It marked a shift in burial practices and rapidly became the model for similar style cemeteries throughout Europe.

Pere Lachaise is a place where the French ‘made the grave a garden’.

Wherever you arrive in Mumbai, you’ll immediately notice that auto rickshaws, bicycle rickshaws and motorbikes are non existent. This makes you taxi bound, and forces you to memorise as many bus routes as you can. Or, you simply decide to check out the area by foot, which is our favourite way of getting around. Mumbai has several must visit places, but for first time visitors, there are a few that really shouldn’t be missed.

#1 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: The Gateway Of India.

Of course the Gateway of India is the must visit sight when coming to Mumbai. In earlier times, it would have been the first structure that visitors arriving by boat would have seen. And still today, it’s one of those monuments you’ll never forget.

We first arrived here on a Sunday, which is most probably the worst day of the week to explore the Gateway of India. The waiting line was about two kilometres long! Especially the men’s line was endless, but even the ladies line was too crowded. We gave up immediately and decided to come back the next day. The situation looked a lot different on Monday morning. The access was almost deserted and we could enter without waiting. We hopped on a boat cruise to get a better overview. The cruise takes about one hour and gives you the impression of what it must have felt like to arrive here back in the days.

The Gateway of India was erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary when they visited India in 1911. Today, it is one of India’s most iconic structures.

A Mumbai boat cruise at dawn will provide you with perfect photo opportunities.

The Gateway of India is the stepping-off point for cruises around the natural harbour of Mumbai.

The Gateway of India, as well as the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel are two of the most iconic buildings in Mumbai, visited by thousands of tourists every day.

#2 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

Formerly known as Victoria Terminus, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an historic railway station. It’s a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture. The station was built in 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. You’d expect the inside to be just as extravagant, but its interior is far less impressive. Still, keep in mind that this railway station is the busiest in the world, with three million passengers passing through every single day!

Mumbai’s local trains are called the city’s lifeline for a reason. The number of passengers they carry every day is larger than the population of some countries. Victoria Station is one of the largest train stations (according to daily travellers) in the world.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is an outstanding example of the meeting of two cultures, as British architects worked with Indian craftsmen to include Indian architectural tradition.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus was built over 10 years, starting in 1878, according to a High Victorian Gothic design.

The Mumbai suburban railway operates 2.342 train services. The local trains are the primary mode of transport for hundreds and thousands of people who travel for as many as five hours every day to and from work.

#3 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: The Sassoon Docks.

Sassoon Docks is the largest wholesale fish market in Mumbai. Arrive in the morning to see hundreds of women pulling shrimps, boats arriving with their catch and men auctioning off the fresh fish right on the spot.

These men at Sassoon Docks are refilling the boats with crushed ice for their next trip out to sea.

At the Sassoon Docks you’ll come across all varieties of sea creatures.

Only women are pulling shrimps while chatting along at the Sassoon Docks.

These men at the Sassoon Docks are filling up trailers with crushed ice, which are then pulled to the boats and packed into the stowage for the next trip out to sea.

This wholesale trader at the Sassoon Docks counts his money after a busy morning.

#4 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Home Of The Jungle Book Author Rudyard Kipling.

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English writer, born in Mumbai on December 30, 1865. The bungalow he was born in 151 years ago has since been rebuilt, but the peeling mint green-painted wooden cottage, where trees lean against its roof, occupied only by birds and bats, stands in its place and radiates the kind of atmosphere you’d expect when reading his most famous work The Jungle Book.

The bungalow is located in the corner of the Sir J.J. School of Art compound, not far from one of the busiest boulevards in Mumbai.

It’s actually not allowed to enter the area, we were immediately advised to leave, but it’s said that the Kipling House shall be converted into a tourist attraction.

An ornate metal plaque at the entrance of the cottage is engraved with the words, “Rudyard Kipling, son of Lockwood Kipling, first principal of Sir J. J. School of Art, was born here on 30.12.1865.”

#5 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Yazdani Restaurant & Bakery.

We came across Yazdani Restaurant & Bakery by accident, but the smell of fresh Chai tea and bread immediately caught our attention. All products in the bakery are handmade and are absolutely delicious! It was a great change to the Indian cuisine we’ve had for the past weeks and we even felt like home for a moment (also thanks to all the German posters on the wall). Definitely one of the best bakeries in town!

Yazdani Restaurant & Baker in Mumbai draws in a lot of visitors, particularly international visitors – especially Germans, thanks to a lot of German signs like here.

A peek into the kitchen and you will see several bakers working: greasing pans, cleaning the raisins and weighing the dough. Yazdani Bakery makes approximately 6.000 pavs (bread buns) each day.

Yazdani Restaurant & Bakery was opened in Mumbai in 1953 by Meherwan Zend. Today, the three brothers, Rashid, Zend, Parvez and his son, Tirandaz run the bakery.

The name Yazdani originates from the town of Yazd, which is the capital of the Yazd Province in Iran, a hub of Iranian culture.

#6 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Dhobi Ghat Laundry District.

There are several Dhobi Ghats in Mumbai, but Mahalakshmi Dhobi Ghat is the most famous and the largest unmechanized laundry facility and in the world. A dhobi is a laundryman who collects dirty linens from hotels, restaurants and homes and returns them washed and neatly folded from open-air laundromats known as ghats.

Approximately 700 dhobis live and work in the laundry colony Mahalakshmi, washing an average of 1 million pieces of clothing every day.

The area of Mahalakshmi extends across several city blocks and has many winding alleys, workrooms and semi-covered subsections of aluminum siding.

If you want to enter Mahalakshmi Dhobi Ghat, you will be asked for money, since this place has become such a tourist attraction.

You will find every piece of clothing there is at Mahalakshmi Dhobi Ghat – from socks to linen.

#7 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: The Real Slumdog Millionaires.

Some might find a visit to the slum areas morbid, but you can’t ignore the fact that approximately 60% of Mumbai’s population lives in slums. If you really want to get a sense of how the Mumbaikers manage their daily routine, then we’d suggest to take a ride with one of the many commuter trains that ply the area. If you get out at Bandra railway station for example, you’ll be right in the middle of on of the biggest slums in Mumbai.

There are many slum areas in Mumbai, with Dharavi as Asia’s largest. It is home to approximately 1 million people.

“Poverty porn” oder social tourism? At the least, a visit to some of Mumbai slum areas will give you an insight on what is feel like living in these conditions.

The slums in Mumbai are a city within a city.

#8 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Oval Maidan.

Oval Maidan is a park located in an upscale area, with all the embassies and large company headquarters around. On Sundays, thousands of people gather here top play a game cricket, or to enjoy a picknick with friends. It’s a great spot to get aways from the busier side of Mumbai for a while.

Oval Maidan is the perfect spot to get away from Mumbai’s busy life.

If you come at the right time and are lucky, you’ll be able to experience Oval Maidan without crowds of people – which is very unusual for one of Indias busiest cities.

#9 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Marine Drive.

We walked along the 3.5 kilometre-long boulevard from the southern tip all the way to Chowpatty Beach, which is located in the area where the Mumbai Opera House is situated. It’s a recreation area and lots of Mumbaikers flock the beach on weekends. The rich and famous of Mumbai show off their newly bought Ferraris, Audis and BMW’s here. It really gives you a sense that on one hand, Mumbai is home to millions of underprivileged people, and on the other hand some of Indias richest and most powerful.

Marine Drive is a 3.6-kilometre-long boulevard in South Mumbai in the city of Mumbai. The road was constructed by late philanthropist Bhagojisheth Keer & Pallonji Mistry.

You’ll get an amazing view of Mumbai’s skyline when walking along Marine Drive.

#10 Must Visit Sight In Mumbai: Haji Ali Dargah

Haji Ali Dargah is one of the most popular religious places in Mumbai, visited by people of all religions. It’s also one of India’s most famous and prestigious landmarks situated in the middle of the Arabian Sea off Lala Lajpatrai Marg. Haji Ali Dargah is only accessible via a narrow road that disappears underwater at high tide.

Built in 1431, this Mughal-style architectural marvel serves as a reminder of the city’s rich and multicultural history. The six-hundred-year-old dargah is dedicated to the memory of Sayyed Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. Sitting atop a set of large rocks in the sea, the Haji Ali Dargah features stunning white-marble pillars, domes and minarets, which showcase Indo-Islamic architecture at its finest.

The view from the Haji Ali Dargah is spectacular and offers a fairly quite spot in busy Mumbai.

On A Roadtrip To Prague.

Along with the best mum in the world, a bag of yummy picknick goodies and the cute Opel Karl, we were one our way up north.

A few stops in between and just about five hours later, we arrived at the IBIS Praha Old Town Hotel, right in the centre of the city. I can really suggest a hotel near the Old Town, because from here, you’ll reach almost anything by foot.

Prague’s Treasure Chamber, Day 1:

48 hours doesn’t sound like lot of time for a capital city with as many sights as Prague. But if the timing is right and you’re not a lazy bum, then you’ll be able to explore all the famous landmarks of the city.

Prague’s centre is a cultural treasure chamber! Indispensable is the Old Town Square of the city with the gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn and the oldest still operating Astronomical Clock in the world, which is located on the facade of the old Town Hall.

• A short side note: My great great great grandfather Anton Michalitschke was one of the people repairing the astronomical clock between 1787 bis 1791.

Continue walking East and you’ll reach the 621 metre long and nearly 10 metre wide Charles Bridge, which is also one the most frequented sights of the city. Still, there is no way around (or better across) it. And after all, it is a nice stroll through the bridge tower, across the Vltava river that leads the way up to the largest ancient castle in the world: Prague Castle. Just a small place, where two catholic town councils and a secretary were thrown out of a window in 1618, that then started a war that would last 30 years and seized almost all of Europe. We could have spent hours here, but set our focus to the Golden Lane and Saint Vitus Cathedral, which was enough for the day. Close to 20 kilometres of walking made our feet sorer than sore!

Prague’s Treasure Chamber, Day 2:

Our sightseeing tour started again at the old town spare, from were it only took us a couple of minutes until we reached the Old Jewish Cemetery in the district Josefov. It’s the largest Jewish cemetery in Europe and stands out due to it’s many wildly arranged tombstones.

We quickly realised that our legs still hurt and decided it give our feet some rest and went on a two hour boat cruise. It lead all the way from Cech Bridge to Vysehrad fort. The Dancing House was just one of the sights we got to see during our cruise.

It’s not for nothing that up to 50.000 people visit Prague each day during the high season. Prague is one of the most spectacular cities in Europe that is often underrated and only narrowed down to just a few beautiful sights. So at this point, we’d like to thank Opel and Accor for sponsoring this trip – it was a real pleasure!

The second day passed a lot faster and we now either had the choice to spend a few hours more in Prague, or to drive West to a place called Sedlec Ossuary (aka Skull Church) before returning to Vienna. Who wouldn’t want to see 70.000 skeletons in one of the most macabre buildings you could find? Yup, that’s us alright!

• Sightseeing Tip: The view up from the top of the Old Town Hall is absolutely stunning!
• Lunch Tip: Prague has so many lovely restaurants to chose from, no doubt about that. But Mistral Café & Restaurant is a sweet and homey place with food that is to die for!
• Love Tip: Like in many other cities around the world, lover’s locks can be found near the John Lennon Wall in Prague.

The Old Town Square in Prague is home to some of the most iconic and dramatic buildings of the city.

The most notable sights on the square are the Old Town Hall Tower & Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church and St. Nicholas Church. At the centre (left in this photo) of the Old Town Square is the Jan Hus statue.

Be sure to climb the Old Town Hall Tower in Prague for a stunning view over the square.

To fully appreciate the Astronomical Clock, join the crowd in front of the tower to watch the procession of the Twelve Apostles: on the hour, every hour, a small trap door opens and Christ marches out ahead of his disciples, while the skeleton of death tolls the bell to a defiant statue of a Turk.

The Dancing House (designed by architects Vlado Milunic and Frank Gehry) in Prague is set by the Vltava River. Its design is unique, and especially striking in the city centre because it is a modern building surrounded by historic architecture.

The Old Jewish Cemetery is among the oldest surviving Jewish burial grounds in the world and along with the Old-New Synagogue, it’s the most important site in the Jewish quarter of Prague.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world, with an area of almost 70,000 m². It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Agrasen Ki Baoli was on our list, yet getting there seemed to be more difficult than expected. Three different tuk-tuk drivers, as well as several passer-by’s, didn’t know what we were talking about. In the end, we ended up at a minor Taj Mahal look-alike, which we then learned was Safdarjung’s Tomb.

Safdarjung’s Tomb was built in 1753 – 54 by Shuja-ud-Daulah as a tribute to his fathers memory, Safdarjung and is a pretty impressive building. After entering through the double storey gateway, you’ll forget all about the noisy street life you just came from. In the centre of the garden, the mausoleum rises gracefully from a high platform.

We spend the afternoon strolling through the gardens and soaked up the energetic atmosphere of this rather unknown Delhi tourist attraction.

Safdarjung’s Tomb Facts:

• Location: Intersection of Safdarjung Road and Aurobindo Marg
• Metro Station: Jorbagh
• Open: Daily from sunrise to sunset
• Entry Fee: 15 Rupees (Indians), 200 Rupees (foreigners)
• Photography Charges: Free (still camera), 25 Rupees (video camera)

Enclosed to the gateway to Safdarjung’s Tomb is the wall surrounding the monument. Channels running above the wall carry water to the different pavilions.

Safdarjung’s Tomb is a double storey mausoleum built with red and buff sandstone. The garden is divided into four squares by side pathways and tanks which are again divided into smaller squares and pathways.

Safdarjung’s Tomb has a central chamber surrounded by eight apartments around it.

The three-domed mosque within the complex is located to the right side of the entrance gate (left side once you’re inside the complex) of Safdarjung’s Tomb.

Safdarjung Tomb is the last monumental tomb garden of the Mughals.

Apart from one or the other Indian couple, Safdarjung’s Tomb is not a major tourist attraction, which makes it the perfect place to spend some time away from noisy and busy central Delhi.