Walkaway through the Land of Romans and Renaissance!

A long awaited trip in my Wish list was sewn up when my family decided for a Trip to the Land of Renaissance and the Romans to unleash the historical greenwood of the world. Belonging to the Genre of History addicts, there could have been no better place than Italy to relive the times of Ancient Romans, the Paleolithic age and the civilization on the Banks of River Tiber. So we swayed our way from Delhi to the Capital city of Italy, one of the best cities on the planet, Rome. We had our way via Dubai and it was a total journey of 11.5 hours with 6 hours hault in Dubai.

Usually after tucking over a journey so long, humans tend to discern a fatigue nature and also some Jet lag due to the major time difference. But to our surprise, Rome had a different bombshell for us! The moment we stepped out of the airport, we were saluted with a pleasant weather and an amazing Landscape amidst the suburbs. Viewing the scenic astonishment and comparing the roads and driving in Rome with India, we gradually entered the main city with some astounding architectures build with Traventine stones and amazing techniques to keep the city clean and protect the greenery. On reaching the hotel, we decided to give up resting and start exploring the city from the very first day itself. That night we had an itenary of a Roman exhibition which we had booked earlier. But prior to that we had a time span of 6 hours and had to splurge that wisely! So we decided to take a stroll down the glamorous lanes and work on some Vlogs with my History knowledge of the Romans. (For my video blogs, you can contact me on dasshivarjun.iipm@gmail.com). Apprehending the alluring beauty of the city, we decided to board a metro to Roma Termini which was minutes from our hotel as a pedestrian. We took a ride to the Colossal Metro station which glorified us with the stunning view of the Colosseum, which was a part of our Itenary the next day. So we haulted for some photographs and kept of strolling across the lanes. We then boarded a cab for the location where the Roman exhibition was held. With the exhibition of Gladiator wars, Roman culture of Wine, dance and food with some thrilling stunts and detailing, the night came to an end with us back to our hotels. With some good hamburgers and a can of beer, we were off to sleep and get ready for the next day.

There we go with the 2nd day in our Itenary. This was a City tour which included the Historic Colosseum and the Roman Forum. So with some delicious Roman breakfast, we were all set to explore the breathtaking historic monuments and get to know more about their history. We walked our way to a spot where we came across our tourist guide who guided us towards the Colosseum. They picturesque Amphitheater built by the Flavians had so much to explore and to gather knowledge about, that an entire day would not suffice the purpose but we had to settle with few hours. Ranging from the trials by Byzantines and other tribes to capture the amphitheater, to the Roman gatherings inside with the Gladiator fights and shows and then we moved on to the Roman Forum which is also at a walking distance from Colosseum. The Forum had a plethora of Caesarian monuments including Churches, Temples and Graveyards and some conspiracy theories with no proof to be true. With a pool of knowledge and brushing up Roman history, it was time to get back to the hotel and take some rest before we take a night tour to Rome. The night tour included mostly some monuments and artifacts built by Augustus and Marcus and the famous Trevi fountain built by Panini in 1762 to make up for the water scarcity at that time and also to welcome Augustus. That bought an end to a fabulous day and we were back to our hotel.

The third day itenary was of the great Vatican City. The smallest country in the world had a surfeit of Roman art and culture. With the residence of Pope and the astonishing Sistine Chapel built in the name of Pope Sixtus IV, it provides you a complete picture of the talent which Roman painters had which modern day painters still lack in terms of creativity and adolescence even after technological advancements. St. Peters Basilica is also one of the tourist spot which happens to be the largest Basilica in the world.



Post traversing the astounding city of Rome, we boarded the train from Roma Termini and headed towards the land of Renaissance, Florence. After covering a distance of 1.5 hours, we reached the Florentina station. With all traventine architecture, Florence gave us a breathtaking view of its brick and stone lanes with all modern and luxury brand showrooms and shops! But the best moment was during the evening, when we commenced exploring the historical relevance of the city which is considered to be the land of Renaissance. Post exploring the Dante Alighieri Museum, Statue of David by Michelangelo, the first Renaissance sculpture by Rocco, famous painting by Donatello, Botticelli and the Medici family which also had 2 Popes in their name, we proceeded towards the Akademia. Unfortunately, due to a long queue at the Akademia, we could not move on to explore more other than the replica of the Statue of David also built by Michelangelo. Original statue was portrayed their earlier until it was shifted to Academia for political reasons. Had some delicious Italian cuisine and wine post that and were back to our hotel for some sound sleep.

The next day we had to head towards Pisa to witness the historic 14th Century Leaning Tower of Pisa and a Cathedral, Cattedrale de Pisa. It was a bus ride for 1 hour from Florence to Pisa. On reaching the location, we found out an open market filled with different handicrafts, local products and restaurants. Most of them were run by Bangladeshi immigrants and that led our way towards the Historic monuments in Pisa. The tourist attraction spot in Pisa wont concede an area of more then 5 acres. The actual point of attraction was the Leaning Tower of Pisa built by Bonanno, another Renaissance painter and the Cathedral dedicated to the assumption of Virgin Mary. Theory of US army planning to attack the Tower for doubting German army to keep an eye on them and also experiment by Galileo Galilei of object descent also exists but with no solid proof or witness to back them up. Another interesting fact of the building being tilted in Pisa is because of the weak soil on one part. It just doesn't make the Tower of Pisa lean but also the Cathedral and the trees lean. We returned to Florence after that and the bus journey was a marvelous one with green patches of the suburbs on both side accompanied by slight rain late in the evening.

The next day we departed for Venice, again a train journey from Florence. It was a journey of 1 hour and we departed to a city which has no mode of transportation apart from water boats as the city is engulfed within canals. Venice is a city that no one can delete ever from their memory once anyone steps in. The ecstatic water boat ride and the architecture of Churches and buildings are the real eye catchers that enthrall your senses. On reaching the location of the hotel on a boat, we were all engaged in feeding the Pigeons who tends to place their claws on your hands and eat the food provided. Strolling across the lanes between canals and taking the Gondola ride covering the entire city, we ended that day with some delicious Pizza and Beer. The next day, we took a Water bus and traveled across 3 nearby islands, Murano, Burano, Torricelli. With some factories and local markets, these islands were peaceful, calm and had some awe-inspiring views. That engulfed the entire day until evening and then we were back to our hotel.

The next day was en-route Lake Como which was again a train journey of 2 hours. Lake Como had a vivid view of low altitude mountain and the Lake view from the hotel balcony was stupendous. Lake Como has always been known for a wedding destination inside Ships and a very happening place in Italy. That is normally a vacation destination for Italians and a weekend transit for some cool experience. With some delicious Lobster Shrimp and wine, we took a stroll on the lake side, went to a Super Mart to purchase some local delicacies and sat at the balcony until midnight to unleash the spectacle hardly found anywhere. The next day was like a dooms day when we had to depart for India from Milan airport.

A gazing experience it was and i could rather name it to be my best experience ever in life. Italy is actually a dream come true destination and an experience that would never fade away. I am thankful to be the lucky person to have explored the wonderful city and unleash its history even more wide. I cant thank Italy enough but promise to land on their soil again. Grazie Italia, Pronto!!!

Chakrata- The hidden treasure!

Belonging to the genealogy of excursion lovers, its a Mandate for travel and gathering experiences for souls like us to pack our bags as the clock strikes the slate of being free from our daily work. Following the plethora, this year too during the onset of summers, we decided to relieve ourselves from the scorching heat across North India and sway across our path to Nirvana among the valleys and hillocks. Breaking the stereotyping, we ended up to arriving at a hidden treasure which was completely contrasting to the other destinations we have been to earlier!

Commencing from Gurugram, we have undulated our way through some cities in UP, crossing Vikas Nagar, Kalsi and excavating our route to an isolation, the marvelous Chakrata! On reaching the destination, we hardly had any idea that the first impression would rather not be the last impression of this place. On reaching Chakrata, we were welcomed with narrow hill roads and utmost silence that can be expected. We opted to hault in an Eco friendly lodge where we put up in tents made of fabric.

On stepping into our tents we were were miles away from being gleeful. Not only because the ambiance didn't provide us the mindset of having a nice vacation but also due to some glitches within our group due to some external factor. Sooner did we realize after a great sleep that it was not the ambiance but our glitches that didn't accord a good start to the trip! It gave us an illumination to realize that we have got wrong tendencies to blame for bad experiences without realizing the fault in us. Post that hardly did we know that a pool of experiences were about to escort us till the end.

So the trip starts... Not when we reached the destination, but when we woke up from a good sleep late in the afternoon. There we go with the classification of 2 days:-

Day 1:- (Unwanted beginning but a great end)

It all started with a mutual decision by 5 of us to stay withing the premises of the Lodge that evening to relieve ourselves from the long journey and to avail the utmost scope of natures beauty and the cool weather (which was prevalent only post evening). The Lodge had a lot to provide us with its ethnic location and the divine atmosphere pleasant for all age groups and demographics. The tents were paralleled by a common lane across the valleys that leads to trekking spots across the steeps.

All of us sitting across the lane with our gossips and beverages on, the view of the rocky mountains and the layer of canyons was the delight that our senses were craving for! Along with the view, ambiance and the freshness in the atmosphere which is predominant in the hills, what actually added the cherry on the cake was the understanding and bonding we had as a group. I always believe that only a good view and ambiance doesn't create memories but the bondage leaves no stones unturned to a happy soul! All engulfed into gossips, food, beverages and the atmosphere beauty, the lodge had an arrangement of Bonfire which was few steps up from our tents. Again not to forget, the Lodge itself was a trekking point and to reach at any point withing the premises of the lodge, slight trekking has to be done and thats the real gratification for all.

The Bonfire welcomed us with a comfortable feat along with interaction with few other hoteliers who were all boosted up like us to make it an evening worth recalling! Followed by music and dance, we were all set to come down to the lane across our tents where 6 of us would again commence our talks and enjoy with our group. Sooner we found that we had a fan from the Bonfire group who did follow us to our tents and started talking about a lot of matters. I wont say it was irritating but we wanted to spend time with our group so had to indirectly ask him in a polite manner to excuse us :p Post that we did bring an end to the night with some delicious food for dinner and our never ending gossip and fun.

Day 2:- (When the betterment fusions up)

After a mesmerizing day 1 with all ups and downs, we were all set in the morning for breakfast and then leave for a tourist attraction spot in Chakrata, the Tiger Fall. All set and ready, we departed at 11 a.m. and it was a journey of 1.5 hours from the lodge to the destination. Accompanied by the hill views and the spiral hilly roads, we did hit an ecstatic momentum on the go! Some narrow hilly roads were the fierce moments some of us had as the narrow lanes were something not very common with the other hill stations in North India.

Along with the hilly view, we also earned a beautiful spectacle of Terrace farmings everywhere and trifle streams engulfed with their own flow to infinity. Tiger Fall did surprise us with its pace and the flow beauty and we could not resist ourselves from taking a shower. As we drenched ourselves in, we were shivered by the level of cold it had. But it was absolute fun after few minutes as we get adjusted to the temperature. We did take a good shower there for few minutes but the pebbles under water were too sharp to bruise our legs and we had to advance towards the banks. Even after all, the experience was up to another level and could hardly be explained. We willed to have our lunch at the spot but it didn't bestow the food we require so had to travel back to Chakrata market to find a suitable place to fill our stomachs. Then trekking a kilometer more we reached the other phase of the market where Shopaholics tried their best to find objects to purchase but the husbands were lucky :p

It was a distance of an hour from Chakrata Market to Viratkhai where our lodge was. Again we had a gala time across the lane of our tents and the awe inspiring bonfire. With the only dissimilarity of we being the only group that evening in the lodge. With some soothing music and a good chat session with the lodge staff, we were back to our tents and again had a gala time with music, leg pulling sessions and some ghastly talks to share some shit out!!!

Day 3:- (The walk to remember):-

So now was the day to return but it seemed that Chakrata was too upset to let us go. So they cried wielding rain in cats and dogs with too bad a weather. Had there not been a compulsion to return, we would have take sojourn for another day. With the bad weather accompanying us, we all departed after a good breakfast. The journey was thrilling with heavy rains with the hilly roads. The rain started sedating and we were 10 kilometers away from Vikas Nagar which is a plain. All of a sudden there was a jerk from our Innova car with the sound of a flat tyre. One of the sharp pebbles had its pin under the wheels and we confronted a puncture. Unfortunately the stepney was not air packed too and was not capable enough to carry us for 10 kilometers until we find a puncture shop in the plains. There was a time of distress again as the rain too gathered back its momentum.

Once again we had a turn and the distress was soon turned into glee when we found out some help with the tyre. The one driving had to go down to Vikasnagar with a localite who fortunately passed our car in that isolated place and get the tyre inflated. With no other alternative, we had to settle by that. But what would we do with that 1 hour time? We decided to walk as much as we can until we find a lift until the plains. Now that's what i would call a walk to remember. The rain has ceased by then and we got a more clear environment to walk across. As it wasn't an elevation but had to descend, we were quite comfortable. Strolling down the valley we had commenced boosting each other up. We started mocking at our luck while coming and going and the ladies were engulfed in photography at every step. Not that uncommon right??? From the steep valleys we reached a point with all gold leaves spread across giving one of us a remembrance of the Hindi movie 'Mohabattein". Sooner did she realize that her hero was with her only. No no, not SRK but her husband :p We started discussing on how to survive in such a place where we were struck with no conveyance. We then had more respect for Bear Grylls then!!!

With un-ending laughter, talks, photos, walk we found an SUV carrying 2 aged women. It was 4-5 kilometers more and we were dropped to Vikas Nagar. That 4 kilometer drive with an amazing localite with a modest approach was something more beguiling. Another realization of getting rid of distress is to mock at such situations and find a solution and relieve yourself instead of worrying too much. By the time we had our lunch there, our car was back and then the rest till Gurugram was again filled with laughter, gossips, and some sound sleep.

Sometimes heading towards some destination where its not at all easy to avail provisions but walk few extra miles or climb extra slopes to get your necessities is also an experience. We can live the life of people at stone age too sometimes and brace ourselves at rest. We learn how to find one good matter among all the bad ones. All destination has its own beauty and their own beast. With people of common mindset and fun loving souls, we find the best out of worst.

So we bid a goodbye to our trip and bestowing a heavenly farewell, we now look forward to another astonishing destination with the best people in life. Thank you to Rahul bhai, Adi, Rashmi bhabi, Mini bhabi and the little angel Anya! Love you all :)