Author: SnapTours

Cinque Terre – is it just another Amalfi Coast?

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Time-limited vacationers often ask us this one question when planning a trip to Italy – Why should we visit Cinque Terre when we would have already visited Amalfi Coast?

I know, I am supposed to say BOTH are important destinations! But limited time and a fixed budget are pesky little truths of modern vacations that make this a valid question.
Of course, before we enter this discussion, the one assumption I am gonna make is that the rest of your trip to Italy is already decided upon – Cultural Florence, Historical Rome, Foodie’s heaven Naples, “Prada is life” Milan and “Bellagio or Varenna” Lake Como. No!? then you need more help than this post can give you my friend. Skip to the end to the contact us section and call or message me today. Lest we waste away! For other’s read on…

Cinque Terre basics

Tucked away on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline, close to that small town with the Crooked Tower, Cinque Terre is an Instagrammer’s dream destination made up of five charming seaside villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. With its pastel-colored houses perched on cliffs, fresh seafood, and scenic hiking trails, Cinque Terre is a beauty caught between the sky and the sea.

Planning it out and reasons to visit:

1. Start in Monterosso

The largest and flattest of the villages, Monterosso is best known for its sandy beach — a rarity in Cinque Terre AND it has the largest public car parking within the 5 villages – so drive here first if planning an early morning start. Late latifs like me, should drive to La Spezia and visit the 5 villages in the reverse order of what’s mentioned on this post. In Monterosso, visit the old town with its charming shops. The new town has more of a resort vibe, after the town, hit the beach. Also see the Statue of the Giant, a massive Neptune sculpture carved into the cliffside – located at the end of Fegina beach.

After the above head to the train station here and buy the Cinque Terre Card – it allows you unlimited train rides between 4 out of the 5 villages. The fifth village, Corniglia, is a climb / trek from Manarola

2. Vernazza

Vernazza is often considered the most picturesque of the five and you will see why when you visit. Break for lunch here. Visit the Doria Castle for a panoramic view of the coastline or dine al fresco by the water with a plate of trofie al pesto — a regional specialty.

3. Manarola

Next up is Manarola a charming town with pure Italian grace. Grab some of its street food like fresh focaccia or a cone of fritto misto (usually seafood here) from a street vendor and sit by the rocks at the harbor. Walk uphill to Punta Bonfiglio for IG-worthy pics and views over the village.

4. Hike to Corniglia

Corniglia is the only village not connected by the train, ergo you have to walk don’t you.. and walk uphill while at it cause Corniglia sits atop a cliff. Why should I sweat you ask… cause it also offers the best views in all of Cinque Terre. To reach here, you can hike from Manarola or climb the Lardarina, a 400-step staircase from the train station. The village is quieter and less touristy, and that’s why we probably liked it here. Take a break from sightseeing here. If you must, then there is the Church of San Pietro, that can be visited.

5. Riomaggiore

The last village on our list – Riomaggiore is known for its vibrant harbor, pastel buildings, and romantic vibe. Wander the narrow alleys including the Via dell’Amore (Lover’s Lane) — a short, scenic path that connects Riomaggiore to Manarola (note: the Lovers Lane is closed at the time of writing this post). Oops, you say, I should have probably written about the Lovers Lane under Manarola then? No my friend, it’s a one way walking lane! Entry is only from Riomaggiore. The Lover’s Lane, like all love, is not without a little pain, you have to pay a fee to walk this path.

Tips:

  • The Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) connects all five villages and is known for its scenic views. The full trail is about 12 km (7.5 miles)
  • The High Trail (Sentiero Rosso) runs further inland with sweeping mountain views.
  • Try Pesto alla Genovese – its a sauce made with local basil, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil.
  • The Anchovies (fish) from Monterosso – are salty, fresh, and a protected delicacy.
  • Sample the local Sciacchetrà wine – a sweet dessert wine made from sun-dried grapes grown in the terraced vineyards.
  • Try the Cinqueterre DOC white wine, it’s made from grapes grown right on the cliffs you’re walking past!

Final Thoughts

Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast only share one trait – both are on cliffs. The similarity ends right there. Cinque Terre has for long been considered a place of natural beauty, authentic Italian culture, and warm hospitality. It’s not taxing on your wallet like the Amalfi Coast, takes lesser time to visit and appreciate and can be planned as a day trip from Chianti, Sienna or Florence, if you are in a hurry.

The simple honest truth — Cinque Terre is more beautiful than the Amalfi Coast any day. My opinion I know but on this post, that’s the only one that matters. Whether you’re hiking between villages, watching the sunset with gelato in hand, or simply breathing in the sea air, every moment is full of charm and warmth. You have to go there to feel it.

Contact us for more

For more detailed itinerary, please contact us at SnapTours – we specialize in selected destinations – Europe, Bali, New Zealand and Canada.

Email: saurabh@snaptours.co
Mobile: +91 98800 41549
Whatsapp: https://wa.me/919880041549
B2B enquiries for travel agents: holidays@snaptours.co – we help you consult and close bookings for Europe
We prefer phone calls over anything else, but will settle for a message first

Ubud – The Soul of Bali

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Bali is one of the perfect vacation destination and Ubud is it’s soul

We all know Bali as a vacationer’s paradise — and rightfully so. With its lush landscapes, awesome clubs and eateries, late-night party circuit, and “damn that’s so cheap” prices; Bali has long been the vacation you know you will enjoy without emptying your bank account. Here teens and young parents can hit it’s surf-ready beaches while grandparents shop for artsy handicrafts and home decor items. Honeymooners wake up in a villa with a private pool and dance till 2 AM in the nightclubs. The bachelors drive an ATV down a hill and go trekking up a mountain. All this in Bali! And we all already know this.

What few realize is the beauty and serenity of Ubud — the emerald in Bali’s crown.

Nestled in the island’s jungle-clad hills and surrounded by rice terraces that ripple in every shade of green, Ubud is Bali’s cultural and spiritual heart. It’s a place where you shouldn’t just visit for a day. You must stay here — immerse yourself, breathe in its serene mornings, soak in the afternoon warmth, while away its lazy evenings, and you will leave feeling different but recharged. Vacations are not meant to tire you out, you know.

A Slower, More Soulful Bali

While the southern beach towns like Seminyak and Canggu buzz with nightlife and beach clubs, Nusa Dua is for the resorts-lovers and non-vacationing vacationers (you know who you are). Ubud invites you to slow down. Here, the vibe is calm, introspective, and deeply connected to nature and tradition. You’ll find yoga studios tucked away in bamboo forests, cafés overlooking ravines, and ancient temples still used for daily offerings.

Art, Culture, and Craftsmanship

Ubud is the epicenter of Balinese art. From traditional wood carving and batik textiles to contemporary galleries, the streets are lined with creativity. Visit the Sari Timbul Glass Factory, the Agung Rai Museum of Art or the Neka Art Museum to appreciate the depth of Balinese visual storytelling. The Ubud Palace regularly hosts captivating traditional dance performances under the stars — a treat for first-timers. Or at the very least. visit the Ubud Traditional Art Market, also known as Pasar Seni Ubud

While the Soul rests, the Body wants to play

Ubud is not a boring health retreat, there are places to go and things to do here. A morning walk along the Campuhan Ridge offers panoramic views of jungle valleys and open skies. For the adventurous, ATV rides are a must but opt for the off-road, down the hill ones and not the pre-fixed laned ones. Also go on a really really early morning trek to Mount Batur, or sleep for an additional hour and opt for a jeep to take you to the top (cheater!). Afternoons are for waterfalls like Tibumana and the lesser known (and less crowded) Banyumala.

Stuff you probably know already

Ubud is also home to the below,

  1. The Sacred Monkey Forest – a decent place to visit.
  2. The I-don’t-know-why-this-is-so-famous Tegalalang Rice Terraces – definitely skippable
  3. Tegenungan Waterfall – always crowded – go to Banyumala instead – more beautiful and more click-worthy

Final Thoughts

If Bali is a storybook, then Ubud is its most poetic chapter – and there in lies the rub… How much of your limited vacation time do you want to spend here? Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning soul-searcher, Ubud has a way of leaving a mark — not just on your travel photos, but on your spirit.

So when planning your Bali adventure, don’t just pass through Ubud — stay, explore, and let it change you. You’ll thank yourself later.

Contact us for more

For more detailed itinerary, please contact us at SnapTours – we specialize in selected destinations – Europe, Bali, New Zealand and Canada.

Email: saurabh@snaptours.co
Mobile: +91 98800 41549
Whatsapp: https://wa.me/919880041549
We prefer phone calls over anything else, but will settle for a message first

Havelock Island – the hidden paradise in the Indian Ocean

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Havelock Island by Vikramjit Kakati

Havelock Island is a hidden away gem in the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It is one of the few last places on Earth that mass tourism has not spoiled. It is a destination where you can find peace and tranquility among the breathtaking natural beauty of the Island.  The main attraction of Havelock is its pristine beaches and crystal clear water. It is so clean and mesmerizing that low mobile signals and lack of internet facilities are not considered a negative by the tourists here. Trust us – you will not want to be disturbed by mundane things like your mobile while you are in Havelock.

The water around Havelock is so clear that you can see the marine life, corals and the sea bed while swimming in 7 feet of water. This is the primary reason that scuba divers from around the world favor Havelock Island. Some make it their home for 6 months per year and offer scuba diving classes for absolute beginners. Even people who are afraid of the water and who don’t know how to swim can go scuba diving with these trained instructors in Havelock’s safe waters. The less adventurous type among us may opt for snorkeling or a ride in a glass-bottomed boat as a way to view the marine treasures.

Havelock’s Vijaynagar & Radhanagar Beach (No. 5 & No. 7) were chosen as Asia’s best Beach in 2004 by Time magazine. Other notable beaches include Elephant Beach on the northwest coast and Beach No. 3 and Beach No. 1 on the east coast.

Havelock Island is a perfect destination for honeymooners. The island has a lot of beach resorts that offer comfortable cottages at exceptional rates. The privacy that you can get here is unbeatable anywhere else in India. Havelock Island hosts a greater ratio of foreign tourists as most Indian tourists opt to stay in Port Blair and visit Havelock Island for a day outing. So remember to pack your bikini while  travelling to Havelock, you certainly won’t feel alone on the beaches there. While the local population is used to the dress code on the beach, care should be taken to cover up while visiting the village restaurants or shops.

Havelock seven

Radhanagar beach (pictured on the right) is the best beach we at SnapTours have ever visited. It is a long 2 km beach with white, soft sand and crystal clear water. The best thing about this beach is the peace and silence you get. There is no commercial activity on beach, no shacks and no salesman to peddle their wares to you. The beach is bordered by a primeval rain forest and small rivulets flow down from the hills to join the sea. On the beach strict time norms are maintained by the Andaman Police Authorities for the safety of tourists. There are no life guards on duty here so please don’t wander too deep into the water.

 

Reaching there:
– Ferries are available twice a day from Port Blair to Havelock Island.
– A private catamaran service also operates on this route which offers a faster and more comfortable ride.
– There is a Government helicopter service as well but the schedule is a bit erratic. Check for availability once you reach there. SnapTours Tip: This is probably the cheapest helicopter ride you can hitch in the world as its heavily subsidized by the Indian government for locals and tourists.

We  recommend getting a heli-ride one way and taking the catamaran on the other (or vice versa). Both are experiences in themselves. The catamaran journey between Port Blair and Havelock Island is smooth and enjoyable. Take tickets for the Royal seats in the catamaran as these 8 seats are in a private lounge that looks out over the stern of the ship.

Recommended places to stay in Havelock Island:
Barefoot at Havelock: It is the most famous property on Havelock Island. Staying here is an experience unto itself.  Tastefully done timber and bamboo cottages and villas await the vacationer. It is located near Beach no. 7. In keeping with its eco green status , most of their cottages are non-air conditioned.

Silver Sands Resort– It is an amazing property located on Beach no 5. It is the last resort on that stretch and hence even more isolated than any other resorts. They offer stand-alone cottages. Each cottage has a ground level and a first floor level which are rented out separately. However, these cottages have internal stairs with a trapdoor to connect both floors. This is a good option when travelling with kids.

Nourish your taste buds:
Barefoot Bar & Brasserie– located right near the harbor entrance. It offers an eclectic mix of continental, fusion and traditional fare like burgers and pizzas. Try the herb crusted chicken breast here if it’s still on the menu.

The Red Snapper– a pricey little joint but one of the best place for dining, especially sea food as the name suggests.

Full Moon Café– It is an open air place on the beach of Dive India. The multi-cuisine menu attracts a good crowd for lunch as well as dinner.

Contact us if you need more information about visiting Havelock Island or cost estimates. Been there? Share your experience with us.

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