Yes, I know. I’m a few days late with this 2019 travel report.
It’s been a busy few weeks here in Belgium, but I couldn’t resist writing another article like the one I wrote last year. So here it is.
This is my 2019 travel overview.
Note: when I mention ‘blog post/video coming soon’, it might already be up and I forgot to update this post. So please take a look at my recent blog posts and my YouTube channel to stay up to date with all my content.
Note 2: to ensure that I can continue creating content, I’ve decided to make it easier for you to donate to Ars Currendi. Just click the link or scan the QR code below. Thank you for your support!
Click the links below to skip to the destinations you’re most interested in!
In February 2019, I took my third solo trip (after going to Berlin and Malta in 2017).
This time around, I went to the German capital Berlin (which is an awesome city for solo travellers, by the way).
I visited the Berlin essentials, like the DDR Museum, Brandenburger Tor and the Reichstag Building, on my first day. But after that, I went a bit more off-the-beaten-path. I went on a street art walking tour, hiked up a hill with a man-made Nazi station and explored an abandoned children’s hospital and an abandoned airport.
Video might be coming soon, but it might never come.
I’d say I’m sorry, but I don’t know if this video can deliver the quality that I want it to deliver.
All by myself, baby. It might seem strange to some of you, but I love travelling alone.
And, although there are plenty of reasons why solo travel sucks sometimes, I still think it’s one of the best ways to explore the world.
I went to Edinburgh in June to celebrate graduating from university.
So, we celebrated. (Pro tip: Dragonfly has the BEST cocktails.)
We also walked along the Royal Mile, took a ghost tour in Mary King’s Close, admired university buildings, climbed Arthur’s Seat and visited some museums, among other things.
Check the embedded map below to see more of what we did, ate and drank.
I’ll probably end up writing an article (or several articles) about Edinburgh in the near future.
I went to Edinburgh with my two best friends (@febelamkowski and @onanas_vandenameele).
Whelp. This is the big one.
In August, I went on a 3-week road trip in and around Rajasthan, India.
We definitely did too much to boil it all down to one paragraph, but I’ll try.
We admired countless palaces, forts and temples. After a wild camel ride, we slept in the desert. We zip-lined between hill forts and ridge tops. We took sleeper trains across the country. Indian ladies taught us to cook traditional Indian dishes. We went on a sunrise hike. We visited the Taj Mahal and the place where the Beatles spent three months. And, lastly, we took yoga classes and got Ayurvedic massages.
God, I want to go back.
I might write another article about India, but I’m not sure yet.
I went to India on a group tour, organised by Evelien from Joker (a Belgian travel agency).
My last trip of this summer was a quick weekend getaway to Lyon. I was going on a trip with my mom, and I wanted to surprise her by planning everything. She only found out where we were going at the airport.
Fun fact: I was originally planning to go to Budapest with her, but a few weeks before the trip, our flights were cancelled for no apparent reason. I had to find an alternative, and I chose Lyon.
We mostly walked around the city without having a real plan, and it was great.
I won’t be making a video of this trip, because I don’t have enough suitable video footage.
I went to Lyon with my mom, as previously mentioned.
Since this wasn’t our first time in London, we decided to combine some of the must-sees – like Oxford Street, Hyde Park and Notting Hill – with some more obscure locations – like Southwark, St Dunstan in the East Church and Leadenhall Market.
It’s always been one of my big dreams to experience the Big Smoke around Christmas. And this year, I made it.
Article coming soon.
I went to London with my parents and my sister.
So, this was my 2019 travel report.
Now, that only leaves me with my current travel plans for 2020. And it’s going to be a big one.
For starters, I’m going skiing in France with my parents.
Next up is a Joker reunion (you know, those people I went to India with) in Bucharest, Romania.
That will be followed by a visit to two friends who are doing an internship in Pamplona, Spain.
In the summer of 2020, I’ll be going on a kayak trip to Sweden, a road trip through the south of Norway, a sibling trip to Snowdonia NP (Wales) and a surprise trip with srprs.me to top it all off.
If there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s this: 2020 is going to be a good one.
Although I travelled less in 2019 than I did in 2018, the same message applies.
I didn’t write this to make anyone jealous of ‘how I’m able to do this’ or to rub my travels in your faces.
If anything, I did it to show you that — if travel is your priority — you can do it.
And also, I think I might make these travel reports an annual thing. They’re fun and easy to write, and they give you a quick overview of where I’ve been and where I’m going next.
Again, I know that I missed the mark by a few days. But hey, what can you do?
Catch you guys on the flippity flip!
Falling asleep in the desert after a camel safari while admiring the stars in Jaisalmer is one of the most surreal experiences I’ve ever had.
This is the story of how I ended up there.
Note: at the end of this post, I’ll link a Spotify playlist of songs you can listen to when you’re stargazing yourself or when you want to feel blissful when looking at a sunset.
I included a bit of this experience in my travel videos. Here’s one of them:
About a year ago, I was trying to figure out where my big summer holiday was going to take me in 2019.
It didn’t take me long to realise that I wanted to go on a group tour, so I started looking into Belgian travel agents that offer group tours to far-away countries. After all, I believe most countries in Europe can be visited as a solo traveller relatively safely.
I wanted an adventure that only a group tour would be able to give me.
I quickly came across Joker, a Belgian tour operator that specialises in sustainable small-group tours. One of their concepts is a trip where everyone is older than 18 and younger than 26. And that immediately spoke to me.
Related: 10 things to know before booking your first group tour
And so, after a while, I ended up with a short list of potential candidates for my summer trip with Joker.
After finding out that the tours to Sri Lanka and Borneo were already fully booked, I was left with three options.
India, Norway or Costa Rica/Nicaragua.
Some further research told me that the Costa Rica/Nicaragua pairing was a bit above budget and the Norway tour was going to be too challenging physically.
So, I ended up booking a 3-week road trip through Rajasthan.
I started counting down the days until I left for India. As time passed, months turned to weeks, weeks turned to days, and days turned to “I’m leaving tomorrow”.
We first spent some time exploring all the glory of Rajasthan’s capital city, Jaipur. As I describe our entire itinerary in this post, I won’t go into much detail about what we did.
However, after an unusual journey with the sleeper train, we arrived in Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer is one of the main cities in the Great Indian Desert and is known as the Golden City.
See also: How to study abroad in Salamanca (Spain’s Golden City)
The fourteen of us visited the Jaisalmer Fort and spent some time having a drink by the lake before heading out to the desert for our safari.
Quick disclaimer: I had my doubts about the ethical implications of a desert safari that included a camel ride. However, I was assured that the animals were treated very fairly and, as I noticed, they were.
We opted for Renuka Camel Safari to host this endeavour for us, and I’m very happy that we did. They provided us with a truly magical experience, and I’m not just saying that.
If you’re considering going on a camel safari in India yourself, there are a few things you should know beforehand.
How to get to your sleeping spot
If you’re starting your camel safari in Jaisalmer, you’ll probably have to take a jeep to get to the camels.
The jeep drivers will come pick you up at your hostel and they’ll know exactly where to go, so you don’t need to worry about that.
For us, the jeep ride took a little over an hour.
After we got to the camels, we still got to ride them for another hour or so.
Riding a camel is uncomfortable
Don’t expect this to be the best hour of your life.
Yes, it’s a great experience and you may never get to stroll through the desert on a camel ever again.
But don’t let the cushions on the saddle fool you: you will more than likely be uncomfortable throughout the whole ride.
In fact, even though it’s such a special experience, you’ll probably be happy that it’s over.
Things to bring on a camel safari
Every camel safari is different, but here are a few essential things you may or may not need to bring on yours.
Some of these may be supplied by the company that organised your camel safari, but just check with them beforehand what you do and don’t need to bring.
The food in the desert
If your safari is like ours, you’ll ride your camel to a base camp where locals are already preparing your dinner.
And if you’re from the west, like me, you probably don’t want to see how they do it.
Although it actually tasted great, something told me that the preparation methods weren’t squeaky clean (nor should you expect them to be — you’re in the desert, for God’s sake).
Dung beetles are all around you
Yep.
You’ll see hundreds of dung beetles during your camel ride to base camp and you’ll see dozens more once you’re there.
My most – ahem – interesting encounter with dung beetles was when we woke up around 7:30 am. I had the beetles coming at me WHILE I was in the middle of a number two.
You’d better believe that was the fastest deuce I had ever dropped.
Photography in the desert
Before the sun goes down, it’s easy to take photos in the desert. The scenery around you is gorgeous enough as it is, and if you’re able to get some of that golden light (just before sunset or just after sunrise) in there, you’ll be great.
However, you should know that it’s very difficult to take decent pictures of the starry sky if you don’t know what you’re doing.
After the sun goes down, you’ll just have to live in the moment and enjoy the night sky without light pollution, coming to peace with the fact that you won’t have a good picture of it.
When I tell you that the most memorable part of our desert safari wasn’t the camel ride, sleeping in the desert or eating food that was prepared by locals, you wouldn’t believe me, right?
Well, it’s true.
The best part of going on a camel safari in India is stargazing.
Imagine this.
You’ve just had a typical Indian dinner of naan and dal while talking to the people who prepared it. Afterwards, you climb one of the sandy hills with your group – laughing, talking and drinking.
With time, more and more of your friends start to go to bed, but you’re not tired. And you find out that two other people aren’t tired either.
So you stay on the hill.
You look at the stars, listening to relaxing music and talking about love, happiness, friendship, sex, depression and fate.
Every few minutes, a shooting star passes by and you all make a wish.
That’s what it was like.
And all of a sudden, it was 3 am and we saw someone walk from the camp beds to our spot in the hills. Our group leader – who couldn’t fall asleep – lay down next to us and joined the conversation.
Just like that, we lost track of time and we were stargazing at 4 am.
Now, we knew that we had to wake up around 7 am to take the camels back to the jeep, which would take us back to the city.
But it was so worth it.
If I could do it all again, I would not hesitate one moment.
As a little bonus, here’s a Spotify playlist of songs we listened to while admiring the starry, starry night (yes, that’s a reference to Don McLean’s song).
Big thanks to Laura J. and Wannes V. for letting me use the great pictures they took during our camel safari! <3
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I recently came home from one of the best trips of my life. There. I said it. And all you’ll need to follow along is this 3-week Rajasthan itinerary.
I went on a group tour to India with Joker, a Belgian travel agency (website only available in Dutch and French).
Related: 10 tips for your first group tour
The tour comprised just over three weeks travelling around India’s most popular region among travellers: Rajasthan.
And now, I’m here to share the joy and give you the information you need for a kick-ass road trip through this region. Ladies, gentlemen and non-binary folk: this is the perfect 3-week Rajasthan itinerary.
Note: I won’t tell you exactly when to go where on your Rajasthan road trip. It’s very difficult – if not impossible – to completely plan a trip to India beforehand.
What I will do in this post, however, is this:
Skip ahead if you want to:
Before we get started, take a look at this video I made to get a feel of what India is actually like.
There are many reasons why you should consider a trip to India’s crown jewel region. Here are just a few of them.
Thanks to Rajasthan’s fascinating history of wealthy royals and architectural legacy, impressive palaces, forts and temples are spread throughout the region, each one more breathtaking than the last.
Among the Indian population, Rajasthan is known as one of the most traditional and religious areas of the country. That explains the many energetic festivals that occur throughout the year. Diwali, Holi, Teej … The list goes on and on.
And while Rajasthan is frequented by travellers for its history and culture, an afternoon strolling through the big city bazaars can’t be missing from your Rajasthan itinerary. Pottery, clothing, souvenirs, jewellery or spices: whatever it is you’re looking for, you can find it in the bazaars.
Last, but definitely not least: the state of Rajasthan is often remembered for its exciting wildlife encounters. National parks, which were originally used as hunting grounds for the state’s rulers, are sprinkled through Rajasthan and now serve and wildlife sanctuaries.
The perfect Rajasthan road trip starts in Jaipur, the state’s mighty capital city.
Also known as the Pink City for the many shades of pink, red and amber that are present in the fortified city centre, Jaipur was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.
What to do in Jaipur:
How long to stay in Jaipur: Four days in the capital of Rajasthan is an absolute minimum to see everything the city has to offer.
How to get from Jaipur to Jaisalmer: Take the night train from Jaipur Railway Station to Jaisalmer Railway Station. Book tickets on the Indian Railway’s official website.
After catching the sleeper train from Jaipur, you’ll arrive at Rajasthan’s Golden City, Jaisalmer.
This city is located at the heart of the Thar Desert and is known for the yellow sandstone that is used in many of its buildings, including the impressive Jaisalmer Fort.
What to do in Jaisalmer:
How long to stay in Jaisalmer: Three days and three nights, including one night in the desert, is plenty to discover Jaisalmer in all of its glory.
How to get from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: Take a regular, direct train from Jaisalmer Railway Station to Jodhpur Junction. Book tickets on the Indian Railway’s official website.
After your adventurous desert safari in Jaisalmer, it’s time to head back to big city life.
Jodhpur is Rajasthan’s second biggest city. It’s known among travellers as the Blue City and among Indian residents as the Sun City. Must be worth a visit, right?
What to do in Jodhpur:
How long to stay in Jodhpur: Anywhere between two and four days should suffice, counting on a full day to explore the Fort and everything around it.
How to get from Jodhpur to Udaipur: Take an early bus to Udaipur, preferably one that leaves Jodhpur before 6 am. The journey to Udaipur should take 4 to 5 hours.
With nicknames such as ‘the City of Lakes’ and ‘the Venice of the East’, it’s no wonder that British explorer James Tod called Udaipur ‘the most romantic spot on the continent of India‘.
You’ll soon find out for yourself why Udaipur has such a strong reputation among travellers.
What to do in Udaipur:
How long to stay in Udaipur: Including the night at Krishna Ranch, you should stay in Udaipur anywhere from three to five days.
How to get from Udaipur to Agra: Take the sleeper train from Udaipur City to Agra Cannt. Book tickets on the Indian Railway’s official website.
I know, I know. Agra is not located in Rajasthan. So, technically, I lied by calling this a Rajasthan itinerary.
You’ll forgive me once you feast your eyes on the Taj Mahal. Trust me.
What to do in Agra:
How long to stay in Agra: No longer than two days. Preferably, you’ll visit Agra Fort and the Baby Taj in the afternoon, then spend the night in Agra and visit the Taj early the following morning.
How to get from Agra to Delhi: Take a regular train from Agra Cantt to one of the many train stations in Delhi. This is a short trip that should only take about two hours. Book tickets on the Indian Railway’s official website.
I’m not going to lie to you: you’re only spending one night here to avoid having to take the dreadful journey from Agra to Rishikesh.
But don’t worry: you’ll come back to Delhi in a few days and your Rajasthan road trip will end there.
So find a nice place to stay the night and wake up refreshed for an early train to Haridwar. (Ask your hostel to arrange a taxi from Haridwar to Rishikesh, because most trains don’t stop at Rishikesh)
Again: Rishikesh is not located in Rajasthan, but since you’ve already gone to Agra, you might as well pass by Rishikesh.
Don’t worry, it’ll be our little secret.
Yoga Capital of the World, Gateway to the Himalayas, …
Cool nicknames, so it’s got to be worth exploring. You get it.
What to do in Rishikesh:
How long to stay in Rishikesh: Assuming you want to unwind and relax after two weeks of non-stop exploring, three to four days in Rishikesh is ideal to do everything listed above at a calm pace.
How to get from Rishikesh to Delhi: Take a regular train from Haridwar Junction to one of Delhi’s train stations. Book tickets on the Indian Railway’s official website.
Since it’s quite likely that your flight will depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport, it makes sense for the last stop on your Rajasthan road trip to be Delhi. (Although, again, Delhi is technically not a part of Rajasthan)
What to do in Delhi:
How long to stay in Delhi: In a city that over 15 million people call home, you could spend a lifetime and still not see it all. However, for the purposes of this road trip, two to three days should suffice.
Now that you have the perfect Rajasthan itinerary at your feet, there’s nothing stopping you from the trip of a lifetime.
Plan your Rajasthan road trip:
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