As we bid adieu to 2017, we couldn’t resist but feature few of our top favorite Travel bloggers that lived it to the fullest. Traversing different places and returning with fabulous experiences to share, these travel bloggers inspire us to travel, helping us to finally plan that one Trip we’ve always been dreaming of! We asked these globe-trotters to recommend us their top picks for 2017, in a nutshell. Here’s what they thought, were their top travel destinations and experiences for the last year!
DANIELA RUBIO
Favorite Trip: Cesky Krumlov (Czech Republic)
Travelled in: September - December
Reason to like: Cesky Krumlov is a very charming and typical Czech town, filled with baroque, renaissance and gothic elements, which has kept the medieval era alive until this present day. Although swarms of tourists are brought to this historic town on a daily basis, Cesky Krumlov has remained loyal to it's culture, architecture and Bohemian heritage, which is why so many people are attracted to it. You can literally feel and smell the Middle Ages, as you wander along the cobbled streets, breathing in the smokey and alluring scent of 1000-year-old Czech recipes. I lived and worked over in Cesky Krumlov for three months in 2017 (Sept-Dec), as well as for 3 months in September 2015, working at 'Krumlov House Hostel' and this place still calls out to meevery day. I know it may sound cliche but out of all of the towns I have visited in Europe, Cesky Krumlov will always be my 'happy place'. There is something about the magic and energy within this region, that continues to bring back the same travelers each year, such as myself. If you like the idea of being stuck in a permanent fairy-tale, where crime and trouble is non-exsistent, where you can make long-life friendships and where you can completely switch off to modern day society, then Cesky Krumlov is the place to go.
Writes on: Wandering In the Now
Winter is officially here #whyamiclimbingatree #ceskykrumlov #winter #itssnowing #winterwalks #nature #snow #christmasiscoming #czechrepublic #tree #sonyimages #sonyphotography #sonyalpha #sonya6000 #VisitCZ #czechia
SUMIT SINGH JAMWAL
Favorite Trip: Escape to Ladakh
Travelled in: June
Reason to like: Our favorite trip of 2017 was Escape to Ladakh in June, which was attended by friends from all over the country. Many strangers that took this adventurous road-trip became one extended happy family by the end of the trip. In Ladakh, we covered places like the vibrant Leh city, sand dunes and double hump camels at Nubra, braved the snow at Khardungla and got mesmerized by the serenity of Tso Moriri. There was never a single dull moment during the entire stretch of 10 days as each member of the troupe, brought up their fun game. The camping bit under the stars next to Tso Moriri Lake will stay in memories for a long time to come. All the members of the 2017 leg are ready to join in our next Escape to Ladakh in 2018.
Writes for: Escape Route
Some captures just leave you speechless and then fill you with happiness as you see them again and again! One such capture at Tanglang la by our very own @picgramer . . . . . . #ladakh #escaperoute #travel #travelgram #traveldiaries #videooftheday #mountains #snow #flags #delhi #leh #roadtrip #iphone #iphoneonly #nofilter #igers #nature #love
ADITI KAPOOR
Favorite Trip: Venice
Travelled in: June
Reason to like: I loved it because it was my first international trip and that too to a dreamy romantic fairy tale place like Venice! The car free city is so beautiful! The unique colorful houses, gondolas riding in the canals, gorgeous sunsets, cute little cafés, delicious pizzas, musicians playing on the streets, different breeds of puppies, mesmerising churches, grand palaces, moonlit sky, musical concerts, visiting Murano & Burano, and last but not the least, having fresh gelatos everyday with my favourite travel partner, my hubby, were my best memories from that place! We were awestruck by this amazing place and wish to go there again!
Writes for: Travelogue Connect
Dreamy Reality ~ Venice Venice you stole our hearts away! One of the most beautiful places in Italy, this pretty city is a must visit on your trip to the mediterranean country. . . . . . #venice #italyvacation #italygram #travelgoals #travelpic #travel #travelblog #travelblogger #_prettylittleitaly #italy #picoftheday #europe #earth_shotz #earthpix #gondola #water #palace #beautiful #colorful #wanderlust #europa #iloveitaly #photography #travelphotography #awesome #instapics #holiday #amazing #venecia #bridge
ASHWINI NEETAN
Favorite Trip: Iceland and Sweden
Travelled in: August
Reason to like: Setting foot in the arctic circle in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden and staying overnight in Ice Hotel – sleeping on an ice bed in a freaking -5 degree Celsius room was the highlight of our 2017 travels. A dream of sleeping in an igloo was accomplished. Just after Sweden, we traveled to Iceland and drove all around Iceland for 12 days. We had been to the famous touristy spots as well as the ones which hardly the regular travel buses visit. We drove on roads where we had no one but the lonely chain of mountains and a bunch of sheep for company. Far up in the interiors of North Iceland, we didn’t even encounter a human soul for miles! The stunning locales and vast scale of the beautiful yet powerful nature awed us and scared us at the same time!
More of her travel adventures: Hopping Miles
Djurgarden is one of my favourite places in Stockholm. The greenery, the museums and obviously, pier by the water. Stockholm can you stop being so impressive! . . #hoppingmiles #stockholmkulturfestival #travelphotography #visitsweden #visitstockholm #explorescandinavia #swedish #swedishmoments #igsweden #sweden_photolovers #sweden #igscandinavia #swedenimages #iphonephotography #welovestockholm #mystopover #meettheworld #photographyislife #explore_scandinavia #this_is_stockholm #igersstockholm #capitalofscandinavia #realstockholm #djurgarden #stockholmimitthjärta #sverige #sweden
MADHUMAY
Favorite Trip: Valley of Flowers (Uttarakhand)
Travelled in: July 2017
Reason to like: My solo backpacking into the mountains, this trip was a surprise, even for myself. All I knew was that I needed to get to the Valley, knowing not how. But everything fell perfectly into place, from the free stays and hitchhiking to cheap bus rides and strangers turning into friends. I covered Badrinath, Mana (the Last Indian Village), Valley of Flowers and Hemkund (15000 ft).I realized that when you know what you want, everything else will come together to help you achieve the goal.
A solo trip is never meant to be traveled alone. You make friendships that you cherish for a lifetime. https://t.co/7z2ecUryCC
— madhumay mallik (@madmyst619) August 5, 2017
KAREN
Favorite Trip: Sri Lanka
Travelled in: I loved it so much I went back again! I was there in August and September of 2017
Reason to like: Everything, honestly, I was blown away! The wildlife viewing in Sri Lanka is on par with Sub-Saharan Africa (the national parks are amazing). The landscapes in this country are beautiful, especially the hills and tea country. And finally, the people - they're friendly, welcoming, and helpful.
Read more about her journey: A love letter to Sri Lanka
classic #srilanka. #ella #demodara #ninearchesbridge
ANABEL NEWELL
Favorite Trip: Egypt
Travelled in: April
Reason to like: Visiting Egypt in April was one of the highlights of our 2017 family travels. I found myself filled with excitement and awe the moment we laid eyes on the iconic Pyramids of Giza. When we climbed on the giant boulders that make up the largest of the pyramids, and took a rest at the edge of one of the most impressive sights of Egypt, I couldn’t help but pinch myself a few times. Seeing the impressive pyramids with our kids in tow was truly an incredible opportunity and a dream come true. To top off an already unforgettable day, we were able to enter and explore inside one of the pyramids - wow! Next, we traveled to Luxor where we experienced the majestic sights of temples, ruins and even sacred tombs at the Valley of the Kings. We couldn’t believe we were able to see the mummified body of King Tut inside one of the burial chambers! Walking amongst Egypt’s rich and historic landmarks, was something beyond amazing and special. Definitely a trip we will never forget.
Writes on: Amor for Travel
Oh that view! I could have joined these two {} in starring at it for hours if only the hub's and kids would have let me #egypt #pyramidsofgiza #cairo #greatview
PURVI KAMALIA
Favorite Trip: A Solo Exploration In the Untouched Lands of Ladakh
Travelled in: May
Reason to like: The year 2017 was a rollercoaster of joy and thrill for me as I left my job of an educationist in Mumbai to leave for a literally long journey all across the globe. I started my journey from the coldest desert of India, Ladakh.
The famous routes of Nubra, Pangong and the monasteries are so overhyped that no one cares to look beyond it. So, with the aim to keep my exploration completely off the beat, I started with the least visited Likir monastery and the beginning of the trip was bang on with the little lamas. Moving towards the so-called Aryan Valley of Ladakh to crack the myth and find the truth, I landed in a fairytale hamlet of Hanu Gongma. Flanked by the cherry-pink Apricot blossoms, the village looked like an oasis of pink pearls in the dry land of Ladakh. Staying and conversing with the locals of Hanu Gongma, Garkone and Darchik villages really brought me close to their declining culture, vibrant customs and the forgotten folk songs by the expert tribal singers.
Volunteering and teaching the little blue-eyed kids made my trip all the more memorable. The friendly locals in that land who guided me to the unexplored villages like Chulicham, Achinathang, Chiktan and Kukshow. Hitchhiking, trekking and hiking, I had covered a part of Ladakh that has amazing culture treasured in for the tourists. At the village of Achinathang, staying at the home of a famous Ladakhi writer, Sonam Phuntsog, brought me closer to the cultural history of this land of lamas. Moving around in the apricot orchards, weeding with the local ladies in the farms and enjoying the hospitality of the rural Ladakhis can give you the real experience of this land of joy and happiness.
Writes on: Travel Hippies
Taking a glimpse of my 2017. The best discovery was the village of Kukshow, in Ladakh. . Apparently i was the first and only traveler over there. . The town is an amazing amalgamation of Buddhist and Muslim community, setting an example of communal harmony. . The quaint town is surrounded by organic farms and apricot orchards and has some of the most interesting legends to tell. . This is the only village where a Muslim can marry a Buddhist/Hindu and a Buddhist too can proudly marry a Muslim. . All the villagers are the relatives of each other and religion is not an imposition, but a personal choice of the person. . Would you like to know more about this place?? . #ladakh #himalayas #_hoi #_coi #_soi #_woi #wanderlust #solotravel #solotraveler #sologirl #postcardsfromtheworld #beautifuldestination #mountains #hiking
AMRITA
Favorite Trip: North Sikkim
Travelled in: April
Reason to like: An unexpected rain changed the entire landscape! North Sikkim is a heaven where each season has its unique beauty. The Gurudongmar Lake is one of the highest lakes in India. Yumthang Valley is also known as the Valley of Flowers. In April, the entire valley is full of blooming rhododendrons. But an unexpected change of weather turned the place into a snow-covered paradise. It rained the previous night and the whole valley was covered with snow in the morning. We experienced the beauty of winter and spring together with both snowfall and rhododendrons. The visit to north Sikkim remains our favorite this year. The unexpected landscapes and sceneries made the trip most memorable.
Writes on: Tale of 2 Backpackers
Mountains, snow and a small hut. A place where I can stay indefinitely.. Sikkim is truly a wonder. #wanderer #travel #travelgram #travelblogger #travelphotography #instadaily #instagood #picoftheday #photooftheday #sikkim #sikkimtrip #wanderlust #snow #incredibleindia #natgeotravel #lonelyplanet #lonelyplanetindia #nature #taleof2backpackers
JITADITYA NAZARY
Favorite Trip: The Great Himalayan National Park (Himachal Pradesh)
Travelled in: May
Reason to like: The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh is one of India's newest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While GHNP is a great trekking destination, the people who live in the GHNP Ecozone deserve closer examination too due to their symbiotic relationship with nature, unique culture, mythology, and traditions. I'd been planning to explore the area for many years but only this summer I could devote enough time to the region. Lush meadows, tower temples, blooming rhododendrons, aquamarine rivers, snowy peaks, impeccable hospitality by local families... there was nothing I could complain about. Luxury seekers can find cosy resorts in Tirthan Valley and just enjoy trout fish and bonfire but those seeking real adventure must go deeper to experience the best of the park and explore remote villages and trails beyond them.
Read his journey on: The great himalayan national park
I have returned from a quick trip spending a few days in Kangra and then #GHNP... This is just a teaser of the #Tirthan river from the #greathimalayannationalpark which is a #unescoworldheritagesite ... Can you spot the #Rhododendrons? #earthcapture #riverporn @instahimachal #_soi #himalaya #bns_nature @himachalpictures @shimlalife #travelingram @himachal_calling @incredible_himalya @incrediblemanali #natgeotravellerindia #ngtindia #lonelyplanetindia #discoverindia #incredibleindia #himalayanbible @himachalofficial @himalayan_odyssey @australianhimalayanfoundation #theindianroute @himalayan_canvas @himparadiseofficial #desitravellersclub @himalayangeographic @scoutmytrip @woodrosecamp
NANCY AGARWAL
Favorite Trip: It is difficult to decide on the best trip as all the trips bring something new with them. With every new journey I evolve a little, with every new journey I find a little new me. However, if I still had to categorize I would say that my best trip was my solo trip to Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh.
Travelled in: I travelled to Jibhi in month of June.
Reason to like: Unlike many other places in Himachal, Jibhi is still untouched. I liked the trip because of the people I met in this journey, the picturesque trek from Jalori pass till Serolsar Lake and the Jibhi waterfall which became my regular shower. This trip is close to my heart as in the end I realised that, "This (Life) is my journey and I have to fight it, enjoy it and complete it on my own.
Read her travel story on: Jibhi - unspoiled place- in Himachal
When the regular showers become too boring for me. My daily shower on this trip. PC: Sonali- a fellow solo traveller who clicked candid pictures. #Water #waterfall #waterfalls #watershower #jibhi #Himachal #himgeo #travellove #travellers #travel #travelblogger #travelphotography #gtgi #solo #thedayirealisedthatiamalive http://nancyagarwal.blogspot.in/
