I) SEYCHELLES

“It’s as though I’d drunk a bottle of anise and fallen asleep wrapped in a quilt of roses. It pulls me along – and I know I’m drowning” Seychelles’ seductive beaches make me think of Garcia Lorca’s gorgeous poetry – it draws you in and before you know it, you’re in love! Seychelles is ideal for those who like a mix of culture, luxury, nature, and hiking on a romantic getaway.

Overview of Seychelles 

PROS

Gorgeous beaches, perfect mix of culture and scenery, island hopping opportunities, amazing hotels

CONS

Hard (not impossible!) to explore on a budget, public areas and beaches can get really crowded during peak times so privacy is not guaranteed

PERFECT FOR

Romantic getaways and honeymoons

READ MORE

Bruised Passports Itinerary for Seychelles

II) MALDIVES

What’s more romantic than being marooned on a tiny private island, positioned strategically between Asia and Africa? A sun-drenched island paradise far far away from civilisation and all that comes with it – laughing and playing in the sparkling ocean, bare feet on sand, sipping on coconut water, and reading on golden beaches. That’s the MALDIVES in a nutshell. You just need to take a deep breath and unleash the skinny dips, flower-laden baths, beach-side breakfasts, and the bubbly ??

Overview of Maldives

PROS

Gorgeous beaches, private and luxurious accommodation, perfect watersports

CONS

You have to stay put in one hotel as island hopping is inconvenient and expensive, no cultural experiences perse

PERFECT FOR

Uber private romantic getaways and honeymoons

READ MORE

Bruised Passports in Maldives

III) BALI 

Along comes an island where it isn’t about the beaches but lush paddy fields, secret waterfalls, and sun-hazed countryside – about appreciating the thrumming rhythm of slow life. Ubud, with its labyrinth of smoothie bars, yoga studios, tie & dye boutiques, bohemian retreats, and vegan eateries is truly our ticket to the moon. The bustling resort areas of Sanur, Nusa Dua, and Kuta are similar to other beach-side getaways in South-East Asia. Unlike Ubud, the beaches of don’t scream special to us. Just head to Thailand or Vietnam if you want to hit beaches!

Overview of Bali 

PROS

Affordable, gorgeous highlands, amazing cultural experiences, vegan haven

CONS

Underwhelming beaches (in fact we don’t like most of Bali’s beaches), rowdy party goers, crowded touristy spots

PERFECT FOR

Wellness getaways, getaways with friends, long sabbaticals

READ MORE

Bruised Passports Guide to Ubud, Bali

IV) FIJI AND FRENCH POLYNESIA

It was when she smeared powder all over my face and held my hand like THAT … that I realised this dazzling paradise garlanded with frangipanis, sugarcane fields swaying in the sun, the palm-scented ocean, and golden sunsets every single day would be a favourite. ‘Bula Vinaka’ is the phrase that greets you when you first land in Fiji!! It literally translates to ‘a warm hello’ and boy do Fijians live up to that promise!  Here sarongs are the national dress and everyone works on Fiji time – slow and easyyyyy

Overview of Fiji and French Polynesia

PROS

Uber-picturesque beaches, culturally immersive experiences, convenient island-hopping, incredible dives and snorkelling, incredible luxury hotels

CONS

Remote/hard to reach (unless you live in Australia or New Zealand), can get expensive

PERFECT FOR

Honeymoons and romantic getaways, luxurious family getaways, island hopping cruises

READ MORE

Bruised Passports Itinerary for Fiji

V) CANARY ISLANDS

Canary Islands, Spain : these Spanish islands, located just off the coast of Africa, are perfect because they are warm even during winter months. They are accessible, affordable, and gorgeous but can get super crowded during summer months. Ideal for beach bums ?

Overview of Canary Islands

PROS

Proximity to Europe, picturesque beaches, Spanish villages and tapas bars, warm weather almost all year round

CONS

Rowdy tourist and crowded beaches during peak times

PERFECT FOR

Family holidays, mini roadtrips, partying

READ MORE

Bruised Passports Itinerary for Lanzarote

VI) GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Don’t go here for the beaches but the rare wildlife, birds, flora, and fauna. Expect playful sea lions, lackadaisical iguanas, rare birds and blue-footed boobies diving into ocean in front of your eyes. The Galápagos Islands are heavily protected and expensive, but they’re amazing for nature enthusiasts! Swim with turtles and cherish this rare holiday in some of the most remote islands in the world.

Overview of Galapagos Islands

PROS

Extremely rare birds and wildlife, one of the most unique places on the planet

CONS

Extremely expensive as they are heavily protected

PERFECT FOR

Bird-watchers, wildlife enthusiasts

READ MORE

Bruised Passports Itinerary for Galapagos

VII) MAURITIUS

Mauritius is known for its ethereal beaches with powdery white sands and warm azure waters. While it does have some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world, there is no dearth of things to do in Mauritius – it isn’t called Paradise Island for nothing! Even though we had to tear ourselves away from our lovely hotel, we are glad we did. Mauritius is perfect if you like your holidays jam-packed with activities and beaches.

Overview of Mauritius

PROS

Gorgeous beaches, perfect mix of history, culture and scenery, suits both luxury and budget travellers

CONS

Hard to find complete privacy if that is what you are after, beaches and markets can get really crowded during peak times

PERFECT FOR

Family holidays and couple getaways

READ MORE

Bruised Passports Things To Do In Mauritius

Read about our Top 10 honeymoon and romantic getaways for more ideas

The post 7 Island Getaways with pros and cons – choose one that is right for YOU appeared first on Bruised Passports.

Travel is rarely about the Eiffels and the Colosseums of the world – it’s always about meeting new people of the road, tasting little-known delicacies, stumbling on dilapidated ruins, or discovering a hidden beach. The experiential aspect of travel is what makes it exciting and unnerving all at once.

Travel giant Contiki’s latest video highlights exactly this aspect of travel and I love it. It’s good to see the notion of travelling changing in mainstream media slowly but surely. Take a look, THIS is exactly what the two of us love about travelling :-

The video is right – Rome is a magical city, one like no other. But it’s not the Colosseum or the Trevi Fountain that make it special. It’s the alleys and the food. To say I’m passionate about the finer nuances of Italian food would be an understatement – I love Italian delicacies. Read on to find out how a short weekend in Rome changed my perception of Italian food forever and ever…..

***

I will always remember biting into my first Frappe. All my life, I had associated the word with a bland ice-blended coffee but this changed one chilly morning in Rome. Frappe is a rectangular pastry made during Carneval season (February-March) in Italy. Strips of dough, made with flour, sugar, and butter, are deep fried in olive oil till they are crisp. Once cold, these rectangular fritters are dusted with powdered sugar, which settles into the crevices of the pastries like fairy-dust. One bite and the dainty pastry crumbled into dozens of exquisite fragments inside my mouth. I caught myself wondering why I hadn’t tasted this work of art at a rustic Biscottificio (biscuit factory), tucked into a tiny by-lane of Rome, before!

This wasn’t my first time in Rome – in fact it was my fifth time in the city of gladiators. I had spent my first four trips exploring The Colosseum, Palantine Hill, and The Roman Forum, walking around The Spanish Steps, and tossing coins at The Trevi Fountain. But for a traveller like me, who thrives on experiential travel, such attractions lose their allure rather quickly. It is easy to feel jaded by the crowds that throng the Roman Forum, staged proposals at The Trevi Fountain, and faux gladiators at the Colosseum. Monuments might be fascinating but only experiences have the power to be truly seductive.

On this visit, I wanted to understand the city of Rome and its inimitable culture. I decided to indulge my finer senses and partake in a culinary odyssey with a small company which conducts offbeat food tours in Rome. I spent three days exploring Rome’s hippest neighbourhood Trastevere and its working class quarter Testaccio.

We started with Carciofi Alla Giudia, a Jewish-style fried artichoke, at a small restaurant in Trastevere. From the moment the golden-brown floret was placed in front of me, I knew this was going to be fun. I spent a long time mulling over its intricate leaves and edible stem before savouring the nutty flavour of the crisp ‘petals’ and the soft earthiness of the heart.

Within minutes I found myself at the next stop on the tour – an underground wine cellar with a façade laden with ivy. Our group huddled into the dark cellar at Spirito DeVino. I couldn’t help running my fingers along the hundreds of bottles of wine that lined the walls of the cellar. The air was rife with dampness and the anticipation of a feast. As I turned, I spied a circular table laden with Roman delicacies in the dimly lit cellar. I inhaled the aroma of slow-cooked Italian food with half-closed eyes as our bilingual guide enlightened us about the importance of pairing the right wines with the flavourful lentil soup, Roman-style meat balls, and the rich pecorino cheese on offer. I spent the better part of an hour luxuriating in all the flavours at hand. The creaminess of the cheese, fullness of the red wine, and subtle tanginess of the meatballs caused an explosion of flavours on my tongue.

This exploration of flavours continued as I tried my hand at making Bruschetta the next day. Italians’ infamous hand gestures aren’t restricted to conversations; they love using them to conjure delectable food. A fifth-generation vegetable vendor, in a quaint Roman market, taught me how to use my hands to toss handsome tomatoes, crunchy basil, extra virgin olive oil, and coarse sea-salt to create the perfect topping for thick slices of crusty Italian bread. I must admit there is something rather seductive about tossing a basic mixture with your bare hands and producing something so memorable. As I bit into the Bruschetta I had just put together from scratch, I realised the allure of simple food. It might be easy to count the number of ingredients used in most Italian dishes on the fingers of one’s hands, but is the quality of those ingredients that makes Italian cuisine irresistible.

This struck me as I feasted on two basic kinds of pasta- Spaghetti Alla Carbonara with egg, parsley, black pepper, and pancetta ham and Bucatini All’amatriciana with tomato, black pepper and cured pork belly. Both pastas were cooked to a perfect al-dente consistency and surmounted with generous shavings of Pecorino Romano cheese – dead simple but tastier than any pasta I’d ever had! You will forgive me for resorting to hyperbole once you have tasted classic Roman delicacies at Flavio Velavevodetto, sequestered in a quiet area of Rome. Their dishes delivered an intense savoury warmth that I found hard to forget.

But the real stars of this show were the shop owners. I met an 83-year-old Italian gentleman who has been making pizzas for over 69 years. Word on the street has it that he retired at 65, passing on the reigns of his business to his son. But he was unable to let go. Within days, he was back at the establishment, doing what he does best – making pizzas. When I saw him, he was tossing sacks of flour with the verve of a sixteen year old. He insisted on teaching me the art of rolling the perfect pizza base. The resultant Pizza Margherita was bursting with stringy mozzarella cheese and punchy tomatoes – tantalising and warming all at once.

These adjectives can also be used to describe Lina and Enzo’s relationship, cheese purveyors who own a tiny stall in Testaccio’s fruit and vegetable market. They have been married for over 40 years and work with each other every single day. Their constant squabbles and grins are a source of amusement for their customers. Lina and Enzo pride themselves on the quality of their Bufala (fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese). Sure enough, their quivering mozzarella cheese, which luxuriates in a bath of whey till it is sold to customers, is unspeakably delicious.

I wound my culinary adventure with gossamer scoops of velvety gelato. At the end of the three days, my head was swirling with sublime images of rich olive oil, crusty breads, fresh herbs, fragrant spices, decadent truffles, indulgent cheeses, and sensual Roman food. I’ve always found that epicurean experiences help me assimilate the local culture of a new place. My culinary pilgrimage in Rome was no different. It was an adventure that warmed the very cockles of my heart. I don’t know if it was the accompanying glasses of Prosecco and wine or walking through hidden Roman alleys with ochre sunlight peeking through buildings as old as time, but the entire experience left me drunk with joy.

***

Are you a foodie? Then you NEED to visit this corner of Italy for the eats 

Want to know what I packed for Italy? Check out this post on bohemian summer fashion

The post A CULINARY PILGRIMAGE IN ROME appeared first on Bruised Passports.

Sampling local street food or exploring hidden beaches while travelling might be enriching but it’s the tales of local people, experiences of village elders, and communities that stay with us for the longest time.

The Killing Fields of Phnom Penh provide such an experience – one that drives home the importance of travel in an unprecedented fashion. The entire monument bears witness to gruesome tales of torture, confinement, killing, and murder under Pol Pot’s Communist regime, popularly known as Khmer Rouge. Pol Pot was a communist revolutionary who ruled Cambodia between 1975-79. He believed in an extremist form of agrarian socialism which idolised peasants. His government forced city dwellers to relocate to the Cambodian country-side and felt no qualms in penalising anyone who couldn’t slave away in the fields, wore glasses (signifying academic leanings as opposed to fondness for hard labour), or had soft hands.

But the punishments were no ordinary punishments. Every day, hundreds of people were forcefully transferred from cities to the countryside and most of them were killed on one pretext or another. The audio tour at the Killing Fields of Phnom Penh narrates many such horror stories.

Sloganeering was frequently used by Polpot’s soldiers to demoralise victims – ‘Better to kill an innocent by mistake than spare an enemy by mistake‘ and ‘To keep you is no gain, to lose you is no loss‘ are just a couple of the propagandist slogans that were used. Victims were nailed and hacked to death with machetes, saws, and axes because bullets were too expensive. Their babies were grabbed by their legs and smashed against trees till they died because Polpot did not want them to grow up to take revenge for their parents’ deaths.

Propagandist songs were played on loudspeakers to drown the cries of the dying people. Even today, visitors can listen to the nightmarish cacophony produced by generators, songs, and the cries of victims at the Killing Fields in Phnom Penh.

The Cambodian Genocide, unleashed by Polpot, remains one of the scariest chapters of World History and the fact that it is so recent, makes it even scarier. 25% of Cambodia’s population (over 2 million people) was wiped out in less than 4 years and these horror stories about open graves, decaying bodies, and stench of dead bodies come alive at The Killing Fields in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Bones, clothes, and teeth still occasionally appear at the mass graves here and serve as a stark reminder of the violence that was unleashed on innocent Cambodian nationals.

Every once in a while, travelling throws a history lesson in your face – one that is hard to ignore. The hours spent mulling over the gruesome bits of history we experienced at The Killing Fields forcefully reiterate the importance of travel. No history book could have ever impacted us the way this visit to the Killing Fields did. The haunting images of Cambodia’s bloody past will stay etched in our memory forever, forcing us to question homogeneity and embrace difference at every step of our lives.

 FACT FILE

• Visiting the Killing Fields of Phnom Penh should definitely be on your itinerary of Cambodia
• The entry fee for Killing Fields of Phnom Penh is $6 (as of February 2014). This includes an excellent audio tour.
• These fields are only 1 of 300 Killing Fields in Cambodia. Most of them are inaccessible, lost, or surrounded by land mines.
• It’s best to apply for a Cambodian Visa online. The process is hassle free and costs around £55 if you decide to go through an agency.

Want to experience something similar to The Killing Fields in Europe? Read about our day at a Nazi Concentration Camp in Germany

Are you planning a trip to Cambodia? Make sure you consult our list of 10 Must Visit Angkor Temples

.

The post A Somber Visit to The Killing Fields, Phnom Penh, Cambodia appeared first on Bruised Passports.

Writing Part I of the Best Things To Eat In Spain just did not satiate us. We’re gluttons, what can we do So we are back, heaving bellies and all, to take you on another food tour – this time it’s our favourite cheap eats and drinks from Northern Spain.

The first things that come to my mind when I think about Northern Spanish towns like Valencia are locals striking  a bargain with vendors in noisy alleys and bustling markets laden with fresh produce, cheeses, incredible meats, and symmetrically arranged hams.

A few steps away from the chaos lies a sleepy street with a tapas bar or two – the perfect place for a rendezvous featuring tapas and an aperitif. Here’s what you should be ordering off that menu :-

1) Tigres de Mari

Tapas celebrates the social nature of the Spanish people in the true sense. Tapas, literally translated, means a cover. The term was used to refer to the bread that tavern owners used to cover the glasses of their patrons to keep flies away from their drinks. Over time tapas has come to refer to bite-sized morsels of various foods. We can’t think of Spanish cuisine without salivating over these small portions of food.

Tigres de mari are stuffed mussels served in bars and restaurants primarily in Northern Spain. A delicious filling is made with finely chopped mussel meat, peppers, onions, and tomato sauce. This mixture is then breaded and fried lightly till it is crisp. It is then stuffed back  into the shells. Nom!

2) Patatas Bravas

Patata Bravas is a traditional and classic tapas dish served in bars all over Spain. Patata Bravas literally translates to fierce potatoes – the fierceness comes in the form of a bite from the Tabasco used in the recipe. Its tough to articulate the amazingness (is that even a word? ) of these crisp fried potatoes. Perfect when accompanied by an orujo shot or a glass of wine

3)  Jamon Ibericos

Vid loves Spanish cured meats, so this one shouldn’t come as a surprise. I’m not one for cured meats, but even I can’t resist the charms of traditional Iberico ham. It could easily be voted as Spain’s finest ham. It has an exceptionally rich flavour and taste. Most tapas dishes pair it with mellow broad beans, almonds, roasted figs, or  stuffed artichokes so that the flavour of the ham reigns supreme. Perfect with olives and Manchego cheese – someone take me to Spain right now!!

 

 

 

4) Horchata

Horchata is what you need on a hot summer’s day in Spain. The sweet drink originated in Valencia and is extremely popular in the city. It is made with the Chufa nut, ground almonds, and sesame seeds. The creamy ambrosial Horchata is served chilled with a dash of cinnamon. Have it with a farton (much tastier than it sounds, haha ), a pastry just made to be eaten dunked in an ice-cold Horchata

5) Cortado

Vid’s obsession with coffee ensures we try every coffee based drink in town. Our favourite in Spain resembles the Macchiato. A bit of milk is added to an espresso shot. The result? A typical Spanish Cortado. Perfect if you enjoy an intense cup of coffee bursting with flavour.

6) Churros Con Chocolate

Prepare to drool. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

A fried dough pastry dipped in chocolate sauce!! What more could foodies possibly ask for? Piped out of the churrera, a syringe with a star shaped nozzle, churros are fried till they are crisp and crunchy on the outside. They are then dipped into hot chocolate sauce. This decadent Spanish treat is available on the streets of Spain where vendors fry them right before your eyes and serve them piping hot. It doesn’t get better than this- seriously!!

+1 Cheeky mention – The Central Market, Valencia

Now this isn’t something you can order off a menu. But if you’re in or around Valencia, you MUST make a pit stop at The Central Market aka Mercat Central de València in Valencia. The market is one of the oldest in Europe – over 1000 years old. It is housed in an decrepit building adorned with colourful tiles and stained glass panels.

Browse fresh oranges, choicest meats, organic olives, and Spanish cheeses while watching locals go about their business. It is the perfect place to pick a picnic – did you not know tapas is perfect for the park?!

Love Spain as much as we do? Check out our articles on offbeat  attractions, itineraries, and hidden gems in Spain

Stuck on packing for Spain? We’ve shot a number of outfits in the alleys of Spain – take a look at our outfit posts, perfect for some travel fashion inspiration

The post Culinary Nirvana – A Food Tour of Northern Spain appeared first on Bruised Passports.

Spain – the name brings to mind the white villages of Andalucia, beaches lit by the ochre glow of the setting sun, medieval towns of Costa Brava, and endless glasses of local wine. Then there are the locals who seem to spend languorous days nibbling on a variety of tapas. To us that is the greatest mystery of all – how do Spanish people manage to eat all day long?

Never ones to complain about something so glorious, how could we be left behind? Of course we had to follow suit in the name of integration So we ate – we binged at every given opportunity, sampled one tapas too many, learnt to differentiate between Spanish cheeses, and appreciate Spanish wine. From Malaga to Granada, Valencia to Figueres, we went in search of the best Spanish food and discovered some mouthwatering delicacies.

We still love our paella and sangria, but there is so much more to Spanish food than that. Here’s some of our favourite  Spanish eats, including our favourite dishes from Southern Spain

 

1) Porra Antequerana 

El Torcal De Antequera’s surreal rock formations are not the only thing I love about Antequera. The very mention of Porra Antequerana brings a picture of Spain to my mind-the bright sun, warm weather, loads of fresh vegetables, and the oh-so-ripe tomatoes. Porra Antequerana is a mouth-watering soup/dip that belongs to the gazpacho family. It is made from tomatoes, olive oil, hard-boiled eggs, garlic, serrano ham, and tuna – perfect with breadsticks or crusty bread.

 

Don’t leave Antequera without tasting this glorious orange dip. Make sure you savour every creamy bite.

 

 

2)  Berenjenas con miel de cana/Aubergine Tempura with sugarcane molasses

Don’t be surprised if you end up without any photographs of this dish. You will feel the intense need to devour it the moment it is served. A typically Andalucian dish, Berenhjenas con miel de cana, is easy to find around Malaga and Granada. Fried aubergine rounds, delicately arranged next to each other are generously drizzled with Miel de Cana (sugar cane honey). Just a bite of it could turn anyone into an aubergine lover.

 

 

 3) Chorizo Bocadillo

Aah Bocadillo – every Spaniard’s favourite snack. Bocadillos are readily found everywhere in Spain – from bars, taverns, and cafeterias to roadside vendors and Spanish homes. The bocadillo is made with a baguette style bread loaf (barra de pan) cut lengthwise. It is stuffed with tuna, anchovies, chicken, or chorizo. The Spanish do not add lettuce, tomato, or mayonnaise to their bocadillos.

 

Of course, there are innumerable fillings to choose from. Our favourite? The Chorizo Bocadillo. The intense flavour of this Spanish sausage is perfect for a sandwich on the go. It’s smoky, it’s spicy, it’s perfection.

 

A word of warning – beware of ordering a ‘regular’ Bocadillo in Spain – it can be as long as 18 inches. What can we say? Spaniards like their carbs

 

 

4) Molette/ Sandwich

The very sight of these open sandwiches is enough to send your tummy into a tizzy. Halved bolillo rolls are topped with an array of beans, cheese, meat, and salsa and then baked till they are hot and crisp – what more could one ask for?! It is the  best use of left over morsels of meat and other foods if you’re staying at a self-catering accommodation. A Molette is perfect for lunch or an afternoon snack.

 

Seriously, how is it that even a sammy tastes better in Spain?

 

 

 5) Jamon Serrano

Any conversation about Spain would be incomplete without referring to Spanish ham. Sitting on the beach and watching the sun go down with a plate of ham, olives and a glass of wine is part of my Spanish fantasy

 

Jamon Serrano literally translates to ‘ham from the mountains’. In olden times when a pig was fattened, no part of it could be allowed to go waste. It would be preserved by the process of curing hams. Mountainous air was ideal for this process, hence giving Jamon Serrano its name. Ham is so deeply ingrained in the Spanish society that it forms a part of many traditional customs in this iconic country. Serrano ham has a much firmer texture than other hams and forms the base of a large variety of tapas and other traditional Spanish recipes. Nom, nom, nom!

 

6) Fish, the Spanish Way

You haven’t had fish till you’ve had fish in Southern Spain. We have a soft spot for Malaga’s local delicacy Espeto De Sardinas (Grilled Sardines) – the perfect accompaniment to a glass of icy-cold beer

 

Our second favourite in Southern Spain comes from a tiny village called Riofrio. The endearingly-named hamlet is located between Malaga and Granada. Riofrio is famous for its trout river and trout farm. Naturally, the quality of fish is top notch. Everything from the trout salad to grilled trout is mouth-wateringly delicious. Not to be missed if you’re ever in Southern Spain.

 

 

 

Hungry for more? Check out Part II  of the best things to eat in Spain in A Food Tour of Northern Spain

Want to cover Spain on a budget?  We have some fabulous ideas for Budget Accommodation in Spain

Want to read about our shenanigans in Spain? Check out what happened when we participated in the largest food fight in the world – The Tomatina Festival 

The post Smell, Savour, Devour: A Food Tour of Southern Spain appeared first on Bruised Passports.

2013 – It was the best of years, it was the worst of years.

***

We started the year on a high note and welcomed 2013 on Lanzarote’s secluded beaches. Savi and I saw tons of active and nascent volcanoes and went for hikes on volcanic rubble. What’s more, we had food cooked on a volcano for the first time in our lives – it got us really excited Lanzarote was all about stumbling on geological oddities, hidden beaches, and local tapas bars.

 

 

 

In February, we flew to Dubai. Skyscrapers and malls don’t fascinate us in the least, so we were hell-bent on discovering the ‘other’ Dubai, one that is ignored by the media and most tourists. Savi and I spent our time perusing endless rows of colourful spices, sampling sweet Arabic dates, off-roading in a sturdy 4×4, and camping in the desert.

 

 

 

We welcomed Easter Break with open arms and decided to drive along one of England’s prettiest routes. The road trip from London to Cornwall needs to be experienced to be believed. Tiny villages populated with rustic cottages and tea rooms dot the scenery. We spent the holiday complaining about the English weather (0°C in April, seriously?), devouring dozens of Easter eggs and Cornish pasties, and exploring Cornwall’s fishing villages.

 

 

Can you guess what we did in May? We succumbed to our friends’ threats (err encouragement?) and FINALLY started our travel blog, Bruised Passports. Before we knew it, we had fallen head over heels in love with blogging  and sharing our adventures with all of you *does a little dance*

 

Soon after, we hopped over to Berlin, one of our favourite cities in Europe. Berlin’s laid-back vibe and subversive street-art had us swooning in no time. We spent our days hunting down works by street-art masters, discovering some really cool music, and exploring its beer gardens and vintage markets.

 

We shot a number of grungy outfits for the ‘Wears’ section of Bruised Passports. In fact, Savi managed to rope me in for a shoot and we shot our first post on Men’s Fashion in Berlin. Aah fun times…NOT!

 

 

 

May is a happy month. It’s Savi’s birthday. We celebrated her birthday by going on a cruise holiday with her favourite people – her family. I’ve known Sid and Savi’s mum and dad for 16 years now, so they’re all very dear to me. We had an amazing time hopping from port to port, lounging on our ship’s decks, indulging our passion for fine-dining, and staring wide-eyed in disbelief at the expansive ocean.

 

 

 

In June we re-visited Rome for a few days. Savi busied herself with tales of gladiators and mysteries of the crumbling walls of the Colosseum while I was on a mission to find the best pizza in town. What can I say, that’s how we roll

 

As always, Savi got away with wearing some crazy looking shoes in Rome. Don’t believe me? I have visual proof

 

 

 

As Audrey Hepburn famously quoted: Paris is ALWAYS a good idea. We couldn’t have agreed more. In July, Savi and I pranced across the Channel Tunnel into the romantic alleys of Paris with Gowithoh. Fluffy macrons, crusty baguettes, and endless walks by the Seine defined our days while evenings were made complete by drinks with close friends, panoramas of Paris, and partying with locals at Sacré-Coeur at midnight. It was our nth trip to Paris but it was on this trip that we discovered a secret abandoned railway line in Paris, explored the quirky neighbourhood of Belleville, and FINALLY made it to the Palace of Versailles.

 

 

 

 

The madness continued in Spain. Savi’s brother, Sid accompanied the two of us on an epic road trip through Spain. We started in Malaga, Picasso’s birthplace in Southern Spain, and drove 1500 kilometres along the coast to Besalu, a tiny town in Catalonia.

 

We spent our days partaking in Spain’s annual ferias, drinking copious amounts of sangria, getting squashed (pun fully intended) at the world’s biggest food fight, sunning ourselves at Costa Brava’s stunning beaches, and hunting for Spain’s famous sunflower fields and medieval towns.

 

 

 

We celebrated my birthday in September with a travel-themed birthday cake (what else?!)

 

 

In October we flew to the little island nation of Mauritius. Now, the mere mention of Mauritius conjures up images of pristine beaches and turquoise waters. So we packed our bags expecting decadent beaches and ornate hotels. On reaching Mauritius, we realised that it isn’t just about the luxury. Mauritius offers an extremly vibrant mix of culture, food, and adventure sports. From unique water sports to rugged mountainous drives, rum tastings to spicy Creole food, biking around tiny fishing villages to walking with lions, Mauritius has it all. Don’t be surprised if you find us packing our bags for Mauritius again in 2014

 

 

 

This year ended on a somber note because our world was shaken in October. We lost Savi’s dad to a sudden stroke. Losing a parent is always tough, but it has been exceptionally hard for Savi because she was extremely close to her dad – he was her friend, confidante, mentor, and guide. It’s been a couple of months and Savi’s only beginning to get back to her normal self, thanks to the support of our incredible family and friends. We’re working on getting her smile back

 

This incident has forced us to come to terms with the unpredictability of life and made us even more determined to travel the world and collect experiences instead of material possessions. Savi gets her travel bug from her dad, who was Bruised Passports’ staunchest supporter. We will continue to record our journey on Bruised Passports in the hope that he is watching over us.

 

This year might not have been a good year for us (far from it), but we’re very grateful for the friends we made, places we saw, and things we experienced.

 

We hope the New Year is full of health and happiness for all of you. We’ll be back in 2014 with loads of adventures, offbeat places, bohemian fashion, culinary gems, and general madness You can subscribe to Bruised Passports on Facebook and Twitter  to follow us on our travels

 

 

 

How was 2013 for you? Good? Bad? Tell us in the comments below

 

 

The post The Best Year? The Worst Year? 2013, A Year In Review appeared first on Bruised Passports.

Hola Earthlings!

Today’s post has been long time coming. It’s no secret that I love a good maxi dress. We’ve been asked about our ‘fashion staples’ in every interview we’ve given since starting Bruised Passports. I’m quite the boring troll when it comes to that question because my answer never wavers – it’s always ‘Maxi Dresses’

So much has been said about the ubiquitous Little Black Dress but I’m partial to these long, floaty drapes. For starters they’re comfortable (SO comfortable), incredibly versatile, and stylish. They’re ideal for conservative countries because they look put together without flashing too much skin.

What’s more, it’s so easy to dress them up or down depending on how you will be spending your day – on a beach with bare feet in sand or a historical city acquainting yourself with its secret passageways and bazaars. There’s something about the ephemeral fluidity of maxi dresses that reminds me of battered suitcases, deep kisses, midnight swims, and TRAVEL. Here are a few of my favourite ways to wear a maxi dress

 # Glam it up with gold accessories

We have a whole post dedicated to this outfit and Spain’s constant sunny, gorgeous, warm weather

 # Go ethnic with a kaftan-inspired maxi dress

Ethnic maxi dresses are perfect for days when all you want to do is pile on the jewellery – it might not make sense, but it all comes together Don’t believe me? Check out the details of this outfit from the Canary Islands.

# Go Floral

How often does one chance on picture-perfect meadows or mysterious woods with an enchanted stream flowing through them?! When it happens, a girl’s gotta prance If there’s an occasion, there’s a maxi for it. Add floral accents – corsages, floral crowns, pearl clips – to lend your maxi dress a pastoral edge

# Layer

Maxi dresses are perfect for conservative countries. Layer them with waistcoats in ethnic prints, tribal jewellery, and colourful cardigans to lend interest to the ensemble. I resorted to this trick all the time while travelling through UAE and Morocco. The UAE, especially Dubai, is extremely fashionable. However, it is important to wear covered clothes, if you intend to step out of the malls and explore the forgotten nooks and crannies of the city.  Maxi dresses are perfect for this. The weather can get ruthless in this part of the world. Don’t forget to slather on some sort of sunscreen or anti aging products to keep your skin looking and feeling well throughout the holiday.

 #  Dress it down

Sometimes you got to let go of accessories and bags. Minimalism is the way to go if you’re planning to spend the day at the beach or indulging in all sorts of raffish shenanigans Case in point below –

# Go Bright

 The easiest way to brighten a grey day? Dig up an eye-searingly bright maxi dress from your wardrobe and pair it with statement accessories.

# Le Blanc

There are few things better than a pristine white maxi dress. It transports me to a place where days are spent frolicking in bluebell fields and rolling hills. You have to hop over to the photos in our outfit post to see how much fun was had in this dress

Are Maxi Dresses a staple in your wardrobe too? How do you wear your favourite maxi dresses?  

The post Maxi Dresses – The Travellers’ Staple appeared first on Bruised Passports.

Every year, thousands of holiday-makers flock to the beaches of the largest Balearic island, Mallorca, for sun, sand, and cocktails. Once suitably tanned, they venture to the capital city, Palma De Mallorca, for a spot of sightseeing. With just a day to absorb the culture and history of the capital city, they are left suitably befuddled.

Sharing their confusion are hundreds of cruise passengers, who alight sparkly-eyed at the port of Palma De Mallorca, for they wish to ‘see everything’. Who can blame them?

The capital city of Mallorca has so much to offer. Greed is natural.

What can we say?! We empathise. On our recent holiday to Majorca with Thomas Cook, we spent our first few hours in the city running around like headless chickens. A few deep breaths later, we decided to absorb the sights and sounds instead of crossing everything off a checklist. After all, who wants their day to revolve around endless maps, hurried photos, overpriced food, and expensive entry tickets?

Here’s our 2 cents:

Researching beforehand is key to exploring Palma De Mallorca in one day. Unplanned adventures and time constraints don’t go hand-in-hand. Make the best of your time in Palma De Mallorca by researching beforehand. The city has a number of attractions and landmarks. It is impossible to visit the Museum of Dolls, the Palma Acquarium, and the Museum of Spanish Contemporary Art in a day. Choose the ones that tickle your fancy.

We highly recommend visiting the La Seu Cathedral and Parc De La Mar, the open space in front of the cathedral. La Seu’s Gothic Roman architecture is fascinating, but its location is truly breathtaking. The cathedral’s intricate facade against the twinkling turquoise waters of the Mediterranean sea and Mallorca’s mountain ranges offers a sight to behold.

Hop over to the Arab Baths and Castell De Belver, a 14th century fortress, once you manage to peel yourself away from the La Seu Cathedral.

Absorb the atmosphere as you stroll along the Placa Major, Palma’s main square. There are dozens of restaurants and street artists and entertainers at every step.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, tiptoe into the quaint alleyways of the city. Steer clear of tourist-laden areas and search for tapas bars frequented by locals.

Alternatively, buy a picnic from the colourful Olivar Market. Here fresh produce jostles with cured meats and cheeses. Different kinds of olives vie for the attention of passers-by. Smell the oranges, sample the olive oils on offer, buy fresh food off a delicatessen, or join the workers for coffee spiked with brandy at the tiny bars in the market.

A warmth is bound to envelop you – it’s not the brandy, it’s Spain

Fact File :-

• A Schengen Visa is needed to visit the Balearic Islands.
• Mallorca is the largest Balearic Island.
• Palma de Mallorca is Mallorca’s bustling capital city
• Public transport is extremely efficient and it is easy to get around Palma de Mallorca using buses

Wondering what to pack for Mallorca? Of course we have a summery outfit from the alleys of Mallorca for you

Want to read more about Spain? Here’s a compilation of some of our favourite places and experiences in Spain

.

The post Balearic Musings – Palma De Mallorca In One Day appeared first on Bruised Passports.

So far we’ve stumbled upon many an oddity – abandoned railways lines, labyrinthine caves, ghoulish waterways, and ideologically-provocative installations. With Halloween just around the corner, we thought we would put together our favourite weird (yet wonderful) things we’ve seen on our travels :-

1) A Cathedral Made Out of Bones in Portugal

Forget intricate frescoes and stained-glass windows. At the Capela dos Ossos in Portugal, the decor boasts of bones of monks. This tiny cathedral is tucked away in the town of Faro in Southern Portugal. The macabre decor is meant to work as a reminder of mortality. As you tip-toe into the chapel you will spot skeletal arms, legs, and teeth. Spooky doesn’t even begin to describe it.

 

2) David Černý’s Giant Babies in Czech Republic

David Černý is notorious for his provocative sculptures in Prague. The 3 giant babies guarding the entrance to Museum Kampa are not subtle. But they are definitely compelling. Cerny’s subversive infants reappear at the Zizkov Television Tower. Here 10 enormous and creepy babies can be seen crawling up the Tower. Stifled by this landmark of totalitarian rule in Czech Republic, they are unable to reach adulthood.

Fascinated? Read more about Černý’s sculptures in our post on Offbeat Prague.

 

 

4) Goat’s Head on a platter in Morocco

Marrakech is an assault to the senses like no other place in the world. Walk to the Djemaa-El-Fnaa (the central square) and you will see what we mean. On our first night in Marrakech, we were offered snails, sheep’s head, and fried aubergines in the same breath. We opted for sheep’s head, all in the name of research for our blog. In restrospect, it wasn’t the smartest decision – the meat was chewy, it might even have been tasty – but we just couldn’t get used to the fact that we were munching on the head of an animal. A local specialty, this one is definitely not for the squeamish of heart.

 

If you ever find yourself in Marrakech, do make sure you experience it the way we did!
 

Paris is frequently touted as the most romantic city in the world. The slightest mention of Paris conjures visuals of the Eiffel Tower and picnics by the Seine. But Paris also has miles of neglected underground waterways which have a ghoulish air about them. We explored these on a canal tour recently – the watery darkness of these mysterious underground canals is enough to set your heart racing. Let’s just say we were very relieved when the canal hit open air.

Intrigued? Discover another side to Paris in our 10 Must Dos in Offbeat Paris

A steep cable car ride, followed by an uphill climb, led us to the world’s largest ice caves in a small Austrian village called Werfen. We were left dumbstruck on entering the caves – there are miles of stalactites, stalagmites, and bizarre ice formations. Photography is strictly forbidden, but the labyrinthine display of natural ice sculptures left a lasting impression on us

7) Nuclear Bunker in Czech Republic

Visiting a nuclear bunker in a decrepit part of Prague is the highlight of a entire trip to Eastern Europe. It was, without a doubt, the best of our top 10 offbeat experiences in Prague. This ex-Soviet bunker, made during the Cold War, is located 5 stories under the ground. The paraphernalia including gas masks, medical kits, and uniforms is evocative of the paranoia and violence of the Cold War years. It is bound to send a chill down your spine.

What is the weirdest thing you have encountered on your travels?

The post Wonderfully Bizarre Travel Experiences appeared first on Bruised Passports.

Our favourite part? The sun-hazed alleys and plazas populated by tapas bars and local markets. That is why we shot these photos in the sleepy by-lanes of Valencia, a bustling sea-side town in Eastern Spain.  Valencia, a quintessential European town, calls for quintessential European outfits no?

The European summer is notoriously unpredictable and we happened to be in Valencia on a slightly chilly summer’s day. I opted for a form-fitting maxi dress in a thick jersey fabric. The material and length of the dress kept me from feeling cold. The abstract print of this dress reminds me of a blank canvas with splodges of black on it. I did not want to overwhelm the sumptuous print with bright accessories, so I chose an understated gold clutch bag, belt, and bracelet.

Vid opted for light blue chinos and a striped city blazer. Pastel-coloured blazers are a staple for European summers – perfect to ward off occasional chills while still looking summery. They work equally well with shirts and tees. Take a look:

That’s the story of how we put together outfits for a breezy summer day. Simple, fuss-free, ideal for soaking the romance of the European summer, and guzzling endless pitchers of sangria

Savi’s Outfit:

Maxi Dress: TK Maxx

‘Peace’ Bracelet: ASOS (available here)

Belt: Primark (similar here)

Clutch Bag: Peacocks (Click here for inspiration on styling the same bag differently)

Sandals: New Look (available here)

Vid’s Outfit:

Chinos: Topman

Shirt and Tee: H&M

Blazer: Primark (Check out our first post on men’s fashion for ideas on styling blazers)

Shoes: River Island

.

The post There’s something about Spain … appeared first on Bruised Passports.