Jacobs Travel Blog

10/26/2024

PORTO: Ribeira
Porto's riverside quarter, known as the Ribeira, is one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods and a designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The waterfront (Cais da Ribeira) is long strip of cafes, restaurants and shops overlooking the river and the Port houses of Vila Nova de Gaia on the opposite bank. Many of these businesses are housed in what would once have been single-storey warehouses whilst above and behind are a row of colourful, if not a little faded, houses. A great place to hang out during the sunset hours.
Dominating the Cais da Ribeira is Porto's iconic Ponte Dom Luis I bridge which spans the Douro to Vila Nova de Gaia. It was designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel and with its iron framework (it is quite obvious). The double-decker bridge carries the city's metro trains on its top level and road traffic below.
Behind the riverfront the city slopes steeply up and there is a fascinating maze of medieval streets and alleys.
Across the river is Vile de Gao, a different town, but equally touristy, dominated by the major Port houses and themed restaurants. Nice to look across to the Ribeira of Porto.
In one of these streets you will find the Casa do Infante. From here it is just a stone's throw across to some of the other great sights of Porto. Across the road are the gardens that also bear Prince Henry's name. Overlooking these are is the imposing Palacio da Bolsa with its exquisitely ornate interior. Next door to this is the fine gothic Igreja de São Francisco with an equally sumptuous Baroque interior.

10/18/2024

Atlantic Coast, Portugal, Algarve region;

The Algarve is one of the top beach destinations in Europe. Known for its golden cliffs and beaches, flavourful cuisine, luxurious resorts, and array of outdoor activities, we stayed in the town of Olhao, just outside Faro. With a nice resort hotel as a base, we drove to the several towns from Tavira close to the Spanish border in the East all the way to Lagos and further West. This is one of the warmest regions of Europe.

Lagos from the time of the discoveries to the cliffs at Ponte da Piamed and Pinheiros; then the more cosmopolitan Portimão and Albufeira that are bustling towns by night and day. Tavira is a showcase for traditional architecture and Faro, the gateway to the region, deserves a longer stop to discover its beautiful historic centre.

Lagos is a beautiful seaside town in the Algarve. It’s a favourite town to visit for many travelers, with its charming, colourful streets and array of shops and restaurants. With sandy stretches as far as the eye can see, framed by golden cliffs and virtually deserted islands. The ocean, in every shade of blue and mostly calm and warm, invites you to step in.

At the dining table, you will be delighted with the fresh fish and seafood, either grilled or in a casserole. These are divine flavours which you can enjoy on a simple beach terrace where chefs turn out new versions of traditional cuisine. With Suresh Jacob

10/06/2024

Lonely Planet on traveling in Kerala, India! For first timers

Mountainous nature experiences, glorious beaches, fabled backwaters and more.

08/30/2024

Have you checked out my travel blog? Just starting to post.

I am Suresh JacobYour Travel & Visual Guide COME EXPERIENCE THE WORLD WITH ME The story of my travel & Photography.I have been a photographer for over four decades. I photograph and write about people, places and wildlife. My photographic subject covers events, people, lifestyle and travel. Of late,...

08/30/2024

PORTUGAL Here We Come.
Driving around Portugal for the next 15 days, starting in Porto, discovering the North, in to Douro valley, Coimbra, Nazare, Obidos, Evora and then some time in the beach towns of Algarve region before driving into Lisbon. With Deepa Jacob. Carrying 3 lens and 2 cameras for some birding and content for Jacobs Travel Blog

08/25/2024

The latest post on my blo: I prepared this for fellow Canadians, who were planning to add a Kerala visit in addition to the Golden Triangle.
https://blog.jacobsphotography.ca/visit-india-part-4-heading-south-quick-week-in-kerala/

08/25/2024

Working on creating a Blog of my travels. Click here to visit https://blog.jacobsphotography.ca/

The latest post I did was for fellow Canadians, who were planning to add a Kerala visit in addition to the Golden Triangle

07/09/2024

VISIT TO INDIA: Continuing with the previous post (read it below) - the most common question of what would you recommend as the hotspots for the first-time traveler or infrequent visitor to India - Here is the second stop of the Golden Triangle road trip.

Having completed your tour of Delhi and surrounds, rent a car (I would recommend a high seated vehicle like an SUV for viewing and photography), engage a driver and head to Jaipur, the second leg of the triangle. There are two routes I recommend: The new high speed (120+ kmph) NE4 if time is of essence, with several service layovers. The other one being the older route – NH48 – with lots of action along the way including eating spots / Dhabas, and several interesting stops. The Neemrana Fort is a must stop (it is now a heritage resort and you can only enter if you reach there after 11 am and buy lunch ticket): a beautiful and well maintained property. They have a Bawardi in the area which is worth a look. Further the Shyam Mandir, in Shahjahanpur could be interesting too. Since I had most of the day, I took a deviation and drove to Alwar to check out the City palace and the forts and lakes there. It’s a bit of a deviation and a long drive….This NH48 route could take considerably longer than the NE4 which between the two cities can be done under 4.5 hrs.

In Jaipur, the Amber Palace (also known as Amer Fort) and the neighbouring Jaigarh Fort are must visits and could take up much of your day. In the City, which is quite crowded, the stop to view the Jal Mahal palace and the walk around the lake is quite touristy. From there to the city centre, perhaps with a brief stop on the way at Nahargarh Fort may be educative. In the City centre you have the City Palace which is an engaging stop. Once you find a car park close to it, the Hawa Mahal (a brief photographic stop from the outside), the Jantar Mantar and the close by to the City Palace.

There are several other attractions that may of interest and you can research them on the Jaipur Tourism website. However I would strongly recommend an evening visit and dinner at Chocki Dhani. Arrive there when they open around 5 pm and pick up your ticket for dinner. I would recommend the buffet in the resort section as they have nice opulence, a good bar, and if you are lucky some live music. Alternatively go for the Rajasthani thali. Discover the several mini bazars and traditional arts, crafts and dances there too. For hotels some of the international brands like Marriott & Hilton are excellent as are the upmarket local brands like Taj, ITC, and the many Hevalis. Stay for a couple of days in the Pink City before venturing onward to your 3rd leg of the triangle.

03/24/2024

VISIT TO INDIA: Amongst the most common questions I get as a travel photographer and writer is, what would you recommend as the hotspots for the first-time traveler or infrequent visitor to India?
I would start with the golden triangle. Fly in to New Delhi and do the city and surrounds first. Then drive (hire a driver and a rental car) to Jaipur area stopping there for a couple of days and from there to Agra for an overnight stay followed by a sunrise view of the Taj and visit to other heritage sites, before heading back to Delhi.
That could be fitted in to a week, but if you have a few more days or another week take a flight to Udaipur in Rajasthan to do another road trip from there to cover Kumbalgargh and Jodhpur together with sites along the way. Fly back to Delhi from Jodhpur.
Add another few days and you could fly down South to Kochi and do the South Kerala tour from there (Aleppy, Kumarkam, Varkala, Kovalm and in to the hills to Munnar, Thekkady etc.), and later perhaps take a stop in Goa. If that is too busy, keep these for your next trip.
I will touch upon all places recommended here in multiple posts; but let’s start with Delhi and area: New Delhi is of recent, all dressed to receive the globe trotter. Most monuments are well maintained (although often crowded). For the first-time visitor, India is often an assault on the senses: from the riot of colours, engaging scenes and smells and the sheer quantum of people everywhere. Yet travel here is an unforgetful experience for those have spent time in detail planning.
There’s a lot to do in Delhi. Based on my experience and interest, for starters, I would suggest visits to the world heritage sites of Qutb Minar, Humayun's Tomb, and the Red Fort. Start out with a morning at the Qutub Minar complex and then head to the near by Hauz Khas Fort to check out the historic structures and lake. There are several interesting lunch spots there with view of the lake. If time permits check out Mehrauli Archaeological Park too in the area. Head for a late afternoon stroll (browsing and shopping) in the street markets near Janpath (including the Tibetan market nearby) and once you have worked up an appetite and bargained till you have a deal, head to CP (Connaught Place) with its many fancy & traditional dinner joints and night life. See some of my suggestions in the pictures.
Keep better part of another day for Humayun's Tomb and neighbouring Sunder nursery. Also a lunch time visit to Majnu ka Tila for some Tibetian or Korean food is exciting as is shopping in the area and then a stop in ‘Dilli Hath’. If you still have time stop at the National Art of Modern Art and lunch at the couple of fine restaurants in there. Only place to see a MF Hussain and Ravi Verma next to each other. The Lotus temple is an architectural marvel and a place of introspection. Red Fort puts you in the midst of humanity while taking you back to another era altogether.
If you need a break in nature, head out to Sultanpur bird sanctuary and take a hike and consider hiring a bird guide for an hour or so. If you have business in Gurgaon, stop at the exciting lunch spot Cyber Hub and enjoy multi-cuisine food at the many noteworthy restaurants there.

02/19/2024

Back in action here in Canada after being away for a while. Had a wonderful trip lasting 2 months and stayed healthy. My road trips covered 5000+ km, and during the 2 months I stayed at 15 hotels / resorts, flew thru 10 airports covered over 37,000 km. While the first couple of weeks went in visiting family and attending events, where Deepa and I drove through Kerala, Karnataka and parts of Tamil Nadu staying at some wonderful resorts and classic hotels. I then stayed back on my own for the month of Jan, driving around Karnataka in the South and all neighbouring states with Delhi as my base. Did a 10 day trip driving across Rajasthan, neighbourhoods in Harayana and Himachal in addition to discovering all Delhi had to offer. Did a week of driving to Utterakand through UP, covering Kumaon mountains. All trips with the primary aim of birding and travel photography. I engaged with outstanding guides in many birding venues & heritage sites together with a good driver cm guide. Collected tons of photographs and prepared loads of travel stories that will kerp me occupied for a long time (or till my nezt trip). But good to be back!

12/29/2023

It’s been nearly a month that the wife and I have been traveling in India. Started in Delhi, flew south to Kerala. A few days in Kochi to attend a wedding. Bird photography has become priority. Went thru Thattekad, the Salim Ali bird sanctuary and then on to Periyar tiger reserve. Some wonderful resorts with outstanding service across the many stops in Kerala. Such a mature tourist destination. Did the hills of South and North Kerala and then the beaches and resorts along North Kerala. Right now in Bangalore checking out a few new hotels and restaurants - but I’ll keep that for another post. If you plan to travel thru India, Kerala and her beach and hill resorts are a must.