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Hanging lanterns hold a significant cultural and historical importance in Vietnam, particularly in the city of Hoi An . The tradition of hanging lanterns can be traced back several centuries and is deeply rooted in Vietnamese folklore and religious practices. Read on for more information and history about the lanterns in Vietnam , and find a list of some of the festivals you might want to plan for if you are visiting this amazing country. In This Post... ● History with Lanterns ● Main Lantern Festivals in Vietnam ● First Impressions on YouTube Travel Resources & Offers ● Book Transport in Advance ● Easily Find Hotels in Hoi An ● FREE Interactive Map of Vietnam ● Book Vietnam Tours with Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Hoi An, and its History with Lanterns Hoi An, located on the central coast of Vietnam, was a bustling trading port during the 16th and 17th centuries. It served as a melting pot of different cultures, attracting merchants from China , Japan , India , and other countries. These diverse influences contributed to the vibrant cultural heritage of Hoi An and shaped the tradition of hanging lanterns. In the past, lanterns were primarily used for religious and spiritual purposes. People believed that hanging lanterns in front of their houses would bring good luck, ward off evil spirits, and guide the souls of ancestors back home during important festivities and ceremonies. Lanterns were also lit to celebrate special occasions such as the Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival . The lantern-making process was passed down from generation to generation, with each family often having its unique techniques and designs. Artisans would meticulously craft lanterns using bamboo frames and colored silk or thin fabric. The frames were carefully bent and shaped into various forms such as spheres, cylinders, or squares, while the fabric was skillfully stretched and attached to create a beautiful, translucent covering. Over time, the tradition of hanging lanterns became intertwined with the daily lives of the local community in Hoi An. It was not limited to religious or festive occasions but became an integral part of the city's cultural identity. Streets and houses in the Ancient Town of Hoi An are adorned with multicolored lanterns, creating a mesmerizing sight, particularly during the annual Lantern Festival held on the 14th day of each lunar month. The Lantern Festival, also known as the Full Moon Festival, is a captivating event that attracts both locals and tourists. During this celebration, electric lights are turned off, and the streets are illuminated solely by the soft glow of countless lanterns. Locals release floating lanterns on the river, believing that their wishes will come true as the lanterns drift away. The tradition of hanging lanterns in Vietnam, and specifically in Hoi An, continues to thrive today. It has not only become a symbol of cultural heritage and artistic craftsmanship but also a beloved tourist attraction. Visitors can explore lantern workshops, participate in lantern-making classes, and immerse themselves in the enchanting beauty and symbolism of these vibrant illuminated decorations. ⪢ Safeguard Your Trip with SafetyWing To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete Plan  offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. CONTENT MENU What are the Main Lantern Festivals in Vietnam? Vietnam is known for its vibrant lantern festivals that celebrate various cultural and religious traditions. Here are some notable lantern festivals in Vietnam: ⪢ Hoi An Lantern Festival This festival takes place on the 14th day of each lunar month in Hoi An, the UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for its lantern-lit streets. During the festival, perhaps one of the most popular in Vietnam, the city turns off its electric lights, and the entire Ancient Town is illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. Visitors can release floating lanterns on the river, enjoy traditional performances, and immerse themselves in the enchanting atmosphere. Book your tickets in advance for the Hoi An Lantern Festival to save you time and money! ⪢ Mid-Autumn Festival Also known as the Moon Festival or Children's Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It is a joyful occasion for children and families, marked by colorful lanterns, lion dances, dragon parades, and the sharing of mooncakes. The festival symbolizes reunion and the harvest season. ⪢ Tet Trung Thu Tet Trung Thu, or the Vietnamese version of the Mid-Autumn Festival, is a significant celebration for children. It occurs on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month and is characterized by lantern processions, lion dances, and performances. Children carry lanterns shaped like animals or characters from folk tales as they parade through the streets. ⪢ Tet Nguyen Tieu Tet Nguyen Tieu, also known as the First Full Moon Festival, is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month. It marks the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations. During this festival, people visit temples, light incense, and release lanterns to pray for good luck and fortune in the new year. ⪢ Lim Festival The Lim Festival is a unique cultural event held in Lim Village, Bac Ninh Province, typically in February or March of the lunar calendar. The festival features a variety of folk songs, traditional games, and lantern displays. One of the highlights is the Quan Ho folk songs, a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage of humanity. These are just a few examples of the notable lantern festivals celebrated in Vietnam. The dates may vary each year based on the lunar calendar, so it's recommended to check the specific dates closer to the time of your visit. Attending these festivals offers a fantastic opportunity to witness the vibrant traditions and the lively atmosphere of Vietnam's cultural celebrations! ⪢ Book your tickets in advance for a boat ride and lantern release in Hoi An with Klook ● Explore Hoi An at its most magical during an evening tour that includes a boat ride and releasing the lantern on water. ● Take in the sights and smells of the bustling night market. ● Learn about the traditional culture of Hoi An while cruising on the Thu Bon river Explore Hoi An’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ancient Town. CONTENT MENU Our First Impressions of Da Nang on YouTube Da Nang does have it ALL! We were amazed by the beaches and clubs! Join us as we explore this captivating city filled with enchanting landscapes, vibrant culture, and unforgettable experiences. In this travel video, we'll share our first impressions as we get settled in on day one in Da Nang (Danang) and reveal part of why this hidden gem has stolen our hearts! We had a short visit, but we love the city so much we have it on our long stay list for the future! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Easily Find Hotels in Hoi An and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels in Hoi An, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Your FREE Interactive Map of Vietnam Check out all of the places we visited in Vietnam courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. Explore Hoi An with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Hoi An. Whether you're looking for a coconut boat ride, spas, or even a lantern making class, Klook has something to offer. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Vietnam. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you! Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

As dusk settles over the picturesque old market port town of Hoi An in Vietnam, an already busy area transforms into a unique enterprise quite unlike any of the others we have come across in Asia . The atmosphere here is infused with the buzz of bikes intermingling with people, the smell of food and with whiffs of incense. The streets are alive with a vibrant energy and the Lantern Festival on the famous Thu Bon River only added even more of our excitement for an already beautiful, charming and legendary city. When locals and tourists alike gather to experience the enchanting spectacle of the Hoi An Night Market and the mesmerizing Lantern Festival, the town becomes a hive of activity and celebration. We made our way here from Da Nang , by private taxi, and arrived just as the sun started to dip below the horizon. We were both super excited to be there and our evening did not disappoint; it was filled with cultural wonders of Hoi An's and illuminated charm. Join us on this magical journey as we navigate through the bustling night market, and embark on a serene boat ride along the river, witnessing the luminous beauty of countless lanterns dancing upon the water's reflection. Get ready to be captivated by magic in the moonlight and the beautiful timeless allure of Hoi An . Read on for all you need to know about our evening here, with a bit of history, some facts, valuable tips and our specially curated YouTube video. In This Post... ● Our Highlights ● History of Hoi An ● What is the Lantern Festival? ● When is the Lantern Festival? ● Things to Know Before Visiting ● How to Get There ● Getting to Hoi An from Da Nang ● Check out Hoi An on YouTube ● Our Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Book Transport in Advance ● FREE Interactive Map of Vietnam ● Book Vietnam Tours with Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Our Hoi An Lantern Festival & Night Market Highlights Hoi An was such a wonderful experience for us! We were already well on our way to giving Vietnam a big thumbs up as we really enjoyed our first few days in Da Nang. But that was beach life, which we love, yet it does not necessarily showcase the culture and tradition of the country we are in. Thus, the sound of Hoi An 'Ancient' Town, the Night Market (of course, a town is not a town if there is no kind of market!) and then the crème de la crème, the famous Lantern Festival, was like music to our ears. It is fair to say that Hoi An not only met our expectations, it far surpassed them. We cannot wait to share more of this incredible place with you, and we shall! But for this post, we focus on the traditional market and the super cool river tour we had the true pleasure of experiencing. The market itself was a fascinating adventure of colors, sounds, smells and just generally senses all around. From the moment we stepped out of our taxi, we became entangled with the throng of people, bikes, and stimulation everywhere. It was an awesome vibe too; we could feel the 'old town' energy of it all, like we just automatically knew that this place had been a market throughout the ages. Indeed it has been too, for the past two millennia in fact. But more on that coming up later. The bikes of Hoi An (and Vietnam in general) are a real highlight; there are thousands of them. In all directions! There are said to be around 50 million in Vietnam , and that makes it 1 for every 2 citizens, and then you have to factor in visitors and tourists on top of that (given they are so cheap to rent, they are the number 1 tourist option). All that amounts to much, much honking, so so much honking, and then for good measure... more honking! It is culture personified here! That being said, we do strongly advise caution when crossing roads, especially intersections. There aren't a great deal of rules here, and you need to keep a handle on all entry points, as bikes will come out of nowhere. We had a few near misses, and we are used to it given we have been in Thailand for 6 months, and Thais give Vietnam a run for their bikes with over 30 million there too. We aren't the biggest fan of night markets, as many of them tend to be very similar, and we do not shop much as we travel full-time and luggage space is an absolute premium. But we do realise that many people do find them interesting, and we do too in the cultural sense. So we always take a deep breath and go for it. And we are so glad we did here in Hoi An! The Hoi An Night Market has a unique feel about it and not just for its architecture. It is kind of in the layout; it has a low-level, town square type feel, with the narrow streets branching off at every intersection and almost-always lined on both sides with stalls and canopies. It is tight, it is busy, and you need to mind your toes for motorbikes (no cars are allowed though). The exhaust fumes can be a little intense in places, but then so is the beautiful smell of incense and cooking food. After making our way through the stalls (it took us about 20 minutes to get to the river), we made it to the mass ranks of boats, their owners eager to pitch for a tour around the river. Of course the volume of lanterns was not lost on us as we ventured through the market, and we saw so many wonderful patterns and designs, shimmering and swinging in the light evening breeze. The boats all had them too, and it all just looked so pretty as the night began to draw in. We were so excited to get on a Sampan on the Thu Bon River and light a candle, offering it to the river currents with our wishes and gratitude. We found a boat for us; in true Jenn & Leon style we walked for a bit, knowing the 'right' moment would present itself. That it did, and before we knew it we were making our way underneath the main bridge on the river. You can check out more of this wonderful setting on our YouTube video at the end of this post. The central island we went around is home to Hoi An Memories Theme Park , which we did visit while we were here. This place is a fantastic experience and we strongly recommend it if you want to learn pretty much all you need to know about Hoi An's incredible history and tradition; a beautiful love story that is deeply intertwined with the city's history and cultural heritage. The tale revolves around the love between a young couple, Thu Bon and Nhi, and how their love transcends time. According to legend, Thu Bon was a poor fisherman living in a small village near the river, while Nhi was a charming and talented weaver from a neighboring village. The two villages were separated by the Thu Bon River, but their love for each other knew no bounds. Despite their humble circumstances, Thu Bon and Nhi dreamed of a future together. However, their happiness was short-lived when the village was struck by a devastating flood. Thu Bon, in his selflessness, decided to venture out into the treacherous river to save his fellow villagers. Tragically, he lost his life in the process, leaving Nhi heartbroken. Overwhelmed with grief, Nhi couldn't bear the thought of living without Thu Bon. She decided to join him in the afterlife by plunging into the Thu Bon River. Legend has it that their spirits transformed into two beautiful islets, known today as Cu Lao Cham and Cu Lao Tan Hoi, situated in the Thu Bon River. It is believed that the spirits of Thu Bon and Nhi continue to watch over Hoi An and the river, protecting the city and its people from harm. Their love story has become an intrinsic part of Hoi An's cultural identity, with the Thu Bon River serving as a symbol of eternal love and devotion. The love story of Thu Bon and Nhi resonates throughout Hoi An, from the lantern-lit streets of the Ancient Town and the Night Market to the riverfront where we were able to take such a romantic boat ride. We were able to place our candles, with deep meaning and sentiment, in honor of the legend concerning this great tradition. The story of Thu Bon and Nhi added a touch more magic to the already charming city of Hoi An. Now that we think about it, we would say it is an unforgettable destination for us! Read on to learn more about the history of Hoi An, and things to know before you go. CONTENT MENU The Incredible History of Hoi An Hoi An, located on the central coast of Vietnam, is a city steeped in history and cultural heritage. Its origins can be traced back over two millennia, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Southeast Asia. Throughout its history, Hoi An has been influenced by various cultures and civilizations, leaving a rich tapestry of architectural, artistic, and culinary traditions. The earliest known settlement in the area dates back to the 2nd century BC, during the time of the ancient Cham civilization. Hoi An served as an important port city for the Cham people, facilitating trade with other regional powers. The city flourished as a center for commerce and maritime trade, attracting merchants from China , Japan , India , and the Middle East. During the 16th and 17th centuries, Hoi An reached its pinnacle as a bustling international trading port under the ruling of the Nguyễn Lords. The city became a melting pot of cultures and a hub for both regional and global trade. Merchants from around the world flocked to Hoi An, establishing their presence and contributing to the diverse cultural fabric of the city. The prosperity of Hoi An during this period led to the construction of magnificent buildings and architectural landmarks. Elaborate merchant houses, assembly halls, pagodas, and temples adorned the streets, showcasing a blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European architectural styles. However, in the late 18th century, the Thu Bon River, which played a crucial role in Hoi An's trade, began to silt up. This led to a decline in the city's importance as a trading port, and trade activities gradually shifted to nearby Da Nang. As a result, Hoi An remained relatively untouched and preserved, frozen in time. This preservation helped Hoi An achieve recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. The UNESCO designation acknowledged Hoi An as an exceptional example of a well-preserved Southeast Asian trading port from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Today, Hoi An is celebrated for its architectural charm, cultural significance, and its ability to transport visitors back in time. The city's ancient streets, lined with colorful buildings and narrow alleyways, invite exploration and reveal the layers of history etched into every corner. In addition to its architectural allure, Hoi An is renowned for its traditional crafts, including tailoring, silk production, and lantern making. The skilled artisans of Hoi An continue to pass down their craft through generations, ensuring the preservation of these traditional practices. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hoi An attracts visitors from around the world who come to experience its unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether wandering through the enchanting Ancient Town, savoring local delicacies, or immersing oneself in the vibrant Lantern Festival, Hoi An offers a captivating glimpse into Vietnam's rich past and enduring traditions. CONTENT MENU What is the Hoi An Lantern Festival About? The Lantern Festival is a vibrant and pretty enchanting celebration that takes place in various parts of Asia, particularly in countries such as China, Taiwan , and Vietnam. This festival is often associated with the Lunar New Year and is held on the 14th day of the first lunar month, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. The Lantern Festival can sometimes be confused with Shangyuan Festival, which is a Chinese traditional festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar, during the full moon. Also using lanterns, it marks the end of the traditional Chinese New Year festivities. The next one is on February 24th, 2024. During the Lantern Festival, Hoi An comes alive with colorful lantern displays and various cultural activities. One of the most striking aspects of the festival is the mesmerizing sight of hundreds of lanterns floating along the Thu Bon River (that runs through the old port town) from the litany of boats eager and ready for customers. Lanterns of different shapes, sizes, and designs are hung in streets, parks, and public spaces, which does create a magical atmosphere. The lanterns themselves are awesome works of art, crafted from a variety of materials such as paper, silk, bamboo, and wire. They often feature intricate patterns, calligraphy, and traditional symbols. Many lanterns are designed in the shape of animals, flowers, or mythical figures, adding to the festive ambiance! In addition to the visual spectacle of lanterns, the festival is also marked by a range of activities and traditions. These may include lantern-making contests, lantern riddles (where participants solve riddles written on lanterns), lion and dragon dances, traditional performances, and firework displays. Families and friends gather together to enjoy the festivities, exchange greetings, and share special meals. One popular tradition during the Lantern Festival is the release of sky lanterns or floating lanterns. These lanterns, usually made of thin paper with a small candle or fuel cell inside, are released into the night sky. It is believed that as the lanterns rise and float away, they carry away bad luck and bring good fortune for the coming year. We did not get to do that here, but we did do so back in Thailand for the New Year! The Lantern Festival holds a significant cultural and spiritual significance for the locals, representing the wish for a bright and prosperous future. It is a time of joy, unity, and renewal, as communities come together to celebrate and embrace the symbolism of light and hope. The bridge is lit up in a litany of changing colors too, showcasing the spirit of the city and its historic festival. CONTENT MENU When is the Lantern Festival in Hoi An? The Hoi An lantern festival is held on the 14th day of the lunar month , when the moon is at its fullest and brightest, from 6 pm to around 10 pm. Many people choose to arrive early, before sunset, to enjoy the rays enveloping the market and river before catching dinner and admiring the glimmering colorful lanterns that do steal the show! Buy your tickets in advance with Klook! Avoid missing out or being overcharged on the night! As mentioned earlier, the Shangyuan Festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar, during the full moon. This will happen on Tuesday, 3rd March 2026 . CONTENT MENU Things to Know Before Visiting Hoi An Here are a few important things that we think you should know to help you have a seamless experience in Hoi An: ⪢ Weather & Best Time to Visit Hoi An experiences a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry season, from February to July, generally offers pleasant weather with lower humidity. The wet season, from August to January, brings rain and occasional typhoons. ⪢ Clothing & Respectful Attire Hoi An is a city with cultural and religious significance. When visiting temples, pagodas, or other religious sites, dress modestly and respectfully, covering your shoulders and knees. Also, keep in mind that Hoi An is a popular tourist destination, so dress comfortably for the weather and wear appropriate attire for walking and exploring the city. ⪢ Transportation Hoi An's Ancient Town is pedestrian-friendly, and most attractions are within walking distance. However, if you plan to visit nearby attractions or explore the countryside, consider renting a bicycle or motorbike. It's important to have a valid driver's license and be familiar with local traffic rules if you choose to ride a motorbike. ⪢ Haggling & Bargaining Bargaining is a common practice in markets like the one in Hoi An, so be prepared to negotiate prices when shopping for souvenirs, clothing, or local handicrafts. Polite and friendly haggling can be part of the shopping experience, but remember to maintain respect and fairness while negotiating. Bonus Tip: Consider getting a Hoi An Ancient Town Entrance Ticket , which allows you to visit multiple attractions within the Ancient Town area. It's a cost-effective way to explore the city's historical sites and enjoy cultural activities. CONTENT MENU How to Get to Hoi An Night Market Hoi An's Night Market is located in the heart of the Ancient Town, specifically along Nguyen Hoang Street. If you're staying within walking distance of the Ancient Town, simply head towards the central area of Hoi An. Most accommodations in Hoi An offer easy access to the Ancient Town, and you can navigate through the streets to reach Nguyen Hoang Street, where the Night Market is located. Alternatively, you can try the following: Bicycle Rental If you're staying outside the Ancient Town, you have a few transportation options. Many hotels and guesthouses offer bicycle rentals, which can be a convenient and enjoyable way to explore Hoi An. Bicycles can be used to reach the Night Market, and there are parking areas available nearby. By Taxi or Ride-Share Another option is to take a taxi or ride-sharing service. Hoi An has several designated drop-off and pick-up points for taxis and ride-sharing services near the Ancient Town. You can request to be dropped off at the nearest point, and from there, it's a short walk to the Night Market. By Bus or Cyclo If you prefer public transportation, you can take a local bus or a cyclo (bicycle taxi) to reach the Night Market. Buses usually have designated stops in the town center, and cyclos can be found near popular tourist areas. Just let the driver know you want to go to Hoi An Night Market, and they will assist you. It's important to note that the Night Market typically opens in the evening, usually around sunset, and operates until late at night. The exact opening hours may vary, so it's recommended to check locally for the most up-to-date information. CONTENT MENU Getting to Hoi An from Da Nang To get to Hoi An Night Market from Da Nang, there are a few transportation options you can choose from. By Private Car or Taxi The most convenient and direct way to reach Hoi An from Da Nang is by hiring a private car  or taking a taxi (in our opinion). You can easily find taxis at the airport or in the city center of Da Nang. This is the option we chose, and the journey from Da Nang to Hoi An took us around 30-40 minutes and cost USD 20. By Shuttle Bus There is a shuttle bus operating between Da Nang and Hoi An . The trip takes around 1 hour and there are up to 5 scheduled departures daily. At around USD 4, this is an affordable and comfortable option popular with many travelers and even locals. Book your tickets here with   booking.com . By Motorbike If you're comfortable riding a motorbike, you can rent one in Da Nang and ride to Hoi An. The route is straightforward and well-signposted, usually following the coastal road. However, be very cautious while riding and make sure you have a valid motorbike license and proper safety gear. From what we saw, things are pretty chaotic on the roads, so we would also recommend you have the necessary insurance, just to be safe. By Public Bus Public buses also operate between Da Nang and Hoi An. You can catch a local bus at Da Nang Central Bus Station, which is located near the city center. The journey takes around one hour, and buses usually run at regular intervals throughout the day. However, the schedule might be less frequent in the evenings, so be sure to check the bus timings in advance. Once you arrive in Hoi An, you can reach the Night Market by following the directions provided earlier. It's located in the Ancient Town along Nguyen Hoang Street, and you can easily explore the market on foot. ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Hoi An and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Watch our First Impressions of Hoi An on YouTube Join us on YouTube and check out our video, filmed amongst the aromas and curiosities of the ancient Hoi An market. See why this beautiful part of Vietnam captivated us! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU Our Hoi An Market & Lantern Festival Experience Rating It's important to note that specific customs and practices may vary across different regions and countries that celebrate the Lantern Festival, but the essence of the celebration remains the same; a dazzling display of lanterns, cultural activities, and the spirit of national pride. Yet what makes Hoi An so unique is its incredible history, preservation, and most importantly, its cultural identity. We sensed it almost immediately and going out on that epic ancient river, laying candles one moment and intermingling amongst the throng of an illuminated market the next, we felt Vietnam. It's a lasting impression that makes us even more excited to come back one day and explore other parts of this fascinating country. As ever thank you for reading, and please feel free to share your experience, or ask any questions you may have, in the comments below. All feedback on the post is welcome too! Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Vietnam Check out all of the places we visited in Vietnam courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. Explore Hoi An with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Hoi An. Whether you're looking for a coconut boat ride, spas, or even a lantern making class, Klook has something to offer. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Vietnam. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you! Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

This top rated high demand hotel is located just a few minutes walk from the My Khe Beach and is a fine choice for a stay in Vietnam's Da Nang. A definite for the 'bougie' list, the rooftop pool, bar and restaurant is worth coming for alone! Not to mention 4 star dining with breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet packages, full spa facilities, expansive lobby and working areas, a gym and children's playroom! Da Nang is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches, rich history, and stunning natural scenery. The city is home to several other popular tourist attractions, such as the Marble Mountains , the Dragon Bridge, and the Han River Bridge. The Sala Beach Hotel turned out to be a fantastic choice for us for our first stay in Vietnam . In this post, we share our full review, including the awesome food we had, our room, how to find Sala Beach Hotel and our hotel experience ratings! In This Post... ● Our Highlight s ● The Room ● The Food ● Hotel Facilities ● How to Get There ● Our Experience Rating s Travel Resources & Offers ● Book Transport in Advance ● FREE Interactive Map of Vietnam ● Book Vietnam Tours with Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Our Sala Danang Beach Hotel Highlights We had been living in Thailand for 6 fantastic weeks before landing at Da Nang International Airport. Our first trip to Asia was already exceeding expectations well before we came to Vietnam . We were super excited to get here and discover more of the wonderful culture south Asia has. Again, it turned out better than expected; much of that was owing to our great stay at the Sala Danang Hotel. Welcome drinks and a cooled face towel! Everything about our travel day had worked out smoothly; getting to the airport, going through security, the flight, getting through immigration; it was all a breeze (pardon the pun). So far so good... taxi from the airport, also no problem. Needless to say, we were feeling great, and by the time we checked in, accepted an upgrade (thank you Expedia ) and sat down to wait in the lobby, these welcome drinks went down a treat! Not sure what it was but it was a deep purple, sweet and fruity, and served with a cooling towel. It was a moment where we both looked at each other feeling welcomed, excited, slightly tired, but eager to see what was next in store. And there was just so much more! Let's go explore... There are so many wonderful photo spots on the rooftop! That building jutting out in front of the sea is interesting; who came first?! It is a great place to lounge about in! We couldn't have asked (or probably found) better views of the sea, beach and city. Yes, that is what we made a beeline for! The crown jewel of Sala Beach Hotel, its beautiful rooftop bar, pool and restaurant, overlooking My Khe Beach and with a 360-degree view of much of the city of Da Nang itself. This swing is a neat feature of the rooftop bar. The vibe was great, as were the efficient and attentive staff. It is a great place to chill, swim and enjoy the ocean and beach, without actually being on it. The sun can be pretty strong up there too, so a decent tan is a bonus. This was our major highlight, but this is just one part of what is a 4-star hotel that works hard to maintain that standard. We were very impressed with the room, spa and breakfast buffet too. Our tour continues... ⪢ Safeguard Your Trip with SafetyWing To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete Plan  offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. CONTENT MENU The Room at Sala Beach Hotel The hotel features 162 well-appointed rooms and suites, each elegantly decorated with modern amenities and furnished with contemporary furnishings. The rooms are well-designed to provide guests with a comfortable and relaxing stay, with features such as air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, mini-bars, and private balconies with beautiful sea or city views. They are also nicely spaced out and have decent wi-fi too. The bed was massive and super comfy!! We found our room to be clean, comfortable and very relaxing. The air-con worked well, which is always crucial in hot countries! There were some nice touches here with a stocked mini-bar, complimentary snacks and coffee, which was a common theme amongst the 3 hotels we stayed at in Vietnam (great job guys). We particularly liked the cool perks of Sala branded robes and flips, which could be purchased if wanted (we took the flips too, they were great!). The bathroom also came with a hairdryer, shower gel, shampoo, and a small pampering kit which is nice and convenient if you like to travel light on the toiletry side (which by the way, is a great way to save weight). This was certainly 4-star service, right down to the chocolate mints on our pillows. All in all, we were very impressed with our room and would recommend it. Our only slight critique (and a pet-peeve of ours) was that there was no microwave. They are so handy for warming up hot drinks and left-over food; we find it so odd that they are so rare in rooms, particularly in Asia. Not a big deal at all, but something to suggest! Also, the windows were a little dirty, but given we were on the 17th floor and by the sea, this was understandable. We tried to find a critique, and this was all that we could muster. The room... spot on! CONTENT MENU The Food at Sala Beach Hotel Sala Danang Beach Hotel offers several dining options, including two restaurants (one buffet and one on the rooftop), a rooftop bar, and a coffee shop/bar in the lobby. This giant hand in the Rooftop Restaurant mimics the famous Golden Hand Bridge at Ba Na Hills. Guests can enjoy a modest selection of Vietnamese and international cuisine at the rooftop restaurant, as well as refreshing cocktails and drinks, where you can also enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the ocean and the city. The buffet is more extensive, as you would expect, and offers a great variety of Asian cuisine and specialty dishes. The standards were set high here and we were impressed with the food on the whole. Spaghetti Carbonara at Sala Beach Hotel We tried the beef steak and spaghetti carbonara at the rooftop restaurant, and both dishes were reasonably priced and tasty. Our only slight critique was that they were not piping hot; the server told us that they come from the 3rd floor to the 22nd and they lose heat. Fair explanation, and the food was fine, but this is perhaps something that should be addressed, especially for a 4-star hotel. We liked the buffet though and tried most of the options! Our favorite part was the barista-served coffee, which is a nice touch for a buffet (they are usually self-service). Check out our overall rating here . CONTENT MENU Sala Beach Hotel Facilities The hotel also offers a range of facilities for guests to enjoy, including a swimming pool, a fitness centre, a spa, and a sauna. Additionally, Sala Danang Beach Hotel provides guests with a range of services, such as 24-hour front desk service, currency exchange, laundry, and room service. ⪢ Rooftop Restaurant We took a spot here for sunset, dining into the night as we watched the sweeping change from sun-kissed buildings to neon signs and bright lights. The atmosphere was beautiful up here, with no other diners (we arrived just on opening time, 6 pm). The decor is excellent with the restaurant also taking advantage of a 360 view as you walk around the perimeter. The window seats are well worth it! Wine anyone? There is also a fantastic wine selection, and a fully stocked liquor bar. We would certainly suggest an evening meal here; the service is also excellent, with the staff being highly attentive throughout. As mentioned earlier, the food temperature was a slight issue, hopefully that is something that can be rectified, although it is not a major issue. Now that is as much Jägermeister as we have ever seen behind a bar! There was even more than you see here! Yes, we did love Da Nang thanks! ⪢ Buffet Restaurant As part of our package we had a complimentary breakfast buffet every morning, which as you can see below was nicely put together and organized. The service was one of our highlights; every morning someone came to us at our table to check in and make sure we were enjoying our food and the stay. That was such a nice touch! At one point we were fanning ourselves as it was quite hot, it was noticed, and the air-con went on moments later. Now that is what we are talking about! It made us feel appreciated and valued, and we thank all of the staff for that. There are also chefs and baristas working at the buffet, meaning you can get specialty dishes, cooked eggs and a range of different coffee options too. Sometimes buffets can be a bit hit and miss; this is a hit! ⪢ Rooftop Infinity Pool & Bar The rooftop pool and bar is an excellent place to chill, swim and unwind as mentioned earlier in our hotel highlight. The design and layout make excellent use of the space, and while it can get busy at times, it always seemed like everyone had a spot. There is also a mini buffet here at times, with finger snacks, and the bar is tucked away around the corner from the pool, to create a good separation between the two spaces. The greenery and décor are just perfect up here too. We think the pictures speak for themselves! ⪢ Zen Spa We are both fans of a good spa treatment and we always like to check them out when available, even if we do not end up using them! Zen Spa at Sala Hotel offers a variety of different treatments, in keeping with most spas, alongside some great package deals that you can take advantage of. The Zen Spa 'Buffet' was a nice offer here; for roughly USD 30 per person you can select up to 3 treatments, lasting a total of 90 minutes. We thought this was a fantastic deal, especially when considering in some places just one treatment can cost you almost double that. We opted for the foot therapy, back, neck & shoulder massage (which was full-body), and sauna & steam. The massage was excellent and we would highly recommend it! The foot therapy came first and was very relaxing going into the massage. We did the sauna and steam last; this was awesome too, however, the hot tub was not working at the time, which was a little disappointing. Not to take anything away from the overall experience though! The staff, the atmosphere and ambience, it was all lovely and great value for money. ⪢ The Gym We aren't exactly gym users so we couldn't tell you much about the standard of equipment here, but it looked modern, clean and in good condition. Oh, and that view! If we were to work out in a gym, this would be a great place to do it! Mirror selfie with a beer in hand is more our style! ⪢ Children's Play Area This play area is located on the same floor as the spa, which we found a little odd at first, as the access is via the same lobby/reception area. It was a little noisy on one occasion when we came to enquire about spa services, but when we came for our treatments it was fine and there was no interruption. The room is fully air-conditioned and has plenty of things to keep the kids entertained while mama and papa take a load off! This is a nice touch as we have not often seen this type of facility in hotels we have stayed at. ⪢ The Lobby All hotels want to make a good first impression and we have to say that the Sala Danang Hotel does that with aplomb here. The sweeping lobby certainly has the wow factor and is well decorated and brightly lit. There is a large seating area and bar, along with a piano. 3 main elevators are running through the centre, along with another elevator that runs on the front of the building. The lobby is warm and welcoming and is big enough to accommodate the heavy stream of guests that we saw throughout our stay here. The reception desk staff were on point and several baggage handlers were helping too. Top marks here! CONTENT MENU How to Get to Sala Danang Beach Hotel The hotel is situated just one block away from the My Khe beach, just a few minutes walk in terms of distance. The hotel is accessible for cars, coaches, taxis and scooters and is easy to geolocate on drive and food apps. ⪢ Book Your Stay If you would like to book a stay at Sala Danang Beach Hotel, click here to make your reservation . ⪢ Contact Information ● Address:  36 - 38 Lam Hoanh Street, Son Tra District, Danang City, Vietnam ● Phone:   19006406  / 0868582227  / 0868582229 ● Email:   info@salahotelgroup.com ● Website: salahotelgroup.com ⪢ Not Convinced? Explore Nearby Hotels in Da Nang Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Our Sala Danang Beach Hotel Experience Rating Overall, Sala Danang Beach Hotel is an excellent choice for travellers who are looking for a luxurious and comfortable stay in Da Nang City. With easy access to the beach and a range of amenities and services, you will have a memorable experience here. We were very impressed with the standards set, from the amazing staff service through to the excellent food and cleanliness. Cleanliness: 5/5 Absolutely no issues with cleanliness here at all. All of the communal areas, such as the elevators and lobby, were spotless, as was the room. There is a solid attention to detail here and we had no concerns at all. Perhaps the only suggestion we could offer is adding a few more hand sanitizing stations; there were a few available, but not enough for the volume of people and the size of the hotel. Cost & Value for money: 5/5 At CAD 70 per night, this hotel was on the higher end of what we could have found in Da Nang. But this is a 5-star hotel with an excellent location and it certainly lives up to its billing. The room had all we needed, TV, great air-con, mini bar, even slippers and robes. The gym and rooftop area are free to use, and if you have food included, the buffet is well worth it. The cost of the spa was a little expensive, but if you like that sort of thing, you will have an awesome experience there too. There is no doubt that you will get value for money here, even if you do not utilize all of the facilities. Food: 4.5/5 As we had breakfast included, we had full access to the buffet, which included barista-made hot drinks, which was an awesome bonus. There is an expansive range, and also an option to have eggs prepared while-you-wait. The food was delicious and well tended to by the buffet staff. We did try the rooftop restaurant too, which was also great, with a wonderful atmosphere too. The only downside is our meals were not as warm as they perhaps should have been, but we later found out the kitchen was on the 3rd floor, so it had to come up 20 floors to get to us. An understandable issue, but one that really should not be for such a classy establishment! The only reason we knocked off a 0.5! Location: 5/5 As far as locations go, Sala Hotel is in a great spot. It's just a couple of minutes away from the main beach and is on the same street as several convenience stores and restaurants. Long or short term stays are perfect here and it is an ideal pick up location for taxis too. The street is a tad rough around the edges, with some construction happening and a few litter issues, but this is not anything to worry about. Service: 5/5 The service here was first class and we were thoroughly impressed with how attentive the staff were. We had welcome drinks, were offered a free upgrade on our room (we are Expedia Gold Members), had our bags carried for us and generally felt like we were given everything we needed to make our stay a pleasant one. At one time, we were fanning ourselves in the restaurant as it was fairly hot, and a member of staff came to check on us and turned on the air-con for the entire restaurant, just so we were ok! Amazing! We were asked in person for feedback on the food too, which does not usually happen, especially during a busy breakfast session. Top marks here! Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Vietnam Check out all of the places we visited in Vietnam courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. Explore Da Nang with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Da Nang. Whether you're looking for water parks, traditional dance shows, or even a Ba Na Hills ticket, Klook has something to offer. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Vietnam. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you! Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

With visitor numbers rapidly approaching one million per year, the Marble Mountains, located in Da Nang, Vietnam. Not only a breathtaking natural wonder, but also a significant historical and cultural landmark. These mountains, known as Ngu Hanh Son in Vietnamese, consist of five majestic limestone and marble hills representing water, wood, metal, earth and fire. They are certainly magnificent and have played a big role in the prominent rise of Da Nang, which is fast becoming THE tourist destination in Vietnam . Da Nang is a coastal city in central Vietnam, known for its sandy beaches, delicious food, and beautiful scenery. In this blog post we will give you a little bit of background about the Marble Mountains (which goes back a long way and has played a hugely prominent role in the region), we will share our highlights, including our YouTube video . Of course, as ever, we give you useful information and tips on how you can make the best of a day trip to the Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains in Vietnamese). In This Post... ● Our Highlights ● The History ● 10 Interesting Facts ● Open Hours & Best Time to Visit ● Top Tips to Know Before Visiting See More... ● Things to See and Do ● Marble Sculpture Village & Store ● How to Get There ● Marble Mountains on YouTube ● Our Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Book Transport in Advance ● FREE Interactive Map of Vietnam ● Book Vietnam Tours with Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Marble Mountains: Our Highlights We were already headed out of the city on the day we visited the mountains. We had started our adventure in Vietnam in Da Nang, but always intended to check out Hoi An , looking forward to the lantern festival there, the old market and Hoi An Memories Theme Park . The location of the Marble Mountains is on pretty much the main route out to Hoi An, so it seemed like the perfect pit stop. We did not know much about them at the time, but thankfully our Uber driver not only spoke English, but knew plenty about the mountain and surrounding areas. You can't beat local knowledge! Our first stop was Điêu Khắc Đá Nguyễn Hùng 2, one of several major marble sculpture businesses that litter the main road to the mountains. Without doubt, it was absolutely spectacular. The size and grandeur of the statues was epic, alongside the beautifully manicured gardens and pathways that seem to go on for miles. We were only here for a quick look around, and we will tell you more about Nguyễn Hùng later on in this post (or tap here to jump right to it ). So with our senses and emotions already heightened, we made the short drive from the store to the mountain village that straddles the entranceway and Xa Loi Tower (more on this later). It was fairly busy, although getting tickets was very quick and easy. We decided against the tower due to time, opting to dive into our explorer-side and scale the mountain from the inside. Commendable bravery, but very scary nonetheless! This was a pretty tough option, with inconsistently sized steps, actually extremely narrow steps, little-to-no handrails and also slippery surfaces! It was certainly an experience, and we will leave whether it was worth it for the view or not up to you. The inside of the cave is certainly impressive, with a majestically crafted collection of standalone and wall-carved sculptures littered throughout. The lights and illuminations only add to the allure, and even with constant dripping water, heavy humidity and crowds of people, it still seemed like a pretty special place to be. In fact, for the locals here, it is indeed a very special place and we could certainly sense that energy inside. We had an excellent time here and would love to have been here for longer to explore the sights and other mountains more. From our research, there is so much more to the Marble Mountains than what we did, so to do it justice we have done our very best to pack this post with all you need to know about this excellent Da Nang hotspot. ⪢ Safeguard Your Trip with SafetyWing To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete Plan  offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. CONTENT MENU History of the Marble Mountains in Da Nang, Vietnam The Marble Mountains, located in Da Nang, Vietnam, are not only a breathtaking natural wonder but also hold significant historical and cultural importance. These mountains, known as Ngu Hanh Son in Vietnamese, consist of five majestic limestone and marble hills: Thuy Son (Water), Moc Son (Wood), Kim Son (Metal), Tho Son (Earth), and Hoa Son (Fire). Each mountain is named after one of the five elements in traditional Vietnamese philosophy. The history of the Marble Mountains dates back centuries. They have been revered as sacred sites and have played a crucial role in shaping the region's history and culture. The mountains have served as a place of worship and meditation, alongside being a refuge for monks, hermits, and locals seeking spiritual solace. Throughout the years, the Marble Mountains have also been the source of valuable marble used for intricate sculptures and artwork. The skilled craftsmen in the region have been known for their expertise in carving and sculpting marble, creating beautiful statues, ornaments, and even architectural elements. During the Vietnam War, the Marble Mountains served as a strategic location for the Viet Cong, who utilized the cave systems within the mountains as hiding spots, supply bases and even a makeshift hospital. Today, remnants of that era, such as ammunition depots and underground tunnels, can still be explored within the mountains, providing a glimpse into Vietnam's turbulent past. As tourism has flourished in Da Nang, the Marble Mountains have become a popular destination for visitors seeking natural beauty, historical significance, and cultural immersion. The mountains offer a range of attractions, including ancient pagodas, breathtaking viewpoints, and fascinating cave systems adorned with religious statues and shrines. You can climb the steps carved into the mountainside, explore the caves, and take in the panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and the sparkling South China Sea. The Marble Mountains offer a unique blend of spirituality, history, and natural grandeur, making them a must-visit destination for travelers in Vietnam in our humble opinion! Read on for more information on how to get there, visiting times, and our Marble Mountain YouTube video and rating. CONTENT MENU 10 Interesting Facts about the Marble Mountains If you know us here at Jenn and Leon Travel then you will know we love to research a fact or two. If you didn't know, now you do! We hope you enjoy these tidbits as much as we enjoy compiling them! 1. Spiritual Significance The Marble Mountains hold deep spiritual significance for the locals and have been a place of worship for centuries. 2. Five Elements The five mountains of the Marble Mountains are named after the five elements in Vietnamese philosophy: Water, Wood, Metal, Earth, and Fire. 3. Cave Exploration The mountains are home to numerous caves, some of which contain ancient Buddhist sanctuaries and intricate carvings. 4. Vantage Points Climbing to the summit of Thuy Son (Water Mountain) offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, including the coastline and the city of Da Nang. 5. Hidden Tunnels The mountains feature a network of tunnels that were used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Some of these tunnels are accessible to visitors. 6. Marble Extraction The Marble Mountains have been a rich source of high-quality marble for centuries. The local artisans are renowned for their exquisite marble carvings. 7. Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village Located at the foot of the mountains, Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village is famous for its talented artisans who create intricate sculptures and artwork from marble. 8. Cham Architecture Within the Marble Mountains, you can find remnants of Cham architecture, such as ancient temples and pagodas, reflecting the influence of the Cham civilization. 9. Huyen Khong Cave One of the most famous caves in the Marble Mountains, Huyen Khong Cave, is adorned with statues of Buddhist deities and offers a serene atmosphere for meditation. 10. Nature & Biodiversity The Marble Mountains are not only known for their cultural and historical significance but also their diverse flora and fauna, creating a unique ecological environment. CONTENT MENU Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit ⪢ Opening Hours The Marble Mountains are open daily from 7 am to 5:30 pm. ⪢ Night Visits We did see that you can visit the mountains at night from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, but only on Mondays. ⪢ Entrance Fee The on-site entrance fee is 40,000 VND (approx USD 1) for adults and 20,000 VND (Around 50 cents) for children. Our partners at Klook offer a two-in-one day tour between the Mountain and Hoi An , which is certainly worth the time if you have it. Remember, opening hours can typically be subject to change so it's advisable to check with the official website , or inquire with your tour operator for the most up-to-date information regarding the opening times of the Marble Mountains. Best Time to Visit Marble Mountains ⪢ Weather ● Best months - February to April: These months offer comfortable temperatures and lower chances of rainfall, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities and sightseeing. The temperatures gradually rise from May to August, but the clear skies and long daylight hours provide ample opportunities to fully experience the beauty of the Marble Mountains. ● Coldest month - January: January is one of the coldest months, with temperatures dropping to a pretty mild 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit). ● Wet season - September to January: It's worth noting that Da Nang can experience heavy rainfall during the wet season, which typically occurs from September to January. While the Marble Mountains are still accessible during this time, the trails and steps may become slippery, and the caves may have water seepage. Therefore, it's advisable to check weather forecasts and plan your visit accordingly if you choose to go during the wet season. ⪢ Crowds The crowds at the Marble Mountains in Da Nang can vary depending on the time of year and the specific day of the week, as with most popular tourist attractions. Here are some of the factors that may influence the crowds: ● High Season: During the peak tourist season, which typically coincides with the dry season from February to August, you can expect a higher number of visitors at the Marble Mountains. Weekends and public holidays also tend to draw more crowds. ● Low Season: The number of visitors may decrease during the wet season from September to January. However, it's worth noting that even during this period, the Marble Mountains remain a popular attraction, and you may still encounter a moderate number of tourists. ● Time of Day: The crowds at the Marble Mountains tend to be lighter in the early morning or late afternoon. Consider visiting during these times to avoid the peak hours when tour groups and day-trippers arrive. ● Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village: The proximity of the Marble Mountains to Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village, a popular tourist spot, can contribute to increased foot traffic in the area, especially on market days and public holidays. ⪢ Seasonal Events / Public Holidays There are a few seasonal events and holidays in Vietnam that you may want to be aware of when planning a visit to the Marble Mountains in Da Nang. Here are some notable ones: ● Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year): This is the most important and widely celebrated holiday in Vietnam. It usually falls between late January and mid-February, following the lunar calendar. During Tet, many Vietnamese locals travel to their hometowns to celebrate with their families, and popular tourist destinations like Da Nang can be crowded. It's important to note that some businesses, including shops and restaurants, may have altered operating hours or be temporarily closed during this period. ● Reunification Day and Labor Day: April 30th and May 1st respectively mark two national holidays in Vietnam. These holidays often create an extended weekend, leading to increased domestic tourism and potential crowds at popular attractions such as the Marble Mountains. ● Mid-Autumn Festival: Falling on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, usually around September, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional celebration that involves lantern displays, mooncakes, and various cultural performances. While it may not directly impact the crowds at the Marble Mountains, it adds a festive atmosphere to the surrounding areas. It's advisable to check the specific dates of these holidays and events, as they can vary slightly from year to year, and plan your visit accordingly. Keep in mind that during these periods, accommodations and transportation options may be in high demand, so it's a good idea to make reservations in advance if you're planning to travel during these times. CONTENT MENU Top tips for visiting Da Nang's Marble Mountains Here are a few tips we picked up on that you might find useful for your visit! ⪢ Clothing & Footwear Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear suitable for walking and climbing stairs. As you will see in our video, these stairs are narrow, steep and unpredictable. They are carved into the inside of the mountain. They also get wet, which adds to the risk, and for the most part have no handrails. Please do be careful! ⪢ Respectful Attire The Marble Mountains have religious and cultural significance, so it's important to dress modestly and respectfully. We would advise you to avoid wearing revealing clothing, and consider carrying a scarf or shawl (or be prepared to buy one) to cover your shoulders if needed. ⪢ Water & Sun Protection Carrying a water bottle is a must; on hot and sunny days, staying hydrated is vital. It is cooler inside the mountain, but if you climb to the top viewing point, you will feel the heat and humidity. Jenn always carries sunscreen and a hat for trips like this, and we also recommend bringing sunglasses to protect your eyes. We went in February and the sun was scorching for us! ⪢ Exploring Caves Some caves within the Marble Mountains can be narrow, dark, and slippery. As mentioned earlier wearing appropriate footwear is important; don't get caught out with sandals if you want to make the climb. Exercise caution when navigating through the cave systems, and be careful when taking videos and photos as the floors are wet and slippery, especially due to the volume of people visiting throughout the day. ⪢ Photography The Marble Mountains do offer stunning photo opportunities in our opinion. However, do be mindful of any specific rules or restrictions regarding photography, especially in areas of worship within the caves where flash photography may be prohibited. ⪢ Respect for the Environment Help preserve the natural beauty of the Marble Mountains by disposing of any trash in designated bins. Avoid touching or damaging any cultural or natural artifacts within the site. There are lots of carvings in random places! ⪢ Be Mindful of Monkeys The Marble Mountains are home to some wild monkeys, although sightings are not overly common. While they can be entertaining to observe if you do see one, it's important to keep a safe distance and avoid feeding them, as it can encourage unwanted behavior. ⪢ Weather Check Before your visit, check the weather forecast to prepare accordingly. Be aware that rain can make the paths and steps even more slippery than usual, so exercise further caution during these conditions. Check the best time to visit for seasonal information. ⪢ Nearby Attractions Consider exploring other attractions in the vicinity of the Marble Mountains, such as Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village or the beautiful beaches of Da Nang, to make the most of your trip to the area. We were staying near My Khe beach, which we would recommend, which was just 15 minutes away. Check the things to see and do section of this post too for more on the Carving Village area next to the mountains. If you have any other suggestions for fellow travelers that you feel we should include here, please do let us know in the comments below! CONTENT MENU Things to See and Do at the Marble Mountains There are plenty of things to see and do that will enrich your experience here at the mountains. We stopped off on our way to Hoi An, so our time was limited unfortunately. Despite that, we have still done a bunch of research, and these are some of the things that we found that you could try: 1. Thuy Son (Water Mountain): The largest and most popular of the five mountains, Thuy Son offers stunning viewpoints, including the famous Tam Quan Gate, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. 2. Huyen Khong Cave: This cave is known for its serene atmosphere and houses various Buddhist sanctuaries and statues. It provides a peaceful setting for meditation and reflection. 3. Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village: Located at the foot of the Marble Mountains, this village is renowned for its talented artisans who create intricate sculptures from marble. Take some time to explore the workshops and witness the fantastic craftsmanship! 4. Am Phu Cave: Known as the Hell Cave, it features a path depicting scenes from Buddhist hell. It offers a unique and somewhat eerie experience as you navigate through the cave's narrow passages. 5. Linh Ung Pagoda: Situated at the base of Thuy Son, this pagoda is adorned with beautiful Buddha statues. It offers a tranquil setting for prayer and contemplation. 6. Xa Loi Tower: A historical landmark within the Marble Mountains, Xa Loi Tower was constructed to commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to Vietnam in 1967. The tower offers a glimpse into Vietnam's Buddhist heritage. 7. Cave Exploration: The Marble Mountains have numerous caves to explore, each with its unique features and offerings. From hidden chambers to intricate carvings, caves like Tang Chon Cave and Van Thong Cave provide a sense of adventure and discovery. 8. Cultural Immersion: Take the opportunity to observe and participate in traditional rituals and practices conducted by locals at the Marble Mountains. You may witness incense offerings, prayers, and other religious ceremonies. 9. Nature Walks and Scenic Views: Enjoy leisurely walks along the trails that wind through the mountains, allowing you to appreciate the natural beauty of the surroundings. Capture breathtaking views of the coastline, Da Nang city, and the lush greenery that envelops the area. 10. Photography: With its stunning landscapes, intricate sculptures, and cave interiors, the Marble Mountains provide ample photography opportunities. Capture the beauty of the mountains, the play of light and shadow within the caves, and the intricate details of the sculptures! CONTENT MENU Điêu Khắc Đá Nguyễn Hùng 2: A marble sculpture store well worth a visit Điêu Khắc Đá Nguyễn Hùng 2 is a renowned marble shop located in Da Nang, Vietnam. This establishment specializes in the art of stone sculpture and offers a wide range of exquisite marble products. Here's what you can expect from the marble shop at Điêu Khắc Đá Nguyễn Hùng 2. We were fortunate enough to have found it as recommended by our driver, and we are so happy he did! The marble shop prides itself on its skilled artisans who possess a deep understanding of the stone carving techniques. These craftsmen create stunning sculptures, statues, and other intricate marble artworks using traditional methods passed down through generations. They offer a diverse range of high-quality marble sourced from the local region. From pure white marble to vibrant colored stones, you'll find a variety of options to suit different tastes and preferences. If you have a specific design or idea in mind, and you can wait for it, the artisans at Điêu Khắc Đá Nguyễn Hùng 2 can bring your vision to life. They offer custom-made marble sculptures and personalized creations, ensuring that you have a unique and one-of-a-kind piece. The marble shop proudly displays a collection of exquisite masterpieces that showcase the skill and creativity of the artisans. These sculptures and artworks serve as both inspiration and examples of the exceptional craftsmanship you can expect from Điêu Khắc Đá Nguyễn Hùng 2. It was so wonderful to walk around them, so beautifully presented and maintained. It felt worth paying for it, it was so cool! The staff are great too and do not mind you walking around for free, although do note that photographs are not permitted inside. Whether you're looking for a memorable souvenir or a special gift, they offer a range of smaller marble items such as figurines, jewelry, and decorative pieces inside too. These unique and handcrafted products make for meaningful keepsakes or presents for loved ones and we would have loved to have bought something. But being full-time travelers packing space is premium, so we just couldn't quite justify it. One of the downsides to traveling like we do. CONTENT MENU How to Get to the Marble Mountains There are several ways to get to the mountains from the city centre. Here are some of the most convenient options: By Bus Da Nang has a reliable local bus system , and some bus routes pass by the Marble Mountains. You can take Bus Route 1 or 2 and get off at the Marble Mountains stop. Remember to check the bus schedule and route beforehand. By Taxi Taxis and ride-hailing services like Grab  are readily available in Da Nang. Simply book a ride to the Marble Mountains, and the driver will take you directly to the entrance. By Car or Bike If you have your own vehicle or are comfortable riding a motorbike, you can drive to the Marble Mountains. From Da Nang city center, head south on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street and follow the signs towards the mountains. There are parking facilities available near the entrance. ⪢ Consider Taking a Tour Joining a private tour  or guided excursion is also a convenient option, especially if you prefer a hassle-free experience. Many tour operators in Da Nang offer day trips to the Marble Mountains, including air-conditioned transportation and a guide. ⪢ Explore Hotels in Danang and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Check Out the Marble Mountains on YouTube Join us on YouTube and see our adventures at the Marble Mountains from a different perspective in our video vlog! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU Our Marble Mountain Experience Rating Our journey to the Marble Mountains was more than just physical exploration; it was a journey of our spirits. Walking in the footsteps of the thousands who have come before us here, learning about the history and traditions and taking in nature's beauty all got packaged together here in a great overall experience. We feel like we found a deeper appreciation for the cultural tapestry that defines Vietnam by coming here. The visit to Điêu Khắc Đá Nguyễn Hùng was fantastic and the cave itself certainly went on to drop our jaws a few times! Our only slight drawback was the intense heat, and a few safety concerns on that staircase, but that is no reason to avoid it here. If anything, we wish we had more time to explore this fascinating place. Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Vietnam Check out all of the places we visited in Vietnam courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. Explore Da Nang with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Da Nang. Whether you're looking for water parks, traditional dance shows, or even a Ba Na Hills ticket, Klook has something to offer. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Vietnam. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you! Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

If you're looking for a unique beachfront experience in Da Nang , Vietnam, look no further than the Esco Beach Bar Lounge and Restaurant. Located just steps away from the crystal-clear waters of My Khe Beach, Esco offers a relaxing atmosphere, delicious food and drinks, and stunning views of the coastline. As you enter the restaurant, you'll be greeted by friendly staff and a modern, minimalist decor. The open-air seating area allows you to soak up the sunshine and feel the sea breeze while enjoying your meal. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner for two or a fun night out with friends, Esco Bar in Vietnam has something for everyone. Read on for more on the wonderful food we tried, how to find Esco Beach Bar, our YouTube video highlights and our restaurant rating! The main street entrance to Esco Beach Bar In This Post... ● Our Highlights ● The Food & Menu ● How to Get There ● Our Experience Rating s Travel Resources & Offers ● Book Transport in Advance ● FREE Interactive Map of Vietnam ● Book Vietnam Tours with Klook ● FREE Asia Country Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Our Esco Beach Bar & Restaurant Highlights The menu at Esco features a wide range of international cuisine, including Vietnamese, Japanese, and Western dishes. The fresh seafood options are especially noteworthy, with dishes like grilled octopus and shrimp tempura being customer favorites. The restaurant also offers an extensive selection of drinks, including cocktails, wine, and beer. Sip on a cold beer or a tropical cocktail while taking in the beautiful view of the sea! In addition to the great food and drinks, Esco Beach Bar Lounge and Restaurant also offers a variety of entertainment options. You can enjoy live music performances every night (at around 7pm) by local musicians while sipping on your drink. The restaurant also has a small infinity pool facing the beach, alongside a special 30 minute fire show performance which happens every weekend. It is the perfect spot for a fun night out. ⪢ Safeguard Your Trip with SafetyWing To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete Plan  offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. We were already on the look-out for a good beach bar and after a short walk on the sand, we headed up to the main street to see what we could find. The main road runs alongside the beach, but at the roundabout it moves to the left, giving way to a parade of buildings. Esco Bar is one of the first ones, so we did not have to walk for long at all. The entrance is inviting and well put-together, so we immediately knew this would be a good place to try. It started raining  the first time we were here, but we were well sheltered from it despite grabbing a table on the main deck. It was a nice break from the heat to be honest! The weather cleared up not long after we sat down, and the rest of the afternoon was bright and sunny. We did not stay for the live music or fire shows on any of our visits, as we had other evening plans, but we certainly will do if we ever find ourselves back in Da Nang. We felt really welcome here and the food was great. Keep scrolling for more details on what we tried here, and how to find Esco Bar. CONTENT MENU The Food & Menu at Esco Beach Bar & Restaurant ⪢ The Drinks Esco Bar has an extensive drink menu as you would expect, alongside a strong list of cocktails to try. Prices are on the higher end with a bottle of beer coming in at just over USD 3, while the cocktails are over USD 7. There are far cheaper places, notably the drink huts by the main roundabout. But you do get what you pay for here, with an excellent view, great service, and what turned out to be some pretty tasty drinks. We tried the Butterfly Negroni, Tropical Breeze and 60 Miles to Medellin cocktails. They were all very well presented and each went down a treat. The Tropical Breeze was our favorite, a mix of orange liquor, vodka and mango. If you like rum, consider the 60 Miles to Medellin and for gin lovers, the Butterfly Negroni is a safe bet. Leon is also a huge brandy fan and was delighted to see his favorite brandy, Courvoisier, on the menu too. One shot is just over $8, and bear in mind if you want a chaser such as coke, it comes as a slim-standard can and is charged at $1. ⪢ The Food We tried several dishes, some appetisers and main meals, and we were very impressed with what we received. Leon wanted to try some traditional Vietnamese cuisine on our first visit and opted for Banh Xeo, a super tasty fajita-style do-it-yourself style, while Jenn tried the fried spring rolls, which were some of the best we have ever tasted. All of the dishes were served with fresh vegetables and were presented well. The Banh Xeo in particular was fun, albeit a little messy! We also tried the house Escoburger, pan potatoes and stir-fried rice with chili sausage. Prices ranged from around $7 - USD 12. The rice was well seasoned but very spicy (you have been warned). The burger was stacked well and was good value too. See more about what we thought in our ratings at the end of the post, or take a peek at the video below. Check out the full Esco Bar Menu here . CONTENT MENU How to Get to Esco Beach Bar & Restaurant Esco Beach Bar Lounge & Restaurant is located in the city of Da Nang, Vietnam, specifically on My Khe Beach, one of the most popular beaches in the area. To get there, you can take a taxi or grab a ride from anywhere in the city. You can also rent a motorbike or a bicycle and drive yourself. If you're staying in a nearby hotel or resort, you may be able to walk to the restaurant. If you're coming from the airport, it's about a 15-20 minute drive, depending on traffic. If you're coming from the city center, it's approximately 10-15 minutes by car. It's always a good idea to check the traffic conditions beforehand to plan your journey accordingly. Also, parking is limited as it is on a main road. ⪢ Contact Information for Esco Beach Bar ● Address:  Lô 12 Võ Nguyên Giáp, Mân Thái, Sơn Trà, Đà Nẵng 550000, Vietnam ● Opening Hours:  8am to 12am ● Contact:  ( +84) 236 3955 668 ● Reservations & Menu: facebook.com/escobeachdanang Note that due to limited availability for beachside seats, reserving a spot is recommended, especially during peak season (June to August). All major credit cards are accepted. ⪢ Find Hotels in Danang and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Our Esco Beach Bar Experience Ratings When we left our hotel to take a stroll by the ocean, one of the first things we said to each other was that we would love to find a really good, cool beach bar. That could not have manifested itself any better than as it did when we found Esco Beach. We visited several times in the end, had fantastic food, great drinks and met some lovely people. It was everything we could want, and we do urge you to check it out if you are in the area. Relax and enjoy a great time out as you soak up the excellent My Khe Beach! Atmosphere: 5/5 Music is an important factor for any beach bar, and Esco Bar does this well, offering a great mix of upbeat, chill and local music. Combined with the contemporary, modern decor of the bar itself we enjoyed relaxing moments watching the waves, party moments over cocktails and chill vibes while eating. The atmosphere here really was spot on. Cost: 4/5 As at most beach bars, naturally one expects more premium prices, given the views and location. The prices here were definitely on the higher end; a beer is a good 25% higher than what you could get at some of the local hut stalls on the beach. That being said, the food prices were comparable to our hotel. But here you have the live music, fire shows, a bar as big as you can think of, a wide menu, infinity pool and of course, the beach. Expect to pay more, but you will certainly get bang for your buck. Food: 5/5 We thought the food was phenomenal here; there was nothing that we did not love. Everything was served with detailed presentation, and tasted as good as it looked. Service: 5/5 On both occasions we came here, we found the service to be on point. We typically stayed for a good couple of hours or more and always had an assigned server who was efficient and helpful. Could not have asked for more. Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Vietnam Check out all of the places we visited in Vietnam courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. Explore Da Nang with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Da Nang. Whether you're looking for water parks, traditional dance shows, or even a Ba Na Hills ticket, Klook has something to offer. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Vietnam. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you! Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

If you are like me and have been using Instagram for a while, then you probably know all about 'cleaning house'. As in, tidying up that following list which, let's face it, can get out of hand at times. Again, like me, you may have fallen foul of Instagram's notorious 'guidelines' and been put in Insta Jail for too many actions (having to check if someone is following back is an extra tap for example). Indeed, you may also have been me, heart in mouth and all, when IG detected a third party app being used and stopped me logging in entirely. Threatening to disable the account permanently and all sorts. Yep. That went south real quick. Which brings me very nicely to the purpose of this article. I know the struggle is real; many users often dread managing their followers and following lists, especially if trying to identify accounts that don’t follow back. Instagram does the bare minimum to help you with this, although they do have a nugget of a feature which will get you there in six easy steps with some help from our good old friends at ChatGPT. In This Post... ● Introduction ●   Risks of Third-Party Apps ●   Why This Method is Safe ●   The 6-Step Process ●   Tips for Long-Term ●   FAQ's ●   Any Other Questions? ●   More Social Media Tips Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Introduction to this Guide Instagram numbers/stats hold great importance for many users, particularly those looking to boost their follower count for increased engagement and online presence. I have totally been in the thick of a bulging community with healthy exposure, and I sure as heck know what follow-for-follow is, and how quickly those numbers start piling up. Many turn to third-party apps for identifying FNFB (not sure if I just made this up or not but 'following not following back'). Two years ago I fell foul of this, admittedly not knowing it could cause a block, but eventually it did. Let's just say 24 days with no access to the 'gram and potentially losing everything you have on there does give one pause for thought. So yes, let's not do that! This guide will show you how to identify accounts not following you back - safely - and without breaching those tetchy Instagram community guidelines. It is perfectly within the rules, and is super easy. You will have that list cleaned up in no time! CONTENT MENU Risks of Using Third-Party Apps With Instagram having been cracking down on third-party apps for some time now, users need to adopt secure methods to manage and monitor their follower connections effectively. This Instagram policy is designed to protect user privacy, banning unauthorized apps that gather user data. These apps pose risks including: ● Privacy breaches, as they often require login information. ● Account suspensions or restrictions. ● Potential for having your account disabled for guideline violations. It is important to note that even with the best of efforts, Apple and Google App Stores will still be brimming with a ton of apps offering to do this type of service. No matter how genuine they look, pilfered IG logo and all, don't touch them! CONTENT MENU Why This Method is Safe and Effective The method outlined here is compliant with Instagram’s guidelines since it relies on Instagram’s native data-download feature and manual analysis with ChatGPT, ensuring no breach of terms. It does require a little bit of effort once you have the data, but effectively you are doing the same thing as one of those apps we keep not wanting to talk about. CONTENT MENU Overview of the Process Below is a brief overview of the easy six-step process we will be covering: ● Obtain your Instagram data, focusing on the 'followers' and 'following' lists. ● Import this data into a suitable analysis format. ● Utilize ChatGPT (or another AI, heck, you could even use Meta's) to detect differences between the two lists, pinpointing individuals who do not follow you back. ● Once you have your list, you can begin unfollowing. Step 1: Exporting Your Instagram Followers Data: Accessing Instagram’s Download Tool Instagram offers a data download tool where you can request a full export of your profile, including followers and following lists: ● Navigate to Settings > Your Activity > Account Center > Download Your Information. ● Select the preferred format (JSON for simplicity or HTML). ● Wait for Instagram to prepare the file; this usually takes a couple of minutes. Refresh the page and you will notice the status change. * Expand / Swipe for instructions Step 2: Downloading Your Data Files ● Download the file: Extract the compressed file to access the HTML files. IG does offer the option of downloading in JSON format but it seems to always come in HTML anyway. ● Go to connections > followers_and_following * Expand / Swipe for instructions Step 3: Converting Data for Easy Comparison If your data is in HTML format: ● Open in your browser window ● Highlight all [ctrl + a] and copy ● Paste into Excel (or another similar cell-based app) Step 4: Preparing the Data for Analysis ● Organize your lists to create two columns - Following and Followers. ● Check that the usernames are in a consistent format. ● Delete any unnecessary fields for a cleaner comparison. Step 5: Using ChatGPT to Compare Followers and Following Now that your data is ready, ChatGPT can cross-reference the two lists and give you names of users not following back. Open ChatGPT and use specific prompts to identify discrepancies. ● Sample prompt: There are two lists in the attached file: 'followers' and 'following'. Compare and list users in 'following' who are not in 'followers'. Ignore the dates in the rows. ChatGPT will output a clean list of non-followers. Double-check ChatGPT’s results by reviewing a few names to ensure accuracy. Minor discrepancies may occur if usernames have changed or if there were any loading errors. Step 6: How to Unfollow Accounts Safely Once you have your list, you can use the search function on IG to visit the profiles you want to unfollow and do so individually. There is no automated process with this, so you just have to take the time. Maybe even just give the accounts a nudge if they are still active, in many cases they might not realise they weren't following you. Note: You will want to avoid rapid unfollowing to prevent temporary account restrictions. While Instagram has never officially put a number on action blocks, it is believed anywhere between 200 - 300 actions in 24 hours could land you in hot water. That includes likes, shares and saves too. I would recommend unfollowing between 50-100 per day, and be wary of using repetitive actions to do so. It might take a while, but you would rather spend this time than go through the hell of your account being disabled. Believe me! CONTENT MENU Tips for Managing Your Followers List Long-Term Building a real fan base is super important to keep people interested in today's online world. It's not just about numbers; you've got to work on forming genuine connections. Taking the time to interact with your followers one-on-one is key. As they say, engagement is king. 'Empty' follows honestly does zero for your account, especially with an algorithm which changes the way the wind blows and is decidedly quite anti-social. These days just following someone back, or indeed following them yourself first, is no given. In the end, genuine growth will only ever come from authentic connections. And if that does become your case, then doing the process in this article will probably be something you won't have to do again. CONTENT MENU Frequently Asked Questions Can I download my Instagram data anytime? Yes, Instagram’s download tool is available 24/7. Usually requests are processed within a few minutes, but can take up to 48 hours to become available. Is it safe to use ChatGPT (or another AI) for this process? Yes, ChatGPT analyzes data you input and does not access your accounts, or store any private information. Are there limits to unfollowing users on Instagram? Yes, Instagram has limits to prevent spam. Avoid unfollowing large numbers at once to prevent restrictions. The general rule of thumb is to limit total amount of actions to no more than 200 per day. Bear in mind this includes likes, follows and shares. Will this method show me new followers? No, this method only identifies accounts that you follow who do not follow you back. Can I use this method on a mobile device? Yes, the data files can be downloaded and uploaded through cloud storage to mobile-friendly applications. The data formatting part might be a little tricky on smaller screens, but once you have your list you can use split-screen view to easily unfollow. Do professional accounts have better tools for tracking followers? Yes, professional accounts on Instagram offer basic engagement metrics, which may help gauge followers’ interaction with your profile. However IG does not have any option to track unfollows. Any Other Questions? Hopefully this post has given you all of the tools you need to clean your follower list safely. If you do have any other additional queries on points not covered here, however, you are more than welcome to get in touch . You can also check out our FAQ's page  for more Instagram-related questions. Get More Social Media Tips & Insights We have been on Social Media for a while now, on the likes of YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. We have a combined total of nearly 50k subscribers and followers, and we are most grateful for every one of them, and you too!   In these blogs, we share our top tips and recommendations to help you grow your accounts, and to stay safe online.

'Your account has been disabled for violating our terms'. No doubt that is the reason you are here and believe me, I can relate to how you are feeling right now. I have been where you are, and I am writing this post to share my experience, and hopefully help you to recover your Instagram account. I also share tips, tricks, do's and don'ts so you can avoid this happening again in the future. In This Post... ● My Account Was Deactivated ● Why is My Account disabled? ● The First Message & What's Next ● Contacting Instagram ● Instagram Appeal Forms See More... ● Appeal Sent - the Next Steps ● What NOT to Do While You Wait ● 7 Days Later - What's Next ● Facebook Live Support ● My Ad Account Issue ● What Instagram Wanted to Know ● Account Recovery Complete! ● The Final Word Additional Resources ● Protecting Your Account ● FAQ's ● Any Other Questions? ● More Social Media Tips & Insights Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . My Instagram Account Was Deactivated I have been an avid user of Instagram for over 3 years, and for those of you who know our journey  here at Closer Lives, you will know that it is on Instagram that Jenn and I met for the very first time. Instagram: @myplayonlife Instagram has had a huge impact on our lives and indeed our entire story, alongside our travel adventures, has all been shared there. Our Instagram accounts are months, years and even decades of copious amounts of time and energy put into content, follower growth, design and promotion. Not to mention the amazing people and friends that no doubt, like me, you have connected with. The moment I was 'disabled' was like a rug being pulled from under my feet and it was a hard moment to take. Just like that, everything I had built was under threat. I had no reason, no understanding and just a deep sense of fear that the journey may well be over. I thought it simply must have been a mistake. Tap the appeal, fill out the very basic information request and wait 24 hours. It will be alright, I have not done anything wrong. I will get it back, I told myself. I tried to stay positive and maintain as much patience as I could muster. In the early days of my block I managed it, but by day 3 my emotions were starting to get the better of me. I realised that simply just waiting was not going to be enough. I started to research relentlessly to find out more information, reading countless articles and watching a plethora of videos about it on YouTube. After several hours of this I knew that I had no choice but to fight for my account or risk losing it for good. This is my story, and some of the things I discovered that may just help you to get your account back. Read on  to find out how to appeal, what NOT to do, how to contact Meta and ultimately how I recovered my account. ⪢ First things first... While this may not be the easiest thing to read right now, expect to hear this from friends, family and even Meta themselves. Don't panic!   It is indeed sound advice; even if you have violated the community guidelines, your chances of recovering your account are fairly good, if this is the first time you have been blocked. You will have to wait; do not be surprised if it takes up to a month  to get things sorted. However, you may just get it back a lot sooner. The truth is, it is highly unpredictable. CONTENT MENU Why Has My Instagram Account Been Disabled? There are many reasons why your account will have been disabled. Instagram's guidelines are very clear, but have you read them? Perhaps not, and honestly, neither had I. Most of my knowledge in terms of what and what not to do had come from word of mouth, and posts from other users who had fallen foul of the rules. To be clear, this post will NOT help you if your account has been suspended (as in you can still log in, but cannot like, comment, follow etc). This post is only for no longer being able to access/log in to your account . Here are a few common reasons why your account may have been disabled: ● Connecting an unauthorized application to your account, such as insight apps, automated like apps, follow/unfollow apps, etc. Tap here for more about this . ● Buying followers (these are usually bots) ● Joining follow loops / follow trains ● Participating in engagement groups ● Sending spam messages to followers and non-followers Read more... ● Following & unfollowing in large numbers ● Using Instagram shopping in unlicensed countries ● Providing your login credentials to a 3rd party application or service that is automating actions or scraping information ● Using an app or service to interact with Facebook or Instagram in unauthorized ways ● Your account was shared or compromised/hacked and someone is taking actions on your behalf or without your knowledge ● Changing your location regularly I would highly advise reading the Terms & Conditions of Use in Instagram's Help Centre to try and fully understand why the block has happened. Be honest with yourself and do not be afraid to admit any breach of the rules. As you progress with the appeal, and as you will see from my experience, honesty is the best policy here. Hopefully by now you may have identified why your account has been disabled. If not, do not worry, from my experience you may never even know the actual reason. In any case, something somewhere was triggered by the system, and we are where we are. Whatever your reasons for wanting your account back just know that there is a chance you will be able to do just that. I have seen stories of timelines ranging from 48 hours to 30 days. The key to it all is to be patient, but by all means persistent! Have you seen the Shawshank Redemption? Well I highly recommend it if you haven't! An absolutely fantastic movie. Aside from that, and more to the point, prisoner Andy Dufresne writes a letter a week to the state requesting funding for the prison library. This is where your fight begins; let's get to it.   One a week, then eventually two, for six years. Yes SIX! There is so much more to the story that I shall not divulge in case you haven't seen it. But I mention it only through one lens: the power of consistency. The power of persistence. You need to go all out Shawshank on this! CONTENT MENU The First Instagram Account Disabled Message, and What To Do Next I must admit that in the past I have had a couple of suspensions for too much activity, however I have always been able to log in, even if I could not perform any actions for a day or two. This was the first time my account had ever been disabled. My heart was in my mouth the moment I saw these screens. It was in that instance that I realised just how important this account is to me; in the same token, the thought of losing it crept into my thought process for the first time and it was frightening. Note that in most cases, any actions against your account are enacted by Instagram's system AI and algorithm. It is highly unlikely that it has been done by an actual human! When the initial block happens, even your immediate appeal is not overseen by a human. 'We will review' most likely means 'our bots will review' When asked to provide your information, you will be asked for an email address. You may read or hear that it is important that you leave the email associated with your account, although I would say that it does not matter. As long as you stick with the same email throughout the process. This is important to demonstrate you are not a bot and are a genuine human. Over two billion people use Instagram once a month, making it the fourth most popular social app worldwide Bots and fake accounts are a thorn in the side of Instagram and unfortunately no matter how big (or small) your account following may be, your appeal will be dropped in amongst hundreds of thousands, if not millions of others. It is hard to imagine just how they tackle this, although sadly the sheer lack of any type of customer support is equally hard to fathom. CONTENT MENU Contacting Instagram It is easy to understand why Instagram would be overwhelmed should they operate a helpline or email channel. Instagram has never announced any type of customer support since it first hit the app stores in 2010. Nevertheless, here are the details you might find online: ● Instagram Headquarters: +1 650 543 4800 or +1 415 857 3369 ● Instagram for business: +1 660 745 3051 ● support@instagram.com You are welcome to try these avenues, but it is highly unlikely you will receive any kind of response. Ultimately, the only place to look for any type of issue or guidance is Instagram's help centre . It is here that you will be able to complete various forms to begin your appeal process. You will also find a link to one of the forms in the message informing you of your account block on the log in screen. CONTENT MENU Instagram Appeal Forms Here are the links to all of the Appeal forms I used, all within the first 7 days of my account being disabled / de-activated: ● help.instagram.com/contact/60696731 ● help.instagram.com/contact/39616978 ● help.instagram.com/contact/43790879 ● help.instagram.com/contact/16525678 ● help.instagram.com/contact/16104597 2025 Update: It appears that Meta / Instagram has removed the functionality of these forms. This may be temporary, or could be a permanent change. Should the links not work, jump straight to Facebook Live Support or try instagram.com/hacked My advice is to complete each of these forms once only and on separate days . You will most likely read and see many people advising you to complete these multiple times a day until you get a response. I did this myself, in total I completed each one 3 times! However, I eventually found out that this was to my detriment. After speaking directly with Meta they clearly stated that with every submission, your case goes to the bottom of the pile! It seems strange but it kind of makes sense. Think about it, you and I will not be the only ones to assume that the more we fill out the forms, the better chances we will have. Having received millions of contact forms over the years, Instagram is saying 'we have your request, please be patient. It will be seen. ⪢ How to Complete the Appeal Forms The forms are pretty basic and easy to complete. If you have a business account, you will be asked to provide some form of verification. The key is the 'please let us know why you're appealing the decision' section. This is your opportunity to plead your case and I highly advise that you place plenty of time and thought into it. This is my advice for what you should include: ● Why you believe your account was deactivated (be honest, if you know the reason, state it. If you do not know, however, that is okay). ● Acknowledge the community guidelines and your willingness to adhere to them. ● Explain what you use the account for. ● State any other people who may have access to the account. ● Briefly detail how you will be using the account going forward should it be re-enabled. There is no real need to apologise, although if you know why your account was disabled then perhaps it is not a bad idea. I feel it is best not to until you have more information. CONTENT MENU You Have Sent Your Appeal to Instagram - the Next Steps Now this is the interesting part. In most cases, when contacting a multi-billion dollar mega company with an issue, you would come to expect a response that makes you feel like you are being heard, that you are important, and that they will try to resolve your issue as soon as possible. From the 15 forms I submitted, I received an email response to just 3 of them. Yes, just three. It looked like this: No logo and a pretty sketchy email address makes this almost look like a spam email. Indeed, that is where I found it - in my spam folder . Needless to say, I was checking that folder every few hours in my desperate hopes of a response. So this is what you will receive and the instructions are pretty simple. Grab a pen and paper and do this - I also added my reasons for appealing again, including our website and other information that could verify my identity. What happens after this is a complete mystery though. There was no acknowledgement or receipt of my reply and indeed to this day I have never received any further communication from Instagram itself with regards to this. I persevered with this process for around 2 weeks, filling out forms and just waiting. Waiting, waiting and waiting. The silence was deafening and I knew there had to be something else I could do. CONTENT MENU What NOT to Do While You Wait Every day I found myself searching Google , Quora , Reddit , YouTube and even Facebook Groups . With my feeling of desperation ever increasing, I found myself turning to the very murky and dark waters of the IG 'hackers' who are ultimately just scammers. Sadly people will prey on your 'desperation' and as tempting and as 'genuine' as it may seem, it will NOT work. All of those apps, comment bots and even YouTubers that recommend taking these steps may have been lucky enough to find some form of success, but the chances are overwhelmingly unlikely and will only lead to more problems. Whatever you do, do not engage in the following: ● Instagram Plus Plus (Instagram ++) ● Instagram Account Recovery Tool Websites ● IG Account Recovery Apps ● Anyone who posts in a group claiming to be a hacker ● Anyone who posts in a group claiming they have been scammed and are genuine ● Anyone who asks for money to recover your account As mentioned earlier, 'data scraping' is absolutely against Instagram's terms and all of the options above do just that. Even if they can recover your account, the footprint they leave will remain and eventually a bot will pick that up. Then back to square one you go. NEVER give out your log in information, NEVER pay money and STICK with the Instagram / Meta process. It really is the ONLY WAY! CONTENT MENU You Have Waited 7-10 Business Days and Had No Response from Instagram. Here is What to Do Next When you request to delete content or your account, the deletion process will automatically begin no more than 30 days after your request. It may take up to 90 days to delete content after the deletion process begins. "While the deletion process for such content is being undertaken, the content is no longer visible to other users, but remains subject to these Terms of Use and our Data Policy. After the content is deleted, it may take us up to another 90 days to remove it from backups and disaster recovery systems." - Content Removal and Disabling or Terminating Your Account (Instagram Terms of Use) Naturally after reading this, I panicked. From what I could understand, I had 30 days in total to save my account from oblivion. It had already been 14 by this point so I knew that if I did not find another way soon it would be over. Once the deletion process is started, there is no way to restore or recover your data. So after filtering through copious amounts of YouTube videos I kept hearing about Facebook Live Support . I knew if I had any chance of saving the day then talking to an actual human would be the best way to do it! It eventually did just that; read on for the steps you can take to access this little known but very helpful feature. CONTENT MENU Facebook Live Support Most of my sources have suggested this feature is only accessible if you have a Facebook / Instagram Business Account . Fortunately for me, I already had one. If you do not, it is possible to create one on Facebook. You will also need an Ad Account for reasons I shall explain shortly. ⪢ Option One - Contact via Email The Meta Business Help Centre is very useful for all sorts of reasons and I would recommend checking out this article: facebook.com/business/help/968402779873601 If you are unfortunate enough to be in a country where live chat is not supported, then you can follow these steps for email communication with Meta - At the bottom of the aforementioned article, you will find a small question box asking you if the article was 'helpful'. Click 'no', then follow the steps to explain why. It will then take you to a form asking for your contact information. This report will go directly to the Facebook Marketplace / Pro Team who, unlike Instagram, will respond immediately with a professional and formal email that will look something like this - This was a real 'blue sky' moment for me as it was the very first time throughout this whole process that I felt I was in with a chance of getting somewhere. I found that the Meta Pro Team were extremely helpful and on both occasions I dealt with them it felt like they genuinely wanted to help. Even just the basic use of a reference number is far more in keeping with expectations of a company of this size. All email communications were prompt and informative, and throughout a couple of days I was able to obtain a resolution to one of my issues. My Ad account was also disabled and fortunately this was a quicker fix. I was impressed with the efficiency and genuine care they showed and I trust this will be the same for you too should you need it! Read more about my Ad account issue here . If this option still does not result in your account being re-enabled then read on for option two below. ⪢ Option Two - Contact via Live Messenger Support Please note that this option will only be made available to you if you have an active Facebook Ad account AND you place an actual ad. After resolving my ad account issue, I successfully placed an ad for £5. After doing so, I accessed this feature by requesting help in the Commerce Manager page by clicking the help button in the bottom left-hand corner . As I understand it, access is restricted to certain countries and the location of this 'chat' option varies from user to user. This is what worked for me and I am currently in the UK. Once you click this, look over to the right and this window will appear: Click 'Contact Facebook Support' and from the following screen select 'reporting a technical issue' from the drop-down menu: Then the holy grail! A few more sections to fill out and then the magical moment will arrive where you can talk directly to the Facebook Team. An option will appear asking you how you would like to be contacted, via email or live chat. Tap " live" and it will automatically route you to Facebook Messenger where you will have the opportunity to speak to the Meta Pro Team. It is important to take the opportunity to plead your case in the message section. Give as much information as you can, but bear in mind you only have 1500 characters. Find out more about what Instagram wanted to know . I have read various accounts of success through this chat option. Some people have had immediate success, some have waited a few hours, some a day. For me, I had to wait a couple of days for a decision, which initially came back with me being told to wait for the Instagram Appeal process. I did just that, yet after a further 7 days of not hearing anything, I tried my hand again. Another ad later and I was in touch with a very helpful operator, Ezequiel, through Facebook Messenger. He handed my case over to Ana and from there things developed very rapidly! She filed an 'internal ticket' with the Instagram Team and communicated with me via email every step of the way. Two days had passed, within which we had exchanged several emails and I answered a very important questionnaire. Then the moment came; Ana even called me personally to inform me that my account had been re-activated! I am not sure if I was just lucky, but Ezequiel and Ana were brilliant. Why I was not able to get the same level of resolution the first time round, I do not know, but as they always say it is the result that counts the most, not necessarily how you get there! CONTENT MENU My Ad Account Issue Before I was able to access live support, I needed to run an ad as I have mentioned, and most unfortunately there was a problem with this too! Luckily for me, this was a slightly easier fix, but this snag did further complicate things with regards to my Instagram account. My ad account was suspended as I accessed Instagram Shopping while we were travelling in Albania. IG Shopping is not authorized there and it caused a system block. All I did was tweak a few products and settings in my shop and it was game over. This coincided with my IG block so the two could well have been related. The block was classed as 'suspected fraud' which freaked me out at first, but after explaining that I am a full-time traveller and move around often, it was lifted fairly easily after running its pre-programmed course of 2 weeks. Tip: In Facebook Commerce Manager you will find a section on the left-hand side called 'Account Health'. I am not sure how often this is updated, but it is a good indicator for any issues and I used this screenshot to further help my appeal. Hindsight is 20:20 right? At least now I know what not to do. Here is a list of the countries that support Instagram shopping, with my advice NOT to tinker with it if you are anywhere that is not mentioned: Find out more about Instagram's Commerce Eligibility Requirements . CONTENT MENU What Instagram wanted to know After finally having my case be seen by an actual member of the Instagram Team, I was asked the following questions of which I took plenty of time and great care in answering. I had sent many lengthy statements about what I thought had happened and why I wanted my account back on all of the appeal forms. However, I suspect that the information from these questions is the most important for IG; they may help you gain a quicker resolution should you still be formulating your message for the initial appeal process. 1. Which 3rd party apps, tools, or services have you connected with your IG account? 2. Has your account been compromised/hacked in the past few months? 3. What is the primary use of the account? 4. How many people have access to the account? How many actively use it day-to-day? 5. What are the most commonly used features of Instagram that you / your team uses on this account (search, messaging, commenting, etc.)? I think this questionnaire was significant and I would not be surprised if the algorithms are searching for breaches of these types of elements. If you are reading this just for information, then it is worth noting to avoid any infractions of your own. CONTENT MENU Account Recovery Complete! How many times do you check your email only to be rapidly tapping the delete button as most of it is junk? Well not for this one! Print it, frame it and don't make the same mistakes again! This was one heck of a moment. Victory was assured and with it came a huge mix of relief and elation. Gratitude is most certainly the attitude and it was exuding out of me after this! CONTENT MENU Protecting Your Account There are a couple of things you can do to help keep your account secure and in good order. All of these options can be found in the settings area of your Instagram account. ⪢ Connected Apps & Websites It is recommended you check this to ensure there are no unauthorized connections to your account or connections you do not recognize. ⪢ Two-Factor Authentication & Data Download I would strongly advise turning on Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram. Even if you do not 'log in' that often, adding this layer of security will make it harder for hackers to gain access to your account. The Data Download feature on Instagram is not well known but is an excellent option for keeping your data secure. Once requested, you will have 4 days to accept the download from your email. It comes as raw data, so do not expect it to look like your posts do on the app. All of your photos, videos, comments, likes, etc, will come to you in separate folders, which is a bit tricky to navigate and piece together. However, this is a fantastic option which helps you protect your content and potentially re-use it should you ever need or want to start a new account. CONTENT MENU The Final Word So how about this for some irony? 21 days after my account was restored by the excellent Meta team, I finally received an email from Instagram, the only one I had received throughout this ordeal (aside from the three identity ones I mentioned earlier). At least this one had a bit more of an official look about it with the Instagram logo... Yes, thank you for that Instagram! I am fully aware that my engagement is a disaster given 25 days of August, I did not even exist on your platform! So there you have it, that was the tale of my Instagram oblivion and restoration. It was most certainly a lesson learned and if you want to keep your account in good order, respect the guidelines and ensure full and strict adherence to them on your account and across all of your associated accounts too. This has been a humbling experience and one that has only strengthened the importance Instagram has to me. Instagram has been the only social platform I use actively to date and I am passionate about developing and sharing fantastic content. This is integral to me harnessing and growing my skills as a creator and blogger along with developing our website here at Closer Lives! I have the most sincere gratitude that I can share this post from the position of recovery. I know many of you reading this may not yet be there, but keep believing and stay positive! Stay strong and manifest your desire, but do not shy away from working for it. Your energy will be rewarded and if not, then no doubt the universe will have bigger and better plans for you. Best of luck, and feel free to ask away in the comments if you have any questions! Frequently Asked Questions: Recovering Your Disabled Instagram Account Why was my Instagram account disabled? Common reasons include violating Instagram's Terms & Conditions, such as using unauthorized apps, buying followers, participating in follow loops, sending spam, or having your account hacked. Honesty about any breaches is crucial. Can I recover my disabled account? Yes, there's a method described in the blog post to contact Meta directly through Facebook. Following the original process to generate case numbers is important. Having a Facebook Business Account is also essential. Note that there is a 30-day limit from the disablement date for recovery. What are the Instagram Disabled Account Appeal Forms? These are forms used to appeal the disablement. The blog post suggests completing each form once on separate days. However, the functionality of these forms may have been removed by Meta/Instagram as of June 2024. How does Meta Verified help in recovering my account? Meta Verified provides immediate access to Instagram Live Chat Support and significantly increases your chances of account recovery by verifying your identity. Ensure you use the same information as on your disabled account. What should I do if my account has been hacked? Try the recovery process outlined in the blog post. Being Meta Verified will help in proving your identity. Additionally, visit instagram.com/hacked . How can I protect my Instagram account from being disabled? The blog post recommends checking connected apps and websites, enabling Two-Factor Authentication, using the Data Download feature, and utilizing the 'security check-up' feature in the Instagram app settings. CONTENT MENU Any Other Questions? Hopefully this post has given you all of the tools you need to clean your follower list safely. If you do have any other additional queries on points not covered here, however, you are more than welcome to get in touch . You can also check out our FAQ's page  for more Instagram-related questions. Get More Social Media Tips & Insights We have been on Social Media for a while now, on the likes of YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. We have a combined total of nearly 50k subscribers and followers, and we are most grateful for every one of them, and you too!   In these blogs, we share our top tips and recommendations to help you grow your accounts, and to stay safe online.

If you are here it is sadly likely that your account has been disabled by Instagram. Or locked out, or maybe even hacked. 'Your account has been disabled for violating our terms'. Pretty much the total of it right? Unfortunately, when this happens, Instagram doesn't exactly help you out with any information. Just a quick Google search will offer you an absolute ton of pages offering to help you recover your account, along with plenty of scam messages which you will see plastered all over Reddit and Facebook forums. Let me tell you, if anyone is offering to get your account back, especially for money exchange, do not do it! In this post, I am not here to ask you for anything. I am simply just one of the large numbers of people who have had this happen to them, and I just want to offer you advice from my own experience with Meta, and helping countless others, for FREE. Read on for a highly-effective new 2025 method which has worked for many people this year already, and I hope, many more. In This Post... ● Why is My Account Disabled? ● Can I Recover My account? ● Disabled Account Appeal Forms ● Meta Verified ● My Account Has Been Hacked ● Protecting Your Account ● FAQ's ● Get in Touch ● Social Media Tips & Insights Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Why Did Instagram Disable My Account? There are many known reasons as to why this may have happened, with one of the most significant of them being if you have used an unauthorized app to connect to your account, like one of those follow/unfollow ones. Before we continue, from this point on, if that is the case, just don't hide it. In any of your communications, be upfront about it, because Meta knows . And they are far more likely to forgive and forget if you own up to it straight off the bat, rather than try to plead innocence/ignorance. Here are a few common reasons why your account may have been disabled: ● Connecting an unauthorized application to your account, such as insight apps, automated like apps, follow/unfollow apps, etc. Tap here for more about this .   ● Buying followers (these are usually bots) ● Joining follow loops / follow trains ● Participating in engagement groups ● Sending spam messages to followers and non-followers ● Following & unfollowing in large numbers ● Using Instagram shopping in unlicensed countries ● Providing your login credentials to a 3rd party application or service that is automating actions or scraping information ● Using an app or service to interact with Facebook or Instagram in unauthorized ways ● Your account was shared or compromised/hacked and someone is taking actions on your behalf or without your knowledge ● Changing your location regularly I would highly advise reading the Terms & Conditions of Use  in Instagram's Help Centre  to try and fully understand why the block has happened. Be honest with yourself and do not be afraid to admit any breach of the rules. As you progress with the appeal, and as you will see from my experience, honesty is the best policy here. I have written an extensive article about this topic, which you can read below. In it I include all of the do's and don'ts around how to stay within Instagram's infamous community guidelines, and how to contact Meta / Facebook through the Meta Business Centre . Worth a read before you formulate your email / plead your case. CONTENT MENU Will I Be Able to Recover My Account? For this post, I am mainly going to focus on a new approach to contact Instagram directly through the IG app. Before we get to it, I must stress that the process outlined in my original post about this topic still stands, and should be followed first, so you can generate your case number(s). It is also important that you have a Facebook account, although with this process it does not need to be a business account, and you do not need an ad account either (although this may help in the long run). Other mitigating factors include the length of time your account has been disabled for. I am hoping you are here because it has only just happened, but there may also be a chance you are here because you are at your wits' end trying to recover your account, and have been for a while. Sadly, if you are the latter, know that you only have 30 days from the point of getting your account disabled to the point of recovery. After that period has elapsed, the account will automatically go into IG's deletion process. From there on in it is game over I'm afraid. CONTENT MENU Instagram Disabled Account Appeal Forms So assuming you are below the 30 day threshold (the earlier the better), are prepared to own up to any potential infringements of the community guidelines (including follow apps and engagement groups!), let's get started with the process. First things first, you may have heard about all of the Appeal Forms you will need to let Instagram know you are appealing the deactivation of your account. They look something like this: ● instagram.com/contact/60696731 ● instagram.com/contact/39616978 ● instagram.com/contact/43790879 ● instagram.com/contact/16525678 ● instagram.com/contact/16104597 ** March 2025 Update: It appears that Meta / Instagram has removed the functionality of these forms. This may be temporary, or could be a permanent change. Should the links not work, jump straight to Facebook Live Support  or try instagram.com/hacked Should you be able to locate the forms, my advice is to complete each of these forms once only and on separate days . You will most likely read and see many people advising you to complete these multiple times a day until you get a response. I did this myself, in total I completed each one 3 times! However, I eventually found out that this was to my detriment. After speaking directly with Meta they clearly stated that every submission goes to the bottom of the pile! It seems strange but it kind of makes sense. Think about it, you and I will not be the only ones to assume that the more we fill out the forms, the better chances we will have. They receive thousands on any given day, and so they treat it like a waiting list. You are in a queue, and there is no jumping the line, I'm afraid. CONTENT MENU Meta Verified adds extra security to your account [Source: Getty images] Meta Verified, and Getting Your Instagram Account Back Once you have completed the forms, the next stage of the process, which is brand new for 2025, is to get yourself Meta Verified . This is honestly the golden goose in recovering your account, and I have seen countless success through this route having advised many accounts this year about it. ⪢ How Much Does Meta Verified Cost? A Meta Verified subscription for standard creator accounts is USD 14.99 per month. There are several business plans available too, which include additional features and offers. You can find the full range of options and purchase information here . Prices are correct at time of writing (Feb 2025). All prices are in U.S Dollars. Convert your currency here . ⪢ I'm Now Verified. How Do I Get in Touch with Instagram? Now this will work best if you can do it through Instagram. If you have a second account, you can do it on there, or if not, you can set up a new account. There is no minimum following on who can get verified, so that is not an issue. You can also do it through Facebook if you do not want to set up a new account. The important thing is that you use the same information as would be on the account that is disabled. That means the same email, the same name, and ideally phone number too. I cannot stress how important that is to the process. Once you have been verified, you can gain immediate access to Instagram Live Chat Support. There is also a much higher probability of getting your account back as Instagram has now verified your identity. So, here is how to get in touch. As with most things Instagram, it is buried in an obscure place in the settings area: OR Note that you can also use this area to contact by email, which I would advise to do as a back up option. Be sure to have all of your reference numbers from the appeal process to hand, as you will need them. When you talk with the support team, be sure to make a genuine case as to why you believe your account should be re-instated. Tell them what it means to you, why you use it and what went wrong. ⪢ Honesty is the Best Policy Honesty is the best policy and most of the success I have seen has been through people simply owning up to why, and being genuine about their use on Instagram and the connections they have made through their account. Instagram are not the enemy; as with any business, they just want to protect their rules. In all of the cases I have seen this year, this process has gotten the account re-activated. In most cases it has taken less than 24 hours . If there is any reason why it cannot be given back to you, at least here you will find out directly from Instagram itself. CONTENT MENU Instagram has a specific team to support hacked accounts [Source: Getty Images] I Did Not Violate Guidelines; My Instagram Account Has Been Hacked If you have been locked out of your account entirely, going through the process outlined here is unlikely to help. Although, I would still suggest giving it a try. Again, if you are verified, it boosts your chances of proving who you are, which is the first major hurdle to overcome. The only place to go in this instance is instagram.com/hacked . CONTENT MENU Protecting Your Account There are a couple of things you can do to help keep your account secure and in good order. All of these options can be found in the settings area of your Instagram account. ⪢ Connected Apps & Websites It is recommended you check this to ensure there are no unauthorized connections to your account or connections you do not recognize. ⪢ Two-Factor Authentication & Data Download I would certainly advise turning on Two-Factor Authentication  on Instagram. Even if you do not 'log in' that often, adding this layer of security will make it harder for hackers to gain access to your account. The Data Download  feature on Instagram is not well known but is an excellent option for keeping your data secure. Once requested, you will have 4 days to accept the download from your email. It comes as raw data, so do not expect it to look like your posts do on the app. All of your photos, videos, comments, likes, etc, will come to you in separate folders, which is a bit tricky to navigate and piece together. However, this is a fantastic option which helps you protect your content and potentially re-use it should you ever need or want to start a new account. ⪢ Security Check Up Instagram has been adding several features over the past couple of years, and if you are using the app, you can utilize the 'security check-up' feature in the settings section. Here you can review all of the key security aspects of your account in one place, including your phone number, associated email address, and that essential two-factor authentication. If you can recover your account, I would highly recommend reviewing these settings. Not particularly helpful if you are only reading this because your account is disabled, I know, but I wanted to include it nonetheless! CONTENT MENU Frequently Asked Questions: Recovering Your Disabled Instagram Account Why is my Instagram account disabled? Common reasons include violating Instagram's Terms & Conditions, such as using unauthorized apps, buying followers, participating in follow loops, sending spam, or having your account hacked. Honesty about any breaches is crucial. How can I tell if my Instagram account is deactivated or disabled? If you’re unable to log into your account and receive a message stating that your account has been deactivated or disabled, this is a sign that your account may have been disabled due to violating Instagram’s policies or for inactivity. How do I recover a disabled Instagram account? To recover a disabled Instagram account, you need to follow Instagram’s appeal process. This may include submitting a form through the app or via their website, explaining your situation, and verifying your identity. What should I do if I can’t recover my disabled Instagram account? If the appeal process doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try reaching out to Instagram support directly. Be sure to review their community guidelines to understand what may have caused the account to be disabled. How long does it take to recover a disabled Instagram account? The recovery process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the complexity of the issue and Instagram’s response times. Can I recover a deactivated Instagram account? Yes, if you deactivated your account yourself, you can log in to reactivate it. However, if Instagram has deactivated it for policy violations, you will need to follow their process for account recovery, or the process in this post. CONTENT MENU Any Other Questions? Hopefully this post has given you all of the tools you need to clean your follower list safely. If you do have any other additional queries on points not covered here, however, you are more than welcome to get in touch . You can also check out our FAQ's page for more Instagram-related questions. Get More Social Media Tips & Insights We have been on Social Media for a while now, on the likes of YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. We have a combined total of nearly 50k subscribers and followers, and we are most grateful for every one of them, and you too!   In these blogs, we share our top tips and recommendations to help you grow your accounts, and to stay safe online.

With a history that stretches back over 50 years, Lucky Guesthouse is aptly named, as it is the only one of its kind that has a rooftop view. It was built before planning rules came into effect stating that no building can be as tall as the great Taj. It is one of the most affordable hotels in Agra, and is perfectly positioned with the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort within walking distance. Not just lucky, this guesthouse is just a five minute rickshaw ride away from the Taj Mahal itself. It is located opposite a local police station, and also in the heart of a street market which has plenty of stores, restaurants and amenities. It is the perfect spot to stay if you are planning to visit the Taj, and is also very local, giving you a real taste of Indian culture. Read on for our review of the Lucky Guesthouse, including the food, our room, how to find it and booking details. In This Post... ● Drama Along the Way... ● Our Review ● The Food ● The Room ● India Travel Tips ● How to Get There ● Our Experience Ratings Travel Resources & Offers ● Watch on YouTube ● Book Transport in Advance ● Interactive Map of India ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Drama Along the Way... After running the gauntlet of taxi hawkers outside Agra Cantt Train Station ( see last post ), we were grateful to finally see our ride pull up on the side of the road. That being said, when we saw the size of the car, we knew we would have a bit of a problem! It was a standard hatchback, and so luggage was going to be a struggle. However, ironically we had encountered this issue when we left our hotel in Delhi, so we were ready to pack ourselves in like sardines again! The biggest challenge with this taxi was that there was what looked like a gas tank in the trunk. So big that we could only fit one item in it, that being Jenn’s carry-on suitcase. With none of us willing to wait any longer after all of the hassle we experienced already, in we went, with luggage piled so high on our laps we are amazed the driver even agreed. By this point in our journey in India , we had already realized that conventional travel is just not the norm here. Things are just different, standards are different, and expectations should be thrown right out the window! Even though we could barely move in the car, we were just glad to be on our way. Or so we thought... So despite being charged for the full trip to our destination (120 rupees), the roads in and around Lucky Guesthouse just so happened to be closed for maintenance (not that we saw any). With our driver unable to communicate much in English, we could not understand much of what was going on. We gingerly made it out of the vehicle, at which point a rickshaw driver came up to us and explained the situation. Rickshaws were thankfully being allowed through, and after his price went from 400 rupees to 100 rupees in a matter of seconds, we accepted his ride. So off we went, all four of us in the rickshaw with our luggage again on our laps, for the final leg of what was a super long and draining travel day. CONTENT MENU Our Lucky Guesthouse Review ⪢ The Perfect Agra hotel for the Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Lucky Restaurant and Guesthouse is a solid budget accommodation option for tourists visiting the Taj Mahal and other historical sites in Agra. The hotel offers a variety of clean and comfortable rooms with air conditioning, television, and private bathroom facilities. As mentioned in the name, there is also a restaurant, offering several different dining options with a view of the Taj, alongside room service. The rooftop view is spectacular as you can imagine, although it is only a small space. It is also caged as there are monkeys in the nearby trees which can easily jump over. The staircase leading up to it is nicely decorated, and in general it felt very neat and clean. A point of note is that the hotel building is actually across the road from the concierge and restaurant building (that also houses the rooftop view). This was not made overtly clear when we booked, and was a tad confusing at first. Nonetheless, it was still a positive experience. The service throughout our stay was very positive in general. As with much of what we encountered in India, the staff here seemed ready and willing to go above and beyond, and were super friendly. We cannot fault them. ⪢ The Location As already mentioned, Lucky Guesthouse is only a short 5 minute rickshaw ride from the West Gate of the Taj Mahal. You can walk it in 20 minutes too. It is also just a 6 minute drive away from Agra Fort. The location in and around the hotel sadly leaves a lot to be desired though. The road outside was pretty chaotic, even with the cars missing due to the traffic restriction. With so many rickshaws and scooters, it is hard to imagine cars on it anyway! It was fairly tight, very dusty, dirty, and of course accompanied by the constant sound of honking. 24/7 honking. Non-stop! The area itself is very impoverished and we saw lots of stray dogs, garbage, sewage and even dead rats at almost every turn. Several people were sleeping in doorways close to the hotel too. At first it felt intimidating and overwhelming, although after we settled down in the hotel and had our first shower in 4 days we felt much better (more on why that was here ). If you would like to see more of the surrounding area of the hotel, check out our walking tour video . As you will see from the video, our initial reservations about the area were quickly put to rest in this short walk. Sure, the area is very rundown and dirty, but once you look past that you will find that people are super friendly and welcoming. Within a few minutes Leon felt super comfortable, even if his stomach (like Jenn's) was going hammer and tongs when this video was filmed. ⪢ The Cost The cost per night here at the Lucky Restaurant and Guesthouse was just 27 Canadian Dollars (20 USD / 1600 Rupees). This is a solid 3-star accommodation and the price is excellent given its proximity to the Taj Mahal. There are other popular spots in Agra too and it is a great place to base from in our opinion, with access to rickshaws and taxis super easy (when the road is not closed). From what we saw, the guesthouse offers some of the most affordable rates in Agra. CONTENT MENU The Food at Lucky Restaurant We only tried the Paneer Makhani and Special Thali from the menu, which we had delivered to our room. Both meals were excellent, and we thoroughly enjoyed them! Really tasty and well cooked, we cannot fault them. We wish we could rave about the other options too, but our happiness with the food was to be unfortunately short lived. Sadly disaster struck in the evening, a few hours after we had eaten. We were both struck down with severe stomach pains, and the worst diarrhea either of us had ever experienced. It was a gastro problem that knocked us both out for the rest of our time in India. We were forced to cut our trip short as it affected us so badly. So much so, that what we ate here was pretty much the last full meal we ate in the country! It is hard to pinpoint whether it was the food here or not, which did seem to be cooked well. Jackson had already been sick prior, still yet to recover, so we suspect the problem may have originated in Delhi and manifested itself here. Either way, it stopped us from enjoying the rooftop, Jenn from seeing the Taj, and all of us from exploring the surrounding area. The need for a bathroom was chronic. We want to stress that the food here was good, and that gastro issues are fairly common for first-time travelers in India. The obvious reason is poor food hygiene, although we did not see any evidence that this was the case here. It is said that the heavy use of Indian spices is the main cause, as our stomachs are not used to them. Either way, it was horrible, and we advise high caution where food (and water) is concerned. Try to start small and work your way up to the more local dishes, be careful where you eat, and be sure to bring plenty of vitamins, Imodium, and packet foods if you can. ⪢ The Menu at Lucky Restaurant Agra The options on the menu at Lucky Restaurant are a mixture of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani and Italian cuisine. There are plenty of drinks to choose from too. The prices are very reasonable and had we not gotten sick, we most certainly would have tried some of the other options! * Please note that prices and options shown are at time of writing and subject to change at any time. Contact the restaurant directly for the most up-to-date information. CONTENT MENU The Room at Lucky Guesthouse Our room was on the second floor of the hotel building, with a lovely open-top seating area just outside. We booked the double bed couple room and it was exactly as described online on booking.com . The same can also be said of Jackson and Marjo's room too. For any hotel, the key things for us are good air conditioning, a comfortable bed, good internet and for everything to be cleaned to an acceptable standard. We are pleased to say that Lucky Guesthouse achieves all of these parameters to great effect, and we were very pleased with the room. Our only critique would be a lack of extra pillows for the bed, but that to one side, we can have no complaints at all. There are several room options to choose from, as shown on the graphic below. You can find all the contact information you need further down in this post, or tap here . The rooms are nicely decorated and modern, although they are a tad small. The bathrooms are clean and the hot water works well. Some basics such as shower gel, shampoo, tea and coffee are provided, and there is also a large TV. Storage space is a little limited but manageable. The sound-proofing is also okay, although we did still have to use our fan app to drown out the honking on the street, which never really stops! CONTENT MENU India Travel Tips ⪢ Consider Taking a Tour One of the most popular ways to explore India is by guided tour. Skip the line for the Taj Mahal, tour cities like Mumbai and Delhi, or enjoy the wonderful sights in Udaipur and Jaipur. Check out a host of different options with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . ⪢ Safeguard Your Trip with SafetyWing To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. CONTENT MENU How to Get to Lucky Restaurant & Guesthouse It will take about 16 minutes to get from Agra Cantt station to Lucky Restaurant and Guesthouse by car. The total distance is 5.7 km. We prefer to use Uber , but as mentioned earlier, there are plenty of taxis outside the train station, although these tend to be metered and can charge more. You could also take a rickshaw , which may be slightly cheaper. The price should be around 100-150 rupees. ⪢ Contact Information for Lucky Guesthouse ● Address: Chowk Thana, 3/8, Kinari Bazar, Kaserat Bazar, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India ● Email: beluckywithlucky@gmail.com ● Phone: +91 93596 69192 ● Website: heylink.me/lucky_restaurant_guest_house ● Instagram: @luckyguesthouseagra   ● Facebook: @luckyrestaurantandguesthouse ⪢ Book Your Stay at Lucky Guesthouse If you would like to book a stay here, click here to make your reservation . ⪢ Not Convinced? Easily Find Hotels in Agra and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. CONTENT MENU Our Lucky Restaurant & Guesthouse Experience Ratings This was a tough one to rate as the hotel itself is great. We had no issues with it at all. Good internet, clean, excellent service and good food. What is not to like? Especially for such an incredibly good price. The downside is honestly the awful state of the surrounding area, which is not within the control of the guesthouse. As was the case with our gastro issues, which we most likely picked up in Delhi. We may not always remember our experience fondly for those reasons, but if we picture ourselves inside our room, or looking out to the Taj Mahal from the rooftop, we highly recommend Lucky Guesthouse! Cleanliness: 5/5 Absolutely no issues at all. Everything was very clean and sanitized, and the bathroom was in good order. It was clear that every effort was made to help us feel comfortable, and we were really happy with it. Cost & Value for money: 5/5 What can we say for $27 per night?! This hotel is fantastic value and dare we say we could have easily paid $40 - $50 and still felt that it was worth it. It does not get much better than this. Food & Drink: 5/5 Despite all of our now well-documented issues, we cannot take anything away from the one meal we did enjoy here. Both of them were super tasty, and the portions were also a great size for the cost. There is so much to choose from too, including vegetarian options. We deeply regret not being able to try even more, and would love to hear from you if you do so yourself! Location: 2/5 This is our only issue with Lucky Guesthouse. The proximity to the major sights of Agra is of course fantastic, but even with that considered, the neighborhood is in such a state that it makes it hard to consider the location a positive. There is so much happening outside, with stray dogs, open sewers, crazy traffic, rotting garbage, rodents and homelessness. It is very overwhelming and even though this is no fault of the hotel, it is something that we cannot disregard. The only slight bonus is that there is a police station almost directly opposite, which offers some comfort of security. Even still, we would not recommend being out after dark here. Service: 5/5 The crowning glory of Lucky Guesthouse, the service here really is excellent. The staff went out of their way to accommodate us, especially when it came to our regular requests of toilet paper! We went through a lot given our situation. They honestly tried so hard, and we were most impressed. We are sure you will be too! CONTENT MENU Up Next: The Taj Mahal Despite the severe stomach problems, Leon still just about made it to see the world's most famous mausoleum. Sadly Jenn was unable to leave the hotel, being way worse, but the show had to go on! So Leon went with Jackson and Marjo. Unfortunately, the misfortune continued, with our 6 am plan for the famous Taj sunrise being laid to waste by rain clouds! Luckily the rain only kicked in as we were leaving. What do they say? With every cloud comes a silver lining?! Watch on YouTube Walking the streets of AGRA? Our first time in India! Is it safe to walk in the back areas as a foreigner in India? What is it REALLY like in India? We show you around Agra, Uttar Pradesh in this walking tour travel vlog. Watch to find out our experience walking solo in the surrounding area of our Hotel, Lucky Guest House in Agra, India. We enjoy some epic Indian food THALI and KADAI chicken, yum! See our rooftop view of the TAJ MAHAL as well! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your Interactive Map of Northern India Check out all of the places we visited in India courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you! Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

We arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport after a long travel day pretty late in the evening. We were weary and tired, and most grateful that our first hotel in India had been able to arrange a pick up service directly from the airport. Our immediate feeling about the airport was that it felt old, a little tired and dated. That being said, the best judge of an airport in our opinion is getting through it smoothly, and smoothly we did. To be honest, the carnage started once we got outside! Okay, perhaps carnage is a strong word. But it was busy. Really really busy. There were people everywhere, and luckily we had our driver who was seemingly pulling us away from the chaos. The trip from arrivals to the parking lot seemed very far, and by the time we had got to where we needed to be, we were pretty exhausted. When we got to our hotel, we realised very quickly that it was not at all what it was online. The room was tired and dated, the bathroom was a disaster, and we couldn't even shower! In this post, we review the budget Staybook Hotel in New Delhi, plus we introduce you to India's notorious roads, and a common scam sweeping New Delhi. In This Post... ● First Impressions of India ● India's Notorious Roads ● Our Staybook Hotel Review ● The Water Bottle Scam ● Travel Tip: Taking a Tour ● How to Get There ● Our Experience Ratings Travel Resources & Offers ● Watch on YouTube ● Book Transport in Advance ● Interactive Map of India ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Arriving in India: Our First Impressions Even having traveled to 42 countries at the time of writing, it is fair to say that we still need time to acclimatize to new environments. No matter how many different cultures we see, each one is unique and different, and from the moment we land we are consciously and sub-consciously taking it all in. While we had done plenty of research and knew what to expect, we were both pretty weary as we stood in the exhaust-filled car park waiting for our guy to fetch the car. In the five minutes we waited, a hundred people could have easily walked by. Even at 11 pm, this place was rocking! A lot was happening and it was a tad overwhelming. We were most grateful to see our driver pull up, and to be fair to him he was super friendly. He cracked plenty of jokes, told us some information about his country, and was happy to help with our luggage. His vehicle was okay too; almost like a Suzuki Carry van but as a 5-seater, also (and perhaps most importantly), the air conditioning was really solid too. So overall we felt pretty secure and confident that we would get to the hotel okay, which was about 45 minutes from the airport. CONTENT MENU An Introduction to India's Notorious Roads Just before we were leaving, after getting our stuff in the trunk, our driver made a point of saying 'don't worry, I drive slow'. Rather an odd thing to say, but as perhaps intended, it was quite reassuring. Well, that was before take off anyway! Many a nervous glance was shared between us as our juddery driver crunched through the gears and sped across the roads out of the airport like a man on a serious mission. While it may seem like a glamorous exaggeration, it is not. We are talking 120-140km p/h easily most of the way there, including some pretty dangerous and hairy manoeuvres that you would expect more from a high speed police chase than a simple airport transfer. We tried not to say too much about it, although Leon did reciprocate the 'drive slow' joke midway through the ride with a comparison to Lewis Hamilton. We think he got it, although one can never be too sure! As it was late at night, there was not much we could see, although we do have to say that driving out from Indira Gandhi International Airport was a breeze. Long stretches of well-lit highways keep the traffic flowing, and owing to the G20 event just a few days earlier, there were India's flag colours lit up in lights around all of the lampposts too. Couple that with lots of G20 livery, flowers and all, at every intersection, it looked very nice. Clean and modern; we were almost feeling like perhaps India might just upset our pre-conceptions. But it was night, and we had not seen the hotel yet. We made it to the Staybook Hotel, easily within the 45 minutes. Our driver was certainly right on that at least, and we were just glad we made it without any major incident. We had planned to give the driver a tip, and indeed, once our bags were out of the trunk, he did stand intentionally close to persuade us to do so. Leon initially gave him 200 rupees, of which he asked for more , so left him with 500. In all honesty, our hesitance to tip at all would have been warranted given the crazy driving. But, well, this was our first night, he got us here, and hopefully his extra bunce on the job was worth it. Who knows what his situation is? Back in February of this year, we visited Vietnam for the first time, followed by Cambodia shortly after. Thailand was our 'home' for five months at the start of 2023. So it is fair to say that we 'know' a little bit about the road situation. Lots of bikes, tuk-tuks/rickshaws, scooters, cars, and a whole bunch of traffic. Well, let's just say combine that experience all into one, roll it up in a ball, and India will be the one to kick it. India's roads are on a whole other level! CONTENT MENU Our Staybook Hotel (City Stories) New Delhi Review We chose Staybook - Hotel City Stories - By Aira Xing, Paharganj as it is close to the famous Connaught Place / Circle, and is in the heart of New Delhi. Right on a main road, finding transport was not a problem. Besides, with a 4-star rating online, some nice looking photos, and a great price, we had high hopes. As it happens, when we arrived, our friends Jackson and Marjo were already there. They were on the balcony when we were offloading our bags and paying our tip. Try as they could, they shouted to us by name, hoping to catch some sort of wave or smile or anything. But we couldn't hear them! Already a tad traumatized after some very near misses on the way there, and weary from our flights and travel day vibes, the noise of Delhi took over. The honking! Oh the honking. Loud, intrusive and near-constant, the honking was sure to drown out any hopes they had of us hearing them, even from only the second floor of the hotel. You can catch that moment in our YouTube video , be sure to check that out later! With the chaotic traffic behind us (even at 11 pm?!), we made our way with our bags through a pretty dingy doorway and through to an elevator. There was a guard on hand to help who was very eager to get us through and up to the reception. He, like many others, warned that it was a 'dangerous area'. Our immediate impression was that the Storybook Hotel did not look like what we had booked at all. In all of the hundreds of accommodations we have stayed at, we have not often arrived somewhere which seriously made us consider our choice. In fact, maybe only twice. Well this was the third! Moreso for the lack of honesty, and as our stay there progressed, also for the basic lack of safety and maintenance. ⪢ The Service One standout of the Storybook Hotel was the service. Above all else, good service can go a long way to masking things like poor aesthetics. We were shown to our room, offered help with our luggage, given towels, complimentary water and access to the WIFI. We became familiar with one worker in particular, the one helping us with our breakfast in the photo (sorry, we cannot remember his name). He was cool, although a little odd in his ways. He had this wonderful habit of saying 'ten minutes' for everything. Literally any request. Like water or toilet paper for example. Ten minutes, and then it always ended up being 20! However, we will call him out on some poor practices, like offering coffee and placing his fingers inside our cups, clenched on the rim. No gloves of course. He also had a rather strange habit of wanting to plate our food, using our utensils, and we did put a stop to that. But overall, even with his lack of English, he was our 'go to' guy at the hotel and he was pretty helpful and good at his job. ⪢ The Food The food at the hotel did not look like much, but it was okay to be fair. Breakfast was included in the price for us, and bizarrely the front desk even called our room at 8 am to let us know it was ready. The 'canteen', we guess we should call it, was not up to much, and did not give a good first impression at all. Utensils were scarce, the plastic tables in the middle of the room had definitely seen better days, and the 'buffet' table consisted of 4 elements every morning. The options for breakfast would bounce around between roti and yoghurt, spicy Indian pickles, oatmeal, cornflakes (with no milk), and coffee. The coffee came courtesy of instant granules and a rather dodgy water machine. The combinations were fairly decent, and while it did not inspire much confidence with its presentation, we both did enjoy the mornings. It was a little hot, although amongst the dilapidated room there is a ceiling fan that works. There is a balcony which is full of plants, which is nice. Then of course there is the constant honking that fills the whole building, more incessant than ever in the mornings as the road outside starts to choke up. So breakfast was interesting to say the least. We were in India, and we certainly felt like it! There is also a menu for in-room food, which was pretty decent. We did order a few things, which were okay, but it was not very fancy. It was efficient though and the prices were reasonable. There is a KFC opposite the hotel, which is pretty handy if you like that as we do (although it is very different from 'western' KFC). In terms of other food options outside of the hotel, we cannot say. We did not walk around much, so we did not see if there were any stores or restaurants. ⪢ The Room While the main corridor of rooms in the hotel looked tired, the very same can be said of the rooms themselves. In all fairness, the bed was comfy, although the sheets were stained in places. But okay, what are you going to do? We could manage. The rest of the room, however, left much to be desired. Broken plug sockets, grubby light switches, damaged furniture and grubby walls. This was not the pictures we saw. ⪢ The Bathroom The worst part for us was the bathroom. This is something we never usually compromise on wherever we stay. It is important for us that we have our own bathroom, and that is one of the various reasons hostels do not appeal to us (although we now know we can get private rooms with a bathroom). At the Staybook Hotel, it was a disaster. The only basic function that worked was the toilet, and even that was a struggle. There was only one tap for water, which would constantly be out of water, and when it did work, it would just keep spluttering and spitting. And the worst part of it all, the water smelt awful. The kind of smell that Leon would associate with his plumbing days. For sure, something must have been dead in the water tank. We literally could not use the water. Now you can get away with hand sanitizer and the like for that, and we never brush our teeth with tap water anyway. But how could we shower? We literally couldn't. Besides, the shower area was not clean, and the shower head was so rusted that water would have a hard time coming out anyway. We did not even attempt to find out. This was the first time in all of our travels that we have not been able to shower. And we were in New Delhi, one of the hottest cities on the planet. Things were not looking good! Thank goodness the air conditioning worked ok, despite the numerous wires spewing out of the side of it. So at least we were not hot in the room. We had to improvise, and we used wet wipes. We did not feel clean, but it was better than nothing. ⪢ Overall It is hard to sum up our stay at the Staybook Hotel New Delhi. We paid $140 for 3 nights, which works out to be a little under £85. In terms of location and value, it certainly ticks the boxes. We also have to shout out the WIFI, which was surprisingly good for the first few days. The staff are friendly, although they were very pushy with our friends at the end of our stay for a review online. So much so they almost demanded they do it in front of them, and we have read about this in the reviews online too. Despite the challenges, this was our hotel for 3 days and we had to accept our situation. We were a little disappointed, but we were not going to let this dampen our enthusiasm for Delhi. At least if you have read this, you will know what to expect. This is a 2-star hotel at best, but money-wise you really cannot go wrong. Bring plenty of wet wipes and you will be just fine! CONTENT MENU The Water Bottle Scam One thing we did sadly catch wind of is that there is a known scam involving water bottles in India. Water is refilled in a bottle from the tap, and the lid is heat sealed to look like it has not been opened. The hotel did provide bottled water in the room, and there was also a chiller by reception. It was not very cold, but we did indulge as it is important to stay hydrated in the heat! While we do not in any way accuse the hotel of this bottle scam, some of the water was filled so high in the bottle that it just did not seem like they were genuine. We highly recommend double checking water bottles as bad water can cause discomfort and in some cases serious illness! We did use them, and the day after we left the hotel, we all got sick, although we cannot be sure it was from the water. Just please be diligent! CONTENT MENU India Travel Tip: Consider Taking a Tour One of the most popular ways to explore India is by guided tour. Skip the line for the Taj Mahal, tour cities like Mumbai and Delhi, or enjoy the wonderful sights in Udaipur and Jaipur. Check out a host of different options with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . ⪢ Safeguard Your Trip with SafetyWing To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. CONTENT MENU How to Get to Hotel Staybook City Stories Throughout our time in New Delhi, it was pretty easy to get to and from the hotel. As the hotel offers an airport shuttle service, getting there initially is no problem. Despite its location on a busy main road, it is possible to get an Uber just outside. It is a tad tricky for the driver to park, but the traffic is so busy that it is possible. In terms of getting back to the hotel from any excursions, Uber does that easily. ⪢ Contact Information for Staybook Hotel City Stories ● Address: Police Station, Plot No. 1-5, Desh Bandhu Gupta Rd, opposite Paharganj, Motia Khan, Sadar Bazaar, Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi 110055, India ● Phone: +91 83739 29299 ● Website: staybook-city-stories ⪢ Not Convinced? Easily Find Hotels in Delhi and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU Our Hotel Staybook Experience Ratings We have not had too many bad experiences on our travels when it comes to accommodation. Usually our combination of good experience and thorough research usually leads to good spots! Sadly, on this occasion, this was not the case. The Hotel Staybook has done a pretty good job of making a good online presence, and we perhaps trusted the hotel listing a little too much here. We would not go as far as advising against booking this hotel, as what bothered us may not bother you. All we can do is be honest! There are some good positives, such as its location and service, and of course the price is very attractive too. If you do choose to stay here, hopefully this post has helped to manage your expectations, so you aren't as surprised as we were when we arrived! Cleanliness: 1/5 We can only be honest here, and honestly, this place needs a major clean up! The overall decor is tired and dated, with much of the furniture very worn too. Things like door handles and light switches were either broken or too dirty to touch, and the bathroom was quite frankly, terrible. The toilet leaked, we literally couldn't use the water because of the smell, and there were definitely bugs crawling around too. Not good! Cost & Value for money: 3/5 At just under $50 CAD per night, this hotel does represent good value to a point. If you are on a budget, it is fairly attractive, if you can handle the lack of cleanliness and rundown common areas. Food: 2/5 Breakfast is included, billed as a buffet, although we would not really call it that! The options typically consisted of some combination of egg / roti and a traditional Indian dish. It was okay, but the coffee was not good, and the dining area is in very poor condition overall. Location: 4/5 On the location front, the hotel is around 20-30 minutes from Connaught Place (the popular shopping hub), and in general you can get to most places fairly comfortably. There are a plethora of Tuk-tuks just outside for a quick ride, and you can also catch a Grab , although sometimes due to traffic they can find it difficult to find a place stop. Service: 5/5 If there was one saving grace to our experience here, it would be the service, which was fantastic. The staff were more than happy to help with all of our queries, and were attentive and friendly. Up Next: Our First Scam in India, SIX in a Rickshaw, Connaught Place and a Very Unique Restaurant Our very first full day in New Delhi was an eventful one to say the least! Together with our travel buddies Jackson and Marjo, we wanted to check out the famous Connaught Place shopping hub. From the moment we stepped out into the bustling heat outside our hotel, we were marked, eventually pushed towards a rickshaw, and somehow found ourselves dropped off at a 'tourist centre'. Following that, and after encountering a very aggressive beggar, we discovered Dr Zombie restaurant and bar, and well, the rest is an eight-hour history they say... CONTENT MENU Watch Our First Impressions of Delhi on YouTube Join us as we visit Connaught Place, Dr. Zombie, ride the rickshaws through the streets of Delhi, visit the Akshardham temple, Delhi Gate, KFC and check out our accommodation. We met so many incredible and friendly locals BUT we also met some pushy ones too! We explore the streets and learn more and more about India! We head to an upscale restaurant that was INCREDIBLE! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your Interactive Map of Northern India Check out all of the places we visited in India courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you! Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

Welcome to the first post in our India series! We spent 12 days touring 5 cities in the world's most populated country. This was a trip of epic proportions, as we planned to move around on trains, planes, buses, taxis and rickshaws. We certainly did that and some! In this post , we will give you a bit of background as to why we went to India , along with a sneak peek at what is to come in the series. To give context, the story of India begins back in a pool hall in Kuala Lumpur, where we were spending a super fun evening with our travel buddies Jackson and Marjo. Our friends are relatively new to full-time travel, having left the Netherlands and starting their world trip just a few months ago. For us it has been over four years. In This Post... ● Why Did We Travel to India? ● What Was Our Plan? ● What is in Our India Series? ● Up Next: Day One in New Delhi Travel Resources & Offers ● Find Hotels in India ● Book Transport in Advance ● Interactive Map of India ● Join Over 14k on YouTube ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Why Did We Travel to India? As seasoned travellers, we always knew that India would be a big travel project. Many hours of research on YouTube will tell you this is not exactly a country for beginners. There is so much to India and it requires some serious planning. That being said, it is a gateway to connecting with the world's largest population, immersing in a unique culture that has been around for centuries. So we all discussed it over a few beers, we all cheered and hi-fived, as we all agreed, and got super excited to be going to the land of the rising sun with Jackson and Marjo. Our friends, whom we had met in Jakarta back in July, and had gone on to join up with in Langkawi in Malaysia before heading to Kuala Lumpur. It was the perfect scenario, as traveling as a group of four is far more assuring than just as two, not just for the fun, but also for security, safety and support. India is a notoriously hectic place and this is something we could all agree on for sure. While our friends were on route to Cambodia and Thailand after Kuala Lumpur, we went out to the Philippines for a month. We then flew to Singapore for an epic few days, before taking a bus to Malacca (Malaysia). A few days there and we were back on the road, this time taking a coach back to Kuala Lumpur for a night. Then, the date had approached, September 11th. It was time for India. In all truth, we had the time to plan India in the Philippines , as we had been there for a month in the same spot. Jenn does a large majority of our planning and has mapped out an itinerary, with our friends happy to join us. We all had certain spots that we wanted to see too, such as the Taj Mahal and the Wagah Border Crossing in Punjab. To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. CONTENT MENU What Was Our Plan? So we planned to start in New Delhi for a couple of days, check out places like the famous Connaught Circle , Akshardham Temple and the India Gate . Our hotel was booked, and we opted for a more budget option here. We had then booked train tickets to go to Agra for a few days, for a hotel with a rooftop view of the Taj, and then from there we were taking a 6 hour coach ride to Jaipur. The City Palace, Hawah Mahal and the famous Nahargarh Fort awaited us, with a plan to take another coach from there to Udaipur, the city of lakes. From Udaipur we would then fly to Mumbai, before checking out Goa, Kerala and Chennai. It was a massive route across both the North and South, and we were a little daunted but prepared for it. Needless to say, things did not work out exactly as we had hoped. India was full of drama, with major highs and major lows. It was also super challenging on so many levels, with every ounce of strength, stamina, emotion and endurance tested. We managed to accomplish half of our list, which we are happy about. It is a tad bittersweet, as we had no choice but to leave, and we kind of wish we had started in the 'calmer' south before hitting the north. But it is what it is! CONTENT MENU What Will You Find in our India Series? In this India series, we are trying something a little different from our 'normal' blogs. While we still plan to provide you with the best sights, food, accommodations and more, we will be telling the story from a more day-to-day perspective. India left such an indelible mark on us, and as much as we want to promote the country and tourism there, we have to tell it as it is. So that will include all of it; all of the things we saw, the people we met, how we felt as foreigners, the testing times we experienced, and of course our true thoughts and learnings from the country. Our India adventure will be told from a day-to-day angle, and there are 12 jam-packed days to get through! We are excited to have you here, and we can't wait to bring you the sights and delights, the rough and tough, and all the in between. CONTENT MENU India Travel Tip: Consider Taking a Tour One of the most popular ways to explore India is by guided tour. Skip the line for the Taj Mahal , tour cities like Mumbai and Delhi, or enjoy the wonderful sights in Udaipur and Jaipur. Check out a host of different options with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . CONTENT MENU Coming Up: Day One in New Delhi We arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport after a long travel day pretty late in the evening. We were weary and tired, and most grateful that our first hotel had been able to arrange a pick up service directly from the airport. Finding our driver was easy, but from then on, we had to contend with India's own Lewis Hamilton on the G20-laden roads out of the airport. (It was a wild drive for sure!) Our room at the Staybook Hotel - the photo does not tell the full story! After some pretty intense moments for our first take on India's infamous roads, we eventually made it to the Staybook - Hotel City Stories - By Aira Xing, Paharganj. Well, at least that is what it called on Expedia. From what looked like an excellent 4-star hotel online became a 2-star reality. So much so, that we barely took footage from it! It was not clean at all, and very rundown. Shocking actually. We were sad, but after meeting our friends (who also booked the same hotel) we felt better. The staff were very friendly too, which helped. But more on all of that next time! Day one was a new day, and we were all super pumped to get out and about and explore New Delhi. We decided on Connaught Place, the famous business hub known for its circular Georgian-style buildings. After a crazy first time SIX IN A RICKSHAW ride, we were dropped off in the wrong place, at a what felt like a scam 'tourist shelter', and then eventually found ourselves at a zombie bar where we went on to spend no less than EIGHT HOURS! CONTENT MENU Easily Find Hotels in India Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your Interactive Map of Northern India Check out all of the places we visited in India courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. CONTENT MENU Join Over 14k on YouTube As part of our travels, we not only bring our experiences to you through this blog, but we also strain every sinew to capture as much quality video footage as we can too! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!   Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

In this post, we will take you through our first day exploring New Delhi! We have lots to get through, with a couple of scams (yes already!), a mini guide to Connaught Place, and a pretty fantastic afternoon, evening and  night at DR ZOMBIE. The day had finally arrived! Our first excursion in New Delhi, with our friends Jackson and Marjo. In high spirits, slightly apprehensive but curious nonetheless, we grabbed some water bottles, got our cameras at the ready, and headed out into the thick air of heat, pollution and chaotic traffic. Add non-stop honking to that. And horses. And cows. And scooters and rickshaws. Lots and lots of scooters and rickshaws! Thank you for stopping by, and welcome to our India series here on Jenn and Leon Travel Blog. After 2 ½ years of full-time travel, going to India was realizing a dream for us. We had always wanted to visit, and not only did the time arrive, but it came with our good friends and fellow YouTubers Jackson and Marjo. If you missed the start of the series, and want to know how we got together in no less than three countries, head over to our dedicated INDIA Country Guide where you can get up to date! In This Post... ● SCAMMED! ● SIX in a Rickshaw ● SCAMMED! Tourist Office?! ● Connaught Place ● India Travel Tip ● EIGHT HOURS at Dr Zombie Travel Resources & Offers ● Watch on YouTube ● Book Transport in Advance ● Find Hotels in Delhi ● Interactive Map of India ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Scammed! Is This Even Yours? Almost from the moment we stepped outside onto the main street, we were marked. You will see in our YouTube video that there is a guy in a yellow top who is watching us, with whom we ended up going to Connaught Place with. But it was not as straightforward as it sounds, and we are almost certain it was not his rickshaw! The first thing that hit us outside was the heat combined with the lack of fresh air. It is very uncomfortable at times, stuffy and sticky. We kind of all felt that pretty quickly and were hoping that we could arrange an Uber fast . But it does seem like doing this outside on the streets is not always the best idea. Not only does it draw attention, but it is already difficult because of the multitude of distractions all around, ranging from cows to scooters. With a lack of road / side-of-road traffic discipline, we had to keep our wits about us. Things would come flying out of nowhere! Plus we were on one of the busiest junctions we had ever seen! Maybe bar Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo (unless you substitute people for rickshaws). So with our new 'friend' seemingly prepared to do anything to get us to our destination, with all of the chaos around us going on, we all agreed to just try 'his' rickshaw. It wasn't like there weren't hundreds of them! So we went with this guy, although that meant crossing this mad intersection. Surprisingly, it did not seem that dangerous, as it seems everyone is used to everyone just doing anything. So we made it across! However, things were starting to get fishy. As it happens, the guy in the yellow top did not have a rickshaw. He seemed to be hunting around, eventually finding a guy on the opposite side to where we were standing originally, who he called his 'uncle'. Of course, we did not believe that though! Just like that, he asked us to hop in. Us four , with him also coming along. We agreed a price of 100 rupees each, 400 in total, before crossing the road, and it seemed he upheld this agreement as we got into the rickshaw. As much as we did not trust what was happening, we kind of all just went along with it. It is India! Needless to say, the price was 500 rupees for all of us when we got out. 100 more than we agreed, and we did not even get dropped off where we wanted to be. But more on that later. First, just how did we fit into that rickshaw? ⪢ Safeguard Your Trip with SafetyWing To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. CONTENT MENU Six in a Rickshaw Having only ever taken a rickshaw as a twosome, oddly we did not anticipate the issue of there being four of us. Although a simple solution would be to take two rickshaws, we did not want to be separated. So we went along with it, although we're not too sure how safe it was for Jackson up front! While you can just about squeeze three in the back, the front seat is only designed for the driver. But as we saw throughout our time in India, it seems that this 'single' seat can often be transformed into a three seater , simply by the driver taking the center of the seat, thus creating a good 3-4 inches of space either side him! Genius! So there Jackson was, half in and out of the rickshaw, clinging on for dear life as the traffic whizzing by him seemed to get closer and closer every time. It was such a wild ride, and even though it did feel dangerous prior, once inside it was not all bad. Our guy in the yellow top was pretty talkative too, giving us the lowdown on Delhi, advice on where to go, and showing an interest in our journey. Rather oddly, several times he mentioned how dangerous the area is, and to be careful filming with phones or cameras. He specifically pointed to Jackson and Marjo's, which is a more professional camera, but even called out our Insta 360 too. He said people would snatch them and run, or get offended with filming without permission (although we always try to ask anyway). Naturally, this made us all very hesitant, and meant we did not record much outside. To be honest, we are not sure if he was telling us the truth or not, but either way it is good to remain vigilant and careful with the equipment. So we did! (perhaps a little more on guard than we usually would be) CONTENT MENU Scammed! Tourist Office Anyone? What should have been a 15-20 minute ride to Connaught Square ended up taking around double that time. The traffic is everywhere and the junctions in particular do feel very much like a roulette! We did see police officers but not many traffic police, and we would attest that this is badly needed in New Delhi! Crammed into the rickshaw, it was hard for us to keep a track of where we were going, although it did seem like we were headed in the right direction. So we chatted away, looked out at the bustling city, and just went with it. ⪢ Travel Tip Whenever using an Uber or taxi app, we always keep the app on during the ride for our safety, watching the map to ensure we are going to where we need to be. On a rickshaw, this practice is even more important, especially with known scams (such as going in the wrong direction to make more cash) being commonplace. For this, we just kept our maps open en-route, and it worked just as well. So while we did indeed get to the area we wanted to be in, we were not quite in Connaught Place. We were dropped off at a building and told to go up some stairs to a 'tourist office'. Throughout our journey, our guy had been mentioning it and how important it was that we consider going, as we can get free information and help with where to go and what to do. We had, however, declined (several times); we wanted to go to CP. Nevertheless, it did not happen, and we all found ourselves in a nice air-conditioned office, waiting to speak to a guy in a smart shirt. We suspect our guy in the yellow shirt gets some sort of commission, or has some sort of arrangement, with this 'tourist' office. He had kept saying it was a government organization, but it was not at all. We are not exactly sure what it was, although the chap we spoke to was quite helpful. He showed us a map with some hotspots, and left his details if we needed to contact him. We did not need to, as we were pretty well planned out before even coming to India (Thanks Jenn). But, in all fairness, he was providing a service of some sort so we appreciate that. So we were charged extra, taken to the wrong place and left to walk the rest of the way to CP. It was only 6 minutes or so, so no harm done really. As we found out throughout our time in India, getting dropped off to your exact location is not always a given! More on that throughout the series, but for now let's tell you a bit about the famous Connaught Place. CONTENT MENU Connaught Place - the Shopping Hub of New Delhi Connaught Place, often referred to as CP, is one of the most iconic and popular commercial and financial centers in New Delhi, India. It is located in the heart of the city and serves as a major hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Connaught Place is known for its distinctive Georgian architecture, with its white colonnaded buildings an integral part of the area's charm. Designed by British architect Robert Tor Russell in the early 20th century, we had seen much of it online, and knew it was a popular spot for tourists and YouTubers. We booked our hotel with accessibility to CP in mind and we were excited to check it out. Connaught Place is designed in the shape of two concentric circles, known as the Inner Circle and Outer Circle, with several radial roads radiating from the center. The center of the complex is a large park called Central Park, which is surrounded by the circular rows of shops, restaurants, and offices. CP is also famous for its diverse range of shops and stores. You can find clothing boutiques, bookstores, jewelry shops, electronics, and more. There is also a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and eateries serving Indian and international cuisines. ⪢ Great Architecture, but the Area Needs a Clean Up! Our first impressions of Connaught Place were that it felt very much like familiar territory. It has the architecture of the style we are both so familiar with, given its 'British' overtures. It was nice to get away from the manic main road, to somewhere a little quieter too. We had no major plans; we were thinking of heading to the central garden area, checking out an electronics store and also looking for a SIM card . We achieved only one of those things! Despite the impressive buildings and their colonnades shimmering white in the sunlight, it felt very dirty here, albeit much less busy. There were piles of rubbish in almost every corner, and the streets were caked in dirt and grime. Amongst the stifling heat, occasional whiffs of garbage, urine and sewage would waft over, which was not particularly pleasant. It seemed a little odd to be in such an environment, especially given this is an area which is looking to attract business. But hey, we have to respect it right? We were trying to search what we were looking for online, and it was tricky to say the least. As with the Storybook Hotel, many establishments do list more than one spot, have shut down, or have incorrect opening times. So, it was really difficult to find an Airtel store for a sim card. So we abandoned that, and decided to go to an electronics store as Jackson and Marjo wanted to check out some devices. On our way there, we encountered some very persistent people! Be it beggars or rickshaw drivers, we were being noticed. So noticeable in fact, that for the most part we seemed to be accompanied by someone or other. Aggressive in some places, we have to say that the rickshaw drivers here were thankfully quite passive. We even walked with one chap for a while, answering some of his questions and striking up a good conversation. What struck us the most was the amount of beggars and homelessness we saw. Especially amongst children. Almost immediately we were attracting several bedraggled kids, of whom tend to stand around and are very persistent. We do try to give what we can, and we are often conflicted with this sort of thing. We know that some of it is organised begging by adults, and that many of the kids do not see cash. Food is the best option, but apart from a bottle of water, we had nothing to give. It is hard on the heart for sure. After all of that, we made it to the electronics store, and just like outside, the moment we walked in, what seemed like all of the staff in the building made a beeline for us. It was a nice store, with plenty to look at, but at every turn there were two or three staff members on top of us, desperate to help. We took it in our stride, starting to feel like this was a very common occurrence in India. It was okay, but it was starting to get a bit much. We did not buy anything and when we got outside, we were starting to all feel a little fatigued and overwhelmed. We had the option to go to the CP garden, but thought it would be better with some fuel first. Food and beer seemed like the common consensus! We needed to escape the smells, the heat, the horns and the interactions. It was intense! Fortunately, we came across the Dr Zombie restaurant pretty quickly, and we were intrigued by what it had to offer. Before we get into that, take a look at what else is on offer at CP, and how to get there. ⪢ Things to Know about Connaught Place ● Nightlife: The nightlife in Connaught Place is vibrant, with numerous bars, pubs, and clubs that stay open late into the night. It's a popular spot for those looking to unwind and enjoy the Delhi nightlife. ● Business Hub: Connaught Place is also home to several corporate offices and commercial spaces, making it an essential business district in the city. ● Transportation: The area is well-connected with New Delhi's transportation network. It has its own metro station, Rajiv Chowk, which is one of the busiest metro stations in the city and serves as an interchange point for multiple metro lines. ● Events & Festivals: Connaught Place often hosts cultural events, festivals, and gatherings. These events can range from street markets to art exhibitions, making it a dynamic and lively place throughout the year. ● Landmarks: Some of the notable landmarks in or near Connaught Place include Jantar Mantar, Palika Bazaar, and the Parliament House. ⪢ How to find Connaught Place Getting to Connaught Place in New Delhi is relatively easy as it is a well-connected area in the heart of the city. Here are several transportation options to reach Connaught Place: By Metro The Delhi Metro is one of the most convenient ways to get to Connaught Place. It has its own dedicated station named "Rajiv Chowk Metro Station" located right in the center of Connaught Place. You can take any metro line that intersects with the Blue Line (Line 3) to reach Rajiv Chowk Station. By Bus Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses and other public and private buses ply through Connaught Place regularly. You can check with the local bus authorities or use Google Maps to find the nearest bus stop and route. By Auto-Rickshaw Auto-rickshaws are a common mode of transportation in Delhi. You can hail an auto-rickshaw to get to Connaught Place, but make sure to negotiate the fare or ask the driver to go by the meter before starting the ride. By Taxi You can book a taxi through ride-sharing apps like Uber or Ola or find a taxi at various taxi stands throughout the city. Alternatively, you can hire a traditional taxi from the street. By Cycle Rickshaw In and around Connaught Place, you can find cycle rickshaws, which are a slow but eco-friendly mode of transportation for short distances. It's worth noting that Connaught Place is located in a central area, and many landmarks, markets, and tourist attractions are within walking distance. The best mode of transportation depends on your location, convenience, and personal preferences. Using the Delhi Metro is often the fastest and most efficient way to reach Connaught Place, as it helps you avoid the city's notorious traffic jams. India Travel Tip: Consider Taking a Tour One of the most popular ways to explore India is by guided tour. Skip the line for the Taj Mahal, tour cities like Mumbai and Delhi, or enjoy the wonderful sights in Udaipur and Jaipur. Check out a host of different options with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . CONTENT MENU Eight HOURS at Dr Zombie This was one of those unexpected, but very well accepted moments! In need of some escape from the intensity of the street, Dr Zombie was like an illuminated saviour amongst the chaos. The green sign pulled us in with curiosity and apprehension. What would we find in here? Hopefully a beer! And then everything else would be a bonus. Well it turns out we hit the jackpot! Not only did we have plenty of beer, but we also stayed long enough to have our lunch, and then later dinner! We loved this place and the food and service were impeccable. One of our best experiences in India, we all give mad props to Dr Zombie. The restaurant has a unique theme, with zombie-themed decor throughout. Numerous signs, images and props fill the walls, which are a casual blend between concrete and brick. There is a unique atmosphere here! The menu features a variety of Italian dishes, including pizzas, pastas, and salads. There is plenty of Indian food on the menu to choose from too. Dr Zombie also has a full bar, serving cocktails, beer, and wine. We honestly lost track of time, we were having such a good one! It was very comfortable in here and the staff were super helpful and friendly. It was not exactly the cheapest of places, and we ended up leaving with a £165 bill! But for what we enjoyed, and how well we dined, we would say it was all worth it. And we highly recommend a visit here! If you are interested to know more about Dr Zombie and would like to see some of the food, the live music, and a full tour of the place, hold out for our next blog post in which we give this cracking restaurant a full feature! And with that epic eight hours (still can't believe that), this day was almost at an end. Our Uber home was fairly uneventful, and soon we were back at our not-so-good hotel for our penultimate night in New Delhi. It was late, around 11 pm, and we were all looking forward to a good sleep. Pro Tip: If you are in an area like New Delhi, and the 24-hour honking makes it hard for you to sleep, consider downloading a fan app on your phone. A simple app (or YouTube) to play a consistent noise, like a fan or that of water, does a remarkable job at drowning out the honking. Try it - you will not regret it! CONTENT MENU Up Next: A FAILED Trip to Akshardham Temple Leads to a Trip to the INDIA GATE! Having woken up fairly weary after our Dr Zombie shenanigans, we decided to take a slow morning on Day Three of our India adventure. We ordered room service, edited videos and just chilled in our hotel until early afternoon. The food was decent, and with us all fully recovered we decided to head out to what looked like a very special light show at Akshardham Temple. So off we went, and after nearly 90 minutes of traffic we got there only to be refused entry . Cue the India Gate to step in and save the day! CONTENT MENU Our First Impressions of Delhi on YouTube Join us as we visit Connaught Place, Dr. Zombie, ride the rickshaws through the streets of Delhi, visit the Akshardham temple, Delhi Gate, KFC and check out our accommodation. We met so many incredible and friendly locals BUT we also met some pushy ones too! We explore the streets and learn more and more about India! We head to an upscale restaurant that was INCREDIBLE! This is a great series to watch for those also planning a trip to India as we share our map and the path we took along with general prices, places to visit and transportation. If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Easily Find Hotels in Delhi and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Your Interactive Map of Northern India Check out all of the places we visited in India courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you! Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

With our epic night at Dr Zombie behind us, we decided to take the morning easy at our hotel. A bit of video editing and blogging later, our day two in New Delhi was about to become really cool as we were heading to a very special light show at Akshardham Temple. With the famous Akshardham Temple Light Show starting at 7pm, we left at 5, with our travel time expected to be under an hour. Little did we know, but owing to the shocking traffic congestion in Delhi, it took double that. We made it at 6.35pm, but agonisingly five minutes past last entry and thus the night seemed over before it had begun. In this post , we will take you through our second full day in New Delhi. After our Akshardham Temple fail, we eventually decide on grabbing a rickshaw, which gets us to the spectacular India Gate. The night was back on track! And what an experience it was; we genuinely felt like celebrities there too. But why? In This Post... ● Akshardham Temple ● Our India Gate Highlights ● The History ● India Gate Facts ● How to Get There ● Our Experience Rating ● KFC in New Delhi Travel Resources & Offers ● Watch on YouTube ● Find Hotels in Delhi ● Book Transport in Advance ● Interactive Map of India ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Akshardham Temple (Why We Were Refused Entry) Akshardham Temple, also known as the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, is a magnificent Hindu temple complex located in Delhi, India. It is one of the largest and most stunning temple complexes in the world, known for its intricate architecture, intricate carvings, and rich spiritual significance. It was built and inaugurated on November 6, 2005, and is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The temple's architecture follows the ancient Vastu Shastra and Pancharatra Shastra, two traditional Indian architectural and sculptural principles. The central monument is made entirely of intricately carved, pink sandstone and white marble. The temple features more than 20,000 statues, carvings, and delicate designs that depict various aspects of Hinduism. Akshardham Temple has received several awards for its architecture and cultural contributions, including the 2006 "Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple." Aside from admiring the temple, there are several activities to do here, and we were interested in checking out the Yagnapurush Kund, a large stepwell and musical fountain where a nightly cultural and musical show called the Sahaj Anand Water Show is performed. It is a multimedia presentation that tells a story from the life of Swaminarayan, and having not long ago seen the fabulous Spectra Light Show in Singapore, we wanted to try it. Online, the show was advertised to start at 7 pm, and we were around 45 minutes away according to Google Maps. So we left at 5, feeling like we would have plenty of time. Even with the traffic? Well no. Not at all. Our taxi felt like it was parked more than it was moving! It took us an age , and we only managed to arrive at 6.35 pm. This was significant, however, as the last entry is at 6.30 pm. We had no idea as it did not say anything about that online. There was a lot of kerfuffle at the entrance as many others were being turned away too. We did try to get in and perhaps some of the officials would have let us, but for just a few over-zealous guards. Standing outside the main gate, with the honking and crowds of people, we were admittedly frustrated. This was our only chance to come here, and it was only 5 minutes! The temple looked amazing too. While contemplating our next move, we were approached by a guy who was directing a lot of people but did not seem to have work there or have a uniform on. He had heard that we were looking to get footage for YouTube and kindly showed us a service road just off of the highway that we could walk to and get photos. Maybe even catch a glimpse of the light show. So we thanked him and headed in that direction. It was getting a little late, so we were apprehensive at losing the light, but we went with it anyway. If only to salvage a small consolation from a wasted trip. It was on this service road that we met some locals who wanted photos, something we were about to experience in abundance, and our rickshaw driver. He stopped by and, like many others, offered us a ride, and to his good credit he seemed nice, and we happily obliged. We were out of options and did not fancy hanging around in the dark! It was he who suggested the India Gate, and so off we went! ⪢ Safeguard Your Trip with SafetyWing To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. CONTENT MENU Getting to New Delhi's India Gate and Our Highlights When one opportunity is lost, another arises. Perhaps our mishap at Akshardham was meant to happen, to push us in the direction of the India Gate. Or maybe it's just that our rickshaw driver needed the cash. Who knows, but ultimately, we are more than happy it did. The India Gate sounded like somewhere we would usually go see anyway! There was a slightly odd moment as we started our journey there by going past the entrance to Akshardham Temple. Stuck in inevitable traffic, the guy who told us about the service road was still there, and he called out to us. Oddly, he said not to trust our driver, that he is a liar, and to be very careful. Ominous indeed. Our driver was quick to emphasize that he was none of those things, and we need not worry. He promised us no tricks and that he would get us to the India Gate. To be honest, we did not take the words all that seriously, although now that we are writing about it, maybe we should have been more cautious here? Either way, it did work out fine. What would you have done? Would you have got out? With all respect to our driver, he operated the rickshaw safely, and navigated the traffic with fewer of the hairy moments we had experienced already up to this point. Being the evening, there was not all too much to see, although we did go through a very nicely decorated tunnel. As lovers of street art we really enjoyed that part. Sure enough, not long after said tunnel, we arrived at the west entrance to the India Gate. There was a small stand with what looked to be a security guard, but other than that, just barriers to stop vehicles, and some people milling around. We paid our fare, which was exactly 400 rupees as agreed, and we think we left a small tip too. Our driver was cool, and had it not been for the words of the other guy, we would never have had reason to distrust him. Coming up from the west gate led us to a beautiful colored fountain, which we duly stopped at for photos and YouTube intros. While we could only see the side of the India Gate, it all still looked pretty spectacular with the bright lights sparkling against the night sky. On the walk up, it did not actually seem all too busy, although by the monument itself, it was packed! We continued our walk around and shortly after made it to the north side of the gate. It was all really nice, with carefully manicured grass, pathways and great lighting everywhere. There were lots of people in this part, and we could instantly sense that there were not all too many (if any foreigners) like us. This observation is important not only because we looked different, but also because we had cameras . So we stood out like a sore thumb (or beacon of light, whatever haha). From that moment on, we thought we had just become celebrities. Almost as close to what we can imagine being like a celebrity feels anyway. As we got close to the foot of the India Gate, all four of us were being picked off by people asking us for photos. And in most cases, then a photo with their other friends or family. Then of course, more people were coming, and with every few paces we made after one 'photo shoot', another would be requested! At one point, we had been taking so many that our backs had been to the monument for nearly an hour. Nearly an hour! We have experienced this kind of thing before in other countries, but never on this scale. Not even close! It was so much it was almost exhausting! We did actually meet some really nice people, and virtually all of the people wanted to follow and subscribe to our Instagram and YouTube. You can be sure that we offered if they didn't ask already though haha! Of all of the different people we came across, there were a couple of not-so-cool moments. On one occasion, a group of guys asked for a photo just with Jenn, and proceeded to ask her to take her hat off and a few other weird things. Nothing lewd, but still a little strange given we had just met each other. Then there was another moment, where Leon is pretty sure his pocket was felt when taking a photo with some other guys. Fortunately everything was in his 'merse' (man-bag), but it could easily have been a testing situation. When in large crowds, if you are asked for photos, be sure to enjoy it. Why not! But do watch out for scams and distraction techniques. Keep your belongings safe from pickpockets! The important thing to note is that there were far more awesome moments than just those incidents, and the people here overall were some of the nicest we had met in India thus far. Everyone was genuinely interested in meeting us, although we have absolutely no idea what they do with these photos. Seriously though, what do they do with them? We have never really been tagged or contacted by them afterwards either. What do you think? What happens with all of these photos! We have long speculated between us, but it gets tricky to explain when husbands and wives do it, sometimes asking for separate photos too. What the heck is going on there?! Regardless, we totally felt like celebrities walking through here. It was actually crazy how much attention we were getting. None more so than perhaps our best highlight at India Gate, in which Jenn turned around at one point and literally had a baby put into her arms. Yes a baby! The family then asked for photos, even with just Jenn, the Dad, and the baby. It was so interesting! It was a touching moment though and it was one that made us truly and deeply resonate even more with CLOSER LIVES. This is exactly what we are talking about! Making connections around the world, bringing people closer together, and sharing our moments to inspire others. As we mingled with locals, took photos and chatted away, we certainly felt like we achieved that at the India Gate. Read on for more on the history of the India Gate, some interesting facts about it, how to get there, and our first KFC India. Plus get a sneak peek into what is coming up next in our series! CONTENT MENU The History of India Gate The India Gate is a prominent war memorial located in the heart of New Delhi. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, a British architect, as part of the larger architectural plan for New Delhi, which was then under British colonial rule. The foundation stone was laid in 1921, and the monument was completed in 1931. It was originally constructed as a memorial to honor the soldiers of the Indian Army who lost their lives during World War I. The names of over 13,000 servicemen are inscribed on the monument. These soldiers, hailing from various regions and communities in India, played a crucial role in the British war effort. In 1971, a structure known as the "Amar Jawan Jyoti" (the Flame of the Immortal Soldier) was added to the India Gate complex. It consists of an eternal flame that symbolizes the sacrifice of Indian soldiers in various wars, including World War I and subsequent conflicts. After India gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947, the India Gate continued to be a symbol of remembrance and a site for national ceremonies. It is now a place where India pays tribute to its soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in various wars and conflicts. Not only a symbol of military sacrifice but also a popular landmark in New Delhi, it is often visited by tourists and locals and is especially crowded during national holidays and events. CONTENT MENU Some India Gate Facts The India Gate is an imposing, arch-shaped monument made of red and yellow sandstone. It stands at a height of 42 meters (138 feet) and bears the inscription: To the Dead of the Indian Armies who fell honoured in France and Flanders, Mesopotamia and Persia, East Africa, Gallipoli, and elsewhere in the Near and Far East, and in sacred memory also of those whose names are recorded and who fell in India or the North-West Frontier and during the Third Afghan War." Here are some other interesting facts about the India Gate: ⪢ Inspired by the Arc de Triomphe The India Gate's design was inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. Sir Edwin Lutyens, the architect, adapted the arch concept to create a distinct Indian monument. ⪢ Dedicated to Several Wars While originally dedicated to World War I, the India Gate now honors soldiers who have fallen in various wars and conflicts, including World War II and the wars with Pakistan and China. ⪢ Guarded by the IAF The India Gate is guarded by the Indian Armed Forces. Visitors can witness the impressive Tri-Services Guard of Honor ceremony, which is held daily. ⪢ A popular Tourist Spot The India Gate is surrounded by expansive lawns, making it a popular spot for picnics and gatherings. The lawns are often bustling with people enjoying the view and the pleasant atmosphere. It is beautifully illuminated at night, casting a radiant glow on the surrounding area. The lighting adds to its grandeur and makes it a popular spot for evening strolls. ⪢ Central Point The India Gate has become a central location for public events, celebrations, and protests. It has witnessed numerous important gatherings and demonstrations throughout Indian history. ⪢ Strategic Location The India Gate is strategically located in the heart of New Delhi, with Rajpath (the ceremonial boulevard) leading from it to the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Residence) and other government buildings. It is a focal point for numerous national events and ceremonies. Adjacent to the India Gate is the National War Memorial, inaugurated in 2019. This museum showcases artifacts and memorabilia related to the armed forces and their history in India. ⪢ Annual Republic Day Parade India Gate plays a central role in the annual Republic Day parade. The President of India pays homage to soldiers by laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, and the parade route passes through the arch. ⪢ One of the Most Visited Monuments in the World Before the Covid pandemic, visitor numbers hit over 20 million people per year. At least 60% of that number is said to be domestic tourism. It is one of the most visited monuments in the world. CONTENT MENU How to Get to India Gate The India Gate is located in the heart of New Delhi and is easily accessible from various parts of the city. If you're starting from the center of New Delhi, you can use different modes of transportation to get to India Gate. Here are a few options: By Metro The Delhi Metro is a convenient way to reach India Gate. The nearest metro station to India Gate is the Central Secretariat Metro Station. You can take the metro from any part of Delhi and get off at this station. The India Gate is within walking distance from there. By Bus Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses run through various parts of the city. You can check for a bus that has a route passing through India Gate or nearby locations. The area is well-connected by buses, although it is difficult to identify bus stops on the roads so do bear that in mind. By Auto-Rickshaw You can also hire an auto-rickshaw to take you to India Gate and you will find one pretty much wherever you look on the road! Simply tell the driver to take you to "India Gate," and they will know the way. Be sure to confirm the fare first. By Tax You can book a taxi through ride-sharing apps like Uber or Ola or find a taxi at various taxi stands throughout the city. Alternatively, you can hire a traditional taxi from the street. ⪢ Contact Information for India Gate ● Address: Kartavya Path, India Gate, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India ● Admission: Free ● Opening times: 24 hours, 7 days per week CONTENT MENU India Travel Tip: Consider Taking a Tour One of the most popular ways to explore India is by guided tour. Skip the line for the Taj Mahal, tour cities like Mumbai and Delhi, or enjoy the wonderful sights in Udaipur and Jaipur. Check out a host of different options with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . CONTENT MENU Our India Gate Experience Rating While we had not planned to come to the India Gate, we are actually really glad it worked out the way it did. Had we got into Akshardham Temple, it is unlikely we would have even visited it at all. Considering the most of what we saw on the streets of Delhi, the first thing that stood out to us was how clean it was there. Super busy, even at the late hour, but very clean. So that was nice! The monument itself is as grand and spectacular as they come. It is inspiring to be there underneath the illuminated lights of India's flag colors, honoring the heroes of war who have helped forge India's history. We can see why it is so popular and why it was as busy as it was. The best part of being here was no doubt our experience with the locals, the interactions, the photos, the warmth and kindness we received. While it can be tough in the heat, and a tad testing being stopped every few minutes, it is a humbling experience to be sought out like we were. And that is for sure our enduring memory here; one that will long live in our memories in the Land of the Rising Sun. CONTENT MENU What KFC Looks Like in New Delhi We have not featured KFC in our blogs before, but it is a staple part of our travels and we love to try it wherever we go. Before we started this travel journey, we had not realised just how different all of the fast food chains can be in other parts of the world. KFC is probably the most consistent, although in India, we did not recognise much at all! The menu does have popcorn chicken, and zinger burgers, along with the typical fried chicken options. However, we must say that the chicken coating is not the KFC taste we are used to at all (not bad at all though), and only comes in a 'crispy' option as standard. They did have a special promotion on skinless BBQ style drumsticks, which were excellent. The wings are pretty much the same as everywhere else though. There were some other notable differences, like the double-down burger, where there is no patties, and also chicken biriani, which makes total sense being in India. We did get that and it was spicy and spot on! The prices were about 30% cheaper than Western pricing, and everything we tried was really good. We both agree that KFC India is perhaps not the best we have ever visited, but it is certainly a good one. 3 out of 5 only because there was not original KFC chicken! CONTENT MENU Coming Up: An Early Morning at Humayun's Tomb With the India Gate surprise excursion complete, and full bellies from KFC, it was time to prepare for another travel day. Our next location was Agra, and we had pre-booked our first India train to get there. As our train was leaving in the afternoon, we knew we had time in the morning and we decided to check out the beautiful Humayun's Tomb first. Sadly, Jackson fell ill overnight, with severe stomach pains and feelings of nausea. It is hard to say how or why he was sick, but we have to all give him huge credit for getting up for the Tomb visit, and soldiering on through the train journey and getting to our next hotel. CONTENT MENU Our First Time in India on YouTube Join us as we visit Connaught Place, Dr. Zombie, ride the rickshaws through the streets of Delhi, visit the Akshardham temple, Delhi Gate, KFC and check out our accommodation. We met so many incredible and friendly locals BUT we also met some pushy ones too! We explore the streets and learn more and more about India! We head to an upscale restaurant that was INCREDIBLE! This is a great series to watch for those also planning a trip to India as we share our map and the path we took along with general prices, places to visit and transportation. If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! Easily Find Hotels in Delhi and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your Interactive Map of Northern India Check out all of the places we visited in India courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you! Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

The inspiration for the Taj Mahal, Humayun's Tomb in New Delhi is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture, and a must-see attraction in India! With our train to Agra scheduled to leave at 2.40 pm, we decided to visit Humayun's Tomb early in the morning, along with the famous Red Fort, and then get back to our hotel for noon check out. Things did not go exactly according to plan, but we did make the Tomb and it was a great experience. We found out that Humayun's Tomb was the inspiration for the great Taj Mahal, where we were headed to in the afternoon. What were the chances! In what was to be our last stop in New Delhi, Humayun's Tomb turned out to be a real gem. Not just the main attraction, there is also Isa Khan's Tomb and Mosque, and the wonderful gardens surrounding and connecting everything on the site. Gardens, which also happen to be the first ever tomb gardens on the Indian sub-continent! Thank you for stopping by, and a warm welcome to our India series here on Jenn & Leon Travel Blog. We had always wanted to visit this country, officially the 7th oldest in the world , and not only was the time finally upon us, but it came with our good friends and fellow YouTubers Jackson and Marjo. In This Post... ● Our Highlights ● Isa Khan's Tomb ● Humayun's Tomb ● The History ● Interesting Facts ● Entry Fee & Opening Hours ● How to Get There ● Watch on YouTube ● Our Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Easily Find Hotels in Delhi ● Book Transport in Advance ● Interactive Map of India ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Our Humayun's Tomb Highlights Before we get to the tomb, we first have to mention that Jackson had a pretty rough night of it before coming here. Much of the night spent in the bathroom; he had definitely caught (or eaten) something causing severe stomach and intestinal pain. Even more challenging because of a lack of public bathrooms, he came with us to the tomb wearily. To be fair to him, he really pulled on through and tried to make the most of it. We had planned to head to the famous Red Fort in Delhi afterwards, figuring we had enough time before check-out from our hotel. We had arrived at Humayun's Tomb for 9 am, but given the condition of Jackson, we did not stay long and we went back to the hotel after to try and catch some rest before the train ride to Agra. The entrance to the grounds has a small ticket office area where you can only pay cash for admittance. We did feel it was a tad expensive at 600 rupees each, but having said that, it is not bad considering how much this site no doubt needs for maintenance. It is big! There is also a very small charge for cameras, 50 rupees, although there is no enforcement of this (so you can easily hide them in your bag). A bit of a sneaky money-grab there so do not be fooled! Upon entering the tomb you will be given a small token, which you will have to hand back on the way out. Try not to lose this! The main entrance is literally a direct path through well-manicured lawns, heading straight to the grand tomb. This was a walled tomb, so you will see that throughout the site if you cast your gaze outwards. It certainly adds to the history and allure, especially given how well maintained they are. Initially we were a tad confused as the first thing you will see is Isa Khan's tomb, which branches off to the right. At first we thought this was Humayun's Tomb itself, not realizing that this was just the first stop on the way. Fortunately, we investigated further and found the other tomb; we could have just as easily thought this was it and left after! Luckily we had seen photos and knew there was more to it. So let's take a closer look at Isa Khan's tomb before we get to the star of the show! ⪢ Safeguard Your Trip with SafetyWing To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. CONTENT MENU Isa Khan's Tomb, New Delhi, India Isa Khan's Tomb is a 16th-century mausoleum located in the Humayun's Tomb complex, built in 1547-48 for Isa Khan Niazi. He was a nobleman in the court of Sher Shah Suri, and his tomb is considered one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. The tomb is octagonal and built mainly of red sandstone. It is decorated with intricate carvings, lattice screens, and glazed tiles. The tomb is surrounded by a sunken garden, which was a popular architectural feature of the Lodi period. Isa Khan's Tomb is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Delhi. It is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit, and it offers a glimpse into the rich history and culture of India. The tomb is also known as the "Asylum of Paradise" because of an inscription on its entrance. The sunken garden at Isa Khan's Tomb is one of the oldest in India, and it is thought to have inspired the gardens at the Taj Mahal and Akbar's Tomb. We did not know this until we made it on site, having had a nice chat with one of the workers there (which you can check out in our YouTube video). Given we were heading to the home of the Taj later, it was a pretty cool surprise! This tomb is indeed really peaceful, and is certainly worth checking out if you have the time. It was an unexpected addition to the trip, and comes as part of the admission price to Humayun's Tomb with no additional cost. CONTENT MENU Humayun's Tomb After we figured out where to go, we made our way to the main tomb of Humayun. It is a short five minute walk from Isa Khan's tomb, nicely covered by trees for shade and surrounded by lush gardens. The entrance to the tomb has to be one of the most imposing and attractive entrances we have seen in India, with some beautiful stonework assisted by a tall arch and clay-colored blocks on the corners. Couldn't resist that Instagram shot walking through it! Humayun's Tomb is beautiful, and the inspiration for the Taj can certainly be seen here. Missing just the minarets, the shape itself is very similar, although there is that clay-colored theme here as opposed to white marble. The surrounding gardens are really nice, and there are multiple channels for water, coming in from each direction, converging into what we assume is a fountain at the center point. Unfortunately, there was no water, but for a few workers who seemed to be cleaning out the fountain pit. It would have been nice to see this operational, as we are sure it would have added even more serenity and beauty to this place. It did not seem like there was access inside Humayun's Tomb, like there is with the Taj Mahal. You can go up to the second level, however, quite the climb on some big steps. That puts you just beneath the entrance, as close as you can get to the distinctive dome which stands tall over the site. It is really pretty, even more so up close. The architecture and design are flawless, and this structure does give so much more than just a photo opportunity. It is peaceful and calm, traditional and cultural. It holds so much heritage and value, and it is in places like these that you can learn and immerse yourself in the great culture of one of the world's oldest countries. After making our way back from the tomb, we were encountered by one of the biggest trains of schoolchildren we have ever seen! There could have easily been a thousand, all walking in single file towards Humayun's Tomb. We could not believe it! Everyone was saying hello (or namaste), running up to us with hi-fives, giggling and laughing. It was almost surreal; the second moment we had felt like celebrities after our India Gate shenanigans. Jenn tried her best to give as many hi-fives as possible! Even after we eventually made it to the exit, there were still coachloads of kids being dropped off. This must have been the most amount of kids we had ever seen in one place. They honestly just kept on coming! Thankfully we made it to the tomb when we did, being able to enjoy the peace but also the lack of people there. It was practically empty! It seemed that everything just worked out perfectly. With that, we went back to the hotel for some rest before the train, very much hoping that our travels to Agra (And the Taj Mahal) would work out just as well. Read on for more on the history of Humayun's Tomb, some interesting facts about it, how to get there, plus opening and ticket information. CONTENT MENU The History of Humayun's Tomb The construction of Humayun's Tomb was commissioned by Haji Begum, the widow of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. Humayun, the second Mughal emperor, died in 1556, and his tomb was built to honor his memory. The construction began in 1565 and was completed in 1572. It was designed by the Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas. Humayun's Tomb is considered a masterpiece of Mughal architecture and is one of the earliest examples of this style. The tomb's design is inspired by Persian and Islamic architecture, and it is often seen as a precursor to the more famous Taj Mahal. The tomb is situated within a vast garden complex, which was designed in the Persian Charbagh (fourfold garden) style. The garden is divided into 36 squares by a grid of water channels and pathways, creating a serene and symmetrical environment. Over the centuries, Humayun's Tomb suffered from neglect and decay. In the 20th century, it underwent extensive restoration efforts, thanks to the work of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, in partnership with the Archaeological Survey of India. The restoration work aimed to preserve and revitalize the monument, ensuring its continued existence as a historical and architectural gem. In 1993, Humayun's Tomb was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with other historic monuments in the area, collectively known as the "Humayun's Tomb Complex." This recognition has helped in the conservation and protection of the site. Humayun's Tomb holds cultural and historical significance not only as a Mughal monument but also for its role in influencing later Mughal architecture, particularly the design of the Taj Mahal. It symbolizes the rich heritage of the Mughal Empire and its contributions to India's architectural and cultural history. CONTENT MENU Some Humayun's Tomb Facts ⪢ Taj Mahal Influence Humayun's Tomb is often regarded as the precursor to the world-famous Taj Mahal. Its architectural design, including the use of white marble, symmetry, and the Persian Charbagh garden layout, served as an inspiration for the construction of the Taj Mahal in Agra by Emperor Shah Jahan, Humayun's great-great-grandson. ⪢ First Garden Tomb in the Indian Subcontinent Humayun's Tomb is considered the first garden tomb in the Indian subcontinent. The garden, designed in the Persian Charbagh style, was a departure from previous architectural traditions in the region and set a precedent for future Mughal garden-tomb complexes. ⪢ Double-Dome Architectural Innovation The tomb's architectural innovation includes the use of a double dome. This feature, with a smaller dome placed above the main one, enhances the aesthetics of the structure and significantly influenced Mughal architecture. ⪢ Restored by the Aga Khan Trust The restoration of Humayun's Tomb in the 20th century was a significant project carried out by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India. The restoration efforts were aimed at preserving the monument and its surrounding garden, and they have been highly successful in bringing back its original grandeur. ⪢ Resting Place of Several Mughal Royalty Besides Emperor Humayun, the tomb complex houses the graves of several other members of the Mughal royal family, including Empress Bega Begum (Haji Begum), who commissioned the tomb, as well as other princes and family members. The complex contains numerous cenotaphs representing various family members. ⪢ A Popular Attraction Humayun's Tomb has averaged over 600,000 visitors every year for well over a decade. In 2018, before Covid, it attracted nearly 1 million people, and that growth looks set to resume now the pandemic is over. Read on for details on how to get there, opening times and ticket prices, our experience rating, and our YouTube video! CONTENT MENU Humayun's Tomb Entrance Fee & Opening Times ⪢ Entry Fee ● Indian Citizens: 40 ₹ ● Foreign Visitors:  600₹ ● Children up to 14 years: Free ● Filming / Camera Charge:  25 ₹ Prices are correct at time of writing (March 2025). Please check the official website  below for the most up-to-date information. All prices are in Indian Rupees. Convert your currency here . ⪢ Opening Hours Monday to Sunday, 6 am to 6 pm. CONTENT MENU India Travel Tip: Consider Taking a Tour One of the most popular ways to explore India is by guided tour. Skip the line for the Taj Mahal, tour cities like Mumbai and Delhi, or enjoy the wonderful sights in Udaipur and Jaipur. Check out a host of different options with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . CONTENT MENU How to Get to Humayun's Tomb Humayun's Tomb is located in the southeastern part of Delhi, near the center of the city. Here's how you can get there from the central part of Delhi, such as Connaught Place: By Metro ● Nearest Metro Station: The nearest metro station to Humayun's Tomb is "JLN Stadium Metro Station," which is on the Violet Line of the Delhi Metro. ● From Connaught Place: You can reach JLN Stadium Metro Station from Connaught Place by taking the Violet Line. The nearest interchange station to Connaught Place is "Rajiv Chowk Metro Station" (also known as Connaught Place Metro Station), which connects to the Violet Line. Board a train going towards "Badarpur" on the Violet Line and alight at "JLN Stadium Metro Station." ● From JLN Stadium Metro Station: After getting off at JLN Stadium Metro Station, you can hire a local auto-rickshaw or take a short cab ride to Humayun's Tomb, which is approximately 2-3 kilometers away. It's a convenient way to reach the monument. By Bus Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses run through various parts of the city. You can check for a bus that has a route passing through India Gate or nearby locations. The area is well-connected by buses, although it is difficult to identify bus stops on the roads so do bear that in mind. By Auto-Rickshaw You can also hire an auto-rickshaw to take you to Humayun's Tomb and you will find one pretty much wherever you look on the road! Simply tell the driver to take you to the tomb, and they will know the way. Be sure to confirm the fare first. By Taxi You can book a taxi through ride-sharing apps like Uber or Ola or find a taxi at various taxi booths throughout the city. Alternatively, you can hire a traditional taxi from the street. We had an Uber pick us up outside to get back to our hotel. ⪢ Contact Information for Humayun's Tomb ● Address:  Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah, Mathura Rd, Nizamuddin, Nizamuddin East, New Delhi, Delhi 110013, India ● Phone: +91 11 2435 5275 ● Website: delhitourism.gov.in/humayun_tomb ⪢ Hotels Near Humayun's Tomb Here are some top providers offering hotels close to Humayun's Tomb: CONTENT MENU Humayun's Tomb on YouTube See even more highlights from this must-see location in New Delhi over on our YouTube Channel! In this video we take you on a full tour of the Isa Khan's Garden Tomb, along with the tomb of Humayun of course! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU Our Humayun's Tomb Experience Rating Much of our excursions in Asia have been at temples, so to see a tomb, especially on the same day we were heading to the incredible Taj Mahal, we were super happy. With all of the noise and chaotic traffic in Delhi, it was also really cool to be able to come into the Tomb gardens and experience quiet and calm. It was peaceful. Until of course the schoolkids on the way out! What a moment that was. Both tombs (Humayun & Isa Khan) are absolutely beautiful in their own right. While the Taj may be the one that gets the worldwide acclaim, it is easy to see why Humayun's was the inspiration. This is a classic piece of Indian history that is not to be missed! CONTENT MENU Up Next: Taking the train from Delhi to Agra in India as Foreigners - All You Need to Know In what was our first train ride as foreigners in India, we take the Vande Bharat Express First Class AC Chair Car directly to Agra from Delhi. In this post we will show you what the train was like, how we got tickets, what to do at both stations, and other things you may need to know. Easily Find Hotels in Delhi and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your Interactive Map of Northern India Check out all of the places we visited in India courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you! Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

In what was our first train ride as foreigners in India, we take the Vande Bharat Express directly to Agra from Delhi. In this post we will show you what the train was like, how we got tickets, what to do at both stations, and other things you may need to know. Thank you for stopping by, and a warm welcome to our India series here on Jenn & Leon Travel Blog. We spent 2 weeks touring 5 cities across the North of the country. Traveling between cities was one of our biggest concerns, and indeed we had plenty of drama along the way on that front. Thankfully, this particular trip, between Delhi and Agra on the Vande Bharat Express, was the best and most uneventful one! In This Post... ● How to Book Tickets ● The Train Station in Delhi ● Included in Our Ticket ● The Train station in Agra ● Our Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Find Hotels in Delhi ● Book Transport in Advance ● Interactive Map of India ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . How to Book Tickets for the Vande Bharat Express The booking process can be pretty overwhelming as the IRTC website is not very user-friendly for first-timers like we were. There are so many stations, trains and options, and the interface is complex and dare we say it, very dated. That being said, it is functional and does work, but there are some important steps to take for this to go smoothly. ⪢ How to Navigate the Indian Railways Website 1. Create a User Account You can do this by clicking on the "Create New User Account" link on the homepage. You will need to provide your name, email address, and a password. 2. Verify Your User Account Once you have created an account, you will need to verify it by clicking on the link in the confirmation email that is sent to you. 3. Log in to Your Account and Select Your Journey Details Enter the origin and destination stations, the date of travel, and the number of passengers. Important: Once you have registered, you must click trains , and then 'tickets for foreigners' . If you go directly to the search, you will not be able to book the tickets. 4. Select the Train & Class of Travel There are different types of trains available in India, including express trains, passenger trains, and mail trains. The class of travel determines the level of comfort and amenities that you will have on the train. Be sure to choose the A/C Car for the best comfort. 5. Enter Your Passenger Details You will need to provide the name, age, and gender of each passenger. 6. Make the Payment You can make the payment using a credit or debit card, or through net banking (some foreign cards are not accepted, ideally use credit). 7. Receive Your e-tickets Once the payment is successful, you will receive your e-tickets via email. You can print out your e-tickets or show them on your mobile device at the time of travel. CONTENT MENU Additional Tips for Booking Train Tickets in India as a Foreigner: ⪢ Book Your Tickets in Advance Trains in India can fill up quickly, especially during peak travel times. It is advisable to book your tickets at least a few weeks in advance, especially if you are traveling during the holidays. ⪢ Be Aware of the Different Types of Trains There are different types of trains available in India, each with its own set of amenities and features. Make sure to choose the type of train that is right for you and your budget. ⪢ Choose the Right Class of Travel Indian Railways offers a diverse range of travel classes to cater to different budgets and comfort preferences. Here's a breakdown of the most common ones: Air-Conditioned Classes ⪢ First Class AC (1A) ● This is the most luxurious class, offering private cabins with 2 or 4 berths.   ● Provides maximum privacy and comfort. ● Generally the most expensive option.   ⪢ Second AC (2A) ● Offers air-conditioned coaches with two-tier berths.   ● Provides a good balance of comfort and affordability.   ● Curtains provide some privacy. ⪢ Third AC (3A) ● Features air-conditioned coaches with three-tier berths.   ● A more budget-friendly AC option. ● More crowded than 1A and 2A. ⪢ AC 3-Tier Economy (3E) ● This is a newer, more affordable AC option with more berths than the standard 3A.   ⪢ AC Chair Car (CC) ● Designed for daytime travel, with comfortable, reclining seats.   ● Common on shorter routes.   ⪢ Executive Class (EC) ● A premium chair car option with wider seats and more legroom.   ● Found on select trains like Shatabdi Express.   ⪢ Executive Anubhuti (EA) This is a very premium chair car experience found on some Shatabdi Express trains, with aircraft like amenities. Non-Air-Conditioned Classes ⪢ Sleeper Class (SL) ● The most common and economical class for long-distance travel. ● Non-air-conditioned coaches with three-tier berths.   ● Can be crowded. ⪢ Second Sitting (2S) ● Non-air-conditioned seating for shorter journeys.   ● A very budget-friendly option. ⪢ Unreserved (UR) ● The most basic and cheapest class. ● No reserved seats, so it can be very crowded. ⪢ Be Prepared for Crowds Indian trains can be very crowded, especially during peak travel times. Be prepared to deal with crowds when you are traveling by train in India. ⪢ Have Your e-tickets Ready You will need to show your e-tickets at the time of travel. Make sure to have them ready at the checkpoint. Read on for more on what was included in our ticket, what to do at the respective train stations, and our overall experience rating. ⪢ Safeguard Your Trip with SafetyWing To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. CONTENT MENU The Train Station in Delhi (Hazrat Nizamuddin) We took a taxi to the station from our hotel and it was relatively easy, bar some traffic and the usual incessant drone of horns. The station itself is a little rundown on the outside, and many homeless people seem to be living along the sides of the road leading up to it. We were dropped off at the front, just past them, but it was really sad to see. There is no wheelchair access here, so you do have to carry your luggage up some stairs, before making it to the ticket counter area. This is basically just a large empty space, where many people were hanging out, sleeping and waiting. It seemed strange that there were no chairs or anything, and this practice of being on the floor turned out to be quite common in most areas of the station. We wanted to check in at the desk to make sure we were in the right place, and to confirm our platform. It was very easy to get to, pretty much just a direct route straight from the entrance, heading over the tracks. Even though the station is a little rundown, it is indeed well organized and there are plenty of signs, in English too, to help you along the way. There are several snack stalls on the platforms, so you can grab a drink or a quick bite while you wait. We got there pretty early and we were grateful this was here as we were very thirsty! As we were in the 2nd class A/C car, we needed to head nearer to the end of the platform to wait. There is no shade from the sun there though, so we decided to wait in the middle area of the platform, which of course happened to be the busier part too. If you look above, you will find that there are digital signs that indicate the numbers of each car as and when the train arrives, so keep an eye out for those so you can identify where you need to be. CONTENT MENU What Was Included in Our Ticket We booked the A/C car and that is what we got; it was wonderfully cool and a nice break from the heat outside. It was one below the highest class but absolutely worth it. The seats were comfortable, there was overhead storage, and bathrooms too (an Asian and Western toilet). It was perhaps not the cleanest of trains, but certainly manageable. When you are booking the tickets, you will be asked for your preference of vegetarian/non-vegetarian options. We were not entirely sure as to what this was for on the IRTC website, as it did not make it clear that there would be food. As it happens, we were pleasantly surprised to have been given a really good variety of snacks! This also included water, apple juice and a ginger tea. You can see it all in more detail in our YouTube video . The interesting thing about this is prior to the food being served, there were several staff touring the coaches and offering chocolates and chips for 40 rupees each. This happened right at the beginning of the journey, and even though we knew we had selected our food preferences online, we did not know if that meant we were actually going to get food. So we did indulge and bought some, and it was very cheap in any case. However, it seems odd to us in hindsight that this happened, given we were served all of what you see in the photo. It kind of feels a little scammy, and we had a fair few comments on our YouTube video deriding this! We only spent a dollar on them, so no harm done. Perhaps we should have just been more patient! CONTENT MENU Watch Our YouTube Video to See the Inside of the Train Check out the inside of the train and more on the food in our YouTube video! We start the video from outside Hazrat Nizamuddin and show you where to go once you are there. We document the train journey, test the food, and also show you the Agra Cant station. If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU The Train Station in Agra (Agra Cant Station) Agra Cant is not the last station on this line, so if you are getting off here be sure to pay attention to the train announcements, and be ready to disembark as the train will not wait here for too long (we say this as we thought it was the last stop, and almost did not make it off the train!). This station is very much like Hazrat Nizamuddin, although perhaps not as big. It is pretty straight forward to find the exit, and there is no need to present your tickets on the way out. The most interesting point of note for this station was the monkeys , yes monkeys! There were a fair few of them hanging around, mainly in the rafters. They did seem pretty harmless, although you can never be too sure. Do be careful with your belongings just in case! While getting out of the station was easy, the hard part of this journey had only just begun. Once outside, it was crazy! Like moths to a flame, we were quickly, and most annoyingly, swarmed by taxi hawkers. It can be easy to exaggerate, but honestly in all of our travels, we have never encountered anything quite to the level of what we experienced in Agra. Within what seemed like seconds we were surrounded by at least a dozen people, all trying to push us into taxis and rickshaws. We could not get a moment to even talk to each other! It was a relentless bombardment and they would not take no for an answer. We wanted to book an Uber as we prefer the security and protection that the app gives. We appreciate that the taxi drivers just want to try and get business, but they would not even give us a second to breathe. Jenn was trying to locate a pick up point, and the whole time we were being harangued and hassled. It got to a point where we started getting a little angry, as even when we tried to move to a different spot, we were just being followed. It was all just too much, so we decided to just try and get out of the main station car park area, onto the main road. This was likely where the Uber would come, although it was still a tricky spot as it was not very clear on the app. We had to wait a good ten minutes or so, all while ignoring our unwanted audience. Most of the hawkers had resigned to just standing close by and staring, which was fairly intimidating to say the least! We could not wait to get out of there, away from this chaotic place! It may sound like we are moaning a little, and we appreciate these guys are just trying to earn a living. But the way they are going about it is all wrong in our opinion! Swarming, harassing and intimidating tactics that simply made us want to resist them as much as we could. This was one of those times that we were grateful to be a foursome. If it were just us two, it would have been super hard to fend them off. And we cannot even imagine how tough it would be for sole travelers! You have been warned... CONTENT MENU Our Vande Bharat Express Experience Rating In comparison to using buses/coaches in India, the Vande Bharat Express has to be the smoothest process we encountered. Booking online was slightly complicated but from there everything is very straight-forward. The train stations were fairly easy to navigate and the train ride itself was super smooth. The complimentary food is a very nice touch, albeit not the greatest quality. The train car was relatively clean and comfortable, which was the most important thing. Maybe more expensive than taking a bus, but a great option that is still very affordable. We highly recommend this method of transport in India! CONTENT MENU Up Next: Drama in Agra: Great hotel, a very rundown area, Delhi Belly, and Jenn missing the Taj Mahal For all of our excitement in going to visit one of the world's most famous monuments, there was a major problem that threatened not only our journey to seeing this wonder of the world, but also our entire India adventure. Two words... Delhi Belly. With Jackson already sick, we seemed to be doing okay. That soon changed on the night we arrived in Agra, with us both of us spending the entire evening on and off the toilet. With only a couple of days planned in Agra, it was a fight with our bodies just to be able to make this famous mausoleum. Sadly, Jenn could not make it, and our stomach issues ultimately ended up almost derailing our entire India trip. Indeed, we did end up cutting it in half. Easily Find Hotels in Delhi and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your Interactive Map of Northern India Check out all of the places we visited in India courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you! Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

Uncover the epic food and awesome vibe at the unique Dr Zombie restaurant in New Delhi! In this review we share our highlights, the wonderful food we tried, how to find Dr Zombie restaurant in New Delhi , our YouTube video, and our restaurant experience ratings! Dr Zombie: A Must-Visit Restaurant in Delhi Tired and weary after a chaotic few hours getting to Connaught Place (where Dr Zombie is), we were all feeling like we just wanted to sit down and relax. Our journey to this point had involved crossing a major intersection, fitting 6 in a rickshaw, being dropped off at the wrong spot, visiting an electronics store and failing to find a sim card. Not to mention the searing heat, encountering several (and in some cases verbally aggressive) misfortunate beggars on the streets, and the endless honking that fills the air in New Delhi. When we decided on finding a place to sit, hopefully drink one (or three) nice cold beers and grab some food, we did not really know where to start. We did not exactly look it up anyway. We were in Connaught Place! There must be tons of restaurants and bars here! Sure enough, within just a few minutes, we happened across the bright green illumination of DR ZOMBIE, perhaps one the most intriguing entrances and concepts we have seen on our travels. In This Post... ● Our Highlights ● The Food ● Food Menu   ● How to Get There   ● Our Experience Rating s Travel Resources & Offers ● Watch on YouTube ● Book Transport in Advance ● Find Hotels in Delhi ● Interactive Map of India ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Our Dr Zombie Restaurant Highlights With more curiosity than hesitation we all instantly knew that Dr Zombie was where we wanted go, so we signalled to the hostess at the entrance stand that we would like to head up. The stairwell was quite the spectacle, with what we assume to be keyhole shapes filled with white and green stuff. At the top of the stairs we came to a big heavy red door, with large bolts and bars on a small window, complete with haphazard black tape streaking across it, feeling like something out of a crazy asylum movie. Yes, actually we are in the right place . A place that lives up to its name, and a place that we would not end up leaving for the next EIGHT HOURS! Honestly apart from the bottle, and what could be a strawberry in the one closest to the right, we have no idea what is going on. At this point, we had to turn left up another stairwell, and our early optimism and curiosity was now seeming like a 'are we in the right spot here' feeling. With the aforementioned red door opened, it was like walking into another world, far beyond where we had just come from outside. The first thing that struck were the different materials all around, from concrete to brick, wood to stone, and industrial metal in some places. It felt like a zombie movie, like one of those warehouses or something with the render only patchy on the walls, the bare concrete adding a heavy and slightly dark and onerous feel to the scene. It was super cool! In almost every spot available on the walls and available spaces there was some sort of reference to the theme. It kind of felt like an odd amalgamation of Halloween, zombies, and what I would imagine Hard Rock Cafe would look like with a zombie theme. The frames of random movies and general scary stuff add that part. The lighting was excellent for this vibe, and there were several levels to it. Dr Zombie is almost like a multi-faceted spot with different places and floors for a mix between a coffee shop style workspace, eatery and hangout place during the day. As the evening and night draw near, it becomes a zombie-themed Italian restaurant , with pizza, beer and food aplenty flowing from its kitchen at the rear and extensive bar at the front. We were able to secure a spot in-front of the pizza oven station, obviously our starting point being a very quiet 2pm in the afternoon (turns out this was a premium table in the evening). We even had this cool water feature behind us to really add the the setting! If you look at the sides, they almost look like some sort of south American totem poles. Another element to add to this intriguing place called Dr Zombie. Although we are unaware of who this guy below is, we would like to thank him for his wonderful singing and renditions throughout the evening part of our visit here too. He had such a soothing voice, and brought the vibe of India to our table for sure. He is really talented! Not sure if he comes every night, but either way having live music is always a great feature of any restaurant. From the moment we arrived here we felt highly comfortable and although we did not exactly expect to be here for so long, we are more than happy we were! It did feel a tad on the expensive side, but more so in the context of being responsible full-time travelers than being the restaurant prices. They were very reasonable for where we were actually. We did take full advantage of happy hour on the beers, and ended up having both lunch and dinner! The food was excellent too, perhaps even the best meal we could say we had in India in the entire time we were there. Having eaten twice for four, and had 16+ beers in total, at £40 a head it was a cracking night. The service and vibe was excellent, and we could not have asked for more really. Spot on Dr Zombie! Read on for the menu, how to find the restaurant, highlights in our YouTube video, and our in depth experience rating. ⪢ Safeguard Your Trip with SafetyWing To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. CONTENT MENU The Food at Dr Zombie There are many things that we feel go into making a top class, Jenn & Leon 5-star rated restaurant. You can find all of them in our experience rating later on. But above all of the factors, atmosphere, price, service etc, we would say the number one of utmost importance is the food. The product. The main thing we come for. In that regard, Dr Zombie has it pretty spot on. With Leon a massive fan of curry, keen to try one in every country we visit, India is the best place to be. No matter the style of restaurant, you will find some sort of curry on the menu. Dr Zombie is officially classed as an Italian, although there are plenty of Indian dishes to choose from. So with much excitement and clamour, Leon went for the Kadai Chicken Curry, Jenn went for chicken, vegetables and Indian spices, and Jackson and Marjo ordered Sushi. Yes sushi! Dr Zombie does Japanese too! As the minutes turned to hours, and hours turned from afternoon to evening, we also ordered dinner of sorts, with nachos and salsa, Cajun dusted fries, a couple of pizzas being added to our burgeoning bill. The food was all excellent. High quality, rich in flavor, beautifully presented and kindly served. It had everything we were looking for, and every plate and chopping board went back empty. There were several highlights from our time here, and the food is most certainly one of them, if not the best of all. CONTENT MENU Dr Zombie Restaurant Food Menu With £1 GBP converting to 100 Indian Rupees at time of writing, that should give you a good idea of the prices here. The menu is extensive, and full of intriguing things, and this is by no means all of it! Tap the arrow and swipe across for more, and feel free to download it if you want to. CONTENT MENU How to Get to Dr Zombie Restaurant in New Delhi Dr Zombie is pretty easy to find once you are in Connaught Place. Most transportation services should easily know how to get to CP, but it is a big area, so even if you make it there you may have to walk if the driver does not know it exactly. Here are some starting points if you are in New Delhi: By Metro Take the Yellow Line metro from Karol Bagh to Rajiv Chowk. Rajiv Chowk is the closest metro station to Dr Zombie Restaurant. Once you reach Rajiv Chowk, you can walk to Dr Zombie Restaurant in about 5 minutes. By Bus Take the bus number 502 from Karol Bagh to Connaught Place. The bus stop is located right outside the hotel. Once you reach Connaught Place, you can walk to Dr Zombie Restaurant in about 10 minutes. By Auto Rickshaw Auto rickshaws are readily available outside the hotel. You can ask the driver to take you to Dr Zombie Restaurant. The fare should be around ₹100. ⪢ Dr Zombie Contact Information ● Address: First Floor, C Block, C 35, Rajiv Chowk, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, India ● Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12pm to 12am ● Contact: +91 6909090905 / +91 989112868 ● Payments: Accepts Cash / Credit & Debit Cards ● Instagram: @dr.zombie ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Delhi and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU India Travel Tip: Consider Taking a Tour One of the most popular ways to explore India is with by guided tour. Skip the line for the Taj Mahal, tour cities like Mumbai and Delhi, or enjoy the wonderful sights in Udaipur and Jaipur. Check out a host of different options with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . CONTENT MENU Our Dr Zombie Bar & Restaurant Experience Ratings There has been plenty of praise for Dr Zombie's restaurant throughout this post; it feels only right to add even more here! We absolutely recommend Dr Zombie with 5-stars and a heap of praise for creating such a cool, unique and bespoke establishment in the heart of New Delhi. From the food to the service it ticks every box and is THE place to go if you are in Connaught Place! Atmosphere: 5/5 What is there not to say about the atmosphere here?! With so much to capture the attention and imagination, Dr Zombie has an abundance of VIBE. Careful not to be tacky, the team has done an excellent job with the decor, and the live music is a great touch. Cost: 4.5/5 No doubt there are cheaper places in New Delhi to eat at. As full time travelers this was a bill that was at least 4x higher than we would usually want to spend. But as the old adage goes, you get what you pay for and if you want to it you have got to pay for it! The best measure of the price is value for money, quality and service. All of that considered we feel it is very reasonable here for what you get. Happy hour is a great bonus and the portions of food were also on the bigger side too. Food: 5/5 Dr Zombie has got a lot going for it, nothing more so than its fantastic menu and superb food quality. Leon's curry was a real highlight, and Jenn's chicken was delicious. The fries and nachos went down a treat too, and Jackson and Marjo thoroughly enjoyed their pizza and sushi too. One can tell great care is taken over the food here, and we could have easily tried more from the menu! The biggest challenge honestly seems to be what to actually choose! Service: 5/5 The service at Dr Zombie cannot be faulted at all. Not too overbearing, efficient and friendly, we all felt well taken care of. The staff were super quick with replacing drinks and clearing the table, even when it got busy later on in the evening. There is a lasting impression left on us here, and if we do ever make it to New Delhi again, we are in no doubt that we would stop by again! CONTENT MENU Coming up: A FAILED Trip to Akshardham Temple, but an Unexpected Trip to the INDIA GATE! Having woken up fairly weary after our Dr Zombie shenanigans, we decided to take a slow morning on Day Three. We ordered room service, edited videos and just chilled in our hotel until early afternoon. The food was decent, and with us all fully recovered, we decided to head out to what looked like a very special light show at Akshardham Temple. So off we went, and after nearly 90 minutes of traffic, we got there only to be refused entry . Cue the India Gate to step in and save the day! The India Gate was a great experience, not least for the dozens of people asking for photographs with us. Jenn even got given someones' baby! Be sure to tune in for more on that, and the India Gate itself. CONTENT MENU Delhi is Not What We Expected! Jenn & Leon on YouTube Day one of exploring NEW DELHI, India! Delhi is the most populated city in India. This city is BUSY! Join us as we visit Connaught Place, see inside Dr. Zombie, ride the rickshaws through the streets of Delhi, visit the Akshardham temple, Delhi Gate, KFC and check out our accommodation. We met so many incredible and friendly locals BUT we also met some pushy ones too! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Easily Find Hotels in Delhi and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Your Interactive Map of Northern India Check out all of the places we visited in India courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you! Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

We review two of the hottest beach clubs in Canggu and invite you to decide which one is the the very best! First we go to Finns Beach Club, which is said to be the BEST beach club in the world, and then we try Vue Beach Club, just a 7 minute walk away. Here are our highlights, pros and cons, plus our YouTube video. Let us know where you are headed in our poll! Before we get to it, just a quick disclaimer as to our situation here. For those who may not know, we suffered a pretty bad scooter accident just 2 days into our Bali adventure in Ubud. Our time in Canggu came a week later, and we were still in a very difficult recovery phase. Despite difficulty walking, and our obvious injuries, we just had to get out from our apartment and try the famous beach clubs of Canggu. We weren't able to do much, no swimming or chilling on the beach, but we tried our best to make the most of it! In This Post... ● Finns Beach Club ● Vue Beach Club ● Art Gallery at the LV8 ● Finns or Vue? ● Watch on YouTube ● Our Final Thought Travel Resources & Offers ● Find Hotels in Bali ● Book Transport in Advance ● Interactive Map of Indonesia ● Book Bali Tours with Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . First Up, Finns Beach Club - World's Best Beach Club Finns Beach Club, also known as Finns Bali, is a highly popular beach club located in Canggu, Bali, Indonesia. It is situated on the stretch of Berawa Beach, offering stunning ocean views and a vibrant atmosphere. Finns Beach Club is part of the Finns Recreation Club, which is a comprehensive sports and leisure complex in Bali. As far as beach clubs go, Finns certainly is impressive. As we walked through the bamboo lined arched tunnel at the entrance, we just knew this place had a touch of class about it. And we weren't wrong. The grand entrance area alone is spectacular, and the service is first class. Aside from the VIP area which requires paid tickets, we were free to roam the site although we opted to go beachside and take a seat (because of our injuries). Finns offers a wide range of amenities and activities. The club features a large infinity pool overlooking the beach, with a plethora of daybeds, sun loungers, and private cabanas available for rent, providing comfortable spaces to unwind. There are plenty of staff on hand to get you anything you need, with plenty of refreshments to choose from. Finns Beach Club boasts several restaurants and bars, serving a variety of cuisines and refreshing beverages. From international dishes to local Indonesian favorites, you can indulge in a diverse culinary experience while enjoying the club's lively ambiance. The prices are certainly on the higher end so be prepared for that. Aside from sunbathing, swimming, drinking and eating (there's more?), Finns Beach Club is also known for its entertainment offerings. The venue hosts regular events, parties, and live music performances, featuring both local and international artists. The live DJ has a perfect spot in the centre of the site, and was belting out quality hits even though it was only 11am when we were there. Fantastic! We can only imagine what it would be like at night here! For those seeking some adventure, Finns Beach Club offers access to water sports activities, such as surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and even beach volleyball matches. Additionally, the club provides equipment rental services and surfing lessons for those looking to learn or improve their skills. Overall, Finns Beach Club in Bali provides a dynamic and exciting beach club experience. With its beachfront location, beautiful views, dining options, entertainment, and water sports activities, it has become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike for good reason. There is plenty of competition across the beachfront, but Finns has risen to become one of the most highly sought after. Even though we could not enjoy much of the offerings here, we know that in different circumstances we definitely would have! ⪢ Contact Information for Finns Beach Club ● Address : Jl. Pantai Berawa No.99, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia ● Opening Hours: 11am to 12am, 7 days per week. ● Phone: +62 361 8446327 ● Menu:   finnsbeachclub.com/menu ● Reservations:   finnsbeachclub.com ⪢ Consider a Tour with Get Your Guide Enjoy a day of ocean fun in Bali with visits to top beach clubs and a Hindu temple over the ocean. Explore Tanah Lot, a stunning temple by the sea, and relax at Finns Beach Club, a top 5 beach club in Bali. The day starts and ends at the beach, with pickup and drop-off at your hotel for a private, relaxing tour. Book your tickets here . ⪢ Safeguard Your Trip To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. CONTENT MENU Now for Vue Beach Club Canggu, Part of LV8 Resort LV8 Resort Hotel is a luxurious beachfront resort located in Canggu, Bali, Indonesia. It offers guests a serene and upscale setting with direct access to Berawa Beach, known for its stunning sunsets and renowned surf breaks. LV8 Resort Hotel is situated in a prime location, just a short distance from popular attractions and vibrant areas like Seminyak and Echo Beach. The resort features a range of accommodation options, including rooms, suites, and private villas, designed with modern and stylish interiors. Each room is well-appointed and equipped with amenities such as air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and private balconies or terraces that provide breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. We did not stay here, but we were able to take a look around after spending time at their Beach Club, which is free to enter and use for non-hotel guests. The Vue Beach Club boasts a beautiful outdoor infinity pool overlooking the ocean, surrounded by lush tropical gardens and comfortable sun loungers. There is an on-site restaurant and bar, with a good menu of local Indonesian specialties and international cuisine at affordable prices. We chose the Vue Beach Club as we were looking for somewhere that would be more serene and quiet, as opposed to the music and throngs of people at Finns. Vue certainly does not disappoint in that regard, albeit it is far smaller and further down the beach which does help. The view is fantastic and there is a calm vibe that we really appreciated given our injuries. ⪢ Contact Information for Vue Beach Club Canggu ● Address : Canggu, Jl. Subak Sari 13, Tibubeneng, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia ● Opening Hours:  9am to 10am, 7 days per week. ● Phone: +62 361 8948888 ● Website:   lv8bali.com CONTENT MENU The Art Gallery at the LV8 Resort A really cool surprise when leaving the Vue Beach Club to get back to the main road area for our taxi was walking through LV8. This is a hotel with a difference; hosting a free to view art gallery which you walk through from the Beach Club to get to the front lobby. We absolutely love art and we thought the work on display was absolutely fantastic. It is so vibrant and colorful, and super creative. Many of these thought-provoking pieces reflect the culture of Bali and Indonesia itself and it was a true pleasure to check them out. So, what do you think? Cool right?! We have to say that for all the glitz and glamour of Finns, this art gallery certainly gives Vue Beach Club a plus one. Let us know of your thoughts in our poll below, we are really interested to know! If you need more before you decide, feel free to check out our YouTube video and final thought at the end of the post! CONTENT MENU So...Finns or Vue? Which Bali Beach Club is For You? Now you have seen our highlights, what is your first impression? Let us know and vote below! CONTENT MENU Watch on YouTube Feel the vibes through video with our Bali Beach Club showdown over on YouTube on our Jenn and Leon channel! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU Our Final Thought Even though we were unable to have the full experience of either club because of our accident, we are really grateful we were still able to get out and see them. Staying at our Airbnb would have been a much easier option! But we just had to get out there and we are glad we did. Overall both beach clubs are excellent in their own right. They do offer different experiences which makes each one unique. If you are looking for a bouncing bougie party vibe, Finns is definitely the place to be. If you are looking for a more affordable, peaceful place to be, the Vue takes some beating. For us, we marginally preferred Finns. It really is epic, with so much to see and do. It feels like more than just a beach club and we love that. So much thought has gone into making it what it is and even though it is more expensive, it is a must-visit in our opinion. That being said, please do check out Vue too. It is only a 7 minute walk away from Finns, and you get to enjoy the beautiful Berawa Beach along the way! Thank you for reading, and please feel free to share your experience, or ask any questions you may have, in the comment section below. All feedback on the post is welcome too! Easily Find Hotels in Bali and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Indonesia Check out all of the places we visited in Indonesia courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. Explore Bali with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Bali. Whether you're looking to go on a snorkeling adventure, enjoy a famous Balinese Spa, or even experience horse riding, Klook has it all. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and even sim cards. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Indonesia. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!   Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

Balikpapan, a picturesque city located on the eastern coast of Borneo, is known for its beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant culture. Amidst this underrated city you will find the 4-star Blue Sky Hotel, offering a blend of modern and vintage styles, making it a great retreat for travelers seeking comfort, relaxation, and top-notch hospitality. Situated strategically in the heart of Balikpapan, the Blue Sky Hotel boasts an advantageous location that provides easy access to both business and leisure attractions. The hotel is about a 30 minute drive from the Sepinggan International Airport, and just 20 minutes away from Kemala Beach by car. The hotel has a real classic feel about it and we spend a week here, working (we are digital nomads) in the hotel and enjoying the excellent facilities, whilst also taking time to explore the city and local area around us. In this post we share our highlights, the awesome food we had at its THREE restaurants, a look at the room and hotel history, how to find Blue Sky Hotel Balikpapan and our hotel experience ratings. In This Post... ● Our Highlights ● The Room ● The Food ● Features & Facilities ● The History ● Where is Balikpapan? ● How to Get There ● Our Experience Ratings Travel Resources & Offers ● Watch on YouTube ● Book Transport in Advance ● Interactive Map of Indonesia ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Our Blue Sky Hotel Highlights A funny thing about this hotel is that we were not even supposed to be in Balikpapan to begin with! We were touring the island of Bali, and from there we were headed to Jakarta. We booked the flights from Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan International Airport thinking that it was in Bali! In two and a half years of travel we have never quite made a mistake like it, but there was nothing we could do, and we had to embrace it. So after realising we were going to be in Balikpapan, we were scrambling for a hotel that could offer us the best location in the city, with good comfort and most importantly for us as digital nomads, good internet. Cue the Blue Sky Hotel! It looked to have everything we were looking for and for a pretty good price too, so we made our booking. The Blue Sky Hotel has a lot to offer as you will see in this blog post. We had 7 nights here and took the long-stay opportunity to try all of the restaurants on offer, alongside enjoying the daily breakfast buffet. We did not use the pool as we were still recovering from our scooter accident in Bali, but we actually had a perfect view of it from our hotel room so kind of swam vicariously haha! We met some wonderful people here, both inside and outside of the hotel. The staff at the restaurants, in particular at the breakfast buffet, were super nice and we were even treated to some special pancakes on Leon's birthday, alongside some specially made sausage rolls! Alongside all of that we embarked on perhaps the best walking tour of any city ever, all in the local area surrounding the hotel. We cannot even tell you just how many times we were waved at, how many times people said hello, how much smiling we did. You need to really watch the video to put it into perspective; it was absolutely wonderful. The people of Balikpapan could not have been more welcoming and we have immense gratitude for all of the kindness and warmth they showed us! Read on for our review of the room, food the history behind the hotel, and more about the city of Balikpapan! To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. CONTENT MENU The Room at the Blue Sky Hotel We opted for a Deluxe Room, given its good size and balcony. The room had a nice, cozy ambiance, and although it felt a little rough around the edges (the walls and carpet are in need of updating), it felt very elegant and classic. We want to avoid saying it is 'dated' as this is what makes this hotel what it is, and we are happy we got to experience feeling like we were stepping back into a past era. The bed was excellent and super comfy, with plush bedding, which is one of the most pressing concerns about any room. It was a little irksome that there were no plug sockets with the bedside tables, but that seems to be quite common in many Asian hotels. The bathroom was decent, perhaps could do with an upgrade, but it was good enough for what we needed and everything functioned well (there was hot water for example, and yes, this is not always a guarantee in Asia!). The hotel also includes complimentary toiletries and a hair dryer which is very helpful, along with good storage space, a safe, a mini fridge and tea / coffee options. There is also a free shoe shine service, which we have never seen before but thought was quite cool. Overall, the room was great and we really enjoyed it. There are a couple of other higher-end options, and also a more modern wing of the hotel which we did not get to see. There are Executive Suites available, which provide even more spacious living areas and elegant furnishings, studio and one bedroom apartments, and a prime Royal Suite, with separate living and dining areas, a private kitchenette, and a Jacuzzi overlooking the city skyline. CONTENT MENU The Food at the Hotel's THREE Restaurants Indulge your taste buds at the hotel's fine dining establishments, where you will find a diverse array of culinary delights. From traditional Indonesian dishes to international favorites, the restaurants at Blue Sky Hotel offer excellent options. ⪢ Sushi Ten Japanese Restaurant Located on the top floor, this restaurant treats guests to a great panoramic view of Balikpapan while serving a pretty extensive range of Japanese Cuisine. With everything from ramen to sushi, it should not be too hard to find something to enjoy here. This restaurant was a lot of fun, with a central cooking area where a talented chef performs some cool tricks whilst cooking, and a live band which offered out songs for us to pick and came to perform right by our table. Great ambience, great food, and reasonable on price too. Well worth a visit! Oh and by the way for those that do not know, Leon is pretty much obsessed with curry and has tried it in restaurants all over the world. This one in particular was excellent, and he highly recommends it for all of those curry lovers out there! ⪢ Golden Palace Chinese Restaurant This restaurant is located on the ground floor and offers an extensive range of Chinese cuisine including Dim Sum, rice and noodle dishes and seafood. We only ate here once, and it was a good experience, with a nice vibe and friendly service. The tables are all set up with warming plates too which is a nice touch. ⪢ The Blue Terrace For a more relaxed dining experience, head to The Blue Terrace, where you can savor a very good buffet. This is where we had our morning buffet breakfasts, and is the main restaurant of the hotel. Spending 8 mornings here, we got to experience the daily changes in the options, and it is fair to say we tried a little bit of everything. We were not disappointed here, dare we say we may have even put on a few extra pounds! It has to be said that there are not many 'western' options available, but nonetheless the selection is excellent. You can find a good range of Indonesian cuisine, salads, sushi, cakes, fruits and a great pancake and egg counter. Another point of note here is that the staff are super friendly and very helpful. In particular Onme, a young student training with the hotel, who after learning we enjoyed pancakes, bought them over to us especially every morning. He was awesome and was also the one who made Leon a special birthday treat. A true credit to the hotel and also now a good friend to us too! CONTENT MENU Blue Sky Hotel Balikpapan Features & Facilities In addition to the restaurant options at Blue Sky Hotel, there are a number of other facilities to take advantage of. ⪢ 24/7 Security The entrance to the hotel is manned at all times, along with the road entrance. Blue Sky Hotel takes security very seriously and all cars are scanned for threats, and bags are checked before entering the hotel. ⪢ Sky Fitness Center For fitness enthusiasts, the hotel features a modern and well-equipped fitness center. Guests can maintain their workout routines with state-of-the-art exercise machines, weights, and experienced trainers to assist them. ⪢ Blue Spa The Blue Spa is a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation. Skilled therapists offer a range of massages and spa treatments to soothe the body and mind, providing a truly indulgent experience. ⪢ Sky Infinity Pool The hotel's outdoor swimming pool is surrounded by palm trees and has a vibrant yet relaxing atmosphere. There are plenty of loungers to relax on and the restaurant and bar is right next to it. ⪢ Meeting & Event Spaces For business travelers or those hosting events, the Blue Sky Hotel provides modern meeting and event spaces. These spaces are equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and can be customized to suit various event needs. ⪢ 24/7 Room Service The hotel offers round-the-clock room service, allowing guests to enjoy meals and refreshments in the comfort of their rooms at any time of the day. ⪢ Concierge Services The hotel's concierge desk provides assistance with travel arrangements, local recommendations, and any other guest inquiries. ⪢ Complimentary Wi-Fi Guests have access to complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, ensuring they can stay connected during their stay. The Wi-Fi was pretty strong and held its signal consistently (very important for us as remote workers). ⪢ Laundry & Dry Cleaning The hotel offers laundry and dry-cleaning services for your convenience. It is very pricey though, so we would recommend looking for a local service. ⪢ Parking Facilities Guests with personal vehicles can take advantage of the hotel's parking facilities. ⪢ Community Initiatives As a socially responsible establishment, the Blue Sky Hotel actively engages in community initiatives and sustainable practices to make a positive impact on the environment and local communities. CONTENT MENU The History Behind the Blue Sky Hotel The history of the Blue Sky Hotel in Balikpapan is an interesting tale that spans several decades, reflecting the city's growth and development. The hotel opened in 1973, celebrating its 50th birthday in 2023. ⪢ Early Years Originally established as a small guesthouse to cater to the increasing number of travelers visiting Balikpapan, the hotel began its journey with a modest number of rooms and basic amenities. During this period, Balikpapan was already gaining prominence as a significant hub for the oil and gas industry in Indonesia, attracting both business and leisure travelers. ⪢ Expansion & Renovation As Balikpapan continued to grow in economic importance and tourism, the demand for comfortable accommodation surged. The hotel recognized this opportunity and underwent a series of expansions and renovations to meet the increasing expectations of its guests. Over the years, the management invested in modernizing the property, adding more rooms, and enhancing the facilities to elevate the overall guest experience. The hotel's architecture evolved to embrace a contemporary style while blending harmoniously with Balikpapan's natural beauty. ⪢ Emergence as a Premier Destination As the hotel continued to evolve, it gained a reputation for providing exceptional hospitality and services. The Blue Sky Hotel soon earned its status as one of Balikpapan's premier hotels, attracting a diverse clientele ranging from business travelers to leisure tourists seeking a serene getaway. ⪢ Community Engagement & Sustainability Beyond its role as a hospitality establishment, the Blue Sky Hotel demonstrated a strong commitment to the local community and environment. Engaging in various community initiatives, the hotel actively contributed to the social development of Balikpapan. Moreover, recognizing the importance of sustainable practices, the hotel implemented eco-friendly measures to reduce its carbon footprint. From energy conservation initiatives to waste management and responsible sourcing of materials, the Blue Sky Hotel showed a dedication to preserving the natural beauty of Balikpapan for future generations. ⪢ Modern-Day Excellence As of the present day, the Blue Sky Hotel stands as a symbol of elegance and serenity in Balikpapan. Its rich history, coupled with a forward-thinking approach, has allowed the hotel to maintain its position as a preferred accommodation choice for both local and international guests. CONTENT MENU Where is Balikpapan, and Why Should You Visit? Balikpapan is located on the eastern coast of Borneo, the world's third-largest island, and it offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and modern amenities. Here are some reasons why we feel Balikpapan is a destination worth visiting: ⪢ Wonderful Beaches & Natural Attractions Balikpapan is blessed with beautiful beaches that stretch along the coastline, such as Kemala Beach, Melawai Beach, and Lamaru Beach. Additionally, the city boasts lush rainforests and nearby nature reserves, like Sungai Wain Protection Forest and Samboja Lestari, where you can experience the region's rich biodiversity and encounter orangutans in their natural habitat. ⪢ Vibrant Local Culture Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture of Balikpapan by exploring its bustling markets, engaging in traditional dances and music, and savoring the diverse flavors of Indonesian cuisine. The city's cultural heritage is evident in its temples, mosques, and churches, where you can witness the harmonious coexistence of different religious communities. ⪢ Ecotourism Opportunities For nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers, Balikpapan offers numerous opportunities for ecotourism. You can take a river cruise through mangrove forests, go hiking in the rainforest to discover unique flora and fauna, or participate in conservation programs to support the protection of endangered species. ⪢ Oil & Gas Industry Balikpapan is known as the "Oil City of Indonesia" due to its significant role in the country's oil and gas industry. The city's history is deeply intertwined with the development of this sector, and visitors can learn about the industry's impact on the region through museums and guided tours. ⪢ Warm & Friendly Locals One of the highlights of visiting Balikpapan is encountering the warm and welcoming locals. Indonesians are known for their hospitality, and you'll find the people of Balikpapan to be friendly, eager to share their culture, and make your stay memorable. A colorful hillside cemetery adorned with vibrant tombstones and lush greenery, close to the hotel ⪢ Convenient Base for Exploring East Kalimantan Beyond Balikpapan itself, the city serves as a convenient base for exploring other fascinating destinations in East Kalimantan. Day trips can take you to places like the Derawan Islands, a paradise for marine enthusiasts, or the traditional Dayak villages, offering an authentic glimpse into the indigenous cultures of Borneo. Balikpapan is also a great base for checking out the up-and-coming new capital of Indonesia, Nusantara . CONTENT MENU How to Get to Blue Sky Hotel Balikpapan There are a few different transportation options that will get you to the Blue Sky Hotel. The hotel is well-known in the area and taxi's and other transit vendors should recognise it. We took a Grab from the airport, which cost $10 USD. By Taxi The most convenient and direct option to get to the Blue Sky Hotel is to take a taxi or a ride-hailing service like Grab  from if you are coming from Sepinggan International Airport. Taxis are also readily available at the airport, and there is a Grab pick up point just outside the main exit on the ground floor. By Public Transport If you are already in Balikpapan city center, Balikpapan has various public transportation options like Angkot (minibuses) and Ojek (motorcycle taxis). While they are more budget-friendly, they may not be the most convenient option if you have a lot of luggage. By Shuttle From what we understand the hotel does not currently offer a shuttle service, but this may change in the future. We took a grab from the airport and it cost $10 GBP. ⪢ Consider Taking a Tour A good way to experience the best of Balikpapan is by guided tour, provided by experienced locals who will help you explore the best of what the city has to offer. If you are interested, we recommend booking through Get Your Guide, who offer cancelations up to 24 hours in advance with no penalty. You can also keep your travel plans flexible with their reserve now, pay later scheme .   Book your tickets here . ⪢ Book Your Stay If you would like to book a stay at the Blue Sky Hotel, make your reservation here . ⪢ Contact Information for Blue Sky Hotel ● Address: Jl. Letjen Suprapto No.1, Marga Sari, Kec. Balikpapan Bar., Kota Balikpapan, Kalimantan Timur 76123, Indonesia ● Phone: +62 542 735845 ● Website: blue-sky.co.id CONTENT MENU Our Blue Sky Hotel Experience Ratings Despite our initial frustration at booking our time here by mistake in the first place, we feel totally glad we did thanks to Blue Sky's lovely hospitality. We would definitely come here again and would highly recommend you consider it too! Check out our breakdown below: Cleanliness: 4/5 The hotel is very clean overall with all communal areas maintained to a very high standard. The room was in great condition too and was very clean, although the walls were dirty, owing perhaps to the fact that it was wallpaper which is in need of replacing. The carpet was also very well worn, although again this is more a case of replacing it rather than it not being clean. Cost & Value for money: 5/5 There is no doubt that you get full value for money here at the Blue Sky Hotel. With so many dining options, a great pool area and luxurious rooms, you really do get what you pay for. We were very happy with it overall. Food & Drink: 4/5 The food in general here was absolutely fantastic. The breakfast buffet was a real highlight and always offered different options which was something to look forward to every day. All three restaurants gave us something different, and great choices which we thoroughly enjoyed. Our only slight critiques would be that the coffee machine in the mornings was always broken or not working properly and it always took a while to get a basic cappuccino / latte etc. That being said there was always filtered coffee available which was fine, but we do suggest the coffee machine is replaced! We felt sorry for the staff constantly having to mess around with it trying to get it to work. Also another odd thing for us was that the lids on the food at the buffet were literally never closed, which meant the food was always lukewarm or a little dried out (depending on what it was). It was still super tasty and the food was fine overall, but it is slightly unusual to see this and hope that the restaurant staff can perhaps help to enforce this in the future, or find another way to keep the food hotter. Location: 5/5 The location of the Blue Sky Hotel is ideal if you are looking for a good local vibe within walking distance. The beaches and shopping mall is easily reachable by car and only a dollar or so if you do take a taxi. Just 20 minutes away from the airport and in the heart of the city, it is an excellent central spot. Service: 5/5 The Blue Sky Hotel prides itself on great service and absolutely excels in this area. All of the staff we encountered were super friendly and welcoming and we are full of praise for them all! Any time we came into or left the hotel, we did so with a smile, and this is a testament to the entire team at the Blue Sky Hotel! Watch Our Day in Balikpapan on YouTube Join us on YouTube as show you an example of what you can do in a day in Balikpapan. We wander through the vibrant Pasar Klandasan Market, where locals shop for fresh produce, including a fascinating visit to the raw meat and seafood area. We also had the chance to engage with some very friendly locals despite some language barriers. After strolling around we ended up at Biru Laut Restaurant. A restaurant that we actually intended to look for but just happened upon! It is located right on the beach of Monpera. This gem of a restaurant offers a perfect blend of incredible ocean views and delicious Indonesian flavors. We ventured to three different picturesque beaches, including the popular Kemala Beach in Balikpapan by foot. We enjoyed the sandy shores and the waters in a local way. We also checked out the helipad location - where residents gather to witness the epic sunsets but we were so tired from walking that we missed the sunset. We finished up our afternoon at Merdeka Park walking and watching all of the vendor and amusement park rides for children and families setting up for the evening fun at the park. If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Indonesia Check out all of the places we visited in Indonesia courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!   Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

Bali, with its stunning beaches and vibrant culture, has long been a favorite destination for travelers seeking a tropical getaway. Among the multitude of options available, for us Balian Beach stands out as a relatively unknown gem that offers an uplifting and enchanting experience. Located on the west coast of Bali, Balian Beach is part of the Tabanan Regency and boasts picturesque landscapes, a beautiful volcanic-ash beach, world-class surf breaks, and a tranquil ambiance that sets it apart from the bustling tourist hotspots. Not to mention one of the most incredible sunset spots we have witnessed in all of our travels! In this blog post, we will delve into why Balian Beach is widely regarded as one of the best beaches in Bali, and provide you with compelling reasons to include it in your travel itinerary when visiting this marvelous island. Read on for our first impressions, our Airbnb, some of the cuisine and restaurants we tried, the history of Balian Beach and more. In This Post... ● First Impressions ● The History ● Our Airbnb ● Cuisine & Restaurants ● Sunsets ● Things to Do ● How to Get There ● Best Time to Visit ● Watch on YouTube ● Our Experience Rating Travel Resources & Offers ● Book Transport in Advance ● Interactive Map of Indonesia ● Book Bali Tours with Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Our Balian Beach First Impressions It was a long two-hour drive from Cenggu, which was nice because we were able to go right through the island and see more of what Bali has to offer. There is only one main road that goes between the two locations, which winds through different towns, villages and rice fields. Despite the inevitable traffic jams that we encountered, the drive was relatively easy and there were some great views along the way. We were still in recovery phase from our Ubud scooter accident at this point, but thankfully walking had become a lot easier, so we were seriously excited to finally be able to enjoy the beach vibe we were so sadly prevented from having in Kuta and Cenggu. And well, you know what they say, everything happens for a reason. We found out on our first night in Balian, from someone we met at a local restaurant, that Ubud literally translates to 'medicine'. Balian Beach has a history of, and is known for, 'healing'. Go figure! One of the primary reasons Balian Beach is cherished by visitors is its seemingly untouched natural beauty. The beach showcases a postcard-perfect setting with soft volcanic sand, dramatic cliffs, and an endless expanse of turquoise waters stretching towards the horizon. This was literally the perfect place to continue our recovery, and we felt our energy increasing with every passing day. Unlike some of the more crowded beaches in Bali that we encountered, like at Kuta and Cenggu, Balian Beach remains uncrowded, but for the surfers that come out everyday to enjoy the amazingly consistent waves. The local vibe here is strong, and it does not feel like it has been commercialized at all. From our experience of the busier tourist areas of Bali, this is very welcome indeed. The local stores and restaurants are all very Balinese and similar to Ubud, this felt like the real experience. Our Airbnb was in an excellent spot, just a short walking distance from the photos you see here. It all just felt so perfect, and it was really hard for us to leave! Our host was so wonderful, showing us the local area and giving us great suggestions for places to check out on our own. We met some lovely people along the way too, and we could not have felt any more welcome here. Aside from the beach and our tour of the local eateries, we also took a day trip with our Airbnb host to a very local and remote waterfall, a massive natural bat cave and also one of the only Buddhist temples on the island. To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. CONTENT MENU The History of Balian Beach Bali itself has a long and storied history dating back thousands of years. The island's ancient civilization developed a unique blend of Hinduism and indigenous beliefs, which played a significant role in shaping its culture. The presence of sacred sites and temples in the surrounding area suggests that Balian Beach has been revered by locals for centuries. ⪢ Spiritual Retreat for Balinese Healers Balian Beach has been regarded as a sacred and spiritual place by Balinese healers known as "Balians." These traditional healers have sought solace and inspiration in the beach's serene surroundings, where they connect with nature and tap into their healing abilities. The presence of Balians and their rituals has contributed to the spiritual aura that permeates the area. ⪢ Fishing & Coastal Life Historically, Balian Beach was home to a vibrant fishing community. The local villagers relied on the ocean for their sustenance, engaging in traditional fishing practices handed down through generations. The beach served as a hub for fishermen, who set sail from its shores to explore the bountiful waters of the Indian Ocean. ⪢ Surfing Emergence Balian Beach's emergence as a popular surfing destination dates back to the late 1970s and early 1980s. Bali, in general, gained recognition as a world-class surf destination during this period, attracting surfers from around the globe. Balian Beach, with its consistent waves and challenging surf breaks, became known among surf enthusiasts seeking an alternative to the more crowded spots on the island. ⪢ Development of Accommodation & Tourism As word spread about the exceptional surfing conditions and natural beauty of Balian Beach, the area began to experience gradual development in terms of accommodation and tourism infrastructure. Small guesthouses, bungalows, and eco-friendly resorts started to emerge, catering to surfers, nature lovers, and those seeking a tranquil getaway. Despite this development, Balian Beach has managed to retain its laid-back and rustic charm, offering a more relaxed and off-the-beaten-path experience compared to the bustling tourist areas. Today, Balian Beach continues to attract visitors from around the world, drawn to its breathtaking landscapes, world-class surf breaks, and spiritual ambiance. The beach stands as a testament to the enduring connection between Balinese culture, nature, and the ocean, providing a glimpse into the historical tapestry that has shaped this incredible coastal destination. Next up: Take a look at our gorgeous accommodation, and some very tasty Balinese cuisine! There are plenty of awesome rice terraces to explore too! CONTENT MENU Our Airbnb Accommodation at Balian Beach Balian Princess Villas is a gated residence which is located inland, just a couple of minutes away from the beach front. We really did have a fantastic stay here, with everything we needed and most importantly, a wonderful host. There are 3 villas here, along with a small pool, a fully-stocked shared kitchen with everything you need, some nice loungers and several very cute house cats! It is really secure and comfortable, and picturesque in its look and feel too. The villas are small but very neat with a true Balinese feel to their construction. The bathrooms are semi-outdoors but really well done, in particular the shower which has a large vase and plant along with pebbles in it; super cool indeed! The air conditioning and internet is decent, and along with a comfortable bed, you have everything you need for a memorable stay. We have to give a big shout out to our host Stuart and his wife, who couldn't have done more to make us feel at home. On day one they took care of our laundry, dropping it off to the local launderette, and also took the time to let us know of the local restaurants and things to do in the area. They also offered us a personal day trip tour of the area, in which for $20 U.S each they took us to a bat cave, through beautiful rice fields to a local and very secluded waterfall, and also to one of Bali's only Buddhist Temples. We also stopped for lunch at an excellent local Warung. To top it off we had dinner together watching some AFL (Australian Football League), and we genuinely had one of our best ever days in Bali. A huge thanks to them both, and a major recommendation for Princess Villas. Do send us a message if you would like any further information! CONTENT MENU The Local Cuisine & Restaurants at Balian Beach The local cuisine around Balian Beach offers a delightful array of flavors and dishes that reflect the island's rich culinary heritage. Here are some of our highlights. In This Section... ● Tekor Bali ● Dekis Warung ● Pondok Pitaya Restaurant ● Gubug Bar & Cafe ⪢ Tekor Bali Tekor Bali Beachside Restaurant & Bar is a popular dining spot in Balian, located just a few minutes walk from the beachfront (not quite beachside). Of all of the eateries we tried in Balian, this felt like the most Balinese, not just for the food but also the staff who were all in traditional dress. The menu features a diverse selection of Indonesian and Western dishes, including seafood delicacies made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Everything was presented beautifully, and the service was excellent here. We thoroughly enjoyed the food (and the portion sizes) and it was all very reasonably priced too. Locate it here . ⪢ Dekis Warung Perhaps one of our favorite spots, Dekis Warung has an excellent spot higher up on the hill that rolls down to the beach. The view here is fantastic, and unlike Pondok which is separated by the road access to the beach, Dekis has an uninterrupted view. The menu here is a tad more limited than the other places we tried, although the prices were also much lower, typically between 20-40k IDR. You will find typical favorites such as Nasi Goreng, and also a good breakfast selection, along with vegetarian dishes. The beer is also slightly cheaper here too. The ambience is great here, and it does have a surfer vibe, with plenty of stickers from around the world adorning the wooden pillars to tempt your eyes as you soak up the soothing sound of the waves from the Indian Sea. Definitely one to check out! Locate it here . ⪢ Pondok Pitaya Resto (Restaurant) & Resort Pondok Pitaya Resto was the first restaurant we tried in Balian and it is one of the biggest too. It is part of a larger resort, but open to to walk-in custom. It has a wonderful atmosphere with chill music and lovely decor. Its location is about as close to the beach as you can get, albeit in-front of the main beach access. It is raised from the road though, so you still enjoy uninterrupted views of the beach and the sea. You can savor the flavors of the ocean while enjoying a great selection of drinks including local beer, smoothies and shakes. Live music performances and events occasionally add to the vibrant atmosphere here too. We spent a pretty long night here chatting away and drinking Bintang with someone we met during one of our dinners, and it was super nice. As with most of the restaurants here it was open until 11pm. There is a really good and extensive menu, and they also do daily specials too. All of the dishes we tried were great, with some good western options like ribs, wings, burgers and a breakfast menu including eggs benedict (Leon's favorite), along with the traditional Balinese offerings. Prices are on the slightly higher side here for the food and the drinks, perhaps 15-20% more than elsewhere. The service from the staff here was a little untimely and disinterested at times too, even when it was not busy. We would still recommend coming here though. Locate it here . ⪢ Gubug Bar & Cafe Gubug Bar & Cafe also seems like part of a resort, but again is open to walk-in custom. It sits just behind Dekis Warung and has a good corner plot which despite being further back from the beach, still manages to pull off a great view of the sea. Inside is open and modern, and the service here was excellent. Prices were in the mid-range for the food and beer, slightly higher than Dekis but lower than Pondok Pitaya. We only came here once, but had a great meal which was tasty and good value for money. We highly recommend a visit! Locate it here . CONTENT MENU Sunsets on Balian Beach Balian Beach is renowned for its awe-inspiring sunsets, creating a magical atmosphere that captivates visitors and locals alike. As the sun gently dips below the horizon, the sky transforms into a canvas of vibrant hues, painting the beach in shades of orange, pink, and purple. This daily spectacle is a true delight and is absolutely unforgettable. It really is worth the entire trip just to catch this amazing daily occurrence here. We hope the pictures speak for themselves! You are able to see the sunset from anywhere along the beachfront but perhaps the best place is at Secret Bay , a super cool spot which has a nice restaurant (which we did not try), but is most popular for its access to a stunning point which juts from the bay and affords panoramic views of the coastline. CONTENT MENU Things to Do at Balian Beach ⪢ Surfer's Paradise For surfing enthusiasts, Balian Beach is a dream destination. The consistent waves and world-class surf breaks make it a haven for surfers of all skill levels. Advanced surfers can challenge themselves with the reef breaks that produce powerful waves, while beginners can take advantage of the sandy beach breaks to hone their skills. The beach's consistent swells throughout the year and fewer crowds compared to other surfing spots in Bali make Balian Beach an ideal spot for surfers seeking an authentic and exhilarating experience. ⪢ Yoga & Wellness Retreats In recent years, Balian Beach has become a hub for yoga and wellness enthusiasts looking to reconnect with nature and rejuvenate their mind, body, and soul. The tranquil ambiance, coupled with the soothing sound of crashing waves, creates the perfect environment for yoga and meditation practices. Several wellness retreats and yoga studios offer a range of classes, workshops, and retreat packages, providing an opportunity to relax, unwind, and nourish your well-being amidst the breathtaking beauty of Balian Beach. ⪢ Authentic Balinese Experience Balian Beach provides an authentic Balinese experience that showcases the island's rich culture and traditions. The laid-back and welcoming atmosphere allows one to really immerse themselves in the local way of life. You can freely explore the nearby traditional villages, interact with friendly locals, and even witness traditional ceremonies and rituals (which happen very frequently and randomly). This cultural adventure offers a unique perspective on Bali, setting Balian Beach apart from the more touristy areas on the island. ⪢ Charming Accommodation Options Balian Beach offers a range of charming and eco-friendly accommodation options that blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings. Ours was just one example of this, and you will find a great host of options from boutique resorts and beachfront villas to rustic bungalows and eco-lodges. Many of these accommodations provide stunning views of the beach and the ocean, ensuring an unforgettable stay in this tropical paradise. CONTENT MENU How to Get to Balian Beach To reach Balian Beach in Bali, there are several transportation options available depending on your starting point and preferences. Balian Beach is located on the west coast of Bali, approximately a 2-3 hour drive from the Ngurah Rai International Airport and popular tourist areas like Seminyak or Ubud. Here are the common ways to get to Balian Beach: Private Transportation If you prefer convenience and flexibility, hiring a private car or taxi is a popular choice. You can arrange for a private driver or taxi service from any location in Bali, including the airport or your hotel. This option allows you to have a comfortable and direct journey to Balian Beach, and the driver can provide local insights and recommendations along the way. Scooter Rental For those who enjoy a sense of adventure and want to explore Bali at their own pace, renting a scooter is a common choice. Many scooter rental shops can be found in popular tourist areas. From there, you can embark on a scenic ride to Balian Beach, taking in the beautiful landscapes along the way. However, it's important to ensure you have a valid international driver's license, wear a helmet, and adhere to local traffic regulations. * Please note  that the local government is considering a ban on all foreigners using any type of transport independently. This has not yet been passed, but could mean that you are only able to use public funded options endorsed by the tourism board. Shuttle Service Several shuttle services operate in Bali, offering transportation between popular tourist areas. You can check with your hotel or travel agencies for shuttle options that include Balian Beach in their routes. Shuttle services provide a convenient and affordable way to reach Balian Beach while offering shared transportation with other travelers. Public Transportation While public transportation options are limited in Bali, it is still possible to reach Balian Beach using local buses or minibuses, known as "bemos" or "bemos angkot." However, be prepared for potential crowded conditions and longer travel times. You may need to take multiple transfers or consult with locals for the best route to Balian Beach via public transportation. ⪢ Consider Taking a Tour A great way to explore the best of Bali is by tour. Discover Mount Batur, Ubud Palace, Uluwatu Temple and much more with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination.   Book your tickets here . ⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Bali and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. CONTENT MENU The Best Time to Visit Balian Beach The best time to visit Balian Beach in Bali largely depends on your preferences and the activities you plan to engage in. However, here are some factors we recommend you consider when deciding the ideal time for your visit: ⪢ Weather Bali experiences a tropical climate characterized by two main seasons—the dry season and the wet season. The dry season, from April to September, generally offers sunny days, lower humidity levels, and less rainfall, making it an excellent time for outdoor activities, beach exploration, and surfing. The wet season, from October to March, brings more frequent rain showers and higher humidity, but it also offers lush green landscapes and quieter crowds. ⪢ Surfing Conditions Balian Beach is renowned for its excellent surf breaks, and surfers often seek specific conditions. The best time for surfing at Balian Beach is during the dry season, particularly between May and September. During this period, consistent swells and offshore winds provide optimal surfing conditions, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced surfers. ⪢ Peak Season Bali's peak tourist season generally aligns with the dry season, particularly during July and August. During these months, Balian Beach and other popular tourist destinations in Bali can be busier, and prices for accommodations and activities may be higher. If you prefer a quieter and more affordable experience, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons, such as April, May, September, or October when the weather is still pleasant, and crowds are relatively thinner. ⪢ Cultural Events Bali is renowned for its vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations. If you're interested in witnessing traditional ceremonies, cultural performances, or religious events, it's worth researching the Balinese calendar to align your visit with these special occasions. The island's unique cultural heritage adds an extra dimension to your experience. Ultimately, the best time to visit Balian Beach depends on your personal preferences. Consider whether you prefer a more active and bustling atmosphere or a quieter and more relaxed ambiance. Take into account your desired activities, weather conditions, and the overall experience you seek from your visit to determine the most suitable time for you. CONTENT MENU Check Out Balian Beach on YouTube Join us on YouTube in this specially curated video as we explore the breathtaking panoramic views of the incredible waters, embraced by lush greenery and dramatic cliffs. Get ready to be impressed as we show the tranquil ambiance, world-class surf breaks, and the vibrant local culture that makes Balian Beach truly unique! If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU Our Balian Beach Experience Rating Balian Beach is a hidden treasure that showcases the best of what Bali has to offer. With its pristine beauty, world-class surf breaks, stunning sunsets, yoga retreats, authentic cultural experiences, and charming accommodation options, it has earned its reputation as the best beach in Bali. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or an opportunity to connect with nature and Balinese culture, Balian Beach is a destination that should not be missed. Plan your visit to this enchanting beach, and prepare to be swept away by its natural splendor and captivating charm! Thank you for reading, and please feel free to share your experience, or ask any questions you may have, in the comment section below. All feedback on the post is welcome too! Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Your FREE Interactive Map of Indonesia Check out all of the places we visited in Indonesia courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. Explore Bali with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Bali. Whether you're looking to go on a snorkeling adventure, enjoy a famous Balinese Spa, or even experience horse riding, Klook has it all. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and even sim cards. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Indonesia. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you!   Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.

A great location in central Jakarta, the 4-star Holiday Inn & Suites offers a remarkable hospitality experience that combines comfort, convenience, and a touch of luxury. With its prime location and an array of amenities, this hotel stands out as our top choice for both business and leisure travelers visiting Indonesia's bustling capital. Our experience here during an 8 night stay was absolutely fantastic and we cannot speak highly enough of the staff and their service. From the moment we arrived we were made to feel really special and the whole team has left and indelible mark on our souls that we will not forget. There is so much to get into here, so lets dive right in! Read on for our highlights, the awesome food we had, a look at TWO different rooms, how to find Holiday Inn & Suites and our hotel experience rating. The grand entrance to the Holiday Inn & Suites Gajah Mada In This Post... ● Our Highlights ● The Rooms ● The Food ● Features & Facilities ● How to Get There ● Things to Do ● Our Experience Ratings Travel Resources & Offers ● Book Transport in Advance ● Find Hotels in Jakarta ● Interactive Map of Indonesia ● Book Jakarta Tours with Klook ● FREE Asia Travel Guides Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, which helps support our blog and keeps it free to use. Our Affiliate policy . Our Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta Highlights Jakarta was our last stop on our trip to Indonesia, but it will by no means be our last time here! After spending time in Bali and Borneo, it seemed fitting to end our adventure in the soon-to-be replaced capital city (it is moving to Nusantara ). We were already on a major high after the amazing warmth and kindness we received from the lovely Blue Sky Hotel in Balikpapan, and we are very pleased to say that it was no different here. In fact, we would go as far to say that Holiday Inn & Suites offered us some of the most exceptional service we have ever gotten! The hotel is very modern and beautiful and we were impressed with the front end security and staff right from the moment we arrived. Check-in was a breeze, the staff friendly and attentive, and we found the lobby to be bright and inviting. The grand lobby and Duta Lounge entrance From the elevators to the hallways, the rooms to the lounges, the rooftop to the gym; everything was super clean and modern. The hotel really does have a luxurious feel and we felt really calm and relaxed. On our final night we were offered an even larger room as an upgrade, which was super nice too. View of the city from the hotel room The staff at the Holiday Inn & Suites really delivered on the hotel's promise of offering exceptional service. They went above and beyond in many cases! For example, when discussing our upgrade with one of the manager's over Whats app, Jenn mentioned Leon was not feeling very well. Within a few minutes, they sent a warm pot of tea to the room! After a long day shopping at the Grand Indonesia, when we returned, we took a moment to rest our feet in the lounge in the lobby. The shift manager's were having a meeting at the table, and when they noticed us, took the liberty of sending over a waiter to offer us any drink free from the menu. Another awesome touch! On return to our room after another outing, this time at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, we found ourselves greeted with a plate of mini desserts and a cute note welcoming us back. Honestly one couldn't make it up! We were feeling just so blessed and grateful. This was such a wonderful surprise! Our final highlight was the exceptional service we received at the daily breakfast buffet. The head chef's and restaurant managers could not have done more to enhance our experience. We were offered coffee every morning the moment we arrived, special drinks were made just for us and brought to our table, and the head chef's (Yadi and Jimmy) even took the liberty to make us special desserts and even a mini pizza that was not available at the buffet. All off of their own back! So friendly, so kind, and just fantastic representatives of the hotel and the Holiday Inn brand. The hotel may be classed as a 4-star, but it certainly felt like a massive FIVE for us! Read on for a more detailed review of the rooms, the food and other facilities. To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing's Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country, on top of all Essential benefits. CONTENT MENU The Rooms at Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta ⪢ King-Size Room with City View This upscale hotel rooms was our home for the first 7 nights. It was very tastefully decorated, exuding a modern ambiance. The bed, one of the most important items of any room, was just fantastic. Super comfortable and gave us some excellent night sleeps. The room offered us wonderful views of the city, along with daily sunsets that really could not have been any better. Alongside that it cam equipped with everything we needed, from international plug sockets to a smart TV. The room comes with a mini-fridge, tea & coffee, a safe, dressing gowns, slippers, a hairdryer, and even a welcome fruit bowl. The bathroom was stocked with Dove Shampoo and body wash, hand wash and lotion, and a range of other complimentary toiletries. It really felt like every consideration had been given here and we were thoroughly impressed! The daily sunset view from the room... The WIFI is also a key component for us given we work online and at 100mbps up & down we could not complain at all. It did cut out on us a couple of times but came back up straight away. Another thing we look for is good air-conditioning, and this was spot on too. ⪢ One Bedroom Suite with City View On our final night we were kindly upgraded to the room next door, which was a one bedroom suite. The extra space is really nice, with a fully furnished living room area and much larger bathroom and shower. Just as with the other room it was very comfortable and having the separate rooms is a nice bonus if you work online and need privacy for video calls. We are really thankful for the upgrade and may well consider this option when we return if we decide to teach online while here (we are both ESL teachers with Cambly). RETURN TO CONTENTS The Food at the Duta Restaurant & Duta Lounge Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta takes pride in its culinary offerings, featuring a variety of dining options to satisfy every palate. From sumptuous international cuisine at the all-day dining restaurant to delectable Indonesian delicacies, you can embark on a gastronomic journey without leaving the premises. The Duta Restaurant is located on the 3rd floor and is a buffet open for breakfast between 6am to 10am, and dinner from 6pm to 10pm. The restaurant is modern and comfortable, and there is plenty of different food and drink options to choose from. The food here is typically Indonesian but with a western twist. We had breakfast included and we really enjoyed every one of them over the 8 days we were here. The coffee is really good too and that is very important for us coffee lovers! The best compliment we can give the Duta Restaurant though, and indeed its Duta Lounge counterpart, is that its service is absolutely excellent. The staff are just so friendly and chatty, willing to go the extra mile in all they did, and could not have done more to make us feel welcome. We had many a special drink or food item brought to us, without even asking. Special attention was paid to our favorites too, and remembered the next day. We couldn't have felt more special! We made some good friends that we are still in touch with and whom we are looking forward to seeing again next time. Jimmy, one of the head Chef's, even gave Jenn a box of chocolates at the end of our stay as a gift. Just pure class! CONTENT MENU Holiday Inn & Suites Features & Facilities ⪢ Swimming Pool The swimming pool is located on the 8th floor, on the same level as the Gym. The views of the city here are fantastic, and there are plenty of tables, loungers and even a small bar area. It is a really nice place to relax, and a nice outdoor space to enjoy away from the hustle and bustle of the ground floor spots. ⪢ Meeting & Event Spaces With its state-of-the-art facilities and versatile event spaces, Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta is an ideal choice for conferences, meetings, and social gatherings. Whether you're hosting a small business meeting or planning a grand celebration, the hotel's dedicated events team is committed to ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. ⪢ Gym & Spa Guests seeking relaxation and rejuvenation can indulge in the hotel's wellness facilities, including a fully equipped fitness center and a luxurious spa. Take a dip in the sparkling swimming pool, work up a sweat in the gym, or pamper yourself with a range of therapeutic treatments designed to soothe the body and mind. ⪢ The Duta Lounge The Duta Lounge, located within Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta, is a sophisticated, stylish and inviting space that offers a relaxed atmosphere for guests to unwind and socialize. With tasteful decor and cozy seating, the lounge provides a comfortable environment for both business meetings and casual gatherings. The Duta Lounge You can enjoy a good selection of beverages here, including coffee, tea, mocktails, and shakes. There is no alcohol available however. Also, and rather surprisingly, this is a smoking area, although only in the front part, with the back seating area no smoking. The dedicated staff here ensure a personalized service and a hospitable experience. There is an a la carte food service here too, and we did enjoy that a few times! Prices are a little high, but the portion sizes are generous and the quality is great. ⪢ Citywalk Mall Citywalk Mall, conveniently located next to Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta and accessible directly from the hotel lobby, is a new shopping and entertainment complex. This vibrant destination offers a few fashion outlets and ATM's, and seems to have many units which are on their way to being opened. The key feature of the mall is its wide selection of dining options, from local Indonesian cuisine to international flavors, ensuring a delightful (and very affordable) culinary experience. Open from 9am to 9pm, you can enjoy the ambiance of the well air-conditioned indoor space and relax in the array of seating areas. We came here for food several times, and will share more details of our experience in an upcoming blog post. ⪢ See More From the Holiday Inn & Suites on YouTube Check out all the reasons we loved our stay at the Holiday Inn and Suites Gajah Mada Jakarta, Indonesia in this Indonesia Travel Vlog. If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like  and subscribe ! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world! CONTENT MENU How to Get to Holiday Inn & Suites Hotel in Jakarta To reach Holiday Inn & Suites in Jakarta, Indonesia, you have a few transportation options depending on your starting point: By Air If you are arriving from an international destination, the most convenient way is to fly into Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, which serves Jakarta. Upon arrival, you can take a taxi or arrange for a hotel transfer to Holiday Inn & Suites. The hotel is approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the airport, and the journey usually takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic conditions. You can expect to pay around 200-250,000 IDR. By Train If you are traveling within Indonesia or from nearby cities, you can consider taking a train to Jakarta. The city is well-connected by rail, and the main train station is Gambir Station. From Gambir Station, you can hire a taxi or use ride-hailing services to reach the hotel. By Car If you are traveling by car, you can use GPS or navigation apps to guide you to the hotel's address. Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta is situated in the city's central business district, specifically at Jl. Gajah Mada No. 211, Jakarta 11120, Indonesia. It is advisable to plan your route in advance and consider the traffic conditions, especially during peak hours. By Public Transportation Jakarta has an extensive public transportation network, including buses, the TransJakarta Bus Rapid Transit system, and the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit). You can utilize these modes of transportation to reach a nearby station or bus stop close to the hotel. From there, you can take a taxi or walk to Holiday Inn & Suites. We recommended checking the hotel's website (link below map) or contact their concierge in advance to inquire about any specific transportation options or assistance they may provide for guests arriving at Jakarta. ⪢ Book Your Stay If you would like to book a stay here, click here to make your reservation . ⪢ Contact Information for Holiday Inn & Suites Gajah Mada ● Address: Jl. Gajah Mada No.211, RT.14/RW.1, Glodok, Kec. Taman Sari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11120, Indonesia ● Phone: +62 21 29776800 ● Website: ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels CONTENT MENU Things to Do in the Area Near Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta ⪢ See the National Monument The National Monument (Monumen Nasional / Monas) is a 132-meter-tall obelisk that is a symbol of Indonesian independence. It is located in the center of Merdeka Square, which is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. Get directions here . ⪢ Explore Jakarta History Museum (Fatahillah Square) Jakarta History Museum is housed in a beautiful colonial building that was once the city's town hall. The museum exhibits artifacts that tell the story of Jakarta from its founding to the present day. Get directions here . ⪢ Shop at Grand Indonesia Grand Indonesia is a luxury shopping mall that is home to over 600 stores, including international brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada. There are also a number of restaurants and cafes in the mall. We had a great time here, finding Arsenal shirts, getting a hair cut and doing some general clothes shopping. Prices are actually not bad given it is a major shopping hub. Get directions on here . ⪢ Visit the Chinatown Market The Chinatown Market is a great place to buy souvenirs, clothes, and food. The market is located in the heart of Jakarta's Chinatown district, and it is open from morning to night. It is just a short walk away from the hotel. At time of writing the pedestrian walkways and roads are undergoing significant reconstruction, so be aware that it might be difficult to get around at busy times. Get directions here . The entrance to Glodok Chinatown Market in Jakarta CONTENT MENU Our Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta Experience Ratings Holiday Inn & Suites Jakarta offers a captivating blend of comfort, convenience, and warm hospitality. Whether you're visiting for business or leisure, this hotel promises an unforgettable stay in the heart of Jakarta. Immerse yourself in the city's vibrant culture and enjoy the impeccable service, modern amenities, and a truly remarkable experience that only Holiday Inn & Suites can provide. Cleanliness: 5/5 A key element of any hotel ranking, whilst we are not fussy, we do find this very important. And Holiday Inn delivers on this with aplomb. The rooms were spotless, as was the lobby area, corridors and dining spaces. The Gym was also very clean, and the pool area well maintained. Hand sanitizer was also available by every elevator and in the restaurants. Top marks! Cost & Value for Money: 5/5 At $65 CAD per night, including breakfast, this hotel is superb value. It almost felt like we paid too little in a way, given the exceptional service and facilities. We would not hesitate to book this again! Food & Drink: 5/5 The breakfast buffet has a good variety of options including cereals, local Indonesian food, some western options, and a good selection of fruits and salad. There is also a really nice selection of pastries and barista served coffee, along with juices and water. Overall everything was super tasty, kept warm and well maintained by the restaurant staff. You are also able to purchase a buffet dinner option, although it is a tad on the pricey side at 200,000 IDR per person. Aside from the buffet, we also tried the a la carte Duta Lounge on the ground floor for dinner, and again the food was spot on, albeit served a tad lukewarm rather than piping hot on both occasions we ate there. Overall the food is excellent, a bit on the higher end of the price scale for what you can get in Jakarta, but given the service, quality, and everything that comes with it, we highly recommend exploring the options. One thing to note is that alcohol is not served here, and cannot be openly consumed in public spaces (if purchased elsewhere) as the hotel is not licenced. Location: 5/5 The location of the Holiday Inn & Suites is pretty convenient in terms of distance between some fairly popular attractions. Depending on traffic it is only 15-20 minutes away from the Grand Jakarta Mall, and walking distance from Chinatown. It is easy to locate for taxi drivers and has an off-road guarded entrance. There is currently major construction works on a new subway line outside the hotel, which should be completed by 2026. When done, the road conditions and walkways should be improved which will make traffic conditions better coming up to the hotel, as this is perhaps the only slight negative here. Service: 5/5 Perhaps of all of the factors, it is for service that we reserve the highest praise for. We were kind of blown away by just how attentive and friendly the staff were here. We have documented this throughout this post, so we will just state it one final time here... it was fantastic. From the managers to the servers, the room-care staff to the front end security, everyone is a true credit to the hotel. Major thumbs up, and a major reason why we will most certainly return to this hotel again! Book Trains, Planes, Buses & Ferries in Advance with 12Go Closer Lives has partnered with 12Go, a leading online travel booking platform for Southeast Asia and Europe, to offer a seamless booking experience for your transportation needs. Through booking.closerlives.com , you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for trains, buses, ferries, and even flights within your desired journey. 12Go's user-friendly interface makes navigating options a breeze, ensuring you find the perfect travel solution for your trip. Easily Find Hotels in Jakarta and Beyond Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com. Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination. Your FREE Interactive Map of Indonesia Check out all of the places we visited in Indonesia courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more. Wanderlog   is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends. Explore Jakarta with Special Offers from Klook Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Jakarta. Whether you're looking to go on a city, enjoy a massage and spa, or even experience a trip to the famed Taman Mini Indonesia, Klook has it all. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and even sim cards. All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Indonesia. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience! FREE Asia Travel Guides Save time on research; we have taken care of that for you! Enjoy access to our Travel Guides for FREE, including our latest blog posts and videos, visa information, culture and customs, top hotels, must-see destinations, transportation, health and safety and even handy interactive maps. No sign-up required.