Stephen Steele | Travel & Lifestyle Blog: Travel

My Travel Essentials

I recently got my new passport after washing them in my jeans after My Trip to India and I thought I would show you a few of my essential items that I bring with me for a short / weekend trip. Clothes-wise I try to pack as light as I can on short trips and usually try to keep to hand luggage. So I normally pack only 2 pairs of trousers: usually a good pair of jeans and a pair of chinos / smart trousers. Then 1 pair of smart shoes and 1 pair of trainers. The same goes for shirts, 1 smart, 1 casual and weather permitting a short sleeve shirt too. Then you have basics like underwear, shorts and t-shirts.

Now I’m a bit of a geek so I love to always be connected and that’s why my Tablet, HTC 10 and laptop pretty much come everywhere with me. One major thing for me whilst being abroad is data and using my phone for tweeting, Instagrams etc. I’m with EE and they offer an amazing deal when it comes to using data in Europe, you are able to use your pay monthly allowances abroad for Free, which I think is brilliant! A number of times Sara and I have been stung when using our phones whilst been in Europe which has been terrible, so it’s really nice to not have to worry about this anymore and use my phone as if I would back home! Also, download TripAdvisor, city guides and maps onto your phone; which is super helpful!

As you know I’m a big fan of music and also a sucker for sound quality, which is why I always bring my BeatsByDre wireless headphones with me when I travel.

A few others things I’ve included are my Kiehl's Facial Fuel moisturiser, cleanser and midnight oils. Then I’ve got my Canon 500D camera, Sara and I have spared this camera for a few years now. So which camera do you think I should get (Leave your suggestions in the comments below).

So last by no means least I have reading material, I’m currently reading the Justice League NEW 52's which is brilliant and also one of my personal favourites series and The Office US version which finished a few years ago but I can't stop watching.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and let me know in the comments what a few of your travel essentials are.

Stephen. x

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My Trip To India - Goa Part 2

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My Trip to India - New Delhi Part 1

Culture

Back in December last year Sara and I travelled to India for our friend's wedding. I have always dreamed about travelling to India. The lush green landscapes, rice fields, traditional architecture, the colours, elephants and spice markets … A blogger’s dream.

We were there for only 9 days (you really need a month) beginning in New Delhi, taking a day trip to Agra then heading down to Goa for the wedding.

We arrived at New Delhi International Airport around midday feeling a bit jetlagged and we were both given flower garlands and cool hand cloth by the driver at the airport.

Quick Tip - Get a driver to pick up from the airport when you first arrive at New Delhi Airport if not your could end up for waiting an hour or more for a taxi or train.

The cab journey took no more than 30 mins from the airport and once we arrive at our hotel - The Claridges Hotel we fell asleep until evening.

For the evening, we booked us a table at Dhaba serving authentic Punjabi cuisine in a truly rustic style. The restaurant located in the hotel we were staying. But as soon as we arrived it felt like a hidden gem, it was designed like an old Indian archetypical highway eatery. Each dish provided its own unique culinary experience and was as delicious as the next. The whole evening was unforgettable and left us wanting to go back and relive the meal all over again (which we did the following night!)

The next morning we woke up early for 3-hour journey guided tour to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal, the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj) and the Agra Fort, one of the most iconic buildings in India and the world and a place both Sara and I had always wanted to visit. The tour we chose was led by a local tour guide that gave us a great insight about Taj Mahal and how it incorporated and expanded on design traditions of Persian and earlier Mughal architecture and the history behind the symbolic landmark.

It was easy to see why the Taj Mahal is perhaps one of the most photographed monuments in the world. When you will see magical reflections of the colourful sunrise and white marble building in the water.

After the Agra Fort and Baby Taj and had a nice lunch. But these two places could not compete once you have seen the Taj Mahal. At the end of your private tour, we sit back and had the relaxing drive back to Delhi.

Have you ever been to New Delhi? What was the favourite place you visited in India?

I hope you liked photos from Part 1 of my trip to India Part 2 coming soon!

Stephen. x