Photo by Drif Riadh on Unsplash

Travel is one of the most exciting and enriching experiences a human can have, but it doesn’t always come cheap. Total costs for even a short trip can soon add up when you account for travel, accommodation, food and drink, insurance, and attraction entrance fees.

Despite the expense, some avid travellers could never be dissuaded from exploring the world. In fact, as many as 78% of us are so determined to travel that we’ll use credit cards to fund our trips and pay off the expenses later. Here, we explore three reasons why the price of traveling is so worthwhile.

1. Travel helps us learn and broaden our horizons

Many people find themselves broadening their horizons by improving language skills and learning new hobbies as they travel. Visiting new destinations offers copious opportunities for learning and self-development. Whether you choose to master a watersport, hike up a mountain, learn to cook new dishes or spend a few days camping in the wilderness of a luscious national park, there’s always something new to learn.

With this in mind, the expense of travelling goes far beyond the immediate experience of the trip – you’ll return home with more knowledge and a deeper understanding of the intricacies of our wonderfully diverse world.

Photo by Artem Manchenkov on Unsplash

2. Travel helps us relax and unwind

Relaxation is the number one reason for travel for 55% of millennials and 51% of Gen X. Taking a vacation gives you a much-needed break from work and your usual daily responsibilities, particularly if you plan to lounge around on the beach or beside the pool. Many people spend lots of time outdoors soaking up the natural beauty of their travel destination, and exposure to nature can do wonders for our mental health.

india varanasi morning meditation on the river

Even if you’re planning an action-packed trip with a busy schedule, taking a break from your typical routine will go a long way in alleviating stress. When you invest in travel, you invest in rest, recuperation, and improved wellbeing.

Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash

3. Travel supports human connection

A report into 2025 travel trends amongst millennials found that 50% travel to visit other people. 45% travel to spend time with family, 34% to enjoy a romantic break, and 23% to make friends with other travellers. Travel plays an important role in helping us connect with one another, no matter if it’s to maintain existing relationships or seek out new ones.

Visiting new places often gives up the opportunity to befriend people from totally different walks of life than our own, which ties back into our motivations to broaden our horizons and learn more about our global society.

PescArt – Real Baba 5 – Mumbai, India

What motivates you to invest in travel?

These are just three of the biggest reasons why the expense of travel is worthwhile. There are many more benefits of exploring the world, many of which are personal and inspired by our individual goals and interests. So, the next time you’re planning a trip and feeling a little overwhelmed by the costs, ask yourself what you’ll get out of the experience. The expense is bound to be worth it if the trip is planned with your passions and life aspirations in mind.

Polar Fox looking at birds – object of desire

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Photo by Samuel Ferrara on Unsplash

Italy is a treasure trove of cultural riches, with iconic destinations like Rome, Venice, and Florence often stealing the spotlight. However, the beauty of Italy extends far beyond these well-trodden paths. For the intrepid traveler eager to uncover Italy’s hidden gems, here are three lesser-known Italian cities that deserve a spot on your travel bucket list.

1. Trieste: A Crossroads of Cultures

Photo by Daniele Bucciarelli on Unsplash

Located in the northeastern corner of Italy, Trieste is a city where Italian, Slavic, and Germanic cultures converge. Its unique position on the Adriatic Sea has shaped a rich cultural tapestry, making it a fascinating destination for history buffs and culture enthusiasts.

Trieste’s waterfront, lined with elegant palaces and grand cafes, evokes a sense of old-world charm. The Piazza Unità d’Italia, one of Europe’s largest seaside squares, is the perfect spot to soak in the city’s beauty.

For a deeper dive into Trieste’s past, visit the Castello di Miramare, a majestic 19th-century castle offering panoramic views of the Gulf of Trieste. Don’t leave without trying the local cuisine, which features a blend of Italian and Central European flavors. Sample dishes like “Jota”, a traditional bean and sauerkraut soup, and indulge in a slice of “Presnitz”, a sweet pastry filled with nuts and dried fruits. Trieste’s unique blend of cultures is reflected in every bite.

2. Ferrara: The Renaissance Gem

Photo by Eugene Zhyvchik on Unsplash

Ferrara, located in the Emilia-Romagna region, is a city that breathes history and art. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ferrara was a major center of the Italian Renaissance. The well-preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture makes the city a living museum. The imposing Castello Estense, with its moat and drawbridges, stands as a testament to Ferrara’s illustrious past. The Palazzo dei Diamanti, named for its diamond-shaped facade stones, houses the National Gallery of Ferrara, showcasing an impressive collection of Renaissance art.

Ferrara is also known for its vibrant cultural scene, with events like the Ferrara Buskers Festival – one of the world’s most renowned street music festivals – attracting performers from around the globe. When it comes to cuisine, Ferrara’s signature dish, “Cappellacci di Zucca” (pumpkin-filled pasta), is a must-try, along with “Salama da Sugo”, a spiced pork sausage that showcases the region’s rich culinary traditions.

3. Lecce: The Florence of the South

Image by tomek999 from Pixabay

Lecce, often referred to as the “Florence of the South,” is a baroque masterpiece located in the heart of the Apulia region. Known for its stunning architecture and vibrant atmosphere, Lecce is a city that captivates visitors with its golden-hued buildings and intricate facades. The Basilica di Santa Croce, with its elaborate baroque details, is a highlight, while the Piazza del Duomo serves as the city’s picturesque focal point. Wander through the historic center to discover charming alleyways, inviting squares, and artisan shops selling traditional “cartapesta” (papier-mâché) crafts.

Lecce’s culinary scene is equally enchanting. Indulge in “Pasticciotto”, a delightful pastry filled with custard, and “Ciceri e Tria”, a traditional pasta dish with chickpeas. Lecce’s vibrant nightlife, with its lively bars and cafes, ensures that the city remains full of life long after the sun sets.

Beyond The Beaten Path

Italy’s lesser-known cities offer a wealth of experiences that rival their more famous counterparts. These hidden gems are waiting to be explored; add them to your travel bucket list and discover a side of Italy that few have the pleasure of experiencing.

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Asinara National Park is an ex- prison island located in Sardinia, Italy. Back in the ’90s, several mafia supercriminal were secluded here, and the island was populated only by convicts.

in 1998 the prisons were shut down, and in 2002 the island became a national park.

In this strange summer of Covid-19, after our international travel plans were cancelled, we were looking for a quiet place, with few people, nature, beautiful seaside and yes, very few people.

Asinara National Park is all of this, and more: there are 2 accomodations in the whole island, and one of them is an ex-guards dormitory converted in a hostel: very basic, but clean and with a friendly staff. (check it out here)

To get to the island, there are only two way: daily trips from the south, and ferries to Cala Reale, which leaves from the sardinian town of Porto Torres.

From Cala Reale, you can either take a long walk, rent a bike or catch a minibus to get to Cala d’Oliva, where the accomodations and the diving center are.

I strongly suggest you to rent an electric bike before getting to the island: the roads are very steep, and unless you’re a trained biker, it is going to be quite hard under the italian summer sun.

Cala d’Oliva has two accomodation options, both with restaurant, and an extra bistro. Most importantly, it has the only diving center of the island. It was years that I wanted to get a Padi Open Water Scuba driver patent, mainly for underwater photography (as you can easily imagine), and this was the perfect place and perfect time to do it!

Asinara waters are the most clear of all of Italy, and as a National Park it is abundand of marine wildlife. Plus it has warm waters, all perfect conditions to get to discover the beautiful underwater world!

My first diving has been one of the most significant experience of my life, it really looks to enter in a new world, a new planet. I used to snorkeling, but the difference between browsing above and diving it is literally immense. Especially for the wildlife, which you get to observe extremely close, on the opposite of during snorkeling.

Since I was learning, I was able to get some footage only in my first diving after the permit, and after that my admiration for underwater photographers became even greater!

Even on the beachside, the sheer quantity of fishes is astonishing!

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Here an extract of the interview:

Barbie around the World is a photography project born out from my long distance relationship with my girlfriend: at that time I was living in India while she was in Italy, and we were planning a trip to meet halfway in Israel.

 

Barbie Around the World: From Mumbai with love

 

We wanted to have a different kind of photo memories so we came up with the idea of using alter egos as protagonists of our trip: Barbie and Ken, the perfect couple and an icon of POP culture.

So Barbie (aka my girlfriend) was coming from fashionable Milan while Ken (aka me) from the bustling streets of Mumbai, together for an unforgettable road trip along the main sights of the Holy Land, from Jerusalem to Nazareth, from the Dead Sea to the Negev Desert.

Going around with dolls (and their extensive wardrobe) definitely got the attention of locals, and I would say a definitely weird conversation with Israeli airport security, especially when they found my bags full of Barbie!

The shots are the mirror of our experiences, from gazing the sunset from the roofs of the Old City of Jerusalem to floating on the salty water of the Dead Sea, from offroading in the desert to relaxing in the Golan Heights.

 

The opening exhibition in Milan was a success with international coverage from all around the world, and some criticism about a potential political background: our goal was just to have fun and take the good out of a beautiful place like the Holy Land, leaving out for once all the hateful problems that afflicts the beautiful people living there.

 

The following year we decided to travel again with our plastic companions, but this travel in time and space to Cuba! With original dolls and accessories from the ‘70s, all the photos were shot with an original Polaroid camera, replicating in photography the vintage look of Cuba, from the american vintage cars in the streets of Havana to the Che Guevara graffiti all around the country.

 

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Here the official caption of this shot, taken in August 2019 in Palcoyo mountains, Peru.

In the Peruvian Andes, a unique mineral composition and million of years of wind and rains created the Rainbow Mountains, a true wonder of nature. At this altitude of over 5,000 meters, a herd of Alpacas crosses the colorful ridge, enjoying the isolation from human population.

You can see the rest of the reportage in Peru here.

bbc wildlife july 2020 enrico pescantini

Rainbow Alpaca – Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Cusco Peru Aerial Drone

The post Pubblished on July 2020 BBC Wildlife Magazine appeared first on Enrico Pescantini Travel Photographer.

It was chosen by the greeks and if you are wondering why the number 7, well it was considered the perfect number.

The Old Seven Wonders of the World are:

1. Great Pyramid of Giza, El Giza, Egypt.
2. Colossus of Rhodes, in Rhodes, on the Greek island of the same name.
3. Hanging Gardens of Babylon, in Babylon, near present-day Hillah, Babil province, in Iraq.
4. Lighthouse of Alexandria, in Alexandria, Egypt.
5. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, in Halicarnassus, Achaemenid Empire, modern day Turkey.
6. Statue of Zeus at Olympia, in Olympia, Greece.
7. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, in Ephesus

Unfortunately, only the Pyramids exists nowadays!

In 2001 a Swiss project called the New Seven Wonders of the World called upon the world to fill a new list, and so the new seven wonders of the world list was created.

Last year with my travel in Peru I have collected all 7 of them, and I want to share with you my personal photography of them!

1. Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

You can read the travel story here

2. Taj Mahal, Agra, India

3. Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

You can read my travel story here

4. Great Wall of China

5.  Machu Pichu, Cusco, Peru

6. Colosseum, Rome, Italy

7. Petra, Jordan

And for last, my favorite of all 7, Petra, the pink city of the desert!

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THE SEYCHELLES ARE A PLAYGROUND FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

THE SEYCHELLES ARE CONSIDERED TO BE A DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION. WHY?
With their unique beaches, the islands are a perfect place to relax. They’re also a playground for photographers. You can take traditional pictures, under water pictures, and pictures from the air.
And between it all, keep taking dips in the sea.

APART FROM THE SEA AND THE BEACHES – WHAT ELSE MAKES THE SEYCHELLES SPECIAL?
They’re home to a variety of animals. For example, Aldabra giant tortoises come from the Seychelles, from the Aldabra Atoll. While diving and snorkelling, you can see sharks, colourful fish and sea turtles.

DO YOU HAVE ANY INSIDER TIPS?
The Sisters’ Islands. You can find beautiful beaches on these small islands and do some wonderful snorkelling – like every­ where in the Seychelles. But the bonus
is that very few tourists go there and the nature is wilder than anywhere else.

YOU LIKE TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS USING A DRONE. THIS SURELY WON’T MAKE YOU VERY POPULAR.
I’m always discreet and ask for permission whenever and wherever necessary. I let my drone fly as far away as possible from the tourists and use the time around sun­ rise because no one’s on the road yet.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?
It defines itself through vivid colours and different perspectives. With my pictures I want to encourage people to travel.
Because I’m convinced that travel brings people together.

The post My interview on Edelweiss Travel Magazine of August 2019! appeared first on Enrico Pescantini Travel Photographer.

1. Grand Canyon National Park – Arizona, US

Millions of visitors check into this park every year to witness the magnificence of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, which runs through the canyon. Covered with layers of red rock, the Grand Canyon is a top destination in the US because of its thousands of years of geological history.

My next trip to U.S.A. will be for sure for visiting these national parks!

2. Plitvice Lakes National Park – Zagreb and Zadar, Croatia

This National Park is the most visited tourist site in Croatia and was granted world heritage status by UNESCO in 1979. The park has a series of beautiful waterfalls and 16 interconnected lakes that cover a total distance of 8 kilometres. The lakes’ colours change from blue, grey, green to azure depending on the sunlight’s angle and composition of organisms or minerals. The setting of the park is lush woodland populated by rare bird species, boars, wolves, bears and deer.

I have studied a lot this destination, also because it is “driving distance” from Italy, and I was about to visit it this summer, I had to cancel last minute due to bad weather! Best time to visit is June, when the weather is nice and the falls are full of water from springtime!

3. Milford Sound – South Island, New Zealand

This creek in New Zealand is home to numerous types of wildlife such as humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, penguins and seals. In recent years, the area has also become a breeding ground for the adorable Fiordland penguins. The waterfalls in Milford appear to move upwards (not downwards as is the norm) when there are heavy rains and strong winds.

4. Rainbow Mountains – Gansu, China

Voted as one of China’s most beautiful landscapes, the Rainbow Mountains consist of different coloured minerals and sandstone pressed together over a period of 24 million years. Interestingly, the mountains can easily be eroded because they are only comprised of dirt. The Chinese government has designated special pathways for visitors so that the magical mountains can be protected and preserved. It’s a long walk so don’t forget to pack appropriate clothes and shoes (as TUI recommend).

I have just visited the other famous Rainbow Mountains in Peru, soon I will post the shots of this so you can consider them as an alternative!

5. Machu Picchu – Cuzco, Peru

A rare photo of myself, timelapsing in Machu Picchu

This ancient fortress was constructed in the 15th century by the Incas who then abandoned it a century later. Machu Picchu has three main structures: the Temple of the Sun, the Room of the Three Windows and the Intihuatana.

The architectural design used is brilliant because stones were cut precisely and wedged closely together to prevent earthquakes from levelling the building.

I just came back from Machu Picchu, the last wonder of the world in my list! Check in the next weeks for an article about Peru!

6. Varanasi – Uttar Pradesh, India

It is one of the most sacred cities in the Hinduism religion and a major hub for Buddhism as well. As a matter of fact, it was in this very city in 528 B.C. that Buddha gave his first sermon and shortly afterwards founded the Buddhism religion. Varanasi is the oldest city in the world and boasts of rich culture and history.

I have lived in India for almost a year, so I visited Varanasi more than once: here some shots of the famous cremation ghats.

Get to enjoy these holiday destinations and see what snaps you’re able to capture.

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Here’s the interview published:

 

To say that Enrico Pescantini is passionate about photography would be an understatement. He’s visited 62 countries so far, and he’s only just scratched the surface.

Flamingo chatted to him about his travels with a camera…

Tell us about when you first became interested in photography?
Ever since I can remember, I’ve always been fascinated by photography – one of the first gifts I received from my family was a film camera. But the moment that my interest turned into a love was definitely when I was living in New York City. I was doing an internship at New York City Television and in my free time just walking around and taking pictures, visiting art gallery and photo exhibitions. I had time and curiosity, which I believe are the key ingredients to photography.

Did you study photography, or are you self taught?
I did a photography course, but not a master class or anything like that. I wanted to have some insight into the history of photography, the masters and the principles of it. But I truly believe that most of photography is something that cannot be taught. You need to look at the great photographers, learn from them, and keep practicing.

 

Do you travel extensively for your photography? Where have you travelled to?
I travel because travelling is the true love of my life – I couldn’t live without exploring the world. And photography is my travel companion! To date, I have visited 62 countries, including some pretty remote places like North Korea, Bhutan and Tibet. I try to do two to three longer trips during the year, then small weekend getaways.

Is this your passion as well as your career? What types of photography do you do?
Photography is my passion and my side activity – I also work in marketing and communication. I focus mainly on travel photography, trying to bring different perspectives to it.
Until 2015, it was just ‘traditional’ photography, but since then, I discovered aerial photography with drones, and I was among the first to do a drone reportage of Iceland (2015). I then continued adding drone shots to my travel photography, which I found very intriguing.
In the last year, I’ve been drawn to underwater photography – I do it while I’m snorkelling, and it is definitely my new love! So now I define my travel photography as a perspective from ground, sky and sea, a complete view on this amazing planet in which we live.

Tell us about your trip to Namibia, and the photographs you took?
I just returned from Namibia in August. It was the main destination of a three-week trip: we visited Victoria Falls for four days – at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe – then we began our two week road trip around Namibia. We started at Windhoek, down to Kolmanskop, then the Namib Desert and Etosha. I simply loved the country, from the very different landscapes you can see, to the many species of wildlife you can encounter.
I would say that my top five sightseeing experiences in Namibia as a travel photographer were the ghost town of Kolmanskop, Deadvlei in Namib Desert, seals’ colony of Cape Cross, Spitzkoppen and the AfriCat Foundation at Okonjima.
I can say without any doubt that I’ve taken the best wildlife shots of my entire career here.

Tell me about your shoots for mags like National Geographic?
My reportage is all freelance, so I work mainly with tourism offices, luxury resorts and airlines. Drone photography is a perfect match for airlines, due to the aerial perspective, which in the last three years is becoming very popular in travel photography.

 

Do you regularly enter photography competitions? Any awards?
I’ve started paying attention to photography competitions in the last year; before that, I focused on photography exhibitions.

I think this is because the personal touch of talking and interacting with people looking at your photos, is something that cannot be replaced by social network – it’s just something different. I have always looked at National Geographic as the true inspiration for travel photography, especially for the emphasis on nature and wildlife. I am truly concerned about environmental protection, and one of my goals as a travel photographer is to make people fall in love with our planet, and help each other to save it.

It’s strange, but most of the time I know a winning shot the exact moment I take it. It’s a vibe, an emotion you can feel through the viewfinder of the camera. You just know that that’s the shot!
This year I won 2nd place in the National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year 2018, in the Cities category, and it is definitely the biggest satisfaction I have had in my career so far. The winning shot is an aerial photography of the Pyramid of the Sun, in the archaeological site of Teotihuacan, in Mexico.

The next winning shot I really hope to be among the ones I took in Namibia: my favourite one of all is without any doubts Leopard’s Dinner, which I took at AfriCat Foundation in Okonjima.

How do you see your future?
I hope to keep travelling at the same pace I am doing now, and hopefully one day visit all the countries on Earth! My personal dream is to visit the Arctic or Antarctica – I am fascinated by these eternal glaciers and I hope one day to do a reportage from there!

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To find four of the very best places for you to head to, whether it’s for a one-off vacation or during a more extended bout of traveling, make sure to read on.

New Orleans, U.S.

If you’re into your music especially, then New Orleans is a cultural hub that should definitely figure into your traveling plans. No matter where you go in ‘The Big Easy,’ you’ll find live music playing at every turn. As stated on Mr Hudson Explores, the best way to soak in the city’s music specialty, jazz, is to head to the Spotted Cat Music Club. Otherwise known simply as ‘The Cat,’ this Frenchman Street establishment will be sure to transport you back to the mid-twentieth as soon as the band of the day start playing.

Barcelona, Spain

Have a keen interest in the different communities that make up Spain’s unique autonomous culture? You should pay a visit to Barcelona, then, as that is where you will find the country’s most famous community, the Catalonians. This group of people are so proud that they do not even consider themselves to be Spanish, meaning the culture that they have forged is like no other.

In Barcelona, soccer is a massive part of the culture. Upon a trip here, then, it would be sacrilegious for you not to take a trip to the Camp Nou! Whether you choose to tour the stadium or whether you watch Messi and co tear apart the opposition on match day, your memories of seeing this awe-inspiring sports arena in the flesh will be sure to stay with you forever.

Florence, Italy

More into your art? If so, then Florence, Italy is the perfect place for you. Here, you’ll find a striking balance between artwork of yesteryear and masterpieces of the modern day. From Michelangelo’s legendary David sculpture to the infamous Gucci Museum; you’ll be sure to find something to suffice your need for great art.

Kyoto, Japan

Tokyo isn’t Japan’s only vacation destination! This amazing island country in East Asia is full of cities and cosmopolitan areas that are perfect for the cultural traveler, one of which being Kyoto. If you have a keen interest in religion and the impact it has long had on the continent of Asia, then this is the cultural hub for you: it isn’t nicknamed the ‘City of Ten Thousand Shrines’ for nothing. Saunter through the heart of Kyoto, and you will be sure to come across hundreds of shrines, no matter or short or long your walk may be.

Some of Kyoto’s most noteworthy cultural landmarks include:

• Fushimi Inari-Taisha

kyoto Fushimi Inari-Taisha

kyoto Fushimi Inari-Taisha 2

• Kinkaku-Ji

kyoto Kinkaku-Ji under the snow

• Kiyomizu-Dera

kyoto Kiyomizu-Dera

• Arashiyama

kyoto Arashiyama

The world is full of different cultural hubs, each of which offers their own unique attractions. If you’re a true culture vulture, you should try to see them all during your lifetime.

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