Photo of the week! 📸

Raghurajpur Artist Village, Orrisa

It is a hidden gem place near Puri. The village is full of artistic lane with artist preserving Pattachitra art. All the houses front are piece of art and since it is hidden gem, very less crowded. Do visit if you go to Puri.

Dap Dap Floating Cottages! One of the highlights of my trip to Philippines - a serene, laid-back spot that’s off the beaten path! :heart_hands:t2:

Their unique dining experience lets you savor food barbecued over charcoal, and locals come here to unwind with friends and family while fishing :fishing_pole:

It’s community-managed and helps support local initiatives like BUFFALOO - aiding fisherman, farmers, and livestock owners.

:round_pushpin: En route to the mouth of Nohkalikai Falls, Meghalaya

Most visitors admire Nohkalikai Falls from the viewpoint, but the guided trek to its base is where the real magic lies. Walking through Meghalaya’s rugged terrain, discovering hidden rock formations, crystal-clear pools, and seeing the waterfall from an entirely different perspective made this one of the most memorable experiences of our trip.

Tip: Hire a local guide and start early in the day. The trail can get slippery, especially after rain, but the untouched views and solitude are absolutely worth the effort.

More such photos here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbDKPIEJ7nm/?igsh=MW42YWdzMGRrNG51dQ%3D%3D

:round_pushpin: Kameiwa Cave, Chiba, Japan :japan:

Some of the world’s most unforgettable places don’t appear on every travel itinerary, and that’s exactly what makes Kameiwa Cave so special. Hidden among the forests of Chiba, this peaceful cave rewards early visitors with a magical heart-shaped reflection created by the morning sun, reminding us that nature often saves its greatest masterpieces for those willing to slow down and look.:heart_eyes:

:light_bulb: Travel Tip: Visit just after sunrise during autumn or winter for the best chance to witness the famous heart-shaped reflection. Arrive early, enjoy the quiet before other visitors arrive, and bring a tripod if you love photography.:smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

My Solo Escape Into a Real-Life Storybook Village

I had booked the Kutzig bus tour from Colmar, France to cover the medieval timbered villages in the Alsace Region and didn’t have enough time for one of the villages – Eguisheim. The next day, I went there taking a local bus and from the minute I alighted the bus, my heart just went pitter-patter as I had literally stepped into a real-life storybook village.

While nearby villages like Riquewihr, RibeauvillĂŠ and Kayserberg draw massive, overwhelming tour groups, Eguisheim offers a far more peaceful and authentic escape minus the bunch of tourists.

Walking through the quiet, concentric cobblestone streets wrapped tightly around an ancient castle felt like uncovering a secret world. With my head on a swivel, I saw many flower-draped timbered houses and spent uninterrupted hours soaking in the fairy tale views.

I capped off my solo wandering by trying some crisp, world-class Alsatian wine at a local tavern and found my hidden gem in Eguisheim :slightly_smiling_face: .

Hi Me and my family had been to Manali this winter, we had been for a trek and while returning back, we felt to have a quick jump in to the streams. no rush or sound of travellers or any kind of vehicles around and finally we challenged to jump in -5degree cold water.

This definitely makes me even more curious to visit Japan.:sweat_smile:

India, but not as you know it.

Tucked away in the high-altitude desert of Ladakh lies a serene world of crystal-clear rivers, silent mountains, and absolute stillness. A breathtaking contrast to the busy rhythms of the rest of the country.

:round_pushpin: From the banks of the Indus River, Saspol, Ladakh.

:round_pushpin: Prachi Tirth, Gujarat

“100 Bar Kashi, Ek Bar Prachi.”
A hidden spiritual treasure near Dwarka and Somnath, Prachi Tirth is believed to grant the same blessings as visiting Kashi a hundred times. The sacred Moksh Peepal Tree, the holy Hiran River, and the deep connection with Lord Shri Krishna make this place truly special. Despite its immense significance, very few travellers know about it.

Why this place is underrated:
Prachi Tirth is one of Gujarat’s hidden spiritual gems, yet many pilgrims visiting Dwarka, Somnath, and the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga completely miss it. There is a famous saying:
“100 Bar Kashi, Ek Bar Prachi”
(Visiting Kashi a hundred times gives the same blessings as visiting Prachi just once.)

Special Significance – Moksh Peepal Tree
sacred Moksh Peepal Tree at Prachi is believed to be a place where devotees pray for the peace and salvation of their ancestors. Many pilgrims perform rituals here seeking blessings, inner peace, and liberation for departed souls

Holy River Significance
Prachi is associated with the sacred Hiran River, which flows through this spiritually significant region. Devotees believe that taking a holy dip in its waters and offering prayers to Lord Shri Krishna and Lord Mahadev brings additional blessings, purifies the mind, and grants spiritual merit.

Why you should add it to your itinerary:
Whenever you’re planning a trip to Dwarka, Somnath, and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, don’t miss Prachi Tirth. It’s peaceful, less crowded, deeply spiritual, and offers an experience beyond the usual tourist circuit.

Bonus Tip for Travellers:
I highly recommend staying at Hotel Madhav in Dwarka. Most major attractions are easily accessible from here, and private cabs are readily available downstairs, making day trips extremely convenient.

How to Reach Prachi Tirth:

  • Best option: Hire a private cab from Dwarka or Somnath and combine it with nearby attractions.
  • Approximate cab fare: ₹2,000–₹3,500 for a full-day sightseeing trip depending on the route and vehicle.
  • Local taxi from Somnath to Prachi: Around ₹800–₹1,500 one way.
  • Public transport: Gujarat State Transport (GSRTC) buses running on the Somnath–Veraval–Una route often stop near Prachi. Local buses and shared jeeps are also available from Somnath and Veraval.

Ohh nice, I’ve been to dwarka thrice but I didn’t know about this place. Next time I’ll definitely explore this place, thanks for sharing this hidden gem.

I like this “100 bar kashi ek bar prachi” me toh ek bhi bar nahi gayi kashi :smile: LOL but after reading this i’ll surely plan a trip to dwarka, Keep sharing such hidden places @sanketism

This is interesting, something new

Oh Nice :+1:t2: Great Content

:trophy: Winner Announcement: Hidden Gems of the World Contest! :globe_showing_americas::sparkles:

Hey Travel Tribe! :backpack:

A huge thank you for sharing your incredible travel memories and photos!

We have a confession… We originally planned to pick just ONE winner. But the entries were so outstanding, we couldn’t choose just one.

So, we’re crowning a three-way TIE for the Grand Prize! :tada::partying_face: Each co-winner receives 10,000 Niyo Coins!

:glowing_star: Co-Grand Prize Winners (10,000 Niyo Coins each)

  • @usha (Kameiwa Cave, Chiba, Japan) :japan::sunrise:

    • Why we loved it: A breathtaking capture of a morning sunbeam reflecting inside the cave to form a perfect glowing heart, complete with pro-level tips.
  • @Vandy (Eguisheim, France) :france::castle:

    • Why we loved it: She bypassed crowded tour spots to explore solo. Her creative photo framing the sunny town square through a glass of local Alsatian red wine won our hearts!
  • @NomadicPrantick (Saspol, Ladakh, India) :snow_capped_mountain::droplet:

    • Why we loved it: A stunning shot of the turquoise Indus River winding through high-altitude desert mountains that instantly fuels wanderlust.

:sparkling_heart: A Huge Thank You to Our Amazing Contributors!

We also want to give a special shoutout to the other travellers who shared their brilliant entries. This contest wouldn’t have been the same without you:

  • @atharvapurohit : For sharing the beautiful heritage crafts and artistic lanes of Raghurajpur, Odisha! :artist_palette::paintbrush:

  • @thegirlfrombombay : For taking us to the serene, community-managed floating cottages of Dap Dap! :sheaf_of_rice::canoe:

  • @Ashi_Bhardwaj : For showing us the adventurous, rugged trek to the base of Nohkalikai Falls! :hiking_boot::mountain:

  • @Shilpa_Nair : For the legendary story of a spontaneous family winter plunge into a freezing -5°C stream! :snowflake::cold_face:

  • @sanketism : For sharing an exceptionally detailed and practical transport guide to the spiritual treasure of Prachi Tirth! :hindu_temple::folded_hands:

Thanks for keeping the travel spirit alive! Stay tuned for our next exciting challenge coming very soon.

Where are you travelling next? Let us know below! :backhand_index_pointing_down:

thanks, i am planning to go dwarka again during Diwali, if you are intrested then join me :slight_smile:

congrates to all the winners, all locations was amazing and something new for me, keep sharing :slight_smile: