A travel book, it’s said, is the quickest route to explore the world even if it’s only in our imagination. A passport is the gate pass to achieve the cherished wish of globe-trotting. If you’re an Indian passport holder, you have some good news.
Recently, Henley Passport Index released a report claiming that the Indian passport has gone up five positions and is ranked 80th in the world. Now, Indian passport holders can visit 57 countries visa-free or get a visa on arrival. But what is the Henley Passport Index?
The Forbes says, “The passport ranking in the Henley Passport Index is based on a comprehensive methodology that considers several factors. These include the number of countries a passport holder can access without a visa, the country’s diplomatic relations, and its international agreements.”
As soon as the information about India’s passport ranking was released, media outlets went about stoking the wanderlust in us. They’re profiling countries that don’t require prior visas.
Mauritius, of course, remains a popular choice in the non-visa category. Known for bewitching waterfalls, blue waters, colourful dunes and pristine beaches, Mauritius retains its appeal as a holiday destination.
Beach destinations such as Barbados known for tranquil Caribbean waters and inviting cliffs are being profiled too. If you’ve set foot in Barbados, why not visit Haiti? The air travel time from Barbados to Haiti is slightly less than two hours. If you’re keen to dive in a bay or go beach hopping, this is the place.
And you might as well not miss Jamaica that too doesn’t need a visa and has all the attributes of the Caribbean Islands. Want to shake a leg and groove to reggae, Jamaica ought to be on your travel list. Or for that matter Trinidad and Tobago that holds our gaze with rainforests, reefs, and eye-catching waterfalls.
In the same breath, people are talking about the Cook Islands. A tiny nation comprising 15 small islands formed by ancient volcanoes, it’s celebrated for coral sand beaches and tall coconut palms.
Those inclined towards history could be inclined towards a trip to Bhutan, the Happiest Country in the World, which too doesn’t require a passport on arrival. Its breathtaking landscapes, fortresses, ancient monasteries, and Buddhist temples remain irresistible. Fiji, with marine parks, swatches of islands, reefs, and national parks, has a similar allure.
The Middle East has been featured too to travel visa-free, especially places like Oman and Qatar known for clear beaches and sensorial souks. One may add to this list dreamy Tunisia for a desert safari and Kazakhstan for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of turquoise domes and folk music.
