AirTran: A Nostalgic Journey Through Time And Sky

BY  Sibashree Sep 30, 2024

Guest speakers from Dark Ranger Telescope and NASA attended the “Astrofest Festival” at Badlands National Park this year (July 5 to 7, 2024). In this celebration of the night sky and astronomy, the guest speakers discussed various aspects of space. The 2024 fest included the following activities. Scale model of the solar system in the afternoon An early evening solar viewing program Guest speaker session “These are objects that have been important to our culture since we could probably talk. So, we think it’s important to maintain that connection and bring back that connection to these things that used to be so important to us for thousands of years.”Ed Welsh, the education specialist at Badlands National Park  The yearly Astrofest Festival at the park indeed has a role in making the park a favorite for star gazing and exploring the night sky. Also, the remote location of the park and minimal light pollution here make it a wonderful site in South Dakota for watching the celestial bodies in action.  Further, this park is a wonderful place to soak in the beauty of sunrise and sunset, making it the land of light and stones! Night Sky Viewings/ Stargazing At Badlands National Park View this post on Instagram A post shared by Badlands National Park (@badlandsnps) Everyone talks about the geology, wildlife, and fossils of Badlands National Park. However, if you are an introvert and always seek an immersive experience like me, night sky viewing will be your favorite activity at the park.  In fact, I feel that watching the night sky is the chef’s kiss in the park tour. The stargazing activity takes place near the park’s Cedar Pass area, which is close to the visitor center.  Further, the rangers inform you about the celestial bodies you will see. You just need to keep your eyes glued to the telescope to explore celestial bodies, such as the Milky Way, star clusters, planets, satellites, and nebulae.  The table below gives a quick excerpt of the stargazing and night sky viewing experience at Badlands National Park.  Stargazing And Night Sky Viewings At Badlands National Park LocationCedar Pass AmphitheaterSpecialtyMore than 7500 stars are exposed to each visitor. They especially enjoy the clarity of the Milky Way. Add-onsFly-overs by the International Space Station and many satellitesTelescopes Provided By Celestron and Badlands Natural History AssociationBest Season for StargazingSpring, Summer, and Fall In summer, the Night Sky Viewing Program starts after the evening star gazing session every day. The park rangers conduct this program. Further, its timing keeps changing based on the sunset hours.  Best Places For Stargazing At Badlands National Park  https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc1WjJfoGBB/ Badlands National Park has earned a name in astrotourism thanks to its pristine nature. With fewer pull-outs and roads, the north unit of the park especially has many amazing stargazing destinations. Let’s explore them! The Space Tourism Guide features the Badlands National Park and the Badlands National Park Observatory as some of the best places for stargazing in South Dakota. Badlands Observatory became accessible to visitors in May 2021. It is a privately owned facility in the Badlands National Park. Also, it works for astronomical education and research.  Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater has a Night Sky Viewing event every day. This experience is about gathering more information by stargazing in a structured setup.  You must visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center every day to learn about the program.     Badlands Loop Road Like many other parts of the Badlands National Park, the Badlands Loop Road also allows you to find your spot for stargazing. However, two of the best spots along the loop are: Burns Basin Overlook Yellow Munds Overlook These locations are especially great for taking photographs and indulging in tranquility.  Sage Creek Rim Road The Sage Creek Rim Road is one of the least crowded spaces in the park. You will also get to see very few cars passing through the area.  The Sage Creek Basin Overlook and Hay Butte Overlook are some of the best spots for stargazing on Sage Creek Rim Road. However, as very few people visit this area, you can find a stargazing spot of your own.  Big Badlands Overlook Big Badlands Overlook may appear last on my list of places to stargaze in Badlands National Park. However, it is the first overlook for someone accessing the park from the Northeast Entrance or the Sioux Falls.  Take a short walk and reach the best stargazing point in the Big Badlands Overlook. From here, enjoy a 360-degree view.  The Backcountry  The open backcountry of the Badlands National Park is a wonderland for camping and stargazing. So, just set your camp and enjoy stargazing for the entire night.  Watching Sunrise And Sunset At Badlands National Park The magic hours of Sunrise and Sunset paint the Badlands National Park with the most vibrant shade of red. The table below shows the best points for watching the sunrise and sunset and the accessibility points. ActivityBest Spots In The ParkAccessibility Points with Boardwalks and for Visitors with Wheelchairs SunriseDoor TrailNorbeck Pass AreaDillon Pass AreaBig Badlands OverlookPanorama PointCastle Trail WestBig Badlands OverlookDoor Trail Panorama PointSunsetPinnacles OverlookCastle Trail EastNorbeck Pass AreaBigfoot Pass Picnic AreaConata Basin OverlookPinnacles Overlook Conata Basin OverlookBigfoot Pass Picnic Area  As the Sun rises, its warm golden and red lights spread over the pinnacles that face the east. Further, the drama of light and shadow makes every frame mesmerizing. So, many photographers flock to Badlands National Park’s sunrise and sunset points for the best captures.  Stargazing At Badlands National Park: Plan Your Trip Well  There are two easy ways to reach the remoteness of the Badlands National Park.  Reach the Rapid City Regional Airport and ride for an hour to Badlands National Park.  Further, you can reach the Sioux Falls Regional Airport and take a road trip to Badlands National Park. This trip through South Dakota will take you around 4 hours. If you want to have the best stargazing experience at Badlands, you need to stay there overnight. You can reserve a room at the Cedar Pass Lodge in advance or stay at the Sage Creek Campground or Cedar Pass Campground.  However, if you are an adventurous soul and want the most immersive experience, put a camp in the backcountry or the north and south units of the park. Don’t forget to collect your permit for backcountry camping in the Badlands National Park.  Also read Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try. Top 13 Famous Wonders Of India That You Must Visit! [Updated 2024] Top Tips For Motorbike Rental In Phuket – A Guide To Exploring The Island On Two Wheels.

BY  sagnika Sep 25, 2023

If you plan a staycation with friends, Airbnb is the way to go! However, do you know how old do you have to be to rent an Airbnb? It is an important context, especially when Airbnb is an application ideal for short-term renters and travelers. I often go through specific platforms such as Vrbo, Booking.com, and Airbnb whenever I have a group vacation plan! Especially when it is a group of friends or colleagues, I prefer to rent a whole house or an apartment because it is convenient and easier to manage. However, with recent developments, Airbnb has levied age restriction policies. Any person, be it a guest or host using the Airbnb platform, must be aware of these restrictions so that they can accordingly rent entire homes or rent out entire homes. Unlocking Airbnb: What's The Minimum Age To Book Your Dream Stay? You need to know how old do you have to be to rent an Airbnb because it will help you make your choices! Many policies have been in place in recent times, making severe challenges for people to book Airbnb rentals. Domestic bookings are creating more issues regarding parties and chaos, disturbing neighbors. It has led to the implementation of new age restriction policies. Wanna know how old to rent Airbnb? Read along! Read the article to learn about the age restrictions levied by Airbnb! Not just about the limits, but I will also highlight how certain reviews have influenced the company's decision concerning age restrictions. What To Know Before You Book An Airbnb? Be it a business trip or a vacation, it is important to book an Airbnb if you have a bigger group of people traveling! That way, the whole process is more coordinated, along with an established budget where food and accommodation can be managed effectively. Booking a rental home is a much cheaper option when traveling in a group, especially when rooms per night in a luxury hotel or resort will cost you much more. Your movement will also be restricted. So, read the article to know how old do you have to be to rent an Airbnb! Some couches or futons can accommodate more people, while hotel rooms have limited options. There are treehouses and other delightful features, along with many Airbnb rentals, making it a perfect vacation spot for you. However, there are certain challenges in the form of security issues. So, finally the question is, how old do you have to be to book an Airbnb? Read the article to learn more about security issues, thus implementing age restrictions in 2023! Age Restrictions At Airbnb In 2023 You have to know the Airbnb age limit before making your bookings! The Airbnb age restrictions levied in 2023 protect both its hosts and guests in the long term. The restrictions protect young guests, neighbors, and hosts from disruptive and damaging experiences. Two age restrictions have been developed and integrated by Airbnb as of 2023. One of the restrictions is based on guests aged 18, while another limitation is based on guests under 25. The first rule is guests under 18 cannot create an account on Airbnb! Hence, they will need an account and can book a rental independently. However, if they are registered on a group booking on Airbnb, they can accompany the group. Note: To know more about registering someone on an Airbnb booking, follow the steps. The second rule is that guests aged 18 to 24 can create their own Airbnb account. However, in certain countries such as Spain, France, the UK, the US, and Canada, young guests under 25 are not allowed to book an entire home within their domestic area. People under 25 can book Airbnb homes worldwide. However, no domestic bookings are allowed. There are further collateral agreements, such as guests must have zero negative reviews and three positive reviews to make a booking! So if you are wondering, can you rent an Airbnb at 18? No you cannot! You cannot even open an account on Airbnb! Why Are Age Restrictions Implemented At Airbnb? Airbnb has been known for parties, considering there have been no security restrictions before this. Young individuals rent the unauthorized parties hosted in Airbnb homes, and they do open-invites. These parties are well known, considering they upset neighbors and damage properties. However, no complaints or steps have been taken against these parties, considering the damages are 0.05% of the listings out of the reported total safety-related issues. The brand, however, tried very hard to decrease the overall percentage. The age restriction policy resulted from the severe incident in 2019 at a Halloween party shooting hosted at an Airbnb property in California. The party was the outcome of a single-night rental, even with the "no-party agreement" expressly established between the host and the guest. A total of 5 people died in that part, leading to the introduction of age restriction policies by Airbnb in 2023. It has been observed that young guests are the most at risk of accidents, especially if they are living locally, increasing the chances of open invites and unlimited visits. Is It Safe To Book An Airbnb? It is completely safe to book an Airbnb, especially when both the hosts and the guests have to provide their identification numbers or copies of valid documents as identity proof. The issue arises when young guests under 25 take advantage of no authorities. The shooting at the Airbnb that led to death created an awareness among people regarding the safety of such places. Even though people have criticized such decisions, ultimately, it has been observed that they will contribute to better reservations and security management. The restrictions for age have been first applied in Canada. Later, it was involved in the US, UK, France and Spain. Some people complain that age restrictions make it difficult for them to travel with their teenagers or young adults! However, in the long run, the policy is not discriminatory! Instead, it works towards creating a more safe and more secure environment. Do You Want To Save Money On Airbnb Bookings? When making bookings on Airbnb, there are certain conventional tricks that you can apply to save money. There are, of course, redeeming credit card points along with airline miles with every Airbnb stay. These are beneficial for short-term vacations. Apart from that, if you are booking Airbnb for a longer period, to get discounted rates, you need to search properly based on the number of days and the discount you will receive on the nightly rate! Sometimes, one-night stays are 46% more costly compared to 30-night visits! Start Booking… With more bookings every year, Airbnb has received a lot of exposure. But do you know how old do you have to be to rent an Airbnb? Read the article to learn more, especially when there have been severe security risks. In the case of Airbnb hosts, it is also important to understand how important it is to remember how young people are taking advantage of the situation and are not following protocols or restrictions. Comment below regarding your perspective on how old you have to be to rent an Airbnb and whether there should be any such restrictions! Read Also: Top 10 Business Travel Booking Platforms Of 2023 Hotwire.Com – Best Review By Users Priceline.Com – Best Review By Users Expedia.Com – Best Review By Users

BY  Abdul Aziz Apr 3, 2019

In recent years, more and more numbers of people are availing flights for their traveling needs. The number of people who will be using flights will continue to increase over time. The reason is that there will continue to be a need for people to move from one place to another for several reasons.   Whether business travelling is for personal, leisurely needs or for the purpose of business, one has to pay for the airfares. Therefore, there is a need to plan well for the amount that you will be spending on your flight.   But here is Zac, a 17-year-old teenager, who has flown incredibly in an extremely short span of time. For many people, so much flying cannot be done in a lifetime! At such an early age, Zac already knows the secret of flying.   There is one important and interesting thing about all this flying. The truth is that he does not need to spend a cent on flying most of the time. He uses his large bank of frequent flyer points for paying for air travel.   Currently, flying has now become his passion because he knows the secret of earning points and getting free flights. Zac says that his absolute obsession with flying led him to travel via planes from a very young age of 13-14 years. Therefore, his experience of flying is a real one.   He worked at McDonald’s to earn the money for the fare. International travel is getting expensive, Zac looked for ways for cheaper traveling. His work could no longer support the flight and hence he had to look for better ways of funding his ticket.   Using credit card points was a great idea and they proved to be really useful. Basically, the points almost act as currency. Therefore, you can easily convert them into cash.   There are over 10 credit cards that Zac and his family have and these are being used smartly for business class deals. Zac has become an expert in loyalty programs and frequent flyer points. He can now give you a true testimony of how these points work.    He knows the places where the best deal offers are made. There are so many adults who don’t have this knowledge and can learn from Zac. There is so much that you can learn from Zac even if you think you have a lot of experience in flying.   Join Many Loyalty Programs   The first step is to choose the best credit card offers the best points-for-spend-return. Next, joining many loyalty programs is also important for getting the advantage of the various promotions. These tips will make sure that you benefit from these loyalty programs.   Zac recommends signing up for promotions even if one does not end up taking advantage of them. There will come a time in life when you will discover that you need these points. The fact that you don’t need these points today does not imply that you will never require them in the future.   Buy Points at a Discount   It is also possible to buy points at a discount and accumulate great points. You can redeem these points while buying tickets with leading global airlines. It is an excellent way to break even when using these points.   If the points are in the sale, it is possible to get huge discounts on fares of business class flights. The rates of the tickets are almost 1/10th of that of the original price. Make sure you take advantage of these great opportunities because they don’t always come in life.   Check the Corporate companies   Many corporate companies did not have the idea of using the points properly and hence spent lots of money on corporate level business travel. You may discover that you have lost so many opportunities in life when it is too late,   But now that the trick of the trade is known, corporate houses are saving lots of money on air travel. It gives them a chance to pay better for the accommodation facilities available.  Effective Tips from Zac for Collecting Frequent Flyer Points  In this section, we are going to list the effective tips that Zac provides to visitors. Remember this is a young man who has a lot of experience in earning flyer points. You can use them you your good at any tie.   1. Have Multiple Credit Cards   There is no harm in having and using multiple credit cards. Just ensure that the bills in the cards are paid in full every month. You will be able to go far when it comes to earning points via your credit cards.   2. Use Your Credit Card to Make Most Purchases   Make sure that you use the credit cards for making payments at groceries, for fuel filling, restaurants, hotel bookings, etc. You need an active credit card to maximize your winnings on flyer points. Making payments with the credit cards help in attracting points and this will help in increasing points in the credit card. Points are earned not only from the provider of the goods but also from the credit card company and accumulation of points becomes faster. Therefore, don’t allow your credit card to remain dormant if you want to earn more points.   3. Sign up for Promotional Points   It is recommended to sign up for promotional points’ giveaways. Most people don’t make good use of this tip and expect to succeed. You might not be sure whether you will take advantage of them or not. But having registration will help in grabbing an opportunity if it arises at all. Therefore, be in the top of the game when it comes to signing up for promotional points.   4. Use the Points you Earn Promptly   Don’t make delays in using points that are earned from various airlines. It is good to be active when it comes making redeeming your points. Use them as soon as possible. This is because the loyalty programs keep on changing regularly. You don’t want an unfair deal to bypass you before you are able to redeem the points. There are high chances that if the points are not used immediately, you might lose the benefits of the same. Therefore, use the points as soon as you can so that they don’t lose their value.  5. Longevity of the Points That You Earn   Points that are earned on credit cards come with higher longevity. If you have a card like AMEX, you can avail the facility of point transfer between airlines conveniently. Therefore, learn to make good use of this feature so that you can earn more flyer points.   6. Buying Points   Ask and investigate about buying points. Knowledge is key if you want to get maximum benefits from your credit cards. Many airlines have regular sales of points for mileage club members. Joining such memberships is free of cost. Therefore, there is nothing that will prevent you from subscribing to these plans.   7. No need to Waster Your Points on Domestic Travel   Even if you have good numbers of accumulated points, don’t waste them on domestic flying. Save and keep them for international traveling plans. You can avail of extremely cheap business class tickets with such points. Therefore, take strategic moves when choosing these points so that you don’t waste your precious points.   8. Airline Shopping Mall   Also don’t use the points on airline shopping malls, where the value of the points is highly diminished. It is good to put them on flight tickets if you want to get maximum value from them.   9. Use the Points for Upgrades   The points are to be best used for upgrades because the value of the points is maximum in these cases. It means that this is one of the best ways to make use of your point.   10. Frequency Flyer programs   All the frequent flyer programs are not the same and equal. Join the ones that are free and come with good airline collaboration and partnerships.  Conclusion   With all these tips, you have everything that you need to get maximum benefits from the flyer points. You have to make good use of these opportunities so as to get maximum benefits from the points. Zac has benefited more than people who have been using flights for even more than 50 years.   The secret is learning to make smart moves when taking advantage of these points. This article gives you practical tips that can help you at any point in your life.  Read  Also: Making the Most Out of Your Next Flight Tips For Improving Your Holiday Experience