Are Priority Pass Lounges Usually Crowded? Here Is My Experience With The Priority Pass Lounges!

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 19, 2023

Red eye flights are overnight flights that usually arrive at their destination in the morning. Since passengers on these flights may not get enough sleep, they may experience fatigue, which could result in red eyes. Red eye flights are commonly longer in duration and are more frequently available in regions outside of the Western world. This is partly due to the fact that airport curfews are more stringent in Europe, Australia, and North America compared to other regions. However, this doesn't imply that airlines in the Western world don't offer red eye flights. In reality, when flying westbound transatlantic services, they are nearly always the standard for European and American airlines. In this article, I will be explaining the reasons behind the existence of red eye flights and weighing the advantages and disadvantages of taking them. Once I am done, you will feel like you just had a first-hand experience of taking a red eye flight yourself! What Is A Red Eye Flight? Whether you enjoy these nighttime hauls or not, red eye flights are quite a regular thing for people flying long distances. They depart from their home terminal at night and reach their destination in the morning. They are so named because of the physical toll it takes on the passengers, causing them to get red eyes. Most of these red eye flights take off when flying to the east side. For instance, when you fly from Los Angeles to New York or From New York to London. But there are exceptions to such flights, such as when you are flying north or south between long distances. For example, if you fly between North and South America or Europe and Africa. The whole idea behind red eye flights is to save daylight and maximize your time spent at home and at your destination. Flying through the night helps you avoid losing a day in travel. It also helps save money spent on a night stay at a hotel. They are cheaper than day flights, too, making it a cost-effective option for budget travelers. In some cases, there are actually no other options but to take a red eye flight because your origin and destination do not have day flights to begin with. My Red Eye Flight Experience From Bahrain To London kayak.com Recently, I had the experience of taking three flights for one destination. I flew three different classes of travel on a single ticket. I bought a Premium Economy round-trip ticket from London to Bahrain ten months before my flight. In this firsthand red eye flight experience, I will share my pretty good experience with Lufthansa during my return journey from Bahrain to London Heathrow, which involved a layover in Riyadh. The expenses of Lufthansa flights to the Middle East did not follow a linear increase as the departure day approached. I have included two charts below to show how the price of my flight changed leading up to the day of departure and after the flight's schedule was revised. Lufthansa operates a daily flight from its ground base in Frankfurt to Bahrain International Airport with a layover in Riyadh. This is a usual setup as it's a daily flight to Dammam via Kuwait. Both Bahrain-Riyadh and Kuwait-Dammam cannot be booked as fifth freedom flights. Intriguingly, Lufthansa continuously adjusts its schedule for destinations in the Middle East. According to Routes Online, Lufthansa would originally fly to Bahrain via Doha in 2014, but it stopped in 2015 when services to Doha renewed operations to Muscat instead. Before Lufthansa stopped all flights to Doha in 2017, they operated Frankfurt-Kuwait-Doha flights. In 2017, flights to Bahrain were via Dammam, and in 2018, they were via Kuwait. When I bought my ticket in August 2018, my planned route was Heathrow-Frankfurt-Kuwait-Bahrain, but it changed to Heathrow-Frankfurt-Riyadh-Bahrain in September 2018. Lufthansa used to operate Riyadh as a non-stop flight without onward legs in 2015, but after discontinuing Doha in 2017, they started flying Frankfurt-Riyadh-Dammam while also initiating flights to Bahrain via Kuwait. However, things were changed again in 2018. Flight 1: Premium Economy, Bahrain To Riyadh thriftytraveler.com Upon arrival at Bahrain International Airport via Uber, I made it through passport control and security within 15 minutes. The aircraft assigned for the flight was D-AIKN, which is an A330-343X. Boarding began at 23:20, which was slightly delayed, but it didn't matter since only 20 passengers were boarding the red eye flight A330. In fact, the gate push-off time was 11.42 pm, eight minutes early. The Premium Economy section of the plane had four rows with seven seats each. There were only seven passengers, resulting in a load factor of 25% in this segment. The legroom was spacious enough, allowing the passenger in front to recline without any pressure on the person seated behind. The amenity kit for the Premium Economy included a toothbrush and toothpaste, a refreshment towel, a sleeping mask, earplugs, and a thick pair of socks. Although the earplugs were weak and the face mask didn't isolate light fully, the socks were comfortable. The IFE system was not as good as Emirates, but it had decent options. One of the few features was live GPS tracking of the aircraft. During the Bahrain-Riyadh journey, the movie "100 Things," a 2018 German film, was played. Despite leaving Bahrain eight minutes early, the plane arrived in Riyadh five minutes late, as we had to wait for our gate to be vacated. Flight 2: Business Class, Riyadh To Frankfurt onceinalifetimejourney.com During the second flight from Riyadh to Frankfurt, since it wasn't a fifth freedom flight, passengers traveling to Frankfurt from Bahrain were not required to leave the aircraft in Riyadh. After being told to stay seated for ten minutes while the plane refueled, a representative from Lufthansa's Riyadh airport asked me to follow him into Business. I was given seat 10H since the Premium Economy and Economy classes were set to fill up with passengers for the Riyadh-Frankfurt flight. The flight from Riyadh to Frankfurt was entirely full in Economy, Premium Economy, and Business. The headphones provided by Lufthansa in Business were exceptional, as they blocked out all noise. The sound quality from the IFE was also excellent, allowing me to sleep soundly. The headphones were attached to the seat, so they couldn't be removed. My red eye flight departed from Riyadh King Khalid at 2:10 am, 15 minutes late, and arrived in Frankfurt at 7:14 am, one minute early. The average delay for the flight LH637 is ten minutes. Flight 3: Economy, Frankfurt To London Heathrow aircraftinteriorsinternational.com Regrettably, the last flight of my three-flight sequence was delayed despite arriving early from its previous flight. The reason for the delay was that the aircraft, which was Lufthansa's first A320neo with the registration D-AINC, took over an hour to clean. Although I managed to secure an emergency exit row window seat, which I chose for free during check-in, the legroom on short-haul flights with Lufthansa was a bit disappointing for me. Moreover, the sandwich served on the flight contained cream and cheese, which was not suitable for me as I do not eat dairy. Unfortunately, there were no alternative options available for me. Another slight disappointment was that the crew refused to serve water before takeoff, and I had to wait for a long time before we took off due to the delay. The flight was full in Economy and Business class, and despite the plane being on time on average, we arrived 40 minutes late at our destination in London after pushing off from Frankfurt 29 minutes late. Additionally, we spent a considerable amount of time circling around London. It was not a big inconvenience, but the service was not as good as my previous flights with Lufthansa. However, I must acknowledge that Lufthansa quickly and smoothly compensated me with 600 Euros for the missed connecting flight during my outbound journey. Wrapping Up Honestly, I was so impressed with their customer service that I would choose Lufthansa for all my future connecting red eye flights. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask, please leave a comment below! We would love to hear from you! Read Also: This Is My Experience With Eva Air! Flair Airlines Review: This Is How I Feel About Flair Airlines! Journey To The Skies: Exploring The Legacy Of Northwest Airlines! Fly In Style: Your Ultimate Guide To Lot Polish Airlines Adventures!

BY  Sibashree Oct 28, 2024

With mountains, faults, monoliths, deserts, and unique geological formations, Joshua Tree National Park has emerged as an important ecological hub of California. Further, as the name goes, the park has the most amazing Joshua Tree, a Yucca palm species that became famous with the Joshua Tree album by U2.  Spanning 800,000 acres and situated at 5000 feet above sea level, this national park is like a natural tapestry. Further, 85% of this national park is still pristine wilderness. So, there is no wonder that a place like this harbors the best secrets and fun facts that are yet to be explored.  Here, I will share some amazing info about the park’s history, fossils, cryptobiotic crusts, and more. Joshua Tree National Park is about to complete 30 years of its designation as a national park on 31st October 2024. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt designated it as a national monument in 1936. Things No One Talks About Joshua Tree National Park  The basics are boring! There is no fun in visiting a place that does not have stories to tell. However, this national park, designated in 1994, has mountains and ecological units that echo the tales of history, changes, and humanity.  Let’s get into the stories, but before that, let me give you a brief account about when and how to visit the park. September to November is the best time to explore the park due to pleasant weather conditions.  Further, the Annual Night Sky Festival occurs in the park in October. It’s a delightful experience for people of all age groups. Thomas Crochetiere writes many fascinating stories about Joshua Tree National Park in his “The History of Joshua Tree National Park: A historical, informational, and educational timeline of Joshua Tree National Park.” If you are interested in the park’s history, you can grab a Kindle edition of the book.  1. Fascinating Historical Tales About Joshua Tree National Park  Human history in Joshua Tree National Park is as old as 15000 years. Two archaeologists, William Campbell and Elizabeth Campbell, further discovered the existence of Pinto culture in this park. Pinto Culture In The Park  People belonging to this Pinto Culture used to stay in cool grassland environments here, and they were primarily hunters. Pinto culture in the national park was discovered by archaeologists thanks to the triangular-shaped spears, scraping and cutting tools, and seed-processing tools.  All the implements that established a Pinto connection to the place indicate that the Pinto people led a bohemian lifestyle. Along with hunting, they also practiced seasonal harvesting.  Native Americans Occupying Joshua Tree National Park  Europeans came to Joshua Tree National Park in the late 18th century. However, the park had three groups of Native Americans. They followed the Pinto culture, thriving locally in the park. These three tribes were: Cahuilla Serrano Chemehuevi The Chemehuevi tribe was the latest to occupy the national park, and they came to this park from the Great Basin of Nevada in 1500.  All these tribes adopted the tools of the Pinto people, and they improved and diversified them.  Cattlemen First Occupied The Joshua Tree National Park  Joshua Tree National Park has every element of a Western movie. The western side of the park had higher elevations during the 1870s. These areas also received a higher rainfall and had different species of native grasses.  As a result, many cattle owners used to flock to these parts of the park for cattle grazing.  William “Bill” McHaney was the earliest cattleman in this park. He was a legendary figure, and he took his Texas Longhorns to these higher valleys. He will be known for living in the national park and exploring the area for around 60 years. Further, his brother, Jim, built a gang to steal cattle from Mexico and Arizona.  Discovery Of Gold In Joshua Tree National Park  The 19th century was the biggest highlight in the Joshua Tree National Park. Miners flocked to this park in great numbers for the discovery of gold. Twentynine Palms was the first area to have mining expeditions in the park in the late 1860s.  The presence of water in the Oasis of Mara was the main reason behind extensive mining expeditions at Twentynine Palms. Gold was collected from dirt using dry washing. The process was fun, and it involved throwing dirt mixed with dust into the air. The dirt was caught as it came down in the air, and this process continued until the mix only had gold dust.  Desert Queen Mine was a more successful gold mining venture in the park. It was Frank L. James, an employee of the Lost Horse Mine, who discovered the vein of gold in the Northern Queen Valley. Unfortunately, he had to lose his life at the hands of  Charles Martin. Martin was a part of the notorious cattle-rustler gang of Jim McHaney. Jim McHaney was the brother of William “Bill” McHaney, a legendary figure in the park.  Joshua Tree National Park Had An Important Role To Play During World War I  The dry, desert climate of Joshua Tree National Park was beneficial for the war veterans suffering from the effects of the mustard gas. This gas was so lethal that it had to be banned after World War I. Did You Know?The Geneva Gas Protocol Treaty, signed in 1925 by most countries, banned the use of biological and chemical weapons in war.  Germans introduced mustard gas in 1917, and any contact with the gas used to cause skin burns, blisters, and respiratory problems. Patients hit by this gas needed to get hospitalized for the treatment of chemical burns and respiratory issues.  Moreover, the survivors of the mustard gas attacks had greater risks of developing cancer.  2. Fossils Of Joshua Tree National Park  https://www.instagram.com/p/ClHXsRDS2Xq/?img_index=1 The fossils in the Joshua Tree National Park tell us about the geological evolutions, extreme natural events, and biodiversity. So, what were the animals that roamed here when the earth was a cooler and greener space? Let’s have a look at the list below.  Columbian mammoths Dire wolves Camels Horses Llamas Giant ground sloths Saber-toothed cats  Bison American Pronghorn Did Dinosaurs Live At Joshua Tree National Park? Scientists believe that Joshua Tree National Park had dinosaurs. Some of the oldest rocks in the park are from the dinosaur era. However, being metamorphic and igneous, these rocks could not preserve the skeleton of the dinosaurs. So, there is no “black and white” evidence regarding the existence of dinosaurs in the park yet.  The oldest fossil found in the park is the tooth of a pocket gopher. It was found in a 7.8 million years old sediment. The park has many other microfossils that are even older.  Moreover, the midden of the pack rats has been a gold mine for finding plant and insect species. At least 12 species of plants were found in the midden, and the oldest was around 30,000 years old. In addition, the darkling beetle fossils in the midden come from various ages. The oldest dates back to  34,000 years ago, and the latest is as old as 1000 years old.  Above all, the human artifacts and bones collected in this midden speak of human history and the evolution of their lifestyle.  3. Cryptobiotic Crusts Of Joshua Tree National Park  What are cryptobiotic crusts? They are hidden biotic organisms present on the surface of the park soil. Blue-green algae or cyanobacteria are the leading cryptobiotic crusts at Joshua Tree National Park. The other forms of cryptobiotic crusts present in the park soil are: Mosses Lichens Microfungi Bacteria Green algae Now, these cryptobiotic crusts are important to bind the sand and soil particles of the park together. In other words, they prevent soil erosion caused by wind and water.    4. Spiritual Stories And Symbolism Around Joshua Tree National Park “The Joshua Tree” album by Irish band U2 brought the spiritual connection or symbolism around the Joshua trees in the park under the spotlight. The album explores the gap between the promised land and the real land of America. The desert also stood for the desolation of the soul, while the Joshua trees, surviving in extreme weather conditions, became the symbol of hope and prayer. However, you must go back around 180 years to trace how Joshua trees have always been associated with symbolism and Biblical stories. In the 1850s, the Mormon pioneers crossed the Mojave Desert and saw these trees.  The upraised branches of the trees reminded them of Joshua, who stretched his arms to the sky for prayer and led the “Israelites into the Promised Land.” So, this is how these Yucca Palm trees got their new name.  5. Joshua Tree National Park Is The Best For Stargazing  As International Dark Night Sky, Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places in California for stargazing. The following parking lot areas are best for Joshua Tree National Park stargazing. Hidden Valley Ryan Mountain Quail Springs Cap Rock Along with these places, you can also choose Pinto Basin for an amazing stargazing experience.  How To Reach Joshua Tree National Park? Joshua Tree National Park has three entrances. The table below details these entrances and will help you pick the right one based on the location you are traveling from. Park Entrance GateLocation Ideal For Tourists FromWest EntranceAt Park Blvd Off Highway 62Los AngelesPalm SpringsSan DiegoNorth Entrance29 Palms, Off Highway 62Las VegasSouth EntranceCottonwood Spring, Off Highway 10Salton Sea area The West Entrance is the main entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. You must drive through California Highway 62 or Interstate 10 road to reach here.  Further, if you are traveling by air, you must reach Palm Springs Airport, and from there, you can rent a car. The Los Angeles International Airport is also 150 miles away from this park.   Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.

BY  Sibashree Jan 30, 2025

Orlando, Florida, is the center of fun and theme park adventures. It invites families to create amazing memories. A trip to Disney is on many people's bucket lists. However, traveling in Orlando with kids takes some planning.  No need to worry, though, because some tips can help. With this insider knowledge, your Orlando family vacation will be truly special. Let’s explore our guide to make your trip easy and fun for all. Getting to Know Orlando Orlando is a busy city with many things to do. The main attraction of traveling in Orlando is its theme parks. The distance between attractions can be confusing. So, it’s important to know your transportation options. If you travel with kids, knowing where to go is very helpful. Get to know the park maps. You might also want to use transportation apps like Uber to make traveling easy between your hotel and the parks. Remember to include transportation time when you plan your daily activities. Navigating Orlando's Airports and Transport Options Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a busy place. Be prepared for the crowd, and more so during the travel season. Make sure you prepare your transport before to reach the hotel from the airport. You can rent a car, but using ride-sharing services is budget-friendly like Uber and Lyft. Another good thing is that Walt Disney World and Universal Studios offer shuttle services from airports to hotels. You can avail that as well.  Safety Tips for Families Traveling in Orlando Keeping your family safe is very important. Big theme parks like Disney World can make it easy for anyone to get lost. Decide a spot where you can all go if you get separated. Moreover, write your phone number and keep it with the kids. In case you lose them someone will be able to contact you. Stay hydrated when you are traveling. Carry water bottles and use the fountains in the parks. Use sunscreen and carry hats to protect yourself from the direct heat.  A Beginner's Guide to Orlando's Theme Parks When you are traveling in Orlando, you cannot miss the theme parks. There are so many, that picking the best ones seems challenging. So, what are your plans? Do you want to visit the Universal Studies and explore the magic Walt Disney created? Each park has its specialties, special rides, and activities. These parks have something for all age groups and all tastes. So, pick one depending on what your family prefers and activities that would match your trip.  Choosing the Right Theme Parks for Your Family Discuss with your family and pick a theme park that everyone thinks would suit your travel plans. More so if you have kids traveling with you. If your family is a huge fan of Disney Characters, fairytales, and princesses, then visit the Magic Kingdom. For the adventurous souls, Potterheads, Universal Studios would be a good fit. They have some amazing rides and you can also get to visit Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Moreover, checking the park maps, the age limit for the rides, and timings for the online shows can help you have an amazing time at the park, aligning with the interests of your family. Step 1: Research and Prioritize Theme Parks Before you buy tickets, take some time to look online. Get to know what each park offers. For example, Universal Orlando has two parks: Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Islands of Adventure is home to the amazing Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Look at the park maps. Find attractions that fit your family's interests and ages. Check the show times and think about the flow of each park. By deciding on your must-do experiences early, you can plan your day better. This will help you manage your expectations and organize your itinerary. Step 2: Booking Tickets and Fast Passes Ahead of Time Waiting in long lines can test the patience of children and adults. Luckily, both Disney and Universal have Fast Pass systems. These let you book ride times in advance. This helps you reduce wait times. Make sure to get these passes online as early as you can. Slots fill up fast, especially during busy seasons. Plan your day around your reserved ride times. Keep some time open for exploring and eating. Also, download the official park apps on your phone. These apps let you check wait times in real-time. With the help of the apps, you can make smart decisions. You can make reservations through the apps in your favorite Disney restaurants. Family-Friendly Accommodation in Orlando It is important to pick the right spot for staying on the trip. Think of your convenience and the location. Amenities also matter, and obviously, everything has to fit in your budget. Moreover, think of the needs of your family. In Orlando, you will get many choices. Starting with resorts, inexpensive hotels, and spacious vacation rentals. Deciding Between Hotels and Vacation Rentals A hotel room offers daily cleaning and nice facilities. It’s convenient for visitors. Vacation rentals usually come with full kitchens and several bedrooms. This makes them better for bigger families since they have more space and flexibility. Think about your needs. If you want to stay close to the parks, so you have access to transportation, you will find different resorts for that as well. There are different resorts you will find with kid-friendly activities that are close to the parks. However, if you want a spacious place where you will be able to cook for your family, then choose a vacation rental. Top Picks for Kid-Friendly Stays Orlando has various family-friendly hotels and resorts. Some of the best budget-friendly options that you will find. To start with, look for options online read the reviews given by other families, and find the best pick for your family.  Regardless of the choice thing of a hotel that will have a mini-fridge to store your snacks and drinks. Because those are something you will need to keep your kind same after a long day. Dining Out with Kids in Orlando If you have a few picky eaters in your family, then finding a restaurant might be challenging. The good news is that Orlando has a lot of family restaurants with different cuisines. They have some amazing kid-friendly menus and a fun vibe as well. You can enjoy meals with character dining in theme parks. There are some casual restaurants with outdoor seating arrangements and fun things to do. All you need is some good research and you will have a lot of dining options. Discovering Kid-Friendly Restaurants Theme parks have many dining options for kids. However, exploring outside the parks gives you even more choices. Check out restaurants that have kids’ menus with things like pizza, pasta, or chicken fingers. Look for places that have outdoor seating. It allows kids to move around while you wait for your meal. Also, think about food kiosks and food trucks. They usually have quick snacks and treats that kids enjoy. Don't forget to read online reviews. They can give you helpful tips from other families about the menu, service, and atmosphere. A Must-Visit: Kavas Tacos & Tequila for Families Craving food that's more than just theme park snacks? Kavas Tacos & Tequila is near Epcot and SeaWorld. It has a lively and friendly vibe that's perfect for families. You can choose from a variety of dishes like tacos, quesadillas, and kid-approved meals. The large outdoor patio is great. It has enough room for strollers and lets kids play freely. Make sure to try their non-alcoholic drinks and delicious desserts. They make a great finish to your family meal. Beyond the Theme Parks Orlando has more to offer than just theme parks. It has many fun places to visit beyond roller coasters and meeting characters. You can find natural springs that are great for a cool swim. There are also interactive museums to pique your interest. Taking one or two days to enjoy these activities can make your family vacation special and well-rounded. Exploring Orlando's Natural Attractions Traveling in Orlando is not just about the theme parks. Enjoy the natural beauty of the place at Wekiwa Springs State Park. You can have a picnic, go kayaking, or just have a relaxing swim in the clear springs. If you like a little bit of adventure you can try the Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures. You will get a close look at the wildlife of Florida and glide through the marshes. Pack a lunch, and you can have an entire day of fun and relaxation at the same time. Educational and Fun Activities for Kids Orlando has various places that combine entertainment with learning. At the Orlando Science Center, kids can participate in experiments, take a look at the exhibits, and watch shoes at the planetarium. If you are interested in Marine life, then SEA LIFE Orlando has some amazing dolphin, penguin, and sea lion shows. The Crayola Experience allows children to explore their creative side with interactive exhibits and colorful crafts.  These activities allow you the much-needed break from the bust theme park tours and kids also develop a love for learning. Conclusion Traveling in Orlando gives you a fulfilling feeling. There are various family-friendly theme parks. Traveling through the city, visiting the best theme parks, and staying in the best places makes the trip better. You can enjoy some places that are kid-friendly and check out the beautiful viewpoints. However, keeping safety in mind is of utmost importance. So, do your research properly, and book everything in advance to ensure that everything goes around smoothly. Enjoy magical Orlando with your family and bring back some amazing memories. Plan the trip now, and enjoy an amazing vacation. Also read Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try. Top 13+ Famous Wonders Of India That You Must Visit. Top Tips For Motorbike Rental In Phuket – A Guide To Exploring The Island On Two Wheels.