The Best Hotels In Mexico City For A Frida Kahlo Pilgrimage

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 5, 2023

The people of Norway have sent a Christmas tree to Trafalgar Square. Every year since 1947 it has been a tradition of Norway to send Britain a Christmas tree in order to commemorate their support during the Second World War. The Norwegian spruce is nearly 20 meters high and is around 70 years old. It has been chosen to be the "queen of the forest" from the woodlands of Oslo. It was felled in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Patricia McAllister, who described the spruce saying it was "spectacular". Every year, the selected tree is brought to the UK by a sea route which then ends up getting delivered by a lorry. The Christmas lights will be draped vertically in traditional Norwegian style. The energy efficient bulbs will be switched on during a ceremony on Thursday 7 December. Ms McAllister helped fell the Christmas tree in Oslo. "It was astonishing, spectacular, emotional: especially when the tree was hoisted [from where it's been for] the last 70 years," she said. "It really is a spectacular tree. It's stunning." She further added. Few of the previous Christmas trees that were sent From Norway, were not so warmly received. They would sometimes be of the opinion that they were either "sparse" or "anemic". However, the Norwegian foresters who take care of these trees described the chosen tree to be the "queen of the forest". Every year The Poetry Society commissions a poem based on the Oslo Christmas Tree. This year poem is set to be called "T for Tree" written by Isabel Galleymore. It is composed mainly for children and it will be read during the tree-lighting ceremony. The spruce will stay in Trafalgar Square until the 5th of January when it will be composted and chipped. Read Also: Traveling Christmas Tree For The Western Lawn Of U.S. Capitol Ghana Is Ready To Host The Rest Of The World: Ghana Tourism Authority On Christmas Concerts Excited For Christmas? Leicester Square’s Glittering Christmas Market Is Returning To London From Nov 8

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 20, 2023

With nearly a decade passed, the U.S. Forest Service has finally made a decision to overhaul Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. The project has provoked hundreds and thousands of public comments from the Juneau community over the years. Alexandra Pierce, the city's tourism manager, says, “I like to see a plan that’s well managed and that listens to residents’ concerns. People didn’t want to see motorized boats on the lake and additional visitor center facilities and the Forest Service listens to the public on that, which is a positive thing.” The newly finalized plans include a new welcome center and other improvements to the old one. The plan is also set to increase parking, expand the trail systems, add an amphitheater and new public-use cabins. The glacier is one of the most visited tourist attractions. Forest service officials say the improvements will be helping in the management of the pressure with Juneau's rapid growth in cruise ship tourism that has increased in the recent years. When the visitor center was established in the 1960s, the area saw 23,000 visitors annually. Currently, about 700,000 visitors come to the glacier every year. The Forest Service is estimating that by 2050 this number could reach a million. But with more visitors the glacier has been moving away and even more so due to climate change. In a few decades the glacier will not likely be visible to the current visitor center at all. Pierce said that listening to the concerns of the people about overcrowding while also being aware that the tourism sector is an ever-growing field makes managing the area a constant balancing act. Pierce said, “I do think that’s a difficult puzzle for the Forest Service to try to solve. I think we’re all concerned about the receding glacier and what that means for the visitor experience in our community.” Read Also: Celebrations Have Begun At Oaga, Art Resort, Maldives: Report Kenya Is Targeting 5.5M Tourist Arrivals By 2028 Burger King Is Giving Away Free Food All Month

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 29, 2023

Using AI technology, the online travel company Agoda has unveiled the ultimate list of places to celebrate New Year's Eve around the world. Agoda created a picture of several beautiful New Year's Eve locations from across the globe using Midjourney AI and ChatGPT 4.0 to identify the list of travel destinations. Ten Places to Go on New Year's Eve. Singapore: Take in the bright street parties and carnivals while marveling at the stunning fireworks display in Marina Bay. Bali, Indonesia: Enjoy festive fireworks and traditional Balinese performances while celebrating on the beach. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Savor the lively nightlife in District 1 and the spectacular fireworks over the Saigon River as you celebrate. Tokyo, Japan: Celebrate cultural events and contemporary countdown parties as you embrace the Japanese custom of witnessing the first sunrise of the year. Sydney, Australia: Take in the internationally recognized fireworks show over the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, along with family-friendly activities and celebrations. New York City, USA: Attend the famous ball drop with the crowds in Times Square, or pick from a plethora of events and concerts taking place all over the city. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Take in the exuberant atmosphere of Copacabana Beach, complete with samba music and a breathtaking fireworks display. London, England: Enjoy a range of boat parties and events as you watch the River Thames light up with fireworks at night. Experience the historic Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh, Scotland, which include processions, concerts, and the unique Loony Dook tradition, which involves swimming in the chilly Firth of Forth on New Year's Day while dressed in costume. Reykjavik, Iceland: Come celebrate with the locals over community bonfires and a pyrotechnics display against a backdrop of snow, with the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights. Krishna Rathi, Country Director India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives at Agoda said, "As recommended by some of the leading AI software of the moment, this list is meant to ignite a sense of wonder amongst aspiring travellers and perhaps even inspire the more spontaneous to book a last-minute getaway on Agoda. Whether it’s a short getaway within Asia or a longer trip to the other side of the world, Agoda provides the best deals."   According to data analyzed by Agoda, Bangkok, Thailand, has overtaken Dubai as the most popular foreign travel destination for Indians in the past year. There has been a 26% increase in searches on the platform since the Thai government granted visa-free entry to Indian tourists visiting the nation last month, making it a popular destination for Indians seeking a getaway. Additional Reading: 6 Things Locals Wish Tourists Wouldn’t Do When In Iceland Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Is Expecting Big Changes