The 4 Best Parks In Cancun You Have To Visit

BY  Ankita Mar 26, 2024

Famous for the Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art and for being the center of the semiautonomous Basque country, Bilbao is a major cultural hub and one of the most underrated cities in Spain to explore. Along with fascinating Basque culture, including its unique language, you’ll encounter excellent art galleries, Europe’s largest covered market, unique food, and a revitalized urban core that has received the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize. Also called the Nobel Prize for Urbanism, it was awarded for the urban transformation this former manufacturing city has been able to achieve. All of these factors make Bilbao a fantastic city to explore. But that’s not all it has to offer. Even from the redeveloped heart of Bilbao, you can see the fertile green mountains that are characteristic of the Basque country. And with the wild beauty of the Atlantic Ocean just a short drive away, Bilbao makes a fantastic gateway to explore more of the countryside of northern Spain. Far from the arid landscapes of the south of the country, Bilbao sits in a region of high mountains, dense forests, and regular rain sweeping in from the sea. And if you want to explore this natural environment further, you’re in luck. Leave your heavy bags behind at a luggage storage facility in Bilbao and check out some of these great natural escapes for yourself. Along the way, you’ll gain a new appreciation for the natural beauty of the Basque country. Elorritxueta / Vivero   If your time in Bilbao is limited or you just don’t want to stray too far from the city, this hilltop park is a great place to get away from it all without having to go on a long journey. Located just outside central Bilbao itself, this wooded park offers incredible views over the city and the surrounding mountains, and the picnic tables and barbecue facilities make it the ideal place for a picnic. You’ll also find plenty of walking trails both in and around this park that can lead you to other points of interest in the region. For example, there’s an old bunker and system of tunnels dating back to the Spanish Civil War just a short walk away from the park and a scenic spot that provides one of the very best views of Bilbao from above at Ganguren Mendiaren Gailurra. Easy to reach from the city itself with a drive of less than half an hour, this is a popular spot with locals that is not well-known to travelers but provides a great natural escape close to the city. Atxabiribil Beach Bilbao isn’t technically coastal itself, but it’s not at all far from the wild Atlantic, and in the summer, the beautiful beaches overlooking the Bay of Biscay become some of the most popular places in the area to hang out and enjoy nature. This beach nicknamed the Wild One for its unspoiled scenery, is a beautiful example. Huge waves roll in from the ocean, and it’s rumored that this was the first place anyone ever surfed in the Basque country. That’s a tradition that’s kept alive today, with surfers traveling here from across Spain to enjoy some of the best waves anywhere in the country. Reachable via Bilbao’s Metro system, this isn’t a place where you can expect to have the sand all to yourself, especially on a sunny day in summer. It’s also one of the most accessible beaches in the area, making it popular with families with kids. Still, if you want a beautiful beach that’s easy to reach and big enough that you can usually find some space even on the hottest day, this is a great option. Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve Just a little to the east of Bilbao, this sprawling nature reserve is the perfect place to get away from it all. Covering 22,000 hectares surrounding a coastal estuary, this park offers dense forests, towering cliffs, and secluded beaches that feel like the middle of nowhere. The park is perhaps best known for its marshlands, which provide a crucially important habitat for shorebirds and other wildlife in this ocean area. That makes this a fantastic place for birdwatching. You’ll also find tons of hiking trails in the area leading you to spectacular views over the sea. If you want to get away from it all in the Basque country, there aren’t many better places to come than this. Faro Del Caballo For a stunning encounter with the rugged coast of the Bay of Biscay, head to this lighthouse outside Bilbao. An hour’s drive from the city, the astonishing views of the bright blue ocean and the frowning cliffs above it make it worth a special trip. The lighthouse itself isn’t all that impressive, but with the surroundings, it doesn’t need to be. There is a long coastal trail that will take you up over the cliffs and reward you with exceptional views, and there are even places where you can jump into the water from the cliffs to cool off on a hot summer’s day. Gorbeia Natural Park Around an hour’s drive from the city, this natural park protects Gorbeia, the highest peak in the area and a mountain of deep significance to Basque people. Rising to 1482 meters above sea level, the mountain provides unrivaled views over the Basque country and beyond. It’s also a popular place for hiking and climbing, with a variety of trails offering everything from an easy stroll to a challenging multi-day adventure. Don’t miss the beautiful Gujuli waterfall, and if you have the stamina for it, attempt the mountain peak. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful natural areas in the area, this is a place any outdoor lover will cherish. Enjoy Basque Country Along with its artistic and cultural treasures, Bilbao is blessed with some truly exceptional scenery. Leave your bags behind and allow yourself to explore this rich natural environment on your next trip to northern Spain. Read Also: Feast Your Way Through Europe: Best Tour Packages For Foodies 3 Of The Best European Holiday Destinations For Wintertime How To Prepare An Enjoyable Bus Tour In Europe

BY  Ankita Apr 25, 2024

Is Barcelona your next dream destination? Plan your trip so that you can gain the most positive experience from it. Here’s a list of the most assorted destinations you need to visit in Barcelona and activities you can enjoy in this 'City of Counts.'  Dive deep into this guide, as we have also provided you with the best time to travel to Barcelona. How To Reach Barcelona? You can get from the airport to the city center by metro. The train stops right at the terminal. The branch line connecting El Prat Airport to the center of Barcelona was opened in 2016. Only automatically operated trains run on it. Driverless trains follow a set route with a programmed speed, which depends on passenger traffic. You can buy a one-time ticket, but it is more profitable to take a card for ten trips. The Main Attraction One of the main attractions of the city is the statue of Jesus Christ, perched on top of the temple on Mount Tibidabo. It is Barcelona's highest point, located 512 meters above sea level. The slope can be approached by cable car, but many tourists prefer hiking routes. As legend says, the heart of a person who overcomes the path to the top of Tibidabo on foot will become open to boundless love. Another way to explore the Statue of Christ, the surroundings of Mount Tibidabo, and other sights of the capital of Catalonia is to take a helicopter trip of Barcelona. You will be able to enjoy stunning views with your loved one, take unique photos and videos, and have an unforgettable experience. When traveling to Barcelona, one of the best times to enjoy the majestic statue of Jesus Christ is during the spring and summer months. From April to June, you can visit the statue around 9 am to avoid crowds.  You can visit the statue any other time, but you might find it crowded. After all, it's a main attraction. Along with the statue view, enjoy the exceptional view of the 'City of Counts.' A City Of Contrast: Best Places to Visit In Barcelona Barcelona is a city of contrasts. Ancient cathedrals and temples here peacefully coexist with noisy bars full of young people. Such diversity attracts a lot of tourists. So, which places can you visit after visiting the main attraction of Jesus Christ in the 'City of Counts?' The Montjuic Mountain Are you a fan of unusual excursions? Then definitely give the Montjuic Mountain a visit. Here, you will find a park and cemetery on Montjuic Mountain. Montjuic Cemetery is called the city of the dead.  Here, you can rent a "dwelling" for a deceased relative for 15, 25, or 50 years. More than 150 thousand people are buried in the "city of the dead." Here, you can find the graves of great musicians and artists.  On Montjuic Mountain, you can also visit the castle built in the 17th century. It has several thematic expositions, cafes, and observation decks.  Admission is paid, but there is a 50% discount for young people. The best time to travel to Barcelona to get the best experience of The Montjuic Mountain is from April to July. You can also visit this place during the autumn months, from September to November. Parc del Laberint d’Horta The Labyrinth of Horta in Barcelona is the oldest park in Catalonia. In the center of the labyrinth, there is a small square where the statue of love is located. There are eight paths leading from it in different directions.  Wandering through the labyrinth, you can meet travelers from different countries. This place is very much loved by tourists. By the way, this is where the 2006 film "The Labyrinth of Faun" was shot.  The best time to travel to Barcelona to visit the Labyrinth of Horta is during the springtime or during the fall. The reason is the climate, which is much milder during these two seasons, so you can enjoy exploring the labyrinth. Basilica Of The Sagrada Familia Are you aware of the fact that the Basilica Of The Sagrada Familia has been listed on UNESCO's list of unconventional churches?It is among those places that will fill your heart with immense pleasure. The church has 18 colossal spindle towers encompassing it, thus crafting a gothic appeal.  You are bound to leave awestruck not only by the exteriors of the church but the interiors as well. The decorative ceiling and the Crucifix all tell you the story of Jesus Christ and his life of birth, death, and resurrection. The best time to travel to Barcelona to visit the Basilica of The Sagrada Familia is in the mornings or during sunsets. It's less crowded during the mornings, usually at 9 am. You will get the best sunset view reflected in the interiors of the church at 5 pm. Click the magical pictures of the church during this time. Palau De La Musica Catalana Palau De La Musica Catalana is a popular opera hall from the 19th century created by Lluis Domenech i Montaner. The latter is an infamous architect and artist.  This beautiful structure will mesmerize you with its intricate, detailed mosaic work. The opera hall boasts decorated columns and exteriors influenced by Catalan Modernism. The best time to travel to Barcelona to see the 19th century opera hall is from 10 am to 3 pm. Your entry fee will be around 16 Euros per head. Best Foods You Can Try In Barcelona Sweet lovers should definitely try the popular Catalan desserts: Crema Catalana, a delicate caramelized cream, and Turrón, a nut and honey nougat. The most popular drink in Barcelona is sangria. This is a low-alcohol fruit wine. It tastes very good, but it's better not to abuse it on a hot day. Jamon is a traditional snack in Barcelona. It consists of thin slices of dry-cured ham. Unexpectedly, Catalans prefer to serve jamon with slices of fresh melon. Conclusion Now that you are aware of all the things you can explore and visit in Barcelona, tell us which place you will start your tour from. Also, the best time to travel to Barcelona necessarily means you have to visit the city at that specific time.  You can also visit the 'City Of Counts' whenever you wish based on your preference. However, the traveler should be very careful. Pickpocketing is not uncommon in the city, especially in crowded areas for holidaymakers. Read Also: First-Time In Spain? Try These 5 Insider Tips To Enjoy The Experience Nature Escapes Near Bilbao: Mountains, Beaches, And Coastal Beauty Day Trips From Cleveland: Discovering Cuyahoga Valley National Park

BY  Sibashree Apr 22, 2025

With Tennessee tourism recording a visitor spending of $30.6 billion in 2023, the state is anticipating robust growth in the tourism sector.  However, what Tennessee lacks is a beautiful ocean beach. Being a landlocked state, the state misses out on the perks of beach tourism.  So, during our stay in Chattanooga, we did not know where to go for an outdoor swim and all the beach fun.  We all loved the Chattanooga Choo Choo rides, Lookout Mountain, and Ruby Falls. But we were craving a beach visit really badly.  Thanks to our hotel owner, we got to know about Chester Frost Park, the closest beach to Chattanooga. It took us less than half an hour to reach Chester Frost Park from Chattanooga.  However, Chester Frost Park, with Chickamauga Lake, has a lake beach. If you want to see an ocean beach, you need to at least travel to Tybee Island or Panama City Beach. In this Tour and Travel blog, I will primarily focus on my experience at Chester Frost Park. However, I have also talked about the best time to plan a trip and shared brief accounts of Panama City Beach and Tybee Island.  What Is The Best Time To Visit The Closest Beach To Chattanooga? Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit Chattanooga and the nearby beaches.  The months of March, April, and May are the spring season in Chattanooga. The temperature in these months ranges between 7 to 26 degrees Celsius.  Again, September to November or the fall season in Chattanooga is beautiful with the foliage changing its color and a nip in the air.  Also, during the fall season, it rains only 5 days a month, and the temperature hovers around 8 to 28 degrees Celsius. What Is The Closest Beach To Chattanooga? Inside The Chester Frost Park Location: 7872 Causeway Road, Hixson, TN 37343 Contact Number: 423-209-6894 Entry and Beach Activities: Free (Charges applicable for camping and pavilion, and shelter rentals) Beach Area Hours: Daylight to Dark With Chickamauga Lake, Chester Frost Park is your happy space if you are looking for the closest beach to Chattanooga.  This place is also historically significant as it has the Jackson Chapel Cemetery, the oldest in Hamilton County, and Dallas Hill, which has been the original county seat since 1822.  We enjoyed our swimming sessions in the Chickamauga Lake. The waves were calm, and the soft sand on the shores made a delightful sight.  Once we were done after the first round of swimming, we had great fun catching bass and crappie.  Also, we were lucky enough to spot herons, river otters, and egrets in Chester Frost Park.  Other beach activities in Chester Frost Park are: 1. Camping Along with tents and camping options, Chester Frost Park also has 188 RV sites. These sites have electrical hookups.  2. Hiking Chester Frost Park has some easy trails. Also, the park allows leashed pets, except in the beach areas.  So, you can enjoy a family walk along these trails and spend some time in nature.  3. Boating And Other Water Sports You will love paddling, kayaking, or a ride in the powerboats during your time at the Chester Frost Park. 4. Picnic Chester Frost Park has many picnic shelters. You can enjoy a laid-back time, having your favorite snack and drink while enjoying the best views of the lake. What Is The Closest Beach To Chattanooga By The Ocean? Tybee Island is the closest beach to Chattanooga by car if you want to hit a beach by the ocean. The distance from Chattanooga to Tybee Island is 383 miles.  You need to travel around 6 hours from Chattanooga to reach Tybee Island.  Nestled in the Atlantic Ocean, Tybee Island in Georgia is also the closest ocean beach to Chattanooga.  A proud member of the Best Islands in the United States club in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award, Tybee Island has beautiful, pristine beaches, and its historic landmarks, such as the Lighthouse and Fort Pulaski National Monument, make it a popular tourist attraction.  The pristine beaches here are North Beach, Mid Beach, South Beach, and Back River Beach. Also, you must not miss a visit to Little Tybee Island, the twin of Tybee Island.  Moreover, Savannah, the historical epicenter of Georgia and the entire USA is less than 30 minutes away from Tybee Island.  Recently, Tybee Island has been the center of attraction with the just concluded Orange Crush fun on 19th April 2025. Is Panama City Beach Close To Chattanooga? No, Panama City Beach is not located near Chattanooga. The distance from Panama City Beach to Chattanooga is around 630 km.  The most affordable and convenient way to travel from Chattanooga to Panama City Beach is by car. However, if budget is not a constraint for you, you can take a flight from Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) to Orlando.  Also, flights to Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) are available from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP). Delta and American Airlines run these flights.  Why Will I Visit Panama City Beach From Chattanooga? A part of the Emerald Coast, Panama City Beach is a crown jewel in the growing beach tourism or ocean-based tourism industry in Florida.  It has white sandy beaches, and the water with the shades of blue and green creates the most picturesque frame.  Also, ideal for a fun break in the Sun, Panama City Beach is also famous as “The Spring Break Capital of the World.” Having said that, the beautiful Panama City Beach is now affected by the obvious impacts of overtourism. So, the Florida Authorities want to restrict tourism activities to this beautiful beach.  In fact, the city authority is now planning to transform Panama Beach into a family destination to avoid violence, shootings, and unpleasant activities. "Since the wild days of 2015, when spring break chaos pushed us to rethink our path, we've made tremendous strides and have seen some setbacks. That year's violence, shootings, a beach assault, and rampant disorder spurred tough ordinances, like our March alcohol ban, and a unified effort to shift Panama City Beach from an unsafe spring break haven to a welcoming family destination.”Post Shared On Meta on 13th April 2025 by Tommy Ford, Bay County Sheriff What Is The Closest Beach To Tennessee? The closest beach to Tennessee will depend on the part of the state you are in. For example, Dauphin Island in Alabama and Pensacola in Florida are some of the closest beaches to Nashville.  You need to make a journey of around 7 hours to reach any of these beaches.  However, Sullivan’s Island and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina are the closest beaches to Knoxville.  Again, as I have already mentioned in the blog, the closest ocean beaches near Chattanooga are Panama City Beach or Tybee Island.  Tennessee, anyway, is a landlocked state. Yes, there are lakes such as Norris Lake, Center Hill Lake, Chickamauga Lake, and Cherokee Reservoir.  However, if you need an ocean beach experience, you need to travel at least to Panama City Beach, Tybee Island, or states like South Carolina and Florida.