Britain to Australia: A Comprehensive Guide for Expats

BY  Sibashree Jan 20, 2026

A good summer trip! For the longest time, these road trips have been the ultimate bonding time for our family. Us, our parents, and the stars, the 15-year-old moody chatterbox, and the 10-year-old, giving me young Sheldon vibes.  Now, my daughter has always been a sport, and she has behaved her best during road trips. It’s my son who always brings the challenges. Also, he is now 10 and has a lot of opinions to share.  And with him growing up, the perennial sibling fights are more frequent. So, this time, we let our kids prepare their lists and make small chits. The trick was to shuffle the chits and keep them in a bowl. Finally, I will pick the chit, and it will be the place we go for this summer's road trip.  Now, I was amazed to see how detailed and diverse their lists were! Here are the best family road trip destinations they chose for this summer.  What Are The Best Family Road Trip Destinations In The USA? Be it the on-mountain summer experience, the dream adventure in the national parks, or the iconic and mighty Niagara Falls! The best places to travel with kids on a summer trip are endless in the USA.  These are the places our kids want to visit.  1. Vail Honestly, I would not have thought of Vail as one of the best family vacation spots if my daughter had not said it.  In the Rocky Mountains, Vail is beautiful in the fall and winter. However, it is more amazing during the summer.  Epic Discovery Learning about local wildlife, adventure sports, and a scenic gondola ride are the main attractions at Epic Discovery.  There are many fun activities for the kids. They can do ziplining, roll down the hill on a tube, or try their hands at the golf club. Also, for all of us, the forest flyer mountain coaster ride can be the ultimate adventure.  Also, if you think that seniors can’t enjoy it, they will love the gondola rides, exploring the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, and hiking through the short nature trails. River kayaking, white water rafting, and hot-air balloon rides are some other exciting activities here.  Moreover, you can try horseback riding or cattle drives. But as always, I am never up for these things ethically!  2. Orlando This was expected from my son. And Walt Disney is The PLACE when you are traveling in Orlando with kids. And my son has been cribbing since Christmas that we missed the Disney visit this time.  It was I who was unsure about it because I could not think of Walt Disney World without Toy Story Mania, and the reconstruction work was not complete before the holiday season.  However, the restoration of the Toy Story entrance archway is complete now. And this summer, Disney is going to have the debut of the “Soarin' Across America", and the experience around 30th June is going to be more patriotic at Walt Disney as the nation celebrates its 250th year.  Moreover, there is now a new snack kiosk near Toy Story Land. This place sells amazing pepperoni pizza spring rolls.  3. Luxury Glamping At The Resort At Paws Up Now, resorts are the most convenient choices when it comes to the best family holiday destinations. The Resort at Paws Up in Montana was once again my daughter’s suggestion.  She heard of it from her best friend, who went there last summer with her family.  I already knew about the resort, as it has multiple accolades to its name. It is a two-Michelin-Key resort, and in 2025, it won the title of the 8th best resort in the world in the “Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.” Glamping here gives a wonderful opportunity to sleep beneath the star-filled sky. Furthermore, this cattle ranch, spreading over 37000 acres, has 100 miles.  Along with cattle and horseback rides, you can enjoy water rafting here in the massive Blackfoot River. Furthermore, it has spa and wellness amenities for your rejuvenation. 4. Glacier And Yellowstone National Parks In Montana Montana also has gems such as the Glacier National Park and the Yellowstone National Park. You can do wilderness camping at Glacier National Park with a wilderness permit. It has easy to moderate hiking trails such as the Avalanche Lake, Hidden Meadow, and Highline Trail.  Furthermore, the national park has the North Fork Flathead River and the Middle Fork Flathead River.  Moreover, this 1,583 square miles of wilderness is the Crown of the Continent. It has fossils, a growing wildlife, and a unique geology.  The Yellowstone National Park, on the other hand, is home to bison, grizzly bears, and wolves. In fact, the concentration of mammals here is the highest among the lower 48 states.  In addition, it has reptiles such as the bullsnake and rubber boa.  5. Grand Teton National Park In Wyoming  The Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming has the National Elk Refuge. It is an area of 25000 acres, offering refuge to 7000 elk.  Furthermore, the Oxbow Bend here is frequented by the mother bear grizzly No. 399 with her cubs. The Kelly Loop, Antelope Flats, and the Moose Wilson Road are the other spots in the national park to spot wildlife such as bison, pronghorns, and antelopes. Moreover, this national park has the endangered white bark pine trees, the bald eagles, which are a species of concern, and the grizzly bear, which is a species at risk.  By the way, I was surprised to see that both my kids had these national parks on their list of best holiday destinations for families.  6. California Coast We have been to the California Coast once during the spring, and I was glad to see that my son wanted to repeat it.  The last time, we started the trip in San Diego, and the kids had a lot of fun at Legoland, the San Diego Zoo, and the beaches.  Then, we continued our drive north and had an extensive beach experience at Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara, Malibu, Newport Beach, and Solvang.  And of course, as we reached the Central Coast, we had to stay at the Madonna Inn. The charm of 1958 is still intact here with the iconic pink dining room and 110 uniquely themed rooms.  A We Continued North  We chose to stay at a resort near Pebble Beach, and from there, it was about 17 miles to Big Sur to enjoy its wonderful views.  Also, we booked a few rounds and enjoyed our time at the Pebble Beach golf courses.  Final Stop San Francisco Last time, our California road trip ended at Santa Cruz. We enjoyed the play at the boardwalk, which still has the old-world charm.  Furthermore, our kids enjoyed their time in San Francisco. Of course, the sundae at Ghirardelli was the biggest highlight. They also loved exploring Fisherman’s Wharf and flying kites by the Golden Gate Bridge.  7. Las Vegas Las Vegas, despite being the “Sin City,” is actually a fun place for kids. My daughter hasspecific demands about the Las Vegas summer trip.  She wants to stay at New York-New York as she is dying to take the Big Apple coaster ride there. Also, she has the Shark Reef Aquarium and the Circus Circus adventure dome on her wishlist.  8. Grand Canyon National Park The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is one of the most beautiful road trip destinations. I told my son, “It’s going to be so hot and it’s the peak season, you will feel annoyed.” He was persistent as he wanted to join the “Junior Ranger Program.” “I also want to see the Yavapai Geology Museum, and I want to ride the train (Grand Canyon Railway),” He added.  Now, with his research being so immaculate, I had to consider his choice.  9. Zion National Park I know summer is the busiest time at Zion National Park, and the heat is intense. But it is also the time when we get access to almost all the trails in the park in Utah.  The Lower Emeraland Pool Hike will be easy this summer. It is an easy trail and usually takes 1 hour to complete.  I also chose this trail because it continues through Juniper and pinyon woods. So, even with the high heat, the kids would have a comfortable time walking.   As the trail ends, the beautiful Emerald Pool and ephemeral falls await us.  10. Niagara Falls Niagara Falls was the first place we visited on a family trip after my daughter was born. She was all of two then, but I don’t know if she remembers anything.  I think she has picked things about the trip from our family album. The real thrill begins with the boat ride to the mighty falls. She wants to enjoy the Maid of the Mist boat ride once again this summer.  And if we visit the Niagra Falls again this season, I have plans of descending at the tunnel behind the Horseshoe Falls. 11. Milwaukee And as they say, “The nearer the church, the farther from God," I know that I have missed visiting Milwaukee even after staying so close to it.  Milwaukee, suggested by my son, is a bright city in the summertime. And of course, the young lad is growing up to be quite a bike connoisseur. So, no wonder that the Harley-Davidson Museum was his calling.  The Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival from July 9-12 is the ultimate time to visit Milwaukee if you are also a bike enthusiast like him.  Furthermore, the city also has the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Art and Public Museums.  12. Washington DC It’s great to see that my daughter wants to visit Washington, D.C. for the summer road trip. I am even happier because I once shared my experience of being there on 4th July.  The teens these days! They don’t show emotions, but they feel a lot! She specifically mentioned that she wanted this road trip to see the National 4th of July Parade and the fireworks.  I never knew that she harbored such patriotic feelings. 13. NYC We have been to NYC once. My son was 6 years old then. He still can’t forget the experience of seeing the Statue of Liberty. So, it was an expectation suggestion from him.  He also wanted to see the views of New York City from the One World Observatory and enjoy the elevator ride. Last time, he even loved the Central Park Zoo and a boat ride on the lake. 14. Chicago Contrary to the questions I get to read online, Chicago is a safe place, and it is one of the best holiday destinations with kids.  I don’t know why my son has picked the name, but I think he has done so for the Lincoln Park Zoo. He loves wildlife, and he wanted to meet the penguins at the “Malott Family Penguin Encounter.” A few days back, he was giving me a scoop on this.  Furthermore, Chicago has the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, and the Science and Industry Museum. All are brilliant places for curious kids.  Moreover, my son is a huge baseball fan. So, a match day at Wrigley Field or the Guaranteed Rate Field would be a lifetime experience. Now, Are You Ready With The Best Holiday Destinations With Kids? Our list of family road trip destinations has been quite diverse. It’s time you plan your adventure! If you ask me, it’s a difficult task to choose among these destinations. I liked all the suggestions from my daughter and son. And I can’t take a side as I don’t want to deal with a sulking face for the next two days.  Nevertheless, from the list here, my favorite would be Chicago. Though kids see it in a different way, I always find it so culturally enriching to be in Chicago.  Also, being from India, Chicago always reminds me of how once a monk from India came and offered a lecture on the inclusiveness of Sanatana Dharma! Very pertinent in the days of wars and violent geopolitical stunts today. 

BY  sagnika Oct 12, 2021

The Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit 2024, which took place from November 6th to 8th, saw the Maryland Tourism Coalition (MTC), like in the last 50 years, unite all segments of the state’s tourism and 300 delegates to develop Maryland tourism.  This event is likely to impact tourism and the state's economy. We can expect many developments in amenities and infrastructure, with names like American Airlines, United Airlines, Quality Inn, and Holiday Inn Express Easton, an IHG Hotel, participating in the event.  Further, thanks to proximity to airports like the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Maryland remains accessible to tourists across the globe. Moreover, the free things to do in Maryland, like  Exploring the Battle Creek Cypress Swamp or visiting the Salisbury Zoo, make Maryland a tourist’s delight. So, despite being considered one of the more expensive states of the USA, you can plan a budget-friendly itinerary here.  If you are ready to travel like a local and pick budget-friendly activities, the pocket pinch (flight and hotel) will be around $270-350 per person. However, if you are not already aware of the free and cheap things to do in Maryland, this Tour and Travel guide will be of great help.  Free And Cheap Things To Do In Maryland | Traveling On A Shoestring In this blog, I will tell you about what I have explored in Maryland and what all things can be done in Maryland. We will also discuss the food of Maryland attractions that you must try when you are visiting Maryland. We will cater to you about all the possible information about Mary’s land and tourist attractions in Maryland which you can follow up.  So let’s start to take a glimpse of the famous places in Maryland.  There are a lot of things to do in Maryland but before that, I will tell you tips for first-time New York visitors. Most people who visit New York, tend to confine themselves to Manhattan only. But the real beauty of New York lies when you leave Manhattan.  I think the best way to convey this to you is to first tell you about the things to do in Maryland. While telling you about that I will also give you some tricky insights about New York.  I would like to start by saying that New York is a secret city in the United States. New York has surprised me quite a little there are so many things to do in new york. All you have to know is when to visit New York to enjoy the most.  There are a lot of things to do in Maryland but before that, I will tell you tips for first-time New York visitors. Most people who visit New York, tend to confine themselves to Manhattan only. But the real beauty of New York lies when you leave Manhattan.  I think the best way to convey to you is to first tell you about the things to do in Maryland. While telling you about that I will also give you some tricky insights about New York.  April to June and late August to October are two ideal seasons to try the free things to do in Maryland. However, during these two seasons, the cost of accommodation shoots up due to a tourist influx. So, you really need to pick the activities or visit the places that will cost you less when traveling on a shoestring.  Here, we will provide you with all the possible information about Maryland so you can visit these places without hassle.  1. Visiting The Calvert Cliffs State Park Location: 0540 H G Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD Contact Number: +1 443-975-4360 Vehicle Fee: $5 for State Residents, $7 for Residents of Other States, $10 for Small Bus, $20 for Large Bus Hours Open: 7:30 AM to 5 PM Exploring the fossil-bearing Calvert Cliffs is one of the best things to do in Maryland. I loved the atmosphere and the place.  Here, the large collection of fossiliferous is known as the Chesapeake Group. Further, the cliff contains Miocene fauna.  Fossil Hunting | Know The Things To Do In Maryland Park At Calvert Cliffs State Park, you can go to the end of the red trail. There, you will find the open beach area for fossil hunting. Here, you will find fossils from the Miocene era, covering more than 600 species. Some common variations here are Miocene-era oyster shells, shark teeth, and Chesapectens, which you can hunt using shovels and sieves.  The Calvert Cliff in Maryland is mostly forested, with some ponds and wetlands. Moreover, the things to do here are hunting turkey, deer, and bird watching. You can also stroll along the beautiful flora-fauna-rich beach in Calvert.    2. Exploring The Washington County Museum Of Fine Arts  Location: 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown, MD Contact Number: (301) 739-5727  Hours Open: 10 AM  - 5 PM (Tuesday to Sunday), Monday - Free Admission and Parking: Free The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, the hub of many exhibitions and events, houses more than 6,500 permanent collectibles. Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Singer, Jr founded the museum, and they donated the initial exhibits.  Currently, the museum has sculptures, decorative arts, drawings, and prints. Further, the collectibles here are cosmopolitan, with a focus on 19th-century European art and American art.  Some of the most prominent collections in the museum are the European Old Masters, The Singer Memorial Gallery, American Narratives: 1700-1920, and The Eight to Abstraction: Modernism & Innovation.  3. Spending A Day At Assateague Island National Seashore Entry Fee: Standard Pass - $0.00–$25.00, Annual Pass - $45.00, America the Beautiful Pass (includes Senior Passes) - Free–$80.00 Hours Open: 24*7 The United States Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service manage Assateague Island National Seashore. You will find feral ponies walking and galloping across the island and the surrounding waters. Further, the Assateague Island National Seashore is for everyone. You can go fishing, catch crabs, take a bike ride, or hike through the barrier island.  Moreover, you can collect a permit and enjoy the most adventurous ride in Over Sand Vehicles or OSVs. Also, for a wonderful outdoor experience, you can camp at the Assateague Island National Seashore.  4. Sightseeing At Ego Alley Location: 1 Dock St, Annapolis, MD  Hours Open: 24 Hours Entry: Fee  Ego Alley is a narrow waterway that spills out into Spa Creek. This narrow waterway got its name from the expensive boats parading in the evenings and during the weekend.  A visit to Ego Alley is one of the free things to do in Maryland. Here, you can soak in the Sun while gorging on local delicacies.  Further, people gather in large numbers at Ego Alley for St. Patrick's Day in March, the Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show in April, or the Independence Day Celebration in July.  5. Visiting The Beautiful Sculpture Gardens, Baltimore Museum Of Art Location: 10 Art Museum Dr, Baltimore, MD Hours Open: Monday and Wednesday to Sunday - 10 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday: Closed Entry: Free As you take a walk along the Beautiful Sculpture Gardens, you will discover close to 33 sculptures.  The sculptures here are a good mix of old and new sculptures of the last 100 years.  6. William British Planetarium  Location: 820 Commonwealth Avenue, Hagerstown, MD Hours Open: Monday-Friday (8 AM to 3:30 PM), Special Shows: Second And Fourth Saturdays (5:30-7 PM) Entry Fee: $3.75 for Adults, $2.75 for Children and Students If you love to see the stars, moon, Milky Way, and galaxy, then William British Planetarium is the place you must visit.  Enjoy an immersive planetarium show that looks back at rare classes of eruptions that have marshaled the energy that lurks. You will also be able to witness the details of the space. I enjoyed this place thoroughly because it took me back to my childhood. 7. National Aquarium Location: 501 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD Hours Open: Monday-Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday - 9 AM-6 PM, Friday: 9 AM to 9 PM Entry Fee: Free for Children below 4 Years, $24.95 or Half Price on Fridays from 5-9 PM When you visit Maryland, you cannot miss the National Aquarium, especially its wide variety of sea creatures, such as sharks, dolphins, living reefs, and jellyfish.  It is a non-profit public aquarium known as the Baltimore Aquarium, by the locals. The aquarium's water capacity is more than 2.2 million gallons, and it ranks as one of the top three aquariums in the country. It features amphibians, reptiles, fish, mammals, and birds. 8. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Park Location: 4068 Golden Hill Road, Church Creek, MD Hours Open: Tuesday-Sunday (10 AM to 4 PM), Monday Closed Entry Fee: Free Another activity that must be included in your list of things to do in Maryland is visiting the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Park! The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Park commemorates the life of the activist Harriet Tubman, who was formerly enslaved during the American Civil War.  The national park encompasses 480 acres and is managed by the US National Park Service Unit. The state of Maryland is responsible for the park's upkeep. Throughout the park, exhibits are dedicated to Tubman, who operated the Underground Railroad after she was free from slavery. 9.  Exploring The Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Location: 2880 Grays Road, Port Republic, MD Hours Open: Monday-Friday (9 AM to 4:30 PM), Saturday (10 AM to 4:30 PM), Sunday: 1-4:30 PM Entry Fee: Free Battle Creek Cypress Swamp is home to bald cypress trees and is the first preserve of The Nature Conservancy in Maryland.  You will also find pink lady’s slipper and May apple plants here.  Moreover, the Battle Creek Cypress Swamp has Warblers and Kentucky.  10. Visiting The Salisbury Zoo Location: 755 S Park Dr, Salisbury, MD Hours Open: 9 AM to 4:30 PM Entry Fee: Free Salisbury Zoo is home to a wide range of animals, including guinea pigs, great horned owls, gopher tortoises, painted turtles, box turtles, and burrowing owls.  Salisbury Zoo is accessible, and it has wheelchair facilities to offer more inclusivity to visitors. Don’t Miss The Local Food | Best Things To Do In Maryland My best experience in Maryland was trying local food like Steamed Crabs. The place is popular in the United States for fishing and its blue crabs. The dish of steamed crabs combines spices, herbs, beer, and blue crabs. Remember to add butter along with different blends of seasoning so you will get both a spicy and savory taste. Another great thing I had was the Crab Cake. Also, don’t forget to try the Roasted Pit Beef. Raising A Toast At Flying Dog Brewery | Best Things To Do In Maryland  The next on my ‘things to do in Maryland’ list is a visit to the Flying Dog Brewery. What can be a better place for a connoisseur than the Flying Dog Brewery as they believe “Beer is Art.”  Flying Dog Brewery has a good mix of year-round gems and some seasonal attractions. The Double Dog Juicy Double IPA is my favorite among the year-round attractions.  Again, the Deep Fake Non-Alcoholic is the best seasonal offering here.  The Flying Dog Brewery's tasting room is open from Thursday to Sunday. I had a great time tasting different seasonal beers there.  However, don’t forget to carry your ID, as they only serve beer to 21+ visitors.  You May Also Like:  Top 7 Nantucket Beaches For Tourists In Massachusetts Make Your Honeymoon A Truly Memorable Affair: Here’s How Luxurious Wedding Venues – Make Your Destination Wedding Glamorous

BY  Sibashree Jan 22, 2026

Is Koh Tao safe? Now, this is the question everyone is asking about Koh Tao these days. The reason? This island of stunning beauty has suddenly become the “Death Island.” Since 2014, the news of foreign tourists dying or going missing on the island has been common. But this is not the season that makes Koh Tao famous. Let me share with you a fascinating story about how I felt when I visited Koh Tao for the first time. We really had our toes in the sand, and you have to be here to understand how this island is the crown jewel of the sustainable tourism and green economy initiatives of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. “What adds to Koh Tao’s success is the whole-of-society mindset shift that we have seen over the past few years. We’ve seen an evolution from just trying to raise profits and attract more tourists to creating a more sustainable and environmentally conscious tourism experience that truly makes Koh Tao unique. I am thrilled to see the results of UNDP BIOFIN’s work that has contributed to this change and will continue to support local communities in working towards Thailand’s ambitious climate priorities.” - Renaud Meyer, Resident Representative for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand. BIOFIN stands for Biodiversity Finance Initiative. It has played an active role in convincing the diving and fishing communities here about the importance of protecting the biodiversity and marine life. Nevertheless, this Turtle Island is gorgeous, and it is also pristine. So, along with celebrated locations such as Raja Ampat in Indonesia, Koh Tao is also emerging as a place to encounter stunning marine life and beautiful reefs. The First Impression At Koh Tao I don’t know whether it is the “Fortune favors the brave” trick or something else. But I visited Koh Tao in July with my girl gang and found a clear sky to our greatest surprise. However, the experience at Mae Haad Pier was not that pleasant. The crowd was endless when we were trying to get off the ferry. The men were bare-skinned, and they were hauling their backpacks. Furthermore, a few Thai men kept asking, “Where are you going?” It was very confusing whether to answer them first or jump off the ferry first! I am an introvert, and suddenly there was too much energy around me. So, it took me a while to get accustomed to the crowd. But after that, it was absolutely okay. Koh Tao Is Growing: And We Saw How The Infrastructure Is Changing Do you know that the first adventure travelers arrived at Koh Tao in 1977? They took the coconut and fish transport boats to reach this island for diving. Since then, infrastructure development on Koh Tao has been significant. The concrete streets are clean. Also, many shops, restaurants, and hotels looked new. Also, the shops' advertising was quite cool, and along with the pharmacies and cafes serving espresso, there were motorbike rental shops. Now, motorbikes are the best way if you want to explore this small town at your own pace. The rental price starts at around 150-200 THB per day. Another great thing was the availability of ATMs. It was such a relief! Moreover, the crowd buzz was just right as it was the rainy season. It was enough to soak in the local culture. However, we always got our spots at the cafes and restaurants. In addition, we were using the TrueMove connection, and the coverage was quite decent throughout the island. Getting Around Koh Tao The island is walkable. Furthermore, moving around was pretty easy with the motorbikes, taxis, and ferris being frequent. Also, Koh Tao is close to the Koh Samui Airport and the Chumphon Airport on the Thai mainland. So, since it does not have its own airport, the initial transit can be challenging.  What Are The Things To Do On Koh Tao?  Scuba diving, hiking, snorkeling, and exploring the beaches are the best things to do on Koh Tao. Here are more details. 1. Scuba Diving You can get your PADI certification, and there are as many as 84 dive schools on the island. “We produce around 100000 PADI certfied divers every year. This is an affordable place and the price you get here is matchless.”  • Kim, Big Blue Diving,  Other diving companies we got to know about there were Roctopus Dive, Goodtime Adventure, and Ban’s Diving Resort. However, diving here has seasonal specialties. For example, January to May is the best time for diving. Having said that, February is the month if you want to enjoy a swim with the whale sharks. 2. Hiking Koh Tao has many beautiful viewpoints, and you can easily hike along any of them. These viewpoints are:  Two View  John Suwan Viewpoint  Chalok Viewpoint  Mango Bay Viewpoint  Koh Nang Yuan Viewpoint  Love @ Khao Tao Viewpoint  We started our day early so we could enjoy the fresh air and complete the walk before it got crowded.  3. Exploring The Koh Tao Beaches We were impressed to witness the initiatives to protect the beaches of the island. Stunning is an understatement for them. Also, for lazy travelers like us, these beaches are the best things about Koh Tao. Now, you will get many beaches with palm trees, white sands, and aqua blue water. However, I have seldom seen beaches being so sincere about the recycling programs and cleanups. We relaxed in our hammocks and allowed the sea breeze to caress our cheeks and hair. Furthermore, among the beaches we visited, Ao Chalok Ban Kao and Sai Daeng were my silent favorites. Those beaches were quiet. Also, as we visited Koh Tao in the monsoon, the more touristy ones, such as Tanote Beach, Sairee Beach, and Ao Luek, were not that crowded. These are usually full during the peak months. Pro Tip The sand is beautiful on Koh Tao beaches. But it is not smooth. So, you will need your flip flops. Chaloke Harbor was an exception. But most beaches have the remains of the bleached coral. So, make sure that you don’t cut your feet.  Moreover, these beaches offer amazing sunrise and sunset views. 4. Nightlife On Koh Tao We were on Koh Tao till around 9 PM, and by then the bars had come to life, and we could hear the rock and pop music they were playing. The quiet vibe of the island is gone after sundown. The groups of divers and young tourists here get busy with tropical cocktails and local beers. Also, the fire dancers were putting up their shows. One more thing I learned from a local pub owner. You can be a part of the Pub Crawl here three times a week. Friday, Wednesday, and Monday are the days. Along with all these activities, you can also try ocean kayaking and rock climbing. Furthermore, snorkeling at Hin Wong Reef is a lot of fun.  How Is Koh Tao Making A Successful Ecotourism Movement  It was fascinating to see how all the people and local businesses of Koh Tao came together to reduce the impact on the environment. With around 500000 visitors here every year, the small island gets a lot of waste. Most wastage comes from the packaging and construction work. Food waste and bathroom waste amounts are also quite high. Now, non-profit organizations such as Trash Hero Koh Tao are working to make the island clean. They encourage the locals and the visitors to get involved in the reef and beach clean-up drives. When you clean the waste with your own hands and see what the plastic bags, bottles, and straws do to the sea and the marine animals, you will never throw them carelessly. Furthermore, the hotels here play a proactive role. We chose Ban’s Diving Resort for our stay, and they have a separate section to make detergents and soaps from organic waste. Also, they compost the fruit scraps and vegetable waste and use the gray water, along with sorting the recyclables. Moreover, the food they serve at their restaurants has vegetables from their organic gardens. Is Koh Tao Safe To Visit?  Back to where I started this article. The recent cases of tourist deaths have been a bad patch for the reputation of Koh Tao. Though it has been years now, it felt weird seeing such a scarce presence of police here. I think I last saw some officers at Mae Haad Pier. Also, it was even more alarming here to know that most officers don’t understand or speak English. However, the local people here and business owners here are so committed to maintaining the sanctity of the place that we did not have any problem during our stay. We were a bunch of women, and we never even felt unsafe. Tips To Follow If You Want To Visit Koh Tao Safely  Are you renting a motorbike? You must click all the scratches on the vehicle, and your rental agency will need a photocopy of your passport.  Furthermore, keep the international driver's permit for motorcycle driving handy and wear your helmet. Moreover, don’t forget to get travel insurance. You cannot stroll at night alone. Be with a group, and even if you are going to the bay alone in the daytime, keep your hotel staff member informed. Be mindful of how much you are drinking. The buckets can seem fun, but they are traps, and sometimes they are drugged. When you are on the speedboats, you have to wear life jackets. It does not matter if you can swim or not. Koh Tao Is Beautiful But A Bit Overhyped  Koh Tao deserves all the accolades for its sustainable tourism initiatives. However, I think it is a bit overhyped if you are not diving. For a diver, it is an excellent place to get the PADI certification and explore the coral reefs. The beaches are good, but not something that you won’t find anywhere in Bangkok or anywhere else. So, it’s a 5/10 kind of experience for me. What’s your take on this? Read Also: What Is The Ultimate Luang Prabang Itinerary Planner For Solo Travelers? What Are The Best Restaurants In Cape Town? What Are The Best São Tomé Eco-Lodges?