Bean to Mug: The Journey of Chikmagalur’s Coffee from the Plantation to Your Cup

BY  Sibashree Aug 30, 2025

Canada is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, featuring mountains that resemble a winter wonderland and stunning lakes located in various regions.  It has a natural beauty that many people appreciate, and fortunately, anyone can see these works of nature by train. Unlike driving, rail journeys are often far more relaxed, where you can get uninterrupted views. Someone else will be doing the driving, and all you have to do is soak in the majestic scenery while remaining comfortable in your seat.  You can be an adventurer for days and discover majestic waterfalls in faraway mountains, and everything is in full color. See the jagged peaks of the Rockies and revel in the tranquil lakes of Banff. The train routes are going to take you into the parts of the country that can be inaccessible by car.  It can be your first time as a tourist in Canada, or you’re wondering if you can see the country from a new perspective, and regardless of the reason, a Canadian train vacation is going to help you unwind and experience an enjoyable journey. Why Is A Canadian Train Vacation Special? Credit: Rocky Mountaineer Trains are very immersive in Canada, and you can be face-to-face with the country’s grandeur that no plane ride can match.  Enjoy the entire trip by looking at the amazing landscape and not just focusing on arriving at a destination.  Every mile is meant to be savored, and many travelers may often find themselves spotting eagles overhead or catching glimpses of the Northern Lights.  Enjoy a community while you’re on board the train and share meals with fellow passengers between stops.  These trips are great for fostering a connection and encouraging slow conversations. It’s a travel experience that feels human, and everything is often unhurried and full of wonder. 1. About The Rail System Canadian trains are going through rails that connect major cities located in remote regions. This is going to give you a scenic view that many may not experience.  There are rugged coastlines that feature high cliffs and dramatic rock formations. These Canadian train trips often glide past the snow-dusted mountains and stop in historic towns so you can take a lot of pictures.  Travelers are going to find it to be an ideal option during their vacation because they won’t need to do long drives. Also, the trip is very flexible, and you can choose multi-day expeditions or opt for shorter two-day regional routes depending on your schedule.  Many travelers may be looking for luxury tours with gourmet meals, while others may prefer a more budget-friendly option that can still provide them with incredible views.  Regardless of your travel style, you can definitely find a journey that fits what you want with the right tours. 2. Top Routes On Canadian Train Vacation That Showcase Canada’s Natural Wonders Many luxury trains are going to show you the diverse landscapes that Canada offers. When you embark on this journey, you can see towering mountains and then bustling cities that are changing colors according to the season.  Many routes offer access to cultural landmarks, but it will still depend on you on the type of adventure that you want to explore.  Some will let you spend around 11 days on the tour, and you can board the train for a scenic view. Watch the transformation of forests and prairies and head to lakes to appreciate the alpine beauty better.  Go to national parks and ride gondolas with a specific itinerary from the experts. See more information about the location of these companies, where you can book the tours below: What Are The Benefits Of Choosing A Canadian Train Vacation? If you’re still wondering whether a train trip is right for you, consider the many advantages it offers: Stress-Free Travel: You won’t have to deal with traffic or go through a lot of airport security lines. In trains, you just sit back and enjoy all the views that you’re seeing. Eco-Friendly Option: This kind of traveling often produces lower carbon emissions compared to driving long distances by automobile. Unmatched Scenery: Get access to large windows with open observation decks and take pictures of the diverse landscapes that you’re seeing. Flexible Itineraries: Select a schedule that matches your vacation days. Opt for longer routes if you want to explore more of the country. Planning The Perfect Rail Journey For The Ultimate Canadian Train Vacation Credit: VIA Rail Canada Now, before rushing to book your ticket, you need to determine the type of experience that you want in the first place. You might want a luxurious escape where budget isn’t a problem. Fortunately, there are train trips that can give you that along with a scenic adventure. Others would want to discover the charm of Eastern Canada on a budget, and if so, compare your options and do your research. Plan well and learn about the changing seasons. Summertime can generally offer lush greenery, while wildlife can also be viewed from the train windows.  In the meantime, winter routes are often magical, and you can discover snow-covered trees and a cozy train interior that’s perfect for sipping hot cocoa.  Why Is It More Than Just A Vacation? Overall, this is more than a trip, but it’s a storytelling where each town has a tale to tell. Each moment on the train becomes a wonderful memory of quiet mornings or bonding with your loved ones.  Watch the sparkling stars from your window and revel in the things that nature is capable of. These Canadian trips are going to allow you to reach destinations that you might have only dreamt about previously.  They can give you a chance to rediscover the art of traveling without rushing.

BY  Sibashree Jan 27, 2025

The Pokagon State Park in Indiana is famous for deer hunting. However, things went haywire on 7th July 2024 when the police received a phone call from the park regarding the shooting at the park.  Shots were fired near the toboggan run, and at least three people were injured. Nevertheless, despite Pokagon State Park being in the news for the wrong reasons, we cannot deny its charm as a year-round camping ground.  With its inns and cabins and endless activities to do in the park, it is even a popular staycation spot for the people of Indiana.  So, are you also ready for camping and fun at Pokagon State Park? This Tour and Travel guide is here to help you! However, let’s know this state park at a glance. Pokagon State Park At A Glance | Things You Need To Do Pokagon State Park’s location is around 10000-15000 years old. The Wisconsin glacier has been transformed into this park thanks to nature forces and factors. Further, it has more lakes than any other Indiana state park today.  All the lakes here are formed after the meltdown of glaciers, and Lake James, with an area of 1000 acres, is the largest among them. Moreover, it is home to over 200 species of birds and diverse ecosystems.  In addition, the land of the state park belonged to the Potawatomi tribe. After procuring the land from them, it was named Pokagon, after the tribe chief. The table below has more details you need to know about the park. Year Of Establishment1927EcosystemsMarshesLakesSwampsFensPine GrovesMeadowlandsOld FieldsDeciduous WoodlandsEntry Fee$7.00 (noncommercial vehicles with Indiana number plates)$9.00 (noncommercial vehicles with non-Indiana number plates)$2:00 for 5 years and older. $1:00 Programming Fees$50 Annual Entrance Permit for Residents$70 Annual Entrance Permit for Non-Residents$25 Golden Hoosier PassportBest Time To VisitWinterLocation450 Lane, 100 Lake JamesAngola, IndianaHours Open7 AM to 11 PMContact NumbersPokagon State Park Office: (260) 833-2012Nature Center: (260) 833-3506 Pokagon State Park has pleasant weather conditions throughout the year. During the summer months, the highest temperature hovers around 80 degrees F.  Further, in winter, you can expect a temperature between 1-18 degrees F.  Pokagon State Park Camping | Get Ready For Year-Round Attractions Indiana people love outdoor time, and Pokagon State Park best matches their interests. It has abundant nature, with various ecosystems and over 200 species of birds. Further, the lakes in the park allow you to enjoy an immersive time there.  On the other hand, it has all modern-day amenities. Moreover, irrespective of the visiting season, the campers always have some fun activities to engage in.  Things To Do At Pokagon State ParkBoatingFishingHikingHorse RidingPicnicWinter SportsToboggan Run For example, if you are at the park in summer, you can swim in the lakes and cool off. You can even visit the bathhouse. Further, in winter, you can enjoy toboggan runs, cross-country skiing, and sledding, with the entire park transformed into a snowy wonderland.  Moreover, the park has the best wildflowers in spring and the fiery reds of the autumn foliage are magical here. So, are you all set for camping at Pokagon State Park? Let’s discuss the camping grounds and facilities.  Electric Sites (Class A) At Pokagon State Park Camping Nightly Rate: $23 (Sunday-Wednesday), $30 (Thursday to Saturday), $33 (Holiday Weekends) Campgrounds 1,3, 4, and 5 of the state national park have electric or Class A camping sites. Among them, a few sites in Campground 3 have ADA-accessible 366, 368, 374, and 376 camping sites.  These sites have electrical hookups and other amenities here, including drinking water, showers, restrooms, parking spurs, picnic tables, and fire rings.   Non-Electric Sites (Class B) At Pokagon State Park Camping Nightly Rate: $16 (Sunday-Wednesday), $19 (Thursday to Saturday), $22 (Holiday Weekends) At the Campground 2 of the state park, you will find 73 non-electric campsites. These are equipped with fire rings, parking spurs, restrooms, showers, and drinking water facilities.  Youth Tent Area Campsites Nightly Rate: $20 ($2 Each for 10 People, Additional $2 Per Person) The Youth Tent Area has 5 campsites, and they only allow tents. Here, the campers should be below 21 years old, and there can be 10 members in a group, guided by an adult leader.  Moreover, these campsites have pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Campground 5 and Spring Shelter will also have a drinking water supply.  Group Camp Site Nightly Rate: $480 This group campsite is ADA-accessible. It can accommodate a total of 78 people in 12 cabins. There is another counselor cabin where 14 people can stay.  Moreover, the two bunkhouses at Pokagon State Park are ideal for 36 people (18 each). Other amenities in the park include: A commercial-style kitchen Basketball court Dining hall Craft room Picnic tables Volleyball court Charcoal grills Seasonal dock Parking facility for 21 vehicles In addition, the Group Camp Site offers the most amazing lake view.  Camp Store Summer Season Hours: Monday-Saturday (9 AM to 9 PM) and Sunday (11 AM to 7 PM) You will find the camp store close to the Campground Gatehouse of the state park. The camp store remains open seasonally.  If you are camping in the park, you can collect food, drinks, wood, ice, and other essentials from the camp store. You can also collect souvenirs from here.  Pokagon State Park | Cabins, Hotels And Inns If you are not in parking at Pokagon State Park, you can stay at the hotels, inns, and cabins here. The Potawatomi Inn is the best among them and it has a whiff of history in its name.  This inn has 126 hotel rooms, 8 cabins, and 4 cabin suites. Further, you will love the Lakeview Restaurant or the Sauna Bath Corner here. You can contact The Potawatomi Inn at 1-877-768-2928 for booking.  Moreover, for a rustic experience, you can plan a stay at the historic Pokagon State Park cabins. Eight of the cabins are remodeled and they come with proper HVAC systems.  In addition, Ramada by Wyndham Angola/Fremont Area (Contact No: +1 260-624-4402) and Hotel Quality Inn Fremont (Contact No: (419) 332-0601) are some hotels near the state park. 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.

BY  sagnika Mar 20, 2025

Tokyo is a beautiful place, and I feel everyone must visit the place once in their lifetime. With beautiful views of mountains, rivers, cherry blossoms, and more natural elements, you can enjoy the place to its hilt.   With me sharing some of the delicious food, the safest and nicest place to stay, and things to do, you can make your plan for one day in Tokyo. Furthermore, the itinerary for a day ensures that you will get a feeling for the place, especially if you have a limited budget.   If you are looking for February vacation ideas, this is it for you. Plan it accordingly to create an itinerary that will help you make memories.  Read What Is It Like to Have One Day in Tokyo!   If it is just for a day, you should choose a place which is at the central location of the city so that you do not waste much time while traveling. I would suggest any place that is on the Yamanote Loop line whether it be Tokyo station or Shinjuku.   It will also help you plan correctly whether it is the places, the food, or the location. Tokyo can easily become one of the best places to travel with kids. Let me share with you this information along with some tips that are perfect for your itinerary!   Where to Stay!   Are you a little worried about your stay, especially if you plan to stay one day in Tokyo? Let me share with you some of the places, you can rest assured it will be both fun and safe. Additionally, you also need to know where to stay if you are living for a longer period.   One of the most exotic places to travel, Tokyo is beautiful to visit. Some of the coolest, most interesting, and safest neighborhoods to stay when visiting Tokyo are as follows:   Shinjuku   In terms of preference, I would say Shinjuku ranks the highest as a location because you will find great transport connections, delicious dining opportunities, and an amazing shopping experience. This place is known for the young crowd hence, the place also caters to them.   Starting from foodies to shopaholics, the place can satisfy starting from sudden cravings to planned dinner parties. The most important Yamanote Line is available here hence, it is perfect for you if you have plans to travel regularly. Also, the best bookshop in Tokyo, Kinokuniya is in Shinjuku.   Let's not forget that the place can be a little overwhelming with crowds, several bars, and restaurants. So, if you are traveling with kids, it can be a little too much for children, hence, please be a little aware of it.    Marunouchi Area/ Tokyo Station   Another perfect place to stay if you are not a homebody! The main transport hub of Tokyo is surrounded by great hotels, shops, department stores, and restaurants. If you are someone who loves parks, this is the place for you. There are several adjoining parks, plus you can visit the Imperial Palace.   The place can feel a little dead in the evening especially when people are inside restaurants or taking a stroll. However, the more you explore, you will see it is one of the coolest places to be if you are looking for exploration.   Roppongi   Another place to stay, if you are an explorer. Not just tourists, even the locals prefer Roppongi over other places to stay. The place is sexy with its come-hither feel, Roppongi is known for its glamorous nightlife and delicious dining experience.   Be it clubbers or fine diners, Roppongi is rated as one of the most attractive places to be. A cosmopolitan reflection of big money, be it foreign or Japanese, Roppongi shines bright. However, one of the negative points of this place is it is not on the Yamanote Loop line which can be difficult for an explorer.   You will have to travel long routes, and you will have to spend more money especially when you cannot access the loop line while staying in Roppongi.   Where to Eat!   If you are wondering what to eat when visiting Tokyo, let me share with you some of the iconic dishes. You will develop an immersive culinary experience when trying these dishes along with enjoying the beautiful places in Tokyo.  Just to be on the safe side, you must have the best travel credit card! It will help you if you are in any crisis.  Ramen – There are various ramen dishes, starting from spicy miso to rich tonkatsu. A combination of juicy meat, nori sheets, perfectly cooked egg, and bamboo shoots presents this feel-good hearty broth.   Yakitori – This is one of my favorites, the dish is skewered chicken which is of course savored grilled. Mostly, it is seasoned with salt or tare sauce.   Tempura – Deep-fried vegetables or seafood, you will fall in love with this crispy dish.   Sushi – It is one of the most popular cuisines of Japan, you will get a variety starting from creative rolls to classic nigiri.   Okonomiyaki – A specialty of Hiroshima, this dish is a savory pancake with various mix-ins such as cabbage, pork belly, and shallots! It is a combination of an omelet and a pancake.   Must See Tokyo in One Day!   Go to Asakusa first thing in the morning! You can visit Senso-ji temple which is located near Asakusa-jinja shrine.   Then you can take the Ginza subway line which will take you straight to Shibuya, across town from Asakusa. You will have to make the ride for about 30 minutes, so it is better if you grab a seat and relax with a book.   You can then take the Hachiko exit after you arrive in Shibuya and walk to the Shibuya crossing. It is one of the coolest shopping districts, now you know where I am taking you? There are a lot of huge department stores offering beautiful products.   You can eat something, a snack like Yakitori, Onigiri or Taiyaki the streets so that you are not hungry till afternoon! Most department stores have huge restaurant floors so you can easily have your lunch in Shibuya. It will be a bit rushed in the afternoon; peak time is 1:00 p.m. so try to avoid that time.   You can then visit the beautiful Meiji-jingu Shrine which is located west of Harajuku. You have to take the Yamanote line to get there. Furthermore, you can have your coffee at Omotesando to recharge for the rest of the day.    Let’s not forget the amazing views you will get from the observation deck of the Mori Tower. You must go to the 52nd floor of the tower to enjoy the beautiful Tokyo city view as the evening falls. There are many bars in the Roppongi district, where you can end your day with delicious meals and drinks.   Things to Do in Tokyo!   If you have more time, these are the following things that you must do if you are visiting Tokyo. The first thing that I will suggest to you is to visit a few spots popular for their cherry blossoms, mind-bogglingly beautiful.  The places are perfect for some alone time especially if you are avoiding the blossom season. Another thing that I feel that you should not miss is the Samurai Restaurant Time show. It shows the cultural side of Tokyo especially with the fun and glitz that the cabaret show brings with it.  You can get yourself tickets online from Samurai Restaurant Time to enjoy the extravagant show, memorable for a lifetime.   Mount Fuji is another wonder you must not miss if you visit Tokyo! If you are planning to visit Mount Fuji, try to do so in the daytime! There are several places from where you can enjoy the beautiful views of Mt. Fuji.  You can also add visiting Lake Kawaguchiko because the view you see of Mt. Fuji from here will not be available anywhere. You can go fishing, hiking or cycling or read a book sitting under one of the trees enjoying the view. There are also several museums around the lake, you can go check them out.   Tips to Make Your Trip Memorable   Buy a Universal adapter because the plug sockets in Japan are different. Bring Charger and Charger cables because you need to charge your cell phone regularly. The same applies to your laptop and Kindle.   Try to carry your phone Bank especially if you have plans to take pictures on your phone. With our social media platforms becoming the journal of your life, posting pictures, videos, and reels is a must. Get a data-only Japanese SIM card because it is better than having the roaming services on the existing SIM.   Carry your medicines when visiting Japan but be a little careful when carrying them. Japan has some strict regulations on common drugs, psychotropics, opioids, and others. Having a travel first aid kit is a must when traveling to Japan.   Carry basic medications such as flu, cold, diarrhea, rashes, painkillers, and others, sanitary pads, tampons, gel and Razors. How can you forget deodorant or perfume when traveling? It is one of the most important toiletries apart from your moisturizer, sunscreen, shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, and others!   You also cannot forget sunglasses, a warm jacket, scarves, and a hat! Carry cotton and linen clothing, athleisure, and sportswear. Try to avoid denim because it holds onto moisture! Carry lightweight, comfortable walking shoes. Drying towels are necessary, so carry them in packs!   Wrapping Up!   In conclusion, there are several places in Tokyo that you cannot miss when visiting! If you are visiting for one day in Tokyo, read the article to learn more about the places you can stay, the food you can eat and the things you can do.   Comment below to let us know which are the places you want to visit and why! Apart from deciding the places you want to go, what is more important is how you can enjoy your trip to Tokyo, be it for a day or a week.  Also read Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try. Top 13+ Famous Wonders Of India That You Must Visit.