Top 11 Dark Tourism In USA Destinations

BY  Mashum Dec 29, 2021

Are you like me? Who loves the wilderness and the solitude. I am a solo traveler and I have visited a lot of national parks in the USA, the best of them according to me is Maine National Parks. If we share the same interest then Maine is the perfect getaway from everything.  The state is considered to be the place where the beautiful rocky coastline, pine forests, lighthouses, and the Appalachian Trail await you!.  When we talk about National Parks in Maine, there is only one National Park in Maine, but there are four sites that have been affiliated with the National Park services along with these there is also one National Trail that starts from Maine itself.  Acadia National Park is the main park in Maine. Maine National Parks that are affiliated are:  Maine Acadian Culture Centre. Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument. Saint Croix Island International Historic Site.  Roosevelt Campobello International Park.  In this article, I will be giving you a complete guide on how to enjoy Maine National Parks. Stay tuned! Acadia National Park Acadia National park is where the mountains meet the ocean. This beautiful spot is located southwest of Bar Harbor, Maine. This park embraces 47,000 acres that include half of Mount Desert Island, known to be the section of the Schoodic Peninsula. There are several small islands in between as well.  Acadia is known to be one of the 10 top National Parks in America, which attracts a lot of tourists.  Things To Do In Acadia National Park  Hiking hiking is the most popular and fun activity in Acadia National Park. For hikers they have 158 miles that are marked as hiking trails and your pets can accompany you there too. It is a great place to take your family with you and while walking you will be watching the ocean, flora, and wildlife.  Wildlife For many species, Acadia National Park is their home. Look out for otters, eagles, seals, painted turtles, deer, peregrine falcons, moose, black bears, and porcupines. Not just these but there are 338 species of birds that visit this place throughout different times of the year.  Water Activities To enjoy the ocean to the fullest, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, boating as well as exploring the tide pools are the right and fun choices to spend your afternoon. To spend some time with yourself you can also think about paddling around all the islands or maybe cam at some primitive sites. Solo Tours You can always explore the place by auto tours, or bus tours after a week of hiking when you just want to look around to find new interesting things. you can enjoy your own company as solo traveling. The night sky in Acadia gets stunning for being pitch black and some stars playing hide and seek. Other than this, in winter you can go ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snow bowling, and dog sledding.  How To Get To Acadia National Park? From Mount Desert Island or Schoodic Peninsula, by car, it is really easy to drive to Acadia. The Rv campers must know that the historic bridges have high restrictions on roads. The rest of the roads do allow buses and long vehicles.  There are RV campsites that have a convenient bus system to drive tourists around the park. Therefore to explore po[ular locations you don’t need to hire a vehicle for that. Maine National Parks As I mentioned in the beginning, there are four affiliated sites that can somehow be considered National Parks in Maine. Let's see what they have to offer. Maine Acadian Culture Centre Maine Acadian Culture Centre is located in the U.S side of Saint John Valley. It shows the depth of the history of the Acadian settlers.  There are places for tourists to explore the intriguing architecture of the early 1900’s church, which is now home to Musee Culturel du Mont-Carmel. You can also just wander around all your own among the seventeen buildings of the indigenous Acadian settlement.  For those who would rather just stay outdoors than indoors and build memories to carry back home, have the Allagash Wilderness Waterway where angling, hunting, and canoeing are available.  Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument  Possessing over 87,000 acres of Maine wilderness, this spot offers opportunities for outdoor roamers. This place is considered to be the hub for bird-watching and hiking. Katahdin is nominated as the international dark sky sanctuary.  Among the Maine National Parks, Acadia National park has a pristine National Monument whose location is perfect for date gazers and campers. To those who look for adventure during the wintertime as well, snow bowling is allowed in many areas,  and there are well-maintained trails for cross-country skiing. Hunting and fishing are also allowed here.  Saint Croix Island International Historic Site This place attempted to have a French Colonization, which now reminds historical events dating back to 1604. The trail is fine for visitors to leisurely walk and enjoys guiding themselves while they pass the bronze statues set in homage to French settlers and admire them.  There is a huge bird population and birdwatchers can easily report if they come across a new species of bird. Informal birds taking shadows are held through the entire summer.  Roosevelt Campobello International Park  This international park is to show respect to Franklin D. Roosevelt and his family.  This 2,800-acre island is full of forests, bogs, and beaches that offer an idyllic area, slow walks, and get-togethers.  People come across many cottages in the park including Roosevelt Cottage. This cottage is open to all tourists and provides guides that know how to answer the guests with politeness and information.  Appalachian National Scenic Trail  This Trail contains 2200 miles of habitual foot track. 281 of them are located in the state of Maine. It has ecosystems in the mountains that are quite picturesque. The tallest mountain in Maine, Katahdin, blemishes the starting of the trail and is the difficult mile on the route which is Mahoosuc Notch.  As the spot has a unique climate, it is also a hub for scientific research and studies. Workshops are available to educate people who wish to join the journey. There are plenty of exploration options for all skill levels, from friendly treks to thru-hikers. All the hikers that come from far places have to get a permit before starting their adventure.  Wrapping It All Up Here you go with everything you need to know before visiting the Maine National Parks. The place is considered to be the most beautiful National Park in America.  All ages can enjoy the view as well as the environment. You just have to take some time out of your busy schedule and visit the place with your family. I assure you the experience is going to be so good.  Read More: A Guide To National Parks In Alabama - Latest Guide A Guide To National Parks In Virginia - Latest Guide A Guide To National Parks In Wisconsin - Latest Guide Best Time To Visit Grand Canyon East National Park

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 7, 2023

Are you attracted to Agoda for its alluring airfare and hotel offers? However, you are a wise traveler and are aware that appealing offers frequently have exorbitant fees. This could put your hard-earned money at risk of being lost. So the question remains: is Agoda legit? Let's investigate! Is Agoda Legit? Since Booking Holdings is the largest online travel company in the world, Agoda is unquestionably legitimate. If something goes wrong or you need to make changes, cancel, or receive a refund, Agoda can make things more difficult. In essence, Agoda serves as a go-between for you and airlines and lodging. As an intermediary, Agoda manages your reservation and takes payment on your behalf. The payment does not go to the hotel or airline you booked with. Because your contract is with Agoda and not the hotels or airlines directly, they will not be responsible for providing you with assistance. You will have to contact Agoda in the event that something goes wrong and you need help. They will then get in touch with the airline or hotel in question on your behalf and give you the information you need. In a similar vein, Agoda is the entity you will need to contact for any modifications, cancellations, or refunds. And because of this—the involvement of a third party, Agoda—things could be challenging. Especially in the event that something goes wrong or you need to cancel, make changes, or get a refund, especially when it comes to flights. Reservation Tips Bear the following in mind before making a reservation on Agoda: It is true that booking through Agoda can save you money compared to making direct reservations. There is a significant risk involved: it can make any mishap more difficult to handle. Additionally, you should be aware of the following three significant risks and disadvantages of using Agoda for reservations: Reservation Issues Your hotel reservation through Agoda or any other online travel agency can be at risk of cancellation. Occasionally, Agoda forgets to let the hotel know about a guest's reservation, which leads to either no reservation at all or an overbooking of the same room. However, occasionally, the hotels will also "bump" the least expensive visitors who booked through an internet travel company like Agoda. They will proceed to resell their room to a more direct buyer. Additionally, they lie to the guest by pretending that their reservation never happened when they got to the hotel. There's no guarantee that this problem will cease to exist. Even though Agoda might try to talk to your hotel about it—especially if it's an urgent one. No Control Over The Standard Of Hotels Since Agoda and other online travel agencies are merely middlemen, they have little control over the quality of the hotels. This is another risk or disadvantage of using them to book a room. Even though Agoda offers hotel listings, it's crucial to remember that the listing and the actual hotel might not always match. Therefore, there is nothing you can do if the hotel you reserved does not match the listing. Having made the booking through Agoda, you have limited powers to question the quality. It's crucial to set reasonable expectations when contacting Agoda about these kinds of problems because there's no assurance that they'll issue a refund, make another reservation at a nearby hotel, or provide any other kind of resolution. Likewise, since the hotel is not directly in charge of your reservation, do not anticipate receiving a refund or any other kind of resolution from them. This kind of scenario raises the possibility that Agoda will push things onto the hotel and that the hotel staff will then push things back onto Agoda, trapping you in the middle. Consequently, you will be forced to accept the hotel as it is. No Refunds For Non-Refundable Bookings It's crucial to know that Agoda normally does not issue refunds for non-refundable reservations. This is regardless of any unforeseen events that might affect your trip arrangements. However, it is definitely a legitimate online travel agency in terms of legitimacy. How? Personally, I've used Agoda to book hotels, and I haven't had any problems. In fact, when I want to book a hotel, I always use it. It is important to note that Agoda is owned by Booking Holdings, the global leader in online travel. Not only does Booking Holdings own Agoda, but it also possesses a wide range of well-known online travel companies, such as Booking.com, Priceline, Kayak, OpenTable, and others. You should always book directly if there is little to no price difference between booking through Agoda and directly. Agoda may be providing you with a far better deal than making a direct reservation with a hotel or airline. It all depends on your level and willingness to accept specific risks. Some of them are: Book Directly Or Through Agoda? You will have to consider the price difference between the two options. If Agoda does offer a cheaper rate, there are certain risks to consider, like: Difficulties and delays in resolving the issues and making changes, cancellations, and getting refunds, particularly in the case of flights. No reservation with the hotel. Accepting the hotel as it is. No refunds (in most cases) for non-refundable reservations, regardless of any circumstances that may arise. I personally strongly advise against using Agoda to book flights. The reason is that using Agoda to book flights makes it very difficult to make any changes. If you're willing to accept the aforementioned risks and drawbacks and the price difference is substantial, I would only suggest using Agoda to book hotels. Wrapping Up While using Agoda to make a reservation complicates, the website is a reputable source for travel arrangements. Agoda is a reliable source for bookings and typically offers lower prices than direct bookings. Does this imply that Agoda is the best place to book? Well, as previously stated, it mostly boils down to personal preferences. But to close out this piece, here are some passing recommendations I have: Avoid using Agoda to book anything, especially flights. The exception would be hotels, and that too only if: You can get a far better deal on Agoda than if you book directly with the hotel. You accept the dangers and disadvantages outlined above. If you adhere to the previously mentioned advice, you can reduce those risks and disadvantages. 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 Play Airlines! Here’s What I Found Out About Aha Airlines! Condor Airlines: Is Booking Tickets On Condor Worth It?

BY  Ankita Nov 12, 2025

One of the many things that my husband keeps bugging me about is what to pack when we are going on a trip. It is still okay if it is a winter trip, as he knows all the jumpers and jackets he needs to pack. For summer trips or whenever we are traveling to a warmer city, he can never decide.  And with my son now all of 12, he acts like a carbon copy of his father. He never knows what to pack for his summer excursions or holidays.  Now, this may sound like a trivial issue. However, it is a serious concern, considering Travel+Leisure has dedicated an entire post to the ideal travel clothing in 2025.  Though the post is essentially for women, it has some great ideas about how to build the perfect summer wardrobe for men without compromising comfort.  Shopping for summer wardrobe essentials for a trip can be a real budget buster. One minute you're browsing for a simple t-shirt, and the next thing you know, your cart is loaded with designer everything.  But here's the reality check. You don't need to spend your rent money to look good when the temperature rises. The trick is knowing when to open your wallet wide and when to keep it firmly shut.  Invest In These Summer Essentials Some pieces are worth every penny you spend on them. Take polo shirts, for example. A cheap polo will pill after three washes and lose its shape faster than ice cream melts in July. But a man's quality designer polo?  That will look sharp season after season. The fabric stays crisp, the colors don't fade, and the fit doesn't go wonky after a trip through the washing machine. Swimwear is another no-brainer for spending more. Nobody wants their swim shorts to fall apart mid-vacation or turn see-through after one dip in the pool. Quality swim gear holds up to chlorine, salt water, and countless pool parties. Also, you have to be particular about your innerwear. This is the innermost layer of your clothing, and your personal hygiene or comfort depends on the lingerie you wear.  Skip The Splurge Here Trendy stuff that'll be out of style before Labor Day? Save your money. That neon tank top with the weird geometric print might look cool now, but it's probably heading straight to the back of your closet come fall. Basic tees are another place to be smart with your cash. Sure, an $80 plain white t-shirt might feel luxurious, but a $15 one from a decent brand will do the job just fine. Save the big bucks for pieces that really matter. The 70/30 Game Plan Think about your summer budget like this: put most of your money into the stuff you'll wear constantly. That means: A couple of great pairs of shorts that fit perfectly Solid polo shirts and casual button-downs One really good pair of swim shorts Comfortable shoes that won't fall apart Save about 30% of your budget for the fun stuff. Bright colors, bold patterns, and whatever trend is taking over social media this year. How To Spot Quality Worth Paying For Good summer clothes have a few telltale signs. Natural fabrics like cotton and linen keep you cooler than synthetic blends that trap heat and sweat. Check the seams, too. If they look like they were sewn by someone having a bad day, skip it. Fit matters more than the price tag sometimes. A $40 shirt that fits like it was made for you beats a $100 one that's too tight in weird places. Don't Fall For These Shopping Traps Store credit cards promising instant discounts sound tempting, but that 25% off today could cost you way more in interest later. And those "limited time only" sales? Half the time, the same deal pops up again next week.  Don't let pushy salespeople rush you into buying something just because it's marked down.  Sleep on big purchases, especially if you're already questioning whether you really need another pair of khaki shorts. Also watch out for: Bundle deals that make you buy stuff you don't actually want just to get a discount on what you do need. "Buy two, get one free" offers that trick you into spending more than you planned. Impulse buys at the checkout counter that are budget killers disguised as good deals. Smart Shopping Tricks Now, to begin with, my husband initially complains. But it is he who does the maximum shopping at the end-of-summer sales. Once he is inside the trial room, it’s like a never-ending wait as he will keep trying all that he has picked in turns.  Last August's leftover inventory becomes this May's wardrobe refresh at half the price. Yes, you have to plan ahead a bit, but your bank account will thank you. Also, think about how many different ways you can wear something. A plain navy shirt goes with everything. A shirt covered in flamingos? Not so much. Building Your Summer Collection The golden rule to have all the summer wardrobe essentials for your next trip? Start with the basics. When the basics are right, you have the chance to layer them or accessorize them according to the weather conditions and local etiquette.  Personality pieces are also important, especially if you are going on a business trip or have some specific events to catch up on. Get a few neutral-colored essentials that play well together, then throw in some color and pattern to keep things interesting. Don't feel like you need to replace everything at once, either. Maybe your shorts are still good, but your polos have seen better days. Replace what's actually worn out, not what's just boring you. In addition, I keep some budget aside for shopping for summer clothes at the new location we are visiting. In this way, I can also avoid excess baggage charges when flying.