Dharamshala’s Snow Story: A Guide To Visit During Winters

BY  Ankita Nov 9, 2023

John F. Kennedy International Airport, known as JFK, is one of the busiest and most prominent airports in the world. Situated in the vibrant city of New York, getting to JFK  airport terminals is relatively straightforward, thanks to a variety of transportation options available to travelers. In this guide, we will explore how to navigate your journey and reach JFK Airport with ease. By Taxi or Rideshare When discussing the directions to the airport, you may face traffic congestion. It is quite normal. The first step that the passengers must take is to set out well before time so that the congestion on the highways does not disrupt the overall journey. Hence, searching for the most comfortable rides is important. Now, when it comes to timely reaching the station, the taxis or the rideshares can be highly effective as they are fast enough to reach you safely to your destinations. Let us understand both of them separately 1. Taxis Taking a taxi is one of the most convenient and comfortable ways to get to JFK Airport. New York City’s iconic yellow cabs are readily available throughout the city, and you can easily flag one down. JFK is well-connected to Manhattan and other boroughs, making it a convenient choice for travelers. Keep in mind that taxi fares are subject to tolls and potential surcharges, so it is essential to be aware of the cost before starting your journey. Read Also: 5 Tips To Travel For Seniors With Limited Mobility 2. Rideshare Services Popular rideshare services like Uber and Lyft operate in New York City and provide a convenient alternative to traditional taxis. You can request a ride through their apps, and a driver will pick you up and take you to JFK Airport. These services often offer upfront pricing so that you can know the cost in advance. Do your research on the popular ride services. They are highly competitive in terms of the pricing. Get the best here.  By Public Transportation The development of a destination is marked by the public transport facility. The government takes it as an element of public welfare. So, when you are discussing it in terms of the overall development of the place, public transportation unquestionably turns out to be an important one for sure. They are the lifeblood of people's mobility. Some cities like New York City have an extensive public transportation system, making it easy to reach JFK Airport affordably. Here are the primary options: 1. AirTrain   The AirTrain is a dedicated JFK Airport train service that connects with New York City’s subway and commuter rail lines. There are two main AirTrain routes: JFK AirTrain from Jamaica Station: This route connects to the subway lines E, J, and Z at Jamaica Station in Queens. It is a convenient option if you are coming from Manhattan, Brooklyn, or parts of Queens. JFK AirTrain from Howard Beach: This route connects with the A subway line at Howard Beach. It is a suitable choice if you are traveling from Brooklyn or southern Queens. The AirTrain is a cost-effective way to get to JFK Airport, and it operates 24/7. 2. NYC Subway And Buses Look at any busy city in the world; the government spends on managing the entire traffic system to regulate the smooth mobility of people from the suburbs to the main city. It is not an exception for exception. The subway system is one such intelligent system of traffic that always finds the solution to the problem. It's indeed an effective way to travel from one place to another. Even the Taxis are great in terms of mobility. You will get them easily when you reach your destination along the subway system.  Here, we discuss the whereabouts of the city's subway system.   New York City’s subway system and buses provide additional options for reaching JFK Airport. You can take the subway to Jamaica Station or Howard Beach and transfer to the AirTrain. Several bus routes also serve JFK Airport, providing connections from various neighborhoods in the city. By Airport Shuttle An airport laden with the best amenities may fail to serve the needs of the traffic if it is not supported by vehicles on the road. This is why the location of the airport is one of the most important aspect. This is where you must have the best airport systems to tackle the overall development of the highways. The New York City airport is well-connected via public transport. The Airport Shuttles are one of the most notable ones that you have. Airport shuttle services are available to transport travelers to and from JFK Airport. These shuttle services typically offer shared rides, and you can book them in advance or upon arrival. They serve various locations in the city and provide a convenient option for those traveling in groups. By Car The USA has one of the widest and the best road connectivity. They are indeed huge and carry millions of people from one place to another.  If you prefer driving to JFK Airport, you can use your own vehicle or a rental car. The airport is accessible via major highways and roads, including the Van Wyck Expressway and the JFK Expressway. Be sure to check for parking options and rates at JFK, as they vary depending on the terminal and duration of your stay. Plan Ahead For A Smooth Journey Getting to Airport in New York City is a straightforward process with various transportation options to choose from. To ensure a hassle-free journey, plan your transportation method in advance, taking into consideration factors such as your location, budget, and travel schedule. By doing so, you will be well-prepared to navigate your way to JFK and start your adventure from this bustling international gateway. This guide provides travelers with an overview of the transportation options available for reaching JFK Airport in New York City. Depending on your preferences and location, you can choose the method that best suits your needs for a smooth and convenient journey. Read Also: How To Save Money On A Trip To Abu Dhabi 7 Tips To Make The Most Out Of Your Trip To Gatlinburg How To Use Videos To Drive Conversions In Travel Business

BY  Sibashree Sep 10, 2024

Connemara National Park has been an important Irish national park, having won the Green Flag Award in 2018. This international benchmark shows its worth as a green space and park. Further, in 2021, it also sought the New Heritage Site Accreditation, which shows the quality of the national park and how it is maintained in a sustainable way.   Moreover, this park is even rich in geology and houses many historical and archaeological sites. In addition, as an outdoor enthusiast, you can explore its various hiking and walking trails.   So, want to tour this Irish national park, which has a dash of history, culture, natural abundance, and more? Here is a complete guide for you.   Important Information About Connemara National Park  Visiting Time: 9 am to 5:30 pm  Entry Fee: Free  Closed On Christmas Day, St. Stephen’s Day, and Red and Orange Weather Alert Days  Amenities: Education Center, Visitor Center, Playground, Cafe, Toilets and Picnic Areas  How to Reach: You can reach this national park by train, car, or bus. You have to reach Galway City first and then take a bus (or private car) to reach the park.  Main Access Point: Near Letterfrack along the N59  Pet Friendliness: Dogs are Welcome to Walk the Trails   Fascinating Geology Of Connemara National Park  The national park is a part of the Twelve Ben area. So, the park also has underlying metamorphic rocks. The sediments forming these rocks are aged between 700 to 550 million years.   Further, you will find schists and gray marbles around the edges of the rocks. Moreover, at the top, you will see quartzite. In addition, it is astonishing to know that the final shaping of the park took place around 10000 years ago or during the last ice age.  The park has a rocky formation with boulder clay and a deposit of sand and gravel. The distinct geological features have contributed to the type of vegetation found in this area.   What Animals Are In Connemara National Park? Which Plants Does This Park Have?  The International Union for Conservation of Nature, or IUCN, has marked Connemara National Park as a Category II Protected Area. So, there is a constant endeavour to safeguard the landscape, wildlife, and ecology of the park unadulterated.   The park has many heritage breeds along with a wide range of protected flora and fauna. In addition, there are some conservation projects to protect the flora and fauna. The table below shows the details.  Birds* Stonechats Wrens Robins Peregrine Falcon Merlin Sparrowhawk Kestrel Mammals Nocturnal Animals  Pine Marten Bats Foxes Badgers  Diurnal Animals   Pygmy Shrews Red Deer Wood Mice Otters Hares Stoats Connemara Ponies Other Fauna Freshwater Pearl Mussel Salmon Trout Smooth Newt Common Frog Rare and Protected Plants and Other Flora Sundews Butterwort Purple Moor Grass Roseroot Purple Saxifrage Starry Saxifrage Pale Butterwort Lesser Twayblade Mountain Sorrel St. Patrick’s Cabbage St. Daboec’s Heath Heritage Breeds Connemara Ponies Cladoir Sheep Moiled Cattle Old Irish Goats Galway Sheep Conservation Projects** Control of Rhododendron Mweelin Exclosure New Found Wood Connemara Pony Cladoir Sheep Preservation Committee Irish Moiled Cattle & Conservation Grazing  *The national park has a large number of birds in the winter. Many native birds of Ireland, such as woodcock, song thrush, mistle thrush, snipe, and starling, increased in numbers in this season.   Moreover, fieldfare, redwing, and many other birds from Northern Europe flock to this park in great numbers during winter.   **The conservation projects in the park are designed to maintain biodiversity. These also try to eradicate the negative impacts on the rare and protected flora and fauna of the park.   Habitats Of Connemara National Park  Connemara National Park has wet boglands and uplands as its habitats. Further, the extremely wet boglands are the hubs of various vegetation. However, the uplands have drier mountain bog communities.  Boglands   Boglands are found in the low-lying areas of the park. Further, in these wet boglands, you will find the western blanket bog. In addition, purple moor grass surrounds this western blanket bog, and thus, it has a grass-like appearance.   In the national park, you will find these boglands near the pool surface, slope inclines, flat lands, and flushes. However, these boglands can appear on your route if you're hiking off trails, and there can be swallow pools. So, be careful!  Uplands   The mountainous and rocky uplands also house a wide variety of vegetation. The grasslands and heather here are also home to some rare and endangered animals, such as red deer and Old Irish Goats.  Moreover, the heathlands here are drier due to a higher altitude.  Hiking And Walking At Connemara National Park  For hikers, all roads in the Connemara National Park lead to the Diamond Hill summit. , panoramic views of Letter Hill or Tully Mountain. Twelve Bens and Kylemore Abbey are also visible from the mountain summit. However, the national park has three more major hiking trails. Check out the table below.  Name of the Trail Difficulty Level Distance (in Km) Upper Diamond Hill Difficult 3.7 Lower Diamond Hill Moderate 3 Sruffaunboy Trail Easy 1.5 Ellis Wood Nature Trail  Easy 0.5  If you are planning to complete a multi-day hiking trip in the national park, you can consider camping here. However, you have to abide by the Wild Camping Code and the regulations related to the Camping Exclusion Zone.   Moreover, you can take a walk (self-guided) through the Tree Trail in the park. It begins from the Car Park Kiosk, and throughout the trail, you will meet tree varieties such as holly, hazel, oak, and Scots’ Pine.   Did You Know?  Through the Connemara National Park West Center and the Letterfrack Village, you can have a thought-provoking walk. The trail you will take is known as the Poetry Trail. Further, in various locations along the path, you will find nine poems by eminent Irish poets like Mary O’Malley and Moya Cannon, which are placed on plaques.   In addition, it is a one-of-a-kind experience for poetry lovers. Some of these nine poems talk about the park and its importance in Irish history. Further, the remaining ones are more generic in nature.   Exploring History At Connemara National Park  The archaeological and historical sites at Connemara National Park tell the tales of human lives and the history of the park for thousands of years. The park’s two megalithic tombs (West and East Tomb) in the park were already popular. However, thanks to the surveys of Helen Riekstins, an archaeologist and national park guide, we have 13 other sites that add to the importance of the park.   Among these 13 sites, six further have been visited by NMS or the National Monuments Service and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Here are the visited sites.  A standing stone  A cairn  Enclosures  A pre-bog wall  Nearby hut  A house  Further, the other seven sites are to be a part of the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) review for inclusion.   The pre-bog wall is likely to be associated with neolithic farming. On the other hand, the hut sites and standing stones are believed to be from the Bronze Age.   Connemara National Park has sites that are 10000 years old. These sites existed as coastal middens and belonged to the Mesolithic or Stone Age.  Many archaeological and historical sites are found near Diamond Hill, Letterfrack, and Mweelin.   The megalithic tombs in the park are around 4000 years old.   Connemara National Park is a twin historic site with Terra Nova National Park in Newfoundland. These twinning sites speak for the cultural bond between Ireland and Canada.  Guglielmo Marconi, who received the patent for two-way radio in 1912, is associated with the place. Between Diamond Hill and Mweelin, he suspended the wires, and the current site of Bunaboghee Bog and Park Office had the second line. Here, he invented the first Full Duplex Radio.   So, the presence of various archaeological sites and the association with famous personalities make this park a delightful site for history lovers. Moreover, the Letterfrack Industrial School (1890) is a site important in modern history. Further, the school’s graveyard here tells the grave tales of injustices to the boys resting there.   Final Words   Located in County Galway, Connemara National Park covers around an area of 2,000 hectares. The park opened its door to visitors in 1980, and since then, it has been a place of attraction with its scenic beauty, geological variety, rich wildlife, and hiking trails.   The park also hosts many events like the Summer Evening Lecture Series and Heritage Week Celebration. Moreover, stargazing has become a popular activity in the park, and adults and children over 7 years of age can participate in the star-watching event. You can also check the National Parks website for the latest events at Connemara National Park.  So, are you planning a visit to this historically and naturally rich Irish national park anytime soon? Or have you already been to this wonderful place? Don’t forget to share your experience with us!  Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego. Lake Clark National Park And Preserve: Very Few Know How It Preserves The Alaskan Spirit And Culture.

BY  Abdul Aziz Feb 24, 2022

Unless you're a member of a prestigious organization, it's easy to get a discount on hotel booking. The first tip is to check for canceled reservations. In addition to being able to secure a room at a discount, a canceled reservation can also save you money. You can use sites like Roomer to sell your unused hotel reservations. It's an excellent way to get a room at a discounted rate and avoid paying the full cost. Off-Season Booking: Another tip to get a discount on hotel booking is to book in the off-season. Many hotels charge higher rates during high-demand seasons. The booking.com promo code will save you money. Flights will be cheaper too, so it's a win-win situation. Off-season travel is generally mid-fall or early-spring. By using these tips, you can save a great deal on hotel booking and flights. Check the Prices: Before you book your hotel, check the price of the room on the different sites. Some of these sites may have deals with hotels and offer incentives. But you should remember to compare apples to apples. When checking prices, be sure to check whether the price is the same if you stay a day less or a few more days. If you don't like the price, try to move the dates. You can also check the prices of similar dream hotels at different sites. Related Resource: 6 Things To Consider While Booking A Vacation Rental Try to Book Early: If you want to save money on hotel booking, try to book early. By doing this, you can get a discount on your room. You can also use your credit card to get more benefits from it. By using a credit card for hotel booking, you can save hundreds of dollars and earn miles. Aside from that, you can use the card for other travel needs, including airline tickets. However, most consumers do not know that their credit cards are redeemable for discounts on hotels. Read Reviews: Another way to get a discount on hotel booking is to read reviews. Reading other travelers' reviews on hotel websites is a great way to find a good deal. If you can't find reviews of a particular hotel, you can also search for a website that offers discounted hotel rooms. Then, look for coupons for the hotel on Giving Assistant. Some hotels may offer more benefits than others. For example, you can use your credit card to get an additional 10% discount on a room. Be Aware of Mystery Deals: There are many times when you can get a discounted room without paying the full amount. You can also find last-minute deals. While last-minute deals are not available on every hotel website, you can find some in the same chain. You should always be flexible with the dates and location of your trip. It will be better to have a cheaper price if you're a frequent traveler. Related Resource: Spinnaker Resorts & How Do You Get Out Of A Spinnaker Timeshare Finally, Don't Forget to Compare Prices: The cheapest hotel is not always the best. Sometimes you'll find a cheaper one by calling hotels. Then compare prices to other booking engines. Then, you'll be able to lock in a good price. But, be sure to read the terms and conditions before you make your final decision. It's easy to save on a hotel when you use a hotwire. Read Also: 7 Must-Have Items For Your Summer Vacation Best Sailing Holiday Locations For Enjoying Wildlife And Adventure Want An Adrenaline-Filled Activity? Try Zipline Smoky Mountains! 10 Best Places To Visit In Europe