Must-See Attractions While Camping on Everest Base Camp Trek

BY  Ankita Mar 25, 2024

If you're finally on vacation in Florence, you'll definitely want to know how to enjoy your trip at night as well. Here in the evening, it is mostly the piazzas, clubs, and restaurants that come alive, all perfect places to discover another face of the city. 5 Things To Do In The Evenings While Travel To Florence Florence is a city that deserves to be experienced even when the sun goes down. While during the day it is interesting to wander around visiting monuments and attractions, in the evening, it is more pleasant to slow down and enjoy its beauty at a leisurely pace. Moving well in advance and choosing the best Florence hotel deals will give you the chance to find the most convenient lodging in the center, so you can move around in comfort and with ease, even in the evening. That said, here are 5 things to do in Florence as the sun goes down. Treating Yourself To A Tuscan Dinner: Travel To Florence Top Attraction  You can't say you've been to Florence without treating yourself at least once to a delicious dinner in full Tuscan style. Take advantage of your vacation to also explore the food and wine side of this city and choose one of the many restaurants where you can try typical local appetizers, first courses, main courses, and desserts. Among the traditional dishes, you are sure to find the famous Florentine steak, lampredotto, ribollita, tripe, schiacciata, and delicious Santucci. Accompany your dinner with an excellent glass of local wine. At the end of your meal, you can also end the evening with a delicious Italian gelato, which you can try at one of the many gelato shops dotting the center. Related: Best Places To Visit In Italy Taking A Walk Along The Arno River After Dinner Walking around without following a specific itinerary is one of the best experiences to have in the evening in Florence, especially after dinner when there are less people around. At this time of day, the city is truly magical and can show you another aspect of its beauty. It is a must for your travel to Florence.  One of the most striking points to reach is Ponte Vecchio, from which you can admire the Arno and the surrounding landscape. The famous jewelry stores will surely be closed, but this makes the bridge the main protagonist of the scene. You can take advantage of the moment to take memorable souvenir photos and capture the view from a different perspective. Travel To Florence And Admie The Duomo Without Crowds One of the best times to reach Piazza del Duomo is definitely in the evening. After sunset, the square begins to empty out, and admiring the Duomo in all its magnificence becomes even more impressive. You can also decide to reach the square in time for the sunset: admiring it from the top of the Dome or from Giotto's Bell Tower is impressive. Chilling Out In Piazza Della Signoria Piazza della Signoria is one of the most beautiful squares in the evening. Located a stone's throw away from the Uffizi Gallery, it is a great place to spend a few hours, if only to sit and admire the many wonders it houses. In fact, it is one of the city's main squares, home to the seat of civic power and the copy of the David. It is also one of the most popular gathering spots for tourists because of its elegant outdoor cafes and monuments. Visit The Academy Gallery With An Evening Tour Finally, it might be a good idea to take an evening tour of the Accademia Gallery so you can see the original statue of Michelangelo's David. In fact, there are guided tours that also start in the late afternoon, around 5 p.m., so you can avoid the crowds that invade the museum during daylight hours. There are also other attractions that give you the opportunity to join tours like this, such as the Uffizi Gallery or Palazzo Vecchio. Things To Know About Florence When planning to visit Florence during your holidays, you must have an idea of the evening life and the whole thing. This particular section provides a little discussion regarding Florence as a city. Cost Of Living If you wish to stay there for a week, the hotels will do it, but if you intend to stay longer, you must know the market prices. The groceries, restaurants, and transport prices are quite affordable in Florene compared to other major European cities. However, leisure activities can be quite costly. Therefore, you must take additional precautions and prepare for the stay budget there. The cost of renting the flats bank is in the area where you want to live. You can even find rent as low as  900 Euros in San Nicolo! Shopping While You Travel To Florence To Save Money Don’t get disheartened about finding the price of food products in Florence. Supermarkets like COOP and SISA are great places to shop for your daily requirements, there. There, you can find farmers’ markets in Florence. In the local shops, you will be able to find good deals for the day. It can give you good savings. You can easily enjoy bulk shopping and get cheaper deals compared to supermarkets.  What Are The Best Neighborhoods For Expats In Florence? When you intend to stay for a few days in Florence, you definitely understand the local culture. Living in the safest and best neighborhood will be the best choice. The district is on the south side of the Arno River. It is known for its massive art galleries, restaurants, and antique shops. These are the places where you find yourself close to the culture of Florence.  Mention needs to be made of the Duomo neighborhood. This is the place for those fascinated with old things and historic neighborhoods. The place is located right in the heart of the city. Moreover, it has become one of the prime spots for tourists. Apart from them, you have the San Marco neighborhood, which has a lot of similar characters.  Read Also: Unlocking The Secrets: Key Ingredients In Italian Cuisine Which Is The Best Time To Visit Auli? – Travel Guide

BY  sagnika Mar 18, 2025

Are you making plans to visit Chicago? Are you wondering if is Chicago safe? Wondering how being a solo traveler, it is important to be aware and integrate your safety precautions before you visit the bustling streets and neighborhood solo!   Let me share with you some of my experiences which I really enjoyed. You have to prioritize your safety before you do anything! Acquiring experience is important however, it is significant that you should learn about some of the safest places to stay and visit safe places to eat and visit.  If you are looking for one of the warm places to travel in February, skip Chicago. Instead, focus on how you can travel safely.   Is Chicago Safe? Question as a Solo Female Traveler!   A fantastic destination, Chicago has repeatedly been identified as a safe location for travelers. When you question about exploring places in Chicago solo, you need some safety tips that will help you make a successful vacation plan. Afterall, you are going to one of the exotic places to travel!   The vibrant city of Chicago is quite accessible with excellent public transportation. If I share my personal experience, I love traveling alone and when I went on a vacation to Chicago, I realized that the public transportation system is so easy to navigate, that it was a breeze for me to get around.   There are many tourist attractions, quite close to each other. Planning and creating cluster location trips is both affordable and safe for a solo female traveler. Let me share with you some of the things to do, top restaurants, top places for accommodations and others while being safe.   Safety Tips for Solo Female Traveler!   When you are traveling, the first thing you need to keep in mind as a solo female traveler is your safety. It is crucial when you are traveling solo especially when you need to enjoy as well as stay safe. Please keep the following tips in mind:   Learn more about the city – You should go through maps of Chicago and familiarize yourself with the city, its streets and places. Go through the layout of Chicago, and either use mobile apps or physical maps to navigate across the city. Trust me, you will feel more confident when you know all about the city’s places, streets, routes, and places to visit.   Follow the safety guidelines – There are general safety guidelines, especially if you are traveling alone. You must stick to safety practices. A vibrant city, Chicago is safe, but you still need to be aware of the place properly to travel alone. Chicago can easily be one of the best places to travel solo female in the US.   Awareness of surroundings – You need to be aware of your surroundings, especially when it comes to keeping your things to yourself. Try to avoid deserted streets or buildings along with strangers trying to be over-friendly.   Visit the tourist-friendly areas – The city is overall a cool place to be, but there are some places where you need to be a little aware. It is better to avoid them if you are a solo female traveler. Yes, you will find security measures being taken to keep people visiting these places safe.   Things to Do in Chicago   Let me share with you some of the things to do when you visit Chicago while staying safe. If you love visiting museums, this is your chance to utilize most of your vacation time. You can visit the following places if visiting museums, and cafes and going on walks is your vibe.   Field Museum – Open from 9 am to 5 pm, this state-of-the-art museum displaces beautiful scientific artifacts, displays, and exhibits. You will also find several inventions that are displayed in this museum. Furthermore, you get to see the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the largest display in the world!   Millennium Park – Open from 6 am to 11 pm, sprawled across 24.5 acres of green, there is an outdoor theater. Furthermore, you can take memorable pictures in front of the reflective “Bean” structure. This is one of the best places to travel with kids if you are traveling with your family!   The Art Institute of Chicago – Open from 11 am to 8 pm, this museum is known worldwide. It has exhibits that are collected from all over the world across many centuries.   Lincoln Park Zoo – Open from 10 am to 5 pm, this zoo is small. However, their exhibit is quite good as you get to see primates, reptiles, lions, and other animals free of cost. There is also a children’s area along with a very interactive farm exhibit.   Griffin Museum of Science and Industry   – Open from 9:30 am to 4 pm, this sprawling space is filled with industrial exhibits and child-friendly scientific exhibits that are quite informative.   Riverwalk – You can visit this place between 6 am to 11 pm. A pedestrian path along the riverside offers you beautiful city views. If you are solo traveling, it is a perfect place for dining with a lucrative view. You can also check out the bridges, boat docks, and fishing piers!   Top Restaurants and Bars to Visit   I am a foodie, so I love checking out places that offer delicious food along with a variety of options. Chicago offers you delicious food especially for people who are solo traveling. The experience is both enigmatic and beautiful.   The Longroom – If you are a beer enthusiast, this is the perfect place to try delicious craft beers. The vibe is great while the pub fare is not that expensive so, as a solo experience, it is perfect.   Girl & The Goat   https://www.instagram.com/p/DF3jhNDzQdn/?img_index=1 – The innovative cuisine is the selling point of the restaurant so, every time you visit the place, you get to eat something exciting and new. Visiting this place is the perfect way to experience the developing culinary scene of Chicago.   Olio e Piu   https://www.instagram.com/p/DGGQN_xTnXn/ – The Italian restaurant is quite charming serving a cozy environment with delicious dishes. If you are looking for an authentic trattoria, this is it for you. Try their fritto misto, Nutella calzone, carbonara and Margherita Pizza and others.   The Signature Room at the 95th   https://www.instagram.com/p/CtMYSa8qwU0/?hl=en – Giving you the perfect rooftop vibe, the pub is located high above the city offering stunning skylines. You will get the perfect feel for solo dining with delicious and mesmerizing food dishes.    Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria   https://www.instagram.com/p/DE24sxrTRb8/?img_index=2 – The deep-dish pizza, Lou Malnati is a popular Chicago classic! You must try this if you want to experience Chicago-style pizza thus, feel the authenticity.   The Purple Pig   https://www.instagram.com/p/DHHa8AGgm8P/?img_index=3 – If you are craving some Mediterranean–inspired dishes, this is the place to be! The Charcuterie is to die for. Starting for delicious cocktails, you must try their roasted bone marrow with herbs, crispy pig’s ear, grilled broccoli, Spanish octopus, and others.   Best Neighborhood for Booking Your Accommodations   If you are planning to visit Chicago, let me suggest some of the coolest and safest neighborhoods creating the perfect environment for your solo travel. When booking your accommodations, let me share with you some of the places known for various things!   If you want to shop in Chicago, the best neighborhood to stay is around the North Side. You must visit the Magnificent Mile which is vibrant and filled with charming elements all around. There are several stores, both high-end brands, unique flagship outlets, and street styles!   You also need to consider visiting near historic water tower and the John Hancock Center. Overall, it brings to the forefront the rich history of Chicago. A perfect mix of cultural exploration and retail therapy thus, providing a perfect place for your solo self to shop.   If you are planning to party, another place in Chicago to offer you vibrant nightlight is River North. Popular for eclectic bars, vibrant live music venues, and a high-energy club scene, the neighborhood exudes nocturnal life. You can visit the roof-top lounges like LondonHouse and The Godfrey Hotel!   Wrapping Up!   In conclusion, if you are wondering if is Chicago safe especially if you are a solo female traveler, plan your vacation based on the tips. Remember the safety tips I have shared along with keeping your eyes and ears open.   Comment below if you need any more information regarding creating a travel plan when visiting Chicago! Furthermore, you can also let us know if any safety tips that we have missed in this article. 

BY  Sibashree Aug 9, 2024

Wrangell-St. Elias, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an icy wonderland. It is a place where active volcanoes and the largest glaciers, like Malaspina, coexist, making it “A Song of Ice and Fire.”  It also has some of the greatest mountain ranges in the world and mighty rivers. Further, unique geological features and weather conditions have made the national park a land of biodiversity and wilderness with a lot of mammals, birds, fish, and plants.  Let me take you on a tour of the Wrangell-St. Elias glaciers and everything the national park has to offer.   What Are The Notable Glaciers In Wrangell-St. Elias?  Nabesna Glacier, Malaspina Glacier, and Hubbard Glacier are the most notable ones in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.   Along with these glaciers, you can also see glacier features like glacier caves, Jökulhlaups, and ice falls. Let’s briefly discuss the major glaciers and glacier features.   Malaspina Glacier Did you know that Malaspina Glacier is the “largest Piedmont glacier in the world?” Designated as a National Natural Landscape in 1968, it spans across 1,075,409 acres.   Further, its glacial mechanisms and fluctuations have made it a favorite of explorers. The glacier is also a favorite of space travelers as it looks vibrant from space.   In an article published by NASA Earth Observatory on 27th October 2023, we can find,  “The dark blueish-purple lines on the ice are moraines—areas where soil, rock, and other debris have been scraped up by the glacier and deposited along its edges. The zigzag pattern of the debris is caused by changes in the ice’s velocity. Glaciers in this area of Alaska periodically “surge” or lurch forward for one to several years. As a result of this irregular flow, the moraines can fold, compress, and shear to form the characteristic textures seen on Malaspina.”  Hubbard Glacier  Hubbard, “the sleeping giant,” is the largest when it comes to the tidewater glaciers in North America (75 miles long). The glacier gets its name from Gardiner Hubbard, National Geographic Society’s first president.   Also called the “Galloping Glacier,” it comes with tranquil blue ice. You can explore Hubbard Glacier through a cruise trip.   Visiting the Hubbard Glacier becomes more exciting as you meet the sea otters, whales, sea lions, and bears along the route.   Nabesna Glacier  With a length of 53 miles, Nabesna Glacier is the “longest interior valley glacier” in the world. However, there are concerns regarding the loss of ice mass in the glacier. A 2007 report says,  “Nabesna, the largest glacier in this region (˜1056 km2), lost mass four times faster during 2000–07 than during 1957–2000. Although accelerated, the mass change over this region is slower than in other glacierized regions of Alaska, particularly those with tidewater glaciers.”  Glacier Features In Wrangell-St. Elias  You will come across many fascinating glacier caves in Wrangell-St. Elias, especially near the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark.   Further, ice falls, or the fountains of the glacier, move very fast, and it’s fascinating to see how they form seracs or blocks.   Also, there are Jökulhlaups, or flooded glacier outbursts, adding to the various glacier features of the national park.    Amazing Glaciers of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Facts  Mount  St. Elias, the largest peak of the national park, is the second-highest in the world.  Mount Wrangell, the only active volcano here, is one of the largest active volcanoes in North America.  It has Nabesna Glacier, Malaspina Glacier, and Hubbard Glacier, three of the largest in the world.   It is a part of the “world's largest international protected wilderness.”  Mid-May to mid-September is the best time to visit this park.   Wrangell-St. Elias: A UNESCO World Heritage Site  Home to countless glaciers and many high mountains, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park enjoys the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Kluane, Glacier Bay, and Tatshenshini-Alsek.   Also, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is a part of the “largest non-polar icefield in the world.” You will find Dall's sheep, grizzly bears, caribou, and many other animals roaming in this part of the world.   Further, certain geographical and biological factors and “protection and management requirements” make this national park a place of outstanding universal value. Let’s discuss them in detail.   Rich In Biodiversity  The scenic beauty and geological diversity in the park are outstanding. It has sea mammals and other aquatic animals. Further, you can see many land mammals, birds, and different types of trees in this park.   The table below mentions some of the most popular birds, trees, and animals you can see here.   Land Mammals Brown Bears Polar Bears Black Bears Mountain Goats Dall Sheep Bison Coyotes Wolverine Porcupine Sea Mammals and Other Marine Creatures Whales Sea Lions Porpoises Harbor Seals Sea Otters Plants (936 Vascular Plant Species) Sedge Family Grass Family Sunflower Family Trees Willows Various Introduced Species Birds Bald Eagles Canada Geese Trumpeter Swans Wilson's Warblers American Robins  Home to boreal forest, Wrangell-St. Elias has one of the largest ecosystems in the world. Diverse geological features and unique weather conditions support this sprawling ecosystem or biodiversity.   Comes With Topographical Diversity   This national park is one of the most diverse in its topographical features. It has glaciers, rivers, river canyons, volcanoes, snow-capped mountains and whatnot!   Geomorphological features like hanging valleys, moraines, craters, and calderas also make this national park unique.   A Hub Of Active Tectonic, Volcanic, Glacial, And Fluvial Natural Processes   Like the entire Alaska, Wrangell-St. Elias is also in an area where tectonic, volcanic, glacial, and fluvial natural processes are common.   So, it has active and inactive volcanoes, the largest glaciers, and some prominent fluvial landforms. It has the mighty Copper River, Rivers of Life, and braided rivers formed of glacier water.   Final Words   Wrangell-St. Elias National Park has the highest glacier coverage among all national parks in America. It also has the active Mount Wrangell volcano, rivers, and wetlands, making it a place of geological interest.   Exploring the glacier caves and the ice falls here is a one-of-a-kind experience, and it’s wonderful to see how the richest biodiversity with mammals, birds, aquatic animals, and trees thrives here.   So, come and experience the brilliance of nature as you explore the largest glaciers of the world’s largest glaciers, such as Malaspina and Hubbard.   Or have you already been to this land of volcanoes and glaciers? Don’t forget to share your experience of the glaciers of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park tours.    Wrangell-St. Elias National Park FAQs   How Many Glaciers Are In Wrangell-St. Elias National Park?  Like the entire Alaska, Wrangell-St. Elias is filled with glaciers. According to the latest count of the National Park Service (NPS), the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park has 3,121 glaciers. Further, these glaciers cover a whopping “6,757 square miles of land.”  So, Wrangell-St. Elias has glaciers that cover 60% of all the glacier coverage in American National Parks. Glacier Bay in Alaska is the distant second to Wrangell-St. Elias. The glacier coverage at Glacier Bay is just 1/5th of Wrangell-St. Elias.  In addition, Malaspina, Hubbard, and the Bering glaciers, located along the park’s southern margin, are three of the largest glaciers in the world.   Having said that, glacier coverage in Alaska is shrinking, and  Wrangell-St. Elias is not an exception. From 1985 to 2020, it has already experienced a 5% reduction in its glacier coverage.   How many People Visit Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Each Year?  The National Park Service has a record of visitors to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park since 1982. Since then, this park has been enjoying thousands of footfalls every year.  2023 was one of the topmost years in terms of number of people visiting  Wrangell-St. Elias. It had 78,305 visitors in 2023.  In 2020 (the Covid-19 era), the park had 16,655 visitors. From 2021, the number of visitors has increased consistently. (Source)  What Is Unique About Wrangell-St. Elias National Park?  With the largest glaciers and volcanoes in the world, Wrangell-St. Elias is unique because of its geographical features. It is also one of the most prominent hubs of biodiversity. Thanks to its extensive glacier and volcanic coverage and rich wildlife, it has earned the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Among glaciers, Hubbard (one of the largest in the world and the largest tidewater glacier in North America) and Malaspina Glacier demand a special mention.   The Mount Wrangell volcano in this park is still active, and some other volcanoes here are Mount Drum, Capital Mountain, Skookum Creek Volcano, etc.  Further, it has an endangered sea mammal, Steller Sea Lion, and other marine animals. Bears, mountain goats, and sheep are common land mammals roaming here.   Also, you will find birds like the American robins, Wilson's warblers, and dark-eyed junco in this national park.   What Is The Highest Peak In Wrangell-St. Elias?  Mount St. Elias is the highest peak in Wrangell-St. Elias. With a height of 18,008 feet, it is also the second-highest peak in North America.   Having said that, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park celebrates the presence of four major mountain ranges in the world. It has the eastern part of the Alaskan Range, St. Elias, Chugach, and Wrangell.   Why Is Wrangell-St. Elias Protected?  Wrangell-St. Elias is protected to “preserve and protect ecological integrity and heritage resources of a vast ecosystem in south-central Alaska, while providing for public use in a wilderness setting.”  So, it is protected to preserve the local geology and diversity of the landscape with glaciers, volcanoes, and wetlands. It is also a measure to preserve wildlife and its inhabitants. Also read Ultimate Guide to Your Next Family Vacation in Israel. Paris Transforming Historical Sites Into Olympic Venues. Whales And Sea Lions! Exploring Wildlife At Kenai Fjords National Park.