Festivals Of Light And Color: Experiencing Japan’s Vibrant Matsuri

BY  Sibashree Apr 22, 2025

With Tennessee tourism recording a visitor spending of $30.6 billion in 2023, the state is anticipating robust growth in the tourism sector.  However, what Tennessee lacks is a beautiful ocean beach. Being a landlocked state, the state misses out on the perks of beach tourism.  So, during our stay in Chattanooga, we did not know where to go for an outdoor swim and all the beach fun.  We all loved the Chattanooga Choo Choo rides, Lookout Mountain, and Ruby Falls. But we were craving a beach visit really badly.  Thanks to our hotel owner, we got to know about Chester Frost Park, the closest beach to Chattanooga. It took us less than half an hour to reach Chester Frost Park from Chattanooga.  However, Chester Frost Park, with Chickamauga Lake, has a lake beach. If you want to see an ocean beach, you need to at least travel to Tybee Island or Panama City Beach. In this Tour and Travel blog, I will primarily focus on my experience at Chester Frost Park. However, I have also talked about the best time to plan a trip and shared brief accounts of Panama City Beach and Tybee Island.  What Is The Best Time To Visit The Closest Beach To Chattanooga? Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit Chattanooga and the nearby beaches.  The months of March, April, and May are the spring season in Chattanooga. The temperature in these months ranges between 7 to 26 degrees Celsius.  Again, September to November or the fall season in Chattanooga is beautiful with the foliage changing its color and a nip in the air.  Also, during the fall season, it rains only 5 days a month, and the temperature hovers around 8 to 28 degrees Celsius. What Is The Closest Beach To Chattanooga? Inside The Chester Frost Park Location: 7872 Causeway Road, Hixson, TN 37343 Contact Number: 423-209-6894 Entry and Beach Activities: Free (Charges applicable for camping and pavilion, and shelter rentals) Beach Area Hours: Daylight to Dark With Chickamauga Lake, Chester Frost Park is your happy space if you are looking for the closest beach to Chattanooga.  This place is also historically significant as it has the Jackson Chapel Cemetery, the oldest in Hamilton County, and Dallas Hill, which has been the original county seat since 1822.  We enjoyed our swimming sessions in the Chickamauga Lake. The waves were calm, and the soft sand on the shores made a delightful sight.  Once we were done after the first round of swimming, we had great fun catching bass and crappie.  Also, we were lucky enough to spot herons, river otters, and egrets in Chester Frost Park.  Other beach activities in Chester Frost Park are: 1. Camping Along with tents and camping options, Chester Frost Park also has 188 RV sites. These sites have electrical hookups.  2. Hiking Chester Frost Park has some easy trails. Also, the park allows leashed pets, except in the beach areas.  So, you can enjoy a family walk along these trails and spend some time in nature.  3. Boating And Other Water Sports You will love paddling, kayaking, or a ride in the powerboats during your time at the Chester Frost Park. 4. Picnic Chester Frost Park has many picnic shelters. You can enjoy a laid-back time, having your favorite snack and drink while enjoying the best views of the lake. What Is The Closest Beach To Chattanooga By The Ocean? Tybee Island is the closest beach to Chattanooga by car if you want to hit a beach by the ocean. The distance from Chattanooga to Tybee Island is 383 miles.  You need to travel around 6 hours from Chattanooga to reach Tybee Island.  Nestled in the Atlantic Ocean, Tybee Island in Georgia is also the closest ocean beach to Chattanooga.  A proud member of the Best Islands in the United States club in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award, Tybee Island has beautiful, pristine beaches, and its historic landmarks, such as the Lighthouse and Fort Pulaski National Monument, make it a popular tourist attraction.  The pristine beaches here are North Beach, Mid Beach, South Beach, and Back River Beach. Also, you must not miss a visit to Little Tybee Island, the twin of Tybee Island.  Moreover, Savannah, the historical epicenter of Georgia and the entire USA is less than 30 minutes away from Tybee Island.  Recently, Tybee Island has been the center of attraction with the just concluded Orange Crush fun on 19th April 2025. Is Panama City Beach Close To Chattanooga? No, Panama City Beach is not located near Chattanooga. The distance from Panama City Beach to Chattanooga is around 630 km.  The most affordable and convenient way to travel from Chattanooga to Panama City Beach is by car. However, if budget is not a constraint for you, you can take a flight from Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) to Orlando.  Also, flights to Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) are available from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP). Delta and American Airlines run these flights.  Why Will I Visit Panama City Beach From Chattanooga? A part of the Emerald Coast, Panama City Beach is a crown jewel in the growing beach tourism or ocean-based tourism industry in Florida.  It has white sandy beaches, and the water with the shades of blue and green creates the most picturesque frame.  Also, ideal for a fun break in the Sun, Panama City Beach is also famous as “The Spring Break Capital of the World.” Having said that, the beautiful Panama City Beach is now affected by the obvious impacts of overtourism. So, the Florida Authorities want to restrict tourism activities to this beautiful beach.  In fact, the city authority is now planning to transform Panama Beach into a family destination to avoid violence, shootings, and unpleasant activities. "Since the wild days of 2015, when spring break chaos pushed us to rethink our path, we've made tremendous strides and have seen some setbacks. That year's violence, shootings, a beach assault, and rampant disorder spurred tough ordinances, like our March alcohol ban, and a unified effort to shift Panama City Beach from an unsafe spring break haven to a welcoming family destination.”Post Shared On Meta on 13th April 2025 by Tommy Ford, Bay County Sheriff What Is The Closest Beach To Tennessee? The closest beach to Tennessee will depend on the part of the state you are in. For example, Dauphin Island in Alabama and Pensacola in Florida are some of the closest beaches to Nashville.  You need to make a journey of around 7 hours to reach any of these beaches.  However, Sullivan’s Island and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina are the closest beaches to Knoxville.  Again, as I have already mentioned in the blog, the closest ocean beaches near Chattanooga are Panama City Beach or Tybee Island.  Tennessee, anyway, is a landlocked state. Yes, there are lakes such as Norris Lake, Center Hill Lake, Chickamauga Lake, and Cherokee Reservoir.  However, if you need an ocean beach experience, you need to travel at least to Panama City Beach, Tybee Island, or states like South Carolina and Florida.

BY  sagnika Apr 19, 2024

Are you planning to visit Australia soon? Tell me it is on your bucket list, and you can't wait to plan your itinerary. Let's check out some of the coolest restaurants across Australia, mostly in Victoria, Sydney, Adelaide, and New South Wales. In the article, you will learn about culinary experiences and planning a food walk or trip across Australia. In 2023, The Gourmet Traveller Team has compiled a list of some of Australia's best restaurants, creating a winning experience. Their team of reviewers has evaluated several restaurants and made a perfect list! If you are a foodie, you will learn so much more about the dining scene of the nation and have a comprehensive pleasure. In this article, you can find more details about the restaurants and learn about the culinary experience. What Are The Restaurants In Australia Worthy To Have An Experience? Let me share some of the best dining experiences these restaurants will offer you. You can read about some of Australia's best restaurants right now! Several dining locations in Australia are quite in demand, such as Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Melbourne, and others. If you love unique experiences, you can go to restaurants such as Sounds of Silence, Quay, and others. These restaurants are special because they use local produce and curated rare items; thus, they create a beautiful landscape of taste and deliciousness. We must remember the cultural combination of food and the people's culture. I will be sharing some of the best restaurants in Sydney, Australia. Let us get into details about the dishes served on the menu! What ingredients are used in the dishes will give you a better idea about the culinary experience. Alberto's The restaurant Alberto's Lounge is known for serving umami-rich sardines pate on crisp fried crostoli, which are the size of triangles. The snack is quite a popular one among the visitors! They also love the old-school feel of the trattoria, which gives you a beautiful feel with retro posters, personal services, spaghetti western lenses, and natural wines. The restaurant is on Alberta Street in Sydney. Its head chef is Elizabeth Mitchell, who creates beautiful dishes and some eccentricities! I recommend that you make bookings before you visit the restaurant. If you love Italian food, this is the perfect place. They offer delicious custom Italian dishes such as seared tuna with tomato-scented acqua pizza and hand-cut pappardelle coated with beef short-rib ragu. They also add red wine and saffron; imagine the deliciousness of it all! Bar Heather A Parisian-styled joint where the philosophy is wine first and then food! You will receive the menu from which you will order once you have ordered your first drink. Situated on the south side of Byron Bay, the rollicking joint might give an old-school and dim vibe, but every dish on their menu is a beauty. The chicken broth is to die for, as it is quite in demand! Manchego cream with shaved local mushrooms and crisp potato also satisfies the customers who visit this restaurant. The restaurant is owned by Tom Sheer and James Audas, who serve their customers with wine that perfectly pairs with their delicious menu. The chef of this restaurant, Ollie Wong-Hee, has created an interesting menu with Southeast Asian cuisine showcasing his amazing Chinese heritage. One of the knockout food items on his menu is grilled pork wrapped in a betel leaf with lettuce, charred pineapple-chilli sauce, and pickles, so you must try it! Alta Trattoria The restaurant is well known for its small touches, such as fried capers on vitello tonnato or pickled mushrooms! Alta Trattoria is an homage to the northwest region of Italy and its beauty. The chef, Mckay Wilday, brings together Piedmontese cuisine paired well with French, Australian, and Italian items. For example, lemon and chestnut gnocchi and rabbit ragu tossed with tajarin are some of the restaurant's landmark dishes. A group of industry professionals, along with McKay Wilday, the chef, creates the perfect menu to satisfy customers worldwide. It is a delightful trattoria situated on the back street of Fitzroy in Australia. The restaurant is open from Saturday to Sunday for dinner; you can get lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Attica The name on the menu is weird, but the food is delicious as hell! The lasagna, "Eat the Problem," combines buffalo, boar, and venison wrapped in green-ant-studded pasta sheets. You will get to eat Mud crabs and pikelets along with bunya-bunya cream and sea lettuce. Playfulness is a part of a restaurant with beauty, as there is a backyard where you can sip your drink while watching a game. The dining spectrum of the restaurant is significant because, along with the food, the atmosphere is also beautiful. The restaurant is in Ripponlea and features a delightful menu! They also use the cultural aspect of native Australia, as one of the dishes features a gorgeous flower-shaped wafer. The food is quite inventive, and the service is prompt! Quay Chefs Troy Crisante, Tim Mifsud, and Peter Gilmore have created a menu for this Australian restaurant that presents umami depth, a balance between crunch and cream, marine life, and other elusive ingredients. So why do you feel like this place is so magical? The menu includes sweet scallops with shaved abalone, liquorice Kombu, and raw palm hearts with vinegar dressing. The richness of the dishes, such as confit pork jowl paired with smoked trotter broth, will leave you speechless. Please make bookings before you go. You cannot miss the "white coral" dessert with a tart-sweet taste that creates an otherworldly feel! Sounds Of Silence A unique experience, Sounds of Silence creates a magical combination of sounds, sights, and tastes, creating an immersive experience. The background of this experience is the Uluru sunset, creating a fascinating field of light. It is one of the things to do in Australia! You can go for a dinner date to the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, creating a beautiful environment where the music and wine start flowing. From entrees to desserts, you will find the inclusion of indigenous ingredients along with the drinks that accompany them. Even when it comes to drinks, you can have a varied choice, starting from Aussie beer to chilled sparkling wine. Along with this beautiful experience in Uluru, you can have a star talker who talks about the mysteries of planets, zodiac signs, and constellations using a laser pen. Fugazzi A lively restaurant with New York-style Italian culture, Fugazzi has created a space perfect for neighborhood diners! You will find vintage posters along with red booth seating, which has created a cheekier charm. There are several bowl options in their breakfast section, along with some decadent options such as Chorizo scramble croissant, salmon benedict, and Florentina benedict! You can definitely try handmade pasta and pizza which is their specialty. From mushroom tortellini to Wagyu Lasagna, they offer a diverse palate. Culinary Experiences In Australia One of the most unique experiences in Australia is the Aboriginal experience, as Aboriginal cuisine is an integral part of Australian cuisine. You cannot forget the significance of culture and the arts in influencing your perspective and choices of food! You can try out ingredients such as native finger limes, spinach, Kakadu, quandongs, saltbush, and other herbs. Emu and Kangaroo give these spices and herbs a different flavor. You must remember the events and festivals in Australia, which are quite cool! For example, the Canberra Beer & Cider Festival, Wild Harvest Seafood Festival, and other food events create a perfect culinary experience. Visiting Australia will allow you to experience culture, music, comedy, and art at different events where you can celebrate your nationality. Planning A Foodie Trip In Australia Let me give you some tips on exploring the dining scene along with the restaurants discussed in the article. How can you appreciate a foodie trip when making Australian-travel ideas? You can savor the Aboriginal Desert Feast while exploring Uluru; hence, you can add Tali Wiru to your checklist. A blend of nature, cuisine, and culture is available where you can have a 4-course platter inclusive of wine. Some of the street foods in Australia are quite popular, such as! Local food markets in Australia are quite popular as they offer healthy and farm-based fresh produce. Finishing Off... To sum up, regardless of where you stay in Australia, you must visit these places to eat and experience the diverse culture of the country. I will emphasize the vibrant and diverse food culture of the country and encourage travelers to go on a food walk! The art and awe of this experience are great attractions to local performances and events. After reviewing the article, you have picked up little details about the different restaurants and would look forward to making decisions. Comment to let us know if you have already visited one of these restaurants, let us know how your experience was. Learn More About: 6 Tips For A Luxurious Trip To Australia Budget-Friendly Travel Ideas In Australia A Beginner’s Guide To Island-Hopping In Greece

BY  Ankita Mar 20, 2024

Siam Square is a popular shopping area located in the heart of Bangkok city, and known for its classy shopping malls and plenty of street markets. This capital is different from others as it allows you to explore museums, visit amazing temples, and watch Thai boxing matches, all in one area. Whether shopaholic or not, you can enjoy amazing things like street and window shopping, viewing amazing art, and interacting with large wax statues of your favorite celebrities. Window Shop At Central Chidlom As a shopaholic who has fun window shopping, visit Central Chidlom to view products in its flower display. Get a foot massage at Siam Square from this stylish store that has seven floors internationally known for its huge, unique, and attractive display. Do Amazing Shopping At Siam Square The square is a huge hub of all essentials for shopping due to its large fantastic malls, small boutiques all over, and low-budget street shops. You can comfortably do street and window shopping, and after a tiring day of shopping join one of the many restaurants and cafes for food and drinks. You can do the shopping from 10 am to 10 pm, Thailand time. Watch The MBK Fight Night One of the most exciting things you can do in Siam Square is see Thailand boxers fight against worldwide boxers. On the last Wednesday of every month, you can watch a live Muay Thai Boxing match free of charge. The fight is hosted with live commentary, ring girls, and a music band at 444 Phayathai Rd, Wang Mai. Take Photos With Global Celebs At Madame Tussauds Museum Get a chance to brush shoulders with your favorite local and international celebs, Hollywood stars, heads of state, and sports heroes and heroines at Madame Tussaud Museum. You’ll find life-sized wax statues of famous guys and have a chance to touch, hug, and even kiss them. You can access them any day of the week from 10 am to 9 pm. Visit Jim Thompson House Art lovers worried about what to do in Bangkok are well-catered; they can access well-designed South Asian art at Jim Thompson House. Here you will find old-aged Buddha images, Chinese porcelains made in the 14th century, and 18th-century paintings. Visit the place on any day of the week, specifically between 10 AM to 5 PM to see all this art. Idol At Paragon Shopping Mall If you are having a tired day, just wander around the huge, plush, and luxurious shopping mall. To those who love admiring pricey and high-end electronics, materials, and clothing, you will enjoy moving from one floor to another looking at them. You could also enjoy luxurious and underworld dining in the same mall. Explore Erawan Shrine Find a time between 6 am and 10 pm to visit one of the most popular Hindu Shrines in Bangkok. You can go there to pray, meditate, or have fun watching Thai and lion dances in the shrine. Enjoy all forms of fun from amazing shopping, hugs and kisses from your favorite celebs, prayer and meditation, art, and window shopping at Siam Square. Best Places To Shop Around The Siam Square  Bangkok In this section, we discuss some of the great places you can visit in Siam Square. Enjoy Siam Paragon The Siam Paragon offers different brands, mainly the upmarket brands, where people can go out and shop. The glass and steel megamall covers a vast area.  You will find around 250 shops there. You could also find Asia’s largest aquarium, a 16-screen cineplex, and plenty of gourmet restaurants and cafes. There, you could find the flagship stores in Prada, Louis Vitton, and the Thai bespoke stores where you could occupy the  4th floor. The place is great and offers a great shopping experience to the people. You will undoubtedly fly high inside the buzzing shopping mall filled with life. CentralWorld  The CentralWorld is undoubtedly one of the most visited places in Siam. It has got everything, from fashion to high-tech electronics and imported groceries. You will certainly get a glimpse of the best shopping experience. The mall is always buzzing with life. Some events and concerts cater to the requirements of people across diverse age groups.  You can find the 15-screen SF World Cinema, Isetan department stores, and Zen there. Apart from that, you can also find hundreds of restaurants and cafes. MBK Center The MBK center is well known for affordable shopping. It's a gigantic place with around 2000 shops that occupy around seven floors of the retail space. One of the primary selling points of the place is the extensive range of products, photo equipment, video games, gold ornaments, and many others. Whatever you wish to shop for, you can easily find them here. It is indeed a great shopping experience where you get plenty of food choices. Siam Center Another shopping center that counts itself on the list of the trending fashion malls in Siam Bangkok is the Siam Centre. There, you get dozens of boutiques. However, you get products from Thai designers. The mall is one place where you find the utmost fun. Fashion brands like Steve Maddens, Adidas, Pull & Bear, Victoria’s Secret, and others. It's a fun place to explore the best offerings from the best brands. Gaysorn Village Gaysorn Village is one of the most luxurious upmarket shopping complexes. The place is a storehouse of the most high-end luxurious goods. The contemporary design and the innovative retail concept create an exclusive shopping experience that you definitely need to look for. You can expect a wide range of products from international brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, and Prada, among the best brands in Thailand. The most innovative designers in Thailand are the Senada Theory, Kloset Red Carpet, and Fly Now.  These products are highly competitive and of great quality if compared with the best foreign international brands. Apart from its renowned places, there are some other great places in Siam Square where you can have the best shopping experience. They include Erawan, Ermin Plaza, Hard Rock Shop, Center Point Siam Square, and others. Read Also: Crime Rate In Florida Trending Down While California Skyrockets: Report World’s Most Famous Christmas Tree Has Reached Trafalgar Square