Galapagos Adventure: Top 3 Islands to Explore in the Enchanted Archipelago

BY  Abdul Aziz Jun 16, 2023

For travel enthusiasts seeking an extraordinary adventure that combines ancient traditions, futuristic cities and a tantalizing gastronomic journey, look no further than Japan - a captivating country that seamlessly blends past and present. From the vibrant streets of Tokyo to the tranquil temples of Kyoto and the breathtaking natural wonders in between, Japan offers an incomparable immersive experience. This article explores compelling trip ideas and assesses the top cities to visit in Japan that must be seen to be believed. 1. Explore Tokyo's Vibrant Cityscape It is natural to begin your journey in Tokyo, the capital city of Japan. This dynamic metropolis offers a blend of tradition and futuristic technology. Take a stroll in the historic Asakusa district, where you can visit the iconic Senso-ji Temple – one of the most ancient Buddhist temples in Tokyo. Moreover, marvel at intricate architecture and experience the bustling atmosphere of Nakamise Shopping Street, lined with traditional shops and food stalls. Next, enjoy Shinjuku’s neon lights and vibrant atmosphere, known for its entertainment and shopping districts. Lastly, experience cutting-edge technology and bustling energy in Akihabara, the center of Japan’s “Otaku” culture and immerse yourself in anime, manga, and gaming. Perhaps this may even inspire you to find out about onee-chan wa game o suruto hito ga kawaru onee-chan, or another manga series that catches your eye, once you return home. 2. Immerse Yourself In Kyoto's Rich History Travel back in time by visiting Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan. This city is home to numerous temples, shrines and traditional gardens. Explore the magnificent Kinkaku-ji (known as the Golden Pavilion) adorned with gold leaves reflecting on a tranquil pond. Discover the peaceful Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, a mesmerizing forest with towering bamboo stalks that create an enchanting atmosphere. For an authentic cultural experience, participate in a traditional tea ceremony. Next, don a kimono and stroll through the historic streets of Gion, known for its geisha culture, and catch a glimpse of these traditional entertainers. Lastly, ensure to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, famous for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates that lead to a stunning view of Kyoto from the mountaintop. Consider Kyoto Tours for a seamless extension of your adventure, offering a contrast but equally captivating experience in the bustling metropolis. 3. Experience Natural Beauty In Hokkaido Japan's northernmost island, Hokkaido, is a must for nature lovers. Renowned for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife, Hokkaido offers a plethora of outdoor activities. Visit the picturesque town of Biei, famous for its rolling hills and colorful flower fields. Moreover, explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shiretoko National Park. This pure forest is home to brown bears, eagles, and seals. Consider unwinding in the natural hot springs of Noboribetsu or hiking in scenic Daisetsuzan National Park, with stunning alpine scenery and beautiful views from the summit of Mount Asahidake. If you visit in winter, Hokkaido is renowned for its superlative skiing and snowboarding resorts. 4. Meditate On The History Of Hiroshima Pay tribute to history and visit Hiroshima, a city that emerged from tragic events in World War II. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum serve as reminders of the atomic bomb that devastated the city in 1945. Take a moment to contemplate the ruins of war and comprehend the significance of peace. Afterward, explore the nearby Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island - famous for its iconic floating torii gate and beautiful scenery. Lastly, take a calming walk along the picturesque streets of the island. 5. Indulge In Japanese Cuisine No trip to Japan is complete without indulging in its unique cuisine - Japanese food is renowned for its freshness, variety, and meticulous preparation. Indulge in sushi, a culinary art form showcasing the finest fish cuts and expertly seasoned rice. Alternatively, order a comforting bowl of steaming ramen, a beloved Japanese noodle dish with flavorful broth and toppings, and savor crispy tempura, where delicate seafood and vegetables are lightly battered and perfectly fried. It is recommended to try yakitori (grilled skewered chicken) at a traditional Izakaya (Japanese pub). Moreover, venture into lively food markets (such as Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo or Nishiki Market in Kyoto) to sample fresh seafood, street snacks, and local delicacies. Experience the art of traditional kaiseki dining, where each dish is meticulously prepared with seasonal delights to blend flavors. 6. Attend Festivals And Cultural Events Immerse yourself in Japan's vibrant culture by attending traditional festivals and events. If you visit during the cherry blossom season (sakura) in spring, the cherry blossom will be in full bloom. You can join hanami parties in parks throughout the country. Experience the excitement of summer festivals (such as Gion Matsuri in Kyoto or the Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori). It features colorful floats, traditional performances, and fireworks. During winter, catch the Sapporo Snow Festival. Here, you can marvel at magnificent ice sculptures and enjoy winter sports in the snowy wonderland. Throughout the year, various cultural events and festivities take place. They take you deeper into the traditions and customs of Japan. You May Also Like: 10 Best Things To Do In Prague 10 Amazing Things To Do In Medellin Top 10 Affordable Hostels In Los Angeles – California

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 27, 2021

A trip to an Idaho Ski Resort is always a fun, luxurious, and unforgettable experience. Some people like camping, some people enjoy relaxing on the beach, but there are others that just can’t get enough of the frigid winter chill and love hitting the slopes. When people think of Ski Resorts, their minds typically wander to states such as Colorado, California, or Utah, but there is another state that deserves to be on that short-list: Idaho. Idaho and its ski-resorts have much more to offer than you might think. Idaho shares a border with Canada and stretches all the way south past Washington and Oregon. This leaves Idaho with a large variety of terrain, mountains, and landscapes. There are tens of thousands of acres of forest with a massive amount of national forest. Idaho is actually in the top 3 in the country for acres of national forest. If you couple these forests with the mountain ranges that span nearly the entire state, Idaho really seems like an ideal place to be. When it comes to snowfall, you won’t be disappointed there. You can expect several hundred inches of snowfall in the upper mountains. Perfect if you enjoy dropping into puffy piles or carving through the snowy powder with skis. Mountains with large drops? Done. Windy trails for skiing? Has it. What more could you ask? So, Idaho has plenty of territories fit for skiing, snowboarding, and other wintery activities, but what about the Ski Resorts? From North to South, Idaho has ski resorts in nearly every major area. There are around 16 Ski Resorts located in Idaho, 4 of which are especially notable. Tamarack: Tamarack is Idaho’s top Ski Resort and it is also the closest one to Boise. It offers affordable lift rides, a variety of dining options, and places to stay for nearly any budget. When it comes to the mountain, Tamarack doesn’t disappoint. The mountain sports a near 2800’ vertical drop, nearly 300 inches of annual snowfall, and 50 named runs with decent lift access. Silver Mountain: Located all the way up in Kellogg, Silver Mountain is a great option if you want more than the typical winter experience. While not as accessible as the others, it is still not a resort to skip out on. Silver Mountain has plenty of runs (73 to be exact), great lift access, 1600 acres of skiable land, and, surprisingly, an indoor water park. When it comes to vertical drops and snowfall, you can still be satisfied here. Silver Mountain boasts a near 2200’ drop and around 300 inches of snowfall. It’s not as high as the others, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying what it has to offer. One additional detail to keep in mind: Silver Mountain is relatively close to Spokane, Washington. This makes the Spokane International Airport an option for landing. Schweitzer: Located in Northern Idaho, even further than Kellogg, Schweitzer mountain resort offers a 2400’ vertical drop with 300 inches of snowfall. It sports a massive 92 named runs with 10 separate lifts to ensure you can get around the mountain. Prices are affordable and there are many lodging options. There are wide-open slopes and trails through the trees. Schweitzer has something for everyone. Sun Valley: Sun Valley is the largest and most popular Ski Resort Idaho has to offer. Its location is more centralized in the state and it has a variety of activities available. Its location is close enough to the Friedman Memorial Airport to make the drive to the actual resort less than 30 minutes. This makes it one of the easiest resorts to access. In addition to that, it also has the largest variety of activities. More than skiing and snowboarding, it has shopping, dining, and even golfing to offer. The mountain is also very impressive. It has the largest vertical drop at a staggering 3400’. This is the only resort with a drop over 3000’ (Tamarack at 2800’ is the closest match) and 220 inches of average snowfall. It also has the largest number of named runs and the largest number of lifts. There are 121 runs with 18 lifts to accompany them. If you’re looking for the best all-around experience, this is absolutely one to consider. How do I choose which Ski Resort to go to? There is a large amount of information in regards to the different ski resorts. If it’s your first time, a lot of it may not make a lot of sense. To help understand, there are only a few factors that really matter. Ignoring the total cost of the trip, you should look at the vertical drop with snowfall, the number of named runs and lifts, and also its location relative to airports/major towns. Using these metrics, you can narrow down which Ski Resort would be best for you. If you look at the numbers, you can generally assume bigger is better. More named runs and lifts usually mean the resort is more developed and easier to traverse. Looking at the vertical drop can be a decent way to gauge the difficulty range. And, of course, the time it takes to travel to the resort itself is important as you’ll need to plan travel accordingly. It’s unfortunate that Idaho isn’t higher on people’s lists of Ski Resort states. From relaxed rides to big vertical drops, Idaho has everything you could want. Deep powder, amazing views, and a growing number of resorts are just a few of the many reasons Idaho is gaining popularity in the snow sports community. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How many ski resorts are there in Idaho? Idaho has 18 ski resorts with their own personality and unique ways. You will experience different things in each of them. They are very creative while having their plans made.  what is the largest ski resort in Idaho? Schweitzer Mountain resort. There are over 2,900 skiable acres. You don’t have to share your space with other skiers. Is snowboarding allowed in Sun valley? Yes, you can, with all ability levels. For beginners, it is quite a lace as it allows them to explore the mountains. Other resorts just aloes the beginners to explore the base area. How cold does Sun Valley get? In summer the Sun Valley is mostly warm, dry, and clear. In winter it gets freezing, cloudy, and snowy. The course of the year has the temperature typically varies from 10 degrees to 81 degrees.  Read Also: The Last Ski-Only Resorts In The USA: Why Do They Still Exist? Top Ten Southern Africa Off-The-Beaten-Path Adventures A Traveler’s Guide To Lutsen Trekking Kilimanjaro & Salkantay

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 20, 2021

Do you know why every time we take a flight, we tend to remember the bad experiences more than the good ones? This is because air travel has become something that we expect to be comfortable, convenient, affordable, and great! Individuals, families, and professionals take flights for several reasons. It might be for business or pleasure. However, one thing is for sure. All of us want the experience to be a non-stressful one. With the world slowly opening up after the pandemic, you might be planning to go on your next business trip or vacation. With so many different airline options out there, choosing the right carrier to fly with can be an overwhelming experience. In this resource article, we help air travelers make an informed decision about choosing the best airline to fly with. We list down seven factors that should be taken into consideration when booking and flying with an airline. List of 7 Major Factors to Consider when Choosing an Airline for travel 1. Address the Value-For-Money Proposition- There is a reason why everyone wants the best deals on airline travel tickets. This is primarily because when it comes to air travel, we are looking for the best value-for-money proposition. This necessarily does not mean the cheapest tickets available. It means assessing whether the kind of money you are paying is commensurate to the level of experience you are expecting. For example, if you look to book air asia on a travel portal, you know that you will be getting a fantastic experience in terms of pricing, availability, check-in features, and more. 2. Explore Loyalty Programs on Airlines- If you are someone that uses air travel a lot, you would have some credit card type of benefits. In this day and age, most airlines offer loyalty programs and memberships. This allows you to enjoy facilities like upgrades in seating class, use of the lounge, last onboarding and first deboarding benefits, and more. Make sure you check the website of the airline and cash in those loyalty points that you have steadfastly acquired over the years. You can also explore whether you cash in your credit card points on a flight to gain added benefits or not. Consider Reading: 5 Tips To Protect Your Passport While Travelling Abroad 3. Consider the Comfort of the Seats- Budget carriers are notorious for compromising on the legroom, shoulder room, and overall sense of space. While these are common concerns across airlines, there are some carriers that offer better seating positions as compared to their competitors. If you are taking a long flight, you need to ensure that you are sufficiently comfortable. This is even more important if you are traveling with senior parents, who can feel uncomfortable if they are unable to move their feet sufficiently. For taller individuals, seat design and positioning are very important. This is one of the leading reasons why travelers book air, Asia. 4. Check out the In-Flight Entertainment Options on board- Most of us are so wired to our laptops and smartphones that we feel that they will be sufficient on flights. That is not the case. If you have in-flight entertainment in the form of screens, headphones, and streaming platforms, your travel experience will be better. For starters, you will not feel the strain in your hands from holding up your mobile device for long hours. Secondly, you will not start looking for battery sockets. A good in-flight entertainment system can make a major difference to your travel experience. 5. Look at the ease of Web Check-Ins and Reserving Seats- If you are taking a flight, you want the last-minute hassles to be out of the way. A cool way to reduce them is to opt for web check-ins. While most carriers offer this, the experiences vary drastically. Look for how easy check-in options are on the carrier’s website. Make sure to book seats in advance if they allow that. You can book aisle or window seats depending on your preferences. This is a great thing if you are traveling with kids or senior parents. You might have to look at so many other things. Striking out web check-ins can reduce your pressure. 6. Examine the COVID-19 Safety Protocols on the Airline- We are living in difficult times and you need to make sure that the airline you are choosing is as cautious about safety as you are. It is best that you go for an airline that prioritizes social distancing norms, has sanitation, distributes masks, and ensures that all their staff is vaccinated. The best airlines disinfect common areas, touchpoints, seats, and toilets after every flight. Be sure to go on the website of the airline and see what steps they are taking to follow the COVID-19 safety protocols. A little cautiousness goes a long way in ensuring safety. 7. Read Reviews on the Customer Service of the Airline- There are so many small things that can make a huge difference to your overall airline experience. One of them is customer service. From the way your tickets are processed to the manner in which the steward or air hostess addresses your concerns with a smile, everything can make a difference to customer service. Leading airlines like AirAsia have been regularly voted as being the best when it comes to customer service. You can understand it through checking up an airline’s social media pages or heading over to platforms like Quora. You can also see the importance of customer engagement, customer satisfaction, and customer experience for a business at https://www.qualtrics.com/experience-management/customer/customer-engagement/ where it is clearly explained. Consider Reading: 10 Tips For Traveling Across Europe The Final Word There are other factors that you can also take into consideration. Many travelers look for airlines that have been voted highly on the quality of food. If you are traveling for business purposes, you might need to work on a last-minute presentation or send emails. In this regard, you need an airline that offers network connectivity in the form of Wi-Fi. Most experts recommend that if you are looking for the best prices on airline tickets, you should compare travel platforms. You also need to be flexible, if you are traveling for personal reasons and not professionals. Shifting your flight by a day or two can translate into lower prices, better amenities, and a newer aircraft. If you have any other questions, you would like us to address on choosing the best airline for travel, please let us know in the comments below. We will be more than happy to address as many of your concerns as possible. Read Also: Travel Insurance: What Is It And Why You Should Get One Improve Your Travel Experience By Hiring A Limo