Whales And Sea Lions! Exploring Wildlife At Kenai Fjords National Park 

BY  Sibashree Oct 27, 2023

The best time to visit Zanzibar is from June through October during the dry, sunny peak season, which pairs perfectly with mainland safaris. January through March offers another hot, dry window with fewer crowds. While November and December bring short, isolated showers that rarely disrupt travel, the long rainy season from March to early May causes heavy downpours, high humidity, and silty seas. For ocean activities, Zanzibar maintains a year-round average temperature of 30°C. March through November delivers the calmest waters, lowest winds, and best visibility for diving and snorkeling. Additionally, September through December is the absolute prime window to see incredible marine life, including whale sharks, reef sharks, and manta rays. Best Time To Visit Zanzibar Image Source: gumlet.assettype.com Strictly speaking, the dry seasons of December to February and June to October are the best times to visit the Zanzibar islands. In general, the beaches in the southern and western parts of the islands are more protected from wind during these months. On the other hand, the wind typically comes from the southwest from June to October. This makes the northern and eastern coasts ideal for holidaying. But in the end, these islands remain at the whim of the ocean, and their weather can be erratic year-round. Even in the “dry” seasons, afternoon showers do occur, but they usually last only a few minutes and are refreshingly cool. It is not a bad idea to travel to Zanzibar during the rainy season, when the number of tourists declines and you will likely find affordable trips and lodging (among those still open). The sunsets are stunning. The rain, although severe, isn't usually consistent, and delicious pineapples come into season! You might find it tricky to navigate the roads and buses, but things eventually settle. Zanzibar's prominent climates are wet and dry seasons, influenced by the Indian Ocean’s rainy season. From November/December to February/March, the northeast monsoon winds, or kaskazi (in local parlance), blow. And from June to September/October, the southwest monsoon winds, also called kusi, blow.  A brief rainy season (the vuli) occurs in November, in addition to the main rains (the masika), which last from mid-March to the end of May. Weather Image Source: www.holidaysplease.co.uk Although winds and sea breezes can reduce it, humidity remains relatively high year-round. The average daily temperature on Zanzibar Island is roughly 26°C (80°F) from June to October and around 28°C from December to February. However, during the latter period, humidity is often higher, making temperatures feel hotter. Pemba has a milder climate with a little more rainfall than Zanzibar Island. The islands are crowded with tourists from outside and expats from Nairobi and Dar es Salaam during major holidays like Christmas and Easter. Expect crowded flights and higher hotel prices. On the other hand, life moves more slowly as many restaurants and shops close during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. The annual Zanzibar International Marathon takes place in the first few days of November. This can be a great draw for sports enthusiasts, making it a great time to visit Zanzibar. Festivals Image Source: www.gallerytours.net The majority of Tanzania's public holidays are observed on the islands as well. On these days, companies and offices are typically closed, while some tour operators are still open. Some of the public holidays with set dates observed on the island are: 1 January – New Year 12 January – Mapinduzi ‘Revolution’ Day 7 April – Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day 26 April – Union Day: Zanzibar and Tanganyika 1 May – Workers’ Day 7 July – Saba Saba (Seven Seven) 8 August – Peasants’ and Farmers’ Day 14 October – Nyerere Day 9 December – Independence Day 25 December – Christmas Day 26 December – Boxing Day The Muslim holidays of Idd il Fitri, which marks the end of Ramadan, and Idd il Maulidi (also known as Maulidi ya Mfunguo Sita), which commemorates Muhammad's birth, are widely observed and are public holidays. These festivals fall 11 or 12 days earlier each year, with dates determined by the lunar calendar. If you are planning to visit Zanzibar in 2024 and want to be part of Ramadan, it is set to run from 10 March to 8 April. Places To Visit Image Source: zanzibardestination.co.tz Zanzibar is one of those rare treasures you keep to yourself, as a secret, as a deeply significant memory, and as the most joyful days spent. Now that you know the best time to visit Zanzibar, if you want to know a few places you can check out while visiting, here are a few: Slave Trade Image Source: pbs.twimg.com The Slave Museum is a must-see for anybody interested in learning about Zanzibar's sordid past. The last active slave market in the world closed in 1873. You will pass by rooms where slaves were housed before being sold as you move around the museum. To work on plantations, hordes of Africans were first transferred to this island. Slave traffickers utilized the port at Zanzibar as their center of operations to transport slaves to countries including Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and the Ottoman Empire. Sunset Dhow Show Image Source: www.tanzaniatourism.com If you miss taking a Sunset Dhow Cruise on the translucent, emerald seas of the Indian Ocean, your journey to Zanzibar will remain incomplete. The bustle of a busy town gradually disappears as the sunset cruise departs the coast, replaced by the musicians' melancholy ballad of lost love and found romance, or a tune played on a taraab, violin, or oud. The crew will provide you with crackers and your preferred brand of beer or soda. Sip your drink while you soak up the exotic vibe on the cruise. Mnemba Atoll Image Source: www.andbeyond.com Explore the fascinating marine life at Zanzibar, which is home to more than 400 species of fish, turtles, nudibranchs, and many rare forms of coral, while scuba diving at Mnemba Atoll. If you are lucky, you might see reef sharks, manta rays, and whale sharks. Mnemba Atoll is one of Zanzibar's top locations for water sports, and it's also a conservation area and marine reserve. Mid-February through mid-May, as well as mid-October to mid-December, are the best times to scuba dive in Mnemba Atoll because the sea is calm and visibility is high, making for an even better experience. Darajani Market Image Source: upload.wikimedia.org A market is a location where we meet new folks, socialize, and engage in addition to trading and selling items. One such place in Zanzibar is Darajani Market, the town's main market. You can find merchants selling everything from Chinese toys and other trinkets to indigenous Zanzibar spices, kofias (Zanzibari hats), and dates as you stroll the streets. You will have an amazing experience wandering the market's winding streets. Wrapping Up The best time for either a rustic vacation or participation in Zanzibar activities is June and October. These are spring months in Africa, when the weather is mild and delightful. You can also visit this tropical island paradise in December and February. Zanzibar experiences hot, dry weather while other countries are in winter. Read Also: This Is The Best Time To Visit Iceland & These Are The Things You Should Do! This Is The Best Time To Visit The Seven Magic Mountains In Vegas! THIS Is When You Should Visit Maldives!

BY  Sibashree Jun 26, 2023

Are you considering making travel plans to visit Cabo San Lucas? The ultimate destination for adventurers can be dangerous because of the harsh weather and increasing crime rates. Want to know if Cabo San Lucas is safe? Cabo San Lucas is 20 meters above sea level, and its geographical location is 22.88 degrees North and 109.90 degrees West. Thomas Ritchie founded the place in 1828. The climate of Cabo is a tropical thorn forest. However, there is a certain desert terrain spread. A critical icon can be found in the area: The Arch. In Spanish, "El Arco" is the natural stone arch that is well known worldwide and a symbol of Cabo San Lucas. Read the article to learn more about it. Also Read: How To Find The Best Ontario Cocaine Rehab Center? Is Cabo San Lucas Safe? Let's Find Out! Cabo San Lucas is situated in Mexico with picturesque beaches. It is a popular tourist destination rich in culture and boasting sumptuous local food. Almost 2.8 million travelers visit Cabo annually, and there are repeat visitors. The coastal life experience that Cabo San Lucas offers is quite beautiful at a meager price as compared to many other popular tourist destinations. The place is more alluring than other beach destinations, and the good outweighs the bad regarding tourism. The question arises: Is Cabo San Lucas safe in recent times? The country of Mexico is going through a crisis of cartel warfare and drug-related violence. The U.S. government has issued a warning regarding travel advisories in Mexico, and Cabo has been excluded. Cabo is a popular tourist spot and is considered safe for visitors. Yet some issues might put tourists at risk in recent times. Where Is Cabo San Lucas Situated? Cabo San Lucas is situated in the Baja California peninsula on the West Coast of Mexico at the southern tip. The overall positioning of the place is in the southeast of California, USA. Tourism In Cabo San Lucas The tropical weather in Cabo is perfect for visitors. The white sandy beaches and glistening blue waters create the perfect backdrop for tourists walking barefoot. Thousands of tourists frequent Cabo every month. There are certain things that you need to consider when you are traveling to Cabo. These include buying only bottled water, always staying in groups, and not dressing too flashy. As a visitor, you must know that there are no lifeguards. Hence, you should always have local contacts who can help you. You must book with trusted sources for accommodations. How To Reach Cabo San Lucas? The time to reach Cabo San Lucas by flight from New York, Vancouver, Canada, and Chicago is 5 hours, while from Seattle and Atlanta, it takes 4 hours. Traveling from San Francisco to Cabo will take 3 hours, while from Dallas and Los Angeles, your flight will be two and a half hours long. Crime In Cabo Certain crimes are active in Cabo, and Interpol is working hard to prevent them. The Interior is performing criminal investigations and spearheading spontaneous crackdowns to stop crime. The concerns that are identified in Cabo are as follows: Drug Use and Sale Gang Activity Carjacking Scams Robbery Homicide Pickpocketing The total population of Cabo is 202,694, and most crimes are happening against the locals. The crimes are severe, so the authorities are taking a firm stand to curb crime. The crime rate has increased to 80.29% in 2023. Thus, safety is a concern. The vibrant scenery, nightlife, and natives are the attraction of Cabo, yet visitors might feel reluctant due to safety issues. Considering Cabo is right on the edge of the coastline, it is easy for drugs to pass from Mexico to other countries. It does contribute to more gang violence and drug-related crime in Cabo. It would be best if you stayed away from the coastal regions late at night as tourists and visitors. There is a higher risk of getting mugged. Venturing into tourist-habited places such as shopping centers, tourist attractions, bars, and restaurants is a better idea to enjoy your trip. The most convenient transportation choices are Uber, Lyft, and Shuttle. Safety Concerns Cabo has topped the list of scams and frauds, making it difficult for the authorities. Before and after the peak season, the issues further increase. In 2022, at least 800 reported cases of fraud and scams. Kidnapping is another concern where the perpetrators ask for money after abducting loved ones. In Cabo, there are risks of tourists getting kidnapped in vehicles that pretend to be taxis but are not. The tourist destination ranks third in the statistics of kidnapping. The municipality of Cabo San Lucas has a negative image regarding managing crime for locals and visitors. The center of Cabo has the best hotels, attractions, beaches, and accommodations where crime is controlled. Unfortunately, the back alleys and the side roads are not so safe. Los Cangrejos And Las Palmas The neighborhood has some safety concerns, with pretty high rates of crime and theft. People are constantly falling victim. Santa Rosa In San Jose Del Cabo Armed robbery, vehicle robbery, and assault crimes are common in Santa Rosa. Visitors must be careful of hot spots. This location has accommodations and tourist attractions, making it straightforward for visitors to fall victim. It would be best if you kept the windows of the cars locked. You must continue on your way if any strangers are asking for help or a lift. The reported crimes in this location are based on gas theft. Moreover, the neighborhood around the airport is primarily rural, which is considered dangerous. City Center The area is crowded, making it the perfect place for mugging and pickpocketing. Every day, twenty crimes are reported. Therefore, visitors must avoid congested areas. Also, there is a high chance of losing your belongings because theft is common. Read Also: How Safe Is Morocco For Travel? Is Spirit Airlines Safe? Get Your Answer Here! FAQ About Staying Safe With Holiday Royal Vacation Club

BY  Abdul Aziz Jun 24, 2024

If you are planning to fly out of an airport this travel season, you need to spend a little time thinking about how you will get there. Transportation to an airport can quickly get expensive, and perhaps you do not have a whole lot of extra cash at the moment, especially if you’ve spent a lot on tickets, hotel accommodations, etc. Finding a more reasonably priced option means you can save money that will likely come in handy at another point during your trip. Maybe you need to save cash for a Los Angeles van rental or for getting into museums and other attractions once you arrive at your destination. In these circumstances, keeping as much money in your pocket as possible when heading to the airport is often crucial. We will discuss seven modes of transportation that are worth your consideration in the following article. Most Cost-Effective Way to Reach the Airport Read this article till the end to know which is the most cost-effective ride to the airport. You Can Walk Is it possible to walk to an airport? Sometimes it is, but that would have to mean you would already have to be pretty close to it. The most practical time to walk to an airport is if you stayed at a hotel adjacent to it the previous night. Most other times, it is not possible or practical. Whenever you can manage it, though, you will presumably pay nothing. It really does not get much better than that if you are attempting to conserve your money. You will even get some exercise by walking, which is nice. If you can walk to the airport, make sure to watch out for traffic and only use roads with sidewalks. Using airport access roads or ones only intended for cars is dangerous. Saving money is great, but not if it comes at the possible price of being hit by a taxi or airport shuttle. You Can Consider Hiring an Uber or Lyft In the past decade, hiring an Uber or Lyft has become a piece of common knowledge in the urban scene. You can book a ride on these rental cars within seconds with the help of apps on your phone. If you are not a very tech-savvy person, you can still get the Lyft or Uber app, order a vehicle for yourself, and ride to the airport with someone else handling the driving duties. The real drawback with either Uber or Lyft is the expense. During surge hours pricing can become quite expensive in the case of these rental cars. At certain hours when the demand for these rental cars increases, Uber or Lyft increases their pricing as well. Hiring a rideshare vehicle off hours is almost always cheaper. You Can Hire a Taxi The option of hiring a taxi can be efficient and expensive. For example, if you book a cab from Midtown Manhattan to JFK it will easily cost you $50 or more. This cost varies based on the demand of the cab, city or state, and other circumstances affecting the booking prices. If you are in a smaller city with a less busy airport, getting a taxi may not break the bank. If you are considering this option but have a tight budget, it never hurts to go online and do a little research before you flag down the nearest taxi on the street. Take a Hotel Shuttle Hotel shuttles are usually free if you are staying at that hotel, so getting to the airport that way is certainly an attractive prospect. Hotel shuttles are usually clean and well-maintained. They are also generally air-conditioned, which is nice. You should have at least a couple of dollars to tip the driver if you go this route. $5 for a tip is usually the expected amount, but the driver will likely be happy if you give them anything, since not all travelers do. Get a Public Bus or Train Cities that have public buses and trains you can take to the airport are another one of the cheaper options in most instances. These choices can save money, but they often take much longer to get to the airport because they make many stops. If you decide to grab a train or bus, make sure to leave yourself plenty of time for this reason. Rent a Town Car You might also rent a town car if you have enough money. A town car offers a VIP feeling, meaning you get a ride to the airport in style. Then this experience comes at a high cost so you will try this only when you feel like treating yourself.  Again, if you can afford the cost of renting a town car then that is a great advantage. Your advantage is that you get to enjoy the ride alone without sharing it with anyone. It will also most likely be air-conditioned and comfortable. The only danger if you decide on this option is a chatty driver. If you do not mind making small talk, though, that might not be a significant source of concern for you.   Take an Airport Shuttle Many airports operate shuttles that will pick you up throughout the city. Generally, you can find the operating routes of these airport shuttles through the airport’s website and choose the shuttle accordingly.  On the other hand, a hotel shuttle is free, unlike an airport shuttle which can be expensive. Conclusion To recap, walking is usually your only free option. Taking public transportation can keep the price down while getting a hotel shuttle is generally free.  Other options can be expensive for you such as Lyft, Uber, or hiring a taxi or town car. Then again this expense comes with an advantage of not sharing the ride with anyone. If these options don’t work for you, then just ask a family member or a friend to drive to the airport if they are available. This is only an option in cities where you know someone, though. If someone you know is willing to give you a lift, you might be obliged to buy them breakfast or something along those lines as a way of saying thank you.   Know More: How To Stay Safe In New Orleans: A Traveler’s Guide Is San Francisco Safe? THIS Is What You Should Know! Is Savannah Safe? What You Need To Know Before Visiting!