BY Sarmind SafiNov 22, 2023

Scotland's second city, long eclipsed by sophisticated, tourist-heavy Edinburgh, has been quietly demonstrating that it's anything but second best. Glasgow has won many accolades for its culture. From the street art-filled east end to Rennie Mackintosh's architectural achievements (except for the tragically destroyed School of Art). Are you eager to visit the hippest city in Scotland? Everything you need to know is right here. Here are the mandatory things to do in Glasgow. Things To Do In Glasgow Image Source Glasgow in Gaelic stands for “dear green place.” And to no surprise, Glasgow is as green as it gets. It houses more than 90 parks and gardens that are woven through the city’s landscape. The Glasgow Botanical Garden is home to the largest plant collection in the UK. Here are some of the best things to do in Glasgow. Don’t miss out on your next trip. George Square Image Source George Square awaits everyone landing at Queen Street Station. It aids in the orientation of newcomers in the city center and is a constant site of protest and joy. George III is absent from the square. Enraged cotton and tobacco lords had monuments of him pulled down one after another. It happened ever since he lost their lands in the American War of Independence. Instead, the adjacent area known as Merchant City is booming these days, offering a ton of Glasgow activities. It also has a vibrant nightlife and boutique shopping. From that point on, Sauchiehall, Buchanan, and Argyle streets come together to form the Style Mile, a retail district. West End Image Source The city's famed West End houses opulent parks, incredibly elaborate Glasgow University buildings, and the ever-popular Kelvingrove Museum. It has everything from Salvador Dali's artwork to Glasgow's master architect and polymath Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The artwork feels like it belongs in a different universe. River Clyde Image Source It is difficult to visit Glasgow without spending some time on the banks of the River Clyde. It is where the superb Riverside Museum and the restored Tall Ship Glenlee are located. The SSE Hydro is close, but you can check out King Tut's Wah Wah Hut or the storied Barrowlands Ballroom. It is where Oasis first appeared. Art Museums Image Source The legacy of Rennie Mackintosh, Glasgow's poster child, is deeply ingrained in the city. You might spend an entire vacation simply strolling down a path of his creations. Many additional Mackintosh artifacts can still be seen. However, the beloved Glasgow School of Art is now recuperating from a series of devastating fires. Visit the House for an Art Lover, have tea at Mackintosh at the Willow, or go to The Lighthouse. The Mackintosh Interpretation Centre honors the life and career of the architect. Don't miss the opportunity to see the expansive city views from the observatory of the Water Tower from The Lighthouse. When the tower was first constructed, it had a functional dovecot. The carrier pigeons were employed to bring the Glasgow Herald journalists the afternoon sports scores. If you can escape Mackintosh's hold, there are still a lot of other cultural boxes to check. Behind an outstanding neo-classical façade, the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) houses works by Andy Warhol and David Hockney. Of particular note is the statue of the Duke of Wellington outside the entrance, posing with an orange traffic cone happily placed on his head. Explore the east end's mural trail for a gritty perspective on art, where enormous pieces of art loom around corners and look down from office buildings. Bars And Restaurants Image Source The Merchant City offers a variety of cuisines. Highlights include the amazing, enduring Café Gandolfi fish bar, Obsession of India, and the insanely popular Paesano Pizza. The bars are extremely busy, even though they are a little forgettable. Head to the freshly reopened Babbity Bowster for a more sedate pint. In the West End, things are, maybe unsurprisingly, considerably more upscale. A longtime favorite in the area near Glasgow University is Stravaigin. Glasgow's 17-year drought for a Michelin star was just ended when Cail Bruich was included in the 2021 guide. It is located nearby on Great Western Road. Ashton Lane, a short stroll south, offers a night out unto itself with its jam-packed bar and restaurant scene. The cobblestone includes the always-popular Ubiquitous Chip. Are you thinking of going south of Clyde? Admirers of Malaysian cuisine are gushing about Julie's Kopitiam. In the much-maligned Govanhill neighborhood, Nanika is a fantastic tiny Asian fusion restaurant. Over a hundred different rums are available at the nearby Rum Shack, but if you'd rather keep things classy, stop by the Gnom café, which is next to Queen's Park. The Necropolis Image Source The Necropolis, an exquisitely decaying cemetery with a spectacular location, is located in Glasgow's east as well. Paths wind among a variety of tall-spired mausoleums and weathered burial stones stacked up on a hill behind the historic cathedral in the heart of the city. When you reach the top of the trail, you'll be treated to breathtaking views over the city. Food & Cuisine Image Source Glasgow is a city that truly knows how to feed you; forget stories of deep-fried Mar Bars coupled with Irn Bru, and discover one of Scotland's most lively culinary scenes instead. Glasgow has an abundance of excellent places to stay, a thriving entertainment scene, and everything you could possibly need for a weekend getaway. Good cuisine, in fact, is a source of pride for the city's residents and a constant topic of conversation. Ask a Glaswegian where to eat, and you'll never receive a straight answer. But one thing you'll hear a lot is that the city's culinary center is located in Finnieston. The neighborhood that’s been named the hippest place to live in the UK. Of all the options, Crabshakk is unquestionably a must-see. This wonderful restaurant specializes in delicious Scottish seafood offering a rotating menu of specials and some amazing house specialties. The sizzling pan of scallops with caramelized anchovy sauce is a must-try. In addition to supporting Scottish food, The West End's enduringly well-liked Ubiquitous Chip has been setting the standard. It has been offering upscale, contemporary Scottish cuisine since 1971. One of Glasgow's most exciting culinary endeavors, Dockyard Social, is located in Finnieston as well. It is a street food market housed in a large industrial warehouse with three inspiring goals. It aims to highlight the best of the city's culinary scene, assist start-up food businesses, and support the neighborhood. This provides the most impoverished residents with professional culinary training. There are still foods to try throughout the entire city if you venture outside of Finnieston. A'Challtainn is located east of BAaD (Barras Art and Design), a hip urban area in the Barras Market. With a focus on sustainably sourced seafood from Scotland, this stunning restaurant has already won a few accolades in its brief existence. It won Best Rookie to the Glasgow culinary scene. While you're in the center, make sure to check out Paesano for their exceptional pizzas. They are masterfully charred in wood-fired ovens built in Naples using only the finest Italian ingredients. Wrapping Up Glasgow is home to the third-oldest underground train system in the world. The majority of the city's attractions, however, are easily accessible on foot. One single loop that revolves around the inner or outer line makes it impossible to misunderstand. When Celtic and Rangers, the city's Old Firm rivals, play, it's advisable to stay away from Celtic Park. It is located in the east of the city and Ibrox in the south. Almost 130 years later, one of the most bitter rivalries in sports is still incredibly bitter. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask about things to do in Glasgow, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you! Read Also: Historic City, Timeless Charm: Exploring The Best Things To Do In Bath UK City Hidden Gems: Things To Do In Manchester Coastal Bliss: Top Things To Do In Bournemouth

BY Sarmind SafiOct 19, 2023

This outdoor oasis in the South is a solid wanderlust attraction. A scenic city that is always on the move can be your next perfect weekend getaway. The city is bustling with energy, and on a typical afternoon, you will see its locals as well as weekenders venturing into the Tennesse River along with their boards and boats. The bikers go up and down the hilly streets through the town, running and walking down the pedestrian bridge and playing with frisbees in the numerous parks. The parks look neat, being hedged by bike lanes and carefully placed benches. Public art makes the town come alive with color and socio-cultural significance. The number of things that will stay with you long after you visit this town is too many, but one of them will be the food and the restaurants. There are also a lot of adventures to be had outdoors in this character-filled city. If you are looking for some weekend fun or a short trip to feel rejuvenated, this city is close by and has to offer a lot. This is going to be the best weekend spot for you, and we have brought you the best of it. Here are some of the most fun and memorable things to do in Chattanooga. Things To Do In Chattanooga Image Source If you have thought about going away sometime and taking a break, but you can’t think of any place so far. Chattanooga could be a great option. Here are some of the best things things to do in Chattanooga that will stay imprinted on your memory. Tennessee Aquarium Image Source One of the fun things to do in Chattanooga is visiting the aquarium. This aquarium maintains two buildings. There is River Journey which showcases the freshwater habitats from around the world, and Ocean Journey, where visitors are treated to the magnificent view of sea creatures and ocean life. It is recommended to spend at least three hours while visiting to take in a good fraction of the 10,000 animals that are here. If you are looking for things to do in Chattanooga with kids, they will love the adorable macaroni penguins and dreamy sea jellies. Try visiting on a weekday, as it gets busier on weekends, for a more authentic experience. If you are looking for free things to do in Chattanooga, the city also offers a free shuttle to get here, making the experience pocket-friendly. Lookout Mountain Image Source There are three scenic attractions this mountain ridge has to offer. There is the Ruby Falls, Rock City, and the Incline Railway. The Ruby Falls is the United States’ deepest and tallest underground waterfall standing at 260 feet. Rock City is where one can see seven states from the iconic Lover’s Leap. And when you hop on the Incline Railway, you will be witnessing the steepest passenger railway on Earth. You need to spend a minimum of 4 hours at these mountains to gauge the highlights of the spot. Each of the three attractions has separate expenses, and the tickets are known to sell out fast. Raccoon Mountain Caverns Image Source The Raccoon Mountain Caverns are located 1.3 miles off the I-24 at the Lookout Valley exit. It is less than 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga. This mountain offers views of a cave in its natural state that has thousands of diverse rock formations. There are stalagmites, stalactites, flowstone, delicate soda straws, rimstone pools, columns, draperies, natural bridges, and a rare shield formation. It also offers many wild cave “spelunking” expeditions for all those who want to go deeper into the caves and explore the mountain. An expedition to the waterfall dome allows visitors to get to the place with the view of the tallest underground, unassisted, naturally flowing waterfall. Walnut Street Bridge Image Source This is one of the best examples of the Phoenix wrought-iron truss bridges dating back to the years between 1884 and 1923. Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Image Source This nostalgic train trip will offer aesthetically restored vintage locomotives and passenger cars that encase the intricate craftsmanship of ages long gone. The ride will take you through the beautiful Tennessee countryside that has awe-inspiring views bound to make you reflect on the simpler times of the past. The museum’s exhibit has an impressive set of artifacts, old photographs, and other memorabilia that help bring the rich railroading history to life. The staff here are highly knowledgeable and will eagerly share information on railroad history while being dressed in period attire. The experience will provide you with lots of fascinating insights whether you are a history buff or otherwise. Ruby Falls Image Source This one is the deepest and tallest underground waterfall that is open for public access in the States. There are guided tours such as the classic waterfall tour, the lantern tour, and the extended cavern experience tour. The tour will take you along its beautiful cavern trail to a gorgeous waterfall that is surrounded by old geological formations that took millenniums to form. There are also extensively picturesque views of the Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee Valley, and the Tennessee River from the top of the Lookout Mountain Tower. The tours fill up pretty quickly. You must purchase the tickets online in advance for increased availability. Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery Image Source One of the other things to do in Chattanooga for adults is visit the whiskey distillery. This distillery is the first ever to craft whiskey in Chattanooga in over a hundred years. It boasts over 100 different barrels that mature in an aging cellar. Each visit to the distillery is an ode to the past, present, and future of hand-made bourbon. You can reserve a tour & tasting trip to check out their latest craft. This can also be one of the things to do in Chattanooga for couples. You must be 21+ with a physical and valid ID. Creative Discovery Museum This museum is a hands-on children’s museum at the very heart of downtown Chattanooga. It is known to inspire children of all ages to innovate, explore, play, and create. The exhibits are designed to entertain as well as educate children on exploring the world around them. They are pushed to become inquisitive about art, science, music, water exploration, and dinosaur digging. It was rated number #7 by Trekaroo of the children’s museums in the U.S. in 2015. Wrapping Up Chattanooga sure has everything you could want for a short trip away from the hustle of the city. If you want to know about things to do in Chattanooga this weekend, we hope this article gave you a headstart. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you! Read Also: You Won’t Believe The Best Things To Do When In Fiji! 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BY Mashum MollahMay 9, 2020

Paul Coelho once said, “If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it's lethal.”Everyone needs a break from their monotonous routine, and the best thing to do with your time off is to use it to travel and explore the world! Whether you are planning a relaxing vacation or an adventurous one, you need to figure out the accommodation. While hotels and luxury resorts such as Las Ventanas al Paraiso are usually the go-to options for accommodations, many are starting to look at the less expensive and more personal option – vacation rentals. Even with the various benefits that vacation rentals have to offer, there are many factors that you will need to consider before booking one. Here are a few factors for you to consider when booking a vacation rental: 1. Book Early When it comes to making bookings for your journey, the earlier you book, the better and more cost-effective it will be. Booking the perfect vacation rental for your getaway a few months before your intended stay will be beneficial for you too. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be open to other possibilities. It is wise to compare all your available accommodation options. If you’re booking a vacation rental for the summer season, you might want to make your bookings at the beginning of the year, especially for waterfront properties. Many frequent travelers even book a year in advance. Booking a property at the last minute, especially during the peak season, can be extremely costly for you. Moreover, not only will early bookings save you money, but they will also ensure that you get a great rental property. Fortunately, online bookings have made life much easier, allowing you to compare and pre-book some great vacation rentals, like the Lutsen Mountain lodging. 2. Look For a Reliable Rental Company This is an important factor to consider when renting a vacation home. You need to ensure the credibility of your rental property. If it seems unreliable or appears to be shady, you might want to reconsider even if that means it costs you more. You can’t rely on property descriptions completely. You can listen or read reviews about people’s experiences to find out if the property is reliable or not. No one can provide you a better picture of how a vacation rental is and what you can expect from it, except those who have been there before. With so many convenient websites, you will come across user reviews as they draw you a picture of the good, bad, and ugly side of a vacation rental.  You can also use this time to compare reviews of different properties regarding the condition, location, amenities, etc., to make your final decision. If you are planning to go to Minnesota, the Lutsen lodge is a great property to spend your vacations. If you love golf and are looking for golf courses near Lutsen, MN, then Lusten mountain lodging is the best option for you. 3. Location of the Vacation Rental The location of the vacation rental is also important for a relaxing stay. Oftentimes, you can’t find suitable transport and even when you do, it can be too expensive. The best way to minimize your transportation expense is to find a vacation rental that is near all the activities you want to do and places you want to visit. For example, if you're looking to hit the waves down in Santa Cruz, a quick perusal of rental properties and beach houses for your vacation in the sun on the Surf City Rentals website will quickly reveal some idyllic places to stay close to all the hottest activities and entertainment. Before booking your rental property, take some time to fully research its surrounding. Ensure that the property guarantees accessibility to areas you want to visit as this will ease your travel experience. Moreover, you will also want to ensure that the location of the property has network coverage, hospitals or clinics, and other important facilities such as banks, ATMs, supermarkets, and currency exchangers nearby. For instance, the Lutsen Mountain Lodging is a great facility with some amazing areas to visit nearby. So you won’t have to stress about transport. You can find golf courses near Lutsen, MN, as well! 4. Explore Your Options After you choose your vacation destination and book your tickets, you look for a great place to stay! Considering it’s the 21st century, traveling has become much easier and budget-friendly than it was before. In present times, as a traveler, you have a world of options when it comes to booking air tickets or vacation stays. Make sure that you compare different vacation rentals before settling on one. Always keep your options and eyes open! With the variety of applications and websites available, it has become uber-easy to compare different vacation properties. You can compare them on the basis of the rent, location, amenities, and of course, customer reviews! Exploring various properties will also give you an idea of what you can expect from the area and even, destination. Keep searching for new discounts and deals that will help you avail of better prices and amenities. 5. Ask Questions While you can access all the information you need through the internet, it’s better to ask questions from the property owners as well. For instance, you will want to know if they have all of the proper safety protocols in place, such as easy to read fire escape signs, first aid kits, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, for example. Whether you’re planning to stay at a vacation rental for three days or three weeks, you will want to ensure that you are provided with all the amenities you need. Perhaps, the best way to find out about this is by asking questions from the owners or managers of a vacation rental like the Lutsen lodge. If the property is good, the owners won’t be hesitant in addressing all your queries and would be rather happy to provide you with details and photographs of the rental. 6. Secure a Contract There are various modes through which payments can be made these days. By booking a vacation rental online, you can pay by cash or through online transfers such as debit or credit card payments. While some properties usually ask for cash, others often ask for advance payments. Make sure that you don’t send any payments to the property owners until you’ve signed an iron-clad rental contract. Moreover, ensure that you read the entire rental agreement before signing. Conclusion Finding the perfect vacation rental for your getaway doesn’t have to be a demanding task. By considering the above tips, you can find a great place to suit all your vacation needs! 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