Beyond The Beaches: Unmasking The Most Dangerous Cities In Mexico

BY  Arnab Jul 12, 2023

Banff National Park is a world-class location famous for its mountain ranges, wildlife, and glacially-fed lakes. It’s so remarkable it became a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site. It acquired the honor in the early 80s for its exceptionality. Today, Banff is the ultimate destination for holidaygoers who want to explore, relax, or both! If you’re planning a trip to Banff this summer or early fall, or you’re planning for a future vacation, then we encourage you to consider visiting several lakes during your travels. You won’t regret it! 1. Lake Louise We’re starting with the most well-known lake, Lake Louise. Located 45 minutes northwest of Banff, Lake Louise gets its name from the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria, Princess Louise. This bright blue, tree-lined lake (and its famous Chateau) has jutting mountain peaks surrounding it. It also features the snow-capped Victoria Glacier in the background. During late spring, summer, and early fall, various hiking and mountain biking trails are available for exploration around Lake Louise. And if you have time, a hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House is a must. Horseback riding is also an option here. At Chateau, visitors can spend a half day or a whole day in the saddle discovering the Timberline Trails that wrap around the lake. There is also Paradise Valley and other scenic routes where you can rent canoes at the Chateau, too. 2. Moraine Lake For many, Moraine Lake is the top contender for the most beautiful lake in Banff. Here, you can hike several trails — there are options at Moraine Lake for all hiking abilities. The most popular short hike is the Rockpile trail — which is phenomenal at sunrise. If you're an early riser, we encourage you to add this to your holiday 'to-do' list. Visitors to Moraine Lake can also rock climb, rent canoes, and bring their inflatable SUPs to paddle across the water. The road to Moraine Lake was closed to private vehicles at the end of 2022. Fortunately, shuttle services as offered by Morainelakebus now commute visitors to and from the lake, with buses starting as early as 4 a.m. for those eager to catch sight of the famous sunrise! An extra bonus for this provider is that some of their services also stop at number one on our list, Lake Louise. 3. Lake Minnewanka Located within the Montane Eco Region, Lake Minnewanka —also known as the ‘Lake of the Spirits’ — is the largest lake in Banff; it’s 18 kilometers long and approximately 100 meters deep. At Lake Minnewanka, you can explore footpaths and trails or sit back on a guided boat cruise to learn all about the lake’s rich history. Minnewanka is considered an area of cultural and historical significance; artifacts dating back over 14,000 years have been found here. For scuba enthusiasts, Lake Minnewanka is one of two that you can explore in Banff National Park (the second being Two Jack Lake). 4. Bow Lake If you’re driving along the Icefields Parkway, then a stop at Bow Lake is a must. It's a great spot to stretch your legs, as well as take phenomenal photos of the lake with Crowfoot Mountain and the Wapta Icefield in the background. If you have the time, this area is fantastic for hiking, mountaineering, as well as scrambling — with tons of wildflowers filling the trails in the summer months. The Top Lakes to Visit When you’re in the Banff area, it's possible to visit multiple lakes throughout your stay — there are many more in addition to the four mentioned here. Each offers something unique from the other, and you're sure to have an unbelievable time — whether you visit for adventure or bring a picnic, sit back, and take in the beautiful scenery. Read Also: Best 10 National Parks In New Mexico To Visit In 2023! 7 Best National Parks In Ohio You Should Know Before Going From Tokyo To Kyoto: An Epic Journey Through Japanese Culture And History

BY  Mashum Mar 3, 2019

We all love traveling and exploring places that are known and unknown all over the world. Besides, all of us are aware of the hassles of carrying heavy bags throughout the trip. It is one of the things that will make your trip look complex.  Therefore, you have to put a few things into consideration while planning for your trip. This article will make sure that you have a good time when carrying your luggage. It is one of the essential things when planning for a tour.    Every tourist tries to deal with the luggage issue in one way or the other. Some carry only small bags so that they can end up with a small and light package. Some don’t carry travel bags at all and buy what they require while on the trip!   A few others even go as far as to plan trips only to tropical places. Such a choice allows them to take only small and light stuff like swimwear, shirts and cargo pants. The decision that you make depends on your interests.   However, letting your bag issues dictate where you should be going and for how long, is unacceptable for travel addicts. You need the freedom to go wherever you wish without the limitation of packaging.   So how do we pack expertly, without running the risk of carrying a heavy bag everywhere? Some tricks can help you through this journey.   A lot of travel experts share their stories and the techniques they use to travel light. The secret is to prevent over-packing and yet be able to carry all essential items.  You need to carry all that you will need during your trips. So here are some of the tips from former tourists that we can all benefit from:  1. Choose Your Clothes Wisely  Materials like cotton and wool are quite heavy, and they take a long time to dry. If you are traveling to places where you can expect the climate to be cold, you can always wear something like a Polartec quarter-zip instead of cotton sweaters.   The secret is trying to look for a light thing that will serve you well. Synthetic clothes will also dry up faster after a quick wash. The fact that you can carry synthetic garments with a lot of ease, and they dry fast will motivate you to take them along with you.  Select your clothes wisely, and you will not have a hard time during your trip. The most important thing is to make sure that whatever you choose will give you maximum comfort during travel.   2. Choose a suitable luggage It is extremely important to select the right luggage type for your trip. If you plan on going for a travel vacation with family for a long stay, you would better opt for spacious luggage. In case you plan to go for a short trip, then small carry-ons, backpacks, and light bags can be a suitable option. If you don’t want to carry your luggage, consider suitcases that you can easily move with you wherever you go. For example, opt for options like a softshell suitcase with wheels to be able to effortlessly move your suitcase. In any case, don’t forget to pick a durable option, with secure locks and a telescopic handle. 3. Choose wearable items that are versatile If you are carrying shoes, you might want to pack something that you can wear anywhere. Shoes take up quite a lot of space in your travel bag. Therefore, you have to be as you make the choices of the wearable items to carry.   You can buy functional boots that are not only perfect for hiking but can also be worn to dinner somewhere. It means that you will be using one stone to kill two birds.   If you still insist on carrying more than one pair of shoes, make sure you stick them in the side pouches of your backpack. The worst thing would be to dump them inside with all your clothes. You need some form of organization when packing shoes for your next trip.   4. Pack clothes for seven days, even if your trip lasts longer  We all try to minimize the hassle of washing and drying our clothes while we are traveling. Who wants to waste time doing such abysmal chores while they could be touring a new city?   While it is an excellent idea to want to have as much fun as possible during the trip, packing for seven days will mean that you won’t end up carrying too many clothes. You will not fail to get someone to wash your clothes even if you dint have enough time for such a task.   And if you pack clothes that are easy to wash, you won’t have to spend a lot of time to clean them up. You can also wear merino wool shirts, which can be worn for a couple of days before they require washing. The only thing that you need to do is learn how you can make smart decisions when it comes to laundry work.   5. Packing cubes  One of the reasons why we end up with heavy bags is because we often throw our things into them pell-mell. You should not try to stuff everything inside without organizing or folding them well.   Packing cubes are the perfect solution in such a case. The reason is that you can make your compartments in your bag. This option allows you to sort out your things by categories hence bringing a lot of order.  Packing cubes can keep your clothes separated from toiletries. These bags also protect your possessions if your shampoo or soap bottle spills. It is the best way to make sure that all your luggage is safe and secure.   Amazon has some of the best packing cubes you can find in the market. The most expensive ones are quite durable and will last for several years. It is advisable to invest in a durable bag that will serve you on several trips and for an extended period.   Also, once you sort everything into packing cubes, you can easily find them when you need them. There is no need to take everything out of your bag in a hurry looking for things. It will help you when you want to use something while in transit.   6. Place your clothes vertically  One of the mistakes we make while packing is that we place clothes on top of each other. This way, it can become a bit time-consuming to take out all the clothes lying on top only to get to the bottom of the pile.  It is advisable to pack your clothes vertically if you want to have an easy time while on travel. It is a tip that most people who are going for a vacation don’t know.   Think of your packing bag as a filing cabinet. You need to place all your folded clothes vertically so you can see them easily. It will help you to pull out what you need with a lot of ease.   7. Don’t pack things you can easily buy  If you are not very picky about the toiletry products you use, you can always buy shampoo, soap, and other necessary items in the place you are going to. Depending on the area you are visiting, you can decide to leave some things out of your carry bag.   If you are going on an adventure trip, you won’t find a lot of toiletry products, so it is better to pack them separately. However, you should not burden yourself with the things that you can purchase from the destination.   These tips are quite handy to use when the time comes to pack up your bags and go traveling. You can always find some smart way to reduce bag weight so that your vacation becomes more comfortable and more fun!  Read More: 5 Must Visit Offbeat Destinations Near Delhi. 5 Immensely Popular Travel Applications that India Loves. Expert Tips for Earning Frequent Flyer Points for Travelling in Business Class Flights.

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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