The Best Mountain Getaways in Washington: Where to Stay, What to Do, and How to Relax

BY  Sibashree Nov 27, 2025

Summer 2025 saw the Amalfi Coast become more accessible with Uber launching boat and helicopter services from 26th July to 24th August. However, the Amalfi Coast is not just a hot destination this summer. It has always been the “La Dolce Vita” destination for people planning a summer coastal trip. The Amalfi Coast in Italy is known for its cliffside villages, turquoise waters, and lively Mediterranean culture. Travelers exploring this region often start their day with coastal walks, sunrise views, and of course, their favorite travel mug filled with a warm drink while enjoying sea breezes. Whether you're hiking the famous Path of the Gods or exploring charming seaside towns, the Amalfi Coast blends adventure with relaxation. Getting To The Amalfi Coast: How To Reach The Amalfi Coast Naples International Airport is the biggest airport near the Amalfi Coast. The distance between the airport and the Amalfi Coast is around 64.8 km, and from Naples, there are multiple travel options. From Naples, Travel Options Include: Train to Sorrento + bus/ferry. Car Rental Private transfer You can take a car rental service. However, the path is winding. The journey can be a little tough. The train, bus, and ferry combination is the best for traveling from the Naples Airport to the Amalfi Coast.  Base yourself in towns like Positano, Sorrento, Amalfi, or Ravello. Amalfi Coast Is Going To Be More Accessible With A New Luxury Railway Service Here is some great news about the Amalfi Coast being more accessible for travelers looking for the ultimate Italian experience. From May 2026, Belmond is about to launch a new luxury train service from Paris to the famous coastline of Italy. The train called the “Venice Simplon-Orient-Express” will start its journey from Paris, and on its way to the Amalfi Coast, it will stop at Pompeii. At Pompeii, you can explore the famous historical ruins. It has the volcanic ash coming from the massive eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. As an archaeological landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins stand as the “Ghost of the Past.” In addition, the Art Deco style of the train, plush interior, and fine dining facilities ensure a regal travel experience. Outdoor Activities & Walking Trails Despite a strong start in 2025, the major tourism destinations in Italy, including the Amalfi Coast, have witnessed a decline in tourist numbers. However, 2026 looks promising with new tourist areas in Asia and Europe. Nevertheless, in the Amalfi Coast, you must not miss exploring the walking trails and taking part in these outdoor activities. 1. Sentiero Degli Dei (Path Of The Gods) This 5-mile ridge walk is ideal if you want to enjoy the best sunrise views. Once you reach the top, you will get a panoramic view of Positano. The difficulty level of this hike is moderately difficult. So, it demands basic fitness and some training. Furthermore, this trail has some stories of Greek deities associated with it. It is said that the Greek Gods took a walk on this route to protect Ulysses from the attack of the Li Galli islets’ sirens. The trekking route is picturesque, and you will pass through terraced vineyards and fragrant shrubs of the Mediterranean Region. 2. Valle Delle Ferriere Valle Delle Ferriere is the crown jewel of Scala. It is also one of the famous 41 biogenetic reserves of Italy. It has waterfalls, lush forests, and ancient paper mills. With trees providing shade, Valle Delle Ferriere is the ultimate Amalfi Coast destination on summer days. Still, because of its location, starting from the Scala mountains and ending in the Amalfi territory, it is a place less trodden by tourists. So, it remains less crowded even when the entire Amalfi Coast bustles with tourists during the summer holidays. Furthermore, the magnificent fossilized wall covered with moss, in the center of the valley, is the main attraction here. Time stands still once you look at it, and if you keep your ears open, you get to hear the stories from the past. The wall looks like a gigantic sponge, and as time absorbs everything, the hanging moss on the wall keeps absorbing the constantly dripping water. The living stalactite formations on the wall are sculpted by the accumulation of calcium bicarbonate. 3. Ravello Terrace Walk You can start from the Villa Rufolo Gardens and then walk toward the coast with the scent of lemons, and the whiff of sea pleasing your senses. The walk for 90 minutes starts just before the Villa Rufolo entrance. However, finding the right track here can be a little tricky. So, you need someone local as your guide if you are here for the first time. This Ravello Terrace Walk is filled with the chirping of the birds and butterflies. And also, I forgot to mention, the strong yet soothing fragrance of jasmine sometimes feels intoxicating. Overall, the scent of the sea, jasmine, lemons, and other flowers grown on the way creates a concoction that you will enjoy forever. 4. Coastal Walks The Marina Grande to Fornillo Beach (Positano) and Amalfi to Atrani seaside path are some of the most popular coastal walks in the Amalfi Coast. You can complete the Marina Grande to Fornillo Beach walk in just 10 minutes. The Amalfi to Atrani seaside walk is almost of around 10 minutes and you have to walk through the pedestrian tunnel. Other Sightseeing Highlights Don’t miss the following landmarks on the Amalfi Coast. Positano’s colorful vertical village Amalfi Cathedral Fiordo di Furore a dramatic fjord Boat rides to hidden coves. Lemon groves and local limoncello tastings Also, savor every bit of the Sunset moments in the Amalfi Coast. Sunsets along the coast are some of the most stunning in the world. What To Pack For Amalfi Adventures The Amalfi Coast is warm in the summer. However, with the wind blowing in its full strength, it feels a little chilly after sundown. So, choose layered clothing. Here are the essentials you must carry in your backpack for your trip to the Amalfi Coast. Breathable Clothing Comfortable Walking Shoes A Travel Mug for Early Hikes Sun Protection Light Backpack Swimsuit  A Quick-Dry Towel Food In The Amalfi Coast: Signature Dishes You Cannot Miss Amalfi dining revolves around fresh ingredients and seaside views. You must try the following signature dishes. Lemon pasta Fresh seafood dishes Gelato on the beach Espresso at cliffside cafés The outdoor restaurants are perfect for ending your adventure-filled days and gorging on the best local delicacies. Read Also: The Best Beaches in Puerto Rico Ranked! 9 Best Beaches In Greece That You Must Visit Once In Your Life Navigating Coastal Cuisine: A Traveler’s Guide To Safer Seafood Choices

BY  sagnika Aug 8, 2023

Did you know Aha Airlines were one of the lowest-cost-carrier airlines that operated mostly during the pandemic? It was founded in September 2021. However, it closed down its operations in August 2022, which was quite predictable. The price they were charging for flights was pretty low, plus, as a regional carrier, people will only book tickets if they need to go somewhere specific, while most prefer to make a road trip! I was hoping you could read this article to learn about what else I found about Aha Airlines. The low-cost airlines were trying to create bundle packages for travelers visiting Reno and Tahoe. Yet, the issue was with the specificity of the destination, which ended in fewer passengers booking Aha Airlines. Aha Airlines suffered from bankruptcy, and the parent company ExpressJet filed it on 22 August 2022. Here's What I Found Out About Aha Airlines! Image Source: www.oregonlive.com Aha Airlines headquarters were based in Reno, an interesting hub. However, it is quite justified. There are two aspects to the hub selection considering the airlines operate regional aircraft, which means they have limited demand. The second aspect is that several low-cost carriers are major in the market. They act as competitors for popular routes such as Las Vegas. Therefore, it is better to restrict flights to small cities located in the Western U.S. The company did not charge anything to print a boarding pass printed on normal receipt paper. The brands did not use the typical boarding cards used by other airlines. They are cutting costs from every angle to make their service as cheap as possible, given it is a brand-new carrier! What Are Aha Airlines? Image Source: travelupdate.com The brand Aha Airlines was launched on 24 October 2021 in the United States. The name Aha comes from the acronym "air-hotel-adventure." It was identified as the leisure brand of ExpressJet Airlines, which only provided regional services. The Aha Airlines flights were short-hop at an attractive, affordable price, where the focus was to partner with resorts and hotels to earn more value from the vacation packages! The Aha Airlines fleet was based in Reno, Nevada, and mostly operated by ExpressJet. The fleet of Aha Airlines consisted of ERJ-145 regional jets, which are quite smaller than ERJ-175 planes. ERJ-175 planes, along with CRJ-200s, are the ones which are used by SkyWest that serve the local airport. These planes rank low on space scale, seating arrangements, and other services. Flight Details Image Source: travelupdate.com The Aha Airlines destinations covered are Pasco or the Tri-Cities, Redmond, Eugene, Medford, Arcata-Eureka, Fresno, and Bakersfield, Ontario. There are other smaller airports where there might be no other flight services available. Hence, Aha Airlines provides flights to Reno-Tahoe non-stop. There were 13 cities in which Aha Airlines operated; the plan was to expand to 20 destinations once they established their market. The flight operated by the airline was Embraer ERJ-145 which had a capacity of 50 passengers, and they owned 5 of those. The Airlines charged $30 for checked baggage or carrying personal items. According to many passenger reviews, it was stated that getting your luggage checked in is better than carrying it in the flight cabin. The Benefits Of Booking With Aha Airlines One of the benefits of booking with Aha Airlines was that you would never face any traffic considering it is a regional-based carrier. You could go 2 to 3 hours earlier and do your check-in even though they have the facility to check in online! Alas, there is no way you can avail of it anymore. Aha Airlines do not charge anything to print their boarding pass, even though it is more of a receipt than a boarding card. If you are traveling solo, it will be easier, considering the cabin's layout is 1-2. The window aisle is cool for solo travelers. The leg space in front of the seats is quite spacious compared to other low-budget carriers. The window placements are also good, as they are at an appropriate height. The flight attendants were quite relaxed in their approach as they offered passengers to sit anyplace they liked, as many seats were empty. Especially on weekdays, the crowd could have been better. There were also options for water and snacks served by the Flight attendants, with choices between graham cracker squares or granola bars. The Drawbacks That I Noticed The flights have tiny overhead bins, which is a way of restricting carry-on luggage. There is less security even though there is a justified reason that there are a limited number of people. However, it cannot be a reason for scarce security! The locations selected to provide service, such as Reno and Tahoe, cannot be an appropriate reason for the airlines to get a satisfactory number of visitors. People only sometimes vacation or go on trips, leading to fewer travelers booking flights. There were goof-ups by staff which can be a red flag for a company operating on limited grounds. According to a review posted by Family Flus Free, the gate number printed on travelers' boarding receipts was wrong, creating a commotion. They did not even apologize for it. Instead, an announcement was made for all passengers to come to a different gate. The airline's ERJ-145 flights were tiny, with a cabin layout of 1-2! The place for walking is restricted. The cabin overhead is so low that anyone with a height of 5ft 10 in will have an issue standing upright. There is another option of keeping the carry-on baggage under your seats. However, it will pose serious trouble for placing your legs. People with longer legs will have serious problems with their feet! Honest Review Based on all the information and Aha Airlines reviews, I realized that the flights of Aha Airlines might have worked well during the pandemic, especially when there was an emergency need to travel; however, later, it failed miserably. With so many options for connecting flights and major airlines providing offers and deals, only some people will choose a regional low-cost carrier airline that might not be effective in their long-term plan. Conclusion Now you know why Aha Airlines did not have an effective run, especially even with the reasonable pricing of the tickets. It is about the experience and the market demand for their services as a regional low-cost carrier. Apart from visiting Reno-Tahoe, only a little use has been found of the Aha Airlines! So, Comment below about your favorite low-cost airline in the U.S. and why! Read Also: This Is My Experience With Play Airlines! 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BY  Sibashree Dec 17, 2024

Scottsdale has always been popular as an upscale tourist destination. However, if you have an explorer in you and you have a stringent budget to follow, there is no dearth of free things to do in Scottsdale. Almost 300 days of sunshine every year and a vast desert landscape have made Scottsdale ideal for all types of outdoor pursuits. You can swim in the clear lake waters, hike or bike along the trails to explore the city, and visit the museums without spending a fortune.  So, no wonder the “Scottsdale Tourism Study - Visitor Statistics” published by the Tourism and Events Department of the City of Scottsdale has promising figures to flaunt.  “Scottsdale hosted an estimated 4.8 million domestic overnight visitors, 1.5 million international overnight visitors, and 4.9 million domestic day trip visitors in 2023. The annual number of international visitors increased by 380,000, and the number of domestic day trip visitors increased by 100,000 over 2022.“ Nevertheless, we all love platforms like Free Fun Guides, and those really give us kick-ass ideas while planning travels on a shoestring. Here, in this Tour and Travel guide, I have tried to curate similar ideas backed by approvals from local experts.  Free Things To Do In Scottsdale | Traveling Scottsdale On A Budget  On average, a trip to Scottsdale will cost you around $250-300. A large portion of this expenditure will go into your passage money and hotel or resort charges.  So, the free things to do in Scottsdale will really help you control your budget without compromising on your travel experience. Let’s check out the options. 1. Visit The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art https://www.instagram.com/p/C1xDND7spVj/ Address: 7374 E 2nd St, Scottsdale Phone Number: +1 480-874-4666 Free Entry: 12-9 PM on Every Thursday As the name suggests, this museum is a hub of contemporary sculpture and art. As you explore the museum, you will get to see the best public art, like: Hopi Deity by C. Doug Weigel Mustang Wall by Ken Williams One with the Eagle by Pat Mathiesen Ambient Landscape by Janet Taylor Tree of Life, Papago Park City Boundary Project by Jodi Pinto, etc. Furthermore, the museum has the Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts. It celebrates the best of musical events, discussions, and other performances. Keep checking with the museum authority to know about the events during your visit to Scottsdale.  2. Explore The Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market https://www.instagram.com/p/DDSI7dLPa_d/?hl=en&img_index=1 Address: 3806 N Brown Ave, Scottsdale Phone Number:  +1 623-848-1234 The Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market is a seasonal marketplace in Arizona. In 2024-20525, the market will remain open between October 5th and April 26th. The market timing is 8 AM to 1 PM.  In its 14th year, the marketplace is the biggest hub of local farmers, growers and farming products. From more than 100 growers in the market, you can collect pesticide-free products.  Apples and ciders are the most in-demand specialties in the market. Further, you can collect essentials like pork, beef and fish from this market.  3. Be Familiar With Desert Life At McDowell Sonoran Preserve The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is home to desert vegetation and many multi-use trails. These trails are not motorized, and you can explore them on foot or horseback. The trails present in this preserve are: Gateway Loop Trail Bajada Nature Trail Tom’s Thumb Trail Furthermore, this desert preserve is the largest in the area, and it offers free entry every day. You will find at least 1000 types of plants and animals here. Various types of animals here include amphibians, mammals, birds, and reptiles.  Rattlesnakes are found in abundance across all trails. So, wear appropriate footwear and carry a hiking stick.  4. Make The Most Of The Scottsdale Fashion Square https://www.instagram.com/p/CrtLTq7spKi/ Do you want to explore the best shopping area of Scottsdale and the entire Southwest? Scottsdale Fashion Square will be the most premium destination to explore your shopping spree.  In every corner of the Scottsdale Fashion Square, you will find brands like Burberry, Gucci, Boss Hugo Boss, etc., offering their best collections. Furthermore, it is a prominent zone to relish the best dining and entertainment scenario in the city.  Taking a stroll through the Scottsdale Fashion Square is an experience in itself, and it’s absolutely free of cost.  5. Hike Through The Tom’s Thumb Trailhead Difficulty Level: Challenging Tom’s Thumb Elevation:  3,670 Feet Trail Distance: 4.6 Miles The Tom’s Thumb Trailhead is at 128 St near the Ranch Gate end. The final destination of this trail is the Tom’s Thumb, a dramatic rock formation with a terrain of loose gravel. The climbs here are very steep, making the hike more difficult.  Furthermore, throughout the hike, you will come across the following iconic vistas and landmarks. Windgate Overlook Gardener’s Wall Sven Slab Mesquite Canyon Windmill Trail However, the biggest highlight of this hike is the Marcus Landslide Trail. By exploring this trail, you will get to know about the “2nd largest landslide in Arizona.”  Throughout the trail, you will find amenities like restrooms and horse-trailer parking. However, there is no drinking water facility throughout the route. So, carry water and hydrating agents to sail through this hot desert weather.  6. Hike Through The Brown’s Ranch Trailhead Difficulty Level: Moderate Elevation Gain: Around 100 Feet Trail Loop Distance: 3.1 Miles The Brown’s Ranch Trailhead initiates a beautiful hiking trail in Scottsdale. It is located at 30301 N. Alma School Parkway. This trail remains open for hiking from sunrise to sunset. Further, you can park your car here for free.  As the trail winds through the Ranch area, you will get to explore the most beautiful desert landscape. The hiking path looks all the more beautiful during the springtime. Desert wildflowers are in their full glory in this season.  7. Visit The Eldorado Park  Address: 2311 N Miller Road, Scottsdale Phone Number: +1 480-312-2483 The Eldorado Park offers many outdoor pursuits if you are looking for the best things to do in Scottsdale. You can go fishing and swimming here. Further, this 60-acre park has outdoor and indoor basketball grounds. You can also pump it up at the soccer field, basketball court, or the sand volleyball court here.  In addition, the ongoing Indian Bend Wash Master Plan will make the experiences at the park even better by meeting user needs and catering to the residents.  This master plan will improve the amenities. Also, it will upgrade the aging infrastructure of the park for enhanced safety and experience. That’s it! Now, you know the things to do in Scottsdale for free. Pack your bags for a trip to this desert getaway in Arizona.  Scottsdale, being a warmer state in the USA, is a popular winter holiday destination. The city enjoys a warmer climate during the months of December, January, and February.  With an average temperature of 3-21 degrees Celsius here, these months are the best time to explore the things to do in Scottsdale.  Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.