BY Barsha BhattacharyaApr 12, 2023

If you have never visited Ginnie Springs in Florida, then you are definitely in for a real treat. It’s literally the epitome of beauty in Florida - home to the prettiest water in the entire state, Ginnie Springs was on our bucket list for several years. If you haven’t added this to your list of best springs in the United States, then do it ASAP! The water here is a gorgeous shade of blue, and it’s crystal clear. The entire area is quite large - enough for you to go camping and do so much more, in case you get bored of the water activities. Here’s a fun fact about Ginnie Springs - did you know that this spring actually pumps out around 80 million gallons of water every single day? Stay tuned to find out all that you need to know about Ginnie Springs in the Sunshine State of Florida! Exploring Ginnie Springs: All That You Need To Know About This Popular Tourist Spot! Image Source Nope, you don’t need to google ‘Ginnie Springs Florida’ - instead, join us as we go on a tour of this popular tourist spot in Florida. It’s a simple choice, really - if you are seeking any pretty places for swimming around, taking part in different water recreation activities, or having fun this Summer, then you should definitely consider visiting Ginnie Springs! But at the same time, it is vital to remember that Springs can get pretty busy and even crowded. After all, it is one of those only springs located in Florida where you can drink. Naturally, this makes the spot crowded with college kids and frat boys on weekends and holidays. Since the spring is owned privately (by the Wray family), drinking is allowed, unlike other famous springs in Florida State parks or even inside the main city. Without wasting any time, let’s get started - scroll down to find out all that you need to know about this tourist destination! Location: Where Is Ginnie Springs Located In Florida? Of course, you can just type ‘Ginnie Springs outdoors LLC’ on Google and let your GPS do the magic. But if you hate traveling without doing detailed research, then let’s find out where this Springs is located in Florida. Connected to the beautiful Santa Fe River, Ginnie Springs is situated only 6.5 miles away from High Springs. Known to be one of the most popular North Florida springs, Ginny Springs is only 48 minutes from Gainesville and about 60 minutes from the Florida-Georgia border located on 75 Highway. You can also drive to this location from Tampa - it will take you 2 hours to drive to the location and the same time to go back. Here’s the complete address: 7300 Ginnie Springs Road, High Springs, FL 32643 Costing: How Much Does It Cost To Plan A Trip To Ginnie Springs? Image Source There’s literally no accurate answer when it comes to determining the exact cost of visiting the glorious Ginnie Springs! There’s so much to do here - from general admission costs to paddle boating, camping, or even diving, which comes with its own individual costing. As compared to other affordably priced Florida springs like Rock Springs/Kelly Park, Ginny Springs is relatively more expensive. For instance, spending 15 to 20 dollars on just admission for every adult is quite steep. But then again, the beauty of the place, accompanied by all the additional facilities, makes it worth the cost. General Admission Fees: In general, here are the general admission fees! Adults (season): 20 USD/ person Adults (off-season): 15 USD/person Children (5-12): 5 USD/person Children (4 And Below): Free Camping: It is possible that you might want to explore the Springs camping options - this is precisely why we have managed to find different camping rates for you. Scroll down to find out now! Adults (season): 30 USD/ person Adults (off-season): 25 USD/person Children (5-12): 8 USD/person Children (4 And Below): Free Electricity and Water on site (standard): 11 USD Electricity and Water on site (for groups): 22 USD Scuba Diving: A trip to Ginnie Springs is incomplete if you miss out on scuba diving. But of course, there’s a separate pricing structure for the same. Scroll down to find out about the scuba diving rates. Certified Full Cave Divers (or Equivalent): 24 USD/person All Other Certified Divers: 32 USD/person Annual Dive Pass (Cave - Cavern): 399 USD Please Note: Scuba diving is prohibited on certain holidays or even on major weekends. Timing: When Does Ginnie Springs Open Or Close? Image Source The timing of Ginnie Springs depends on two important factors, The season, and The day. So, the timing can change depending on the season and even the particular weekday. Of course, if you are camping, then the springs will be open throughout the day for you. For other visitors, it entirely depends on when the sun sets - for instance, during Winter, the park closes anytime between 6 pm to 8 pm, and sometimes, even later! Then again, it also matters whether you are visiting the Springs on a weekday or a weekend! So if you do visit this Springs anytime soon, here’s the seasonal timing for now! Monday - Thursday: 8 am to 5 pm Friday - Saturday: 8 am to 7 pm Sunday: 8 am to 6 pm. Exploring Ginnie Springs: Reviews From Visitors There’s no way you can actually plan a trip to a popular spot like Springs without talking to people who have already visited the place before. So today, we decided to go to two high-authority websites for guest reviews, Google (rated 4.4/5), and Tripadvisor (rated 3.5/5). Ginnie Springs Reviews On Google: The top Google reviews on Ginnie Springs are as follows, 1. Review By Misty “Amber” Richardson: The springs are beautiful, the water is so clear you can see all the way to the bottom. They have inner tube kayaks and paddle boards that you can rent for the day and free life vest rentals, or you can bring your own. You can swim in the springs or float down the river to one of the pickup points. It is a great place for the whole family to spend the day or even go camping. 2. Review By Gavan Berzman: This is one of my favorite places on earth. You're able to camp along the river. It's $30 for a tent site. Clean bathrooms and showers nearby. Lots of grills, picnic tables, and volleyball courts throughout. The springs are absolutely amazing. I always leave feeling like a new man. 3. Review By N Mateo: Views were beautiful. This is a campsite with very reasonable pricing and set-ups. Amenities were great, and showers and restrooms were well maintained. Snack bar on site. The activities include snorkeling, canoes, trails, etc. Cons: quite a few closed off areas, but I will still definitely visit here again. Ginnie Springs Reviews On Tripadvisor: The top reviews about Ginnie Springs on Tripadvisor are as follows, 1. Review By GoPlaces202808: Beautiful place completely ruined by obnoxious college students blaring extremely loud vulgar music throughout the campgrounds at all hours of the night. The quiet hours, which don't even start until midnight, are only loosely enforced. The bathrooms are far too small to handle the crowds and are disgusting by evening time. The tubing exit site should be renamed Beer Can Springs since that is what is mostly seen on the bottom there. 2. Review By Jennifer H: We went previously and had fun, but we paid $20 a person, and we brought our own tunes. There was literally trash floating past us. My daughter actually started picking up trash. I was very unhappy we would not be going back. 3. Review By Exploration577906: Not worth your money and time. We waited 1 1/2 hours just to get in and rent a kayak. Long line, and it doesn’t even move. The security gay does a poor job managing the door, and people come in and out while you wait. And It’s A Wrap! And that’s a wrap on planning a visit to Ginnie Springs located in Florida. What do you think about visiting this much-loved tourist spot in the sunshine state of Florida? If you have already been here in the past, then we would definitely want to find out more about your experience - so feel free to share your thoughts and experiences about Ginnie Springs in the comments below. Read Also: Top 10 Best Beaches In Florida Top 8+ Splash Pad Near Me In Florida (Updated 2023) 10 Best Fishing Charters In Florida To Visit – Tour And Travel Guide

BY Mashum MollahOct 4, 2021

You sure have heard about the latest hotspot that got inaugurated on the western part of the trunk of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai? Palm west beach is the newest destination for sunset paramours. It offers a 1.6 km walkable parade which is lined up with many casual restaurants. It is also filled with expensive hotels on the torso of the Palm Jumeirah.  Decorated with more than 300 palm trees to elucidate the walking path and running tracks. The tranquility of the stretched sand is off to turn into Dubai’s ultimate swaggie spot. Let’s dive into the restaurants Dubai's Palm Beach offers. Restaurant- Koko Bay The idea of Koko Bay was inspired by the dingy-chic restaurants lined up on Bali’s shores. Koko Bay happens to be the first restaurant to open on Palm West Beach. In the afternoon it's time for fresco-feasting, by the evening the DJ sets the mood with creative mixology of songs and music. At night it's all about dining under the stars. The menu is a mix of Asian and European cuisines. You have a furry friend who loves to travel with you everywhere, well Koko Bay welcomes them with open arms. If you are looking for a sun-soaked beach day, then sea-facing wicker loungers come with a deal of AED 100 for weekdays and AED 150 on weekends. Restaurant- Senor Pico A vibrant treat to the eyes. Senor Pico is all about colors. It is a colorful Mexican flavor that is merged with California cool, effortlessly. Senor Pico is a commemoration of Victor Berger’s travel to Mexico, with which he bought the rich flavors, graphic dishes, and vibrant culture he came in contact with there.  The menu does not have the whole tinge of Mexican cuisine but is a bit influenced by Californian cuisine. The interior of the restaurant with rainbow-hued walls, hanging fish from the ceiling, and neon hints, makes it absolutely photogenic. A kitchen in the heart of the restaurant is busy serving fresh tortillas, tacos, and burritos, while the diners enjoy the scene. Restaurant- Aprons And Hammers Beach House The main attraction in Aprons and Hammers Beach House is the fresh seafood they serve. It is located in La Mer, JBR and now in Palm West Beach. It has the first licensed outlet. Aprons and Hammers Beach House has mimicked the laid-back beach house. The interior of this restaurant has a marine theme going on all over the place, from the terrace down to the parasol-lined beach. Seafood like lobster, crabs, shrimps, and mussels are all available here for the guests.  These restaurants also possess a raw bar, where they serve freshly shucked oysters and tiered seafood towers. Like Koko Bay, it also offers the same price and their lounges for being sun-bathed. Restaurants- Jones The Grocer This restaurant is mainly for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it serves hearty and homely dishes. The place has its own signature dishes to offer, pastry and sandwich counter. It has an artisan eatery with an authentic wood-fired oven and not to forget a cool beach bar.  The laid back relaxed beachside bar cum cafe cum restaurant opens up to the Palm West Beach coastline. It allows the diners to taste the ocean breeze while tasting the amazing food.  In beverages, they offer bespoke cocktails and their favorite curated grapes which celebrate the roots.  Restaurants- Lucky Fish  Lucky Fish is a barefoot, expensive Mediterranean restaurant and beach as because it has no additional floor, the whole set up is on the sand. With a calm coastal style and homely design, guests are welcomed to dine in between the indoors and outdoors.  Guests can also spend their day at the beach on cloud-like-loungers, as well as day beds that are shaded with linen curtains over the sand. Talking about the menu, which is a s well inspired by the Mediterranean region and the ocean.  It highlights the Italian, Spanish, French tastes through the fresh seafood and meat dishes. It is quite obvious that you are in Palm West Beach for the entire day, cherishing all the delicious foods around you, enjoying to the fullest, and falling tired at night. Don’t worry here are two luxury hotels and apartments that West Beach provides for a weekend, or midweek. Hotels- Five Palm Jumeirah  Great infrastructure and firmly established Five Palm Jumeirah is one of the liveliest hotels in the city. The FIVE is decorated with full and generously sized white loungers, jacuzzis, and glass built swimming pool.  The swimming pool is made out of glass because it compliments the swimming pool itself for being lengthy and as well as running down to the center of the hotel. A Chinese restaurant, Mediterranean-inspired grill, Italian. It is one of the most photographed hotels in the city. Hotels- Fairmont The Palm  On the chest of the Palm Jumeirah that is facing over the Palm West Beach.  The interior of the hotel is inspired by Arabian accents that have design aesthetics like dark woods, orange shaded sand, and webbing throughout the guest room and suites, as well as the public places. The beachfront is highly expensive, it offers 800 meters of golden sand for the guests. They have four swimming pools in the hotel with volleyball and water sports. It also has table tennis facilities.  Water sports are not much in demand but Palm West Beach still offers  Kayaking VR diving Stand up paddle boarding Electric hydrofoil boarding Sea bikes Catamarans  Since Palm West Beach is the newest destination in Dubai there are not many hotels but there will be soon. Rumour has it. 1. Voco Dubai Palm Jumeirah IHG hotels and resorts are coming up with its premium brand called VOCO, to the desired Palm West Beach, Jumeirah later this year. It will have 141 guest rooms, a pool, a gym, and a spa. Voco will also showcase its bold cuisine credentials. With four food and beverages outlets.  2. Hilton Palm Jumeirah Hilton Palm Jumeirah will be debuted in September 2022, the location will be in the middle of Palm West Beach. It will also have ocean-facing rooms, and suits that will have private balconies.  The resort will have a new claw BBQ and a concept by McGettigans. The Jones The Grocer which is already there will be part of the hotel's dining options. 3. Marriott Palm Jumeirah The Marriott Palm Jumeirah will be inaugurated in July 2022. The first Marriott resort in Dubai of the Palm has 608 guest rooms, each of them having its personal balconies, has 13 floors. The hotel is going to be home to more than 5 restaurants and bars, including Las Vegas Sake Rok. Closing Thoughts This article is the complete guide of Palm West Beach, the article enlightens the readers about the restaurants, hotels in west beach.  The water sports are not that in need, therefore, they haven't come up with many watersports but there are plans. There are some hotels that are going to open soon and this article has the list of names. Hotels and restaurants this expensive give the best feeling in the world. Leave a comment section below in the comment box, if this article has helped you in any way.  Read More: 4 Tips for First-time Travelers to Bali How Safe Is Morocco For Travel In 2021? Traveling Taught Me To Love Myself & Look At Life, Differently

BY Riyanka RoyJun 1, 2021

When I initially started traveling, it was merely to explore new places and learn about things beyond the box. I started feeling that stagnation can never provide what my soul was seeking. With an attitude of using travel experiences as a mode of inner transformation, I had a chance to explore an intimate relationship with myself. And even before I could realize what magical spells traveling has cast on my life, I knew that I was addicted to it (in a good way!) and traveling was actually helping me to be a better person. Before I dig deeper into this, I would like to take the opportunity and make it clear that there’s a difference between ‘Self Love’ and ‘Narcissism’ (however, it’s a very thin line and one has to be really mindful to understand this).  To put it simply, ‘Self Love’ is related to one’s own well-being, consciousness, and happiness, while ‘Narcissism’ is an excessive or erotic interest in oneself and one’s physical appearance. While the former is usually content with oneself, the latter would need others' approval for fueling those feelings of obsession! Getting back to where I began – my journeys, over the years, helped me to look at myself a tad bit differently. I realized the fact that when we fall in love with ourselves, we tend to accept ourselves just for who we are, unconditionally. Here’s how stepping out of my comfort zone and traveling across the globe helped me to fall in love with myself and look at life, differently: Traveling helped me realize that my ‘weaknesses’ were only a part of my imagination. We all have certain assumptions about ourselves, and we tend to think that we are ‘bad’ at certain things, without even putting much effort into trying/doing/improving. It was the same for me as well. Being very particular about everything, I often thought that I’ve acute OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and that I can’t share my stuff with strangers, or live in a messy environment! Gladly, it all turned out to be a myth – when I didn’t have to think twice before lending my bottle of water to a fellow trekker, during a high altitude Himalayan Trek, or when I had to spend nights at an underprivileged Children’s Home in the outskirts of Nairobi, where I went to volunteer for the little ones. I realized that the constraints were all in my mind, and I didn’t need a second to break free from it when the situation arose. It made me feel more confident about myself, and I knew that I can actually adjust with anyone, anywhere! Traveling helped me to realize that I can be my best company! In today’s date, when we are so obsessed with the internet and keep connecting with others over the virtual world, have you ever thought how beautiful it would be to take a break and connect to yourself? We often seek love and appreciation from others, which seems like a source of happiness. But how often do we appreciate ourselves – for trying something new, or maybe for doing something we thought we never could? I’ve been no different – for I also gave a lot of importance to what others would say about my deeds – till the point when I realized that it doesn’t really matter if I’m happy with myself. As I started to explore the world by myself, there were often times when I would find myself away from the network, amidst solitude – and that’s when I realized that I actually love being by myself! I could read for hours, or listen to music, or just sit by the window watching the clouds float –  thinking how blessed I’m to have seen the sunset in different parts of the world. Traveling taught me to declutter my mind and trust others. While growing up, we are often taught not to trust and refuse any edibles offered by strangers as well as not to take anything from people we don’t know, etc. Such things often clutter our mind with suspicion, and we would look at anyone with a tinge of mistrust, thinking that the person might harm us in some way or the other. It was only when I started traveling, that I got to realize how stupid these things were! During most of my journeys, I’ve blindly trusted the local transport drivers, taking me to places and suggesting areas worth exploring. While I was in Bhutan for a month where I was mostly hitchhiking, I got into random people’s cars, who at times took a detour to drop me off! There were times when I would be hungry, and a fellow traveler on a bus or a train would offer me something that I would gladly eat. It helped me to learn that the world isn’t as bad as we think it to be while sitting at home! Eventually, it was these bits and pieces of kindness I received on the roads, that reminded me of the beauty of life, helped me to declutter my mind, and taught me to trust strangers. Traveling taught me valuable lessons about minimalist living, compassion, and gratitude. In our otherwise regular life, we tend to think that a lot of things are needed (which we term as ‘necessities’), and often, we end up buying stuff that we probably would never use! Our love for material possessions takes control over the mind, and we keep spending in order to accumulate things. Even I used to be a shopaholic at some point in time and would pick up anything that caught my attention. But when I started to travel, I realized that only a limited amount can be packed in the rucksack, and when I’m on the roads, I barely need those things that I’ve shopped and filled my cupboards with! The endless journeys taught me the charm of minimalistic living, and now, I pack as little as I think I would need. Also, we often forget to be grateful for all that we have and take things for granted. As I traveled to different places, met several people, and got to know about their lives – I figured out that not all are born lucky, and I was in a much better place than many out there. This realization helped me to be more compassionate and humble than I ever was, and I learned to value things more than what I previously did. I realized that I come alive when I wander. There have been difficult days (especially now that the pandemic has brought uncertainties into our lives), and I realized that I felt most alive when I was traveling. Read Also: 5 Reasons To Consider Solo Travel 5 Backpacking Tips For An Unforgettable Euro-Trip Travel Advice For Different Countries Around The World 10 Travel Tips For Singles At This Valentine’s Day