How To Prepare Yourself For The Perfect Vacation?: Top 7 Tips

BY  Arnab Sep 29, 2022

We’ll go on jeep safaris to explore wildlife closely. But if you want a true wildlife experience that enriches you physically, mentally, and even spiritually, then you must try bush walks. Bush walk takes you on a walking safari to national parks that are havens for unique flora and fauna. These let you immerse into a healthier and happier community. In this blog, we're going to tell you how a walking safari can change your life. But First, What Is A Walking Safari? A walking safari takes you on less-traveled paths, bringing you the most authentic safari experience. On your journey, you’ll experience many things that are easy to miss on a vehicle. Instead of simply gazing at animals and vegetation, you can examine these wildlife entities closely. You get the opportunity to track the footprints of animals on the ground. Watch lovely beetles roll the dung and hear birds singing melodically. If you happen to be in South Africa, you're in luck. The land has a lot to offer for bushwalkers. You typically start in the morning. Some walking safari camps also run in the afternoon. But if you’re after an incredible experience, then head out at the crack of dawn. At this time of the day, animals are most active, and the crisp morning air simply touches your soul. Walking becomes even easier during the African dry winter, mainly because of low temperatures and humidity. Also, dry vegetation increases your chance of spotting animals. So, it’s the best time to go on bush walks in South Africa. Top Reasons To Book A Bush Walk: While there are many reasons to book a bush walk, key benefits are: 1. Connect with Nature You don't need to confide in a vehicle. Instead, you can walk on foot and have an intimate experience with the wild. You’ll get to see lots of fascinating animals, soaking your eyes in their incredible beauty. You can see, smell and feel things around you. It’s not possible to experience this from a distance. All in all, a safari on foot lets you connect with nature on different levels. 2. See Finer Details While exploring the African bush on a walking safari, you'll be able to discover every single detail of your surroundings. These include plants, animals, birds, insects, and even some wonderful landscapes. So, you'll be able to slowly absorb your surroundings so that you can easily drive straight passed while driving a vehicle. 3. Learn a New Skill In addition, you’ll learn a new skill, that is, tracking. Your tour guide to bush walk will teach you to read tracks in the sand and successfully follow animals. This wonderful skill will improve your overall wildlife experience in the bush. You may spot wild giraffes, wild elephants, and hippos playing in the woods. By going on a walking safari in African woods or national parks, you can expect a lot of immersive experiences. You can travel solo, with your family, friends, or in a group of other travelers. So, book a bush walk tour in South Africa. Read Also: 10 Best Things To Do In San Diego (USA) 10 Best Places To Travel In July – Travel Guide 2022 Which Is The Best Time To Visit Sikkim? – Travel Guide

BY  Mashum May 26, 2022

Are you lately planning for an escape from the boring disciplined life? Well, the simplest choice for the destination you can make can be the Sanibel Island. It is located in Florida state and attracts a huge number of tourists from across the globe. So, why don’t you make a plan for a trip to this tranquil island?  Here, you can go through the twelve best activities that you can indulge in while being on the Sanibel Island. So, if you are still planning for the trip, all the information here can actually boost your concern. As of now, you can give a read to the things to do on Sanibel Island from the following list. Remember, all the activities given here are potentially risk-free. So, you can go for a pre-booking without anxiety about your money going in vain. Top Twelve Things To Do In Sanibel Islands- The 2022 Checklist Here are the top things to do in Sanibel Island Florida. You can choose a few from the list or even go for all of them. Generally, the Americans visit the Sanibel Islands repeatedly on small trips. As a result, they can fulfill their activity bucket list quite easily. 1. Go For A Sunset Sail Go For A Sunset Sail  Fort Myers Beach is one of the most prominent locations in the Sanibel Islands. The best you can do is book a sunset sail ride at this place. In this activity, all you need to do is board the cruise and relax.  As the cruise takes you off-shore, you can just relax and look at the sky. The beach evenings of the Sanibel Islands can be a treat for the eyes. At this time, you can observe the sky turning into an artist’s canvas. Hues like red, orange, yellow, and pink cover the entire western sky. There are a lot of organizations that provide the sailing service, and you can select one according to your budget. Best Time To Go: The best time to go on an evening sail is during the summer. So, choose the month of May and June. Read More: 10 Best Places To Travel In February – Travel Guide 2022 2. Experience The Sunset Dolphin Cruise Going for an afternoon dolphin cruise and enjoying it till the sunset can be one of the most memorable things to do in Sanibel Island. Most dolphin cruise trips are headed by experienced captains, and you can talk with them freely. These captains know the locations where the dolphins thrive off-shore. So, you can always expect to get a glimpse of some. You can go for a mobile booking for the trip and expect good comfort on the cruise. Best Time To Go: June to August can be the best time to go for a dolphin cruise. You can always consider it as one of the unusual things on the Sanibel Islands. 3. Take A ‘Free Range’ Jetski Rental Jetskiing is one of the daunting things to do in Sanibel Island. You can go for a ‘Free-Range’ type tour as it can cover the entire Fort Myre and Cape Coral area. The entire trip takes some four hours time, and there are multiple stopovers. So, you can enjoy the adrenalin rush while seeding up the jetski in the glittering blues. The finest thing to expect in the case of this trip is self-guidance. You can drive the jetski yourself while the operators give you all the safety and life-support gears. A maximum of three people can board a jetski; however, mono and couple models are also available. You can choose this trip if you desire to go for some sea adventure all on your own. Best Time To Go: It would be best if you go for jet skiing in the middle of the day. So choose a bright summer day in the month of June. 4. Spend Time On The Sailing Boat Charter The trip on a sailing boat charter is no doubt a luxurious thing to do in Sanibel Island. The cost of boarding the sailing boat charter is comparatively more than all other yachts. So, you should always check what you are paying for. As there are several yacht operators in Sanibel, you can even expect to get competitive prices and even outstanding itineraries. It would be bold of you to cross-check all conveniences related to the trip before final booking. Best Time To Go: Always choose a charter boat sailing trip in the late afternoon of a summer day. You might not get the comforting leisure while going for it during the daytime. 5. Do Not Miss A Fishing Tour Ask random travelers you know for the best things to do in Sanibel Islands, and they would mostly answer- fishing. Several fishing trip operators are present in Sanibel, and they offer both deep sea and light sea fishing trips. So, there is no question of missing such a trip. Most fishing trips take the route of Myres Fort to head to the open sea. As a result, you get a chance to observe the picturesque seashore. A fishing tour is one of the things to do on Sanibel Island with friends and family. You might not get much pleasure doing it all alone. In case you have no concerns related to budget and time, always pick a deep-sea fishing trip. The chances to get big catches are more in such cases. You can also expect proper handling and cleaning services from the trip operator’s end. Putting on some extra bucks, you can even enjoy eating your catch at any of the restaurants on Sanibel island. Best Time To Go: As you already know the correct season for going on a Florida trip, you can try this activity straightaway. Just make sure you are going anytime towards the evening as there would be scorching heat during the mid-day. 6. Choose Sanibel For Vacation Photography If you are a photographer, it would be a productive decision for you to visit the Sanibel Island. Many travelers do not consider it as one of the things to do in the Sanibel Islands, but you can always take a camera and reach this naturally;-gifted place. Again, if you are about to marry your partner, choose to take a trip to the Sanibel and indulge in pre-wedding photography. This way, you can make a lot of memories with the place and even come back for your honeymoon. Best Time To Go: Florida is perennially a good place for photography. So, you can visit here from May to August and from September to November. You can always expect bright sunlight to greet you. 7. Visit The J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge The J.N. Ding Darling is just another island adjacent to the Sanibel. It is a bit remote, and you can find sparse mangrove vegetation in this place. Since 1947, it has been signed to be a place for wildlife refuge. There is not much congestion here, and you can expect to see a lot of migratory birds here. Apart from that you can sit and relax at some of the tranquil beaches. The JN Darling Wildlife Refuge island is a place that not many people are aware of. So, you can include resting here as one of the prominent things to do in Sanibel. You can even find some recreational activities related to wildlife happening here. So, it can give you a chance to know certain facts about the ecosystem. Best Time To Go: The JN Darling Wildlife Refuge can be the best place to witness as an extension to the Sanibel Island trip. So, you can reach up to this place during the months of May and June. 8. Witness The Historical Village There is a historical village on Sanibel Island, and you can get the best experience of witnessing the village while you are on a trip. Expect it to be an outstanding experience to take a drive and reach this place. There is a museum here, and you can independently roam around this place. Even if you are on a rush tour, it can be a fine experience as you need not reserve the entry. All you would need is to visit the place and get entry tickets. Apart from independent tours, you can get guided tours in the place too. You can consider this as one of the interesting things to do in Sanibel island if you love culture and history. For some knowledge regarding the place, it was founded in 1984. It consists of facts and items related to the history of Sanibel. You can check out the lifestyle of adventures, farmers, warriors, and proprietors. Best Time To Go: The right time to go to the historical village can be the peak season itself. During summer, the museum remains open from Tuesday to Saturday. The time is 10 am to 1 pm. You should always cross-check the above data with the official website of the museum. 9. Spend An Evening In Blind Pass Beach While you are on Sanibel Island, you can spend an evening by the Blind Pass Beach. The best you can do is just sit back and relax in this place. Sunset at the Blind Pass Beach can be one of the best things to witness in this world. So, you can add in the list of things to do in Sanibel island. This is one of the most alluring beaches in Sanibel, and you can witness a lot of people visiting this spot. Best Time To Go: Like all other entries, you can consider the summer season itself to be the best time to go for the Blind Pass Beach timepass. Expect to get that perfect beachside vibe and the outstanding breeze to accompany you. If you are on a trip with your partner, you can expect to have a romantic evening. As the darkness snakes in, you can get a good time taking a walk around the beach. 10. Go For A Leisure Walk At The Periwinkle Way The Periwinkle Way is surely one of the most beautiful areas of the Sanibel island. You can take a leisurely walk through it. The best you can do is take your partner along with you. Even if you are on a solo trip, you can enjoy this place a lot. Also, you can indulge in shopping at this place. Well, all you need to know are the norms of the hotel you are staying in. Try maintaining it and return to your place on time. Best Time To Go: As you set out for a trip to Florida, you can take your time fulfilling this activity. Expect it to be an outstanding one. 11. Try Out The Local Cuisines On Sanibel Island The local cuisines of Sanibel Island can be lip-smacking and if you are a sea-food freak, consider yourself at the right place. As you witness the best beaches in Florida, you can have a good time tasting the food. Thus, adding this to the things to do on the Sanibel island list can be the correct move for you. Best Time To Go: Any peak season when the weather in Florida is pleasant. Read More: 10 Best Places To Travel In April – Travel Guide 2022 12. Spend Some Good Time Clubbing In Sanibel As the Sanibel island is one of the happening places in Florida, you can find a lot of nightclubs in the place. If you are a party animal, you can always include clubbing in the list of things to do on Sanibel Island. Best Time To Go: You can indulge in this activity perennially while in Florida. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Q1. How Can I Spend A Day On Sanibel Island? You can spend a day on Sanibel Island by indulging in various water activities. Q2. What Is Sanibel Island Most Known For? Sanibel Island is known for its good food and outstanding beaches. Q3. Is Sanibel Worth Visiting? Yes, you should visit the Sanibel Island while on a trip to Florida. Q4. What Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Sanibel Island? May to August and October to November are the best times to visit in Sanibel Island. Final Words If you are up for a trip to Florida, you should always remember to visit the Sanibel island. Although it is an outstanding place, you must consider it to be very expensive. The best you can do is get an early flight ticket to this place. Moreover, make sure to follow this list of things to do on Sanibel Island. Moreover, it is vital to talk with a travel agent. You should remember to catch a who can get you an outstanding itinerary and the best hotels available on the island. Read Also: Airbnb With Luxury Retreats The Vocational Rental Site: T AND TB Planning A Hunting Trip To Africa – Here’s What You Should Know Architectural Gems To See On Your Singapore Malaysia Thailand Tour

BY  Sibashree Sep 30, 2024

India is leading the dark tourism scenario With an expected CAGR of 5.1% (2024-2034),. Dark tourism in India thrives as it is the land of history and heritage. Also, travel a few miles, and you will get to know folklore or common myths related to paranormal activities.  So, dark tourism in India takes you to places associated with human tragedy or something that raises our curiosity. Endless warfare and the rule of various dynasties have drenched its soil in blood from time immemorial. Further, superstitions and oppressive customs in various parts of the country have caused human casualties that can give you a chill down your spine.  However, dark tourism in India or any part of the world is not just about people’s fascination with the macabre or its inclination to encounter the grey zone. Many dark tourism sites like the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands or Jallianwala Bagh tell the tales of a collective past.  So, these are often popular destinations for educational tourism or excursions. With endless stories and mysteries spread in every corner, India will spoil you with the choices of dark tourism spots. Here is a list of places you just can’t miss! Dark Tourism In India: These Are The Places You Need To Visit  For me, dark tourism in India is like communicating with the past. These places and the remnants there convey a message that can trigger our moral emotions such as empathy, gratitude, disgust, or sadness. Further, these moral emotions can change our perspective about ourselves, various communities, and society.  Moreover, curiosity is present in people’s love for the occult. Some categories of dark tourism, such as ghost tourism, thana tourism, and disaster tourism, especially urge many to get into the shadows. We absolutely agree with Karan Anand, the Head of Relationships at Cox & Kings. So, which places does dark tourism in India take us to? Here is a curated list! 1. Port Blair Cellular Jail | Kala Pani | The Prison Of Death Location: Andaman and Nicobar Islands  One of the most prominent witnesses of British atrocities in the country, the Port Blair Cellular Jail tops almost all the lists of dark tourism in India.  The British government made a hell of concrete in 1906 in the form of a prison, and it was almost impossible to escape or come out of it.  Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, a freedom fighter in India, was the only person who had escaped the Port Blair Cellular Jail.  The British Raj sent convicts with the highest punishment to this jail. Once, this jail housed as many as 80000 prisoners, and among them, at least a few hundred were the freedom fighters. The freedom fighters received the “Kalapani ki Saza” to lead a life of isolation.  Constructed in the shape of a starfish, the Port Blair Cellular Jail is witness to inhuman tortures and genocides. Along with the atrocities of the British Raj, it has also seen the genocides operated by the Japanese.  When at the Cellular Jail, don’t forget to attend the “Light & Sound” show in the evening. It is like time travel, giving you goosebumps.  2. Jallianwala Bagh Location: Amritsar City, Punjab The 13th of April 1919 saw one of the worst examples of British acts of barbarity in India. Innocent people had gathered at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar City to peacefully protest against British rule. Jalianwala Bagh was blocked from all sides, and Brigadier-General Dyer ordered his men to open fire at these innocent and unarmed people. The 1650 rounds of firing continued for 10-15 minutes, taking the lives of more than 500 people.  Today, when you visit Jallianwala Bagh, you can see many bullet holes struck in the structures there. In 1951, a memorial was built here to pay respect to the Indian revolutionaries. Further, in 2019, the inauguration of the Yaad-e-Jallian Museum took place. The museum depicts the most authentic account of the massacre.  A century later, in 2019, an official acknowledgment of “regret” came from British Prime Minister Theresa May on the Jalianwala Bagh massacre. This substantiates how grave and gruesome the act of mass killing was.  3. Roopkund Lake  Location: Uttarakhand Located at a 5000-meter altitude, Roopkund Lake is one of the most popular trekking destinations in Uttarakhand, India.  However, you can see hundreds of human skeletons near the lake, named  the “Lake of Skull.”  Researchers have found that around 200 pilgrims died of heavy snowfall in the place in the 9th century. So, there are so many skeletons around the lake. Roopkund Lake is also known as the “Mystery Lake,” and there are stories about the pilgrims getting turned into stones or the Goddess getting angry.  However, Veena Mushrif-Tripathy, a member of the 2004 investigation and a professor of archaeology at Deccan College in Pune, mentioned that the theory of the pilgrims was reasonable as there were no traces of weapons.  4. Shaniwar Wada Location: Pune, Maharashtra Shaniwar Wada, built in 1732 by Bajirao I, is a historically significant fort and stands out for its architectural excellence. This fort was once the seat of the Maratha Peshwas. This fort became a tourist attraction after the 2015 magnum opus of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Bajirao Mastani. However, Shaniwar Wada is a favorite dark tourism in India destination because of a popular ghost story or folklore associated with it. Narayanrao, the son of Bajirao I, was killed by his uncle Raghunathrao in 1773 in this fort. Since then, people have experienced paranormal activities in the fort. Many have claimed to have encountered the dead prince.  5. Kuldhara  Location: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan How about visiting a village abandoned by its people around 200 years ago? Kuldhara, the cursed village of Jaisalmer, was the residence of the Paliwal Brahmins. They left the village because of water scarcity and the high taxes imposed by Diwan. Another story is about Salim Singh, the local prime minister, who wanted to marry the daughter of the village head. The villagers did not agree to his demands and vacated the place overnight. They also cursed the place, saying that no one could settle there.  Further, some even associate the overnight evacuation with paranormal activities. Whatever the reason, many people have tried but failed to spend a night in this village. Today, abandoned houses, temples, and other architecture speak of excellence, craftsmanship, and intrigue. It is also a favorite destination for movie-makers and photographers today. Films like “Agent Vinod” are shot here. Moreover, the village is now a “Protected Monument of the State Archaelogy Department.”  6. Dumas Beach Location: Surat, Gujarat Dumas Beach is one of the most haunted places in Gujarat. With its black sand and paranormal activities, this beach transforms into a hellish spot as the Moon shows up.  The beach was earlier a cremation ground. The black color of the sand comes from the ashes of those corpses. While we could not see the moving orbs or any prominent paranormal activity, I felt eerie at the beach. Also, I can’t explain, but there is something very depressing about this beach. It feels like you can hear the whispers of the lost here, and someone will suddenly appear in the shadows.  There have been reports of many tourists going missing from Dumas Beach. Also, one day, local people discovered the corpse of a man at the beach. His tongue was popping out. To date, no explanation has been found behind these tragic incidents.  7. Bhangarh Fort In the Aravallis, the Bhangarh fort has the remains of a deserted marketplace, Havelis, and temples. The architectural excellence of the fort is beyond question, and it speaks of a prosperous past.  However, Bhangarh Fort is the most haunted place in India. It has stories and myths enough to scare you to bits.  Bhangarh Fort Story: 1 The Archaeological Survey of India has banned entering or staying in the Bhangarh Fort after the Sunset. According to the local people, no one entering the fort at night has been able to come out alive. The fort becomes a site of paranormal activities in the darkness.  Bhangarh Fort Story: 2 Guru Balu Nath used to meditate at this place. When Raja Madho Singh visited him with a request to build a fort here, he agreed on one condition. He asked the king to promise that the shadow of the fort would not touch him. Despite the king’s promise, it did not happen. Furious, the hermit cursed the castle and the village.  Bhangarh Fort Story: 3 No house in the area has a roof. People believe that the roofs of those houses were destroyed due to the curse of the hermit. All attempts to rebuild the roofs went in vain. Many of those roofs also collapsed, causing human casualties.  Bhangarh Fort Story: 4 (Accidents And Deaths) Three people once decided to stay in Bhangarh Fort at night. They had a powerful torch, but one group member fell into a well. The two others rescued him and took him to the nearby hospital. However, they met with a fatal accident on the way to the hospital and lost their lives.  Do you want to explore more sites that are suitable for dark tourism in India? Visit the Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai, Union Carbide Factory, Bhopal, Sites Of Indus Valley Civilization, Savoy Hotel, Mussoorie, and Gandhi Smriti, Delhi.  Listen to hushed murmurs and the stories these places have to share to make a journey to the past!  Also read Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try. Top 13 Famous Wonders Of India That You Must Visit! [Updated 2024]