Tips for Choosing the Best Accommodation for Your Travel Needs

BY  Ankita Jun 13, 2024

Saudi Arabia is known for its diversity. When it comes to amusing visitors with unusual natural beauty, historical facts, and cultural traditions, Saudi Arabia attracts a large number of tourists. However, do you know what attracts visitors the most about Saudi Arabia?  Well, it's historical landmarks that make people feel curious about the kingdom. In this regard, Madain Saleh or Hegra and Al Ula Valley come first. These places make up a significant part of the Arabian history.  What's interesting is that these places also seem peaceful and quiet for pilgrims. That's why many Cheap Umrah packages allow pilgrims to visit Al Ula Valley and Hegra during their pilgrimage.  However, how do you prepare for the journey? And if you are a traveler, how can you get there on your own? Well, you need a complete guide about each step on the way. Therefore, we come up with this visiting guide for visitors and pilgrims. So, it becomes easier to get in the past following the guide below. Visiting Guide to Hegra and Al Ula Valley History attracts everyone. The way how our ancestors lived and survived sparks our suspense. So, it's not necessary why you are going to visit Saudi Arabia. Visiting historical landmarks is permanent anyway. The same goes with pilgrims, visitors, and curious ones.  For pilgrims, umrah packages in the USA make it easier to explore Saudi Arabia with ease. These packages facilitate the transfer of pilgrims and ensure their comfort on the way. The same goes with the 10 Nights 4 star Umrah package that helps pilgrims manage time and budget in one place. However, travelers or history lovers should plan their journey on their own.  It includes transportation, accommodations, and meals on the way. So, how will you manage to make the most of your trip? Similarly, if you are with family, it becomes essential to plan the right. And that's why you need to read ahead to start planning now. Planning Your Trip to Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia hosts historical sites that capture the interest of visitors worldwide. The most famous ones refer to Madain Saleh and Al Ula. These tourist destinations have a great contribution to promoting tourism in Saudi Arabia and it has also a good reason.  Both these landmarks are unique for their geographic distribution, historical significance, and role in the development of the kingdom. That's what makes visitors curious about the land.  So, plan a trip to Saudi Arabia to explore history. The right time to visit Saudi Arabia is from October to April. As we all know, weather makes or breaks our adventure. So, avoid planning a visit to Saudi Arabia during the summer season to experience a pleasant trip. The next step is to perform legal formalities like obtaining a visa document to enter the kingdom. As a visitor, you'll apply for a tourist visa with multiple entries to Saudi Arabia until it's valid.  However, if you are planning to explore history during the pilgrimage, get an Umrah visa through Umrah packages. Budget-friendly options are also available out there like the 10 Nights 4 star Umrah package.  Apply online on the eVisa portal to get a Saudi visa document. Fill out the application form carefully and attach the required documents to ensure visa approval. In addition, it's better to have travel insurance for first-time travelers. It's because travel insurance saves visitors during emergency situations and helps them under unforeseen circumstances. Transportation and Accommodation Since Saudi Arabia promotes tourism, it makes it easier for visitors to travel along the way. Therefore, you have a couple of travel options when it comes to visiting Madain Saleh and Al Ula.  The first one is ground transportation, which covers public transport and private cars while the second one is air travel from airports of Riyadh or Jeddah. So, what to choose to get there? It really depends on the availability of time and planning.  For example, pilgrims are short on time and require time management. So, it's better to opt for air travel through direct flight. Similarly, if you are a tourist and want to explore Saudi Arabia while traveling by bus, choose ground transportation.  Once you are in the target place, it's time to look for accommodations. As pilgrims often plan a short trip to Al Ula and Madain Saleh, Umrah packages do not provide accommodations. However, tourists need to book comfortable hotels for living as per their scheduled trips.  The popular options are Shaden Resort and Habitas Al Ula which provide luxury experiences to visitors. However, there are also guest houses and budget hotels that serve visitors at low cost.  Those who want to have fun with family or friends can try camping near their target destination, which will add an adventurous touch to your stay. Exploring Madain Saleh Nabataean civilizations were significant in the past for their traditional ways of living and survival. The present landmarks that represent this civilization refer to Madain Saleh or Hegra and Petra in Jordan. These sites present the remains of ancient people and their art views on the rocks that make everyone curious about their lives.  UNESCO World Heritage recognizes Madain Saleh for its unique beauty and preservation. It's like an open-air museum with a mystery of living secrets. Visitors capture the arts on rocks and try to get back into their lives.  However, are you going to visit the whole landmark? Obviously, you want to visit the famous places to make the most of your time. For that reason, include Qasr Al Farid, Jabal Ithlib, and Diwan, which attract visitors for their natural beauty and peaceful surroundings. Under the clear sky and during the sunset, these landmarks turn into magical elements everyone wants to remember forever.  Now, what do you think about how you will visit the Madain Saleh? Through a guided tour or a self-adventure? Well, it's pretty easy to decide that first-time travelers should go for guided tours. Professional guides let you know the things you will never learn yourself. However, if you have visited Hegra before, you can visit it yourself and have an adventure anyway. Exploring Al Ula  Similar to Madain Saleh, Al Ula is also home to ancient civilizations. The place represents the living and trading skills of earlier Arabs that ultimately contributed to the development of the kingdom.  During the history of hundreds of years, Al Ula preserves the beauty of ancient people and keeps their traditions alive. In short, Al Ula offers a mix of nature and history in one place. This is a reason visitors include Al Ula in their target list to visit. Pilgrims also plan group tours to Al Ula to experience once-in-a-lifetime beauty. And the best thing is that Umrah packages also facilitate such tours so that pilgrims can have a good time.  Al Ula is famous for the places like Al Ula's old town, Al Khuraiba, and ancient rocks. The giant tombs and their traditional building take visitors back in the past. Another must-see view in Al Ula is an elephant rock that looks huge. The rock undergoes natural rock formation processes that add to its beauty uniquely.  What else you can do there? Well, Al Ula Valley allows you to try activities like hiking, climbing, and stargazing. Families can camp under the sky and experience stargazing together. Tips for Pilgrims  Since pilgrims are short on time, they want to make the most of their time. They also look for places that have a religious background or at least offer serenity to their visit. This is because the main purpose of their visit is to perform a pilgrimage. All they want to experience is something unique and relaxing while connecting with their spirituality as well. So, should they visit historical landmarks?  Is visiting Madain Saleh and Al Ula worth their time? First things first, historical places offer a lot more to learn in a short time. They present the history of people and their ways of living and faith that help pilgrims relate with them. Similarly, Madain Saleh and Al Ula represent the history of people before Islam came to Saudi Arabia. Therefore, pilgrims learn more about how people used to live before the onset of Islam.  Not only this, the Saudi government also takes care of the pilgrim experience in every aspect. Therefore, it also maintains spiritual places at such a historical place that serve pilgrims even during their trip. For instance, Madain Saleh and Al Ula are home to traditional mosques that give a unique experience of offering prayers there. So, don't worry about your daily prayers or a Friday prayer, as you can offer them while visiting the history of Arabs. Final Words In conclusion, visiting Madain Saleh and Al Ula is easier than you think. All you have to do is take a start from planning your journey, like booking accommodations and transportation. After arriving at your target locations, ensure experience guided tours to explore hidden aspects of Hegra and Al Ula and that's it. Read Also: Future Of Travel, Skift Global Forum East 2023, Takes Off In Dubai! From Beaches To Mountains: Ideal Routes For Car Travel In Dubai Best Time To Experience Dubai: The City Of Gold

BY  Abdul Aziz Feb 28, 2021

A wedding is a big decision, but decisions related to the wedding are even bigger. Finding a location for a wedding venue is even more difficult, there is no lack of options for wedding venus, but deciding which one would be correct or in the budget is the main issue. The romantic destination wedding location options are multiple but choosing the right place is a little bit tricky. When you decide on the wedding venues, a couple of questions such as whether the wedding venue must a destination or should it be at the hometown, outside in open area or in the indoors, mountain view or beach view, after all, it is the wedding location which makes the wedding day feel special and look glamorous.  Choosing the correct place for your wedding reception and all other events is very necessary. We know all bride and groom have thousands of locations regarding choosing the best location for their wedding and related to the wedding venue. The day of the wedding is the day the big day for all Indian families and brides.  Indian wedding has always been famous, the term “big fat Indian wedding” arises from the concept of the Indians spending all their life long hard-earned money on a wedding. Read the post below to find the best places in India to ties your knot with your beloved. Luxurious Wedding Venue City Palace  Indian weddings are known for glamour, richness, decor, and rituals. The City Palace in Rajasthan is one of the best destination wedding locations. This luxurious royal palace gives you a combination of all the factors of an Indian wedding. The most luxurious wedding is held in the City Palace in Rajasthan.  The Mewar Royal family still resides in the City palace while the rest of the palace is led out for destination marriages. There are many Venues in the City Palace and you can choose any of the venues based on your budget.  The Venues are Jagmandir Island Palace, Manek Chowk, Zana Mahal, Mor Chowk.  Jagmandir Island Palace is one of the most premium choices and most chosen for a destination wedding. Many celebrities have married in this venue, this palace is situated on an island. It is one of the most admired wedding locations and it accommodates 5000 guests at a time.   Manek Chowk in City Palace Here, the wedding is held in typical Mughal Style and is encouraged by a lot of high-class, high-level Indians. The lavishness of the Manek Chowk has always caught the attention of the newspapers and the breaking news.  The Mewar royal families still dwell in this palace, and it is famous for the illumination all over the palace. It can accommodate up to 1000 guests in the most luxurious ways. Zana Mahal in City Palace The mahal is famous for its candlelight decoration. This feel and the ambiance of extreme fulfillment are relinquished by the floral decoration and the central fountain. Rajasthan is the city of the Palace, and this feature is making the pink city the best destination for a wedding.  The setting and the backdrop of the Zana palace are magical, and it marks the beauty of the pious knot to be made. The Zana Mahal is known as the Queen’s Palace, and it accommodates up to 500 guests at a time. Mor Chowk in City Palace This section of the City Palace is best for any homely or intimate Indian wedding. It offers a mesmerizing tunnel entry and is also referred to as a peacock courtyard, where it is said that often peacock is seen. When you are searching for the best destination weddings, then the City Palace’s name comes first. City palace itself has multiple areas suitable for big weddings. This is an exquisite location for any small family's luxurious wedding. It caters to up to 50 guests in the Mor Chowk, very comfortably. Budget in City Palace in City Palace In City Palace, you need not worry about the decoration because it will be included in the budget placed for any of the venues. But never the less if you want to hire decorators from outside, you may. City Palace charges 6,00,000 - 15,00,000 for the day of wedding while for events before and after it charges 2,00,000 to 4,00,000.  Serene Wedding Venue Rambagh Palace The hot burning sand of Rajasthan also offers you some most exquisite romance-drenched locations. The erstwhile, luxurious location of the rajas and maharajas of India also cater to the romantic starry night dream of any couple. The palace caters to the big and small functions of the city people as well as pan India. Couples from all over the world, come to this location to get married and make some beautiful moments here.  The Rambagh Palace has 79 rooms all together which serves all fat Indian weddings. All 79 rooms are catered under several venues in the Rambagh Palace. There are 10 venues in the exotic palace and they are named as the following,  Sunken lawn, Kesarbagh, Mughal Terrace, Jaigarh Hall, Mughal Terrace, Naksha Garden, Mubarak Mahal, Naksha Garden, Oriental Terrace, Panghat Lawn, Oriental Garden, Mughal Garden. Budget in Rambagh Palace The Rambagh Palace is much costlier than many other wedding locations in India. The budget in Rambagh Palace is much higher as it varies from 9,00,000 - 3 Crore. Decoration of the Rambagh Palace or the wedding venues is by the regular vendors of Rambagh Palace.  When you are planning for big weddings and destination wedding ideas, Rambagh Palace is the perfect place where you are getting all the modern amenities and decorations in the beautiful royal atmosphere. Romantic Wedding Venue Umaid Bhawan It is the 6th largest private residence in the world, this is the magnificent fort situated in Rajasthan, India. This is the Palace of Maharaj Umaid Singh and was built by his grandson. Umaid Bhawan is still the residence of the royal families and their descendants.  Nothing could be more majestic than this palace for a romantic wedding venue in India. The architecture of this palace is a mixture of eastern and western traditions, the finest and exquisite decor is found here. The Umaid Bhavan has six most beautiful wedding destinations for tying knots. Bricks of each of the venues speak the language of Rajasthan culture and tradition.  There are 3 indoor venues in Umaid Bhavan and 3 outdoor wedding venues.  Marwar Hall in Umaid Bhawan  It is said that the rajas and the maharajas used to host their private events in this section of the Umaid Bhawan. This is one of the indoor wedding venues in Umaid Bhawan. Now, the extravagant Marwar Hall of the Umaid Bhawan is open for all romantic weddings in India and it caters to mouth-watering Rajasthani and Continental buffet.  This banquet accommodates almost 100-180 guests in the indoor wedding section with all probable facilities. The modern decorations are making this one of the best destinations for weddings. Rathore Hall in Umaid Bhawan This place by looks has almost the same interior and decor as the Marwar Hall. Except for the fact that it is typically an old school with some Italian chandelier making the environment perfectly romantic.  The Rathore Hall accommodates almost the same amount of guests which ranges from 100-180 guests in the palace.  Chambers of Princes in Umaid Bhawan This is the comparatively indoor smaller wedding venue in the Umaid Bhawan, which accommodates 40 people in this section. Baradari Lawns in Umaid Bhawan This is one of the outdoor locations in the Umaid Bhawan Palace. This location is right in front of the palace with the palace in the backdrop so that it gives the perfect feel of royalty. This is the largest outdoor wedding venue that accommodates 750 guests at a time. Lancer Lawn in Umaid Bhawan This lawn in Umaid Bhawan also arranges equal royalty and facility for the wedding and the guests at the wedding. This romantic location holds up to 350 guests here and the decor and the ambiance is perfectly amazing. Also, the royal wedding locations mean all the richness comes together in one single royal palace. Museum Courtyard in Umaid Bhawan This is also known as the Fountain Courtyard and is best for morning weddings. It accommodates up to 75 guests here in the outdoor wedding venue with all major royalty.  Budget in Umaid Bhawan While Umaid Bhawan is one of the most exquisite and luxurious palaces in the entire country, the room changes start from 50,000- 80,000.  While you can definitely customize your package, negotiate with your decor and wedding planners. Mostly Umaid Bhawan has its own personal decor vendor unless you want to hire from outside.  Umaid Bhawan perfectly portrays the richness and the culture and tradition of Rajasthan all together.  Wrapping Up! While concluding we would also like to tell you that there are two more beautiful wedding locations or palaces that can be chosen for the same purpose.  They are the Jai Mahal Palace, and the Taj Lake Palace, which are glorious. Make your big day very special by choosing the correct marriage location. If you liked our post then comment below and let us know if we can help you with some more details.  There are many exotic wedding locations scattered all over the world. Right from the dreamy castles in France to scenic desert weddings in Dubai, it all depends on your personal preferences. In the past few years, many exotic are being planned because of the great service being offered by the different vendors. If you want to fly in exotic tulips from Amsterdam, you can always get flower delivery Dubai to get it done for you without any hassles. Read Also: The Most Unique Wedding Venues In The UK Top 5 Unique Things To Do In Udaipur 7 Key Points Remember While Planning Your Honeymoon Trip

BY  Barsha Dec 28, 2023

Bangkok is home to over a thousand temples. Some of these temples are historical and have cultural significance, and some others or mainly for local prayers. During a Holiday in the Capital of Thailand, booking a Bangkok temple tour is a must to explore the city’s main highlights and most beautiful temples. In this article, we will be listing the best and most recommended 5 temples in Bangkok to visit. Wat Pho  Wat Pho temple (also known as the temple of the sleeping or reclining Buddha), is one of the most important temples to visit when being in Bangkok. The temple is home to the famous sleeping Buddha statue which measures 46 meters in length and 15 meters in height. The statue is covered in gold leaf and is a unique piece of art. This temple is considered as the largest temple in Bangkok and is the birthplace for Traditional Thai massage. It was the first public university in Thailand that specialized in religion, science, and literature. Till today, It is still a center of learning for traditional Thai massage and medicine. During your visit to Wat Pho temple, you can book a traditional Thai massage session that combines stretching, pulling, and rocking techniques to relieve tension and enhance flexibility and circulation. It's often described as a combination of yoga and meditation. This Temple is very popular among Bangkok temple tours since it has a strategic location near the Chaophraya river, the Grand Palace, and other important Landmarks in Bangkok. Wat Phra Kaew Wat Phra Kaew is located inside the Grand Palace. This temple is home to the Emerald Buddha, one of the most revered Buddha images in Thailand. Despite its name, the statue is actually made of jade or jasper rather than emerald. This temple is considered as the Personal chapel of the Royal Family. Wat Phra Kaew was Constructed in 1782 when King Rama I moved the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok.  The temple's architecture is a stunning example of Thai craftsmanship, with intricate carvings, colorful mosaics, and gold-leafed figures adorning its structures. The Great thing about visiting this temple is that you will have the opportunity to combine the visit of both the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew since they are both within the same location. They are also within a very short walking distance from Wat Pho, making combining both of them in a half-day visit a very popular choice among tourists visiting Bangkok. Wat Arun  Wat Arun is Known as the temple of Dawn and it dates back to the Ayutthaya period. It has a unique design, similar to the Ayutthaya temples design and having some Khmer elements as well. The temple was renovated by King Rama II and It has been a significant symbol of the Rattanakosin Period and the shift of the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok. Wat Arun’s towers (known as prangs) are decorated with colorful porcelain and seashells, making it visually unique. The central prang is a symbolic representation of Mount Meru, the center of the world in Buddhist cosmology. The temple is located along the Chaophraya river and is often included on the same day when visiting the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. You just need to take a ferry boat to cross the river to reach the other side of the City and visit this amazing temple. Wat Arun has undergone several renovations in the past years and the last significant restoration completed was in 2017 under the supervision of UNESCO. Wat Traimit  Wat Traimit is another beautiful temple in Bangkok with unique features. It is famous for housing the world's largest solid gold Buddha image. The statue is about 3 meters tall and weighs approximately 5.5 tons. The Golden Buddha dates back to the 13th or 14th century, originating in the Sukhothai period. However, the exact origins and history of the statue are still subject to debate and research, and no one has confirmed it. Wat Traimit is one of the most sacred temples, not only in Bangkok but all around Thailand. The building is a beautiful example of modern Thai Buddhist architecture. The temple complex includes a museum where visitors can learn about the history of the Golden Buddha and the Chinatown area where the temple is located. In addition to that, it also offers insights into the Chinese community's role in Thai society. Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple) Wat Benchamabophit is famous for its use of white Carrara marble from Italy, which gives it a distinctly elegant appearance. This feature is unique among Bangkok's temples and of course, is the reason why it gained the name of the Marble Temple of Bangkok. This temple was built in the Late 19th Century during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), in 1899. It is a fine example of modern Thai religious architecture from the end of the 19th century. The temple's design is a fusion of traditional Thai architecture and European influences. Wat Benchamabophit is associated with the Thai royal family and has been used for numerous royal ceremonies. When you hold a five Thai baht coin, you will find the image of this temple on the back of the Coin, reflecting its importance and significance in Thai culture. The temple is home to 52 Buddha images, representing various styles and postures from different periods of Thai history. This collection offers a comprehensive overview of the evolution of Buddhist art in Thailand. The temple complex includes beautifully maintained gardens and courtyards, adding to its serene and tranquil ambiance. Read Also: Crime Rate In Florida Trending Down While California Skyrockets: Report World’s Most Famous Christmas Tree Has Reached Trafalgar Square