A Guide To The Most Scenic Road Trips Around The World

BY  Sibashree Sep 3, 2025

One of the absolute best things about travel? Hands down, it’s the food. Nothing beats sitting near the water, breeze in your face, and digging into whatever the locals have been making for generations.  Maybe it’s smoky sardines in Portugal or paper-thin slices of tuna sashimi in Japan… Either way, seafood has this way of stealing the show. But here’s the flip side: while we’re chasing flavors, it helps to know what’s actually landing on the plate.  Mercury in seafood’s been popping up in conversations more and more. It’s naturally out there in the environment, sure, but industries add to it too. Some fish pick up more of it than others. Most of the time, you’re fine, but if seafood becomes your go-to meal on a trip? Yeah, worth paying attention. In this Tour and Travel Blog, we will talk about how to try the best coastal cuisine safely.  How To Try The Best Coastal Cuisine Safely? Understanding The Importance Imagine you’ve planned this whole trip around food—coastal markets, little family-run joints, maybe a cooking class or two. Seafood’s everywhere.  But here’s the thing: the big, long-living fish—swordfish, king mackerel, certain tunas—they build up more mercury over time. Smaller guys like sardines, trout, anchovies? Usually safer bets. This isn’t about saying “don’t eat seafood.” Please, no. It’s about eating smart so you don’t have to think twice later. When a menu lists a fish you can’t pronounce, knowing the basics means you can pick something tasty without worrying about it. Why It Matters For Travelers? Eating local food is how you get a place. Paella in Spain, ceviche in Peru, a messy clam bake in New England—they’re experiences as much as meals.  But if you’re traveling and eating seafood meal after meal, that exposure can stack up faster than you think. For most healthy adults, a little extra seafood isn’t a big deal. But pregnant travelers, kids, or folks with certain health issues? They’ve gotta be a bit more cautious. Knowing which fish to enjoy freely and which to maybe skip for the day? That’s just good travel sense. The Role Of Sustainability And yeah, mercury’s one piece of the puzzle. Overfishing’s another. A lot of places now highlight eco-friendly options right on the menu. Asking about it isn’t annoying—it shows you care about the place you’re visiting and the people feeding you. How To Navigate Coastal Cuisine Safely While Traveling? Know The Practical Tips Freshness, simplicity, and a riot of flavors! These are the core reasons why coastal cuisine is so popular. Furthermore, smoking, grilling, and making curries are the most popular methods of cooking these cuisines.  However, you need to be extra careful while navigating these cuisines.  1. Safer Selections Abroad Menus in other languages, mystery dishes… yeah, it can get confusing. But here are a few things that make life easier: Chat with locals. They know what’s eaten all the time versus the “special occasion” stuff. Go smaller when you can. Sardines, smelt, whitefish—lower on the mercury scale. Shellfish’s usually fine. Shrimp, crab, scallops—still best not to overdo it. Throw in some variety. Plant-based meals or land proteins here and there keep things balanced. 2. Culinary Traditions And Conscious Choices  Every region has its classics for a reason. Mediterranean? Grilled sardines with olive oil and lemon—healthy, simple, perfect. Southeast Asia?  Flavorful curries using smaller fish. Then there are places serving bigger predatory fish, like marlin in parts of the Caribbean—amazing flavor, but maybe not for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The cool part is, you don’t have to give up authenticity. You just get to enjoy it without overthinking. 3. Practical Tips For Travel Planners  If you’re the “map out everything” type, a little prep work helps: Look up local fish before you go. Two minutes online gives you a head start. Learn a few names in the local language. Saves a lot of pointing and guessing. Visit good markets. Tours often highlight safe, sustainable stalls. Spread out the big meals. Try the famous dish… just maybe not twice a day. Having Coastal Cuisine Safely For Long-Term Travel And Health Awareness  Traveling for weeks—or months—near the coast? Yeah, seafood’s going to be everywhere. Switching things up helps keep it fun and balanced.  A little shellfish, some whitefish, a veggie dish now and then—it all adds up to fewer worries later. Being aware of seafood high in mercury ensures that long-term travel remains not only adventurous but also sustainable for personal health. What Are The 5Cs Of Trying Coastal Cuisine Safely?  These are the thumb rules or the basic 5Cs while cooking coastal cuisine.  Cleaning Cooking Chilling Cross-Contamination Prevention Communication  When you are trying seafood or coastal cuisine in a new place, you will have to consider these factors. Otherwise, there are high risks of food contamination and allergies. 1. Cleaning We all wash our hands and sanitize the food preparation and cooking surfaces. At the food preparation stage, we have to deal with raw meat and seafood ingredients.  Furthermore, we have to wash all the ingredients thoroughly using warm and cold water.  So, when you visit an eatery, especially for seafood, you have to ensure that all these practices are being followed thoroughly.  If not, however tempting the place or the dish may look, leave it at once! 2. Cooking Cooking thoroughly is very important, and at the right temperature. It is essential to get rid of the harmful bacteria and disease-causing elements in the raw ingredients.  Furthermore, reheating the refrigerated or stored food before eating is mandatory to avoid throat and stomach infections.  While it is difficult for you to check whether all these are being followed properly in a restaurant kitchen or a seaside shack, you can at least avoid having raw seafood at an unknown place.  3. Chilling Once the food is cooked, eaten, and cooled, you can store it in a refrigerator for safe preservation.  When you need that food again, you can take it out of the refrigerator, warm it, and have it.  This is also something very basic in restaurants. However, there are also risks of restaurants serving food that has been stored in the refrigerator for the longest time.  So, talk with locals and get ideas about a safe place where you can have fresh seafood.  4. Cross-Contamination Prevention Preventing cross-contamination requires the use of separate accessories and tools for raw meat, fish, and fruits and vegetables.  Also, there needs to be separate containers and storage places for all these ingredients. While you will not get a tour of the kitchen and pantry of a restaurant easily, this remains one of the golden rules of cooking seafood safely.  The Pan American Health Organization, or PAHO, also prioritizes cross-contamination prevention as one of the WHO's golden rules.  5. Communication  Well, this is something that happens entirely within the pantry or the cooking space of an eatery. Various verbal and non-verbal cues are used to ensure safe and fast food preparation.  Being A Responsible Food Explorer Travel’s about discovery, right? And food’s a huge part of it. With a bit of knowledge, you can dive into coastal cuisine without a second thought. A sardine in Lisbon, clam soup in Tokyo, a crab boil on the East Coast—those aren’t just meals. They’re memories. This isn’t about saying no to anything. It’s about saying yes in a way that keeps the trip—and you—feeling good. Read Also: What Is Arizona Known For Food | Culinary Tourism Exploring The Desert Delights Boat Trips And Czech Cuisine: A Taste Of Prague’s Culinary Delights Unlocking The Secrets: Key Ingredients In Italian Cuisine

BY  Sibashree Jul 18, 2024

Is it your dream to climb Denali in Denali National Park? Standing at 6,190 meters height from sea level, the highest peak of North America is surely going to give you a tough time. However, the toughest routes in the world are the most alluring for travelers. So, its remote location and the deadliest terrains attract mountain lovers across the globe. As the monumental centerpiece, Denali adds to the popularity of Denali National Park.  Are you also planning a climb on Denali or Mount McKinley? Here are the things you must know before you make an attempt. Many people talk about the magnificence of the peak and its beauty. I will primarily discuss how you will prepare and conduct yourself for the pain-stricken journey and sail through it.  Climbing Denali in Denali National Park (How You Will Prepare Yourself) Many people find climbing Denali in Alaska’s Denali National Park more difficult than climbing Mount Everest. Extreme weather conditions, steep terrains, and fixed lines make this exotic peak one of the deadliest in the world.  So, we must be particular about our preparations, and these are the areas where we need to prepare ourselves.  Physical Preparedness And Endurance Physical preparedness and endurance are the most crucial things while climbing Denali. Your training activities will include the following.  Fitness Test  VO₂ Max Test Carrying Packs Weighing around 55lbs Hike Training at Sea Level Strength Building While attending a training session for physical strength and endurance, take a step-by-step approach to success.  Working On Team Dynamics And Preparations Traveling solo is not a great idea when it comes to conquering Denali. Maintain clear communication, mutual respect, trust, and a supportive environment within the team. Trust me! Denali will challenge you in every possible way. You don’t want to add to it by having a discord within the team.  Make Sure To Have The Correct Mental Training Reaching the Denali summit is going to be tough. The weather conditions and the routes will throw endless challenges. So, you have to be mentally resolute to keep at it. Train yourself mentally and learn to push limits during your physical training sessions for the Denali trek. Staying positive and being persistent is very crucial in your journey.  Work On Your Technical Proficiency Climbing Denali in Denali National Park is a demanding task. Things are not going to be as easy as visiting Biscayne National Park,  Everglades National Park, or any other national park.  You can attend courses on the following prior to joining a trip to Denali. Ice and snow travel Crevasse rescue Self-rescue Fixed line climbing Self-arrest techniques These technical climbing skills will prepare you for adverse conditions.  Be Particular About Food And Hydration  Planning food and nutrition before and during climbing Denali has two aspects. You have to eat healthy and nutritious food that keeps you in shape. If you are on a guided tour, you will have a proper diet and nutrition plan that you need to follow.  At the same time, having good food is crucial when it comes to climbing a height. You may face appetite issues at a higher altitude. However, you must ensure that you finish your meal properly. There will be no scope for overpacking snacks.  Further, nutrition is different for each person. So, your primary diet will be rich in healthy fats and high protein. However, for the instant energy kick, you must also carry some energy food items and chocolate bars.  The “Diet, Supplementation and Nutritional Habits of Climbers in High Mountain Conditions” report featured in the National Library of Medicine shows the food choices of climbers. Check the table below.  Food Choices Of Climbers Canned Meat3.6%Fruit Mousses7.1%Canned Fish7.1%Halvah7.1%Dry Smoked Pork Sausage10.7%Sandwiches10.7%Dried Fruits10.7%Nuts 10.7%Instant Dishes10.7%Dried Meat28.6%Salty Snacks32.1%Jelly Beans35.7%Energy Gels39.3%Chocolate71%Freeze-dried Dishes86.8%Bars100% Data Source: Diet, Supplementation and Nutritional Habits of Climbers in High Mountain Conditions This study was conducted on 28 men, and the average age group was “33.12 ± 5.96 years.” Take Care Of Hydration  Your body needs more hydration as you climb up the mountain. Water boosts the efficiency of our red blood corpuscles, which collect oxygen in the lungs. So, for proper breathing at a high altitude like Denali, you will have to keep drinking water.   You also need water to stay away from body aches and injuries and preserve your energy level. Water further helps in digesting your food.  Moreover, as you climb up, the air starts getting dry, and rapid breathing and an increased heartbeat promote faster loss of water from our bodies.  Along with drinking 3-4 liters of water every day, you will need to take multivitamins, electrolytes, and hyperhydration solutions available in sachets.  Work On Gear Selection And Preparation Pick and prepare your gear right for climbing Denali in Denali National Park. You will need to pack layered clothing, insulated boots, sleeping bags (-20 F), and mountaineering jackets. Further, if you are on a guided tour, you will be handed over a detailed kit list. Be particular about procuring the following items. Climbing helmet Balaclava Glacier glasses  Goggles Crampons Ice axe Harness Climbing rope Carabiners, etc. These gears ensure that you can navigate through the hard terrain comfortably and remain connected to your team.  Acclimatize With The Condition  With Denali, you are going to make a trek on harsh terrains under extreme weather conditions. So, you cannot plan a successful trip to Denali without devoting some time to acclimatization.  Join a group or guided expeditions that have acclimatization built into their itineraries.   Did You Know?  Mount Denali was renamed Mount McKinley on 28th August 2015.  Denali is the third-highest peak among the Seven Summits or the tallest peaks in seven continents. Denali means “the tall one,” and its name is derived from a Native Alaskan language, Koyukon.  Harry Karstens, Hudson Stuck, and their team of climbers first conquered Mount Denali in 1913.  Galen Johnston became the youngest climber to Mount Denali in 2001. He was 11 years old, and he climbed the peak with his parents.  Final Words  Climbing Denali in Denali National Park is going to be a one-of-a-kind experience. Reaching the summit can be the ultimate reward for your years of training and preparations.  Also, when your road leads to the highest peak in North America, you have to be physically and mentally fit and proficient in technical skills related to mountaineering.  In addition, respect the wonder of nature and be humble so that the wonder of nature embraces you with open arms and paves your way to the summit. Have you ever been a part of a climbing team to Denali? Do you have plans to make a trip to this steep mountain soon? What do you think is most important to prepare yourself for this arduous trek? Don’t forget to share your insights with us!  Denali National Park FAQs How Difficult Is Denali To Climb?  Climbing Denali in Denali National Park is a serious affair. You will at least need intermediate-level expertise or advanced expertise to climb the highest peak in North America.  If you are a serious climber and want to climb Denali, you must get your preparations right and acclimatize to difficult situations with some prior ventures. For preparations, you can climb the Cascades of Washington or the European Alps before your attempts to climb Denali. Further, you need to have the fitness and the agility to survive at all altitudes. You also need to be experienced in knots and hitches, rope work, and fixed-line climbing. In addition, you have to know about glacier travel, crampon techniques, and crevasse rescue.  What Is The Cost Of Climbing To Denali? The cost of climbing Denali for each person will be around $400 per day. Overall, the cost of climbing Denali will be around $12000. In addition, you will have to pay the NPS climbing registration fee. The National Park Service offers a detailed breakdown of the expenses you will need to bear when climbing Denali.  The expenditure includes guides, meals, and transportation costs to reach the kick-off point.  What Is The Hardest Part About Climbing Denali? Climbing the north face of Denali is the hardest, as there will be encounters with avalanches at Wickersham Wall. The Wickersham Wall extends 4,572 m upward from the glacier to the northern peak of Denali.  Another deadliest route for climbing Denali is the West Buttress route. Since the 1980s, there have been reports of at least 14 people dying on this route. (Source) What Is The Best Time To Climb Denali? Late April to mid-July is the best Denali climbing season. However, if you want to experience a milder temperature, you must visit the mountain in June and July. The weather is also less windy in June and July.  Traveling in late July is not a great idea, though, as the snow bridges over the crevasses will start melting. Further, it will be difficult for you to reach the base camp by airplane.  Climbing Denali in any season is not going to be a cakewalk for you. So, daily weather observations are crucial in determining the right time to climb the highest peak in North America. Also, it is always to be a part of guided expeditions to avoid fatal consequences and casualties.  Can I Die While Climbing Denali?  It would be harsh to say that you will die while climbing Denali. However, climbing the highest peak in North America is an arduous journey. You at least need an intermediate-level skill and glacier experience for the trek.  However, a solo climber to Denali died recently, just as the summer climb season this year kickstarted. The body of the deceased climber was found on 20th May 2024. (Source) So, commit to the climb only if you have the desired mental and physical fitness, have the expertise and experience, and have proper safety measures in place. Also read From Hiking To Stargazing: The Top 10 National Parks In Utah! 7 Fun Things To Do In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Plan A Day Trip To Dry Tortugas National Park: This Is How You Will Do It.

BY  Sibashree Aug 20, 2024

The Death Valley National Park has geological bounties that will make you feel more than alive. The “hottest, driest, and lowest” national park enjoys the juxtaposition of Badwater, the lowest elevation in North America, Eureka Dunes, the highest sand dunes in North America, and snow-capped Telescope Peak.  You can easily call the landscape of the national park dramatic, or an explorer can find it to be the most amazing outdoor playground with volcanic rocks, mountains, deep canyons, the highest sand dunes, and old rivers.  From the humming songs of the sand dunes to the soothing sound of the flowing stream, this place is music to the ears of the visitors.  No wonder that despite its extreme weather conditions, the park had an impressive 1,099,632 visitors in 2023. (Source) Death Valley Hiking Trails (Easy, Moderate, And Difficult) That Should Be On Your Bucket List  The hiking trails here come with varying difficulty levels. Here, I have discussed some of the most popular and interesting hiking trails with easy, moderate, and strenuous difficulty levels in three different sections.  Best Hiking Trails In Death Valley National Park For Beginners (Easy) Death Valley is not probably the first place you will think of as someone new to trekking or hiking. However, this national park has some trails suitable for beginners. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes The Mesquite flat sand dunes, with a 2.3-mile distance, are the best creations of sand and wind. The enclosure of mountains works as a barrier to protect the sand from getting blown away.  The sand here creates ripples and dunes, and the area gets its name from mesquite trees found in abundance here. The Timbisha Shoshone tribe here makes flour from the mesquite tree bean pods. This variety of flour is sold in many specialty stores these days.  Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is also home to nocturnal kangaroo rats and rattlesnakes. Badwater Salt Flat A vast salt flat covering around 200 square miles, it is the most surreal place in Death Valley. The lowest elevation point in North America, Badwater Salt Flat, was a large inland Lake Manly in ancient times.  The landscape looks interesting with geometric salt polygons. You can take an easy walk through the stretch and have a look at the imposing Black Mountains and Telescope Peak.  Moderate Death Valley Hiking Trails  Most hiking trails in Death Valley are moderate in their difficulty level. Here, I will give a brief overview of the most talked-about ones in the park.  Darwin Falls Hike Darwin Falls got its name from Erasmus Darwin French, an army physician. It is one of the very few perennial waterfalls in this national park.  The waterfall runs into a shallow pool with green vegetation around it. So, as you hike through this 2-mile trail, you will find many ferns, trees, aquatic plants, and amphibians.  Ubehebe Crater Rim Hike  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Grant Brittain (@jgrantbrittain) This hiking trail is around 1 and a half miles long. The trail looks easy. However, you experience difficulty when you try to get back to the Caldera Rim. Further, from the very beginning of this hike, you will experience unevenness in the elevation.  As you take the black trail surrounded by dark hills, don’t forget to catch a glimpse of the green vegetation, which is very rare in the national park. Here, you will also love the view of streaks of dark orange in the formations, along with loose white sand.  You can even hike deep down the crater filled with pyroclastic deposits.  Fall Canyon Death Valley This 3.5-hour hiking route comes with moderate to strenuous difficulty levels. Occasional flash floods form the narrow gorge and steep sides here.  The cave-like twisted passageways here look most amazing, and a touch of blue on the smooth granite walls adds a mystic charm to the place. The Badlands/Zabriskie Point Loop View this post on Instagram A post shared by Death Valley National Park (@deathvalleynps) The Badlands, the lowest elevation point in North America, is nature’s display at its best. Hiking to the Badlands includes hiking to Zabriskie Point, the most picturesque location in the park. It is also a favorite sunset and sunrise point, and you will love clicking photographs here.  After watching the Sunrise at Zabriskie Point, you can continue hiking through the Badlands loop, which is made of sediments. Walk for 2.7 miles to reach one of the most important geological terrains of North America. The terrain, with a rugged beauty, used to be part of an ancient lakebed.  Difficult Death Valley Hiking Trails  This national park has many challenging hiking trails, and exploring some of them demands technical skills. Here are the top three most difficult hiking trails to conquer in this park.  Telescope Peak Telescope Peak, with an elevation gain of 3,000 ft, is a round trip of around 7-8 hours. You can start trekking this route from the “Mahogany Flat Campground at the end of Upper Wildrose.”  This snow-capped mountain is a hikers’ paradise in summer. As you hike through the slopes and the forested areas and reach the peak, you will have the laurel of climbing the highest peak in the national park.  Further, the “ancient bristlecone pines,” wildflowers, and the panoramic vista of the valley from the top will take all your fatigue away.  Panamint Dunes Hiking to Panamint Dunes will be a delightful experience if you want to explore the remote parts of the park. The most immersive experience you can have here is camping in the soft sand, watching the night sky in its full glory. The hike (round-trip) will take around 5 hours, and the elevation will go up gradually. The sandy, uneven, and sometimes rocky landscape makes hiking to the top of four different dunes quite difficult.  Little Bridge Canyon With an elevation gain of 590 m, Little Bridge Canyon is a round-trip hiking route of around 5 hours. The Little Bridge Canyon has a red mouth, and as you reach there, crossing many minor washes, you will be surprised to find a rainbow of colors. Along with white stretches of Eureka Quartzite, you will also find red and bright yellow veins on the rocks. These colorful veins are formed by deposited iron oxide. Also, you will cherish the view of the sand dunes from Little Bridge Canyon.  Visit Eureka Dunes In Death Valley Eureka Dunes, the largest dune field in North America, is a must-visit place in Death Valley National Park. It rises more than 680 feet above the neighboring dry lakebed at the western base.  Things To Explore  You can camp at the Eureka Dunes Dry Camp, which is at the base of the sand dunes. This place is great for seeing the sunrise and sunset and experiencing the changing colors of the sand dunes with the rays of the sun.  A hike to Eureka Dunes is arduous due to loose sands frequently stalling your movements. However, once you reach the top, you will see the magnificent Last Chance Mountains with their limestone walls. Also, don’t forget to listen to the songs of the sand dunes. The experience is other-worldly, for sure. Further, it is hard to believe that a place like Eureka Dunes can have so much life and colors. You will love the Evening Primrose in a pristine white shade. You will also meet shining milkvetch (awaiting designation as an endangered species) and dune grass here.  Stay Safe Extreme heat is a major concern in Eureka Dunes or throughout the national park. So, choose your gear, sunscreen, hydrating solutions, and other essentials while exploring the Eureka Dunes. Further, October to April is the best time to be at Eureka Dunes as the temperature then remains bearable.  Stargazing At Eureka Dunes  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Death Valley National Park (@deathvalleynps) Moreover, Eureka Dunes is considered one of the favorite places for astrophotographers and skywatching enthusiasts. When you are at the Eureka Dunes at night, and you stare at the sky, you will feel like you are sinking in the world of stars and meteor showers.  Final Words  October to April is the best hiking season in the Death Valley National Park. Hiking during summer and spring, especially in the lower elevations of the park, can be very difficult.  Even during the months of winter, the weather conditions here remain dry. So, always carry treated drinking water and hydrating solutions with you while hiking in this national park, the quintessence of desert beauty.  Hiking in the park will allow you to visit the lowest elevation points of North America and the highest dunes. You can also conquer the snow-capped mountain peaks and the most vibrant trails made of colorful volcanic deposits. So, are you planning to visit this dramatic land anytime soon? Don’t forget to share your ideas with us!  Death Valley National Park FAQs  Which Trail Is The Most Scenic Drive In Death Valley National Park?  Artists Palette is the most scenic drive in Death Valley National Park. As the name suggests, through the 0.5 km trail, you can see rocks showcasing various colors. The splashes of green, pink, yellow, orange, red, and blue colors in these rocks come from iron oxides, chlorite, and other compounds present in the local volcanic deposits. So, this scenic drive truly tales the “volcanic past” of the park. While exploring this driving route, you can also catch a glimpse of the Black Mountains and serpentine white salt flats.  For the best experience, you can visit the Artists Palette during the Sunset or Sunrise.  What Is Special In Death Valley? Despite its extreme desert conditions (Death Valley recorded the highest temperature in the world in July 1936, and the temperature was 134 degrees.), Death Valley is a wonderful place to explore from autumn to spring.  Hiking through the vibrant canyons can be the most amazing outdoor pursuit in Death Valley. Hike to Dante’s View in the Black Mountains and enjoy the diverse landscape of Death Valley. Go for a trek along the 1.5-mile trail that follows the Ubehebe Crater rim. Have a look into the abyss, which is 600 feet deep.  Further, you can enjoy the best Sunrise and Sunset moments and a panoramic view of the adjacent area from Zabriskie Point.  You can even take a ride through the lowest elevation in North America, Badwater, with its salt flats and pools.  Moreover, when you are in this national park, you must have an encounter with the Mesquite Flat Dunes wildlife and wildflowers, which are in full bloom in the spring.  Where Is The Most Photographed Place In Death Valley?  Diverse weather conditions and intriguing geology make Death Valley a favorite of photography enthusiasts. You must have seen Zabriskie Point as the background for many posts on socials. This place is named after Christian Zabriskie, a noted figure of the Pacific Coast Borax Company. Zabriskie Point, close to Furnace Creek, has a vantage point that offers an amazing view of the park and the surrounding area. You will enjoy the view of the badlands with brown and yellow hills. Further, don’t forget to behold the salt flats covering the Death Valley floors. Zabriskie Point is also a great place to cherish the golden and red hues of the Sunrise and Sunset. When you especially look at the Manly Beacon from Zabriskie Point during the Sunrise or Sunset, you get an unforgettable view. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is another great place to click photographs if you are looking for a classic desert landscape. Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. Be Soothed And Meet History At Hot Springs National Park.