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BY  Barsha Jul 7, 2022

If you are located anywhere in Eastern India, then Darjeeling is one name you must have heard while growing up. A favourite vacation spot for Bongs across the country, there is no best time to visit Darjeeling. I mean, you can definitely go during Summer like most bongs to escape the heat. But be prepared to encounter lots of other tourists, long queues outside restaurants, and even probable ticket cancellations. Instead, you can choose to be a little more adventurous and maybe consider travelling to Darjeeling during the latter half of the year and witness something magical like some snow (but only if you are very lucky). Keep reading to find out how I witnessed the most beautiful snow of all time. Exploring The Unexplored: Screw The Itinerary Are you still wondering what is the best time to visit Darjeeling? There are two ways to go about it - either you could visit like most of the country during Summer or drop in during the winter months for a crowd-free experience. The first thing that I did once I set foot at Darjeeling was screwing the itinerary. Because you might think that the place’s done and dusted, but it’s so not, considering all the offbeat places to visit in Darjeeling! Scroll down and find out the places I visited on my solo trip to Darjeeling last Summer!. Spend A Weekend At Dhotrey: Location104k.m from Siliguri Costing (Stay And Meals)1500/- nightTransportationReserved Car or Shared Taxi from SiliguriNearby TreksSandakphu, and Phalut via TongluNumber Of Days2 Days (excluding time for the trek) If you have never heard about Dhotrey, it’s because this beautiful hamlet is one of the smallest villages in Darjeeling - and it’s not just small, not many people even know about this place. There is no best time to visit Dhotrey, considering it’s always free of crowds! The locals are friendly, and I even ended up making lifelong friends with Manoj and his wife. Manoj was my guide who let me stay at his house since there were no rooms in either of the two homestays in this village. His wife cooked yummy meals for me and even made a comfortable, warm place for me to sleep in - she almost tucked me in that night… The best part? The village was breathtakingly beautiful, with lush, green landscapes on different sides, and it also happens to be the starting point for the even more popular Sandakphu trek. You can spend a whole weekend at Dhotrey and embark on the Sandakphu trek for a more adventurous approach to your trek. Hike To Tonglu: Location2.5 hours from Darjeeling at 10,130 feetCosting (Stay And Meals)1000/- nightTransportationWalk from Dhotrey village via Singalila ForestNearby TreksSandakphu, and PhalutNumber Of Days1 or 2 Days (excluding time for the trek) If you are already spending a weekend at Dhotrey, then you can easily hike to Tonglu - it’ll take you somewhere between an hour and a half to double the time, depending on your speed stamina, and the weather. Walking to Tonglu was perhaps my first hiking experience, and it was so cold! If Manoj had not offered to help me out with my heavy backpack, I would have probably given up on the hike! Yes, my boyfriend did carry my bag too, but then again, he adapts to mountain weather far better than I will ever be able to do. The most astonishing thing about visiting Tonglu during winter was the bone-chilling cold, the hot food, and the WIND! At night, it felt like a woman was running around screaming in a high-pitched, shrilly voice - but it was the wind making all that noise, a kind of sound I had never heard before. Instead of finding out the best time to visit Darjeeling for honeymoon, you can always spend your honeymoon at Tonglu - you can always walk to the equally beautiful nearby village of Tumling - also, I witnessed my first snowfall at Tonglu since it was January and boy was it cold! Gorge On The Best Darjeeling Has To Offer: If you are spending a few days in Darjeeling, the best thing that you need to do is gorge to your heart’s extent on the delicacies that Darjeeling has to offer! Experiment with traditional cuisines from the different local communities such as the Gorkhas, Sherpas, Lepchas, and Khampas.  Instead of typing ‘Darjeeling best time to visit’ on Google, have you considered finding out the dishes you must try here? Here you go! ThukpaKunga Restaurant (51, Gandhi Road, Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling) and Devekas Restaurant (Chauk Bazaar)Depends from stall to stallTraditional Nepali ThaliRevolver Restaurant (110 Gandhi Road, Behind Union Chapel, Darjeeling)300 to 400/-Naga CuisineRevolver Restaurant (110 Gandhi Road, Behind Union Chapel, Darjeeling)300 to 400/-ChurpeeKeventer’s (Keventer’s, 1 Nehru Road, Darjeeling)400/-MomosKunga Restaurant (51, Gandhi Road, Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling) and many places in and around Darjeeling100 to 200/-Aloo ThukpaLocal vendors, and Hasty Tasty (Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling)200/-Sael RotisLocal vendorsDepends from stall to stallShafaleyNawangs Restaurant (No 7 Robertson Road | Clubside, Darjeeling)100 to 200/-ChaangHot stimulating cafe (Lebong Cart Rd, Richmond Hill, Darjeeling)100 to 200/-Lots of Darjeeling TeaThe House of Tea Address (11, Nehru Road, Chauk Bazaar, Darjeeling) and Nathmulls Tea & Sunset Lounge (The Rink Mall (Opp. GPO), 19, Ladenla Road, Darjeeling)Depends from stall to stall If You Still Want To Know About The Best Time To Visit Darjeeling! Darjeeling has primarily two tourist seasons. Ask anyone! They are either planning a trip between April to June, or they are up for an autumn trip between September to November.  In both these seasons, Darjeeling has clearer skiers and longer sunny hours. Further, the days of precipitation go down during these months. So, the chances of landslides, mudslides, or road blockages are less in autumn and spring. Moreover, with better clarity, Darjeeling, in these seasons,   Having said that, Darjeeling has something to offer to its visitors across all seasons. So, let’s find out the seasonal attractions of Darjeeling.  1. Spring Season (March to May) Spring is the best time to visit Darjeeling if you want to see rhododendrons, orchids and other famous flowers of the region in full bloom.  Many photography enthusiasts flock to Darjeeling this season to capture the beauty of these flowers in red, pink, and white.  Further, there are dedicated trek routes to Sandakphu and Tonglu, where you will find beautiful rhododendron flowers in full bloom.  In this season, you can even enjoy a ride in the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways or Toy Train to have the best view of the tea gardens and lush greenery.  2. Summer (May To June) With decent sunny hours, charming weather, and cloud-free skies, May to June or, in fact, April to June is the best time to visit Darjeeling.  Further, this is the season for going on a trek to Sandakphu. Sandakphu is the highest mountain peak in West Bengal. Once you conquer Sandakphu, you will get an amazing view of Mount Kanchenjunga, Mount Everest, Makalu, and Lhotse.  3. Late September To December (Fall And Winter) September comes to Darjeeling with post-monsoon beauty. You can enjoy the lush greenery in these months minus the continuous days of precipitation. Further, from October to early December, you can explore the trekking routes in Darjeeling, including Sandakphu and Tonglu.  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 1. Which Month Is Off-Season In Darjeeling? The winter months are usually off-season in Darjeeling. The months of December and January happen to be the least humid, with temperatures dropping to 2 to 7 degrees, and in some cases, even below zero degrees in January. In addition, there are no chances of floods or landslides, making it the perfect time to visit for a crowd-free experience. 2. How Many Days Is Good For Darjeeling Trip? You can easily spend four to five days in Darjeeling if you have no plans of checking out the nearby trekking routes or even villages. But make sure you have at least 4 days in your hands for touring Darjeeling, otherwise, it’ll be a complete waste of time and money. 3. Can We See Snow In Darjeeling? Snowfall is rarely a possibility in Darjeeling, but if you are fortunate, you might just get snowfall in case temperatures to fall down to negative 2 degrees celsius. But if you visit the nearby areas in winter, there are a hundred possibilities that you might just witness some snow. Bitten By The Wanderlust Bug: Can’t Stop Travelling! If you are planning to visit Darjeeling, extend your trip to include surrounding locations such as Gangtok, Kalimpong, and even Kurseong for a long vacation. The best time to visit Darjeeling and Gangtok depends on the kind of travelling you want to do - if you love spending time away from crowds then winter is your season, and if it’s too hot to stay during Summer, it’s better to escape the heat! In the meantime, don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences (if you have already been to Darjeeling) on the same in the comments below. Read Also: Expedia.Com – Best Review By Users In 2022 Which Is The Best Time To Visit Auli? – Travel Guide Which Is The Best Time To Visit Kashmir? – Travel Guide

BY  Abdul Aziz Jan 31, 2024

Although it’s undeniably a beautiful city, Rome is known for being a bit of a tourist hotspot, which can make sightseeing problematic. If you’ve already booked a trip to this popular city and are worried about how you’re going to take in all the sights, then the guide below is just what you need. Read on to explore the ultimate guide to hassle-free sightseeing in Rome, with top tips and advice for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. Book Attractions In Advance  There are so many must-see local attractions and landmarks in Rome including the Vatican, the Colosseum, and the Trevi Fountain. The only problem is that every other visitor has the same idea. Although you can’t control how many people turn up to each attraction on any given day, you can pre-book your tickets to make sure that you’re not turned away at the door. Pre-booking tickets can also help to save you money on sightseeing, especially if you take the time to shop around. Outsmart The Crowds It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit; Rome is always crowded with visitors which means that crowds are unavoidable. That said, there are ways that you can outsmart other tourists and make sure that you get to see all the sights on your bucket list. One of the best ways to do this is by visiting at less popular times of the day, such as first thing in the morning or much later in the afternoon. For example, if you want to marvel at the Trevi Fountain, you need to get there by 7 a.m. at the latest, or you’ll struggle to see past the crowds. Embrace Public Transport  The easiest, cheapest, and most convenient way to get around Rome is by taking advantage of public transport such as the Metro, trams, urban railway, and buses. Although public transport in Rome can get extremely busy, it’s inexpensive and reliable. Alternatively, there are several hop on hop off bus tours in Rome that allow you to explore the city at your own pace without the expense of car rental or booking local taxis. Look For Authentic Restaurants  For foodies, there’s no better city to visit than Rome, with some of the best food in the world. That said, there are still lots of restaurants and cafes in the capital that offer poor quality, over-priced food served by impolite waiting staff. To make sure you don’t splash your cash on an inferior dining experience, avoid booking a table at any of the known tourist eateries, and instead, look for more authentic restaurants that are favored by the locals. If you’re not sure where to find them, why not strike up a friendly conversation with a local in a bar or café and ask them where they like to go for lunch? Book A Guided Tour  If you’re worried about wasting your precious vacation waiting in long lines, then you may want to consider booking a guided tour. These often enable you to skip the lines, ensuring you can fit in as many local attractions as possible. Otherwise, if you’re really short on time, you could choose to marvel at some sights from the outside rather than waiting to explore within. Get Skip-The-Line Tickets If you want to avoid those long ticket queues in Rome, there are certain ways to do it as well. almost all of the major attractions that Rome has to offer have skip-the-line tickets that provide you with the fastest way to get to the place you want to visit. Whether you are looking for Borghese Gallery tickets, St. Peter’s Basilica tickets, Vatican Museum tickets, or Colosseum tickets, ensure that you get some skip-the-line tickets for yourself and visit the attraction with ease. get the tickets online before time and get to the security gates directly. You might have to go through the security checks, but after that, you can go and enjoy the place without any hassle. this is one of the easiest ways to have hassle-free sightseeing in Rome. Ensure You Are Choosing The Right Entrance It is always recommended that you do all the homework before you visit any of these world-renowned attractions in Rome. Needless to say, all of these places would be extremely crowded. Most of the time, these landmarks have more than one dedicated entrance. So, before you head to the destination, you need to figure out which entrance is going to be the one best suited for you. Get The Roma Pass It is best to get a Roma Pass and get hassle-free sightseeing in Rome. With this pass, you get a bypass through the tourist crowds and the ticketing queues. this pass gives you the luxury of visiting 35 monuments and landmarks. This pass gets you a discount on the tickets, and for some monuments, it is free as well for some monuments. It also gives you free access to some public transportation. You get to save almost 20 to 50% on the tickets, but that depends on how many attractions you are visiting. Visit Rome In The Off-Season The time from November to March is the shoulder season or off-season in Rome. during this time, most people have the tendency to go to a place where they can bask under the sun and enjoy the weather; Rome stays a little less crowded during this time. Well, even if I am saying it is less crowded, you will find some crowd over there. But it is less than the hundreds of thousands that you see in the spring and summer seasons. This is a lovely time to visit Rome, and you are not going to regret it. Ending Note Rome can attract over 10 million people in one year. This means that when you visit the city, you do it in queues and long lines. But to go through hassle-free sightseeing in Rome, you can try some of the things mentioned above, and I am sure you will notice the difference.

BY  Abdul Aziz Mar 20, 2024

Because wellness tourism takes many forms, what makes a good wellness destination depends on how you intend to take care of your well-being through your trips. Depending on your goals, how suitable a place is for a wellness destination can include factors like what natural environments are available for a retreat. Also, inspect what stops you can make to tend to your well-being between the other items on your itinerary or how well you can immerse yourself in a beneficial setting. Popular features in determining where to go for a wellness trip include access to nature, good weather, and an overall peaceful atmosphere. Thailand is also a wellness business hub! So, you can get affordable wellness services there. In fact, businessmen who are interested in developing businesses in this sector, can start a representative office to prospect the market first or can directly open a company there. Despite the variety in preferences, some factors that contribute to a good wellness destination are the same as those that generally make a good travel destination, such as safety, accessibility, and affordability. How Well Does Thailand Match Popular Wellness Features? For many travelers, any destination can make a good wellness destination so long as it is far enough away from everyday life to give you space from your daily stressors and triggers. This is especially powerful when paired with a supportive environment and welcoming culture. 1. Intangible Aspects Of Well-Being Overall, the people of Thailand are welcoming. The country also boasts several Buddhist tourism sites for an atmosphere tinged with the peace of Eastern religiosity. You will feel at home in Thailand, finding it a supportive space for any wellness retreat through which you seek benefits to your mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of well-being. 2. Opportunities To Enjoy Nature Thailand is known for its landscape. As a Southeastern Asian country that borders the ocean, it offers mountains, rain forests, numerous spots for coastal access, and islands like Ko Samui, Phuket, and Koh Phangan if you wish to relax away from the mainland. Koh Samui, in particular, is famed for its beaches. Alternatively, Phuket also offers popular beaches beneath the mountains of the Phuket Mountain Range, and it gives you access to the scenic Phi Phi Islands by speedboat if you're looking for a day trip. For a quieter beach experience and a less crowded stretch of ocean for water sports, consider booking a trip to Hua Hin. Despite being a popular destination, it maintains a lower tourist density than other beach cities in Thailand. 3. Other Considerations Thailand is generally a safe and affordable country to visit, which will allow you greater peace of mind as you seek wellness within its borders. Well-serviced airports like the one in its capitol, Chiang Mai, make it easy to access, too, so you can make your trip with ease. Which Wellness Goals Can You Reach In Thailand? You can find many things. Highlights include stress relief, detoxifying cuisine, and addiction treatment in Thailand. The country has various relaxing and stunning environments, including beaches, mountains, and rainforests. You can find elephant reserves, sea turtle nesting sites, and chances to keep yourself active in the outdoors throughout the country. Every region in Thailand provides a unique experience, both in terms of culture and landscape. From seaside retreats to city escapes, meaningful wellness experiences prevail in the country. If you want to seek a transformative wellness experience, Thailand should be your next destination. Top Stays In Thailand That Offers Meaningful Wellness Experience What do you understand by meaningful wellness? It is a term that extends beyond both mental and physical health. It includes cultivating a connection to your inner self along with promoting healthy living. Here are some top stays in Thailand that offer a distinctive wellness experience: Rakxa In Bangkok Bangkok’s RAKxa is also known as the first fully integrated medical and wellness retreat in Asia. It is located near a riverside and has no competition in terms of wellness in the entire Thai Capital. Personalized treatments here include mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Moreover, its cutting-edge technology and innovative medicines also make the healing and wellness process worth experiencing. Khao Lak: A Meditation Escape  Secondly, Khao Lak is a boutique resort that gives out some family vibes. The resort is managed so that guests can experience an authentic Thai lifestyle. The land has been previously used for farming and growing nut trees. As so many natural practices are carried out here, the place gives an authentic flora and fauna vibes. If you prioritize greenery over everything else, Khao Lak should be your ultimate escape. Chiang Mai Chiang Mai is an amazing retreat for both tourists and locals. Surrounded by natural greenery, it offers world-class wellness in Thailand. Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai carries out all treatments based on Ayurah, which is a sustainable path to happiness. Once you arrive, a personal consultation will follow, and you will receive services like yoga, tai-chi, and meditation. You can also visit our article on Chiang Mai, which is a perfect treat for nomads. Khao Yai This intercontinental resort lies in the northeastern part of Bangkok and is a national park. Along with that, it is also a UNESCO-listed world heritage site. This luxurious resort provides some unique accommodation that makes your stay essentially memorable. One can also indulge in spa treatments and amp up their healthcare practices. If you are staying at Khao Yai, you are likely to receive some farm-to-table fresh products. Wellness In Thailand: A Summary For wellness travels, Thailand has much to offer, from its relaxing landscapes to its inviting culture. Between its offerings, its safety, and how affordable it is, Thailand is the perfect place for your next well-being trip. Take your wellness to another level by escaping into the above retreats and experiencing the journey of a lifetime. Sitting in the lap of nature, you are likely to dive into a world of purity and organic living. That being said, here comes the end of this article. If you gained the necessary insights into the topic, do comment below and tell us your thoughts. Keep following us because we have some amazing stuff out there, don’t miss them out. Thank you for reading! 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