Spring Travel And Eye Health Tips

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 20, 2023

No matter where you live, if you want to witness the best Christmas town USA has it all to create magic in your life. However, there are some locations where the magic of the holidays is elevated to a whole new level. Imagine snow-capped trees, a main street lined with sparkling lights, quaintly furnished historic houses, inns, carriage rides, carolers—the whole nine yards. The best American Christmas towns have a feel akin to Hallmark Christmas movies. In fact, these towns host many of these movies. Our list of the merriest towns in America includes Europe-inspired destinations like Leavenworth, Solvang, Washington, and California. There are several cities with Christmas as their main draw, like North Pole, Alaska, and Santa Claus, Indiana. And there are scenic New England villages, like Connecticut, Essex, Massachusetts, and Stockbridge. Admire breathtaking displays of Christmas lights from coast to coast, visit regional holiday markets, and cuddle up by a fire. Let's go, ho, ho ho! Best Christmas Town USA Grab your coziest scarf and head to one of these jolly, holly towns if you're a die-hard Christmas enthusiast or just enjoy a little Yuletide cheer. These delightful Christmas towns will leave you with a winter hangover you wouldn't want to get rid of. Solvang Parade This quaint southern California city with Danish influences is less than an hour from Santa Barbara. It brings the 'hygge' for its annual Julefest, even in the absence of snow. The month-long Christmas celebration features a proper Santa's Village, where pictures with Santa are free of charge. It also has a Julefest parade with marching bands. The festivities begin with a tree-lighting ceremony in early December, complete with caroling, ballet performances, and Santa himself. However, the real reason to visit is for the city Christmas hunt for gnomes. It is based on the Nordic legend of nisse or Christmas elves (you win a prize if you do find one). If the holiday gnomes piqued your interest, you can also learn more about Solvang and Danish yuletide customs by taking a candlelit tour. North Pole In Alaska You can find Santa almost anywhere. You could even visit your neighborhood mall if necessary. But he welcomes visitors to North Pole, Alaska, throughout the year. You wonder, is this really Santa's home? Not quite, given that the actual geographic North Pole is 1,700 miles away. You can't, however, fault the small city's spirit throughout the year. The city itself plays up its name is decorated with candy cane-striped light posts and has street names such as Snowman Lane and Kris Kringle Drive. But the main attraction here is The Santa Claus House. Here, you can meet Santa and his reindeer. The local post office receives hundreds of thousands of letters to Santa. To add a special touch to your holiday correspondence, send letters to friends and family with a North Pole postmark. Santa Claus Ho Ho Ho You can tell this little Indiana town takes Christmas very seriously just by looking at its name. The town of Santa Claus is festive throughout the year. There is a Holiday World theme park, which features rides like Rudolph's Roundup and Reindeer Games. It also features a Santa's Candy Castle. It is a confectionery that sells rare candies and handcrafted goods. Every year, thousands of letters from children are received by the local post office, and each letter is answered by volunteer elves. There are Christmas fireworks, rides with reindeer, and the 1.2-mile drive-through Santa Claus Land of Lights. It narrates the tale of Rudolph, which adds to the festive atmosphere once the holiday season officially starts. Park City For Christmas, why not take a trip to a real winter wonderland? Beautiful Park City is in the lap of the mountains. December has a lot of Christmas activities, including sleigh rides, holiday markets, and a torchlight parade on Christmas Eve. Skiers and snowboarders descend the mountain with torches in hand to guide Santa into town. Historical Stockbridge Look no further than Stockbridge if you're searching for an American Christmas that looks like it belongs in a Norman Rockwell painting. The Massachusetts town travels back in time to recreate Stockbridge Main Street in Rockwell's time, complete with vintage cars lining the street that closes to traffic during the holiday season. The original painting is on display at the Norman Rockwell Museum in the town. In addition, the historic Red Lion Inn (which has a cozy fireplace to warm your hands and toes) is hosting a holiday concert on its porch featuring over a hundred carol singers, as well as a holiday marketplace at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens. Bardstown Carol Bardstown, dubbed "the most beautiful small town in America," offers plenty of seasonal greetings along with southern hospitality. Light Up Bardstown: A Holiday Road Trip on Main Street is a winter wonderland from November to the end of the year, when a variety of houses and establishments are illuminated. Additionally, you can ride the North Pole Express, enjoy a musical, interactive rendition of A Christmas Carol at My Old Kentucky Home, or watch a Christmas parade complete with floats and bands. Take a special candlelight tour at the Maker's Mark Distillery to experience a different kind of holiday cheer. Gruene Holiday Inside the town of New Braunfels, this once-thriving historic district is home to a two-stepping Texas Christmas. Take pictures with Cowboy Kringle, Gruene's unique take on Father Christmas. Or watch the yearly Pony Express Ride, a well-liked holiday custom in which a cavalcade of horses carries a greeting of good cheer from the governor of the state right through town. And then head to Gruene Hall, Texas's oldest dance hall, for a calendar full of holiday performances. Yule Log Parade The Yule Log Parade, which was started in 1949, is one of the oldest Christmas customs that are still observed in McAdenville. Three townspeople come together to march through the historic district on Main Street and end at Legacy Park's Memorial Yule Log Fireplace. This Yule Log is lit on fire to start the celebration. A high school marching band and evening carolers are featured in the parade. McAdenville Lights Christmas lights adorn downtown McAdenville every evening from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. It transforms into a charming winter wonderland that both locals and tourists can enjoy. There is plenty of time to take in the sights of the winter wonderland. Christmas light exhibit typically runs from December 1 through December 26. You can drive by and enjoy the historic area in their car or stroll around the Main Street shops. It is festooned with hundreds of thousands of lights. Wrapping Up So these were the suggestions for short trips where you can unwind, shop for Christmas, or just hang out and relax. That is regardless of your preference for the sun, snow, or east or west coast. Each of these locations has unique small-town charm, picturesque landscapes, and charming inns. So you are sure to find the perfect fit for your travel preferences. Make it a point to spend a long weekend relaxing in one of the best top Christmas towns USA this year. There can't be anyway to welcome the spirit of Christmas. Read Also: World’s Most Famous Christmas Tree Has Reached Trafalgar Square Secrets Of Forest Camping: Tips For An Unforgettable Getaway Unmissable Urban Delights: Things To Do In Glasgow

BY  Abdul Aziz Mar 25, 2021

Belize. Just thinking about its exotic shores, golden beaches, tropical heat, and friendly people is enough to make you want to immediately drop everything and jump on a plane. But what will you do when you get there? Excellent question. It’s best if you’re an active, outdoor person because there’s much to do that involves jumping around, swinging on ropes, rafting down rivers, and more. However, there are also beaches to sunbathe on if that’s preferred instead. Here is our pick of the 5 things to do on a vacation in Belize. 1. Stay In An Eco Resort: You don’t want to stay just anywhere. Setting up camp at an eco-resort will get you into the heart of the island to spots that you probably wouldn’t have found on your own. Belize Eco Resorts are perfectly positioned to provide access to many attractions. Situated along the Moho River, the cooling breeze is most welcome. With lodges rising from the ground, you’re afforded an excellent vantage point of the surrounding tropical landscape too. 2. Tubing On The River: Tubing is a popular pastime for people who aren’t wanting to go canoeing or just wish to try something a little different. Mostly preferred by the younger set, a day-out tubing usually includes a walk through the Belizean rainforest, a safety briefing, and maybe exploring a cave system nearby too. 3. Waterfall Adventure: There are several good places to trek out to and see impressive waterfalls, but perhaps the best one is to Davis Falls. To get there, it’s necessary to traverse across multiple river crossings on the way to your destination. However, at roughly 120 meters (500 feet) tall, it stands apart from other waterfalls. It’s possible to get up on a rocky outcropping, take in the splendor, and snap a few pics for Instagram while you’re at it. And this will make the trek to get out there totally worth it. 4. Snorkeling And Diving: If you like getting underwater, it’s best to head over to Ambergris Caye on the northern side of Belize where the diving and snorkeling set hang out. They’re attracted by the beaches, clear waters, and perfect conditions to explore the barrier reefs. There are plenty of dive shops nearby and scuba diving schools to take a course while you’re on the island. Mostly they’re located in San Pedro, so it’s best to head there if that’s what you need. 5. The Beach: The beach at the Placencia Peninsula offers a comfortable lounging spot and a jumping-off point to walk amongst the palm trees to get that tropical feeling. The Caribbean water is quiet here with few waves to disturb the tranquility. This area is the best for sandy beaches on the island. The peninsula goes on for over 15 miles, so you needn’t worry about overcrowding either. Further back inland is sanctuaries and a few nature reserves to visit. There’s a bountiful number of things to do once in Belize. It’s a lively spot for outdoor travel, plus the nightlife is rich and varied too. You’ll surely get the tropical vibe there, so dress the part. Read Also: Make Your Summer Vacation Fun-Filled And Enjoyable This Year Looking For Your Next Fun-Filled Family Vacation: Head To Aquaventuras Park Romantic Getaway Tips: 9 Romantic Tips To Celebrate Couples Vacation

BY  Abdul Aziz Jun 11, 2021

You probably heard a lot about life insurance, car insurance, and home insurance. In case you don’t know, there’s another type of insurance that can protect you and your personal items during travels—travel insurance. Keep on reading to learn more about this insurance policy and how can you benefit from it. What Is Travel Insurance? As the name suggests, travel insurance is a plan that covers the financial risks and losses associated with travelling, either domestically or abroad. Examples of such risks include delayed flights or luggage, lost or damaged luggage, flight cancellations, and medical emergencies. Here are a few things you should know about travel insurance: It’s not a one-size-fits-all product. Travel insurance policies have varied benefits, stated exclusions, and limitations. Typically, plans don’t cover everything you might do or experience when you travel, including: Seeking medical treatment outside the home country Travelling to countries included in the “Do Not Travel list” Extreme sports where the chance of death or injury is high Pre-existing medical condition and pregnancy-related conditions Any behaviour under the influence of alcohol or unprescribed drugs Circumstantial exclusions, such as war, military actions, riots, and more It can’t cover every possible situation. Trip insurance covers losses due to global health emergencies and natural disasters, given that you purchase before such events occur. Most policies also don’t cover lodging or accommodation snafus, ticket scams, overbooked flights, and many other things. 3 Reasons to Insure Your Next Trip Many people see travel insurance as an unnecessary expense. The truth is, it’s as essential as life insurance. The only difference is that it protects you from the possible uncertainties—be they accidental death or injury, lost or stolen luggage, trip cancellation, and more—while you’re on your travels. Let’s break down the reasons to ensure your next trip: 1. Travel Worry- and Hassle-free: Travelling is good for mental health. It helps you take a break from stressful situations, reflect on your personal goals or interests, and feel more relaxed and content, among other benefits. While travelling is a good stress-reliever, it can pose various risks to health and safety, depending on both the characteristics of the traveller and on the type of travel. For instance, you may get sick due to the sudden change in temperature or get injured during the vacation. Such medical emergencies can spoil your much-awaited holiday fun. What’s worse is that the money allocated for your vacation will be used to pay for medical expenses. But if you were sensible and weighed up the pros and cons of various providers in order to get travel insurance that works for you, then you won’t have to worry about dealing with emergencies while travelling. Most travel insurance policies cover doctor and hospital expenses and work in conjunction with your health insurance, it's just about what extras you may or may not need depending on where you're travelling. Not all health insurance plans provide full coverage in foreign countries. In fact, some health plans provide no coverage at all. A trip insurance plan, on the other hand, can cover you for accidents and emergency medical care when you travel in any part of the globe. 2. Protect Your Personal Belongings: Have you ever lost a phone or other personal stuff during a trip? Believe it or not, you’re not alone. According to the 2015 Statista survey, U.S. travellers have had their items (i.e., smartphones, credit card, debit card, license and passport) lost or stolen while travelling. The likelihood of losing personal items during a trip is high as sending a text message to the wrong person. Why is that so? It’s because we, people, get distracted when we’re at the height of our emotions. We lose sight of the bigger picture because we’re too focused on one thing—either composing a text or having fun under the sun. Thankfully, travel insurance assures you that your personal belongings remain protected, even when they went astray. The insurer can help pay for replacement items when your stuff is lost or stolen, provided that you didn’t leave your items unsupervised or unattended. Below are a few instances that most trip insurance plans cover: The rental car damage or loss. Comprehensive travel insurance plans have an add-on option for rental car collision coverage if the rental car is damaged in an accident. Baggage damage. Should your baggage become damaged in transit or airline, your insurance policy will help you get compensation for this. Luggage delay. If your luggage is delayed, you can be refunded up to the policy’s benefit limit to purchase essential items you need while waiting for your bags to arrive. 3. Manage Trip or Flight Interruptions: Are you the type of traveller who gets concerned about your trip being cancelled and other interruptions, like losing your entire vacation investment or remaining travel arrangements due to certain reasons? If yes, then you need a trip insurance plan. Unforeseen circumstances may happen. For example, your family member gets sick, and you have to make last-minute cancellations, or an emergency occurred that you have no choice but to cut your vacation short. Here’s the good news. Travel insurance can provide reimbursement for trip cancellation as long as the reason for cancellation is covered by your policy. The most common covered reasons include: Illness, injury, or death of you, a travelling companion or a family member Inclement weather preventing you from reaching your destination Sudden terrorist attack or strike at your destination Travel with Peace of Mind: Whether you’re planning a short get-away or a long trip abroad, never hesitate to insure your travel. Getting a travel insurance plan can give you peace of mind and let you enjoy your ultimate break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Read Also: Improve Your Travel Experience By Hiring A Limo 5 Secrets On How To Travel Light – Travel Hacks How To Fund The Cost Of Travelling