Summer In Rome: Sleep, Do, See

BY  Sibashree Sep 30, 2024

Guest speakers from Dark Ranger Telescope and NASA attended the “Astrofest Festival” at Badlands National Park this year (July 5 to 7, 2024). In this celebration of the night sky and astronomy, the guest speakers discussed various aspects of space. The 2024 fest included the following activities. Scale model of the solar system in the afternoon An early evening solar viewing program Guest speaker session “These are objects that have been important to our culture since we could probably talk. So, we think it’s important to maintain that connection and bring back that connection to these things that used to be so important to us for thousands of years.”Ed Welsh, the education specialist at Badlands National Park  The yearly Astrofest Festival at the park indeed has a role in making the park a favorite for star gazing and exploring the night sky. Also, the remote location of the park and minimal light pollution here make it a wonderful site in South Dakota for watching the celestial bodies in action.  Further, this park is a wonderful place to soak in the beauty of sunrise and sunset, making it the land of light and stones! Night Sky Viewings/ Stargazing At Badlands National Park View this post on Instagram A post shared by Badlands National Park (@badlandsnps) Everyone talks about the geology, wildlife, and fossils of Badlands National Park. However, if you are an introvert and always seek an immersive experience like me, night sky viewing will be your favorite activity at the park.  In fact, I feel that watching the night sky is the chef’s kiss in the park tour. The stargazing activity takes place near the park’s Cedar Pass area, which is close to the visitor center.  Further, the rangers inform you about the celestial bodies you will see. You just need to keep your eyes glued to the telescope to explore celestial bodies, such as the Milky Way, star clusters, planets, satellites, and nebulae.  The table below gives a quick excerpt of the stargazing and night sky viewing experience at Badlands National Park.  Stargazing And Night Sky Viewings At Badlands National Park LocationCedar Pass AmphitheaterSpecialtyMore than 7500 stars are exposed to each visitor. They especially enjoy the clarity of the Milky Way. Add-onsFly-overs by the International Space Station and many satellitesTelescopes Provided By Celestron and Badlands Natural History AssociationBest Season for StargazingSpring, Summer, and Fall In summer, the Night Sky Viewing Program starts after the evening star gazing session every day. The park rangers conduct this program. Further, its timing keeps changing based on the sunset hours.  Best Places For Stargazing At Badlands National Park  https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc1WjJfoGBB/ Badlands National Park has earned a name in astrotourism thanks to its pristine nature. With fewer pull-outs and roads, the north unit of the park especially has many amazing stargazing destinations. Let’s explore them! The Space Tourism Guide features the Badlands National Park and the Badlands National Park Observatory as some of the best places for stargazing in South Dakota. Badlands Observatory became accessible to visitors in May 2021. It is a privately owned facility in the Badlands National Park. Also, it works for astronomical education and research.  Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater has a Night Sky Viewing event every day. This experience is about gathering more information by stargazing in a structured setup.  You must visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center every day to learn about the program.     Badlands Loop Road Like many other parts of the Badlands National Park, the Badlands Loop Road also allows you to find your spot for stargazing. However, two of the best spots along the loop are: Burns Basin Overlook Yellow Munds Overlook These locations are especially great for taking photographs and indulging in tranquility.  Sage Creek Rim Road The Sage Creek Rim Road is one of the least crowded spaces in the park. You will also get to see very few cars passing through the area.  The Sage Creek Basin Overlook and Hay Butte Overlook are some of the best spots for stargazing on Sage Creek Rim Road. However, as very few people visit this area, you can find a stargazing spot of your own.  Big Badlands Overlook Big Badlands Overlook may appear last on my list of places to stargaze in Badlands National Park. However, it is the first overlook for someone accessing the park from the Northeast Entrance or the Sioux Falls.  Take a short walk and reach the best stargazing point in the Big Badlands Overlook. From here, enjoy a 360-degree view.  The Backcountry  The open backcountry of the Badlands National Park is a wonderland for camping and stargazing. So, just set your camp and enjoy stargazing for the entire night.  Watching Sunrise And Sunset At Badlands National Park The magic hours of Sunrise and Sunset paint the Badlands National Park with the most vibrant shade of red. The table below shows the best points for watching the sunrise and sunset and the accessibility points. ActivityBest Spots In The ParkAccessibility Points with Boardwalks and for Visitors with Wheelchairs SunriseDoor TrailNorbeck Pass AreaDillon Pass AreaBig Badlands OverlookPanorama PointCastle Trail WestBig Badlands OverlookDoor Trail Panorama PointSunsetPinnacles OverlookCastle Trail EastNorbeck Pass AreaBigfoot Pass Picnic AreaConata Basin OverlookPinnacles Overlook Conata Basin OverlookBigfoot Pass Picnic Area  As the Sun rises, its warm golden and red lights spread over the pinnacles that face the east. Further, the drama of light and shadow makes every frame mesmerizing. So, many photographers flock to Badlands National Park’s sunrise and sunset points for the best captures.  Stargazing At Badlands National Park: Plan Your Trip Well  There are two easy ways to reach the remoteness of the Badlands National Park.  Reach the Rapid City Regional Airport and ride for an hour to Badlands National Park.  Further, you can reach the Sioux Falls Regional Airport and take a road trip to Badlands National Park. This trip through South Dakota will take you around 4 hours. If you want to have the best stargazing experience at Badlands, you need to stay there overnight. You can reserve a room at the Cedar Pass Lodge in advance or stay at the Sage Creek Campground or Cedar Pass Campground.  However, if you are an adventurous soul and want the most immersive experience, put a camp in the backcountry or the north and south units of the park. Don’t forget to collect your permit for backcountry camping in the Badlands National Park.  Also read Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try. Top 13 Famous Wonders Of India That You Must Visit! [Updated 2024]

BY  Barsha Apr 19, 2023

Tour and Travel blog is about traveling to new destinations and having new experiences. However, this blog is also about the platforms that can help you plan a memorable trip with your close ones. Or even alone, for that matter. This is precisely why we came back to what matters the most. Using different tools and platforms to book a trip! While Google Flights was our last topic of discussion, today, we will talk about Fightscanner. It is a third-party website where you can find your flights, car rentals, and hotels. Yes, you might not be able to book a flight or even a hotel via this platform directly. However, you can at least find out what are the best options available for you. If budget is of importance to you, then you should definitely consider using a platform like Flightscaner. Stay tuned to find out more. Using Flightscanner To Find Cheap Flights In 2023? All That You Need To Know! So what is Flightscanner? Simply put, it’s a third-party website where you can find all the best available flights, car rentals, and hotels available for any location within a stipulated time period. For instance, you are traveling from Delhi to Goa. Once you enter the locations and the dates, the site will show you all the flights available between those dates. From Indigo to Air India, you will be able to see a whopping majority of options - and then it’s on you to choose. Once you choose the airline, you will be redirected to another website - you can then book your tickets. So, while the site doesn’t allow you to directly book flight tickets, it does help you in more than one area. After all, visiting multiple sites for commuting, hotels, and flights is a pain in the a** - and it was about time a website like Flightscanner came into existence. But before you can start using the platform, scroll down and find out all that you need to know about the same. Read More: Myenvoyair Review – Registration, Login And Benefits In 2023 Booking Flights On Flightscanner: It's a no-brainer at this point that you cannot directly book flights through the official website of Flightscanner. But obviously, when you are planning a much-waited vacation at your work desk, one website with all solutions will appeal to you so much more than specific niche websites dealing with flights and accommodations individually. So without wasting any time, let’s discuss how you can find the best flights with the help of Flightscanner - scroll down to find out now! Visit https://flightscanner.com/  Once you are on the homepage of Flightscanner, you will see a big white box on the top of the screen. You will see that the white box has four blank spots - where you are traveling from, where you are traveling to, date of departure, and date of return. Fill in these blanks and then click on the ‘Search’ button just beside the blanks. All the available options for your chosen location and dates will appear on the screen. Now, you will have to choose the best option for you - you will see a button called ‘Book Now Kiwi.com’ on the side of each flight option. Just click on the button that best suits you. You will be redirected to another website, Kiwi.com - here, you will have to complete the payment procedure and book your flights. How To The procedure is easy. And that’s not all. When all the available flight options are displayed to you, you will find a few filters to make the search an even easier process for you. These filters are as follows: Number of stops, Duration, Price, and Airlines. Apart from these filters, you can also select whether you want to travel in Economy or Business, the number of adults and children(if any) who will travel with you, and ultimately, whether it’s a roundtrip or a one-way trip. Read More: Aainflight Review- Login, Services And Travel Experiences Booking Hotels/Car Rentals On Flightscanner: This is perhaps the best part about planning your vacation with the help of Flightscanner - you will not just be able to book flights, but you can also book car rentals and hotels with the help of this website. This is where the site becomes really appealing - because it’s a one-stop destination where you can check out flights, car rentals, and even your accommodation. So, how do you go about it? How do you book car rentals and accommodations on Flightscanner? Stay tuned to find out more. Visit https://flightscanner.com/  You will notice three options in the top-left corner of the screen - Flights, Hotels, and Car Rentals. You have to click on ‘Hotels’ or ‘Car Rentals’ to go to the page for booking car rentals or accommodation. The procedure is more or less similar - you just have to enter your traveling dates and location - plus, you will find a few filters that will help you out when it comes to picking preferred accommodation or car rentals. And It’s A Wrap! And that’s a wrap on the Flightscanner review - what are your thoughts on using the platform? Of course, there are multiple sites like Flightscanner. But we would advise you to use this one, considering we found this site matches our requirements perfectly. The site was user-friendly, catered to our needs and was ideal for planning a vacation. And if you have already used this site, feel free to share your experiences in the comments below. Read Also: 7 Major Factors To Consider When Choosing An Airline For Travel Smart Tips & Tricks To Find Cheap Airline Tickets To Your Next Destination Using Google Flights To Find Cheap Flights In 2023? All That You Need To Know!

BY  Barsha Nov 17, 2022

Weather Conditions in AndamanAPRIL - JUNEJULY - SEPTEMBEROCTOBER - MARCHTemperature24°c - 37°c 22°c - 35°c20°c - 30°cSeasonSummerMonsoonWinter 2022 is almost ready to bid us adieu. A new year is less than two months away, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t start planning your trips for 2023. And the first place to check out in the new year (if you trust us even a teeny tiny bit) is Andaman - because the best time to visit Andaman is approaching, and you must not miss out on this golden opportunity! Today, we will only talk about visiting this island state in the Indian Ocean. Keep reading to find out all that you need to know about traveling to Andaman! Journey Across The Indian Ocean: Best Time To Visit Andaman! Thanks to warm temperatures and little rain, the best time to visit Andaman is anytime between October and May. Although the picturesque archipelago undergoes moderate weather throughout the whole year, it is best that you plan a trip during these months for a memorable experience. At the same time, you must remember that there are so many other people thinking along the same lines. As a result, it is safe to say that this time of the year also happens to be the busiest time for the island state. But whenever you decide to visit this sunny island, it’s best to avoid the same during Monsoon. The high tides, incessant rains, and strong wind all add up to create an environment that can hinder your touring experience - so why take the risk? Yes, the islands are perfect for water sports, beach excursions, and plenty of sightseeing due to their warm weather, more or less throughout the year. But naturally, there are advantages and disadvantages of visiting the islands in different seasons. So without wasting any time, let’s check out a comprehensive guide for traveling to Andamans at different seasons - scroll down to find out all that you need to know! Exploring Andamans In Winter (October - March): To be honest, Andaman does not really experience a proper winter season. If you have ever traveled to Bengaluru or Vishakhapatnam, then you will be able to understand the climate type prevalent on these islands. The mildly humid, pleasant weather is ideal for tourists to relax - the turquoise water of the vast ocean reflects shades of blue, contrasted by the white sands, and the blue sky only makes these islands worth a visit during this season. Andamans In Winter The winter season makes the destination a picturesque location perfect for couples on honeymoon, families, and other elderly people. The best part? Neither the location is sultry nor is it sweaty - so you can just grab some cocktails and unwind inside the shacks against an aesthetic backdrop. Exploring Andamans In Summer (April - June): While seeking the best time to visit Andaman and Nicobar islands, you can always consider Summer for planning a trip to these beautiful groups of islands. Let us tell you why! With absolutely no rainfall, the weather is ideal for sightseeing, water sports, or just relaxing by the beach. The season usually begins in January and goes on till the end of April. Since this is the time for a summer vacation in the academic sector, the season collides heavily with a busy tourist season comprising mostly families with children. Moreover, you can also try out all the different watersports during this time.  In this context, let’s check out a few details related to visiting Andamans in Summer. Temperature And Weather: During Summer, the Andaman Islands experience an average temperature that ranges between 25 degrees to 32 degrees. With a mean relative humidity of about 80%, Summer is perhaps the most popular time to travel to these beautiful islands and cross off a few travel goals from that bucket list of yours.  Moreover, during this season, the weather is quite calm. You can even try out different watersports such as parasailing, jet skiing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.  Why Should You Visit Andamans During Summer? Stop googling ‘Andaman Nicobar best time to visit’ and instead keep reading to find out why Summer is one of the best reasons to visit this group of islands. Summer in Andaman is all about the warm ambiance, the glowing environment, and the vibrant crowd. If you love beaches, then you will get to witness the pristine destination, and that too in all its summer glory. Who hasn’t seen those aesthetic pictures of Andaman in magazines, social media platforms, and even blogs? We are talking about those photographs with the boats anchored on the sandy shores with beautiful turquoise waters in the backdrop. It’s the idea of travel photos with a few hammocks tied to several coconut trees, all standing tall, facing the limitless ocean. Summer is also about festivities, and Andaman surely rises to the occasion. If you do end up finding Summer as the best time to visit Andaman, then don’t miss out on festivals like The Island Tourism festival (a 14-day festival celebrating the traditions and cultures of the region), The SubashMela (an event for celebrating Subash Chandra Bose’s birthday), and The Block Mela (an event for celebrating the diverse cultures, and local lifestyles). Things To Remember Before Visiting Andaman In Summer: Since the weather in Andaman during Summer is calm, you do not need to let that paranoia worry you. Simply pack everything you will need and lose yourself in this beautiful paradise - this is, after all, the best time to visit Andaman! Here’s what you need to keep in mind! Since you will be traveling to tropical climates, you will dehydrate fast. As a result, it is best that you carry plenty of adequate water and stay hydrated. Don’t forget to carry your deodorants, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreens as protection against the hot Sun. Also, make sure you are traveling light with beach clothes and some flip-flops. Exploring Andamans In Monsoon (July - September): As we mentioned early on, Monsoon is definitely not the best time to visit Andaman, as compared to the other two seasons. In case you had no idea, the islands receive rain not once but twice from monsoon - once from the Southwest Monsoon and the other time from Northeast Monsoon. You don’t need to type ‘Andaman and Nicobar islands best time to visit’ on Google to find out that monsoon is not your ideal weather for traveling to Andamans. But in case you hate crowds and don’t mind some rain, and a little adventure, then we don’t see any reason why you can visit these islands during monsoon. So let’s check out all the details you need for planning a trip to Andaman during Monsoon. Temperature And Weather: Monsoon in Andaman is characterized by incessant rains and high tidal waves. In fact, the temperatures easily range between 22 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius, making this an ideal season for both hot chocolate and different citrus-based beverages. Moreover, Andaman is relatively dull during Monsoon. Thanks to all the rough rainfall and tropical storms that last for nearly 180 days yearly, the islands experience a reduction in tourist influx. People are seeking unique experiences and planning to let loose from their mundane routines. You will actually find a lot of time for self-exploration and rejuvenation - if you are trying to find some solitude on your trips, then you should visit Andaman during Monsoon. Why Should You Visit Andamans During Monsoon? You should totally visit the Andaman Islands during monsoon for some much-needed solitude, bliss, and silence. It doesn't matter whether you want to go solo or with your friends, the ambiance during this season will help you self-explore and introspect without unnecessary interruptions - this is the ideal time to get lost right in the middle of nothing! Read Also: Which Is The Best Time To Visit Ladakh? Things To Remember Before Visiting Andaman In Monsoon: Since monsoon is not the best time to visit Andaman for a majority of tourists, it is highly unlikely that water sports are available during this season. Moreover, the large waves and unpredictable winds further make watersports unsafe. In fact, the season makes the islands pretty isolated from tourists, so much so that hotels give away rooms at huge discount prices. But keep in mind that all ferry operations might get disrupted frequently due to the rough waves - however, the beauty of spending a monsoon in Andaman during this time is forever memorable. It’s not risky to travel to Andaman during this time of the year, but if you have this perfect touristy vacation in mind, then you might just be disappointed. Here’s what you must keep in mind! Don’t forget to carry your umbrellas, power banks, torch lights, munchies, mosquito repellants, raincoats, and windcheaters. If the rain stops you from stepping out for food, you can always count on your munchies. Make sure you are not carrying any expensive gadgets and cameras during this time. Read Also: Which Is The Best Time To Visit Shimla? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Check out the most frequently asked questions about finding the best time to visit Andaman. 1. Which Month Is Best For The Andaman Trip? The best time to visit the Andaman Islands is anytime from October to May. This is because the weather during this time is pleasant and ideal for water sports, sightseeing, and even beach excursions. Similarly, monsoons are not usually recommended for traveling to these islands due to unpredictable rains, storms, and waves. 2. What Is The Famous Food Of Andaman? The basic diet of people residing in Andaman comprises coconuts, spices, rice, and plenty of seafood. Moreover, since Andaman is made up of islands, the destination happens to be a seafood paradise - from lobsters and fresh prawns to crabs, there’s so much to try out here. Don’t miss out on Red Snapper, an all-time favorite. 3. What Type Of Clothes To Wear In Andaman? Ans: You can carry the following clothing essentials on your trip to Andamans,➊ Sunglasses, ➋ Hats, ➌ Cotton clothing,➍ Bathing suits,➎ Comfortable Shoes,➏ Smart Casuals,➐ Sleeping Attires, and➑ Poncho/Raincoat. In Search Of The Deep Blue: Andaman Calling! So you know the best time to visit Andaman - you no longer need to type search for ‘Andaman best time to visit’ or related material! Then what are you waiting for? Pack your bags today, and start on your trip soon - after all, the islands are so beautiful there’s no way not to add this destination to your bucket list. In the meantime, don’t forget to share your thoughts and moments from your Andaman trip if you have already visited these islands in the comments below. Read Also: Which Is The Best Time To Visit Mussoorie? Which Is The Best Time To Visit Sikkim? Top 7 Best Places To Visit In Darjeeling