10 Things You Have To Do When You Visit Australia!

BY  Sibashree Jul 23, 2025

You and your family should have some vacation time coming up. This can be for a weekend or longer. Visiting the great city of Sydney is a great decision.  Everyone knows that when you go on vacation, there never seems to be enough time to visit everywhere that you want to see.  There are plenty of bus tours and walking tours around the city, and while these are beneficial for your health, you don’t get to see everything, which can be very disappointing. This is one of the reasons why many people decide to hire chopper, which many people commonly refer to as a helicopter.  When it comes to sightseeing, there is no better way to see the city than from the air. You get to kill two birds with one stone here because you get to ride in a helicopter for the very first time, and you also get to see what Sydney is really about.  The Reasons Why It Makes Sense To View The City Of Sydney From The Air The following are some of the top reasons why it makes perfect sense to view the City of Sydney from the air. 1. You Get A View like No other Once the helicopter is high enough, you can actually see the whole city from the best vantage point. It will allow you to see the many buildings, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the water that flows beneath it. There are so many landmarks to be seen and you will get to see all of them in a fraction of the time. You will not have to experience any of the noise that the city provides, and you get to see everything without interruption. 2. No Crowds To Contend With  The reason why you’re going to Sydney is because it is an incredibly popular destination. The place serves as a tourist attraction not only for Australians but for people from all across the world.  This means that it gets incredibly crowded at certain times of the year. Therefore, the tourists should embrace anything that allows them to avoid these crowds.  There will be no queues for you, no waiting to take a photograph because you will be viewing everything from the comfort of your seat in the helicopter. Things You  Get To See & How You Can Enjoy  As was pointed out earlier, you only have a certain amount of time to see the city, and as everyone keeps telling us, time is money. You could spend the whole day walking around the city and still not get to experience everything, but in about 30 minutes in a helicopter, you get to see the complete city. It is an unforgettable experience that everyone needs to enjoy at least once in their lifetime. People often like to take photographs either with their camera or their smartphone. A helicopter tour allows you to take the best photographs imaginable. You will get to take a picture of the city's skyline. The tour includes the Sydney Harbour Opera House and many of the city's popular tourist attractions. While touring in Sidney, you get to see the iconic places and the destinations from the air within minutes.  However,  you would not have been able to do that if you were travelling on the ground.  You get to see the following things: 1. Sydney Tower Eye: As the helicopter flies on the skies of the city, you get to see the Sydney Tower Eye. Sydney From The Air looks the most mesmerizing and incredible. Travellers get an incredible feeling when they get to see the tower where they must have gone shopping. 2. Opera House  The Opera Tower looks like a small flower which can literally fit into your hands. Therefore, you get the best view of Sidney from the air.  The monument looks smaller than anything, and you get to see it from an angle which you have never seen before. 3. Harbour Bridge  Enjoying the aerial view of the Harbour Bridge while watching Sydney from the air is an experience. As a result, no one shall ever forget it in their life. The cars and the vehicles on the bridge appear to be tiny, while the helicopter passes over the bridge. You feel like you are watching your own LEGO city, but the truth is that they're real. 4. Pynchgut Island  The chopper crosses Pinchgut Island after crossing the Harbour Bridge. The flyers get to see the ancient fort from the sky.  5. Watson Bay  The flyers then enjoy the incredible view of the turquoise blue waters of Watson Bay.  The flyers get to see the ocean like they are flying a drone.  However, the flyers in a helicopter get a firsthand view of the entire thing rather than flying a drone. The waves and the people on the beach, everything overall looks very tiny and incredible. 6. Dover Heights  The helicopter then passes by the cliffs of Dover Heights. The passengers, therefore, enjoy the view from the windows of the helicopter. 7. Bondi Beach  The helicopter then flies to Bondi Beach. 8. Sydney Skylines  The flyers, therefore, get an overall tour of the entire Sydney Skyline while they enjoy Sydney From The Air. IS Tour Of  Sydney From The Air Safe? And Other Things You Should Know About The Helicopter Tour Services The companies associated with the tour ensure proper safety for their passengers. They ensure to provide people with the most incredible experience of their life while not compromising safety factors. The operators measure the weight of the flyers. The professionals, therefore, balance people and then onboard them on the helicopter. The operators provide the flyers with a safety kit which ensures safety during crisis. Other Facilities Provided By The Helicopter Company : The helicopter companies in Sidney also provide multiple other facilities, such as free parking. Therefore, tourists do not have to worry about parking.  The flying companies also provide free pickup and drop-off facilities after the ride is over.

BY  Abdul Aziz Jan 17, 2024

Visiting El Paso? Curious about the things to do in El Paso? El Paso, located in the foothills of the stunning Franklin Mountains, is a vibrant and diverse community with a wide range of attractions and year-round fun. El Paso's attractions include a historic theater, concert venues, Spanish Colonial missions, museums, and beautiful state parks. Things To Do In El Paso If you enjoy being outside and want to visit one of Texas' most interesting cities, you should visit El Paso. Continue reading to get a sense of what Sun City has to offer. Also, click here to order a free travel guide to help you plan your next vacation. Here are some of the best things to do in El Paso: El Paso Mission Trail Explore El Paso’s early history by visiting the El Paso Mission Trail, which includes two 17th-century missions and a chapel built in the late 1800s. The oldest, which is the Ysleta Mission, was built in 1682. It is Texas’ oldest functioning parish. El Paso’s magic charm will sway you into the blue sky of romanticism and inspire you to move to Texas. Admire the white adobe-walled structures along the trail, then visit museums such as the Tigua Indian Cultural Center and the Los Portales Museum and Information Center. The El Paso Mission Trail, in addition to its attractions, hosts cultural festivals throughout the year. Ascarate Park Escape to nature at the 400-acre Ascarate Park, El Paso County's largest recreational area. Play a round of golf on the 18-hole, par-71 Ascarate Golf Course, explore the 48-acre lake by canoe or pedal boat, or enjoy some of the best fishing in the Southwest. In addition to baseball and soccer fields, the park has basketball, handball, sand volleyball, and tennis courts. Franklin Mountains Are you looking for adventurous things to do in El Paso? Here is one exciting option. The stunning Franklin Mountains frame El Paso, and the state park that encompasses the range is a breathtaking outdoor playground for adventure seekers. Hike and bike more than 100 miles of trails that wind through 27,000 acres of scenic desert terrain. Or you can go rock climbing at McKelligon Canyon's designated area. If you want to stay overnight, tent and RV campsites can be reserved. There are plenty of outdoor activities for people of all ages at the nation's largest urban state park. Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site Admire the ancient rock paintings left by Native Americans who traversed the West Texas desert in search of rainwater collected in natural rock basins. Hike rugged trails while keeping an eye out for any of the 200 bird species that call the area home. Explore world-class rock climbing and search for more than 1,000-year-old pictographs. Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site is open all year, with extended hours on weekends during the summer. This is one of the best things to do in El Paso for history buffs. Hueco Tanks is a collection of thousands of year-old rock outcrops. Previous residents had access to food, shelter, and farmland in the area. Today, visitors come to see the images left by previous inhabitants on the rock faces. Among the drawings are animals, masks, handprints, horses, as well as humans. Aside from viewing the pictographs and petroglyphs, visitors can go hiking, camping, bird watching, as well as rock climbing. However, certain areas of the park are only accessible via guided tour, and self-guided activities (such as hiking) may require reservations. Also, only 70 people can enter the self-guided portion of the park at one time. To make the most of your time at the site, make your reservations well in advance. Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Cultural Center When you visit this museum, you will learn about more than 14,000 years of regional prehistory. The museum's permanent collection includes ancient and modern artifacts as well as art from Native American cultures in the Southwest and Mexico, such as wood carvings, textiles, as well as pottery. After touring the museum, hike the nature trails that wind through 15 acres of gardens with 250 different types of native plants, all while enjoying breathtaking views of the Franklin Mountains. El Paso Zoo Explore the world's wildlife at the El Paso Zoo, a sprawling 35-acre green space near Downtown El Paso. The zoo is home to tigers, leopards, lions, giraffes, and other exotic animals from Africa, Asia, as well as the Americas. See these incredible animals, then visit family-friendly attractions like the African Star Train and the Hunt Family Desert Spring water feature before enjoying a delicious burger at one of the onsite eateries. Plaza Theatre At the historic Plaza Theatre, you can see famous musicians, classic films, magic shows, Broadway musicals, and much more. The theatre has been a hub of entertainment in El Paso since it first opened its doors in 1930. This is probably one of the best things to do in El Paso. It is now one of the city's top venues as well as the home of the Plaza Classic Film Festival, the world's largest classic film festival. More information about upcoming shows can be found on the theatre's website. United States Border Patrol This one-of-a-kind museum traces the history of the United States Border Patrol from the Old West to the present. The National Border Patrol Museum displays weapons, paintings, equipment, artifacts, photos, and even vehicles. Admission is free, and guided tours can be scheduled ahead of time. El Paso Desert Botanical Gardens The El Paso Desert Botanical Gardens are part of Keystone Heritage Park, which includes an archaeological site with a 4,500-year-old village, one of the oldest in the United States. The park includes wetlands that provide habitat for up to 200 different bird species, as well as a botanical garden that showcases the fauna of the Chihuahuan Desert. Stop by the El Paso Municipal Rose Garden, an All-American Rose Selection-certified garden, and smell over 1,900 rosebushes. Stroll along the wide, wheelchair-accessible walkways to see more than 500 varieties of roses waterfalls, as well as a plaza area with a Koi pond. This is one of the best things to do in El Paso for people with a deep love of nature. Wrapping Up El Paso offers something for everyone, whether your preference is to explore the trails or immerse yourself in history. The El Paso Mission Trail as well as Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site, are two locations where you can learn more about the region's 5,000-year history. Visit the Centennial Museum or the Magoffin Home State Historic Site to gain a deeper understanding of the area's past. Franklin Mountains State Park has some of the best trails for when the weather is right for outdoor activities. Enjoy the local arts scene at the Plaza Theatre or the El Paso Museum of Art to cap off your trip. If you want to know all the cool things to do in El Paso, we hope this article helps. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you! Read Also: Don’t Believe Them!! This Is Actually The Best Time To Visit Barbados! Things To Do In Maryland – Free Places To Visit In Maryland Planning A Vacation To Bali? Read This Blog!

BY  Sibashree Sep 12, 2024

No, it’s not the battle of the Starks, Lannisters, and other houses of Westeros. In Canada lies Kootenay National Park, the actual land of ice and fire. The glacier-made canyons and valleys sing the song of the ice, while the hot springs and grasslands keep the “fire” element alive here.  Also, the national park is a hub of ancient fossils, encouraging walks through the fossil trails. Moreover, you can take a scenic drive through the park, rich in Indigenous culture, history, architecture, and cultural landscape.   So, do you want a virtual tour of this Canadian national park? THIS is where your journey begins! THESE Are The Things You Will Do At Kootenay National Park With no cell service available in Kootenay National Park, you can get lost in the wilderness and explore the most fascinating landscape. However, being respectful to the wildlife is a must for this national park. This August, I came across disturbing news while doing my research on Kootenay National Park.  I have been in touch with a local from Radium Hot Springs for quite some time now. He told me that a grizzly bear coming out of Kootenay National Park was almost struck by an SUV on 19th August 2024.  This incident occurred on a busy highway in southeastern British Columbia, and fortunately, the Kia Sportage SUV made its way to the other side safely. Further, it was a lesson on why following the safety guidelines is crucial while driving in and around the Kootenay National Park. On the major routes of Kootenay National Park, you will have to maintain a maximum speed of 56 mph.However, on the minor routes, the highest driving speed limit will be 37 mph.  Also, around one month before the incident, on 24th July 2024, there was a minor fire in the  Sinclair Canyon slopes (near Radium Hot Springs) of the national park. It was called the Berland Ridge wildfire. This fire was under control thanks to a helicopter bucketing water on it. However, outside the park’s southern boundary, there was a blazing fire that was brought under control after pain-stricken efforts.  So, these incidents show how mindful and cautious you need to be while taking part in the following activities.  Hiking In Kootenay National Park (Hikers’ Favorite Trails) The hiking trails in Kootenay National Park are full of elevation gains and losses. Also, today, the national park has more than 70 hiking trails at easy, moderate, and difficult levels.  However, I have curated a few hiking trails in the table below. After interacting with a couple of hikers, I found out that these are the ones most preferred. Name of the Trail Difficulty LevelDistanceLocationHighlightsMarble CanyonEasy1.4 Km with 42 M Elevation Gain Located near Lake Louise, AlbertaHiking, snowshoeing, and running are the favorite activities here.It is a pet-friendly and kid-friendly trail. It is a year-long hiking trail. Stanley Glacier Trail Difficult 10.9 Km with 607 M Elevation Gain Located near Lake Louise, AlbertaSnowshoeing, camping, and hiking are popular activities on this trail.You can take your dog as a company.June to September is the best time to hike this trail. Sinclair Canyon via Juniper Trail Moderate5.8 Km with 291 M Elevation GainIt is close to Radium Hot Springs in British Columbia.You will have to hike through a beautiful cedar fir forest on this trail.The view of verdant Sinclair Canyon Falls and the Columbia Valley from this trail is breathtaking.Marble Canyon to Paint PotsModerate2.9 Km with 110 M Elevation GainRadium Hot Springs (Marble Canyon Parking Lot  - 89 km east of Radium Hot Springs, Paint Pots - 86 Km east of Radium Hot Springs).Explore a good mix of mature and burnt forest throughout the trail.Behold the Vermillion River running parallel to the trail. Floe LakeDifficult10.5 Km with 1,110 M Elevation Gain Near Radium Hot Springs (72 Km East)Backpacking and camping are popular activities on this trail. The trail leads to the Floe Lake Backcountry campground. This popular meadowy trail is known for its views of peaks, glaciers, and the beautiful Floe Lake. Numa CreeksModerate 6.3 Km with 385 M Elevation GainThe trailhead is near the Numa Falls, which is 80 Km east of the Radium Hot Springs. It is a forested trail.The trail leads to heavy avalanche paths in the park.  The hikers’ words about the trails in this national park are quite encouraging. Let’s find out what they are saying about the mesmerizing hiking trails.  “This is a beautiful, deep canyon hike. The trail crosses the canyon multiple times to view the ferocious Kootenay river below. Hiking boots aren't necessary since it is a well-traveled trail.” - Deborah Turcotte on the Marble Canyon Trail  “The trail was mostly dry and in very good condition. No snow on the trail, just a few short wet spots. Trek up is mostly sheltered but a bit chilly and windy in the bowl so bring layers as the temp changes quickly when the sun is behind clouds. Still lots of snow in the bowl. Found one rock with fossils. There are a few small waterfalls on Stanley Peak. Lots of boulders at the base of the bowl to sit and enjoy a lunch and 360 views. An easy to moderate 3-4 hour hike with nice views of Stanley Peak, Storm Mtn, and the Kootenay Valley.” - Sue W on the Stanley Glacier Trail  Kootenay National Park Camping  Kootenay National Park is a wonderful place for frontcountry and backcountry camping. You can even live in oTENTiks and spend some unforgettable days in the park under the sky.  Frontcountry Camping You can camp near the Vermillion, Kootenay, and Simpson rivers. Also, you can find some quiet spots near Radium Hot Springs village.  Summer is the best season for front-country camping in the national park. However, the sites remain crowded. So, you must go for a prior booking.  Further, the daytime temperature in the national park remains between 16-23 degrees centigrade. Still, the temperature at night can drop below 0 degrees centigrade. So, abiding by the camping rules is crucial, and especially, be particular about the things you will have to carry. Moreover, like camping in any national park, here also you have to ensure that you don’t leave any trace behind as you leave the site.  Backcountry Camping Backcountry camping and backpacking are the best ways to explore the wilderness of this Canadian national park. However, you must make a prior booking and carry a backcountry permit if you want to spend some days and nights amidst grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, elks, and cougars.  Further, there are six backcountry camping grounds in the park, five of which are located along the  Rockwall Trail. The  Verdant Creek Trail has the sixth camping ground.  Random camping is not allowed during summer, as protecting the landscape and vegetation is crucial. This restriction applies from May to October.  However, in the winter months, you can do random camping in the designated areas. You will still need a permit for this. As I have mentioned, the Rockwall trail is the most prominent place for backcountry camping in the park. This site is also popular for the presence of various multi-day hiking trails. These trails are: Honeymoon Pass and Verdant Creek Tumbling - Floe The Rockwall  Tumbling - Helmet - Ochre Loop Numa Creek Helmet Creek and Falls Tumbling Creek Helmet - Ochre Junction In the popular backcountry camping areas, the trails are maintained quite well. Further, there will be amenities like food storage cables, food lockers, picnic tables, and tent pads.  Living in oTENTik An oTENTik is a modern fusion of a cabin and a tent. In the park, you will find the oTENTik site on the Redstreak campground’s A loop.  If you stay in an oTENTik, you will wake up amidst nature, and taking a bath at the hot springs will be the most rejuvenating experience. Then, you can explore the nearby hiking trails and gorge on traditional meals cooked in the campfire.  Relaxing At Radium Hot Springs  Beneath the colorful Sinclair Canyon mountains lie the most refreshing hot springs. Further, the mineral-rich water of the hot springs does not have any odor, and you can take a bath with your entire family.  To reach the Radium Hot Springs, you must drive from Banff and Lake Louise for around 1.5 hours. Further, the journey is as interesting as the destination, as you will get to small turquoise lakes, falls, canyons, and bridges over rivers as you drive through the Kootenay National Park. Also, don’t forget to stop at the following locations to make the most of your journey. Continental Divide (The line diving the Pacific and Atlantic watersheds) Marble Canyon Hike Paint Pots Trail Numa Falls Kootenay Valley Viewpoint (It is the place to get the most beautiful view of Vermilion and Mitchell Ranges.)  Olive Lake Trail and Day-Use Area However, the highlight of the journey, of course, is the Sinclair Canyon, where you will also find big horn sheep roaming. As you hike through the Juniper / Sinclair trail, you will get a “bird’s eye view” of Sinclair Canyon.  Further, as you enter the Radium Hot Springs village, you will see an iconic steel horn sculpture. The “Bighorns Public Art Sculpture” was officially unveiled on 7th April 2021. Moreover, Clara Reinhardt, the mayor of Radium in 2021, said,  “We chose something that implies a sense of arrival to Radium, the Columbia Valley, and beyond. We captured the undeniable natural beauty of the curved horns through a Fibonacci spiral—the golden ratio in nature and art.” “We wanted to create a piece of art that speaks to both the history and the future of bighorn sheep in Radium. We captured the undeniable natural beauty of the curved horns through a Fibonacci spiral—the golden ratio in nature and art.” - Adam Meikle (Artist of the Bighorns Public Art Sculpture) Burgess Shale Fossil Hike  The Burgess Shale Fossil Hike in the national park will give you access to Mount Stephen and Walcott Quarry. These are UNESCO Restricted Sites. Further, you will get to see some of the oldest fossils in the world here.  However, in total, you have three routes to explore in the Burgess Shale Fossil Hike. Let’s discuss them in detail.  Walcott Quarry Starting Point: Takakkaw Falls Difficulty Level: Difficult  Elevation Gain: 825 Meters Duration: 11 Hours Return Distance: 22 Kms Walcott Quarry is a classic example of a fossil hike. Also, the top view of the Emerald Lake from here is amazing. Further, you will find Burgess Shale creatures here, which were found in fossilized conditions at the mountaintop in the Yoho National Park.  “The Burgess Shale organisms lived 508 million years ago in a time period that Geologists call the Cambrian, which began at 541 Ma (million years ago) and ended by 485.4 Ma. The first fossil occurence of most animal lineages (at the phylum and class levels) occur in the Cambrian. As a result of this fact, and because the fossils are well preserved, Paleontologists studying the Burgess Shale fossils can deduce a great deal about the ancestory of animal lineages.” The Burgess Shale fossils were discovered at the Walcott Quarry site in 1909 by Charles Doolittle Walcott. 1 Mount Stephen Difficulty Level: Difficult  Elevation Gain: 795 Meters Duration: 7.5 Hours Return Distance: 9 Kms As you hike through the Mount Stephen trilobite beds, you will get to overlook the “town of Field” in British Columbia. Railway workers in the 1880s used to call the town of Field the space of “stone bugs.”  Further, during this trek, you will see trilobite fossils (now extinct and one of the earliest marine arthropods), and the view of the Kicking Horse River from the trail is amazing.  Stanley Glacier Difficulty: Moderate Return Distance: 10 km Elevation Gain: 385 m Duration: 7.5 hours You will start hiking the Stanley Glacier in a fire-swept forest. The forest has lodgepole pine and wildflowers. Further, along your route, you will get to see a turquoise river, waterfalls, and the best view of the Stanley Glacier. Moreover, you will get to see the fossils of hyolithids, sponges, trilobites, and sponges here, and they are from the Eldon Formation.  Cambroraster, an ancient arthropod, and many other species are found in the quarry near the Stanley Glacier. Further, the shell of a Cambroraster looks like the Millennium Falcon spaceship in its shape. Important Kootenay National Park Data At A Glance  Before you start for the Kootenay National Park, don’t forget to have a look at the stats. Location: British Columbia, Canada Established: 21st April, 1920 Area: 1,406 km² Highest Landscape: Deltaform Mountain (3,102 m) Designation: UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 (As Part of the “Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks ) Visitor Center: Kootenay National Park Visitor Centre (7556 Main Street East; Radium Hot Springs, B.C.) How to Reach: Via Highway 1 from Banff, AB or Calgary, AB/Via Highway 95 at Radium Hot Springs, BC Also Read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.