Things You Need to Know to Do the Mawryngkhang Trek!

BY  Sibashree Dec 20, 2024

Things to do in Nashville TN: Nashville is the “Music City” of the USA. Also, many people call Nashville the place where music calls home. Housing close to 200 music clubs and venues of all sizes, Nashville is a wonderland for people preferring all genres of music.  So, when in Nashville TN, you cannot avoid a visit to the places associated with the musical excellence and history of the city.  Further, tourism in Nashville is growing continuously in the city. By the end of 2024, the number of visitors to this city is expected to be over 17.1 million. In 2025, the same number is likely to hit 17.5 million. Of course, the unique things to do in Nashville TN are behind this boost in tourism. So, let’s explore them. Unique Things To Do In Nashville To Travel Like A Local | 7+ Activities You Cannot Miss Nashville is a year-round tourist destination. Summer and winter are the best seasons to visit Nashville if you want to soak in the musical vibe here.  However, spring and fall are the seasons to enjoy a mild temperature here with fewer crowds. Nevertheless, irrespective of the time of your visit, you can explore the following activities in Nashville. 1. Visit The Ryman Auditorium Address: 116 5th Ave N, Nashville Contact Number: +1 800-733-6779 Ryman Auditorium is the place from where you will start your journey if you are interested in knowing about the musical history of Nashville.  It was once the home of the Grand Ole Opry. Further, along with hosting the greats of country music, it has also been graced by John Mulaney and Paul Simon. Don’t miss the “Soul of Nashville” screening here to see real footage of the performers and have a multidimensional experience.  2. Exploring The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Address: 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville Contact Number: +1 615-416-2001 For anyone interested in American vernacular music, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is the Mecca. A visit to this museum feels like an up close and personal interaction with the likes of Patsy Cline and Alan Jackson. However, the highlight of this museum is the “Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music" exhibit. Take a self-guided tour through it and also see the gold and platinum records of country music here.  3. Enjoy The Best Entertainment Scenario Of Nashville At Broadway When traveling on a shoestring budget, a visit to Broadway will be one of the best things to do in Nashville. It is the hub of entertainment in Tennessee.  As you take a walk through the Honky Tonk Highway here, you will come across many artists showing their musical brilliance. So, if you want to soak in the musical brilliance of the city, Broadway is the place to visit for you.  4. Plan A Visit To The National Museum Of African American Music https://www.instagram.com/p/CZiNTONpEhM/ Address: 510 Broadway, Nashville Contact Number: +1 615-301-8724 Nashville is synonymous with country music. However, the musical scenario here is much more versatile. Opened in 2021, the National Museum Of African American Music here shows the prominent influence of Latin American music in jazz, hip-hop, and other genres.  As you explore the galleries of the museum, you will notice the evolution of African American music. The biggest draw here, of course, is the “Wade in the Water” gallery. The “Call and response spirituals of the 1600s” are here to offer you a surreal experience. Similarly, if you love Blues music, you must visit the Crossroads gallery. It showcases the introduction of this particular genre of music.  5. Spend Some Time In Nature At The Centennial Park Address:  2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN Contact Number: +1 615-862-8400 If you are traveling on a budget and looking for free things to do in Nashville TN, you must plan a trip to Centennial Park. It is a 132-acre space with many historical monuments. Further, you will find the following amenities at the park. Sportsplex Volleyball courts Bandshell Walking trail Dog park Lake Art Center During spring and autumn, the park has free concerts on Saturdays. Furthermore, you can see the Parthenon here and enjoy a relaxed walk.  6. Visit The Historic RCA Studio B Contact Number: +1 615-416-2001 Address: 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S The Historic RCA Studio B is one of the greatest landmarks in Nashville if you are a fan of country music. Also, it is the place where the likes of Elvis Presley and Everly Brothers recorded their songs.  Famous for the “Nashville Sound,” this studio was once famous in the entire world as a recording center.  Now, you can take a tour of the studio and learn engaging information from the guides. It’s close to the Country Music Hall of Fame. So, you can also plan a combined tour.  7. Explore The Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery https://www.instagram.com/p/C71sKsNuc-b/ Address: 1414 Clinton St, Nashville Contact No: +1 615-913-8800 Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery is the place where one must stop to have the best bourbon and Tennessee whiskey. The history of this distillery will take you back to the late 1800s. Charles Nelson from Germany started the Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery.  Unfortunately, it had to shut its doors after a successful run till 1909. However, after 100 years, Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery had a resurrection thanks to the descendants of Charles Nelson.  They brought the distillery to Nashville. Visiting this place is one of the best things to do in Nashville TN, for the alcohol connoisseurs. It serves the best wines.  8. Spend Some Time At Cheekwood Estate & Gardens Address: 1200 Forrest Park Drive Contact Number:  +1 615-356-8000 Time To Spend: 3 Hours To Half a Day The Cheekwood Estate & Gardens has its unique charm in every season. For example, in spring, you will find the place smiling with the best flowers. Further, in the fall, pumpkins and their shades of orange take you on a nostalgic trip. Moreover, in winter and festive seasons, you will find dazzling lights here.  This 55-acre space is a quiet retreat for people looking to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You will love the greenhouses and display of chromatic flower arrangements here.  Further, for the ones in love, the beautiful rose garden is great for kindling romance. Moreover, the small amphitheater here hosts some engaging literal events.  Want to try more unique things to do in Nashville TN? You can visit the Radnor Lake State Park, The Johny Cash Museum, or the Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery.  Also read Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try. Top 13+ Famous Wonders Of India That You Must Visit. Top Tips For Motorbike Rental In Phuket – A Guide To Exploring The Island On Two Wheels.

BY  Barsha Oct 22, 2025

I know what’s going on inside that pretty head of yours. You are probably thinking how many hookups I've had during my travels - especially since I am here to talk about travel hookups!  TBH, a few times for sure - not too many times, but definitely a few times. I mean, I had no idea about how the hookup culture worked during vacations - until I tried it out a few times. And now? Well, while the adrenaline is certainly thrilling, it does come with some major risks.  And while I’m nobody to stop you, it’s important that I help you out with my comprehensive list of dangers associated with travel hookups. Once you are aware, you will be safe while having ‘fun’ on vacation. Stay tuned. What Are The Dangers Of Hooking Up When You Travel? Romantic relationships on the road can be a great way to experience a foreign culture intimately, but at the same time, navigating the dating scene abroad can be a minefield.  Hooking up while traveling is an experience many actively strive for; as of 2025, 58 percent of travelers have embarked on a vacation romance, according to a recent TripAdvisor survey. Hookup culture not only accepts but actively encourages casual sex, including activities like one-night stands, without necessarily including bonding or emotional intimacy.  The term “hookup” has a broad scope because it can indicate any form of sexual activity between partners, including kissing. One can expect the dangers of hookup culture to be amplified when the partners in question have gone all the way at least once, especially regarding the following point.  In this context, let’s look at the primary dangers of travel hookups: Misaligned expectations  The risks of overindulging in alcohol The dangers of hooking up are relative  About good old-fashioned regret  The big issue of safety. 1. Misaligned Expectations: The question of whether it’s acceptable or even desirable to hook up with someone while traveling is very complicated. It first depends on the object of the hookup: a local or a fellow traveler? It seems far less complex when the person is also traveling and in a similar situation to you.  Given the significant financial gap and ensuing power imbalance between tourists and locals in destinations like third-world countries, there’s no shortage of potential problems. The traveler might see it as a fling, and the local – as real love, finally. Streams of messages over different online apps will follow the interaction, which can get awkward and, ultimately, one person could decide to block the other and move on.  2. The Risks Of Overindulging In Alcohol: It’s a fine line between lowering inhibitions and becoming too intoxicated to make smart decisions about what you do or don’t want to engage in. Overindulging in alcohol makes you more vulnerable to assault and theft, not to mention risking alcohol poisoning and ruining your entire vacation. 3. Relative Dangers Of Hooking Up: That only begins to scratch the surface of the dangers faced by women. Trust your intuition if a situation feels wrong or unsafe. Don’t assume you’re safer leaving a bar in a foreign country with someone you just met than you would be back home.  The sometimes misleading sense of security you feel while on vacation can make you vulnerable. Other vacationers won’t necessarily have your best interests at heart. Safe sex is about more than wearing a condom; it’s about not ending up on the news as a cautionary tale.  4. About Good Old-Fashioned Regret:  An online survey of 1,468 college students found that more than 27% felt embarrassed about a recent hookup, just under a quarter reported emotional difficulties, a fifth felt a loss of respect, and a tenth shared they had problems with their long-term partner.  78% of women and 72% of men who had casual sex reported experiencing regret thereafter, according to a Canadian survey of 200 undergraduate students.  5. The BIG Issue Of Safety: Obviously, this is perhaps the most important issue associated with travel hookups. When you reside somewhere unfamiliar, you become more open and vulnerable to any kind of sexual assault.  Both drug use and alcohol are common parts of travel, and both can sufficiently increase risks when you are traveling. Why? Well, it can impair your judgement, increasing risks in the process. As per travel data on Satista, sexual violence in international trips is typically perpetrated by strangers or even recent acquaintances.  Of course, this is correct, considering you won’t have your usual security network of family and friends who can interfere or even help in case of something dangerous. Moreover, in a foreign land, you might not be familiar with social cues or even local emergency support.  How To Minimize Risks Associated With Travel Hookups? Now that I’ve highlighted the major risks associated with travel hookups, I have a few tricks up my sleeve to minimize the dangers associated with travel hookups: Always meet in Public! If you are meeting someone from a dating or hookup app for the first time, and that too while you are traveling, then it's best to meet them in a public spot. And best to avoid drinking - what if they spike your drink? But if you still want to be a little tipsy, drink a little, depending on your tolerance, and then go meet someone new.  Always confide in someone about your plans. So what are they miles away from you? My best friend lives on another continent, but I always message her - she knows what to do if she doesn’t hear from me every few hours. Also, I always share my live location with her - just to be extra safe.  While you can do a thousand other things, it is best to trust your gut. If something feels off, then trust your instincts and leave. You don’t need to hook up with someone who doesn’t make you feel comfortable at the onset. And if you are meeting in public, then leaving is always an easy option. Lastly, never disclose personal information. This basically means don’t tell your tour ‘date’ which hotel you are residing in, what your plans are for the next few days, and stuff like that. This is because once you do leave, considering something feels off, they might just follow you and make it unsafe for you.  The Dos Of Hooking Up When Traveling: It’s not about avoiding hookups while traveling, but approaching them the right way. To make sure you don’t regret the experience, don’t lower your standards. Always be selective and don’t hook up with people in your tour group or who are staying at your hotel – it will prevent the awkwardness of running into them after a disappointing experience.  Follow the golden rule: come and leave with friends and look out for each other and, ideally, other travelers. Being an active bystander will make sure no one looks back on situations abroad with regret. 

BY  Ankita Apr 12, 2024

As travellers increasingly seek unique and memorable experiences, vacation rentals have emerged as the go-to accommodation for those looking to immerse themselves in local cultures far removed from the well-trodden paths of mainstream tourism.  Staying in a vacation rental, whether it's a cozy rental apartment in the heart of the city, a quaint cottage in the countryside, or a beach house with sweeping ocean views, offers a unique opportunity to live like a local and uncover hidden gems that can make your trip truly unforgettable. This article discusses the main reasons why a vacation rental is a great choice for you. We tell you how vacation rentals are better than hotels when renting out as a local or as a traveller, both for you and as a traveller. Here, you will also find some top tips for finding a good vacation rental to enhance your stay and experience. A Gateway To Authenticity For an authentic vacation experience, hotels do not do justice to vacation rentals. Vacation rentals often have local decor, and the architecture of the property feels more personalized and local. On the other hand, a hotel experience is more sterile and lacks personality. This way, a vacation rental environment differs from any hotel and enhances the overall experience of the stay. You get to immerse yourself in a new experience by cooking with local ingredients found in neighbourhood markets. You can try new ways to cook food in the new place, just like the locals.  Again, you can dine at local-favourite eateries that you might not find in guidebooks, but only locals can tell you about. Try new dishes and immerse your taste buds in a variety of flavours. Enjoying leisurely strolls in lesser-known areas can offer new experiences in a new place. Furthermore, the personal spaces in vacation rentals allow travellers to experience daily life as locals do. They can wake up to the sounds of the neighbourhood, maybe a local street market or the morning chatter of residents, offering a daily rhythm and pace that hotels shield their guests from. This is especially a priority for the younger generations of travelers, including Gen Zs, who are looking for authenticity in their adventures. Tailored Local Insights One significant advantage of vocational rentals is the personalized insights provided by hosts. Many hosts are keen to share their love for their city or town, offering recommendations not typically featured in tourist guides.  From the best local coffee shop where residents grab their morning brew to hidden alleys with the best street art, these recommendations allow travellers to explore areas off the beaten path and experience the locality as natives do, not as tourists.  The freedom to explore new places and areas when interacting with locals while staying in local rentals during vacation is beyond immersive. You experience not only the new food and language but also the local community. Often, while travelling, when you interact with local people, they tend to suggest the best local places and events. Don't miss these local events as you get to taste a new culture and where you can also make deeper connections. If a local family invites you to visit their home, be gracious enough to attend it if you can. You will get a lot of cultural insights from them, and cultural exchanges happen, too. You can also get new opportunities to participate in local traditions. Economic Benefits To Local Communities Opting for a vacation rental over a hotel also increases the local economy. Hotels are expensive, as you already know; on the other hand, vacation rentals are relatively cheaper. Hotels come with restaurants and room service, while vacation rentals do not, so you have to do all your cooking and shopping.  That might seem hectic while traveling, but when you are on a budget, it's the best option. You get to shop in the local farmer's market and enjoy new produce local to the area. You interact more with the locals and increase your exposure to new cultures.  The bright side of vacation rentals is that you get to enjoy local homesteads and architecture. If you don't wish to cook them, go exploring local restaurants and take suggestions from locals. This also helps uplift the local economy as most of the local restaurants are run by local families. Engaging with local services helps you distribute your money more evenly and sustain small businesses. You also get to interact with more locals, providing you with deeper cultural insights. You would be wrong if you think opting for a residential neighbourhood rental will help the locals.  Instead, stay in vacation rentals outside tourist-heavy areas where more than the high price of the rental fee is put on. Staying in less touristy locations will benefit the local communities, especially financially. Sustainable Travel Vacation rentals can also contribute to sustainable travel practices. Many rentals are established in residential areas, which spreads out the impact of tourism and reduces overcrowding in popular tourist centers. Additionally, the ability to cook and manage waste more efficiently in a rental can decrease the ecological footprint of your stay.  Renters can also engage more directly with local recycling and sustainability initiatives, becoming part of the community's environmental solutions. This can be especially impactful in regions where sustainability is a community priority, allowing travellers to contribute positively to the local environment. Uncovering Hidden Gems Other than the sustainable and economic advantages of opting for vacation rentals is discovering hidden gems. It can be a new dirt road to a river bank or a secluded beach only the locals know about. You can also find hidden gems like a family-run vineyard that offers you private tastings. Or a historic site that hasn't made it to any tourist guide yet. These new hidden gems heighten your memory of the place and make your vacation special. If you love adventure, you can ask locals for hiking trails that lead to amazing views that only locals know about. You can also visit artisans' workshops where traditional crafts are made. These unique spots often provide the most cherished memories of travel, as they offer a sense of discovery and personal connection to the place. Tips For Finding The Best Local Vacation Rentals Finding the perfect vacation rental can be the key to unlocking a local experience. These are some of our practical tips to help you discover the best spots that connect you with the heart of your destination. Research Thoroughly Research is essential to find the best local vacation rentals. You must do a thorough research on the area you are planning to visit. Look beyond the typical vacation rental platforms, like searching for local forums that offer information on rental properties to tourists.  You can always search social media groups and blog posts that offer insights into the best local vacation rentals. You can also search platforms where the particular local residents are active and what they have to say about the place. Sites like Airbnb and Vrbo are great, but you should also check out local rental websites and agencies that might offer unique listings not found on the larger platforms. Read Reviews Carefully Reviews are crucial information that previous guests of vacation rentals leave for future guests. So, if you have to check the vacation rental reviews before you select one for your trip, see what your predecessors have to say about the host of the rental and the local community.  You get a clear picture of the locals from previous renters who stayed at the place. Reviews can reveal a lot about the authenticity and convenience of the location and the quality of the living experience. Communicate With Hosts Once you narrow down your choices, reach out to potential hosts with any questions you have about the property and the area. A good host will be eager to provide information and may share insights into local gems. Their responsiveness and willingness to offer advice can be a good indicator of the kind of experience you'll have. Consider Location And Accessibility Choose a location that balances tranquillity with accessibility. Want to experience the lifestyle of a local when visiting a place? Then, try to find vacation rentals in locations that are easily accessible to local communities. If you find a rental in a tourist-centric area you might not get much interaction with locals. However, considering how you will access the attractions and amenities of the place, you can always use public transport to visit the key attractions. You can rent a local car to reach distant places. Still, the local markets, cafes, and sites of interest locally can greatly enhance your stay. Check For Amenities Check for vacation rentals that offer amenities for your comfortable stay. Even if there is no food available in a vacation rental, see to it that they offer a proper kitchen. You must check all the amenities like gas, stove, and utensils, which should be included in the rental. You might also check for proper bathrooms, water, and internet to connect with the outside world when needed. Some people also work while vacationing, so the internet becomes essential for them in this situation. Ensure that the rental has all the amenities you'll need to enjoy your time there without hassle. Verify Safety And Legal Considerations Lastly, ensure that the rental is in a safe area and that all local laws regarding vacation rentals are observed. Some areas have regulations on short-term rentals that might affect your stay. It's also wise to verify this information to avoid any legal inconveniences. Wrapping It Up In conclusion, vacation rentals are more than just a place to stay; they are a gateway to deeper cultural immersion. You get a chance to live like a local while enhancing sustainable tourism. By choosing local vacation rentals you discover the heart and soul of that particular destination. After all, people make a place special, not monuments. So next time you travel to a new place, opt for a vacation rental in the local area instead of a hotel in a touristy area. This choice could transform a standard trip into a unique exploration of the local way of life, leaving you with rich and rare memories. Learn More About: Travelocity Review- Login, Services, And Travel Experiences Tips For Planning The Perfect Getaway In A Rental Villa In Italy Jackson Hole Luxury Rentals: The Inside Scoop On The Most Desirable Properties