Tiny Travelers: Toddler Travel Essentials for Happy Trips 

BY  Nabamita Jan 5, 2023

If you are planning an upcoming vacation to Mexico, then you must visit Tolantoongo, which is a box canyon, which is in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. The canyon is 1.5 hours of northwest, Pachuca, and about 198 km which is about four hours from Mexico City.  So if you wanna know more about this exceptional natural escape with beautiful hot water springs and natural pools and rivers with caves. To know more details about the Grutas de Tolantongo, then keep on scrolling down.  How Will You Reach The Las Grutas De Tolantongo? With diverse natural resources, Mexico is a haven for visitors and travelers. The Las Grutas de Tolantongo is a natural system of grottoes and caves. The beautiful water flows from the Grottos to the river of Tolantongo, which flows through the hot springs, which act like swimming pools like natural pools.  If you don’t know what a grotto is, then it is a type of cave that is naturally made underground and flows through for thousands of years. Rainwater could easily seep down piercing calcareous rocks, which dissolved them.  Then the result that formed was a mesmerizing aquatic heaven with rivers, waterfalls, and even hot springs, that became Tolantongo.  How To Reach Las Grutas De Tolantongo? Now that you know where this aquatic heaven is, you should be able to reach the place easily, as there are many options you can avail to reach the place. Here are the options you can select from.  1. Renting A Car Service One of the most popular choices of transportation from Mexico City to la Grutas de Tolantongo. Although a car service can be expensive, it is still one of the expensive options. So if you have a hefty budget, then you can easily avail of a car service. Well if you love a long stretch of road, then you will love the surrounding atmosphere while traveling.  2. Take The Bus One of the cheapest forms of transportation is the bus service. The bus is public transportation that any tourist can avail of. The easiest way for you to get a bus service is through Mexico Terminal TAPO.  From the ADO bus service, you can reach Pachuca. The journey is a 2 hours journey by bus, although the buses run every 3 hours, then plan your timing accordingly.  You would have to take a bus again till Ixmiquilpan, the bus is about 2 hours journey which runs about five times a day. Then from Ixmiquipan, it is about a 14 minutes walk, from where you can get a bus to Tolantongo.  The bus journey is very jarring and tiring and it might take you 6 hours to complete the whole journey. And it will cost you about $12 to about $22. Since this method is so tiring and long, it is not recommended for tourists, as it would take them a whole day.  3. Join A Tour Group Another possible transportation you can get to Las Grutas de Tolantongo is by organizing to join a tour group. If you are staying in Mexico City, for a few days, then the easiest way of traveling to Grutas de Tolantonga is with a tour group.  What Are The Things To Do In Las Grutas De Tolantongo? Upon reaching Grutas de tolantongo, there are a lot of places you can do there, and a few of these things that you can do. The area is divided between two areas, which are La Gruta Zone and El Paraiso Escondido.  1. Tolantongo Hot Springs (El Paraiso Zone) The hot springs of Tolantongo in the El Paraiso Zone are known as a stunning sight to see. There is a variety of hot springs, present here are mostly infinite pools, built on the side of grottos, cliffs, and swimming pools.  The temperature is somewhere around 96F and 100F. The hot springs were very relaxing and very popular, which have people flock there for this relaxing activity, so having a swimsuit with yourself is a must if you wanna go to the hot springs. Read More: Top 10 Hot Springs Near Denver You Can Visit In Winter 2. Tolantongo Cave & Tunnel (La Gruta) There are beautiful dark and wet caves and tunnels that you can visit and explore by yourself. Since the walls of the caves and tunnels are wet, you should carry water shoes, to avoid slipping. You can also go swimming in the pools in the caves, where you will find beautiful waterfalls.  3. Tolantongo River (La Gruta) All of you who want to stay overnight at Tolantongo would mostly camp out near the Tolantongo river. The blue and warm Tolantongo river is a beautiful place to camp. There is more open space for people to gather and enjoy themselves.  Read More: 7 Best Places For Free Camping Near Me In Las Vegas 4. Suspension Bridge (El Paraiso) One of the famous places of Tolantongo is the swing bridge which allows visitors a beautiful and luscious green environment.  The suspension bridge is an attractive tourist destination when you are visiting Grutas de Tolantongo. You should remember to wear comfortable shoes since you will be walking for a while.  5. Zipline (El Paraiso) If you are an adrenaline junky and love adventure sports, then you are going to love Ziplining through the greenery of Tolantongo. Although it is not free, the price for ziplining is not as much, only about $10.  Wrapping Up! Now that you know that Grutas de Tolantongo is a beautiful place state in Mexico. Then if you are visiting there you will find a comfortable grutas de tolantongo hotel. Or if you are staying there only for a night, then camping is the best option.  So if you think this article helped you in knowing more about grutas de tolantongo, then give your own article a like and comment down below. Read Also: Explore These 5 Excellent Yacht Charter Destinations! 7 Creative Truck Cap Camping Ideas To Use In Jungle Adventures Top 10 Scenic Snowflake Cities In The U.S. To Travel To This Winter

BY  Abdul Aziz Apr 11, 2022

Marketers today rely on videos to showcase their products or service to the audience. More than 80% of the internet audience is now spending billions of hours watching videos. And, eyeing this trend, search engine giant Google has modified its algorithm to prioritize the video content. According to a study, videos come in 52% of Google keyword searches, and more than 80% of these search results are derived from YouTube. Therefore, video marketing is not visually appealing, but they are perfect from the SEO point of view. Therefore, videos have become the main aspect of marketing, replacing the conventional marketing tricks. According to marketers, videos are much more effective than texts and images. They simply provide a sense of practicality to the viewer, and it will be easy to convince them after watching an introductory video of any product or service. That's the abject for selecting video as the prominent marketing tool for the travel business Marketers find many reasons to trust videos to promote their travel business. A few of the important reasons are mentioned below. Prime Reasons for Using Videos in Travel Business 1. Videos offer effortless engagement Using video content for marketing allows businesses to tap into a huge audience. Videos eliminate reading requirements, and travelers find it easy to view a video rather than spend hours reading texts. Since videos are replacing the conventional marketing techniques, that doesn't mean the value of the texts and images has decreased. Still, they are valuable to describe any specific location or its outstanding features. Videos arrest the viewers' attention, and that is the best part of promoting the travel business. 2. Helps to increase the visibility of the brand A video can be heavily edited and customizable. They can be made to intensify the viewer's emotion and yield the best result for the travel industry. Engaging video contents are effective in influencing the decision-making process. Plus, when you publish a catchy and informative video on your timeline, not only will it grab appreciation from your followers, but they never hesitate to share that with their circle. Due to this feature, marketers never hesitate to invest thousands of dollars in making commercial videos. 3. Better click-through-rates Call-to-Action or CTA is one of the finest features that drive viewers to land on your travel website directly. It provides a passage to view and features of the travel agency. The website and the While creating the video, ensure to include CTA in the video so that you can allow the travelers to go to the next point once the video is over. CTA is the key to video promotion, and it enhances engagement with your audience and improves click-through rates. 4. Videos are suitable for all the occasions If you want to introduce any new tour, then creating a video on that specific topic is the best way to let your audience know about that. You can insert new information providing fresh highlights or the current one. It is also possible to introduce the travel team or an interview with a client who has already availed of your package. This kind of inclusion will make the video a real one. 5. Higher email click-through-rates Videos are attractive, and inserting the word video means it will attract the viewer's attention. The same thing applies to email marketing. When you insert a video in the email, chances are the audience will open the email and read what you have put there. That means inserting video will drive more traffic to the website, and once the traffic flow grows, the chance of conversion also grows simultaneously. How to Use Video to Drive More Conversions in the Travel Business? Here is how to use video to convert viewers to potential customers for your travel business. 1. Create Engaging video content Creating videos is the finest way to engage the audience. You can try to create amazing videos using an online video maker tool. Making use of these tools can be quite beneficial for marketers as these tools are very versatile and customizable due to their easy-to-use features. Their uses and benefits are endless for a brand. Once the audience starts to believe in the brand through these original videos, the business is bound to grow. You can post this video on social media channels to draw maximum attention. If you have any website, then upload these types of videos on them, and in this way, the viewers will get an overall idea regarding the brand and the proprietor. 2. Virtual meeting with clients  Virtual meetings are a fun way to improve the engagement with the clients, especially for the people who are planning a group tour. Keep the meetings as simple as possible so that the clients will feel easy to interact with you openly. If the client is not planning anything to travel anywhere, ask about the future planning. This is the right way to concrete the relationship that ultimately delivers the best result to the travel business. 3. Share HD quality destination videos If you are planning to launch any travel package based on any specific location, then before that, share a few quality videos regarding that destination. These videos can also be added to proposals you create for the clients. This is a fun and interactive way to showcase the beauty of the destination they probably want to travel to in the future. 4. Insert videos in the client's proposal To gain the customer’s trust, it is the best way to embed videos in the proposals. The videos can be based on the destination, hotel, and tour. This is why many marketers today use videos while preparing clients' proposals. 5. Happy hour with clients If you have something special to share with your clients, arrange a happy hour. Fix a time where everyone can join and discuss the special feature or plan with your loyal clients. In this session, you can also take a couple of questions from the clients and answer them directly during the session. Virtual meetings are cool since you can meet with your loyal clients anywhere without barriers. 6. Creating a travel vlog Travel business can be thriving when more and more people travel to their favorite destination. If they don't know the destination and the details available there, they won't step out of their comfort zone. To inspire them to travel, you should create travel vlogs. These videos don't need any fancy film production techniques, but they must be simple and interactive. Make travel vlogs on these topics: Walkthrough tour Hotel room tour Vlogs are based on the delicacies and foods in the restaurants. Videos that record the part of the tour Assembling multiple clips to prepare a complete video highlighting the best features of the destination 7. Share travel tips through the videos Few people want to travel, but they have a lack knowledge of how to prepare for it. If you are leading a travel business, then create informative videos regarding how to prepare yourself for travel. Giving the ideology in the form of travel tips it's going to lead to a positive impact on clients or visitors. Making videos on packing tips, food, and beverage selection, clothes to carry, and accessories that help during the travel is a fantastic idea to improve engagement with the audience. These videos also draw a positive impression from the audience that directly impacts brand value. 8. Drive more sales by video greetings Video greetings are innovative ways to drive more sales towards your travel business. You can record a quick 1-2 minutes greeting video for your client and send it to him. Thank him for accepting the proposal and wishing for a better travel experience in the video. These are the ways that draw more attraction and brand loyalty from the customers. Preparing these videos is also simple, and there is no need to invest heavily while creating them. 9. Make question-answer videos Question-answer sessions are best to improve the engagement with the clients. Brand loyalty is the best thing that delivers long-term results from the clients, and this is why you should spare some time to make a Q&A video. Take questions from the comments and answer them by naming the person. In this way, that person will feel privileged and loyal forever. 10. Create "how-to" or demo videos Share videos with your followers describing any unique recipe they can cook in the home. Describe the steps of the recipe and make it visually appealing. Once you create and upload it to your social media accounts, it will attract maximum attention from the audience. Conclusion Video is the most powerful marketing tool now. Using the right video marketing technique in the travel business will surely drive more leads to the brand. Read Also: How To Fund The Cost Of Travelling Top 5 Travel Tips For Your Next Trip To China 5 Fascinating And Fun Travel Destination Ideas In Africa For Vacation Top 10 Scenic Snowflake Cities In The U.S. To Travel To This Winter

BY  Sibashree Jul 12, 2024

“A river of grass flowing imperceptibly from the hinterland into the sea.” That’s Everglades National Park, a paradise exuding the most pristine and tranquil vibe.  You know, you always don’t need something out-of-the-box to have an ever-lasting impression. The spiritual ones know that being present in the moment and soaking the energy can be the most fulfilling experience.  Similarly, Everglades National Park does not need snowclad mountains or glaciers to draw millions of visitors annually. A diverse ecosystem and the conservation of natural lives here thrive amidst the National Park’s quiet hub.  President Harry S Truman rightly pointed out, "Here is land, tranquil in its quiet beauty, serving not as the source of water, but as the last receiver of it. To its natural abundance we owe the spectacular plant and animal life that distinguishes this place from all others in our country." (Source) So, if you are heading to Florida and want the most immersive experience, plan a trip to Everglades National Park, a swampland just outside Miami. You will have sea turtles, alligators, manatees, Roseate spoonbills, and fish to welcome you.  Everglades National Park: Know The UNESCO World Heritage Site In the Brief Synthesis of Everglades National Park and its outstanding universal value, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention says,  “Everglades National Park is the largest designated sub-tropical wilderness reserve on the North American continent. Its juncture at the interface of temperate and sub-tropical America, fresh and brackish water, shallow bays and deeper coastal waters creates a complex of habitats supporting a high diversity of flora and fauna. It contains the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere, the largest continuous stand of sawgrass prairie and the most significant breeding ground for wading birds in North America.” There are many other interesting factors adding to the outstanding value of this place. Let’s have a look at them. The Everglades has limestone substrate, which is one of the most active modern carbonate sedimentation areas. It is home to more than 400 species of birds. It is a major migration corridor for birds. Around 20 threatened, endangered, or rare species live in the Everglades. The Everglades was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Today, various federal, global, local, and tribal governments manage the Everglades, and they work in agreement to restore the sanctity of the place.  An Encounter With The Most Fascinating Wildlife At Everglades National Park  Spanning across 1.5 million acres over Florida’s southern part, Everglades National Park attracted 1,155,193 visitors in 2022 and 810,189 in 2023. Diverse wildlife is the major crowd-puller for this park.  About the Everglades, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention says, “The mixture of subtropical and temperate wildlife species is found nowhere else in the United States.” Animals You Will Encounter At Everglades National Park AmphibiansSouthern leopard frogFlorida cricket frogEastern narrow-mouth toadPig frogBirdsRoseate spoonbillBlack-bellied whistling-duckEurasian WigeonAmerican WigeonInsectsArachnidsMosquitoesBiting fliesCentipedesReptilesLizardsSnakesAmerican alligatorsAmerican crocodilesMammalsShort-finned pilot whale Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin White-tailed deerWest Indian manatees The biodiversity of the Everglades is very crucial for Flordia’s ecological benefits. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan has been there since 2000 to restore the ecosystem of the National Park.  ** The table does not furnish exhaustive details of the animals found in the Everglades. Only a few species are mentioned.  What’s More At Everglades National Park?  Along with having an encounter with the most diverse wildlife, you can take part in boating, camping, and guided tours at the Everglades. Let’s make the most of it.  Enjoy Guided Tours & Other Services You cannot help falling in love with the following guided tours at the Everglades. Shark Valley Tram Tour Everglades Institue Tours Permitted Tour Guides You can also take airboat tours to Coopertown, Everglades Safari Park, and Gator Park.  Are you in for boating tours? Go for Backcountry boat tours, Florida Bay boat tours, and Ten Thousand Islands boat tours.  Glamping Everglades Style You cannot just miss “glamping Everglades style” if you visit the National Park between November and April. Enjoy the best of wildlife with modern comfort during your stay in these tents equipped with fans, electricity, and other amenities.  Did you know that the Flamingo Eco-tents of Everglades National Park, Florida, was featured on the list of Best Glamping Spot of 2022, published by USA Today? Glamping service here begins at $109 per night. Enjoy A Serene Boating Experience  Being in the water at the Everglades will offer you the most versatile experience. As you paddle through the water, you will also meet amazing birds and fish.  Further, when you pass through narrow channels of mud and seagrass cut through the long banks, you will surely catch a whiff of adventure.   In addition, once you reach Ten Thousand Islands, you will be at a loss for words meeting the oyster reefs and sandbars. If you are a fan of boating and aquatic pursuits, you can also visit other National Parks in Florida, including  Dry Tortugas National Park and Biscayne National Park. Stay Safe At Everglades National Park Everglades National Park has well-chalked safety guidelines, including encounters with wildlife, managing your pets and children, and risks related to mosquitoes and poisonous plants. Don’t forget to check the National Park Service website to know and address safety concerns.  Further, the park provides detailed safety guidelines regarding your visit to the park in dry and wet seasons.   Staying Safe In Wet Season Afternoon downpours and heavy thunderstorms are common Mosquito bites and the attacks of flying bees will be more Weather will be hot (>100-degree F) and humid (over 90%) Wear loose-fitting, full-sleeved/full-length clothes and remain hydrated to beat uncomfortable heat and humidity. Also, use mosquito nets or repellents to avoid mosquito and insect bites.  Staying Safe In Dry Season  The temperature in the dry season is around 53-77 degrees F. Freezing conditions may occur occasionally. Biting flies and mosquitoes will still be present in some parts of the park. Bring a warm jacket, head nets, bug jackets, or mosquito repellents to avoid mosquito and insect bites. Also, wear lightweight and comfortable clothes to explore the place freely during the daytime.  Are You In?  Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stretches over a massive two million acres across central and south Florida.  It’s a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, with various species coexisting there and contributing to biodiversity. It is also a “noteworthy example of viable biological processes.” In addition, as one of the oldest national parks in America, it was designated in 1934 by the  U.S. Congress.  So, are you ready to surf through miles of water and witness how a tranquil wetland can emerge as the goldmine of natural vegetation and wildlife ecstasy? Pack your bag and count me in!    Everglades National Park FAQs  Why Is Everglades National Park So Famous? Everglades National Park is known for its extraordinary wildlife. It is the hub of rare birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, sea turtles, and other aquatic animals.  It also has Florida Panthers, one of the most endangered mammals. Further, you will meet the endangered West Indian manatee and the most adorable bottlenose dolphin. The place even has a diversity of vegetation. You will get to see sawgrass, cypress, mangrove trees, and orchids.  Why Is It Called Everglades National Park?  The Everglades had vast, grassy fields or glades. If you decipher the name, you will find it to be a combination of two words, “Ever” and “Glades.” Together, these two words mean open grass fields.  What Is The Best Month To Visit Everglades National Park? November to April, or the dry season, is the best or the safest time to visit the Everglades. The temperature at this place remains moderate in this season, and there are fewer attacks by insects and mosquitoes.  Thanks to the lack of rainfall in Florida during this season, you can also explore the wildlife better during this period.  Who Found The Everglades? John Gerard de Brahm, a British surveyor, found the Everglades while mapping the Florida coasts in 1773. He called them River Glades, and it was 1823 when the name “Everglades” first appeared on the map.  From 1851, everyone started calling it “Ever Glades.” Is The Everglades Salt Water? You will have fresh water and saltwater at Everglades National Park. Once you surf through the fresh water for hundreds of miles, you will reach salt water.  Earlier, this meeting of saltwater and freshwater used to form coastal bodies with partial enclosures. These places were dynamic and had the most productive environments.  What To Wear In The Everglades?  You have to pick your outfits and shoes based on the season in which you are visiting the Everglades. If you are at the National Park during summer or the rainy season, you must wear full-length pants and full-sleeve shirts to avoid mosquito bites and contact with poisonous plants. Don’t forget your rain jacket and shoes or boots you wear during rainy seasons.  In winter, you will need warm jackets, closed-toe shoes and full-length trousers.  Also read Pet-Friendly Destinations Worldwide. Beginner Tips For Your First Camino De Santiago. Guide To Visiting Hegra (Madain Saleh) And The Al Ula Valley.