10 Travel Books You Should Be Read in 2024

BY  Barsha Aug 1, 2022

The travel scene in the world has not evolved since the Pandemic - people have now realized that countries around the world have their doors to tourists again in the absence of strict covid travel guidelines. In fact, the summer of 2022 has witnessed so many stories about overcrowding, travel mishaps, and even dangerous heat waves at major tourist destinations across the world, especially in Europe. However, things in Asia have been a little different. As Asian countries are taking more time to open their doors to tourists with far lesser reports of flight cancellations or lost luggage, it has been seen tourists are not really coming back. One of the biggest examples of this strange travel phenomenon is Japan. Japan Is Open To Tourists Now: So Why Aren’t They Coming Back? Japan opened its doors to tourists in the summer of 2022 to a whole lot of fanfare, and that too at a time which is generally considered to be peak tourist time for travellers in this country. However, according to the Japanese Immigration Services Agency, only a meagre 1,500 tourists visited the country between June 10th and July 10th. The data points out how the numbers have gone down by a solid 95% as compared to data obtained during the same period of time before the Pandemic. Perhaps one of the possible reasons for the sharp decrease in tourists is because the country is only allowing leisure tourists and those too tourists who visit with ‘organized groups’ and not individually. Melissa Musiker, a PR professional based in New York City, commented in this context, “We don't need to be babysat” - Melissa used to be one of the frequent travellers to Japan before the Pandemic. So is Japan ruining its tourism industry because of its own rules, or is it because of some other strange reason nobody is aware of yet? Only time will tell us - till then, we can only speculate. Read Also: 9 Things Every Traveler Should Know When Visiting Shanghai 10 Best Places To Travel In November – Travel Guide 2022 Top 5 Used Japanese Vehicles In Australia

BY  Sibashree Aug 20, 2024

It’s hard to imagine that a watery wonder and a versatile geological place exist so close to the Californian Mainland. Yes, we are talking about the Channel Islands National Park.  Rich in diverse flora, fauna, and wildlife, this national park, consisting of five islands, is a hiker’s favorite. The hiking trails on each island are different. For example, the trails in Anacapa are flatter, and they get steeper as you visit Santa Rosa or Santa Cruz.  Also, as a critical marine sanctuary, this national park offers an amazing experience for people interested in aquatic pursuits. Boating and scuba diving here are activities that an adventurous soul will surely look upto.  Are you ready to pack your bags and hit the trails? Let us join you. Channel Islands Hikes That You Just Cannot Miss  Hiking trails in the five islands of this national park vary in their difficulty parameters. The trails in Anacapa, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara are easy (Cavern Point Loop), moderate (Potato Harbor), and hard (Montañon Ridge Loop).  As a hiker, you have to be sure of your physical and mental endurance before you start exploring specific trails. Further, you will encounter many challenges as you explore the hiking trails.  Common perils here include poisonous oaks, scorpions, ticks, wildfire risks, reptiles, and Hantavirus spread by deer mice. To deal with these hazards, you must make the most of the buddy system and, most importantly, be respectful to the wildlife.  However, the pain you have to undergo throughout the journey is worth the dramatic experience the trails offer. It’s time to know about them.  Anacapa Island Hiking  Anacapa Island got its current name from its original Chumash Native American Indian name, Anypakh. This island is made of East, Middle, and West Anacapa islets, and surprisingly, none of these are connected to each other.  Before I introduce you to some of the most amazing trekking trails in Anacapa, let me share some highlights about the island. Anacapa Island: Things To KnowAnacapa is known for its diverse vegetation, wildlife, culture, and history.Coreopsis and sunflowers come to life after the winter rain, and you can see them from the California Mainland.Anacapa is the largest breeding colony of western gulls in the world.It is also the largest breeding colony of the California brown pelicans, which are endangered species.Chumash Indian people used to camp here thousands of years ago. Inspiration Point Hike (Easy) Just a 1.5-mile hiking trail, Inspiration Point offers the most amazing view of the island. Enjoy the sheer contrast created by vibrant wildflowers and the tranquil blue water.  Pinniped Point Hike (Easy) Pinniped Point hike, which is a 4-mile distance, is known for its sea lion rookery and lighthouse.  Cathedral Cove Hike (Easy) The 6-mile hiking trail is the best place to see the most amazing rock formations. Here, you will also find beautiful kelp forests, sea lions, sea caves, and birds.  San Miguel Hiking  Hiking in San Miguel is a little tricky as you cannot take the off-trail roads. Further, hiking is only limited to certain spots, as its unique geological features, wildlife, and plants need preservation.  Caliche Forest Hike (Hard)  Despite its difficulty level, Caliche Forest is the most exciting trail to hike in San Miguel. This landscape of five miles has naturally calcified prehistoric vegetation. So, the entire area has the most surreal “fossilized” appearance. A visit to this trail is like a time travel, and the feeling is, at times, eerie.  Cuyler Harbor Beach Hike (Easy) Enjoy the pristine beauty of the 2 miles of white sand stretch and observe the adorable seals. Take a walk along the beach to find the sand running into the rocks.  Cabrillo Monument Hike (Hard)  The distance of this trail is 2 miles. However, the steep climb makes the hiking experience very strenuous. You will visit the monument of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to explore this island.   Santa Cruz Island Hiking  Santa Cruz, or the La Isla de Santa Cruz, is the land of the Sacred Cross. Known as Mini California, this island has endless bounties to offer. From the Transverse Mountain ranges to the deep valleys, canyons, and beaches! You will meet the most diverse geological picture here. Here, I will talk about some of its most prominent hiking trails. However, before that, let’s share some interesting facts about the island. Things To Know About Santa Cruz IslandSize: 96 Square Miles (The Largest Of The 5 Channel Islands)Plant Species: 600Plant Communities: 10Landbird Species: 140Land Mammal Species: 11Cultural History: More than “10,000 years of American Indian habitation, 150 years of European exploration” Cavern Point Loop Hike (Easy) Cavern Point Loop is a popular destination for hiking, kayaking, and seasonal whale watching. As you trek through the 2 miles route, you will get to see the most magnificent coastal vistas.  Potato Harbor Hike (Moderate)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnkXAfgbE0s The harbor gets its name from its unique oval or potato shape. The cliffs here are steep and dangerous. The bright white sedimentary rocks (diatomaceous earth) here are formed by diatoms or single-cell sea plants made of silicon dioxide.  Diatomaceous earth has wide applications in filtering water.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Channel Islands National Park (@channelislandsnps) The Giant Kelp Forest is another attraction in Potato Harbor. Kelp is a nutrient-rich and fast-growing algae that helps build a rich marine ecosystem. The California sea lions here will make your visit to the island most delightful with their playful nature.  Montañon Ridge Loop (Hard) Montañon Ridge, with Montañon Peak and High Mount, is the highest ridge on the eastern side of the island. This trekking trail is only for experienced hikers.  The total distance of the hiking trail is 10 miles.  Santa Barbara Hiking  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Channel Islands National Park (@channelislandsnps) Santa Barbara is an island for endless outdoor pursuits like hiking, camping, fishing, and watching wildlife.  Further, Santa Barbara is the island to be if you want to explore the local vegetation. If you visit the island in spring and winter, you will meet the most colorful wildflowers here. Also, delightful flowers like poppies and verbenas are in full bloom in the summer. Do you want to hike on this island? Here are some trails for you.  Lizard’s Mouth Hiking Trail (Moderate) You have to take just a quarter-mile walk off West Camino to find this hiking spot. It’s also a favorite Santa Barbara destination for picnics.  The place gets its name from the rock formation resembling a lizard’s open mouth. This place is picturesque and perfect for photoshoots.  La Cumbre Peak (Diificult)  With the highest elevation of 1215 m, the La Cumbre Peak (the highest in Santa Barbar) hike is full of challenges. However, this trekking trail is full of highlights like the Cathedral and Arlington Peaks, the coastline to the sea, etc.  San Roque Creek (Easy) The San Roque Creek trail is located in the 25-acre recreation area in the park. The area is called Stevens Park. With just an elevation gain of just 93 m, it is an easy trail to explore, and you can have a great time walking with your dogs here.  Santa Rosa Hiking  The hiking trails in Santa Rosa are a combination of flat and steep terrains. The trails to the Water Canyon Beach are flatter. At the same time, roads to the Black Mountain are strenuous.  Water Canyon Campground Hike (Easy) This 3-mile hiking trail is one of the easiest routes in Santa Rosa or all over the Channel Islands. Enjoy a gala picnic with your group here.  Water Canyon Hike (Moderate To Strenuous) The perennial canyon and the local vegetation make the water canyon hike the most amazing experience. If you want, you can also follow the stream bed and get wet.  Black Mountain Hike (Hard) With a distance of 8 miles, this trail offers the most amazing views of the mainland and San Miguel, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa islands.  Did You Know? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXwoKEDtdlM By 1928, many fossils of pygmy mammoths were found in the Channel Islands. Further, almost a complete skeleton of an adult pygmy mammoth was excavated on Santa Rosa Island in 1994. These mammoths were very similar to the Californian mainland mammoths. However, they evolved and got smaller in size to accommodate on the Channel Island. Worldwide, these mammoths are known as Channel Islands Pygmy Mammoths.  Final Words  Channel Islands National Park had 328,746 visitors in 2023 (Source). Despite being close to the California mainland, these islands offer tranquility, and with many places to visit and activities to do on the five islands, you will surely be spoilt by the choices at this national park.  On all the islands, you can trek, fish, camp, and take part in many water sports. However, two of the most coveted activities in these parks are hiking and exploring marine life. The variety you find here in whales and other marine mammals can be a close match to the vibrant marine ecosystem of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.  In this guide, I have highlighted trekking through the trails in this national park. Do you want to know more about its wildlife and marine ecosystem? Share your thoughts in the comment below.  Channel Islands National Park FAQs  Which Island Is The Best To Hike In Channel Islands National Park? Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands are great for hiking in the Channel Islands. However, if I am to share my opinion, Anacapa will be my silent favorite.  The trekking trails here are way easier in Anacaopa than in Santa Cruz. So, irrespective of your expertise level, you will be able to hike the entire island in a day.  Also, as the trekking journey here is less arduous, you will be able to enjoy the surrounding scenic beauty even more. You will meet the most adorable sea birds, sea lions, and seals. Also, if you are lucky enough to be in these mountains during spring or late winter, you will find the mountains replete with colorful wildflowers. Inspiration Point, Cathedral Cove, and Pinniped Point are some of the highlights of hiking expeditions in the Anacapa Islands.  What Is Special About Channel Islands National Park?  Channel Islands National Park is special because it is a paradise for trekkers, nautical surfers, and wildlife explorers.  Its San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Anacapa, Santa Barbara, and the largest, Santa Cruz islands have many hiking trails with Transverse Ranges.  Further, half of the national park is under the ocean, and you will find six nautical miles of water around it. So, it is a critical marine sanctuary and a great place for scuba diving, boating, and other aquatic pursuits.  In addition, its wildlife is mesmerizing, with the presence of animals like island foxes, spotted skunks, salamanders, whales, California sea lions, sea otters, dolphins, giant black seabass, and more.  Which Island Is The Largest In Channel Islands National Park? The largest island in the Channel Islands National Park is Santa Cruz, which is also known as the epitome of California. Its size is 96 square miles.  Its geology is versatile, with Transverse Ranges, fault systems, springs, streams, and canyons. You will also come across sea caves, beaches, and coastline cliffs. Among the sea caves, the Painted Cave is the most prominent one with lichens, algae, and colorful rocks. Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. Be Soothed And Meet History At Hot Springs National Park.

BY  Barsha Dec 21, 2022

The popularity of the ‘all you can eat sushi’ has been ruling the eating charts of most people for some time now, especially in the United States. Is it just tasty? Or is it the sheer newness associated with the same like it was with trying out octopus meat a few years ago - suddenly, everyone was talking about octopus meat and squids? These days, all people can talk about trying out is Sushi. So we feel it’s a little bit of both - the sheer newness and the mouthwatering taste. So we decided to check out some of the best sushi places in the United States. Keep reading to find out all that you need to know!  Trying ‘All You Can Eat Sushi In The United States? All The Top Places To Visit! Image Source: www.mashed.com So we have finally arrived here and if you are reading this, you have to stick around till the end because we have some exciting all you can eat Sushi places from all over the United States.  So instead of wasting time on googling stuff like ‘all you can eat sushi Chicago’ or even ‘all you can eat sushi Orlando,’ scroll down and find out the best places serving Sushi in the United States. Don’t forget to check out the visitor reviews we have added as well! 1. Sushi 88 (Nashville): Image Source: restaurantclicks.com You don’t need to google ‘all you can eat sushi near me’ instead; just check out Sushi 88! This Nashville sushi restaurant is perfect for sushi lovers, especially if you want to try authentic sushi platters. Plus, it’s not even a very expensive restaurant - so if you are on a budget, then you must try this place!  Review By Marika Vissak: “AYCE is $28 for lunch and $36 for dinner. It compares SUPER favorably to similar-priced sushi restaurants on the east coast -- an excellent variety of rolls, attentive staff that tells you which roll is which, very good salmon, and good sushi chefs.” 2. Junn All You Can Eat Sushi (Tempe): Image Source: lh3.googleusercontent.com The name says it all - it’s the sushi all you can eat buffet you have been looking for! Located in Tempe, this sushi restaurant offers different types of sushi platters and happens to be the sushi paradise you have been looking for - so why beat around the bush? If you are in Tempe right now, you must check out this place!  Review By Emanuel: “Great tasting sushi with all you can eat option for a reasonable price. Cooked to order, all taste delicious.  Ramen-cooked noodles aren’t always cooked the best, but still the overall great dining experience. The staff is nice and informative about the menu.” 3. Bodeli Sushi (Franklin): Image Source: lh3.googleusercontent.com Located in Franklin, Bodeli Sushi is fantastic, and there are so many great reviews online talking at length about the great good and even better service. You don’t need to search for the best sushi restaurants with locations like ‘all you can eat sushi las vegas’ or some other place  - instead, just save this article for the future!  Review By Adrian Lupton: “This is the best Sushi with unique and new rolls over ever experienced. The staff works very hard and deserve to be tipped well for the price and hard work. Absolutely amazing. The best we've had since moving from Chicago. Will come back!” 4. Rakuzen AYCE Sushi (Brooklyn): Image Source: bklyner.com If you type ‘all you can eat sushi NYC’ on Google, chances are you will definitely not find Rakuzen AYCE Sushi on most lists. But that’s the fun of dining at undiscovered gems, even if it’s New York, and at this time, there’s nothing unknown about the same. So the next time you are in NYC, ditch your usual fancy places and check out this sushi joint in Brooklyn! Review By Akina Miracle: “Great services!! The waitress was nice and efficient; they took away the empty dishes really fast, remaining the table clean. Highly recommend their salmon teriyaki; it has the perfect cooked!! :D” 5. Kikoo Sushi (New York): Image Source: 10619-2.s.cdn12.com Another New York gem; you have to check out Kikoo Sushi. The restaurant is classy and never fails to make customers happy. The place has a great online reputation, with customers taking the pain actually to review minute details about the place. NYC has a pretty competitive food scene, but in spite of then, Kikoo Sushi managed to shine.  Review By Adrian Torres: “I LOVE THIS SPOT. Favorite place to go with a big group of friends before a night out. So many options, there’s no way you won’t be satisfied. Surprisingly good quality food for being “all you can eat.” The best part is the endless sake bombs, and Sapporo refills. Honestly one of the best bang-for-your-buck dinner places in Manhattan. Be warned, it is cash only!” 6. Sushi Train (Nashville): Image Source: i.ytimg.com Another Nashville sushi joint, Sushi Train, is perhaps one of the best sushi restaurants in the entire state of Tennessee. If you are a resident of the state of Tennessee, there’s no point missing out on Sushi Train. They serve excellent sushi, and anyway, it’s better to stumble upon places like this than just google stuff like ‘all you can eat sushi san antonio or Nashville!’ Read More: Top 12 Perdido Key Restaurants – Reviews & Budget Review By D.M. Kurtz: “An endless train of sushi, fruit, and desserts, plus access to an all you can eat Hibachi and appetizers? Worth every penny! 😋 Spent about $75 before the tip for four of us, and MAN, it was GOOD.” 7. POC All You Can Eat Sushi (Hackensack): Image Source: pocrestaurants.com Located in Hackensack, POC All You Can Eat Sushi is one of the best places to eat sushi in the state of New Jersey. There are so many options, but only this one stands out in terms of food and services. If you are close to the location, then why not check out this restaurant tonight? A perfect place to visit with friends, family, or even alone.  Review By M A: “The most recent time I went was at 9 pm. Now just be mindful that it says it closes at 10 pm, but they start putting away the food by 9:30 pm, which they mentioned, but I was still hungry, so I didn’t mind. They were kind enough to ask if I wanted to go for more food before they started putting it away. The price per person is slightly higher than the usual buffets, but it is definitely worth it. The food and selection are WAY better! Two thumbs up !” 8. Saki Endless Sushi And Hibachi Grill Eatery (Clearwater): Image Source: media1.cltampa.com Although there’s another Saki Endless Sushi and Hibachi Grill Eatery in Tampa, trust us, it’s better not to go to that, and instead visit the one in Clearwater - come on, both these locations are in Florida. So why not try a place that’s so much better? Also, reviews from visitors only prove what we are trying to point out! Read More: Best Asian Restaurants In Florida – A Must Visit For Food Lovers Review By Edward Phung: “Great eating little Gem. 2nd time eating at this place. Food & service consistently good both times. Small dining room & they get very busy. All dishes cooked to order. I had the saki & Tampa rolls, very tasty.  Hibachi Squid well marinated with delicious dipping ginger sauce. Friendly waitress, checked on us often. Definitely will come back again.” 9. Osake (Covington): Image Source: lh3.googleusercontent.com Similar to the restaurant we just spoke about, even Osake has two locations - one in Nashville and one in Covington. While both locations serve some crazy all you can eat Sushi, it’s better to visit the one in Covington. Our deciding factor? Oh, that was easy! Better service and even better visitor reviews!  Review By Greyson Adams: “As usual,  I was very pleased. Faylene was great and patient. Chef Ari made me a special order and it was excellent. I never have a second thought introducing friends to your restaurant. I only wish that you had space for outdoor seating,  as well. As it was,  when I was leaving,  there was another car just waiting in the lot til someone left.” 10. Ginza AYCE Sushi (Torrance): Image Source: lh3.googleusercontent.com Last but not least, there was no way we were missing out on Ginza AYCE Sushi, located in Torrance. This restaurant has great sushi and happens to be a sushi paradise for all, irrespective of whether it’s your first time trying out Sushi or whether you are a seasoned Sushi eater. If you are close to this location, check it out tonight!  Review By Linh Phạm Ngọc Ái: “Taste very fresh and nice. The appertizers are very delicious. Recommend the tofu, it melts right into your mouth. Also the tempura Shrimp and the fries squid. The rolls for who like creammy one are cream cheese rolls and baked salmon ones.” And It’s A Wrap! Andddd it’s a big wrap on the all you can eat Sushi restaurants…at least for now! Because it’s important that you check out the places mentioned above instead of asking for more options. Trust us, the moment you will ask for more options, you will get confused and end up making the wrong decision!  So, tell us what you think about these restaurants and the popularity of Sushi in the United States. Don’t forget to share your past experiences with us in the comments below. Read Also: Best Restaurants In Honduras To Visit While Traveling Indian Buffet Near Me In Florida – Best Buffets For You Top 15 Restaurants In Colombia You Must Visit While Traveling