Local Experiences: Uncover Hidden Gems With Vacation Rental Stays

BY  Sibashree Dec 17, 2024

Golf, desert weather, long sunshine hours, and the most luxurious resorts! Every travel enthusiast appreciates these things about Phoenix, Arizona.  Founded by Jack Swilling, the city of Phoenician is called the Valley of Sun. Further, people exploring the unique things to do in Phoenix also love to visit Glendale and Scottsdale. These two neighboring cities have their unique historical and cultural significance. For example, Glendale was the home to the famous Baskin Robbins. In addition, it always has been at the epicenter of Arizona’s entertainment landscape. Today, it has the headquarters of  The Walt Disney Company and DreamWorks Animation. Scottsdale, on the other hand, is famous for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. It is the largest natural preserve in the country. You will also love the museums here. Liam, the local travel expert I consulted, suggested a combined tour of Phoenix, Glendale, and Scottsdale for a unique experience. He said that the package tour would cost around $100 per person each day. Further, he mentioned how Phoenix is different from Scottsdale and how the places complement each other.   “Scottsdale is more upscale. You will love its swanky resorts. Scottsdale also has 200+ golf areas. Still, with outdoor trails and a peaceful environment, it is a more tranquil retreat for people.Phoenix is about everything urban, and it’s high energy.”Liam, Local Travel Expert, Phoenix Liam was so passionate about Scottsdale that I had to stop him. Because my sole focus this time was on the unique things to do in Phoenix, and I wanted to get my insights and research approved by him. Now, this is what I found out about the best activities in Phoenix. Unique Things To Do In Phoenix, Arizona | Enjoy The Warmth And Sunshine  Thanks to the long hours of sunshine and its geographical location, Phoenix has an average highest temperature of 20-42 degrees Celsius. For the lowest temperature, the reading ranges between 7-22 degrees Celsius. Further, with golf courses, golf clubs, Mountain Park, and natural abundance, Phoenix has been enjoying a rise in its tourism landscape.  Data from Tourism Economics says that 46.7 million people visited Phoenix in 2023, and among them, 1.6 million were international tourists.  Moreover, the total economic impact caused by the people of Phoenix in 2023 was $23 billion. This economic impact consisted the following factors. Direct Impact Indirect Impact Induced Spending Naturally, the unique things to do in Phoenix Arizona have fueled this growth and economic impact of tourism in the city. So, let’s explore them. But before that, let’s quickly learn the operational hours, entry fee and contact details of these places. Phoenix HotspotAddressContact NumberHours OpenEntry FeeDesert Botanical Garden1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix+1 480-941-1225Monday-Wednesday: 8 AM to 8 PMThursday: 8 AM to 9 PMSunday: 5:30 AM to 9:30 AMFriday-Saturday: 8AM-4 PM, 5:30-9:30 PM$12–25The Phoenix Art Museum1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix+1 602-257-1880Monday-Tuesday: ClosedWednesday-Friday: 10AM to 8 PMSaturday & Sunday: 10 AM to 5 PM$0-23Free admission on Wednesday between 3-8 PMWildlife World Zoo16501 W Northern Ave, Litchfield Park+1 623-935-94539 AM to 6 PM (Zoo Hours)Below 2 Years: Free3-12 Years: $2813+ Years: $49**Phoenix Zoo455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix+1 602-286-38009 AM to 4 PMAdult (14+): $39.95Child (3-13): $29.95Heard Museum 2301 N Central Ave, Phoenix+1 602-252-884010 AM to 4 PM$7–18Chase Field 401 E Jefferson St, Phoenix+1 602-514-84001.5 Hours before the Game from Sunday to Thursday2 Hours before the Game from Saturday to Sunday$26 Onwards You must carry cash while visiting the Wildlife World Zoo. You will have to pay extra if you use debit or credit cards.  1. Visiting The Desert Botanical Garden The Desert Botanical Garden will be the first activity on the list of unique things to do in Phoenix. It will take you on a trip to the Sonoran Desert and the vegetation there.  The garden has beautiful landscapes with red rocks of the Sonoran Desert. Further, various cacti and plants add to the allure of the place. You will find as many as 50000 species of plants and cacti here. Moreover, you can collect the best living souvenirs from the plant shop and Garden’s Gift.  2. Exploring The Phoenix Art Museum The Phoenix Art Museum has 20000 brilliant pieces of art by local and internationally acclaimed artists. Further, along with the walled or static artworks, you will find many interactive artworks here.  Moreover, the museum hosts special exhibitions and events regularly and you must check the museum website before your visit.  Above all, the Phoenix Art Museum is home to the Firefly Infinity Room. Here, you can enjoy the best visually psychedelic fun.  3. Meeting Animals At The Wildlife World Zoo https://www.instagram.com/p/C_A-tzxPQSZ/?hl=en&img_index=1 The Wildlife World Zoo is a wonderful hotspot of 215 acres. Meeting the baby animals is the most fulfilling experience at the zoo. During a safari at the zoo, you will also meet rare sea animals and reptiles.  This zoo is home to 600 species of animals and along with meeting the animals, you can even attend the shows and events. Moreover, there are scopes for adorable animal encounters. So, you can get up close and personal with capybara, sea lion, and sloth.  4. Spending Time With Animals At Phoenix Zoo Phoenix Zoo is the largest privately-owned zoo in the USA. From the biggest land mammals to the marine creatures; you will find every variety in the zoo.  Further, if you are traveling with little ones and want some hands-on fun, you can visit the petting zoo. You will also love the place as an avid birder.  More than 3000 animals from over 400 species coexist here. Many of these species are also endangered or rare. You will meet African painted dogs, zebras, porcupines, Sumatran Tigers, Asian elephants, komodo dragons, etc.  5. Explore Native American Art At The Heard Museum  https://www.instagram.com/p/C_Of8WOtRbR/ Heard Museum has the biggest collection of Native American work. So, if you are lover of history and art, you know your go-to destination in the state.  The displays and presentations at the museum are stunning. Further, the museum curates the indigenous artistic excellence of American Indians and presents them at a global level. 6. Watching A Game At Chase Field  https://www.instagram.com/p/C7aotGxtuvA/?hl=en Home to the Diamondbacks, Chase Field is a beautiful ground. Being air-conditioned, this ground is ideal for watching matches in any season.  Further, the reasonable ticket prices make it an ideal destination for an outing with family or friends. Are you looking for more unique things to do in Phoenix? You can try tubing in the Salt River, visit the Arizona Science Center, watch NBA matches at the Footprint Center, or kayak in the Tempe Town Lake.  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.

BY  Sibashree Nov 17, 2025

Saudi Arabia has started providing the eVisa, which is mainly a visa for tourists. This change has started attracting a lot of Muslims, especially from the UK. Different types of packages are being offered by the Islamic Travel Agency for people holding British passports.  They are providing various deals to visit Saudi Arabia. Islamic Travel Agency is also providing Umrah packages with a short trip to Saudi Arabia for British Muslims.  This deal is a 2-in-1 combo for pilgrims, 1 they can perform their Spiritual Pilgrimage, and secondly, an international trip. Almost every visitor travels by air to come to Saudi Arabia.  There are a bunch of International airports present in major cities of Saudi Arabia, like Riyadh, Jeddah, Tabuk, and Dammam.  The airport that you choose to arrive at depends on the route of your flight and the places that you plan on exploring. But traveling from the UK directly to Saudi Arabia can be tricky if you don’t know about the tips and tricks. So, in this blog, I have brought you a complete cheatsheet to travel to Umrah on a tourist visa UK. So, what’s the wait for? Come dive right in! Hot Spots In Saudi Arabia Coming from a former traveler who has spent a month traveling through Saudi Arabia, the must-visit places that were the highlight of the trip are mentioned below. 1. Jeddah Al Balad  There are certain historic, cultural, and modern aspects of the country blended seamlessly together in the name of Jeddah. Jeddah city, situated on the coast of the Red Sea, is one of the major tourist attraction spots in Saudi Arabia. It consists of one of the major international airports of Saudi Arabia, as well as the latest digital mosque, established in 2024. 2. Al Wa’bah Crater The Al Wa’bah crater, which was formed due to a volcanic eruption, is a historical site near the premises of Ta’if. This crater has a diameter of almost two kilometers. At the bottom of this crater is a white residue, which is believed to be a layer of white sodium phosphate crystals. The bottom of this crater is sometimes also known as the Salt Lake. 3. Al Ula’s scenery In ancient times, the walled city of Al Ula was discovered as an oasis. This land had greenery and plenty of water. Many rocks, like the famous elephant rock, are present in the city of Al Ula. This site is a famous tourist site because of its unique structure and beautiful scenery. Apart from all the sites and scenery of this country, the most beautiful sight was of the locals and their hospitable nature. The way in which the local people of Saudi Arabia help tourists and show cooperation was unmatched. A lot of locals were really fluent in English, and they welcomed us with grace and warmth. Why Do You Need A Tourist Visa UK? Saudi Arabia has started to offer tourist visas to almost 66 different countries, and it is not crazy expensive either. This visa also covers health insurance, which ensures to helps the visitors to access healthcare at any time during their stay. What Is The Best Time To Visit Saudi Arabia? It is a well-known fact that most of the area of Saudi Arabia is desert. Travelling through the country during summer is like melting yourself down under the sun, so it is recommended to travel during winter to get the whole experience. Language In Saudi Arabia Arabic is the language of the locals in Saudi Arabia. For checking the tags while shopping, you can always use the Google translation feature by clicking the picture. Shopkeepers are fluent in English as they have to deal with foreign tourists on a daily basis. If necessary, one can always use Google Translate, as it comes in handy. Visiting Saudi Arabia During Ramadan Muslims who want to go for pilgrimage or experience Ramadan in Saudi Arabia must visit during this period, but it is not an ideal time for tourists to head to Saudi Arabia.  This is the time when the flight tickets, hotel accommodation, health insurance, and transport all skyrocket, and it is very expensive to move through the country or enjoy your stay there.  If you are a Muslim and want to experience the true spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, and do the pilgrimage as well. Then you are in the right place. Islamic Travel Agency is offering a last 10 days Ramadan Umrah package to British Passport holders who want to perform Umrah in Ramadan.  Muslims will find out the true spirit of Ramadan in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Bonus Tips For Travelling To Umrah On Tourist Visa UK A pro tip for first-time visitors is to check the hotel management rules for smoking. That is, if you are visiting a Saudi Arabian hotel, do check with the management. So, there are no residues or odors due to the smoking activity of previous people.  If you are someone with a time crunch, then you must travel from one city to another by plane. This way, you can save a lot of time and hassle.  Another pro tip is to book your flight earlier. Moreover, earlier booking can prevent the problem of unavailability of seats or last-minute changes in flight timings.  If you travel by car, you will need a couple of business days to travel from one city to the other. And it will consume most of your time as a tourist.  To make sure that you enjoy most of your trip, you must book a budget-friendly flight. But you’ll still have to book a car at the airport to reach your desired destination.

BY  Mashum Mar 24, 2019

Airbnb is an online marketing platform where we can find vacation rentals for ourselves. Most of us do travel on vacations at some point in our lives. Because this is not your home, you will need a comfortable place to lounge.   Why Airbnb?   Airbnb exists to make sure that you are getting the best experience from your travel. It is good to make sure that you are getting the most comfortable rental sites within your budget.   There are different destinations around the world to visit and have the best experiences in our life. When we are traveling to a particular location, we get a hotel room or lodge to stay. A few of these hotels are quite expensive, and we may end up not having any other alternative.  It is a boon to all the travelers that Airbnb has come to rescue them from this kind of turmoil. Now they can go ahead and book a vocational rental through the site at an affordable price. It is one of the best opportunities that travelers have to get a comfortable place to lounge.   Top Benefits of Airbnb   The best part of this deal is that you will get to stay in the best houses or apartments. You will be in a home away from your own houses, and this is the best thing we could ever ask. Everyone wants to make sure that he has a high level of comfort while in transit.   The organization has come a long way, and it has been in this business for approximately ten years. It did face several accusations from all the corners of the world. But still, it did make it through all the speculations and downfalls.   It does tell you that this brand has passed the test of time. Now it is considered one of the biggest online platforms globally. Airbnb helps travelers to find a place to stay with absolute serenity and peace. You have to make sure that you have a comfortable place to stay before moving out on vacation.   Luxury Retreats is a rental service provider, and Airbnb has acquired this organization for around 300 million dollars. Of all the deals which the company has cracked so far, this one has the highest value. It tells you that Airbnb has a bright future.   Luxury Retreats is the only company where Airbnb has invested to this extent. There are around 4000 properties in close to 100 destinations around the world. As the name goes by, indeed they are luxurious, and you will be able to find a lot of peace.  Therefore, don’t hesitate to book one of them when touring the region. At present, there are close to 3 million listings on the home-sharing website. This figure is large enough to serve millions of tourists all over the world.   There is another fact that we need to consider, which is that there are approximately 1400 castles in the listings. The best part of the deal which they have cracked is that now travelers will be able to rent out on the world-famous Richard Branson’s Necker Island.  We can go ahead and crash on the island with our close friends for 80,000 dollars per night. There are nine houses on the island, and it can accommodate 33 guests. The charges to this destination come along with the food.   Property valuation experts state that each property on the Luxury retreats would cost around 50, 000 dollars. Undeniably, this amount is huge enough to pay for Airbnb. It is good to make sure that you are getting the value of your money from any investment.   The Future of Airbnb   Apart from the deal, the Montreal Luxury Retreat will serve the people as a solo performer. The CEO of Luxury Retreats Joe Poulin stated that he would retain 250 employees at Montreal for the business.   Airbnb CEO appreciated this by stating that the company is doing a great job and is glad to partner with them. Each property that comes under this retreat circle goes through thorough checking and testing. It makes sure that the guests are satisfied with the level of service delivery.  The Mayor of Montreal stated that they are glad to give way to the next generation of entrepreneurs and technology. It is good to allow them to bring their innovation and creativity at work. The initiative is the only thing that will make Airbnb start thinking outside the box.   It is for sure that this deal for both companies is going to gain a tremendous amount of revenue. In that case, they must target the clients who come from a high-end profile. You could be asking yourself why these people should be the primary target of the company.   People who come from this background do live stressful lives. Therefore, they must find peace in these beautiful villas with luxury. It is one of the reasons that motivate high-end profile people to travel.   If we don’t want to live in a room where someone else lives, then the luxury retreat will help us. You can accomplish this in Turks and Caicos. These people are mostly looking for a strange place to get relaxation.   For that purpose, these services are useful and comfortable, especially to the users. The online marketing place of Airbnb is accessible through the internet where we can gather every detail about it. Therefore, you will gain a lot of insights that will help you to make informed decisions.   Castles luxury retreats have several benefits while arranging or booking a room or house. In the service of Airbnb, you will get commitments within the place that will be using.  It has so many advantages, like delivering quality and low level traveling expenses. It is good because you will spend less but get the most from your travel.   The headquarters of Airbnb is in the country of San Francisco, California, in the United States of America. Mr. Poulin and another member of their team guide the Montreal employee’s performance efficiently.  Why Airbnb Stands Out in the Market   In the Luxury retreats, 250 employees are working towards the satisfaction of customer’s needs. Even though we have some big companies arising over this brand, Airbnb still stands out in the market. It is tough to dominate it in terms of performance.   Airbnb officials have decided to add some additional works and resources to the team of Canadians. This process will lead to efficient management when looking for a rental house or room through the platform.   Dramatically, the luxury retreat organization offers a luxurious style of our life to all the visitors. It will give you some of the most memorable experiences when touring the world.   Luxurious based projects are at the international level. Therefore, it takes some effort to reduce the high end of rents. The minimum estimation of the service charge is from $200 to $300 in the Airbnb and Luxury retreats.   Therefore, you will not fail to get something that falls within your budget. The most important thing is to do your homework well.   Terms and Conditions for the Market Place   There are some indispensable terms and conditions that are available in this online marketing place room rental service. This network currently covers 4,000 rooms globally and has an efficient room-renting service.   These services are highly suitable for high-profile celebrities who want to get some relaxation in our life. However, you can still use them even if you are not a high profile person as long as you can afford the cost.   It has achieved a tremendous number of users by its performance and by the facilities. Besides, Airbnb has 150 million regular customers with the consideration of several acquisitions.   In the service of Airbnb, for a single deal, it will take $31 million in the country of China. In 2005, the trump paid the service charge rate with Airbnb, which was close to 24 or 25 percent. There is an amount of $1.85 million in the federal income tax of Airbnb, which is an online marketing place.  It has been tied up with an international revenue department for the past five years. In the Airbnb, there are so many facilities that can increase the level of customer satisfaction. Therefore, you will not fail to get something that will give you the best experience.   There are 5.3 million accounts registered with this online marketplace of Airbnb. It has most of the alternative specifications that satisfy customer needs. This technique will continue to be highly useful for the forthcoming generation.   It is ideal for people who want to live richly. In the upcoming generation, there will be a high amount of charges in this online marketing place. We need to prepare for this because things will not be the same, given the upcoming harsh economic conditions.   Conclusion   The process of choosing or booking a rental house or room is arduous in our modern world. But, through this system, we can access it easily by the support of the online platform. It could be an efficient process for getting relaxation and feeling good to stay.   Read Also: 8 Amazing Things To Do In Delhi For First Time Tourists 5 Immensely Popular Travel Applications That India Loves