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BY  Rishab Dey Oct 31, 2023

Travel preparations are often a mixed bag of emotions, encompassing both excitement and stress. The thrill of exploring new destinations, visiting loved ones, or taking a well-deserved vacation can be exhilarating. However, these emotions can sometimes be accompanied by the anxiety of making sure everything is in order before leaving. From packing luggage to ensuring travel documents are in place, there's a lot on our minds as we anticipate the upcoming journey. One often overlooked, but crucial aspect of travel preparations is the condition of your home. A clean and organized home not only welcomes you back to a pleasant environment upon your return but also plays a vital role in ensuring your trip is stress-free. Knowing that your home is in order can alleviate some of the pre-travel stress, allowing you to fully enjoy your trip without nagging worries about the state of your residence. Whether you're going on a short weekend getaway or an extended vacation, we have tips that will help you leave your home in the best possible condition. If you are busy, ask help from maid services to assist with the pre-travel cleaning process. What to Prepare to Have Stress-Free Travel? Before embarking on the process of preparing your home for travel, it's essential to create a detailed checklist of cleaning tasks. This checklist will serve as your roadmap, ensuring that you don't overlook any crucial areas or responsibilities. Consider listing tasks for each room in your home, including the kitchen, bathroom, living areas, bedrooms, and any additional spaces that need attention. A well-organized checklist will not only help you stay on top of your cleaning duties but also provide a sense of accomplishment as you check off completed tasks. It's crucial to allocate ample time for cleaning your home before your departure to prevent last-minute rushes and unnecessary stress. The amount of time needed will depend on the size of your home, the extent of cleaning required, and your personal cleaning speed. It's advisable to start your cleaning preparations a few days or even a week before your trip, allowing you to tackle tasks in manageable increments. By spreading the cleaning process over several days, you can ensure a more thorough job and avoid the exhaustion of trying to do it all at once. Declutter Your Space Adopt a systematic approach by going room by room. This method ensures that you thoroughly address each area and prevents you from feeling overwhelmed. Begin in one room and work your way through the entire house, paying close attention to each space's specific needs. When decluttering, make decisions about the items in each room before moving on to the next. This process helps you keep track of your progress and maintain a sense of accomplishment as you complete one room at a time. While decluttering, it's essential to identify and organize essential items you will need during your trip or upon your return. These might include travel documents, spare keys, essential clothing, or items for your pets. Store these essentials in a designated area that is easily accessible, such as a dedicated drawer or shelf. This ensures that you won't spend time searching for these items when you need them, making your pre-travel preparations smoother and less stressful. Label or list the contents of this area to make it even more user-friendly. It would also be better if you ask for help from housekeeping services in NYC to have everything managed. This will save you time and make the task much smoother and less stressful. Security Measures This is not a cleaning tip, but this is quite crucial for your stress-free travel preparations! Go through your entire home and check that every entry point is properly locked. This simple action helps safeguard your home against unauthorized access and potential break-ins. If you have a security system in place, it's essential to activate it before your departure. Ensure that all are functioning correctly. Many modern security systems allow you to receive notifications and alerts, providing an added layer of protection while you're away. Before leaving, it's a good idea to inform a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member about your travel plans. Share your itinerary, contact information, and the duration of your trip with them. They can keep an eye on your home, collect mail or packages, and address any unexpected issues that may arise during your absence. This not only provides additional security but also offers peace of mind knowing that someone you trust is keeping an eye on your property. Final Touches Before you leave for your trip, go through your home and double-check that all appliances are turned off and unplugged. This step not only helps reduce the risk of accidents but also conserves energy. You can adjust your thermostat while you are away to a more energy-efficient setting. Many thermostats now offer programmable settings for this purpose. It is also best to give the appearance that someone is at home. You can set up timers for your lights or have smart home technology installed. Smart home systems allow you to control your lights remotely or program them to mimic your usual lighting patterns, deterring potential intruders. Before leaving, take a moment to review your travel preparation checklist. Ensure that you've completed all the tasks you've planned, from cleaning and decluttering to securing your home and setting up energy-saving measures. This final check helps ensure you haven't overlooked any important details and gives you peace of mind that your home is well-prepared for your absence. Read Also: I Had No Idea When To Visit Mauritius Till I Went There THIS Time! 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BY  Sibashree Nov 11, 2024

The wildlife of Yellowstone National Park is as fascinating as its geology. So, along with the geysers, many tourists also visit this park to explore its wildlife. The grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and more make the park the biggest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states. However, the park is also a popular birder hub with ospreys, eagles, and falcons. You just need to know the spots well to encounter these wild creatures, with respect, of course.  Here, I will give you a brief idea about the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish found in this park. I will also share where to spot them.  Mammals You Will See At Yellowstone National Park May to June or spring is the ideal season for watching mammals at Yellowstone National Park. You will especially get to see many bears and wolves in this season. Further, at the advent of the fall season, this park has elk bulls in great numbers.  Moreover, mammals like elk, bulls, and bison are also visible in the park in winter. Winter is also a great time to glimpse the Lamar Valley wolves. So, watching wildlife at Yellowstone National Park is a year-round activity.  Tour and Travel Tips For Wildlife Watching At Yellowstone National ParkTrek the park in the early morning or evening to have better visibility of the wildlife. The temperature remains moderate during these hours of the day.Further, you will need spotting scopes or binoculars to see the wild animals.Maintain at least 25 yards of distance from elk, bison, and other wild animals. However, for bears and wolves, you must maintain at least 100 yards of distance.  Let’s learn about the most prominent mammals in the park in detail.  American Bison Where to Find: Lamar and Hayden Valleys and the Grasslands Best Time to Find: July to August Did you know that bison in Yellowstone make up the largest (remaining) bison population on American public land?  The biggest mammals of the park, bison, have been there since pre-historic times. A male bison weighs 1,800 pounds on average, while the weight of a female bison is close to 1300 pounds.  Black And Grizzly Bears Where to Find: Mammoth and Tower Areas (Black Bear) and Lamar and Hayden Valleys (Grizzly Bears) Best Time to Find: May to June Black and grizzly bears co-exist in many parts of the national park. Grizzlies are bigger than black bears, with a hump on their shoulders and a rounder face. Bear safari is a popular activity in the park. However, you need to maintain a distance of at least 100 yards and follow all safety regulations, as bears can get violent, especially when they are with their cubs.  Elk Where to Find: Lamar Valley, Madison Canyon, Mammoth Valley Best Time to Find: September to November Due to the impressive antlers, elks are probably the most photographed animals in this national park. Do you know that the antler of an elk can grow up to 6 feet? Moose and deer, closely related to elks, are other prominent park mammals. Moose is the largest of the Cervidae family, and elks are the second largest.  Further, moose are seen in the park’s marshy areas and near water bodies. Bighorn Sheep Where to Find: Gardner Canyon and Near the Yellowstone River Best Time to Visit Bighorn Sheep in Yellowstone National Park - November and December The large and curved horns of bighorn sheep make them stand out. You will find these horns on the males. Bighorn sheep live in a herd, and in the fall season, the males get involved in loggerheads to win over their female companion.  There is one fascinating fact about bighorn sheep. When a baby bighorn sheep (lamb) is born, it can climb and walk within one day. Wolves Where to Find: Throughout the Park Best Time to See Wolves: May to June Around 100 wolves live in the Yellowstone National Park. Leopold packs, Yellowstone Delta, and Slough Creek are the biggest wolf packs in the park.  Wolves are native to the park. However, in 1995, they were re-introduced here.  Along with the types discussed, you will also find mammals like coyotes, martens, red foxes, wolverines, mule deer, marmots, and more in the park. Overall, around 67 species of mammals live here.  Amphibians In Yellowstone National Park Thanks to a unique geology, there are various ponds and wetlands across the Yellowstone National Park. Here, you will find the following varieties. Boreal Chorus Frog Western Tiger Salamander Western Toad Columbia Spotted Frog Plains Spadefoot Toad Further, these amphibians play a crucial role in the maintenance of the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of the park. Many mammals, birds, reptiles, and even fish prey on them. Also, they eat many vertebrate and invertebrate creatures to balance the food chain. Moreover, the amphibians in the park are indicators of high pollution rates or changes in the weather. They even indicate the advent of diseases and the arrival of any nonnative species.  So, research on amphibian populations in the park is crucial to know about any impending danger that may affect the ecosystem.  Reptiles At Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone has six species of reptiles. However, there is a greater scope for studying and identifying these reptiles. As of today, the reptile species found in the park are: Terrestrial garter snake Common garter snake Rubber boa Prairie rattlesnake Bullsnake Sagebrush lizard Prairie rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in the park, while bullsnake is the largest variety found here. Yellowstone National Park: A Birder’s Paradise A 2018 survey in Yellowstone National Park announced the presence of 82 species of birds in the park.  Further, the species of birds here are varied, and the table below mentions the variety you will come across in the park. OwlsNorthern saw-whet owl Northern pygmy-owlBoreal owl Great-horned owl EaglesBald eagleGolden eagleColony Nesting BirdsPelicanHeronsIbisesSong Birds Ruby-crowned kinglet American RobinDark-eyed junco You will also find birds like woodpeckers, ducks, geese, swans, falcons, and ospreys in this national park.  Fish In Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park is home to many native and non-native fish species. Eastern Brook Trout, brown trout, lake chub, rainbow trout, and lake trout are some non-native fish species in the park. Further, this park has native fish species, such as mountain sucker, speckled dace, Utah chub, Redside Shiner, etc.  Human Imprint On Yellowstone National Park  The home to Native Americans, Yellowstone National Park displays a human tapestry of almost 11000 years. The natives of the place have survived on hunting and fishing. Further, they have known the medicinal properties of the herbs available in the park. In addition, the healing properties and religious importance of the thermal water here had a major impact on the local human lives.  Yellowstone National Park: At A Glance  How to Reach Yellowstone National Park: Reach the Yellowstone Airport and take a cab or bus to Yellowstone National Park. Highest Point: Eagle Peak Established: 1st March 1872 Designation: UNESCO World Heritage Site for “globally unparalleled assemblage of surficial geothermal activity.” Entry Fee: $25-80 based on the entrance pass  Visitor Centers: Albright Visitor Center, West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center, Grant Visitor Center, etc.  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  Abdul Aziz Oct 20, 2023

Let's face it. Fine dining amps up the romance game to quite an extent. But the harsher side of the truth is planning a date can be tough, while choosing the right restaurant is going to be trickier. The number of things you have to consider for a date night will overwhelm you. You will be thinking about the noise levels, the ambiance, and also the cuisine. Hell, you might be wondering if the food will be good to begin with! Dating is a task in itself, and now you have a restaurant to choose from, too. Believe us, you are not alone. 86% of the population find it stressful to choose the perfect date restaurant, a study by OpenTable has revealed. OpenTable is a platform that helps restaurants thrive, and diners find the best restaurants to suit their needs. Anna Besse, director of marketing at OpenTable, said in a statement, “Given the added stress daters face when looking for the right restaurant, we wanted to create a go-to list that offers a restaurant for any date - whether it's your first or one-thousandth.” She further added, "And for a more personalized experience, diners can turn to our 'Date Night Matchmaker' feature for a no-fret way to find the perfect restaurant based on their specific dining preferences."  You searched for “romantic restaurants near me,” and now you have the best ones to choose from. Top Romantic Restaurants You Cannot Ignore If you are looking for restaurants to check that you and your date will like, we have made a list. These restaurants offer privacy, good food, ambiance, and just the right amount of everything. Check them out: Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Nashville, Tennessee Image Source: thevendry.com/ Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, located in Nashville, is as glamorous as it is jazzy. It frivolously includes a grand stage for live entertainment and glitzy chandeliers that add so much old-world charm to the place. This place is worth the visit for its sheer ambiance. Its Art Deco may steal your heart, but it is more famous for its steakhouse, which makes it the top destination in Music City. It has a busy yet intimate vibe for you to enjoy a cozy meal together with your special one. Tripadvisor Review: “Our reservations at a different restaurant fell through (happy accident) and we last minute had to decide on somewhere new. We are from out of town so we asked a couple of locals to recommend a place. Jeff Ruby's was recommended independently. They were welcoming even without reservations and we were seated in the music city room. Right away Jimmy was attending to us. He was the server assistant but every bit as attentive as our server, Marys. Everyone was full of smiles and super helpful with our orders. When Marys was told it was my birthday celebration she didn't just bring out the sparklers and candles, but gave us a commemorative birthday card with our picture printed :) Chris the manager was always present and greeting the guests to make sure their experience was a good one. I had a great experience there.” – daya1969 GW Fins, New Orleans, Louisiana gwfins.com With its cozy dining and creative menu that follows the seasons, it's no surprise that this restaurant is one of the top dining destinations. This Fench Quarter fave serves delicious fish and has an exquisite list of wines and a mindblowing dessert menu. It should already sound like the perfect place to go for a romantic date. Try it out at your earliest! Tripadvisor Review: "I have dined at this restaurant twice with others in the last two months. Every dish served--the lobster bisque, several appetizers, a number of different entrees--has been excellent, along with the service both times. This is not an inexpensive restaurant--and where the city really shines is with less expensive, neighborhood-type restaurants that tourists need to try. There are so many outstanding restaurants in the metropolitan area that I hesitate to say which restaurant might be the best. But if you are calling row, the name of this restaurant will be called quickly. My only critique is that I personally wish they served bread other than biscuits. But that is a personal quirk that others do not share, and it is the only thing remotely negative I can say. Highly recommended.” – G4250AIrichardp Parc, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania cloudinary.com This restaurant, with its cozy bistro-style seating arrangement and an upscale French brasserie-inspired menu is sure to keep you and your date engrossed in each other. The place feels like a piece of Paris which makes it super couples-friendly. The romance will be fueled by the spot alone, and it's a must-visit for Valentine’s Day. Tripadvisor Review: “We had just arrived in Philadelphia the night before, so wanted to have a lovely breakfast the next morning to ease into our trip. Wow, we were so happy to come across this wonderful restaurant! First off, it is just beautiful, across the street from Rittenhouse Square and a lovely view from the restaurant. The staff was so kind, welcoming, enthusiastic and attentive. You could tell that they all really took pride in their wonderful restaurant! The food was hot, beautiful and simply delicious! The service was excellent. We can't wait to go back! Thanks to the staff for a most enjoyable experience!” – Mamatibs Filomena Ristorante, Washington, D.C. wikimedia.org Rated consistently as one of the best places in D.C., this Georgetown jewel has been offering the most classic dining experience in the cozy setting of its interiors for 40 years. Its homely, old-world charm and an authentic, welcoming feel, you cannot go wrong with this one. This eatery will surely impress you with its Italian-style amore. Tripadvisor Review: “Filomena’s in Georgetown was delicious! We had 3 friends recommend dining here and we’re glad we did! From the outside it looks like a tiny little place with someone making homemade pasta in the window! But you go downstairs to the main dining area and everything changes! You go into a bustling area full of people enjoying themselves and enjoying their delicious meals! Extensive menu, homemade pasta and lots of wine choices! Our meals were delicious and we wish we could have fit one of their desserts from the bakery showcase! Have a nice little glass of amaretto at the end of our meal. Would absolutely go again! We felt like we were dining in Italy!” –GailJ1952 71 Above, Los Angeles, California otstatic.com Being the most elevated restaurant on the west side of Mississippi, this glamorous LA find serves guests the opportunity for cozy romance, given its breathtaking panoramic scapes and high-end dining options. If you are looking for privacy, you can choose a semi-private dining area. If a more livelier experience draws you, the busy bar overseeing the LA skyline is a fine option too. You can do all this while enjoying the most delicious American food. Tripadvisor Review: “Excellent excellent quality. The chefs know what they’re doing. Each dish was complex yet well-balanced in flavor with great presentation. Both service and atmosphere were wonderful as well. Would definitely take friends and family here. The building interior is beautiful. Came here on a Thursday in mid June and was able to find street parking. Heard parking behind the building was $10. And valet is $15. $95 a person for a three-course meal. Window seating is walk-in only. Some people waited at the bar for an hour for a spot to open up.” – rachelwangcal The Musso & Frank Grill, Hollywood, California This is another answer to your “romantic restaurants near me” queries. restaurant is all about the old-world charm of the gone-by days of Hollywood. The cozy leather booths and the warm mahogany bar create a classic elegant atmosphere fit for romance. The interiors have been the same for the last 100 years of its rich history. Their staff will make sure you feel like royalty, and the cozy intimate opulence will surely add a uniquely romantic dining experience. Tripadvisor Review: “My family and I went to Musso and Franks Grill on the 17th of June 2023. The restaurant was recommended by heaps of friends and we just had to go and see if it was worth the hype and it was. Before our meals came, they brought out the most delicious bread and the entrees were amazing. I ordered spaghetti, and they asked if I wanted another serve as they believed it was a small serve. Living in Australia, the portions are smaller so I thought it was a perfect amount. They then said they weren’t satisfied with the portion size and gave me a free dessert! We had also been told that Harrison Ford from Indiana Jones had been at the restaurant the night before us and sat in the booth right next to where we were seated! Overall, the food was amazing, the waitresses were so friendly and interactive and the service was so quick even though it was busy. If you are visiting LA or just live there, you must have dinner at Musso and Franks Grill.” –Siena_reviewzz The Olde Pink House Restaurant, Savannah, Georgia markfinlay.com The iconic southern feel and the creative comfort food menu will definitely catch your eye. It is also revolutionarily pink. This Georgia find has signature drinks to complete the high-end menu, which is interestingly down-to-earth. You could consider this spot as your next perfect date restaurant. Tripadvisor Review: “I booked online several weeks in advance of arriving in Savannah and could not get a dinner reservation. I did get a lunch reservation, though and was not disappointed! The food and service were excellent, and the building itself is really lovely and interesting to have a wander around (as I was encouraged to do). I had the country fried chicken followed by the key lime pie washed down with the Old Pink House 'pink lady' cocktail - lovely! I would definitely recommend dining here but do try to book in advance to secure your spot.” – flyingwiki2015 RH Rooftop Restaurant, New York, New York cloudinary.com An American restaurants list can not afford to miss this gem given its prime location in NYC. It makes dining trendy and upscale. This can be an answer to your search for “romantic restaurants near me.” Its elegant and creative vibe adds to the romance you are already looking forward to. The menu is delectably good, with amazing side dishes and a luxe main course. A date night drink to wash all that excitement down on the rooftop overlooking NC will complete your typical NYC dining experience. Tripadvisor Review: “First time in this enchanting space. We shared the Prosciutto and Delice Board (Parmigiano Reggiano, Brie, exquisite strawberry jam, warm baguette, grapes), Caesar salad, and my husband also ordered the lobster roll, which was succulent and completely stuffed with lobster meat. They brought us an extra baguette on request. Everything was delicious, but the brie and jam were especially magnificent. This is a lovely setting for lunch (or dinner)…same menu. Be sure to bring a wrap, as the A/C is very cold inside. Outside it can be hot in the summer months, so be sure to select a table in the shade.” –kateconcord Eiffel Tower, Las Vegas, Nevada googleapis.com If you could not make it to Paris for the date (excuse our bluntness), that might just be the next best thing. The chic and exquisite feel of Sin City all around, the scintillating view of the skyline, and the most elegant French menu cannot possibly be topped by any other. Your romantic dinner dates cannot be complete without a visit here. The Vegas charm cannot be resisted. Tripadvisor Review: “We were two couple scouting restaurants for an upcoming convention. We visited several high end restaurants and have to say this one was the best - a 10/10! The service was impeccable- polite, friendly, efficient but not rushed. We were able to take our time to enjoy drinks first and then each course - unlike our previous night at Gordon Ramsay’s Hells Kitchen. We paid extra to have seats overlooking the Bellagio fountains - and enjoyed the sunset first. The food was outstanding - well prepared, flavourful, and hot when served. The final touch was the dessert soufflés - according to my dining companions the best dessert they have ever had! My creme brûlée was outstanding. A very delightful evening and looking forward to going back!” –tlw1037 Wrapping Up The fact that you are looking for romantic restaurants near me means you want it to be as personal and as close to you for the coziest romantic date you and your partner could dream of. The list above should be your holy grail because these are some of the most appreciated and well-reviewed restaurants that you just cannot miss or go wrong in choosing. Have you already been to these spots? If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you! 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