Hiking And Camping In Zion National Park Utah| An Adventure Travel Guide

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 5, 2023

Long-haul flights are dreadful. The stark, urbane terminals and the long nights of tiresome, cram-y seating sure work you up just thinking about it. The flights that roll over to the next morning always have some drama up their sleeves. Then came the rescue team from Taiwan- EVA Air, which is currently one of the 10 Skytrax 5-star airlines in the world. Would you believe it if I told you it was little known even up until a few years back? It was founded in 1989. However, I started hearing about this flight in the early 1990s when my extended family would talk about this new carrier with non-stop flights on B747-400 jets. Back then, it sounded like a story from another realm. I would hear them talk about the aroma of delicious noodles when woken up from sleep by a flight attendant as a late-night snack. I also heard of the very non-conforming Sanrio aircraft that were Hello Kitty Jets, decked out completely from the headrests to the meal cutlery. Everything featured the widely adored character. I finally had the chance to board it. Despite all the different things that this airline was revolutionizing, the most exciting part as a young traveler still remained the all-new cabin category between the economy and the EVA Air business class. This change was surprisingly affordable, and I was willing to upgrade for my 14+ hour flight home. Here I am going to share my experience of flying from New York to Taipei. Stay tuned because you are about to find out the hype behind Eva Air flights and a pretty up-close EVA Air Premium Economy review. The Beginning Of EVA Air Premium Economy Image Source: www.evaair.com The press releases from the airline say that AVA Air’s first trans-Pacific debut took place on December 12, 1992. It had four cabins, which was a first at that time. The four cabins included Super First, Super Deluxe, Economy Deluxe, and Economy. With Economy Deluxe, the airline became the first to introduce an improved economy cabin that is the Economy Deluxe. It became a benchmark for the airline as most others took two to three decades to introduce this cabin to their list of offerings. Recently (last summer), KLM debuted its premium economy. The seat prices are reasonable with business class-like perks. My Taipei experience was very endearing to me because of its convenient pair-up of high quality and affordability. The street food, the stationery, and the convenience stores all added to my love for Taipei. The EVA Air flight was a big cherry on top because all of that now comes in an aircraft. Read More: Here’s What I Found Out About Aha Airlines! A New Version 30 Years Later Image Source: www.evaair.com Three decades since its first flight, I booked the Premium Economy class for my way back to Taipei from NYC. The perks of this flight began even before I boarded it. This airline offers free shuttles from 2 Pennsylvania and 5 New Jersey locations toward JFK Airport. Dallas to Houston Airport also offers a free shuttle service. It has successfully removed one of the biggest issues of international travel, which is simply getting to the airport. I took a $20 Uber to the Jersey City stop, which would have otherwise been a $130 Uber ride all the way to the airport. Being a part of the Star Alliance, I was granted access to the lounge with my United Gold status. It allowed me to upgrade my boarding from Zone 4 to Zone 1. As soon as I got into the cabin, it felt luxurious. They used sweet endearments with my name in Mandarin. They helped me settle in my seat and confirmed my meal selection, which I had previously made online. The seats had a 2-4-2 arrangement, and I had managed to secure a front-row seat, which meant no under-seat coverage but plenty of leg space. On my seat, there were slippers, a water bottle, noise-canceling headphones, and a cozy blanket that felt like a cloud. The blanket was quilted on one surface and had faux fur on the opposite side. How It Went An attendant soon came and gave me an overnight bag. It was a Kipling amenity kit consisting of Hudson Made New York products. It had the brand’s trademark monkey keychain with a scene of Taiwan’s Yilan on the bag. My entire EVA Air flight felt like a warm, pamper session with juice, fruits, and snacks while suspended at 30,000 feet mid air. The breakfast was amazing, with Chinese-style scallop congee with egg & Chinese sausage. There was an option for another Western version that comprised smoked turkey accompanied by cheddar cheese. There was also a “leisure delight” meal in between the meals with BBQ chicken-filled brioche roll. The restrooms were clean, and I can say so because I went three times, and it was clean each time. To clarify, I took a private plane recently that got filthy by the last hour of the flight, which was one-third the duration of the EVA Air. When I took the return journey, I wanted to take things further, getting myself the business class name Royal Laurel. It featured 6.5-foot-long lie-flat seats, a retractable armrest, a cocktail table, and a shoe cabinet. This cabin had a 1-2-1 configuration with dated seats compared to other airlines. EVA Air raised the bar, however, with their Rimowa & Salvatore Ferragamo branded care kit and a complementary Jason Wu pajama set. All the passengers ended up wearing it, and I, too, could not resist it. I wore it all the way home. The plaid duvet was so snug and comfy I asked where I could buy one. At one point, I fell asleep and dreamt of those noodles. But it was not my dream… they did bring noodles in between our slumber, and it just completed the experience all around. Wrapping Up Have you flown EVA Air before or recently? What was your experience like? What do you think about the Premium Economy class? If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you! Read Also: This Is What I Felt About Aruba Airlines! Fly In Style: Your Ultimate Guide To Lot Polish Airlines Adventures! Journey To The Skies: Exploring The Legacy Of Northwest Airlines!

BY  Sibashree Dec 8, 2022

Are you a frequent traveler like I am? Well, if you are, you know it can take a lot of time to plan and organize travel arrangements and plane tickets. In my case, it helps if I have a reliable travel agency to do everything for me, so it becomes easier. But I am sure you have seen that not all travel agencies are reliable or legit. So, how will you know the difference without losing money? It would help if you read a thorough review of any travel agency, which is why I am here to review one of the best and trusted travel agencies I have used for my last few trips. So today, we are going to talk about the Trip.com travel agency. I can gush about it all day, but for you guys, I will stick to the facts. Trip.com has been around for a while. I know it still has questionable customer service and inappropriate customer reviews. So is trip.com legit? Or are we just wasting our time and money on it? About Trip.Com Trip.com Group Limited (parent company) is a Chinese travel service provider headquartered in Shanghai, and it was listed on NASDAQ in 2003 as Ctrip.com International. Also, I liked the fact that Trip.com is affiliated with about 1.4 million hotels and operates in approximately 200 countries and other regions. The company was established back in 1999. By now, they have over 2 million routes that connect over 5000 cities all over the world. The company has a massive network and well-connected 24/7 customer service in more than 20 languages. Also, its stocks are pretty high-stakes, as NASDAQ states. It's priced at $64.92. Recently, Trip.com, at the global partner summit, invited other travel agencies and industries to join them and build a future together. Why Is Trip.Com So Cheap? While booking your tickets, you would prefer somewhere you get the best deals. Although there are several places where you can save your money while traveling, getting the best deals on plane tickets, hotels, and other travel expenses is a good thing. And that is one of the great things I prefer about Trip.com, as they give the best deals on flights and hotels.  This makes them a popular choice for most travelers. But how do they offer such low prices compared to other companies? Ever thought of that? Since Trip.com sells to its customers directly, it can avoid other high costs from other agencies. And another thing that Trip.com does is they give back a part of the commission taken from the hotels and all the airlines to the customers, as low fare costs. So this is how Trip.com stays ahead of its competition. Can We Use Trip.com On Our Mobile Devices?  Of course! You can use Trip.com on your mobile devices. You just have to download their app. It is available for both iOS and Android. The app lets you book all sorts of tickets, such as: Flights  Hotels  Trains  Airport Rides  Attraction Tickets  You can also access Trip.com through their website on your mobile web browser.  Is Trip.Com Legit? If the company's legitimacy is in question, then there is no doubt that Trip.com is a legitimate company operating worldwide. Furthermore, it's been twenty years since the company has been operable, so you can rest assured that they are here to stay and will not disappear one day.  The services offered by Trip.com through their website are safe to use, and you can easily access flights and hotels from the website if you want.  And regarding website safety issues, it is safe and secured using SSL encryption to ensure all your data privacy, like financial and personal information.  Read More: Top Trips For Travelling With A Big Group Of People Are there Cancellation Policies on Trip.com? Trip.com has cancellation policies for flights, hotels, and trains, but these policies can be very different depending on the airline, hotel, or train operator, as well as the type of ticket or room you booked and when you cancel. Always check the specific rules for your booking to see if it is refundable and to find out what fees may apply.  How Can I Cancel A Flight Booking On Trip.com?  To cancel a flight booking on Trip.com, you need to follow the steps written below:  To cancel a flight booking on Trip.com, you need to follow the steps written below:  On your mobile or laptop, log in to your account on Trip.com. Once you are logged in, navigate to "My Trips -> All Bookings" or “Account -> All Bookings” on the Trip.com app.   To cancel your booking, tap "Manage My Booking" and select the "Cancel Booking" button. I want to clear, according to Trip.com’s Flight Cancellation Policy, you may have to pay a service fee and cancellation charges.  Now, you have to review the refund details. Then, you must confirm any processing fees that might be associated with cancelling your flights. Then, click "Next" to proceed to the details page.  Now, you must carefully verify the refund details and information, then tap "Submit" to complete the cancellation process. It will take a day or two for the amount to be refunded. How Can I Cancel A Hotel Booking On Trip.com? To cancel a hotel booking on Trip.com, you need to follow the steps mentioned below:  On your mobile or laptop, log in to your account on Trip.com.  Once you are logged in, navigate to "My Trips -> All Bookings" or “Account -> All Bookings” on the Trip.com app.  To cancel your hotel reservation, tap "Cancel Booking." Keep in mind that some hotels do not refund cancellations, while others may give a full or partial refund if you cancel by a certain date.  Enter the reason for cancelling your hotel booking and click "Submit" to confirm your cancellation.  After you submit your request, click "View cancellation policy" to check your refund details. Look over your refund information and status to finish the process.  How Can I Cancel A Train Booking On Trip.com?  Do you want to cancel a train booking on Trip.com? No biggie. You can follow the steps mentioned below: On your mobile or laptop, log in to your account on Trip.com.  Once you are logged in, navigate to "My Trips -> All Bookings" or “Account -> All Bookings” on the Trip.com app.  Click the "Refund" button to cancel your China High Speed train booking. Please remember that a small assistance fee may be taken from your refund.  To complete the cancellation process, please provide the front and back of your ID. After that, review the refund details. Finally, click the "Refund" button.  The refund fee for China High Speed trains depends on how early you cancel your ticket before the train departs. Here’s a simple overview of the refund fees:  Time Of Refund Fees Required More than 8 days No fee 48 hours-7 days 5% of the ticket fare 24 hours-48 hours 10% of the ticket fare Less than 24 hours 20% of the ticket fare  Is Trip.Com Reliable? Relying on a certain travel company can be tough, as hundreds of travel companies give great deals. So now the question is the trip com reliable?  The easy answer is yes. The Trip.com Group is a huge multinational Chinese company that is one of the world’s leading travel service providers. Although the figure isn’t accurate, currently, the Trip.com group has over 32,000 employees. In addition, the company owns other travel companies, such as CTrip and Skyscanner. Is Trip.com Better Than Other Online Travel Agencies?  Umm, it's really tricky to answer that in a single sentence. So, I will explain it in detail. You see, the other notable online travel agencies, or OTAs, include booking.com and Agoda.com. Now, Trip.com is a bit different than both these sites. How?  Well, firstly, these sites are more accessible depending on which destination you choose to travel to. To be precise, if you are planning a trip to China, please go to Trip.com. Also, if you want to book your entire trip together? Of course, including hotels, flights, and tours in one place, Trip.com is your answer.  Additionally, Trip.com will give you the best deals and possible discounted prices. Plus, you will have quick and easy booking, without any follow-up negotiations. These are all the reasons why I completely shifted to become a Trip.com user, and I intend to stay this way for a while. Trip.Com: Customer Reviews A company that has been around for more than twenty years is sure to have a good reputation and reliability as a travel company. But the real reviews come from the customers who have already used the services of Trip.com.  So here are a few original customer reviews of Trip.com.  **“Nice and easy! The details were clear with each step! Clearly showed the important stuff such as baggage allowances with each flight, dates, times, etc. On top of that, was cheaper than other websites I've tried looking. Will definitely keep using this moving forward!” ( August 24, 2025, Trustpilot)** **“I tried to book a flight then after typing all the information it kept showing it wasn’t available for like the next three times, every time showing a higher price… I wished it just showed what was available. The price turned out to be 3 times higher, still couldn’t book so I just gave up.” (August 25,2025, Trustpilot)** Is Trip.com Legit If The Reviews Are Mixed?  Even though most of the reviews the customers wrote are bad and negative, it is important to note that the company’s customer service department replied. They tried to respond to almost 94% of the bad reviews and tried to solve their problems. Not only the bad reviews. Trip.com even replied to the good reviews as well, showing their gratitude. So unlike most travel companies that ignore the negative reviews given by customers, Trip.com not only responds but tries to help them as well. Read More: Do You Know How To Buy Cheap Air Tickets?  Is Trip.com Legit? A Reliable Yes. Now that you are well aware of your question, is trip.com legit? You can decide whether you want to rely on Trip.com for your next trip plans. But it is important to note that you shouldn’t get discouraged due to the bad reviews as they are inevitable in every business. Rather it is important to know how the company deals with all those bead reviews and tries to improve itself. So if you think Trip.com legit is worth taking a chance on, comment below on how you feel. 

BY  Sibashree Aug 20, 2024

The Death Valley National Park has geological bounties that will make you feel more than alive. The “hottest, driest, and lowest” national park enjoys the juxtaposition of Badwater, the lowest elevation in North America, Eureka Dunes, the highest sand dunes in North America, and snow-capped Telescope Peak.  You can easily call the landscape of the national park dramatic, or an explorer can find it to be the most amazing outdoor playground with volcanic rocks, mountains, deep canyons, the highest sand dunes, and old rivers.  From the humming songs of the sand dunes to the soothing sound of the flowing stream, this place is music to the ears of the visitors.  No wonder that despite its extreme weather conditions, the park had an impressive 1,099,632 visitors in 2023. (Source) Death Valley Hiking Trails (Easy, Moderate, And Difficult) That Should Be On Your Bucket List  The hiking trails here come with varying difficulty levels. Here, I have discussed some of the most popular and interesting hiking trails with easy, moderate, and strenuous difficulty levels in three different sections.  Best Hiking Trails In Death Valley National Park For Beginners (Easy) Death Valley is not probably the first place you will think of as someone new to trekking or hiking. However, this national park has some trails suitable for beginners. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes The Mesquite flat sand dunes, with a 2.3-mile distance, are the best creations of sand and wind. The enclosure of mountains works as a barrier to protect the sand from getting blown away.  The sand here creates ripples and dunes, and the area gets its name from mesquite trees found in abundance here. The Timbisha Shoshone tribe here makes flour from the mesquite tree bean pods. This variety of flour is sold in many specialty stores these days.  Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is also home to nocturnal kangaroo rats and rattlesnakes. Badwater Salt Flat A vast salt flat covering around 200 square miles, it is the most surreal place in Death Valley. The lowest elevation point in North America, Badwater Salt Flat, was a large inland Lake Manly in ancient times.  The landscape looks interesting with geometric salt polygons. You can take an easy walk through the stretch and have a look at the imposing Black Mountains and Telescope Peak.  Moderate Death Valley Hiking Trails  Most hiking trails in Death Valley are moderate in their difficulty level. Here, I will give a brief overview of the most talked-about ones in the park.  Darwin Falls Hike Darwin Falls got its name from Erasmus Darwin French, an army physician. It is one of the very few perennial waterfalls in this national park.  The waterfall runs into a shallow pool with green vegetation around it. So, as you hike through this 2-mile trail, you will find many ferns, trees, aquatic plants, and amphibians.  Ubehebe Crater Rim Hike  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Grant Brittain (@jgrantbrittain) This hiking trail is around 1 and a half miles long. The trail looks easy. However, you experience difficulty when you try to get back to the Caldera Rim. Further, from the very beginning of this hike, you will experience unevenness in the elevation.  As you take the black trail surrounded by dark hills, don’t forget to catch a glimpse of the green vegetation, which is very rare in the national park. Here, you will also love the view of streaks of dark orange in the formations, along with loose white sand.  You can even hike deep down the crater filled with pyroclastic deposits.  Fall Canyon Death Valley This 3.5-hour hiking route comes with moderate to strenuous difficulty levels. Occasional flash floods form the narrow gorge and steep sides here.  The cave-like twisted passageways here look most amazing, and a touch of blue on the smooth granite walls adds a mystic charm to the place. The Badlands/Zabriskie Point Loop View this post on Instagram A post shared by Death Valley National Park (@deathvalleynps) The Badlands, the lowest elevation point in North America, is nature’s display at its best. Hiking to the Badlands includes hiking to Zabriskie Point, the most picturesque location in the park. It is also a favorite sunset and sunrise point, and you will love clicking photographs here.  After watching the Sunrise at Zabriskie Point, you can continue hiking through the Badlands loop, which is made of sediments. Walk for 2.7 miles to reach one of the most important geological terrains of North America. The terrain, with a rugged beauty, used to be part of an ancient lakebed.  Difficult Death Valley Hiking Trails  This national park has many challenging hiking trails, and exploring some of them demands technical skills. Here are the top three most difficult hiking trails to conquer in this park.  Telescope Peak Telescope Peak, with an elevation gain of 3,000 ft, is a round trip of around 7-8 hours. You can start trekking this route from the “Mahogany Flat Campground at the end of Upper Wildrose.”  This snow-capped mountain is a hikers’ paradise in summer. As you hike through the slopes and the forested areas and reach the peak, you will have the laurel of climbing the highest peak in the national park.  Further, the “ancient bristlecone pines,” wildflowers, and the panoramic vista of the valley from the top will take all your fatigue away.  Panamint Dunes Hiking to Panamint Dunes will be a delightful experience if you want to explore the remote parts of the park. The most immersive experience you can have here is camping in the soft sand, watching the night sky in its full glory. The hike (round-trip) will take around 5 hours, and the elevation will go up gradually. The sandy, uneven, and sometimes rocky landscape makes hiking to the top of four different dunes quite difficult.  Little Bridge Canyon With an elevation gain of 590 m, Little Bridge Canyon is a round-trip hiking route of around 5 hours. The Little Bridge Canyon has a red mouth, and as you reach there, crossing many minor washes, you will be surprised to find a rainbow of colors. Along with white stretches of Eureka Quartzite, you will also find red and bright yellow veins on the rocks. These colorful veins are formed by deposited iron oxide. Also, you will cherish the view of the sand dunes from Little Bridge Canyon.  Visit Eureka Dunes In Death Valley Eureka Dunes, the largest dune field in North America, is a must-visit place in Death Valley National Park. It rises more than 680 feet above the neighboring dry lakebed at the western base.  Things To Explore  You can camp at the Eureka Dunes Dry Camp, which is at the base of the sand dunes. This place is great for seeing the sunrise and sunset and experiencing the changing colors of the sand dunes with the rays of the sun.  A hike to Eureka Dunes is arduous due to loose sands frequently stalling your movements. However, once you reach the top, you will see the magnificent Last Chance Mountains with their limestone walls. Also, don’t forget to listen to the songs of the sand dunes. The experience is other-worldly, for sure. Further, it is hard to believe that a place like Eureka Dunes can have so much life and colors. You will love the Evening Primrose in a pristine white shade. You will also meet shining milkvetch (awaiting designation as an endangered species) and dune grass here.  Stay Safe Extreme heat is a major concern in Eureka Dunes or throughout the national park. So, choose your gear, sunscreen, hydrating solutions, and other essentials while exploring the Eureka Dunes. Further, October to April is the best time to be at Eureka Dunes as the temperature then remains bearable.  Stargazing At Eureka Dunes  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Death Valley National Park (@deathvalleynps) Moreover, Eureka Dunes is considered one of the favorite places for astrophotographers and skywatching enthusiasts. When you are at the Eureka Dunes at night, and you stare at the sky, you will feel like you are sinking in the world of stars and meteor showers.  Final Words  October to April is the best hiking season in the Death Valley National Park. Hiking during summer and spring, especially in the lower elevations of the park, can be very difficult.  Even during the months of winter, the weather conditions here remain dry. So, always carry treated drinking water and hydrating solutions with you while hiking in this national park, the quintessence of desert beauty.  Hiking in the park will allow you to visit the lowest elevation points of North America and the highest dunes. You can also conquer the snow-capped mountain peaks and the most vibrant trails made of colorful volcanic deposits. So, are you planning to visit this dramatic land anytime soon? Don’t forget to share your ideas with us!  Death Valley National Park FAQs  Which Trail Is The Most Scenic Drive In Death Valley National Park?  Artists Palette is the most scenic drive in Death Valley National Park. As the name suggests, through the 0.5 km trail, you can see rocks showcasing various colors. The splashes of green, pink, yellow, orange, red, and blue colors in these rocks come from iron oxides, chlorite, and other compounds present in the local volcanic deposits. So, this scenic drive truly tales the “volcanic past” of the park. While exploring this driving route, you can also catch a glimpse of the Black Mountains and serpentine white salt flats.  For the best experience, you can visit the Artists Palette during the Sunset or Sunrise.  What Is Special In Death Valley? Despite its extreme desert conditions (Death Valley recorded the highest temperature in the world in July 1936, and the temperature was 134 degrees.), Death Valley is a wonderful place to explore from autumn to spring.  Hiking through the vibrant canyons can be the most amazing outdoor pursuit in Death Valley. Hike to Dante’s View in the Black Mountains and enjoy the diverse landscape of Death Valley. Go for a trek along the 1.5-mile trail that follows the Ubehebe Crater rim. Have a look into the abyss, which is 600 feet deep.  Further, you can enjoy the best Sunrise and Sunset moments and a panoramic view of the adjacent area from Zabriskie Point.  You can even take a ride through the lowest elevation in North America, Badwater, with its salt flats and pools.  Moreover, when you are in this national park, you must have an encounter with the Mesquite Flat Dunes wildlife and wildflowers, which are in full bloom in the spring.  Where Is The Most Photographed Place In Death Valley?  Diverse weather conditions and intriguing geology make Death Valley a favorite of photography enthusiasts. You must have seen Zabriskie Point as the background for many posts on socials. This place is named after Christian Zabriskie, a noted figure of the Pacific Coast Borax Company. Zabriskie Point, close to Furnace Creek, has a vantage point that offers an amazing view of the park and the surrounding area. You will enjoy the view of the badlands with brown and yellow hills. Further, don’t forget to behold the salt flats covering the Death Valley floors. Zabriskie Point is also a great place to cherish the golden and red hues of the Sunrise and Sunset. When you especially look at the Manly Beacon from Zabriskie Point during the Sunrise or Sunset, you get an unforgettable view. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes is another great place to click photographs if you are looking for a classic desert landscape. 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.