Monthly Archives: May 2018

Top Cities to Visit in Nevada, USA

Famed as the “Silver State”, Nevada remains one of the USA’s most popular territories with many exciting tourist destinations. Located between California and Utah, it is the true American gem where travellers can find perfect holiday glamour and glitz as well as solitude in the middle of the desert.

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With the most varied collection of attractions ranging from beautiful landscapes of the national parks to the cosmopolitan treats of world-class dining, shopping and gaming, Nevada has it all to impress all sorts of travellers.

Las Vegas

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The true world of entertainment, known all over the world, Las Vegas is a resort city in Nevada that has a lot to offer to the guests. Here tourists can discover a number of museums and galleries, visit some of the world’s most famous casinos and experience wonderful nightlife at planet’s most well known nightclubs. Las Vegas Strip, Bellagio Luxor Las Vegas and MGM Grand Las Vegas are some of the major luxury casino resorts of Las Vegas.

Henderson

Around 16 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Henderson is the second largest city in Nevada with a pleasant aura away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip and Downtown. Located in southern Nevada, it presents a wonderful holiday destination for families with its ideal combination of numerous parks, trails, museums and restaurants. A scenic bike ride along the River Mountain Loop Trail, a stroll through Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve and a visit to the Clark County Museum are some of the best things to do in the city.

Carson City

The capital of Nevada, Carson City is rooted deep in the state’s history and is named after the mountain man Kit Carson. The historic past of the city is reflected through a multitude of museums and historical attractions. Besides, the city amazes its visitors with an assortment of restaurants, elegant mansions, wonderful casino gaming action, challenging golf courses and plenty of outdoor recreation including mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting and kayaking.

Reno

The biggest little city in the world, Reno, in Northern Nevada, is known for its hotels and casinos and its proximity to many ski resorts. Regarded the second largest tourist destination in Nevada after Las Vegas, at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the city amazes tourists with a number of impressive attractions such as Downtown’s National Automobile Museum, Circus Circus Reno, Grand Sierra Resort and a lot more. Moreover, the Hot August Nights car convention, the annual National Championship Air Races and the Great Reno Balloon Race are some of the most popular annual celebrations that are hosted in the city.

Sparks

Just east of Reno is the city of Sparks. Situated in Washoe County, it is a business and family friendly city, amazing tourists with outdoor recreation and a number of restaurants, bars, parks and shopping destinations. While Sparks Marina Park and Wild Island Family Adventure Park are some of the city’s best spots for outdoor fun, Rail City Casino is a great place to test your luck. Besides, Sparks Heritage Museum, Hidden Valley Regional Park and Wilbur D. May Center are some of other prominent spots to explore.

Top Reasons That Make Montreal One of the Best Cities to Explore in Canada

Montreal

The second largest city of Canada, Montreal is an island-city with a long and beautiful French past. It took its name from Mont-Royal, a triple-peaked hill situated right in the heart of Montreal, and calls travellers for a holiday packed with plenty of exciting experiences amidst its unique culture, history and vivacious vibe.

Here are some reasons that make Montreal one of the best tourist destinations in Canada:

Festivals

Montreal is a city of festivals with around 100 multi-day events per year. It is one of those few cities where something exciting is happening all the time, be it related to art, music, literature, dance or cinema. The city is best known for its Montreal International Jazz Festival, which holds the 2004 Guinness World Record for being the world’s largest jazz festival, and the Just for Laughs Festival which is the world’s largest international comedy festival.

Museums

Montreal is a true paradise for those who love art, history and culture. It is home to a large number of museums reflecting a long and complex colonial history and world-class architecture. The Musee d Art Contemporain offering an array of exhibits; and the Montreal Museum of Fine Art presenting the best of European and Canadian art and antiquities from around the world are the two most popular museums in the city. There are a lot of other art and history museums in Montreal that make for a must-visit here.

Shopping

Montreal is a true shopper’s haven! From exciting shopping streets spanning around eight city blocks to lively local markets and specialty craft shops, everything in the city is a treat for shoppers. Eaton Centre Mall Downtown is the biggest shopping mall in the city. Also, there are more than 1200 upscale chain stores, boutiques and departmental stores at the west of Rue Sainte-Catherine, and a number of vintage shopping stores along Boulevard Saint-Laurent to explore.

Food

A visit to Canada is incomplete if you do not treat your taste buds to a range of cuisines offered in Montreal. The city is home to more restaurants per capita than any other city in North America. Burger Week, MTL a Table and La Fete des Restos are some prominent food festivals celebrated here, offering you an opportunity to enjoy delectable cuisines by local chefs.  The travelling foodies will love to indulge in a variety of fast and local eats served at the food trucks in the city. Smoked-meat sandwich, poutine and the Montreal-style bagel are some of the favourites here.

Street Art

Just like the city’s fascinating colonial architecture, the street art draws the attention of visitors from around the world. The vibrant street art splashed across the many buildings of the city adds a creative and lively vibe to its entire appearance. Many street artists have gifted the city some incredible murals which display meticulous technique and use of colours and images and the expressions of culture. Places like Rue Saint-Dominique, Rue Clark and Rue Rachel E are the must-visits to witness the city’s fine street art.

10 Proven Benefits of Travel Based on Research and Studies

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Did you know that travel can play a crucial role in making your life happier, healthier and better in several ways? Read on to learn about the top ten proven benefits of travelling, based on research and studies!

Travel keeps people young

It is true that those who tend to travel at least once in a month or two feel more energised, active and young. According to a research with women over 65, it has been concluded that travelling keeps your body healthy, boosts your brain health and helps you fight the signs of aging, making you look and feel young.

It makes children perform better in school

There is no doubt that travel brings many benefits for children such as heightened geographical awareness, enhanced learning skills, improved self-confidence and open-mindedness and more.

A study also says that children between the age of 12 and 18, who travel abroad, are more active and attentive, and perform better in school.

Travel helps couples strengthen their relationship

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Yes, travelling increases intimacy between partners. According to a study, couples feel an overall increase in their perception of bond and shared interests with their partners during a travel together. Couples say that travelling has helped them a lot in knowing each other better and has strengthened their relationship.

It makes you more open-minded

According to a survey, travelling helps you connect with people of different cultures, helping you to accept and appreciate the various cultural and traditional differences. Meeting people from different cultures truly broadens your horizons.

Travel boosts confidence

Travelling inevitably makes you more independent and confident. According to a research study, people who tend to travel often develop the ability to cope with a lot of unexpected situations, which eventually makes them more confident.

Travelling makes you more creative

It has always been believed that exploring new places and meeting new people makes you more creative. Besides, a recent study suggests that travelling increases both cognitive flexibility and depth of integrativeness of thought among people who often travel, making them more creative.

Travel keeps your mind sharp

There is no denying that travels to new places bring new experiences. You learn different languages, make quick decisions, try new things and shift to a new eating and sleeping schedule. Studies indicate that being in a new environment engages a resting part of your mind and gives it a perfect spark, which could result in you becoming smarter and more intelligent.

It boosts weight loss efforts

It is believed that travelling helps you with your weight loss goals by creating a major calorie deficit. It brings many opportunities for you to be active. Be it an attempt at an adventure sport, or even a simple stroll down the streets sightseeing along the way, travelling is adventurous way to lose weight.

Travelling decreases stress

It has been proven by some studies that travel brightens your mood and decreases the level of stress from your life. A study says that travellers, after a three-day vacation, felt less anxious, more positive, well-rested and in a better mood.

It improves interpersonal skills

Many research studies have indicated that travel improves social and communication skills of people. While travelling with family or friends gives you a great chance to know each other better and develop a new bond, travelling alone presents an opportunity to learn new languages, communicate with different people and make new friends.

Visit Chiang Mai and Explore the Best of Northern Thailand

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Known as “the Rose of the North”, Chiang Mai is the cultural capital of Thailand, calling tourists in to enjoy the pleasant Thai way of life amidst nature’s bliss. Steeped in history and surrounded by incredible architecture, this city strikes a fine balance between the traditional and the contemporary.

Check out the fabulous attractions of Chiang Mai that must be in your itinerary for your next trip to Thailand.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

A sacred site for the Thais, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a mountainous temple in the city. Tourists can reach this temple by hiking up the Doi Suthep Mountain, hopping into a songthaew or renting a motorbike. The major highlight of the temple is seven-headed serpent statues lining up the stairs to the temple and a much-revered seated Buddha at the central shrine.

Elephant Nature Park

While Thailand has several elephant camps, Chiang Mai is home to the largest number of domesticated elephants. Situated north of the city, Elephant Nature Park is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre where visitors can enjoy sighting the large animal from close by. It was founded in 1995 and is home to more than 35 elephants, most of which have been saved from the illegal logging industries. You can either visit the premises during the day and can either have an overnight stay at its newly renovated accommodation.

Night Bazaar

Chiang Mai is a shopper’s heaven and the city’s famous Night Bazaar is an ideal shopping spot for all the bargain lovers. This bazaar is home to numerous stalls spreading all across the street and selling everything you can think of, from clothes, jewellery and footwear to carvings, furniture and houseware. The handmade Thai silk clothes are perhaps the major highlight of this bustling and colourful market.

Doi Pui

A Hmong tribal village, situated in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Doi Pui offers tourists an insight into the lifestyle of Thai tribes. Lying at the top of Doi Suthep, a 1676 metre high mountain, it is an ideal spot for trekking and revelling in the picturesque beauty of nature. Here, tourists can explore incredible wildlife, a beautiful garden, an ancient museum and many tribal houses. Besides, they can enjoy lunch at one of many small restaurants, and shop for hand-made jewellery, hand-woven textiles, tea and other goods at the shops.

Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls

Made of limestone and mineral deposits, Bua Thong Waterfall is a small and beautiful, multi-tiered waterfall visited by a number of tourists from different parts of the world. It is called “the sticky waterfall” because of the limestone floating in the water and making the rock non-slippery. Tourists can easily climb up the waterfall to the top. Besides, there is a picnic spot and a few restaurants at the entrance of the falls, allowing you to spend a fun-filled day with family and friends.

Top Reasons to Visit Costa Rica in Central America

Central America’s rugged and rain forested country, Costa Rica, with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific, is a traveller’s paradise. There is something about this region which reflects an intriguing ecological story unified into the history of a beautiful, family-oriented culture.
If you haven’t been to this land of incredible splendour yet, check out these beautiful reasons making Costa Rica one of the top tourist destinations of the world, and plan a visit soon.

Beaches

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Costa Rica beaches are known worldwide and you can never be far from sun, sand and surf in the country, which is home to a number of incredible beaches. Interestingly, the country offers you the opportunity to enjoy the Pacific as well as Caribbean beaches. While the country’s Pacific side amazes with vivid turquoise waters and palm-tree lined white-sand beaches, the Caribbean coast draws visitors for its Rastifari culture and laid back vibes.

Wildlife

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Home to a variety of animals, plants and even fungi, this Central American country is the ideal place for nature and wildlife enthusiasts to be. Costa Rica is among the world’s 20 countries with the highest biodiversity and houses more than 500,000 species which is about 4% of the total species in the world! Explore the rainforest trails and spot white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, a few sloths and different varieties of birds. Also, you get a chance to see several types of amphibians and reptiles including glass frogs, huge spiders and venomous and non-venomous snakes during night hikes.

Rivers

Nature lovers will be amused to know that Costa Rica is famed as the white water capital for its gushing rivers! Many holiday makers from across the globe visit the country just to explore the beauty of some of its famous rivers. It is also a place to explore some of the calmer rivers in the region. Celeste River, Pacuare River and Savegre River are some of the most prominent rivers in the country.

Volcanoes

Costa Rica is home to over 200 identifiable volcanic formations dating back over 65 million years. It has six active volcanoes and another 61 extinct or dormant ones. If you are in the country, do not miss a visit to the Arenal Volcano in the Northern Zone, Poas Volcano in the Central Valley and Rincon de la Vieja Volcano in the Guanacaste region, ensuring you all of many thrilling experiences. Apart from the volcanoes, tourists love to explore the hot springs created by their heat.

Adventure Activities

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With miles of coastline and varied topography, Costa Rica promises an array of adventure options to the visitors. From surfing along the Pacific coast to zip-lining through the rainforest, there is not end to adventure in the country.

Surfing

Zip lining is the topmost tourist attraction here. Besides, canyoning, white water rafting, surfing, hiking, fishing and snorkelling are some of the other exciting adventures to enjoy during your visit to the country.

Abu Dhabi Extends Amazing Experiences To The World!

Abu-Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, UAE’s capital, has a lot to offer to the world. From an old world charm to the unbelievably modern and posh infrastructure, the juxtaposition is surreal and you will see how different cultures from across the world have melted here to create a spectacular experience for residents and visitors alike. Have a look at all the amazing things to do here so you can plan your trip here at the earliest.

Marina Mall Abu Dhabi

Located along Corniche Road, this is one of the primary shopping and entertainment centres in the vicinity and you should definitely be here while holidaying in Abu Dhabi. It is one of the most famous malls featuring several brands from across the world. There are restaurants serving cuisines from different parts of the world. There are several avenues for entertainment as well, making it one of the most visited places in the city.

Yas Marina Circuit

The famous Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is held at the Yas Marina Circuit, which is situated on Yas Island, which is known as one of the primary entertainment hubs in the region. There are several major racing events held here each year and people rush in from different parts of the world to witness these high octane performances.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

The largest mosque in the country and arguably one of the most beautiful mosques in the world, Sheikh Zayed Mosque is a sight for the sore eyes! The white domes and minarets dipped and sprinkled with designs in gold form a beautiful picture for people to marvel at! The humongous chandelier that graces the main hall bedazzles the entire place. The unbelievably intricately embroidered carpet that covers the floor of the mosque is also a work of art. This mosque is the main place of worship in the city. People visit here from different parts of the word, not only to offer prayers with the most chaste of hearts but also to admire the architecture and ambience of the same.

Emirates National Auto Museum

This place holds a vast collection of vintage and modern modified cars. It is definitely a treat for someone who has interest in fancy vehicles. You will be intrigued to see how cars has evolved over the years, right from the age of ancient motors to the most futuristic ones that are uber functional and luxurious.

Food

Abu Dhabi is a place where you will find all the rich traditional Emirati cuisines. However, for the convenience of everyone, you will see restaurants serving food from different parts of the world. There are some amazing dishes that you absolutely must try when you are around such as Lokma, Harees, Falafel, and Biryani and so on.  There are several different types of kebabs that you can try too; right from the mouth-watering street food to the elitist of culinary experiences in a posh restaurant, you can try it all in Abu Dhabi.

5 Reasons to Visit Coorg, India

Within a driving distance from prominent cities of Karnataka like Bangalore and Mysore, Coorg is a beautiful little town drawing leisure travellers from all over the world. Referred to as the Scotland of India, Coorg is certainly a beautiful holiday destination. Here are some of the region’s most popular tourist attractions.

Coorg, India

Coffee Plantations

Home to many lush green coffee plantations, Coorg is one of the biggest producers of coffee in India. No coffee lover can afford to miss out on a coffee plantation tour that takes you through the history, and the art of making this terrific beverage. The region is mainly known for its Arabica and Robusta coffee.

Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery

One of the finest monasteries in India, Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery is a must-visit in Coorg for all. The major highlights of the monastery are the three 40-feet tall golden statues of Buddha. Home to thousands of monks, lamas and nuns, it is the largest Nyingmapa teaching centre in the world. Don’t forget to enjoy the different Tibetan delicacies and explore handicraft stalls selling artefacts, shawls and costumes.

Nagarhole National Park

Also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Nagarhole National Park presents an ideal wildlife experience in the southern state of Karnataka. With hills, waterfalls, forests and streams, and home to the majestic tiger, it is indeed a terrific attraction in Coorg. Besides the big cat, sloth bear, the Asiatic elephant and jungle bison are among the animals that can be spotted here. While wildlife enthusiasts would be enamoured by the park’s animal and bird life, nature lovers will be impressed with the dozens of streams and other water bodies.

Raja’s Seat

Located among the densely-covered hills, Raja’s Seat is a seasonal garden of flowers and artificial fountains. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Coorg presenting stunning sunsets and magnificent panoramic views. What makes this place a famous tourist attraction is that it was a favourite spot of the Kings of Kodagu who used to spend time here with their queens while watching the setting sun!

Abbey Falls and Iruppu Falls

These falls are the two biggest waterfalls in Coorg and are abound with supreme splendour and tranquillity, making for ideal picnic spots amidst picturesque settings. The Abbey Falls is set amidst the private coffee plantations layered with thick coffee bushes while the Iruppu Falls is situated near the Nagarhole National Park.

Top Spots to Explore in Kyoto, Japan

A visit to Japan’s most beautiful city, Kyoto is full of splendid experiences! It astonishes with the best of Japan’s culture and traditions. From colourful shrines and serene temples to scenic gardens, there’s a lot to explore in Kyoto. Here are some of the beautiful wonders of Kyoto that demand the attention of visitors from all around.

Kinkaku-ji: The Golden Pavilion

Kinkaku-ji-The-Golden-Pavilion

A picturesque haven, Kinkaku-ji is a Zen temple in Northern Kyoto with its two top floors covered by gold leaf. One of the famous temples in Japan, Kinkaku-ji overlooks the glassy surface of Mirror Lake and seems to float over the mirror pond. Officially known as Rokuon-ji, this Zen Buddhist temple is visited by a large number of travellers to find solace and to marvel at an architectural masterpiece. A National Special Landscape and a National Special Historic Site, this temple remains a must-visit in the city.

Nijo Castle

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Another scenic delight of the city, Nijo Castle is a flatland castle which displays the power that the Shotguns wielded over the emperors during the Edo period. Comprising the Normaru Palace, two concentric rings of fortifications, the ruins of the Honmaru Palace and a number of support buildings and gardens, it is an ideal place for the history buffs to explore. Also, like many other historical monuments of the city, it has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Philosopher’s Walk

Attracting nature lovers from all over the world, the Philosopher’s Walk is a roughly mile-long pedestrian path along the lake Biwa Canal in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. Lined by thousands of cherry trees, the canal here is a true delight. It is the path the Japanese philosopher, Nishida Kitaro used to take while commuting to Kyoto University in the early 20th century. Beginning around at Ginkakuji and ending in the neighbourhood of Nanzenji, this 2km long path can certainly be explored.

Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine

Situated in Fushimi Ward in Kyoto, Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine is a prominent Shinto Shrine in Southern Kyoto. Sitting at the base of Inari Mountain, this shrine overlooks the entire city, inviting scores of people who visit every year to take delight in its incredible beauty and find peace.

Kyoto Tower

The tallest building of the city, Kyoto Tower stands 131 metre tall, just across the Kyoto Station, impressing visitors with its iconic appearance. This steel observation tower stands atop a 9-storey building which is home to a 3-star hotel and many stores. The 360 degree panoramic view of the city from the top of this tower presents an exciting experience for the travellers. Besides, dining at its restaurants or a glass panelled lounge is an amazing experience.