The Best Scenic Drives in U.S.

Previously we had a list of most unique roads of the world, but now to add to that we can elaborate more about the most beautiful drives as well. A road trip is nothing without roads. There is a saying BEAUTY IS IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER. Some of them are coastline roads with a view of the ocean others are mountain passes with countless curves. These roads aren’t just a road to something beautiful they are jaw dropping on their own. Most of all they offer a wonderful experience.

While driving around the HAWAII BELT, you come in contact with lush jungles, farmlands, active lava flow, snow-white beaches, mountains and valleys. This HAWAII BELT is also called as HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. The complete route around this island is about 300 miles long; people thinking to enjoy this drive should split the journey across several days in order to enjoy the local scenery attraction.

THE FINGER LAKES are a chain of lakes linked together it is shaped like fingers. It consists of 11 lakes CANADAIGUA,KEUKA,SENECA,CAYUGA,SKANEATELES,OWASCO,OTISCO,HONEOYE,CAMADICE,HEMLOCK AD CONESUS.

It is formed by glaciers; the lake shores are dotted with bucolic farmland, quaint towns and hundreds of wineries. The drive is lovely any time of the year. Autumn trip is the best time to drive.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY: This California route is one of the most scenic in the world. Hugging cliffs and coastlines, the pacific coast highway follows much than California coast. The road often takes hairpin turns with narrow shoulders and steep drop offs. The PCH also winds through wine country including Sonoma County.

If you’re looking for something really different try SEWARD HIGHWAY in Alaska. Seward Highway has three different routes. They are USDA forest service scenic byway, Alaska Scenic Byway and All American Road. In addition to gorgeous waterfalls and glaciers, tourist might see sheep’s eagles, moose and even beluga whales, the rest of the drive winds up down and around the wilds of Alaska. You can even stop off a place called Crow Creek Mine to pan for gold.

SAN JUAN SKYWAY COLORADO: The road to the sky provides views of the San Juan Mountains; quaint town’s adjacent to Native American Pueblo Ruins. The drive features steep cliffs, alpine forests, camp ground and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Mountain biking, hiking and skiing are popular pastimes in the surrounding area. In spring, waterfalls crash down the mountains as the snow melts from higher up.

HISTORIC COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY OREGON: Along this incredible stretch of road that begins just east of Portland there is waterfall after waterfall like the La Tourell Falls, the Multnomah Falls. The road is particularly narrow and features beautiful foliage tunnels and trees dripping with moss. This drive is incredibly a green drive.

THEY DON’T CALL ITS AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL FOR NOTHING. ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND FEAST YOUR EYES.

Five Wonderful Days in Barcelona!

If you’re looking for a destination that has it all, Barcelona is the place for you. Not only does it have a great seaside right at the edge of the city (with metro stops right in front of it too), but with the delicious food, culture, history, and city in itself, Barcelona is a holiday that will leave you feeling relaxed and enriched. If you’re set on going but are still unsure on where to go, when, or how, here is an exemplary 5-day travelling plan that I would personally use, and take advantage of. Have fun andadios!

Day 1

With lots of sightseeing to be done in Barcelona, a smart way of coordinating your trip is to organize the first day by dedicating it to visiting and exploring the city’s historic background. Barcelona can vouch for many different landmarks, and also shows you how important architecture can be! Using a site like Musement.com to snap up some skip the line tickets for possibly the most famous landmark in Barcelona- the Sagrada Familia,will allow you toavoid spending a large chunk of your holiday time in line. Also, keep in mind that the weather is unpredictable, so a small backpack with all the necessities is the way to go. Perhaps on day one you should focus more on visiting the sites and less finding places to eat- so why not visit a local supermarket to buy some food you can eat as you go and keep in your knapsack. After the Sagrada Familia there are many sites you can squeeze into your first day- Casa Batllò (another of Gaudi’s masterpieces) is just one of them!

Day 2 

An important reminder for your second day plan- which in reality will be present throughout your whole trip- is food, food, and food. As Barcelona is in Spain, there are a few unspoken rules that relate to the meals you should know; rules that mainly involve the times one usually eats at. In fact, to make things easier just add about 2 hours to the normal time you would have lunch or dinner at back home, and you’ll be dining with the locals during your Barcelona residency. Also, don’t forget that Thursday is paella day, so you should definitely take advantage of the dish’s notoriety and taste the delicious rice on that day! Barcelona is the capital city of Catalonia, meaning you will find specific Catalan dishes here that you might not find in other areas of Spain. Be sure to try some of the traditional tapas, and of course Crema Catalan for dessert! After a long day on your feet visiting historical sites on your first day, day two might be the right time to sit on a café and people watch with some delicious local dishes to fill you up.

Day 3

With the seaside right there, and only a few public transport stops away, it would be a shame if you didn’t at least take a stroll near the water. With the promenade being so beautiful, and adorned by little cafès, restaurants, and clubs, you will definitely find that place you’ll talk about non-stop when you’re back home. As a day three plan, letting yourself relax at the beach is a smart way of catching your breath after all the different adventures you’ve been having so far. Also, keep in mind that the beach is one of the main party centrals in Barcelona, and that there are clubs right on the beach for you to dance at! If you go during peak times the beach will be very busy- isolated paradise it is not… however, getting some sea air, and dipping your toes in the waves will give you a really nice experience away from the hustle and bustle of the small city streets. There are a number of beaches to choose from depending on how far you want to travel from the city centre.

Day 4

One of the most fun and entertaining activities for you on the fourth day, is taking a stroll down the Ramblas! LaRambla is one of the most central streets in the Spanish city, where you will find many shops, cafés, and lots of living statues! Lined by trees and benches, the Rambla is a stroll that will lead you from Plaça de Catalunya all the way to the Christopher Columbus Monument found in Barcelona’s port. You may find the crowds a little overwhelming, so I would advice walking through the street and stopping to take a look at the different items on offer there, but finding a slightly more secluded spot to eat or do your main souvenir shopping.

Day 5

If you’re into football- or have a travelling companion that is- visiting FC Barcelona’s stadium is a definite must. Camp Nou, meaning “New Camp” was finished in 1957, and can hold up to more than 90,000 people. With a bus that will take you there from the city centre, or even by train, the stadium is not far from the city and is definitely worth a visit if you want to see something a little more modern, which holds great importance to the locals of Barcelona.

In Barcelona you can find things to do for a much longer trip, but you can also enjoy a long weekend, it just takes a bit of preplanning, there is so much to see do and eat you can never be bored there and may find yourself checking the prices of flights for a return trip sooner than you expected!

Travel Insurance and Its Myths

Traveling includes a lot of essentials, including an insurance. Wherever one travels to, along with their passport, tickets and other essentials, a travel insurance should be a must carry. Today people get insured for everything, from health to their vehicles. So why not for their travelogue too?
 
What it really is!

Travel insurance ensures that due to the inconvenience of cancelling a travel plan or returning early, ending a vacation midway won't be heavy on the pocket. It is like an emergency care which helps a person if an out of the blue scenario comes up while traveling. Whether that is a business or a personal trip. Supposedly losing baggage, missing flight due to an emergency at work or on the personal front, falling unwell to various other conditions, travel insurance looks after it all. An insurance is cheap to get and reimburses an individual based on the trip or loss.
   
Misconceptions involved:
 
Imagine a sudden demise in your family, which makes it mandatory for you to pause your vacation midway and fly back home. Flight tickets, pre-bookings -everything becomes a headache. Everything gets insured under the same plan. Saves you from the expensive flight ticket as well as financial loss due to pre-bookings. People often confuse health or car insurance the same as travel insurance, and that is absolutely a myth. Health insurance does ensure a part of the health repercussion but not the entire travel emergency. Any health issue involving immediate assistance is usually paid by the individual and later reimbursed from the travel company. Immediate budget air tickets, missing a flight, breaking your hand before traveling with a valid reason, it is all covered by insurance companies. Of course, a foolish mistake like drunk driving won't be covered by companies, people are supposed to drive sober and travel sober. So logical and relevant emergencies are all covered by insurance companies.
 
Some people often pose doubts if their credit card would cover the loss, accredited card definitely covers but that too is a very small coverage of loss. Large scale loss is not covered by credit card companies unless one holds weightage. It is a little difficult to obtain an insurance for an elderly person since they are a little high risk, otherwise, it is an easy job to get an insurance for any other age group without any hassle.
 
Travel insurance thus should be must in one's travel plans and one will be able to experience the downscale in the loss they would experience due to an unexpected situation.
 
A very good suggestion for every individual who travels with a large family or even frequently, should get covered under a good insurance company and benefit from their various offers. It comes with a very minimal affordable price which saves one from a big hole in their pockets. A truly good idea to invest on and be responsible!

Useful Tips to Travel Switzerland on a Budget

It is known fact that a vacation or a visit for simple tourism purpose; is a good avenue of rejuvenation, both physically and mentally, which helps in getting back to regular routine life with full of energy. These days people are more and more go for an international vacation and most of the potential traveler prefers to visit Switzerland, as their favorite destination, for its ethnic and natural attractions. The very first thing that is come to any person, who intends to visit Switzerland; is the cost of travel including all relevant expenditures, such as; airfare, local transportation, boarding, food, taxes etc., which are the most important part of any vacation. Although travel in Europe is a bit expensive, there are various ways and means, which can be of great help for traveling in Switzerland, within a low-cost and specific budget. Some of the important tips, which may be helpful in maintaining a budget travel, are as follows:

1. There are some of the most important measures, which can be taken for budget travel and avoiding the participation in many adventure sports or activities can help the person to get into the budget and saving money for other expenses.  
2. In lieu of having costly and affluent boarding facility, one can go for the dormitory stay, which will lower the cost of accommodation to a great extent. The Couchsurfing is also regarded as one of the major ways to get the expenses at a lower level, which is nothing but the free staying for the traveler with local residents. To get this kind of a service, one has to do some hectic exercise to find the correct and willing host for the purpose. 
3. Like any other place; the transportation in Switzerland is a major issue and the person concerned has to make a plan for the same to save money in this segment of travel. Sometimes it is found that the cost of the travel is more than the expenses incurred in the accommodation purposes. The intercity trains are a bit costly, therefore, the ride-share is a very good option for the budget travelers. There are some useful websites, which are providing information to get a ride share partner for a specific route or distance. This kind of ride-share is always a good option in cutting down the cost of train expenses, at the same time, there are some difficulties too; one should be prepared for ride cancels, which is a general phenomenon in this kind of traveling scopes. 
4. It can be noted that the reward points, offered by some of the hotel chains or travel companies, are of great support for a traveler to get some sorts of financial relief, which is all helpful at a destination, where the cost of accommodation is too high. Therefore, racking up some useful hotel points before the trip could be good for the person to experience the beauty of these points at the right time and at the right place.

Paradise Of The Pacific: Hawaii Island

The sugary beaches, Technicolor coral reefs and volcanoes beckoning adventures spirits have made Hawaii become synonymous with paradise. Floating all by its self in the middle of the pacific, HAWAII proudly maintains its own distinct identity apart from the US mainland.

Hawaii is proud of its multicultural heritage. Our former US President Barack Obama was born in Honolulu on Oahu. Hawaiian island comprises of ancient Polynesians, European Explorers, American Missionaries and Asian plantation immigrants mix and mingle. Hawaii is comprised of a chain of 132 islands, but we usually think of only eight main islands.

Hawaii is home of the world’s most active volcano, the crater of Kilauea on Mauna Loa. Sunrises and sunsets are so spectacular that they’re cause for celebration all by themselves. If you are dreaming of swimming in crystal waterfall pools or lazing on golden sand beaches you can find here.

The Hawaii Islands truly are one of the world’s most unique destinations with an unsurpassed variety of experiences. Six islands offer six different experiences. From crystal blue waters to beautiful sandy beaches, from spectacular sunsets to erupting volcanoes, visitors visiting this place enjoy non-stop opportunities for fun and adventure. There are several heritages and historic sites you can tour, including Kealakekua Bay state Historical Park, where you can scuba, snorkel or Kayak.

HAWAII remains one of America most popular honeymoon destinations for its diversity and paradise setting. Some are the favorite spots:

THE BIG ISLAND HAWAII: This is the largest island. It has two international airports KONA and HILO. There are stunning sandy beaches, dramatic volcanic landscape, but two of the world’s different climatic zone which makes this island a constant surprise.

OAHU is the third largest island and is home to Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii and marvelous Waikiki beach where the sport of surfing originated. It is one of the longest sandy beaches. There is a list of watersport to keep visitors energetic and happy. There is also so much to do for the families and adults right from Hula shows, visit to the pineapple plantation, horse riding, water sports, shopping and night life. Its north shore hosts some of the world’s most prestigious surfing competition in winter and is a great place to take surfing lessons.

KAUAI’S THE ISLE OF DISCOVERY: It is one of the oldest islands in the Hawaiian chain. The filming of Jurassic Park was taken here. It has lush green landscape, dramatic canyons and awe inspiring waterfalls. It is easy to imagine dinosaurs feeling at home here. Other adventure like tubing along the historic water channels of Lihue , Zip lining high above the Kauai rainforest ,hiking in Kokee state Park or Waimea canyon or take a aerial tour of the island with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters.

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK: One can literally see the earth taking shape before your eyes as Kilauea Volcano the world’s most active volcano constantly produces lave that flows. After visiting the Kilauea Visitors center you can take the Crater Rim Drive Tour and see what the park has to offer.

MAUI is an island of romance and luxurious resort, rainfall and dramatic waterfalls. It offers both charm and adventure. Ka’anapali and Kapalua the beautiful white sand beaches were once the recreation grounds for Hawaiian royalty and are perfect for swimming, snorkels and sun bathing. Don’t miss out LAHAINA a historic whaling town with quaint shops, galleries and great nightlife. The fun never stops on MAUI you will be finding yourself longing for more hours in the day to explore the myriad of attraction here. This island is blessed with 30 wonderful beaches. Family adventure includes a ride on the 1890’s sugar cane train and a visit to the Maui Ocean Center. Keep watching the daily sunset cliff diving ceremony at the Ka’anapali Beach.

No holiday is complete without visiting the WAIMEA CANYON, one of the most outstanding natural gems on the archipelago .The canyon is referred as Grand Canyon of the pacific and stretches over 14 miles in length and reaches depths of up to 3600 feet. Energetic visitors can explore several scenic hiking trails.

LANIKAI BEACH has to be one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere in the world. Imagine a sandy palm fringed beach lapped by the azure tropical waters of the pacific.

You’ll find live music venue throughout Hawaii Island in restaurants, lounges and in the islands find hotels and resorts. This beach is almost wave less protected area perfect for family fun. The calm waters are also great for kayaking and you can paddle across to the offshore islands to explore secret coves and inlets.

Travel to the Hawaiian Island to enjoy white sand beaches, view volcanic lava flow, appreciate culture and tradition and relax in warm tropical settings.

Hawaii’s iconic destinations will give you a holiday to remember.

Things to Do in Bogota

The beating heart of Colombia is BOGOTA. It is a vibrant capital. It’s surrounded by chilly Andean peaks. Bogota is the capital and largest city of Colombia. It is a diverse and multicultural with a blend of modern and colonial architecture. There are many parks, mountains overlooking the sanctuaries of Monserrate and Guadalupe. Bogota is a city of contrast. Class differences are still very much apparent. It is one of the Latin America’s safer cities.

If you live in Bogota or plan to stay for a few days there are amazing day tips nearby for nature lovers or cultural enthusiastic people. Bogota is surrounded by Paramore, a unique ecosystem only found in a few Andean countries. It is a home to vibrant restaurants scene, world class museums, surprising wild nightlife. More than that Bogota’s is all about its people warm, charming, sophisticated and stylish habits.

Must see attractions are as follows:

Zona Rosa is not only famous for nightlife. The Zona Rosa Known as Pink Zone is the term used for every city major nightlife district. But it is anchored by shopping areas with international luxury brands. City is lined with sidewalks bistros. You’ll find boutique hotels and well-heeled locals piling into chic entertainment. Catering to upper middle class Colombians and tourist, the prices here tends to be higher than in other parts of the city. If you are clubbing you will find many option from mixes of western music and Colombian music to techno and electronic pop.

La Candelaria: The Street is lined up with Spanish colonial baroque and art deco architecture. it is an old town with casual stroll, museums and churches or a taste of the history. It is the first stop for visitors and especially for budget travellers staying in Bogota. Many of Bogota’s hostels are situated in La Candelaria.

Gold Museum: MUSEO Del Oro is the largest and best gold museum in Colombia. One can spend an hour or two wanderings its vast exhibits of pre-Hispanic gold the biggest in the world.it is not more than a few US dollars and also photography is allowed so you can share your discoveries with the world. The museums focus on the craftsmen and the spectacular crafted gold objects made by them. It is huge and a wonderful building housing plenty of rooms full with artefacts, gold, the local craftsman and interesting stories behind each creation.

Plaza de Bolivar is the center of government in Bogota. It features National Capitol building, Palace of Justice and cathedral of Bogota. On the square stands a statue of SIMON BOLIVAR. IT IS THE FIRST PUBLIC MONUMENT. There are row of restaurants serving traditional foods of Bogota. AJIACO is a favourite dish where one must try. It consists of thick soup of shredded chicken, potatoes and a chunk of corn on the cob. Cream, capes and avocado are also added.

Salt cathedral is situated in the town of Zipaquira a cathedral was carved within a salt mine. This unique landmark is an underground salt mine housed in huge caves and tunnels. Colourful lighting helps to brighten the interior.

Mount Monserrate overview is one of the best attractions in Bogota offering a cool chilly with green vegetation around. It is famous for its religious landmark the Monserrate church. This church promises positivism and optimism to the worshippers. The adventure lovers can go hiking, take a cable car or a train to go up the mountain or walk around the landscape witnessing the beautiful scenery.

Don’t miss out the food and restaurant for the Indians in Bogota .It is a home to many Indian restaurants, which are operating to impress the locals as well as Indian nationals. The major Indian restaurants are Taj Mahal, India Gourmet and Dhaba Indian Cuisine. Vegetarians can go to Quinan Y Aamaranto, Restaurant, la Esquina Vegetarians and Loto Azul Vegetariano.

The best month to visit Bogota is in the month of December, January, February and March which has a pleasant climate bringing in fresh and cool breeze enhancing the beauty of the city.

Corozal Town, Belize

The milky green blue shade of water especially in the rainy seasons can be seen only on the Bay of CARRIBBEAN SEA in the town of COROZAL. It is a sleepy seaside town. This place is the northernmost town in Belize. Vacationing in Belize is relaxing and soothing. It is physically and mentally stimulating. The best time to visit Belize is in November. September is also a great time to be in this place. Its tourism off season means cheaper prices on accommodation /tours. The most important date is September 21st it is Belize Independence day but there are many festivities throughout the country for almost 2 weeks.

They have floats, bands, marchers and many people are dressed up with cultural attire and the country’s colours of red, white and blue. They enjoy live musical concerts, Children’s events like talent shows are organised. Lastly not to forget the carnival where hundreds of performers are seen dancing and marching to the tunes of popular music in elaborate costumes vying for the title of King and queen of carnival. Annual Corozal Town Marching Band Competition as one of the few public events that brings out the crowds.

COROZAL makes a good base for fishing excursion in the calm bay, bird and wildlife viewing tours .it is a convenient base for day trips to CHETUMAL for shopping and the Mexican beaches at the YUCATAN PENNISULA. There are numerous Maya ruin sites. Two main sites are Santa Rita Located on the northern outskirts of the town and Cerro’s which is across the bay. Xunantunich in San Ignacio but Lamanai is the most popular.

Hiking is more fun in Belize .It is a home to the world famous Great Blue Whole. Belize offers the cottage life experience year round with bird chirping around while you are paddling down the river.

Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world and is considered as UNESCO world heritage site. Anyone who loves swimming among beautiful fishes and other marine wildlife, snorkelling n Belize is a must.
There are plenty of beautiful islands. Ambergris Caye was voted the best island. One can pitch a tent and sleep under the stars on an uninhabited Caye or enjoy luxury accommodation at secluded islands. Relax on a hammock on the beach as you sun bathe ad take in the view of the Caribbean Sea.

Discover colourful marine life in the crystal waters. Enjoy water sports such as kayaking parasailing or windsurfing the top ten Belize dive destinations are The Arena, Chasbo’s Corner, Belize Blew Hole, the elbow, the chimney, south water Caye, Glover’s reef, Gladden Spit, The Silk Caye, Laughing Bird Caye.


One must taste the coconut ice-creams which is very common and famous. The best food served in Belize is at PATTY’S BISTRO.

Towards the last days of your vacation you can pamper yourself with one of the many spas at the better jungle lodges immersed in natural Splendour. Immerse yourself in nature and be reborn.

Reasons To Getaway to Scotland

United Kingdom is made up of four countries and one of them is SCOTLAND. The other three are England Wales and Northern Ireland .Scotland covers the northern part of the island of Great Britain, which it shares with England and Wales. Scotland official language is English.

A holiday to Scotland is always amazing. It is a home to some truly magical scenery, right from mystical sweeping landscapes of the highlands to the vibrant natural beauty of the borders. Scotland has plenty of sights to offer. Despite of its small size, Scotland has many treasure crammed into its compact territory, big skies, lonely landscape, spectacular wildlife, superb seafood ,an hospitable down to earth people.

Some are the famous places where one should visit when on a holiday in Scotland.

EDINBURGH CASTLE: Scotland’s most famous fortress that has dominated the city’s skyline since the 13th century and is the most national monument in the country. Its presence is visible for a mile in every direction .It is a magnificent example of Scotland’s architecture ideology and military importance. It is a strong standing symbol of their perseverance and political independence. Edinburgh Castle is of one of the top tourist attractions in Scotland.

Loch Lomond is Britain’s largest lake. It is also called as the QUEEN of Scottish Lakes. It is a short drive northwest of Glasgow. There are plenty touts, salmon and white fish as a lure for angular. This lake is very popular among day trippers, water sports enthusiasts and hikers. Boat trips are also very popular.

The KELPIES FALKIRK is other worldly water horses, spirits with malevolent, shape changing powers. The two giant horses’ heads stands 30 m tall and is the world largest equine sculpture. BIG BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL, where 300 TONNES OF STEEL HAS BEEN USED TO CREATE EACH SCULPTURE. Clambering inside the horses’ heads you can explore this feat of engineering and design close up.

BEN NEVIS is the famous mountain where the Mountain Bike World cup championship has been held. It is UK’s highest peak. So if interested in a bike tour this is the best place.

MUNRO BAGGING: A Munro is simply a mountain over 3000 ft. Hiking is perhaps one of the most popular outdoor sports in Scotland, because of its gorgeous terrain. A Munro is simply a mountain over 3000 ft.

Scotland is well known for its night life, especially in the cities there are ample of clubs and casinos. Scottish nightlife throughout the year draws crowds and offers thousands a chance to dance and party in the streets late night. There are number of comedy clubs and theatres. Scotland music scene is spectacular. It boasts world class music venues where rock and pop giants make sure to include a stopover on the world tours. It is just not only about singing and dancing but there are also a wide range of modern bars where you can sip on designer cocktails in chic surrounding and cool pubs with specialist beers perfect for night spent with friends.

Romance means sharing the thrill of buzzing bars, fine dining, astonishing history and shopping, and then a break in a Scottish city is ideal for you. Escape together on a romantic break in Scotland and for sure this will deepen your love for each other and apart from this you will fall head over heels for the landscape too. Choosing a romantic place to stay is important. If you want your accommodation to be quirky as well as romantic then a converted bus is the best option. There a wooden hot tub to soak in while you look at the stars at night or you could just look at them through the sky light above your bed instead.

The Scottish national Dish is haggis. This is sausage like food. Typical Scottish dessert includes oatcakes, shortbread, rich fruitcake called as Dundee cake and New Year’s speciality called black bun.

Scotland lends itself to exploration in countless different ways; each place is an adventure of discovery, rich in unforgettable experiences.