Travel - Best Places of Interest

December 28, 2019 Travel, Within India

Explore Greater Rann of Kutch

Reckoned as the largest districts of India, Kutch is encircled by panoramic landscapes and is pretty popular among domestic as well as international tourists for the celebration of Rann Utsav. The great Rann of Kutch is a hugely sprawled marshy salt land and is renowned as one of the star attractions of the region. Every year in the month of November or December the destination organizes the grand celebration of Rann Utsav. During the monsoon season in India, the destination looks more gorgeous and astonishing when this vibrant land of sand gets submerged underwater and gives is a pictorial background. Let’s talk about some of the most popular and astonishing places to explore nearby Kutch and also the activities to enthral your mood and make it one of your most memorable travel experiences.

Location

This vibrant and magical marshy land of Gujarat is nestled at the northern end of tropic of Cancer and is conveniently approached via Bhuj. Dhordo is considered to be the gateway of Kutch and this site is located at an hour and a half north of Bhuj.

Best Time to visit

After the monsoon months conclude, the marshy land of Great Rann of Kutch starts getting dried up. AS stated above that in the month of November or December Rann Utsav is celebrated which continues for more than a month and this makes it one of the most recommended time to explore great Rann of Kutch. If you are also thinking of visiting Kutch then do the advance bookings so that you don’t find an obstacle and also if you don’t want to experience huge crowd then plan your visit during the last few weeks of March. However, if you want you can also cover this site in the months of April and May but yes you will not be getting any basic facilities like food, accommodation, and even toilets.

Also, if you want to avoid the blinding sight then either move to the destination early morning or evening.

How to Reach Kutch?

As mentioned in the above paragraph that accessing this place via Bhuj is the most convenient way so one needs to reach Bhuj first and then take the transport for your further journey. The below-mentioned guideline is surely going to relieve you from this accessibility issue.

By Train

If you are coming by train then board the train to Bhuj railway station from your city and once you reach the railhead you can find taxis and autos that will take you to your desired destination.

By Air

Bhuj also houses its domestic airport so if you are coming by flight then take Air India flights. Getting transport from the airport is very easy so need to worry about that.

By Road

The roads in Gujarat are well-maintained and the cities of this state are well-connected with each other by road transport.

If this is your first trip to Kutch then engaging a reputed travel agency is a good idea if you want to make it a hassle-free journey. You can also browse the well-curated Kutch tour packages that offer you some of the best facilities required to make it a lifelong memorable journey.

Note: being located on the border of India and Pakistan one needs to seek permission before entering the region. There is a proper permit centre established near the region where you can pay some bucks to take the permit.

How Rann Utsav makes this place an iconic attraction of your Gujarat tour?

Commencing in the month of November, Rann Utsav continues till February. Every year thousands of tourists participate in this grand occasion. Tent stay at Rann of Kutch is the key element to make it an amazing journey as accommodating yourself in a tent lets you interact with new people and to learn new cultures. You also get to witness the charm of this festive season at any point in time if you stay near the site and participating in different group games is the additional charm. During this festival, you can learn the vivid cultures of Gujarat people and tribes through the folk dances, folk songs, and other folk performances shown by the groups.

The UK on a budget: Your recipe to make it happen

It would be fair to say that the terms “UK” and “on a budget” regularly go hand-in-hand. After all, up until recently at least, London was regarded as one of the most expensive cities.

Even though it may have lost that mantle, it’s still not naturally a cheap place to visit. On the plus side, if you arm yourself with some so-called insider knowledge, you can cut costs and still enjoy a fabulous time in the country.

Let’s now take a look at some of the ways you can achieve this.

It doesn’t have to all be about London

This first suggestion might raise a few eyebrows, particularly as we have mentioned London a couple of times already!

However, it doesn’t always have to be about this city. There is plenty more that the UK has to offer, and if you do place all of your eggs in one basket, it happens to be the most expensive basket going.

Glasgow City Urban, UK - Free photo on Pixabay — Image by Steve Crowther from Pixabay

Other areas of the UK are significantly cheaper to visit, and can give you a real insight into local UK life. For example, the hotels around Glasgow are a fraction of the price, yet still, put you inside an exciting city with a whole host of fantastic attractions. Or, if going north doesn’t interest you, the Midlands offers some fantastic retreats – and also allows you to take a dip into the UK countryside.

Use your transport options wisely

Quite often, visitors to the UK use taxis as their primary source of travel. Well, in the interests of saving money, this needs to stop.

In fact, there are times where the underground metro service is overused as well, and most of the time, the most efficient way is to walk between destinations.

Sure, it might strain your legs, but it will allow you to see more of the country and save significant sums throughout your trip.

Don’t pay full price for attractions

Firstly, there might be the odd exception to this rule, but if were to cast a blanket over most attractions in the UK there are few occasions where you should be paying full price.

For example, let’s take the most obvious case with museums. Most are completely free to enter, meaning that you can comfortably spend a day without spending a dime.

Then, if we turn to private attractions, there are regularly discount vouchers doing the rounds that can slash your costs in half.

The very worst thing you can do is turn up on the door as in most cases, a lot of these attractions will offer a discount for just booking on their website.

Choose your dining days wisely

This is something that is quite commonplace around the world, but if at all possible, try and make sure you plan to dine out on any day between Sunday and Thursday.

These are the days in which the locals tend to stay at home, and restaurants often showcase offers which can cut the price of dining. If you leave it until the weekend, these offers evaporate.

November 13, 2019 Round the world, Travel

Dublin On A Budget: 10 Ways To Explore The Irish Capital Without Going Broke

While Dublin Ireland is a great place to visit, it can be an expensive place for tourists. But don’t let this stop you from exploring this wonderful city in the Emerald Isle. If you’re planning to visit Dublin soon but you don’t plan on going broke, check out these 10 budget travel tricks when getting around, lodging, and dining.

Transportation

1. Get a leap card

If you’re in town for a few days or weeks, you can save a lot by getting a Leap Card. The card costs around €5 but it could save you plenty. It can be used to pay for your travel in Dublin and its surrounding counties on transport services including buses, trains, and trams.

2. Avoid taxis

A taxi from the airport to the city centre costs around €25. Don’t waste money on pricey transportation just to reach your hotel in Dublin. If you’re looking for a way to get to and from the airport, the cheapest option would be the Airlink Bus, One-way tickets cost €6 while return tickets cost €11.

The same goes for getting around the city. Instead of hailing a cab, take the affordable Dublin Bus to make the most out of your travel budget. The Dublin Bus’ routes connect all different areas of the city.

3. Pedal your way around

Don’t want to ride a bus but don’t want to walk either? Riding a bicycle is another fun and cheap way to get around the city. Check out Dublin’s bike share program. If you’ll be staying for a while, you may want to get your own bike to save you a lot of money in the long run.

Accommodation & Dining

4. Stay at budget hotels and cheaper lodging alternatives

The average price for a hotel stay in Ireland is almost €150 per night. The hotel prices in Dublin are higher. If you simply want a decent, comfortable room, be on the lookout for an affordable hotel in Dublin, offering rates lower than €100. You may also opt for a hostel.

5. Dine wisely

Next to buying groceries and cooking your meals, there are other ways to save euros on dining without sacrificing satisfaction. Seek out markets and street food stalls. You should also take advantage of the early bird deals on restaurants

6. Avoid tourist traps if you’re out for a meal or drink

If you’re on a budget, avoid popular tourist traps like Temple Bar and Dawson street. While the pubs are great, the prices are inflated. You’re better off eating elsewhere for the same quality but cheaper rates.

You can wander around the Temple Bar for other reasons including its displays of murals and artworks, quirky marketplaces, and talented musicians at work, which won’t cost a penny.

7. It’s okay not to tip

Tipping in Dublin or anywhere in Ireland is not mandatory. You can leave a small tip for restaurant servers, bartenders, and taxi drivers when you feel like it – like if they’ve given you exemplary service for long hours.

Sights & Attractions

8. Focus on cheap and free attractions

Good news for art, literature, science, and history buffs: you can skimp on money, but not on culture. Dublin boasts over 40 museums, galleries, and libraries and many of them are free to enter.

Aside from the world-renowned “The Book of Kells” in Trinity College Dublin and The Little Museum of Dublin, here are other cheap or free attractions worth checking out:

National Library
National Gallery of Ireland
National Museum of Ireland
Dublin Writers Museum
The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle
The Huge Lane Gallery
Irish Museum of Modern Art
Science Gallery, Trinity College
Dublin Castle’s Garda Museum and Revenue Museum

9. Seek out cheap or free entertainment

Not a traveller who enjoys museum visits and laidback strolling? Fun activities for budget-friendly travellers are just around the corner, from free guided walking tours to cheap pub crawls.

For traditional music, see O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row and Doyles just across Trinity College. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a “match day”, grab a seat in a pub where they provide free viewing.

10. Time your travel

Save money by researching on the best times to visit Dublin.

If you want to visit Dublin when the temperatures are warm (summer season) and the festivals fill the streets, go for June to August. Just take note that this period is the most expensive time to visit, with high airfare and hotel rates. It’s also the most crowded time of the year.

If you want to visit when hotel prices fall and the number of tourists is few, time your vacation during Ireland’s fall (September to November), and winter (December to February). Just prepare for chilly weather and make sure to pack fall and winter clothing.

Author Bio:

Carmina Natividad is one of the travel-savvy writers for IMI Residence Dublin, a modern hotel offering leisure travellers affordable and exceptional accommodation in Dublin Ireland. This frugal young lady believes that travelling shouldn’t be expensive. She loves sharing money-saving hacks on lodging, travelling, and dining.

What are the best places in New Zealand?

There’s so much to see and do in this country, I couldn’t possibly list it all here. Here are some of my highlights to visit if you’re on a 2–4 week holiday. I suggest renting a car or van to get around as you have the freedom to stop at the many lovely spots along the way to bigger highlights. The seasons will affect the type of holiday you have here so be sure to consider whether you’re looking for warm and mild temperatures or snow adventures!

North Island

The Bay of Islands is a subtropical wonderland of beautiful beaches and islands worth spending a few days on if you’re here to relax. I see New Zealand as more of an active adventure holiday spot though and all that stuff is to be found further south.

The Coromandel has some beautiful beaches with excellent walks and the hot water beach is very interesting here- you can make your own jacuzzi bath by digging into the sand on the hot water beach!

Rotorua is home to many geothermal parks where you can witness some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Bubbling sulfur cauldrons and mysterious mud that cracks through the surface of the earth. It’s also the perfect place for visiting thermal baths.

Lake Taupo is a great adventure sports hub that is cheaper than its South Island counterpart Queenstown. It’s also a very beautiful lake and the best base for exploring the mountain ranges for amazing trekking like the Tongariro Crossing.

Waitomo Glow Worm Caves are a real sight to behold, a huge network of caves where it’s possible to witness the glowing worms above your head.

If you’re into Lord of the Rings then you can visit Hobbiton!

The South Island

Kaikoura is a beautiful coastal town on a peninsula and it’s the best place to see whales which I highly recommend that you do. It was my highlight of NZ.

Marlborough is an excellent wine region in the north where you can do many tastings and also see the beautiful Marlborough sounds if you head to Picton. The drive up here from Kaikoura is beautiful and offers the chance to see sea lion colonies.

The Fiordland National Park is home to some of the most stunning coastal scenery in the world, similar to Marlborough but bigger and more majestic. Head to Doubtful Sound for a calmer and quieter experience, or Milford Sound which is more frequented by tourists. They are both in the south and make sure you have good weather before spending money on a tour here. Apologies I couldn’t find any blue sky photos for these places, you have to be really lucky to get those!

Doubtful Sound

Milford Sound

Abel Tasman is excellent for trekking and lovely walks in lush green forests and secluded beaches.

The west coast of the south island is known for its gorgeous landscape including the Pancake Rocks and many wild beaches. Driving here through the middle of the island will take you through Arthur’s Pass or Lewis Pass which are both stunning and deserve to be taken slowly to soak up the views.

Many people visit Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier on their NZ trip but I personally wouldn’t bother. I went 5 years ago and hiked on it which was amazing, and then went back this January and you wouldn’t believe how much it has receded. It’s not worth the time, but they won’t tell you that as they still have to make money from this attraction. If you’re interested in glaciers you must go to Patagonia, but don’t waste your time on this trip, there’s so much more to see here.

Lake Wanaka and Queenstown are beautiful calm lakeside resorts with plenty of activities to do. Wanaka is quieter and the drive here from the west coast is insanely beautiful. Queenstown is more of a party town, but that’s in NZ standards so it’s still pretty chilled. There’s plenty of fun to be had late at night at the bars in town though. And giant food as well at Ferg Burger and Fat Badger’s Pizza. Work it all off by doing a skydive 😉

Queenstown