Travel - Best Places of Interest

October 5, 2018 Travel, Round the world

Top 7 Things to keep in mind while travelling to Dubai

Dubai is one of the favorite destinations in the world perfect for all types of holidays. Be it an adventure escape, a romantic interlude, or a fun-filled family holiday, Dubai welcomes each and every guest with plentiful options in sightseeing, adventure sports, and remarkable recreational experiences. However, as with any destination, one must take into consideration certain facts for a comfortable travel experience and understand what is unlawful and what can seem offensive to the locals of that particular destination. As the famous saying goes ’When in Rome, do as the Romans do, in Dubai, you need to follow it sternly in order to have a pleasant vacation. It is essential to follow rules in Dubai as the emirate is also highly influenced by Islamic laws. If you are traveling to Dubai for the first time, here are some essential points you should keep in mind before you apply for a Dubai visa online and plan your holiday trip.

Keep in mind the best time to visit Dubai

Dubai, a desert land is mostly known for its monotonous climate. It is mostly hot throughout the year with temperatures spiking up during summer months. In short, the weather is typically hot or hotter. It is essential to do your homework on when to visit Dubai as its summer months are unbearably scorching. Climate change can be particularly agonizing if you are used to cooler climates. Plan your visit between October and April when the temperature descends to a pleasant warmth. This is the time when you wouldn’t have to face the harsh heat of the desert and can indulge in outdoor activities without worrying about sunstroke. Other months of the year in Dubai witness a sharp slash in prices and can feel like a good time for a budget-friendly holiday, but then you would have to spend most of your days in Dubai indoors, getting away from the sweltering sun.

Book your services in advance

The mellowed weather in Dubai from October to April allures hordes of tourists which makes it the peak season period of Dubai tourism. This is also the period when Dubai gears up for its annual festivals and events to entertain its guests and capture more tourists’ influx during its high season. This is why you would need to book hotels, flight tickets, and restaurant reservations in advance to avoid any disappointments on your holiday. If you have a particular hotel or resort in mind where you would prefer to spend your stays in Dubai, you need to keep a lookout for availability as most popular hotels get sold out swiftly for peak seasons. Hence, it would be better if you book your hotel stays three to four months before your travel date to avoid any inconvenience. Flights also get full and tickets are sold out quickly during cooler months. The same goes for high-end and popular restaurants where it wouldn’t be easy to make a spontaneous reservation on the night you prefer to dine at your choice of swanky fine dining restaurant during the bustling tourist season in Dubai.

You may like to read 5 Tourist attractions in Dubai

Strict laws against drug use

The United Arab Emirates has one of the longest lists of banned substances in the world and it has an absolutely zero-tolerance policy against drug use. One main traveling to Dubai rule is that drugs are strictly prohibited and not allowed within the emirate. You could land in serious trouble if you are caught with traces of drugs on you. There have been cases where unaware visitors have been detained just for having poppy seeds scattered on clothing and bags. Even if someone is not in possession of narcotics, having traces of drugs in urine or blood testing also accounts as “possession” under UAE law. Even certain medicines are listed under drugs and you would require a doctor’s prescription to carry them with you while entering Dubai. Hence one of the important things to know about Dubai before visiting is its list of banned goods and drugs. If found guilty, you may have to pay a hefty sum as a penalty or be sentenced to jail.

Respect the culture and locals

Dubai being an Islamic destination has a conservative cultural scene. There are certain norms and customs you should take into consideration while visiting Dubai which in turn will benefit you to have a hassle-free Dubai trip. Always consider the comfort of the locals around you; irking them and a complaint to the local police against you can attract trouble for you. Dubai does not encourage loud noises, music, and processions on streets and public areas. Stay away from swearing and public display of affection even as little as holding hands in public as these are considered offensive to locals. While taking photographs in public places, it is better to ask permission to avoid any unnecessary issues. Taking photographs of locals, especially of women without consent, any government buildings, airports, and military sections can land you in trouble with the authorities.

Dress modestly.

Dress Code For Dubai in religious places

Dubai does not have a strict dress code but it is essential that visitors dress modestly to avoid any problems. Women travelers should be aware of what to wear and which apparel is considered inappropriate in Dubai. Apart from certain hotels and designated spots, it is essential to cover shoulders and knees, especially in public arenas. Men too are not allowed to roam shirtless or in sleeveless attires. While visiting a mosque, women should cover their heads and the attire should cover their legs. It is best to carry a shawl or a cardigan among the things you need for a Dubai city tour if you are not sure of the dress code at public spots and malls.

Be careful where you are drinking alcohol

Unlike other emirates of the UAE, Dubai doesn’t have strict bans on consuming alcohol. But there are restrictions on when and where to drink. In Dubai alcohol is allowed in designated restaurants, private clubs, and hotels that have a license to serve alcohol. Even if you plan to have a drink with your friends and chill at a licensed hotel or bar, you should not leave the premises in a drunken state as public drunkenness is an offense in Dubai. Dubai is very strict about drunk driving and consuming liquor in public areas and beaches. Publicly consuming alcohol can lead to six months of imprisonment and heavy penalties.

Show respect during Ramadan month

It is probably best to avoid visiting Dubai during Ramadan month as it is very little you can explore and experience during that period. If you are planning to visit Dubai during Ramadan month, you have to consider following the customs of Ramadan month which mainly involve not eating or chewing in public during fasting hours. The locals practice fasting for a month between sunrise and sunset and everyone irrespective of religion is bound to respect the custom by not eating and drinking in public. Most of the restaurants will be closed during this time, some remain open behind closed screens. However, it is best to refrain from eating in public and respect the traditions of the holy Ramadan month.

Hey Friends, I am Shivam Khandelwal. I am a restless soul. The only time I am sitting still is when I am reviewing all the various places I’ve traveled. Yes, I love to travel, shop, eat good food, and write about it. I am truly living a blessed life and will continue to share my experiences with you. Let’s stay in touch!

September 26, 2018 Round the world, Travel

Top California Cities for a Family Vacation

Finding the perfect destination for your next family vacation isn’t always easy. On top of having literally thousands of places to choose from, you must find a spot that encompasses a little of something for everyone to enjoy. Whether that’s relaxing by the pool, building sand castles at the beach, experiencing the thrill of theme-park rides, or exploring museums, malls, and local shops, finding it all in one place isn’t always easy. That is unless you head to sunny California. With family-friendly destinations like San Diego, Carlsbad, San Francisco, and more, the opportunities for family fun are endless. Take a look at some of the most popular cities in California for your next getaway with the kids.

Long Beach, CA

If you’re looking for a quiet and more tranquil place to travel to, then Long Beach, CA is a great place to visit. A lot less crowded than nearby Los Angeles, the beach town is the ideal place to relax and explore. There is a 5-acre Aquarium where children can view more than 10,000 ocean creatures with the otters being the most popular attraction. There’s also the Long Beach Museum of Art, Museum of Latin Art, Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, and more. Positioned just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Disneyland, there’s a lot to see and do.

Carlsbad, CA

If there’s any city you need to travel to in California, it’s Carlsbad. Though most families visit Carlsbad for its closeness to Legoland (an awesome theme park and museum worth checking out by the way), there are a ton of other exciting things for you to get into. There are beaches to explore, a seaside village filled with mini shops and eateries, an interactive music museum, and a breathtaking field of flowers worth gazing at.

San Diego, CA

If it’s adventure you’re after than San Diego is exactly where you want to be. As the second largest city in California, there is no shortage of things to do there. The city has more than 75 miles of beaches. Black beach is great for surfing, while Mission beach always has a ton of family-friendly activities and laid back restaurants for your dining pleasure. Obviously, you can’t talk about this city without bringing up the awesome San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld. The whole family will have fun viewing exhibits of animals from all over the world on land and sea.

San Francisco, CA

Another popular California city worth taking the family to is San Francisco. Packed with playgrounds, recreational centres, coffee shops, and more, there’s something for kids (and their parents) to enjoy. You can take a walk down memory lane by visiting The Walt Disney Museum, catch of glimpse of sea lions and public performers at Pier 39, explore the world of science at the Exploratorium, or simply explore the natural wonders and sites at the Golden Gate Park.

Lake Tahoe, CA

Last, but certainly not least on the list of family-friendly destinations to travel in California is Lake Tahoe. If you’re a family who enjoys the great outdoors, camping, and wildlife, you’ll love this scene. In the winter, the kids can have fun learning cool winter sports like skiing on Heavenly Mountain, one of the area’s tallest mountaintops. There’s also zip lining, tubing, a gondola, and rope courses for the perfect outdoor experience. The area also has more than 75 miles of shorelines so there’s no shortage of beaches for those awesome summer getaways.

As you can see, there are a lot of places you can take your family to the great state of California. From winter sports and campgrounds with scenic views to miles of shorelines and amazing beaches and outdoor theme parks and zoos packed with wildlife, there’s something for everyone. Hopefully, the above ideas have helped you to narrow down your options. Whether you plan on taking the trip next summer or you’re reserving a mini getaway for the winter break and holiday season, there’s a lot of fun to be had in Sunny California.

September 17, 2018 Food, Travel

Different Types of Foods You Can Carry during Train Journey

If you are making long train journey you need to carry tiffin boxes if you want to avoid food from the train. Those are an additional burden, right? You can anytime have the foods on the train during your journey. Still, there are certain things you can carry with you to avoid the boredom of journey. Even if you are making the inter-state journey, you can carry small things, like fruits, chocolates, etc. Long train journeys are really boring. The excitement of vacation vanishes within a few hours. And you start counting the time of your arrival at the destination. Munching interesting foods can make it interesting. No, you don’t need to carry an extra luggage for that. Just have a handbag, full of small items and a book. Your train journey can be awesome.

What can you take with you on your train journey?

Read on to know more

Fruits

They can be your best friend while travelling by train. There are many people who can’t have anything as they nauseate due to the jerking of the vehicle. Fruits can keep you away from that. Also, they are quite appetizing and makes you full for hours. Remember, you should not carry cut fruits. Take an apple or guava and munch them in between your journey. Avoid carrying banana as that may get rotten or mashed in your bag.

Chocolates

For little appetite, a box full of chocolates can be interesting. Buy different types of chocolates and toffee and fill the box with them. It will also look interesting. When you feel bored during your journey, grab a chocolate bar and munch it. You will feel better.

Snack Bars

They are nutritious and keeps you full for longer. For your short hunger pangs, snack bars are really awesome. You can go for granola bars which contain honey, raisins, almonds, walnuts, and brown sugar. These are good for those who are on the weight-loss regime. You can carry a few with you in an air-tight container.

Snacks

Chips, popcorn, etc. are fun food. For evening snacks, you can carry a few packets too. If you want to go healthy, go for banana wafers. You will also find baked goods where little oil is used or sometimes they are oil-free. For a healthy journey, you can carry a few packets of those too.

Sandwiches

While carrying in a journey, you better take a grilled sandwich, otherwise, it can have a foul smell. Wrap in aluminium foil and then place it in an air-tight container. It will be as it is for a long time. The sandwich is loved by all and you can have them for lunch, dinner or breakfast, whenever you want.

Cookies and Cupcakes

They are easy to carry. You can take them in a container or just stuff your bag with few packets. If you want to make cakes, go for muffins.

So, there are certain types of food on a train to carry. Whatever you carry, make sure they are a dry element. Soft and gooey things get rotten faster.

August 6, 2018 Travel, Within India

10 Historical Places in Gujarat

Gujarat’s rich history and culture come alive till date through the many historical monuments and sites that the state has. The beauty of Gujarat lies in its rich past. Fascinating tales and historical incidents from yesteryear make Gujarat an interesting state to visit. Many of the historical sites that Gujarat has dated back to the times of the Vedas or are as old as Indus Valley civilization. The historical places of Gujarat offer a brilliant revival of history with some amazing inputs from modernity.

The top historical places of Gujarat may be listed as follows:

Champaner-Pavagadh

Champaner-Pavagadh, also jointly referred to as an archaeological park, has been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. The history and culture of these two places are as old as civilization itself. These two ancient historic cities were the nerve centres of civilization for many years but gradually faded in importance and got lost to the ages. Today the cities bear vivid testimony to many historical eras such as the Vedic period, Rajput age, Maratha period, Mughal era and the British era. The cities are dotted with numerous ornate monuments which reflect a fusion of Hindu and Islamic architectures. A visit to Champaner-Pavagadh historic cities will let you walk back in time and explore the past.

Sabarmati Ashram

Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad is a much-revered place for Gandhian and passionate country-lovers. Gandhi resided in this ashram and spearheaded the Indian struggle for freedom from this renowned political epicentre. The ashram stands along the Sabarmati River and is also differently referred to as Satyagraha Ashram and Harijan Ashram.

Dholavira

Dholavira, a part of the 4500 years old Indus Valley Civilization is an important excavation site. Dholavira offers enchanting glimpses into the ancient civilization of the past. Many archaeological marvels excavated at Dholavira will offer you an idea about the enormous development that the civilization underwent during its times. Kutch desert wildlife sanctuary lies in close proximity to Dholavira and is one of the prime tourist attractions.

Lothal

Lothal is an archaeological site as well as an old city lying about 87kms away from the business hub of Ahmedabad. Lothal had been a part of the Harappan civilization. Full-fledged, well-developed settlements were present in Lothal during the Harappan age. Today you can catch a glimpse of one of the most ancient cultures of the world; i.e. the Harappan culture at Lothal. The culture though now in total ruins still speaks aloud the tale of a glorious civilization of antiquity. The age of the site may be traced back to 2nd millennium BC. Lothal archaeological site falls within Gujarat’s Ahmedabad district in the village of Sarajwala.

Mahabat Maqbara

Mahabat Maqbara is an important historical monument located in Gujarat’s Junagadh city. The Maqbara came into being in the year 1892 and was used by the Junagadh Nawabs as their presidential palace.

Kirti Toran

Kirti Toran in Gujarat’s Vadnagar is also differently referred to as Kirti Stambha. It is an ornate temple arch of semi-religious or community import. It is a beautiful testimony to the architectural splendour of the Solanki era.

Bhujiyo Kotho

Bhujiyo Kotho is the five-storied ancient watchtower situated along Jamnagar’s Lakhota lake. The tower has a beautiful peacock-shaped water tank atop it. The tower was used for protection purpose in the historic times. The walls of the tower’s first floor have holes on them. These holes were used for shooting enemies down in ancient times. One could catch panoramic views of the entire city of Jamnagar from the tower top.

Kandla Port

Kandla Port is one of the most important ports of India. The port stands on Kandla stream. This port was a joint venture between the British Government and Maharaj Shri Khengarji- III around the 19th century. The port has a capacity of treating 24000 metric tonnes of dry Cargo per day.

Rani ki Vav

Rani Ki Vav is an architectural masterpiece constructed by queen Udayamati in the memory and honour of King Bhimdev I. It is a step well-constructed around 1063 AD. Waters from River Saraswati flowing beside the well was used to fill this well once upon a time. Now the well has gone dry as the river has gone dry too. This iconic historical site of Gujarat is situated in Patan. The walls of the stepwell are adorned with intricate sculptures that portray marvellous artistry and rich history. Maru-Gurjara architectural style has been employed to build the stepwell that exhibits real complex techniques and smart engineering.

Laxmi Vilas Palace

Laxmi Vilas Palace is a royal and opulent structure situated in Gujarat’s Vadodara town. This luxurious palatial building with ornate carvings came into being in the year 1980 under the initiative of Maharaja Sayaji Rao III. 60 Lakhs was spent to build this monument around the 19th century. Indo Saracenic architectural style is reflected through the architecture of this monument. Darbar hall of this palace will leave you thoroughly mesmerized. Today this hall is often hired by my music companies or movie production houses for concerts or shooting respectively.