Family vacations don’t come around often enough. Because of this, it is important to make the most out of the time you get. There are many lodging choices to consider. While each has its own benefits to consider, there are extra advantages that come with planning a cabin vacation such as with Beavers Bend cabin rentals. They have many great cabins to choose from on their site at www.beaversbendlogcabins.com.
While getting a hotel room is a go-to when planning a family vacation, there is an appeal of cabin rentals that you cannot get with staying at a hotel. One great benefit of staying out in a cabin is that you will get lots of peace and quiet. Most hotels are crammed to capacity with noisy guests and events. A cabin is set out in the woods with much less people around.
Scenery
A cabin will offer you a lot of beautiful scenery to enjoy on vacation. Depending on where you rent your cabin, you could have a view of a beautiful lake or mountains in the background. At night, the distance away from the city will allow you to see the sky and stars more clearly.
Space And Privacy
Most cabin rentals will offer more privacy and space compared to many hotel rooms. There are a variety of sizes and styles that can accommodate most families and budgets. If you are planning a huge family vacation, there are cabin rentals that can fit up to 30 or more people.
Pet Friendly
If you want to bring your family pet on vacation, the best option would be to get a cabin. If you have a dog, they will have plenty of room to run around and play without worrying about parking lots and other guests putting them in danger.
There is nothing wrong with staying in a hotel on your family vacation. However, if you want a unique and relaxing experience, a cabin rental is a great choice. You will notice how amazing it really was once you get back to the city and notice the difference.
Well on some of the days, we really wanna get away from the hustle bustle of daily life and that is one of the prime reasons I left Delhi and chose to live in Goa. Goa in itself is so peaceful and surrounded by nature that I find it refreshing me all the time, but even then, sometimes we want to go a little far away from the daily life and spend a couple of days relaxing. What better than staying close to nature for a perfect getaway and relaxation.
Nature’s Nest
I had read about a lot of places that offer accommodation in the lap of nature, and Nature’s Nest true to its name was the one name that cropped in my head. I discussed it with my friend, and she too readily agreed to the trip. We chose the Independence Day Eve as a perfect day for our mid-week adventure. Nature’s Nest is located in Surla area of Goa, which was approximately 60kms away from where we stay. Its truly surrounded by nature, its close to the Mahavir Wild Life Sanctuary and very popular with bird watchers and trekking lovers, as it offers perfect spots for both.
The Journey
We set out around 10 AM from our place, as it would take us 1.5 hours drive to Nature’s Nest and the check in time was at 12 Noon. The weather was totally on our side and once you cross Ponda, the drive becomes even more beautiful. The narrow roads, with greenery in abundance on both sides, makes for a fantastic view. We added some music in the background, grabbed a couple of drinks and snacks for the way and we were all set. We reached Nature’s Nest quite on time, at 12:15 we were at the reception of the resort.
The Ambiance and Rooms
The ambiance has a very raw appeal to it and is surrounded by greenery. It’s like practically living in mud and bamboo cottages in a middle of a jungle and in one look, I loved it. The greenery seemed even more alive and fresh after the rains and as per me, monsoons are definitely one of the best times to visit this place, not that you cant visit during other months, but trust me monsoons are the best. After a warm welcome at the reception along with a refreshing Kokum drink, we were directed towards our cottage. The resort houses 10 cottages and they look so lovely.
Our cottage was named Kunjan, and once again the raw appeal of the cottage, the mud walls, the thatched roof, all reminded me of the times I have spent in the villages and it was nostalgic. The room was spacious and comfortable, twin beds, with side tables, a dressing table and an open cane shelf for keeping clothes etc. The bathroom too was very spacious and huge, it almost felt like another room.
Lunch
After settling in the room and chilling for sometime imbibing the nature, it was almost time for lunch. At 1:30, we headed towards the restaurant area and a traditional Goan lunch was waiting for us. Prawn Curry, Chicken Xacuti, Rawa Fish Fry, Veg Gravy, Bhaji, Dal, Solkadi, Salad, Papad, Bhakri and Rice, the menu was quite a big one and was perfect for both vegetarians as well as non-vegetarians. It was freshly prepared and had the authentic taste of Goan flavors. Loved the kheer for sweet-dish.
After lunch, we retired to our rooms for a power nap and returned to the activity area at 4 PM. We indulged in 3-4 activities before our dinner and they were:
Artificial Wall Climbing
Well, this one was not for me, as with my fingernails I just could not get the grip and climb even one step. My friend did try a bit, but even she couldn’t do much. So we kind of skipped this one and moved to the next activity.
Flying Fox and Zip Line
Now both of these were really fun, I had never tried a zip line before and although it wasn’t a very high or long one, I really enjoyed it. Zipping between the greens and with raindrops drenching me, it was something I really loved.
Trek to a Plateau
Well, this was an evening trail amidst nature, we trekked to a nearby plateau, the slight uphill climb was beautiful. The sounds of a peacock and a flowing stream were almost filling the entire place. View from the top point was breathtakingly beautiful. I could not manage a lot of clear pictures because it rained heavily while we went there and also some of the pics came blurred because of this reason. Nevertheless, what I captured in my mind and soul will remain with me for a long time. We also saw an insectivorous plant and a pair of Hornbills, they looked amazing as they flew from one tree to the other. Their flight looked magically beautiful.
This point is otherwise very famous for sunset, but as we were in monsoons, there was no sunset to watch, but a lot of refreshing greenery, the water stream, plants, birds, frogs, and yes the peacock. I felt so so good after this trek. Also met an Ornate Flying Snake Baby, never had a chance to see a snake so closely, it looked so so beautiful. And strangely enough, I wasn’t scared.
Night Trail
By the time we returned from our trek, it was almost 6:30, we came back to our rooms to freshen up a bit and then at 7 PM headed for a short night trail. This night trail was specifically to show us a luminous kind of mushroom that glows in the dark, so complete darkness was important.
After a walking for a short while, we reached the spot, though we were using our flashlights to walk through the dense forest, at this point, our guide, Mr. Ramesh, one of the partners at Nature’s Nest instructed us to switch off all lights and close our eyes for a few seconds. After those few seconds, when we opened our eyes we were astonished. A full tree branch, from the ground to the top was glowing, it felt as if someone had put a tube light there. We even held one of the branches in our hand, with the flashlight on, it felt like any other branch, with nothing special to notice, but the magic happened when it turned dark.
After this night trail, we were a bit tired with the day’s activities and chose to have an early dinner. A spread of simple dishes including Kadhai Chicken, Mushroom Curry, Dal, Baingan Bhaji, Rice, Roti, and Seviyan was laid out. It felt like a home cooked comfort food, nothing fancy, but simple yet tasty. Though we had all intentions to retire to bed early as we had to go for a morning trek too, but we ended up chatting for long hours sitting and relaxing in the restaurant itself and then with some background light music supported by the music of falling raindrops on the roof, the sounds of the cricket and watching the fireflies glow near the window, we drifted into to a good night’s sleep.
We got up early the next morning, as, after a quick breakfast of omelet, poha, pav and black coffee, we had to leave for the Talde Waterfall Trek. We left the resort at around 8:30 AM. The trek point is about 10 minutes drive from the resort and its a 30 minutes trek into thick forest with very narrow lanes. 20 minutes of the trek is more of a straight walk, but like I said the walk is on a very very narrow lane which can barely fit one person, and the last 10 minutes of the trek are tougher with more of an uphill climb on slippery stones and rocks, but once you reach the waterfall, its all simply worth it.
The view is mesmerizing, the noise of the waterfall filled me with so much calmness that I words will fall short to explain my feelings. It’s definitely worth a visit. For me, it was my first experience of almost dipping in the water and feel a waterfall so closely. Its one of those experiences that I will never forget. We spent a good half an hour enjoying the waterfall and after capturing memories in my camera, we started on our way back. Once back to the resort, we did our check out formalities and came back home completely refreshed and rejuvenated.
This entire experience filled me with so much of positive energy that as soon as I was back home, I was raring to go for another adventure. I did not feel even a bit tired. This staycation was a much-needed break for me and although I was not very sure about anything, as everything was new for me, all I can say is I am glad I took this decision and chose Nature’s Nest.
As per season, Nature’s Nest offers a lot of activities like Bird Watching, Jungle Safaris, Night Trails, Trekking, Waterfall Treks etc. Make sure you check with them of the available options and plan your travel accordingly.
Traveling has always remained pervasive and perpetual throughout the ages. However the ways of traveling and traveling places have changed. People like to travel a lot. Different countries have become culturally closed and that thing has assisted in fostering this newfangled taste of traveling. Tourism industry has also developed a lot and these things help socially also as we people from different places of the globe travel far and wide and social stature remains stable because of all this. So we can say traveling is a famous activity these days and every person like to be called a traveler.
Traveling is definitely something we all look forward to in order to rejuvenate ourselves, but sometimes travel also comes with its set of anxiety and panics. Lot of people that I know panic over the safety issues involved while traveling, and in a way they are all relevant. Safety is one of the prime concerns while traveling especially to a different country. But all I wanna say is that if one is careful and the planning is perfect, one can overcome all anxiousness and travel safely throughout the world. I recently came across this comprehensive article on travel safety and I feel its a must read. Let me know your feedback and experiences in the comments below. Read the article here
To experience the mesmerizing colors of the Aurora Borealis is the dream of every traveler. It is a bold claim that Northern Norway is the best place to fulfill this very dream. Other than Norway, other places flaunting this beauty are various Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Greenland,andAlaska.
These magnificent Auroral displays occur in many colors, pale green and pink being the most common. There are many shades of red, green, yellow and blue emitting in the night sky around the poles. The light appears in many forms from scattered clouds of light to shimmering arcs and sometimes even shooting rays that light up the sky with a stunning glow.
What causes the Northern Lights?
The understanding of Northern Lights is no rocket science. It is a simple process that occurs when our planet earth revolves around the sun, there is a small fraction of solar wind that is intercepted by our planet. Almost 98% of these solar particles are deflected by the earth’s magnetic field and are drifted downside towards the Northpole and the South pole.
The excitation of these atoms is caused when they hit the molecules present in the earth’s atmosphere. This collision creates many glowing rings of auroral nature around, known as auroral ovals. The distinctive color of light appears during the disintegration of these particles to their original state.
Best destinations to experience the Northern Lights
Experiencing the Northern Lights is a spiritually uplifting experience. Every form is different, displaying a multicolored shifting dance of nocturnal rainbows. This ethereal sight can be witnessed from some of the most beautiful Scandinavian countries. To see the celestial moves in the night sky one has to travel north towards the Arctic.
Listed below are some of the top-notchdestinations-
Sweden
The best-guaranteedexperience of the Northern lights is in Sweden. NorthernSweden is situated in a weather shadow surrounded by a mountain range providingan 80% chance of witnessing the auroral lights. The famous AbiskaNational Park situated in Swedish Lapland delivers the best experience of the Northern lights.
The stupendous mountain range prevents the orographic rains and keeps the sky almost clear and pollution free. It is no wonder that Lonely planet announced the Abiska, world’s most illuminating experiences in the world.
Iceland
Being a native to Iceland has its own privileges. They are, without a doubt, most privileged ones. Northern lights here are clearly visible for eight months a year, starting from September to the end of April.
On the contrary,it is just a matter of luck to see any such aurora activity as it depends on the local weather conditions and solar activity. Iceland, therefore, is an optimal destination in order to tick seeing the Northern Lights off of your bucket list.
Canada
Canada boastssimilar experiences as Iceland since it faces longhours of darkness in winter. However, the dense cloud cover prevalent in these areas decreases the chances of aurora activity. Places like Whitehorse, Yukon in Canada is illuminated by the northern lights as a shimmering cosmic dance across the night lit sky.
Yukon is no doubt the top-notchdestinations for travelers seeking spiritual upliftment in this natural wonder of nature. There are many prime lodging options in Yukon flauntingserene viewing locations at all times.
Iqaluit, Nunavut is another superb destination for blending into the cultural perspectives and witnessing northern lights. This epic destination exhibits a unique life to this region.
Athabasca Country, Alberta
Want to get a glimpse of glory? Northern Alberta is the place for you. Alberta is home to Athabasca University’s Geophysical Observatory.
It is amongst the many stations in the whole of North America studying the detailed aspects of Northern Lights.
Norway
One of the most fantabulous sights of Northern lights in the world is in Norway. Here the lights only appear at high latitudes from September to March, where the lucky stargazerscan get an opportunity to experiencethe emerald green sky to the scarlet violet sky. Various companies, like Nordic Experience and Sunvil,organize amazing activities such as the Northern Lights and dogsledding.
Alaska
If you are a resident of America, you are the luckiest as there is no need tohead toEurope to experience the Northern lights. You can actually experience it without leaving the United States.It is the inland Alaskan Arctic where skies are crystal clear and thus provides one of the best spotsto witness the Northern lights and enjoy the natural cosmic light show. Northern America is the most convenient place where Americans head for their chances to see the aurora borealis.
The Northern Lights near Coldfoot is a place in Alaska and is home to the rustic Coldfoot Camp in the Brooks Mountain range. It is the prime Northern Lights observing location in the Alaskan Arctic.
This beautiful town is located on the extreme northern edge of Alaska which organizes tours and outdoor adventures connected to the native culture providing a vast open area to drown in the feel of Northern lights.
Why do we see the blend of different colors?
The most common color observed in Northern Lights is green. It is due to the collision of the solar wind with millions of oxygen atoms which, when decay fall back to the original state, while emitting the green hue in the night sky.The reason for the red color seen in the northern lights is also caused by oxygen atoms.
The red color is always present, the reason for its intermittent appearance is that the human eyes are five times less sensitive to red light than green. The beautiful swirl of purple tinge is due tothe fact that the earth’s atmosphere is made up of nitrogen.
Source- https://pixabay.com/en/northern-lights-aurora-borealis-984120/Myths associated with Northern Lights
Conclusion
To witness the real beauty of our planet, we need to travel often and experience the richness of diversity in terms of culture, ecology, food and the natural events that occur on this planet.
Author’s Bio:
Yogi and Suchna believe in taking the road less travelled and stumbling upon some hidden gems along the way! For over a decade, they’ve mapped their way across various continents, sniffed out unusual routes, discovered new flavours and stayed at quirky hostels. TheVillaEscape is their expression of soul travel. To check Iceland Trip From Indiayou can catch up with them at TheVillaEscape.
If you are traveling and hoping to visit one of the beautiful golf courses near Austin TX, you might want to discover Teravista, in the heart of the Texas Hill Country in Round Rock. Views from the course cover a span of 50 miles, adding to the enjoyment of the game.
Designed by Clifton-Ezell-Clifton, the course has been awarded the distinction of ‘Beginner Friendly Course’ by the National Golf Course Owners Association; it is a great course for playing with the whole family as you travel Texas. Avid golfers as well as newcomers are all welcome here.
Water hazards, sand traps and unique fairways will be challenging and make your game exciting and memorable. There is the proximity to water on 14 holes, and 60 to 70 bunkers are in the layout. Hole #17 is the no. 1 handicap, with its 443 yards. Greens and fairways are composed of Bermuda Grass. Because there is often a long walk between holes, golf carts are recommended at this course. Tournaments are held here, and wedding and events take place at special times.
As an 18-hole championship course, Teravista offers rolling terrain and challenges for all levels and ages of golfers. It has a 7,200-yard layout with five different tee sets. With its location in the Austin area, this course is known for its great conditions.
Practice
Two greenside and fairway bunkers, chipping green and double-sided range are part of the experience. A 22,000 sq ft practice green is the largest in the Austin area. Visitors can get ready for their game, while hoping to achieve a great score.
Additionally, lessons are available at the J.L. Lewis Golf Academy on the premises. Seasoned players as well as newbies are taught by J.L., an author and two-time champion of the PGA Tour, winning the 1999 John Deere Classic and the 2004 84 Lumber Classic of Pennsyvannia. He offers world-class instruction for golfers of all abilities and ages and enjoys teaching amateurs to strive for their best.
Pro Shop
One can find the popular brands, such as Nike, Titleist, Under Amour, Foot-Joy and more in the well stocked shop. They have an large assortment of products, from balls to gloves.
Restaurant
You can enjoy breakfast and lunch right on the premises from 9:30 to 3 p.m. at the Caldwell Cafe. It is open to the public, seven days a week.
Booking
Travelers can book an online tee-time and can receive a discount if booked the same day at the right time. Advance booking is also possible with a choice of number of holes, players and price range.
With a four-star rating on Golf Advisor, players have commented on how well the greens were kept as well as the fairways. Its well-maintained conditions and course layout make it an excellent choice for those looking for 18-hole games at the best courses near Austin TX.
Teravista Golf Course has a facebook presence with Teravista Golf Club, so visitors can learn of special events or family activities.
I am a sucker for luxury and a five star hotel is one of the best ways to indulge in some luxury, leisure and one is lucky enough if the hotel also offers some great food. I recently stayed at the Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, Delhi and I can easily say, that it gave me a perfectly balanced experience of everything. The comfortable stay in a spacious room, culinary delights at Dilli 32 and Cafe Knosh and immense hospitality throughout. Read the full story here
The culinary experience at Dilli 32 was indeed a special one, as the restaurant was running a food festival, Dining with the Maharajas, serving the royal food from Mahmoodabad. Read my complete post here
I had a very pleasant and fulfilling experience at the Leela Ambience Convention Hotel and I look forward to a visit again soon and also recommend the place to all my readers, I am sure you too will love it.
There comes a time where everyone wants to get away from their current life, even if just for a short time, so it’s best to get the most out of it while you can. When planning a holiday, there’s a lot to consider, and when you likely only have limited time and money, you want to make sure it was worth paying for! Not everyone follows the same lifestyle, so planning holidays can come out in a variety of prices and destinations, and finding the right one for you can take time; it should!
Going with family?
When you travel with family, you can naturally expect it to turn out more difficult than advertised. In a lot of cases, the idea of a family holiday can look like a nightmare, especially for the parents. So how can you make sure your holiday is an escape, rather than it ending up stressful? First of all, as the holiday planner, you need to make sure you consider everyone who’s going. You don’t want to spend extra on people coming on holiday, for them to not want to be there; so make sure you’re covering everyone’s interests. Family holidays can be a generally great way to get closer as a family, as it’s the prime time for bonding; so make sure it doesn’t turn into the nightmare that many families fear!
Traveling alone
Many people might find the idea of traveling alone frightening. It is! But there are ways to dodge a lot of the fears you might face. Firstly, you have no one to rely on, and no one to do activities. This is when keeping yourself booked up becomes much more important, as relaxing alone can become easily boring. Are you going somewhere that speak another language? If so, it could be worth learning a few phrases in case of emergency, or maybe for just simple conveniences. Knowing how to ask for directions can save you a lot of trouble if you end up getting lost.
Moving Abroad
Moving is a scary enough experience as it is, except with this step you’re not only saying goodbye to your home but your country too. Exciting! It’s important that you consider almost everything when you want to move away, as there’s so much preparation to be done and costs to be covered. With that in mind, moving abroad can actually work out cheaper in the long run, depending on the economy of the country you’re going to. It could be that you’re looking for the luxury life in the sun, most people do this after they’ve retired; there’s no need to look for work this way, and you have plenty of time to pick on and adapt to the language. Take a look at some Malaysia property for some idea of what you could be missing out on. A lot of the time when people move abroad, it’s to get away from the weather and surroundings that they’re so bored of, so make sure you don’t head into more of the same is a must!
Expect to spend!
There’s a lot more to consider than just the fixed costs of going on a trip, so just preparing for your travel, food and a place to stay isn’t going to cut it. You’re going away to enjoy it, so make sure that money won’t be your downfall when you get there! A lot of the time when traveling, there can be unexpected costs, and if you’re not prepared to pay with them, it may well ruin your plans, so make sure you plan right and avoid any kind of surprises that you’ll be out of pocket for. You never know how you’ll feel or what you’ll see when you’re abroad, maybe you’ll learn of new activities that you want to take part in or find something that you’d like to buy as a souvenir.
Don’t plan too much!
It’s easy to turn your holiday into a stressful nightmare, you need to make sure you have time to relax in between activities. When looking online at all the things you can be a part of, it’s easy to be tempted into all of them, along with the pressure of getting the most out of your holiday. Just remember the holiday will be a lot less enjoyable if you change your mind at some point, and just need some time to chill out and take in the environment. It’s best to make sure there are things you can do without booking them, should you change your mind once you get over there.
It’s quite scary to consider that when you’re on holiday, you can’t rely on the protection of police too much. Depending on where you go, you may end up having to deal with stolen or lost possessions, and the less aware of these crimes, the easier the target you are. That’s not to say that all locations are thriving with pick-pockets and criminals, but it’s best to take the extra measures to ensure that your belongings remain with you. Maybe you’ll only lose a small amount of money, maybe your phone! So it’s important to make sure you can protect yourself without expecting the help of others, due to the communication barriers, and the lack of evidence and witnesses there would be within a crowd.
Bring your own supplies
A lot of people find it hard to trust strangers, which isn’t a bad thing! Anywhere you are in the world, it’s best to rely on yourself than others, especially when buying drinks. Bringing your own alcohol and food can help you prevent yourself from getting sick while you’re away, as you know what you’re eating and drinking, and can ensure you don’t regret receiving from strangers. Again, I’m not saying everyone is out to get you, but when you’re on holiday it can become even more difficult to trust strangers, because you likely don’t speak their language, or know anything about them.
Goa has always been my most favourite place on this planet and it always will be. I have been to Goa so many times and yet I am always ready for my next visit. There is so much to Goa that however times you may visit, there is always something new to discover about it, and thats the best part. You cannot get tired of exploring Goa, and when you have experts who can guide you through the most unexplored parts of Goa, you simply can’t ask for more.
I am talking about Goa Unlimited, who can be your idle travel partners in Goa. Read the full story here
Getting out into nature using only your own two legs as transportation is a romantic idea for many people. And there is no doubt that a walking holiday provides a sense of adventure that you simply don’t get from other trips. But you also need to make sure that you have done the proper planning and preparation. If not, what seemed like a dream to start off with could quickly turn into a nightmare! So, here are a few top tips when it comes to planning your walking adventure holiday.
Choose a Location and Type of Walk
The location you go for is really based on your personal desires and also your walking experience. You may be looking to get out into the wilderness without many people being around or you may want some clearly marked footpaths with plenty of other people for company. You should also think about how challenging you want the walks to be. Are you looking for something flat or would you prefer mountainous terrain?
Once you have zeroed in on an area, you then need to start mapping a route. Think about a start point and a destination based on how much walking you want to do each day and plan your stopping points along the way. Use maps and guides to give you a helping hand. To make things easier, there are plenty of walks that have been already completed by other people and the information will already be clearly listed. If you are more adventurous and experienced, you may want to plan your own route entirely.
Arrange Accommodation
B&Bs, hostels, guesthouses, hotels and camping are all viable options when you are walking, so you just need to think about your budget and the level of comfort you are looking for. The internet has made information so much more readily accessible, so check out reviews online so you get a fuller picture of where you will be staying. Arrange your accommodation methodically so you book places as you go along.
Prepare Your Resources
There are a few things that you will need to make your walking holiday a success. First of all, a map and compass are important, and you should also look at downloading a maps app on your phone. Next up, you need clothing including waterproof walking shoes, jacket, thick socks, fleece, and anything else you can think of. And then you need your gear including a backpack, walking poles, water bottle, electronic devices and chargers.
It is a good idea to get some walking done before your trip so you don’t find yourself completely exhausted before you have even really gotten going. If you can do a walk covering the longest distance you will be covering in a day, you will feel much more like you are fully prepared for what is in store.
A walking holiday is one of the most wonderful experiences you can have, and hopefully these suggestions have provided you with a helping hand to get started!
