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Trinidad and Tobago is the southernmost country in the Caribbean. After the Republic of Haiti, this island-nation is also the least visited and most unsafe country in the region. It’s a country divided into two islands: the island of Trinidad, and the island of Tobago, each one offering a completely different travel experience. This travel […]

Trinidad and Tobago is the southernmost country in the Caribbean. After the Republic of Haiti, this island-nation is also the least visited and most unsafe country in the region. It’s a country divided into two islands: the island of Trinidad, and the island of Tobago, each one offering a completely different travel experience. This travel guide to Trinidad and Tobago will tell you everything you need to know to tour one of the least visited countries in the Caribbean, including how to get there, budget, itinerary and more. You may also like: a 1-week itinerary for Haiti In this travel guide to Trinidad & Tobago you will find: Table of Contents Intro Safety Visa Travel insurance Getting in Best time to visit Getting around Money and budget Itinerary Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 More information our recommended travel insurance for Trinidad and Tobago With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Trinidad and Tobago. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE Introduction to traveling to Trinidad and Tobago I liked Trinidad and Tobago, and I liked it because this isn’t your typical Caribbean destination. On the one hand, the capital – Port of Spain – is a bustling metropolis as per usual Caribbean standards. It’s busy, polluted and the city center features high-rise, concrete towers. Port of Spain’s city center On the other hand, and as mentioned earlier, this Caribbean nation is composed of two islands that could hardly be more different. The island of Trinidad is multiethnic, most of their population being ethnically African – descendants of former slaves – and Indian – brought to replace freed African slaves who refused to continue working on the sugar plantations. You are also likely to meet many white Trinis, as well as direct descendants of incomers from Syria and China. This cultural diversity and the way the different ethnicities coexist and worship in their respective temples – the island is packed with Hindu temples, churches and mosques – is the highlight of visiting Trinidad. A Hindu temple somewhere in Trinidad Tobago, nevertheless, is more rural and 99% African. It’s also significantly closer to your idea of a Caribbean holiday, with the added benefit that mass tourism isn’t really a thing here. In fact, this is one of the few places in the Caribbean where you can still find unspoiled beaches that can be enjoyed all to yourself. The thing is that Trinidad and Tobago is the leading producer of natural gas and oil in the Caribbean, so they never had a need to develop a proper tourist industry, making it one of the most authentic countries to explore in this part of the world. Trinidad was first Spanish and then British Trinidad had been a Spanish colony since their first permanent settlement in 1592 but years of negligence and leaving the island abandoned and defenceless make the British taking it over in 1797. Trinidad and Tobago got its independence from the British in 1962. Despite Trinidad being a Spanish colony for 200 years, today’s colonial heritage is purely British, not only in the language and architecture, but also in that Indians – brought to replace freed African slaves who refused to continue working on the sugar plantations – are the largest ethnic group. An empty dreamy beach in Tobago Is it safe to travel to Trinidad and Tobago? Excluding Haiti, Trinidad is infamous for being the most violent country in the Caribbean and one of the worst in Latin America. In 2024 alone, the country registered 624 homicides for a population of 1.5 million people. That’s higher than Mexico and USA cities with a high level of criminality, such as Chicago. The situation was so bad that in December 2024, Trinidad and Tobago imposed a nationwide state of emergency due to the spread of gang violence in Port of Spain. This gang violence is explained by the country’s proximity to Venezuela and direct transportation routes to Europe, which makes Trinidad and Tobago an appealing market for drug smuggling. Gangs and violent street crime are a fact of life here, but that shouldn’t prevent travelers from visiting Trinidad and Tobago, for the following reasons: Gang violence mostly focuses on Port of Spain Shootings and homicides are concentrated in Port of Spain, more specifically in certain areas within Port of Spain like Laventille, which you are very likely to avoid. Violent crime here is not worse than in Bogota or Mexico City Street crime in Port of Spain is pretty bad per Caribbean standards, but I don’t think it’s that bad if we compare it to other Latin American cities frequented by tourists such as Rio de Janeiro, Bogota or Quito. You already know how things work in these places, just apply common sense: don’t take random taxis, don’t walk alone at night and avoid empty areas after dark, such as downtown. Tobago is pretty safe Unlike Trinidad, Tobago is as safe as other islands in the Caribbean. Tobago is super safe to travel How to get a visa for Trinidad & Tobago You don’t need a visa to visit Trinidad & Tobago. Upon arrival, all you’ll get is a friendly stamp valid for travel in Trinidad and Tobago for 90 days. Travel insurance for Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago is an adventurous destination, so we recommend going there with proper travel insurance. I recommend IATI Insurance because: Their backpacker plan covers all types of adventure activities, including trekking Very competitive prices Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount BUY IT HERE TO GET YOUR 5% DISCOUNT How to get to Trinidad and Tobago How to travel to Trinidad and Tobago by air The International Airport of Port of Spain (POS) is the main hub in the Caribbean, connecting with several islands like Barbados, Grenada, and Saint Vincent, among many others. You can also fly there from anywhere in the 3 Guianas, including Georgetown, Paramaribo and Cayenne. Just check flight schedules on Caribbean Airlines, the national airline. If you’re coming from Europe, you can find relatively cheap flights from London with British Airways, and if coming from the Americas, check out flights via Miami (American Airlines) and Panama City (Copa Airlines). I personally traveled to Port of Spain on a direct flight from London and flew out to Georgetown, Guyana. Does Tobago have an international airport? Tobago has a tiny international airport named ANR Robinson International Airport (TAB). It has several daily connections with Port of Spain but very limited (and expensive) connections with the rest of the world. However, they are currently building a larger terminal, so Tobago is set to be more connected within the next few years. How to travel to Trinidad and Tobago by boat As of today, there aren’t any official ferries going to Trinidad, only cruise ships. Best time to visit Trinidad and Tobago Choosing when to travel to Trinidad and Tobago highly depends on the amount of rain. The dry season runs from the end of November to May so technically, this would be the best season to visit both islands, especially if you are interested in beaches and Caribbean vibes. The rainy and hurricane season runs from June to November. However, being the southernmost island in the Caribbean means that Trinidad and Tobago receives lesser amount of rainfall than other islands in the Caribbean, from Grenada to Haiti. Visit Trinidad during Carnaval Port of Spain holds what is arguably one of the best Carnavals in the world, perhaps not as large as Rio de Janeiro’s but way more authentic. That’s what they claim, anyway. Their Carnaval is so important to them that upon my arrival in Port of Spain, the bartender from the first bar I went to asked me: Are you here for the Carnaval? – even though Carnaval was still 6 weeks away. If I ever go back to Trinidad, I’ll definitely visit the country during Carnaval. As you may know, Carnaval dates always vary but it’s always some time between the end of January and the beginning of March. Lookout at Maracas. We visited Trinidad in January, it was great, just a little rain from time to time How to get around Trinidad and Tobago As in other West Indies islands, public transportation isn’t great and not particularly convenient to visit the various nature spots around the country. That’s why I recommend renting a car directly from the airport, either in Tobago or Trinidad. Remember, however, that in Trinidad and Tobago, they drive on the left side of the road, like the United Kingdom. If, for whatever reason, you can’t rent a car, you can still get around (sort of) on the buses and minivans connecting the main towns, although you’ll be more limited. Is there a bus from the airport to Port of Spain? Yes, there is a bus running from Monday to Friday, and tickets can be purchased from inside the terminal. However, the bus drops you downtown, one of the most notorious areas in Port of Spain for violent crime, so I don’t recommend getting on that bus if it arrives after dark. In day time, it should be fine. How to get around by shared taxi To get around Port of Spain, locals use what they call Route Taxis, which are shared with other passengers going in a similar direction. They charge TT$5 per passenger. Please make sure their license plate starts with the letter ‘H’’. Don’t accept a ride from cars with the license plate beginning with the letter ‘’P’’ or ’T’’, just as you wouldn’t accept a ride from a random car in Mexico City, Bogota or Caracas. How to travel between islands, from Trinidad to Tobago Traveling from Trinidad to Tobago by air Caribbean Airlines has loads of daily scheduled flights from Port of Spain to Tobago for around 70 USD return. It’s a 30-minute flight, making it the fastest way to travel to Tobago. How to travel from Trinidad to Tobago by ferry There are 2 daily ferries running between Port of Spain and Scarborough, the capital of Tobago. Typically, one departs in the morning, and the other in the afternoon. It takes an average of 3 hours. You can check schedules and book tickets on this website. Important: In my experience, rental car companies don’t allow their cars on the ferry. If you plan to rent a car for your entire trip, you’ll have to make 2 different bookings, one on each island. Money & budget in Trinidad and Tobago In Trinidad and Tobago, they use the Trinidad & Tobago Dollar (TTD) and approximately: 1 USD = 6.75 TTD Exchanging money in Trinidad and Tobago I recommend exchanging your currency at the airport – the rate was pretty decent. Cash or card? Many places across both islands accept card payments, especially hotels and fancier restaurants, but do bring cash for the rest. By the way, US dollars are accepted in many hotels and/or Airbnbs. How much does it cost to go backpacking in Trinidad and Tobago? These are the prices of the most typical things: Private room with bathroom in Tobago: from 400 TTD Private room in a hotel in Port of Spain: from 100 TTD Local meal, e.g. roti: from 40 TTD Street food e.g. doubles: from 10 TTD Main meal in a restaurant: from 110 TTD Rental car: from 60 USD a day Beer: from 70 TTD Short taxi ride with local app: from 100 TTD What to do in Trinidad and Tobago in a 5-day itinerary The following itinerary for Trinidad and Tobago is what we followed during our 5-day visit, which worked pretty well for us. In only 5 days, we obviously didn’t became the ultimate experts on the country, but it gave us an idea of what’s it’s like. Try doubles Doubles is a popular street food consisting of curry chickpeas served in two fried flatbreads. They tend to top it with mango and different kind of spices, so this Indian-influenced snack is more amazing than it sounds. You can find doubles everywhere across both islands. Map of our Trinidad and Tobago itinerary What to do in Trinidad and Tobago on a 5-day itinerary Day 1 – Arrival in Trinidad and Tobago, staying in Piarco The first day of our Trinidad and Tobago trip, we landed in Piarco International Airport around 5 pm. We decided to spend the night in the town right next to the airport, since our flight to Tobago was scheduled on the next day early in the morning. There’s not much to do in Piarco, so all we did was go for drinks and a meal at a bar/restaurant called Quties. Where to stay in Piarco Please note that accommodation in Piarco is pretty expensive for solo travelers. If you want something cheaper, go to Port of Spain instead. We stayed at a place called Travelholics Getaways, a comfortable, privately-owned guesthouse. It’s quite expensive but there were 3 of us, so it turned out to be a good deal. Check on Booking.com Proper hotel. There aren’t many hotels in this area and Holiday Inn Express is one of the few choices, but it’s $$$. Check on Booking.com Around Piarco, there’s a cheaper option called The Layover, a small apartment with two rooms. Check on Booking.com Day 2 – Fly to Tobago On day 2 of our Trinidad and Tobago itinerary, we took the Caribbean Airlines flight from Port of Spain to Tobago. We picked up our rental car (via Rental Cars) at the airport itself and chose to stay in a village named Castara. Do I recommend staying in Castara? Yes, I actually do. It’s a small coastal village with a pretty laid-back and quiet local vibe. On Thursday night, local people from the area gather by the beach around a bonfire with music and drinks. On that particular day, we didn’t do much other than recover from jetlag and a small hike to Castara waterfall. Where to stay in Castara We stayed in Casa de Castara, a house that features single and double rooms with a private bathroom. I think it was the cheapest option in town. Check on Booking.com Day 3 – Full day around Tobago On our third day in Trinidad and Tobago, we did a full circuit of the island, stopping in the following places: Englishman’s Bay: Probably the best unspoiled beach in the Caribbean. Parlatuvier: This tiny village isn’t only pretty but also very local Charloteville and Pirate’s Bay: A medium-sized town, not touristy, from where you can walk to another unspoiled beach named Pirate’s Bay. Argyle Falls: The highest falls in Tobago, which you can reach in an easy 20-minute hike. They charge an entry fee of around 10 USD per person. Scarborough: The capital of Tobago. There isn’t much to do here, but it’s worth checking it out. Pigeon Point: The closest thing in Tobago to a proper touristy Caribbean beach. I don’t really recommend it, but it’s good to see every facet of Tobago. In the evening, on the way back to Castara, I recommend you stop at a local bar named Village Vibes, right in the center of the island, where you can enjoy a very authentic side of Tobago. Look for Sue’s Doubles in Tobago. The best doubles we had in Tobago were from Sue’s Doubles, which has quite a few street stalls across the island. Look for the one in Scarborough. This is Trini roti This is Trini doubles Day 4 – Back to Trinidad and full day around Trinidad On day 4 of our Trinidad and Tobago trip, we flew to Port of Spain in the early morning. After checking in to our hotel, we spend the day driving around the island of Trinidad. A man selling coconut in Port of Spain Places we visited included: Sewdass Sadhu Shiva Mandir Temple in the Sea: A Hindu temple built on the sea. There wasn’t anyone there when we visited but it’s still nice to see. Dattatreya Mandir Temple: Another Hindu temple, larger and more active than the previous one. Maracas Beach: The northern coastline is the prettiest in Trinidad, Maracas being the most popular places for locals. Try chow at Maracas Lookout: Here, you’ll get amazing views of the area and you’ll also be able to buy chow, which consists of local fruit like mango or pineapple marinated in garlic, salt and coriander. This is the famous Trini chow Maracas is known for serving the best Bake & Shark, a Trini fried fish sandwich, too greasy in my opinion, but a typical thing to eat in the area. We spent the evening and night in Port of Spain, in a very busy street called Ariapita, which is packed with all manner of bars and restaurants. Where to stay in Port of Spain Port of Spain is definitely not backpacker friendly, most budget accommodation being rooms and apartments run by private owners. Hence, I recommend Alicia’s Lodge. Check on Booking.com Budget/mid-range hotel – Culture Crossroads Inn. Probably the cheapest proper hotel in the city. Check on Booking.com Day 5 – Port of Spain and departure Our flight to Georgetown (Guyana) was in late afternoon, so we saved the last day to visit Port of Spain properly. For breakfast, I recommend going to an area by the sea, where you will find a dozen food stalls serving all sorts of local foods, including coconut bake with smoked fish, a traditional breakfast. For lunch, try roti at Prataj Roti Shop. Roti is another Indian-influenced street food, consisting of roti bread filled with a choice of slow cooked curry, from shrimps to potatoes. When it comes to things to see and do in Port of Spain, we walked around Independence Square in downtown – an area to avoid once it gets dark – and also Queen’s Park Savannah and all the colonial buildings along Maraval Road. Colonial building in Port of Spain More information In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. More travel guides from the Americas Haiti Itinerary Venezuela Travel Guide How to visit Angel Falls How to visit Los Llanos Haiti Travel Guide How to travel Three Guianas

Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, popularly known as ‘’the 3 Guianas’’, are three countries located on the eastern shoulder of South America – and probably the least visited countries in the all the Americas. Whether you are overlanding across Latin America or just traveling here for a few weeks, it’s easy to combine the 3 […]

Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, popularly known as ‘’the 3 Guianas’’, are three countries located on the eastern shoulder of South America – and probably the least visited countries in the all the Americas. Whether you are overlanding across Latin America or just traveling here for a few weeks, it’s easy to combine the 3 countries in one single trip. This guide will show you how to cross the 3 Guianas (Guyana-Suriname-French Guiana) overland, from Georgetown to Cayenne. In this Guyana travel guide, you will find: Table of Contents Introduction Getting in How to travel the 3 Guianas overland Georgetown-Paramaribo-Cayenne Guyana to Suriname Suriname to French Guiana More Information our recommended travel insurance for Guyana With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Guyana. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE Introduction to travel in the Guyanas: Why are they called the 3 Guianas? The Guyana is a geographical area comprised of the Guiana Shield. Politically-speaking, this area today refers to Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana but, theoretically, it also includes the Guayana region in eastern Venezuela and Amapá state in Brazil. In fact, during colonial times, Venezuelan Guayana was referred to as Spanish Guyana, while Amapá state was Portuguese Guyana. Similarly, Guyana (the country) was known as British Guyana, and Suriname as Dutch Guyana. French Guiana never got its independence and today, this tiny country is an overseas department and region of France, and as such is part of the European Union. Canaima National Park is part of The Guyana The Guyanas is mostly dense forest, photo taken in South Guyana (British) How to get to the 3 Guianas Where to start from, Guyana or French Guiana? From a logistical perspective, it really doesn’t make any difference you should start from wherever is more convenient for your kind of trip. I personally started from Georgetown (Guyana), and the only advantage I can think of is that I liked ending my trip in Cayenne (French Guiana), where I found pretty amazing restaurants serving decent French food and wine, something which is hard to find in the other 2 Guianas. How to travel to the 3 Guianas by land Traveling to Guyana by land From Venezuela: There’s no official border between the two countries, not even roads, just thick jungle. Check our travel guide to Venezuela. From Brazil: The border is open at Lethem, easily reached by public transportation from Boa Vista. If you are traveling in Venezuela, you should get yourself to the southern city of Santa Elena de Uairén – there are direct buses from Caracas – and then cross into Brazil to Boa Vista. The journey from Lethem to Georgetown is a very long one, over 500km of mainly unpaved road including a river crossing by ferry, and it’s difficult to do it in one go, so do stay somewhere in between, like the area of Rupunini or Iwokrama. Traveling to Suriname by land Suriname has a border with Brazil but there aren’t any roads, so you can only get in from either Guyana or French Guiana. Traveling to French Guiana by land Macapá, a city that lies on the Amazon delta, is the main transportation hub to Saint-Georges, the border town from this part of French Guiana. How to travel to the 3 Guianas by flight Before getting into the Guianas, I was traveling in Trinidad and Tobago for a couple of days, and from there I flew into Georgetown. From Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago) there are inexpensive daily flights to Georgetown, meaning that adding Trinidad and Tobago onto your 3 Guianas adventure is quite feasible, especially because from a cultural perspective, they are similar. Traveling to Georgetown by flight Georgetown has two international airports – Eugene F. Correia International Airport (OGL) and Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). Besides Port of Spain (POS), common connections are Panama (PTY), Miami (MIA), New York City (JFK) and Bridgetown, Barbados (BGI). Traveling to Cayenne by flight Besides a daily flight to Paris (CDG) with Air France, the International Airport of Cayenne (CAY) has barely any connections, only to the French Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. How to travel the 3 Guianas overland: Georgetown-Paramaribo-Cayenne our recommended travel insurance for Guyana With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Guyana. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE The route Georgetown-Paramaribo-Cayenne The distance between Georgetown and Paramaribo is 840 km. Remember that the countries are not connected by road, and are separated by a river with no bridge, meaning you can only cross by boat. How to get from Georgetown to Paramaribo (Guyana to Suriname) The main cathedral in Paramaribo Main market in Georgetown Here are the steps you need to follow to travel from Guyana to Suriname by land. Step 1: Get your Suriname e-visa and complete the online immigration form Suriname is the only country in the Guianas that requires a visa. You can get your e-visa at this portal. It costs 58 USD. The portal recommends applying 72 hours in advance, but I applied the day before and got mine right there and then. After securing your visa, you need to fill out the following online form and show the respective QR code upon arrival in Suriname. A yellow fever certificate is also an entry requirement for Suriname Step 2: Georgetown to Molson Creek Molson Creek is the border town with Suriname, where you need to catch the ferry. The journey takes 3 to 4 hours, depending on the type of vehicle used. You have two options: 1) Booking a shared taxi in advance This has the added benefit that they will pick you up from your hotel. A second shared taxi will be waiting for you across the border to take you to Paramaribo. For this, you should book a couple of days in advance to secure your spot. Pick-up is between 4 am and 5 am and the journey takes about 3 hours. It costs 50 USD, including the second leg of the journey, from the border to Paramaribo. Note that the ferry ticket isn’t included in the price. I can recommend a man named Rudolf, a very easy-going, kind local guy from Georgetown. You can message him on WhatsApp: +592 641 6010 2) Going by local bus The advantage of going by bus isn’t really the price difference but personally, I prefer going by public transportation, as it’s usually a great way to meet locals. Option 1 is just too easy. Important: there’s only one daily ferry crossing the river, so if you want to catch it, you’ll have to be at the station extra early, no later than 4 or 5 am. The problem, however, is that the minivans depart from Stabroek market, one of the sketchiest areas in the city, and you’ll have to be there when it’s still dark. Georgetown is well-known for its violent crime so, if possible, try to get there by taxi from your hotel don’t walk alone around this area! Alternatively, you could just show up in the middle of the day, and spend the night at the border town. Due to all the safety issues in Georgetown, Stabroek market in Georgetown features a massive surveillance screen Step 3: Immigration and ferry crossing In Molson Creek, you’ll need to get to the ferry terminal, where you’ll go through immigration and purchase your ferry ticket, costing 20 USD. In my experience, the border was quite busy, but the whole process didn’t take more than 25 minutes. Guyana / Suriname border After getting your passport stamped, all you have to do is wait for the ferry. Apparently it departs at any time between 9:30 am and 1 pm. In my case, it departed at 11 am. The journey by ferry takes 1 hour 30 minutes, and it’s incredibly slow. The ferry that takes you from Guyana to Suriname Step 4: Suriname immigration and South Drain to Paramaribo As soon as you cross the river, get off the boat quickly to skip the immigration line. On leaving customs, you’ll be approached by several shared-taxi drivers looking for passengers to Paramaribo. The journey shouldn’t cost more than 20-25 USD. From the border to Paramaribo takes another 3 to 4 hours. How to get from Paramaribo to Cayenne (Suriname to French Guiana) Here are the steps you need to follow for overland travel from Suriname to French Guiana. Step 1: Complete your online immigration form Similarly to what you did when entering Suriname, you will also need to fill out the same online form to exit the country. Here’s the link. Step 2: Paramaribo to Albina To travel to French Guiana, you can easily take a local shared taxi to the border town of Albina. The taxi terminal is located right here. The journey takes 2 hours and costs 20 USD. Too easy… Step 3: Look for the actual customs The boats that take you to French Guyana, actual European Union This could prove confusing for some. The local shared taxi will drop you at a very busy spot by the river banks, an area packed with small boats that take you across the river. These boats take people into French Guiana illegally, but I was never able to understand why there isn’t any control over it. While you are sure to be approached by some of their captains, remember that first, you’ll need to get your exit stamp at the actual customs, located 500 meters away from where you probably are. Right here. After obtaining your exit stamp, it doesn’t matter whether you take the official boat or go back to the ‘’illegal’’ port. In fact, the guy who stamped my passport encouraged me to take one of the illegal boats, since it’s way faster, but he told me to make sure I go through French immigration. I went back to my initial location and, when I got on one of the boats, the guy said: Do you want to be dropped off at the French customs? I was the only person who actually got off at the customs, the rest entered French Guiana somewhere else. This is what you find upon arriving in French Guyana Step 4: Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni to Cayenne The French have invested very little in their South American colony/enclave, especially when it comes to public transportation. Moreover, this is a rarely-transited border crossing, so the chances of not seeing any drivers at all are pretty high. You have 2 options: Walk to the center of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni and take the 1 pm bus to Cayenne. There are 2 daily buses, one at 6 am and another at 1 pm. At the customs, you’ll see a few boat owners. If you can’t see any taxi, ask them to call a shared taxi for you. Cayenne. the capital of French Guyana In my case, I decided to spent the night in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, which I can strongly recommend. The town is packed with street vendors most likely from Suriname, there’s a nice market and the Transportation Camp for the prisoners going to the Salvation Islands (remember the book/movie Papillon?). It’s hard to believe the town belongs to the EU. The next day, at around 10 am, I headed to the bus station only to find out that I’d already missed the first bus (it was at 10 am) so I went back to customs, where I managed to find a shared taxi thanks to one of the boat men. You can either try your luck there or just call this number: +594 694 21 18 28 (Nell) The journey takes 3 hours by car and costs 40 USD. French prices! More travel information In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. More travel guides from the Americas Venezuela Travel Guide How to visit Angel Falls How to visit Los Llanos Haiti Travel Guide Haiti Itinerary

Wanna travel to Mauritania with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Mauritania: December 23rd to 30th, 2025 How to get a visa, budget & costs, cultural facts, moving around, how to find accommodation, top experiences and more. This is the most comprehensive and epic guide for […]

Wanna travel to Mauritania with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Mauritania: December 23rd to 30th, 2025 learn more How to get a visa, budget & costs, cultural facts, moving around, how to find accommodation, top experiences and more. This is the most comprehensive and epic guide for traveling to Mauritania available on the internet. In this Mauritania travel guide you will find: Table of Contents Intro Visa Tours Get in Best time to visit Travel insurance Top experiences Useful books Cultural facts Food Is it safe Solo female travel Internet Money, budget & costs Accommodation How to move around More information our recommended travel insurance for Mauritania With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Mauritania. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE Introduction to traveling to Mauritania If I had to say one reason to visit Mauritania, I would say that few countries in the world feel as raw. Until the middle of the 20th century, when the French were ruling the country, up to 90% of all Mauritanians were still carrying out a nomadic, pastoralist lifestyle. That wasn’t a long time ago. Today, many from that generation are still alive, so their tribal system and traditional life are completely visible, not only in remote Sahara towns such as Tidjikja, but even the most cosmopolitan people of Nouakchott will wear traditional clothes and have a haima deep into the desert as their second residence. Backpacking around Mauritania, traveling like the locals do, is the best way to witness the unspoiled Mauritanian lifestyle. If you are lucky, you will travel in a local pick-up loaded with camels, or goats in the worst-case scenario, and taking a break in a Bedouin camp where you will be offered some zrig (fermented yogurt) is almost guaranteed. In Tidjikja, I once met a Mauritanian who had lived and worked in the USA for almost 10 years. He decided to return to his homeland and, with all the money he saved, he bought tens of camels. Like in the old times, this is the best business – he said. He was one of the richest men in town now. And then there is the desert. Mauritania is nearly twice the size of France, yet less than 5 million people live spread across those extensive arid plains, mostly composed of breathtaking desert landscapes, yet to be explored by the average traveler. Mauritania was on the way to becoming a mass tourism destination (relatively-speaking) but unfortunate events related to the conflict with the Sahel put an end to the industry. However, Mauritania is still there, awaiting to be discovered by the rawest adventurers. Look for all the places to visit? Check my 2-week itinerary for Mauritania How to get a tourist visa for Mauritania Update 2025 As of January 2025, it is necessary to apply for a visa online before entering Mauritania, which can be obtained here. The e-visa costs €55 or $60, but still has to be paid upon arrival in Mauritania. We recommend bringing the exact change and a printed copy of the e-visa (otherwise, you may be charged €5 on arrival). The e-visa takes around 24 hours to process. In the e-visa portal, it is essential to adapt the image to the exact pixel size requested for the application to be successful. You can apply for the e-visa up to one month before your entry into the country. My visa for Mauritania How to sign up for a tour in Mauritania Traveling with a group and an expert local guide will make things much easier, and more fun! Against the Compass has the following scheduled expedition to Mauritania, which includes riding on top of the Iron Ore Train: Nov 18th to 25th, 2025 – SOLD OUT Nov 27th to Dec 4th, 2025 – SOLD OUT Dec 23rd to 30th, 2025 – APPLY NOW January 9th to 16th, 2026 – APPLY NOW January 19th to 26th, 2026 – APPLY NOW April 2nd to 9th, 2026 – APPLY NOW April 12th to 19th, 2026 – APPLY NOW CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE 8-day expedition where besides driving through the desert and visiting remote caravan cities, we will ride on top of the Iron Ore Train. Learn more here about our upcoming Mauritania Tours How to travel to Mauritania Traveling to Mauritania by plane Nouakchott and Nouadhibou have the most transited international airports, and I chose Nouakchott because flights were cheaper. I flew to Nouakchott via Dakar (Senegal) with Air Senegal, but you can find some direct flights from Europe, especially from France and the Canary Islands (Spain). Alternatively, the airport of Atar – capital of the Adrar region, where most touristic sites are – has direct flights from Paris and some other French cities. Traveling to Mauritania overland Mauritania shares a border with: How to travel to Mauritania from Morocco (Western Sahara) An easy border to cross, the entry point being the closest Moroccan city to Nouadhibou. Here’s a border crossing report. How to travel to Mauritania from Algeria The Algeria-Mauritania border is currently closed to foreigners due to safety concerns. How to travel to Mauritania from Mali After my trip to Mauritania, I went to Mali but I flew there. It should be open but do check the latest security update, since most embassies claim the border areas are not entirely safe, even though all travelers I met who crossed them said it was just fine. Read my Mali travel guide How to travel to Mauritania from Senegal A very transited border completely open to all travelers, Rosso being the most common entry point, also infamous for its numerous scams. Instead, experienced travelers recommend going through Diama. Best time to visit Mauritania Spread across some of the driest plains in the Sahara, Mauritania might easily be one of the hottest countries on Earth, along with Sudan and Saudi Arabia, with overwhelmingly killing summers. Personally, I can’t stand the heat, so my advice is to definitely avoid coming in the summer months, the best season for backpacking in Mauritania being from November to March. I was backpacking in Mauritania there in the month of February and, during the day, the sun was already pretty harsh, with temperatures averaging 30-35ºC. Nights and early mornings were kind of chilly though (15ºC), so do bring some small clothes, especially if you are planning to ride the Iron Ore train. Overlooking the oasis of Terjit. This was early in the morning and as you can see, I was wearing a pretty warm sweater Travel insurance for Mauritania Mauritania is an adventurous destination, so we recommend going there with proper travel insurance. I recommend IATI Insurance because: Their backpacker plan covers all types of adventure activities Very competitive prices Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount BUY IT HERE TO GET YOUR 5% DISCOUNT Top Experiences in Mauritania Riding the Iron Ore train Every single day of the year, a 2.5km long train departs from the remote Sahara town of Zouerat and travels 700km across the Sahara desert to the coastal city of Nouadhibou, transporting hundreds of tonnes of iron ore. As hardcore as it sounds, travelers can get on top of the train and travel along the 18-hour journey. This is one of the top reasons to visit Mauritania, and one of the best traveling experiences I have ever had. Read here about the full experience. Riding the Iron Ore train was more than epic Visiting the rawest Sahara villages As I said in the introduction, Mauritania is a particularly raw country and visiting several villages deep in the Sahara feels like traveling back in time. I strongly recommend Tidjikja. Daily life in Tidjikja Seeing the largest concentrations of camels ever From Oman to Sudan, hanging out with camels has become a vital part of my travels across the Middle East, but I think the camel market that takes place in the city of Nouakchott has the largest concentration of camels I have ever witnessed. Cameeeeels Exploring the vastest Sahara Mauritania is a far-flung land home to jaw-dropping desert scenarios that only a small bunch of travelers have had the chance to discover. The dunes near Chinguetti Useful books for planning your trip to in Mauritania West Africa travel guide by Lonely Planet A useful book for West Africa overlanders – with a chapter fully dedicated to Mauritania – but bear in mind that it contains travel guides to 18 different countries, so consider it a small introduction to the region. CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES The desert and the drum (Mbarfek Ould Beyrouk) This is the first Mauritanian novel to ever be translated into English and I think it’s the only one so far, that’s why I bought it. The story is about a Bedouin girl who falls in love with a stranger city guy and all the consequences after her tribe found out. To be very honest, the book is a bit cheesy but what I liked that it gives you many insights into how tribal people live in Mauritania. CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES Facts about Mauritania, its culture, people and religion Mauritania is where Maghreb meets Africa Nestled between Morocco and Senegal, Mauritania is a chaotic mix of both Maghrebis and sub-Saharan Africans, visible not only in people’s facial features but also in their food and the daily life of many Mauritanians. You might also like: Libya travel guide Generally speaking, Mauritanians classify their society into 3 main groups: White Moors (Beidane) – The dominant ethnic group, which refers to those Maghrebi-looking people who have lighter skin, and mostly have Arab or Berber descent. Black Moors (Haratin) – Descendants of black slaves who lived in the Maghreb. Sub-Saharan ethnic groups – Mauritanians who belong to African ethnicities from different parts of West Africa. Something you need to know about Mauritania is that there is a pretty tangible structural racism, visible in all aspects of life. Mauritanians have a particularly traditional society, many of them either have a tribal mindset or live under a tribal system, which is why black ethnic groups are often treated as second-class citizens, have lower salaries and pursue low-qualified jobs, from house servants to fishermen. ‘’You will never see a White Moor cleaning houses’’ – some locals told me, as if they always felt the need to acknowledge to me they are the dominant group. I didn’t like it. White Moors, Ouadane Hassaniya is the local language Hassaniya, which is a variety of Maghrebi Arabic, is the main language in Mauritania, and in the Western Sahara as well. Nevertheless, languages such Pulaar, Soninke and Wolof are also recognized as national languages, and they are spoken by black African Mauritanians, depending on their ethnicity. Fishermen are always from sub-Saharian Africa It used to be a French colony, so French is the way to go, but English is not that useful As a former French Colony (from the late 19th century to 1960), French is widely used in Mauritania, especially in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Outside of these two cities, however, only highly educated people or people working in hospitality speak fluent French. English, nevertheless, was hardly spoken by anyone – not even in touristic auberges – and that was a big downside for me, since my French is good enough to make myself understood but I can’t have deep conversations. It’s a Muslim country 99.9% of the population in Mauritania are Sunni Muslims, most of them being highly devoted to Islam. You also need to know that there is no freedom of religion and that atheism is punished with the death sentence. Chinguetti Mosque, the most important mosque in Mauritania (13th century), whose minaret is said to be the second oldest in continuous use anywhere in the Islamic world Most people wear traditional clothes What I loved about Mauritania is that everybody wears traditional clothes, even young people from the capital. Typically, men wear a wide blue dress named daraa and cover their head with a turban named shesh, which basically means scarf in Arabic. I did buy the full set in a local market in Nouakchott and didn’t pay more than 6€, but I had to bargain. Women dress in a traditional colorful dress named melhafa. Rocking my ”daraa” somewhere in Ouadane, Mauritania Leblouh is still a big deal in Mauritania Leblouh refers to the tradition of force-feeding girls when they are very young, typically in those places where obesity is directly related to beauty, so they can get married earlier. This old practice has been used in many African countries but in Mauritania, it’s still a very big thing. A few young local men talked to me about this particular topic, saying it’s a widely used habit. You will quickly notice that most Mauritanian women are curvy. Slavery in Mauritania You probably heard of Mauritania being home to the last slavery stronghold in the world and, to some extent, it can be true. Slavery in Mauritania was only abolished in 1981, but it didn’t become an actual criminal offense until 2007. According to international media, however, slavery still exists. Slaves in Mauritania were always black Africans serving their White Moor masters. When you travel in the north of Mauritania, you are likely to see Bedouin families with black servants. Those servants were born and raised among those Bedouins but are treated as second-class family members, whose main goal in life is being their servants. Foreign media will tell you that those are actual slaves, while local Mauritanians claim those people are free to leave but they don’t because they are uneducated, that’s the only life they know and, basically, they are OK with it. Make your own judgment. Looking for a ”daraa” in the local market of Nouakchott Food in Mauritania If I ever travel back to Mauritania, food won’t probably be the reason. Mauritania is mostly composed of arid plains and it’s a traditionally nomadic society, so they never had either the ingredients or the motivation to have an elaborate cuisine. Nonetheless, since Mauritania is sort of a cultural hub with people from Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa, you can find some food variety, but you need to look for it. One thing that surprised me about backpacking in Mauritania is that it can be difficult to find food, cooked food I mean. In many towns and villages, there weren’t any restaurants, and even in a relatively sized-town like Tidjikja, there was only one, and the day I went there, they said I had to order 3 to 4 hours in advance. On the next day, I did go there early in the morning, but it never opened. Don’t panic, however. Usually, most auberges have a daily dish. Things you are likely to eat in your trip to Mauritania: Macaroni – Regular, greasy pasta with vegetables and meat. That’s what they fed me most days. Maccaroni Thieboudienne – That was my favorite. It’s a traditional Senegalese dish consisting of a brown, thin rice, fish and spices. Thieboudienne is a Senegalese dish but in Mauritania it’s as traditional Moroccan cous-cous – I say Moroccan because that’s what they call it. Just regular cous-cous but nothing comparable to the ones you find in Tunisia or Morocco. Camel meat – Many of the above dishes will often come with camel meat. Tea culture in Mauritania Tea is an essential part of Mauritanian life, and a symbol of hospitality. They have it in a similar way to neighbouring Morocco but the ritual takes longer and they serve it with a lot of foam, like in the Western Sahara. Their tea is good, heavily concentrated but they take so much time preparing it, averaging 20-25 minutes, if doing it right. During the first few days of your Mauritania trip, it’s a pretty cool process to observe but then, when you bump into random people who want to invite you for tea, expect to waste 40 or 45 minutes of your time. Because of this, once I missed the sunset and got very upset. Alcohol in Mauritania Mauritania is a dry country and alcohol consumption is strictly forbidden. Preparing tea, somewhere in Nouakchott Is it safe to travel to Mauritania? For a more comprehensive analysis, read my Mauritania safety guide If you look into the FCDO advice, you will see that all Mauritania is a big NO-GO zone. Mauritania travel advisory, according to the FCDO Mauritania belongs to the Sahel, a region that spreads across Mauritania, Mali, Niger and Chad – among others – and one of the most turbulent regions on Earth, today home to rebel groups like Al Qaeda Maghreb (AQIM) and many other similar organizations. The truth is that Mauritania has actually suffered from unfortunate incidents that ended with the premature tourism industry, but it’s also true that, thanks to an outstanding level of security, the situation in Mauritania has remained stable for many years. Nowadays, Mauritania is a safe destination to travel. There are some areas near the border with Mali and Algeria where security can be an issue but that’s too remote to go anyways. Mauritania travel tip: Bring 20-30 copies of your visa & passport When you are traveling around Mauritania, you will go through endless checkpoints in which all foreigners must register for their own security. In those checkpoints, the gendarmerie or military will ask you for a fiche, a document containing a copy of your passport and visa. If you don’t have one, they will make you get off the car and write down all your information, wasting you a lot of time. Therefore, do bring plenty of copies (30, at least). I recommend printing one single page with a copy of your visa and passport, along with your local phone number, if any. Chinguetti is limited by a sea of dunes Solo female travel in Mauritania Mauritania is a patriarchal, conservative, Muslim country, so a woman’s experience will differ greatly from a man’s. However, I haven’t met yet a female traveler who has been backpacking in Mauritania by herself, so I can’t give very specific information about it. If you have visited Mauritania as a solo woman and would like to tell us about your experience, kindly let me know. Based on female experiences in other countries, nonetheless, here are a few observations: Do expect some occasional harassment, but no more than popular destinations, such as Egypt. If you don’t have a lot of solo travel experience in Muslim countries, it is recommended to first travel to more touristic countries such as Jordan or Morocco Traveling in Mauritania as a solo female should not be very different from traveling in Pakistan or Sudan Internet and connectivity in Mauritania Generally, internet is pretty bad in Mauritania, both Wi-Fi and internet data, even in Nouakchott. Outside of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou I never found Wi-Fi. Internet data worked OK in Atar, Tidjikja and Zouerat. In Ouadane and Terjit, it was nonexistent. Chinguetti was fine to send emails and simple browsing. If you need to download anything, do it in your home country. I bought a Mauritel SIM card and you can buy extra data and calls in any regular grocery store across the country. Get a VPN for traveling in Mauritania You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks. Your connection will be much safer. Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Mauritania. I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. Get a vpn If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling. Money, budget and costs In Mauritania, they use the Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU) and, approximately: 1 USD = 40 MRU ATTENTION! In 2018, Mauritania replaced their currency by introducing a new Ouguiya with the same value divided by 10. The problem is that the vast majority of people still think in the old currency, and it’s so easy to get confused. Occasionally, it’s difficult to guess in which currency they are talking about, especially because sometimes it looks either too cheap or too expensive, but Mauritania is a very cheap country, so always go for the cheaper option Credit cards and ATMs You will hardly find a place where you can pay by card. Do always have cash. Société Generale is the most popular bank among foreigners for withdrawing money. I think it’s the only one that accepts international credit cards. You can find quite a few branches in both Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Outside of these two main cities, ATMs are scarce, so remember to bring enough cash. Exchanging money There are several exchange offices in the city center (Capital area). Alternatively, I exchanged in many auberges at an acceptable rate. How much does it cost to travel in Mauritania? Prices of the most typical things: Full meal in a local place: 150MRU Full meal in fancier places: from 250-350MRU Meals in auberges: 200-300MRU Fast food (sandwich): 70MRU Coffee in a local place: 40MRU Coffee in a fancy café: 80MRU Bottle of water (75cl): 10MRU Local shared taxi within Nouakchott: 10MRU Bus from Nouakchott to Tidjikja: 700MRU Local car from Tidjikja to Atar: 700MRU Local car from Atar to Chinguetti: 200MRU Backpacking in Mauritania – Average daily budget 35€ a day Mauritanian notes have camels in them How to find accommodation in Mauritania In Mauritania, there are many accommodation options but, outside of the main cities, they mostly consist of basic campsites and auberges. They also come with a large variety of nonsensical prices. Once I paid 20€ for a creepy hut and the next day I paid 4€ for a similar quality room. In Nouakchott, if you are a budget traveler, I strongly recommend Le Village & Auberge Triskell, run by Sebastien, a French man who has been living in Mauritania for a long time. Moreover, in Nouakchott, you can find hotels suitable for any wallet. CLICK HERE TO FIND THE BEST HOTELS IN NOUAKCHOTT Outside of Nouakchott, you will rarely find anything on the internet. Below is a list of some of the places I stayed at: Tidjikja – Auberge Caravane du Desert – Very basic rooms with private bathroom. 1,000MRU for a double room Terjit – Chez Jamel – A tended camp. It’s pretty basic but it’s well taken care of. 300MRU for a tent Ouadane – Auberge Vasque – This is the best place I stayed in Mauritania. Clean, the only auberge with hot water and a comfortable mattress. 1,200MRU for a double room Chinguetti – Auberge Zarga – Extremely basic and very dirty but the owner seems to be one of the few people in town who is used to dealing with travelers. 150MRU for a dorm-bed Zouerat – Tiris Hotel – Basic hotel and expensive but not many options in Zouerat. 1,500MRU for a double room Nouadhibou – Hotel Esma – A proper, modern hotel. Perfect for those who arrive in Nouadhibou after riding the Iron Ore Train. 2,000MRU for a double room with breakfast For a more detailed explanation of all these places, don’t forget to check my Mauritania travel itinerary How to move around Mauritania Traveling around Mauritania with a rented vehicle If I ever visit Mauritania again, I will rent a 4×4. Actually, one of the things I regret about visiting Mauritania is that I didn’t get deep into the desert. I mean, I did visit remote Sahara towns, but didn’t get far away from civilization and main roads. You can easily rent a car in Nouakchott, or through your preferred guide/tour operator. By the way, only experienced drivers should attempt exploring the depths of the Mauritanian Sahara. Traveling around Mauritania by public transportation Before traveling to Mauritania, I thought that moving between Sahara towns would be challenging but it turns out that all you need is a shit load of patience. OMG, you can’t imagine how many hours I wasted waiting for a bus/car to leave. Typically, local 4×4 pick-ups is the preferred way of transportation for moving between Sahara towns. They fit up to 8 people and leave once they are full, but when a town is too remote, it may take a few days to fill it up. A local pick-up, or shared taxi, loaded with a camel I actually wanted to go to Tichit from Tidjikja. Upon my arrival in Tidjikja, the first thing I did was try to arrange the local pick-up to take me there. The car wasn’t full yet, so I waited for one more day but nothing, they still didn’t have enough passengers: Maybe tomorrow, or maybe not – they said. In the hypothetical case I managed to get to Tichit, there could also be the possibility that I had to wait there for 3-4 extra days to come back to Tidjikja, which would imply spending more than a week in a very remote area with not much to do and where nobody spoke English, so I passed. This is how I moved between towns: Nouakchott to Tidjikja – Local buses leave early in the morning from Carrefour Madrid. It’s a 12-hour journey. Tidjikja to Terjit – Local pick-ups leave almost daily, but you need to arrange it on the day before. It’s an epic ride over sand dunes. 10-hour journey. Terjit to Atar – A local pick-up leaves early in the morning but I managed to hitch a ride after waiting for more than 2 hours. Atar to Chinguetti – A few pick-ups run daily. Easy. Chinguetti to Ouadane – First, you need to take a private taxi to the Ouadane intersection and wait there for a car to pass by. The intersection is literally in the middle of the desert, with no internet service and 30km from the nearest civilization. I waited for like 3 hours. Ouadane to Zouerat – A very long ride. First, you must arrange a local pick-up that will take you to Atar, which typically leaves at 7am. Once in Atar, I had to wait for about 5 hours for a bus to depart to Zouérat. More often than not, that sand has literally swallowed the road More information for traveling in Mauritania In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. All guides and articles for traveling in Mauritania destination Travel Guide to Nouakchott Iron Ore Train Guide in Mauritania Is Mauritania Safe? Mauritania Itinerary Travel guides to other countries in Africa Ethiopia Travel Guide Eritrea Travel Guide Somaliland Travel Guide Travel Guide to Sudan Travel Guide to Egypt Libya Travel Guide Mali Travel Guide Tunisia Travel Guide

Located in the far north of Iraq, nestled between Iran and Turkey, Iraqi Kurdistan is today a safe but turbulent region, home to some of the most breathtaking landscape in the Middle East, composed of green mountains with snow-capped peaks that, definitely, will break with all the stereotypes you have about Iraq. Iraqi Kurdistan is […]

Located in the far north of Iraq, nestled between Iran and Turkey, Iraqi Kurdistan is today a safe but turbulent region, home to some of the most breathtaking landscape in the Middle East, composed of green mountains with snow-capped peaks that, definitely, will break with all the stereotypes you have about Iraq. Iraqi Kurdistan is no desert and, most importantly, it is not a war zone filled with ISIS terrorists but an autonomous region which, for the last couple of years, has done a tremendous job defending its borders. It is in fact, one of the safest countries in the Middle East and the most ultimate destination for travelers looking for something unique, very off the beaten track, and who are willing to meet the Kurds, a very proud and brave nation, who turn out to also be some of the most hospitable people I have ever encountered, with similar experiences to Iran, Pakistan, and Sudan. From visiting a Syrian refugee camp to remote Christian monasteries and millennial villages, discovering Sadam Hussein’s heritage and learning from the conflict against ISIS, Kurdistan may be the high point of all your backpacking travels. I have visited the country three times, here you have all my travel tips for Iraqi Kurdistan. In this Iraqi Kurdistan travel guide you will find: Table of Contents Visa Tours Best time to visit Travel insurance Getting in Useful books Safety Solo female travel Money People and culture Food Alcohol Transportation Internet & SIM Card Accommodation More information our recommended travel insurance for Iraq IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Iraq. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE This is the town of Aqrah – Travel to Kurdistan How to get a visa for Iraqi Kurdistan Citizens of the following countries can get a visa on arrival in Kurdistan. Since March 2025, it is recommended to get an e-visa for Kurdistan in advance through this portal for all nationalities European Union, Albania, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Canada, China, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UK and USA The visa is valid for 30 days, whether you enter by land or air. How much does the visa for Kurdistan cost? Iraqi Kurdistan visa had always been free but since April 2021, it costs 75 USD. How to get a Kurdistan visa for the rest of the nationalities Since 2024, it’s possible to get an e-visa through this portal. Is the visa for Iraqi Kurdistan valid for Iraq proper Update 2025: Yes, since January 2025, the visa for traveling to Iraqi Kurdistan allows you to travel to Federal Iraq, including Mosul and Baghdad. For the rest of Iraq, check my travel guide to Federal Iraq. Intersection to Mosul, Baghdad and Kirkuk How to sign up for a tour in Kurdistan Traveling with a group and an expert local guide will make things much easier, and more fun! Against the Compass has several Kurdistan expeditions scheduled all year long, and the next one is on: Check below our upcoming Kurdistan departures: Learn more about our tours in Kurdistan here. During our last Kurdistan Expedition Best time to visit Iraqi Kurdistan Unlike other countries in the Middle East, Kurdistan has 4 distinct seasons: Traveling to Kurdistan in spring Spring is definitely the best time to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan, from March to the end of April, when the whole region is fully blossoming, at its greenest, and the weather is pleasant. Traveling to Kurdistan in summer Summers can get hot, especially in the area around Erbil and Sulamaniyah, where the temperature may easily reach 45ºC. In the mountains, or in cities like Duhok, the weather might be slightly cooler but still hot, the reason why summer is low season for visiting Kurdistan, from mid May to September. Traveling to Kurdistan in autumn Autumn is the second best time to visit Iraqi Kurdistan. The Kurdish mountains and meadows may not be green, but you get the beautiful autumn colors and the weather is pleasant. Traveling to Kurdistan in winter In winter, the temperature drops and most Iraqi Kurdistan gets covered in snow. I have never traveled in Kurdistan during its freezing winter but it must be beautiful, despite the cold weather. Visiting Kurdistan in spring Travel Insurance for Iraqi Kurdistan Most travel insurance companies don’t cover for travel in Iraq, except for IATI. I recommend it because: Only travel insurance company that covers Iraq They have different plans for all budgets Covers senior citizens too Readers of this blog can get an exclusive 5% discount. BUY IT HERE TO GET YOUR DISCOUNT How to go to Iraqi Kurdistan How to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan by air Kurdistan has two international airports: Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, Erbil being the most transited airport. Istanbul (both Turkish and Pegasus) and Dubai (Fly Dubai) are the cheapest and most common routes. How to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan by land You can enter Kurdistan from either Iran or Turkey. The Iranian side is very easy and straightforward but on the Turkish side, the Turkish authorities may give you some trouble. Here you can read the Iran border crossing report. The main square of Erbil – Travel Iraqi Kurdistan Books for traveling in Iraqi Kurdistan Iraq Travel Guide by Bradt If you follow my blog, you will see that I always recommend their guides for all destinations, so Iraq will be no different. They have, obviously, the only travel guide to the country, with a pretty long chapter focused on Kurdistan. Bradt has the most insightful guidebooks I have ever read. CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES ON AMAZON The Rise of the Islamic State by Patrick Cockburn This is my favorite journalism book ever and it is written by Patrick Cockburn, one of the world’s top experts on the Middle Eastern conflict. In this book, he gives an extremely perceptive introduction to the origins of ISIS, with many references to Iraqi Kurdistan and Iraq, of course. A really useful book to understand the complexity and origin of the conflict. CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES ON AMAZON Is it safe to travel to Iraqi Kurdistan? Read about how to travel to Mosul in Iraq The bad things that happen in Iraq don’t happen in Kurdistan Whatever you have been hearing in the news about Iraq for the last few years, happened in Arab Iraq, not in Kurdistan. The last terrorist attack that occurred in Kurdistan was in Erbil back in 2014. This means that London and Paris have suffered more attacks than the whole of Kurdistan itself. However, the region is very unstable I never meant that traveling to Kurdistan will be as peaceful as your spiritual journey through Bhutan, not even close. Despite being safe, the region is highly volatile and effective military operations are the only reason why it is safe. This means that things may change overnight, so being extra careful is more than wise. A billboard indicating how to deactivate mines, in an area which used to be heavily mined There are military controls everywhere When you travel between towns and cities, you will find so many military checkpoints run by Kurdish Army guys named Peshmergas. As a Western passport holder, they don’t give you any trouble but, once, I was traveling with an Iraqi from Baghdad and they held him for 15 minutes, at least. They don’t trust Arabs at all as any Arab could, potentially, be an ISIS spy. A Peshmerga base located in Sadam Hussein’s Palace Crime rates are ridiculously low Kurdistan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. It is one of those places where you may forget your phone in a café, come back in a few hours and still recover it. For a more complete and detailed analysis, read: Is it safe to travel to Iraq? The old tanks from Sadam Hussein’s regime, in Sulaymaniyah – Kurdistan tourism travel guide Solo female travel in Iraqi Kurdistan Iraqi Kurdistan is a very safe region of Iraq, regardless of your gender but women should of course, take extra care, like they would do in other conservative Muslim countries. If you want to know more, read this article that a kick ass female traveler posted on my blog: 6 Tips for solo female travel in Iraqi Kurdistan. Andrea from Hunting Rarities in Amedi Money and budget when travel in Kurdistan In Kurdistan, they use the Iraqi Dinar and, approximately: 1 USD = 1308.68 IQD Exchanging money in Kurdistan You can easily exchange €, USD and GBP in all the main cities. Some exchange offices are just stalls in the middle of the street, with no surveillance, no security and no glass screen with lots of huge bundles of cash. The reason is that the crime rates here are very low. Credit cards and ATMs There are quite a few banks which accept foreign cards, so you can withdraw money easily but, except for some good hotels, most places in Kurdistan accept only cash. How much does to cost to travel in Iraqi Kurdistan? Compared to its neighbors, traveling in Kurdistan isn’t very cheap. Budget Hotels: 20,000-25,000IQD Beer in a liquor shop: 1,200-2,000IQD Beer in a bar: 8,000-12,000IQD Fast food (like a shawarma or falafel): 1,000-1,500IQD Local eateries: 5,000 to 8,000IQD for a local meal, consisting of rice, beans and chicken, or a kebab Fancy restaurants: Main courses starting at 14,000IQD Taxi rides within cities: from 3,000ID to 5,000IQD Transportation between cities: Local shared taxi from Suleymaniyah to Erbil costs 15,000IQD Some money exchange stalls – No surveillance? – Traveling to Kurdistan The country, its people and culture From all Kurdistan regions, Kurdistan in Iraq enjoys the highest level of autonomy, to the extent that they control their borders, immigration, they have their own army and even Parliament. Kurds are spread over 4 countries There are 40 million Kurds spread over Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq, making them the largest stateless nation in the world. Many years ago, they used to be one single country but, at the end of the British Empire, the British themselves decided to draw the Middle Eastern map like that. Kurds are not Arabs Kurds are a different nation and ethnicity who are closer to Persians than Arabs. Never tell a Kurd that they are Arabs because they won’t like it, and it’s extremely important to know and make the distinction. Kurdish is the main language Kurdish – a language with many similarities to Farsi or Dari and Turkish – is the official language in Kurdistan. Many young Kurds don’t even speak Arabic anymore People who are less than 30-years old don’t really speak Arabic, or very little at least. They don’t teach it in schools anymore, a very drastic measure from the Kurdish Government after the Saddam Hussein invasion, when their national pride and differences versus the Arabs accentuated even more. Speaking English in Iraqi Kurdistan Young, well-educated people in Erbil and Sulamaniyah speak English but that’s it. With the rest of the population, you will have to talk using signs or Google Translate. Many Kurds don’t like Arabs, at all Educated Kurds are aware that their problems with the Arabs are more political but, during my journey, I met many closed-minded Kurds, especially in the villages, who told me that they really hate Arabs. The Kurds, in Rawandiz – Travel Kurdistan Iraq They are Sunni Muslims Kurdistan is a Muslim country and most Kurds are Sunni Muslims. However, they are moderate Sunnis In Kurdistan, you may realize that Kurds are not as religious as Muslims from other Middle Eastern countries. As I said, Kurds are the largest stateless nation, 40 million people spread over 4 different countries striving to get more recognition, more autonomy, so their national identity prevails over religion, the reason why Kurdistan is such a diverse nation composed of all types of Muslims, Christians, as well as other minorities. This is the reason why the Kurds are moderate Muslims. Yazidi people, in Lalish, the holiest place for Yazidis There is also a huge Christian community as well as other minorities In Erbil, there is a big Christian district named Anqawa and you actually find several Christian villages and Orthodox monasteries throughout the region. Other minorities include Yazidis, Kakais and Shabaks. Kurdish hospitality Similarly to when you are traveling in Iran, house, lunch and chai invitations aren’t a rare thing to happen. Hospitality is in their blood, especially if you are an outsider. Kurdistan is the most developed region in Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan, especially Erbil and Sulaimaniyah, have drastically developed in recent years. They hold some of the largest oil reserves in the country, control the main borders with Iran and Turkey and Erbil has become sort of a business hub, where many international companies have settled in. Because of all the above, Kurds are craving for independence More than 90% of the Kurds want to separate from Iraq. In fact, they already celebrated a referendum back in 2017 but due to international pressure and threats from Iraq and its neighbors, they didn’t move it forward. The Kurdish flag and Amadiya in the background – Kurdistan travel guide The food in Iraqi Kurdistan A shawarma economy During your trip to Kurdistan, you will get absolutely sick of shawarma, being the only option in most places. Eating a shawarma costs less than a dollar but it’s very unhealthy, even though many Kurds eat shawarma every single day. Vegetarian falafel is widely available as well. You may find kebabs Sometimes, you may find some places serving good kebabs, of all types. A good kebab, however, isn’t cheap and you may end up paying up to 10USD for just a few of them. If you are lucky, you may find local eateries Local eateries typically serve red beans with rice, chicken and also kebabs. There aren’t many, however, and you will have to look for them. You need to look for them, however, or know where to go. In a traditional restaurant, with the expedition group The best Kurdish food is served at home I have been invited in quite a few Kurdish houses and the main conclusion is that the best traditional Kurdish food can’t be found in restaurants but only in Kurdish homes. Their cuisine is mostly rice and meat-based, quite fatty and with many stews. Red beans will always be the side dish of any meal and, when they have guests, they don’t care about making you eat chicken, lamb, and beef at the same time, along with fried rice with meat in it and a lot of flatbread. I always left their houses completely rolling. The amount of food they serve is insane Drinking alcohol when you travel in Kurdistan Good news: Alcohol is widely available in Kurdistan Unlike the rest of Iraq, liquor stores are available everywhere. You can buy fresh, cold beer, wine and any type of liquor. In Erbil and Sulaymaniyah you can find plenty of bars, as well. You can actually drink on the street I didn’t really drink in the center of Erbil but I had some beers in a few parks in both Erbil and Suleymaniyah, as well as in villages throughout the country, and I never had any problems. Well, this is not actually true because, in Suleymaniyah, I had a beer in the main square, basically because my Couchsurfing host told me it was OK to do so, but the police came to me quite annoyed, even though they just made me put it away. Apparently, it is legal to drink but some police don’t like it anyways. In liquor shops, beer is cheap, not in bars In the stores, a beer costs not much more than a dollar but, in bars, they charge 10 times more, unfortunately, so if you are on a budget, don’t get drunk in bars. Chai and cafés Like pretty much in all countries in the Middle East, chai is a big deal and it always comes with sugar by default. Hanging out in cafés is one of the highlights of any trip to Kurdistan, the best place to socialize with friendly locals. Mam Khalil, one of the oldest tea houses in Erbil How to travel around Iraqi Kurdistan: transportation Moving around by bus or minivan Buses are basically mini-vans but they don’t really run to many places, except between the main cities. They are much slower than shared taxis and not much cheaper. Local shared taxis The way to go. They go everywhere and are the most common way of transportation among locals. They aren’t cheap as in Iran and Central Asia but still quite affordable. Hitchhiking in Kurdistan Super safe and convenient. I hitchhiked all the way from Soran to Dohuk via Amedi, which is around 300km. Nobody never asked me for money and I had great experiences with many of the people, which a few times involved stopping for lunch or even making a detour, so they could drop me just at the place I wanted. Crazy roads in Iraqi Kurdistan – Visit Iraqi Kurdistan Internet and SIM Card Wi-Fi in Kurdistan It is not the fastest Wi-Fi in the world, but it is pretty decent and you find good connection all across the country. Internet is not much of an issue when you travel in Iraqi Kurdistan. Getting a SIM Card You can easily buy a local SIM Card in many of the stalls located around the covered bazaar in Erbil. I got Korek Telecom and I remember paying around 12USD for a SIM Card and 3GB of data but as you know, data plans change every other day. Where to stay in Iraqi Kurdistan: accommodation Hotels in Iraqi Kurdistan Erbil, Sulaimaniyah and Dohuk are well-sorted of hotels. CLICK HERE TO FIND THE BEST HOTEL DEALS Budget Hotels (pensions) Like I said in the budget section, the cheapest hotels will cost you around 12-20USD but they can’t be booked online. You can check all the hotels I stayed at in my Kurdistan itinerary. Couchsurfing In Suleymaniyah and Erbil, there are so many active profiles. You may also find a few in Dohuk but outside of the main cities, I never got a couch. More information for visiting Iraqi Kurdistan In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. Drones I am telling you this based on my own experience. When I was traveling in Kurdistan, I got arrested for having a drone and I didn’t even fly it. They found it in my backpack and they took me to a military base, where they interrogated me for a few hours. I really thought I would not get my drone back but, in the end, they believed my story. Basically, they are used by ISIS to spy, so if you do have one because you are overlanding, hide it and don’t fly it! Tourists visiting refugee camps It is possible to visit some Syrian refugee camps, but just some of them. They are outside the cities and you should go with a local. I visited Darashakran and you can read about my experience: Visiting a Syrian refugee camp in Iraq. Don’t forget to check our travel guide to Iraq. As well as all our Iraq articles: A City Guide to Mosul Visiting Syrian Refugee Camp Is Iraq Safe? Solo Female Travel Guide to Iraq Iraq Itinerary Erbil Travel Guide Solo Female Travel Guide to Iraqi Kurdistan Iraqi Kurdistan Itinerary Travel Guide to Amedi

Wanna travel to Iraq with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Iraq, where we’ll visit Baghdad, Babylon, Karbala, Mosul, and more October 2nd to 12th, 2025 This country is truly an adventure, and this guide contains absolutely everything you need to know to travel to Federal […]

Wanna travel to Iraq with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Iraq, where we’ll visit Baghdad, Babylon, Karbala, Mosul, and more October 2nd to 12th, 2025 learn more This country is truly an adventure, and this guide contains absolutely everything you need to know to travel to Federal Iraq, including visa procedures, how to move around, where to stay, going through checkpoints, budget, money, security tips, and much more. By the way, this guide refers to traveling independently in Iraq proper, which includes Baghdad, Mosul, the Marshes, and everything in between, but it doesn’t focus on the autonomous region of Kurdistan. For that, read our Kurdistan travel guide, Don’t forget to check my Iraq itinerary In this Iraq travel guide, you will find: Table of Contents Why visit Visas Tours Travel insurance Recommended books Safety Independent travel vs organized tour Top experiences Iraqi culture Iraqi cuisine Best time to visit Getting in Internet & connectivity Budget & money Moving around Checkpoints Where to stay Solo female travel More information our recommended travel insurance for Iraq IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Iraq. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE Introduction: why visit Iraq? After decades (literally) of being pretty isolated from the outside world, Iraq finally decided to open its borders to international travelers, making a dream for many come true. This is the cradle of modern civilization and the heart of Ancient Mesopotamia, home to Babylon, the City of Ur and Nineveh, once the center of the world, and today epic archaeological sites awaiting to be discovered by intrepid adventurers. The country, however, is much more than just archaeological sites; Iraq is made of its people, kind-hearted Iraqis who will accompany you in your journey, offering you unprecedented doses of Arab hospitality and generosity. Jaw-dropping shrines, the lively streets of Baghdad, and a surprisingly elaborate local cuisine: there are many reasons to travel to Iraq. How to get a tourist visa for Iraq Update March 2025 Since March 1st, visa on arrival is no longer available for entering Iraq. Instead, an e-visa for traveling into the country is strictly required. You can apply for your Iraq e-visa on this portal. The e-visa costs 165 USD, takes 24 hours to process, and allows you to enter Iraq through the following entry points: Baghdad International Airport Basra International Airport Jordan-Iraq border Kuwait-Iraq border Iran-Iraq border Saudi-Iraq border Which countries are eligible for the e-visa? All EU passport holders, and also the United States (yes, Americans can travel to Iraq), United Kingdom, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland Bonus: What happens with the rest of the nationalities? If you are not one of the lucky countries, you can still travel to Iraq, but you will need approval from the respective Ministry, something which you must arrange through an authorized Iraq tour company. For this service, they charge $250, plus you need to join one of their guided tours. This approval takes up to 4 weeks. Book one of our tours to Iraq Check below our upcoming Iraq departures: Oct 2nd to 12th, 2025. APPLY NOW Oct 24th to Nov 3rd, 2025. APPLY NOW February 7th to 14th, 2026. APPLY NOW March 17th to 23rd, 2026. APPLY NOW learn more about our iraq tours How long is the Iraq visa valid for? The visa allows you to travel in Iraq for 60 days. How much does the Iraq visa cost? Today, the Iraqi visa costs 165 USD. What is the airport procedure? Collecting your Iraq travel visa is surprisingly easy. You just need to show your e-visa to the respective authorities and collect the visa sticker. Is the Federal Iraq travel visa valid for the Kurdistan region? Yes, it is. Once you are in possession of an Iraqi tourist visa, you can travel freely all over the country, from Baghdad to Erbil, including by land. Update 2025 Is the Federal Iraq travel visa valid for the Kurdistan region? Yes, it is. Once you are in possession of an Iraqi tourist visa, you can travel freely all over the country, from Baghdad to Erbil, including by land. Update 2025 Since January 2025, the visa for Kurdistan ($75) is also valid for Federal Iraq. My tourist visa for Iraq How to sign up for a tour in Federal Iraq Traveling with a group and an expert local guide will make things much easier, and more fun! Against the Compass has several Iraq expeditions scheduled all year long, and the next one is on: Check below our upcoming Iraq departures: Oct 2nd to 12th, 2025. APPLY NOW Oct 24th to Nov 3rd, 2025. APPLY NOW February 7th to 14th, 2026. APPLY NOW March 17th to 23rd, 2026. APPLY NOW Also, click here to learn more about our Iraq Tours Private and bespoke tours for Iraq Do you wish to join a small group, but you can’t travel on any of the above dates? No problem, just shoot us an email at hello@againstthecompass.com indicating: How many people you are How many days do you want to spend in Iraq Which dates And we will try to find other travel buddies you may travel with. Otherwise, know that we can also organize private, tailored trips. In Babylon with one of our past groups Travel Insurance for Iraq Most travel insurance companies don’t cover for travel in Iraq, except for IATI. I recommend it because: Only travel insurance company that covers Iraq They have different plans for all budgets Covers senior citizens too Readers of this blog can get an exclusive 5% discount. BUY IT HERE TO GET YOUR DISCOUNT Useful books for planning your trip to Iraq Iraq Travel Guide by Bradt If you follow my blog, you will see that I always recommend Bradt guides for all destinations, so Iraq will be no different. They have the most insightful guidebook to Iraq. CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES ON AMAZON The Rise of the Islamic State by Patrick Cockburn This is my favorite journalism book ever and it is written by Patrick Cockburn, one of the world’s top experts on the Middle Eastern conflict. In this book, he gives an extremely perceptive introduction to the origins of ISIS, with many references to Iraq, of course. A really useful book to understand the complexity and origin of the conflict. CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES ON AMAZON A pictorial guide to Iraq by Sian Pritchard-Jones & Bob Gibbons My friends and fellow travelers Sian and Bob just published this pictorial guide to Iraq which also contains fresh and actionable advice to the country. CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES ON AMAZON Is it safe to travel to Iraq? Safety is the number one concern for people visiting Iraq. From the war between Iran and Iraq in 1980 to Saddam’s Hussein regime, the US invasion in 2003 and the more recent ISIS rule, decades of conflict and religious sectarianism made Iraq an actual war-torn country, labeled by all international media as one of the most dangerous destinations in the world. While it’s true that for decades, Iraq was a pretty dangerous country to travel to, the situation has drastically improved. This has been recently proved by the visit of Pope Francis in March 2021, thanks to whom – no kidding – Iraq finally opened its borders for tourism. I traveled around Iraq independently, moving around by public transportation and I was particularly surprised by how calm and peaceful everything seemed to be, especially Mosul and around, an area occupied by ISIS just a few years ago. Except for the endless checkpoints, everything else seemed pretty normal when traveling in Iraq, with the particularity that Iraqis, in general, were always extremely kind, helpful, and generous, like nowhere else you might have been to. Nevertheless, remember that religious sectarianism still exists across the country and that occasional bombings may happen from time to time, in Baghdad in July 2021. Iraq is mostly safe to travel but even experienced travelers should keep an eye open because we can’t forget that the country is highly unstable. Always stay up-to-date with the latest security updates but, instead of reading biased newspapers or the Iraq travel advice FCDO, do contact the local people. For that, Iraq Travelers Café is an invaluable source of information, where you can get in touch with English-speaking Iraqis. What about the Kurdistan region? Kurdistan is a different story. The region has always been safe, which is why it has been open to international tourism for quite a while now. For a better understanding, read: Is Kurdistan safe? There’s army and police everywhere you visit in Iraq but they are super friendly always Iraq independent travel vs organized tour Wanna travel to Iraq with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Iraq, where we’ll visit Baghdad, Babylon, Karbala, Mosul, and more October 2nd to 12th, 2025 – APPLY NOW For most people, Iraq is perceived as a challenging country to travel to, a destination only aimed at experienced backpackers, the reason why most travelers tend to visit Iraq with a local guide or on an organized tour group. Traveling in Iraq independently – aka backpacking in Iraq You would be surprised to know that independent travel in Iraq is completely doable, in fact much easier than in countries like Pakistan or Afghanistan. There’s plenty of public transportation, most cities have a range of hotels and local Iraqis are super helpful. The only challenge you may encounter, however, is police and army checkpoints. Some checkpoints are pretty easy to get through, but some may come with their own challenges, for which is best to have a local contact, which you can easily get from Iraqi Travelers Café. More on checkpoints later. Nevertheless, some previous experience traveling alone in Arab countries like Palestine or Lebanon is highly recommended. Martyr’s monument in Baghdad, an unmissable monument in your trip to Iraq Traveling in Iraq with a local guide or on a group tour That’s what most people do, and it’s fine. Against the Compass (this site) is leading group expeditions into Federal Iraq. Learn more: Against the Compass EXPEDITION to Federal Iraq. Top experiences when traveling in Iraq Remember to read my Iraq itinerary Explore vibrant Baghdad With its bustling bazaars and lively districts, Baghdad is a thrilling city with so much going on, the destination within Iraq where you need to spend at least one day. This is Shabandar Café, a must-see in your trip to Iraq and one of the oldest cafés Learn about the Islamic State’s legacy The rule of the Islamic State in the north of Iraq is still latent in people’s life, living history I call it. Witnessing the city’s reconstruction and the Iraqis’ struggle to return to normality is an unmissable part of their history to experience. This is the oldest mosque in Mosul, destroyed during the liberation from ISIS Touring the Mesopotamian Marshes on a boat The Arab Marshes are a wetland ecosystem in south Iraq, a huge aquatic landscape in the middle of the desert, home to a distinct cultural group named the Marsh Arabs. Going through the Marshes on a traditional boat, visiting the different islands and the local people is a great experience. A Marsh Arab Witness one of the largest pilgrimages in the world The city of Karbala, along with Najaf and Samarra, are the holiest cities for Shia Muslims, cities that every year receive millions and millions of pilgrims from all over the world, especially from Iran. The shrine in Karbala Discover Iraq’s ancient history Iraq was the heart of Ancient Mesopotamia, the people who developed the first cities, writing and agriculture, between 10,000 and 3,000 BC. Discover Iraq’s glorious past by paying a visit to the most relevant archaeological sites. Ancient Babylon Iraqi culture, language and religion Iraqis are proud Arabs, something you are likely to notice throughout your travels in Iraq. They comprise 75% of the total Iraqi population, the rest being Kurds, Turkmens, Assyrians, Yazidis, Armenians, Mandaeans, Shabaks, and other minority groups. It’s an ethnically diverse country but these figures might have changed in recent years, especially those of Yazidis, Mandaeans and Turkmens, whose numbers have drastically decreased due to violence unleashed against them. A man from Mosul cooking kubba Getting to know local Iraqis Before traveling to Iraq, I expected Iraqis to be very generous, similar to their Arab neighbors, but what surprised me the most is that they could be perfectly equal to Pakistanis, Afghans or Iranians – you know, the most hospitable countries in the world – unprecedented hospitality in the Middle East. Topics aside, making friends in Iraq is particularly easy, and a lot of fun. Local Iraqis will always be super happy to hang out with you, to show you around, something truly appreciated in a country where chances to meet other travelers are scarce. They can, however, be over-protective sometimes, and will always want to pay for all your meals and buy you souvenirs. This made me feel awkward but that’s their culture, you are their guest and, although you should always attempt to pay for your own food, just go with their flow. In Nasiriya with some local friends Language spoken in Iraq Arabic is the common language throughout Iraq, understood by pretty much everybody, except for a large portion of Kurds. English is relatively commonly spoken among highly educated people but not the rest of Iraqis, especially at checkpoints, so learning some Arabic words can prove very useful. Religion in Iraq More than 90% of Iraqis are Muslim, divided into Shia and Sunni Muslims by ≈ 50%, depending on the report. This extreme division dictates Iraq’s everyday politics and is one of the reasons why religious sectarianism flourishes. There is a large proportion of Christians too, around 7% according to some reports, mostly living in Baghdad, Mosul, and Erbil. A destroyed church in Mosul, or what’s left from it Close to Mosul, there is a city named Bakhdida, home to 300,000 people, 90% of whom are Christian, the largest Christian city in Iraq and perhaps in the whole Middle East. Pope Francis visited it in March 2021, where he said Mass in a recently restored Catholic church that had been burnt down by ISIS. A priest from the Catholic church in Bakhdida Cuisine in Iraq Before traveling to Iraq proper, I had spent two weeks in Kurdistan running two expeditions, eating nearly the same thing every single day. In Iraq proper, where I also traveled for two weeks, I thought I’d be eating the same dishes again, but I was wrong. While it’s true that shawarma, falafel, and grilled kebabs abound everywhere, being their staple foods, there are many must-try, elaborate dishes defining Iraq’s rich, complex history. In the north, I found the food to be more sophisticated, more varied, probably because of their proximity to Syria and also because the land is more fertile. The classic Syrian foul for example, which is like hummus but made of beans, could be found everywhere in Mosul. In the south, I ate mandi on a few occasions, consisting of rice with meat on top, and the national dish in Yemen, but also in neighboring Saudi Arabia. Alcohol in Iraq You would be surprised that liquor shops in Iraq abound, especially in Baghdad and Mosul, where you find the largest Christian populations. Drinking in the street is technically not allowed in Federal Iraq, but you can do it in your hotel and in Baghdad there are many Western-style bars. Kurdistan on the other hand, is way more permissive than Federal Iraq, with far more liquor shops. Anyways, some more must-try dishes when you visit Iraq are: Kubba – Consisting of a couscous paste filled with meat. It comes in plenty of different sizes and shapes, depending on the region in Iraq. I was always down for kubba Kubba Masgouf – An old Mesopotamian dish consisting of a huge fish from either the Tigris or Euphrates, which they grill for hours sometimes. Masgouf Kahi with Geymar – The national breakfast, consisting of a sweet pastry with honey or syrup, covered with a creamy, thick white cream made from buffalo milk. Amazing. Local breakfast Gus – Similar to shawarma but eaten with broth and floating pieces of bread. Typical from Mosul. Gus When is the best time to visit Iraq Read: Places to visit in Syria Best season to travel to Federal Iraq From mid-October until March, when the temperature is pleasant. You should know, however, that in winter, especially from December until January, the northern part (Mosul and surroundings) can get pretty cold (0ºC). The south is warmer but it can also get chilly at night so, if you are traveling in Iraq during winter time, do bring some warm clothes. Worst season to travel to Federal Iraq Summer, late spring, early autumn. During the warmer months, all Iraq can be too hot for traveling so, unless you can stand extreme heat (40 to 50ºC), I don’t recommend visiting Iraq at that time of the year. What about Kurdistan? Kurdistan is a mountainous region, with extremely cold winters and extremely hot summers. In December-January, most of the region is covered by snow but in spring, the whole region is covered in lush green and colorful meadows, making it a visually appealing season to travel to. Autumn is a great season too, with pleasant temperatures and beautiful fall colors. Remember to check my Kurdistan itinerary It gets chilly in Iraq in December, even during the day, that’s why I wear a jacket How to get to Iraq How to travel to Iraq by air The International Airport of Baghdad has connections with pretty much any city in the Middle East, especially Dubai, Doha, Beirut, Amman and Riyadh. If you are coming from Europe, Istanbul is a common stopover, Pegasus having the cheapest fares. Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan, has an international airport too, with similar connections to Baghdad. Getting from Baghdad International Airport to the city center At the arrival terminal, there are branded official taxis that can take you to the city for 40,000IQD. To make it cheaper, you can take the bus (9,000IQD) that takes you out of the airport security zone. From there, you can take a taxi for 12,000-15,000IQD How to travel to Iraq by land Now that you can get a visa for Iraq at all landborders, things have improved a lot when it comes to overlanding into Iraq. Traveling from Turkey to Iraq You can easily cross into the Iraqi Kurdistan region. There are direct buses from the city of Diyarbakir to Zakho, the first Kurdish town, and a visa is available on arrival. Traveling from Iran to Iraq You can also cross into both Kurdistan, and the rest of Iraq, and the visa is available at both. You cross the border on foot because direct transportation is not available. I once crossed from Iran into Kurdistan at Bashmak-Penjwen. Traveling from Jordan to Iraq The border is open, and there are direct shared taxis from Amman for around $75. Traveling from Kuwait to Iraq The border is open as well, but transportation options might be more scarce. Travel reports on this border are welcome in the comments section. Traveling from Saudi Arabia to Iraq The border is fully open, and you can get a visa on arrival. Read my Saudi travel guide Traveling from Syria to Iraq The border is closed. Read my Syria travel guide Don’t forget to check also our travel guide to Haiti. Ishtar Gate in Ancient Babylon Internet & connectivity in Iraq Buying a SIM Card in Iraq You can buy a SIM Card in a phone shop but not all of them can sell one, you will have to enter and ask. I recommend Zain. Typically, they have 1-week or 1-month plans, the 1-week plan starting at 10,000IQD, more or less, for 3-5GB. If you start your journey in Kurdistan, don’t get Korek, a Kurdish operator with limited service in southern Iraq. Connecting to Wi-Fi in Iraq Relatively good hotels do have Wi-Fi, and some cafés too, but it’s not very reliable. Do buy a SIM Card to stay connected. Get a VPN for traveling in Iraq You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks. Your connection will be much safer. Moreover, you will be able to access content that is typically censored in Iraq. I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. Get a vpn If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling. Money and budget: need to know In Iraq, they use the Iraqi Dinar (IQD) and approximately: 1 USD = 1300 IQD Exchanging money in Iraq Exchanging money in Iraq is fairly easy. Exchange offices are plentiful, but one small issue I encountered is that Euros (€) are not accepted everywhere, especially outside of the big cities. US dollars, however, can be changed all over. This wasn’t the case in Iraqi Kurdistan, where both USD and € are widely accepted. Withdrawing money in Iraq ATMs are accepting both VISA and Mastercard but you need to look for them. It’s better to bring cash with you. Also remember that except for a few fancy places, you can’t pay by credit card in Iraq, but only cash. How much does it cost to travel in Iraq independently? Baghdad was obviously the most expensive city in all Iraq, while Mosul was the cheapest. Kurdistan lies somewhere in between and the rest of Iraq is pretty affordable. These are the cost of the most typical things: Visa: 80USD All entry sites to archaelogical sites cost 25,000IQD Budget (but comfortable) hotels in Baghdad: from 60,000IQD Budget (but comfortable) hotels in the rest of Iraq: 25,000IQD – 40,000IQD Bottle of beer in a liquor shop: 1,200IQD – 1,1200IQD Local eateries: 5,000IQD to 8,000IQD for a local meal Fancy restaurants: main courses starting at 14,000IQD Taxi rides within cities: 3,000IQD – 7,000IQD Transportation between cities: 5,000IQD – 25,000IQD depending on distance Average daily backpacking budget for Iraq Starting from $45 – $65 a day The 10,000 dinar bill features the twisted minaret from Al Noori mosque, today destroyed due to the war Transportation: how to travel around Iraq Moving around Iraq by public transportation is fairly easy. Typically, most towns and cities are connected with either local shared taxis or minibuses. The local shared taxi is always a bit more expensive than the bus, but it’s way faster and more comfortable. I only took shared taxis and I recommend you do the same. Shared taxis I took (with prices): Baghdad to Karbala – 10,000IQD (115km) Karbala to Hilla (Babylon) – 2,000IQD (45km) Hilla to Najaf – 7,000IQD (60km) Najaf to Nasiriya – 10,000IQD (250km) Nasiriya to Chibayish (Marshes) – 5,000IQD (90km) Nasiriya to Baghdad – 20,000IQD – 25,000IQD, depending on the seat (345km) Baghdad to Mosul – 20,000IQD – 25,000IQD, depending on the seat (400km) Iraq Travel tip – garage is the word used for referring to a bus or taxi station. If you wish to go to Nasiriya, just ask for the Nasiriya garage and Iraqis will point you in the right direction, Hitchhiking in Iraq I didn’t hitchhike but in Karbala, when asking for the Hilla garage, a random Iraqi told me: I am going in that direction, you can join me. Does that count as hitchhiking? In any case, hitchhiking in Iraq should be easy. Taxis to move around Baghdad If you have a SIM Card, get your Careem App, which is the regional version of Uber. Taxi rides within Baghdad cost anything between 3,000-7,000IQD. Touring the Marshes by boat is one of the greatest experiences when traveling in Iraq Checkpoints in Iraq As mentioned, military checkpoints are the one challenge travelers need to face when backpacking in Iraq. A few things about checkpoints in Iraq: There are checkpoints to enter each and every city, and also on roads. Checkpoints exist for security purposes. The authorities tend to be very friendly, and even ask for photos. Checkpoints can be operated by different armed groups. Most of them are run by the Iraqi police, but they can also be controlled by different local militias, mostly Shia but also Christian militias, like in Bakhdida. Most checkpoints are pretty straightforward, you either get through or they just quickly check your passport. One issue I encountered at many checkpoints was that, since the entry date of my visa was written in English, soldiers weren’t able to understand it. This meant waiting a bit extra, since they had to consult with a superior, but it never turned out to be an issue. However, there are 2 checkpoints that can take a lot of time. Based on my own experience, here’s an overview of each one of them: Nasiriya checkpoint Update 2024: A local contact/sponsor was required but this isn’t the case anymore Nasiriya is a big city in southern Iraq and an unavoidable destination for anyone heading to Basra or the Marshes. Its main peculiarity is that this is home to al-Hoot prison, an American-made high-security prison, today filled with ISIS fighters, and the reason why the Nasiriya checkpoint is a tricky one. Basically, in order to enter Nasiriya, you are supposed to have a local to sponsor your visit. If you don’t have one, you will eventually make it through but there are reports from travelers who waited there for several hours. In my case, I did have a friend in Nasiriya. I gave his phone number to the authorities and after 45 minutes, they let me go. During those 45 minutes, all we did was have friendly chats, mainly about Spanish football. That’s it. Samarra checkpoint Update 2024: A local contact/sponsor was required but this isn’t the case anymore In 2006, the city of Samarra was affected by a suicide bombing targeting Al-Askari mosque, one of the holiest shrines in the world for Shia Muslims. Since then, the armed group and Shia militia Sarayat al Salam has taken control of Samarra, establishing checkpoints all over the city, closing all hotels, and making Samarra the worst city to live today in Iraq, according to local Iraqis. Sarayat al Salam is a paranoid group which is suspicious of everyone, especially foreigners. If you come to Samarra by yourself, without a local Iraqi, chances are that you can be waiting at the checkpoint all day before they let you through. I visited Samarra with two local Iraqis actually from Samarra and even with them, we had to wait 15-20 minutes at each checkpoint before they let us through. At the Nasiriya checkpoint, on my way from Chibayish Where to stay in Iraq: accommodation guide There are no hostels in Iraq, but you can find all sorts of hotels. In Baghdad, they can be expensive for what you get but, in the rest of the country, they are pretty affordable. Here’s a list of all the hotels I stayed during my trip to Iraq: Baghdad – Uruk Hotel – Around 70 USD a night. Very good location, comfortable and great Wi-Fi. Karbala – Al Karama Hotel – 15,000IQD. Very basic, but OK for one night. It was close to the shrine. Najaf – Qaem Hotel – 20,000IQD. Also basic but better than the one in Karbala. Amazing shower and good Wi-Fi. Nasiriya – Hotel Tourist – 50,000IQD. Quite good, and comfortable. Chibayish – I did a homestay, paying around $30 including dinner and breakfast. Mosul – Alsfer Hotel – $15. Surprisingly good for the price. Samarra – You are technically not allowed to stay in Samarra. CLICK HERE TO FIND THE BEST HOTEL DEALS IN BAGHDAD Solo female travel in Iraq According to female travelers I have been talking to, traveling in Iraq as a solo woman isn’t very different than in other Arab countries like Egypt or Jordan. Occasional verbal harassment does happen, but it’s rare, and most Iraqis will be nothing but extra kind with any foreign women. What to wear as a solo female traveler in Iraq In cities like Baghdad, Mosul, or Nasiriya, you will see all sorts of women dressing in all different ways, some of them apparently quite liberal. However, do always dress modestly in order to avoid unwanted attention, and bring a headscarf with you, since you may need it depending on the area you are visiting. On the other hand, in Karbala and Najaf – two very holy cities – a full abaya covering your whole body is mandatory. For more information, read this Iraq travel guide for females. More information for traveling in Iraq In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. All guides and articles for traveling in Iraq destination A City Guide to Mosul Visiting Syrian Refugee Camp Is Iraq Safe? Solo Female Travel Guide to Iraq Iraq Itinerary Travel Guide to Amedi Erbil Travel Guide Solo Female Travel Guide to Iraqi Kurdistan Iraqi Kurdistan Itinerary Iraqi Kurdistan Travel Guide Travel guides to other countries in the Middle East Iran Travel Guide Palestine Travel Guide Travel Guide to Oman Travel Guide to Lebanon Syria Travel Guide Travel Guide to Saudi Arabia Yemen Travel Guide Socotra Travel Guide You will also like our Libya travel guide. You will also be interested in: Where in the Middle East is safe? and The most beautiful places in the Middle East. I hope you enjoyed this article, which I believe is the best travel guide to Iraq available on the internet. Any questions or concerns, kindly let me know in the comments section.

Wanna travel to Russia with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Russia on: September 9th to 16th, 2025 (Russian Caucasus) – APPLY NOW Sept 18th to 24th, 2025 (Arctic Russia) – APPLY NOW It’s incredible to see how quickly things have changed when traveling in Russia. […]

Wanna travel to Russia with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Russia on: September 9th to 16th, 2025 (Russian Caucasus) – APPLY NOW Sept 18th to 24th, 2025 (Arctic Russia) – APPLY NOW It’s incredible to see how quickly things have changed when traveling in Russia. From booking accommodation to accessing the internet or just getting into the country, traveling to Russia is very different from what it used to be like pre-2022. Russia is a massive country, not only in terms of land, but also in its diversity and complexity. It would be impossible to write down a compelling travel guide in just 3500 words. However, rather than serving as the ultimate guide to traveling across each region, this Russia travel blog contains all the relevant updated info and recent changes that will help plan your trip to Russia, including how to look for hotels, how to get your visa, how to book domestic flights, and much more. Read: Belarus travel guide In this travel guide to Russia you will find: Table of Contents Russia today Visa Tours Insurance Is it safe? Getting into Money Best time to visit How to get around Accommodation Internet People, Culture, Language Food and drinks More information What it’s like to travel to Russia today Can I visit Russia as a tourist? Until 2022, Russia was a popular destination for travelers, and nobody was ever criticized for traveling there. Moscow International Airport had connections with pretty much everywhere in the West, embassies across Europe were always packed with travelers trying to secure their visas, and the main language heard in the Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburg was definitely English. But today, Western foreigners are a rarity across Russia. You can still see Asian tourists (mainly groups from China, Malaysia and Iran) in Moscow’s Red Square but the total number of Western tourists I saw after 1 month of traveling across Russia was zero, not a single one. This made things particularly interesting, especially when meeting English-speaking Russians, who always had plenty of questions on my country’s opinion of Russia. Red Square in Moscow, the most touristic place in all Russia What do Russians think about the Ukraine war? The conflict with Ukraine was on the top of my mind but engaging in local politics with Russian people wasn’t really my objective, since I had traveled to Russia to learn about the country and its cultural diversity. Obviously, I did speak about the current conflict with a few Russians, but the only thing I’ll say is that most people around the world dislike war. From Syria to Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, I’ve always been criticised when traveling to certain countries with controversial regimes, and Russia was no exception. In fact, I don’t think there is any other country in the world which inspires as much rejection as Russia these days. It’s important to remember that we are travelers, not activists, and that local people can never be blamed for their Government’s actions, whatever those actions might be. Photo taken in rural Russia. Seriously, do you think these people like Ukraine war How to get a visa for Russia Can you travel to Russia? Surprisingly, getting a tourist visa for Russia is much easier than it used to be before the war with Ukraine. In fact, Russian authorities recently introduced the option of applying for an e-visa for visits no longer than 16 days. Also, most embassies and consulates around the world no longer require an appointment, probably because they aren’t as busy as they used to be. Here’s what you need to know about how to apply for a Russian tourist visa. How to apply for an e-visa for Russia For single-entry visits of up to 16 days, you can apply for a Russian e-visa. This is the electronic visa portal. Which countries are eligible for a Russian e-visa? All EU and Schengen countries, as well as Bahrain, Cambodia, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, North Macedonia, Oman, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey and Vietnam. How long does it take to get approval? Around 4 calendar days. How much does the Russian e-visa cost? It costs $52. What’s the e-visa validity? Once your visa is issued, you have 60 days to enter Russia. Once you get in, your stay can’t exceed 16 days. Can I use the e-visa at any entry point? You can enter Russia via any international airport but with the e-visa, land border crossings are limited. The electronic portal lists all valid entry points. How to get a Russian visa via the embassy When should you get an ordinary visa instead of an e-visa? You plan to travel in Russia for more than 16 days You need to get a multi-entry visa Your country is not on the list of countries eligible for an e-visa. This includes the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. Visa requirements for Russia Russia travel tip: I can’t speak for all Russian embassies and consulates, but I do have recent experience of getting one at the Consulate of Barcelona and, from what I heard, all offer a similar experience. Just check your nearest embassy’s website for specific requirements. Russian visa typical requirements: Passport 2 passport photos Valid travel insurance for traveling in Russia. We recommend Alfa Strakhovanie. Letter of Invitation (you should get this from a local tour operator) How much does the visa for Russia cost? Price varies from embassy to embassy but at the Russian Consulate of Barcelona: Single entry non-urgent visa: €120 Single entry urgent visa: €195 Multi-entry non-urgent visa: €250 Very expensive! How long does approval take? In my case, a non-urgent visa took around 2 weeks, while an urgent one takes 2-3 days. My visa for Russia How to sign up for a tour in Russia Traveling with a group and an expert local guide will make things much easier, and more fun! In Against the Compass, we have the following expedition scheduled for 2025-2026: September 9th to 16th, 2025 (Russian Caucasus). APPLY NOW September 18th to 24th, 2025 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW November 16th to 22nd, 2025 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW March 31st to April 6th, 2026 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW April 14th to 21st, 2026 (Russian Caucasus). APPLY NOW Travel Insurance for Russia Remember that having valid travel insurance for travel in Russia is a must requirement for getting your visa at the embassy. Our preferred travel insurance company (IATI Travel Insurance) isn’t covering travel in Russia any longer. Instead, we recommend Alfa Strakhovanie. It’s a Russian-based insurance company, so they are accepted by the embassies, plus they allow to purchase a policy with a foreign card. Is it safe to travel to Russia? Many people believe that due to the war with Ukraine, Russia has become an unsafe country. In fact, if we look at the FCDO advice, the largest country in the world is today considered one giant red zone, meaning that even places like Vladivostok, which are nearly 10,000km from Ukraine, are also unsafe for travel due to the Ukraine war. Russia travel advice according to the FCDO They also talk about arbitrary detentions and a lack of available flights to return to Europe. It’s more than obvious that the different foreign ministries don’t want their citizens traveling to Russia, but I’d also like to give my perspective based on my last visit. Is Russia safe to visit given the war with Ukraine? As of today, the war with Ukraine is mainly limited to the border areas, up to the region of Kursk. Outside of those areas, life in Russia is completely normal, just as usual, and the reason is that Russia is just too big for other parts to be affected by it, from a security perspective. What about the long-distance missiles that hit Moscow? In September 2024, Ukraine launched a bunch of long-distance missiles that hit some buildings in the suburbs of Moscow, which resulted in the death of one civilian. Although I’ve never said that the rest of Russia was 100% safe, but I do want to mention that I was in Moscow when that incident happened, and I only found out about it from the Spanish news. The authorities closed the airport for a few hours but other than that, life went on as always. You also need to remember that there are more than 13 million people living in Moscow. No country in the world is free of risk, so it’s up to each traveler to assess how much risk they choose to be exposed to when traveling to a certain region or country. Are arbitrary detentions a risk in Russia? Arbitrary detentions don’t affect foreign tourists traveling on a valid tourist visa who stick to tourist sites and don’t get involved in politics. Lack of flights You can’t fly out direct to Europe, but you can fly to Baku, Dubai, Istanbul, Cairo and many other places around the world. Lenin square in Makhachkala. When traveling in Russia, you will see that even the smallest town has a Lenin square How to get in Russia How to fly to Russia Because of the sanctions, there are no flights operating between Russia and any Western countries, but you can still fly from many cities around the Middle East and Central Asia. The most popular connections for flying to Russia are: Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) Dubai (Emirates and FlyDubai) But you can also travel to Russia from: Sharjah (Air Arabia) Abu Dhabi (Etihad) Dushanbe (Somon Air) Teheran (Mahan Air) Amman (Jordan Aviation) Tashkent (Uzbekistan Airways) Baku (Azerbaijan Airlines) Cairo (Egypt Air) Can you fly to Russiawith Aeroflot, Ural Airlines, S7 or any other Russian airline? Yes, you can. These airlines have connections with all the previously mentioned cities. However, because of the sanctions, you can’t book flights through their website using a foreign card, although it can be done through Aviasales.com, a search engine for flights that allows international card payments. How to travel to Russia by land border Russia has endless border crossings with 14 different countries, so it’s impossible to provide up-to-date information on each and every one of them. However, we can give you a rough idea of what the situation is like in each of the countries that borders Russia: Norway: The border is open and, due its remoteness, it doesn’t present many issues. Finland: The border is closed. Estonia: The border is open but reports suggest it can take over 12 hours to cross. Latvia: The border is open but reports suggest it can take over 12 hours to cross. Lithuania: It borders with the enclave of Kaliningrad. Easy to cross, no more than 2 hours. Poland: It borders with the enclave of Kaliningrad. Easy to cross, no more than 2 hours. Belarus: As a foreigner, you can’t cross this border because there aren’t any immigration authorities, since Russians and Belorussians are allowed to cross it freely. Ukraine: We don’t recommend using this border. Georgia: The border is fully operational, and no issues have been reported. Azerbaijan: The border is closed. Kazakhstan: The longest border in the world. Most entry points are fully functional and don’t present any major issues. China: They share a border but there isn’t an actual entry point. Mongolia: Borders are fully operational. North Korea: On the e-visa portal, I was surprised to read that the electronic visa is valid for entering from North Korea by train at Khasan. If you happen to be in North Korea, perhaps you could be the first traveler to ever exit through Russia. Do you get a lot of questions when entering Russia? It’s hard to say, I guess it depends on your entry point. If you’re entering from Europe (Estonia, for example), you’ll certainly get a lot of questions, plus the whole immigration process is very slow. If entering via Moscow International Airport, the chances of being questioned are also high, as travel reports suggest. Nevertheless, be aware that all this questioning is mere procedure, and that nobody I know has been denied their entry into Russia, as long as they were traveling on a valid tourist visa. I personally entered from Kazakhstan by train. I did get asked a few questions but they were mostly about the 2 visas for Afghanistan stamped on my passport, no big deal. They also made me fill in and sign a form with Ukraine-related questions, just to make sure that you had no interest in getting involved in their politics. Money and budget in Russia In Russia, they use the Russian Ruble and approximately: 1 USD = 85 RUB Since the start of the war in Ukraine, there’s been a massive inflation and currency fluctuation, but they’ve managed to stabilise it. Can you use foreign bank cards when backpacking in Russia? No, absolutely not. Because of the sanctions, international credit and debit cards can’t be used anywhere in Russia. Where can you exchange money? You can exchange your foreign currency at pretty much any bank, easy. How much does it cost to travel in Russia? Overall, Russia is cheap as per European standards but it really depends on what you do. Budget backpackers will be happy to hear that all towns and cities in Russia have an abundance of budget hostels, and that meals are inexpensive. Long distance trains aren’t super cheap, but you can cover a lot of terrain, plus you save nights in a hotel. Here are the prices of the most typical things: Pint of beer: from 300 RUB Main course at a local restaurant: 400 RUB Main course at a nicer restaurant: 1000 RUB Short taxi rides in Moscow: 600 RUB Short taxi rides in secondary cities: 300 RUB Overnight train in third class: 2500 RUB Overnight train in 4-bed compartment: 4000 RUB Single room in a hotel: from 4500 RUB Dorm in a hostel: from 600 RUB Backpacking budget for traveling in Russia: from 40 USD a day Best time to visit Russia Russia can be visited all year around, even during the freezing winter. Traveling to Russia in winter Everyone knows that winter in Russia can be cold but it can be adventurous as well. You would not be the first person to visit the coldest city in the world (Yakutsk) during the month of January or travel across Siberia on the Trans-Siberian. Northern Siberia can get pretty cold even during sunny summer days Traveling to Russia in summer This can be a great time to visit Russia, especially if you plan to visit the Arctic, Lake Baikal or the Caucasus and Altay regions. Please be aware that many areas of Russia, and that includes Moscow, have a continental climate with very cold winters, but very hot summers. Summer is a great time to visit Russia if you travel to the Caucasus region Traveling to Russia in spring and autumn It’s hard to give an accurate answer on this, it depends on where you go and how early or late in autumn or spring you visit Russia. How to get around Russia How to travel around Russia by train One of the best experiences when traveling in Russia is boarding a Soviet train. It’s a great way to meet local people and also the only way to comprehend the vast size of this country. You can go by train to pretty much everywhere in the country. Find train schedules on tutu.travel. You won’t be able to book train tickets with a foreign bank card, but the site will help you plan your trip. How to book a train ticket at the station Once you know your train schedule, head to the train station and before paying for the ticket, make sure to choose your preferred class: Lyux – 2-bed compartments. The most expensive. Kupé – 4-bed compartments. Upper-middle class. Platzkart – The most common, at its most powerful Soviet style. These wagons don’t have compartments but bunk beds placed all over the wagon. Obshy – Seats, no beds. This is platzkart class How to travel around by taxi When traveling around Russia, you will have to download Yandex GO, the Russian version of Uber. You can order a taxi using Yandex GO from virtually anywhere in Russia, even in small towns in the extreme north of Russia, such as Salekhard. Top Russia travel tip: You can only use Yandex GO with a Russian SIM card, so get one of these upon arrival in Russia. How to travel around by plane Domestic flights are a good option for travelers with little time who are interested in visiting different regions of Russia. You can check flight schedules on Aviasales and book them using a foreign bank card. How to navigate around Russia In Russia, Google Maps works fine but Yandex Maps is more detailed and accurate. In fact, I realized that many businesses such as restaurants were not listed on Google Maps but they were on Yandex. By the way, due to the war in Ukraine, geolocation isn’t working properly in the center of Moscow. Where to stay in Russia: accommodation Russia is packed with hotels of all types. From budget hostels to expensive 5-star chains, you will never have any issues trying to find a hotel in Russia. The problem is more about how to book a hotel in Russia, since popular search engines such as booking.com or hostelworld.com are no longer operating in the country. Instead, you can search and book hotels through ostrovok.ru, and even book and pay with your foreign card. It is 100% reliable. Internet in Russia Wi-Fi and internet speed in Russia From an internet perspective, Russia is a highly developed country. There will be good reception pretty much anywhere you go. Getting a SIM card in Russia Internet data is ridiculously cheap in Russia. I paid less than 7 USD for a package that included a SIM card with 50GB of data and unlimited calls. I bought it at the official store in a mall and all they required was my passport. You can also get yourself one upon arrival at the airport. Getting an eSIM for Russia Some eSIM providers such as HolaFly, GoMoWorld or Alosim offer eSIM for Russia but they are way too expensive compared to the local plans, plus you can’t get a local number, which is absolutely vital to be able to use Yandex GO. Just get a local SIM instead, it’s super simple. Restricted websites and apps in Russia Some restricted websites, services and apps include: Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) YouTube Netflix AppleTV+ BBC News CNN Etc. You will be able to access them with a VPN. How to get a VPN for Russia I’ve been using ExpressVPN for years but to my surprise, it wasn’t working in Russia. NordVPN is my back up VPN, but it also didn’t work. Instead, I used OpenVPN and it worked well. Some Russians told me they use Planet VPN. Download and configure your VPN before traveling to Russia because their websites are often blocked as well. Getting hacked in Russia It is said that the best hackers in the world are Russian, and that getting hacked is not uncommon here. I am extremely paranoid about the internet, so my advice is to be very careful about the public Wi-Fi networks you connect to. Always connect using a VPN and if possible, only connect through your mobile data. Since data packages are so cheap, I always connected my laptop via my mobile hotspot. The people, culture and language in Russia Cultural diversity in Russia People tend to think of Russia as one massive Slavic nation but you’ll be amazed to know that Russia is home to 190 recognized ethnic groups, making it one of the most diverse countries in the world. Caucasian people in Chechenya While it’s true that many of those ethnicities refer to people from former Soviet countries (like Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Ukraine or Armenia) who for whatever reason moved to the Russian Federation in the past, there are many minorities who are indigenous to a specific region in Russia, such as Tatars, Chechens or Kumyks. A man in from the Republic of Dagestan In fact, there are 21 official republics in Russia that are home to a specific minority. I have personally been to the republics of Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia and the autonomous region of Yamalia. Traveling in the different republics of Russia feels like visiting a different country. They have their own rules, religion, habits, food, and culture, and they refer to actual Slavic Russians as if they were from a separate country. From a traveling perspective, this is Russia’s best asset and the one thing that makes you realize that most travelers have only scratched a tiny bit of the surface of Russia. Nenet woman, north Siberia Language in Russia Russian is the most widely spoken language in Russia, but there are 25 other official languages and over 100 minority languages, all proof of the broad cultural diversity in Russia. English in Russia There is a massive language barrier when backpacking in Russia since very few Russians can speak English. In fact, most people outside of Moscow don’t even understand very basic English words and sentences, such as numbers. While it’s true that Google Translate and Google Lens have made our life much easier, traveling in Russia is a bit challenging if you don’t know any Russian, so I strongly recommend learning a few basic words. Also, learn how to read the alphabet. It’s very easy. It took me one day to learn it back in 2018, when I was traveling in Kyrgyzstan. When it comes to reading food menus, understanding the alphabet is particularly handy. Food and drinks in Russia I don’t want to go into too much detail in this section. Russia is a developed country so even in small, remote towns, you’ll be able to find decent food options and nice cafés. Even in the Arctic town of Salekhard – a very small city which until 2021 was impossible to reach by road – there was a sushi restaurant and a German-style bar with a large selection of beers on tap. Russian caviar. If you want to learn about caviar when you travel in Russia, I recommend going to Astrakahan You’ll also find modern Russian restaurants all over the country. Russian cuisine is, of course, very meat-based but all menus will feature different types of soup and salads. Borscht (beetroot soup), pelmeni (meat dumplings), or varenniki (potato dumplings) are some of the most common dishes. For breakfast, I really like sirniki, small but thick pancakes made of cottage cheese, usually served with sour cream. Additionally, there is a vibrant coffee culture in Russia, so you won’t have any problem finding decent coffee anywhere you go. More helpful information to visit Russia In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. All guides and articles for traveling in Russia destination How to visit Nenets How to visit Chechnya Travel guides to former Soviet countries Kazakhstan Travel Guide Georgia Travel Guide Ukraine Travel Guide Travel Guide to Moldova Azerbaijan Travel Guide Travel Guide to Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide to Tajikistan Uzbekistan Travel Guide Belarus Travel Guide

Wanna travel to Socotra with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Socotra on: October 28th to November 4th, 2025 Socotra is an isolated island that has always been safe and attracted visitors, despite belonging to war-torn Yemen. Home to around 60,000 people, Socotra is also rich […]

Wanna travel to Socotra with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Socotra on: October 28th to November 4th, 2025 learn more Socotra is an isolated island that has always been safe and attracted visitors, despite belonging to war-torn Yemen. Home to around 60,000 people, Socotra is also rich in unique flora and fauna that helped it to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008. Packed with Dragon Blood and Bottle trees, white sandy beaches, unique cultural heritage and a wide range of endemic species, Socotra is a very different destination from anywhere you’ve seen in the Middle East. This travel guide will cover everything you need to know about traveling to Socotra, including visas, how to get in, where to stay, things to do, and more. Don’t forget to check our travel guide to Yemen Mainland In this travel guide to Socotra you will find: Table of Contents Socotra today Visa Travel Insurance Getting in Responsible tourism Best time to visit Tours Getting around Accommodation Money Internet Safety Packing list Culture Things to do in Socotra More Information our recommended travel insurance for Socotra IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Socotra. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE Socotra today: what’s the situation like? As you may know, Yemen is essentially divided into two regions: Yemen Arab Republic, also known as North Yemen People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, also known as South Yemen For detailed information on why these two regions are considered different, check the relevant section in our Yemen travel guide. Where is the island of Socotra located? Socotra is an archipelago located 350km southeast of Yemen, and it belongs to South Yemen. Today, North Yemen (with its capital in Sanaa) is ruled by the Houthis, while South Yemen is mostly controlled by the officially recognized Government, backed by Saudi Arabia. However, a significant part of South Yemen is ruled by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a separatist group who want South Yemen to become an independent country. A separatist flag from South Yemen This separatist group rules over Aden, Mukallah and Socotra, and is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is why you’ll see Emirati flags flying all across the island, and the reason why tourism has increased so much over the past few years. The UAE has big plans for Socotra when it comes to turning it into a prime eco-tourism destination, but that will only happen once Yemen as a whole becomes a more stable destination, and one worth investing in. When will that happen? Nobody can say. Do you need a visa for Socotra? Yes, to travel to Socotra, you will need a visa, but it’s relatively easy to get one, and I say ‘’ relatively‘’ because you can’t get one as an independent traveler; rather you must arrange it through a local tour operator, who always include them as part of the tour package. Socotra visa requirements The only thing you need is a valid copy of your passport. Applying for the visa takes no more than 3 weeks, and it costs 150 USD. All nationalities can apply for a Socotra visa. My travel visa for Socotra Visa for Socotra: is it valid for mainland Yemen? No, it’s not. The visa for mainland Yemen is valid for travel to Socotra island but not vice-versa. If you are planning to travel to Yemen after Socotra, you’ll need to get two separate visas. We also offer tours to mainland Yemen, with coming departures on: April 17th to 23rd, 2025 – APPLY NOW November 6th to 14th, 2025 (Yemen + Socotra)- APPLY NOW Learn more about our Tours for Yemen Travel insurance for Socotra Most travel insurance companies don’t cover for travel in Socotra and Yemen, except for IATI. I recommend it because: Only travel insurance company that covers Socotra and all of Yemen They have different plans for all budgets Covers senior citizens too Readers of this blog can get an exclusive 5% discount. BUY IT HERE TO GET YOUR DISCOUNT How to reach Socotra island? Today, the only official way to get to Socotra is by flying in. The airport is located in the capital Hadiboh and is called Socotra Airport (SCT). There are 3 different routes traveling to Socotra Airport: From Abu Dhabi From Mukallah From Cairo A beautiful Bottle tree, endemic to Socotra How to fly to Socotra from Abu Dhabi I’d say that 98% of travelers use this route. A flight operated by Air Arabia travels from Abu Dhabi to Socotra 2-3 times a week, depending on the season. Usually, flights operate on Tuesdays and Fridays, as well as Sundays in high season. However, flights to Socotra are scheduled every 6 months, so the schedule could change in the near future. A round-trip flight ticket costs around 950 USD. How to fly to Socotra from Mukalla Every Sunday there is a flight connecting Socotra and Mukallah, the capital of Hadramut province in mainland Yemen. A one-way ticket costs around 250 USD. How to fly from Cairo to Socotra There’s also the possibility of flying to Socotra from Cairo with Yemenia Airways via Aden, where you’ll be spending one night before flying to Socotra. I have never used this route but according to our contacts in Yemen, your fixer will need to get you a special visa and/or permission to be able to transit in Aden for a day. How to book your flights to Socotra Flights to Socotra can’t be booked online they have to be booked-through the respective travel agent. If you are traveling to Socotra as part of a group, your travel company should organise this for you. On our expeditions to Socotra, we will take care of that for you. Remember that our next departures for 2025 are: October 28th to November 4th, 2025 – APPLY NOW November 6th to 14th, 2025 (Yemen + Socotra) – APPLY NOW December 30th, 2025 to January 6th, 2026 – APPLY NOW A forest of Dragon Blood Trees Responsible tourism in Socotra Socotra has become a pretty touristy destination, by Yemen standards. With 2-3 flights a week, the island is currently receiving several hundred tourists per week, at a minimum. I realise it’s not so much but if you compare the stats to other off-the-beaten track destinations we offer expeditions to, such as Iraq, Eritrea, Syria or Libya, that’s a whole heap of tourists. Also, bear in mind that the island is quite small, so you’ll be bumping into tourists and familiar faces every now and then. With our group in Socotra, replanting a baby Bottle tree The problem with trash Yemenis from Socotra love their island and are deeply connected to its nature, but on the island, there’s little awareness on keeping it clean and trash-free. To be honest, this has improved massively since the beginning of 2024, mainly due to pressure and efforts made by a few foreign tourists, and the growing involvement of certain local tour operators. Your role as a traveler visiting Socotra should not only be cleaning up your own trash, but also helping the locals to keep the place tidy. Bring your reusable water bottle Nowadays, most local tour companies will provide with a water dispenser filled with mineral water. However, although the option to re-fill your water bottle is available, they keep handing out plastic bottles, and while this might sometimes seem handy, please reject it if a mineral water dispenser is available. Dress code: be respectful of the local culture Something you should know is that generally speaking, Socotra is a highly conservative society, a country and/or region where you are unlikely to see a woman’s face, like in pretty much all South Yemen. While it’s true that the new tourism boom is triggering a certain degree of tolerance towards how foreign women might dress, this doesn’t necessarily mean they like it or they even feel comfortable with it. It’s OK to wear a discreet swimsuit when you are at the beach but other than that, I recommend covering your shoulders and knees, and wear non-revealing clothes. Being mindful of local customs will help create a positive atmosphere. Best time to visit Socotra Travel to Socotra is highly seasonal. Here’s what you need to know: Worst season to travel to Socotra: May – September The low season in Socotra is during the warmest and windiest months, when the sky is so hazy and the weather so hot that you won’t be able to enjoy nature properly. I would avoid visiting Socotra during this time at all costs. Best season to travel to Socotra: October – April The high season for traveling to the Yemeni island is during the cooler months, when the sky tends to be clearer. However, note that November and December can be a bit rainy and that February and March are the best months for fully blossoming Bottle trees. This photo was taken in the month of November Tours for Socotra If there’s one destination which is ideal for group travel, that would be Socotra. Socotra is about enjoying nature, hiking and gathering around a bonfire, activities which are best enjoyed with a group, rather than solo. Against the Compass is known for group expeditions made up of laid-back, like-minded travelers. Our upcoming group expeditions: October 28th to November 4th, 2025 – APPLY NOW November 6th to 14th, 2025 (Yemen + Socotra)- APPLY NOW December 30th, 2025 to January 6th, 2026 – APPLY NOW Learn more about our Tours for Yemen Our last group in Socotra Transportation: how to get around Socotra Is there any public transportation in Socotra? There might be some local shared taxis and small minivans running between towns, but traveling around Socotra by public transportation can be extremely inconvenient as all of the places to visit are natural sites located in remote areas of the island. Traveling around Socotra by 4×4 Mountain roads in Socotra can be rough and there’s no other way to tackle them than in a 4×4. All tours to Socotra include transportation in 4×4. Where to stay in Socotra: what’s the accommodation like? Generally speaking, there are two options for travel in Socotra: full camping trips, or staying in a hotel in Hadiboh the doing day trips from there – the latter being a terrible idea. Camping in Socotra Camping in Socotra is great, one of the best places I’ve ever camped! Travelers are likely to be given their own tent and the local team always provides with a thick mattress, a pillow and a blanket. Basic gear, but that’s the closest to glamping I have ever come Moreover, for all our tours, we always travel with a portable table, chairs and all of the necessary equipment to make your camping trip a comfortable one. How are the campsites in Socotra? Some campsites don’t have any facilities, while others have basic showers and toilets. However, most itineraries are designed so you can stay in a campsite with showers at least every other day. Staying in a hotel in Hadiboh Staying in a hotel in Hadiboh is never a good idea, for several reasons. First of all, the only decent hotel in Hadiboh is expensive, like 130 USD for an average room. There are cheaper hotels of course, but they aren’t good. Second, the best places in Socotra are far from Hadiboh, plus they are best enjoyed at sunset or early in the morning, so not fully enjoyable on a day trip from Hadiboh. Lastly, Hadiboh isn’t a particularly pleasant city. I recommend sparing some time to visit the bazaar but other than that, it’s better to spend the night in a comfortable tent by the ocean. Money and budget in Socotra Socotra belongs to South Yemen, so they use South Yemen Rials (different to North Yemen) and approximately: $1 = around 1400 YRI ATMs in Socotra Your debit or credit card will be useless in Socotra, so bring everything in cash and in US dollars, the only currency that will be accepted. Exchanging money in Socotra US dollars are accepted virtually everywhere but I also understand that travelers might like to get some local currency, as it’s always fun. There are a few exchange offices in Hadiboh where they’ll gladly accept your dollars. Your local guide should take you there on the day you arrive. How much does a trip to Socotra cost? This is what a Socotra tour is likely to set you back: 8-day all inclusive tour: 1950 USD Visa fees: 150 USD Round-trip flight from Abu Dhabi: 950 USD Tips (optional): from 40 USD Total price for traveling to Socotra is roughly 3000 US dollars. Additionally, there is a souvenir shop where you can buy local handicrafts. Other than that, there’s not much to spend money on in Socotra! A shipwreck in Socotra Internet, connectivity and devices during your trip in Socotra How is the Wi-Fi in Socotra? You won’t find any Wi-Fi in Socotra, except for the hotel in Hadiboh, but even there it isn’t great. Can I buy a SIM card in Socotra? Certain areas of Socotra have 3G internet, but it’s very weak. This weak signal is provided by Etisalat, a mobile provider from the United Arab Emirates. If you buy an Etisalat SIM Card in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, you’ll be able to connect to the internet. Please note that this will only work with physical SIMs, not eSIMs. Is Starlink available in Socotra? Starlink is a device by SpaceX that offers unlimited high-speed data through a bunch of small satellites that deliver relatively fast internet, wherever you are. The first time I saw Starlink was in Canaima National Park (Venezuela). It’s typically used in very remote areas where there isn’t any signal and today, many people in Socotra are starting to use it, including some local tour companies. Charging your devices in Socotra Some campsites do have power sockets but they don’t really work. When I visited Socotra, I could only charge my devices with the USB from our cars, which wasn’t great, so I strongly recommend bringing a good power bank and spare batteries for your camera. Drones in Socotra Technically, drones are allowed in Socotra but from what I know, if the respective local authorities find it upon arrival at the airport in Hadiboh, they will make you pay a 150 USD fee. I did bring a DJI Mini 4 Pro but they never found it and I flew it over the island multiple times without any problems. A drone photo in Socotra Is it safe to travel to Socotra? Yemen is a war-torn country which has been at war since 2014. While North Yemen’s main problem has been the direct war between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, South Yemen has been suffering from terrorism and Al Qaeda. If we look at travel advice for Socotra, the FCDO doesn’t make any special distinction with Socotra, instead they just advise against all travel to Yemen. Yemen travel advice according to FCDO Socotra has suffered the consequences of the war, especially financially and a shortage of basic goods but, from a safety perspective, the island has always been spared from the conflict, mainly thanks to its remoteness and isolation. It’s up to you whether to believe the FCDO advice or not but, in my humble opinion, there are other risks which are 10x more likely to happen such as heat stroke, and injuries from trekking. People in Socotra and their culture Socotra is inhabited by about 60,000 Socotrans. From Saudi Arabia to Kuwait, Oman and also Yemen, Arabs from the Gulf are known for their relaxed attitude towards life, but Socotrans are able to bring this to the next level, as is usual on most tiny islands around the world. Socotrans are strong Sunni Muslim devotees and speak a distinct language named Soqotri. This language is closer to the Ethiopian Semitic languages – family of languages spoken in Eritrea and Ethiopia – than to Arabic itself. However, pretty much all Socotrans speak fluent Arabic. A fisherman in Socotra The famous caveman from Socotra What to bring: Packing list for visiting Socotra The following packing list is completely subjective: Reusable water bottle. We will have a water dispenser to fill your bottles, thus reducing plastic consumption. Head torch Microfiber towel Water shoes or sandals: for beach days or wading in natural pools. Trekking shoes All toiletries Biodegradable wipes or toilet paper Hand sanitizer Lightweight, breathable clothing: temperatures can be hot, so pack loose, comfortable clothing made from cotton or moisture-wicking fabric. Long sleeves and pants: to protect against the sun and bugs, particularly in the evenings. Swimwear: to enjoy the beaches and natural pools. Windbreaker or light jacket: evenings can be cool Hat and sunglasses: essential for sun protection. Insect repellent A dry bag is a good idea to protect your cameras and electronics from any water damage. Power bank and spare batteries Top places to visit in Socotra There are many awesome places to visit in Socotra, here’s just a couple of them. Hadiboh Mainland Yemen is known for its absolutely mind-blowing towns and villages, but those famous buildings never made their way into Socotra so from an architectural perspective, the towns in Socotra aren’t very appealing and the capital Hadiboh is no exception. Hadiboh is ugly and it’s packed with massive piles of trash everywhere, but the people here are welcoming, hit as a worthwhile fish market, and the bazaar will give you a taste of what city life is like in Socotra. Detwah Lagoon Detwah is a saline lagoon that connects to the Gulf of Aden, from which it is separated by an absolutely stunning sand-spit. This was my favorite place of my trip to Socotra Qalansiyah Located next to Detwah Lagoon, this is my favorite town in Socotra, the second largest after Hadiboh. I like it because it’s way cleaner, plus it has a pretty notable fishing vibe, great for photography. A local man from Qalansiyah Hoq Cave Hoq is a 2-km-deep cave whose main passage has an average width of 50 m and an average height of 20 m. You can walk up to 1 km deep into the cave, which I found to be pretty amazing, since it was my first time hiking through a cave without artificial paths. Getting to the cave is a 1.5 hr hike. Firmihin Dragon Blood Tree Forest For me, this is the best place to visit in Socotra, and the top reason to came here for. A virgin forest of thousands of Dragon Blood Trees, where you can actually camp and wake up in the morning surrounded by these beautiful, endemic trees. Dragon Blood tree forest Shoab beach Only reachable by boat, Shoab is the closest thing to a Thai beach on th island. These are the type of beaches you find when traveling in Socotra Dihamri This rocky peninsula is the hub for snorkelling and scuba-diving in Socotra. The snorkelling here is great. For no more than 10 USD, you can rent a pair of fins and a diving mask and swim along the coral reef, where you are likely to see tonnes of colorful fish. My experience diving in Socotra In Socotra. we did one dive, but I strongly discourage you from doing so, unless you are a professional diver. I honestly believe people running the diving centers here are unprofessional. They never checked our gear or gave us any briefing, even though they took us to an awful diving spot with absolutely no visibility and extremely strong currents. Everyone in our dive group came back to the surface with 75% of their tank full. There was a woman who had done more than 200 dives, and she claimed that this particular dive had been the worst of her life. No reputable diving center should ever take people to dive in such bad (and dangerous) conditions. Arher beach The most popular spot in Socotra, a bunch of massive dunes that go nearly all the way down to one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. In my opinion, this beach is getting too busy these days – definitely the busiest spot in Socotra, but it’s a great place to relax for the day. The dunes at Arher beach are mentioned in all travel guides to Socotra More information In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. All guides and articles for traveling in Yemen Yemen Travel Guide Travel guides to other countries in the Middle East Iran Travel Guide Palestine Travel Guide Syria Travel Guide Travel Guide to Lebanon Iraq Travel Guide Travel Guide to Saudi Arabia Travel Guide to Oman You might also like our Haiti travel guide. You will also be interested in: Where in the Middle East is safe? and The most beautiful places in the Middle East.

Wanna travel to Chechnya with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Chechnya on: April 14th to 21st, 2026 Chechnya is a republic in the North Caucasus that forms part of the Russian Federation. Infamous for its agitated past, few know about its stunning mountains, its warm […]

Wanna travel to Chechnya with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Chechnya on: April 14th to 21st, 2026 learn more Chechnya is a republic in the North Caucasus that forms part of the Russian Federation. Infamous for its agitated past, few know about its stunning mountains, its warm hospitality, and that it has become one of the most modern regions in the Caucasus. This guide will cover everything you need to know about traveling to Chechnya, including cultural etiquette, permits, how to get in, where to stay, things to do, and more. Don’t forget to also check our travel tips for Russia. In this Chechnya travel guide, you will find: Table of Contents Chechnya today Cultural Etiquette Visa and permits Tours Getting in Getting around When to visit Where to stay Itinerary More information Chechnya today: what it’s like to travel there Chechens were always a proud and fierce group of people living in the remote mountain areas of today’s South Chechnya, feared by the Tsars who conquered them in the 19th century, as well as by Stalin, and modern Russians. During WWII, Stalin began an ethnic cleansing campaign that consisted of the mass, forced deportations of Chechens into Kazakhstan, and they weren’t allowed to return until 1957, following Stalin’s death. However, their social exclusion continued until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Unlike other Caucasian countries such as Georgia, Armenia or Azerbaijan, Chechnya was unable to become an independent country because it already formed part of the Russian Federation before the Soviet Union was created. This is Grozny, one of the most surprising things to see in Chechnya Decades of being excluded from the rest of Russia – fueled by their strong identity – led to the self-declarion of independence from Russia, resulting in the first Chechen war, from 1994 to 1996. The war ended with Russia’s victory, although they were never able to fully control the ongoing rebellion, hence a second war began from 1999 to 2009. These two wars saw a toll of 250,000 deaths, but after 2009 a peace agreement allowed Chechnya to enter a new era under the rule of a controversial but pragmatic leader named Kadyrov, initially a pro-independence revolutionary but later a close ally to Putin. Kadyrov is the man chosen by Putin to control Chechnya by keeping it free from any separatist movements. In exchange, Chechnya receives big chunks of federal investment and Kadyrov can rule the republic as he sees fit, acting like almost a dictator. This is a very brief summary of today’s Chechnya. Chechnya was practically destroyed during the two wars but it was entirely reconstructed. When you travel there, you’ll realize that from an infrastructure perspective, Chechnya is an advanced region as per regional standards, but Chechens have never lost the strong identity that defines them. Beautiful road in southern Chechnya Cultural Etiquette: what to expect when you travel in Chechnya Chechnya is a surprising destination indeed. Despite being part of the Russian Federation since 1858, this small country is a completely different world from anywhere you might have been in Russia, or any other Caucasus country. First of all, Chechnya is a Muslim country but, unlike in other former Soviet Muslim nations, religion plays a big role in Chechens’ daily lives. Men can’t wear shorts This also translates into strict rules that may affect you as a traveler. For example, wearing shorts in public is strictly forbidden, a rule you will see announced in pretty much any public space, most likely as a warning to all the Russians from Moscow who come for a visit. No alcohol in Chechnya Moreover, Chechnya is a near-dry country with only one or two places in Grozny (top-notch hotels) serving alcohol. This is something I wasn’t expecting to experience in a country like Russia. A homogenous society After visiting Chechnya, I found it easy for me to recognize Chechens in Moscow, not only because of their facial features but also because they all share a particular style. Men trim their beards just like Kadyrov does long beards with no mustache. It was pretty intriguing to walk along the main boulevard in Grozny and notice that pretty much all Chechen men looked like Kadyrov. Most women dress similarly as well. They all wear a long, colourful dress with long trousers underneath, without exception. The vast majority wear a hijab too. Chechnya has managed to keep a very strong identity, which I for one find truly fascinating. Read: How to travel in Yamalia, Russia’s extreme north Visas and permits for Chechnya Can you travel to Chechnya? Yes, you can. Chechnya is part of the Russian Federation, therefore any traveler visiting Chechnya will need a Russian visa. For more information, check the visa section of our travel guide to Russia. Permits for visiting Chechnya Do you need any special permit to travel around Chechnya? No, you don’t, not even in the areas near the border with Georgia. However, remember that you do need a permit to visit South Ingushetia – travelers tend to cover both republics in one trip. By the way, Ingushetia is a different republic from Chechnya, but Ingushetians are ethnically and culturally the same as Chechens. They were simply split into 2 different republics in an attempt to divide their society. You need a permit to visit the border areas, and you’ll also require the help of a local guide and tour operator. It takes one full month for the permit to be issued so if you’re interested in visiting that part of North Caucasus, plan accordingly. Tours of Chechnya Traveling around Chechnya and North Caucasus requires complicated logistics, not only in terms of transportation but also because a knowledgeable local guide will always come in handy. At Against the Compass, we offer one expedition that combines not only Chechnya but also Ingushetia, Dagestan and North Ossetia. The next tours are scheduled on: April 14th to 21st, 2026 – APPLY NOW How to get into Chechnya How to travel to Chechnya by plane Grozny – the capital of Chechnya – has an international airport (GRV). To be honest, it’s a very small airport with few international flights, but there are some flights from Istanbul, Jeddah and Dubai. However, Grozny has several daily connections with Moscow. Alternatively, you can also fly to the nearby airports of Makhachkala (Dagestan) and Vladikavkaz (North Ossetia). For more information on how to book flights, read the Getting in section of our travel tips for Russia. How to travel to Chechnya by train Grozny has a train station with direct trains from Moscow and many other cities in Russia. Keep in mind however, that the journey from Moscow to Grozny takes more than 1 day. I personally entered Russia from West Kazakhstan into Astrakhan, from where I took a night train to Makhachkala. From Makhachkala, I entered Chechnya by car through the mountains, but there’s a train connecting both cities as well. For more information on how to book trains, read the Getting in section of our travel tips for Russia. How to get around Chechnya Chechnya isn’t great in terms of public transportation. I mean, you can easily get to Grozny by train and travel between the different towns and cities by minibus, but it’s very difficult to visit the southern part of the republic, since that’s a barely populated area of the Caucasus. Hitchhiking, however, should be easy, and it’s something the local people do all the time. It can be quite an adventure too, time allowing. A 4WD is also necessary to visit the remotest and most stunning parts of Chechnya. Road you will have to travel in South Chechnya Best time to visit Chechnya Generally speaking, the best time to visit Chechnya is from June to September. That’s the best season to visit the mountains as well as for trekking. However, since Grozny is located in the lowlands, it can get overwhelmingly hot in the summer months, and the same goes for pretty much any other city in North Caucasus. Honestly, if you aren’t planning to do any particular hikes, I’d say that April-May and October-November are the two best times to visit Chechnya, since the weather in the cities will be pleasant. Where to stay in Chechnya Where to stay in Grozny Grozny has plenty of hotels. I personally stayed at Central City Hotel Grozny, a newly built, small hotel located in the center. If you want something a bit fancier, check out Grozny City Hotel, located in one of the tallest buildings in Chechnya. Where to stay in other parts of Chechnya In South Chechnya, near Itum-Kale, you can stay at Edelweiss Hotel, which is very close to the Tusheti region of Georgia. I also stayed at Kezenoy, a mountain lake in east Chechnya. While it’s true that the lake is nothing spectacular, you’re likely to stop off here on your way from Dagestan. There’s a government-run hotel called Kezenoy-Am Hotel. Remember that you can book your accommodation in Ostrovok. Check the Accommodation section of our Russia guide. Itinerary: Things to do in Chechnya in 3 days Map of the things to do in Grozny Day 1 – Grozny, the capital of Chechnya When it comes to cities in the North Caucasus, Grozny is my favorite, but only because it’s something you would never expect, not only because of its unique identity but also because some areas are more like Dubai than to anywhere else in Russia. Besides strolling around the city center and along the main boulevard, where Chechens all hang out, I recommend taking a Yandex to Argun, the most newly reconstructed area in probably all of the Caucasus. I recommend to spend 1 or 2 nights here in Grozny. Grozny’s most visited mosque, one of the best places to visit in Chechnya Day 2 – Galanchozh, Tsoy Pede and Veduchi This was my favorite part in the whole of Chechnya, home to utterly jaw-dropping landscapes. You will need a 4WD, however, since the roads here are really rough. It’s actually possible to reach Veduchi – the final destination – with a normal car, but then you’ll be missing the highlights found on the road that runs parallel to the Republic of Ingushetia. Please, check the above map for reference. At the end of the mountain road, you will come to Tsoy Pede, a Caucasus necropolis built in the 13th century, consisting of several crypts built on the top of a hill, and where you can still see human remains. Next, I recommend heading to Veduchi, where you can stay at a decent hotel named Edelweiss. Day 3 – Sharoi, Kezenoy-am and Khoi From Veduchi, you can travel from valley to valley along a pretty insane mountain road that will take you directly to Sharoi, a newly reconstructed Chechen mountain village that has today been turned into an open-air museum. To be honest, I am not a big fan of these modern, soulless reconstructed places but I must admit it’s actually impressive to see. Mountains in South Chechnya From Sharoi, you can also travel to the next valley along another amazing mountain road that will take you to Kezenoy, a mountain lake and popular tourist spot for Chechens. I don’t think the lake is particularly pretty, but it’s a cool place where you can see locals hanging out and spending their day over a barbecue. In Kezenoy, you can stay in the government-run hotel called Kezenoy-Am Hotel. The following day, I recommend continuing onwards on your journey to Dagestan. More information: In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. All guides and articles for traveling in Russia destination How to visit Nenets Russia Travel Guide More content on the Caucasus Georgia Travel Guide Azerbaijan Travel Guide Azerbaijan Itinerary Reasons to Visit Azerbaijan Qobustan Petroglyphs and Sovietism Baku Travel Guide Best Hostels in Baku Tbilisi Travel Guide Travel Guide to Kakheti Best Books on Georgia Trekking Guide to Georgia Georgia Itinerary Travel Guide to Kazbegi

Wanna travel to Kazakhstan with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Kazakhstan on: June 4th to 13th, 2025 Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world and the most modern of all the ‘stans’. Yet very little is known about this fascinating country. Following more […]

Wanna travel to Kazakhstan with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Kazakhstan on: June 4th to 13th, 2025 learn more Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world and the most modern of all the ‘stans’. Yet very little is known about this fascinating country. Following more than a few visits there, I compiled this guide with all the relevant travel tips for Kazakhstan, from visas to how to get in, money, and everything needed to plan your trip. For places to visit, don’t forget to check our Kazakhstan Itinerary In this Kazakhstan travel blog you will find: Table of Contents Intro Visa Travel insurance Internet Money Top Experience Getting in The country, people and their culture Transportation Accommodation Food and Drinks More resources our recommended travel insurance for Kazakhstan With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Kazakhstan. GET 5% DISCOUNT HERE Introduction: what it’s like to travel in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan is, by far, one of the strangest countries I have ever been to, along with Haiti and Eritrea. On the one hand, it is a surprisingly developed country, home to the most Westernized city in Central Asia – Almaty, whose inhabitants are very European-minded – as well as some striking mountains. This is the Aral Sea in Kazakhstan On the other hand, this gas-rich, barely populated country is also the 9th largest in the world and is home to some of the bizarrest places on Earth, such as an old nuclear testing town, a dried-up sea, the Russian Cosmodrome, and an extremely vast steppe with the occasional hairy 2-humped camel. Kazakhstan has two faces, and for this reason, it can find a place in everybody’s heart, both the traveler who likes to explore a cosmopolitan city and beautiful mountains, and the avid backpacker who likes to delve deep into obscure places off the beaten track. This is Kolsai Lake in Kazakhstan – Photo from Journal of Nomads Visa requirements for travel to Kazakhstan Citizens from the following countries can get a free visa on arrival (VOA) in Kazakhstan. All EU and Schengen countries, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam This is valid for any entry point, both international airports and land borders, and all you get is a friendly stamp. Registering in Kazakhstan In the past, registering your stay with the local authorities was mandatory, but since 2020, it’s no longer a requirement. Travel Insurance for Kazakhstan Kazakhstan is an adventurous destination, so we recommend going there with proper travel insurance. I recommend IATI Insurance because: Their backpacker plan covers all types of adventure activities, including trekking Very competitive prices Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount BUY IT HERE TO GET YOUR 5% DISCOUNT Internet and connectivity when you travel in Kazakhstan How is the Wi-Fi in Kazakhstan? Wi-Fi mostly works fine throughout the country. It’s not the best Wi-Fi in the world but I managed to work online without major issues. Can I get a SIM Card for Kazakhstan? Yes, you can get a SIM Card on arrival at the airport or at any official mobile shop. Data plans are really cheap. I strongly recommend doing so because having a local number is a must to use local taxi apps such as Yandex. eSIM for browsing, calling and traveling in Kazakhstan An eSIM is a regular SIM card with a digital format that works like a normal physical SIM card, with the added benefit being that you can buy it at home before the beginning of your trip, hence avoiding the hassle of buying it at your destination. I recommend Airalo. Get a VPN for traveling in Kazakhstan You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks. Your connection will be much safer, plus you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Kazakhstan. I recommend ExpressVPN – extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. CLICK HERE TO GET ExpressVPN If you want to learn more about VPNs, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling. Budget and money when you travel in Kazakhstan In Kazakhstan, they use the Kazakh Tenge, and approximately 1 USD = 500 KZT Can I pay by card in Kazakhstan? Yes, absolutely. Today, you can pay by card virtually everywhere throughout the country. The only place where card payments might not be accepted is the café on trains, so do bring cash for your long train journeys across Kazakhstan. Also, carry some spare cash when you’re visiting smaller villages or traveling by marshrutka instead of train. Can I use an ATM? Yes, you will find many ATMs in all towns and cities, most of them accepting foreign cards. Where can I exchange foreign currency? You can easily exchange Euros or American Dollars in many banks and offices across the country. Keep in mind that, except for Russian Rubles, Kazakhstanis aren’t huge fans of their neighbors’ currency. Kyrgyz Som should be fine, but I was never able to exchange the Uzbek Som I had left. How much does it cost to travel in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan is the most expensive of all Stans, including Pakistan and Afghanistan. Below are the prices of the most typical expenses: Dorms – 3,000 to 6,000 KZT Single room in a mid range hotel in Almaty – from 19,000 KZT Meals in local restaurant – 3,000 KZT Meals in nicer restaurant – Mains from 4,000KZT Trains – Aktau to Aralsk, 20 hours, 1,400km, 2nd class (19,000KZT) Top 4 experiences in Kazakhstan Travel in a Soviet train across the steppe Epic multi-day journeys through remote Kazakh lands. Read our train guide for Kazakhstan. Kazakh steppe from the train Discover the gorgeous mountains of southeastern Kazakhstan Unbelievable scenery very close to Almaty. Lake Kandy (The Sunken forest) – Photo from Journal of Nomads Visit the Aral Sea The worst environmental disaster caused by man. Visit a Nuclear Test Site Semipalatinsk is the first place on Earth where an atomic bomb was tested. Semipalatinsk testing site Read our Semey travel guide for more information. How to get to to Kazakhstan How to travel to Kazakhstan by plane Kazakhstan has several international airports, the best known being Almaty International Airport (ALA). Check out flights with Pegasus, Turkish Airlines or Qatar Airways. You can also fly into Astana (NQZ), Shymkent (CIT) and Aktau (SCO). How to travel to Kazakhstan by land border Kazakhstan shares a border with 5 countries. Pretty much all borders are open. Russia: Most borders with Russia are open. I crossed the border near Astrakhan in 2024 by train. Easy to cross. Check our Russia travel guide for more info. Turkmenistan: Open, as long as you have a valid visa for travel in Turkmenistan. Uzbekistan: Pretty much all borders are open, some can be crossed by train. I crossed by train at Beyneu. Kyrgyzstan: Busy crossing but no train, only car or marshrutka. China: Open as long as you have a valid visa for China. Remember that contrary to what some travelers believe, Kazakhstan doesn’t share a border with Mongolia. It looks like they do, but zoom in and you’ll see there’s a tiny bit of Russia in between. This is the border between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan How to travel to Kazakhstan by boat Long-term overlanders like to catch the ferry from Baku to Aktau, which takes 24 hours. I’ve never taken it but my friends over at Journal of Nomads did. Check their report here. Read: Kazakhstan 1-month itinerary The country, people and their culture Kazakhstan is an ex-Soviet republic that got its independence from Russia in 1991. It is, however, the country with the largest Russian influence in Central Asia – to the extent that Russian is generally more widely spoken than Kazakh itself. ‘We like Russia because she takes cares of us’, a Kazakh friend of mine said. Kazakhstan is the only Stan that borders Russia, so it’s not surprise that its presence and influence is highly visible. Friendly Kazakhs Kazakhstan today Kazakhstan is the most modern and developed country in Central Asia, something that can be explained by its abundance of natural resources, such as oil and gas. The Government has also been investing a lot in terms of education, one of their most successful policies being the opportunity of awarding loads of scholarships to students to study abroad at major universities worldwide, the only condition being that they must come back and work in Kazakhstan after X number of years. This has led to a highly educated work-force for Kazakhstan. Furthermore, Almaty is a seriously modern city by European standards. In fact, I think Almaty is the most European city in all of Asia. Astana is very modern too but it’s one of those brand-new cities with absolutely no soul, more similar to Dubai and Almaty itself. Modern Astana Kazakhstani people Kazakhstanis are descended from Turkic and Mongolian tribes. Although very ethnically mixed, most of them have strong Mongolian features. The Kazakhs used to be a nomadic nation that moved across the steppe and their biggest contribution to the Silk Road trade were animal-related products like fur. However, unlike in Mongolia and neighboring Kazakhstan, nomadic life has pretty much disappeared not only due to the country’s development but also because under the Soviet Union, many Kazakhs were forced to become sedentary and focus on the plantation of wheat. a friendly Kazakh woman in the mountains near Shymkent Language in Kazakhstan Kazakh, a Turkic language, is the official language in Kazakhstan, along with Russian. Russian however, is the main language used in Almaty. Well-educated young people from Almaty and Astana can speak English, but other than that, do try to learn some Russian words if you decide to visit Kazakhstan. Google translate and Google Lens have made our life much easier but still, I recommend learning some Russian words, as well as the alphabet. Religion in Kazakhstan Officially, Kazakhstanis are Muslim, although religion doesn’t play any significant role in Kazakhstan. This is not only because they used to be part of the USSR but also because religion has never seeped into nomadic societies. Still, you are likely to see a few mosques with a handful of worshipers; generally though, Kazakhs are atheist, even though Saudi Arabia is ploughing millions into trying to reverse that. Turkestan mosque Transportation: how to get around in Kazakhstan Traveling in Kazakhstan by train A multi-day train journeys over the Kazakh steppe is an experience by itself and so much fun! Check timings and train schedules at tickets.kz. For more information, I’ve put together a train guide to Kazakhstan. Traveling by marshrutka and shared taxi In the more remote areas where trains don’t go, the locals get around by either shared taxi or marshrutka, which is like a minibus. Traveling around Kazakhstan by plane Domestic flights are inexpensive and a great way to cut distances short in Kazakhstan. Check Fly Arystan. Using city taxis in Kazkahstan To avoid any hassles, I recommend you download Yandex, which is like the Russian Uber. Remember that you will need a local number to use Yandex. Accommodation: where to stay in Kazakhstan From backpacking hostels to 5-star hotels, accommodation in Kazakhstan is a no-brainer. You can find all sorts of accommodation to suit all budgets. Check on Booking.com In my Kazakhstan itinerary, you can find a variety of accommodation options in each city I visited. Epic train journeys, always the most unexpected stuff Food and alcohol when you visit Kazakhstan In large towns and cities, there are all sorts of food available, but when it comes to the local cuisine, this is very similar to other countries in Central Asia. The first time I visited Kazakhstan, it was my last stop after a trip across the region spanning several months, so I’m a bit biased when it comes to judging Kazakh food, since I was already bored of it before even stepping foot into the country. When it comes to local dishes, pelmeni (dumpling soup) would be the most common option, as is lagman (noodle soup with horribly chewy and fatty beef). Horse meat in Kazakhstan Although you can find horse meat in many countries around the world, nowhere else does it like Kazakhstan, where horse meat is the base of many of their dishes, which is why you’ll see farms all around the country. I actually visited a horse-farm in Zhabagly, a mountain village around Shymkent. They kept hundreds of horses and told me that, when the horse gets to a certain age, they decide whether to keep it as a work horse or send it to the butchery. Horse farm in Kazakhstan The most unique horse-based dish they have is beshbarmak, a national dish which consists of pasta layers, vegetables, and the star-ingredient being horse meat, all served in a huge flat dish with a bit of broth. Usually, it is a sharing dish, so the few restaurants that serve it require a minimum order of a couple of people. Kazakhs reserve beshbarmak for special occasions. Beshbarmak, the national dish More resources for traveling to Kazakhstan In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. All guides and articles for traveling in Kazakhstan destination Travel Guide to Astana Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan border crossing Train Guide in Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Itinerary How to visit Semipalatinsk Test Site Travel guides to other countries in Central Asia Tajikistan Travel Guide Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide Travel Guide to Uzbekistan Pakistan Travel Guide Afghanistan Travel Guide

Wanna travel to Nenets with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Nenets on: September 18th to 24th, 2025 The Nenets are an ethnic group indigenous to Arctic Russia, a group of nomads and reindeer herders living in the extreme north of Siberia, in one of the […]

Wanna travel to Nenets with Against the Compass? Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Nenets on: September 18th to 24th, 2025 learn more The Nenets are an ethnic group indigenous to Arctic Russia, a group of nomads and reindeer herders living in the extreme north of Siberia, in one of the most challenging environments in the world. Despite living in one of the most isolated places on Earth, today it’s possible to meet Nenets, while staying in their camps. This is the rawest and most authentic experience you will ever have. This guide will explain everything you need to know to visit the Nenets in Russia’s extreme north. Remember that we have scheduled Nenets Expeditions on the following dates: September 18th to 24th, 2025 – APPLY NOW November 16th to 22nd, 2025 – APPLY NOW March 31st to April 6th, 2026 – APPLY NOW For practical information, check our Russia Travel Tips In this travel guide to Yamal, you will find: Table of Contents Intro Location Getting in Traveling around When to visit Where to stay Itinerary Practical tips More information Introduction to cohabiting with the Nenets Since 2014, I have been traveling to some of the remotest areas in the world. From riding on top of an iron ore train across the Sahara to having the whole of Djenné all to myself in Mali, or reaching the Minaret of Jam by public transportation in Afghanistan; I have experienced endless raw adventures, for which I consider myself very fortunate. However, the few days I spent cohabiting with the Nenets in far-north Russia was a whole other level. Just imagine a group of people living in what is perhaps the least known and remotest region in the world: Arctic Russia. This part of Arctic Russia (Yamalia, north Siberia) is not only extremely freezing, it’s also massively isolated, there aren’t any roads, and there’s absolutely nothing but endless frozen tundra. Still, Nenets choose to live there out of a tent and with a few hundred reindeer: that’s all they have. The Arctic tundra is the Nenets’ actual home, where they live and keep moving 365 days a year under the most extreme weather conditions, surviving on reindeer blood, meat and little else. Living together with the Nenets is an extremely rough experience, the reason being that their life is really harsh but that’s precisely the point: to experience what it’s like to live in the Arctic tundra of Siberia. Trust me, nothing can get as raw as this. A Nenet drinking blood from a recently killed reindeer Location: where are the Nenets? Tundra Nenets live in the northern part of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, an autonomous region that forms part of Tyumen Oblast. It’s important to keep in mind that not all Nenets choose to have a nomadic style. Some of them live in towns and villages within Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, and have ordinary jobs. They work in banks, supermarkets and the public sector. However, thousands of Nenets are still living a 100% nomadic style, migrating across the tundra that borders the Kara Sea every 2-3 days, 365 days a year. The vast Arctic tundra, where Nenets live You can find the approximate location of Tundra Nenets in the map below. How to get to Yamalia The main transportation hub in Yamalia is a small city named Salekhard, the administrative center of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. How to get to Salekhard by plane There are daily 3-hour flights from Moscow to Salekhard with Yamal Airlines. You can also find direct flights from Saint Petersburg, Kazan and Ekaterinburg. Please remember that due to the current sanctions, it’s not possible to book flights using a foreign bank card directly from the airline’s website. Use Aviasales instead. For more information, refer to the transportation section of our travel guide. How to get to Yamalia by train Salekhard doesn’t have a train station but alternatively, you can take a train to Labytnangui, a small town less than 20km from Salekhard, located just across the Obi River by ferry. From Moscow, there are direct trains to Labytnangui, but keep in mind that it’s a 48-hour train journey, kind of cool for those with plenty of time, but do plan accordingly. Check train schedules on Tutu Travel. How to get around Yamalia and reach the Nenets’ camps Nenets live spread across the vast tundra. What is more, they also keep moving all year long, plus you can only be sure of where they are if you’re able to get in contact with them on a satellite phone. Therefore, it’s plainly obvious that there isn’t any public transportation to take you there. To make things even more complicated, regular 4WDs can’t drive across the tundra, only TREKOLs, a Russian-manufactured vehicle designed for that specific terrain. This makes traveling to Yamal particularly complicated and expensive. Best time to visit Nenets Here’s how to visit Tundra Nenets, season by season. Meeting Nenets in winter: December to mid-March From December to March, tundra nomads live in the harshest of all conditions. They live in north Siberia, where winter temperatures never exceed more than -25ºC, dropping to -50ºC at night. Can you still visit Nenets in winter? Yes, you can, they will be happy to accommodate you and you won’t be the first traveler to stay in their tent, but you will certainly suffer. A local Nenet in deep winter Meeting Nenets during ‘mild’ winter: mid-March to May and mid-October to November During the shoulder season, the tundra is covered in snow but temperatures rarely drop below -25ºC. If you want to experience white tundra landscapes without suffering too much, this is the best season. Remember that we have 2 tours on the following dates: November 16th to 22nd, 2025 – APPLY NOW Meeting Nenets in summer: June to September While summer might seem an ideal season to visit the Arctic tundra due to higher temperatures, June to August is the worst time to travel in Yamalia, for 2 reasons: The tundra is plagued with mosquitos The level of the river is too high to cross it in the tundra vehicles On the other hand, September should be fine. While the weather in September is not as good as in July and August, you don’t have problems with mosquitos, and the river level is just right. Remember that we have the following tour in September: September 18th to 24th, 2025 – APPLY NOW A Nenet trying to catch their reindeer Accommodation when visiting the Nenets Nenets live in a traditional tent called chum, a pyramid-shaped tent made of reindeer skin with very basic amenities. This is what a chum looks like A chum has to be basic because they set them up and take them down every few days, all year round. Chums are big enough to accommodate up to 10 people, including the family of Nenets, and you’ll be sleeping with them and 4 other travelers. That’s for accommodation in the tundra. In Salekhard, Yamalia’s main town, there are several hotels, and we recommend a 3-star hotel called Hotel 89. Nenets setting up a chum Yamalia Itinerary: things to do when visiting the Nenets Here’s our suggested itinerary for visiting the Nenets and the region. Remember that this is the itinerary we follow on all our Nenets expeditions. Our upcoming dates: September 18th to 24th, 2025 – APPLY NOW November 16th to 22nd, 2025 – APPLY NOW March 31st to April 6th, 2026 – APPLY NOW Day 1 – Arrival in Salekhard and transfer to Yamal Peninsula Flights from Moscow to Salekhard arrive at 8 am, which is the perfect time to start your journey into the tundra. Alternatively, there’s a second flight arriving at 4 pm, but you will have to spend the night in Salekhard. We recommend Hotel 89, sometimes also listed as Parallel Hotel. The journey from Salekhard to Nenets’ campsite takes 8 – 12 hours, depending on their present location. The campsite you will arrive on day 1. Day 2, 3 and 4 – Living with the Nenets Three full days is the amount of time I recommend spending with the Nenets. It’s important to remember that cohabiting with Nenets is more about observing their daily life, focusing on high-quality photography, and helping them with their daily chores, rather than having a full day packed with activities. Nenet’s daily chores However, you can still do plenty of activities, which typically include: Fishing: especially ice-fishing during the colder months. Witnessing migration: This is a full day event that implies packing the sleds with all their stuff, and moving to their next location. Nenets preparing for migration Reindeer gathering: Nenets use their reindeer for many different things, so they need to gather them all together almost every day no mean feat, for which they need 3 to 4 hours at least. Nenet gathering her reindeer Reindeer slaughtering: This isn’t for everyone but it’s certainly something to experience. After killing the chosen reindeer, they drink its blood while still warm, and eat some of the organs raw. The meat is consumed over the following days and/or weeks. Once they run out of meat, they start over with the process. This is part of the ritual: Nomad games: Nenets play their own games/sports and, if you are staying with them for long enough, you are likely to see a demonstration. All their games are related to strength and lasso skills. Day 5 – Transfer to Salekhard We recommend departing no later than 8 am, since there will be a long journey ahead of you, a 12-hour drive. After almost 5 days of no shower, being back in Salekhard feels absolutely great, and these are the restaurants I recommend: Okhota: traditional food from the region Khmel’ I Sol’: local brewery with German dishes, burgers, etc. Il Gusto: western-like food, a bit fancy. Day 6 – Visit Salekhard Salekhard is a small town but there are quite a few interesting things to do, the most interesting being Yamal National Museum. Recently renovated, I was very impressed by the quality of that museum. They even feature 2 small mammoths rescued from the permafrost, so you can still appreciate their skin. Salekhard also has its Lenin Square, a local market selling typical regional products, and two souvenir shops. The streets of Salekhard Day 7 – Departure The flight from Salekhard to Moscow departs at 9:30 am More practical information for visiting the Nenets For all the information related to visas, money, getting a SIM card, etc., please check our travel guide to Russia Packing list It’s important to bring suitable gear and clothes for the frozen tundra. This is our recommended packing list for visiting the Nenets. Wet wipes Hand sanitizer Headlamp Power bank and/or spare batteries Personal toiletries Towel Thermo Inflatable camping mattress Personal medical kit Sunscreen For April and November tours, the temperature can easily drop to -25ºC, even -30º. The temperature inside your chum in the middle of the night – without the fire on – will be around -10ºC. We recommend: Extra warm jacket Windbreaker Sleeping bag (-10ºC) Extra warm gloves Winter hat Thermal T-shirt and pants Thermal socks Extra layers of warm clothes (having lots of layers is the best protection against freezing temperatures) For the September tour, the temperature will drop to -8ºC max. You will need the same type of clothes, but perhaps not as many layers and a slightly lighter sleeping bag (-5ºC). What’s the food like? Reindeer meat, usually accompanied with soup, pasta or rice. Before heading into the tundra, we recommend stopping at the supermarket to buy extra snacks. What about vegetarians? Nenets can cook plain rice and pasta but I recommend bringing your own snacks, such as instant noodles, for example. Internet and connectivity There’s no connection in the tundra, you’ll be completely offline for your entire stay. Can I charge my devices when we’re in the tundra? The Nenets have a generator which they can switch on at night. This can be used for emergencies, but I still recommend bringing a power bank and spare batteries. More helpful information to visit Russia In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more. All guides and articles for traveling in Russia destination Russia Travel Guide How to visit Chechnya

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Transform your long Singapore layover into an exciting adventure with these things to do in or out of Changi Airport within 24 hours!

The post Singapore Layover: Things to Do In & Out of the Airport in 24 Hours or Less appeared first on I am Aileen.

It’s no news that travelers detest long flight stopovers — but, if there is one place that I wouldn’t mind having a transit or long layover in, it would be Singapore! After all, with the country’s relaxed immigration and fast transportation, it’s quick and easy to get out of the airport and into the center in order to witness its vibrant “City in a Garden” expanse that’s brimming with an eclectic mixture of cultures, cuisines, energies, sights, and sounds. (Singapore Layover) …Though if the layover hours won’t make the cut, Singapore Changi Airport in itself is worthy of being a ‘separate destination’ because as one of the largest transportation hubs in Southeast Asia, it has over 4 terminals that houses a wide array of shops, services, theaters, gardens, entertainment centers, and more! Besides, did you know that this is the world’s top-ranked airport for six years running? So if you’ve got a Singapore layover ahead of you, prepare to be utterly awed — and of course, look no further because, with this comprehensive transit guide, I will show you the vast options that you have in order to make the most of your brief stay! RELATED READ: Ultimate List of Top Things to Do in Singapore » Quick Travel Planning Top tours & experiences Find best flights to Singapore Visa requirements Best places to stay Travel insurance Stay connected Table of Contents Toggle » Quick Travel Planning Singapore Layover Explore Singapore on your own! Explore Singapore for FREE! Explore Singapore Changi Airport’s wonders! Singapore Travel Guide » Best Time to Visit » Getting in to Singapore » Visa for Singapore » Where to Stay (Singapore Accommodations) » Singapore Currency » Cost of Travel in Singapore » Leaving Luggage at Changi Airport » How to Get Around Singapore » Staying Connected in Singapore » Safety in Singapore » Helpful Singapore Phrases Other Singapore Layover F.A.Q. Singapore Layover To start off, I have sectioned the following Singapore Layover guide into three (3)… Go Outside (DIY): Advisable to follow if you have at least 6 hours of total Singapore layover time. The ‘safest’ is if you have at least 8 hours of a stopover — this is considering traffic during rush hours, etc. Of course, you can also do the suggestions listed under this section if you have lesser hours BUT only if you’re really fast and efficient (…and if you’re willing to take the risk of missing your flight). . Go Outside (FREE Tour): You can only do this outside tour if you have at least 5.5 hours of total layover. This service won’t be given to you if you have less. . Stay Inside (Airport): Obviously, this is best if you don’t have the time to go through immigration and back; hence, it’s ideal if you have 6 hours or less of Singapore layover time — rest assured, there are so many fun things to do inside the airport! IMPORTANT: If you want to GO OUTSIDE, no matter if it’s the DIY or FREE Tour option, you need to have a valid visa to exit the Singapore Changi Airport and clear immigration. Depending on your nationality, you will need a visa to enter Singapore (e.g. if you’re from the Philippines like me, we are issued visas on arrival for stays of up to 30 days). . Take note that one of the requirements for entry into Singapore is to provide proof of onward travel — or basically, proof of a flight ticket back home or to another destination after your stay in Singapore. If flight reservations are enough, you can easily purchase this from OneWayFly for only $16, and then present it to the immigration counter. The following section is in a tabbed format. Simply click the corresponding heading to see its contents. » Go Outside (DIY) » Go Outside (FREE Tour) » Stay Inside (Airport) Explore Singapore on your own! Before you get drawn into the next tab that says the magic word “FREE“, I recommend doing this DIY Singapore layover tour by yourself if you rather want the flexibility to choose the places that you actually want to go to. After all, the free tours offered by Singapore Changi Airport typically don’t give you enough time to explore the city and its stops. This is aside from the fact that they have limited tour time slots. IMPORTANT TIPS: – Much like I’ve already mentioned above, this kind of Singapore layover itinerary is ideal if you have at least 6 hours in between your flights (8 hours being the safest) — this is taking into account traffic, transit, check-in, and immigration times. . – Don’t forget to leave your luggage at the airport. It’s best to leave your carry-on too, as well as any other heavy backpacks because they will be a pain to carry when you explore the city. . – It’s also best that you have all of your flights under the same airline, if not operated by airline partners so that you can have your checked-in luggage go all the way to your destination. (This saves you the hassle of checking in your luggage again after your Singapore layover or stopover). . – To know how to get in and around the city, scroll up and check the “Travel Guide” section below. . – Check out this great-for-value Singapore Pass that will allow you to visit 2, 3, 4, or 5 attractions in Singapore for a discounted package deal! Choose from any of these places: Universal Studios Singapore, Gardens by the Bay Singapore, Singapore Cable Car, Skyhelix Sentosa Singapore, Singapore Flyer ticket, Singapore Zoo, Singapore River Cruise, Big Bus Singapore tour, and many more! The pass has a long validity period of 30 days so it will offer you some flexibility on your schedule. The Fun Top Things to Do in Singapore? Come and check out this list of the top things to do in Singapore which features the best activities and tours in the city and more! (Use code AILEENKLOOK to save 5% off when checking out!) READ NOW Now, I’m NOT telling you to do all of the below activities in one go, because that’s just impossible. Sure, Singapore may be a small mega city but it still holds tons of attractions and activities. So what I suggest instead is that you pick 1 or 2 categories below (colored green, depending on your preference), and then you either do all the activities under it or a few (depending on how long your layover is). ◘◘ The Typical Hotspots Marina Bay Sands: This is an iconic resort complex that faces Marina Bay in Singapore and it features The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Mall, a museum, two large theatres, restaurants, Crystal Pavillions, art-science exhibits, casinos and so much more! SkyPark Observation Deck = Providing breathtaking panoramic views over the city, this observation deck also has the world’s longest elevated swimming pool with a vanishing edge (a.k.a. infinity pool) that’s located 191 meters above the ground. (You can only swim in it though if you’re a guest of the hotel; but still and the same, this is a great spot to be in and you can buy entry tickets through this link). Spectra Light Show = This is an amazing outdoor light and water show that’s displayed along the promenade. The show happens at 8PM and 9PM on Sunday to Thursday, and at 8PM, 9PM and 10PM on Fridays and Saturdays. (If you ask me, it’s better to watch this show from the other side of Marina Bay Sands). Gardens by the Bay: This mystical oasis features more than 500,000 plants and about 18 Avatar-like Supertrees that will take your breath away! To book entrance tickets for this as a part of your Singapore layover, go here. Take note that there are a LOT of attractions here but notable of which are the following… SuperTree Grove: These Avatar-ish trees light up at night and have a music and light show at 7:45PM and 8:45PM daily! It’s even possible to have your dinner inside this SuperTree and feel like a modern Tarzan and Jane (or Jake Sully and Neytiri, in line with the Avatar feel). Cloud Forest: This features the world’s tallest indoor waterfall at 35 meters as well as a scenic mist-filled Treetop and Cloud Walk! Flower Dome: This is the largest glass greenhouse in the world as listed in the 2015 Guinness World Records! OCBC Skyway: Placed 22 meters above the ground, this is an amazing stroll that goes through the Gardens and gives you a great view over the Marina Bay skyline as well. Merlion Park: A landmark that you must NOT miss! Located at One Fullerton, you will find here the iconic Merlion, a mythical creature with a lion’s head and the body of fish — a widely used mascot of Singapore Singapore Flyer: Reaching a height of 40 stories, I recommend riding this Ferris Wheel at night to have an amazing view over the entire Marina Bay. You can also try their signature drinks here such as the famous ‘Singapore Sling’ that dates back over 100 years! Also, unlike typical Ferris Wheel rides, the capsules here are huge. (Book your tickets here). Singapore Botanic Gardens: A 158-year-old tropical garden that is honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Singapore’s first!). You will love the fact that entrance here is FREE from 5AM to 12AM (except for the National Orchid Garden – the park’s crown jewel – which is open 8:30AM to 7PM and charges SGD 5). ArtScience Museum: This place is that giant white flower-like building that you see on Marina Bay and it is famous for its varied art and science exhibitions. One of the most popular of which is the Future World exhibition for its impressive light set-ups (in collaboration with teamLab, a renowned Japanese interdisciplinary art collective). Entrance here typically starts from USD $9~ and you can grab discounted rates if you book online. S.E.A. Aquarium: This is said to be the biggest aquarium in the world that features state-of-the-art facilities that let you explore the depths of the oceans and glimpse at several sea creatures. (Book your tickets here). – – – ◘◘ For Shopaholics The Shoppes in Marina Bay Sands: As one of the largest shopping malls in Singapore, this should be on your Singapore layover itinerary if you want to do some luxurious shopping Orchard Road: This is a 2.2-kilometer-long major road in the city that is regarded as a famous shopping street. It holds a lot of fashion favorites, specialist stores, and so much more Haji Lane: Considered a ‘hipster’ neighborhood, you will love the boutique shops in this area (not to mention the impressive wall art). ◘◘ For Nightlife Clarke Quay: This is a historical riverside in the city that is now a hotspot for bars, clubs, and restaurants Orchard Road: After dark, the party animals come out to play at Orchard Road too! Be sure to check out Emerald Hill Road. ◘◘ For Foodies Singapore is passionate about food and you will find some of the best places in the following areas: The Old Airport Road Hawker Centre: This is one of the biggest hawker centers and which a lot of Singaporeans swear by given its long history! You can never go wrong in any of the stalls as you try some of the famous Singapore food items such as chili crab, chicken rice, char kway teow (stir-fried rice cake), lor mee (noodle dish), satay (skewered and grilled meat), and rojak (salad dish) among many others. Kampong Glam: This is a neighborhood in the city that’s filled with watering holes, cafes, and restaurants to fill up your tummy. One of the places you must not miss is Zam Zam in order to try their murtabak (stuffed pancake) that has been famous since 1908. Chinatown: This ethnic enclave is also a place that you must witness, other than its distinct Chinese cultural elements, you should enjoy the area by grabbing a bite at one of the hawker stalls and a drink too in places such as Tea Chapter. Don’t forget to buy some Chinese souvenirs! (Want a guided tour? Reserve your spot online now!) Little India: As the name suggests, this is the center of the Indian community in Singapore. While here, head over to Serangoon Road to enjoy the atmosphere, and don’t forget to try fish head curry! Singapore Cable Car and Sky Dinner: If you’re still in the city during nighttime, I suggest riding the Cable Car Sky Network to soar above the city’s views and then have a romantic dinner. (Book this experience here). Wondering what Singapore food or dishes that you must absolutely try? Check out this blog post to find out: Top Singapore Food Dishes to Try & Where – – – ◘◘ For Out-of-the-City Places Pulau Ubin: If you’ve got the time during your Singapore layover, go ride a bumboat to reach Pulau Ubin, a nearby island that is famous for its wildlife, cycle trails, and footpaths. Truth be told, this might just be the last real ‘kampung’ (village) in Singapore and you will love its unspoiled and rustic charm. MacRitchie Nature Trail: This is a gateway to the city’s natural reserves and it is a well-known spot for nature lovers and exercise enthusiasts. One of the things you must try here is their Treetop Walks, a 250-meter aerial suspension bridge that spans the two highest points within MacRitchie. (Nearest train station: Marymount). ◘◘ For Families Sentosa Island: Not only for the kids but also for the ‘kids-at-heart’, this island resort off the southern coast is a leisure place filled with fun and recreation! (Nearby train station: Harbourfront). Here are just some of the many things you can do here… Universal Studios Theme Park = Go beyond the world of cinematic entertainment to enjoy the seven themed lands here in Singapore’s very own Universal Studios! (Book your tickets here.) Skyline Luge: Ride this fun half-go-kart and half-toboggan-like sled through two different trails. This is the only Asian site of New Zealand’s famous luge activity. (Book your tickets here.) Resorts World Adventure Water Cove: Escape the summer heat and visit this must-see attraction in Resorts World! Your young ones will love the Riptide Rocket and Rainbow Reef! (Book your tickets here.) Singapore Zoo: Occupying 28 hectares of land within the city’s heavily forested area, this zoo has an “open concept” which means that you and your kids will get to closely experience the wonders of nature given that the animals here roam freely in their natural habitats. (Book your tickets here). Night Safari: This is the best way to see the world’s nocturnal animals. As a unique night safari experience and the world’s first nocturnal zoo, you can also board a tram that goes through the 86-acre rainforest! Don’t miss out on this unique experience! (Book your tickets here). River Safari: Can’t get enough of the wildlife? Make a stop at Asia’s first and only river-themed wildlife park where you can encounter manatees, giant pandas, and other creatures! (Book your tickets here.) ◘◘ NEW: Visit Changi Airport’s Jewel Opened in 2019, Jewel Changi Airport is the newest 10-level glass-dome complex that has an array of attractions not limited to gardens, a hotel, aviation facilities, and 300 retail and dining facilities. Some things that you must NOT miss out on are… HSBC Rain Vortex: The world’s tallest indoor waterfall at 40 meters high and the nucleus of Jewel. Open daily from 8AM to 12:30AM. Canopy Garden: Take a stroll along creative garden trails, glide down giant slides, or hide in bowls of gentle mist! Canopy Bridge: Suspended 23 meters above ground, with a glass bottom at the center portion for a gripping vantage point, the Canopy Bridge is sure to thrill and impress. ManuLife Sky Nets: Experience the thrill of being almost weightless as you leap about this giant net! Stretching 250 meters long, even little ones can safely indulge in free play. At its highest point 8 meters above Canopy Park, you’ll feel like you can reach the sky. Discovery Slides: As the name implies, this is a fun playground but also an amazing work of art! Foggy Bowls: Let your child slip in among puffs of cloud and hide away in gentle bowls of non-toxic mist. Kids will love the chance to play in this dreamy setting and let their imaginations take flight. Shiseido Forest Valley: A lush green sanctuary and retreat in the core of Jewel. Hedge Maze: Have a field day weaving your way through Singapore’s largest hedge maze. Be rewarded with a bird’s eye view of the maze’s intricate windings when you reach the watchtower at its core. NOTE: Jewel is found landside of Changi Airport so you need to clear immigration in order to explore this complex. But if you are short on time, you can still get a glimpse of this amazing building if you take the Skytrain that passes from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3 and back — or you can join a FREE tour (just click the second tab above for more details). Anyhow, Jewel is easily connected to the Arrival Hall of Terminal 1. A free airport shuttle bus service also goes between Terminal 4 and Terminal 2. TOP TIP: Check out this great-for-value Singapore Pass that will allow you to visit 2, 3, 4, or 5 attractions in Singapore for a discounted package deal! . Choose from any of these places: Universal Studios Singapore, Gardens by the Bay Singapore, Singapore Cable Car, Skyhelix Sentosa Singapore, Singapore Flyer ticket, Singapore Zoo, Singapore River Cruise, Big Bus Singapore tour, and many more! The pass has a long validity period of 30 days so it will offer you some flexibility in your schedule. Explore Singapore for FREE! UPDATE: In view of the current COVID-19 situation, the following FREE tours will be suspended from 21 March 2020 till further notice. This is a service provided for FREE by the Singapore Changi Airport and the tours last around 2.5 hours. It’s important to remember that this is only available for transit passengers of Changi Airport who have at least 5.5 hours of Singapore layover period and are staying in Singapore for less than 24 hours. (More info here). ELIGIBILITY: – You are a transit passenger of Singapore Changi Airport – Your layover period is at least 5.5 hours and less than 24 hours – Your flight schedule fits in with their tour timing slot requirements REQUIREMENTS: – Passport – Boarding passes – Valid entry visa (if applicable) IMPORTANT NOTES: – Availability of the free tour spots is on a first-come-first-serve basis. . – They only accept walk-in registrations — but if you’re flying with Singapore Airlines and SilkAir, you have the option to pre-book for this free Singapore layover tour up to 72 hours in advance by contacting your local reservations office. (This is still dependent on tour time slots, just inquire with your airline). . – Tour itinerary may change, depending on weather and traffic conditions. . – Take note that as a transit passenger, you are only allowed to enter and exit Singapore once during your layover period. That being said, you are not able to join more than 1 tour. . – Don’t forget to leave your luggage at the airport. It’s best to leave your carry-on too, as well as any other heavy backpacks because they will be a pain to carry when you explore the city. . – It’s also best that you have all of your flights under the same airline, if not operated by airline partners so that you can have your checked-in luggage go all the way to your destination. (This saves you the hassle of checking in your luggage again after your Singapore layover or stopover). To date, they have two (3) tour options and you can choose only one (1)… ◘◘ Heritage Tour As the name suggests, this tour will take you through Singapore’s past and present. The place you’ll get to visit are as follows: Colonial District, The Central Business District, The Merlion Park, Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam, and Malay Heritage Centre. Registration Closes at 8AM Closes at 9AM Closes at 10:30AM Closes at 1:30PM Closes at 3PM Tour Timing/Slots 9AM to 11:30AM 10AM to 12:30PM 11:30AM to 2PM 2:30PM to 5PM 4PM to 6:30PM Your flight departure After 1:30PM After 2:30PM After 4PM After 7PM After 8:30PM Registration Booths: Terminal 2: Transit Area, between Transfer Lounge F and Skytrain to Terminal 3 near the escalator to Arrival Immigration (Level 2) Terminal 3: Transit Area, near Transfer Lounge A and Gate A1-A8 (Level 2) Other Terminals: Please stay in the transit area and proceed to the booth at Terminal 2 to register, or inquire with the nearest Information Counter NOTE: Stay in the transit area and do NOT clear immigration because the registration booths are located at the transit area. – – – ◘◘ City Sights Tour Held at night, this is a great Singapore layover tour that shows you the city’s beautiful modern cityscape. You will be making stopovers at the following places: The Singapore Flyer, The Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Marina Bay Financial Centre, Merlion Park, Marina Bay Sands, and Gardens by the Bay. Registration Closes at 5PM Closes at 6:30PM Tour Timing/Slots 6PM to 8:30PM 7:30PM to 10PM Your flight departure After 10:30PM After 12AM Registration Booths: Terminal 1: Please stay in the transit area and proceed to the booth at Terminal 2 to register. Terminal 2: Transit Area, between Transfer Lounge F and Skytrain to Terminal 3 near the escalator to Arrival Immigration (Level 2) Other Terminals: Please stay in the transit area and proceed to the booth at Terminal 2 to register, or inquire with the nearest Information Counter NOTE: Stay in the transit area and do NOT clear immigration because the registration booths are located at the transit area. – – – ◘◘ Jewel Tour As I previously mentioned, this is the latest development in Changi Airport and it’s an impressive sanctuary with lots of sights and shops to see! This FREE tour lasts for about 2.5 hours and it will take you to Shiseido Forest Valley, HSBC Rain Vortex, Five Spice, Canopy Park, and many others. Registration Closes at 9:15AM Closes at 4:45PM Tour Timing/Slots 10:30AM to 1PM 6PM to 8:30PM Your flight departure After 3PM After 10:30PM NOTE: Singapore Airlines passengers will receive one complimentary Manulife Sky Nets tickets each; plus, you are also entitled to 10% discount off selected gift shop items at ‘Gift by Changi Airport’ and local Changi Experience Studio entrance rates. Explore Singapore Changi Airport’s wonders! As I’ve previously mentioned, Singapore Changi Airport is so huge that it can be a destination in itself, making it a perfect place to spend your Singapore layover. It’s no wonder that it’s the world’s best airport! So if you ever find yourself with less than 6 hours’ worth of flight layover/stopover, below are the number of things that you can do to fill up the time. TIP: Are you flying with Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, or Air New Zealand…? If you are, don’t forget to claim your transit reward that is valued from SGD $20 at any of the iShopChangi Collection Centers at the transit areas of Terminals 2 and 3 (open 24 hours daily). . – Just present your passport, boarding pass, and e-tickets that show your full itinerary. . – Transit means that you have a layover at the airport that is not more than 24 hours. . – Your e-ticket numbers must begin with 618 or 629 or 086 and you must be on transit in Changi Airport on both legs of your journey — so no, one-way journey tickets are not eligible. If you’re flying with Air New Zealand, flight numbers are SQ4281, SQ4282, NZ281, or NZ282. If with Scoot, flight numbers are TR597 or TR596 . – This transit reward can be used at all retail outlets in transit and public areas of Changi Airport. Or you can use it for a one-time access to the Ambassador Transit Lounge located in the transit areas of Terminals 2 or 3 for up to two (2) hours. . – For more information on this, go here ◘◘ All Terminals Photos by: Singapore Changi Airport All of Singapore Changi Airport’s terminals (1 to 4) have the following things which sure makes for a fun Singapore layover… Duty-free shopping and dining shops (see a full list here). FREE foot massage on OSIM machines. Play Area and/or Family Zone Fun for families with kids 24-hour paid lounges with facilities for shower, foot reflexology, spa massages, etc. (best to have a Priority Pass on hand). Prayer rooms Charging points. In fact there are about 3,400 USB ports and universal power sockets in the airport! Baby care room for parent’s nursing needs Baggage storage and left Baggage counters Clinics and pharmacies Free-to-use rest areas City sightseeing buses that arrive every 15 minutes — and more! …but below are the unique things that you can find in each terminal. – – – ◘◘ Terminal 1 Airport Lounge Service by Plaza Premium Lounge: Private lounge with showers, food, massage & more if you reserve your spot online! Airport Wellness Oasis: Relax and get a massage. Also, try their signature Fish Spa! Kinetic Rain: Watch 1,216 polished copper raindrops dance in the air, an art installation that is this terminal’s centerpiece. Arrival Garden: This is the airport’s first garden. Rooftop Jacuzzi and Pool: Who would have thought that one day, you could swim in an international airport, right? Cactus Garden: This is a rooftop garden that has over 100 species of cacti and arid plants from Africa and the Americas. Piazza Garden: Features seasonal and thematic plant displays throughout the seasons. Sculptural Tree Garden: Have three tall tree-like sculptures clad with an interesting collage of foliage. Water Lily Garden: See water lilies in a natural aquatic garden environment. – – – ◘◘ Terminal 2 ◘◘ Terminal 2 Movie Theatre: Yes, you can watch recent films in the 24-hour cinema! The best part, it’s FREE! Entertainment Deck: From Xbox 360 to Kinect stations, this is your one-stop multimedia entertainment center. A Million Times at Changi: One of the biggest kinetic artwork in the world, made up of 504 clocks moving in perfect unison. Enchanted Garden: Interactive and decorative garden that comes to life with sight and sound. Orchid Garden: Holds a colorful collection of rare orchids. Sunflower Garden: About 500 bright yellow flowers amidst the runways. Xperience Zone: Catch the latest sports events on large screens while lounging on plush seats. – – – ◘◘ Terminal 3 Butterfly Garden: The first butterfly garden in an airport and home to over 1,000 butterflies. Crowne Plaza: Want a proper snooze during your Singapore layover? Check in to this stylish accommodation. Crystal Garden: A great place to get some calm. Movie Theatre: You can also catch the latest blockbusters and movies for FREE in this terminal. The Slide @ T3: Take a ride on the world’s tallest slide in an airport! – – – ◘◘ Terminal 4 Game room & Entertainment Corner: Offers a fun selection of arcade games. Heritage Zone: Experience the city’s heritage via cultural shopfronts featuring multi-colored facades of old Peranakan houses. Petalclouds: The centerpiece of Terminal 4, this is a grand-scale kinetic sculpture. Steel in Bloom: This is a garden that also features a 6-meter high centerpiece of plants and steel. TV lounge: Families can take a break and catch up on their favorite TV shows on these comfy couches. TIP: Are you departing from Singapore Changi Airport? Well, guess what? You can check in as early as 48 hours on select check-in counters! To check if your airline is a part of this, check by with this link. • • • Singapore Travel Guide » Best Time to Visit Much like most of Southeast Asia, Singapore is customarily hot and humid all year long but with the following months having pronounced differences: October to January: Wettest months February to April: A bit more pleasant May to June: Hottest months July to September: Most festive season and typically the best months – – – » Getting in to Singapore By air. As Southeast Asia’s (SEA’s) largest aviation hub, the main airport, Changi Airport (SIN), is known to many. In order to find the best flight deals from your point of origin, I recommend browsing through Skyscanner. 
 From the airport, there are a number of ways to reach the city: Airport Shuttle: There are Ground Transport Desks in every terminal with different transport options (limousine, 4-seater, etc.), but if you want to avoid the lines, you can already book online. Private Transfer: Apart from taxis, you can get round-trip transfers from the airport and also book this arrangement online. Train or Bus: The trains (MRT) run between T2 and T3, to Tanah Merah. From there, you have to change trains to get to the city and the western part of Singapore. For buses, they pass through all terminals with fares less than $2 (if you pay in cash, an exact fare is required). You can purchase an SG Tourist Pass to get unlimited travel on MRT and LRT lines as well as buses for a number of days. By land. The country is linked by 2 land crossings to Peninsular Malaysia namely the Causeway and the Second Link. You can drive in your own car, ride a bus or even a taxi (but only specially-licensed ones). Otherwise, there is a shuttle train service from Malaysia through Keretapi Tanah Melayu (Malayan Railay or KTMB). By sea. Singapore has 5 ferry terminals: HarbourFront (formerly World Trade Centre) near Sentosa, Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Marina Bay, Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on the East Coast, as well as Changi Ferry Terminal and Changi Point Ferry Terminal, both at the eastern side of the island near the airport. These terminals all link to Indonesia’s province of Riau Islands and the Malaysian state of Johor. – – – » Visa for Singapore Most nationalities can enter Singapore without a visa. For more information, you can check this link. But if you’re from the Philippines like me, we are issued visas on arrival for stays of up to 30 days, whether it’s for touristic or business purposes. Meanwhile, passengers of eligible nationalities may also qualify for VFTF (Visa Free Transit Facility) if the prevailing entry requirements are met. Assessment for this entry is determined by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the point of entry. (For more information, please see here). Check full visa requirements here as per your nationality. – – – » Where to Stay (Singapore Accommodations) To search for the best hotel accommodation in Singapore at the best prices, I suggest cross-checking hotel prices between Agoda and Booking.com. But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses or apartments, you should search through AirBnB. – – – » Singapore Currency Singapore dollar (sign: S$; code: SGD) wherein USD$1 is equal to about SGD 1.30~ or Php 48~. In the event that you want to exchange your money for SGD, I highly advise that you do NOT exchange your money at the airport since the rates there are not competitive. How to best exchange your currency? Either exchange it at a bank or at a money exchanger in your home country or in the city center. Better yet, just withdraw from an ATM with your debit/credit card — however, you must do one big withdrawal to minimize fees with your bank. Speaking of cards, a lot of establishments accept credit cards but it’s always advisable to have cash on hand because a lot of smaller shops do not accept international credit cards. – – – » Cost of Travel in Singapore To give you an idea, you should expect to travel in Singapore with an average daily cost of about USD $45~ per person on a budget, or at least $120~ if you want to experience more comfort in activities, tours, hotels, and more. (Values below show low budget to medium budget ranges). Hotels: $25 to $75 USD / day Food: $8 to $20 USD / day Fun: $10 to $25 USD / day Transport: $3 to $8 per ride – – – » Leaving Luggage at Changi Airport All terminals in Singapore Changi Airport have baggage storage and counters — plus, they are available 24 hours! Prices for this typically start at USD$4, so it’s great when you have a Singapore layover. For more information, see here. – – – » How to Get Around Singapore Singapore is a small metropolis, so you can either walk (depending on the locations you’re going to) or take the following options: Rail: MRT and LRT trains are cheap and reliable modes of transportation. It’s best to get an EZ-link or Nets FlashPay farecards (this can be bought either from the station or at convenience stores or online), and fares usually cost from $.80 to $2.20. Bus: These are a bit slower but still great for shorter distances. You can pay in cash or coins but it’s best to pay with your Ez-link or Nets FlashPay card, just don’t forget to tap out or you’ll end up paying the maximum fare. Taxi: The flag down rate starts at $3, anyhow you also opt for an Uber-like service by downloading the Grab ride-hailing app (you can pay by cash or credit card). Meanwhile, when you’re mapping out your day-to-day route, just use Google Maps because it will show in detail the fastest connections you can do (by walking, by car, by bus, and by train). – – – » Staying Connected in Singapore Singapore has one of the fastest internet connections in the world so you’ll be assured of great connections wherever you go. To add, most places even offer FREE WiFi — but in order to consistently stay connected online during your Singapore trip, get your own pocket WiFi or SIM Card. – – – » Safety in Singapore Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world with very low crime rates — however, this is NO excuse to get too complacent. ‘Little crime’ does not mean ‘no crime’, so stay vigilant and be “street smart” by using your common sense at all times. Nevertheless, solo travelers don’t have much to worry about in this amazing country. HOW TO: Find the right travel insurance for you – – – » Helpful Singapore Phrases English is widely spoken and it is one of the 4 official languages (the other three being Mandarin, Malay and Tamil). That being said, you won’t have difficulty going around Singapore because everyone speaks English. Nevertheless, below are some helpful Mandarin and Malay phrases. RELATED READ: Best translation apps for travel MANDARIN Hello: Nǐ hǎo (Nee how) Thank you: Xièxiè (shièh shièh) You’re welcome: Bú kèqi Goodbye: Zàijiàn (dsaì jiàn) Excuse me (getting attention): Qǐng wèn I’m sorry: Duìbùqǐ (dweì bú chi) Is there someone here who speaks English?: Zhèlĭ yǒu rén hùi shuō Yīngyǔ ma? Help!: Jiùmìng! Cheers!: Gānbēi! (gon bay) MALAY Hello (formal): Hello Hello (informal): Hai (Hi) Thank you: Terima kasih (TREE-muh KAH-seh) Yes: Ya (YUH) No: Tidak (tee-DAH) Goodbye: Selamat tinggal (SLAH-maht tin-GAHL) [“Safe stay!”] or Selamat jalan (SLAH-maht JAH-lahn) [“Safe trip!”] Excuse me / I’m sorry: Maaf (mah’AHF) or Maafkan saya (mah’AHF-kahn SAH-yuh) Is there someone here who speaks English?: Adakah orang yang cakap Bahasa Inggeris di sini? (AH-duh-kah OH-rahng yahng CHAH-kahp bah-HAH-suh ING-grees dee SEE-nee) Help!: Tolong! (TOH-lohng) Cheers!: Sorakan! • • • Other Singapore Layover F.A.Q. What are the current travel restrictions and quarantine policies in Singapore? Please check their latest travel advisories page for more details. If I exit the airport and enter Singapore, does immigration ask for proof of onward travel? Yes, immigration usually asks for proof of onward travel — or basically, proof of a flight ticket back to your home country or to any other destination after your stay in Singapore. If flight reservations are enough, you can easily purchase this from OneWayFly for only $16, and then present it to the immigration counter. How early do I have to reach my gate for my departing flight? You should make your way to your departure gate at least 60 minutes before your flight departure time. My passport will expire within a month. Can I still travel to Singapore? All visitors to Singapore must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after their date of arrival in the country. What is the power socket used in Singapore? Singapore typically uses plug type C (two round pins), type G (three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern), and type M (three round pins). The country operates on a 230V voltage and a frequency of 50Hz. What is the tipping policy in Singapore? It is not customary in Singapore to tip. In hotels and some restaurants though, you will sometimes see a 5-10% service charge on your bill. • • • Booking Essentials Booking.com TIP: It’s a good idea to crosscheck the prices with other popular travel insurance providers like World Nomads and HeyMondo (as my reader, you get 5% off)! . However, take note a travel insurance’s affordability typically means lesser coverage; so please always ensure that you read the fine print in order to decipher which travel insurance company is the right fit for you and your trip! Looking for more travel tips for Singapore? Check out my other detailed Singapore travel guides! READ NOW • • • Overall Clearly, a long flight stopover can be so much fun if you’ve got a Singapore layover! All in all, I hope this helped you out. Let me know! The post Singapore Layover: Things to Do In & Out of the Airport in 24 Hours or Less appeared first on I am Aileen.

Wondering why you should travel to Mallorca? From breathtaking beaches to mouthwatering cuisine, here’s what makes this island a must-visit.

The post Why travel to Mallorca in 2025 appeared first on I am Aileen.

Are you planning to travel to Mallorca this year? Mallorca is a wonderful destination with so much to see and do. You can swim in Alcudia’s crystal-clear waters, wander around Palma, explore its historic old town, or head out to sea for some snorkeling or scuba diving—the possibilities are endless! So whether you are planning on staying for a few days — or a week or two — there is SO much to do that you won’t get bored. Our best advice would be to look into car rental in Mallorca with ROIG and rent a vehicle for the trip; in this way, you can explore the island and spend time in different areas. After all, there are some beautiful beaches you can drive to! To help inspire you, we have put together a guide on why you should travel to Mallorca in 2025. Table of Contents Toggle The Beautiful Beaches The Delicious Food The Fun Activities You can Do! The Beautiful Beaches The Beautiful Beaches: Travel to Mallorca Mallorca’s beaches are a must-see for any visitor, with their crystal-clear waters and soft sand. Alcudia, in particular, is renowned for its beautiful beaches, but stunning stretches of coastlines can be found all over the island. The best thing to do before visiting is to search Mallorca on Instagram, and you’ll find a few spots that you should visit on your break. If you get the chance, make sure you book a water activity as well; you could go kayaking or snorkeling, which is great fun! – – – The Delicious Food If you are a foodie, you’ll be in heaven in Mallorca. They have so many different cuisines to try, as well as award-winning restaurants for you to dine in. A few local dishes that you should try include Coca Mallorquina, Sopas Mallorquinas, Tapas (there are plenty of tapas restaurants in Palma), Botifarron and Cocarrois. RELATED ARTICLE: Spanish Food – 20 Must-Eat Authentic Local Dishes in Spain READ NOW Nevertheless, TripAdvisor is a useful tool if you are stuck on where to dine. You could also speak to the receptionist of the hotel you are staying at since they will more often than not be able to give you a couple of good recommendations. – – – The Fun Activities You can Do! Mallorca definitely offers a wide variety of activities to suit all interests! History buffs can explore museums, while those seeking adventure can embark on water excursions. Wine enthusiasts can indulge in tasting tours, and nature lovers can discover the island’s beauty through scenic hikes. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the fascinating caves either or wander through the charming old town. When looking into activities, try to book them as far in advance as possible, as this will mean you won’t miss out. After all, there are some excursions which get very busy throughout the year, especially during peak season. • • • Overall We hope you get to travel to Mallorca and have a great time, as we know you will love it! So when are you planning on visiting Mallorca, and what sort of trip are you planning? Why do you think Mallorca is a great place to go? Is there anything missing in my guide that you think I should be adding? Let me know in the comment box below, I look forward to hearing from you! The post Why travel to Mallorca in 2025 appeared first on I am Aileen.

Years ago, I quit my job to travel the world. I was broke & I even held a third-world passport—and yet, I made it possible. Here's how!

The post How to Quit Your Job & Travel the World: 5 Steps to Start (All the Tips & Hacks You Need to Know!) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Hi Aileen! I am one of your followers and I’m reaching out because I want to ask for your advice on how to travel the world. You have been living this dream of mine and your journey has been inspiring! I want to do the same soon and quit my job, but I have no money nor the confidence and know-how on how to start. I just really want to gain the freedom to travel the world, get paid at the same time, and just be… HAPPY. I know you posted a lot of travel tips, but I still wanted to reach out and say a personal message because you inspired me in so many ways! – Kim from the Philippines Ever since I posted an article about the best travel jobs, my inbox exploded with messages from readers worldwide who shared their stories and griefs (just like this letter from Kim — thank YOU for taking the time!). I’ve read through all of these emails and somehow… almost every sender’s sentiments have reminded me of my past 20-year-old self who was overwhelmed with the desire to leave the corporate rat race to do more of what she loves. Yet, she felt ‘stuck’ to the standard 9-to-5 grind because she had no other choice but to make a living. That’s why please trust me when I say that I know how overwhelming it can be to aim and plan for such a HUGE life-changing decision; even more so when you are raised with a strict upbringing and/or come from a poor financial background (like me). Nevertheless, I hope it gives you comfort to know that I am a living example of how a life of travel IS possible, no matter the unfavorable circumstances of one’s life. It will just be tough at first (oh yes sir, it will) but it is NEVER impossible, and I am here to help guide you to do the same. So on to the golden question… HOW exactly was I able to quit my job and travel the world? The short answer? With the help of the internet. The long answer? Read on to know… – – – RELATED READ: What to Know FIRST Before You Take the Leap RELATED READ: How to Become a Digital Nomad Table of Contents Toggle My Backstory Step 1: Ask Yourself Some Hard Questions ∙∙∙ Phase 1 ∙∙∙ Phase 2 ∙∙∙ Phase 3 Step 2: Reinforce Your Desire to Travel the World (& Make it a Constant) ∙∙∙ Join Communities & Network with Like-Minded People ∙∙∙ Draw Knowledge & Inspiration from Books or Movies ∙∙∙ Keep it Under Wraps Step 3: Start Planning for Your Future Lifestyle ∙∙∙ Destination(s) ∙∙∙ Accommodation Options ∙∙∙ Personal Finances ∙∙∙ Necessary Gear ∙∙∙ Figure Out Your Options for Remote Work or Business Step 4: Put Your Plans into Action ∙∙∙ Start Saving ∙∙∙ Start Working Step 5: Time to Quit Your Job and Travel the World! My Backstory Before I go on to discuss how you can quit your job and travel the world, I think it’s actually imperative that I first share with you my background story to help you understand where I’m coming from (and that hopefully, it would further help inspire you to take the leap soon!). After this section, I will start discussing the 5 important steps that will lead you to ‘FREEDOM’, so hang in there! ( — Click the ‘+‘ sign below to see the hidden section.) My backstory from 2007 to 2012 (CLICK to expand this section) NOTE: You can also see a summary of my life’s timeline. Society has long instilled in us the idea that there is a distinct natural order to things when it comes to life and career progression: you first have to study for years, and then you have to get a 9 to 5 job. If you happen to be indecisive about your career path, someone will decide your future for you. And well, that’s exactly what happened to me back in 2007. My university life and friends at DLSU 2007: I was 15*, and like most people my age, I didn’t know what I wanted to do — what I did know was that I enjoyed doing a LOT of things: journalism, music, computer, art, business, finance, science, etc. You could say that I was a ‘jill of all trades and a master of none‘ kind of gal. Nothing seemed to fit me and I wasn’t even brave enough yet to choose for myself. This is why the inevitable happened: my mom made the choice for me (this is also what usually happens when you come from a traditional Asian family). In no time, I was enrolled in a prestigious school in Manila, Philippines under a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy — a similar path that my older brother was put in. It was definitely a course that I had no interest in but I was all, “Meh, okay. I love numbers anyway, so it will be fine! And it’s a good school too. Yep, it’s gonna be fiiiineeeeee.” NOTE: By the way, for those asking, it’s not common for Filipino students to start college at the age of 15. It’s commonly around 16-18; I was just a special case. And no, my family is not ‘filthy rich’ for having given me the chance to study at DLSU. There are middle or lower-class people like me who have managed to study there; and in my case, it’s all thanks to my mom’s hard work that she was able to pay for my university enrollment. As I went through my freshman year, I came upon a sudden realization that I had an intense, blood-curdling hatred for anything related to numbers. I may have won math contests in the past but it was a different matter to study formulas to no end. I was also frustrated, thinking that I would do the same act of balancing sheets over and over again as a profession… So like a kick in the gut, I thought: “No, I’m not gonna do this to myself.” Thankfully, I was starting to gain more independence as well as awareness of the things that I wanted for myself. So after a lengthy discussion with my mom, she finally let me shift courses. Whenever I retell this story to friends, I often joke about how I had to cry to her just so I can change courses — and well, that was true! Haha. I was young and my parents still had a great deal of hold on me. (And yes, you guys are my friends now.) I actually wanted to enroll in a computer-related course but since I was in the College of Business, shifting to the College of Science was too expensive. I didn’t want to further burden my parents, that’s why I settled for the next best thing: business. I figured that I needed this skill later on in life, especially if I wanted to follow my dreams of being my own boss. After a rigorous application, I managed to get into a new specialized business program of my university in 2009 called ACM (Applied Corporate Management) and it additionally involved a year’s-worth of internships. Regarding the latter, I got accepted into different multinational corporations such as Siemens, Nestlé, and Unilever as I ‘dipped’ myself into the fields of communication, marketing, and human resource management. DLSU centennial graduation 2011: I was 19 and I finally graduated from university. Much like what I said about the natural order of things, I was at the point of my life where I had to find a 9 to 5 job a.k.a. the good ol’ corporate/office job. Plagued with the fear of unemployment, I jumped in on the first company that sought to employ me: Deutsche Bank. As an investment bank, the job position offered to me involved hardcore finance and trading knowledge. So yes, I know what you’re thinking… I shouldn’t have jumped in, right? Because I did mention that I hate anything related to numbers, right? However, this happened just less than 3 months after my graduation; so at that time, I thought that I was already one of the “lucky ones”. A big company wanted me for their graduate trainee program; whereas most of my friends haven’t managed to get job offers or even interviews yet. Not to mention that I made a rash decision of living separately from my parents*, so I was in dire need of some money. *Once again, this isn’t the ‘norm’ for Filipinos. Most children don’t leave their parents’ house up until they marry (some even stay with their parents when they are already married). But for me, due to family issues as well as personal reasons (i.e. my intense desire to be independent), I had to make the decision to move out. So in my mind, when Deutsche Bank offered me the job, all I could think of was, “Why not say YES?“ And so I did — even if a part of me felt like I was making the wrong choice. I just convinced myself that apart from needing the money, I also needed to reinforce my knowledge about finance and that I would use it as a ‘leverage’ for my future career — “it really wouldn’t hurt to do this temporarily.” Besides, I wanted to prove that even if I shifted out of Accountancy and came to hate numbers, I could still take on this kind of field and be strong in it. I told myself: 1 year and then I will resign and apply for a job that I actually love. Despite my sentiments, I was happy to be a part of an amazing team at Deutsche Bank! 2012: A year has passed, and yet… I was still in Deutsche Bank (DB) working on trading books. How was I doing? Burned out. Miserable. Stressed. Confused. I was the best performer on the team despite being a fresh graduate. There was even talk of recommending me for an overseas transfer. The icing to the cake? I became an Employee of the Month. And yet… I was only earning about $300 a month. It was definitely not enough so I literally had no savings; but of course, I had to make do. At some point, they offered me a promotion for the next year with only an $80 increase and I didn’t know whether I should laugh or cry. I also felt a bit of spite because there was a new hire I was training (and who even took my accomplishments to his credit) who was paid triple than me. He may have had prior experience than me for 5 months, but it still felt unfair. Don’t get me wrong though, working at DB had its fun parts but it was mentally and physically draining. My morale was also low. I started thinking… “Is this all there is to it? What good is in this ‘interesting work’ if I am this unhappy? If I am counting every hour until I could get home? If I am counting the days until it’s the weekend? If I am always waiting for vacation, holidays, or long weekends? If I am wasting almost 5 hours of my day in traffic? If I am plagued by overtimes and unnecessary meetings?“ It was my daily grind: I woke up uninspired and I was on a countdown of my life. I was also gaining weight. I wasn’t healthy (when I get stressed, I don’t get thin — I get fat). And then there are those conversations. Whenever people asked me how my work was, I kept a straight face and told them exactly how I felt: that it was an interesting and challenging environment, but I wasn’t happy. Once I finish, they always say that they felt the same way with their jobs, but then they quickly add the comment that I was going to be fine: I will be getting a raise soon and I was one of the best, so it will all be “worth it” in the end. For some reason, we seem to be on an unending cycle where we convince one another that it will all get better. But in the back of my mind, I know that it won’t. It was a rat race — an endless, self-defeating, and pointless pursuit. Of course, I know that this office work/profession seemed to work for others (it was their passion) but for me… it just didn’t work at all. So after a while, I started voicing out my ideas for resignation (I wanted to try doing online marketing) or going on a long break (because I always wanted to travel). But again, people, much like the rest of society — made me hesitate. They said: I should cling to what I have, I am already ‘secured’. …was I? I can get fired anytime. All of us are technically ‘disposable’ employees. Times are getting hard. I probably wouldn’t find a good opportunity anywhere else. …do I really lack the skills to try something else? Traveling is expensive and can always be done when a long holiday comes. …the waiting game again? Those ‘long holidays’ rarely come and it even saddens me that traveling is painted in that light. . Even if I had this number of retorts in my head, I couldn’t say a thing because I was being fed with fear. I was told to settle and wait. So I couldn’t do it… I was far too conditioned to hesitate. BUT I told myself that in the meantime, I should at least make ways to make my life a bit bearable until I can find an exit. That’s why in order to cope with the stress, I decided to start blogging* again as a hobby — and guess what? It was a good choice! It was so fun to do and it was the one thing that kept me sane, happy, and inspired despite my 9-to-5 job. I set up two platforms: this website (which was branded as a lifestyle blog then and hosted on Blogspot) and then a food website (called FoodieFromTheMetro.com, and which was more popular than my lifestyle site). I slowly gained a bit of a ‘name’ for myself online in the Philippines through these websites, so I often had invitations from establishments and resorts to visit and review them for free. Look at how happy I was to be out of the office… lol :P But then again, blogging required traveling and taking absences at work… which was almost impossible for me to get! As such, surely my resolve to quit my job was strengthened as I realized more and more how much better it could be if I could control my own time and if I didn’t have to ask someone to get some time off. Do you realize how ridiculous that was? That you actually have to ask someone just to have a break! I was no longer thinking of quitting and finding another job in a field that I liked; I was thinking more of quitting the corporate scene altogether because I knew that having an office job would never help me achieve the freedom that I wanted. The only looming question though was: HOW? How can I quit my job and travel the world and actually LIVE? As if life heard my plea, I started meeting people outside of my corporate circle through blogging events. I even started to meet folks from abroad and they were backpackers, entrepreneurs, or nomads who were able to travel the world as they did the things that they LOVED. In fact, it was the first time that I heard of the term: digital nomad. Naturally, these people inspired me because their lifestyle and profession were the exact things that I would have loved to do! We continued to exchange stories and I started to get envious of their lifestyle and experiences in a very positive way. When it was time to talk about me, other than the other interesting stories of my life, I told them how I felt about my 9 to 5 job. I answered them truthfully, much like how I answered everyone else, and what happened next… was amazing! ALL of them advised me to quit if I really wanted to, and they even gave me ideas on what I could do afterward based on my interests, skills, and passions. It was REFRESHING! Finally, I met people who did NOT feed me fear and who did not make me hesitate, instead: they encouraged me to embrace fear, to be different, to be released from the old concept of financial security, and to take the leap! It was about time! This was also the period when I met one of my closest friends today. He was already a digital nomad himself when we met and it was actually thanks to him that the nomadic chapter of my life was finally ushered into motion. The moment that triggered this change was a bit of a funny occurrence… but all the same, unique. You see, one day, we had an earnest conversation and he asked me how I truly felt about my life and my job. For the first time in months, I couldn’t keep a straight face. I cried. …To be more accurate, I bawled my eyes and heart out like a child. It seemed like every emotion that I was keeping inside of me finally leaked through and it hit me that: “This is it! It’s enough. It’s time to STOP.” You see, I’m not an emotional person. I know that if I cry because of a negative topic, it means that it HAS already reached a level of extreme seriousness! (Remember how I had to cry to my mom just so I could shift courses?) That’s why this time around, I figured that it had reached this point because I was already too frustrated, and meeting people like him who have full control of their lives while following their passions made me see how I can do the same — and yet, I was too scared to do it! In some way, I was angry at myself for being like that. Now, of course, as I said above, the idea of resigning and applying for a marketing position in another company had crossed my mind because a marketing job would probably keep me inspired (as per my previous training with other companies, etc.). HOWEVER, the thought that I would be kept inside an office again, working for someone else, and serving a 9 to 5 job (possibly with even more hours) suffocated me. It just felt like another trap. I’ve already experienced enough of the 9-to-5 grind and having been exposed to the existence of how I could travel the world had already made the corporate life pale so much in comparison — especially because I was fired up with the idea of finally working for myself. In the end, I told myself that: I don’t want to hate myself or my life anymore. I want to love and enjoy life. I don’t want to live in constant fear and waste away my early 20s. I want to have the courage to live boldly and to live each day to the fullest. I don’t want society or anybody else to dictate what I have to do. I want to follow my own desires. I don’t want to settle. I want to get what I deserve and what I want. I don’t want to work for someone else or slave myself for a corporation just ‘to get by’. I want to work for myself and not be led by money. . I voiced out these thoughts to my mom and much like any big life choices that I have made before, this one was a huge struggle for her. Probably the worst too because working online was a novel concept at that time, and I’m sure she thought that I was flushing my future down the toilet… as well as wasting the years of effort that she did to put me into school. After all, she did all she could so that I could get the formal education that I needed. I totally understood this and I felt guilty. Oh boy, I sure did… but I knew that this shouldn’t deter me (nor should it deter you too). It may seem selfish but I know that it’s never a child’s fault. Parents, at the very core, know that it’s their responsibility and that they only want the best for their kids — and my decision to change my profession and lifestyle is what I wanted best. It’s what would make me happy; and what makes me happy, will make my parents happy. Even more so when I succeed and pay it forward. Besides, in the first place, my education will never be wasted, it was just changing form. Also, in our culture, decisions like these almost always have to go through one’s parents because you somehow need their ‘blessing‘. Most Filipinos do it for approval; but for me, I do it as a sign of respect. Besides, if she objected to my plans, I think she also knows that I was at the part of my adulthood where I would have done it nonetheless; so, I guess a part of her was just thankful that I told her. And I am just so glad that my mom found it in herself to let me go and not be angry about it — and for that, I will be forever thankful for her. …After a few months of preparation, it was finally April 2013. I have been taking the steps to gain the lifestyle that I wanted, I had my resignation in, and finally: I was FREE! Out with the old, in with the new! I started as a digital nomad: I offered various services online: graphic design, web design, SEO management, and online marketing. These were all the things that I found interesting to do but never had the time to do so because of my 9-to-5 job. But obviously, with more free time as an online freelancer, I got to polish these skills further. It’s also important to note that I wasn’t so adept in these areas at first because they were not taught to me in my college courses nor in the past corporate jobs that I had. So how did I learn them all? All by myself, online! As always, Google is your friend. There is a crazy amount of FREE online resources that you can take advantage of. After a while, with my set of skills, I snagged a permanent contract with an online Swedish company that paid more than triple what I earned before. But after a year with them — learning all their processes and seeing how profitable it was (an Amazon FBA venture) — I decided that it was something that I would love to do as a business! I pitched the idea to a digital nomad friend that I had who was open to investing in ‘angel businesses’ and thankfully, he was interested. I proceeded to end my contract and dedicated my time to learning more about Amazon (while traveling around Asia and Europe). Fast forward to July, we had a successful product launch for our own brand: Adalid Gear* — and the rest, as they say, was history. (*UPDATE: As of 2020, I have sold off this business and explored other online businesses to date.) …WANNA TO START THE SAME? Come and sign up with Helium10! For as low as $48.50, you can gain access to the top Amazon selling tools — including FREE access to the Freedom Ticket Amazon Training master course ($997 in value) which is the class I personally took to learn the ins and outs of Amazon, thereby making it into the 6-figure business that it was! PROMO: Get 50% OFF on your 1st month with code: AILEEN50 OR 10% OFF every month with Code: AILEEN10 SIGN UP NOW! It’s important to note that even before this online business venture started, working online as a freelancer had already given me the freedom to travel the world and earn a living at the same time. But of course, having this business made my financial situation even more comfortable and secure. My journey made me see clearly that life has truly become such a blissful experience once I started doing what I always wanted to do ♥ I guess my past and the current situation is, somehow, a perfect embodiment of this quote: “Do what you love to do. Forget the money. Because if you say that getting the money is the most important thing, you will spend your life completely wasting your time. You will be doing things you don’t like doing, in order to go on living doing things you don’t like doing… Which is STUPID! Better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing than a long life spent in a miserable way. . Just do what you love to do and you’ll see… the money will come. If you really like what you’re doing, it doesn’t matter what it is, you can eventually become a master of it.” . – Alan Watts So again… how can YOU make a similar lifestyle possible? “Do I have to be rich?” NOPE. Because I was NOT rich nor did I come from a rich family. They have never given me money for these travels either, and I have never asked for money from them ever since I started working. (BUT, guess what…? I am VERY rich in love, support, and skills! -wink-) But yes, you really DON’T have to be rich. You just have to take these steps in order to travel the world… • • • 5 Steps: How to Travel the World Step 1: Ask Yourself Some Hard Questions This step is crucial because even if I encourage everyone to quit their job and travel the world as I have, it is still and always important to be inquisitive and perceptive about this as much as possible. How can you do that? By asking yourself these tough questions that are grouped in three (3) phases. – – – ∙∙∙ Phase 1 “What exactly am I unhappy about with my office job?“ “What would it take for me to be happy here? Or is my happiness elsewhere?“ “Have I taken every action possible to try and make my job be better for me?“ “If nothing is working out no matter what I try, what problems am I expecting to solve if I quit my job and travel the world?“ “Is it really my dream to travel the world?“ “What do I ultimately want as a career or lifestyle?“ . YOU definitely have to ask yourself these questions and actually answer them. After all, you have to make sure that quitting your job is something that YOU want, and traveling the world is what YOU’RE passionate about — or else, you’ll just end up hating your life again (which is a cycle you MUST avoid). You also have to ensure that you are not using this as an ‘escape’ or a ‘fad’ you just want to jump on when in fact, what you might actually just need is a different kind of job, field, boss, or company. Do some self-reflection. If you are troubled about some internal or external issues in your life, remember that you’ll be carrying those with you when you set out into the world… and if you don’t handle those issues NOW or at least address them, it could create a snowball effect that could affect you while you’re on the road. So as early as now, try to understand yourself as a person so you can see if you can handle the lifestyle change you’ll be doing. . Make some mental notes. Remember that though a traveling nomad’s life is exciting and fulfilling, it will still involve a great deal of hard work and responsibility — it could even be the same level of effort or even more than the current work you’re putting into your office job. The only upside is that you’ll finally be working on something that’s for yourself, and not for others or some big ol’ corporation. Hard work because you’ll really have to start on something from the ground up. Responsibility because you have no one else to rely on but yourself and all decisions will be made by you alone . Be sure. It will also take commitment, consistency, and motivation on your part in order to quit your job and travel the world. So as I’ve said, it’s important to ensure that this is your own desire and purpose to grow and experience. You should never do this for someone else or for appearances because that will just make all of this meaningless. . RELATED READ: 5 Important Things to Know First Before You Quit Your Job to Travel the World Think about all of these things very well, and if your answer remains to be… “Yes, I don’t want to work a 9-to-5 job anymore because I want to have the freedom to work in my own hours and in a setting that’s beyond the confines of an office cubicle. To travel the world is also my passion, so if I could combine these two, the happier I will become and the closer I can be to my dreams. I want to make this happen.” …then that’s great! Next up: – – – ∙∙∙ Phase 2 Am I prepared to sacrifice things to achieve what I truly want? Do I really know what I’m getting myself into? Do I know anything about the life of non-stop travelers or working nomads? . For the latter question, somehow, you have already tried to answer them because of the simple fact that you’re now reading my blog — so yay, good job! But other than my blog, try to read other blogs of traveling nomads so that you can see the different kinds of lifestyles that they lead depending on the jobs that they do. I say this because there are just SO many different types of working nomads out there. Obviously, I am asking you to do this so that: ~ You can see your possible options ~ You can lower down any expectations that might be overly-romanticized ~ You can find out what your daily routine or life might be if you follow the same path If you ask me, I categorize remote workers or nomads into these groups: Corporate Nomads – Those who are allowed by their companies to work from home. Before the whole 2020 pandemic, I have also heard of people who get to work for half a year or have a 6-month leave, then go back to the office — and repeat. . Traditional Nomads – They have the good ol’ conventional traveling careers that enable them to travel the world (e.g. tour guides, cruise ship crew staff, flight attendants, pilots, etc.) The downside to this, however, is that it still requires a lot of hours (sometimes fixed). . Offline Nomads – They start a life of travel by jumping from one country to the next depending on the local opportunities available. These can be jobs or activities on the road (big or small like volunteering, etc.) in order to earn just enough every day. This usually works best for budget travelers and is often the first starting point for those who want to travel the world. . Digital Nomads – They depend on technology or the internet to make a living (e.g. freelancing, blogging, online shops, etc.). These kinds of nomads typically earn a good amount of earnings for doing in-demand online jobs, so you’ll usually find them glued to their laptops, if not traveling. RELATED READ: The Ultimate Guide on How to Become a Digital Nomad Phase Nomads – Those who just graduated from university and intend to travel the world for only 1-3 years — just to take advantage of what they can do with their youth (sometimes called a gap year). Afterward, they go back to their home country to get an office job. . Rich Nomads – These are the ones who have a lot of money saved up from the start and they use it to launch their traveling journey (the money may be from an inheritance, from a high-paying career, from selling every possession they had, etc.). They may or may not work anymore while traveling, but most of the time, they don’t. . Chill Nomads – They may be a different kind of nomad before but currently, they are earning more than the average (and mostly passive income too) due to a successful business start-up or reputation. They don’t work as much and they often travel from one place to another at a slower pace in order to take in a country’s culture and lifestyle for a longer or indefinite period. RELATED READ: 5 Job Types That Allow You to Earn as You Travel Of course, depending on your skills or circumstances, you can be any of the above at the start of your journey! And as you go on, you can turn into a nomad that is a mix of, let’s say, a digital and chill nomad (like me). All in all, you should open your eyes to these possible realities so you can see what can happen OR what may apply to you. It can also help manage your expectations and squish any unrealistic views. To illustrate this further, let’s say you currently have a high-paying corporate job. Surely a new nomadic lifestyle wouldn’t replace your current salary right away especially if you choose to do volunteering which is often paid less than most travel jobs (if that were possible, then everyone would be doing this in a heartbeat!) So yes: to maintain and start a life of travel is NOT always as glamorous as you think. It’s not like everyone instantly goes to 5-star hotels once they become a traveling nomad — or even if they do (because they’re rich in the first place) the adventures, experiences, and stories are the real golden treasures that NO money or 5-star whatever will ever compare. That being said, if your heart is truly set on this journey, let’s now proceed to the last phase. – – – ∙∙∙ Phase 3 What’s holding me back from taking this leap? What excuses have I built up in my head? What is actually the truth behind these doubts? . I need you to list down ALL the excuses you’re thinking of that are possibly holding you back from being totally immersed in your goal. Why? Because chances are, those excuses are invalid and are only holding you back. Possibly, some of the things that you’ve been thinking of are: “I can’t afford this change, I don’t have any money or savings” Actually, you can. If this is really your dream and it’s something you absolutely desire, you can always find a way. (Take it from me who was almost living through cup noodles for every meal just to make ends meet). Of course, words are shallow but I’ll actually discuss how you can manage your finances later on in this post. So please, don’t let yourself use this excuse — even more so if you managed to get the latest iPhone for yourself in the past months (see how you actually have the money?) Alternatively, there’s a touchy topic regarding privilege. We obviously don’t have the exact same life circumstances and your situation could be far worse than mine back when I was still starting. . A sample concern is: “What if I’m supporting my siblings or parents?”. I can understand how difficult of a situation this can be since it’s a common occurrence, for instance, in Asian countries like the Philippines (in fact, to this day, I am still supporting my parents). But still and the same, there’s a viable option for you: finding a better job where you can compete and gain a salary that’s not within 3rd world standards — which is what I’ve done and achieved. . So I know that YOU can do something similar given that I’ve managed to do so with maddening perseverance and hard work. But of course, I acknowledge the reality that this post will likely NOT cater to those who are poverty-stricken; nevertheless, I am obviously catering this to people like YOU who at least have the chance to access the internet which is a vast area where you can gain a LOT of opportunities to uplift your life’s situation. After all, access to the internet alone should already show you the reality that with such ‘privilege’, you CAN already turn your life around if you dearly will it so. Take it from me, as well as from the number of successful nomads worldwide! “I’m afraid to travel alone.“ When you travel the world, you are NEVER alone. You’re bound to meet people along the way. You’ll be making friends on the road who can turn out to be your best friends for life. So take this as a challenge for yourself. Don’t underestimate yourself before you actually get the chance to try it out; besides, you’ll be surprised how strong and independent you can actually be! Plus, it’s not so scary to travel alone abroad as long as you stay street-smart and know where to go. (For a start, you can try going on a small solo trip for a couple of days to some nearby city, just to get a feel of this, and I’m pretty sure, you’ll be fine.) Besides, the world isn’t such a scary place at all like what the media portrays it to be. RELATED READ: Solo Travel Tips “I’m taken right now. I can’t leave my bf/gf.“ Then take this leap together! If you do, the two of you can save together and it will make things easier and more achievable. However… I understand that some partners wouldn’t have the same dream. Why not try to make them read blogs like this and maybe they’ll find out that it’s what they want in life too? But if it’s not, I guess it’s time to make some sacrifices. And if you’re still young, I strongly advise that you don’t give up your dreams just for someone else’s benefit or request. “I’m too old… It’s too late. I also have kids.” Nope. It’s never too late. I may seem arrogant for saying this because I don’t have kids yet unlike you; however, I’ve seen a LOT of successful married and older nomads who made it a point to work remotely and travel the world. They were in their 50s, 70s, or more, and their kids were traveling with them too! Most of them have tried traveling around in a van, or just simply jumping from one country to the next while home-schooling their kids. To put it simply: they found ways! Sometimes, we are just making up these excuses in our heads when in fact, everything is almost possible if we just take the initiative to try and see. “I don’t think it’s the right time.” Newsflash: there’s NEVER a right time. You just DO it and make time for it. It’s as simple as that. We are never ready for anything anyway — may it be love, studies, moving to a new place, or pursuing to travel the world. It just happens if YOU let it happen. For more sample excuses, read: Top 15 Common Travel Excuses That Should NOT Hold You Back! I hope that these have addressed some, if not all, of your doubts. This last phase just basically boils down to these 2 ideas of how you should never let yourself be boxed into any of your preconceived notions, and how you should never undermine your ability to take on new things in your life. YOU are a lot more capable than you think! Feel free to take some time to internalize all of these questions because by following through all these 3 phases, you will be achieving a better sense of direction and clarity for properly aligning yourself to the dream life you’ve envisioned. Once you’re all done with this, you’re now ready to take on the 2nd step! • • • Step 2: Reinforce Your Desire to Travel the World (& Make it a Constant) NOTE: This step, along with #3 and #4, can all be done at the same time! As you might have noticed by now, INSPIRATION played a huge role in ushering me to this new chapter of my life! In fact, DESPERATION played a crucial part too. Now, tell me… when you first thought of pursuing the decision to quit your job and travel the world, what were the emotions that you felt? Please identify those, and once you do, I am strongly encouraging you to keep those emotions — it doesn’t even matter if there were negative emotions in the mix because fear, for example, could be a strong and helpful ally if you use it to your advantage. Most people would think of fear as a bad thing. In most cases it is true, but in this situation, you can rather use it as a good thing: as a strong driving force to make you fear, for instance, that if you don’t go after your dreams, you’ll end up being a miserable and spiteful old person who is full of regrets. You see, I strongly believe that even if you are someone who works hard and smart, such qualities are not enough to pursue your dreams if you do not also have a strong emotional drive. Everyone has an idea of what they need to do, but without the strong desire or feeling of urgency to do something so badly, they won’t feel the urge to get up and actually do things. So I say nurture those feelings, use them as fuel, and hone them to make you move and act every day. Nurturing these emotional ‘drivers’ is also helpful as you pave your path because you’re sure to encounter a lot of other situations and emotions that may try to deter you. But surely, I also acknowledge the fact that it can be hard to stay motivated — so what can you do to keep that ‘fire‘ burning? – – – ∙∙∙ Join Communities & Network with Like-Minded People There are a lot of FREE and paid communities out there that can give you in-depth advice and support on how to quit your job, travel the world, and work remotely. Of course, I am already here to act as your guide, BUT I am not knowledgeable about EVERYTHING so you still need other people’s collective or specialized advice. For example, let’s say later on you figured out that you want to teach English overseas; certainly, you shouldn’t be asking me about this since I haven’t tried that out yet. So how can you find relevant groups? Google, my friend -wink-. But I did say that I am your helpful guide, so here are some great nomad communities to start with. Some of these websites are also a great way to connect with nomads that might already be in the city you’re in; so take the time to talk or even meet up with them! NomadList Meetup Reddit for Digital Nomads FB Group for Digital Nomads Ultimate Travel Group (a forum I created for travelers to connect!) Travel Groups . Alternatively, if you can spare some extra money, I highly suggest hiring a dedicated mentor or coach who can help guide you. Besides, an expert or experienced person’s counsel wouldn’t hurt and it’s definitely going to be one of the best “investments” that you can do for yourself! If such is not possible, you can try connecting with another person who is on the same path as you are and he or she can serve as your ‘transition buddy’. Essentially, the both of you can enter a mutually beneficial relationship where you will do weekly catch-ups or monthly meetings, and by sharing each of your progress on a regular basis, it will help motivate the both of you to stay on track of your goals. – – – ∙∙∙ Draw Knowledge & Inspiration from Books or Movies Other than inspirational people, inspirational books also helped me during my transition. One of my favorites is Tim Ferris’ book: The 4-Hour Work Week which has been on The New York Times Best Seller list for 4 consecutive years and has sold over 1.3 million copies. (He is also a digital nomad himself). Why do I love this book? Though it has superfluous parts that have to be taken with a grain of salt, it still gives you a lot of resources and ideas on how you can maximize your life for remote work in the long run. Tim also has a way with words to really inspire you to get out ‘there‘, so I say take it and read it nonetheless! Basically, you have to keep this in mind: ALWAYS jump on every opportunity and resource that will feed your mind with excitement so that you can fall head over heels in love — over and over again — with the idea of freedom, doing a job that you enjoy, and working for yourself or your dreams. Feel free to use vision boards or visual triggers as well. These can be quotes that you put on sticky notes attached to your walls, a photo of your dream destination by your desk, or even a wallpaper photo on your phone so that whenever you lay your eyes on it, you’ll be reminded of the dream you want and the hustle you’re doing. RELATED READ: The Best Travel Movies That Will Inspire Wanderlust Of course, additional resources are podcasts, blogs, and vlogs, like what I mentioned in point #1. You can also try watching this amazing inspirational video. – – – ∙∙∙ Keep it Under Wraps This totally depends on you but if you ask me, it’s best if you keep your plans of quitting your job to travel the world as a secret to those who are close to you — if you rather choose the opposite, then make sure that you are surrounded by people who are supportive and understanding since it would help greatly in motivating you to consistently push for your plans. This kind of decision is crucial for handling internal and external pressure; some people work well under it, whereas some don’t and you need to know where you stand. After all, you’ll be dealing with a LOT of stuff from now on (not just limited to stress and naysayers) and you need a sound mind or environment for as much as possible that will help keep you motivated! So in order to keep your mind in the game, you must carefully pick who you interact with. Take the time to survey the people who are close to you, especially your family. If you think you’ll be met with negativity when you expose your upcoming plans, it would be a great decision to keep everything a secret. Besides, it sometimes works best if you only announce your plans at the time that your travel fund or backup plans are already taken care of so that you can have a stronger case to present for making your loved ones understand your goals. RELATED READ: How to Convince Your Parents to Let You Travel Right from the start, however, be aware that NOT everyone would understand what you’re planning to go through. Most of them will think you’re crazy, while some might be secretly waiting and wishing for you to fail. . …But ultimately, you should NOT care about what others think. You do NOT need to seek anyone’s permission either. These are important life skills that you should try to develop by now. Just think about it: instead of wasting your time minding other people’s thoughts, you should just focus that energy on quitting your office job to travel the world! Much like what was said in point #1, you must remember this at all times: you are doing this for yourself and NOT for others. This is also YOUR life, not theirs so they have NO say in how you decide to live it. • • • Step 3: Start Planning for Your Future Lifestyle “But… what if I just really want to quit my job NOW? Can I just plan later?” Of course, that’s TOTALLY fine! Besides, the most important thing in all of this is for you to actually GO and do something about your dreams — and quitting your job is the first crucial step to that. (So, cheers!) …however, if you’re like me, I did NOT have the luxury to make such a rash choice. I needed to be a bit more conservative with my decisions and to do things one at a time. Why? I was earning a really small income and I was broke. Thankfully, I had no debts, but I still had responsibilities that I had to keep on addressing such as bills to pay and parents/siblings to support. I needed more time to learn some new skills for the kind of remote work that I wanted (graphic and web design). I also needed more experience to develop a good portfolio for potential clients. I also lived in a third world country. With the ‘power’ of my passport, I can’t just buy one-way tickets with no prior plans or costly visas to take care of first. . Remember how we talked about excuses back in step #1? These were my top 3 excuses. My solution in addressing these excuses? To be patient, to hustle, and to bide my time. So basically, I still stayed in my office job for a while but I had a clear plan: to start working on the side so that I could start, run, and grow the online work that I wanted to do. My goal? To earn more than triple my office salary (which was basically my target location-independent income). From then on, I started to sacrifice hours of my free time as well as weekends in order to offer temporary free services (just so I can build a portfolio and gain positive client testimonials). When I had enough, I started pitching for jobs until I eventually gained a stable online employer that paid more than what I was earning at the office. After some months, I reached my income goal so I passed my resignation. At that point, I was working from home so I started to have more time for myself which also meant more freedom to develop my skills and to find more work — this gave me the chance to finally start saving for my travel fund too. In no time after that, I started to travel around Asia and eventually to Europe. So overall, you can quit now and plan afterward, OR plan now and quit afterward. EITHER works. The important thing is that you still make a plan. You should NOT jump in on this blindly. With that said, you need to choose your savings plan as per your level of comfortability. OPTION 1: Save a bare amount of money for emergencies only (e.g. travel insurance, a plane ticket back home, etc.) and then earn the rest doing remote work/business. (This is the highest level of spontaneity. This often happens for those who live in a big continent like Europe or the USA wherein they can just hop on a car to cross borders, get to the next city, etc.) OPTION 2: Save just about enough money and then earn the rest by doing remote work/business/ (Some people simply pick one country and base their travel fund on that alone; they have the idea that they will just work in the next cities along the way.) OPTION 3: Save ALL of the money you need to travel comfortably, with the option to not do remote work/business, or to just do it later on when your fund runs out or as needed. (Some nomads make plans for 6 months to a year or more). Now that you’ve chosen the kind of savings strategy that you want, the next thing you have to do is to calculate the approximate amount of money that you need to save AND/OR earn per month in order to survive through your future nomadic lifestyle. How to calculate your target savings and future income? By doing research for every factor below… – – – ∙∙∙ Destination(s) Do you plan to jump from one country to the next in a frenzy? Or do you want to base yourself in a new country for 3 months or so at a time? No matter your decision, I suggest that you do NOT plan your itinerary in too much detail. There’s nothing wrong with doing that; but going by my past experiences, it is best if you just have a rough idea of things so that you can remain to be flexible. List out your ‘candidate’ cities and pick your first destination A lot of people say that you can live like a king on just $1,000 a month in Southeast Asian countries — and that’s true. I live in the Philippines and if you steer clear of big cities (e.g. Manila and Cebu), you can definitely live comfortably from that amount alone. In that same thought, if you live in a country like mine, it makes more sense to aim for countries with the same cost of living instead of haphazardly jetting off to expensive Western countries. Nomad List is an amazing website built by digital nomads and it lists all the details that you need to know about every city in the world: the cost of living, the weather, the internet speed, and so much more. For the cost of living, it’s a good practice to add more than what’s stated because chances are, some locations can be surprisingly more expensive in reality. As you continue to travel the world, try to aim for smaller cities or towns to avoid higher daily living expenses (e.g. instead of staying in Manila, try living in Palawan or Siargao instead). RELATED READ: Best Countries in the World for Remote Workers Research all possible travel costs TRAVEL INSURANCE: You should never leave without this and SafetyWing is the best medical and travel insurance for digital nomads. It’s not only because of its amazing coverage and rates but also because of its flexibility (it can be purchased and renewed while abroad, etc.) LICENSES: Do you need a driver’s license? Or an international driver’s license? MOBILE CHARGES: Determine if you need to enable roaming services with your current provider, or if you’re just going to buy local SIM Cards abroad or bring along a pocket WiFi. VACCINATIONS: Determine all vaccination requirements of the countries you plan to travel to. FLIGHTS & TRANSPORT: A good tool for checking average flight costs is SkyScanner. I’ve been using them for years and they have never failed to give me the best flight deals possible. For other modes of transportation, Rome2Rio is an amazing website that shows the average cost for any route, may it be by bus, train, or car. PASSPORT: If you still don’t have one, research the costs to apply or renew. VISAS: Also take into account how some visas are needed to be acquired in your home country (especially for those of you who hold 3rd world passports like me). Other than that, it’s important to know as well whether some cities require their visitors to have an outbound ticket upon arrival — a lot of countries usually require this at immigration (so they can have the assurance that you’ll be leaving the country by the end of your stay). The widget below from iVisa is a great tool for determining all the fees you will need to take into account. – – – ∙∙∙ Accommodation Options Figure out where you’ll be staying in the cities that you’ve chosen from the previous section. NOTE: One of the many reasons why most working nomads opt to stay in one place for a longer time is the accommodation costs. It’s a lot cheaper to get a place for at least a month, as compared to hopping from one hotel/hostel to another. . One of the things I usually did was to ask AirBnB homeowners if they could offer me their place for a month at a package deal. I’ve been an Airbnb host myself before, and I know how it’s sometimes preferable to have a steady tenant than to handle multiple bookings every week. If you check my article here, I have also shared other methods for getting cheap and FREE accommodation: Couchsurfing, volunteering, house or pet sitting, etc. Otherwise, you can try and ask a friend or relative — who’s living in a city that you want to go to — if they can possibly take you in for a while. But if you’re keener on staying at hotels, take note of the prices at Agoda, Booking.com, or HostelWorld. RELATED READ: 52 Ways to Get Cheap & Free Accommodation Worldwide – – – ∙∙∙ Personal Finances Apart from your current savings, you also need to factor in these other things when you travel the world… Outstanding debts Figure out how you’ll handle your student loans, mortgage, etc. — so make sure you take these things into account when calculating your target savings or new future income. . Debit and credit cards Be informed of the bank fees for overseas withdrawals or transactions, and ensure that you have an online banking service. Take note as well of how you are going to receive your future income from your remote work, along with exchange rate fees that you’ll need to pay. Personally, I prefer using TransferWise because it has lower conversion and transfer fees compared to PayPal. . Safety or emergency fund Apart from the costs of traveling, it’s always important to set aside an untouchable amount for possible emergencies as you travel the world (for example: you suddenly need to fly back home, you got into an accident, etc.). This is also why it’s vital to hold travel insurance so you can protect yourself. – – – ∙∙∙ Necessary Gear Another one of the many things that you need to take into account: the travel essentials or gear that you’ll be needing. This is not just limited to your luggage, backpack, clothing, etc. because you also need to figure out the items that you’ll be needing for working (a laptop, a camera, a VPN, etc.). RELATED READ: Carry-On Packing List – – – ∙∙∙ Figure Out Your Options for Remote Work or Business Once you have factored in all of the related costs from the previous sections, you should now have an idea of the total fund that you need to save up for OR the target monthly income that you’ll need to live and travel the world — which now leads us to this stage. We’ll talk more about this in step #4 but it’s already helpful to start planning for this as early as now. Identify your skills: will you get jobs on the road or work online? DON’T underestimate what you know or can do. After reading my articles about the best travel jobs and the top websites for making money remotely, you must now decide what your current experience can be useful for, what skills you need to learn/relearn, and the work OR business that you will be doing to sustain your future travel lifestyle. NOTE: Tim Ferris discussed in his book, the 4-Hour Work Week, a plan on how you can negotiate a remote work arrangement with your company. It’s not an option for everybody but it’s worth a shot if you want to keep the job that you love. . Survey the market Look at the profiles of online freelancers (on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, etc.) to see how much they are getting paid for their work, how long have they been working, and how many projects they are getting on average in a month. Or ask the members of online communities to give you some insight into the remote work or business venture that you decided on. Of course, you won’t know everything from the get-go, but it’s always good to gain some more insight into your interests. It would also be great if you could find out… How you can leverage yourself to earn more than the rest How to gain more clients (by taking note of any best practices of existing working nomads) • • • Step 4: Put Your Plans into Action You now have a rough estimate of the travel fund that you need AND the remote work that you plan to do. So now, it’s time to… ∙∙∙ Start Saving Save a portion of your paycheck Keep away a certain percentage of your salary and put it in your travel fund. Always remember that every deposit that you make is a step closer to your dream lifestyle — and all it takes, what it just really takes, is a sense of discipline on your part. . Change your spending habits One way you can go about this is to track your spending and set budgets by using apps like Money Lover. “Where is most of your salary being spent?” Is it from eating in expensive restaurants during lunch break? Is it because of your shopping sprees whenever you feel stressed out from work? Go ahead, list everything, and once you’re finished, identify all of your unnecessary costs and cut them out. . Sell or rent your possessions Some people have done the extreme, like selling their house or apartment to jumpstart their dream lifestyle and travel the world. This definitely sounds like a plan… but if you’re not ready to do that or if you still want to have a place to come back to, renting out your place on AirBnB, for example, is a great option. Be a minimalist. Get rid of the stuff that you won’t be needing or might only stay unused for months or years (such as your car, clothes, furniture, etc.) If you need a place to store valuables that you can’t part with, don’t pay for a storage place. Try asking your parents or friends if they can keep your stuff in the meantime. . Eliminate or lessen your bills and debts Look at your recent credit card statement and list out all of your recurring and outstanding financial obligations. Slash out those that you don’t really need when you start to travel the world. Ditch your Amazon Prime, Netflix subscription, etc. (don’t be afraid to ask a favor from a close friend if you can be registered as a ‘family member’ on their Netflix plan). Talk to your loan provider and ask for other ways or plans to manage your repayments. RELATED ARTICLE: How to Save Money for Travel (Top Tips) READ NOW ∙∙∙ Start Working You’re going to kill two birds with one stone on this one. I’m not talking about your office job because you’re already doing that… what I am rather talking about are side hustles or even a second job so that you can reach your fund goal faster and start to travel the world sooner. In fact, if you can already begin the future remote work that you plan to do, the better it will be! So if in case you want to be a digital nomad, this is the perfect time to start developing your profile or reputation online. Start proactively looking for jobs wherever you can, and start doing work whenever you have free time. With this, not only will you save faster for your target savings, but you will also be fueling your future of working remotely. Like I mentioned before, this is actually what I have done. Right from the moment that I decided to quit my job and travel the world, I started to work online on the side whenever I had some time off from my corporate job. – – – While you are putting all of these plans into action, always remember what I said back in step #2 — stay motivated. Besides, it might take some time to reach your target savings, so you might likely lose your focus. PLEASE DON’T LET THAT HAPPEN. Keep yourself inspired, daydream about your new future, and always remember your goals. Remind yourself at all times what you are working for: your freedom. Though when you finally reach your targets, it’s finally… • • • Step 5: Time to Quit Your Job and Travel the World! It’s time. Your travel fund is ready, your plans are accomplished. What’s left to do…? QUITTING. YOUR. OFFICE. JOB. START. TRAVELLING. You’ve finally reached this stage so go and celebrate by booking that ticket or hitting the road. Enjoy, travel the world to your heart’s content, and have the best time of your life! You’ve earned it. You really did! And while you are traveling, remember these: Be flexible I know that I made you plan for the cities that you’re going to when you start to travel the world; however, I only asked you to make a rough itinerary. After all, it’s possible that you’ll need to change your initial plans as you go along in your travels. So don’t go crazy trying to fix yourself into your schedule. Relax. Chances are, you will love a certain city or country so much that you might decide to stay there longer than you wish, and that’s perfectly alright! TIP: All immigration counters in any country would often require “proof of onward travel” or basically, proof of a return ticket back to your home country or to any other destination aside from the country you’re entering. If you don’t have concrete plans yet AND if you want to be flexible with your travels, booking a flight ticket is extremely costly — but thankfully, presenting a “flight reservation” usually already works. To get this, I recommend purchasing it from OneWayFly; you can get your flight reservation in just a few hours at only $16~! . Don’t pressure yourself As you travel the world, there will be moments when things won’t go your way — and that’s totally okay! Sometimes you’ll even get lonely, and you might also get frustrated or depressed because of the change of scene etc… but hang in there. There is much for you to gain out there and you’ll learn to tackle these feelings as you go on. . Stay vigilant Stay safe and be ‘street smart’. Always be aware and careful of your surroundings. Inform your loved ones back at home where your next plans are. But ultimately, there’s no need to fear too much — foreign countries and people are not as scary as you think. . Take advantage of countries that are visa-free When planning for your next destination, check the visa-free countries that are applicable to your citizenship because visa fees and applications are a pain, if not costly. For example, if you’re from the Philippines, try going to South America. They have countries there that are visa-free for Filipinos such as Brazil and Colombia to name a few! RELATED ARTICLE: How to Travel on a Budget READ NOW Try to learn the language It’s a great way to impress and befriend locals, as well as a useful ‘skill’ when you’re lost. Ultimately: it will completely transform your travel experience! RELATED READ: How to Learn a New Language for FREE or on a Budget Best Translation Apps for Travel . Make friends, network/socialize, try a LOT of things, and eat a LOT! Indulge in the joy and “luxuries” of traveling! Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with a stranger when you travel the world. Go ahead and socialize with locals and fellow travelers. Soak in all the culture and be open to new experiences — and when you do meet all these people, remember to be understanding. A lot of them will have different views, customs, or habits, so it’s important to refrain from making quick judgments. But actually, you will learn this yourself because I believe that travel makes you look past the black-and-white side of things. It’s a natural effect: the more people you meet, the more understanding you become of others’ quirks and flaws. . Try to look for other ways to gain a more stable income for yourself and to secure your future: THINK LONG TERM! Amidst all the fun, try to always keep this in mind so that you can live a more sustainable life of travel (forever!). Of course, you are now finally living your dreams — but don’t stop there. Keep this at the back of your mind because I think the next step to this must be for you to aim for a profession or business that will grant you passive income that will last you for the rest of your life. In my case, I managed to find a way to make an Amazon online business of my own. You can do something similar, or you can set up your own services such as offering online courses, setting up a company that teaches English abroad, building your reputation as a dance/yoga instructor, etc. . Consider starting a travel blog There are a LOT of benefits to blogging. Other than the fact that you can earn passive income, you can also meet a lot of like-minded individuals! You could even have the chance to partner up with big travel brands, hotels, and resorts to further help you fund your travels! …Don’t know how to start one? Don’t worry, just read this guide that I made: RELATED READ: How to Start a Travel Blog • • • Overall I tried to be as detailed as I could and I really hope that this detailed guide on how to quit your job and travel the world helped answer all of your doubts and questions. But I am seriously just so proud of you for taking this step. And I’m absolutely excited about the journey that’s ahead of you! (Please keep me updated on your progress.) And like always, please remember that quitting your job to travel the world is NOT impossible. You really don’t have to be rich; you don’t even need to be ‘lucky’! Because I’m neither of the two. I always believe in this quote: “Lucky is the word lazy people use to describe people who work hard.” I don’t consider myself lucky. I made this lifestyle happen. I had to persevere and be resourceful or strategic. I had to make changes and sacrifices to get to where I am today. I had to make do with the little resources that I had in order to make it day by day. …and you can do the same! Definitely! IMPORTANT NOTE: I talked a lot about how I didn’t enjoy a 9 to 5 job. Please be mindful that I am saying that out of MY own experience since my past just happened to be a discovery of how that kind of profession wasn’t a fit for me. . So of course, I wholly recognize the fact that there are some people who enjoy their corporate/office jobs. I know some of my friends who do! Some people also enjoy just staying at home as a stay-in mom, etc., etc. and in NO way am I putting them down; because in a sense, they are just doing the same thing that I am doing: pursuing things that they love to do. . I wholly respect their kind of work and lifestyle but it’s just not my preference; therefore, this post caters to those who are going through the same path or mindset that I had back in 2011 and are now wanting to make a change in their life given how they have the same passion as me. Now, to end this entry, I leave you with this amazing quote in hopes that it would keep you motivated in making the MOST out of your life. Making a big life change is pretty scary. But you know what’s even scarier? Regret. Click to Tweet As cliché as this might sound: we only live once. So it’s a waste of time and effort to do work that we hate or dislike, purely for the aim of just making money. Please try to take the steps of abandoning conformity and fear. Don’t hesitate anymore. Don’t mind what society or what other people may say. This is your life. NOT theirs. So take control and make that change. It’s time to JUST. DO. IT. (Hi, Nike.) The post How to Quit Your Job & Travel the World: 5 Steps to Start (All the Tips & Hacks You Need to Know!) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Learn to claim EU261 compensation for flight disruptions like delays, cancellations, downgrades, or denied boarding!

The post EU261 Compensation: Your Essential Guide on European Flight Delays or Cancellations appeared first on I am Aileen.

Embarking on a journey by air always holds the promise of new adventures and unforgettable experiences! And yet… amidst the excitement of travel, unexpected disruptions such as flight delays and cancellations can quickly dampen our spirits. But enter Regulation 261/2004, commonly known as EU261 — a beacon of protection for travelers within the European Union! (EU261 Compensation) If this is your first encounter with this law, consider yourself fortunate. Shockingly, nearly 90% of air travelers remain unaware of this regulation, missing out on the opportunity to claim compensation for flight delays or cancellations in Europe. Which is a shame because it’s SO easy and fast to file for an EU261 compensation. ⚠️ It helps to note that an EU261 compensation is separate from the compensation you may receive from your own travel insurance for a flight delay or cancellation. So imagine getting DOUBLE the compensation from your own travel insurance AND from the airline because of the EU261 law — amazing, right? So without further ado, I will delve into the intricacies of EU261 in this article, shedding light on the rights and perks that you can claim should you encounter a problem with your flight while in the EU zone! » Quick Travel Planning Top tours & experiences Find best flights Visa requirements Best places to stay Travel insurance Stay connected Table of Contents Toggle » Quick Travel Planning What is EU261? What Flights Fall Under EU261? What Flights are NOT Covered? What are Other Eligibility Requirements? Your EU261 Rights Flight Delays Flight Cancellations Denied Boarding EU261 Compensation: How to Claim? Personally Complain to the Airline Lodge a Complaint to National Authorities Hire a Company to Get the EU261 Compensation for You Deadlines to Claim EU261 Compensation EU261 Compensation Form of Payment F.A.Q. What is EU261? EU261, formally known as Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 or EC261, is a European Union law established in 2004 to protect the rights of air passengers of ALL nationalities. Unlike some regions where airlines determine their own policies for handling flight delays and cancellations, EU261 ensures that ALL passengers are entitled to certain protections and compensation. This law mandates that airlines must provide assistance and compensation to passengers facing any of the following: Flight delays Flight cancellations Denied boarding Missed connecting flights Thanks to EU261, air travelers flying within Europe enjoy enhanced rights and protections compared to other parts of the world. – – – What Flights Fall Under EU261? As a general rule, if your flight departs from or arrives at an airport within the European Union (EU) and experiences a delay or cancellation, you’re eligible to file a EU261 compensation claim. Additionally, the law extends coverage to flights departing from or arriving at airports in Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, and nine special territories associated with EU member states. These territories, also referred to as the outermost regions, include French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, La Réunion, Saint Martin, Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. Flying from the UK? Despite the UK’s departure from the European Union in early 2020 following Brexit, it has implemented a law, UK261, which closely mirrors the EU261 regulations. Perhaps you’re wondering: does EU261 still apply if I’m flying with a non-EU airline? The answer is yes! To clarify when the law applies and when it doesn’t, refer to the table below. Flight Itinerary EU Airline Non-EU Airline EU airport → EU airport ✓ ✓ EU airport → non-EU airport ✓ ✓ Non-EU airport → EU airport ✓ X* Non-EU airport → non-EU airport ✓ X *In certain instances, you may still be eligible for compensation under EU261, so it’s worth attempting to file a claim with the airline. – – – What Flights are NOT Covered? The airline reserves the right to withhold EU261 compensation if the delay, cancellation, or denied boarding was due to ‘extraordinary circumstances,’ including… Bad weather (i.e.: snowstorms, windstorms, low visibility) Strikes of the airport personnel, traffic control, or employees Air traffic control restrictions (including runway closures) Political and civil unrest Terrorism However, despite some airlines listing technical issues as grounds for withholding compensation, such problems are NOT considered extraordinary circumstances because the maintenance of the aircraft is the airline’s responsibility. Therefore, if a mechanical issue causes a flight delay or cancellation, the airline may still be liable to pay you compensation. NOTE: Flights that are FREE or on reduced fares (usually not available directly to the public) do not apply for the EU261 law. – – – What are Other Eligibility Requirements? For as long as you have a confirmed flight reservation on the flight concerned, and one of the following conditions apply to you, EU261 applies: You arrived for check-in at the designated time specified in advance through written communication by the airline, tour operator, or authorized travel agent (or, if unspecified, no later than 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time). You were transferred by an airline or tour operator from the flight for which they held a reservation to another flight, regardless of the reason • • • Your EU261 Rights Flight Delays …then you can claim EU261 compensation for the flight delay which can range between €250 to €600 per passenger depending on the distance of your journey. There’s really no need for a flight delay compensation calculator, because the allocation is easy to see as seen in the table below: Flight Delay to Your Final Destination Flights Less Than 1,500km Flights Between 1,500km to 3,000km Flights More Than 3,500km Less than 3 hours No compensation No compensation No compensation 3 hours or more (never arrived) €250 €400 €600 In the event of lengthy flight delays exceeding 5 hours, you have the right to get reimbursement within seven days, covering the full cost of the ticket for any unused portions of the journey or for parts that no longer serve the passenger’s original travel plan. Additionally, if applicable, a return flight to the initial departure point should be arranged at the earliest opportunity. In addition to this monetary compensation, under EU261, passengers are entitled to have the “right to care” from the airline. This includes the following provisions: The right to be informed on why the flight is delayed and when you are expected to take off In the event of any flight disruption, airlines must furnish you with this information in written form. The airline is also obligated to display the EU261 text at its check-in counter and provide each affected passenger with a written notice detailing the rules for assistance and compensation. 2 FREE phone calls, emails, or fax messages FREE complimentary food and drinks FREE hotel accommodation if the flight has been delayed overnight as well as the transportation expenses between the airport and the hotel (advisable to keep the receipts for these transportation expenses) – – – Flight Cancellations If your flight is canceled, you are protected under EU261 or EC261 provided you meet the following conditions: You were the one who purchased the tickets The flight cancellation occurred less than 14 days before the scheduled departure date The canceled flight was supposed to leave from an EU airport or operated by an EU carrier It was the airline’s fault and not an extraordinary circumstance Once you meet all of the above conditions, you are granted the following rights: Full refund of your used and unused tickets (for example, a connecting flight that you can’t reach because of the cancellation) Access to an alternative flight; this replacement flight offered must depart at the earliest opportunity Right to compensation of up to €600 (see table below) “Right to care” similar to the one for flight delays The following compensation applies when an airline proposes an alternative flight Notice Short Flights (less than 1,500km) Medium Flights (1,500km to 3,500km) Long Flights (More than 3,500km) 7-13 days’ notice €125 – new flight arrives less than 2 hours after the old flight €250 – new flight arrives more than 2 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival None – new flight departs less than 2 hours before the old flight and arrives less than 4 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €200 – new flight departs more than 2 hours before the old flight, and arrives less than 3 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €400 – new flight departs more than 2 hours before the old flight, and arrives 3 to 4 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €400 – new flight arrives more than 4 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €300 – new flight departs more than 2 hours before old flight, and arrives less than 4 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €600 – new flight arrives more than 4 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival Less than 7 days’ notice €125 – new flight arrives less than 2 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €250 – new flight arrives more than 2 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival None – new flight departs less than 1 hour before the old flight and arrives less than 2 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €200 – new flight departs more than 1 hour before the old flight, and arrives less than 3 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €400 – new flight arrives more than 3 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €300 – new flight departs more than 1 hour before old flight, and arrives less than 4 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival €600 – new flight arrives more than 4 hours after the old flight’s scheduled arrival The following compensation applies when an airline does NOT propose an alternative flight OR if you refused the offer Notice Short Flights (less than 1,500km) Medium Flights (1,500km to 3,500km) Long Flights (More than 3,500km) For flights between EU & non-EU cities €250 €400 €600 For flights between two EU cities €250 €400 €400 – – – Denied Boarding In the event of denied boarding, you are also eligible to receive EU261 compensation. Most of the time, before denying boarding, airline staff will seek volunteers to relinquish their seats in exchange for negotiated benefits. If an insufficient number of volunteers is found, the airline will proceed to deny boarding to passengers. Your entitlements in such circumstances are as follows: “Right to care” similar to the one for flight delays Re-routing at the earliest possible time or a later date of your convenience Refund of the ticket cost Monetary compensation When it comes to monetary compensation, it will depend on your flight’s total distance: Flights Less Than 1,500km Flights Between 1,500km to 3,000km Flights More Than 3,500km €250 €400 €600 • • • EU261 Compensation: How to Claim? Even if you’re eligible for compensation under EU261, unfortunately, it’s not automatically granted — you’ll need to file a claim yourself, but rest assured, it’s simpler than it sounds! For instance, I successfully claimed mine with Aegean Airlines by filling out their contact form, and they responded within a few days (after following up and nudging them too via Twitter). Together with their response, they proceeded to transfer the compensation to my bank account. While it’s true that the ease of the claim process can differ depending on the airline, you can be confident that if your flight meets the criteria, you’ll eventually be compensated. After all, the EU imposes stringent penalties on airlines that fail to comply with the regulation, ensuring accountability. Now, before delving into the various methods of claiming your settlement, let me first offer some valuable tips once you encounter a qualifying event under EU 261. Gather as much information and proof for as much as you can. Start saving or taking screenshots of all communication related to your concerned flight. Ask the airline staff about the reason for the delay. Be sure to record the time; for instance, if your flight is delayed, make a note of the actual departure time. Ask the airline to respect your right to care. Especially for delayed flights, make sure to ask about your right to access free food and drinks. If the delay extends overnight, request accommodation. To reach the accommodation, you can either request a taxi from the airline or keep track of any taxi expenses incurred (retain the receipts) and seek reimbursement later. Once you’ve completed these steps, you can proceed to make a claim using ANY of the following methods: Personally Complain to the Airline This initial step is essential for YOU to do. It’s crucial to exhaust this option first before considering the other alternatives. To lodge a complaint with the airline regarding your extended flight delay, flight cancellation, or deboarding, begin by conducting a Google search using your airline’s name along with the term ‘EU261’ (e.g., search for “Aegean Airline EU261”). Each airline manages complaints differently: some offer readily accessible automated online forms, while others may require you to email them. If unsure, locate their customer service contact details and proceed accordingly. (You can even try contacting them via their social media channels). If you’re looking for a flight delay compensation letter sample template, you can use this: [click] Once you’re done doing step #1, it also helps to complete this form: ‘Air Passenger Rights-EU Complaint Form‘. This preliminary screening service aims to assist you in obtaining information on how to contact your respective airline, particularly if you encounter difficulties in finding their contact details. If the airline fails to respond within a few weeks or up to a maximum of two months, you can then explore the following options… – – – Lodge a Complaint to National Authorities As previously mentioned, if the airline fails to respond within two months or if you are unsatisfied with their reply, you can proceed to the next step of your flight compensation claim, which involves filing a complaint with the relevant national authority in the country where the operating airline is based. The official website of the European Union offers a list of links to each country’s national consumer bodies: [link]. In this scenario, you should submit your complaint to the National Enforcement Body in the Member State where the incident occurred. Provide them with the complaint you previously sent to the airline and explain the situation: either the airline did not respond, or you find their response unjust. The national authority will then offer you a non-binding legal opinion on how to proceed with your claim. Please note that if the incident occurred at an airport outside the EU, you should contact the national enforcement body in the Member State of your flight destination. If you are an EU national, you can also explore these other options: Utilize impartial out-of-court entities like conciliation services, mediators, arbitrators, and ombudsmen or complaint boards. They will review your case and suggest a resolution, or enforce one if a mutual agreement between you and the airline cannot be reached. If you purchased your ticket online, you have the option to lodge your complaint through the EU online dispute resolution site. This service is free of charge, and they will handle your dispute accordingly. Finally, if the airline refuses to compensate you and you decide to take legal action, you can opt for the European Small Claims procedure. This entails submitting your compensation claim to a competent court, which could be the place of arrival or departure for flights between EU countries (operated by one airline), or the courts in the country where the airline is registered. To initiate this procedure, you’ll need to complete form A and include any supporting documents such as receipts or invoices. Upon receiving your claim, the court will assess it, and if any necessary information is missing, they will request you to complete form B. Keep in mind that there is a court fee associated with the European Small Claims procedure, but this fee will be reimbursed if your case is successful. – – – Hire a Company to Get the EU261 Compensation for You I highly recommend attempting to file a claim on your own FIRST to ensure you receive the full compensation. Besides, based on my own experience and in most cases, this process can be quick and straightforward especially when the airline concerned is from the EU (examples being like RyanAir, EasyJet, Lufthansa, Air France, and many others). However, I understand that this may not always be feasible with other airlines; plus, it could be a hassle for you to do option #2 of lodging a complaint with national authorities. Time is valuable, after all! In such cases, there are several companies specialized in handling EU261 claims on behalf of passengers, albeit for a fee. These fees can be quite significant, often reaching up to 25% to 30% of your claim amount! For families or larger groups, this percentage can result in a substantial sum — but then the upside too is that they can really help; plus, if they fail in claiming a settlement, you don’t have to pay anything at all to them. But if this is the only remaining option you’d like to take, a quick Google search will reveal numerous options, but if you ask me, AirHelp consistently ranks as one of the top companies for EU261 compensation claims. • • • Deadlines to Claim EU261 Compensation EU countries have varying regulations regarding the timeframe within which you can claim compensation, as the regulation does not establish a uniform limitation period across the EU. The time limit for claiming compensation depends on the location of the airline’s headquarters: Deadline Country 10 months Latvia 1 year Belgium, Poland 2 years Croatia, Iceland, Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland 2 years & 2 months Italy 3 years Austria, Czech Republic*, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany**, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Sweden*** 5 years Bulgaria, France, Greece, Hungary, Spain, Scotland 6 years Cyprus, Ireland, UK (except Scotland) 10 years Luxembourg No limit Malta *Czech Republic: It’s crucial to inform your airline about the flight delay within 6 months of the incident. Once notified, your claim remains active for up to 3 years. **Germany: The period expires on the last day of the third year. ***Sweden: The limitation period resets each time a claim is made. Therefore, for any subsequent claims, the limitation period would be 3 years from the date the last claim was filed. • • • EU261 Compensation Form of Payment Your EU261 compensation can be disbursed in various forms such as cash, electronic bank transfers, bank orders, or bank cheques. Alternatively, if agreed upon, it may be issued in the form of travel vouchers or other services. At times, airlines may initially propose vouchers rather than cash. However, it’s essential to note that EU261 ensures cash compensation, which you’re entitled to if preferred. IMPORTANT TIP: Upon receiving a response from the airline, ensure that the offered compensation aligns with your situation before proceeding further. • • • F.A.Q. When should I submit my EC261 compensation claim? As soon as possible! If feasible, reach out to the airline on the day of the delay itself. Acting promptly increases the likelihood of a favorable outcome. Can an airline refuse my EU261 compensation claim? Certainly, the airline has the authority to reject your claim, especially if the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances. However, if you feel your claim was unfairly denied, you can explore the alternative methods I outlined in this article. Are connecting flights covered for EC261 compensation? Certainly. If your journey is booked as a single itinerary, any flight departing from an EU airport qualifies for flight delay compensation under EU261 regulations. It’s important to understand as well that your final destination will be considered in regards to EU261 eligibility. What if my flight was booked with miles—is it eligible for EU261? Regardless of whether you booked using credit card points, redeemed an award ticket with frequent flyer miles, or paid with cash, EU261 still applies. The only exceptions are tickets acquired for free or at reduced fares not typically available to the general public. I traveled with my baby, can I also get flight delay compensation? It varies. According to the EU regulation, passengers are eligible for compensation if their flight is delayed by more than three hours. However, passengers traveling for free are exempt from claiming compensation. For instance, if an airline allows parents to bring infants along at no cost, compensation cannot be sought for the infant. However, if you paid for a seat for your baby, even at a reduced rate, you can request compensation. Are hotels and meals covered by EU261? side from cash compensation, EU261 mandates provisions for hotel accommodations and meals. This provision, known as the “right to care,” obliges airlines to offer meals and refreshments proportionate to the waiting time. While other international airlines include similar provisions in their contracts of carriage, this is rather a guaranteed entitlement in Europe. My airline placed me in a lower class, different from the ticket I purchased. Can I still ask for compensation? Absolutely. Within seven days, the airline is required to refund you: – 30% of the ticket price for flights up to 1500 kilometers. – 50% for intra-community flights exceeding 1500 kilometers. – 75% for flights between European territories and French overseas departments. – Furthermore, 75% for flights not covered in the previous cases. We traveled as a group, can I ask for compensation for all of us? Yes, you can, but it’s preferable to file for compensation separately for each individual. How do I write a letter of compensation for flight delay? Check out this sample template I made: [click] • • • Overall I hope this comprehensive guide helps you claim the compensation that’s rightfully yours! The post EU261 Compensation: Your Essential Guide on European Flight Delays or Cancellations appeared first on I am Aileen.

Enjoy Japan's spring season to the fullest and visit these Kyoto cherry blossom spots — from lesser-known locations to the most popular ones!

The post Kyoto Cherry Blossom Spots: 15 Best Sakura Hanami Viewing Locations (Tips & Travel Guide) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Kyoto is arguably the most popular city for sakura (桜) or cherry blossom viewing in Japan! Locals and tourists alike flock to this former capital given the number of beautiful Kyoto cherry blossom spots that are perfect, not only as photo backdrops, but also as hanami spots. TRIVIA: Hanami (花見) or “flower viewing” is an ancient tradition in Japan wherein locals take the time to enjoy the cherry blossoms or sakura trees. Nowadays, the Japanese typically celebrate it by having an outdoor party or picnic under the trees during daytime or nighttime (called yozakura or “night sakura”). After all, the dreamy pink hue of this spring flower only lasts for a week or two every year, so it is a fleeting yet magical sight that you must witness for at least once in your life! Kyoto cherry blossom flowers usually start blooming in late March and reach their full bloom in early April. To give you an idea of Japan’s sakura forecast, check out the map below for this year: Looking for other spring blooms to enjoy? Here are the other top spring flowers in Japan that you MUST see! READ NOW So if you’re planning on including Kyoto in your upcoming Japan itinerary this spring season, here are the best places to enjoy the cherry blossoms in their full glory! Table of Contents Toggle » Arashiyama (嵐山) » Daigoji (醍醐寺) » Haradani-en Garden » Heian Shrine (平安神宮) » Hirano Shrine (平野神社) » Kamigamo Shrine (上賀茂神社) » Keage Incline » Kiyomizudera (清水寺) » Kōdai-ji Temple (高台寺) » Kyoto Botanical Gardens (京都府立植物園) » Kyoto Gyoen National Garden » Maruyama Park (円山公園) » Nanatani-gawa River (Yawaragi Road) » Nijō Castle (二条城) » Ninnaji Temple (仁和寺) » OKAZAKI CANAL » Philosopher’s Path (哲学の道) » Takenaka Inari Shrine » Tō-ji Temple (東寺) » Yodogawa Riverside Park (淀川) Kyoto Cherry Blossom Spots » Arashiyama (嵐山) Cover and top photo by: Shutterstock Including the district of Arashiyama on your Kyoto cherry blossom viewing list is a MUST! It holds a number of attractions not limited to the famous Bamboo Grove Forest — and of course, during sakura season, you’ll be greeted by a townscape that’s wonderfully draped in pink right from the moment that you step out of the train station! Walk a bit further and you’ll witness the long Tegetsukyo Bridge that will be backdropped by a picturesque mountain speckled with a mixture of pretty pink and green hues. If you want to go to an area that is filled with more sakura trees, consider going to Nakanoshima Park as well as the Tenryuji Temple — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is famous for its scenic garden that will hold about 200 cherry trees in its beautiful landscape! NOTE: Consider riding the Sagano Romantic Train to Kameoka from Arashiyama. This famous scenic train ride will take you through a lot of panoramic sceneries as well as through a “tunnel” of cherry blossoms! ADMISSION FEE: ¥500 (extra ¥300 for entry inside the temple buildings) NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) Arashiyama Station – – – » Daigoji (醍醐寺) Photo by: Shutterstock Daigoji Temple is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and a famous Kyoto cherry blossom spot since the Heian period. Truth be told, this was the location where Toyotomi Hideyoshi (a Japanese samurai and daimyo/lord) held a grand hanami party by planting over 700 cherry blossom trees! Today, visitors can enjoy almost 1,000 cherry blossom trees that sweep through the temple grounds and up to the adjacent mountain. Some of the sakura varieties that you can enjoy here are the iconic somei yoshino (the weeping cherry blossom) and the yamazakura (wild mountain cherry blossom). If you time your visit well, you can even witness a parade that commemorates the cherry party held by Hideyoshi (called “Ho-Taiko Hanami Gyoretsu”) and it is held on the 2nd Sunday of April every year. ADMISSION FEE: ¥1500 (from March 20 to May 15 and from October 15 to December 10) and ¥800 (during the rest of the year) OPENING HOURS: 9AM to 5PM NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 11-minute walk from Daigo Station Rent a kimono to enhance your experience! For a hassle-free experience, rent a kimono in Kyoto by booking here. READ NOW – – – » Haradani-en Garden Photo by: Shutterstock Located on the northwest area of Kyoto, this is arguably a secret Kyoto cherry blossom spot that is known only by the locals! In Haradani-en, guests can enjoy late-flowering weeping cherry blossom trees that are scattered around the 13,000sqm private garden. You will also find a variety of other spring flowers namely azaleas, rhododendron, and dogwood. ADMISSION FEE: ¥1,200 and ¥1,500 (on weekends and public holidays) OPENING HOURS: 9AM to 5PM NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) Kitaoji Station — but there is also a free shuttle bus that runs from Shikichi-Jinja Shrine during cherry blossom season only – – – » Heian Shrine (平安神宮) Photo by: Shutterstock Heian Shrine is one of the most popular spots for Kyoto cherry blossom viewing — especially that of the weeping cherry tree variant — after all, they bloom later than most cherry trees, usually around mid-April! You’ll find a canopy of these trees in their 30,000sqm paid garden, with the best spot being that in the east where you can see the trees being reflected in the Seiho Lake. TRIVIA: The shrine was built during the 1,100th anniversary of Kyoto’s foundation as a capital, and it pays homage to the spirits of the first and last emperors of the city. ADMISSION FEE: FREE to enter the shrine, ¥600 to enter the garden OPENING HOURS: 6AM to 5:30PM NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 7-minute walk from Higashiyama Station – – – » Hirano Shrine (平野神社) Photo by: Shutterstock Ever since the year 985 (Edo Period) during the reign of Emperor Kazan, this temple has held a cherry blossom festival — and this tradition continues today! Because of this, Hirano Shrine has become one of the most popular Kyoto cherry blossom viewing spots wherein a lot of locals visit to spend hanami (especially students, given the close proximity of Ritsumeikan University). Meanwhile, the actual festival is held on the 2nd Sunday of April and it begins at the mausoleum and ends with a procession in the afternoon. TIP: For a hassle-free experience, you can book a guided Hirano Shrine tour. As for its cherry trees that number hundreds, you’ll love the amazing variety that spans from the early-blooming sakigake in late March, to the late-blooming ones that last until the middle of April. Of course, aside from admiring the majestic beauty of the cherry blossoms, visitors can also enjoy exploring other unique spots at the shrine. A sakura illumination can also be witnessed between late March and mid-April. ADMISSION FEE: FREE OPENING HOURS: 6AM to 5:00PM NEAREST STOP: (Use Google Maps) 2-minute walk from Kinugasako Mae bus stop – – – » Kamigamo Shrine (上賀茂神社) Photo by: Shutterstock The Kamigamo Shrine is actually a part of the famous Kamo Shrines duo (the other one being Shimogamo Shrine) and they are both regarded as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Truth be told, they are the oldest as well as the most important of all the shrines in Kyoto! But Kamigamo Shrine in particular is famed for its weeping cherries or shidare-zakura that are called Saio Zakura and Gosho Zakura. The former has flower petals that are more strongly hued (with the name referring to a shrine maiden), whereas the latter is about 170 years old (‘gosho’ meaning emperor)! Apart from this, the whole of the shrine area is speckled with other cherry trees, as well as along the long sando path that leads to the torii entrance gate. ADMISSION FEE: FREE OPENING HOURS: 5:30AM to 5:00PM NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 13-minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama Station (JR Sagano Line/San’in Main Line) – – – » Keage Incline Photo by: Shutterstock The Keage Incline is a 582-meter long slope with unused railroad tracks and it is loved by the locals especially in the spring when the surrounding 90 cherry trees start to bloom and form a tunnel-like canopy. TIP: For a hassle-free experience, you can book a guided sakura tour that includes this spot. The railway track used to serve as a water transport of Lake Biwa Canal between Otsu and Kyoto; but today, it has become more of a walking path. In 1996, it was even designated as a National Historical Site! ADMISSION FEE: FREE NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 3-minute walk from Keage Station – – – » Kiyomizudera (清水寺) Photo by: Shutterstock It’s hard to miss Kiyomizudera because it is one of the top sights to see when you’re in Kyoto. Translated to ‘Pure Water Temple’, the temple’s name is derived from the Otowa Waterfall in which it has been built. It also holds a lot of importance in history, so it is not only part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto but also of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. TIP: For a hassle-free experience, you can book a guided Kiyomizudera tour. Come spring season, Kiyomizudera’s surroundings become a lovely shade of pink as the cherry trees frame its large balcony. If you venture further near the exit of the temple, you’ll find a larger concentration of sakura trees (at night, these trees are also illuminated from 6PM to 9PM). ADMISSION FEE: ¥400 OPENING HOURS: 6:00AM to 6:00PM NEAREST STOP: (Use Google Maps) 10-minute walk from Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop – – – » Kōdai-ji Temple (高台寺) Photo by: Shutterstock Kodaiji is a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect and what you might find interesting here is its Hashintei — a large Japanese garden that portrays Zen ideology. One of its features is a rock garden (karesansui) that is made from raked gravel representing the vast ocean. TIP: For a hassle-free experience, you can book a guided sakura tour that includes this spot. In spring, visitors come here to get a glimpse of the shidare-zakura weeping cherry tree that blooms over the aforementioned rock garden, and if you stay after 5PM, you’ll get to witness the spring illumination set up within the premises. ADMISSION FEE: ¥600 OPENING HOURS: 9:00AM to 5:30PM NEAREST STOP: (Use Google Maps) 5-minute walk from Higashiyama Yasui bus stop – – – » Kyoto Botanical Gardens (京都府立植物園) Photo by: Shutterstock Kyoto Botanical Garden is the oldest botanical garden in Japan and it is home to over 500 cherry blossom trees! From these, there is a big forest full of them and it can be found in the northern part of the conservatory — as well as a towering weeping cherry tree in the center of the garden. TIP: For a hassle-free experience, you can book a guided tour. To give visitors a chance to enjoy these blooms even further, the garden stays open until 9PM from the end of March to early April as colorful illuminating lights are set up underneath every tree. (While you’re already inside the 240,000sqm garden, don’t forget to check out the other areas to make the most of your stay!) ADMISSION FEE: ¥200 for adults, ¥150 for high schools students and free for children and senior citizens OPENING HOURS: 9:00AM to 5:00PM (9PM for illumination) NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 2-minute walk from Kitayama Station – – – » Kyoto Gyoen National Garden Photo by: Shutterstock This is referred to as a “National Garden” of Japan as well as the “Central Park of Kyoto”, and it is found around the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Sento Gosho. Entrance to the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden is free and you can admire over a thousand spectacular cherry trees, some of which are the weeping or shidare-zakura kind. In fact, this area doesn’t get too many crowds like the other more famous Kyoto cherry blossom spots, so you can essentially have some spaces all to yourself! ADMISSION FEE: FREE NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 5-minute walk from Marutamachi Station – – – » Maruyama Park (円山公園) Photo by: Shutterstock Maruyama Park is the oldest public park in the city, and once spring arrives, it is the most popular and most crowded Kyoto cherry blossom viewing spot — and for good reason! After all, there are over 700 cherry trees sprawled across the expanse and the center of attraction is a large shidare-zakura that gets lit up at night. Called the “Night Cherry Blossoms of Gion”, this is actually regarded as the park’s symbol and it is over 80 years old. TIP: For a hassle-free experience, you can book a guided sakura tour that includes this spot. To further enhance the experience, a lot of food stalls are often set up around the park with ample seating mats and tables. ADMISSION FEE: FREE NEAREST STOP: (Use Google Maps) 5-minute walk from Gion bus stop – – – » Nanatani-gawa River (Yawaragi Road) Photo by: Shutterstock If you want an off-the-beaten-path destination for Kyoto cherry blossom viewing, you should head over to the nearby Kameoka City (best accessed while you’re already in Arashiyama by taking the Sagano Romantic Train or the Hozugawa-kudari river boat ride) and then find this road that’s found near Nanatanigawa River. With over 1,500 cherry blossom trees that line the kilometer-long Yawaragi Road, you’re sure to get a breathtaking photo in this scene! Don’t forget to drop by the nearby Sakura Park that has over a hundred cherry blossoms as well. (Every year, a Cherry Blossom Festival is held there.) ADMISSION FEE: FREE NEAREST SPOT: (Use Google Maps) Nanatanigawa bus stop – – – » Nijō Castle (二条城) Photo by: Shutterstock Nijo Castle used to be the Kyoto residence of the first shogun (military dictator) — today, it is a historic site that best exemplifies castle palace architecture back in the olden feudal era of Japan. As such, it has been appointed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. The castle has 3 areas: Honmaru (main circle of defense), Ninomaru (second circle of defense), and the gardens that encircle the former two. TIP: For a hassle-free experience, you can book a guided tour. During the spring season, the whole of the castle grounds and walking paths are surrounded by 499 cherry trees in various varieties. Some of them will even last until the end of April! To celebrate this, the Nijo Castle holds a yearly Cherry Blossom Festival as they do an illumination of the trees in the evenings. ADMISSION FEE: ¥620 (¥410 additional to enter the Ninomaru Palace) OPENING HOURS: 8:45AM to 5:00PM (or 6:00PM in July and August) NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) Nijojo-mae Station – – – » Ninnaji Temple (仁和寺) Photo by: Shutterstock Also regarded as a World Heritage Site, Ninnaji is the head temple of the Shingon sect of Buddhism and one of its top highlights is the “Goten” — the former residence of the head priest. When it rather comes to being one of the top Kyoto cherry blossom viewing spots, it is highly known for its omuro cherries that bloom very late (around mid-April). So if you happen to arrive late for Japan’s spring season, you should include Ninnaji on your itinerary to still catch a glimpse of these dreamy pink trees! TIP: For a hassle-free experience, you can book a guided sakura tour that includes this spot. ADMISSION FEE: ¥500 yen (for Goten palace buildings), admission to the rest of the grounds is FREE except during the cherry blossom season where there’s a ¥500 admission fee OPENING HOURS: 9:00AM to 5:00PM (or 4:30PM in December to February) NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 13-minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama Station (JR Sagano Line/San’in Main Line) – – – » OKAZAKI CANAL Photo by: Shutterstock Located just outside of Heian Shrine, Okazaki Canal connects the Lake Biwa Canal network with the Kamo River. It is considered a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing in Kyoto given that the canal is bordered by several beautiful cherry trees! For a unique experience, tourists can enjoy a 3-kilometer boat cruise through the canal — and then, much like the rest of the sakura spots, the trees are also illuminated come nighttime. ADMISSION FEE: FREE NEAREST STOP: (Use Google Maps) Bijutsukan-mae bus stop – – – » Philosopher’s Path (哲学の道) Photo by: Shutterstock The Philosopher’s Path or Walk is listed as one of the Top 100 Paths in Japan. Running between Ginkakuji and the neighborhood of Nanzenji, this 2km stone path’s name is said to have been derived from the fact that Nishida Kitaro, one of Japan’s most famous philosophers, used to go down this way during his daily commute. In early April, the hundreds of cherry blossom trees that line the path and the adjacent canal explode in beautiful pink hues, making it an unforgettable sight! There are also a lot of cafes and restaurants that are found alongside Philosopher’sWalk, so there are enough spaces for you to sit down in for admiring the view for a longer time. TIP: For a hassle-free experience, you can book a guided Philosopher’s Road tour. ADMISSION FEE: FREE NEAREST LANDMARK: (Use Google Maps) Nanzenji Temple or Keage Station – – – » Takenaka Inari Shrine Photo by: Shutterstock This is a hidden gem within Kyoto in which a lot of tourists don’t know! Dedicated to the kami or god of foxes and rice (called Inari), this shrine turns into an Instagrammable spot in the spring especially when the lined cherry trees would drape over the several small red torii gates lining the paths. ADMISSION FEE: FREE NEAREST LANDMARK: (Use Google Maps) Kyoto University – – – » Tō-ji Temple (東寺) Photo by: Shutterstock Toji Temple or Kyo-o-gokokuji is home to Japan’s tallest wooden five-storied pagoda. More than that, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best Kyoto cherry blossom spots given the 200 cherry blossom trees that are scattered across its grounds! Make sure to get a shot with the 5-stories pagoda in the background for that quintessential Japanese spring photo. Try to look for the popular shidare-zakura (weeping cherry) tree in the temple too! It is already over 130 years old and towers at a 13-meter height. When the night starts to creep in, most of the trees are also breathtakingly illuminated. TIP: For a hassle-free experience, you can book a guided night illumination tour. ADMISSION FEE: ¥500 OPENING HOURS: 8:00AM to 5:00PM NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 5-minute walk from Toji Station – – – » Yodogawa Riverside Park (淀川) Photo by: Shutterstock Found south of Kyoto City (near the border of Osaka Prefecture), the Yodogawa Riverside Park has an astonishing landscape that’s bordered by 250 cherry trees. Apparently, back in 2020, it has even been voted as the 3rd most popular sakura spot in all of Japan! This comes as no surprise because the promenade is truly scenic as the sakura trees form some sort of natural tunnel through the pathways. Every year, a festival is also held in spring called Sawaritei Sakura Matsuri and visitors can enjoy a number of food and drinks from the surrounding stalls. TIP: For a bird’s eye view of the park, head to Sakura Deaikan Building’s observatory deck. ADMISSION FEE: FREE NEAREST STATION: (Use Google Maps) 10-minute walk from Moriguchi Station • • • » Top Kyoto Tours « Kyoto Day Tour Explore the city’s key attractions! Southern Kyoto Sakura Tour …to Uji, Fushimi, and Yamashina. • • • Booking Essentials Booking.com TIP: It’s a good idea to crosscheck the prices with other popular travel insurance providers like World Nomads and HeyMondo (as my reader, you get 5% off)! . However, take note that a travel insurance’s affordability typically means lesser coverage; so please always ensure that you read the fine print in order to decipher which travel insurance company is the right fit for you and your trip! Looking for more travel tips for Japan? Check out my other detailed Japan travel guides! READ NOW • • • Overall The spring season in Kyoto is definitely something to look forward to when you visit Japan! Besides, the cherry blossoms truly add an otherwordly beauty to the city’s historical sites, and it’s sure to leave you with wonderful memories. The post Kyoto Cherry Blossom Spots: 15 Best Sakura Hanami Viewing Locations (Tips & Travel Guide) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Plan out your spring itinerary with this South Korea cherry blossom forecast map: the ultimate guide for knowing when and where to go!

The post South Korea Cherry Blossom Season Forecast (2025): When & Where to Visit in Seoul and Other Regions appeared first on I am Aileen.

Apart from Japan‘s sakura craze, South Korea cherry blossom season is also a sought-after event in Asia — especially because it can be quite short! As such, this is one of the best times to explore the country and witness the unique beauty and vibe that the blossoms add to the local landscapes and sights. Your top-of-mind destination will surely be the capital, Seoul, but I urge you to try and make time in exploring other places like Busan or Jeju Island. RELATED READ: – Spring Flowers in Korea: When & Where to Go – Seoul Itinerary – South Korea Travel Guides South Korea Cherry Blossom Map Forecast (For a Pinterest-sized version of this South Korea cherry blossom forecast map, scroll to the bottom of this post) DISCLAIMER: The above data is as of March 2025. Take note that sudden changes in temperature, rainfall, and wind strength can accelerate, delay, or shorten the forecast above — but you can already use this initial forecast as a preliminary guide. Rest assured, I will keep this post updated once dates happen to change so come drop by from time to time! In most parts of South Korea, the cherry blossom’s blooming dates start around the last week of March (starting in Jeju Island) and last until the first week of April; but cherry blossom season in Seoul, in particular, has blooms that come a little later. Koreans typically call cherry blossoms beot-kkot (벗꽃) and they are not to be confused with similar-looking blooms like that from the almond, apricot, peach, and plum trees. Besides, South Korean cherry blossoms have a unique pink hue and a lovely scent that is somewhat different from that of Japan. NOTE: The Korean cherry tree which is also known as ‘King Cherry’ originated from Jeju Island and it slightly differs from most other cherry blossom trees due to the fact that its flowers are larger. They also only bloom in full for only a couple of days! All in all, if you’re planning a trip to South Korea any time soon, you should take note of these top places from ALL of the regions in the country that will give you beautiful cherry blossom views, as well as a chance to participate in bustling cherry blossom festivals! Table of Contents Toggle South Korea Cherry Blossom Map Forecast Best South Korea Cherry Blossom Spots » Cherry Blossom Spots in Seoul & Gyeonggi Regions » Cherry Blossom Spots in Gangwon Region » Cherry Blossom Spots in Chungcheong Region » Cherry Blossom Spots in Gyeongsang Region » Cherry Blossom Spots in Jeolla Region » Cherry Blossom Spots in Jeju Region South KoreaTravel Guide » Best Time to Visit » Getting in to South Korea » Visa for South Korea » Where to Stay (South Korea Accommodations) » South Korea Currency » Cost of Travel in Korea » How to Get Around South Korea » Staying Connected in South Korea » Safety in South Korea » Helpful Korean Phrases Best South Korea Cherry Blossom Spots Other South Korean blooms to watch out for? See this list of the most popular spring flowers in Korea — when to see them and where to go! READ NOW South Korea has nine (9) provinces, namely: North Chungcheong, South Chungcheong, Gangwon, Gyeonggi, North Gyeongsang, South Gyeongsang, North Jeolla, South Jeolla, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. For this article, I have combined north and south provinces; thus, narrowing it down to only six (6) so that you can better see the top South Korea cherry blossom spots that you must see all over the country! » Cherry Blossom Spots in Seoul & Gyeonggi Regions Photo by: Shutterstock ◘◘ Seoul (April 4 to 10) As a dynamic capital, there are tons of key places that you must see to view South Korea cherry blossom trees. To name a few, they are… Yeouido Park: This is one of the most popular places to see cherry blossom season Seoul and it even has its festival called Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival or Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival. It is famous for its 1.8k Korean Cherry trees that line the boulevard and you’re sure to find a mass arrival of tourists who want to witness the beauty of these cherry trees. Due to its popularity, a lot of vendors, street performances, and outdoor entertainment will also be spread around the park. If you’re looking for night cherry blossom in Korea, Yeouido Park even transforms into a magical setting when the cherry blossom trees are lit in the evening in various colored lights. Festival Date: (TBC) April 6 to 15 . Seokchon Lake: Found in the eastern part of the city, this popular spot is stunning all-year-round — but it’s extra special during spring when it’s surrounded by colorful cherry trees. If you’re visiting the nearby Lotte World Amusement Park, this is surely a stop that you must make! Aside from cherry blossom viewing, other activities here include piano on the lake, cherry blossom market, and various performances. . Seoul Grand Park: This park is filled with pleasant surprises given that it provides access to both cherry blossoms viewing and an amusement park that features a zoo and botanical garden! To add, Seoul Grand Park also holds a large cherry blossom festival during the first week of April where tourists can enjoy live performances of sorts. Festival Date: (TBC) April 8 to 17 . Seoul Forest: (Pictured Above) This may be a popular attraction in Seoul but with its grand space, you won’t feel the crowds as you bask in the beauty of the surrounding cherry trees. You will also love the bridge that’s found in the middle of the forest where you view some lavender-colored blooms. There are even deers living here and you’re free to feed them. If you ask me, this is the perfect spot for a romantic picnic with your loved one! . Namsan Mountain: This is where the famous N Seoul Tower is found and it is absolutely gorgeous in the spring. After all, the path in its Namsan Park is said to be the longest trail of South Korea cherry blossom trees in the city! Additionally, you will also witness pretty spring flowers like forsythias and azaleas. . Kyung Hee University: A beautiful Seoul campus made even more gorgeous during the cherry blossom season! It is considered a hidden spot for cherry blossom viewing in Seoul where the light pink cherry blossoms give a beautiful backdrop of the architecture. You will actually find 200 cherry trees lined from the main gate to the main building, so it makes for a great Instagrammable spot! . Seoul National Cemetery: Although this is not ideal for picnics and entertainment, this cemetery remains a popular cherry blossom viewing spot among locals. You can also enjoy other activities here like the changing of the guards as well as photo exhibitions. . Royal Palaces: One of the best places to appreciate the famous spring flowers is Seoul’s royal palaces such as Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and Changgyeonggung. With its unique architectural design, it is an absolute must to take photos in these spots while wearing a hanbok rental, or the traditional Korean costume, as it is the quintessential and dramatic Korean spring photo. . Anyang Stream: This long path is lined with cherry blossom trees that provide a great canopy to the walkway. Located on the western side of the city, this is a hidden attraction where not a lot of tourists crowd in — thus, making it an ideal place for viewing and photo ops. Anyang Stream is also home to some beautiful surrounding flower fields and gardens that add more beauty to the place. . Yangjaecheon Stream: This is considered yet another hidden spot for South Korea cherry blossom viewing. The locals usually go to this place to see the beautiful spring flowers and enjoy the local Yangjaecheon Stream Cherry Blossom and Lantern. Festival Date: (TBC) April 5 to 9 ◘◘ Gyeonggi (April 7 to 14) Nami Island: This crescent-shaped island is one of the most popular day trips from Seoul given that the whole of the area is covered in various trees that cycle beautifully through the seasons. Naturally, in spring, the South Korea cherry blossom trees line up most of the pathways like a canopy, making it such a romantic destination not only for couples but for families and friends alike. Apart from viewing the surrounding nature, you can also enjoy a number of activities here such as renting a bike, zip-lining, shopping, and many others. TIP: For a hassle-free trip, I suggest booking a guided tour to Nami Island. – – – » Cherry Blossom Spots in Gangwon Region Photo by: Shutterstock This northeast province of South Korea is mountainous and it is famous for its ski resorts — in fact, the county of Pyeongchang has been a host site for the Winter Olympics. But when it’s spring season, the top-of-mind city to go to is Gangneung. ◘◘ Gangneung (April 1 to 6) Gyeongpo Cherry Blossom Festival: In Gangneung, Gyeongpo is well-known for its natural sights (e.g. beaches and lakes) and festivals; one of which is the Gyeongpodae Cherry Blossom Festival. For the best spots to view these South Korea cherry blossoms and enjoy festival activities, they are: Gyeongpodae Pavilion: This is one of the 8 scenic sites in Gwangdong that is located on a hill north of Gyeongpo Lake. Gyeongpo Provincial Park: Within its expanse is the Gyeongpodae Pavilion, but apart from that, it also has other key historic sites such as Geumnanjeong Pavilion, Banghaejeong Pavilion, Haeunjeong Pavilion, Ojukheon House, Seongyojang House, and Guesthouse Gate. And as you wander around looking for more blossom sights, you’ll love how the park is just next to the famed Seoraksan Mountain and Odaesan National Park. Festival Date: (TBC) April 6 to 15 – – – » Cherry Blossom Spots in Chungcheong Region Photo by: Shutterstock Chungcheong is divided into North Chungcheong Province (capital: Cheongju) and South Chungcheong Province (capital: Hongseong County), and the latter is said to be South Korea’s richest province! ◘◘ Jecheon (April 1 to 5) Cheongpunghoban Cherry Blossom Festival: This festival is held in Cheongpung Lake where you can find blooms not only from cherry trees but also from forsythias and azaleas. For the duration of the festival, visitors can enjoy exhibitions, performances and even activities like bungee jumping! You will also love the 13-kilometer Cheongpung Lake Road that’s lined with thousands of Korea cherry trees. Festival Date: (TBC) April 6 to 8 ◘◘ Daejeon (March 29 to April 4) The city of Daejeon might not be on most tourists’ must-see lists — but it should be! After all, it has several amazing South Korea cherry blossom viewing spots, namely… Gyeryong Mountain or National Park: Found within this area is the Donghaksa Temple and the surroundings have an impressive display of pink trees that you will love taking pictures in! There is also a festival that’s being held for this location but it is not as well advertised to foreign tourists. Chungnam National University: Known to have the largest gathering of cherry trees in the city! KAIST University: Has the second largest gathering of cherry trees in Daejeon and the best spot is said to be across the Sports Complex. – – – » Cherry Blossom Spots in Gyeongsang Region Photo by: Shutterstock Gyeongsang is also divided into two provinces: North Gyeongsang (capital: Daegu) and South Gyeongsang (capital: Changwon) — and it is in this latter province where you will find the large cities of Busan and Ulsan. ◘◘ Changwon (March 25 to April 1) Jinhae Gunhangje Festival: It is often said that this is the biggest South Korea cherry blossom festival wherein over more than 2 million people flock to the south coastal city of Changwon to get a glimpse of the famed trees. This festival is usually held at the Jinhae Jungwon Rotary Intersection and you will find a number of art and cultural performances that are spread about in the venue (such as in Paldo Pungmul Market). Other key locations are… Gyeonghwa Station: There is an 800-meter section of flowers on this railroad that you can admire, as well as a nearby stream where several cherry trees are lined up. As pictured above, this is where most visitors try and wait for a train to pass by in order to get such an iconic picture. Jehwangsan Mountain Park: If you want a panoramic view of the city in its pink glory, head over to this spot. Festival Date: (TBC) March 30 to April 6 ◘◘ Gyeongju (March 25 to April 1) Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Festival: This festival was first held in 2017 and it coincided with the 26th Cherry Blossom Marathon that the city is well-known for (and which you can join if you’re up for it!). Key highlights for viewing the blossoms are… Bomun Lake: About 9,000 cherry trees around the lake will stunningly bloom and as you pass the time away in the lake, you can enjoy the following… Waterwheel Square: A popular photo zone where you can find a huge waterwheel on a path. Bomun Pavilion (Bomunjeong): A beautiful pavilion that is a favorite of a lot of photographers. Pedal a duck boat: Share this experience with someone by heading over to Hoban Square and paying for a duck boat! (If you’re not keen, you can also rent a bike). Festival Date: (TBC) March 30 to April 8 ◘◘ Hadong/Jirisan (March 23 to 31) Hwagae Cherry Blossoms Festival: Held in Simni Cherry Blossom Road, this 4-kilometer road connecting Ssanggyesa Temple and Hwagaejangeo Market is filled with over 1,200 cherry blossom trees and a lot of locals flock to this small village just to get a glimpse of its pinkish glory. Ssanggyesa Temple: A popular temple in this area of Jirisan that dates back to the 8th century. Simni Cherry Blossom Road: This is a densely-packed road full of cherry trees and it even has a nickname “Hollye-gil” which means ‘Marriage Road’ or ‘Wedding Road’. There is a local belief that if you and your loved one walk on this road together, you will eventually marry and live happily ever after. Who knows if it’s true, but it’s worth a shot, right? -wink- Festival Date: March 30 to April 5 ◘◘ Busan (March 23 to 30) Samnak Ecological Park (Sasang-gu): A long path lined with over a thousand of cherry trees, that when in bloom seem to form a tunnel over the park’s path. With this feature, it has easily become one of the topmost beautiful spots in South Korea! Dalmaji Hill (Haeundae-gu): Found southeast of Haeundae Beach, this is typically referred to as a romantic destination where couples hang out during spring. Oncheoncheon Stream (Dongnae-gu): Running through two districts of Dongnae and Yeonje, this riverside walkway is fondly called a ‘flower road’ and it is one of those iconic spots that you often see in photos of South Korea. The stream spans 10 kilometers long and the stream itself is often decorated in colorful umbrellas. Samik Beach Apartment (Suyeong-gu): Found near Gwanganli Beach is a favorite of locals which is the Cherry Blossom Road — a long stretch of old cherry trees that overlook the Gwangan Bridge. You can also check out the nearby Hwangnyeongsan Ring Road for more cherry trees. – – – » Cherry Blossom Spots in Jeolla Region Photo by: Shutterstock Jeolla is divided into North Jeolla (capital: Jeonju) and South Jeolla (capital: Muan County). If there is one place you need to include in your South Korea itinerary, it’s to… ◘◘ Gwangju (March 27 to April 2) Seomjin River Cherry Blossom Festival: Among the 5 major rivers in the country, the Seomjin River is said to be the cleanest, and its 3-km long cherry tree road that’s speckled with other colorful mixes of flowers is referred to as one of the ‘100 Most Beautiful Roads in Korea’. During the festival, you’ll find a variety of live concert performances that are more intimate, thus giving the place a feeling of quaintness. Don’t miss out on seeing this spot if you’re ever in the Jeolla region! Festival Date: (TBC) Late March or Early April – – – » Cherry Blossom Spots in Jeju Region Photo by: Shutterstock Known for its pristine coastlines and volcanic landscapes, Jeju Island might just be a great spring destination for you especially since it is where South Korea’s first cherry blossom bloom happens! ◘◘ Jeju Island (March 22 to 29) Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival: Jeju prides itself on having been the place where the King Cherry Tree originated; the cherry tree that produces the largest cherry blossom petals! As I’ve mentioned before, the flowers of this particular tree only last for 2 to 3 days so it is a must that you time your visit here well. During the whole of the festival, don’t also forget to drop by these main locations both night and day (since they often illuminate some cherry tree streets when it’s dark for a night cherry blossom in Korea experience). Jeonnong-ro Street Entrance to Jeju National University Jangjeon-ri, Aewol-eup Jeju Stadium or Sports Complex Seogwipo Downtown Festival Date: (TBC) March 24 to April 12 Best Tours in South Korea? Come and check out this list of the top things to do in South Korea which features the best activities and tours to do in places like Seoul, Busan, and more! READ NOW • • • South KoreaTravel Guide » Best Time to Visit Any time and any season! No matter if it’s spring, summer, autumn, or winter, South Korea has a ton of destinations and activities to fill up your itinerary! But if you want to avoid the peak seasons, you should visit either during autumn or winter. Why not summer? It’s when schools and Korean companies take a vacation so a lot of locals will be up and about; and of course, spring is extremely popular because of the cherry blossom season. WINTER: Dec to Feb SPRING: March to May SUMMER: June to Aug AUTUMN: Sept to Nov – – – » Getting in to South Korea By air. International visitors typically arrive at the main airport called Incheon International Airport (ICN). To get here, I recommend browsing through Skyscanner to find the best flight deals from your point of origin. 
 – – – » Visa for South Korea If you’re NOT a citizen of any of South Korea’s exempted countries, you are then required to avail of a visa beforehand. (If you’re from the Philippines, you can read my guide on how to get a South Korea visa in Manila here.) Check full visa requirements here as per your nationality. – – – » Where to Stay (South Korea Accommodations) To search for the best hotel accommodation in South Korea at the best prices, I suggest cross-checking hotel prices between Agoda and Booking.com. But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses or apartments, you should search through AirBnB. – – – » South Korea Currency South Korean Won (KRW / ₩) wherein KRW 1,000 is equal to about USD $0.9~, €0.7~ or Php 49.00~. In the event that you want to exchange your money for KRW, I highly advise that you do NOT exchange your money at the airport since the rates there are not competitive. How to best exchange your currency? Either exchange your money at a bank or at a money exchanger in your home country or in Seoul’s city center. Better yet, just withdraw from an ATM with your debit/credit card (do one big withdrawal to minimize fees with your bank). Speaking of cards, a lot of Seoul’s establishments accept credit cards but it’s always advisable to have cash on hand. – – – » Cost of Travel in Korea While the cost of living in South Korea is far from being cheap, your trip doesn’t have to break the bank! To give you an idea, you should expect to travel in South Korea with an average daily cost of about USD $35~ per person on a budget, or at least $100~ if you want to experience more comfort on activities, tours, hotels, and more. (Values below show low budget to medium budget ranges). Hotels: $20 to $100 USD / day Food: $10 to $30 USD / day Fun: $10 to $25 USD / day Transport: About US$1 per subway ride* *Buy a T-Money card that saves you ₩100 on all trips. – – – » How to Get Around South Korea By plane. South Korea has a great network of domestic flights that will take you, for instance, from Seoul to Busan, Jeju, Daegu, etc., and vice versa. Some airlines that operate these routes are Asiana and Korean Air as well as low-cost ones like Air Busan and Jeju Air. To look for the best flight deals, always book through Skyscanner. By train. A lot of the major cities in South Korea are connected by the national train operator called Korail. As a foreigner, you can take advantage of the KR Pass that grants you unlimited travel on any Korail Train for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days. Meanwhile, when you’re mapping out your day-to-day route, just use Google Maps because it will show in detail the fastest connections you can do (by walking, by car, by bus, and by train). – – – » Staying Connected in South Korea South Korea is said to have the fastest internet in the world (and yep, it’s true!) so you’ll be assured of great connection wherever you go. To add, most places even offer FREE WiFi — but in order to consistently stay connected online during your Seoul trip, I recommend getting your own pocket WiFi or SIM Card. – – – » Safety in South Korea The Republic of Korea or South Korea remains to be one of the safest countries in the world — and also one of the safest countries for solo female travelers. Petty theft may happen but they are quite rare; so, just practice common sense at all times and you’ll be fine! HOW TO: Find the right travel insurance for you – – – » Helpful Korean Phrases English is not widely spoken in South Korea even if it is taught in a lot of schools, but you’ll have better luck in the capital of Seoul where a lot of people put time, effort and money in learning English. Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to learn a bit of the local language! RELATED READ: Best translation apps for travel Hello (formal): Annyeong haseyo Hello (informal): Annyeong Thank you: Gamsahamnida You’re welcome: Cheonmanyeyo Yes: Ye/Ne No: Aniyo Goodbye (to person leaving): Annyeonghi gaseyo Goodbye (to person staying): Annyeonghi gyeseyo Goodbye (informal): Annyeong Excuse me (getting attention): Sillyehamnida I’m sorry: Joesonghamnida Is there someone here who speaks English?: Yeogi-e yeong-eoreul hasineun bun gyesimnikka? Help!: Dowajusipsio! Cheers!: Geonbae! • • • Overall Witnessing the 2025 South Korea cherry blossoms in their full bloom is truly a unique experience! So don’t forget to use this article as your guide to where you can best appreciate their beauty. The post South Korea Cherry Blossom Season Forecast (2025): When & Where to Visit in Seoul and Other Regions appeared first on I am Aileen.

Find out the easiest ways on how to type enye Ñ/ñ accent characters on the keyboard of your laptop, computer, smartphone, iPhone and more!

The post How to Type Enye (Ññ) in Laptop Computer, iPhone, Android Keyboard, etc.: Small or Big Capital Letter appeared first on I am Aileen.

Ñ (lower case ñ) is one of the letters on the modern Latin alphabet which has a tilde (also called virgulilla) on top, thus resulting in it being pronounced as ‘en-ye‘. This has become an integral part of the Spanish alphabet starting in the 18th century and has since been adopted by other countries especially those who have been conquered or influenced by Spain. (How to Type Enye) One example of those countries is, of course, the Philippines! Even if we no longer speak and use Spanish, most of our words have been derived from it, and as such, the ñ letter is still used for Filipino/Tagalog and Bisayan languages — apart from common words, you will find “ñ” in location’s names (e.g. Dasmariñas, Parañaque) as well as in some people’s names (e.g. Niño, Peña). Unfortunately, given that the letter is not widely used, it can be challenging to write it out on your keyboard especially if you’re filing up important forms because Ñ/ñ is not part of the standard QWERTY layout (that’s often in the USA or UK format). Rest assured, there are a number of ways to easily type Ñ/ñ no matter the device you’re using and I’ll show you how to type enye in this post! Table of Contents Toggle » How to Type Enye on Windows Computer or Laptop Through Numeric Keypad Through the Character Map » Apple Computer or Laptop (Macbook and iMac) » Linux or Ubuntu » Microsoft Word (Microsoft Office: Excel, Powerpoint, etc.) MS Word Windows MS Word Apple Mac » Google Docs » iPhone Devices (iOS) » Android Devices FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) How to Type Enye by Device One of the easiest ways on how to type enye is to simply copy (ctrl + c) and paste (ctrl + v) this: Ñ/ñ to your document! You can even bookmark this webpage and visit it whenever you need to use the letter enye. But if you want to learn how to type enye the right way, follow through the instructions below as per the device or software that you’re using… Photo by: Shutterstock » How to Type Enye on Windows Computer or Laptop Through Numeric Keypad If you are using a Windows computer that has a numpad (number pad) or numeric keypad (located on the right side of your keyboard), you can type enye by pressing the numbers on that keypad (not the numbers on the top of your keyboard). Press the “Num Lock” key to enable the numeric keypad (you’ll know that this is enabled when the Num Lock light is on) If you don’t have a Num Lock key, press Fn and F11 keys on your keyboard at the same time to activate the numeric keypad. And then… ñ: Hold down the ALT key and press 164 (alternative: ALT + 0241) Ñ: Hold down the ALT key and press 165 (alternative: ALT + 0209) If you don’t have a Num Lock key, you’ll need to press Fn too while pressing ALT and the shortcut numbers In Windows, there is also a virtual numeric keypad or numpad that you can use! To use this on-screen keyboard, either… . – Hold down the Windows Logo key + ctrl + O, or; – Click the Windows Start button, press Settings, and click Ease of Access. On the left sidebar, scroll down to Interaction and click on Keyboard. Under “Use the On-screen Keyboard” turn the slider to on and then close this window. The on-screen keyboard will appear, and to show the numeric keypad, click Options on the lower-right corner and then check Turn on numeric key pad. If you can’t type out the letter enye even after turning on Num Lock and pressing the shortcut keys, you would need to check if you have ‘Sticky Keys’ and ‘Filter Keys’ are turned on. To disable this, go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard to check that they are turned off. Through the Character Map If the above shortcuts don’t work or if you simply don’t have a numeric keypad on your keyboard, you just need to access Windows’ Character Map. To do this… Click the Windows icon on your taskbar (the icon on the lower left of your screen). The next step will depend on your Windows’ version… Click Windows Accessories and then click Character Map, or; Type and search for ‘Character Map‘ and then open it A window of Character Map will pop up. Look for the Ñ/ñ symbol, double click it to select, and then click Copy. The small letter ñ is often found at the bottom-right corner of the Character Map window The capital letter Ñ can be found after you click Advanced View on the bottom of the Character Map window; type “n” on the search field and then click the search icon. You’ll find Ñ on the right. Press paste (ctrl + v) or right-click and select Paste to wherever you want to use or place the letter. – – – » Apple Computer or Laptop (Macbook and iMac) It is a LOT easier to type enye or Ñ/ñ on your Apple Mac devices. Depending on your macOS version, the method would be… MOST COMMON METHOD: ñ: Press and hold the letter “n” key and a small popup will appear — either click ñ with your mouse or press number “1” on your keyboard Ñ: Press and hold the Shift and the letter “n” keys at the same time and a small popup will appear — either click Ñ with your mouse or press number “1” on your keyboard . LESS COMMON METHOD: ñ: Hold down the Option key and then press the letter “n”. A tilde (~) will appear. Press the letter “n” again and a letter ñ will appear. Ñ: Hold down the Option key and then press the letter “n”. A tilde (~) will appear. Hold Shift and the letter “n” and a letter Ñ will appear. – – – » Linux or Ubuntu To create an enye letter on operating systems like Linux: Press Ctrl + Shift + U keys at the same time Release all of these keys And then, to insert… ñ: Type 00d1 Ñ: Type 00f1 Press the space bar. As for Ubuntu: Press the Shift and tilde (~) keys at the same time Release them and then press the “n” key – – – » Microsoft Word (Microsoft Office: Excel, Powerpoint, etc.) MS Word Windows When dealing with the range of Microsoft Office products, namely Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and OneNote, simply follow the same process or instructions mentioned previously for Windows laptop or computer devices. Otherwise, the following are other options on how you can insert Ñ/ñ: Go to Insert tab > click Symbol under Symbols > More Symbols. Select the ñ character and click Insert. Or try doing these… ñ: Type n0303 and press Alt + X (alternative: press Ctrl + Shift + ~ , and then press “n”) Ñ: Type N0303 and press Alt + X (alternative: press Ctrl + Shift + ~ , and then hold Shift and press “N”) MS Word Apple Mac Simply follow the same process or instructions mentioned previously for Apple laptop or computer devices. – – – » Google Docs Simply follow the same process or instructions mentioned previously for Windows laptop or computer devices or Apple laptop or computer devices. – – – » iPhone Devices (iOS) How to type enye (Ñ/ñ) on iPhone devices is also very easy! Hold the letter N/n on your phone’s keyboard, and a small pop-up will appear showing different accent marks. Slide and hover over to choose Ñ/ñ. This also works for other accent characters (e.g. if you hold down “a”, it will reveal variations on the pop-up like à, á, â, ä, æ, ã, å, ā), – – – » Android Devices The process for typing out Ñ/ñ on your Android smartphones is the same: Hold or long-press the letter N/n on your phone’s keyboard, and a small pop-up will appear showing different accent marks. Slide and hover over to choose Ñ/ñ. If in case the Ñ/ñ pop-up does not appear, ensure that you enable other languages for your keyboard such as that of Filipino and Spanish on your phone’s keyboard settings. (You can do this by going to Settings > Language & input > Languages). • • • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) What is the symbol or accent on top of the letter Ñ called? The “~” accent is called a tilde (also called virgulilla) and it means that the word used to be spelled with two letter Ns — but now, the tilde stands in for the second one. How can I type a small enye on my Windows laptop? First, press the “Num Lock” key to enable the numeric keypad (you’ll know that this is enabled when the Num Lock light is on). If you don’t have a Num Lock key, press Fn and F11 keys on your keyboard at the same time to activate the numeric keypad. Afterward, hold down the ALT key and press 164 (alternative: ALT + 0241) and it will produce a small letter “ñ”. I can’t type out a letter enye even after I turn on my Num Lock? Please check if you have ‘Sticky Keys’ and ‘Filter Keys’ turned on in your keyboard settings. To disable this, go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard to check that they are turned off. What if I don’t have a Num Lock key on my Windows keyboard? In Windows, there is also a virtual numeric keypad or Numpad that you can use. To use this, hold down the Windows Logo key + Ctrl + O. You can also insert the enye letters by using Windows’ Character Map. How to type enye in Mac? Simply press and hold the letter “n” key and a small popup will appear — either click ñ with your mouse or press number “1” on your keyboard. How do I put a tilde over an N? Depending on your device or software, simply follow the steps mentioned above in this article. The post How to Type Enye (Ññ) in Laptop Computer, iPhone, Android Keyboard, etc.: Small or Big Capital Letter appeared first on I am Aileen.

Start planning your sakura (cherry blossom) adventure with this Japan cherry blossom forecast! (Includes best spots for 'hanami' viewing!)

The post Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast 2025: When & Where to Visit for Sakura Viewing (By Region) appeared first on I am Aileen.

It’s NO exaggeration when I say that every Japanese and (almost) every keen traveler in the world keeps a close watch on the Japan cherry blossom forecast or sakura (桜) forecast at the start of every year! After all, who wouldn’t want to catch the short-lived yet magical spring season wherein every space in the country is enveloped in shades of soft pink and white? RELATED READ: – Japan Itinerary – Tokyo Itinerary – Japan Travel Guides Now, I say ‘short-lived’ because cherry blossoms stay on their branches for only about 10 days (it can last for 2 weeks if the weather is perfect or less than 10 if the weather is ghastly). As if that doesn’t make it elusive enough, it’s not always a guarantee that you can get to enjoy them at their peak — but then again, don’t fret: the Japan cherry blossom forecast that is available nowadays is close to accurate in predicting the cherry blossoms’ first opening and full bloom. …And as such, this is where this post comes in! I’ve already had several trips to Japan where I got to enjoy the beauty of this season and now, it is my hope that you get to enjoy it too! So with the help of the forecast map below, you could start planning a successful Japan cherry blossom adventure as early as now. Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast Map (For a Pinterest-sized version of this cherry blossom Japan 2025 forecast map, scroll to the bottom of this post) DISCLAIMER: The above data is as of March 2025 and it is based on the forecast done by the Japan Meteorological Corporation. Take note that sudden changes in temperature, rainfall, and wind strength can accelerate, delay, or shorten the forecast above — but you can already use this initial forecast as a preliminary guide. Rest assured, I will keep this post updated once dates happen to change so come drop by from time to time! Cherry blossom trees in Japan bloom in an upward direction starting from the island of Okinawa (sometime in the middle of January) and then ending at Hokkaido (around the end of April or beginning of May). So if you think about it… provided that you’ve got the time and the money, you can totally indulge in a 3-month long travel spree to enjoy the whole pink season! But of course — not everyone can do such a thing, so if you only have a limited vacation time for Japan, below is a list of some of the best and most popular spots for viewing the cherry blossom Japan 2025 season! Table of Contents Toggle Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast Map Best Cherry Blossom Spots » Kantō Region (関東地方) » Kansai Region (関西地方) » Chūbu Region (中部地方) » Chūgoku Region (中国地方) » Shikoku Region (四国) » Kyūshū Region (九州) » Tōhoku Region (東北地方) » Hokkaidō Region (北海道) Japan Travel Guide » Best Time to Visit » Getting in to Japan » Visa for Japan » Where to Stay In Japan » Japan Currency » Cost of Travel in Japan » How to Get Around Central Japan » Staying Connected in Japan » Safety in Japan » Helpful Japanese Phrases Best Cherry Blossom Spots To better streamline this section, I will be listing the best cherry blossom spots by region. (FYI: Japan has 8 big regions and each of them are sectioned into prefectures that all total to 47). TRIVIA: Hanami or “flower viewing” is an ancient tradition in Japan wherein locals take the time to enjoy the cherry blossoms or sakura trees. Nowadays, the Japanese typically celebrate it by having an outdoor party or picnic under the trees during daytime or nighttime (called as yozakura or “night sakura“). Best Tours in Japan? Come and check out this list of the top things to do in Japan which features the best activities and tours to do in places like Tokyo, Kyoto and more! READ NOW » Kantō Region (関東地方) Cover and top photo by: Shutterstock ◘◘ Tokyo (March 22 – First Bloom // March 31 to April 8 – Best Viewing) Chidorigafuchi: This is one of Tokyo’s most magical sights given the cherry blossoms that surround the moat in the former Edo Castle around Kitanomaru Park (as pictured above). There are even boats available for rent to better enjoy the trees up close! At night, the trees are lit up and several food stands are found nearby. Sumida Park: This is a great recreation space given that the trees are lined up on the sides of the river with views of the Tokyo Sky Tree in the distance. Like Chidorigafuchi, there are boats you can rent as well as surrounding food stalls. The trees are also lit up at night. Shinjuku Gyoen: A spacious park that has over more than a thousand cherry blossoms in different varieties! Everyone is free to put up a picnic here for doing ‘hanami‘ but take note that alcohol is prohibited. Ueno Park: This is Tokyo’s most crowded spot when it comes to the Japan cherry blossom forecast — this is not only because of the thousands of trees lining the street but also because of how the trees here often bloom 1 to 3 days ahead of the others in the city. Meguro River: For hundreds of meters, about 800 cherry blossom trees are lining this river. It’s not a good place for doing a picnic but it’s a good place for taking photos, for sure! Yoyogi Park: Located near the shopping district of Harajuku, this park has over 600 cherry blossom trees in its vicinity. TIP: Discover the beauty of Mt. Fuji up close as well as its nearby natural attractions by going on a day tour from Tokyo! Or if you come sometime around April 14 to May 27, you can take part in the limited-time Shibazakura Festival near Mt. Fuji where you can witness a field of unique pink moss! ◘◘ Kanazawa (March 30 – First Bloom // April 7 to 15 – Best Viewing) Yokohama: Sankeien Garden: This is a Japanese landscape garden that has a central pond and several historical buildings (thereby giving off a great traditional look). Mitsuike Koen (Park): Featuring 3 ponds, this park has been listed as one of Japan’s “100 best cherry blossom spots” so it’s definitely worth visiting. Kamakura: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine: You can get some great shots of this shrine with the nearby cherry trees that are numbering by hundreds. ◘◘ Gunma (March 25 – First Bloom // April 3 to 11 – Best Viewing) Akagi Senbonzakura: It has a unique “pink-on-pink” feature given the surrounding ‘pink moss’ in the fields that are found just beside the cherry blossom trees. – – – » Kansai Region (関西地方) Photo by: Shutterstock ◘◘ Kyoto (March 26 – First Bloom // April 4 to 12 – Best Viewing) Tetsugaku No Michi: Dubbed as the “Philosopher’s Path”, this runs beside a canal connecting Ginkakuji to Nanzenji and it is lined by hundreds of sakura trees. Maruyama Park: Found beside Yasaka Shrine is this popular public park that has a large weeping cherry blossom tree (yaebeni shidare) in its center. Make sure to catch it at night when it’s lit up! While you’re there, you can enjoy the nearby food stalls too. Heian Shrine: Yet another place to find weeping cherry trees — but in more numbers. Take note that these weeping trees reach full bloom just after a few days that the other normal cherry trees do. Arashiyama: Located in the western outskirts of Kyoto, this place is not only known for its Bamboo Groves and Monkey Park (Iwatayama) but also known for its great areas for cherry blossom viewing. An ideal spot would definitely be by the Togetsukyo Bridge on the riverside of Nakanoshima Park. TIP: Ride the charming Sagano Scenic Railway that goes along Arashiyama to Kameoka. It’s a great way to soak in the cherry blossom views around you given the train’s clear glass ceiling. Looking for other top sakura locations in Kyoto? Check out this ultimate guide of Kyoto cherry blossom spots — from lesser-known locations to the most popular ones! READ NOW ◘◘ Osaka (March 26 – First Bloom // April 4 to 12 – Best Viewing) Kema Sakuranomiya Park: This park seemingly has endless rows of sakura trees — besides, they number at nearly 5,000! You can enjoy such a grand view either from the riverside promenade or from the ships going through the river. Osaka Castle: Naturally, a stop here is warranted due to the 4,000 sakura trees that surround it. And if I may share a tip, the Nishinomaru park on the western side of the castle is great for doing picnics as it gives great scenic views of the tower. Expo 70 Commemorative Park: Yet again, another area with thousands of cherry blossom trees. At night you can enjoy it, even more, when they light everything up. TIP: From Osaka, you can also do a day tour to Kyoto’s Arashiyama and Nara’s deer park to enjoy the sakura season! ◘◘ Nara (March 26 – First Bloom // March 30 to April 7 – Best Viewing) Yoshinoyama (Mount Yoshino): Wanna know Japan’s #1 cherry blossom observing spot for centuries? Then, head over here! You’ll surely be overwhelmed by the 30,000~ cherry trees that surround this mountain. Nara Park: Outnumbering the free-roaming deers are the 1,700 cherry blossom trees that are planted here! Make sure to go southeast of Todaiji’s main hall if you want a huge lawn encircled by these pink trees. Wakakusayama: Found just behind Nara Park, this hill’s hiking trail is lined with cherry blossoms, and if you go a bit to the top, you’ll get a good picture of everything with the dense city as a backdrop. ◘◘ Hyogo (March 24 – First Bloom // April 1 to 9 – Best Viewing) Himeji Castle: Shown in the photo above, this is the famous world heritage site castle that’s unique for its white facade! Without a doubt, this is a great place for enjoying the Japan cherry blossom forecast season (after all, admission to the outer castle grounds is even free, so take advantage of it when you’re in the area!) – – – » Chūbu Region (中部地方) Photo by: Shutterstock ◘◘ Yamanashi (March 27 – First Bloom // March 31 to April 8 – Best Viewing) Fuji Five Lakes: If you head over to the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, you’ll get a magnificent sight of Mount Fuji with the surrounding cherry blossoms on the lake. TIP: You must visit in the early mornings for the best visibility and light. Chureito Pagoda: This pagoda attracts a LOT of people every year especially during the spring season because it really is a perfect spot for capturing Mt. Fuji and the surrounding terrain (as you can see from the photo above!). TIP: You can easily go to Chureito Pagoda by going on a day tour from Tokyo! Or if you come sometime around April to June, you can take part in the limited-time Shibazakura Festival near Mt. Fuji where you can witness a field of unique pink moss. ◘◘ Nagano (April 8 – First Bloom // April 11 to 15 – Best Viewing) Matsumoto Castle: What better way to capture and see one of Japan’s most beautiful original castles than to see it during sakura season, right? With the hundreds of trees planted there, there’s enough to color the grounds. Takato Castle Ruins Park: It is included in the top 3 best locations for seeing sakura blossoms in Japan (along with Hirosaki Castle and Yoshinoyama)! Plus, for the whole month of April, a festival is held here where many stalls are set up and illuminations are also always held every night from sunset to 10:00 PM. ◘◘ Ishikawa (March 28 – First Bloom // April 3 to 8 – Best Viewing) Kenrokuen: This has been called as one of Japan’s “3 most beautiful landscape gardens”, so it comes as no surprise that this has become a great cherry blossom viewing spot. ◘◘ Aichi (March 26 – First Bloom // March 28 to 31 – Best Viewing) Yamazakigawa Riverside: The Shikinomichi (“Path of Four Seasons”) beside this river is regarded as one of Japan’s “100 best cherry tree blossom spots”— and rightly so! Don’t forget to stop here when you’re in Nagoya. Nagoya Castle: Surely, you wouldn’t miss this castle when you’re in the city! During spring, there are several weeping cherry blossom trees, rare sakura tree varieties, and somei yoshino around the castle and along the moats. TIP: From Nagoya, you can go on a day trip to the famous World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go to enjoy its picturesque traditional houses that are amidst pink cherry trees. (You can also read my travel guide here). – – – » Chūgoku Region (中国地方) ◘◘ Hiroshima (March 26 – First Bloom // April 3 to 11 – Best Viewing) Miyajima: This is the small island found outside of Hiroshima that is famous for its “floating” torii gate. As you would expect, this makes for a great sight in the spring! To start off the fun, there are 1,300 sakura along the walking trails leading to the torii gate. Hiroshima Peace Park: There are approximately 300 cherry trees around this park where the popular Peace Memorial Museum is also found (the latter commemorates those who died during the atomic bombing and it also serves as a testament to world peace). – – – » Shikoku Region (四国) Photo by: Shutterstock ◘◘ Ehime (March 25 – First Bloom // March 31 to April 10 – Best Viewing) Matsuyama Castle: (Pictured above). This is one of Japan’s 12 “original castles” and I guarantee you that the views from the castle tower during spring is beyond remarkable! So when looking at the Japan cherry blossom forecast, don’t forget to put this in your must-see list. ◘◘ Kagawa (March 24 – First Bloom // March 31 to April 8 – Best Viewing) Megijima Island: This is the island in Takamatsu that’s associated with ‘Ogre Island’ from the popular Momotaro legend and if you go to the mountain-top park of the island’s tallest peak, you’ll have incredible views of the cherry blossom trees and the sea. – – – » Kyūshū Region (九州) Photo by: Shutterstock ◘◘ Fukuoka (March 24 – First Bloom // March 29 to April 7 – Best Viewing) Nishi Park: (Pictured above). This is another one of those places that has been included in Japan’s “100 best cherry blossom spots”. As a hillside park, you’ll revel in the thousands of sakura trees as you enjoy a picnic in its green spaces. This is also the site of the Terumo Shrine which is the family shrine of Fukuoka’s former feudal lords. ◘◘ Kumamoto (March 22 – First Bloom // March 29 to April 6 – Best Viewing) Kumamoto Castle: As one of Japan’s most impressive castles, it certainly has become one of the city’s most popular hanami spot. All over the terrain, there is a striking envelope of pink hues from the cherry trees. – – – » Tōhoku Region (東北地方) Photo by: Shutterstock ◘◘ Fukushima (April 3 – First Bloom // April 6 to 13 – Best Viewing) Hanamiyama Park: (Pictured above). Just outside central Fukushima is this park that’s nestled on the slopes, and the amazing thing about this park is that you’ll be rewarded by a plethora of cherry blossom trees in varying hues of pink! Make sure that you grab a map from the information booth since it shows the best walking trails and picture-taking spots. Shinobuyama Park: If you want to bask yourself in more cherry tree views, head to this public park in the northern part of the city. Apart from doing hanami, you can also enjoy the observation decks that give you picturesque views over Fukushima. ◘◘ Other prefectures in Tohoku (Late April to Early May) Below are said to be the top 3 cherry blossom Japan 2025 spots in the Tohoku region… Hirosaki Castle: Due to the rich layout of this castle, guests can enjoy an abundance of cherry blossom trees, tunnels, moats, and various picnic areas. One could even rent a boat and watch the illuminations in the evening! Kakunodate: This castle town is absolutely famous for its weeping cherry trees that adorn the city’s well-preserved former samurai district. Kitakami: Head over to Tenshochi Park which is lined by over 10,000 cherry trees — perfect for your Instagram photos! – – – » Hokkaidō Region (北海道) Photo by: Shutterstock ◘◘ Hokkaido (Sapporo: April 24 – First Bloom // April 27 to May 4 – Best Viewing) Goryokaku Fort: (As shown in the photo above). This is a star-shaped military citadel built in Hakodate towards the end of the Edo Period and it has since been turned into a public park that has over thousands of sakura trees planted along its moats! Matsumae Park: It is famous for having a longer cherry blossom season (lasting almost an entire month) given the wide range of sakura tree varieties in its grounds. Nearby, you can also enjoy the Matsumae Castle which is the only castle on Hokkaido. Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine: These two places are just beside one another and they attract a large number of visitors every year in the spring who enjoy holding hanami parties in its open space. You bet that it’s a great way to mingle with the locals! • • • Japan Travel Guide » Best Time to Visit Any time and any season! May it be spring, summer, autumn, or winter, Japan has a ton of destinations and experiences that can fill your travel needs. WINTER: Dec to Feb SPRING: March to May SUMMER: June to Aug AUTUMN: Sept to Nov – – – » Getting in to Japan By air. Narita (IATA: NRT) is Japan’s major international airport and it is located nearly 70km northeast of Tokyo. In order to get the best flight deals to this country from just about anywhere on the globe, I highly suggest searching through Skyscanner: 
 – – – » Visa for Japan If you’re NOT a citizen of any of Japan’s exempted countries, you are then required to avail of a visa beforehand. (If you’re from the Philippines, you can read my guide on how to get a Japan visa in Manila here.) Check full visa requirements here as per your nationality. – – – » Where to Stay In Japan To search for the best hotel accommodation in Japan at the best prices, I suggest cross-checking hotel prices between Agoda and Booking.com. But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses or apartments, you should search through AirBnB. – – – » Japan Currency Japanese yen (JPY / ¥) wherein ¥100 is equal to about USD $1~ / €0.85~ / Php 45~. In the event that you want to exchange your money for JPY, I highly advise that you do NOT exchange your money at the airport since the rates there are not competitive. How to best exchange your currency? Either exchange it at a bank or at a money exchanger in your home country or in Tokyo’s city center. Better yet, just withdraw from an ATM with your debit/credit card — however, you must do one big withdrawal to minimize fees with your bank. Speaking of cards, a lot of Tokyo’s establishments accept credit cards but it’s always advisable to have cash on hand because a lot of smaller shops do not accept international credit cards. – – – » Cost of Travel in Japan A lot of people have the misconception that Japan is an expensive destination; however, it is totally possible to travel on a budget! Just take note that accommodation rates typically go up during peak season (March to April in Spring and November in Autumn). To give you an idea, you should expect to travel in Japan with an average daily cost of about USD $45~ per person on a budget, or at least $120~ if you want to experience more comfort on activities, tours, hotels, and more. (Values below show low budget to medium budget ranges). Hotels: $25 to $120 USD / day Food: $12 to $30 USD / day Fun: $5 to $20 USD / day Transport: US$1 per subway ride* *FREE subway and bullet train rides if you hold a Japan Rail Pass – – – » How to Get Around Central Japan There are several train passes available in Japan that will help you save on transportation costs, the best one being the Japan Rail Pass or JR Pass. And when you’re mapping out your day-to-day route, just use Google Maps because it will show in detail the fastest connections you can do (by walking, by car, by bus, and by train). – – – » Staying Connected in Japan Japan has one of the fastest internet connections in the world so you’re assured of great connection wherever you go. Hotels and most shops (even convenience stores) offer FREE WiFi connections — but in order to stay connected online at all times during your Japan trip, I recommend getting your own pocket WiFi or a SIM Card. – – – » Safety in Japan Japan is one of the safest countries in the world with very low crime rates. I have been traveling solo to this country many times now and I have never felt unsafe even in the late hours of the night — however, this is NO excuse to get too complacent. ‘Little crime’ does not mean ‘no crime’, so stay vigilant and be “street smart” by using your common sense at all times. Nevertheless, the Japanese people are one of the kindest and most respectful people I have ever met, so solo travelers don’t have much to worry in this amazing country. HOW TO: Find the right travel insurance for you – – – » Helpful Japanese Phrases Japan may be one of the most developed countries in the world, but a lot of the locals don’t speak English. However, this should not discourage you from traveling to this country because apart from the fact that there are a lot of translation apps that will help you understand and speak Japanese, a lot of the locals are also making the effort to learn and use the English language. RELATED READ: Best translation apps for travel Anyhow, below are some helpful Japanese phrases that will help you along the way! And even if you do encounter a Japanese who can speak English, it doesn’t hurt to say a word or two in their language. Hello: Konnichiwa (Kohn-nee-chee-wah) Thank you (normal): Arigatō. (Ah-REE-gah-tohh) Thank you (less formal): Arigatō gozaimas (Ah-REE-gah-tohh goh-zahy-mahs) Thank you (informal): Dōmo (DOHH-moh) Yes: Hai (Hai) No: Iie (E-eh) Goodbye (long term): Sayōnara (Sah-yohh-nah-rah) Goodbye (informal): Ja ne (Jahh neh) Excuse me: Sumimasen (Soo-mee-mah-SEN) I’m sorry: Gomen nasai (Goh-men-nah-sahy) Is there someone here who speaks English?: Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka? (Dah-reh-kah ey-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs kah?) Help!: Tasukete! (Tahs-keh-teh!) Cheers!: Kanpai! (Kan-pie!) • • • Overall No matter if this will be your first time to the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ or not, I hope this Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast post has given you enough info and tips to start planning your amazing ‘sakura’ adventure in Japan! Let me know how it goes for you. Enjoy! The post Japan Cherry Blossom Forecast 2025: When & Where to Visit for Sakura Viewing (By Region) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Make the most of the season and witness these top spring flowers in Korea! Find out the best places to go and when with this guide.

The post Spring Flowers in Korea: When & Where to Go (The Best Gardens, Fields and Spots) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Spring is an amazing time in South Korea and it’s a season that you must see with your own eyes! After all, you’ll be amazed not only with the beautiful beot-kkot (벗꽃) or cherry blossoms (called ‘sakura‘ in Japan), but also with the various blooming spring flowers in Korea that often have respective flower festivals. Best South Korea cherry blossom spots? Check out this South Korea cherry blossom forecast map! READ NOW If you don’t want to miss out on such colorful festivities — or if you simply want to witness blooms and endless fields of various spring flowers in Korea, just continue reading this detailed guide and you’ll know when and where to go! Table of Contents Toggle Top Spring Flowers in Korea » Azalea or “Jindallae” (Rhododendron) » Canola or “Yuchae” (Brassica Napus) » Cherry Blossom or “Beot-Kkot” (Prunus Serrulata) » Cornelian Cherry or “Sansuyu” (Cornus Mas) » Daffodil or “Gaenari” (Narcissus) » Golden Bell Tree or “Gaenari” (Forsythia Koreana) » Magnolia (Magnolia Grandiflora) » Plum Blossom or “Maehwa” (Prunus Mume) » Tulip (Tulipa) Top Gardens or Flower Fields in Korea » Garden of the Morning Calm » Everland » Byeokchoji Gardens » Seoul Botanic Park » Changgyeonggung Palace » Ilsan Lake Park Top Spring Flowers in Korea » Azalea or “Jindallae” (Rhododendron) Hwangmaesan Country Park photo by: Shutterstock (진달래) Azaleas are pretty flowering shrubs that are in various shades of purple, pink, red, and reddish-orange. There are a lot of variants of this shrub but what’s native to the Korean Peninsula is the royal azalea in which its colors vary from white to pink or even purple. Commonly, you will find most of the royal azalea on mountainsides and hillside forests, so take note of the following best spots for spring flowers in Korea: (INCHEON)Goryeosan Jindalle Mountain Azalea Festival: Located just 2 hours from Seoul by car, Incheon’s Ganghwa Island is the place to be if you’re seeking endless fields of azaleas! Held in Goryeosan Mountain or Mount Goryeo, it makes for a great and easy hike to do by yourself or with family and friends. Festival Date: (TBC) April 12 . (NEAR BUSAN) Hwangmaesan Royal Festival: Found near Busan, the Hwangmaesan Country Park holds this popular festival ever since 1997. In fact, due to its popularity, a lot of Korean movies and shows have featured these pink and purple flowers that seem to wrap around the fields like a vast blanket. TIP: Book a guided tour from Busan Festival Date: (TBC) April 27 to May 12 . (BUCHEON) Wonmisan Azalea Festival: (Wonmi Bucheon Azalea Hill) Sandwiched between Incheon and Seoul this 167-meter tall hill in Bucheon gets covered in a myriad of azaleas every spring! What’s special about this place is that the azalea shrubs or bushes are close to one another, making it seem like there is a dreamy drape of various shades of pink and lilac no matter where you look! TIP: Book a guided tour to Wonmisan Festival Date: (TBC) April 14 . (GUNPO) Gunpo Royal Azalea Festival: If you still want to see more spring flower spots in Korea, head to the city of Gunpo found south of Incheon and head to the Royal Azalea Hill. Typically held in late April, you’ll love the diverse cultural programs and experiences that are held in celebration of this festival. Festival Date: (TBC) April 24 to 28 EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: March to Mid May – – – » Canola or “Yuchae” (Brassica Napus) Jeju Canola Flower Festival photo by: Shutterstock (유채) Locally called yuchae, the bright yellow canola flower is one of the most common spring flowers in Korea, and for years now, the most famous festival for canola flowers is held in Jeju Island. After all, these flowers grow very well and are highly suited for Jeju’s barren soils. (JEJU ISLAND) Jeju Canola Flower Festival: There are several festival grounds as well as spots that you need to check out… Gasi-ri: This is a town that’s known for its picturesque fields filled with bright canola flowers that are said to be the largest volume on the island! Noksan-ro: Nearby, you’ll find this charming road which is said to be one of the 100 finest roads in Korea! This 10-kilometer stretch goes through Noksanjang and Gammajang (two greatest horse farms in Joseon Dynasty) and it is lined with a mixture of canola flowers and cherry blossom trees. To celebrate the festival, a portion of the street will be closed off to traffic so that visitors can get close to the spring scenery on the road. TIP: Book a guided tour NOW! Sanbangsan: Found on the west of the island is this mountain in which its base transforms into a local favorite once the fields are speckled in yellow from the blooms of the canola. Seopjikoji: Head to the eastern shores of Jeju to see a field of canola flowers that are backdropped by the sea. You will also love this location as it is a common filming site for many Korean entertainment shows like “All In” and “Aqua Planet”. Jungmun Eongdeongmul Valley: This is a hidden photo spot where canola flowers line the valley like a stream. Festival Date: (TBC) April 9 . (NEAR BUSAN) Changnyeong Nakdonggang Youchae Festival: Held in Namji Sports Park, this festival features rapeseed flowers that are similar to the canola flower (it belongs to the same family). Festival Date: (TBC) April 14 to 18 . (SEOUL)Banpo Hangang Park: Held sometime in mid-May, a rapeseed flower festival is held in this park which you can easily access from Jamsil Station’s exit 7. Festival Date: (TBC) May 8 to 10 EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: March to May – – – » Cherry Blossom or “Beot-Kkot” (Prunus Serrulata) Photo by: Shutterstock (벗꽃) Naturally, cherry blossoms have got to be the most popular spring flower in Korea that tourists from all over the world would love to see! Apart from the different standard cherry blossom trees, what’s special about Korea’s cherry blossoms is the existence of the ‘King Cherry‘. This variant hails from Jeju Island and the most striking feature is that its flowers or leaf clusters are larger and have a more hot pink color than the rest. I have already written extensively about the best time periods and the best spots to go to in South Korea for cherry blossoms, so don’t forget to click on the link below! READ: South Korea Cherry Blossom EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Late March to Mid-April – – – » Cornelian Cherry or “Sansuyu” (Cornus Mas) Photo by: Shutterstock (산수유) Often mistaken for forsythia flowers, the sansuyu or cornelian cherry flower (also often called Japanese dogwood) has a smaller crown and it is one of the best spring flowers in Korea. The Korean name ‘sansuyu‘ actually translates to everlasting or unchanging love — which can be a bit of an irony because these flowers only last for about 2 weeks (but it’s better than the cherry blossoms that bloom for only a few days). The top spots to check out for these cornelian cherry flowers are… (Gurye) Gurye Sansuyu Flower Festival: This is one of the first spring flowers in Korea and if you want to see thousands of them — about 30,000 in the main festival grounds alone which is at the base of Jirisan Mountain Range! — just head over to the town of Gurye. In fact, the county has so many sansuyu trees that it makes up about 3/4 of South Korea’s overall sansuyu products production. Once you’re here, don’t forget to do the flower walking route as well as participate in one of the many experience booths where you can make sansuyu rice cakes, chocolate, and more. TIP: Book a guided tour NOW! Festival Date: (TBC) March 16 to 24 . (Icheon) Icheon Baeksa Sansuyu Flower Festival: If you can’t travel far out to Gurye, Icheon is your best bet since it is an easy day trip from Seoul! The festival is often held in Baeksa Village where these flower trees have been growing naturally for more than 100 years. To make the most of your stay, other than snapping away with your camera, you can join the Korean traditional folk games or watch the sansuyu flower parade. Festival Date: (TBC) March 28 to 30 EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Mid to Late March – – – » Daffodil or “Gaenari” (Narcissus) Yoogibanggaok photo by: Shutterstock (수선화) Blooming in early spring, daffodils may be in hues of yellow or white and it is one of the most beautiful spring flowers in Korea that you can find! A famous place that locals go to for taking photos of this pretty flower is… (SEOSAN) Yoogibanggaok: There are a lot of key places in Seosan of Chungcheongnam-do where you can find daffodils but it is in the mountainside at Yoogibanggaoak where you can see fields of daffodils that are in sheer numbers! It is crazily beautiful and it makes for a great Instagrammable spot. House of Yu Gi-Bang: This 100-year-old home is surrounded by a hill of daffodils and there are a lot of paths to walk through in order to find the best picturesque angle. TIP: Drop by nearby Taean to see the famous magnolia festival! EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: March to May – – – » Golden Bell Tree or “Gaenari” (Forsythia Koreana) Photo by: Shutterstock (개나리) Said to be the official flower of Seoul, the golden bell or forsythia is a native species in the country. This is one of the spring flowers in Korea that you will commonly find along sidewalks, parks, and hills; plus, with its early blooming season (along with the sansuyu), it is often known to be ‘spring’s messenger’. For the top spring flower viewing spots of this flower, see… (SEOUL) World Cup Park: Commemorating the past 17th FIFA World Cup, this is an expansive park that is subdivided into 5 sections namely the Nanji Han River Park (Nanji Hangang Park or 난지한강공원), Nanji Stream Park (Nanjicheon Park or 난지천공원), Peace Park (Pyeonghwa Park or 평화의공원), Sunset Park (Noeul Park or 노을공원), and Sky Park (Haneul Park or 하늘공원) — and if you head over to the World Cup Park’s Forsythia Lane, you’ll find a lot of forsythia lining up the path. To get there, just head somewhere near the Sky Park parking lot that’s near the electric train. . (SEOUL) Eungbongsan or Eungbong Mountain: This is a mountain situated in the Seongdong district and though a lot of Korean mountains have forsythia bushes, Eungbongsan might just be the only one wherein the entire mountain is blanketed with such bright yellow forsythia flowers! Apricots and cherry blossom trees can also be seen along the way up to the mountain, so it will be quite an amazing yet easy hike. EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Late March to Early April – – – » Magnolia (Magnolia Grandiflora) Photo by: Shutterstock (목련) This is one of the prettiest spring flowers in Korea and truth be told, due to its white color with a tinge of pink as well as its simplicity, it is often used to represent dignity and femininity. As such, a lot of university campuses in Seoul would often have this flower on their grounds. For the best magnolia festival in spring, this should be your top of mind: (TAEAN) Taean’s Chollipo Arboretum Magnolia Festival: Held in Cheollipo Arboretum which is one of Asia’s top botanical establishments given that it houses more than 15,000 flora species from over 60 countries. The public can access a limited part of this 64-hectare expanse, but it’s enough to see a variety of beautiful flowers especially that of the magnolia. During the festival, you will get to witness hundreds of different magnolias that are globally renowned! TIP: Book a guided tour NOW! Festival Date: (TBC) April 13 to 15 EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Late March to Mid-April – – – » Plum Blossom or “Maehwa” (Prunus Mume) Photo by: Shutterstock (매화) This is yet another kind of spring flowers in Korea that is often mistaken for cherry blossoms due to its light pinkish color! Blooming in early March, plum blossoms or maehwa are a symbol of dignity and nobility. One of the most popular byproducts of this flowering tree is maehwasu (매화수) or Korean plum liquor which you can think of as a lighter version of soju due to its lower alcohol content and sweetness. You will find a lot of plum trees spread around Seoul and the rest of Korea, but if you want to see them in its full glory, head to… (GWANGYANG) Gwangyang Maehwa Festival: Celebrated in Gwangyang City’s Seomjingang Village (which can be a day trip from Busan), this is said to be the biggest maehwa festival in South Korea as it offers picture-perfect views that brim in full of plum trees’ blossoms. With its white and sometimes light pink color, the village will even seem like it’s covered in snow! Don’t miss out on activities such as picking plums or making sweet plum puffs. TIP: Book a guided tour NOW! Festival Date: (TBC) March 10 to 13 EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Early to Late March – – – » Tulip (Tulipa) Photo by: Shutterstock (튤립) Tulips hold different meanings for Koreans as dependent on their color — but as a whole, they are deemed to portray a confession of love. Though most people associate this flower with the Netherlands, it’s possible to enjoy it in Korean soil as well. (TAEAN) Taean Tulip Festival: This is said to be one of the top 5 tulip festivals in the world; so naturally, this is a famous tulip festival that you must see! Besides, the festival showcases over a million tulips in different colors and species. You can even stay here up until the evening to witness the light festival that brings a sparkle to the whole of the park. TIP: Book a guided tour NOW! Festival Date: (TBC) April 13 to 27 EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: April to May • • • Top Gardens or Flower Fields in Korea If you rather want to witness a variety of spring flowers in Korea in just ONE place, below is a list of gardens, parks, or flower fields that can offer you that! » Garden of the Morning Calm Photo by: Shutterstock The Garden of the Morning Calm is a stunning arboretum that opened in 1996 and it is home to almost 5,000 species of plants. Its gardens are divided into 20 different themed areas each holding different types of flowers — from hydrangeas to chrysanthemums, it is a must-visit during the spring season! The Korean Wild Flower Exhibition or Spring Festival also takes place every there from mid-April to May, and visitors are welcomed by a grand display of 300 kinds of wildflowers and rare, gorgeous flowers such as cherry blossom, Japanese apricot, magnolia, and azalea. BOOK A TRIP TO GARDEN OF THE MORNING CALM » – – – » Everland Photo by: Shutterstock This may be known as South Korea’s largest theme park but Everland is also famous for its breathtaking flower fields during spring! Visitors can witness the Four Seasons Garden in full bloom from early March to mid-April which features more than one million flowers. The vast field of tulips and rose is also a main attraction, as well as the sculptures and paths that are decorated with other spring flowers such as daffodils, grape hyacinths, and freesias. BOOK A TRIP TO EVERLAND » – – – » Byeokchoji Gardens Photo by: Shutterstock Byeokchoji Gardens in Paju has 27 themed gardens with both Oriental and Western landscaping elements and over a thousand plant species. Some of the springtime flowers include coneflowers, tulips, daisies, periwinkles, calla lilies, and hydrangeas. Established in 1965, this garden has also been featured in over 100 dramas, movies, advertisements, and music videos! Have you wanted to enjoy sets straight out of “My Love From The Star” or “Descendants of the Sun”? Then go here. Every path is picturesque complete with wooden bridges, pagodas, grassy fields, and of course, flowers, flowers, and more flowers. This park is gorgeous throughout the year but flowers will begin blooming in March. The tulip festival is held from April to May, the lily festival from June to August and the mums festival from October to November. No matter when you go, you’re sure to have a beautiful time! – – – » Seoul Botanic Park Photo by: Shutterstock This is a newly-opened botanic near Gimpo Airport. Seoul Botanic Park is said to have theme zones that will represent 12 major cities’ flora worldwide, as well as a forest, garden, lake, and marsh. Sounds like a lot…? Well it is since the area takes up about 70 football fields! Plus, with a variety of plants and flower species, you’re sure to find a lot of wondrous sights here — and of course, in spring, it holds a Flower Festival sometime in mid to late April. – – – » Changgyeonggung Palace Photo by: Shutterstock A lot of tourists in Seoul visit the more popular palaces which are Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung (out of the 5 palaces). But if you ask me, you should NOT miss out on Changgyeonggung Palace — especially in spring! Aside from being a historical spot, this royal palace is a good spot to enjoy spring flowers in Korea from March to May. After all, an assortment of cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, Korean bush cherry, Korean dogwood flowers, apricot blossoms, and royal azaleas among ancient buildings make for a picturesque spot! – – – » Ilsan Lake Park Photo by: Shutterstock Every year in spring, Ilsan Lake Park holds the Goyang Flower Festival. First celebrated in 1997, it has since attracted millions of people from all over the world to watch the of display indoor and outdoor flower exhibitions by over 300 organizations. You can also buy flowers! I’ve seen various installations before in this park and they are just so amazing — that I’m sure a lot of Instagrammers would love them! Therefore, make sure to include this in your South Korea itinerary (held sometime in late April to May). • • • » Top South Korea Tours « N Seoul Tower Tour Marvel at the breathtaking views of Seoul! Nami Island Tour + stops to Garden of Morning Calm and more! • • • Overall South Korea is truly beautiful every spring season. The streets and buildings are filled with colorful flowers and makes a romantic backdrop for photos. If you’re heading to South Korea on spring, don’t forget to visit the places mentioned above for a more unforgettable spring experience. The post Spring Flowers in Korea: When & Where to Go (The Best Gardens, Fields and Spots) appeared first on I am Aileen.

See more than just the famed sakura by exploring flower fields, gardens or parks that showcase the other top spring flowers in Japan!

The post Spring Flowers in Japan: When & Where to Go (The Best Gardens, Fields, Parks, and Spots) appeared first on I am Aileen.

When it comes to spring in Japan, most people would immediately think of the country’s famed sakura (桜) or cherry blossom flowers that have long since attracted millions of travelers around the world. This comes as no surprise because its charming beauty envelops both urban and natural sights in a delicate pink hue! (Spring Flowers in Japan) Did you know? The sakura is said to be Japan’s unofficial national flower! Best places for Japan cherry blossom viewing? Check out the forecast map and top spots for Japan cherry blossom! READ NOW However, there is more to Japan’s spring season than these popular pink blooms! In fact, there are many different kinds of spring flowers in Japan that are highly sought-after. This is especially seen in the attitudes of locals who have inadvertently ingrained Japanese flowers into their culture — after all, you can see them incorporated in a lot of art items, clothing, festivals, and even on their passports. Hanami (花見): The traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers (hana), usually by holding an outdoor party. Hanakotoba (花言葉): This is the Japanese form of the language of flowers in which flowers are given codes so that emotions can be conveyed to the recipient without the use of words. Ikebana (生け花): The Japanese art of flower arrangement which is counted as the 3 classical Japanese arts of refinement (the other two are kōdō for incense appreciation and chadō for tea). Some people say that the reason for the Japanese’s fascination for flowers and nature alike lies in their Shinto belief wherein gods exist in every living thing; thus, making them respect even the smallest plant there is! So if you want to immerse yourself in this same appreciative outlook of the locals, here are the top spring flowers in Japan that you should take note of for your visit so that you can be a part of related flower festival celebrations, as well as witness grand Japanese gardens, flower fields, and parks in their peak blooming season! Top photo by: Shutterstock Table of Contents Toggle Top Spring Flowers in Japan » Azalea or “Tsutsuji” (Rhododendron) » Cherry Blossom or “Sakura” (Prunus Serrulata) » Creeping Phlox or “Rurikarakusa” (Nemophila Menziesii) » Iris or “Airisu or Ayame” (Iris Germanica) » Lilac or “Rairakku” (Syringa) » Moss Phlox / Pink Moss or “Shibazakura” (Phlox Subulata) » Peach or “Momo” (Prunus Persica) » Peony or “Botan” (Paeonia) » Plum Blossom or “Ume” (Prunus Mume) » Poppy or “Popi” (Papaver) » Rapeseed or “Nanohana” (Brassica Napus) / or Canola » Tulip or “Churippu” (Tulipa) » Wisteria or “Fuji” (Wisteria Sinensis) Top Gardens or Flower Parks in Japan » (HOKKAIDO) Furano Flower Fields » (NEAR TOKYO Spring Flowers in Japan) Showa Memorial Park » (SHIZUOKA) Hamamatsu Flower Park » (OITA) Kuju Flower Park » (TOTTORI) Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park » (MIYAZAKI) Ikoma Kogen Plateau Top Spring Flowers in Japan » Azalea or “Tsutsuji” (Rhododendron) Bunkyo Azalea Festival photo by: Shutterstock (つつじ) Azaleas or tsutsuji are some of the most favored spring flowers in Japan. Back in the olden times, azaleas were used to pray for a bountiful harvest; nowadays, the flower took on a different meaning as it is often regarded as a symbol of patience and modestness. For the best places to view this kind of flower, you should take note of the following… (TAKEO) Mifuneyama Rakuen Park: Found on the western foot of Mt. Minfune, this is a massive national monument park that is about 150,000 square meters! In the height of spring, locals flock to this spot to view the thousands of pink and purple azaleas that are backdropped by the boat-shaped mountain. . (OSAKA) Narukawa Azalea Garden: This beautiful Japanese garden is hidden within Mt. Ikoma and it can only be reached by foot — a worthy trip that you must do when in Osaka because you’ll love the overwhelming colors of the azalea bushes that can grow higher than 5 feet! (Apart from azaleas, the park also has cherry blossom trees for viewing). . (TOKYO) Bunkyo Azalea Festival: Also called Tsutsuji Matsuri, this festival of azalea flowers is held in Nezu Shrine which is one of the oldest shrines in Tokyo. Every year, guests attend this festival to witness over 3,000 azalea flowers with over 100 genus varieties. While there, don’t forget to drop by the shrine’s famous pond and Senbon Torii (a tunnel-like pathway that is lined up with several torii gates). Festival Date: (TBC) April 8 to May 5 . (NEAR KYOTO) Mt. Katsuragi: This mountain is easily accessible by bus or ropeway and if you want to have a panoramic view of the sea of pink and red azaleas, you only need to do a 90-minute scenic hike to the top. EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Early April to Early May – – – » Cherry Blossom or “Sakura” (Prunus Serrulata) Photo by: Shutterstock (桜) Of course, sakura is one of the top spring flowers in Japan that you must absolutely witness. It blooms for a short time (about 10 days only) so you should time your visit well. I have already written extensively about the best times and the best spots to go to in Japan for cherry blossoms, so don’t forget to click on the link below! READ: ~ Japan Cherry Blossom (with Forecast Map) ~ Kyoto Cherry Blossom Spots EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Mid to Late March – – – » Creeping Phlox or “Rurikarakusa” (Nemophila Menziesii) Photo by: Shutterstock Rurikarakusa is a low-growing plant that has pretty baby blue flowers — which often makes it gain the name ‘baby blue eyes’. It helps to note that this is part of the nemophila genus group of flowers; however, this particular kind refers to the ‘insignis blue’ variety. So if you’re in TOKYO, you can head over to the Showa Memorial Park near Tachikawa Station to view this blue beauty. Otherwise, head north to see the Instagrammable view shown in the photo above called as… (IBARAKI) Hitachi Seaside Park: This is a well-known park that is loved for its seasonal flowers throughout the year, but it is mostly visited in spring because of its sea of blue nemophila that number over 4 million!!! It is absolutely densely covered that it will seem like you’re walking in the sky. TIP: Book a hassle-free tour to Hitachi Seaside Park EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Late April to Mid-May – – – » Iris or “Airisu or Ayame” (Iris Germanica) Photo by: Shutterstock (アイリス) Japan’s iris is an early summer flower (with its peak usually in June) but it’s a sight you must not miss while in the country during spring because it often starts to bloom in the latter weeks. Symbolizing the meaning of good news and loyalty, you can find a lot of irises in various shades of purple, violet, yellow, and white in some of these top spots… (IBARAKI) Itako Iris Festival: In the Maekawa Iris Garden as well as along the bridges of Itako City, you will find around a million irises from over 500 varieties that are in bloom from late May to early June. (Plus, if your trip overlaps to June, you can even watch the famous traditional wedding processions that they do by boat.) Festival Date: (TBC) May 22 to June 10 . (TOKYO) Katsushika Iris Festival: This festival is held in two parks: Horikiri Shobuen Iris Garden (home to 6,000 iris plants of 200 varieties) and Mizumoto Park (with about 14,000 irises of 100 varieties). Festival Date: (TBC) May 26 to June 21 . (TOKYO) Meiji Jingu Gyoen: Head over to the Meiji Shrine’s garden to see the display of over 150 varieties of shobu irises! . (KYOTO) Heian Jingu Shrine: This is an amazing shrine in Kyoto and if you want to see a picturesque display of irises, go to Byakko Pond on the west of the shrine’s garden! There will be over 2,000 of them there in a myriad of shapes and colors, so don’t forget to charge your cameras! . (KYOTO) Ota Shrine: This is a part of the Kamigamo Shrine family and it is well-known for its irises that grow in the nearby pond. . (KAMAKURA) Meigetsuin Temple: Locals love to visit this temple to witness two flowers which are the ajisai (hydrangea) and the airisu (iris). The hydrangeas rather bloom in the summer but the irises bloom earlier at the end of spring, so just head over to the temple’s inner garden to see an abundance of this flower. EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Late May to Early June – – – » Lilac or “Rairakku” (Syringa) Photo by: Shutterstock This is one of the best spring flowers in Japan that has an early bloom time and if there is one place in the country that is a MUST to see for this, it will be to Hokkaido’s Sapporo! (HOKKAIDO) Sapporo Lilac Festival: After a long winter, Japanese locals flock to Honshu island’s Sapporo to be a part of this famous festival that first began in 1959! Since then, the lilac has been the official flower of Sapporo and you can best witness it in the following parks… Odori Park: About 400 lilac trees, and if you come on the first day of the festival, you will receive FREE lilac seedlings as a gift! Kawashimo Park: Has a lovely lilac forest that number about a thousand. You’ll also love the surrounding events for the festival such as performances, workshops, and many others. Festival Date: (TBC) May 20 to 31 EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Mid to Late May – – – » Moss Phlox / Pink Moss or “Shibazakura” (Phlox Subulata) Photo by: Shutterstock Moss phlox is one of the most amazing spring flowers in Japan! They are such tiny five-petaled flowers that grow quite close, that’s why when they are planted in great numbers, the scenery will seemingly look like it has formed a natural carpet. The best places to go to in order to see the moss phlox or shibazakura in its full glory would be… (YAMANASHI) Fuji Shibazakura Festival:(Pictured above) This takes place every year in Fuji Motosuko Resort, a flower park in the Yamanashi Prefecture that’s close to Mt. Fuji and located somewhere south of Lake Motosuko in the Five Fuji Lakes area. The extensive field of shibazakura flowers here is one of the largest in the greater Tokyo area, embracing about 1 million shibazakura in different colors! You’ll love how the flowers roll out endlessly in lawns of blushing red, pink, creamy white, as well as a touch of purple, and in these carpeted fields, there is nothing obstructing your view of Mt. Fuji (especially on a clear day!). Festival Date: (TBC) April 17 to May 30 . (SAITAMA) Hitsujiyama Park: An alternative would be this spot in Chichibu that’s closer to Tokyo. Albeit smaller than the former, this scenic park still boasts about 400,000 shibazakura for you to enjoy! EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: April to May – – – » Peach or “Momo” (Prunus Persica) Photo by: Shutterstock (桃) If you’re seeking spring flowers in Japan that are almost similar to the look of a sakura tree (although a lot pinker), then peach blossoms could be one of your top choices! Often regarded as a symbol of purity or femininity, peach flowers are a bit harder to find than the rest of the spring blooms — BUT, there is one place where you can easily find it (and it can be an easy day trip from Tokyo!). (YAMANASHI) Fuefuki: This city boasts acres and acres of peach farms carpeting its valley (it is, after all, the largest producer of peaches in Japan), and if you time your visit well, you can even be a part of their annual Peach Blossom Festival or Togenkyo Spring Festival that is typically held at the Yatsushiro Furusato Park. Try to hang out in the city until nighttime when they do fireworks and illumination events. Festival Date: (TBC) March 20 to April 10 EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Mid-April to Mid-May – – – » Peony or “Botan” (Paeonia) Photo by: Shutterstock (牡丹) Do you want larger spring flowers in Japan? Then peonies that typically symbolize bravery should be on your Japan itinerary! (TOKYO) Ueno Toshogu Peony Garden: Found within Ueno Park, this is a great place to not only view peonies in bloom but to also get some respite from the city’s bustling scene. Just take note that the garden is only open to the public twice a year so please check their website for details. . (NARA) Hase-dera Temple Peony Festival: The temple of Hase-dera is often referred to as a flower temple because of how it showcases blooming flowers year-round — the most famous of which is its peonies! Planted about a thousand years ago, you will love the number of peony trees in the temple grounds, and if you could come here with a kimono rental, the better it will be for photo ops. . (SADO ISLAND) Chokokuji Temple Peony Festival: If you’re already in Chubu‘s Niigata area, try to head over to Sado Island to witness this 2-day festival for peonies wherein you can attend a tea ceremony as well as other performances. EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Mid-April to Mid-May – – – » Plum Blossom or “Ume” (Prunus Mume) Inabe Plum Grove photo by: Shutterstock Plum blossoms or ume are actually the first to bloom among the spring flowers in Japan, so it is often referred to as a sign of how spring has arrived. As such, flower viewing or hanami was first done for plum flowers, not the sakura; not to mention that plum blossoms even last longer for about a month, as compared to sakura that only lasts about 7 to 10 days. Try not to mistake this for sakura (since they do look somewhat alike) and enjoy its beauty in the following spots… (ATAMI) Atami Baien Plum Festival: This is one of the best plum viewing spots in Japan given that the trees are one of the earliest kinds to bloom (around 2nd week of January). There are about 400 plum trees here and during the festival, you’ll get to see some performances too! Festival Date: (TBC) January 9 to March 7 . (TOKYO) Bunkyo Plum Blossom Festival: Held in Yushima Tenmangu shrine, this is one of the most famous flower events in the capital and you’ll find over 300 plum trees spread about inside the shrine. Festival Date: (TBC) February 7 to March 7 . (FUKUSHIMA) Hanamiyama Park: Approximately 300 plum trees are planted on the hillside of this mountain park (after which, a number of other spring flowers will gradually bloom such as forsythia, magnolia, camellia, cherry blossoms and others). . (MIE) Inabe Plum Grove (Inabe Bairin): This is one of the largest plum gardens in Japan that houses over 4,500 trees! Given its number, the city holds an annual Inabe Plum Festival or Inabe Ume Matsuri that attracts a lot of visitors. Festival Date: (TBC) March 9 . (MIE) Suzuka Forest Garden: Found in the same prefecture as Inabe Plum Grove, this is an interesting Japanese garden that you should go to if you want to witness a different plum variant. After all, this landscape garden is known for shidare ume or weeping plum in which as the name goes, the plum blossoms drape over the branches beautifully! . (MITO) Kairakuen: This is a vast landscaped garden in Ibaraki Prefecture and it is regarded as one of the 3 greatest gardens in Japan (alongside Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa and Korakuen Garden in Okayama). In here, you’ll find over 3,000 plum trees in 100 varieties and they last for more than a month! EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Late January to Early March – – – » Poppy or “Popi” (Papaver) Chichibu photo by: Shutterstock (雛芥子) When the sakura fades, poppy flowers come out to bloom in all its bold red colors! It may not be one of the common spring flowers in Japan due to how it grows in only a few places, but if you could manage to visit the following places, it will definitely be worth it. (SAITAMA) Chichibu: Located near Tokyo is a highland called Chichibu Kogen Bokujo and inside, you will find a 12-acre flower zone where over millions and millions of poppies are grown! Other than the typical red ones, you can also find white and pink poppies in the fields. . (KANAGAWA) Kurihama Hana-no-Kuni Flower World: A huge flower park in which its fields are adourned by beautiful poppies from May to June! The awesome fact about this place is that when the blossom season is ending, you are allowed to cut or pick the poppies for FREE. (If you’re a fan of Godzilla, you will even find a huge statue of him on the top of the hill in which his tail has been transformed into a slide). EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Mid-May to Early June – – – » Rapeseed or “Nanohana” (Brassica Napus) / or Canola Takikawa Rapeseed Field photo by: Shutterstock Rapeseed or canola blossoms (different plants but they belong in the same cabbage family and are often confused for one another) are also one of the most beautiful spring flowers in Japan due to their bright-yellow hue! March is the best time to see them and some of the places to check out are… (TOKYO) Hamarikyu Garden: Near Shimbashi Station in Odaiba is this amazing garden where you can find a carpet of rape blossoms (over 300,000 stalks of them!). . (CHIBA) Isumi Railway: In Chiba Prefecture, simply ride the Isumi Railway from Ohara Station to Kazusa-Nakano Station and watch as you pass by canola fields that are lined by lovely sakura trees for as long as 15 kilometers! (If you’re a fan of Moomin characters, the train line is actually a themed design for it). . (NISHI) Nokonoshima Park: A natural park that spans 15 hectares on the northern coast of Nokonoshima Island. There are different flowers that take the spotlight every season, but the spring’s canola flowers are said to be the most famous. After all the contrast of the bright yellow canolas against the bright blue sky and ocean are a picturesque mix! . (KANAGAWA) Yokohama: This town has the largest cultivation field of canola and rapeseed flowers in Japan! The plants bloom in May and lasts for about a month. If you want to witness a celebration, come during the 2-day Rape Blossom Festival that’s usually held on the 3rd Sunday of May and you can see a huge rape blossom maze, a marathon, and some other events. Festival Date: (TBC) May 18 to 19 . (HOKKAIDO) Takikawa Rapeseed Field: Did you know? This field was chosen as one of the “Top 100 Inspirational Places of Hokkaido”, which makes total sense because the yellow carpet of rape blossoms is truly phenomenal! Every year they also hold a Takikawa Rape Flower Festival (Nanohana Matsuri) that thousands of visitors look forward to in spring! Festival Date: (TBC) Late May EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Mid-March to Early April – – – » Tulip or “Churippu” (Tulipa) Photo by: Shutterstock (チューリップ) You don’t need to venture far to the Netherlands to see fields of tulips because Japan has a lot of amazing fields that you can enjoy while you’re in Asia! (TONAMI) Tonami Tulip Fair: Celebrated on the grounds of Tonami Tulip Park, this 2-week fair has got to be the most popular event for viewing tulips in Japan! Besides, Tonami city is the leading producer of tulip bulbs in the country and as a way to celebrate this endeavor, the fair is held to showcase over 2 million tulips on endless fields and flowerbeds. Tonami Tulip Gallery: Another part of the tulip fair is this exhibition hall where guests can view tulips NOT only during the spring’s fair but for the rest of the year too! They have truly implemented an interesting technology and it’s a definite must-see. Fair Date: (TBC) April 22 to May 5 READ: Exploring Tonami Tulip Gallery (TOKYO) Showa Memorial Park: This is a large park (koen) in Tokyo that has different kinds of flowers, but its most impressive garden will have to be the tulips area in which you’ll find over 200,000 tulips! . (SAKURA) Sakura Furusato Hiroba: This is the best place to go to near Tokyo for viewing tulips! Time your visit during their festival, Sakura Tulip Festa, and you’ll get to glimpse over 600,000 tulip flowers of different colors (backdropped by a Dutch-style windmill too!). Festival Date: (TBC) April 3 to 25 . (HOKKAIDO) Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park: If you plan to travel around the northern part of Japan in spring, don’t forget to drop by the Okhotsk region to visit this park that has over 1.2 million tulips! TIP: Book a hassle-free tour to Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park Fair Date: (TBC) May 1 to early June . (NIIGATA) Gosen Tulip Festival: As a major producer of tulips in Niigata prefecture, Gosen holds a tulip festival every year as they showcase roughly 1.5 million tulips in varying colors. Festival Date: (TBC) April 15 to late May . (NAGASAKI) Huis Ten Bosch: As you will notice from the name, this is a place that recreates a Dutch town and it is actually a theme park that is named after one of the residences of the Dutch Royal family. From the moment that you step into its grounds, you’ll feel like you’re transported to Europe given its windmill structures, long canals, and overall architecture — and of course, true to its name, you’ll find a colorful tulip field here to enjoy! EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Late April to Early May – – – » Wisteria or “Fuji” (Wisteria Sinensis) Ashikaga Flower Park photo by: Shutterstock Wisteria might just be one of the top favorite spring flowers in Japan especially for those who are looking to take stunning photographs! As you can see, this is a long trailing vining plant in which its blue to purple flowers beautifully cascade down from its branches. The vines can get quite heavy though so they are often decorated along archways or pergolas. For the best places to do wisteria viewing, they are… (FUKUOKA) Kawachi Fujien Garden: This is a private botanical garden that is famous worldwide for its two Wisteria Tunnels that are filled with varying shades of wisteria colors and variants — blue, pink, purple, and white (as seen in the topmost photo of this post). TIP: Book a hassle-free tour to Kawachi Fujien! Due to its high popularity, it’s advisable to book your tickets as early as March in order to enter the garden. Opening Date: (TBC) April 20 to May 6 . (TOCHIGI) Ashikaga Flower Park: It’s easy to see why CNN named this park as one of the top 10 international dream destinations because, with its 94,000sqm expanse filled with hundreds of wisteria trees, visitors are sure to have a dreamy time! Due to its popularity, the Great Wisteria Festival is also held here which is recognized as a ‘National Heritage Night View’ spot — so don’t forget to stay in the park after dark. Take the time to see the colossal 100-year-old fuji (wisteria) tree in the park, along with its 80-meter white wisteria tunnel and golden Kibana wisteria tunnel. Festival Date: (TBC) April 13 to May 19 . (TOKYO) Kaameido Tenjinja Shrine: If you can’t venture out far from Tokyo, this shrine is your best bet for viewing wisterias. There are over 15 trellises here of over 100 wisteria varieties. Add the wonderful ambiance of the shrine along with its ambient moon bridges, you will surely be snapping photos non-stop! . (AICHI) Tennogawa Park: Found near Nagoya, this is the site of the yearly Owari Tsushima Wisteria Festival. There are 275-meter wisteria trellises here that stretch out across the canal and its reflection on the surface of the water truly makes this a photogenic location! TIP: Found not too far away is Mandaraji Temple which is another wisteria viewing spot! Try to squeeze it in your things to do in Japan while you’re already in the Aichi prefecture’s Nagoya. Festival Date: (TBC) April 20 to May 5 . (HYOGO) Shirai Omachi Fuji Park: This is a large park of 7,000sqm and it is home to 150 wisteria trees that form a pergola that is 500 meters long and 4 meters wide! EXPECTED BLOOM PERIOD: Late April to Early May • • • Top Gardens or Flower Parks in Japan If you’re looking instead for a list of gardens, parks, or flower fields that hold a variety of spring flowers in Japan in just ONE place, then here they are! » (HOKKAIDO) Furano Flower Fields Shikisai no Oka photo by: Shutterstock Furano Flower Fields is a collection of various flower farms that are located on the island of Hokkaido. As the name implies, this place is famous for the abundance of flowers that it holds. In fact, it is mostly known for its lavender and sunflowers fields such as that of the famed Farm Tomita — however, these plants are only in full bloom in the summer. Nevertheless, outside of the lavender season is its vibrant spring in which flowers like poppies, lilies, rapeseed, and lupins are in bloom. Take note to go through Hanabito Kaido (Flower Road) in which you can find an array of farms exhibiting various flowers. Don’t forget to make a stopover to the nearby town of Biei to see the popular Shikisai no Oka field (pictured above). This is the biggest flower park in Furano area at 7 hectares as it showcases a range of seasonal flowers on rainbow-looking fields (poppies, pansies, lupines, campanulas, dahlias, marigolds, tulips, and so on). BOOK A TRIP TO FURANO FLOWER FIELDS » – – – » (NEAR TOKYO Spring Flowers in Japan) Showa Memorial Park Photo by: Shutterstock Also called as Showa Kinen Park, this expanse is located on the outskirts of Tokyo in Tachikawa. Spanning at 160 hectares, this is a national park that presents a variety of flower fields, museums, natural spaces, and facilities all over the year. During spring, locals and tourists appreciate the beauty of nature by witnessing a great variety of spring flowers such as cherry blossoms and tulips with different colors. Locals also love the nanohana (rapeseed) and poppies that grow abundantly on Flower Hill. (The park also holds an annual flower festival from late March to May.) BOOK A TRIP TO SHOWA KINEN PARK » – – – » (SHIZUOKA) Hamamatsu Flower Park Photo by: Shutterstock This is a botanical garden found on Lake Hamana and it offers about 100,000 plants of 3,000 varities spread about in an area of over 30,000sqm. All throughout the year, guests can enjoy the garden as different flowers bloom such as plum blossoms, apricots, roses, cherries, tulips as well as many others. Apart from this, there is also a large greenhouse called Crystal Palace, a large water fountain show, a Flower Train bus, several lawn plazas, and regular events that people can enjoy. – – – » (OITA) Kuju Flower Park Photo by: Shutterstock Found on the base of the Kuju Mountains at an altitude of 850 meters, this is a large flower plateau in Oita that has a greenhouse and spacious fields of about 3 million plants in more than 500 different varieties! If you’re lucky enough and you come on a clear day, you’ll get an amazing backdrop view of the Kuju Mountain Range, making it such an amazing scene to picture. – – – » (TOTTORI) Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park Photo by: Shutterstock Also called as Tottori Flower Gallery, this is yet another one of those Japanese flower parks where you can be surrounded by a number of different flowers combined with scenic views and structures — one of which is the well-placed glass greenhouse that is at the center of the park. Guests can also enjoy a flower hill and a European garden in the vicinity. The best part? Entry during spring is only ¥1,000 ($9~) for adults and ¥500 for younger people; plus, it comes with a FREE shuttle bus that operates from JR Yonago Station. – – – » (MIYAZAKI) Ikoma Kogen Plateau Photo by: Shutterstock A colorful plateau found at the foot of Mt. Kirishima and this vast area take on vivid colors come springtime as the fields are ‘painted’ with rapeseed, pansies, and poppies (in the summer there are salvias and followed by cosmos in autumn). A lot of people favor this place given its sweeping views of the nearby mountains as well as the Nishimoro Basin. • • • » Top Japan Tours « Mt. Fuji Tour …with several scenic stops! Kyoto Tour Visit temples, Arashiyama and many others! • • • Overall Japan is truly a magical setting during the spring season and the above gardens, flower fields, parks, and spots can attest to that! So if you want to experience something new aside from cherry blossoms during spring, you should definitely visit the places mentioned above. The post Spring Flowers in Japan: When & Where to Go (The Best Gardens, Fields, Parks, and Spots) appeared first on I am Aileen.

Food, Travel, Journalism.

A conversation with the Peruvian photographer Musuk Nolte, whose dreamlike new book is the latest in a rich and truly original body of work that explodes the boundaries between documentary and art photography.

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Cláudio Silva reflects on moving from Angola to the United States as a child, founding Angola's largest food and travel platform, and what the country’s current flourishing means not just for Angolans but for the world.

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The post I Was Born in Luanda appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

What did the extended Roads & Kingdoms family learn in the hills of Emilia-Romagna? Let's start with these eight simple rules for travel.

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A father-daughter journalist team reports from Tbilisi, where nearly every night since protests broke out in October, the pioneering chef Tekuna Gachechiladze has been ladling out soup to demonstrators fighting for their country's future.

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How does one become a successful chef and restaurateur? If there is a standard path, Andy Ricker sure as hell didn’t take it.

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The post The Life and Wanderings<br> of Chef Andy Ricker appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Documentary photographer Cengiz Yar discusses his nine-year project documenting Mosul and the so-called war on terror's long-term effect on the northern Iraqi city

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The post A Decade of Images in One Iraqi City:<br> Q&A with Photographer Cengiz Yar appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Drinking highballs and talking about life, creation, and food with Roads & Kingdoms co-founder Matt Goulding. A special revival episode of The Trip Podcast.

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The post Matt Goulding on “Omnivore,” His Inventive New Show with René Redzepi appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The beer is cheap and the larb is fresh, but Chiang Rai is more than all that. These 10 bits of local wisdom will help get you started.

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Ahead of our League of Travelers trip to northern Vietnam, R&K’s Charly Wilder caught up with Daniel Nguyen, an activist, distiller, researcher, and our host for this fall's journey into the highlands and beyond.

The post How Vietnam Eats Today:<br> Q&A with Daniel Nguyen appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post How Vietnam Eats Today:<br> Q&A with Daniel Nguyen appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

In Tanzania, NovFeed is transforming the country’s compost into a source of cheap and nutritious feed for farmed fish. NovFeed is a finalist for the 2024 Food Planet Prize.

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In Bangladesh, Pumpkin Plus transforms rural lives through the innovative technology of growing crops on sandbars. They are a finalist for the 2024 Food Planet Prize.

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The post The Sandbar Farmers of Bangladesh appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Could an all-natural steam seed treatment replace mainstream agricultural chemical treatments? ThermoSeed, a finalist for the 2024 Food Planet Prize, thinks so.

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The post A Swedish Seed Solution Takes On Big Agriculture appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Transfarmation is an organization helping former factory farmers move from debt-laden, environmentally damaging practices toward a sustainable future. Transfarmation is a finalist for the 2024 Food Planet Prize.

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The post Taking the Factory Out of the Farm in the American West appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

In a small dry corner of England, Aquagrain is creating a super-absorbent biodegradable hydrogel that could help crops grow in degraded lands. Aquagrain is a finalist for the 2024 Food Planet Prize.

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The post Could A Scientist’s New Soil Treatment Solve Desertification? appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Food accounts for 13% of cities’ carbon emissions every year. But a small league of C40 Good Food Cities, from New York to Quezon City, is hoping to change that.

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Ask Beatriz Janer about Seville’s storied Feria de Abril, and you’ll get a quick sense of what makes her photographer’s eye for detail so special.

The post Visions of Andalusia:<br> Q&A with Beatriz Janer appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The post Visions of Andalusia:<br> Q&A with Beatriz Janer appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

The geopolitical struggle between China and the Philippines has strangled Filipino fishermen’s access to some of their richest fishing grounds

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The post A Fisherman’s Dilemma in the South China Sea appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

Mestiza de Indias is an innovative, Maya-inspired regenerative farm in the middle of a region threatened by mass tourism and overdevelopment. Its founder has a lot to say about why food matters.

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The post A Model Farm in the Yucatán Looks to the Ancient Maya appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

In a semi-hidden location in the north of Bangkok, an American-Thai chef has, somewhat improbably, opened one of the city’s most well-regarded restaurants.

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Ahead of our League of Travelers trip to Mérida and environs, R&K’s Nathan Thornburgh caught up with Jeremiah Tower—Mérida resident, chef, author, diver and now Substacker—for a chat.

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On Spain's Asturian coast, in the small fishing town of Puerto de Vega, on Plaza Cupido—Cupid Square—a self-taught cook writes culinary love letters to the Cantabrian Sea.

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The Toothpick Company turns fungi into bioherbicide to fight Striga, a devastating “master weed” that has devastated an estimated 40 million farms in Africa.

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The post In Kenya, Using Fungi to Fight a War on Weeds appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

In Southeast Asia, the Protein Challenge is aiming for nothing less than a total transformation of regional food systems. The solution? Empowering and uniting the protein system’s various and diverse actors to create change from within.

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Monarch Tractor has recently launched its first line of electric tractors with its groundbreaking MK-V model – the world’s first full-electric, driver-optional, data-collecting smart tractor. Its CEO hopes the company is going to revolutionize the future of farming.

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Australian start-up Loam is using fungi to help crops capture carbon in the soil—and keep it there. It could be a game-changer for farmers and the fight against climate change.

The post Can Fungi Save our Soil? appeared first on Roads & Kingdoms.

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Travel That Cares for Our Planet and Its People

Last Updated on December 8, 2024 by Audrey Scott While many cities in Germany have one main Christmas Market, Berlin has dozens of Christmas Markets from which you can choose based on your interests and style. So, which are the ... Continue Reading

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Last Updated on December 8, 2024 by Audrey Scott While many cities in Germany have one main Christmas Market, Berlin has dozens of Christmas Markets from which you can choose based on your interests and style. So, which are the best Christmas markets in Berlin? Whether you're looking for a traditional German Christmas market or something a bit more offbeat, I offer here my handy Berlin Christmas Market guide. The recommendations are based on our experience living in Berlin for ten years and being avid Christmas market fans. It has all the information you need to know, including dates and schedules of Berlin Christmas markets and notes on how to visit my local favorites — these are Christmas markets that will make your visit to Berlin during the Christmas and holiday season even more special. Berlin Christmas Markets. How can you not get into the holiday spirit? The Spirit of German Christmas Markets There’s something that just about everyone looks forward to in December in Berlin: Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkt or Adventsmarkt). They offer a retreat from the shortening days of the year, into the company of gathered friends and neighbors. In the selection that follows, you'll find the “markets” listed less about shopping and more about community — where friends and families make plans to meet at the market after work or on weekends. A place where the aroma of glühwein (spiced, mulled wine) and sweet roasted almonds wafts in an atmosphere of twinkling lights in a chilly winter vapor. As conversations happen over steaming mugs of glühwein and hearty German street food like bratwurst, market-goers catch up on life and give air to what awaits at the turn of the new year. Christmas markets serve as the perfect antidote — or accompaniment if you like — to the approaching Winter Solstice. I confess that I am a bit of a Christmas market geek. I helped launch a Christmas market when I lived in Estonia many years ago. Dan and I have even taken Christmas market-themed road trips through Germany and Central Europe. Maybe this Christmas market affinity of mine has something to do with the fact that I'm American and I didn't grow up with the Christmas market culture. So, I get a little giddy when the season rolls around and I'm within reach of one. Whatever the cause, this is one of the reasons we stick around Berlin in December. Eierpunsch (egg liqeur punch) in Potsdam. Winter therapy? Does Berlin Have Christmas Markets? At this point you might be thinking: “German Christmas markets are famous, but I’ve never heard anything about Christmas markets in Berlin.” OK, then. Berlin’s Christmas markets haven’t traditionally carried the same reputation or history as those in other German cities like Munich, Nuremberg or Stuttgart. But that’s changing. Berlin makes its own way and blends the traditional into the tapestry of its forward-lurching, unusual self. Just as Berlin doesn’t have one town center, it also doesn’t have one main Christmas market. Instead, Berlin usually features more than 50 markets (in 2022 it's gone up to 70 markets!) spread throughout the city, each with its own distinct personality, atmosphere and specialties. Some run the length of the Advent season, while others are limited-time offers or tuned to the spirit of their local neighborhood for only a weekend or two. Of course, a certain commercialization and schlock lurks conspicuously at some markets. With this in mind, we share our personal recommendations: a few trusted and traditional or local and authentic favorites to help you get started in your Berlin Christmas market exploration. Note: This post was originally published on December 3, 2015 and updated on December 8, 2024 with updated dates, times and other information. . Berlin Christmas Market Dates Berlin Christmas markets are usually open for the entire Advent Christmas market season, from the end of November through Christmas (and sometimes through to the New Year). In 2024, most of the Berlin Christmas Market open on 25 November 2024 and run until the very end of December or beginning of January 2025. Best Berlin Christmas Markets With around 70 Christmas markets in Berlin, so you'll have quite a few to choose from to enjoy the holiday season. We find these Christmas markets especially atmospheric when it's dark and everything is tastefully lit, which is easy since the sun sets in Berlin before 4PM throughout December. Glühwein seems to taste better in the evening, too. READ MORE: Berlin Travel: A Beginner's Guide WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market. Traditional, bright and cheery. Why: For a bit of the traditional in a beautiful setting, especially at night as the Konzerthaus (Concert Hall) and nearby churches and buildings are lit. Gift stands at the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market tend to be handicraft-oriented or luxury-focused. Food quality is generally pretty high here as well. Be sure to check out the big feuerzangenbowle (fire-tongs punch) tent and seek out the wooden barrel of rum to the right of the bar should you need to “enhance” your steaming mug full of punch. In general, if you encounter a choice of glühwein “mit schuss”, that simply means “with a shot” as in a shot of rum or possibly amaretto. Note: Gendarmenmarkt charges a nominal entrance fee of €1. For more information, check out the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market page. Location and Directions 2024: The WeihnachtsZauber market has moved in 2024 from Gendarmenmarkt to Bebelplatz at the State Opera just off of Unter den Linden. Take the U6/U5 to Unter den Linden station or the U5 to Museumsinsel. It is expected that this Christmas will return to its regular location in 2025 after construction ends at Gendarmenmarkt. Neighborhood: Mitte. 2024 dates for the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market: 25 November – 31 December 2024 Opening hours: 12:00 – 22:00 Sunday-Thursday, 12:00 – 23:00 Friday and Saturday (except 24 December until only 18:00) Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas Market Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas market. Why: To drink mugs of steaming glühwein in the shadow of a 300+ year old Baroque palace. The Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas market is one with big time European fairytale charm. Some of its stands feature traditional — and huge — Christmas pyramids which entertain as figures go round and round all night long. Also fun, but kind of cheesy, is the light show at night. For more information, check out the Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas Market page. Location and Directions: Just in front of the Schloss Charlottenburg Palace main entrance on Spandauer Damm. Closest U-Bahn stations include Sophie-Charlotte-Platz or Richard-Wagner Platz, as well as Westend station on the S-Bahn. Neighborhood: Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf Dates for the 2024 Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas Market: 25 November – 29 December, 2024 Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 1 to 10 pm, Friday to Sunday from 12 to 10 pm, 25 and 26 December from 12 to 10 pm, closed on Christmas Eve Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei (Nordic-Scandanavian Christmas Market) Berlin's Lucia Nordic-Scandinavian Christmas market at night. Why: Because you always wanted to taste the difference between Swedish, Norwegian and Danish glögg (Scandinavian mulled wine). Top off the entire experience with reindeer sausages and a host of other Nordic games and treats and you might just forget where you are. Compared to other open-space Christmas markets, the Lucia Christmas Market is set up in the winding courtyards of Kulturbrauerei, a 19th century brick industrial complex. For more information, see the Lucia Christmas Market at KulturBrauerei page. Location and Directions: The Lucia Christmas Market (and Kulturbrauerei) has multiple entrances at Knaackstr. 97, Sredzkistr. 1 and Schönhauser Allee 36-39. Closest U-Bahn station is Eberswalder Str. (U2) or Trams 12, M10, M1. Neighborhood: Prenzlauer Berg Dates for the 2024 Lucia Christmas Market: 25 November – 22 December, 2024 Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 15:00 – 22:00; Saturday – Sunday, 12:00 – 22:00 Spandau Old Town and Citadel Christmas Markets Spandau Christmas Market in all its holiday-lit glory. Why: To feel as though you’ve been transported to a small German village even though you remain within the Berlin city limits. The citadel of Spandau, one of the best preserved Renaissance fortresses in Europe, is also taken over by its Christmas market. The old town of Spandau also hosts a large Christmas Market on its streets. While the atmosphere and some of the bigger stands along the main strip can feel a bit commercial, the little courtyards and stands convey something a bit more traditional. For more information, see the Spandau Christmas Market page. Location and Directions: Take the U7 to Zitadelle Spandau or S3/S7 to Spandau. Neighborhood: Spandau Dates for the 2024 Spandau Christmas Market: 25 November – 22 December 2024 Opening hours: Daily from 12:00 – 20:00, closed 24-25 December Medieval Historical Christmas Market at RAW Why: To feel like you've gone back in time to a medieval village complete with axe throwing or archery competitions and hand-operated carousels. This Berlin Christmas market is built each year on the grounds of the RAW Cultural Center and is a fun experience and atmosphere, especially for families or kids, thanks to all of its performances and games. You can warm yourself up around one of the several fire pits and drink mulled wine or hot mead from heavy ceramic mugs. There is also plenty of hearty food, some of it of it aiming to be “medieval” (aka, heavy), to keep you warm and full. A fun way to spend a cold winter evening. For more information see the Historical Christmas Market at RAW Cultural Centre page. Location and Directions: Revaler Straße 99, take the U-Bahn or S-Bahn to Warschauer Straße station. Neighborhood: Friedrichshain Dates for the 2024 Historical Christmas Market at RAW: 14 November – 22 December 2024 Opening hours: Monday – Friday 15:00 – 22:00, Saturday – Sunday 12:00 pm – 22:00 Entrance Fee: €2 for adults, Thursday – Sunday. Free from Monday – Wednesday. Potsdam Christmas Market A proper Christmas pyramid at the Potsdam Christmas Market. Why: To take a break from the big city. Visit the Potsdam UNESCO sites of Sanssouci Palace and gardens during the day and enjoy eierpunsch (spiced egg punch) at the Christmas market at night. The market takes over the streets of the old town for blocks on end and features some of the most elaborate and largest displays we’ve seen. There’s also an ice skating rink and other fun stuff for kids…or adults. There is also a Polish Christmas Market nearby at the Kutschstallhof from 2-4 December to get your fill of Polish pierogis, handicrafts and other specialties. For more information, see the Potsdam Christmas Market page. Early gatherings at the Potsdam Christmas market. Location and Directions: Take the S-Bahn to the city of Potsdam, which is about a 45-60 minute ride from central Berlin. This requires an ABC ticket. Neighborhood: Potsdam Dates for the 2024 Potsdam Old Town Christmas Market: 25 November – 29 December 2024 Opening hours: Daily from 12:00 – 20:00, closed 24-25 December Berlin Neighborhood and Weekend Christmas Markets In addition to Christmas markets which run the entire length of Advent, Berlin also features its share of short-run special and weekend markets. These markets are typically smaller affairs featuring local organizations and neighborhood-oriented venues. If you're visiting Berlin for a couple of days during the Christmas season and authentic and local is what you seek, it's absolutely worth doing some research to see which of these markets happens to be timed with your visit. Alt-Rixdorfer Christmas Market The Rixdorf Christmas market is local, but its atmosphere draws crowds from across Berlin. Why: The Rixdorf Christmas Market serves as a nice kickoff to the Christmas season. It also illustrates how a neighborhood Christmas market can be done well and at scale with local organizations selling homemade crafts to raise money for schools, charities, firemen’s groups, and more. Stands tend to be locally run and offer a perfect excuse to get to know the Neukölln district a little better. The square where the Alt-Rixdorf Christmas market is held, Richardplatz, features an enclosure with pony rides and a petting zoo. The whole thing is sweet, quaint and helps take you back in time a bit. For more information, see the Alt-Rixdorfer Christmas Market page. Location and Directions: On Richardplatz near the Karl-Marx Strasse station (U7). Neighborhood: Neukölln. Dates for the 2024 Alt-Rixdorf Christmas Market: 6-8 December 2024 Opening hours: Friday 17-21:00; Saturday 14:00 – 21:00; Sunday 14:00 – 20:00 Heissa Holzmarkt Bonfires and an urban village scene are all part of the Christmas market at Holzmarkt. Why: For a mixture of traditional and alternative in a fun and eclectic Berlin community space. Located on the Spree River in Friedrichshain, Holzmarkt is open all year around with its fixed shops, bakery, art studios and event space. Its Christmas market open on weekends during the advent season transforms what feels like its own urban village into a bit of a traditional and modern winter wonderland with bonfires by the river, ample amounts of glühwein, silent disco booths, German and international food options, bizarre puppet shows, and much more. This has become one of our favorite Berlin Christmas markets in the last years. For more information, see this Heissa Holzmarkt Christmas Market page. Location and Directions: Holzmarktstrasse 15, Friedrichshain. The Holzmarkt urban village is a compound of buildings on the Spree river. It's a 10-minute walk from S+U Jannowitzbrücke station. Neighborhood: Friedrichshain Dates for 2024 Heissa Holzmarkt: 16 November – 22 December 2024, €2 entry Friday to Sunday Opening hours: Wednesday – Friday 16:00-22:00; Saturday-Sunday 14:00 – 22:00 Schloss Britz Christmas Market Schloss Britz, a Christmas market with a medieval feel. Why: To experience an intimate Nordic Medieval Fairytale Christmas market in the courtyard of an 18th century manor house. Though medieval costumes are involved here, the market somehow seems to pull this off without being a caricature of itself. As Schloss Britz Christmas market doesn't typically see the hordes that other markets might, you'll have the opportunity to speak to the various artisans and learn more about their handicrafts, preserves and other wares. The food served is usually inventive and a bit different than standard fare. There is a €3 entrance fee, but we feel that the atmosphere and quality of the stands warrants the price. For more information, see the Schloss Britz Christmas Market page. Icicles and Christmas pyramids at Schloss Britz. Location and Directions: Schloss Britz, near Parchimer Allee station (U7) or bus 181 Britzer Damm/Mohriner Avenue. Neighborhood: Neukölln Dates for 2024 Schloss Britz Nordic Market: 30 November – 22 December 2024, weekends only Opening hours: Friday 14:00-21:00; Saturday-Sunday 11:00 – 21:00 Christmas Market at Domäne Dahlem Why: Located on the grounds of a manor house which also serves as a sort of farm and agricultural museum, the Christmas Market at Domäne Dahlem includes many small producers and artisans selling everything from sea salts and spices to traditional German handicrafts. There is also an emphasis on fresh and organic foods, so you can certainly eat well and heartily here. Domäne Dahlem is a bit outside Berlin center, but if you want a more neighborhood and countryside feel, check out this Christmas Market during one of the Advent weekends. Entrance is €4.50. For more information, see the Christmas Market at Domäne Dahlem page. Location and Directions: Königin-Luise-Straße 49, 14195 Berlin. Take the U3 to Dahlem-Dorf station. Neighborhood: Dahlem Dates for 2024 Domäne Dahlem Christmas Market: 30 November – 22 December 2024, Saturday and Sunday Only Opening hours: Saturday-Sunday 11:00 – 19:00 Berlin Christmas Market Resources A complete list of Berlin Christmas markets maintained by Visit Berlin More Holiday Things to do in Berlin Even if visiting Christmas markets is the main goal of your winter visit to Berlin, there are other holiday and Christmas-oriented things to do in the city. Here are a few of the more popular tours, events and experiences in Berlin as offered by our partner (also Berlin-based), Get Your Guide. They offer many different Berlin tours with no booking fees and free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Christmas Garden in the Botanical Gardens: I have to admit that I never thought about visiting the Botanical Gardens for Christmas this until my hairdresser recommended it as her favorite holiday activity in Berlin. A 2-km route takes you through a winter wonderland of lights and different holiday installations. Berlin TV Tower Fast View Tickets: Get out of the cold and up above it all with these fast-track tickets that allow you to skip the line and go straight up to the top of the TV Tower. You'll have great views of the Christmas market below at Alexander Platz as well as the city as a whole. Berlin Welcome Card with Transport Pass: Get around the city by public transportation easily without worrying about buying or validating your tickets with this Berlin Welcome Card (ABC Zones). You can choose different lengths, from 48-hours to 6-days. And, the Welcome Card provides you with lots of discounts at different attractions, shops or museums. We've used Berlin Welcome Cards quite a bit when we've had visitors as it's cost-effective when you plan to travel around a lot and do a lot of different activities. Best Areas in Berlin To Stay for Christmas Markets Here are a few recommended accommodation options in some of our favorite Berlin neighborhoods of Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain, Neukölln, and Mitte. Weinmeister Hotel in Mitte: Located in the heart of Mitte near Hackescher Markt and not far from Alexanderplatz, this design hotel is in a great location and has a beautiful rooftop terrace for meals and drinks. Several friends and work colleagues have stayed here and recommend it. Note: this is an adult-only hotel. Hüttenpalast in Neukölln: Located in a fun and hip area between Kreuzberg and Neukölln, Hüttenpalast offers both retro-style caravans and cabins, as well as hotel rooms, and a relaxing garden. Friends have enjoyed staying here. Nena Apartments in Bergmannkiez, Kreuzberg: If you want your own apartment and kitchen to self-cater, these apartments on a quiet street in the cute Bergmannkiez part of Kreuzberg are a good option. There are also Nena Apartments in Neukölln (Hermannplatz) and in the Moritzplatz area of Kreuzberg. Michelberger Hotel in Friedrichshain: Located close to the East Side Gallery (2km of the Berlin Wall that is now an outdoor mural gallery) and Spree River, the Michelberger Hotel has a great lobby and restaurant on the ground floor and unique design rooms of all sizes and prices. Several friends who have stayed here recommend it for the rooms and the location. Circus Hostel in Berlin: If you are looking for a hostel or budget accommodation option, several friends have recommended Circus Hostel with both dorm and single/double room options. It's located very close to Rosenthaler Platz in Mitte with lots of local restaurants, cafes and bars in walking distance. The owners have recently opened up Circus Hotel nearby if you aren't into the hostel vibe. Plan Your Berlin Christmas Market Trip How to get to Berlin: There are endless options to fly to Berlin thanks to all the traditional and low cost airlines flying into TXL (Tegel Airport) or SXF (Schönefeld Airport). We often use Skyscanner to compare flight prices and to book tickets because it displays all the various airline combinations, including options from low-fare airlines. Berlin restaurant recommendations: For budget eating, check our our guides for favorite cheap eats in Berlin under €5 and our favorite neighborhood meals under €10. StilinBerlin offers another reliable resource for local Berlin restaurants and “best of” guides. The post Berlin Christmas Markets: The Ultimate Guide (Updated 2024) appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on September 12, 2024 by Audrey Scott Active sustainability communications should be an integral part of any sustainable tourism journey, yet it is often seen as an afterthought instead of integrated into all marketing and communications. This is ... Continue Reading

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Last Updated on September 12, 2024 by Audrey Scott Active sustainability communications should be an integral part of any sustainable tourism journey, yet it is often seen as an afterthought instead of integrated into all marketing and communications. This is a missed opportunity. Sharing your sustainability story — initiatives, achievements, challenges, and impact — in a way that is easy to understand and resonates with travelers, trade partners and other stakeholders not only highlights your accomplishments, but it also helps engage others in this journey which can amplify the impacts of your work. I was recently asked by a colleague to contribute some tips on how to do this for a sustainable tourism training program. Below are a few practical ways to tell your sustainability story to avoid jargon and incorporate storytelling that also highlights the local context, strengths and challenges. Exploring Lazio, Italy by ebike on a specially designed ecotourism route to limit impacts. 1. Start your sustainability story with why you decided to start this journey or certification process in the first place. Why was this important to you, even if it might be difficult and messy at times? Why did you care enough to do this? What were the underlying values or motivations behind choosing to operate more sustainably? What big change did you want to create or what impact did you want to make? And for whom or for where (e.g., location or natural environment)? Be transparent if your motivations changed as you get started. For example, I was recently speaking with a guest house owner who shared that when she first started the training for sustainability certification she did so because she thought it was a trend and something she should do to meet traveler demands. However, after attending the training, those motivations moved way down the list as she understood better the underlying values of sustainability and realized for herself the need to do more now to preserve for future generations. And how she could contribute to that by operating more sustainably. 2. Provide local context when sharing your sustainability activities and stories. Don’t only provide a list of sustainability initiatives of what you did, but also explain why these specific initiatives are so important to you, your community or surrounding environment and the impact of these initiatives. Cyprus is a popular Mediterranean destination with limited freshwater resources so efforts to conserve water have great impact, but many travelers don't realize this. Your audience may not know the local context to understand the importance of these activities locally as their home context might be different. For example, in a fragile high desert environment activities around conserving water take on higher importance. Or how the impact of providing economic opportunities in remote areas can help prevent migration of young people to cities or to foreign countries. 3. Don't be vague when describing the impact or change as a result of your sustainability activities. This can be interpreted as greenwashing or trying to hide something, and it doesn’t support the greater transparency we need to advance sustainability as the default. An important part of sustainable tourism is measuring and monitoring, so use that information to provide tangible results whenever possible. For example, don’t just say “reduction in water use” but give the average percentage or liters of reduced water use over a period of time. Or instead of “increased employment”, specify the number of local people who now have a sustainable livelihood from tourism thanks to your company’s activities. 4. Remember that sustainability is not only about the environment. Some environmental or carbon reduction initiatives might feel more tangible and therefore, easier to talk about. However, be sure to tell stories as well about the activities and impacts related to local people, economy, and that also highlights the specific local context. Staying with families during a trek in the Alay Region of Kyrgyzstan provides them with additional income that is often invested in children's education or improving living arrangements. One way to highlight the socio-economic elements of sustainability is to think of one person impacted through your sustainable tourism initiatives. Tell that person's story of what changed — individually, for the family, for the community, etc — and use their name (with permission, of course). This makes a story personal, relatable and the impact feels real. 5. Tell stories of your challenges – and what you learned from them — as well as your successes. This type of transparency and honesty earns trust, combats greenwashing and helps others learn from your journey. Sustainability is messy and sometimes doesn't always work out as you had hoped. Share not only your challenges or mistakes, but most importantly what lessons you learned from the experience and what you plan to do in the future to try and overcome these challenges. Keep sharing updates as you make progress and find new solutions to address these issues. Other companies or destinations may be able to learn from how you overcame obstacles, or perhaps share their own solutions to similar problems they faced. 6. Highlight how your sustainability activities actually are an experience enhancer. Travelers sometimes think of “sustainable” or “responsible” as boring or more expensive as has been shown in different studies over the years (yes, sustainable tourism has a branding problem, but that is for another article). However, it shouldn’t be this way. Incorporating sustainability principles into your tourism product or service should improve or deepen the travel experience (if it doesn't then you need to go back to the product development stage). Learning to Make Shrak, traditional bread, during a community tourism project in Jordan provided so many opportunities to connect with and learn from local women. A highlight from our ten days in Jordan. For example, don't just list all your sustainability activities at the top of your tour description. Instead, highlight first how your tour provides a deeper or more personal connection to local people and culture…and how your sustainability initiatives to involve the local community in product development contributes to this. Or highlight how your hiking tour provides greater immersion in nature as you’ve developed new routes with fewer crowds, and have worked with local families to set up homestays. Or there is the “feel good” satisfaction for travelers of knowing that their money is staying local and having an impact in the community. When visiting the Ccaccaccollo Women’s Weaving Co-op in the Sacred Valley of Peru you know that the money from all the handicrafts and souvenirs you buy goes directly to the women who made them. 7. Invite travelers to be part of your sustainability journey, and make it easy and simple. Don’t assume that travelers know what the “right” or more sustainable thing to do is, especially as they might not be familiar with the local context and its specific environmental and socio-economic situation. Don't preach with a list of things only focused on what not to do. Travelers sometimes tune this out, especially as behavior science shows that their first priority on vacation to have fun and not “behave sustainably.” Instead, provide simple and easy ways that travelers can make more sustainable decisions or adjust behaviors to advance sustainability locally. A key behavior science principle of this is to break down desired sustainable behaviors into actions that truly are easy and simple for travelers to do so it's a friction-less choice. Then, place this communication in strategic places in order to nudge them when they are making decisions. The post 7 Ways to Effectively Communicate Your Sustainability Story in Tourism appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on March 11, 2024 by Audrey Scott The 2024 International Women’s Day theme is Inspire Inclusion, a call to action “to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected.” While much ... Continue Reading

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Last Updated on March 11, 2024 by Audrey Scott The 2024 International Women’s Day theme is Inspire Inclusion, a call to action “to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected.” While much progress has been made in gender equality and inclusion over the years, there is still so much awareness needed and work to be done to achieve the goal where everyone is included and has an opportunity for success. Companies, governments, and communities play a crucial role in creating this more equitable world through deliberate change and actions to ensure that women and marginalized groups are: included, that women of all backgrounds are invited and welcome to the table given access to support, education, resources, and investment provided opportunities in employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership. The tourism sector is certainly no exception in the role it can play to provide these fundamentals to women of all backgrounds and nationalities. Travel and Inclusion In an ideal form, travel is all about celebrating diversity, valuing differences, breaking down stereotypes and bias, engaging local communities, and making places better for local people to live. At least that's the goal for many people who work in tourism, and something that much mindful and sustainable travel achieves. We know, however, that sadly not all tourism businesses and travelers live up to this ideal. The tourism sector is able to deliberately pursue greater participation from women and greater social impact as a way to get closer to this ideal. This inclusiveness promises not only to strengthen the sector and make it more resilient, but it will also help construct deeper and more transformative travel experiences for travelers that are closer to that ideal above. With the landscape in mind, this article offers some specific ideas and mechanisms that tourism and travel can apply to empower women, support women entrepreneurs and businesses, and actively invest in communities to do so. Through all this, the travel sector can #InspireInclusion and deliberately work towards making a more equitable and inclusive world. Women in Tourism In 2019, women accounted for 54% of the tourism sector’s employment worldwide (we haven't been able to find an updated post-pandemic statistic). On one level, this statistic can be interpreted as an achievement, a foundational step toward opportunity and access for women. However, according to research done by the UNWTO, most of those jobs are concentrated in the least powerful, lowest-skilled and lowest paid positions. Only around 19-25% of leadership and C-suite levels are filled by women. This implies that women are often hired only for low level jobs and especially for those participating in the informal economy, the remain the most at risk of job loss and displacement from economic shocks like the pandemic. The tourism sector's challenge is not only to focus on greater involvement of women as part of the workforce, but as partners, managers and leaders. And if we think of this year's theme of inclusion, to provide the needed resources and opportunities in that local context for women and marginalized groups to be successful. Why Investing in Women Matters Before we dive into some of the ways that the tourism sector can better invest in and support women, let's look at why this matters for our world. TL;DR: Investing in women is an investment in our communities and future generations. Kiva, a microfinance organization which lends money low-income entrepreneurs around the world, found that women reinvest 80% of the income they earn into the education and wellbeing of children. Other research from the United Nations indicates that women-led economic empowerment leads to more gender equality and rights, economic growth, increased rates of girls education, and other community indicators of well-being. Moshi Mamas provides business and skills training to women, as well as market access for handicrafts. We've seen this play out in our projects repeatedly over the the last 10+ years, whether working with microfinance or tourism organizations. Shoshe, who had received business training and market access for her handicrafts through a program in Moshi, Tanzania, explained this concept above in personal terms: “I want to break the cycle for my daughter. I want to prove women can work and earn money.” Alessandra Alonso from Women in Travel explained during a G Adventures Retravel panel on the topic of women in tourism: “For us, economic empowerment is the beginning of everything. Because when a woman earns, then the kids get educated, the extended family eats and the whole community is much better off.” Learning to Make Shrak, traditional Jordanian bread, with women from a Zikra Initiative social enterprise. How Tourism Can Better Invest in Women Here are a few practical ways that travel and tourism can better invest in women, be more inclusive, and support empowerment, women businesses and leadership. Develop tourism products together with local community organizations and social enterprises that focus on supporting local women and marginalized groups. This social impact product development approach not only provides opportunity and to women and marginalized communities, but it can also provide crucial market access and a source of income for the local organization. If you are unsure on how to get started with a community-driven product development process, we can help. Hire more women, and not only at the lowest levels of participation. Focus especially on leadership and management positions. If you believe that your company already does an adequate job at gender diversity, conduct a simple audit to see how many positions in the company are filled by women or individuals from marginalized communities. This might offer a more objective snapshot of the actual diversity of your company’s workforce. Deploy innovation in gender diversity. Open positions and offer or expand training for women-led initiatives that might at first be considered unconventional. This will help to expand the definition and idea of what a “woman’s job” is or what’s possible for women to aspire to do. For example, Chobe Game Lodge was the first company to in Botswana to feature an all-female safari guide team. Sakha Cabs in India trains women to be taxi and professional drivers, a profession once considered “a man’s work.” Women in these roles push boundaries. Stereotypes are changing. Get ahead of the curve. Don’t just localize the supply chain, but make it more gender equal by choosing women-owned suppliers and local businesses. If you don't know where to get started in finding women-owned tourism businesses, check out this list on Wanderful of women-owned tourism businesses, women empowerment community tourism enterprises at the Planeterra Foundation or search for local women tourism networks where you operate. This approach will not only support your sustainability efforts, but women-owned businesses tend to amplify and expand opportunity and employment for other women in the community. Identify barriers and understand local women’s needs by asking them. Then provide the support they need to productively engage in projects, get the skills they want, and join the workforce. For example, this might include offering child care, transport to and from work to alleviate safety concerns, skills training to supplement basic education, and flexible work hours to accommodate traditional responsibilities at home. Encourage women to be the storytellers. Especially in indigenous communities, we’ve found that women are the stewards of tradition and culture. They are often the ones who pass on knowledge, traditions and techniques to their children, thereby sustaining community wisdom. Women’s voices often go unheard, for they don’t understand the value of their knowledge, nor are they actively given the opportunity to share it. Tourism companies are in an ideal position to amplify these stories and voices by inviting women to be guides or speak as local experts. Communicate to your customers and your travelers the deliberate decisions you’ve taken to invest in women. Share stories of access and opportunity. Be transparent and don’t be afraid to season your story by sharing some of the mistakes you’ve made along the way. Invite your customers to join this journey with you. Educate them on the impact of their decisions and behaviors to support women around the world. If you don’t know how to get started with social impact communications, let us know. Lynn, part of the all-women guiding team at Chobe Game Lodge, with her fully-electric Land Cruiser. For those of us in tourism, we know that it can create opportunity and jobs, thereby enhancing lives and livelihoods. It can take transferable skills and embed them for use in the formal economy. The Business Case for Inclusive Work Forces In addition, investment in women and inclusive work forces makes good business sense. Studies show companies that exhibit higher levels of gender diversity, especially at the executive level, usually outperform those without in terms of economic profit. One of the reasons is that men and women often display different leadership styles. The expression of diverse opinions and perspectives generates collective intelligence and can often result in more creative solutions and more effective problem solving. The business rationale is there on the consumer side, too. In tourism and travel, it’s estimated that women consumers make 70-80% of the travel decisions. Women travelers comprise a growing percentage of the entire traveling community. A company’s capability – aided by workplace diversity — to comprehend and process the needs of its current and prospective customers seems a no-brainer. Inspiring Inclusion Every Day As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we need to move from words and inspiration on one day of the year to deliberate and continual action which supports and empowers women every day. Should the tourism sector rise to “Inspire Inclusion,” women will be invited, welcomed and provided with the resources and support they need to take the driver’s seat on the journey to create a more inclusive and equitable future for all of us. And that's the inclusive world we'd like to live in. The post How Tourism Can Better Invest in Women appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on November 23, 2022 by Audrey Scott The tires of our e-bikes rested on the cobbles of what we imagined was an old imperial road. Our early morning cycle had wound up through the meadows and canopies of ... Continue Reading

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Last Updated on November 23, 2022 by Audrey Scott The tires of our e-bikes rested on the cobbles of what we imagined was an old imperial road. Our early morning cycle had wound up through the meadows and canopies of a nature reserve carved out along the banks of the Tiber River in central Italy. A long stretch of road opened revealing veils of mist rising above the bends of water below. As the road turned steeper still and narrowed, a 13th century castle with hill towns in view just behind it hinted at the medieval history around us, of struggles between barons and popes. This is Lazio, a slice of Italy with all the archaeological, culinary, natural and romantic trappings you might expect but, for now at least, without the crowds. Storming the castle in Nazzano…by e-bike. Lazio, Italy: Wide Open “Where is Lazio?” a friend asked when we first spoke of setting off on this trip. Despite having visited Italy well over a dozen times since we married (in Tuscany), we knew little about Lazio prior to this project, one initiated by Thybris River Experience and funded by Lazio Region, one intended to craft new guided e-bike itineraries in the region. If you felt the need to place yourself in the geographic center of Italy, you might not imagine Lazio, the regional home to Italy’s capital Rome. But it’s about where you’d be. As our guide Giorgia unspooled her stories, she hinted that Lazio was pressed between the ritualized Etruscans to the north in Tuscany and the free-wheeling Bourbon-influenced provinces of southern Italy. In all ways, Lazio seems to teeter in between these worlds. She also explained the word Lazio was derived from the Latin word latus meaning “wide.” While this referred to the low-lying areas around Rome, the idea of Lazio as “wide open”, including for exploration, grew on us as we spent more time. Much of what we experienced felt relatively undiscovered from a tourism perspective. Cycling the pine forest of Castel Fusano outside Rome. From the well-preserved ancient echoes of Ostia Antica to the modern psychic imprint of Italian film greats and philosopher-poets like Pier Paolo Pasolini, this part of northern Lazio might bear a label that reads “greater Rome.” Yet our daily experience was more expansive. It featured hill town espresso breaks, hidden sculpture gardens, migratory bird hides, and overnights in restored villas, all punctuated with random encounters and mid-afternoon noshes on pastas turned in local products and paired with local wines. Developing guided e-bike itineraries in Lazio Our journey through Lazio included ten days' worth of e-bike rides in three distinct areas, each within about an hour's train ride from Rome. The goal of these three itineraries, which our involvement and feedback will help refine, is to enable travelers to engage with lesser-known hill towns, protected areas, cultural curiosities and historical sites in Lazio Region along the Tiber River as it winds its way from north of Rome, through the city and out to the Tyrrhenian Sea on Italy's west coast.⁠ The two- and three-day customizable trips connect travelers to still relatively unknown areas near Rome in a way that celebrates local communities, artisans and experiences. Cycling with e-bikes from hill town to hill town in Lazio. Core to these guided tours are the concepts of sustainability, community, and a focus on all things local, including accommodation, guides, food, transport and providers. Although all destinations noted here can be accessed via other methods of transport, e-bikes featured as our primary mode of transport together with an occasional regional train. The aim: to maximize local benefit and minimize environmental impact. Across three multi-day itineraries in Lazio, here are just some of the people and places you might encounter. A big thanks goes to Giorgia Cadinu, a dynamic professional guide in Rome and cycling enthusiast. She initiated this project and shared her curiosity and passion for the Tiber River and Lazio Region with us all along the way. If you wish to book or customize any of the following guided itineraries, contact Thybris River Experience. Note that the website may refer to the tours as Pomona (Tuscia and Teverina), Bona Dea (Tevere Farfa Reserve and Nazzano), and Leucotea and Egeria (Ostia Antica, Fiumicino, and Isola Sacra into Rome) lands respectively. 1. Tuscia and Teverina: hill town and villa life Just an hour outside Rome by train are the Tuscia and Teverina districts of northern Lazio on the border of Italy's Umbria and Tuscany regions. Despite the accessibility of these districts to the capital city, you'll find what feels like a completely different world — one defined by rolling landscapes, wine farms, and a spread of palazzi and manor houses which harken back to barons whose designs for power may have conflicted with a pope or two. Explore the hill towns of Tuscia in Lazio by e-bike While Tuscany and Umbria are famous for their hill towns, you’ll find the beauty of medieval hill towns with melodic names like Civitella d'Agliano, Celleno, Roccalvecce, Sippiciano and Vitorchiano perched high above the Tiber River valley in Lazio. But these destinations come without the crowds, for now at least. The town of Vitorchiano, perched cliffside and catching some early morning light. Cycling the medieval walls of the hill town of Roccalvecce. Over the hills and vineyard dale, Teverina by e-bike. One of the benefits of traveling by e-bike from hill town to hill town around the region is the opportunity to appreciate the contours and changes in landscape, as well as the subtle shifts in character of the towns and townspeople along the way. From forest to rolling hill to volcanic farm, our cycling journey from one destination to another delivered some of the most memorable and most photogenic experiences of the day. Trebotti Wine Farm: Taste volcanic wines from a fully sustainable winery While many wineries today have only just begun to focus on sustainability, Trebotti winery in the hills of Tuscia has made sustainability core to its family-run operations for over 20 years. During a tour, you'll see this considered in every detail: the (re)use of an ancient Etruscan cellar to store its sparkling wines, the choice to grow only indigenous grapes on its volcanic soils, the use of lightweight glass bottles, and an elaborate self-regulating air circulation system to reduce energy consumption. The goal of all this is to operate sustainably, to live up to the wine's organic label, to manage environmental impact and to find balance with nature. If anyone wished to understand what sustainability looks like in detailed operation, this wine farm would be a great place to start. Federico, our host, summed it up well: “To be sustainable is to respect the land.” Wine tasting above the terraced vineyards at Trebotti winery. Federico, our Trebotti winery host and guide. Trebotti wine farm overlooking the valley. Our wine tasting featured five wines paired with homegrown produce and homemade bites, enjoyed overlooking the Trebotti vineyards below.⁠ Sample the local Grechetto, a white wine varietal you'll likely become familiar with on your visit to the Lazio region. We sampled a rose and orange wine, both of which paired nicely with semi-dried tomato confit, crostini and local cured sausage. Finally, we tasted two red wines, including our favorite Gocce Rosso made from Violone, the local Lazio name for the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo varietal. This paired with a 72-month aged caciocavallo cheese and homemade salted chocolate nocciola red wine crema proved an astonishing way to conclude a tasting. La Serpara: Find the hidden sculpture garden For over 25 years the artist Paul Wiedmer and his wife Jacqueline have invited artists to find inspiration in nature and to harness the creative spirit at their home-atelier tucked in the hills near the town of Civitella d'Agliano. Today, La Serpara is open for private visits. You can enjoy a guided walk around sculpture gardens and bamboo forests dotted with modern art installations and take in the story of the site and the works that various artists-in-residence have created over the years. Jacqueline takes us around the garden to admire the sculptures. Paul Weidmer, artist and co-founder of La Serpara, with his puppy welcoming committee. Civitella d'Agliano: craftsmen bicycles and castles There seems to be no trade or service that couldn't be delivered on the back of a bicycle in early- to mid-20th century Italy. Knife sharpener, priest, portrait photographer, mattress cleaner, hairdresser, obstetrician. These are just a few of the professions, together with their customized, elaborately outfitted bicycles, that form the private collection at Il Mulino dei Mestieri (The Mill of Craftsmen) in Civitella d'Agliano. Yes, all of that photography processing equipment went on the bike. Streets so steep, Civitella d'Agliano. Alessia and her husband Daniele have spent over ten years collecting, repairing and lovingly restoring their collection of antique craftsmen bicycles. This snapshot of 20th century village trade history is now on display in a local mill. As Alessia showed us around and demonstrated kits of each bicycle, it was remarkable to see how every step, tool and feature of each service or trade was carefully integrated into bicycle construction. If you are a bicycle-bound obstetrician, a baby's life depends on it! Delivery services today seem to have nothing on the early 20th century blend of ingenuity and efficiency. And certainly nothing of the personality. Celleno: Il Borgo Fantasma The town of Celleno, known today as Il Borgo Fantasma (the “Ghost Town”), had been a vibrant, living hill town for over 1000 years until the mid-20th century when a string of earthquakes and landslides rendered it a dangerous place to live. However, each time the authorities tried to clear inhabitants from their homes and move them elsewhere, they returned. It was their home after all. Eventually, in the 1950s, the authorities demolished most of the old town buildings. Hence, Celleno became a ghost town where only the ruins of buildings remain. Like a movie set, the “Ghost Town” of Celleno. Some of the surviving medieval structures have recently been transformed into an open air museum and a series of historical exhibitions. One features a collection of 20th century sound and recording devices, while another antique and artifact exhibition is built around a multi-story medieval trash tunnel dating back 800 years. These “medieval trash heaps” as they are called are fascinating, not least of all because they give pause and make one wonder what story will one day be drawn from all the trash we currently generate. Celleno, beautiful and intriguing, offers a fascinating story of of rescued history. A taste of Tuscia, with a view at San Rocco Restaurant San Rocco Restaurant, in the inhabited “new town” of Celleno, lies just outside the rampart walls of the ghost town and focuses on local Tuscian fare. Note that's not Tuscan fare, but Tuscian fare from the local region including hill towns like Celleno and the nearby city of Viterbo. We were fortunate since our visit coincided with the porcini harvest. In-season porcini mushrooms were picked fresh from the forest off in the distance below our lunch terrace. Lunch also included rabbit stew, gnocchi in cime di rapa (broccoli greens) and a plate of stewed fagioli (beans). We opted to pair it all with a local Lazio Pinot Grigio called Satres from Le Lase vineyards. The orange hue in the glass? From 24 to 48 hours of contact with the skin of the grape. A visit timed with fresh porcini season. Delicious! San Rocco Restaurant, Celleno. Stay in the restored 18th century Villa Lais One of the most memorable highlights of this itinerary was our 3-night stay at Villa Lais just outside the town of Sipicciano. Maddalena, the artist proprietor of Villa Lais, purchased this 18th century compound almost ten years ago and has lovingly renovated it over the ensuing years. Returning “home” to Villa Lais after a day of exploring Tuscia. Design and decor at Villa Lais. A warm welcome from Caino as one of Villa Lais' 10 cats conducts surveillance. Ceilings and walls of inlaid wood illustrated in muted yet dazzling color mesmerize with detail, line and story. The tableau is rich yet not gratuitously busy or overdone. Maddalena's careful eye for design shows in everything, from the furniture to the wine glasses used at dinner, to create a feeling of living history and continuity to the villa's past that feels in no way contrived. Another characteristic that makes this place feel like home are the four dogs and ten cats who are always ready to greet you when you return from a day of countryside exploration. Sacro Bosco, the 16th Century “Park of the Monsters” Sacro Bosco (“Sacred Forest”), also affectionately known as Park of the Monsters, is more firmly on the tourist path than most other destinations we visited in Lazio. But we kind of understand why. The park and its sculptures were commissioned in the mid-16th century by Prince Pier Francesco Orsini as a way to express his grief due both to the untimely death of his wife and the weight of the brutality he had witnessed in war. This one was probably for war grief. Sacro Bosco, Bomarzo. Featuring a collection of large stone sculptures depicting fantastic and often disturbing creatures all scattered about in a forest just outside the hill town of Bomarzo, the park was a bit ahead of its time in its vision and anticipation of the need for exhausting one's grief. Despite the fairly steep price of individual admission (13€) and the park's undeniable commercial feel, it might still be worth a look. 2. Tevere-Farfa Reserve and Nazzano: nature, hill towns and art Our exploration of Lazio continued further along the Tiber River in and around the Tevere-Farfa Natural Reserve. This is the place where the Tiber River environment takes center stage in the experience. Landscapes are green and the pace is reflective, despite the area only being an hour northeast of Rome by train. Hill towns feature again, but they serve as the backdrop for natural surroundings like swimming wild boars, as well as moments of contemporary culture and artistic flourish, and a surprising lesson in modern history. Canoeing the Tiber River The bends of the Tiber River in open green space define the Tevere-Farfa Natural Reserve. Landscape is defined by texture, including hillsides of exposed volcanic tufa rock. Castles seem to keep watch atop the nearby hills overlooking the river valley. Wildlife make their way about. For the first time, we encountered wild boars swimming, making their way from one side of the river to the other. When we did our paddle, we encountered grey herons and egrets, and various birds pausing as they make their way southward. Canoeing the Tiber River in Tevere-Farfa Natural Reserve. Nazzano Castle up ahead. Eat farm-to-table at La Fattoria Campo di Contra As we lounged and noshed farm-to-table with Mauro, founder of La Fattoria Didattica Campo di Contra, we found our table refreshed multiple times with simple dishes fashioned from produce fresh from his organic garden and goods sourced from nearby farms and producers. Over conversation about life in the region, we enjoyed a range of small plate treats like zucchini flower fritters sided with honey made by bees who snack on local resin, antipasto locale, grilled melanzane (eggplant) and peppers, and fresh bean salad. And Mauro served all of it with his rather quaffable homemade wine. With our meal as the object lesson, we could feel the vision Mauro has for his land and for helping to connect visitors to nature. A post-canoe lunch at La Fattoria Campo di Contra. Medieval hill towns and castles to explore Hill towns featured again in our travels across the Tiber River valley, including one of our visual favorites, Nazzano. It's the one you'll see from below in the Tevere-Farfa Nature Reserve. Historically, we imagined it high up and cliffside in order for its minders to eye the Tiber River below as it flowed with goods into Rome. As we dreamily perused listings posted inside windows of real estate agents in Nazzano we wondered what it would be like to set up shop, restore one of these buildings and actually live here. There be castles in Lazio, too. This one in Nazzano. Grand entry by e-bike to the hill town of Filacciano. In other hill town stops, we enjoyed beer and snacks in a piazza (and got invited to lunch), took espresso breaks with locals enjoying the morning sun and did things like snack-slurp suppli di telefono, a warm croquette so-called because its mozzarella is so oozy it stretches like telephone wire. Hike and cycle the trails of Tevere-Farfa Natural Reserve Tevere-Farfa Natural Reserve is the first protected area in Lazio Region. When we first entered the park, we found ourselves clearly in the thick of nature. The sun was low and peeked through the trees, casting light and shadows on the more curious members of the local boar families lurking about. Between boat rides and canoe trips, we took gentle strolls and and cycled much of the trail that winds itself around and through the bends in the Tiber. HIking in Tevere-Farfa Natural Reserve, Lazio A few of the characters at Ecoturismo Tevere Farfa. The cycling trails of Tevere-Farfa Natural Reserve in late afternoon. Ecoturismo Tevere Farfa, built on the site of the old organic farm cooperative, is the only accommodation in the park itself and served as our base. Home to a curious cast of characters including a donkey and a sheep who enjoys giving head butts, it functions also as an educational and community gathering center. Ponzano Romano: Enjoy a conversation with a local artist Though most of Michele Longo's working years were spent in Rome directing films and mixing it up in cafes with the likes of Pasolini, he now focuses his time painting and creating mixed media art in his apartment studio in the hill town of Ponzano Romano. Surrounded by plants and fruit trees on his sunny veranda, we enjoyed a conversation with him over Cornettino di Ponzano Romano (a savory crisp croissant twist dashed with anise, extra virgin olive oil and glazed just slightly sweet) and demi-tasses of espresso. Longo's passion is palpable, as is his concern for what he sees as the deterioration of societal elements that support the development of creativity. We appreciated his pithy wisdom and spirit at 82-years young. We also discovered his secret to “creative fermentation” along the way. Hint: it's not about virtual interaction. Conversation with an artist, Lazio edition. Ponzano Romano is also known for its contemporary art museum, which was unfortunately closed at the time of our visit due to a change in exhibitions. However, if you take note of Longo's observation that Ponzano Romano is a more creative city than Rome, the museum is likely worth a look. Bunker Soratte: Go deep in the WWII and Cold War tunnels Just when you think you've seen it all in terms of WWII and 20th century military history, you walk into this place and one jaw-drop follows another as history bends the mind again. Marvel at the scale of Bunker Soratte, Mussolini’s mega-bunker tunnel complex atop Mount Soratte and near the town of Sant'Oreste. Apparently sensing the winds of war, Mussolini ordered it carved into the mountains by Italian engineers. After its construction from 1937 to 1939, and due to Il Duce’s loose hubristic lips, the bunker was squatted by Nazi Germany thereafter and run by Field Marshal Albert Kesselring as the Supreme Command of the South. Later during the Cold War, the four kilometer tunnel network would become a nuclear fallout shelter for officials in the Italian government. One of the long, deep tunnels of Bunker Soratte. Bunker Soratte's Cold War history comes through in the NATO situation room. Exhibition illustrating the Nazi German occupation of Bunker Soratte during World War II. Site lore makes the place even more intriguing. One story tells of the allied bombing of the bunker (that deliberately spared the nearby town) with the help of a local engineer who communicated intelligence and guidance signals via a transmitter hidden in a birdcage. (Does that make him “the bird man” of Sant'Oreste?) And the lost, stolen Nazi gold? That one begs a miniseries. The whole thing is pretty sobering too, once you overcome the fascination. Some reflective time out for an espresso or the drink of your choice should follow in the friendly little town of Sant'Oreste nearby. Fondazione Serpone: art, nature and a surprising chapel The sculpture garden and outdoor art installations at Fondazione Serpone in Torrita Tiberina are made available by way of a private family collection open to the public (by appointment). Each of its artist-donated pieces is carefully considered and positioned throughout the grounds of the hillside property. Together, the pieces delight in playful, subtle ways. The subtlety ends, rather deliberately, upon opening the door to the chapel installation executed by Austrian philosopher-artist Hermann Nitsch. What might be considered the centerpiece of the property and its installations, the chapel's interior offers a surprising and challenging interpretation of the spiritual. And the chapel is blessed by the local bishop! Art in nature at Fondazione Serpone. Nitsch Chapel, something to experience. Ecofattorie Sabine: terrace lunch on an organic farm After all that movement and cycling, uphill and down, a bit of restoration and stock-taking is required. Ecofattorie Sabine in Poggio Mirteto offers an ideal location for a meal before catching the train to Rome. The farm is right there, so everything is fresh, but so is the train station, so you can roll onto the train after your meal. For lunch, we shared honey-bathed ricotta; gnocchi with pumpkin cream, sheep cheese, sage and crouton crumble; pici pasta with walnut pesto and stracciatella; cicory greens ripassta and an autumn salad. With our meal, we enjoyed a Lazio Tragugnano Orvieto DOC from Sergio Mottura vineyard, an organic white wine blend featuring, again, the Greccheto varietal. Ecofattorie Sabine, where ingredients are fresh from the organic farm next door. III. On Rome's Edge: Ostia, Fiumicino, and Isola Sacra Everyone knows of Rome, the Eternal City, for its deep history and archeological wonders. However, not too far out of town in the direction of Fiumicino airport lies a handful of remarkable sites that often go unnoticed. ⁠ If you are looking for even more impressive history and ruins without the crowds, check out Ostia Antica and Portus, two nearby Tiber River gateways for commerce and exchange during the Roman Empire. These lesser known archeological ruins speak to the development and growth of Rome and form the cornerstone of a kind of “Rome you never knew” experience. To connect past to present, our itinerary also included encounters with passionate local people and projects highlighting the link between community, history and nature in and around the surrounding communities of Fiumicino and Isola Sacra. Ostia Antica: The ancient Roman Empire…just outside Rome Stroll the ancient streets, homes, theater and businesses of the once thriving ancient city of Ostia, known today as Ostia Antica. Although this site does not garner the attention (or crowds) of the top-tier archeological sites in nearby Rome, nor trigger the kind of emotion you might experience at Pompeii, the evidence of what life was like in this town some 2000 years ago astonishes due to its remarkable state of preservation. Marble-topped bars? Ostia Antica had them. Street food stalls? Those too. Maybe that's why Ostia Antica is considered among Rome's first colonies despite its proximity to Rome itself. Theater mask sculptures in the Roman Theatre, Ostia Antica. Mosaics in the Roman baths of the chariot drivers, Ostia Antica. The 1st century A.D. Roman amphitheater of Ostia Antica. It's still in use today. Portus (The Port of Claudius and the Harbor of Trajan) Just down the road from Ostia Antica in the direction of Fiumicino (home to Rome's airport FCO) lies Portus and the Archaeological Area of the Imperial Harbours of Claudius and Trajan. Imagine the bustling ancient city of Portus while strolling the stone-quiet ruins of the Port of Claudius (42 AD) and Harbor of Trajan (100 AD). Today, this archeological site is 3 km from the Mediterranean coastline, making it difficult to imagine that 2,000 years ago this artificial, hexagon-shaped harbor was fully submerged and served as Rome's main port to the Mediterranean Sea. Portus, once ancient Rome's main port on the Mediterranean. Severiani warehouses, Portus. Goods arriving by sea were unloaded at the port and harbor, then transferred to smaller boats on the Tiber River to take to Rome. This configuration allowed Rome access to the Mediterranean Sea along with a layer of protection. Portus grew in such size and importance that it received the status of an independent city in the 4th century. However, history consigned the port to disuse. Much of it remains undiscovered, quite literally underground, so one can only imagine what lies underneath the airport and the nearby towns of Fiumicino and Isola Sacra. Explore the ancient tombs at the Necropolis of Portus If you wish to understand the ancients, understand how they honored, buried and stored their dead. The Necropolis of Portus in Isola Sacra is a vast cemetery dating from the 1st century A.D. Although the well-off at the time could afford mausoleums and tombs whose epic mosaic floors remain intact even today, workers from the Roman port and harbor and tradesmen of various crafts were relegated to packed burial niches and much tighter quarterage. Mausoleums and burial niches, Portus Necropolis. Tomb layers, Portus Necropolis. The site is absolutely worth a visit. The necropolis and its surroundings combines the tranquility you'd expect from a burial site with the wonder and story of a cache of archaeological ruins offering a glimpse into the lives and livelihoods of those who helped build the surrounding history. Eat and drink local in Fiumicino For lunch on the Tiber River near a marina in Fiumicino, we enjoyed 4112 – QuarantunoDodici Restaurant, a more laid back bistro version of the Michelin-starred Il Tino restaurant upstairs Resisting an urge to try everything on the menu, we reined it in and opted for a palate cleansing starter, the merluzzo (salted codfish) and red beet carpaccio dashed with raspberry vinegar. Appreciating the scratch pad of the seven local species of fresh fish on offer, we shared a whole sarago, a kind of Mediterranean bream not to be confused with either branzino or orata. Distinct, tasty and light. We went bold and paired it all with a Fioranello Bianco from Lazio. Codfish and red beet carpaccio. QuarantunoDodici (1441) restaurant, Fiumicino. Fried polenta and tomato cream atop cicoria greens, BioAgricola Triano. Homemade pasta in zucchini pesto, BioAgricola Triano. When we were in Fiumicino poking around the Port of Claudius and Harbor of Trajan, we stopped by nearby Bioagricola Traiano for lunch. The restaurant is located on the edge of its organic garden, chicken hut and bee hives so you can imagine the source of many of the ingredients you see on the regularly changing menu. We opted for a couple of appetizers and pasta dishes, including fried polenta over cicoria greens and homemade pasta with zucchini pesto. Meals are visually appealing and tasty enough, but portions are big and hearty so beware of over-ordering as we did. Meet a local historian at Museo della Cultura Contadina ⁠Past and present come together at the Museo della Cultura Contadina in Isola Sacra. Our host, Oswaldo, shared the history of the area and how it had been transformed from a swamp — they literally drained the swamp — into a productive tract of agricultural land during the early-to-mid-20th century. The unique story of Isola Sacra, Museo della Cultura Contadina. He is one of the few remaining descendants who still lives there. Through the museum he works with the community to preserve the story of the establishment of the area as an economic development opportunity and enticement to Italian World War I veterans from around Italy to settle and work the land after the world wars. Check out the Pietro Micca steam tugboat Along the Tiber River as it readies to spill into the Tyrrhenian Sea, Giulio, the passionate owner of the Pietro Micca steam tugboat, keeps a piece of maritime history and heritage alive to illustrate the evolution of technologies and energy use. The Pietro Micca dates back to 1895 and has known many incarnations, including its original role as a tugboat, then support ship for an American military base in Naples. Most recently it served as a traveling, floating modern-day sustainability education program run by Giulio and his family. The Pietro Micca Steam Tugboat. Giulio in the engine room of the Pietro Micca steam tugboat. Although the operations of the ship are not currently sustainable since its steam is generated by diesel, Giulio remarks that “we need to remember and understand where we were and are [in terms of sustainability and energy] to know where we're going.” In fact, his vision of sustainable evolution for the ship includes its eventual conversion to electric power. That would be something. Birdwatch at LIPU Oasis and witness the regeneration of nature Two decades ago, Alex Polinori of LIPU Oasis (Centro Habitat Mediterraneo Ostia) set off to turn a garbage dump into a suburban oasis and a thriving home for migratory birds. Since then, he and his team have planted over 7,000 trees and helped reclaim a patch of once disregarded wetlands that now attracts a fast-growing list of migratory bird species and local wildlife. LIPU Ostia is a case study in natural land reclamation and regenerative tourism. If you are bird enthusiast, it's worth the effort to time your visit with that of the visiting birds' migratory patterns. Before image from 20 years ago. After: Ostia's Lipu Oasis, now a natural reserve. To optimize the atmosphere of the wetlands, it's only possible to watch the birds through two bird hides. The hides provide birdwatchers an opportunity to enjoy the birds in their natural environment without disturbing them. Depending upon the time of year you may see an unusual and wide array of birds and water fowl including flamingos, pelicans, rare Europeans duck species, woodpeckers, and more. Birdwatching in one of the bird hides. Lipu Oasis, Ostia. Sentiero Pasolini and Regina Ciclarium: A return to Rome From Ostia and the coast, human civilization yields again to nature. As it does, reeds and thickets have been cleared along the hand-marked Sentiero Pasolini (Pasolini Path). Pier Paolo Pasolini, whose name comes up often throughout the itinerary, was a prolific poet and film director, perhaps most well-known for his film Mamma Roma (1962). For the first-timer, Pasolini is difficult to grok: in parts folk, suburban, spiritual, philosophical, and wary and weary from his time in the war. Controversial, thoughtful. And unfortunately, a voice snuffed out by murder (and some say assassination) in 1975. The Pasolini Path yields to the Regina Ciclarium as it winds its way through the suburbs of Rome, by street art caches, and over and around old bridges and Tiber River infrastructure from the Roman Empire. The paths, for cyclists and hikers alike, are community-maintained and in full disclosure, a work in progress. Sentiero Pasolini (Pasolini Trail) en route to Rome. When in Rome, you see the Colosseum. A street mural tribute to Pier Paolo Pasolini along the cycling route from the coast to Rome. After navigating and emerging from what felt like a time warp, we found ourselves somehow startled to be staring at the Roman Colosseum. From there, we wound our way further past the imposing yet human scale of history, through to more polished neighborhoods and the touristic center city Rome. In many ways, we'd completed the cycle. Disclosure: The experiences above were provided to us in conjunction with a Lazio Region-funded consulting project with Thybris River Experience entailing product advisory, product marketing and destination positioning. As always, the thoughts contained herein — the what, the why, and the how — are entirely our own. The post Exploring Lazio: Off-the-Beaten Path Italy Outside Rome appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on February 9, 2025 by Audrey Scott The hike to the Lost City in northern Colombia takes you 46km (28 miles) round trip through the jungles, hills and river valleys of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We’d had our ... Continue Reading

The post The Lost City, Colombia: A Guide to Hiking to La Ciudad Perdida appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on February 9, 2025 by Audrey Scott The hike to the Lost City in northern Colombia takes you 46km (28 miles) round trip through the jungles, hills and river valleys of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We’d had our sights set on the Lost City Trek for years, so expectations had built up. Fortunately, the challenge, landscape, and experience exceeded so many of them. This Lost City Columbia Hiking Guide shares why that is and includes a day-by-day overview of the Lost City Trek, all you need to know to choose the right tour, how to pack and organize so that you can enjoy the Ciudad Perdida and this multi-day hike to the fullest. We were out of breath, having just climbed 1,200 stone steps when Celso, our indigenous guide, called for us to join him around a group of stones arranged in a circle in a clearing. In the middle of the circle stood another square stone on top of which lay a pile of coca leaves placed as an offering. Celso explained with trademark calm in a slow, deliberate voice, “This is a place where we should let go of our impurities, our negative thoughts and emotions.” We stood in silence, not only to “cleanse” ourselves so that we might better experience this sacred site, but also to enjoy its peace and quiet. To Celso, we were then prepared to further visit Teyuna, otherwise known as the Lost City (La Ciudad Perdida) in Colombia, the ultimate destination to which we’d been trekking in the rain forest for the previous two days. A taste of landscape along the Lost City Trek. Here’s why you might want to consider putting the Lost City or Ciudad Perdidia in Colombia on your travel or hiking wish list, in case it isn’t there already. In this Lost City Colombia Guide we include the day-by-day hiking experience plus all you need to know about to choose a Lost City tour and how plan, prepare for and pack to be able to enjoy the complete Lost City Colombia experience. Update: This article was originally published in June 2015 and updated in May 2022 with information about the new G Adventures Lost City Trek itinerary. The following experiences are from our G Adventures Lost City Trek. If you are considering this tour and want to know what to expect, here’s a taste of the itinerary and route, interaction with local indigenous guides, campsites and Wiwa community project. Disclosure: This tour was sponsored and provided to us in conjunction with our partnership with G Adventures as Wanderers. About this Lost City Colombia Trek Guide When I researched the Lost City Trek as part of our travels in Colombia, I found a fair bit of conventional history about the site, often paired with a photo or two of the final destination, including what I refer to as the “golf course” shot. What I didn’t find much of was information on what the actual journey to the Lost City was like, including the hiking experience, difficulty, landscapes, sleeping and eating conditions, weather, and more. That's the goal of this Lost City Trek day-by-day section. Us in front of the “golf course” shot. The landscape along the trail is more beautiful and varied than we had expected and the Lost City site itself is far more extensive than most photos indicate. We especially appreciated having an indigenous guide to put everything into cultural and historical context. Celso, a member of the local Wiwa indigenous community, shared his culture with us and linked it to the other indigenous communities, their relationship to nature and their shared connection to the ancient Tayrona civilization. Our Wiwa guide, Celso, with his poporo, a gourd used for carrying crushed seashells (lime). Our days usually began early, around 5:00 A.M., so we could get on the trail while it was still cool and so that we could complete our day’s journey before the rains of the mid-late afternoon. We appreciated getting up early, and we enjoyed all the benefits of the early morning – light, coolness and silence among them. Lost City Trek Map The map below shows the basic Lost City trail with different options for campsites and sections. We did a four-day hike, but if you opt for a five-day Lost City trek then your second and third days will be shorter as you'll have two days to complete that same route. The current G Adventures Lost City Trek is five days. Lost City trailhead sign with route, campsites and distances. Hiking to the Lost City in Colombia: Day by Day Itinerary Day 1 of the Lost City Trek Start/Finish: Machete (El Mamey) to Adán or Ricardito Camp (Campsite #1) Distance: 7-8 km All Lost City treks, no matter which tour company you choose, seem to set off from Santa Marta in northern Colombia. From there, a jeep or van transfer takes 45 minutes along the highway. You’ll likely stop at a convenience store for last minute snacks and water. From there, you’ll head up a dirt track into the mountains. After you arrive in Machete, you’ll have lunch, say goodbye to the driver and meet your local indigenous hiking guide. Then, the hike begins. (Note: this is when you should ask the people coming off the trek if they have a walking stick they can give you. It is really helpful for balance and ease on the trail.) The first of several swimming holes along the trail. The beginning of the walk eases you into things, with a swimming hole a close 25 minutes from the trailhead. After cooling off in the water, you’ll have a steep uphill for around 45 minutes, then a bit of a break, then a long descent into the valley where the first campsite is located. Everything on the trail comes up on the backs of mules or horses. Enjoying the view during a fruit and water break, Day 1. Steep terrain into the valley of the first campsite. Day 2 of the Lost City Trek Start/Finish: Adan or Ricardito Campsite #1 to El Paraiso or Paso Lorenzo Camp (Campsite #3) Distance: 14.7km (Note: for the 5-day Lost City Trek this day is 7-8 km) If you are doing a 4-day Lost City Trek, then this is a long hiking day. If you are doing a 5-day route like the G Adventures Lost City Trek then this will be a similar distance as the previous day, 7-8 km, to Wiwa Camp (Campsite #2). The trail crosses Rio Buritaca several times during the journey. The first segment of the day takes you uphill and across some beautiful terrain, including some local farms. After a jump in a swimming hole and lunch at Campsite #2 (Wiwa Camp), we continued all the way to Campsite #3 (El Paraiso or Paso Lorenzo Camp), located only 1 km downhill from the site of the Lost City. If you are doing the 5-day Lost City Trek, then you would stop at Campsite #2 for the night. A little rain never hurt anyone… This day takes you through a great deal of varied landscape — deeper into the tropical jungle, across rivers and by a couple of Kogi village communities along the way. Passing by a small Kogi village. When the river is too high, you cross in a mid-air cage-like contraption. Don't worry, it's more secure than it looks. After the rains, enjoying the open landscape. Day 3 of the Lost City Trek: Visiting La Cuidad Perdida Start/Finish: El Paraiso or Paso Lorenzo Camp (Campsite #3) to Wiwa Camp (Campsite #2), via the Lost City / Ciudad Perdida Distance: 13.6km Note: This is day 4 if you are doing a 5 day Lost City Trek. You rise very early on this day (around 4:30A.M.) so that you can set off at dawn and enjoy the Lost City in the softest light and coolest air possible. After a short walk from the campsite, you reach the starting point of the 1,200 stone stairs you’ll need to walk and scramble to reach the terraces of the city above. It’s not an easy climb, and can be a bit treacherous if wet or damp, but if you take care and get into a meditative rhythm, you’ll find it goes very quickly. Slow and steady up 1,200 carved stairs. After the steps, you’ll have reached the lower chambers of Teyuna, also known as The Lost City or Ciudad Perdida. It is believed that this was a capital city built by the Tayrona civilization in 800 A.D., approximately 600 years before the Incas built Machu Picchu in Peru. When Spanish colonialists came close to finding or approaching the in the 16th century, the Tayrona people opted to abandon the city instead of allowing it to fall into Spanish hands. Two Kogi men return from the upper chambers of Teyuna. Of course, the Lost City Colombia was never truly “lost.” Teyuna was overtaken by jungle for the next several hundred years, as only the shaman (holy men) of the four indigenous groups who live in the area were aware of its existence and would visit it regularly for ceremonies. It wasn’t until the early 1970s that the site was “discovered” by the outside world. Tomb thieves cleared out much of the gold, valuable artifacts and other remains. Due to this misfortune and the fact that no written record of the Tayrona exists, much about the city and civilization remains the subject of speculation. Celso explains the competing theories of the Lost City version of the Rosetta Stone. The Wiwa, Kogi, Arhuaco, and Kankuamo indigenous groups that remain in the area are believed to be the descendants of the Tayrona and have carried on their stories and traditions. We noticed when we arrived at the Lost City, Celso let down his hair, the surprising length of which is said to represent the wisdom that flows from the sacred mountains through the rivers to the coast. He was dressed in white, as was his custom, to represent the purity and integrity of the snow-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, out of sight in the distance. Celso leads us to the upper terraces of Teyuna, the Lost City. Throughout our journey, he shared stories that had been passed on to him, through generations, from shaman to shaman, from elders to children, about the Lost City / Ciudad Perdida. The stories told of its creation, the symbolism of the different terraces, and the Tayrona relationship with nature. The indigenous people that inhabit the area around the Lost City in Colombia believe they are the symbolic “elder brothers,” there to protect both the sacred Sierra Nevada Mountains and their “younger brothers” – meaning the rest of us. The sense of responsibility to the equilibrium and the good and health of others was evident. Approaching the upper chambers of the Lost City. After your visit to Teyuna, the Lost City, you return to El Paraiso or Paso Lorenzto Camp (Campsite #3) for a quick lunch and begin your return all the way to Wiwa Camp (Campsite #2). For us, we were met with an afternoon downpour that made it feel as though we were skiing through mud crevasses in the rain forest. We were glad for the experience. It was actually more delightful than it sounds as the rain was warm and everything around was so green and lush drinking in the much appreciated water. After the rains, watching the clouds rise up through the hills. Day 4 of the Lost City Trek Start/Finish: Wiwa Camp (Campsite #2) to Machete and Santa Marta Distance: 12.7km This is another early rise since much of the trail is uncovered and therefore becomes quite hot as the day goes on. Try to make it as far as you’re able before the sun becomes too strong. Through a limestone path en route to Machete. As you’ll remember from your first day, much of the trail is up or down, without much in between. After a stop for fruit at the first campsite and a jump in the swimming hole, you find yourself back where you began, with a celebratory lunch in Machete. Then you'll transfer by vehicle to Santa Marta for a nice, hot shower and to reunite with the rest of your stuff. Back where we started, at the trail head sign in Machete. Lost City Trek Difficulty and Hiking Conditions We’d give this trek a medium-high difficulty ranking for all the reasons we’re about to elaborate. This means that you should not require special training to hike the Lost City Colombia trail, but you should be relatively active and in good physical shape. You should either be accustomed to or be prepared for day-long treks with steep, slow uphill climbs and long walks in intense heat and humidity. Lost City Trek is Not a Technical Trail The Lost City Trek is not at all technical, meaning that you will not need any special equipment (e.g., climbing ropes or other fittings). The trail is well-maintained and for the most part, it’s an easy path to follow. But, it’s necessary to have a guide to navigate the rivers and some turns. Through the tropical forest on the way to the Lost City stairs. You’ll have to cross a few streams or rivers — with river shoes on or with your shoes and socks in your hand — but that is part of the fun. Altitude, Steep Hills and Valleys Altitude is not really an issue, as the trek’s highest point is around 1,500 meters/4,920 feet. However, the Lost City trail seems to either be straight up or straight down without much flat so there's a lot of steep ascents and descents on the trail. Our advice is to take it slow and steady on the uphill. Keep in mind that it’s not a race. It’s better to hike deliberately and slowly and take fewer breaks than to go quickly and wear yourself out with frequent and longer stops to recover. Heat and Humidity One of the challenges of the Lost City Colombia Trek is the combination of heat and humidity. I’m not sure we’ve ever poured sweat with such intensity and consistency. It actually felt great, like a cleansing process. Just be sure that you drink plenty of water to replenish. Note that respite from the heat comes a couple of times a day in the form of rivers and swimming holes to jump into. Bugs Along the Trail Another challenge and irritation of this trek: bugs and their bites. There are lots of them, especially mosquitoes at the Lost City itself. We suggest applying plenty of bug repellent (bring on the DEET if you need to). If you are especially susceptible to mosquito bites consider hiking in long trousers as Dan did. Finally, pick up a pack of generic B-complex tablets (“Compejo-B generico” runs 25 pills for $1.00) in a pharmacy in Santa Marta before the hike, as certain B vitamins are said to repel mosquitoes. Another thing to watch out for are fleas and/or bedbugs in the hammocks and/or blankets at the campsites – this is where we collected most of our bug bites (especially campsite #2). We recommend carrying a sleep sack, so that you have another layer of protection while you are sleeping. Finally, check your body closely for ticks when you emerge from the Lost City Trek. We each had a few on us; they are very tiny and difficult to see, so look closely. (Note: For advice on how to properly remove a tick, check out this article.) Rain and Mud Along the Lost City Trail We had been warned plenty about rain and mud, but didn’t find wet weather too much of a hindrance. Yes, it rained from time to time (usually mid-afternoon), but it was often so hot anyway that the cool rain was welcome. Be certain any valuable electronic gear is well-protected and any dry sleeping clothes are at least wrapped in plastic (e.g., ziploc, garbage bags or a dry sack) inside your backpack. Then, have an outer backpack cover to protect your backpack from the elements. A little rain and mud just adds to the excitement. If you fall in the mud, just go with the flow and don’t think about it too much. You can always wash yourself and your clothes later. Best Time to Hike the Lost City Trail While you will experience heat and humidity almost all year round in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of northern Colombia as it is a rain forest, there is still a rainy and dry season. December through March is considered the dry season and so it often is considered the bet time to hike the Lost City Trek. In general, May through September is considered the rainy season for the region. This means expect more downpours and higher river crossings. That doesn't mean that you should avoid those months altogether as the rain can be a welcome relief from the heat and provide an interesting experience. For example, we did our G Adventures Lost City Trek in early June and thought the few rainfalls were kind of pleasant and added to the experience. Note: The Lost City Trail is usually closed in September for trail maintenance and to do upkeep on the campsites and other services. Lost City Trek Food You will certainly not go hungry on the Lost City Trek. Each group is assigned a cook and not only will you be served three large meals a day (e.g., fish and rice, pasta, chicken and potatoes), but you will also enjoy well-placed fruit stops along the trail. These are very welcome for the additional boost of energy and hydration just when you need it. Enrique, our cook, made us a feast every dinner. If you are vegetarian or have food restrictions (e.g., gluten or lactose free), alert your trekking company and your guide in advance so they can respond accordingly. Lost City Trek Campsites and Sleeping There are a handful of different campsites along the way that the tour companies use. We can only speak firsthand to the ones that we stayed in — Adán Camp, Wiwa Camp, and El Paraiso — but we understand that the other campsites are quite similar in design, comfort and services. Not always, but often, you’ll have an option to sleep in a hammock or on a mattress/bed (both with mosquito nets). We always chose the hammocks, but some may prefer mattresses. Sleeping along the Lost City Trek. Hammocks covered with mosquito nets. There are cold water showers and flush toilets at all the campsites. Clotheslines will be strung around so you’ll be able to hang up your wet clothes from the day. However, the rain forest is damp so do not expect anything to fully dry overnight, if at all. Evenings also get cool, so keep a long-sleeved shirt or fleece jacket handy at night. Organizing a Lost City Tour: Your Options Choosing a trekking operator You cannot do the Lost City Trek independently (at this time), meaning you must go with one of the four or five authorized tour operators. We took our Lost City Trek with G Adventures and can highly recommend the experience. G Adventures work with a local organization that provides indigenous guides so that their travelers are able to learn about the indigenous cultures and communities still living in the Sierra Nevada mountain area. Regardless of which operator you choose to take you on the Lost City Trek, we suggest you select one that works with indigenous guides. The cultural and living history background is essential to a full Lost City Colombia experience. How many days do you need for the Lost City Trek? Most trekking operators offer four-, five- or six-day trek options. We did the Lost City Trek in four days, but now all the standard G Adventures Lost City Trek offerings are five days. As the route is the same, the main difference is that a five-day trek includes a relaxed day #2 with only a few hours of trekking to the second campsite. As for the six-day option, we can’t really imagine taking that much time to do the trek. But if you are worried about your trekking abilities and stamina then talk with an operator regarding what they suggest. Leaving your luggage behind during the trek Most accommodation and tour operators/trekking agencies will allow you to leave your big bags or luggage with them for the few days that you're doing the Lost City Trek. We left our big backpacks at our hotel in Santa Marta and we saw other travelers leave their bags at the tour operator/trekking agency office. Lost City Trek Essential Gear and Packing List Much of what we include in our Hiking Essentials Checklist holds true for the Lost City Trek. However, we offer a customized Lost City Trek packing list with recommended hiking gear for this specific hiking experience. The goal is to ensure you have what you need for the tropical rain forest conditions but that don't overpack and weigh yourself down with a heavy backpack. While there is the option on some of the route to hire a mule to carry luggage and belongings, it's best not to count on it. You should pack and plan as if you will be carrying your pack the entire length of the trail. Trust us, pack light. You’ll quickly begin to feel the extra weight going up those steep hills. Hiking Backpack for the Lost City Trek When we did our Lost City Trek we just repurposed our regular travel and laptop daypacks. This worked fine at the time, but since then we have invested in real hiking backpacks that fit our backs better and don't cause any aches and pains in the shoulders or back. Here are two recommended options for hiking backpacks that will fit the hiking clothing and gear you need, but not be too big or bulky: Women's Hiking Backpack: I have a larger version of this Deuter ACT Trail Pro SL Backpack (22-Liters) and love it. The SL backpacks are designed for women's bodies and I find this backpack fits me really well, is well designed with its own backpack cover and zippered areas, and is both light and sturdy. Men's Hiking Backpack: Dan loves Osprey hiking backpacks as they fit his body type (e.g., tall) and back really well. He likes the Osprey Stratos 24-Liter Hiking Backpack for day hies or for multi-day hikes like this where you don't need to carry a lot of gear. Refillable Water Bottle for Drinking Water You will go through several liters of water each day (if not, then you’re not drinking enough) since you’ll be sweating constantly. Bring with you 1-2 refillable water bottles or a water bladder so that you always have at least one liter of water on you at all times. Each campsite offers clean water, so you can refill your water bottles every couple of hours on the trail. If you really want to play it safe consider carrying with you a SteriPEN or sterilization drops. Consider bringing electrolyte sports drink tablets or packets with you to help you replenish some of the minerals that you’ll sweat out each day. And let’s face it, sometimes drinking liters of water gets boring and you want some flavor. Walking Stick We highly recommend carrying a walking stick. We were very thankful for ours, especially when things got muddy and slippery. Hikers just finishing and on their way out of the trail donated their wooden sticks to us. If this doesn’t happen, then ask your guide for one and he will find a walking stick for you, or fashion one for you with his machete. Alternatively, bring your own walking sticks (these are good travel-friendly walking sticks). We usually just use one stick each so a set of two is sufficient for two people. A walking stick, even a basic one like this, is essential for this trek. Hiking Clothing for the Lost City Trek You really don’t need much in the clothing department. Don’t worry about packing clean clothes for each day. You will be sweating buckets within minutes every morning of getting out on the trail. Here’s what we suggest for hiking clothing and gear essentials: 1 set of hiking clothes: T-shirt (preferably quick dry), shorts, hiking socks. This means you will wear the same clothes every day. Don’t worry about it. Everyone does it. And you’ll be thankful not to carry the weight of extra clothes. Note: if mosquitoes love you, consider wearing hiking pants the whole time. Dan did this and it cut down on his mosquito bites considerably. If you are especially sun-sensitive, consider bringing a very light long-sleeved hiking shirt, but be aware that you may be warm. Hiking shoes: We wore low-rise hiking shoes (his and hers) and these worked great for us. Other people wore light trainers, however some mid-ankle support is useful because of the pitch of the terrain. 1 set of evening clothes for post-shower and sleep: T-shirt, long pants (or pajama bottoms), socks. To ensure these remain dry, pack them in a plastic bag or other impermeable container inside your backpack. Extra t-shirt: Just in case. Underwear for every day of your trek: With an extra pair thrown in for good measure, if you like. Recommended his and hers quick dry underwear for men and women. Extra pair of socks: Just in case your first pair get soaked beyond comfort while rock jumping at the river crossings. Bathing suit: Keep near the top of your backpack to have handy for swimming holes. Long-sleeved shirt: For cool nights or sleeping (recommended his and hers). Fleece jacket: For cool nights or sleeping (can double as a pillow, too). Rain jacket (optional): We didn't use ours due to the heat and humidity. We appreciated the cool rain. Not to mention, a rain jacket in the tropics can feel like a personal sauna. Flip-flops or river shoes: To use in river crossings, showers, and evenings when you wish to get out of your hiking shoes. Women's Tevas | Men's Tevas Other Essential Hiking Gear Waterproof backpack cover: You never know when a rainstorm will hit, so it’s essential to keep a rain cover for your backpack close at hand. Your guide will likely also have a supply of plastic garbage bags in case you need extra rain protection. Quick-dry travel towel: To dry off after showers, and also after a swim. Hang it on the outside of your backpack in the morning so it dries quickly in the sun and air as you move. Silk sleep sack: To provide an extra layer between you and the hammock (or mattress) and blanket. Fleas and other bugs in the hammocks bit us and other travelers we spoke to. Headlamp: Most of the campsites do not have electricity, so be prepared. Carry your own headlamp to find your way to the toilet and to sort through your stuff at night in and around your hammock. Silicone earplugs: A precaution in the case your camp has a snorer. We know from our Lost City experience that this can demolish a good night’s sleep. Toiletries and Health Kit You will have access to a shower every evening, and you will be so thankful for the cold water shower to wash away all the sweat and salt on your body from the day’s efforts. Shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste: The basics. Sunscreen: The higher the SPF, the better Sunglasses: Of course. Bug repellent: You will apply this frequently, especially at the Lost City itself. The mosquitoes there are big, aggressive and plenty. Hand sanitizer: To be on the safe side. Pack of tissues or toilet paper: The campsites all have toilet paper, but it’s always a good idea to carry a pack of tissues in case of messes, spills or emergencies. Vitamin B Complex: Take one pill per day (called Complejo-B in Spanish, available at pharmacies in Colombia). Supposedly, mosquitoes don’t appreciate the smell and taste of your blood when B-1 Thiamine is present. It is debatable whether this really works to repel mosquitoes, but we appreciated using it and felt that it helped. Foot care and blisters: Duct tape is very effective for hot spots and blisters on your feet. Also consider picking up some Compeed, which is magic when you already have blisters. Medical Kit (for emergencies): Your guide will also have some basic first aid items with him, but it's always good to be prepared. Our basic medical kit includes: Band-Aids, anti-bacterial gel (for cuts), rehydration powders or electrolyte tablets, Azithromycin/Ciprofloxacin (or another medication against stomach bacteria), Tylenol/Panadol (anti-headache/aches), Immodium (or some sort of “stopper” if you get diarrhea), tea tree oil (great to apply to mosquito bites) Note: all these are easily and inexpensively purchased at local pharmacies, including in Santa Marta from where you depart for the trek. Electricity and Charging Batteries While a couple of the campsites do have electricity, it’s unreliable. Prepare yourself for not having access to electricity during the trek. Some tips to handle this and further your battery power. Put your smartphone on airplane mode. There is no connectivity along the trek anyhow, so don't waste your phone’s battery power trying to find a network. Consider buying a phone case that doubles as an extra battery. It provides another 1-1.5 charges. Take an extra camera battery or two. Don’t spent time reviewing your images, as this will eat up your battery power quickly. Unless you are reviewing images to determine whether you’ve captured a specific shot, there will be time enough for photo review when your trek is finished. Have other questions about the Lost City Trek in Colombia? Just ask in the comments below and we’ll incorporate the information into the article so others may benefit. Disclosure: Our Lost City trek was provided to us by G Adventures in cooperation with its Wanderers in Residence program. As always, the thoughts contained herein — the what, the why, and the how — are entirely our own. The post The Lost City, Colombia: A Guide to Hiking to La Ciudad Perdida appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on February 4, 2023 by Audrey Scott What hiking essentials do I need for a multi-day hike? What gear and hiking backpack should I take on a day hike? What gear would be too much? And what hiking ... Continue Reading

The post How to Pack For A Hike: The Ultimate Hiking Essentials Checklist appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on February 4, 2023 by Audrey Scott What hiking essentials do I need for a multi-day hike? What gear and hiking backpack should I take on a day hike? What gear would be too much? And what hiking gear is essential so that you are prepared for all types of weather and other scenarios? How am I going to carry it all so it's not too heavy? This Ultimate Hiking Essentials Checklist aims to answer all of those questions — and much more — to prepare you for your next day hike, multi-day trek or outdoor adventure. It's no secret that hiking and going on multi-day treks is one of our main loves in travel. We've gone hiking on all continents, from the top of Tanzania to the jungles of Colombia, and over the years we've become quite adept at packing efficiently and effectively for treks of all lengths and weather conditions. Our goal in figuring out the best hiking essentials and gear is to be prepared for changing weather, but to still pack light so we're not carrying a lot of weight. After receiving numerous emails, queries and comments asking about how we prepare and pack for these multi-day and day hikes, we decided to assemble our hiking essentials checklist with our favorite gear and advice for hikes, long and short. Packing light and efficient for a multi-day trek in the Alay Region, Kyrgyzstan. By way of background, during the first six years of our journey we carried all that we needed in our backpacks so as to be prepared for just about any kind of climate or activity, from beach to glacier. In retrospect, we made some silly decisions in those early days. As a result, we carried a few bits of gear we never used. But through experience and experimentation and after about a dozen multi-day treks in all types of weather and altitudes, we got smarter and more effective in our packing for hikes. This isn't only regarding what hiking gear to carry with us, but also when it made sense to rent gear locally for the duration of the trek or even to buy the gear on the ground. And we figured out how to do all this while on a budget. What is the difference between trekking and hiking? Good question. While this article does a good job breaking it down, for our purposes here we're using the two words somewhat interchangeably to represent going out and walking in nature for a period of time. This is different from mountaineering that usually involves specialized climbing gear and technical skills and backpacking that usually involves camping gear. Note: The following advice applies mainly to multi-day hikes where your sleeping and eating arrangements are taken care of already (think guest houses, lodges, tea houses, home stays, yurts or even with a trekking agency that takes care of carrying your tent and food). If you are camping on your own, then you'll need to add food, camping, and cooking gear to everything below. Update: This article was originally published in June, 2014 and updated last in May 2022 with additional gear and tips that we've learned from additional day hikes and multi-day hikes we've done during that time (e.g., Alay Mountains in Kyrgyzstan, 10-day Huayhuash Trek in Peru, a winter trek in Bhutan, hiking in Cyprus). We've added a section on winter trekking gear, a note on sustainability when thinking about hiking gear, and an updated Ultimate Hiking Essentials Checklist. This article is long and covers a lot of different topics and types of hiking gear. Use the Table of Contents below to find the information and section that best suits what you're looking for and your needs. If the hiking gear that we originally bought and use is no longer available, we will find and recommend the closest current option. Hiking Gear Myths: Don't Make The Same Mistakes as Us We've made a lot of mistakes with hiking gear and packing for hikes over the years. Here are some of the trekking packing myths that we've discovered along the way. 1. You must purchase the latest and greatest hiking gear. It's true that some trekking clothing technology is especially useful for lightness, wind-resistance, waterproofing and wicking (GoreTex, fleece, Polartec, etc., come to mind). However, we suggest focusing on the hiking gear essentials: clothing that is comfortable, breathable, light, easily layered. You're not climbing to the peak of Mount Everest here. (If you are, that's for a different article altogether). For a little perspective, watching locals breeze by you in flip-flops might make all your fancy hiking gear seem a little unnecessary. There's no need to overspend. Go for good quality so you can use it for a long time, but resist the shiny bleeding-edge hiking gear toys. I know it's hard. Outdoor stores are dangerous shopping vortexes for us, too. 2. You need to bring EVERYTHING with you. For almost every multi-day hike we've undertaken, there's been ample opportunity to rent or buy gear to supplement our regular hiking gear kit. For example, it's just not practical for us to carry around bulky sleeping bags in our backpacks when we only need them a tiny fraction of the time during a trip. Do your research and find out what is available on the ground and at what cost. Ask the tour company you're going with or reach out to other independent travelers who've experienced the same hike. When you land on the ground, shop around for the best price to rent or potentially even buy something used or new. Decked out in layers of rented trekking gear on the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, we'd traveled through Bali, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Jordan and Thailand — all with the same gear in our backpacks throughout. So it was more than worth the $65 I spent in Moshi, Tanzania to rent a sleeping bag, waterproof pants, waterproof jacket, walking stick, gaiters and more to get me to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Dan even rented hiking shoes for $15 which offered a little more ankle support and stability than the ones he'd been wearing. When we departed for our safari just after the Kilimanjaro trek I could just drop all that stuff off at the trekking gear shop and continue with my regular light backpack. 3. Real treks require camping. This is all subjective. It's true that camping and carrying all your own gear may give you a greater sense of independence and accomplishment and allow you to dive deeper into nature. However, we take issue with the assertion that camping equals a better hiking experience. In fact, some of our most memorable hikes (e.g., Annapurna Circuit, Markha Valley Trek, Svaneti, Peaks of the Balkans, Kalaw to Inle Lake in Burma, etc.) have been memorable precisely because of the local culture and human interaction dimensions surrounding our sleeping and food arrangements with local families. It's the combined experience of nature and people (and the human nature that responds to the surrounding environment) that we find truly soul nourishing. READ MORE: 13 Best Offbeat Treks That You’re Not Considering…But Should Packing for Your Hike: Hiking Essentials Principles When it comes to packing for a hike in an efficient way so that you have maximum flexibility with minimum weight, we follow the following hiking essentials gear and packing principles and philosophy. This has come together over the last fifteen years with all the different treks we have done all over the world. 1. Hiking clothing: it's all about the layers. This is true in all types of travel, long-term and short, but especially for hiking into high altitudes. Temperatures can change very drastically during the course of a day. I always prefer to have an extra layer in my bag than to go cold or wet. Layers. The key to preparing for a freak Himalayan blizzard in June. Even if the days are warm at low altitude, nights may still be chilly. On summit days you'll often need to pile on everything you have to get to the top, only to peel it off layer by layer as you descend. 2. Hiking clothing for overnights: carry separate rest and sleeping clothes. I learned this from the folks at Erratic Rock in Puerto Natales near Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. They called the yucky, stinky clothes you'll find yourself wearing every day until the very end your “hiking uniform.” In light of this — and even if you are going minimalist — try to include an extra set of night clothes to change into at the end of the day to relax and sleep in. These clothes will be dry (quite important if you've hit snow or rain that day), comfortable and relatively clean (in comparison). I usually pack an extra t-shirt, pajama pants and socks. I'll further layer other clothes on top to stay warm at night. Regardless, the layer closest to my skin is dry and relatively fresh. Oh, the little joys while on the trail. This technique also gives your wet and stinky clothes a chance to dry and air out overnight. The next morning you can slip back into your hiking clothes — yes, your uniform — and you'll be ready to go for another day on the trails. 3. Never skimp on sun protection. As you advance higher in elevation, the sun becomes scary strong. So even if you tan beautifully on the beach without any sunscreen, be sure to pack ample and strong sunscreen once you head into the mountains. Carry a hat that will protect your face from the sun (think rollable foldable sun hat or baseball cap — we don't need to look pretty while trekking). Hiking with sunburn — face, neck, or hands — is miserable. And if your sunburn is bad enough, you'll almost feel flu-like. Not good for peak performance. Also be sure to have sunglasses with quality lenses that protect your eyes. Otherwise, they too will become burned and sore. Choosing a Hiking Backpack You’ll be carrying all your stuff on your back up and down mountain passes so the size, fit and comfort of your hiking backpack is super important. Aim to carry a hiking backpack that is big enough to hold the essentials (e.g., water, jacket, rain gear, sunscreen, etc.), yet not too big that it will weigh you down. The size of your hiking backpack will depend on the number of days of your hike is, your sleeping and eating arrangements, and temperatures. No matter what, don't forget to bring a rain cover to protect your backpack in storms. In the early days of our travelers we often repurposed our laptop backpacks or rented backpacks from trekking agencies. This usually did the trick, but they did not always fit use entirely and thus were not very kind to our back and shoulders. We've since invested in proper hiking backpacks and haven't looked back. Our only regret is that we wish we had done this earlier to save ourselves some of that early discomfort. Here are the hiking backpacks we're now using and can recommend for comfort, weight, size and convenient features. Recommended women's hiking backpack I really do love my Deuter ACT Trail Pro SL hiking backpack (32-liters) and take it with me every chance that I have. It's very light with all sorts of great functionality like a built-in rain cover, water bladder compatibility, wide waist belt for stability, and more. The SL means that it's designed for women's bodies and I don't know how much of a difference that makes, but I find that it does fit my back and body quite well. Loved my Deuter hiking backpack walking 960km along the Camino Norte. Even after walking almost 1,000 km / 600 miles with it on my back during the Camino de Santiago, I still found it comfortable and had no issues with it. I've used this hiking backpacks both on multi-day hiking trips as well as on day hikes when I wanted to carry several layers of jackets and rain gear, a water bladder and other hiking essentials. Although it is a bit big for a traditional day pack, I still find it comfortable and light enough to serve this purpose. Deuter no longer makes this backpack in 32 liters, but you can still find it or similar Deuter SL hiking backpacks in other sizes. Buy on Amazon (28-Liter) | Buy on REI (22-Liter) | Buy on Backcountry.com (34-Liter) Recommended men's hiking backpack for multi-day hikes The Osprey Exos hiking backpack comes in several sizes, so the Large version is well-suited for tall people (like Dan). Light, comfortable, and durable. This was the first hiking backpack that Dan used that didn't leave him with a sore back and shoulders at the end of the day. Dan light on his feet with his Osprey Pack on the Camino. The only complaint about this backpack is the walking stick holder as it's a little janky, but that's a small thing compared to comfort and all the other great features of this Osprey hiking backpack. Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI (48-liter) | Buy on Backcountry Recommended men's hiking daypack As you know from above, Dan is a big fan of Osprey packs as they are adjustable and fit his back and torso well. So when he was looking for a smaller size daypack he stuck with Osprey and chose the Osprey Packs Stratos 24. This 24-liter size is great for day hikes or as a daypack on multi-day treks (e.g., when most of your hiking gear is carried by mules). Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI | Buy on Backcountry.com Hiking Clothes for Men and Women Below is an overview of the hiking clothes we each carry for a 5-10 day hike. If you are going on a shorter trek then you can cut back, but if your hike is longer you can still carry the same amount of clothes or even less (e.g., we carried a similar amount for our 40-day Camino de Santiago walk). Recommended trekking pants = Clothing Arts Travel Pants for Men and Women For longer hikes and treks you'll just need to “recycle” your hiking clothing more or find a way to wash them along the way. By recycle, I mean turn things inside-out, air them out, wash them. Whatever the best mechanism you have available to give it longer life and whatever your tolerance level might be. The most important thing is not whether you stink (there's a good chance you just might), but that you are dry and comfortable. My approach is to carry and maintain separate hiking and sleeping (or relaxing at night) clothes so that you always have something clean(ish) to change into at night (see above for more details on this). To be on the safe side to protect against things getting wet, put your sleeping clothes and whatever else you aren't wearing at the time in Ziploc or another kind of plastic bag. Hiking Clothing: Base Layers and Mid-Layers Hiking pants (one pair): We're both been using Clothing Arts Travel Pants (men's hiking pants and women's hiking pants) for over ten years on all of our day hikes and multi-day treks. These hiking pants are not only are sturdy (we've put them through a lot and they still look great), but they are also quick-dry and avoid stains and odors. We find the additional secure zipper and buttoned pockets useful on treks for keeping phones, money, tissues and other things handy. (Note: This is especially relevant for women as many women's trekking pants hardly have any pockets of any size.) Women's hiking pants in the Dolomites of northern Italy. Thermal underwear (top/bottom): I love my silk long johns as they are warm, comfy and take up almost no room at all. Also good is Uniqlo's Heat Tech collection of thin, but warm, layers of leggings and tops. Dan is still keen on his Patagonia zipper top and bottoms that he's been using for over 20 years. 2-3 short-sleeved t-shirts: Preferably quick-dry or regular cotton for comfort and versatility. We often use our running shirts on hikes as they are light and wick away sweat well. Plus, the bright colors of the shirts allow us to easily find each other when we're hiking at different speeds. Bright running shirts also make for good hiking tops. 1 long-sleeved pullover or zipped shirt: When you need another light layer to go over your t-shirt for cold or sun protection. I've been enjoying a light zipped top for women and Dan's been using a half-zip pullover. Pajama/sleeping pants: I find that cotton leggings or yoga pants work quite well. Hiking Socks and Underwear Underwear: However many pairs that you're comfortable with carrying. Underwear is light and doesn't take up much space so you have some flexibility here. Here are recommended men's boxer shorts and women's underwear. 3 pairs of socks: I love SmartWool hiking socks. Not only are they comfortable, but my first pairs lasted me almost seven years of very heavy usage. If you prefer a thinner sock check out their ultra-light line. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Hiking Outerwear: Jackets and Waterproof Gear I always prefer to have the option to remove layers than to not have enough to put on when I'm beginning to chill as I head over a mountain pass or through a storm. Never know when a freak snowstorm will hit. Always be prepared with layers. Waterproof Shell Jacket and Pants For jackets, we each usually bring a light fleece jacket, thin windbreaker and some sort of outer waterproof or water resistant jacket. Waterproof Jacket: For our recent trek in Peru I upgraded to a NorthFace Climatech technology waterproof jacket and I love it. It not only provided protection against the rain and cold, but the jacket material is very breathable so it didn't feel like a sauna inside. Highly recommended. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry A waterproof jacket as an outer layer provides comfort and protection against rain. Waterproof Pants: We used to borrow or rent waterproof pants from a local trekking agency, but most recently we picked up a pair of light pull-on biking waterproof/water resistant pants. They fold up into a small bag so they barely take up any room or weight in your backpack, but keep you quite dry when the clouds open up. Waterproof Poncho: If we really think we're going to be facing a lot of bad weather we'll also pack a waterproof poncho that goes over our hiking backpacks for extra protection. It can get steamy under the poncho, but it's worth it for that additional layer to keep you and your gear dry. Light Down or Puffy Jackets We've also started carrying a light down jacket that can be stuffed into a tiny cinch bag. It hardly takes up any room or weight in the backpack, but can provide warmth and comfort at night when temperatures drop. Dan loves his seamless ultra-light down jacket from Uniqlo. I carry a down jacket similar to this that packs up small and light. Hiking Shoes and Other Footwear Shoes may be the most important thing you bring with you so if you invest in one thing in advance, invest in a solid comfortable pair of hiking shoes. And break them in. Your shoes can literally make or break a trip. Hiking Shoes or Boots If you have a particular trek or hike in mind, ask in advance whether you need mid- or high support hiking shoes for ankle support as this may influence your purchasing decision. We don't find ourselves often needing high support boots. However, if your ankles are weak or susceptible to turns and sprains, more support is better than less. We both recently shifted to wearing Oboz Sawtooth hiking boots. The insoles and support for your feet are really good, and the shoes are sturdy and can stand up to some tough terrain. In addition, Oboz plants a tree for every pair of shoes sold so you can feel good that your purchase is going towards reforestation and environmental projects. Men's Obuz Sawtooth Hiking Shoes: Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Women's Obuz Sawtooth Hiking Shoes: Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Flip flops or river shoes At the end of a long day of walking you may want to take off your hiking shoes and give your feet a rest. But you'll still need something on your feet to go to and from the outhouse or nearest bush. That's where flip flops or river shoes worn with socks (yes, ignore the fashion police) are perfect. Outside of these situations, you may find river shoes either useful for crossing or fording rivers. Depending on the bottom surface of the river and the depth, we've also just managed in bare feet, but river shoes protect your feet from stray rocks and make the crossing more comfortable. Women's Teva River Shoes: Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI | Buy on Backcountry Men's Teva River Shoes: Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI | Buy on Backcountry Other Hiking Gear Essentials Sleeping and Drying Off Gear Sleeping Bag Liner: Arguably non-essential, but nice to have. Whether staying in home stays with provided bedding or sleeping in a rented sleeping bag, you sometimes wonder when the last time anything was properly laundered. And you may also wonder about bed bugs and other critters. That's where a sleep sack with a pillow wrap comes in to provide a clean layer between you and everything else. Our preference is for a silk liner as it is very light, but keeps you quite warm and dries quickly. Buy on REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Note: We do not usually carry a sleeping bag with us as we prefer to rent one locally if we need one. This saves us a lot of room in our luggage. Quick-Drying Travel Towel: Always good to start and end your day by washing your hands and face. Don’t expect hot showers on treks, nor running water of any kind. But on a few occasions we've been able to get a couple of bucket baths that were really, really nice. Buy on REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Silicone earplugs: A good night's sleep on the trekking trail is supremely important for your condition. And although you may be sleeping in the middle of nowhere, there are still noises from roosters, howler monkeys, birds, lions, and not least other trekkers that will all conspire to keep you up. That's where earplugs come to the rescue and help shut it all down to silence. Trekking Poles and Walking Sticks Walking stick: Highly recommended on most treks, especially for steep downhill sections. Two walking sticks or one, you ask? We'll usually share one walking stick set of two so each of us uses one stick. However, using two walking sticks will provide you with more stability. This set of reasonably priced travel-friendly walking sticks fold up easily for luggage and assemble quickly when on the trail. Walking sticks help keep your balance in all sorts of terrain. If you don't bring a walking stick with you, then keep your eye out for a tree branch or limb that can be carved for the purpose. We've done that plenty of times as well. Sharp Knife and Lights Leatherman: A multi-tool device with a knife, bottle opener, screwdriver, and more comes in quite handy when on the trail. We use ours all the time for cutting cheese, vegetables, bread or other food items for picnic stops. Note: remember to take it out of your carry-on bag when you fly! Headlamp: Lights the way and keeps your hands free. If you're staying with families in guest houses or home stays, you may find they are without electricity at night or in the bathroom/outhouse, a most unfortunate place to trip in the dark. If you're camping, headlamps are of course absolutely essential. Water and Filtration Reusable water bottle: We each carry a reusable liter water bottle on us and refill along the way with purified or clean water. We also usually carry CamelBak water bladder in the backpack as well as we find we drink more water this way as it's easy to access and you can easily hydrate while walking. Even if your trek has bottled water to sell, resist the urge to buy it. Plastic bottle waste is an enormous problem at elevation and in villages around the world. If you get tired of the taste of regular water, consider adding some electrolytes to it. Water Purification: Some treks will provide you with clean, boiled water as part of the service (e.g., Kilimanjaro, Markha Valley). Sometimes there will be a program of UV (ultraviolet) purified or pass-filter cleaned water services in villages where you can refill your bottle with clean water for a small fee. Hop on it, maybe even pay a little extra. It's worth it to you, the village, and the environment. On other treks it's up to you to somehow purify or clean the water you source from mountain streams or village taps. We suggest carrying either a water bottle that has its own purifier, a SteriPEN or sterilization drops/tablets. We've found this 2-part water sterilization drop system to be good and doesn't make the water taste too much like chemicals. The SteriPEN uses ultraviolet (UV) light and technology to purify the water which does not affect the taste so it still might taste funky even if it's clean. The sterilization drops may make the water taste a little funny, but it won't make you sick. Sun Protection Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses: Bring the highest SPF sunscreen you can find and wear a hat at all times. The sun's rays are exceptionally powerful at altitude and you'll find yourself especially exposed when there isn't a cloud in the sky. Moisturizing skin cream and lip balm (with SPF): Creams and moisturizers may sound extraneous, but they can make a difference. Many mountain treks involve high desert where you will not only be exposed to lots of sun, but also arid conditions. Your skin and lips will dry and crack to discomfort if you don't keep them moist. Treat them nicely: moisturize! And be sure to carry only a tiny lightweight container, not the original 32 oz. tube! Personal Hygiene Items and Toiletries Hand sanitizer gel and soap: One of the best ways to avoid becoming ill: wash your hands thoroughly and often. If you feel a little obsessive compulsive with the hand cleaning, that’s a good thing. Toilet paper / tissue packets: One roll, used sparingly. Better to be self-sufficient here. No explanation needed. I often also keep a pack of tissues in my pocket as well for such emergencies. First Aid Kit and Medicines Basic first aid gear we recommend packing: Band-Aids, aspirin/Tylenol, rehydration/ electrolyte packets, anti-flu powder (a packet that dissolves in water that breaks fevers may work better than a pill if someone has been throwing up), Foot care: Address any hot spots or blisters the moment you begin to feel them as they can get painful really quickly. Our go-to gear for preventing and treating blisters include duct tape (magic in preventing and managing blisters) and Compeed (magic when you already have blisters). Medicines: You may be miles or days away from any doctor so be sure to have some basic medicines with you in case you (or others) fall ill. On our treks, we've picked up sinus infections and helped others who have picked up the wrong kind of gut bacteria. Having some basic medicines with us like Amoxicillin (or other basic antibiotic) has allowed us to deal with medical issues immediately and to keep going. For a full list of travel medicines and how to use them, check out these travel health tips. Note: You can easily stock up on medicines at pharmacies in many countries. Basic medicines such as the ones listed here and in the article above will likely not be very expensive and will often not require a prescription. Other Useful Hiking Bags Dry sack: You never know when it's going to rain or snow, so prepare for the worst — particularly if you have gear that must remain dry. We carry a dry sack with us in order to protect our gear against freak storms or inadvertent submersions while fording rivers. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry.com Camera Bag: If you're carrying a separate camera and multiple lenses consider packing a separate camera bag to protect your gear and to allow you easy access to it. My ThinkTank camera bag fits perfectly under my small daypack. Recently, we switched to a mirrorless Fuji camera and lenses. One of the main reasons for this was that they are smaller in size and weight, meaning I could carry a smaller camera bag on treks. I really like the ThinkTank Sling Camera Bag which fits a camera body and two lenses. Its shoulder strap is useful for urban settings while the waist strap makes it comfortable for hiking as it sits right on my hips. I can still wear a backpack or daypack that rests on top of it. Hiking Snacks and Food Snacks: Even if your meals are provided to you on a trek, it’s sometimes nice to have a little something to nibble on between stops. We usually bring a small stash combination of Snickers bars, granola/power bars, a jar of peanut butter and crackers. You'll want a little bit of both salty and sweet foods. Peanut butter. Helped us up Mount Kilimanjaro. Electronic Gear and Chargers Batteries, memory cards: It's usually better to assume that you won't find electricity along your trekking route. If you do, consider it gravy. Be sure to ask your trekking guide or agency, or other route-experienced travelers (either in forums or once you are on the ground). Ask them all once, then again for good measure. Bring extra memory cards for your camera so you have ample space to snap away or record video. This means you should try to bring extra batteries for your camera, headlamp, and anything else that's battery-powered. If you're carrying your smartphone with you consider bringing a solar powered power bank and putting your phone on Airplane Mode to preserve battery life. We also use a battery case for our iPhone as this will usually provide 2x of the phone's regular battery life. And, it protects the phone if it is dropped accidentally. If there's electricity along your trek and you'd like to recharge, by all means bring rechargers. We do. But it's just something else to pack — and something you must prioritize when the final bag stuff begins just prior to setting off. READ MORE: Ladakh Trekking: A Beginner’s Guide Winter Hiking Gear We recently did our first proper winter trek — The Druk Path in Bhutan — and needed to gear up specifically for those conditions. This included temperatures going down to -10 C /14 F at night (and it felt even colder than that), potential snowfalls and walking on snow and ice. However, daytime temperatures were quite pleasant and warm (15 C / 65 F) when the sun was out. So, we had to be prepared for all types of temperatures and conditions. Winter Sleeping Bag If you are doing a winter trek it is very important that you bring a warm sleeping bag so that you are not uncomfortable in your tent at night. We highly recommend buying or renting a sleeping bag that is COMFORT rated to -10 C/15 F (or even more). Even if you don't trek during the winter some places still get very cold at night and in the early morning. It's better to take off layers or unzip the bag than to not be warm enough. Trust us, being cold in your tent sucks. Enjoying the last bits of sunshine and warmth at Simkotra Lake campsite. We always prefer to rent our sleeping bags locally, but for our recent winter trek in Bhutan that wasn't an option so we had to bring our own. We purchased this Mammut Nordic OTI winter sleeping bag, which was warm enough, synthetic (vs. down, which requires more care) and came at a great price. However, it's a bit bulky and took up quite a bit of space in our luggage. (Here's a similar Marmot winter sleeping bag that is comfort-rated to 0F) Another good sleeping bag option would be one of the down sleeping bags offered by Hyke & Byke (e.g., this sleeping bag goes down to 0 degrees F) as they are very reasonably priced for down and the quality of the bags. Here are some other winter sleeping bags offered at REI. Winter Hiking Clothing and Gear We didn't really change our clothing packing strategy or items listed above based on having lots of different clothing layers. Instead, we just added more — and heavier — layers together at one time for the early hours of the morning and in the evening after the sun set when temperatures were the coldest. Then, as we started walking and the day warmed up we'd take the layers off bit by bit. This mean that our day backpacks always had several layers of clothing inside, including rain gear (jacket and pants), fleece and other light jackets, and a down jacket. Winter hiking at its best. Prepared with shoe gaiters, waterproof outerwear and lots of layers. Here are a few other pieces of winter hiking gear we'd recommend, especially if you know there will be snow and ice on the trail. Shoe gaiters: We picked up a knock-off North Face pair of gaiters in Paro, Bhutan before our trek to protect our shoes from getting wet from the snow on the trails. We were very thankful to have them, especially on day 3 when we woke up to a snow storm. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon Crampons or Traction Cleats: If you're doing the winter trek and have fears of slipping on the ice, carrying a pair of lightweight traction cleats can provide peace of mind. Buy on Amazon | Buy at REI Waterproof gloves: The only thing worse than cold hands are wet, cold hands. It's important to have waterproof gloves (or mittens) if you think you'll be trekking during a snowfall or rain. Buy on Amazon | Buy at REI Hand or toe warmers: If your hands and feet get cold easily consider bringing a pack of adhesive hand and/or toe warmers. One of the women in our group in Bhutan had bad circulation and she used these adhesive warmers daily in her shoes and gloves. They were a lifesaver and really helped keep her warm and comfortable. Buy on Amazon | Buy at REI Winter sleeping clothes: Even if it's cold in the tent I'll change into separate sleeping clothes as it feels cleaner and better to me. For winter conditions this meant heavier base layers, including a long-sleeve Uniqlo HeatTech shirt and warm leggings (or fleece-lined running tights worked really well). Then, I added to that a fleece jacket, socks, hat, and scarf to stay warm during the night. Buying Sustainable Hiking Gear and Clothing If you are concerned about sustainability here are a few considerations and things to think about regarding buying sustainable hiking gear and clothing: The most sustainable option is the one you already own. If you can reuse or repurpose a piece of clothing, backpack or other piece of hiking gear that is already in your closet, this is usually what is most sustainable as you don't need to purchase anything new. We realize this may not be particularly fun or sexy, but it is practical and also good for your budget. Buy second-hand hiking clothing and gear. There are more and more options available for purchasing high quality second-hand or “barely used” clothing and hiking gear, whether through 2nd hand or consignment shops or in online marketplaces. This is another great way to shop sustainably as you are reusing something (and perhaps preventing it from going in a landfill) vs. buying new (that takes a lot of resources). Buy from brands focused on sustainability and fair wages: If you can't meet your hiking essentials needs through the suggestions above, then purchase your hiking clothing and gear from brands that are grounded in sustainability in terms of sourcing, materials used, fair wages, packaging and more. Do research on your favorite brand's website to see how specifically they are tackling sustainability in their operations and products. For example, Patagonia has been a leader in sustainable practices and materials for decades. Not only that, but their products do tend to last a long time (Dan using his Patagonia long underwear for 20+ years is proof of that) and they also have a strong repair policy. Another brand whose clothing we like that is focused on sustainability is Prana. These are just two of many outdoor gear brands who are making good products that also focus on minimizing their negative impacts (e.g., environmental) and maximizing their positive ones (e.g., socio-economic). If you can't find the information you want on a brand's website then contact them directly and ask your questions. Any company truly focused on sustainability would be proud to respond with transparent answers. The Ultimate Hiking Essentials Checklist – PDF Download To help you pack and prepare for your next hike with all the right gear, we've created a simple one-page downloadable hiking packing checklist. I know from experience when I haven't used this list that I have accidentally forgotten to pack a scarf, hat or river shoes. I really missed these items when I was out on the trail, but by that point it was too late. Now we're more careful to review that we have everything we need before going to the airport. How to use this ultimate hiking essentials checklist: Print out a copy or save a version to your phone (that's what we do now). As you're preparing for your hike or trek, review the list to see if you have everything you need already. If not, the linked items on the list go to recommended gear that you can purchase online or look for in a shop. When you are ready to pack for your hike or trek, put all your trekking gear on the floor and go through the list one by one. Double check that everything is there before placing it your suitcase or backpack. What did we miss? What are your go-to items and essential gear for hiking? The post How to Pack For A Hike: The Ultimate Hiking Essentials Checklist appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on December 1, 2022 by Audrey Scott Hiking in Cyprus may not be top of mind when travelers consider this Mediterranean island for vacation. Most associate it with its beaches and resorts. However, our recent visit to Cyprus ... Continue Reading

The post Hiking in Cyprus: Best Hiking Trails and Travel Itinerary appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on December 1, 2022 by Audrey Scott Hiking in Cyprus may not be top of mind when travelers consider this Mediterranean island for vacation. Most associate it with its beaches and resorts. However, our recent visit to Cyprus illustrates that the country not only offers sea, sun and deep history, but a variety of natural landscapes and geological diversity that makes hiking on the island a delight. We share here our favorite hiking trails in Cyprus, from coastal to mountain hikes. Whether you're interested in a hiking vacation or just to include a hike into your visit to Cyprus, here is all the information you need to plan your trip. Cyprus, a Surprising Hiking Destination With its rocky coastlines, dramatic cliffs, impressive Troodos Mountains, and forests filled with old, gnarly juniper, cypress and pine trees, Cyprus surprises as a hiking destination. Add to that pleasant weather almost all year around thanks to its position in southern Europe, a fascinating and long history, hearty local food and increasingly good quality wines, and you have all the ingredients for a well-rounded, active Mediterranean getaway. Hiking in Cyprus. A view from the Aphrodite Loop hiking trail. Our goal traveling to Cyprus for a week: a vacation filled with hiking, sunshine, good food and wine — all rounded out by walks around the capital city of Nicosia and visits to archeological sites. To do this, we chose several hiking trails in Cyprus as the anchors of our one-week travel itinerary, then planned everything else around those hikes and whatever the weather gods threw at us. For us, exploring Cyprus through its hiking trails allowed us to see the best of the island by way of its national parks and natural beauty including endemic flora and fascinating geological formations. This approach also helped us avoid many of the touristy areas and crowds that Cyprus can be known for. If you’re interested in the best hiking in Cyprus and assembling an active travel itinerary, then this hiking guide has all you need to know. It includes our favorite hiking trails, the best time to go hiking, what to bring with you, and where to stay — all so you can plan, organize and enjoy your hiking trip to Cyprus. This post is long as it includes everything in one place we needed to know before we took our hiking trip to Cyprus. Feel free to click on a specific section from the table below to get to the information you need. Favorite Hiking Trails in Cyprus Despite Cyprus being a relatively small island, its hiking trails feature a surprising diversity of natural landscapes and styles. As you'll see from our photos, each of the hiking trails highlighted below was unique to the others, making for a well-rounded hiking experience. Most of the hiking trails below are located in protected areas and feature some trail markings, but we suggest downloading GPX tracks and/or using you favorite map app (we use PocketEarth for offline maps) or hiking app (we use Komoot and AllTrails). This way, you'll have at least one digital version of the trail in case you get lost. As Cyprus’ environment and nature is quite fragile, be sure to stick to marked trails and be gentle with the natural surroundings. Surveying the rocky coastline on a hike near Cape Greco, Cyprus. Be sure to check the forecast in advance as weather can change quite dramatically, especially in winter. Bad weather can make a hike unpleasant and, especially in the case of canyon hikes, dangerous. Early starts are recommended, both to take advantage of better weather in the mornings and to end early enough to seek out a sunset drink. Finally, be sure to seize the occasional moment to take a deep breath, look around you, and appreciate where you are. Note: All hiking trails noted below are in Republic of Cyprus, the southern side of the island. We did not hike any trails in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Aphrodite Loop Extended – Best Hike for Coastal Views in Cyprus Distance: 11.5 km / 7.15 miles Time: 3-4 hours Difficulty: Moderate Aphrodite and Adonis Loop Trail Map and Tracks Deep blue coastal views from the Aphrodite Loop hike. Located in the northwestern part of Cyprus near the Akamas Forest, the Aphrodite Loop is deservedly one the island’s most popular hikes thanks to its dramatic cliffs and coastal views. The trail takes you past the Baths of Aphrodite and a waterfall grotto set in some botanical gardens, then up along some juniper-dotted rocky cliffs to the Moutti tis Sotiras overlook of Cape Arnoutis below. On the descent the hiking trail makes its way past some ruins of a medieval monastery, a 500-year old oak tree and through diverse forests populated with local mountain goats. The highest point of the Aphrodite Loop hiking trail. We recommend following the Aphrodite Loop trail clockwise. This way, you begin your hike along the coast and continue climbing higher toward the cliffs, with the hills with sweeping coastline views beneath you. The trail markers indicate the opposite direction, which might make the hike easier and less steep overall. However, setting off along the coastline offers excellent light and pairs the best early morning weather with the coastline where you'll likely appreciate it most. Taking the longer Adonis hiking trail through old pine forests on the return. While the standard Aphrodite Loop is around 7.5 km / 4.7 miles, we turned onto the Adonis trail on our inland descent (after the monastery ruins) to add more distance (4 km / 2.5 miles) and some additional landscapes. The Adonis is a pleasant trail through old pine, cypress and juniper forests and grassy areas filled with grazing sheep and goats. Keep an eye out for all the wild sage, oregano and other herbs along the trail. How to get to the Aphrodite Loop trailhead: We drove from Paphos to the Aphrodite Loop trailhead, a beautiful route of around 50 km or 1 hour. Free parking is available near the entrance to the Botanical Gardens. There's also a public bus stop for bus 622 from Polis which you can connect to from Paphos and other locations. Avakas Gorge Trail – Most Dramatic Hike in Cyprus Distance: 10 km / 6 miles Time: 3-4 hours Difficulty: Moderate-Hard (Do not attempt this trail when raining or if there is any risk of rain.) Avakas Gorge Trail Map and Tracks Go deep…into the Avakas Gorge in Cyprus. The depth of the Avakas Gorge makes this hike both stunningly beautiful and challenging. While most only hike the first kilometer or two into the gorge and turn back (this segment offers the most dramatic landscapes for the least effort), we encourage you to keep going until the end of the gorge. For the fit and intrepid, the gorge deepens, winds and opens up in varied and striking ways. You may even run into some wild goats grazing in the hills along the way. A bit of bouldering on the Avakas Gorge hiking trail. Unfortunately, the trail markings mostly end after the first kilometer or two, leaving you to follow the direction of the gorge and look for worn paths and footprints on either side of the stream. The trail becomes quite challenging at times, especially following rainfall (common in winter) as the water in the stream rises and the rocks become slippery. You may find yourself climbing over boulders and hugging onto cliffs, so be sure to wear good hiking shoes and carry your hiking poles. The hiking trail around the rim of Avakas Gorge on the return leg of the hike. The Avakas Gorge Trail continues through the entirety of the gorge until you reach a hilly, green pasture at the end. This is a good stop for a snack or picnic, or just to enjoy the bucolic scene of grazing sheep and goats around you. Many Avakas Gorge hiking trails suggest you return again through the gorge, but we found a hiking trail south of the gorge up along the rim and through the Peyia State Forest. We recommend taking this trail back. This approach will offer some variety, be easier on your joints, and be faster than going back through the entire gorge again. How to get to the Avakas Gorge trailhead: We drove from Paphos to the Avakas Gorge, which was supposed to take around 30-45 minutes. However, beware of Google Map directions as it will suggest the shortest route, which includes going on some unpaved country roads until it reaches a road that has been washed out, forcing you to turn around (as it did us). Instead, be sure to follow the directions which take you by the Avakas Gorge Road that approaches the gorge from the west (the coast). The last part of the road is not paved. We ended up parking around 0.5 km away from the trailhead parking lot, just to avoid taking our tiny rental car on the final stretch of the road that was full of bumps and holes. However, you can drive further to the parking lot at the trailhead. Just be advised. It’s technically possible to get close to the Avakas Gorge by public bus, but you’ll have to switch buses times and have a bit of a walk at the end to get to the trailhead. Atalante Trail – Best Troodos Mountains Hiking Distance: 14.75 km / 9 miles Time: 4-5 hours Difficulty: Moderate Atalante Trail Map and Tracks It may surprise you, but Cyprus has mountains! Hiking in the Troodos Mountains in winter. Atalante Loop hiking trail. The Troodos Mountains in the center of the island of Cyprus features a peak of close to 2,000 meters / 6,400 feet at Mount Olympus. Not only does this mean skiing in the winter (yes, Cyprus has ski resorts), but it also means some terrific Troodos Mountains hiking trails. We opted for the Atalante Trail Loop as it did a circle around Mount Olympus and was a bit longer and more difficult than the Artemis Trail (8 km / 5 miles). Enjoying a bit of snow, hiking in the Troodos Mountains. When we hiked the Atalante Trail in early January most of the hiking trail was covered in snow, sometimes several inches deep. While the snow made it tricky at times to follow the trail — thankfully a few others had gone before us so we could follow their footsteps and we had our digital tracks/map — it also made our walk beautiful and somewhat magical. We recommend following the trail clockwise from the trailhead near the parking lot, just as we did. The trail is fairly well marked and the first few kilometers of the Atalante hike take you through some beautiful old forests punctuated by gnarly juniper trees and other local endemic growth. The vista then begins to open up so you can look west over the hills to the coast. The loop continues around past the ski resort and through more tall pine forests Completing our Troodos Mountains hike on the Atalante Trail. Note: If you visit Cyprus in winter, be prepared for possible snow in the Troodos Mountains. We knew this in advance and came prepared with layers of jackets, hats, and gloves. We also highly recommend taking hiking poles on this route, no matter what the weather, as some sections are steep and can be slippery. How to get to the Atalante Hiking Loop trailhead: The Troodos Mountains are located almost halfway between Nicosia and the coast (Paphos or Limassol). The Atalante trailhead and free parking lot are located right next to Troodos village. We drove there from Nicosia, which takes around 1.5 hours on the fast route or 2 hours on the country roads. After our hike we then drove to Paphos, which took around 1.5 hours. There are also a couple of buses that will take you to the main square in Troodos village from Nicosia or Limassol. If you want to do several hikes in the Troodos Mountains, you could consider staying in Troodos village or in a nearby town so that you can get an early start on the trails. Cape Greco Hiking Trail, Sea Caves to Konnos Beach Distance: 10 km Time: 2.5 – 3 hours Difficulty: Easy Cape Greco Sea Caves to Konnos Beach Trail Map and Tracks Hiking near Cape Greco, first stop: sea caves. There are a several different hiking paths around Cape Greco National Forest Park and out to Cape Greco itself. Many paths are quite short and just go to the sea caves, up to the Cape Greco Viewpoint or to visit the picturesque Ayioi Anargyroi Chapel. We wanted something a bit longer and more continuous to stretch our legs and see more of the natural landscape along Cyprus’ eastern coast near Ayia Napa. Most of the dramatic scenery is in the first 5-6 km / 3 – 4 miles along the coast. The path we took then returns to the trailhead via an inland route. Continuing our hike on one of the Cape Greco hiking trails. This Cape Greco hike took us first to the sea caves, a collection of sandstone rock formations that stand in dramatic contrast to the crystal clear turquoise waters below. We then continued along the coastal trail past the hilltop with a view over the entire cape. You can opt to take one of the hiking trails up to the viewpoint, but we continued east along the coast. The landscape changed frequently, from dry, rocky desert-like conditions to fields of green and blossoming flowers. Winter daffodils blossoming along the Cape Greco hiking trail. The trail then continues along the coast past the blue lagoon and the natural rock bridge to Ayioi Anargyroi Chapel. Take the stairs to a sea cave that you can scramble into. (Be sure to time your entrance and exit so that you and your camera are not soaked by crashing waves.) We continued to Konnos Beach where we doffed our shoes and walked across the white sand beach. If we had had our bathing suits with us, we would have gone in — it was just warm enough even in winter. We returned via the hiking trail following the road. Cave near Ayioi Anargyroi Chapel along the Cape Greco trail. How to get to the Cape Greco Sea Caves trailhead: We drove from Larnaca (around one hour) and parked near the sea caves at the marker indicated on the map above. You can also park closer to the sea caves. There's plenty of space to park there. As for public transportation, you can catch bus 101 from Agia Napa waterpark to the sea caves or the Cape Greco National Forest Park entrance. Hiking in Cyprus: What to Pack Because the hiking trails in Cyprus we recommend here are day hikes that take only a few hours, you really don’t need to bring much with you. Just be sure to carry clothing layers to protect from the elements — sun, rain or maybe snow. Always be sure to carry plenty of drinking water with you. You can also find a full list of our favorite hiking gear and essentials. Hiking Daypack: We shared one hiking daypack between the two of us. This was more than enough space to carry the essentials for our day hike. Hiking Shoes: We saw some people hiking in sandals or sneakers. While that works for some of the easier hikes, we recommend wearing hiking shoes to provide your feet with support and traction for climbing over boulders and steep inclines and descents. Hiking Poles: For lighter hikes, we typically share one set of trekking poles between the two of us (i.e., we each use one pole). We were especially thankful we had these on the Avakas Gorge Hike and Atalante Loop Trails. We recommend this foldable traveler set of hiking poles as they are easy and light to carry. Drinking water and snacks: Many of these Cyprus hiking trails are far away from shops and services, so be sure to bring your own water and snacks with you on your hike. Temperatures can get very warm, especially in the summer, so make sure you bring LOTS of water with you to avoid dehydration. One of the unfortunate things in Cyprus is that tap water is not potable (all the locals we met advised against drinking it) so bring a water bottle that also purifies or buy large (e.g., 5-10+ liter) containers of water and refill your own reusable water bottle. Sun protection: Even in the winter, the sun can be strong in Cyprus. Be sure to carry plenty of sun protection with you in the form of sunscreen (the highest SPF you can find), hat, and sun glasses. Best Time to go Hiking in Cyprus We hiked Cyprus in winter, over the New Year’s holidays, from the end of December to the beginning of January. We thought it was a great time to go hiking as the weather along the coast was beautiful most of the time with highs in the mid to high 60s F / 18-22 C. The added bonus of this time of year: we also experienced fresh snowfall in the Troodos Mountains. Enjoying some glorious winter Cyprus weather at the Tomb of Kings in Paphos. In addition, there weren’t many people on the hiking trails at this time of year. However, Cyprus winter weather can be very changeable — including rain — so be sure to stay tuned to weather forecasts and remain flexible when planning and taking your hikes. Several local people we spoke to said that spring (March-early May) offers great hiking weather since it’s precedes the hot summer season and offers the chance to see wildflowers blossoming along many of the hiking trails. A few others recommended November since temperatures have cooled off from the warm summer and early autumn, but the winter rains have not yet arrived. Summer is the most popular time in general to visit Cyprus, especially for the beaches. However, we’ve heard that summer (June-September) is not the best time for hiking in Cyprus given the high temperatures (90+ F/30+ C) and intense sun. If you hike Cyprus in the summer months, be careful to avoid heat exhaustion and overexposure from the sun, particularly in the wide open areas along trails. Carry LOTS of water with you. Planning a Hiking Focused Cyprus Trip: Our One Week Travel Itinerary When we assembled our one-week Cyprus travel itinerary, we focused mainly on finding the best hikes in Cyprus and used those as our anchors. We then figured out a general route to travel around the island, noting places we could stay and base ourselves along the way (see below). We also watched the weather at all times as it changed frequently. Since we traveled in Cyprus during the low season and had a rental car, we were able to remain flexible and book accommodation pretty last minute. Here is our final Cyprus travel itinerary for one week that included four day hikes, a 2-day stop in Nicosia (where it rained) and visits to archeological sites. Day 1: Fly into Larnaca Airport Day 2: Larnaca – Cape Greco Hike – Nicosia Day 3: Nicosia (Greek Side) Wandering the old town streets of Nicosia, the capital of the Republic of Cyprus. Nicosia remains a divided capital city, with the southern side of the city as part of the Republic of Cyprus and the northern side of the city as part of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The United Nations Green Zone, a buffer zone, divides the two sides. There is an official border crossing which is very easy to cross at the moment. Wander the streets in the Nicosia's old town (southern side of the city). We did a variation of this self-guided walking tour, but in reverse order. For more recommendations, check out this Nicosia travel guide by our friend Steve and try to get your hands on the Use It Nicosia map/guide as it's got lots of great restaurant and cafe recommendations, as well as historical, cultural and other info presented in a fun and light way. We highly recommend a visit to the Cyprus Museum (free entrance at the time of writing). This small but jam-packed archeological museum is filled with well-interpreted antiquities going back almost 10,000 years. The museum does a remarkable job illustrating Cyprus’ long history and civilizational influences over the millennia. Day 4: Nicosia (Turkish Side) Exploring north Nicosia, Büyük Han Caravanserai. Cross the border to the northern side of the city (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). As of January 2022, you need proof of a negative PCR test (less than 7 days old) and full vaccination to cross into the Turkish side. Follow the blue line that takes you past most of the major sites on this side (mosques, markets, caravanserai, etc.). Once in the northern side of Cyprus, you'll notice that the currency and language both change to Turkish. Despite this, you'll likely get along fine with your Euros and English, and even your credit cards in some restaurants and businesses. Day 5: Nicosia – Troodos Mountains Hiking (Atalante Trail) – Paphos The Troodos Mountains are between Nicosia and Paphos on the coast. Stopping off in Troodos for a hike like the Atalante Trail is a great way to break up the drive and get a feel for Cyprus' mountains and the geological diversity at the center of the island. Where to stay in Paphos: We stayed in a convenient studio apartment a short walk to the sea, archeological sites, restaurants and shops. Day 6: Paphos – Aphrodite Loop – Paphos Day 7: Paphos – Avakas Gorge – Paphos Day 8: Paphos – Archeological Park and Tombs of Kings – Larnaca Airport Note: There is also an airport in Paphos in case that offers more convenience for your Cyprus itinerary. The Tombs of the Kings archeological site in Paphos. Our final morning in Cyprus. Renting a car in Cyprus We really appreciated having a rental car on Cyprus. It gave us a lot of flexibility. which proved especially helpful because of the changing weather. A rental car also allowed us greater spontaneity to stop off in different places along the way. During the time of our visit, rental car prices were very reasonable (e.g., around $20 USD a day including insurance). And since the island isn’t very big, we didn’t spend a lot of money on petrol. All of the hiking trails above featured free parking lots and most of the places we stayed in Cyprus also had free public or inexpensive private parking lots. Driving in Cyprus is on the left-hand side of the road. If you’ve never experienced this, note that it takes some practice and getting used to. Podcast about Hiking in Cyprus and Our Itinerary If you prefer an audio version of all this, you can listen to our interview about our travels in Cyprus on the Amateur Traveler Podcast. We talk about all the details of our one-week itinerary and all of the Cyprus hikes we recommend in this article. Travel to Cyprus – Amateur Traveler Episode 798 If you've only thought of Cyprus as a beach getaway or resort destination, we hope this Cyprus hiking guide has provided a different perspective on the island as a hiking destination. From the coastlines and cliffs to the gnarly, old juniper forests and mountain vistas, Cyprus offers a lot of hiking trails and options, making it a pleasant, worthwhile and surprising Mediterranean hiking getaway destination. The post Hiking in Cyprus: Best Hiking Trails and Travel Itinerary appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on August 6, 2022 by Audrey Scott What is it like to go trekking in Bhutan? To go on a Himalayan mountain adventure with wide open landscapes, snow-covered peaks, Buddhist temples, prayer flags, high altitude camping and alpine ... Continue Reading

The post Bhutan Trekking: The Druk Path Trek and New Trans Bhutan Trail appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on August 6, 2022 by Audrey Scott What is it like to go trekking in Bhutan? To go on a Himalayan mountain adventure with wide open landscapes, snow-covered peaks, Buddhist temples, prayer flags, high altitude camping and alpine lakes? We share a taste of trekking in Bhutan with our Druk Path Trek experience — including what you’ll experience day by day, difficulty, how to pack and organize a Bhutan trek, what to expect from a winter trek, and why this is one of the most popular treks in Bhutan. We also share information about the Trans Bhutan Trail, a new hiking route in Bhutan coming available in 2022. Over the last years we've been fortunate to do some incredibly beautiful and challenging hikes around the world, yet hiking in Bhutan remained high on our travel wish list. We were curious about the trekking experience given the country's location in the Himalayas, its focus on environmental conservation and the fact that Bhutan sees so few visitors. Druk Path Trek, Bhutan. A Himalayan adventure with mountains, temples and glimpses of living history. We chose to hike the Druk Path Trek, one of Bhutan's most popular trekking routes, in late January-early February. Our decision to do a winter trek, something that we had never done before (we usually flee the cold), provided a new sort of adventure, experience and challenge for us. Druk Path Trek in winter, beauty and stillness. The experience did not disappoint. We enjoyed the winter trekking experience, appreciating the snow, stillness and silence. The following tells why — and makes the case as to why you might want to add trekking in Bhutan, whether the Druk Path Trek or another route, to your trekking wish list. We’ve included in this Bhutan Trekking Guide all you need to know to plan, prepare for and enjoy trekking in Bhutan. In addition, we provide some information about a new trekking route in Bhutan – The Trans Bhutan Trail — recently restored and opening up again to the public in April 2022 for the first time in 60 years. The following experiences are from our Druk Path Trek on a tour to Bhutan with G Adventures. Currently, this tour no longer includes the Druk Path Trek as part of its itinerary, but if you want to go trekking in Bhutan then we recommend looking into the G Adventures Camp the Trans Bhutan Trail (11 days) or Highlights of the Trans Bhutan Trail (12 days). If you want to know what to expect on a trek in Bhutan, this article shares a taste of a trekking itinerary and route, trek difficulty, campsites, food, and what you need to pack and prepare. Disclosure: This tour was sponsored and provided to us in conjunction with our partnership with G Adventures as Wanderers. Bhutan Covid Travel Requirements Bhutan is opening up to all tourists on 23 September, 2022 without any quarantine requirements (check for official updates). Bhutan used its focus on community and trusted leadership to manage the pandemic quite well. In April 2021, Bhutan was able to vaccinate 85% of adults (first shot) in just one week and in early 2022 the country was finishing up a booster vaccination campaign. This shows the country's commitment to public health and protecting its people. Find more Covid-19 travel resources and recommendations on how to travel responsibly during Covid with care towards the health and safety of local communities and people. The Trans Bhutan Trail: A New Trekking Route in Bhutan Starting in 2022 The history of the Trans Bhutan Trail is deep and goes back thousands of years as an ancient trading and pilgrimage routes between Bhutan and Tibet. The trail not only connected fortresses, or Dzongs, across remote areas of the Bhutanese Kingdom, but it was also used by Buddhist pilgrims to visit sacred sites and temples in western Bhutan and Tibet. Although the trail was actively used for centuries as it was the only way to get to certain remote parts of the country, it fell into disrepair and disuse in the 1960s. Repair of the trail began in 2018, but the restoration of the Trans Bhutan Trail was accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic as 900 furloughed workers worked to rebuild bridges and create hundreds of miles of footpaths. The Trans Bhutan Trail is being opened to the public in April 2022 so travelers, local people and pilgrims can walk this ancient trail once again. The total length of the Trans Bhutan Trail is 403km / 250 miles long, going from Haa in the west to Trashigang in the east. Don't feel like you have to do it all; you can select shorter segments of the trail to experiences specific mountain landscapes and culture. The goal of hiking the Trans Bhutan Trail is not only to be able to enjoy the stunning landscapes and nature of the high Himalayan mountains, but also to connect with local people, culture and communities along the way through village homestays, sourcing food from local farms, and other community initiatives so that rural communities also benefit from the trail and tourism. In addition, the Trans Bhutan Trail is focused on several sustainability initiatives to conserve the natural environment, from a zero plastics policy along the trail (which also includes providing refillable water bottles and filtered water) to planting a tree for each international visitor. Our partner, G Adventures, was selected as the first group adventure tour operator to offer trekking tours when the trail opens in 2022. This speaks to the alignment of values regarding community tourism and sustainability. Currently, G Adventures is offering two different active tours that include selected segments of the Trans Bhutan Trail. This includes the G Adventures Camp the Trans Bhutan Trail (11 days) that has a similar style as the tour that we took as it includes four days of trekking with several nights of camping. Alternatively, Highlights of the Trans Bhutan Trail (12 days) also includes several days of hiking the Trans Bhutan Trail, but has more family homestays and guesthouses for overnights than camping. Both tours include both trekking and visiting some of Bhutan's famous monasteries, temples and sites, so it's a good balance of experiences and immersion into Bhutan's nature, culture, history and cuisine. What to Expect on a Bhutan Trek: The Druk Path, Day by Day The Druk Path Trek, or Thunder Dragon Path, takes you approximately 36-45 km (22-28 miles) through pine forests and rhododendron thickets, along mountain ridges and past alpine lakes in the lower Himalayan Mountains in western Bhutan. The trail follows an ancient mule route connecting Paro and Thimphu, and the area plays home to yak herders in the summer months. The highest point of the trek is Labana Pass at 4,200 meters / 13,800 feet. Much of the trail and its campsites sit at a similar and fairly high altitude, so the Druk Path Trek is considered a medium-difficulty trek. The Druk Path Trek includes a diversity of landscapes, trails and views. When I researched the Druk Path Trek, especially for information regarding winter trekking and conditions I found plenty of tour itineraries. However, I didn't find many details or images of the different landscapes and experiences — and possible weather — along the trek. That's what this “Day by Day” section is aimed to do: to help you understand the actual trek journey and give you a sense of what you might encounter and experience each day, including the camping, difficulty of the trail and landscapes. Our days usually began early, with tea served to us inside our tents around 6:30 A.M. Breakfast followed around 7:00. The goal was to set off on the trail in the morning when the skies were still clear and the sun had the chance to warm things up. As is typical in the Himalayas, clouds might develop as the morning and day unfolded. Note: The route below is for the four-day Druk Path Trek that we took with G Adventures in late January. Many tour companies offer this as a five to six day trek, but we found that four days was perfect for us in terms of the daily distance, difficulty, breaks and free time in the evenings at the campsite. If you are in reasonable shape and have some experience trekking at altitude then four days for this trek should provide ample time. Our trekking guide made a couple of adjustments to our route due to winter conditions so that the mules carrying our gear wouldn't injure themselves on the snow and ice. If you do the Druk Path Trek in the spring or fall you might notice a few differences to the route below, but most of it will be the same. Also, our guide said that our small group walked rather quickly. Some daily hiking times might be longer if your group is larger or has less experienced trekkers. Note: the hiking times below do not include resting, snack and lunch breaks. Day 1: Ta Dzong to Jele Dzong Temple to Tshokam Distance: 13.7 km / 8.5 miles Number of hours hiking: 5 1/2 – 6 hours Most Druk Path Treks set off from outside Paro in the early morning. You'll make your way by van transfer along a relatively new dirt road rising into the hills for around 30-45 minutes. (Prior to the road being built, this segment was part of the actual trek.). At the conclusion of this short ride, you'll meet your trekking support team: a cook, assistants, mule handlers and a group of mules to carry your tents, your allotted camping and trekking gear, all the food and cooking gas, and the kitchen, dining and bathroom tents. Starting out on the Druk Path trail, through the woods. The start of the walk begins on the dirt track and eases you into things with a slow and steady incline that takes you into mid-alpine woods. Eventually this turns into a steep uphill for around 45 minutes through beautiful forest trails until you reach a clearing where you begin to get above nearby hills and have a view of the valley below. The trail leading up to Jele Dzong Temple on day 1. After a short incline you'll reach the 15th century Jele Dzong temple and take a tea break. The temple guardian was away during the time of our visit. If he's around, you'll be allowed to explore inside. We continued onward alternating between forest paths and trails along the edge, revealing valley views and mountain layers in turns. At one of the clearings we stopped for lunch, a hearty meal of rice and several hot dishes. Getting above it all to enjoy views of the valley below. We began our final push towards the Tshokam (Dry Lake) campsite (3,800 meters/12,500 feet) on mostly flat trail. When we arrived, our tents had already been set up for us, which is always nice to see after a day of hiking. We took the free time and enjoyed the last bit of sunshine with some snacks and tea outside. It gets cold once the sun sets, so we enjoyed a bonfire before and after dinner. Tshokam campsite, our home for the first night. Day 2: Tshokam to Janytscho to Simkotra Lake Distance: 8.5 km / 5.3 miles Number of hours hiking: 4 hours While this is a shorter trekking day than the first, it features a couple long, steep inclines which make for a bit of a challenge. Our guide had to make a few adjustments on this day due to snow and ice on the trail. As a result, we didn't go on the higher (and longer) trail to Jimilang Tsho lake as it was dangerous for the mules. Following the mules along the trail in the early morning light. The first segment of the day is relatively flat and takes you on a forest trail along a stream and over a bridge. After a short break there, you continue to a clearing called Narithang for some mid-morning tea and snacks. Then the uphill really begins. This was a steady climb of a couple of hours through the forest. The idea: go slow and steady on the steep incline so that you maintain a consistent pace as you climb in altitude. The trail continues from the woods onto a clearing at Janytscho which overlooks the lake. This is where we stopped for lunch and a rest, but we've heard that some groups will stop here to camp for the night. Dan emerges from the forest and a rhododendron thicket. Mules make their way carefully in the snow, carrying all of our trekking gear and food. Following our trekking guide along the ridge trail to Janye Tsho. It was a winter trek after all, so we encountered some snow and ice on the trail at this point, so we and the mules had to be careful on the ascents and descents. The path continues along a rocky ridge until you reach Janye Tsho, an overlook draped with prayer flags and offering views of the nearby snow-covered Himalayan mountains in the distance. A break and a view at Janye Tsho along the Druk Path Trek, day 2. It's an easy and short walk from here to the campsite near Simkotra Lake at 4,000 meters / 13,100 ft. As this is the highest elevation campsite of the Druk Path Trek, expect it to also be the coldest campsite at night. Be sure to bundle up with lots of layers, especially if you are doing the trek in winter, early spring, or late fall. Enjoying the last bits of sunshine and warmth at Simkotra Lake campsite. A campfire keeps us warm at night as the temperature drops. Day 3: Simkotra Lake to Labana Pass to Phajoding Monastery Distance: 8 km / 5 miles Number of hours hiking: 4.5 hours This was my favorite day of the Druk Path Trek as it not only took us to the highest point of the trek — Labana Pass at 4,200 meters / 13,800 ft — but it was also filled with a diversity of landscapes, experiences and views. Note: Sometimes trekking groups camp before Labana Pass making it part of the fourth day. Winter trekking at its best. We woke up to a blanket of snow everywhere at Simotra Tsho. This meant that some of the views we were supposed to have that morning of the high Himalayas were obscured by the clouds. Instead, we enjoyed some remarkable landscapes in the beauty of their winter stillness and silence as the snow continued to fall for the first couple of hours. Enjoying the silence of the frozen trail on the morning of day 3. The trail is a combination of a gentle uphill and flat through endless rhododendron patches until you reach the final ascent towards Labana Pass (4,200 meters / 13,800 feet). This final push is a bit steep, but you'll be rewarded at the top with prayer flags and excellent vistas, including of the valley below and of the snow-covered mountains of Dochu La and Jhomolhari in the distance. Enjoying the view at Labana Pass (4,200 meters/13,800 ft). Taking in the layers of hills and mountains at Labana Pass. Our trekking group takes a well deserved break at Labana Pass. The trail then descends into the valley on a rocky ridge path for another hour or more. We stopped for lunch before continuing up along a chain of small hills until we reached a chorten atop one final peak overlooking Thimphu, Bhutan's capital city. One last bit of snow on the way up to the chorten. Chorten with a view of Thimphu, Bhutan's capital city. Descend into Thimphu Valley on a rocky trail for around 30-45 minutes until reaching Thujidrak Goemba, a Buddhist temple and meditation center stitched into the mountain rock face at 3,950 meters / 13,000 feet. We were fortunate that a local monk was around. He let our group inside to see the 14th century temple. Temple kitty at the 14th century Thujidrak Goemba. Food is deliberately left outside to feed nearby animals. From there it was an easy walk downhill through fields to reach Phajoding Monastery. The camping area on the monastery's edge had recently been closed to trekkers so our group ended up staying, with the permission of the resident monk and school principal, in the monastery's abandoned schoolhouse. Since temperatures dropped quite considerably that night, we were thankful for the protection the building provided from the wind and cold. However, a new camping area is being set up for future groups. One of our group's mules enjoying the view from the Phajoding Monastery. Day 3: Phajoding Monastery to Thimphu Distance: 5 km / 3 miles Number of hours hiking: 2-2.5 hours This final day is very easy, with a relatively short downhill hike. The dirt trail from the monastery continues through the forest, and becomes steep at times, so use your walking sticks and be careful. As the elevation decreases, the trees and flora begin to change. You hear signs of “civilization” below as cars and trucks use the mountain roads. The final descent, forest track toward Thimphu. The trail ends at the edge of the forest, near one of the prince's residences. Our tour driver met us with a big smile, a selection of local beer, cake and other snacks. This is where you'll say goodbye to your trekking support team and the mules that carried all of your gear during the trek. Our mighty trekking support team of our guide, cook, helpers and mule handlers. Bhutan Trekking Difficulty Level and Conditions We’d give the Druk Path Trek a medium difficulty ranking given its length, inclines and altitude. You should be accustomed to or be prepared for slow, steep uphill climbs at reasonably high altitude. A couple of the people in our group felt that the long ascents and hills on the first day were quite difficult, but this broke them in and they didn't have problems with any of the climbs during the rest of the trek. Plenty of trail and landscape variation on the Druk Path Trek. If you are already relatively active and have some experience trekking at altitude you shouldn't have any problems along this trek, nor should you require special training. However, if you don't have a lot of hiking experience then consider doing a series of long day hikes, preferably with hills, prior to this trek. In addition to preparing you physically, this will help build your confidence. As long as you have the proper winter gear, hiking through the snow is beautiful and peaceful. The winter conditions made this trek a bit more challenging for us at times as we had to watch our footing more in the snow and ice. Nights were also very cold (down to -10 C / 14 F). This did not impact the trek experience or its difficulty much. The Druk Path Trek is not technical, meaning that you will not need any special equipment (e.g., climbing ropes or other fittings) or training. The trail is well-maintained and is easy to follow. Even in the winter, none of us had any special ice or other gear, just some gaiters to prevent the snow from getting in our shoes. Dealing with Altitude When Trekking in Bhutan The Druk Path Trek does take you pretty high, up to 4,200 meters / 13,800 feet, at its highest point. In addition, the first two campsites are just below and just above 4,000 meters / 13,100 feet. This means that you need to be prepared for hiking and sleeping at altitude. If you don't have experience at altitude, be sure you talk with your trekking guide about what to expect and possible symptoms of altitude sickness. Take it slow on the uphills. It's better that you walk at a steady pace and take fewer breaks than to quickly wear yourself out by speeding up the hills and needing to recuperate with frequent and longer stops. Proceeding at a slow, steady pace will also allow your body time to adjust to the high elevation. Slow and steady on a steep climb through the forest. Be sure to drink lots and lots of water, as in liters per day. This is one of the best ways to prevent potential altitude sickness. Consider using a water bladder in your day pack and drink from it regularly as you walk. I find I drink more water this way than with a water bottle, that usually requires a stop to get it out the bag. Our tour included an acclimatization hike to Kila Goempa outside of Paro. This helped us adjust to the terrain and the altitude. If your tour does not include this, be sure to ask for an acclimatization hike. Acclimatization is important to gauge how your body reacts to altitude. It also prepares your body for the multi-day trek ahead. Snow, Rain and Mud Along the Druk Path Trek Since we chose to do the Druk Path Trek in winter (late January/early February), we understood that we might encounter snow. We packed — and at times wore — waterproof/water resistant pants, jackets, and gaiters to protect us from the snow, wet and cold. We did not find the snow and winter conditions a problem, but a feature and differentiating factor of this trek and timing it in winter. Really important to be careful on the icy and snow-covered trails. During other times of year, especially in May as you get close to the rainy season, you might encounter some rain and mud along the trail. It's always good trekking practice to carry waterproof layers or a rain poncho with you to protect you and your daypack from rain and the elements. See the packing list section below for recommended trekking gear to pack to keep you warm and dry, and protect you from the elements. Food Along a Trek in Bhutan You will certainly not go hungry while trekking in Bhutan! Each trekking group is assigned a cook and a couple of helpers. In addition to three hot meals per day you will also have several tea breaks and snacks (e.g., cookies, popcorn) along the trail and when you arrive at the campsite. A hot lunch with several vegetarian options and a meat dish was served each day on the trail. Luxury. On our Druk Path Trek, breakfast included a combination of a hot dish (e.g., eggs or oatmeal) with toast and different toppings (peanut butter, jam, honey, etc.). For lunch and dinner expect several options of Bhutanese vegetarian dishes (e.g., chili and cheese, sauteed greens, vegetables and cheese, etc) and a meat dish or two (e.g., chicken, beef or pork curry) served with rice or noodles. We ate mainly from the vegetarian options as we prefer lighter, vegetarian meals when we trek. If you are vegetarian, vegan or have food restrictions (e.g., glucose or lactose intolerance), alert your trekking company and your guide in advance so they can respond accordingly. Campsites and Sleeping Arrangements The Druk Path Trek has a few standard campsites that are located on flat ground and near a water source. By the time we would arrive at the campsites, our 2-person tents and sleeping mats were already set up for us by the trekking support team (luxury, I know!). A large tent is also set up for eating meals together. Our sleeping tents and dining tent under a layer of snow at Simkotra Lake campsite. At night we would usually have a bonfire made from dead or fallen tree or bush branches (it's illegal to cut down branches) to warm us up as it got rather cold once the sun went down. Just before bedtime we were given hot water bottles to put in our sleeping bags – so nice!! Each morning hot tea or coffee was delivered to our tent at around 6:30 AM as a wake up call. A bowl of hot water followed to wash our face, hands, etc. We would then pack up the stuff in our tent before taking breakfast in the dining tent at around 7:00AM. A hearty breakfast outside at the campsite. There are no showers or permanent toilets set up at the campsites, but the trekking support team set up a camping latrine or toilet at each one. Please use this instead of going off into the woods so that all waste and toilet paper is collected and disposed of in one place. Best Time to Go Trekking in Bhutan The high season for trekking in Bhutan, including the Druk Path Trek, is in the spring months of April and early May when the rhododendron bushes and trees are in blossom. September, October and early November are also considered good times to trek because it's dry, warm and the skies are clear. The summer months from late May to July are usually not considered a good time to trek as this is the rainy season so you would likely encounter muddy and rainy conditions, as well as clouds blocking views of the surrounding mountains. Although we had to bundle up for the cold weather we really enjoyed the Druk Path as a winter trek. Although winter (January – February) is not considered a recommended time to do the Druk Path Trek, we actually enjoyed it. The snow and winter weather added another dimension to the experience and we had the trails and campsites to ourselves. It can get very cold at night (-10 C/14 F), however, so it's important to pack a warm sleeping bag, lots of warm layers, and waterproof gear. All this said, weather in the Himalayas is highly variable. Organizing a Trek in Bhutan Choosing a Bhutan trekking company You cannot trek in Bhutan independently, meaning you must go with an authorized tour operator in Bhutan. This means that your trek will be fully supported, including a trekking guide, cook, helpers, and a team of mule porters to carry your trekking and camping gear. The same minimum daily package fee for Bhutan applies on treks as well. Our Druk Path Trek was with G Adventures and was part of a larger 11-day tour to Bhutan. We recommend this as the tour combines several days on the trek where you are immersed in nature with visits to temples, fortresses and towns to learn more about Bhutan's culture, religion, people and history. Note: The Druk Path Trek tour that we took no longer exists, but both the G Adventures Camp the Trans Bhutan Trail (11 days) and Highlights of the Trans Bhutan Trail (12 days) offer a similar combination of trekking with exploring Bhutan's monasteries, historical sites, villages and towns. For more details on how to get a visa to Bhutan, minimum daily package fees, flights to Bhutan, and more, check out our Bhutan Travel Guide. Packing for a Trek in Bhutan and Leaving your Luggage Behind For the Druk Path Trek and other treks in Bhutan with G Adventures (and other trekking agencies), you are allowed to bring a maximum of 7.5 kilos per person for the mules to carry. This includes your sleeping bag, clothes, toiletries, towel and any other trekking gear you might need at night. We carried a day pack with us during the day with water, camera, snacks, and necessary layers and winter bits like hat and gloves. Two people would share one of these G Adventures duffel bags for a maximum of 15 kilos. We left our big bags or luggage behind with our tour driver in Paro. We took only what we needed for the trek with us. At the end of the trek, when we emerged from the mountains all our luggage was waiting for us in the tour van. It was available immediately when we arrived at our hotel in Thimphu. Bhutan Trekking Packing List Much of what we include in our How to Pack for a Trek article applies here. However, we offer a customized Bhutan Trekking packing list based on our Druk Path Trek. It has a special focus on winter trekking as this was our experience, to ensure you have what you need to stay warm and dry in all conditions, but that you don't overpack. Remember that you will not have access during the day to the bags with the 7.5 kilos/person of gear so this bag should only include things you need at night. All our waterproof gear and jacket layers we carried with us in our day packs. Better to be prepared as you never know when the temperature and the weather might change as you walk. Even with these layers, try to pack your day pack as light if you can. You’ll quickly begin to feel the extra weight going up those steep hills. Drinking Water You should consume several liters of water each day (if not, then you’re not drinking enough) since you’ll be walking at altitude most of the time. Bring with you a refillable water bottle or a water bladder (or both) so that you always have at least one liter of water on you at all times. I find that I drink more water on the trail when I drink from a water bladder so I carry both. For hygiene and safety, you'll have access to boiled water at the campsites. This can be used for tea and coffee, but it is also what we used as clean water to refill our water bottles. If you really want to play it safe consider carrying with you a SteriPEN, sterilization drops or a water bottle that includes a filter. Trekking Daypack Recommended Women's Trekking Daypack Deuter ACT Trail Pro Backpack: Very light with all sorts of great functionality like a built-in rain cover, water bladder compatibility, wide waist belt for stability, and more. I have the 32-liter, but you could go with a smaller 28-liter option for this trek as you don't need to carry that much during the day. Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI (28-Liter) | Buy on Backcountry.com (34-Liter) Recommended Men's Trekking Daypack Dan's Osprey 24-liter hiking backpack was comfortable and had more than enough space. Osprey Packs Stratos Men's Hiking Backpack: Dan is a big fan of Osprey packs as they are adjustable and fit his back and torso well. The 24 – 34 liter size is great for day hikes or as a day pack on multi-day treks like this. Buy on Amazon | Buy on REI | Buy on Backcountry.com Sleeping Bag It's very important that you bring a warm sleeping bag so that you are not uncomfortable in your tent at night. We highly recommend getting a sleeping bag that is COMFORT rated to -10 C/15 F (or even warmer). Even if you don't trek in the winter time it still gets rather cold at night and it's better to take off layers or unzip the bag than to not be warm enough. We purchased this Mammut Nordic OTI winter sleeping bag, which was warm enough, synthetic (vs. down, which requires more care) and came at a great price. However, it's a bit bulky and took up quite a bit of space in our luggage. Another good sleeping bag option would be one of the down sleeping bags offered by Hyke & Byke (e.g., this sleeping bag goes down to 0 degrees F) as they are very reasonably priced for down and the quality of the bags. Here are some other winter sleeping bags offered at REI. Trekking Poles / Walking Sticks We highly recommend carrying trekking poles. We were very thankful for ours, especially on the steep downhills and when the trail was covered in snow and ice. We brought our own set of travel trekking poles (they fold up compact) with us. We share one set between the two of us so that we each carry one pole on the trail. If you didn't bring walking sticks with you ask your guide if you can rent or borrow them. Our guide made several wooden sticks available for people in our group who didn't have them. They were very thankful to have them. Clothing to go Trekking in Bhutan You don't need a lot of clothes, but you do need the right layers. Don’t worry about packing clean clothes for each day, as you can just re-wear the same things each day. Trust me, no one cares and that's what everyone does. Here’s what we suggest: 1 pair of trekking pants: We're both been using Clothing Arts Travel Pants (for men and for women) as our go-to trekking pants for over eight years. They've been through a lot of different treks and conditions, yet remain in excellent condition. We find the additional secure pockets useful on treks for keeping phones, money, tissues and other things handy. Thermal underwear (top/bottom): I love my silk long johns as they are warm, comfy and take up almost no room at all. Also good is Uniqlo's Heat Tech collection of thin, but warm, layers of leggings and tops. Dan is still keen on his Patagonia zipper top and bottoms that he's been using for over two decades. Short or long-sleeved shirts: I often start with a quick dry t-shirt at the bottom and then add the layers on top. This tends to wick away any sweat quickly so that I don't get cold. On this trek, however, I mainly used a long-sleeve shirt as my bottom layer (e.g., this Uniqlo option or this REI long-sleeved option) as I was aiming for warmth. 3-4 pairs of socks: I love SmartWool hiking socks. My first pairs lasted me almost seven years of heavy usage. If you prefer a thinner sock check out their ultra-light line. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Hiking shoes: We wore low-rise Oboz hiking shoes and were fine. Other people wore light trainers. However, some mid-ankle support is useful because of the pitch of the terrain, and some traction is the soles is useful when you encounter rain, mud, snow and ice. Men's Obuz Sawtooth Hiking Shoes: Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry + Women's Obuz Sawtooth Hiking Shoes: Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry 1 set of sleeping clothes: I prefer sleeping in different clothes than the ones I've hiked in all day. So even if it's cold in the tent I'll change into my sleeping clothes as it feels cleaner to me. Given the winter conditions this included a long-sleeve Uniqlo HeatTech shirt, fleece jacket, warm leggings (or fleece-lined running tights), socks, hat, and scarf. To ensure these remain dry, pack them in a plastic bag or other impermeable container inside the bag the mules are carrying. Underwear for every day of your trek: With an extra pair thrown in for good measure, if you like. Recommended men's underwear and women's underwear. Long sleeved pullover or zipped layer: This thin layer provides an important layer of warmth during the day. Buy on REI (Men's)| Buy on REI (Women's) Light fleece jacket: For an extra layer during the day or to keep warm during sleeping, but not too bulky. Buy on REI (Women's) | Buy on REI (Men's) Rain jacket: A useful layer for warmth and against the snow, rain or wind. You can use a light windbreaker-in-a-bag that is water resistant or a more substantial waterproof rain jacket like this (women's and men's). Down jacket: This is an invaluable layer, especially if you are trekking in the winter, as the jacket compresses into a small bag so it's light and easy to carry. But, it provides an important layer of warmth, especially when you get to the campsite and the temperature drops as the sun goes down. Dan has really enjoyed his down jacket from Uniqlo. I use a similar down jacket to this. Flip-flops or river shoes (e.g., Tevas): To use at night in the campsites to give your feet a break from hiking shoes. Women's Tevas & Men's Tevas. Shoe gaiters: We picked up a knock-off North Face pair of gaiters in Paro before our trek to protect our shoes from getting wet from the snow on the trails. We were very thankful to have them, especially on day 3. Gaiters are especially important if you're doing a winter trek and expect snow. Buy at REI | Buy on Amazon Crampons or Traction Cleats: If you're doing the winter trek and have fears of slipping on the ice, carrying a pair of lightweight traction cleats can provide peace of mind. We left our set of Yaktrax traction cleats at home (we were not expecting much ice) and were fine without them. We used our walking sticks to maintain balance on ice. However, were we to pack again for a winter Druk Path experience, we would bring them with us just to be on the safe side. Buy on Amazon | Buy at REI Other Trekking Gear Waterproof backpack cover: You never know when a rainstorm will hit, so it’s essential to keep a rain cover for your backpack close at hand. Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry | Buy at REI Quick-dry travel towel: To dry off your hands or face after washing them in the morning. Hang it on the outside of your backpack in the morning so it dries quickly in the sun and air as you move. Buy at REI |Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Sleep sack or sleeping bag liner: To provide an extra layer of warmth in the sleeping bag. Highly recommended. We prefer the silk liner option as it is light to carry, but a warm layer. Buy on REI | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Backcountry Headlamp: The campsites do not have electricity so a headlamp is useful to make your way to the camping toilet and to sort through your stuff at night in the tent. Silicone earplugs: A precaution in the case your camp has a snorer. Hand or toe warmers: If your hands and feet get cold easily consider bringing a pack of adhesive hand and/or toe warmers. One of the women in our group had bad circulation. She used these adhesive warmers daily in her shoes and gloves. They were a lifesaver and really helped keep her warm and comfortable. Buy on Amazon | Buy at REI Toiletries and Health Kit On the Druk Path Trek, you won't have access to a shower. But hot water bowls in the morning go a long way. Soap, toothbrush and toothpaste: The basics. Sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen: The higher the SPF, the better. You'll be at high altitude. Sunglasses: The sun is strong at altitude. Hand sanitizer: To be on the safe side. Pack of tissues or toilet paper: The campsites all have toilet paper, but it’s always a good idea to carry a pack of tissues just in case. Duct tape: Very effective for hot spots and blisters on your feet. Also consider picking up some Compeed, which is magic when you've already developed blisters. Medical Kit (for emergencies): Band-Aids, anti-bacterial gel (for cuts), rehydration powders, ciprofloxacin (or another medication against stomach bacteria), Tylenol (anti-headache/aches), Immodium (or some sort of “stopper” if you get diarrhea), tea tree oil (great to apply to cuts and mosquito bites) Note: all these are easily and inexpensively purchased at local pharmacies, including in Paro from where you depart for the trek. Electricity and Charging Batteries None of the campsites have electricity so prepare yourself for not having access to electricity during the trek. Some tips to handle this and further your battery power. Put your smartphone on airplane mode to not waste your phone’s battery power trying to find a network. Consider buying a phone case that doubles as an extra battery. It provides another 1-1.5 charges. Take an extra camera battery or two. Don’t spent time reviewing your images, as this will quickly consume your battery power quickly. Unless you are reviewing images to determine whether you’ve captured a specific shot, there will be time enough for photo review when your trek is finished. Pack a solar-paneled power bank. We would leave ours outside in the early morning light or during breaks along the trail to charge it in the sun. Not sure how much it really recharged, but ours did give us some much appreciated juice to recharge our phones after a couple of days. Have other questions about trekking in Bhutan or the Druk Path Trek? Just ask in the comments below and we’ll incorporate the information into the article so others may benefit. Disclosure: Our Druk Path Trek and tour in Bhutan was provided to us by G Adventures in cooperation with its Wanderers program. As always, the thoughts contained herein — the what, the why, and the how — are entirely our own. The post Bhutan Trekking: The Druk Path Trek and New Trans Bhutan Trail appeared first on Uncornered Market.

At the end of last year as winter days grew shorter and the holidays approached, we set our sights on checking in with each other before we found ourselves immersed in the uptake of a new year. Taking off to the Caribbean to spend some time together away from our laptops, reflect on the past year and take a deep breath before a busy year ahead was just what we needed.

The post Travel to St. Maarten: 18 Unusual Things to Do appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on December 8, 2024 by Audrey Scott Many people travel to St. Maarten / St. Martin for its Caribbean white sand beaches. While they are beautiful and all that you would expect from a Caribbean island, there are so many more things to do in Saint Maarten / Saint Martin than just its beaches. This travel guide shares 18 unusual things to do in St. Maarten / St. Martin drawn from ten days traveling all around the island with the goal of finding some of its more off-the-beaten path experiences and places. Whether you’re traveling to St. Maarten / St. Martin as a standalone Caribbean island vacation or as an excursion from a cruise, you'll be sure to find something from our travel guide below with our favorite boat trips, outdoor activities, hikes, beaches, and day trips to make your visit memorable. Exploring St. Martin / St. Maarten beaches. Deservedly famous. Visiting the Caribbean Island of St. Maarten / St. Martin At the end of the year as winter days grew shorter and the Christmas holidays approached, we set our sights on checking in with each other before we found ourselves immersed in the uptake of a new year. Taking off to the Caribbean to spend some time together away from our laptops, reflect on the past year and take a deep breath before a busy year ahead was just what we needed. It was with this frame of mind that we left our home base in Berlin mid-December for St. Maarten, the Dutch side of an island in the Caribbean divided in two with its French counterpart St. Martin. Caribbean beaches – long horizons and shades of blue. While we weren't fully disconnected from the internet and the world during our time on St. Maarten, we found that removing ourselves from all that was familiar and routine — and giving ourselves a dose of sunshine and warmth — helped us to relax, gain some perspective, and enjoy time together as an ordinary married couple (i.e., not as business partners). Not to mention, a sort of decompression seems to occur naturally when staring out over water to the horizon for long periods of time. In this way, pressing the pause button from time to time in one’s life creates space to disconnect, reconnect and to clarify what matters most. Note: This post was originally published in February 2016 and updated in December 2024. Going Off the Beaten Path in St. Maarten / St. Martin The idea of this trip, as with most of our travels, was to go beyond the obvious — in this case, the beaches. This involved exploring both sides of the island — Dutch St. Maarten in the south and French St. Martin to the north – and following suggestions, on and off the tourist trail, to experiences that would move us. The cliché of white sand Caribbean beaches stretching along dazzling, turquoise water is far too accurate. We were tempted to park ourselves on one of the several we sampled, and never leave. But we also knew there was more to discover and things to do in St. Maarten than appears on the surface. Next, we would be fibbing if we told you that St. Maarten / St. Martin is not heavily touristy. It would be very easy to visit and only see the developed and trafficked areas of the island and draw your experience and conclusions from there, but dig a bit deeper and you’ll find a dimension to the island that few others see. On several occasions we found ourselves surrounded by rugged natural beauty, without a soul around. Resorting to a selfie; nobody else around to take our photo along the Sentier des Froussards trek. We enabled our experience of St. Maarten in full by talking with as many people as we could. Our goal: to connect with and better understand this island of 80,000 inhabitants that welcomes an astonishing 3.7 million travelers a year, and to uncover a diversity of experiences that speak to both adventure and relaxation. That’s where this travel guide filled with unusual things to do in St. Maarten / St. Martin comes in. Pick and choose from the experiences below to piece together a St. Maarten travel itinerary that best suits your travel goals and interests, from boat trips to beaches to hiking to adventure activities. 18 Unusual Things to Do, See and Experience in St. Maarten / St. Martin As you go through our recommended boat trips, beaches, hikes, tours, and things to do in Saint Maarten / Saint Martin below you'll notice that they are mostly activities that take place outdoors, in nature and away from crowds. This reflects what we did and our personal recommendations. Some of the following experiences and activities we paid for ourselves and some were provided free to us (as indicated below). Some we learned about by talking with locals or long-time residents, and others we discovered on our own. In other words, we tried to learn as much as we could about St. Maarten/St. Martin and experience it to the fullest in the ten days we had. A note on costs: Prices for experiences vary slightly depending upon season (high or low), number of people in the group, and other factors. Legend: $ = up to $50, $$ = $50-$100, $$$ = $100-$150, $$$$ = $150+ 1. Race at sea and take the controls of a real America's Cup boat with the 12-Metre Challenge. Yes, this experience can take you on THE winning boat from the 1987 America’s Cup, the Stars & Stripes. This alone is kind of exciting. Board the boat, and each of your group is assigned a crew position. From there, you get a quick lesson, you practice a bit, the helmsman issues the commands and with a traditional 6-minute start, it’s off to the races. You witness and participate firsthand in the teamwork required to make a craft like this take flight on the water. This became even more evident – and dramatic — as we sailed right into a brief tropical storm with the wind whipping the sails and our boat carving slightly terrifying angles. What really set this experience apart, however, was the competition. We raced against another America’s Cup boat (True North, from Canada) under standard regatta regulations, giving us a wee taste of the adrenaline of an actual race. The 12-Metre Challenge, returning to shore after a successful race. The only danger with this experience is that it may make you want to take sailing lessons and rent your own sailboat to go around the Caribbean. Not that we speak from experience or anything… If you only have one day in St. Maarten as an excursion from your cruise, consider this activity. It has the right mix of adrenaline, being out on the open waters and fun. How to do it: The 12 Metre Challenge is located at Dock Maarten, Philipsburg. Note: Cruise ship passengers must book through their cruise line. Cost: $$ Disclosure: This experience was provided to us as media. 2. Day trip to Shoal Bay, Anguilla to relax on the #1 ranked beach in the Caribbean. On our first day in St. Maarten we heard Shoal Bay beach described to us as “heaven on earth.” That the recommendation came from a long-time resident with experience throughout the Caribbean told us we must go. But we’ve been to plenty of “best beaches,” so we managed our expectations. Shoal Bay blues, with a side of paddle boarding. Shoal Bay Beach over-delivered. Not only was the beach a carpet of soft, pristine white sand, but the light and water played a range of blue shades of the likes we’d never before seen, except for glaciers in Antarctica. The blue glow can appear almost artificial and HDR’d, but it’s not. It’s simply the way Mother Nature worked out in this part of the world. Now we understand why this beach is ranked #1 in the Caribbean and #5 worldwide. The other notable feature of this beach during our visit: it was almost empty. The restaurant where our tour went was a simple, local family-run establishment, which lent a fitting and traditional laid-back Caribbean feel. Shoal Bay Beach, Anguilla – a little slice of nostalgia and Caribbean beach life. How to do it: We took a day trip package that included a speedboat from St. Maarten (dock near the airport) to Anguilla + bus transfer to/from Shoal Bay + lunch + free use of beach equipment such as snorkel gear and paddle boards. Cost: $$$ Disclosure: This experience was provided to us as media. Other day trip options to Anguilla from St. Maarten include: Catamaran to Prickly Pear and Anguilla islands (8 hours): This day trip sails along the coast of St. Maarten and visits both Prickly Pear and Anguilla Islands so you can swim in the clear waters and enjoy the beaches in both places. Departs in the morning from Simpson Bay. Price includes a BBQ lunch. Private speed boat from St. Maarten to Anguilla (8 hours): Enjoy a private excursion to Anguilla to enjoy the beauty of Shoal Bay beach and nearby Sandy Island and the clear waters of Crocus Bay. Enjoy complementary champagne and drinks. You'll have flexibility with your day as you'll have your own captain and guide to help create a memorable private trip experience. Speed boat day trip to Anguilla (6 hours) that includes stops in Cap Juluca, Sandy Island, and Little Bay in Anguilla to go swimming and enjoy lunch (included in price). On the return you stop by Maho Beach in St. Maarten to watch the planes land just above you at the airport (see #3 above). Departs in the morning from Cole Bay, St. Maarten. Remember that Anguilla is a different country so be sure to bring your passport and $20 for the clearance and customs fees. 3. Get away from it all with a hike in Guana Bay. It’s easy to get caught up in St. Maarten tourist trail areas and question, “Is this all there is to the island?” However, a short drive over the hill to the southeastern corner of the island and Guana Bay served as our first glance at a different sort of St. Maarten / St. Martin. Hiking in Guana Bay with our guide, Joost. The trek from Guana Bay to Pointe Blanche is one of the areas on the island where you'll find yourself surrounded by rugged natural beauty without a soul around, save perhaps for a few goats. How to do it: You can do this Guana Bay hike with Tri-Sport. They offer a couple of departures each day during high season. We recommend choosing the morning departure (9AM) as you’ll avoid the strong heat and sunshine. Joost, our guide, provided terrific historical and environmental context. Not to mention, he’s a font of useful information and recommendations for other treks in St. Maarten. Cost: $ Disclosure: This experience was provided to us as media. 4. Drive a Rhino along the western coast of St. Martin. “I designed this myself and it’s impossible to tip. That’s why we call it a Rhino,” Oliver, the owner of Rhino Safaris explained when we first arrived. He did this so that everyone – from children to 90+ year olds – could enjoy the experience. I had memories of tipping a jet ski on a college break many years ago, so I was of relieved to find out this hybrid Jet Ski/zodiac could not be flipped. It took a few minutes to get used to the Rhino and what it could do in terms of speed, turns, and tricks, but once we did, it was fun and addictive. Driving a “rhino” up the western coast of St. Maarten. Additionally, having spent time sitting in traffic driving the western part of the island, it was a pleasant change to enjoy the same areas from the freedom of the water. How to do it: The “Rhino Safari” departs from Simpson Bay just behind Pineapple Pete’s restaurant. The tour includes not only driving your own Rhino up the western coast, but also snorkeling at Creole Rock at the northern end of the island. Cost: $$ Disclosure: This experience was provided to us as media. 5. Marvel at the planes landing over Maho Bay beach. Never have we been to a destination where the airport is such a tourist attraction. But sit on or near the beach at Maho Bay and you’ll quickly understand why. The photo below pretty much says it all. It looks Photoshopped, but it’s not. Extreme plane watching at Maho Bay, St. Maarten. How to do it: While you can stand on the beach to watch the planes land overhead, we recommend Sunset Bar as an ideal spot to capture a photo without the jet blast. The surfboard outside the bar is updated daily with the flight schedule. Or you can check out the arrival schedule at SXM airport and try to figure out which flights will have the biggest planes. Good looks can also be had from Driftwood Bar on the other side of the beach. Air France flies the largest jets (i.e., most dramatic landings and photos). Book a tour to watch the planes land over Maho Bay: If you have limited time in St. Maarten, consider booking a plane viewing day trip that will transfer you from the port in Philipsburg to Maho Bay so you can enjoy some time on the beach and see the planes landing. Alternatively, you can arrange a half-day trip in St. Maarten that will take you to Orient Beach and then to watch the planes at Maho Bay. 6. Enjoy the sunset and a rum punch on a catamaran. There’s something naturally calming about staring out over the sea at a sunset as the glow of the sun melts into the water. Now, do that same thing with from the webbed deck of a catamaran with a rum punch in your hand and you’ll find yourself exhaling – literally and figuratively — even deeper. Sunset cruise. Not pictured: rum punch in hand. How to do it: Aquamania offers sunset and dinner catamaran trips on Wednesday and Friday evenings, departing from Simpson Bay Resort marina at 5:30 PM and returning at 8:30 PM. Alternatively, you can choose this shorter sunset cruise (1.5 hours) with daily departures that includes drinks and snacks, but not a full dinner. Cost: $$ Disclosure: This experience was provided to us as media. 7. Wake up early and go for a run (or stroll) at Cupecoy Bay and enjoy a Caribbean beach all to yourself. If running isn’t your thing, then swap it with walking or cycling. Whatever you do, get up early and head to the cliffs. You’ll be rewarded not only with the soft glow of early morning light, but also with a Caribbean beach to yourself. The view from our running path, from Maho Bay to Cupecoy Bay, St. Maarten. 8. Get above it all at Pic Paradis. There is something about making your way to the highest point to get some perspective. Having an aerial view of St. Maarten (and St. Martin) from the lookout at Pic Paradis, the highest point on the island at 1,391ft / 424m, helps you see the contours of the land and how all of the places you’ve visited fit together. Pic Paradis, enjoying the view from the top of St. Martin. How to do it: In our rental car we followed the Pic Paradis signs from the main road between Marigot and Grand Case and parked on the side of the road up the hill from Loterie Farm (it was closed the day we visited, Monday). From there it was a relatively short, but steep, walk to the top. Alternatively, if you have a 4-wheel-drive car you can drive virtually the entire way to the peak and lookout. 9. Cross the border and practice your French. One of the things that attracted us to St. Maarten/St. Martin was that the island has been divided between the French and the Dutch for over 350 years. Today, the Dutch side is an independent country, while the French side remains a territory of France. We wondered what that would look and feel like. Crossing the border, St. Martin style. While there are no border controls between the sides and countries, you’ll still see signs posted across the island welcoming you each time you cross. Cross from the Dutch side north and you’ll have a chance to practice your French. You’ll also see a different style of architecture and town planning. Not to mention, the bread and pastries are unsurprisingly better on the French side of the border. 10. Chill out at Mullet Bay beach. There is no shortage of postcard-like beaches to choose from on the island. One of our favorites for relaxing, swimming and sunning was Mullet Bay. Since there's a golf course on one side of the beach, it is somewhat protected from development and the shadow of any large buildings. Mullet Bay beach in the morning. Of course, we aren’t the only ones to have discovered this beach. But, we noticed that if we went before noon or after 3PM it emptied as day passengers returned to the cruise ships. Ideal for a morning read or late afternoon nap. A note on St. Maarten / St. Martin beaches: All beaches on the island are public, meaning that you have access to try any one you’d like. Some beaches have sun chairs and umbrellas for hire, usually organized by restaurants or bars, but you have the right to plunk your beach towel at random and enjoy the beach for free. 11. Bicycle to Fort Amsterdam. With so much of St. Maarten covered in new buildings and developments (something like 90% of the island was destroyed by Hurricane Luis in 1995), we were curious to learn more about its history and the strategic role the island played in the colonial wrangling between the Spanish, Dutch and French empires over the centuries. This is where the historical bicycle tour of Philipsburg with Barend, our guide, helped fill in the gaps. Philipsburg bicycle tour leads us to Fort Amsterdam. One of the focal points of the bicycle tour is 17th century Fort Amsterdam, originally built by the Dutch, then lost to the Spanish and successfully defended to ward off a return Dutch invasion. The Dutch leader from that lost the fight (and his right leg), Peter Stuyvesant, went on to become mayor of New Amsterdam. Eventually he traded New Amsterdam (now, New York) to the British for the wee island of Curacao, in perhaps the very first of the worst of Wall Street deals. This story reinforces how the islands are historically more connected to our present day circumstances than we realize. Additionally, the bicycle tour takes you through Back Street, Philipsburg. While the souvenir shops and tourist restaurants in Philipsburg harbor and Front Street may feel overwhelming, this residential area just a few blocks away will give you a sense of what the island might have looked like before the rebuilding and tourism boom. Many traditional homes have remained in the hands of the same family for multiple generations. Worth the effort to walk to Back Street to experience the contrast between the two Philipsburgs. How to do it: The historical bicycle tour with TriSport leaves from the cruise ship harbor in Philipsburg. There’s a choice of several departures, but we recommend taking the early one (8:30 AM) to beat the heat and the crowds. If you would like a more challenging ride, check out the other bicycle tours offered. Cost: $-$$ Disclosure: This experience was provided to us as media. 12. Scuba dive at Saba island and swim with sea turtles in coral gardens. “I’m sorry. It looks like visibility isn’t as great as it usually is,” Bob, our dive master, apologized to us before we descended to the dive site known as Tent Reef. A few minutes later we swam over coral gardens bursting with colorful coral and fish. We encountered sea turtles noshing on jelly fish, and saw puffer, parrot and lion fish dart in and around the reef. I thought: “Hmm, if this is considered ‘bad' visibility, I can’t imagine what ‘good' must look like.” Scuba diving off of Saba island. Diving in Saba was a top priority for us as we’d heard that the dive sites there are considered some of the best in the Caribbean. It took a little logistical juggling, but we did find a way to combine two dives there within a day trip from St. Maarten. The only downside of this plan is that you don’t have time to explore the island itself. There are supposed to be some gorgeous coastal treks, so consider extending your Saba trip to several days. How to go scuba diving in Saba: There are ferries that offer day trips from St. Maarten to Saba that run most days in high season. Edge offers a day trip package to Saba with round-trip ferry service, hiking and the option for scuba diving. Makana Ferry goes to Saba in the late afternoon/early evening in case you want to spend a couple of nights there. The ride takes 1.5 hours and can get rough. If you get seasick easily, consider taking some motion sickness medicine or carry Sea Bands. We arranged our dive in advance with Saba Divers. They meet you at the ferry, check your Padi certification, gear you up, manage two dives, and get you back to the ferry for the late afternoon return to St. Maarten. Fun and experienced dive masters. Cost: $$$$ Saba Covid Travel Requirements (November 2022): No requirements now for proof of vaccination, negative test or EHAS form. How to go scuba diving in St. Maarten: If you want to go diving, but don't have the time to go all the way to Saba for the day consider doing a half-day double tank drive in St. Maarten instead. The dive staff will choose the dive site based on weather and visibility that morning so that you're diving in optimum conditions. If you haven't been diving within the last year, it's recommended to start with a shallow dive as a refresher. If you don't have your PADI certificate, but want to get a feel for scuba diving and being underwater, then you can do a 3-hour Discover Scuba tour that introduces you to scuba diving and all of its gear in shallow waters. This is a great way to test out scuba diving in clear Caribbean waters. 13. Taste rum at a local distillery. “I used to experiment with flavored rums in my kitchen to make gifts for friends or for guests at my husband’s restaurant. After I decided to do this professionally, I taught myself enough Mandarin to navigate the factories in China to get the bottle design exactly as I wanted it. I’ve always been hands-on,” Melanie, co-founder of Topper’s Rhum, laughed as she explained the genesis of her rum business. Teaching yourself “enough” Mandarin is no easy feat, but this focus on detail fit with what we saw and tasted during our visit to the distillery. Rum tasting at Topper's Rhum distillery. Melanie has been successful with her current lineup of white, spiced, coconut and flavored rums like white chocolate raspberry. Her experiences continue with new flavors in her office-cum-laboratory. The coconut rum was our favorite for drinking straight, but we later sampled the Mocha Mama (think Kahlua without the cream) over vanilla ice cream. Nice! How to do it: Topper’s Rhum now offers distillery tours for the public. Otherwise, you can sample (and buy) any of the rums at one of the two Topper’s restaurants. 14. Practice Your Tanning Skills at Orient Bay. On our first night in St. Maarten we asked our waitress, Samantha, which beach on the island was her favorite. Her quick response: “Orient Bay. I didn’t realize how lucky we are to have this beach until I left the island and visited other places. I love it.” Time to brush up on tanning skills, Orient Bay. Located on the French side of the island east, the beach at Orient Bay is long, wide and lined with restaurants and cafes that offer beach chairs and umbrellas. It’s more of a place to “be seen” than Mullet Bay, but it’s not too over-the-top. It also features beach segments that are clothing optional, so if nude bathing is your thing, this is the place to be…or to be seen. 15. Enjoy scenes of local life in Grand Case. Grand Case is on the French side of the island and has more of a local feel to it than some of the other areas of the island that have been built up for tourism. It's a good place to park your car and wander the streets and pier for these glimpses of local life…like school kids jumping off the pier or playing in the surf along the beach. There is something so light and innocent about the scene. Listen to the giggles and feel the energy. An inimitable local sight and memory. School kids play in the sea in late afternoon light. Grand Case, St. Martin How to do it: Park your car in the public parking lot on the north end of the main street in Grand Case. Walk out by the pier behind the cluster of outdoor grill restaurants. Plenty of food options here, too, from the informal grills at the beach side to more formal French restaurant options along what is known as “Restaurant Row.” 16. Kayak through the mega yacht harbor to the mangroves. St. Maarten is one of THE places in the Caribbean for yachts and boats of the “mega” variety to be docked. So it’s a fun juxtaposition – not to mention great perspective — to paddle through the nautical playground of the rich and famous before coming back down to earth with the jellyfish and sea cucumbers in the mangroves. Kayaking through the mega-yachts of Simpson Bay lagoon. How to do it: Tri-Sport usually offers a lagoon kayak tour a couple of times a day. We recommend choosing either the early morning or late afternoon option to avoid the heat of the midday sun. Chris, one of the guides, is a St. Maarten local so he can advise you on anything you might want to know about the island, including local food. Cost: $-$$ Disclosure: This experience was provided to us as media. Grab a Johnny Cake at Hilma’s and ask her about Anthony Bourdain and her 40+ years on the island. Update: Hilma's Windsor Castle was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017. We are keeping the entry below in honor of Hilma, her spirit…and her johnny cakes. Although a separate section below is devoted to recommended dining and island eats, we include Hilma’s (technically, Hilma’s Windsor Castle) because eating at one of the four stools is an experience well beyond the food. Hilma has been operating from a converted trailer on the same spot in Simpson Bay for 22 years, and she’s lived on the island for more than 40. She purposely keeps operations deliberately small and personal for manageability. She has so many stories to tell, so plan some time for a conversation or two. The always smiling Hilma of Windsor Castle food stand in Simpson Bay. “I was all by myself when I first started here. None of this was here,” Hilma told us as she looked out over the road now filled to the brim on both sides with restaurants and shops. When we asked her about Anthony Bourdain, she confirmed, “Yes, he used to come here often. He vacationed here before he became really famous. He’s eaten everything here. The advice he gave me was to not change, that I should stay true to my roots.” Sage advice. How to do it: You can find Hilma’s Windsor Castle on the lot between the RBC Bank and Jerusalem / The Palms restaurants on Airport Road in Simpson Bay. Hilma is open Monday to Saturday from 7:30AM – 2:00PM. 17. Hike the northern coastline at Sentier des Froussards. This hike and the northern coastline of St. Martin falls under the “hidden” and “I had no idea something like this existed on the island” categories. We woke up early to do the trek Sentier de Froussards hike (from Anse Marcel to Eastern Point and back) during our last morning on the island. A rather ideal way to end our travels in St. Maartin / St. Martin. The hike consists of a surprisingly beautiful and secluded 3-mile footpath out along the northern coast of the island and features a couple of bathing-worthy beaches, rugged coastline and fabulous windswept landscape. Hiking the northern coast of St. Martin along the Sentier de Froussards path. How to do it: Big thanks to Joost from TriSport for recommending this trek to us. Drive towards Anse Marcel and after coming over the big hill (and before entering the marina and resort area) turn to the right where you see a small trekking sign and parking lot. You’ll walk a ways on a dirt road before reaching the trailhead on the right. Go very early (arrive around 7:30AM) to avoid the traffic and heat. En route to Anse Marcel from the south, fetch yourself a pain au chocolat or croissant from the boulangerie on the right side of the N7 main road in Grand Case. 18. Throw open the curtains at sunrise…and realize how fortunate you are. This began my morning routine. I noticed it most on that final day, perhaps because it marked the final time I would feel it this trip. It was the combination of the sound of the curtains moving on their track along with the reveal of the morning, the water, the horizon, the sun, a new day. The sensory combination of sight and sound of our morning routine foreshadowed the day to come and offered a moment to reflect on what we have, here and now. This is a lesson for life. One reaffirmed on the island. Day Trips and Excursions in St. Maartin / St. Martin Our partners, Get Your Guide and Viator, offer many St. Maarten tours, day trips and tickets for attractions. They guarantee lowest prices with no booking fees or hidden charges, as well as information on Covid hygiene and safety precautions. In addition to confirming your place and avoiding lines by pre-booking, you can cancel up to 24 hours before in case your plans change. Although we've made quite a few recommendations above for activities, excursions and tay trips, we also wanted to share some other interesting St. Maarten tours and day trips. Speed boat tour around St. Maarten and St. Martin with snorkeling, beaches and lunch: This 6-hour tour around St. Maarten by speed boat takes you to both the Dutch and French sides. You'll have a chance to visit Tintamarre, an uninhabited island within the French Nature Reserve, that is only accessible by boat where you'll have a chance to see sea turtles and sting rays. Other stops include Pinel Island to swim and enjoy a relaxing lunch under palm trees, Creole Rock for snorkeling, Mullet Bay for another stunning beach, and finally to see the jets land over your head at Princess Juliana International Airport (see above). Private charter catamaran trip around St. Maarten: Perfect for families or groups of friends traveling together who want a bit of privacy and luxury. This is a full-day charter (9 hours) that not only includes stops with snorkeling and swimming at Tintamarre Island, Long Bay La Samana, and Happy Bay, but also a gourmet 4-course lunch and open bar. If you're thinking of a splurge during your visit to St. Maarten, this is a good choice. Day tour around St. Martin / St. Maarten with a local guide: This 5-hour tour around both the French and Dutch sides of the island with a local guide sounds quite interesting as it focuses on topics related to the history and resilience of the island and its people, especially as the island was badly destroyed recently during Hurricaine Irma. It stops in several places on the French side like Grand Case, Marigot, and Fort St. Louis, as well as Maho Bay and Philipsburg on the Dutch side. Sailing and Snorkeling Trip Along St. Martin's Coast (5 hours): If you want to maximize your time on the water and see St. Martin / St. Maarten from the sea, this sailing day trip on a trimaran (i.e., it has three hulls vs. two as in a catamaran) is a good option. The journey will take you up the southwestern coast of St. Martin and up the Anguilla Channel, and you'll stop along the way for swimming and snorkeling. Departs from Nowhere Special Restaurant right next to the St. Maarten Yacht Club. Lunch included. St. Maarten hiking and snorkeling nature tour (4 hours): This nature tour combines a couple of our recommendations above – going up to Pic Paradis for panoramic views, taking a hike or nature walk, and snorkeling in the clear waters below — in a nice half-day time period. With your local guide you'll have a chance to learn a bit more about the island's biodiversity and the different species of animals above and below water. A good and active introduction to the island's nature if you are on an excursion or only have a short time. Where to Stay in St. Maarten / St. Martin For the ten days we visited St. Maarten, our home was the Morgan Resort (previously, the Alegria Boutique Hotel) in Maho Bay, just walking distance from the famous beach where airplanes fly overhead to land at the Princess Juliana airport (See #4 above). Sunset view from our balcony at Alegria Boutique Hotel. From what we can tell on the Morgan Resort website, the rooms have been renovated and upgraded considerably, into more of a luxury stay. There are still some suites available if you want a bit more room. Book a room at Morgan Resort Spa and Village. St. Maarten Hotels and Apartments Whether you are traveling to St. Maarten as a standalone vacation or starting your cruise from there, you may want to stay on the Dutch side of the island for a few days. The St. Maarten hotels and apartments below are conveniently located and in quieter, less developed areas. We think of them as good places to base yourself to explore the island. Hotels in Maho Bay – Cupecoy Bay – Simpson Bay These locations are all pretty close to the airport. We enjoyed staying in Maho Bay as it was a bit removed from a lot of the more built up areas and we had easy access to Mullet Bay and Cupecoy Bay beaches. Plus, we could always pop down to one of the nearby bars to see the planes land overhead at the airport. Not many activities start in Maho Bay, so t means that you'll need to add in driving or transfer time at the beginning and end of the day. Some of the activities and tours above start in or near Simpson Bay so it is a bit closer. El Zafiro Boutique Hotel: This is very close to where we stayed in St. Maarten and is located right on the beach so you'll have good views of both the coast and mountains from your room. Convenient for watching planes land at SXM airport. Adonis Cupecoy Hotel: Located in a good position not far from Cupecoy Bay (see #2 above), Maho Bay (see #4) and Simpson Bay with some restaurants and shopping nearby, but it's still a quieter, less developed part of St. Maarten. The Horny Toad Guest House: If you want your own apartment or studio with a kitchenette, seating area and terrace, then this is a good option right on Simpson Bay Beach. Close to the airport and you are walking distance from local restaurants. Hotels in Philipsburg and Eastern St. Maarten The little town of Philipsburg might be a fun place to base yourself as it has some historic areas, a beach and nearby restaurants and shops you can walk to. Plus, you're not too far from Guana Bay Beach (see #3 above) and can explore Fort Amsterdam easily. If you're coming to St. Maarten early for a cruise, Philipsburg is conveniently located near the cruise terminal and port. Alicia Inn: A good budget option right in the middle of Philipsburg so close to the restaurants, shops and beach. Public transport is also located nearby if you don't have a car and want to explore by local bus. Bay View Apartment: A little outside of town in the hills with views over Great Bay and the Atlantic Ocean below. This is a full apartment so you have everything you need to feel at home on the island. A good place if you want a bit of quiet and privacy. St. Martin Hotels and Apartments: Staying on the French Side Next time we visit the island we might stay on the French side for a change of pace as there is less tourism development and fewer big resorts. Sunshine Studios, Grand Case: Although our time in Grand Case was short, we really liked the feel of the place as it had more of a local lived in vibe than many of the other more tourism oriented places on the island. And, it's near “Restaurant Row” if you want to enjoy some French cuisine on your visit to St. Martin. The studios here also include kitchens so you can also enjoy self-catering and eating on your balcony. Happy Residence, Orient Bay: Located on Orient Bay Beach, one of our favorite beaches on the island. The apartment has a kitchen and everything you need, but it is also located walking distance to other restaurants and shops. Tiko Lodge, Oyster Pond: In the eastern side of the island close to Babit Point Natural Reserve, which is good for hiking, and not far from Orient Bay. The lodge offers rooms or apartments, and views over the water. Although quiet and remote, there are still restaurants nearby that are walking distance. Where to Eat in St. Maarten As we stayed in St. Maarten, the Dutch side of the island, we took all of our meals there. Much of the food in this part of the island is international, a reflection of both the people who now call this island home and the demographic of the tourists that visit it. If you are interested in traditional French cuisine, however, then head up to “Restaurant Row” in Grand Case on the northwestern side of the island in St. Martin. We didn’t have the opportunity to eat there during this trip as were often there too early for dinner, but the menus posted outside were very similar to what you might see in France. Long-time European residents confirmed the quality of the restaurants in Grand Case is also top notch and recommended: Auberge Gourmande, Bistro Caribe, Sol e Luna, Ocean 82 and Tastevin. Our quick look at the Auberge Gourmande menu told us this is the place we’d likely visit, but we might be swayed by what is fresh and the plat du jour elsewhere. Top Carrot, Simpson Bay Vegetarians and vegans delight. If salads, vegetables, juices and healthy eating are your thing then this is your place. The focus at Top Carrot: fresh ingredients, either grown on the island (when possible) or just off the boat from nearby Dominica. Specials change daily. After each meal, not only were we truly satisfied, but we also left feeling as though we’d done our bodies a favor. The French co-owner, Lydia, is usually there and has some great stories from living on the island for 20+ years. She’s exceedingly kind, too. Vegetable goodness at Top Carrot. Recommended dishes: Baked goat cheese (St Marcellin) salad, veggie wrap and mahi mahi with passion fruit sauce and caramelized onions (daily special, was terrific). Where to find Top Carrot Restaurant: 3200 W South Airport Rd (near Simpson Bay Marina), Simpson Bay. The Palms, Simpson Bay What happens when a Canadian Trinidadian opens restaurant in St Maarten? You get Caribbean favorites like drunken ribs and Trinidadian bites served in a Canadian (and Torontonian) paraphernalia flair. You get The Palms. Greg, the owner, and his mother change the menu daily based on what’s fresh. He's also a great resource for other restaurant recommendations and tips for the island. Recommended dishes: Drunken ribs and pholourie, spiced split pea flour puff fritters with house special cumin-tamarind sauce. Rib portions are large, so consider splitting one between two people or pair with an appetizer instead of a 2nd main dish. Where to find The Palms restaurant: 25 Airport Road in Simpson Bay (near RBC Bank). Sunset Bar, Maho Bay Sunset Bar features a prime location next to Maho Bay beach, making it the viewing lounge of choice for oglers of airplanes landing at SXM airport (see #4 above). It’s also good for sunset gazing with a drink in hand. Recommended dishes: Most people come here to drink rather than eat, but we found the seared tuna atop salad greens to be really abundant, nicely-cooked and fresh. Consider asking for the dressing on the side. Where to find it: Maho Bay, just behind the runway for the airport. Disclosure: Our first meal here was provided to us. Driftwood Boat Bar, Maho Bay If you’re looking for a tasty, cheap eats on St. Maarten, we can vouch for the chicken schwarma sandwich at Driftwood Boat Bar. A healthy chunk of grilled, spiced chicken covered with lots of vegetables and dressing. The location also offers another venue to watch the planes land at the airport in case the Sunset Bar on the other end of Maho Bay is packed. Where to find the Driftwood Boat Bar: Maho Bay, west side, just behind the runway. Planning a Trip to St. Maarten / St. Martin One island, two countries, no border. While the island is divided into two countries, there are no border controls between them. The Dutch side is home to the major international airport (SXM, Princess Juliana) and cruise ship port, so it services most of the visitors coming to the island. However, there is a smaller airport, SFG (L’Esperance Airport Grand-Case) on the French side. To understand one difference, as residents tell us, “The Dutch side takes more influence from the United States. Anything goes here.” The French side is technically part of France, so it adheres to E.U. requirements. This means that building and development is more regulated; you'll often find fewer crowds. Renting a car in St. Maarten St. Maarten is a relatively small island (34 square miles), but if you’re interested in doing a variety of activities as we did, a rental car is essential. There's plenty of rental car competition on the island, so prices are decent, starting from around $30-$40/day for the economy cars. Gas/petrol prices are currently pretty reasonable, particularly by European standards. One caveat: traffic on the island can be bad and stressful, and parking can be equally challenging. Ask locals about traffic patterns, timing and rush hours up front so you can plan your route and schedule your outings to minimize irritation. Disclosure: Our rental car was provided by Empress Rental Car just near the Princess Juliana airport. We had a simple rental car that got us around the island with no problems. Note: We also find that Skyscanner offers good rental car prices for St. Maarten / St. Martin. Public Transportation and Taxis on St. Maarten If you don’t plan to explore the island much (i.e., you're focused on a nearby beach or all of your activities include a pickup or transfer), then consider taking the occasional taxi or flagging down one of the public transport minivans making their way around the island. There are plenty of both. You can also easily book a shared airport transfer or private airport transfer from Princess Juliana airport (SXM) to your hotel so that you have someone waiting for you at the airport when you arrive. Money in St. Maarten / St. Martin The official currency of the French side is the Euro(€) while on the Dutch side it's the Netherlands Antillean Florin (NAF). Don’t bother taking out NAF from the ATM as all prices on the Dutch side are posted in $USD and every place accepts dollars. Most places on the French side will also accept $USD (often on a 1:1 basis with the Euro). SIM card and mobile data on St. Maarten We purchased a TelCell SIM card on the Dutch side for $15 and bought 500MB of data for an additional $10. However, mobile data does not work when you cross over to the French side. Although we have no experience with the UTS/Chippie, they are another option for SIM cards, calls and mobile data on the island. When to visit St. Maarten / St. Martin Our visit to St. Maarten/St. Martin was in mid-December. We found it just about perfect, as our timing was right before high season, which runs from just before Christmas (Dec. 22-ish) to the beginning of April. The weather during our visit was excellent – sunny and warm during the day, beautiful water temperatures, and breezy and temperate at night – and came with the added bonus of fewer crowds and reduced traffic. We were told that August-October us usually incredibly hot and at the tail end of the hurricane season, so probably best to avoid that period. One long-time resident told us that his favorite season is April to June as it’s not too hot and high season crowds have begun to dissipate. How to Travel to St. Maarten / St. Martin Visiting St. Maarten / St. Martin on a Cruise Many people visit the island as a day trip or excursion from a longer Caribbean cruise. This will provide you a taste of the island in a short period of time. In fact, many of the activities and tours recommended above are scheduled for cruise excursions so they pick you up at the port in morning and return you with plenty of time in the afternoon. Traveling to St. Martin / St. Maarten as a Vacation As you might have guessed from this article, we suggest visiting for longer than just a day trip as there is quite a lot to do and see in St. Maarten / St. Martin. You could do what we did and visit as a standalone vacation for 5-10 days, with side day trips to Anguilla and Saba islands. Or, you could combine a visit to St. Martin with other nearby Caribbean destinations for a multi-destination vacation. Flying to St. Maarten If you are flying to St. Maarten from Europe, there are usually direct connections from KLM and Air France. Coming from the United States there are quite a few airlines that fly into SXM airport like Jet Blue and American Airlines. You can check out flights to St. Maarten, including a comparison of airlines, prices and times of year, on Skyscanner. St. Maarten Covid Entry Requirements As of November 2022, St. Maarten / St. Martin island is open to travelers with no restrictions or Covid-19 entry requirements. However, be sure to check the official Saint Maarten Covid Travel Requirements website before your trip for the latest information and updates. Most of the international entry points to the island are on the Dutch side so it’s mostly likely that you will arrive on the island in St. Maarten and will need to follow these Covid entry requirements. St. Martin Covid Entry Requirements As Saint Martin is technically part of France, it has some similar Covid travel requirements. Although most international arrivals will be on the Dutch side (see above for St. Maarten), if you happen to arrive on the French side at St. Martin’s small airport (Grand Case Esperance SFG Airport) or a ferry port, you should check out the official St. Martin Covid travel requirements website for specifics and the most updated details. Disclosure: Our trip to St. Maarten and stay at Morgan Resort (previously, Alegria Boutique Hotel) were provided by Choice Hotels in conjunction with its #ChoiceCaribbean campaign. Any experiences and meals above that were provided to us have been noted inline. We would also like to thank Karen Hana, General Manager of the Alegria Boutique Hotel, for sharing with us her 20+ years of experience living on the island and for her suggestions on experiences across the island. As always, the thoughts contained herein — the what, the why, and the how — are entirely our own. The post Travel to St. Maarten: 18 Unusual Things to Do appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on April 21, 2024 by Audrey Scott How can one travel safely during Covid? What Covid research and travel planning can you do manage risk while still having a fun vacation? What any additional travel safety measures should ... Continue Reading

The post Traveling Safely During Covid: Research, Planning and Managing Risk appeared first on Uncornered Market.

Last Updated on April 21, 2024 by Audrey Scott How can one travel safely during Covid? What Covid research and travel planning can you do manage risk while still having a fun vacation? What any additional travel safety measures should one take? How might choices as to where to go, activities, accommodation and transport change during the pandemic? In this article we address all of this, focusing on the stuff and choices in our control with the goal to mind the health and safety of others, as well as yourself. These lessons apply not only to travel but also to daily life, during the pandemic and beyond. We touch on decision-making, logistics, managing risk, flexibility, adapting to new information, managing expectations, gratitude and satisfaction. Oh, and how it's still possible to have fun and enjoy yourself even in the midst of pandemic challenges, risks and uncertainties. Navigating research, planning and execution right now: ups and downs. When we traveled to Italy from Berlin, Germany to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, we had plenty of reservations. We questioned whether we ought to travel at all given the pandemic. We were not only concerned about our own enjoyment and safety, but we were also more attuned to the safety of others and the impact of our visit. Our decision-making process while planning and taking this trip was more deliberate and careful than usual. We considered all potential impacts — good and bad — as we researched, planned and executed the trip with Covid-19 still a reality. As we responded to questions from friends, family and readers about how traveled during the pandemic, it occurred to us that it might be useful to turn our travel planning and on-the-road process during COVID-19 inside-out here. Update January 2022: Even though the trip we mentioned occurred before vaccinations were available, many of the same precautions, planning factors and considerations are still relevant now given the new variants and low rates of vaccination in some places. We've updated this article to take into consideration vaccination certificates, country-specific passes and other considerations to be able to navigate requirements, manage risk and have a good trip. This update also includes specifics and experiences traveling to and within the United States and to several EU countries (e.g., France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Moldova and Cyprus). CAVEATS: We understand Italy does not reflect travel realities across the rest of the world. Each destination is different based on their vaccination rate, Covid-19 case load, hospitalization rates, season, restrictions and many other things. However, we believe many of the travel planning, safety tips and recommendations that follow will resonate and apply on some level no matter where you live and where you wish to travel. To be clear, we are not advocating that everyone travel right now. There are ethical considerations and even with vaccination roll-outs gaining speed around the world, COVID-19 rates are again on the rise in many countries with new variants like Omicron (see our COVID-19 Travel Resource Guide for more details on relevant data and considerations). However, people will continue to travel now and in the future. Our suggestions are aimed to help travelers plan and execute travel more seamlessly and manage risks for themselves and the host communities they visit. One of the best ways to do this is to get vaccinated yourself and visit places with high vaccination rates so that local people are already protected. Mindful Traveler Oath Basics First, consider the following basic elements of the as-yet-unspoken Uncornered Market Mindful Traveler Oath: Keep ourselves and others safe. And not necessarily in that order. Act mindfully and responsibly, for positive (or to minimize potential negative) impact on the people and places we visit. Have fun. Enjoy ourselves. We did our best on this trip to accomplish all three. “Good Grief, What a Headache” Caveat to the Mindful Traveler Oath Some of our suggestions may elicit a response of, “Oh Dan and Audrey, what a headache. I just want to travel.” In turn, we offer the following perspective: “What do we most remember about the trip?” What we remember most from our trip: celebrating at a mountain hut in the Dolomites. In this case, we recall the phenomenal hiking, dazzling food, beautiful towns, pleasant people, and lovely interactions. Also expressing disbelief, usually over a glass of the local vintage or beer, that we’d been married to one another for 20 years. Last on the list of our memories: any inconvenience of wearing a mask or having to mind the impact of our actions on the health and safety of others. Now to the list. How To Travel Safely* During Covid: Research and Planning Note: *safely in terms of doing full research to understand the risks associated with the place you want to visit and the type of travel you want to do. Unfortunately, there is no 100% safe guarantee when it comes to Covid or anything else in life. The idea is to be prepared with relevant data and information to make a decision on whether to travel in the first place given the risks, where you can travel based on border and other restrictions, and then where you want to travel based on the current Covid situation, requirements, and other associated costs and time. 1. Do your COVID-19 & travel restriction research Prior to setting off, we took our own COVID travel advice when deciding where to visit. Our goal: to make sure the places we wanted to visit weren’t identified as COVID-19 hotspots, had high vaccination rates and that we wouldn’t be required to quarantine upon arrival or encounter problems upon our return home to Germany. Covid-related research and considerations to choose where to travel now include: Country entry and stay requirements: Use tools like Sherpa, Reopen Europe, and country-specific government pages (always confirm information from secondary sources) to understand entry requirements. This includes not only whether proof of a negative test is needed to enter, but also whether testing is required upon arrival, quarantine times, and whether regular testing is required during the stay. Some countries also require you to fill in a government form in advance and upload your proof of vaccination or negative test as a sort of pre-approval process. You're usually required to show this — either in paper or app form — when you check in for your flight and upon arrival in the country. Many countries have different requirements for vaccinated vs. unvaccinated travelers, so be sure to double check the requirements not only for your vaccination status, but also for how old your vaccination is (e.g., whether you've gotten a booster). Country specific Covid data: Be sure you understand the current local Covid situation where you want to visit to ensure this fits within your desired risk level. This means not only Covid daily rates, but also hospitalizations and ICU availability, vaccination rate (high is good), and where the concentration of new infections is happening (e.g., maybe you stay away from the cities or outbreak areas). Re-entry requirements to your home country: Not only do you need to know what is needed to get into another country, but you also must be aware of what the requirements are to return home. Countries are constantly being evaluated based on their current Covid caseloads and put on low or high risk lists, with the latter having stricter re-entry testing and quarantine requirements. Be sure to check the status of the country where you want to visit so that you are prepared with what forms you need to fill out, if you need a negative PCR or antigen test, and whether you need to quarantine. Availability and cost of Covid tests: In addition to possibly needing to show a negative test to fly home, some countries require Covid tests upon arrival or every couple of days. Do your research to understand not only the testing requirements (antigen or PCR), but how much the tests cost and how difficult it is to schedule. For example, during our recent trip to Cyprus, a PCR test upon arrival was required of all passengers. However, this was done immediately at the airport when we disembarked the plane, cost €15 (very reasonable) and the results were sent in 3-6 hours. This made it easy, efficient and inexpensive to fulfill this requirement. However, we're heard stories in other countries of the required tests adding hundreds of dollars or Euros to the cost of the trip, plus they were difficult to find and schedule. That sounds less enjoyable. What happens if you get Covid on vacation – local requirements and restrictions: Imagine the worst case scenario and you test positive for Covid during your trip, either developing symptoms during your vacation or you get a surprise result when you do your Covid test to return home. What are the procedures and requirements where you are going in terms of where you are allowed to stay (e.g., some countries have quarantine-specific hotels or centers so you can't just stay in a regular hotel or apartment), quarantine length, required testing regime, access to medical care, and who pays for everything, etc.? We know this isn't a pleasant exercise, but it's better to be prepared for what could happen (e.g., we know several people who tested positive when fulfilling Covid requirements to return home). Then, you have all the information you need to decide if you still want to go to that destinations given the requirements and potential additional costs and time. For example, on our recent trip to Cyprus we researched that if we were to test positive then we would have to go an official government quarantine hotel for two weeks, but that the costs of this were paid by the government. Given that we mostly work remotely anyway, we decided that this was a risk we were willing to take. On-the-ground Covid safety requirements: We now actively look for destinations with strict mask mandates and where proof of vaccination is required to access restaurants, museums or other indoor areas. This provides us with a bit more peace of mind and security that people are taking the risks seriously and are trying to manage them the best they can given the current tools and knowledge that we have. This, of course, is all in addition to all the usual travel logistics and destination planning we do for a normal vacation. How it played out: Although our goal was to hike the Dolomites in northern Italy, we identified several alternative destinations in case COVID-19 rates or travel restrictions increased there. We also regularly checked official government (German and Italian) websites to ensure we had the latest information before making any decisions. 2. Plan. Remain flexible. Adapt. Expect to cancel during Covid. I’m with Dwight Eisenhower on this one. “…[plans] are of no particular value, but [planning] is indispensable.” Eisenhower was quoting a military officer speaking about managing peace after World War II, but the premise applies also to the winds of change of travel. Plan, yet remain flexible. Accept that you may be forced to change plans or cancel at any moment, either while planning or on the road. Adapt your expectations and decisions to the discovery of new information. Preparation opens the mind to possible outcomes; the resulting flexibility helps maximize satisfaction. The less surprised you are as scenarios arise, the more equipped you will be to respond. And the more resilient you'll become. If you happen to be a fan of the saying, “It’s all about the journey, not the destination,” this ought to resonate. How it played out: We postponed our anniversary trip once. The possibility of last-minute cancellation hovered over us right up to the time of our departure. We deliberately chose to travel by train rather than fly to Italy, since it featured fewer bureaucratic hassles and was less expensive, particularly if we had to cancel. We also chose a rental car option with flexible cancellation and refund policies and were willing to pay a little more for that flexibility. (Note: If terms and conditions regarding cancellation aren’t clearly articulated, do not hesitate to inquire before booking so as to avoid surprises.) Changeable weather is a key factor, especially during the shoulder season. It determined where we stayed each night and from which Dolomite trailhead we set off each morning. We checked weather multiple times a day (Wunderground and various mountain forecast sites were our favorites) for various cities and towns within the region. We adjusted our route accordingly and often headed to an area which promised the most sunshine and the lowest chance of precipitation the following day. Weather and forecast variation was remarkable, even between towns no more than an hour or two from one another. 3. Take advantage of the shoulder and off-seasons We’ve always been fans of traveling in the shoulder and off-seasons not only because of fewer crowds, but also because it benefits local businesses by helping to extend their season. Prices and availability of accommodation and transport tend to be better, too. With social distancing and crowd avoidance concerns, this approach makes even more sense. Shoulder season hikes sometime mean unexpected snow, which only adds to the beauty and adventure. How it played out: Although we considered taking this trip for a while, including possibly during the summer when weather is more reliable, we ended up blocking out the end of September and early October for it. This was not only in light of watching COVID-19 rates, but also in line with the idea that there we would encounter fewer travelers after the traditional high season. This worked out well in terms of fewer people on the trails and better prices at hotels and guest houses. 4. Lifelines: Ask a friend to send you important updates For the sake of joy, sanity and time management, we cut off our attention from most news during the trip. After a few days, however, we realized our disengagement and wondered whether we'd miss a news item which might affect our trip. We asked a friend in Berlin to alert us of developments like border restrictions or closures that might impact our trip or return home. How it played out: The day before our return, our lifeline (you know who you are), sent a Whatsapp message with COVID-19 rate increases across Central Europe. The following day, as we traveled by train from Italy to Germany, slow and tense border crossings caused us to miss our connecting train. While we weren't particularly happy about that, at least we weren't caught off guard. Had such information arrived at the start of our trip, we may have opted to cut the trip short. 5. Be OK following the local rules. When you travel, you are essentially a guest in someone's else home. Accept that you’ll be expected to comply with the requirements of the destinations you visit. That’s as true now with COVID as it's ever been, only the stakes are higher. If you aren’t willing to comply with local laws and requirements -– either as they are, or how they may develop in response to circumstances — don’t go. This also applies to any possible quarantine and testing rules back home. Otherwise, you'll make yourself and others miserable. Masks were the norm in the Dolomites of northern Italy, including in enclosed spaces like gondolas. 2022 Update on local Covid rules and requirements: Mask mandates and understanding which type of mask is required: Some places not only have a mask mandate for indoor (and sometimes outdoor) spaces, but they also have requirements related for what type of mask you need to wear. For example, in Berlin, Germany where we live it's required to wear either an KN95/FFP2 mask or medical mask as these are higher quality masks than cloth masks and offer more protection. This means that cloth masks are not allowed and you might be rejected from a grocery store or given a fine on public transport for not wearing the proper mask. Even outside of whatever the local requirements are, wearing a high quality KN95/FFP2 is just better for everyone's safety – yours and the people around you. Digital vaccination certificates: Many countries (or even sometimes cities like New York City) require you to show your proof of vaccination digitally, with an approved app. This allows restaurants, shops or other establishments to quickly scan your vaccination QR code to ensure that you meet the requirements to enter. Do your research to find out which apps are required in the place you want to visit and try to get yourself set up before you go by downloading the app and uploading your proof of vaccination. If that is not possible, then research what you need to do on the ground to get the approved digital certificate on your phone. For example, in Berlin some pharmacies will take the CDC vaccination card and provide an EU-approved vaccination QR code that can then be scanned and uploaded to approved EU app like CovPass. How it played out. We followed the rules and did what was asked of us. We also self-quarantined when we returned to Berlin, even though it wasn't technically required. It felt good to do so and contributed to the feeling that we're all responsible and have a role to play in everyone’s well-being. Choosing Safe(r) Activities and Alternative Destinations 6. Get Out(side)! Outdoor activities are considered a much lower risk for COVID-19 exposure. We enjoy hiking, so it was an easy decision to make hitting the trails and spending as much time outside in nature a key focus of our trip. To mitigate the risk of encountering crowds, we chose to hike at the end of the season. We also chose longer, more difficult hikes that were not as popular or well-known. As a result, we often shared the trail with very few people, or even had some entirely to ourselves. Social distancing was not an issue. Even in popular regions it’s possible to choose less trafficked trails and destinations (hint: choose the long hikes with a difficult rating). Enjoying a mountain pass all to ourselves in Tre Cime Nature Park. All of the vacations we've taken during the pandemic — Côte d'Azur, Cyprus, Baltic Sea, Portugal, Bavarian Alps — have focused on hiking, cycling or some sort of outdoor activity. This isn't just good from a health perspective to limit exposure and risk, but walking in nature or hiking is also good for one's mind and body. Immersing in and reconnecting with nature, especially during such a stressful time like the pandemic, can be so beneficial. How it played out: At Tre Cime Nature Park, home to the iconic and popular Tre Cime (Three Peaks), we chose the Comici Refuge trail, a longer, more challenging day hike passing the back side of these heavily Instagrammed peaks. While we encountered only a handful of others on the trail during our ascent (whose views were the best we'd see all day), we observed a line of people on the traditional trail headed for us at one of the mountain hut panoramas. We took a requisite photo or two of the actual Tre Cime, but then quickly continued on our path less-taken. 7. Go off the standard path, find alternative destinations. COVID-19 underscores this essential and timeless piece of travel advice. Whatever you think the ultimate goal or crown jewel of the place you are visiting ought to be, there is always something else. Alternative destinations are out there; do your research to uncover them. You'll typically find that the alternatives are just as good if not better than the snaps splashed all over Instagram and in travel magazines. Our first hike, Piz Galin, remained a favorite of the trip. How it played out: The Sexten-Brixen corridor of the Dolomites was our original goal. However, at the start of our trip, it was raining there. Weather forced us to expand our view. We discovered some mind-blowing hikes in the Dolomiti Paganella area, including the challenging Piz Galin (Galin Peak) trail outside of the town of Andalo. It turned out to be one of our favorite hikes of the trip. 8. Visit secondary cities and destinations. We chose smaller towns or secondary cities to overnight in the mountains. The idea: avoid busy streets full of people bumping into each other. There’s plenty of surprising beauty in the less visited. San Marino: exploring the castle walls vs. the busy old town streets. How it played out: Most of the small towns and villages we overnighted in had very few visitors. Streets were relatively quiet, humming with the pace of everyday local life. This allowed us to explore freely without having to dodge crowds. One exception to this was San Marino whose city center was surprisingly full. We outwalked the crowds to find more space. Transportation During Pandemic Travel 9. Wear a mask on all public or shared transport. Masks are typically a requirement on public or shared transport (e.g., flights, trains, buses, etc.). It makes sense since you are sharing the same confined space with others. When everyone wears a mask properly (yes, that means above the nose) it makes for a safer, less anxious ride for everyone. Update 2022: We now know a bit more about masks and their efficiency in protecting against airborne Covid so it is highly recommended to wear an N95/FFP2 mask or a medical mask instead of a cloth mask. That extra layer of protection could make a difference when you're in a closed space for hours. Wearing a KN95/FFP2 mask provides the most protection for you and others. How it played out: We had to wear a mask for the entire 9-10 hour train journey from Berlin, Germany to Bolzano, Italy. Was this a delight? No. For collective health and safety, were we willing to wear a mask and grateful that most everyone else wore one properly, too? You bet. 10. Use private transport. Our readers know that we sing the praises of public transportation. Especially now, it's a lifeline for many. However, private transportation (e.g., a rental car) makes some destinations more accessible. In Covid travel times, having our own car also reduces repeated exposure to groups of other people in shared transportation. How it played out: We picked up a rental car in Bolzano, Italy. We appreciated having our own transport across the Dolomites and down to The Marche and San Marino. It not only provided us the flexibility to make plans on the fly as we responded to changing weather, but it also saved us from spending many hours on and waiting for local buses. Choose Local Accommodation and Small Businesses 11. Choose locally-owned accommodation and shops. Keeping your money local when you travel isn’t anything new, but it takes on increased importance now. Many communities have suffered from the loss of tourism business this year. And small, family-run businesses with limited resources have often been hit the hardest. If possible, seek out businesses that align with your values regarding sustainability — caring for the environment, local community and economy. This could be efforts to reduce water and energy usage or a commitment to source food from local farmers. Local accommodation in the Dolomites often came with an incredible view. We also now look for apartments or hotel rooms that have some self-catering options. This makes it easier to avoid busy breakfast buffets, restaurants or other shared indoor spaces. How it played out: We deliberately looked for small, local B&Bs, restaurants and shops to ensure our money remained local to the benefit of the community. This also contributed to a more unique experience since we interacted with families in a more personal setting. 12. Book directly to keep your money local. Online booking sites are convenient. We use them often, but we're also aware they take a sizable commission from local providers. This is understandable. Booking sites offer a valuable service which requires resources to operate. However, given that many local tourism businesses are really struggling right now — and we need them to be around in whatever post-COVID-19 equilibrium emerges — you can support them even more now by booking directly with them. How it played out: As often as we could, we booked our accommodation directly either through the hotel’s own website or at their front door. Local accommodation providers were able to keep the entire amount of the booking, and we often received the same or lower prices and upgrades by negotiating directly. (Note to hotels: make it easy for travelers like us to book online through your website with a credit card!). Covid Safety for Restaurants and Dining 13. Eat outside. Or maybe eat in. Our preferred mode of restaurant dining these days is outdoors, even if it’s a bit chilly. As the weather turns colder in the Northern Hemisphere, many restaurants and shops now offer outdoor heaters or blankets. Take advantage of that. Alternatively, be prepared for a bit of chill with a hat and scarf. En plein air. Why not eat outdoors? If eating outside isn't an option because of weather or lack of tables outside, consider eating in. Order food from a restaurant and bring it back to your accommodation or pick up simple foods at the grocery store that can be like a picnic. Pair it with a bottle of local wine or beer and you've got a memorable meal. How it played out: When a restaurant offered outdoor seating, we took it and came prepared with jackets and hats if needed. 14. Choose off hours to eat in restaurants. If the outdoors aren’t possible and you must eat inside, choose odd hours (e.g., when restaurants first open for lunch or dinner). Although eating in an empty restaurant sometimes feels odd, restaurant owners and staff are happy for the business. We still enjoyed wonderful food and interaction with them. In the time of COVID-19, this approach also helps to avoid crowds of people confined indoors. How it played out: Because we had early mornings and long days of hiking in the mountains, we were often the first people at restaurants when they opened in the evenings. The food tasted just as delicious and we sometimes got extra attention. Hygiene and Health Safety for Travel During Covid 15. Focus on behaviors that limit close human contact. Science tells us that COVID-19 is transmitted mainly through human contact and interaction, airborne droplets and human concentration indoors, rather than through transmission via surfaces. Mask-wearing and controlling traffic or crowds is what matters most when it comes to COVID-19 travel safety. Going to extremes to avoid interaction with other people? How it played out: We appreciated the constant signs and reminders at local accommodation and shops for travelers to wear their masks indoors, as well as behavioral cues and notices about maintaining distancing, minding elevator restrictions, and complying with limited seating. Signs aligned with behaviors not only help inform our immediate behavior, but they reinforce that we're in this together for the collective good. 16. Put hygiene theater in its place. A lot of attention has been given to new COVID-19 hygiene measures, including the use of powerful disinfectants and the deployment of rigorous cleaning regimes. The urge to focus on what we feel is in our control — the cleanliness and disinfection of surfaces — is understandable. It makes us somehow feel safer, even if the science tells us that its effect may be marginal. Cleanliness is crucial, but don’t get lulled into thinking that new COVID-19 hygiene certifications alone will protect you. Note: If you are unfamiliar with the term hygiene theater, check out this article from The Atlantic. How it played out: To assess our potential risk of exposure in any establishment, we focused our attention more on how an establishment managed customer flow, numbers and crowds rather than how intensely or often it disinfected tables and surfaces after each customer. 17. As a default, wear a mask. And a high quality one. If you think that maybe you should wear a mask, then just do it. Even when it's not legally or technically required, err on the side of yes. This is especially true anytime you are talking to or engaging with someone who is not in your immediate or family circle. One of the safety campaigns said it best: “Für dich, für mich, für uns” (“For you, for me, for us”). We're in this together, all of us. This includes keeping your mask on when you order and pay in a restaurant. Although we were typically allowed to take our masks off after being seated at a table, it occurred to us that we remained in close proximity to wait staff when ordering food or settling the bill. So we did as many others did in Italy, and kept our masks on (or put them back on) during these transactions. Two decent behaviors for the price of one. How it played out: We always carried our masks with us. We put them on anytime we entered busy streets, walked outdoor fresh markets, entered into mountain huts, and, of course, anytime we were inside a shop, hotel or restaurant. Easy. 18. Do a Covid test when you return. Maybe self-quarantine. Travel and the movement of people are one of the ways that COVID-19 spreads quickly from place to place. Since asymptomatic carriers can still be contagious and unknowingly spread the virus to others, it's important to try to protect your home community from infection that you might have picked up on your trip. As a courtesy and for the safety and health of your own community, get tested when you return home from a trip, even if it's not required. If tests are not easily available, then consider self-quarantining for 10 days to eliminate person-to-person interactions. Update 2022: As we have testing easily and freely available to us in Berlin we will now get tested several times in the week we return from a trip. If multiple rapid tests come back negative then we won't do a self-imposed quarantine. We also usually take several Covid self-tests with us when we travel in case we start to experience a runny nose or sore throat and want to be sure it's a cold or allergies vs. Covid. How it played out: Since Italy was not a hot spot at the time, German regulations did not require us to either quarantine or get a COVID-19 test upon our return. However, since we'd traveled to several locations and encountered people as we ate inside restaurants and traveled by shared transport, we opted to self-quarantine for two weeks upon our return. We did so because we wanted to protect our friends and to minimize any risk to our neighborhood and community. Mindset: Expectations and Satisfaction 19. Manage your expectations. None of us is entitled to circumstances which make happiness seem the easier choice. Nor are we guaranteed conditions so that our photos match those of our social media heroes. Understand that the best laid plans can all go to shit. Then, manage accordingly. Even if it rains in your “escape from bad weather” destination. Urbino, Italy. How it played out: Our expectations were half to all rain, and to be on the run from the Dolomites to southern Italy. Everything else, gravy. Though there was a bit of rain here and there in the Dolomites, the trip was generally incredible in the mountains as we navigated weather conditions and made choices in line with everything we mentioned above. Only when a wall of rain moved in, did we head south to Urbino in The Marche. It even rained a bit in the town of Urbino. Perhaps the rain is what made the town so dramatic and charming? 20. And if it turns to shit? If things turn to shit, that’s all the more reason to be super-thrilled about the pre-shit moments and to reflect on what might be appreciated about the shit moment at hand. How it played out: As we reached Pedrotti Refuge hut, the highest point of one of our hikes, fog accumulated and the wind picked up. It even began to sleet. Conditions were far from ideal in a spot where on a sunny day you might see for miles. Despite this, our ascent had been rewarding and dramatic. We felt like heroes for reaching the pass, especially since our muscles were recovering from our hike the day before. At the top, we met a few other hikers — all very nice — including one who repeatedly referred to the “shit” conditions, especially in comparison to the sunny days he’d encountered in recent hikes elsewhere. On one hand, he had a point. The visibility was bad. On the other hand, I felt bad. For him. Disappointment seemed to define his moment. We enjoyed a beautiful hike. Not only the morning’s crystal blue skies we all shared, but the same skies whose drama swirled the mountain peaks around us. We celebrated our accomplishment, ate our picnic sandwiches and reflected on the vastness and solitude engulfing that rugged little hut, a feat of human will which had no business being tucked away up there. Our minds were absorbed by the magnificence of the moment. Blue skies on the way up. Beautiful. Clouds move in as we approach Pedrotti Refuge. Beautiful. Only temporarily was our focus taken off-track by someone else’s preconceived notions and disappointments regarding the way life ought to be. That for us was a lesson re-affirmed. In travel as in life, one’s satisfaction has much to do with expectations and how those expectations influence one’s view of what is. Spending your cycles atop a foggy mountain complaining about the weather condition: a waste. Things change. Witness the weather, especially in the mountains. And all of it out of your control. And yet, that changeable weather is part of the moment. Train yourself to see it, and that’s part of the beauty you’ll encounter. To us at least, that's what hiking in the mountains — and travel in general — is all about. Life, too. You can play the hands you're dealt as best as you’re able. Or you can complain about what in poker is called a “bad beat” – where you did everything “right” and it didn’t work out. If things turn bad, recognize and maybe even celebrate that you did the best you could. And is it really so bad? If there’s no sun shining on you at the moment, don't forget the sun in your rear view. Celebrate that you carried yourself to the top of the mountain. Or just celebrate the mountain. Stealing disappointment from the jaws of gratitude will only sour your travel experiences and your memories. With or without COVID-19. The post Traveling Safely During Covid: Research, Planning and Managing Risk appeared first on Uncornered Market.

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Here at Atlas & Boots, we’ve long had differing opinions on the virtues of train travel. Peter believes it’s the best way to see a country: slow, sustainable, ground level. In contrast, I generally find it cramped and stressful. 

I like the romance of rail travel and would certainly like to do it more but, in reality, hauling a suitcase down a narrow corridor into a compartment full of strangers is not my idea of fun, nor is shared commode. The Orient Express and its ilk are a different matter of course, but they’re not exactly suited to a modest budget.

The post 7 stunning rail journeys – for a modest budget appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

From harrowing accounts of against the odds survival to charming stories of penguin encounters, we list the best books about Antarctica

The most inhospitable place on Earth naturally makes for an engrossing stage. Unsurprisingly, Antarctica’s literary canon is filled with tales of tragedy and/or survival against the elements. As such, it would be easy to fill a list like this with biographies of Amundsen, Scott and Shakleton alone.

The post 37 best books about Antarctica: updated for 2025 appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

It is said that humans can survive three minutes without air, three days without water and three weeks without food. On occasion, however, humans perform extraordinary feats of survival that far surpass these limits. Usually, they are athletes used to courting danger, but sometimes they are laymen caught in a nightmare they couldn’t predict. Below, we share 10 extraordinary outdoor survival movies based on true-life stories.

The post 10 true-life outdoor survival movies appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

The average UK person spends just 7% of their time (or 86 minutes) outdoors during the work week. This is shocking to hear, but with our busy schedules, it’s no wonder many of us can only find a few minutes each day to get outside.

The post How just 15 minutes in nature can boost your well-being appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

The journalist and podcaster Ezra Klein once described going vegan as like waking up from the Matrix. Once you are attuned to animal cruelty, you see it everywhere and cannot fathom how humans not just tolerate but endorse factory farming. Historian Yuval Noah Harari has called it one of the worst crimes in history while others have likened it to slavery. 

Much of this is seen as joyless pontificating – and some of it is – but none of us can deny that animal cruelty goes hand in hand with factory farming.

The post Animal Cruelty Index: which country ranks the worst? appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

The happiest countries in the world 2022 have been ranked and for the fifth year running, Finland is the happiest country in the world

The post Ranked: happiest countries in the world 2025 appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

Having five sisters like I do is wonderful. On your travels, you get lots of messages checking on your whereabouts and wellbeing. And then you get some more messages. And then you get some more. Soon, this turns into real-time updates of hazardous activity within a 1,000-mile radius. "You're camping on a beach in Fiji? Did you hear about the couple who got killed on a beach in Thailand?" "Didn't you just leave Vanuatu? There's an earthquake there now." "You're in Chile? What about that huge volcano?"

The post 10 essentials for safe travel appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

Let’s face it: even if you’re a hardcore survivalist, a compass and map simply doesn’t cut it anymore. Whether it’s tracking your route with a hiking app, triangulating your position using a GPS device or reading by headtorch while waiting out a downpour, adventurers these days rarely leave home without at least one electronic device.

The post The best power banks for camping and hiking appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

Occasionally, when Kia and I are driving somewhere remote – the Kalahari in Namibia, say, or the Australian Outback – she will marvel at the fact that travellers used to do this with only paper maps. Unlike me, Kia grew up in inner city London and had little opportunity to venture into the outdoors. As such, she never learnt how to use a compass and map or how to build a campfire, or any number of the skills a frequent hiker should have.

The post 15 best hiking apps to download in 2025 appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

Our resident mountain aficionado and would-be seven summiteer crunches the numbers on how much it will cost to climb the seven summits

How much does it cost to climb the seven summits? About $180,000 USD give or take $10k.

Climbers could significantly reduce costs by foregoing luxuries, cutting corners and taking (even more) risks and get that figure to below $100,000. But we do not recommend this and certainly won’t be taking such unnecessary risks.

The post How much does it cost to climb the seven summits? (Updated for 2025) appeared first on Atlas & Boots.

New wonders and curiosities added to the Atlas.

As a country landlocked by China and India, Nepal doesn't typically prompt thoughts of islands. And yet, Tal Barahi Temple is a two-story pagoda built on an island in Pokhara, India's Phewa Lake. 

The temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Barahi. Barahi is known in Nepal as a manifestation of Durga, a major Hindu goddess, and Amija, a group of deities representing female ancestors. 

Visitors can access the island by private boat or kayak. The island offers beautiful views of the Annapurna range and World Peace Pagoda on clear days.

One of the largest malls in Japan is the Aeon Mall Okinawa Lycoming. It is home to the 100-ton Rycom aquarium in an otherwise unassuming location for marine wildlife. 

This 100-ton aquarium houses fish representing the region's native marine inhabitants. More than 1,000 fish representing dozens of species are located within the aquarium, along with spineless aquatic invertebrates like sea cucumbers and stars.

The aquarium overlaps with the first-floor elevator, giving shoppers a chance to observe animals like the endangered Napoleon wrasse. Two-inch clownfish can be seen mingling with zebra sharks reaching nearly 14 feet in length, while massive moray eels swim alongside schools of damselfish and cardinalfish. 

Staff from the nearby Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium care for the Rycom aquarium, ensuring the safety of endemic fish and quality of the mall facilities.

This museum dedicated to Baltimore’s industrial history is fittingly housed in an 1889 building formerly utilized for the packing of oysters, fruit, and vegetables from the Eastern Shore. By that time, canning was the city's second-largest industry. Baltimore had established itself as a major national trade and commerce hub due to its geographic location—the westernmost port on the Atlantic seaboard—and infrastructure as the site of the first American commercial railroad, which linked the Port of Baltimore with interior farmlands.

Among the many stories in the museum’s various galleries, visitors can discover the Jewish immigrant from Nazi Germany who invented that most Baltimore of flavors—Old Bay seasoning. Visitors can also learn about rise and fall of Maryland's largest employer, Bethlehem Steel, and the linotype machine, described by Thomas Edison as “the eighth wonder of the world.”

Near the end of his oft-bleak history of Appalachia, historian John Alexander Williams cites Jonesborough, Tennessee, as one possible future for the region's small towns. He specifically calls out Jonesborough as a community that successfully reinvented itself through the preservation of its historic buildings and the escalation of an annual fall festival into the National Storytelling Festival. As Williams tells it, the festival caught tailwinds from a national storytelling revival that was tied to the counterculture's 1970s shift away from politics toward spirituality and personal growth. 

Over that time, the National Storytelling Festival grew from attracting a few dozen people in 1973 to more than 10,000 annually by the end of the '90s. During the festival weekend in October, circus tents are hoisted at various points in the town where people gather to hear a wide range of storytellers, including both first-time amateurs and professionals who make a living speaking at a circuit of K-12 schools, libraries, universities and other festivals. Some fans follow specific storytellers around the festival, while others pick one tent and stay there.

The festival is hosted by the International Storytelling Center, which operates during regular hours throughout the week. Although the festival is clearly the center's premier event, it hosts storytelling events throughout the year.

The International Storytelling Center features storytellers from around the world. Motoko, Maria Menzies, Bobby Norfolk and Pete Seeger are among the individuals who appear on the center's wall of storytellers, located just outside its main theater. But it takes pains to spotlight Appalachian storytellers like Sheila Kay Adams and Bil Lepp. In December, Michael Reno Harrell and Josh Goforth, both of western North Carolina, played a set of Christmas tunes interspersed with stories about their memories growing up.

“Our most popular storytellers are Appalachian, but we bring people a lot of other storytellers who tell African-American stories, or Anne Shimojima, who talks about her family's incarceration in Japanese camps in the United States,” says Angela White, a spokeswoman for the center. “There's room for everyone on that spectrum of storytelling, so we have the stereotypical Appalachian, but we also have a little bit of everything else.”

The center largely is dedicated to venue space for events, but also is worth visiting for its storytelling wall, a collage of images and quotations from the many storytellers who have visited Jonesborough. The gift shop also carries an array of books, T-shirts and other items based around storytelling in Appalachia and beyond. The center is located in Jonesborough's historic district, which includes numerous other buildings of note, including the Chester Inn State Historic Site and Museum next door.

Ubasute is an infamous motif in Japanese folklore, which can be roughly translated to "elderly dumping." Though no historical records back up the claim, the custom of senicide—leaving old people in the mountains to die so that there would be less mouths to feed in the village—is a well-established concept in Japanese legends.

A major example of a purported site of ubasute tradition can be found in the village of Yamaguchi-Tsuchibuchi in Tōno, Iwate Prefecture, a city famed for its associations with folklorist Kunio Yanagita, the author of The Legends of Tōno.

Locally known as Denderano (or Rendaino as recorded by Yanagita), the field is a somewhat remote site located on a hill between villages. This is said to have been the place where the villagers of Yamaguchi-Tsuchibuchi brought their parents once they turned the age of sixty, leaving them to die. They did not, of course, die instantly. Yanagita reports that they would come down to the village in the morning to work on the farms and go back up onto the Denderano after dark.

The site is shrouded in mystery, with the etymology of the toponym uncertain and the veracity of the claim unconfirmed, but local folklore also suggests that the area was once believed to be a sort of gateway between the mundane realm and the netherworld.

Today, the city of Tōno and its villages welcome tourists following the footsteps of Yanagita and his tales. There is are reliefs of ubasute scenes adorning the bridge that leads to the Denderano field and a rustic hut has been built on the site.

On the grounds of Oklahoma City's Myriad Botanical Gardens stands the unique architecture of the Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory. The large cylinder, which was built from 1983 to 1985, is 70 feet in diameter and 224 feet long. It was opened to the public in 1988. 

The cylinder houses the tropical plants for the Myriad Botanical Garden. It has three levels with plants and trees of all types displayed.  A sky bridge extends from the top levels, providing spectacular overhead views of the entire garden.

A working waterfall occupies the south end of the cylinder. Also on the south end on the second level is an interactive Discovery Room for children. The north end has a small reflecting pool and classrooms. The Oculus Gallery on the north end features a large circular window that overlooks the park to the north of the Crystal Bridge. 

The Myriad Botanical Gardens takes up an entire city block and, in addition to the Crystal Bridge, also contains a park, a children's playground, a dog park, a fountain, a small lake, and an amphitheater. 

Appalachia has provided cultural riches to the world, but its greatest achievement may be string-band music, particularly old-time and bluegrass. In essence, it's Appalachia's core story: immigrants move and bring their culture into the mountains, and become part of the greater whole. Appalachian string-band music combines African-rooted banjo, fiddle and ballads from Scotland, England and Ireland, and numerous other musical strains to make something new that couldn't have originated anywhere else. 

Perhaps the best thing about mountain string music is that it's populist, taught in after-school programs across the region and regularly played by people across all walks of life. Come to Floyd's Friday Night Jamboree and you'll see. The Floyd Country Store hosts the weekly jam that's been carrying on for more than 40 years. Each week, bands perform a gospel set and then a dance set, during which the store's hardwood floors become an exceptionally welcoming dance floor. Most weeks during the year, amateur bands set up and play on the street outside the store, drawing their own crowds and dancers. Friday nights in Floyd are packed with string bands playing inside the country store and outside, as people mill around and enjoy all the music in the air. 

The Floyd Country Store operates a regular schedule aside from the Friday night jamboree. It hosts honky-tonk bands on Thursdays, Americana groups on Saturday afternoons, and an open Sunday music jam with set times for beginners, old-time and bluegrass sessions. Aside from its live music, the country store sells clothes, musical instruments, toys and more. The store also operates a restaurant that serves a menu of sandwiches, soups, and salads sourced from local farms. There's also an attached soda fountain with locally sourced ice cream and drinks. 

The Floyd Country Store is the primary destination in the small, one-stoplight town of Floyd, but a number of local stores and other restaurants are within walking distance. The town also is home to a three-story former schoolhouse that now sells fabric and sewing supplies, a distillery based around the county's moonshine-running heritage, and an award-winning local coffee roaster that supplies customers through the Mid-Atlantic region. 

The smallest village in the Grand Duchy, Rindschleiden is well known to Luxembourgers. This reputation is confirmed by the national register: The village's last inhabitant (the priest) passed away in 2016. The village has only four buildings: the church, the presbytery, the old school, and a farmhouse that houses the Thillenvogtei Rural Museum.

The church of St Willibrord seems to be out of proportion for such a small village. The explanation is historical: In the park behind the church is a spring that St Willibrord is said to have gushed out with his crook. A pilgrimage to the spring used to be organised every Whit Sunday by the surrounding parishes. The church was gradually enlarged as a result. The church's choir dates from the 15th century, the nave from the 16th.

In 1952, during a restoration campaign, mural paintings were discovered on the ceilings of the choir and nave. A total surface area of 170m² was uncovered. This is the largest collection of Gothic paintings preserved in the Grand Duchy. They probably date from the same period as the church: 15th century for the choir and 16th century for the nave.

From the entrance to the choir, the murals depict biblical scenes in the first bay, saints in the second, and especially the Evangelists in the choir. This remarkable ensemble has earned the church the nickname "the little Sistine Chapel of Luxembourg." It makes the "smallest village of Luxembourg" one of the must-see places in the region.

Picking up a trinket or two as a souvenir while on vacation is a common practice. What's less common, however, is buying an alligator while on a trip—and then intentionally leaving it behind on an overnight stop. That, however, is the unique lore of The Jefferson Hotel. 

The Jefferson Hotel was opened in 1895 by Lewis Ginter. It has since appeared on many illustrious lists, including The National Registry of Historic Places and Hotels of America. The Jefferson has catered to a plethora of world leaders, including no less than 13 U.S. Presidents. It is also entertained a number of celebrities from Charlie Chaplin to James Brown.

The hotel's formation coincided with the rise of automotive travel for the purposes of vacationing. Conveniently situated in Richmond, Virginia, halfway between New York and Florida, The Jefferson Hotel allowed for an overnight stay on the long journey home. Many guests who had visited the Sunshine State and purchased an alligator had begun to question their decision by the time they reached The Jefferson, often leaving their scaly acquisitions behind. The bewildered staff would regularly deposit these creatures into the marble pools of the hotel's Palm Court.

There are fabled stories of misguided crocs wandering into various rooms and giving unsuspecting visitors a fearsome fright. Once the gators had amassed to an uncontrollable size, they were donated to various zoos. The last of these creatures nicknamed 'Old Pompey' remained at the hotel until 1948.

Today, one can find fanciful references to these creatures throughout the hotel. 

AO Wants to Know is an ongoing interview series where we ask experts in extraordinary subjects to share their knowledge with us.

I’ve always thought of stage magic as something that happens in person, but magician Siegfried Tieber showed me that it can even be performed over Zoom. During our video call, he folded a $1 bill in his hand and a $5 bill underneath his wallet, which sat on the table in front of him.

If we were in person, Tieber explained, both bills would have been in my hands. “At this point, I would ask you to hold on to these two bills for dear life,” he said. “They will never leave your sight. They are right there in front of you the whole time.” I followed Tieber’s modified instructions and did not take my eyes off the two bills. And somehow, they switched places right in front of me. Weeks later, I still have no idea how Tieber achieved what he calls his “all-time favorite sleight-of-hand illusion.”

Sleight-of-hand magic tricks are performed by skillfully manipulating ordinary objects with one’s hands. “You and I know that, sadly, I don’t have real magic powers like Harry Potter,” said Tieber. “So it has to be some kind of technique and optical illusion that I’m creating. That is the essence of sleight-of-hand magic: using often simple props and creating the illusion of something impossible.” Besides sleight-of-hand, Tieber also performs mentalism, which “relies on creating the illusion of reading minds and predicting future events,” he explained. Tieber contrasts his specialties with “stage illusion,” larger-scale David Copperfield–style spectacles that may rely on trick props or hidden doors.

Whatever form it takes, all magic has the goal of instilling observers with a sense of wonder. “That is where magic comes to life, when it’s performed in front of an audience,” said Tieber. Now based in Los Angeles, Tieber grew up in Ecuador and got into magic while pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. It was the reaction of amazement when he performed his first trick for his family that made him realize magic was his true passion. After earning his degree, Tieber said, “I told my parents I wanted to do magic for a living, and since then, that’s what I’ve been doing with my life.”

During his more than 20 years practicing stage magic, Tieber has performed in various different venues, including two appearances on famed magic duo Penn and Teller’s show Penn & Teller: Fool Us (he fooled the hosts once). Tieber spoke with Atlas Obscura about the special relationship between magician and audience and the real reason magicians don’t reveal their tricks.

How did you first get into magic?

When I was 18, someone, for no reason whatsoever, lent me a book on card tricks: 1,001 Easy Card Tricks. I read it cover to cover. One thousand out of 1,001 of those were not good. However, there was this one trick that I absolutely loved. I practiced and practiced for many weeks on end, without ever showing it to anybody.

Then, one glorious Sunday afternoon, I gathered my family in the living room. At this point, I was so familiar with this one trick that it wasn’t that exciting to me anymore, right? But I showed the trick to them. They freaked out. I freaked out at their freaking out, and I was hooked.

Are there programs or schools that teach stage magic?

In magic, there is very, very little formal training. You learn from books and mentors, and by experience. Personally, because of my interest in magic, I did a two-year program for stage and screen acting, [to learn] how to develop a character, stand on a stage, and enunciate my words.

If anything, the closest thing to formal training that you can have for magic is to train as an actor, because it gives you many of the necessary tools. The tricks and techniques you learn from a book, and then you practice a lot in front of a mirror. But learning how to communicate with an audience? That’s acting training.

How do you invent your own magic tricks?

Like with any other art form, there are certain fundamental techniques, and once you have learned the fundamentals, you can take those principles and create what’s yours. Sometimes you take an existing trick or illusion—something you learned from a book or a mentor—and put a spin on that. And sometimes by mere chance and serendipity, you stumble upon a principle that you might be able to use.

Magic is peculiar in the sense that we magicians are very, very limited by the technical aspects, in ways that other art forms are not. If you’re a skillful writer, there’s nothing that you cannot create on paper to paint a picture in the mind. But as a magician, I can have the greatest idea ever, that might be the perfect illusion for the show that I want to create. But now, I have to figure out how to create the illusion.

How often do magicians develop new acts or pick up new skills?

There are absolutely some performers who develop an act and do that act for most of their career. It’s reminiscent of the early 20th-century vaudeville shows, when people would buy a ticket to see 20 or 30 different acts in the theater, and each was just three or four minutes long. Way back then, when you were performing on the vaudeville circuits, you would put your heart and soul into developing four minutes, and you would do it over and over in different towns.

What I usually do is develop a show and play with that show for maybe four or five years. I do it a few hundred times in front of live audiences, and then I develop something new. And that’s partly because of my personality. I enjoy the process very, very much. It’s challenging, but it’s very fun.

Do you get nervous trying new tricks on a live audience for the first time?

Even after 20 years of doing this, still, the first few times, it’s nerve-wracking. Once I do something a few hundred times, I know the beats, I know what could possibly go wrong. And if something goes wrong—because in live theater, things will go wrong—I know how to fix it and take a different route. So there’s reassurance once I’m comfortable and confident in the trick. In the worst-case scenario, if the trick fails miserably, I admit defeat, [and say], “You know what? That didn’t go well. Let me show you something different.”

How much truth is there in the saying that magicians don’t reveal their secrets?

A lot of truth! Big time, big time. That’s a very, very important principle of magic. There is a well-known American magician, Jim Steinmeyer, who would say that “magicians guard an empty safe.” It’s empty because our secrets, more often than not, are confoundingly simple.

If I don’t tell you how something is done, I hope that for the next few days, maybe even weeks or months, you'll be thinking about this thing, wondering “How did he do that?” But if I tell you, [you’ll think], Oh, it’s easy!” We magicians do not reveal our secrets for the audience’s benefit, not for our own. Of course, I want to keep working, I want people to hire me. But it’s mainly for your benefit.

What was your experience like being on Penn and Teller’s show?

The first time, that was one of the most thrilling, exciting, terrifying moments of my life. Ever since I got interested in magic, Penn and Teller have been two of my heroes. So just the fact of being invited to perform on that stage was an honor.

I thought there was zero chance of me fooling them, because the trick that I did was my interpretation of a classic card magic trick. It had my spin, but it’s a classic piece of magic that I know Penn and Teller are familiar with. But maybe I was able to disguise it, and my interpretation of this piece of magic looked so different from the original that they didn’t trace the connection. [Tieber fooled Penn and Teller on his first appearance.]

So—spoiler alert—on my second appearance, I didn’t fool them. However, a few days after my episode was recorded, I get an email from Penn Jillette, and he tells me, “Hey Siegfried, so nice to have you on the show again. Thank you for coming. You know what? Since you came, Teller and I have been thinking about your trick and, if we have your blessing, we would love to do our interpretation of the trick in our live show. Would you be willing to sell us the rights to do that trick on our stage?”

And my answer was, “You’re my heroes. Do whatever the hell you want with that trick!” And I'm so glad that I did. I could have made a good chunk of change if I had sold them the rights, but I told them, “No, you don't owe me a penny. You have given me so much. It’s amazing that now I can do a little something for you.” They have been doing their interpretation of my trick in their show in Vegas for a few years now. And in my mind, that is much more exciting than a trophy.

Is that common in the field, that one magician might buy the rights or ask permission to perform another’s trick?

It does happen, in many different ways. And sadly, it also happens that a magician sees something on the stage and says, “Oh, that is a good trick, and I understand the mechanics behind it. I will do that trick on stage.” It would be like a stand-up comedian sitting in an audience, hearing a joke, and doing the same joke the next night at his gig. But most magicians are very respectful of other people’s work and intellectual property.

If I publish a book with my magic tricks, that’s implicitly giving you permission to do them, because I put my ideas in print and I sold you that for money. But [with performance], there’s a very strong unspoken code of conduct. I know that if I steal material, I’m also opening the floodgates for people to steal from me.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to learn magic?

Be curious and search. Nowadays, because we all have access to the internet, it’s much, much easier. You can learn a lot of decent magic from YouTube. And chances are, if this person is interested, they will go down the rabbit hole and discover that you can also learn magic from books. There are stores, both physical and online, that sell very specialized books that you would not find in a public library, that assume the reader has some previous knowledge and experience. And the secrets contained in those books are the good secrets—not only how the trick is done, but the psychology and philosophy of magic.

Magic, like anything worth doing in life, takes time and patience and dedication, but I deeply believe that anyone can become a magician. You don’t need talent, you don’t need long fingers or large hands; you just need to be excited about the thing! I think that magic is a very generous art form. You need to put a lot into it, but it can give you a lot back in return. In that sense, it’s a very lovely way to spend your time and focus your attention.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

At the corner of Chestnut Street and 2nd Street, there's a tiny park featuring a gazebo and a heartwarming tribute to a tremendously successful NFL running back.

Saquon Barkley grew up within walking distance of the boulder-affixed plaque honoring him. Barkley played for Whitehall High School before going on to star at Penn State University. He then played in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he won the Super Bowl in 2025.

This plaque is a reminder that a small town kid can make it big.

Since 16th century Turkey, this covered market has been bustling with vendors and eager customers. Built in 1519, Kirkkasik Bedestenb can be considered a small version of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. Also known as White Bazaar, Kirkkasik Bedesten is a rectangular building with seven domes on its roof. Inside, it has 21 rooms that serve as shops.

The building was renovated in the 1960s and 2000s, and is now open to the public. Today, Bedesten is one of the few remaining examples of medieval Turkish architecture in Tarsus. Visitors can still find a variety of shops and cafes serving local Tarsusi coffee in the bedesten.

A Lord Shiva temple in the Pashan area of Pune, Maharashtra stands within a walled, fort-like complex. At the center of the complex, one can see the grand Someshwar Temple, which is thought to be 900 years old.  It is believed that the Shiv Linga (sacred symbol) in this temple is ‘Swayambhu,’ which means 'self-existing.' Some say that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to visit this temple along with his mother Rajmata Jijabai in the 17th century.

Next to the Lord Shiva temple built in Hemadpanthi architectural style, there are temples of Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman, and Lord Bhairavnath, along with a memorial stone and a 40-foot tall ‘Deep Stambh’ (lamp pillar).

The complex also features an open-air gallery showcasing replica models of all twelve Jyotirlingas. The twelve Jyotirlingas are temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and are located across India. The replica gallery is well-designed and displays a mural of the Himalayas at the entrance. The models are intricate and beautiful, depicting temples that hold immense significance in Hinduism.

Along the sun-dappled hills of Sonoma County, where salt air from the Pacific breezes through rolling vineyards and the soil sings with centuries of winemaking history, great wine waits to be made. And at Decoy, a winery known for its distinguished portfolio of California wines, that terroir combines with a deep level of craftsmanship, to make for accessible but elegant bottles that burst with the delicious traces of California’s land.

Decoy has become an iconic brand thanks to the great wine inside each bottle, but it’s also instantly recognizable thanks to the duck that sits proudly atop its label—and gives the brand its name. This charming mallard floats stately and serene on a white background, with a jaunty air: just below his tucked wing is a flash of dazzling green, which seems to hint at a playful element to these well-designed wines. Look closely, and you’ll see this duck is, yes, a decoy: a carved wooden animal meant to lure in the real deal. Hunters have been using decoys to attract ducks since the time of the ancient Egyptians, making the practice just a few thousand years newer than that of winemaking. But there are still many parallels between the craft of decoy carving and the craft of winemaking; both celebrate the land and its abundance. They also make a particularly harmonious pair when you consider that duck has been a particularly popular stalwart on California tables, pairing well with local Cabernets and Pinots. And at Decoy, just as these wines offer unexpected depth and verve—providing that aha! moment past their initial impressions—so too does this decoy play with expectations.

The duck on the label has a real-life counterpart, which still lives in a display case in the Duckhorn Vineyards Estate House in St. Helena, California. The story goes that Dan Duckhorn, who founded Duckhorn Vineyards in 1976 and began making Decoy Wines in 1985, was a serious collector of decoys. So when Duckhorn decided to call this new line of wines “Decoy”—for the way that they might lure in drinkers with their accessible but elegant, well-designed blends—he knew he needed a duck on the label. Just as a carved wooden duck carries the barely-perceptible, but still present, trace of the smooth hand of its maker, honed over decades of practice, so too does winemaking rely on deep knowledge of process and land.

Winemaking, like art, rewards the trailblazing, and even on a visual level, this first label was a bold move: at the time, most wines simply held the names of their winemakers on the label, maybe with a flashy font or a dramatic color. But from its earliest years, Decoy has been playing by its own rules, and to great success. The duck has remained on the label, and craftsmanship has remained central to the wines that the label announces.

Decoy began with a single red blend in 1985. Dan Duckhorn wanted to make a wine with an accessible price point but high quality, and so he used grapes grown for his main-label vintages, blending them into something he lovingly referred to as a “Tuesday night wine”. (Who doesn’t need a great bottle of wine on a Tuesday night?) Just as the original Decoy label has been refined to reflect a more modern style, Decoy has expanded to include a diverse array of varietals. Perhaps the most well-known is their Cabernet Sauvignon, which drinkers appreciate for its complex and structured fruit profile. But the brand also makes a soft, lightly herbal Pinot Noir; a vibrant and tropical fruit-forward Sauvignon Blanc; and that California classic, Chardonnay, which is silky and delicately balanced. All of these reflect the soil and the winds of California: Decoy works exclusively with grapes grown along the California coastline, where cooler temperatures, steep hillsides, coastal soil, and foggy mornings make for a unique growing environment.

For a great wine, you need great grapes, and at the heart of Decoy's philosophy is a profound respect for Sonoma County's diverse terroirs. Decoy uses grapes from a mix of Estate vineyards and top grower vineyards. This means that they grow some of their own grapes on the rolling, sun-dappled vineyards that they own, and they buy some grapes from other top-tier growers in the area. This allows the brand to invest in their own viticulture, while also benefiting from the great brain trust of growers in the area. It also means that they can work with people who specialize in particular grape varietals, like Chardonnay and Zinfandel. The brand's estate vineyards—Ridgeline and Brownell—are prime examples of this commitment to California’s grapes. Ridgeline, perched on the slopes of Oak Mountain in Alexander Valley, offers steep elevations and rocky soils that yield exceptional Bordeaux-style varietals. In contrast, Brownell Vineyard, located on the valley floor, benefits from ancient gravel and sand alluvial soils, which among other things produce the brand’s renowned Cabernet Sauvignon.​

While the grapes are the most important factor in the winemaking process, they’re just the beginning. Just as carving a decoy requires picking the right wood before meticulously carving and painting that wood in order to successfully lure live ducks, a great wine must be made with meticulous care. At Decoy, the winemakers ferment each grape varietal individually, rather than batch-fermenting all grapes that will be used for a single blend, which means that they can calibrate the flavor of each aspect of a wine, before bringing those aspects together in harmony for the final bottle. Often, the smoothest wines are those that have been made in the most meticulous, thoughtful ways.

Across the decades, Decoy has found new ways to refine its commitment to craftsmanship. In 2007, the brand was looking to redesign their label, and wanted to find an updated decoy image that spoke to the sophistication of the growing portfolio as well as the folk art traditions of the area. They hired local artist Michael Allard, and for their cover model, they looked in-house. Two of Dan Duckhorn’s most prized possessions were a pair of carved wooden pintails that he’d acquired in the late ‘90s. These had been carved by Richard “Fresh Air Dick” Janson, a local legend who had carved decoys in the early half of the 20th century aboard a rundown boat moored in the marshes of Sonoma Creek—just 25 miles from St. Helena as the duck flies. Janson worked for many years as a ship’s carpenter, and retired early to live on his boat and carve; among decoy collectors, his name is revered as one of the form’s greatest artists. They say that he carved his ducks each day with a small hatchet as his hand-cranked phonograph played. While today, most decoys are factory-made, his decoys were patiently carved out of the region’s redwood with hand tools, and those that remain are now smoothed by a century of age. The grain of the wood is still visible under the careful brushstrokes that transformed the inert sculpture into something lifelike. So the image that now announces the Decoy brand speaks to the Californian legacy of craft, hard work, and respect for the land.

Dear Atlas is Atlas Obscura’s travel advice column, answering the questions you won’t find in traditional guidebooks. Have a question for our experts? Submit it here.

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Dear Atlas,

I’m traveling to Paris with my partner. They want to check out the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, of course, since it’s their first time, but I’ve already seen them. Are there any lesser-known gems or semi-secret spots either inside or near the big attractions what we can check out?

Paris is full of breathtaking attractions and museums that people gloss over in the name of the big hits like the D’Orsay, Eiffel Tower, Versailles, Catacombs, and Louvre. Those places are astonishing and shouldn’t be missed, but Paris is an ancient city full of lots of parks, museums, monuments, and all sorts of attractions that deserve just as much love and attention as the big guys. There is no shortage of options for you and your partner.

I’ve been visiting the city for over 15 years and even lived there briefly to live out my “American writer in Paris” fantasies. It is absolutely one of my favorite places to be on the planet. Here are some incredible lesser known attractions that I think are worth taking the time to see:

While not super “off the beaten path,” the Musée de Cluny sees a fraction of the crowds the other big museums do. Inside this extensive collection of medieval art is housed in the 15th-century home of the Abbey de Cluny, you’ll find a ton of impressive tapestries (including the iconic Lady and the Unicorn), armor, and paintings. While you’re there, check out Gallo-Roman Thermes de Cluny, the ruins of an ancient Roman bathhouse.

Located in the Marais, Musée des Archives Nationales is housed in an old aristocratic mansion that dates back to 1371. The archives were established by Napoleon and here you can enjoy a tour of some of the preserved baroque rooms that were used by the Soubise family that lived there, rotating history and art exhibits, and a beautiful courtyard and garden. It’s free to visit too!

For something smaller, check out the Gustave Moreau Museum, which is dedicated to the paintings of 19th-century Symbolist Gustave Moreau. Located in the 9th arrondissement, this oft-overlooked museum in a beautiful old mansion is well-worth the quick detour.

Or perhaps you might want to check out the Musée Édith Piaf, dedicated to arguably the most famous French singer from the 1930s to the 1960s, and known around the world for her songs La Vie En Rose and Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien. She lived in a little apartment in the Ménilmontant district at the start of her career, which has been turned into a tiny museum dedicated to her. You get a glimpse at her life through her gold and platinum records, photographs, clothing, letters from fans, posters, recordings, and sheet music.

If you need a break from the museums, stroll down the Promenade Plantée, an elevated, tree-lined walkway that extends roughly three miles along the old Vincennes railway line. The railway line stopped being used 1969 and the city turned it into an above ground park a couple decades later. You'll find lots of trees, flowers, ponds, and places to sit along this long path that stretches from Bastille to the edge of Paris. Even on a nice day, it's almost never crowded. As a bonus, it cuts through the less touristy parts of the city.

Finally, lovers of the written word should head to the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. The collection is massive at over 40 million items, including some 15 million books and over 5,000 manuscripts from ancient Greece. It’s easily one of the grandest libraries in the world, as well as one of the oldest. Historians can trace its roots loosely back to a library founded in 1368 by Charles V. The Richelieu branch sprawls over a whole city block in a lavishly decorated building that would look right at home in Versailles. Be sure to take a peek at the old rotunda of the art library and the 20-foot globes in the permanent collection.

There’s a seemingly endless amount of small museums, quirky attractions, hidden parks, and cool tours you can do in Paris. It would take dozens of visits to see them all but I think if you started with these, you’d get a glimpse of the city that most tourists don’t end up seeing.

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Matthew Kepnes didn’t take his first trip overseas until he was 23. In 2005, he took a trip to Thailand that inspired him to come home, quit his job, and backpack around the world for a year. That trip ended up lasting 18 months. In 2008, he started his website, Nomadic Matt, to help others travel better, cheaper, and longer and has helped millions of people a year realize their own travel dreams. His new book, How to Travel the World on $75 a Day, helps people have incredible travel experiences on a budget. When he isn’t traveling, he resides in Austin and New York City. He can be found at his website as well as on Instagram at @nomadicmatt.

AO Wants to Know is an ongoing interview series where we ask experts in extraordinary subjects to share their knowledge with us.

The inability to notice plants as living parts of the environment is an unfortunately common state of mind that botanists call “plant blindness.” “People just see plants as green,” says plant toxicologist Liz Dauncey. In their minds, plants “don’t do anything. They just sit around. They’re boring.”

Dauncey considers part of her work to be “chipping away at that plant blindness one person at a time.” For botanists, plants are not just a backdrop: They’re every bit as engaging and exciting as animals. Like animals, plants are locked in a constant battle to survive and reproduce. And like animals, some plants are armed with formidable defenses. This doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate them, but it may require some extra caution, thanks to what Dauncey calls an “absolutely remarkable set of compounds”: plant toxins.

Dauncey’s work on poisonous plants began in 1992, when she was enlisted by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London and the local branch of the U.K.’s National Poisons Information Service to help develop a manual for poisoning treatment centers. In the 1990s, Dauncey explains, “We didn’t have the internet like we do now. People were reliant on a few books that they might have in the hospital. You couldn’t just Google a plant image or something and get an identification. So we were trying to fill a gap.”

From there, Dauncey got involved in other projects to help reduce poisoning incidents and keep people informed. Another information gap was a lack of warnings for toxic garden plants. “If you bought bleach, for example, it would have a warning on it,” says Dauncey. “But you could go into a garden center and pick up a quite poisonous plant, and not have any warning.” With the U.K. Horticultural Trades Association, she helped develop a downloadable system of warning labels, now in widespread use. Dauncey has also authored books including Plants That Kill, a guide to the world’s deadliest flora, with coauthor Sonny Larsson in 2018.

Dauncey spoke with Atlas Obscura about her work on improving public safety knowledge and what people ought to realize about poisonous plants.

What are some of the most common ways that plant poisons work?

They quite often affect your gastrointestinal system. Initially, they’ll make you sick. There’ll be nausea, vomiting, pain, and diarrhea, because your body will just try and get rid of it as quickly as it can. If it gets into the bloodstream, then it can affect the heart, either speed it up, slow it down, or make it become irregular. A lot of things affect the nervous system. They can give you seizures or paralysis, or bring on confusion or visual hallucinations.

Cyanide affects every cell in your body that it comes into contact with, such as in the digestive system. It stops the mitochondria from working, so you no longer have oxygen available in your cell. [Where toxins are] destroying the liver cells or the kidneys, those tend to be the long-acting things; you need multiple exposures for those.

This is probably hard to quantify, but, is there a plant that is considered the most poisonous?

That’s an intellectual rabbit hole! I know some people will answer that, but I would say it really depends on so many factors. If you want speed of death [as a factor], that just depends on the amount that you take. We all know from the whodunits that cyanide can kill you quite quickly. And all the things that we use as arrow poisons [Strychnos and Strophanthus species, and many more], they kill pretty quickly, because you’re getting it directly into the bloodstream.

There are a lot of plants that are much more poisonous if they’re injected directly into the bloodstream than if they’re eaten. Castor beans—if you chew them, you can be poisoned, but it’s very rarely fatal, especially if you get treatment. If you inject [the toxin] into the bloodstream, it’s not good. But that’s such an unusual route of exposure.

What are some of the most dangerous plants that people regularly come in contact with?

In the U.K., the most common is probably foxglove. It’s in a lot of people’s gardens. And we’ve got quite a few [toxic] houseplants in the arum family [Araceae] that you might know, such as dumb cane (Dieffenbachia), peace lily (Spathiphyllum), and Alocasia or Colocasia [elephant ear]. People might not realize that the sap from Euphorbias is potentially quite caustic. It’s a chemical irritant, and it’s particularly nasty if you get the sap in your eyes.

They’re the most common in the garden and house, but around the world, it will vary. In warmer countries, they’ll be growing oleanders and things like that.

What do regulations around poisonous plants look like in the U.K.? Is there a point at which a plant is considered too dangerous to be sold as a garden plant?

The only plants they regulate are the potentially invasive ones, and that’s quite a small list. The only way that poisonous plants are regulated in the U.K. is if you want to use them medicinally. Our Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has got a list of plants that can only be dispensed by a qualified pharmacist. But you can grow anything, except for a few not allowed ones, like cannabis or coca. You can grow opium poppy, but you could be prosecuted for extracting the latex [juice].

Besides ingestion of the plant, what are some ways that plants can poison people that might be less obvious?

I mentioned skin, the chemical irritants, but there’s also phototoxic reactions. If you get the sap of giant hogweed on your skin, and you expose the skin to bright UV light, you get blistering, which can last for a couple of weeks. And that patch of skin can be sensitive to sunlight for six months or more.

But I suppose the oddest and most unusual way is inhalation. There is a published case report of a family in India that was poisoned by inhaling smoke from burning oleander in an open fire in their dwelling. The mother was the most seriously affected because she was tending the fire and cooking, but it produced the cardiac symptoms that you would expect from ingesting oleander [an irregular heartbeat]. And in the U.K., we’ve had a couple of anecdotal reports of inhalation of cyanide from people who have pruned a cherry laurel hedge. If you take the prunings into your garage and shred them, and you’re in a confined space, it releases cyanide. But the gas has to be concentrated for that route of exposure.

There was a case where [the person] had bagged up their cherry laurel clippings and popped them into the car, and then they’d gone and had a cup of tea or something. And when they were driving to dispose of the clippings at the local council site, they became dizzy. It was [only] a mild poisoning, but an unusual route.

What should a person do if they suspect that they’ve been poisoned by a plant?

If you have come into contact with a potentially harmful plant, you should wash the area immediately with warm, soapy water and keep it out of direct sunlight. And if you think you’ve ingested something poisonous, don’t make yourself sick. You can have a little drink of water or even milk, or if you’ve got an irritated throat, you can have a little bit of vanilla ice cream. And then, if you are [still] concerned, seek medical attention.

Are there a lot of common misconceptions about poisonous plants?

I don’t like to generalize about what people think, but the media has certain misconceptions, and perhaps people get their information from there. When people overestimate the toxicity of something, it’s almost like the plant is a problem just for existing. They forget that in order to be poisoned, you have to interact in some way.

If I look at a specific case, about 10 years or so ago, there was a gardener who died, unfortunately. His family went around the garden that he’d been working in, and there was Aconitum growing there. Aconitum is monkshood or wolfsbane. They looked it up and found that Aconitum was poisonous, and that was put forward as a cause of death.

With the inquest [for the death], it was shown that it was highly unlikely that it was the Aconitum. The man had hardly touched it that day, and it’s not poisonous to that degree. But people still think that Aconitum is very poisonous if you touch it. If you strip the leaves, you can absorb enough toxin through your hands to be dizzy, you may get palpitations; but that’s it, and that is someone who’s handling it a lot. I garden with Aconitum, and it’s not a problem. The simple rule is, if you’re going to be handling a lot of plant material and getting sap on your hands, wear gloves, and then it’s perfectly fine.

Why do some poisonous plants become really infamous for being dangerous, while others remain under the radar?

I think it’s because of the stories that go along with them that a few of these plants become notorious. People would have got it in the past from say, Shakespeare; he had a lot of plants in his plays. And I’m sure Homer did as well. Nowadays people get the stories from things like Harry Potter. He’s introduced people to wolfsbane and mandrake. Teen Wolf also had wolfsbane featured in it quite prominently. I have to say that they were using a yellow Delphinium sometimes, and not a wolfsbane, but, you know, that’s a hazard of being a botanist watching these things.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

“Bergen train robbed in the night!” The newspaper headline was dramatic, and the story equally so: As travelers in jubilant vacation moods were enjoying their journey across the mountains, a group of students descended on the train and robbed it, before making their getaway on skis. The paper was inundated with calls from people who’d missed a small but vital little box, stating, “Price: 2 kroner, Gyldendal.” It was an ad for a book from a major publisher.

The PR stunt to launch the novel, Bergenstoget plyndret inat!, has gone down in Norwegian history as the moment that sparked a beloved national phenomenon: During the Easter holiday, we all read and watch crime stories.

The fake headline ran in Aftenposten and other Oslo papers on Saturday, March 24, 1923, just days before that year’s Easter break, a national five-day weekend in Norway when people like to tuck into a paperback. Within days, more than 7,000 copies of Bergenstoget plyndret inat! had been sold. Adding to the intrigue was the fact that in the book, the heist happened on April Fools’ Day in 1923, which was only days away. Was it actually going to happen? People were agog, and the young publisher who came up with the stunt, Harald Grieg, realized he’d hit on something big—the next year, he pushed more crime novels for Easter. Other publishers followed suit, and soon radio and TV were all aboard with crime season.

Påskekrim—pronounced “poh-ska-krihm,” literally “Easter crime”—is the cultural phenomenon of reading and watching crime stories around Easter. It’s such a natural part of the spring holiday that until I left Norway at age 19, I assumed it was universal, like Easter eggs. But Norway stands alone with its hunger for crime at Easter.

The seasonal ritual for many Norwegians is the same: a five-day break where you can pack a rucksack with hot dogs, chicken-shaped marzipan, and Kvikk Lunsj, a Kit Kat–esque chocolate bar. Then it’s time to gather up friends and family, drive into the woods, strap on some skis, and strike out across the white landscape. If you’re lucky, you’ll be staying at an old cabin—there will be no electricity or running water, the crockery and bedding will be whatever your grandparents brought there in the ’70s, and no one has updated the Donald Duck & Co comics since the ’90s. This is the scene for hunkering down with your crime novel and reading by candlelight while the forest outside is the blackest black and no one can hear you scream. But you feel completely safe—at least until you have to go to the outhouse.

Norwegian crime writer Alex Dahl spent her childhood Easters in the mountains too, although her accommodations—at Høyfjellshotell in Rondane National Park—at least had plumbing. “We did the Påskekrim thing for sure, and went cross-country skiing high up in the mountains,” she tells me over a video call from Sandefjord. Dahl has published six crime novels, including Playdate, which has been adapted into a Disney+ series called The Stolen Girl, just out this week. “I think a lot of Norwegians have very similar memories of Easter, because everybody does the same stuff: the oranges in the backpack, the marzipan, the Solo [orange soda], and a book.”

Today, the Påskekrim tradition is guaranteed to send Norwegians into a bookshop. In the week before Easter 2024, 46 percent of adult books sold were crime novels, according to the Norwegian Booksellers Association. But the characters responsible for the initial hoax had no idea the effect they’d have on the publishing industry at large: Harald Grieg and the ghostwriters of the book—his brother, Nordahl, and Nils Lie—were likely looking for a fun way to make some quick cash. “I don’t think they realized how impactful the marketing would be,” Siren Marøy Myklebust, an acquiring editor at Gyldendal publishing house, wrote in an email.* “But crime and Easter go well together, because we have public holidays with low expectations and lots of time.”

“Many crime novels are released for Easter, with lots of attention from bookshops and the press,” added Marøy Myklebust. The annual Krimfestivalen, timed to Easter, is a three-day book festival that celebrates local crime writers such as Jo Nesbø, Anne Holt, Thomas Enger, Jørn Lier Horst, Karin Fossum, and Gunnar Staalesen. This is also when Rivertonprisen, a prestigious crime writing award, is awarded; Eva Fretheim has just been declared this year’s winner for her “subdued psychological” novel, The Bird King.

But while the origin story helps explain Påskekrim, does it really make sense for this extremely peaceful country to be so keen on crime? There’s only about 30 murders per year in the entire country, and they are mostly solved. But if you read Nordic noir, you’d think every sleepy village hides a gruesome scene. “We have this incredibly peaceful society, so I wonder, from that vantage point, maybe it feels more bearable to go to the dark side?” Dahl suggests. “Because it’s not something we're routinely faced with.”

Norway is also marked by long, dark winters, and vast landscapes devoid of people: “There may be a collective sense of a dark loneliness, as found in the literal nature,” Dahl adds. An oft-ignored trait of Norway, a steady presence in the Top 10 happiest countries in the world, is also how it can sometimes feel claustrophobic: “It’s a society that has fairly strict moral normative control,” says Dahl. “It can be quite structured in terms of who you can be. I think there’s a rebellion in people against that kind of thing.”

Dahl’s first English-language book, The Boy at the Door, was inspired by a walk along beautiful beachfront villas in Southern Norway, where everything looked so nice and so safe. “I remember feeling quite disturbed by that. There has to be something dark underneath this odd veneer,” says Dahl. “Nothing's ever that perfect.” It may not often resort to murder, but Norway has its fair share of domestic violence and suicide, and the regular human range of mental health issues, dark thoughts, affairs, and secrets. “We have to deal with this darkness in our society,” says Dahl. Maybe this is why Nordic noir is full of antihero detectives, and why the stories are more complicated than good or bad. “I think Nordic noir is quite intelligent. It goes darker and deeper. Maybe that’s one of the reasons it’s so popular.”

This Easter, all of Norway will be getting their crime fix in the coziest setting possible: The staple decor includes daffodils, pastel-colored eggs, bunnies, and yellow chicks—sometimes wielding a weapon or dripping in blood. Maybe Påskekrim is a bit like Halloween, which isn’t traditionally celebrated in Norway—it’s a holiday where people can face their fears by poking fun at what scares them. We can enjoy being spooked when we know we’re actually safe, because that’s when we can really feel the rush of the thrill.

* Translated from Norwegian.

Dear Atlas is Atlas Obscura’s travel advice column, answering the questions you won’t find in traditional guidebooks. Have a question for our experts? Submit it here.

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Dear Atlas,

My wife and I are obsessed with ghost stories, so for our anniversary we want to stay someplace that’s purportedly haunted. Are there any cool hotels or vacation rentals where one might have a paranormal encounter?

It seems every hotel and vacation rental today wants to boast a haunting—perhaps there’s no such thing as cursed press. If you’re interested in overnighting inside a ghost story, it can be a bit daunting to hunt through the hundreds of claims floating around. And while many visitors are entertained by staying at well-known spooky lodgings like the Stanley Hotel in Colorado, ever famous for its creepy atmosphere that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining, for this request we’re going beyond fame based on fictions or feelings based on appearances.

Rather than be so easily enticed by vague promises of unexplained sounds, smells, or misplaced items, we’ve searched for accommodations with deeper backstories and stronger archival “evidence,” if you will, for hosting centuries-old guests. We’ve located hotels around the world where ghostly claims are backed by chronicled histories and testimonies of past deaths. That means whether or not you succeed in finding your own paranormal encounter, you’ll know you’re sleeping in a setting connected to the afterlife. The choice then becomes a question of what flavor of ghost you prefer, from soldiers to murder victims and cowboys to child spirits.

Many fatalities have been documented at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Not only did two people fall to their death on the premises, several people also died at the hands of a fraud doctor who experimented on patients and pocketed their money. You can hear about the grim history on the hotel’s ghost tours or participate in a nighttime ghost hunt, both of which include visits to the old basement morgue.

Quite a few stays seem plagued by the spirits of children. Sickness claimed many young guests, such as seven-year-old Mary Masters who died of cholera in 1846 at The Shelbourne in Dublin, a young girl who succumbed to polio on the eighth floor of the Hotel Alex Johnson in South Dakota, and a child named Rosalia Fihn who passed from typhoid fever in 1908 at The Manor in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Their misplaced items and laughter have supposedly lingered around rooms still rentable today.

Another girl is said to have drowned at The Drovers Inn in Scotland, though perhaps more strange are the cattle herders who regularly fought to the death while battling over cows in the 18th century and allegedly cause all kinds of mischief today. Murder played a never-ending role at both the Lizzie Borden House in Massachusetts, where you can stay and see where the infamous woman killed her parents with an axe, and the Villisca Axe Murder House, a farmhouse in Iowa where guests can attempt to sleep through the night after hearing about the six children and two adults bludgeoned to death on the property.

A more medieval murder can be found at Lumley Castle, built in 1389 in England, where the wife of the original owner was killed and thrown down a well by Catholic monks, so they could pretend she’d converted to Catholicism on her deathbed while her husband was away in Scotland. Stories of Lily Lumley are told on the “Night With the Spirits” tour of the castle, and you can even peer down the well of her doom.

At the Biltmore Hotel in Florida, the story begins with the mob murder of Thomas “Fatty” Walsh in 1929, but develops more morbid layers after being turned into a World War II hospital, which was abandoned in 1968 and reopened for bookings in 1987. Several other properties saw the mass death of soldiers, such as the Concord’s Colonial Inn in Massachusetts that functioned during the Revolutionary War and The Marshall House, which was once a Civil War hospital in Savannah, Georgia.

A prisoner of war met his end at Parador de Jaén in Spain, where some guests have had disturbances in hallways and in room 22. And Dragsholm Castle in Hørve, Denmark is said to be haunted by James Hepburn, the Earl of Bothwell, who died while imprisoned in the dungeon in 1578. Today, he’s just one of many ghosts said to roam the old palace-turned-prison-turned-hotel.

Some hotels today have been cursed by fatal accidents. A 1930s cruise ship called The Queen Mary, which was used during WWII to transport troops, is now a floating hotel in California—despite the girl who drowned in the on-deck swimming pool and a crew member who was crushed to death in the engine room. In Thailand, a fire claimed the lives of 13 people at First Hotel Bangkok in 1988, where guests say they’re still disturbed by the victims. Another deadly accident led to the haunting of the 17th-century Ballygally Castle in Ireland by Lady Isobel Shaw, after she fell from a tower window.

Finally, you might hear the faint click of cowboy boots at a few hotels in America’s Wild West, where many disputes were settled by gunfights. Some 26 victims were fatally shot at the St. James Hotel in New Mexico, a barman was shot dead at the Black Monarch in Colorado, and Chief Justice John P. Slough lost a draw in 1867 at La Fonda in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In each case, the hotels transport guests back in time with historic architecture, period decor, a touch of macabre, and maybe some unexpected nightly visitors.

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Danielle Hallock is a former senior editor at Atlas Obscura, Thrillist, and Culture Trip, as well as a writer for National Geographic, Well+Good, and Time Out. She's been working in travel since 2018, after four years as a managing editor at Penguin Random House. As a Chilean-American, crossing cultures and mountains is in her nature, and she continues to grow her collection of books, bagged summits, and passport stamps. Though she has a hard time sitting still, Brooklyn has become her base camp.

This article is adapted from the April 16, 2025, edition of Gastro Obscura’s Favorite Things newsletter. You can sign up here.

You might be surprised to learn that the edible portion of ginger is not technically a root. It’s a rhizome or “rootstalk,” a modified section of a plant stem that grows laterally underground, sending shoots above and roots below. And common ginger (Zingiber officinale) just might have humanity’s most-beloved rhizome (although its cousin turmeric is a close runner-up).

I come from an Italian-American family, and my early exposure to ginger was limited to restaurant food (my specific dislike of the pink pickled ginger served with sushi began in childhood) and gingerbread. But now that I’m an adult who cooks a lot of different cuisines, it’s become a staple of my fridge.

And I’m not alone in my present-day love for ginger: In fact, people have been ginger fans for a very long time. Ginger is a cultigen, which means it has been developed under human selection for so long that it’s become something that doesn’t exist in the wild (see also: dogs). Ginger’s long and widespread popularity is thanks in part to the ancient Austronesian peoples who first cultivated it. Beginning around 5000 BC, they carried the plant with them as they dispersed by boat from Asia across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, an event known as the Austronesian Expansion.

Some unrelated plants with a spicy root or rhizome are also known as ginger, such as the “wild gingers” of the genus Asarum found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. But within ginger’s own family tree, there’s a host of culinary species to explore. This guide will focus on five of the most common cultivated gingers, where to find them, and how to use them.

Myoga (Zingiber mioga)

While common ginger is used widely in Japan, this species is unique to Japanese cuisine. Myoga has a delicate flavor with a refreshing tang that makes it popular in summertime. Unlike ginger, myoga’s rhizomes are not edible. Instead, its shoots and flower buds, fresh or pickled, are used to garnish dishes like miso soup and grilled fish. Myoga may be used on its own or combined with other toppings such as katsuobushi (dried fish flakes).

I’ve seen fresh myoga buds for sale at Japanese grocery stores in the U.S., but they’re not always easy to find outside Japan. However, Japanese stores may carry frozen or pickled myoga, or tubes of myoga paste.

Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior)

Some gingers are grown as ornamental garden plants rather than food, but torch ginger is used for both. Its fiery flowers have a crunchy texture and a flavor distinct from any other ginger: a citrusy mix of sour, bitter, spicy, and sweet. Torch ginger is predominantly eaten in Southeast Asia, and Asian grocery stores may sell the flowers frozen. These can be sliced thin as a raw garnish or ground in curry pastes and sauces.

In Thailand, torch ginger is used in salads, while in Malaysia, it lends its unique tartness to asam laksa, a sour curry noodle soup. Indonesians use torch ginger in sambal (chili relish) and regional fish dishes like arsik, associated with the Batak peoples of Sumatra. The first time I ever used torch ginger was in this recipe for arsik, which actually calls for both the fruit and flower of the plant, as well as local spices like andaliman, a cousin of Sichuan pepper. Although I had to make a few substitutions, the end result was phenomenally flavorful.

Galangal or Thai ginger (Alpinia galanga)

Many recipes call for both ginger and galangal, but be wary of substituting. As Thai chef Pailin Chongchitnant writes in her article “Galangal 101,” “that’s like saying you can use rosemary instead of basil. Sure, you CAN use it, but the flavors are totally different.” Galangal lacks the spiciness of ginger and, like its cousin cardamom, is often said to taste of camphor and pine.

Today, galangal is mainly associated with Thai cuisine, to such an extent that it’s sometimes called “Thai ginger.” But in the Middle Ages, galangal (or the old-timey galingale) was widely traded to the Middle East and Europe alongside other Asian spices like black pepper. Medieval Western recipes mainly call for dried and powdered galangal, but in its native Southeast Asia, the rhizome is typically used fresh. It’s pounded with other aromatics, including other gingers, to form the base of soups and curries. Galangal features prominently in Cambodian and Indonesian recipes, as well as in Thai dishes like tom kha gai, which means “chicken galangal soup.”

Galangal rhizomes freeze well and can be purchased from Asian grocery stores. They are a bit tougher to cut and peel than other gingers. The unrelated Cyperus longus is also called galingale for its fragrant rhizome, but it’s used in perfume more than cuisine. However, there are three different gingers known as “lesser galangal.” One, Alpinia officinarum, is less-widely used in cuisine, so let’s skip it. For clarity’s sake, I’ll refer to the other two lessers by some of their other names: fingerroot and sand ginger.

Fingerroot or Krachai (Boesenbergia rotunda)

The shape of this plant’s rhizomes has given rise to colorful common names, including “fingerroot” and “Chinese keys.” While they do look a bit like human fingers or dangling keys, “Chinese” is misleading, because people cook with them in Southeast Asia more than China.

Fingerroot has more bite than galangal but less than ginger, and its sweet, peppery flavor is hard to substitute. It’s an essential ingredient in the Thai sour seafood curry gaeng som, which is my favorite way to use it. Fingerroot is also included with other gingers in Cambodia’s national dish, amok trei, a souffle-like fish curry steamed in banana leaf cups.

You can find jarred or frozen fingerroot at stores that carry Southeast Asian ingredients, but it may be mislabeled as galangal or labeled unhelpfully as “rhizome.” Check for the distinctive shape and its Thai name, krachai (กระชาย in Thai writing).

Sand or Aromatic Ginger (Kaempferia galanga)

The Chinese food blog The Woks of Life suggests galangal as the nearest substitute for sand ginger. While closer in flavor to true galangal than fingerroot, sand ginger has a unique, sharp fragrance all its own. It shows up as a dried spice in Southern Chinese cooking. I first used it in The Woks of Life’s recipe for rou jia mo, a braised meat dish nicknamed “Chinese hamburger” because it’s served on sliced buns. The sand ginger adds a cooling hint of camphor to the complex seasoning in the meat. Sand ginger is also used in a similar fashion to other gingers in Southeast Asia. Another dish I have made with it is karedok: an Indonesian salad with a creamy peanut dressing so delicious I would probably eat cardboard if it were doused in it.

Like galangal, sand ginger becomes tough and woody when dried. Fresh or frozen versions may be difficult to source, but Chinese stores carry it as dried slices or powder. It’s sometimes just labeled “ginger,” so check for the scientific name or the Chinese name of sand ginger (shā jiāng fěn, 沙姜粉) to make sure.

This story was originally published on The Conversation. It appears here under a Creative Commons license.

Every morning in Miami, our fieldwork begins the same way. Fresh Cuban coffee and pastelitos—delicious Latin American pastries—fuel our team for another day of evolutionary detective work. Here we’re tracking evolution in real time, measuring natural selection as it happens in a community of Caribbean lizards.

As an assistant professor of ecology and evolution at Georgia Tech, my journey with these remarkable reptiles has taken me far from my London roots. The warm, humid air of Miami feels natural now, a far cry from the gray, drizzly, and lizard-free streets of my British upbringing.

Our research takes place on a South Florida island roughly the size of an American football field—assuming we’re successful in sidestepping the American crocodiles that bask in the surrounding lake. We call it Lizard Island, and it’s a special place.

Here, since 2015, we’ve been conducting evolutionary research on five species of remarkable lizards called anoles. By studying the anoles, our team is working to understand one of biology’s most fundamental questions: How does natural selection drive evolution in real time?

Each May, coinciding with the start of the breeding season, we visit Lizard Island to capture, study, and release all adult anoles—a population that fluctuates between 600 and 1,000. For the entire summer, female anoles lay a single egg every seven to 10 days. By October, a whole new generation has emerged.

Anoles aren’t early risers, so we don’t expect much activity until the Sun strengthens around 9:30 a.m.; this gives us time to prepare our equipment. Our team catches anoles with telescopic fishing poles fitted with little lassos, which we use to gently pluck the lizards off branches and tree trunks. Ask any lizard biologist about their preferred lasso material and you’ll spark the age-old debate: fishing line or dental floss? For what it’s worth, we recently converted—we’re now on Team Fishing Line.

Picture yourself as an anole on Lizard Island. Your life is short—typically just one year—and filled with daily challenges. You need to warm up in the Sun, find enough food to survive, search for a mate, guard your favorite branch from other lizards and avoid being eaten by a predator.

Like human beings, each lizard is unique. Some have longer legs, others stronger jaws, and all behave slightly differently. These differences could determine who survives and who doesn’t; who has the most babies and who doesn’t.

These outcomes drive evolution by natural selection, the process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more. These advantageous traits are then passed on to future generations, gradually changing the species over time. However, scientists still have an incomplete understanding of exactly how each of these features predicts life’s winners and losers in the wild.

To understand how species evolve, researchers need to crack open this black box of evolution and investigate natural selection in wild populations. My colleagues and I are doing this by studying the anoles in exquisite detail. Last year was especially exciting: We ran what we called the Lizard Olympics.

As the morning heat builds, we spot our first lizards: Cuban brown anoles near to the ground, and the mottled scales of Hispaniolan bark anoles just above them. Further up, in the leafy tree canopies, are American green anoles, and the largest species, the Cuban knight anole, about the size of a newborn kitten.

In 2018, a new challenger entered the arena—the Puerto Rican crested anole, a species already present in Miami but one that hadn’t yet made it to Lizard Island. Its arrival provided us with an unexpected opportunity to study how species may evolve in real time in response to a new neighbor.

Catching these agile athletes requires patience and precision. With our modified fishing poles, we carefully loop the dental floss over their heads. Each capture site is marked with bright pink tape and a unique ID number; all lizards are then transported to our field laboratory just a short walk away.

Here, the real Olympic trials begin. Every athlete goes through a comprehensive evaluation. Our portable X-ray machine reveals their skeletal structure, and high-resolution scans capture the intricate details of their feet. This is particularly critical: Like their gecko cousins, anoles possess remarkable sticky toes that allow them to cling to smooth surfaces such as leaves and maybe even survive hurricanes.

We also measure the shape and sharpness of their claws, as both features are crucial for these tree climbers. DNA samples provide a genetic fingerprint for each individual, allowing us to map family relationships across the island and see which is the most reproductively successful.

The performance trials are where things get interesting. Imagine a tiny track meet for lizards. Using high-speed video cameras, we precisely test how fast each lizard runs, and using specialist equipment we measure how hard it bites and how strong it grips rough branches and smooth leaves.

These aren’t arbitrary measurements—each represents a potential evolutionary advantage. Fast lizards might better escape predators. Strong bites might determine winners in territorial disputes. Excellent grip is crucial for tree canopy acrobatics.

Each measurement helps us answer fundamental questions about evolution: Do faster lizards live longer? Do stronger biters produce more offspring? These are the essential metrics of evolution by natural selection.

As afternoon approaches, the team relocates each piece of bright pink tape and returns the corresponding lizard to the exact branch it was caught on. The anoles now sport two tiny 3-millimeter tags with a unique code that lets us identify it when we recapture it in future research trips, along with a small dot of white nail polish so we know not to catch it immediately after we let it go.

At 8:30 p.m., with the Lizard Olympics done for the day, we return to the island donning headlamps. Night brings a different perspective. Some of the most wily lizards are difficult to catch when fully charged by the midday Sun, so our nocturnal jaunts allow us to find them while they sleep. However, it’s often a race against time. Hungry lizard-eating corn snakes are also out hunting, trying to find the anoles before we do. As we wrap up another 16-hour day around 11:30 p.m., the team shares stories of the night.

Now spanning 10 years, 10 generations, and five species, our Lizard Island dataset represents one of the longest-running active studies of its kind in evolutionary biology. By tracking which individuals survive and reproduce, and linking their success to specific physical traits and performance abilities, we’re documenting natural selection with unprecedented detail.

The Lizard Olympics is helping us understand why. The larger, more aggressive crested anoles are forcing brown anoles to spend more time on the ground, where those with longer legs might run faster to escape predators—allowing them to better survive and pass on their long-leg genes, while shorter-legged anoles might be eaten before they can reproduce.

By watching natural selection unfold in response to environmental changes, rather than inferring it from fossil records, we’re providing cutting-edge evidence for evolutionary processes that Charles Darwin could only theorize about.

These long days of observation are slowly revealing one of biology’s most fundamental processes. Every lizard we catch, every measurement we take adds another piece to our understanding of how species adapt and evolve in an ever-changing world.

So far we have uncovered two fascinating patterns. Initially, it didn’t pay to be different on Lizard Island. Anoles with very average shapes and sizes lived longer compared with those that are slightly different. But when the crested anoles arrived, everything changed: Suddenly, brown anoles with longer legs had a survival advantage.

Just before midnight on April 14, 1912, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg. What happened next should be a familiar story by now: The iceberg ripped open the hull of the ship’s starboard side, flooding the compartments with the icy waters of the North Atlantic. The closest ship was hours away, and there weren’t enough lifeboats to accommodate all the passengers. Of the 2,224 people estimated to be on board, more than 1,500 died.

The disaster has been the subject of public fascination for more than a century. There are monuments, museums, and memorials dedicated to the ship and the people who were lost when it sank. It has inspired books, poems, plays, and movies—the 1997 James Cameron romance arguably the most famous of the bunch. It also spurred changes in maritime regulations, as well as research into the cause of the wreck and its aftermath. In these five stories, Atlas Obscura explores the different facets of the Titanic’s legacy.

For Sale: A Titanic Survivor's Light-Up Cane by Sabrina Imbler

Ella White, a wealthy 55-year-old widow, had a first-class ticket for the Titanic and a slightly less luxurious seat on Lifeboat No. 8, the second boat to leave the sinking ship. White used the battery-powered light-up cane to navigate the pitch-black ocean, and her group of survivors was eventually picked up by a nearby ship. In a 2019 auction, the cane sold for $62,500.

Make the Jellied Delicacy Served Aboard the Titanic by Diana Hubbell

The night before the Titanic sank, the passengers in first class dined on a sumptuous 11-course feast that included freshly shucked oysters, spring lamb with mint jelly, asparagus in vinaigrette, poached salmon with mousseline sauce, filet mignon, and roast duckling. For dessert, one of the options was a wiggling, glinting Chartreuse jelly adorned with peaches, and we have the recipe.

Where Are the World’s Most Dangerous Seas? by Laura Kiniry

The Atlantic Ocean between Southampton, England, and New York City is a notoriously rough stretch of sea, especially during winter months, when heavy winds and rains can seemingly whip up in an instant. But despite this being the final resting place for the Titanic—which sank about 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland—most marine professionals wouldn’t deem it to be the world’s most dangerous body of water. But nailing down which one actually is the most dangerous is complicated.

The World’s Fastest Glacier Is Loud, Dangerous, and Transfixing by Matthew H Birkhold

Hundreds of miles north of the Arctic Circle, the Jakobshavn Glacier hurls icebergs into the sea. Glaciologists suspect this mass of ice produced the iceberg that sank the Titanic in 1912. Today, Sermeq Kujalleq—Greenlandic for “southern glacier”—still slithers along the same rocky fjord. It’s the world’s fastest iceberg, traveling an average of 130 feet every 24 hours and calving more than 4 billion tons of ice each year into Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord.

The SS United States Heads Into Unknown Waters by Matthew Christopher

The SS United States was built nearly 40 years after the Titanic sank, but precautions taken on its maiden voyage were influenced by the Titanic’s disastrous trip across the Atlantic. They worked—the bigger, faster ship set a record that it still holds for the fastest eastbound crossing by an ocean liner. But even with all its successes, the United States is also bound for the ocean floor. Despite efforts to preserve the historic ship as a museum, the ocean liner will instead become the world’s largest artificial reef.

“A-TE-PEC! A-TE-PEC! A-TE-PEC!”

It was loud enough in the gymnasium to make one’s eardrums hurt. Fans screamed from the rafters, many decked out in the red and white colors representing the town of San Juan Atepec. People clapped noisemakers, twirled wooden rattles.

Spectators overflowed from the bleachers onto the concrete steps and the hardwood floor. At the center of the arena, 10 men from the Oaxacan mountain towns of San Juan Atepec and Natividad took fadeaway jumpers, blocked shots, and dove for loose balls like their village’s honor depended on it. Because it did.

It was late March, but this was not March Madness. This was the championship of La Copa Benito Juárez, the gauntlet of Oaxacan hoops. At this tournament, there are no corporate sponsorships, no prize money. Just some 6,000 players and fans from the basketball-crazed mountains of the Sierra Juárez, trekking to the Zapotec hamlet of Guelatao de Juárez, driven by, as the tournament’s motto goes, el honor de competir.

The players are good, and they are serious. Draining three-pointers and sprinting cross-court for Eurostep layups, the competitors in the men’s and women’s Open category—open to people of all ages—hoop at a level around NCAA standards.

“Basketball starts for us at a really young age,” said Cristian Brian Caballero Bautista, a star post player for San Juan Atepec, standing in the middle of the arena minutes after his team won La Copa. “It’s inculcated in us.”

The love of basketball runs deep. The players from each town—who themselves range from 6 years old in the Chupon category to 50 years and up in the Master category—travel with gangs of porristas, somewhere between cheerleaders and groupies, who wear matching T-shirts, wave flags, and make all kinds of noise to remind their representatives that they have a village behind them. And fans fill the town’s streets, all the way up to the windy road that hugs the mountains and brings visitors to the Gimnasio Benito Juárez, where the cup’s premier games are played.

Most of Mexico is known for its rabid love of soccer. But in the Sierra Juárez, basketball is a way of life.

“Now it actually helps contribute to their separateness,” said Jorge Santiago, a Pittsburgh-based photographer who grew up in Guelatao and has been documenting Serrano basketball for around 15 years. “We are not soccer players. We are different from the rest of Mexico.” Santiago also said that basketball was one of the only pastimes available to him during his youth.

Gonzalo Edmundo Méndez Hernández, 75, who helped found La Copa Benito Juárez, sat in his house nestled into the hills of Guelatao the day before the tournament, and explained basketball’s appeal. “In the area of Guelatao, where I grew up, there aren’t huge spaces for playing other sports.”

No huge flat spaces, that is. Regulation NBA basketball courts are about 1/16th the size of a FIFA soccer field—just small enough to nestle into the hills of the Sierra Juárez, a cluster of districts in the Sierra Norte mountain range that slashes across the state of Oaxaca. Throughout the region, locals host dances, weddings, and political meetings on the paved courts.

Guelatao de Juárez is located at an altitude of about 6,000 feet, a 1.5-hour winding drive north of Oaxaca City. The area around it is lush, green, and mountainous, and the town boasts an idyllic pond near its center known as the “Enchanted Lagoon.” (Guelatao comes from the Zapotec word Yela-too, which means “little lagoon.”)

But the pueblo is most famous for being the birthplace of Benito Juárez, Mexico’s first Indigenous president and a trailblazing reformer. Every year, Guelatao hosts a series of civic events, and tournament rounds, in the weeks leading up to Juárez’s March 21 birthday. On that day, which is a national holiday, there are more events, and—the biggest draw of all—the championship of La Copa Benito Juárez. This year on March 21, President Claudia Sheinbaum paid Guelatao a visit, just like her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, had in the past.

The hilly Zapotec village, which in 2020 had a population of 657, transforms to accommodate the deluge of visitors, all of whom get to enjoy the festivities for free. The municipality contracts 41 cooks to prepare delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner for an estimated 2,500 diners at the town’s complimentary canteen.

Cooks from across the region sell their wares throughout the rest of Guelatao. In a food-filled plaza near the town’s center, a stall hawks tender, dripping roast goat barbacoa along with bowls of its rich consommé. The narrow mountain pass leading to the tournament’s central gymnasium is lined with food stalls. A group of women by the arena’s entrance make moist, charred empanadas de verde and sweet, smokey tacos de mole negro good enough to make a food writer wax poetic. This is Oaxaca, after all.

“Una convivencia más que una competencia.”

Gonzalo Edmundo Méndez Hernández lives near the center of Guelatao, on a street so steeply curved that a right turn from his front door guarantees a mild workout. His large house has a verdant garden and a long patio that leads to his wife’s restaurant, Comedor Yela-Too, where she prepares a mean mole rojo and other Oaxacan dishes.

Born in Guelatao in 1949, Méndez has spent much of his life teaching music locally and in Santa Ana, California. Like other Serranos, he was a serious hooper through childhood and early adulthood. He’s now working on a book about the history of Serrano basketball and La Copa Benito Juárez.

Méndez traces the history of Serrano basketball back to boarding schools for Indigenous youth that President Lázaro Cárdenas helped start in the 1930s. At the schools, one of which was located in Guelatao, sports were a part of the program. Basketball caught on quickly because, in addition to being enjoyable, its small courts suited the local terrain of mountains, rivers, and forests.

In his home study, flanked by bookshelves and a hefty accordion case, Méndez recounted how this basketball-enamored town founded the region’s largest basketball tournament. In 1977, a man named Israel Garcia Martinez, from the nearby Zapotec town of Capulalpam de Méndez, commissioned a silver cup bearing Benito Juárez’s likeness from artisans in Mexico City, and donated it to Guelatao with the idea of creating the first Copa de Benito Juárez. Leaders from the region gathered to organize the competition and selected Méndez to lead the process.

The idea behind the cup, Méndez said, was “to unify the pueblos through sports, while honoring Benito Juárez on his birthday.”

Bringing together the people of the Sierra Juárez is not a simple task. The high peaks and thick forest in this 660-square-mile mountain range separated people from one another for thousands of years, contributing to a patchwork of cultural diversity.

Three peoples—Zapotec, Mixe, and Chinantec—live in the region. Each of these groups represents a family of multiple languages, with Zapotec containing a whopping 62 distinct tongues. This means that people from two Zapotec towns might speak different languages, but will still be able to understand each other.

Some of the region’s communities have had long-standing territorial disputes that sometimes flare up into violence. When communities are in open conflict, the Sports Committee bars them from attending the Cup. But both Gonzalo Méndez and one of the tournament’s commentators, Jorge Jaltianguis, said that relations between pueblos were more peaceable here than in other parts of the state. “The Sierra Juarez is very unified,” said Fanny García Hernández, Guelatao’s councilwoman in charge of sports, culture, education, health, and ecology. “We view problems of other communities as our own. That’s how we identify as Serranos.”

Today, organizers, fans, and players all say that the Cup helps promote a convivencia, or coexistence, between the Sierra Juárez’s diverse peoples.

Alfonso Herdández, a star player for La Natividad, lost in the Open-category finals to Atepec, then woke up early the next morning to run a sporting event for children with Down’s syndrome. He reflected on the previous day’s competition with pride. “It doesn’t matter who wins or loses,” he said. “Es una convivencia más que una competencia.” It’s a coexistence more than a competition.

“Friends, acquaintances that you don’t see all year round, you get to see in Guelatao,” he added. “From other places, other communities.” People drive for as much as six hours over snaking mountain roads to get to Guelatao from other towns.

And many players travel from even farther. Oaxaca is the second-poorest state in Mexico, and many people have left the Sierra Norte for other parts of Mexico and the United States, turning some pueblos into ghost towns. To qualify to represent a pueblo, a player needs to be, at most, a third-generation descendant of someone born there.

Now, many pueblo’s teams are composed of people who don’t live there, and who meet up in the weeks and months before La Copa Juárez to train. The towns' emigrants also donate money to help their home teams buy jerseys and charter transportation.

Jorge Santiago, the Guelatao-born photographer, said that during the Cup’s early years, Oaxacans who had emigrated to the United States would come back to Guelatao to hoop. Starting in the early 2000s, however, anti-immigrant crackdowns in the States, along with worsening conditions in Northern Mexico, made it difficult for players to travel back and forth across the border. But now, an entire generation of Oaxacans has had children in the States who are U.S. citizens and can easily return to play in the Cup. In Southern California, the epicenter of the Oaxacan-American community, players compete in Oaxacan basketball leagues, which include tournaments organized by hometown—each one like a mini Copa Juárez.

On the day of the championship, Gio Quero, 21, chatted in easy English with his cousins at a food stall near the central gymnasium. The family had traveled from Santa Ana, California, to represent their parents’ and grandparents’ hometown, Latuvi, in the Under-23 category. Though Quero normally plays guard in the United States, at La Copa Juárez he plays center, because at six feet tall, he’s bigger than most Oaxacans.

Quero said that his parents have always been too busy working to play basketball, but that they raised him with a love of the game. “Honestly, we’re not doing it for ourselves. We’re doing it for our family,” he said. “I want to win as many of these tournaments as I can for them, you know?” He and his cousins participated in their first Copa a few years ago, and won. His parents cried when they heard the news.

This year, his team lost in the semifinals. “It sucks,” he said. “But, you know, other teams here are really good.”

Though La Copa Benito Juárez casts a wide net for participants, when it was first founded, only men were allowed to compete. Then, in 1993, Méndez campaigned to add a female category to the tournament. Now, there are women athletes in every age group except for the two oldest ones, Veterans (40 and up) and Masters (50 and up).

But attitudes have taken longer to shift. At a presentation for a magazine about La Copa, Gabriela Linares Sosa, a biologist and Indigenous rights activist, cited a Facebook post in which someone wrote, “The first time a women’s team from my community went to La Copa Benito Juárez, I remember someone from my community saying, ‘Where are you going? Our community has a name to maintain. You should stay in our pueblo and make tortillas or something.’”

Standing outside the arena with a group of porristas from San Juan Tabá, Aracelly Mendoza, 41, said that she grew up with a strict curfew, and that her parents told her that a woman's place is in the home. Because of this, in her generation, it has been men more than women who have benefitted from the convivencia promoted by the Cup.

But in the last decade, she’s seen a dramatic change. “Thank god, that’s all going away now,” she said, holding a wooden rattle that she had twirled throughout her pueblo’s match in the afternoon. “Now, we can go out, and they let us be out here screaming!”

“The girls today grow up with more connections between pueblos. Now they go out, coexist, and get to know each other.” This year, her 17-year-old daughter competed in the Cup.

For sisters Elisa and Michelle Águilar from Ixtlan, which neighbors Guelatao, basketball has been life-changing. Outfitted in their town’s green and black jerseys, they spoke with easy confidence outside the stadium before they had to begin their warm-up for the championship match. “Basketball has been the key to opportunity for us. Not only has it allowed us to study; it has also helped us to meet people from all over,” Elisa said.

Born to a family of basketball lovers—their father is a coach—they started playing in La Copa Juárez when they were each around six years old. Both went on to earn basketball scholarships as undergraduates at Tecnológico de Monterrey; Michelle, 31, now works for a multinational beverage company and Elisa, 27, is a professional basketball player in two Mexican organizations, including the country’s foremost league, the Mexican Sports Association of Basketball (ADEMEBA).

This year, Elisa decided to take a break from professional basketball so she could focus on representing Ixtlan in La Copa Juárez with her sister. “We prefer to play here,” she said. “Even if more professional opportunities come.”

An hour later, in a stadium packed with screaming fans, the sisters showed what chemistry and months of 6 a.m. practices can do: With a bunch of smooth jump shots, graceful spin moves, and crafty layups, they led their team to victory over Tagayu.

The day before the championship, it rained in Guelatao. Gonzalo Méndez sat at a table on his covered patio with his friend Aldo González Rojas. González, who helped organize the tournament last year, was reflecting on the colossal task of hosting hundreds of teams and thousands of visitors at a basketball smackdown in this tiny town. “If you go to the United States, and say, ‘Let’s see. Let’s start a regional tournament,’ people won’t be able to do it. Why? Because it depends on making decisions in a collective manner.’”

González Rojas is the former president of Guelatao, a position that lasts one and a half years and includes no salary. But when it came to the Copa, he wasn’t making decisions alone—he had to consult with the Sports Council, a body made up of representatives from all of the towns involved in the tournament.

The council has a precedent in the communal assemblies that govern the vast majority of Oaxaca’s more than 10,000 communities. Guelatao-born anthropologist Jaime Martinez Luna uses the term comunalidad to describe what he calls “the central concept of Oaxacan life”: one that values the collective over the individual and sees people and nature as interconnected. Land is often managed communally, large councils plan fiestas, and starting in adolescence, people take on duties in town—like that of community security, or topil—out of obligation to the collective, often with no expectation of pay.

Almost all of the tournament’s major services—cleaning, housing, security, and even coaching—are done as comisiones, or community assignments, for no pay. Cooking, a truly massive undertaking for thousands of hungry guests, is the one exception, and is contracted out. The organizers have refused corporations’ offers to sponsor things like water and beer. “Here, people say, ‘No. This is ours,’” said González Rojas.

Around 9 p.m., in the moments after Atepec’s victory over Natividad, fans emptied out into the star-lit mountain pass and made their way to the center of town. The Oaxacan public broadcast station interviewed players, and young admirers posed for photos with their favorite athletes.

Gonzalez Rójas milled about, cheerful but not yet retired for the night. “I still have a comisión to take care of!” he said. “I have to go grab my broom.”

If you were to look past the basketball players and the beaming fans, you would just see him, the former president of the town, sweeping up the debris of a hard fought-game. In Guelatao, everyone has a role to play.

One hundred and fifty million years ago, the swamps of Fujian province in southeastern China teemed with life. Fossils reveal a rich Jurassic ecosystem dubbed the Zhenghe Fauna, where turtles, frogs, and fish filled the waters and feathered dinosaurs stalked or waded on long, slender legs. And flitting about in the trees, there was a tiny creature whose recent discovery has upended our understanding of when and how birds became birds.

Its scientific name is Baminornis zhenghensis, a mixture of Mandarin and Ancient Greek meaning “Eight Min bird from Zhenghe” (Eight Min is a historical name for Fujian). Paleontologists discovered its incomplete fossil in 2023 and published a report about it in Nature in February 2025. In a written statement, Wang Min of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, lead researcher on the fossil, described Baminornis as similar in size to “a domesticated pet parrot.” Although Baminornis had small claws on its wings and may have had teeth in its beak, overall, it didn’t look very different from modern birds. That’s exactly what makes it so remarkable.

Just like today’s birds, Baminornis’s spine ended in a fused, stumpy tailbone called a pygostyle. It’s an adaptation for flight that shifts the body’s center of gravity and anchors the tail feathers used for steering in midair. Wang called the development of the pygostyle “one of the most profound changes in body structure during the transition of dinosaurs into birds.” But Baminornis is “the sole Jurassic and the oldest short-tailed bird yet discovered," Wang wrote, predating previous record-holders like Yixianornis and Confuciusornis by about 20 million years. The discovery offers a new perspective on when birds started to look the way they do now.

In a commentary published in Nature, paleontologist Stephen L. Brusatte wrote that Baminornis “ranks among the most important bird fossils unearthed since the discovery of Archaeopteryx." In 1861, just two years after Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, the first specimen of Archaeopteryx was discovered in Germany, sending shockwaves through the scientific community. Here was a smoking gun for the nascent theory of evolution: An apparent “missing link” between reptile and bird, with feathered, clawed wings, beakless, toothy jaws, and a long, bony tail.

Our knowledge of how birds developed from dinosaurs has come a long way since then. Archaeopteryx is no longer regarded as the direct ancestor of modern birds, but one of many offshoots of the same feathered family tree. However, Archaeopteryx remained the oldest-known bird until the early 2000s, when slightly earlier relatives like Anchiornis were unearthed in China. Prime fossil-forming conditions in some Chinese provinces during the Jurassic and Cretaceous have resulted in hotspots for fossil discoveries, especially feathered dinosaurs. But there are still few birds known from the Jurassic Period (200 to 145 million years ago), and none with a relatively modern appearance—until Baminornis.

Wang argues that Baminornis is modern enough to be the earliest-known species that can be definitively called a bird, rather than a feathered dinosaur. Zhou Zhonghe, another researcher from Wang’s team, said that Baminornis is “the true Jurassic bird,” not Archaeopteryx. Whether you call the bony-tailed species birds or not, we know that they existed alongside Baminornis and for millions of years after. Losing the tail might have made some Jurassic birds better fliers, but it did not give them an immediate survival advantage over tailed birds.

We shouldn’t assume that Baminornis is the direct ancestor of modern birds, as Archaeopteryx was once thought to be, just because of its tailbone. Studies suggest that key characteristics of modern birds, like hollow bones, feathers, and even flight, may have evolved multiple times independently in dinosaurs. Future research might show that the same is true for the fused tailbone.

Evolution does not move in a straight line from point A to point B, and even within the same lineage of animals, vast diversity can exist at the same time. Among the wealth of Jurassic and Cretaceous fossils from China are numerous near-birds and not-birds unlike anything that exists today. Species like Yi qi (Mandarin for “strange wing”) had both feathers and batlike membranous wings, possibly used for gliding rather than true flight. Others had four wings, due to elongated feathers on both sets of limbs. The Enantornithes or “opposite birds” resembled modern birds, but were also strikingly different, with fossil eggs suggesting that at least some species could fly from the moment they hatched.

Baminornis is the latest addition to this dizzying avian menagerie. While you probably wouldn’t think twice if you saw a living Baminornis perched on a telephone wire, the same can’t be said for an Archaeopteryx: Yet the two were contemporaries. The more fossils we discover, the more we see that the story of birds is complex and still far from complete.

For thousands of years, humans across the world have played music using some version of the ocarina, a rounded wind instrument that produces a flute-like sound. In ancient China, ocarina-like instruments date back to 5,000 BC, and the Maya and the Aztecs used them in religious ceremonies.

But the modern ocarina, a sweet potato–shaped instrument with 10 to 12 holes, was invented, by mistake, in the small Italian town of Budrio. Today, that same town is host to the world’s largest ocarina festival.

In 1853, Giuseppe Donati, a 17-year-old boy from Budrio, spent his time messing around with clay. “Donati used to play the clarinet in the town’s band,” says Christian Paolini, a tour guide at Budrio’s Ocarina Museum. ”He used to make make-shift instruments for his bandmates.” For one of his experiments, Donati set out to craft a whistle with a rounded base and a curved bell, like a trumpet. But while handling the clay prototype, he accidentally cracked the “neck” of the bell. “He tried playing the bottom part of the instrument and realized that it produced an interesting sound,” Paolini says.

In the years that followed his accidental invention, Donati perfected the design of the instrument, which he referred to as an ucarina, “small goose” in the local dialect. He devised a set of five ocarinas that produced a range of low-pitched to high-pitched notes. In 1863, Donati and his fellow musicians formed Budrio’s first ocarina quintet. “Donati’s idea of creating a set of five ocarinas dramatically expanded the instrument’s musical reach,” Paolini says. “The quintet could play quite a diverse range of music, from folk songs to opera themes.” Over the years, the group added two more ocarinas and the quintet became a septet.

In 1869, Budrio’s ocarina players performed at a theater in Bologna. The septet played a selection of themes from some of the most famous operas of the time, from Verdi’s La Traviata to Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. “The public loved it,” Paolini says. “The theater manager was so impressed that booked them again.” Word about this unusual music based on a “humble” instrument from Budrio got around.

In the following months, Budrio’s ocarina group toured major Italian cities such as Padua, Udine, and Ferrara. By the 1870s, the band was playing the most important European capitals like Vienna, Paris, and London. In 1874, the London Daily News reported on a concert held by the Budrio’s ocarina band at Crystal Palace, noting that the William Tell Overture was performed “with the same intensity and precision of a full orchestra.” At the time, the band was playing under the stage name the Montagnards des Appenines, the “mountain people from the Apennines," and wearing traditional shepherd costumes to perform. “Imagine seeing a group of seven men dressed like shepherds, playing opera themes with clay instruments, inside one of London’s most up-and-coming theatres,” Paolini says. “That must have been quite a scene.”

Many other Budrio residents, or Budriesi, also played a role in the ocarina’s unexpected success. Cesare Vicinelli, a member of Budrio’s original ocarina quintet, invented the first metal molds for ocarinas, producing instruments with a bright and clear sound. “He was considered the Stradivari of ocarinas,” Paolini explains. Alberto and Ercole Mezzetti, also members of the band, exported Budrio’s “little goose” beyond Italy. Ercole opened an ocarina workshop in Paris in 1877, winning medals for his innovative designs at the 1878 and 1900 World Expositions. His brother Alberto moved to London in 1879 and became a music teacher and editor of exercise books for ocarina students. “The story of the ocarina is the story of how Budrio gets on the world’s map,” Paolini says.

Ocarinas designed and crafted by generations of Budriesi are now kept in the town’s two-story Ocarina Museum. One exhibit is dedicated to the local craftsmen who have innovated on Donati’s invention. One of those craftsmen is Fabio Menaglio, who crafts ocarinas by hand in his workshop in Budrio. First, he models clay to make two pieces, the “head” and the body” of the ocarina. Then, he glues them together using slip, or liquid clay, and adds holes in the side of the ocarina using the tip of a drill. Menaglio leaves the ocarinas to air-dry on a wooden shelf, and later bakes them in a kiln. While drying and baking, the ocarina can shrink, so making sure to account for that while modeling the clay is a vital part of the process.

Menaglio calls himself a "craftsman of sound.” Each step of the ocarina-making process can affect how the instrument sounds, he explains. Small and elongated bodies make higher-pitched sounds, while larger and thicker ones emit lower-pitched sounds. Even when making ocarinas of the same variety, small differences in the inner volume of the body can produce different sounds. “We still make each instrument by hand, so naturally they are not exactly the same,” he explains. “My job is to make them as consistent as possible so that musicians can harmonize their sound more easily.” According to Paolini, Menaglio has gained a reputation as an “ocarina wizard” for the consistency of his instruments.

Along with ocarinas, Budrio also produces people who love to play them. In fact, the town still boasts a touring ocarina orchestra. Members of the current ocarina septet, known as the Gruppo Ocarinistico Budriese, get their ocarinas from Menaglio. Whenever they get new instruments, they’ll spend weeks together practicing their harmonies. “That’s what I love the most about playing the ocarina,” says Leonardo Carbone, the youngest member of the GOB. “It takes a lot of practice to reach a harmonized sound, but when you do it’s magical.”

In the past 15 years, Budrio’s ocarina septet has ventured beyond Europe. In China, Japan, and South Korea, their tours are always sold out. Part of the band’s success in East Asia goes back to the long-standing tradition of ocarina-like instruments in those countries. “If you listen to a concert by the GOB, it has a similar sound to traditional Taoist music,” Paolini says. But some of their appeal is a more recent phenomenon. Emiliano Bernagozzi, part of the GOB since the 1990s, says that the band first went to South Korea in 2010 for a concert. At the time, ocarinas were gaining traction in the country, transitioning from little-known instruments to a popular way to teach music in schools. The group was approached by local businessmen who loved their music so much that they offered to sponsor a national tour. The band’s entry into Japan followed a similar trajectory. “We were scouted by a PR firm that wanted to promote our music,” Bernagozzi says. “Now our performances at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre are always sold out.”

In recent years, the ocarina has also become a well-known instrument in North America. Many people in the gaming community discovered the instrument thanks to the 1998 video game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, where the player can solve puzzles by playing an ocarina. The US now has its first ocarina septet, Ocabanda, that performs traditional ocarina pieces as well as anime and video game themes.

Every year, in mid-April, the world’s ocarina-lovers descend on Budrio for the International Ocarina Festival. This year, organizers expect about a hundred artists from around the world to take part in live performances, talks, and workshops. “We are very proud of how this festival has become a gathering for ocarina and music lovers at large,” says Budrio’s mayor Debora Badiali. She adds that spontaneous encounters between ocarina players, craftsmen, and fans often give rise to unexpected partnerships, like in the case of electronic musician Godblesscomputers, who, at this year’s festival, will perform a live DJ set mixing electronic and ocarina music.

The town’s next goal is to further cement Budrio’s role as the epicenter of the global ocarina scene. Two years ago, nearby Bologna’s music conservatory, Conservatorio G. B. Martini, launched the world’s first official course in ocarina music. And officials are now discussing the creation of apprenticeships to teach the traditional craft of ocarina-making. “Since its invention, the ocarina has been the link between local heritage and the world,” Badiali says, “We want to promote our city as the place where anyone interested in this instrument comes to learn about it.”

Though Cincinnati is best known for breweries, another effervescent beverage has a long history in the Queen City: the nectar soda.

Home to the oldest pharmacy college in the U.S. west of the Alleghenies, the Eclectic Medical Institute (1845-1952), and Lloyd Brothers Pharmacists, Cincinnati was long on the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry. The city had a number of apothecaries with soda fountains, as well as confectioners serving countless carbonated concoctions—some claiming to cure a variety of ailments, and others simply providing customers with something sweet and refreshing to drink.

Enter the nectar soda. The flavor is a combination of vanilla and bitter almond, and the drink is pastel pink in color—a nod to the hue of almond flowers, according to Dann Woellert, a Cincinnati food historian, etymologist, and the author of Cincinnati Candy: A Sweet History. Nicknamed the “drink of the gods,” the bitter almond flavor of nectar soda balances out what would otherwise be overly sweet vanilla, creating an addictive taste that grows on you with each sip. 

Nectar sodas have been served in Cincinnati since at least the late 1870s, though, like many iconic foods and beverages, its precise origins are murky. The only other U.S. city to embrace nectar sodas was New Orleans, but unlike Cincinnati, the tradition fizzled out in the Big Easy in the mid-20th century. Plus, Woellert says that the Queen City popularized them first. “They were served in Cincinnati nearly a decade before New Orleans,” he says.

While the Cincinnati nectar soda has multiple origin stories, each crediting a different pharmacist or confectioner, Woellert has concluded that John Mullane created the flavor after traveling to Quebec City to learn the art of confectionery from a prominent Canadian candymaker. He began serving nectar sodas in his confectionery shop in downtown Cincinnati in the late 1870s.

So, why did the nectar soda end up in Cincinnati and New Orleans, of all places? Wollert suspects that the bitter almond and vanilla flavor was used by the French Acadians who settled in both Quebec City and New Orleans.

Though nectar sodas aren’t as common as they were in the early 20th century, when they could be found at countless confectioneries and pharmacy soda fountains across Cincinnati, they’re still served at establishments throughout the city and the surrounding area. Nectar sodas have been on the menu at ice cream and chocolate shop Aglamesis Brothers since it opened in Cincinnati in 1908, if not shortly thereafter. That’s according to company president and CEO Randy Young, who is also a third-generation family member. 

It’s unclear when nectar sodas were added to the menu at Graeter’s, a Cincinnati ice cream and chocolate shop that opened in 1870 and now has locations throughout the city and the Midwest, but Chip Graeter, chief of retail operations and a fourth-generation family member, says that they were especially popular throughout the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

In a January 28, 1947 article in the Cincinnati Enquirer, Tom Moore, the head of the soda department at Dow Drug Store—which operated 32 soda fountains throughout the metropolitan area at that time—said that “nectar is one of the most popular flavors in all of their stores, and has been for many years.” Five years prior, Dow ran an ad in the same newspaper which read: “Be glad you live in Cincinnati, the only place in the country where you can enjoy a Dow double-dip nectar soda.”

Originally, nectar syrup was made by combining half-and-half or milk with water, bitter almond extract, vanilla extract and red food coloring. While Aglamesis eventually switched to a dairy-free shelf-stable syrup, Graeter's recipe has never changed—it still contains milk and needs to be refrigerated. 

Both Aglamesis and Graeter’s make nectar soda by mixing nectar syrup with a dollop of whipped cream, adding a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream, then topping it off with some soda water and more whipped cream.

Though Young says that nectar sodas are most popular with older adults, they’re also a hit with members of younger generations who try them. “People who grew up with them still love them today,” Graeter says. “We still make them in all of our stores, but they're not nearly as popular today as they once were, simply because milkshakes and smoothies have taken over.”  

According to Young, there is a commercially available descendant of the nectar soda. “Commercial soda companies like Barqs and others came out with their version of cream soda—a bright pink soda—which got its flavoring from nectar soda,” he explains.

Indigenous Brazilians have fermented alcoholic beverages from the cassava root for thousands of years. These beer-like beverages go by names like cauim, caxiri, and tarubá. Fermentation is an important step in cassava processing—the raw root has chemicals that can turn into cyanide in the human body. Native peoples found that a bit of human saliva and some naturally occurring yeast could eliminate these toxins and improve the nutritious value of the tuber. When the technology of distillation arrived to the Munim River region (now in Maranhão), locals who already drank lightly alcoholic cassava beverages began to distill them. Tiquira was born. 

The name tiquira is likely derived from the Tupi word tykyre meaning "to drip." But it is a curiosity that the spirit has flourished in only one Brazilian state, Maranhão. Margot Stinglwagner, founder of Guaaja Tiquira, the first modern brand to produce the spirit starting in 2016, says “It’s a spirit that is also unknown in Brazil. A few people have heard about tiquira—but usually only people who have gone to Maranhão once.” Accordingly, the state moved to declare the spirit as a piece of Cultural and Intangible Heritage in September 2023. 

Part of the reason that tiquira has remained so isolated is that cachaça, Brazil’s rum, is far easier to produce. Because the rum comes from sugarcane, the sugar for fermentation is already there. “With cassava, you don’t have sugar,” Stinglwagner explains. “You must first transform the carbohydrates into sugar and then you can ferment and distill it.” To achieve this end, Guaaja Tiquira uses food enzymes instead of the traditional human saliva. Guaaja also differs from other distillers because they use full cassava roots where most tiquira moonshiners rely on processed farinha de mandioca, or cassava flour. 

“The majority of people produce it illegally,” laughs Stinglwagner. “The state does nothing about it.” Outside of the urban center, tiquira is invariably a homemade product. Generally, tiquira makers don’t separate the "heads" (the first drops of liquor from a distillation, which contain harsher alcohols including toxic methanol and other pungent and volatile flavor compounds) from the "tails" (the final liquid produced from distillation, which has a low alcohol content and can have unwelcome bitter flavors), meaning the spirit is stronger and may contain more toxins and impurities. Some even macerate marijuana into the combined spirit to produce the doubly-illicit tiquiconha.

Maranhenses believe that you cannot get wet or bathe after drinking tiquira, lest you become faint or dizzy. Zelinda Machado de Castro e Lima, one of the great chroniclers of folk culture in Maranhão, has recorded other traditions surrounding the drink. Firstly, it is typical to pierce a cashew with a toothpick and soak it in a glass of tiquira for several hours. It is then sucked as a sort of boozy lollipop. She also writes about the belief that those drinking coffee should avoid tiquira, while locals say that fishermen on the coast used the liquor to sanitize wounds incurred on the job. 

Finally, there is the curious question of the color of tiquira. In the tourist markets of São Luís, the spirit is always blushing a translucent violet. “They say that the color of tiquira is from tangerine leaves, but we tried to do it and the color from the leaves is not stable,” says Stinglwagner. “It is also not a strong color. The norms and laws for tiquira prohibit the addition of the leaves.” The violet color may be artificial (perhaps from food dyes), but some tiquiras do have a citrusy flavor. 

Tiquira today is still largely relegated to the world of moonshining, but with the government’s recognition of the spirit and new legitimate ventures like that of Guaaja Tiquira, Brazil could be seeing more of the cassava liquor outside of its home in Maranhão. 

“All the people say to me, ‘What is this new spirit?,’” says Stinglwagner. “I say, ‘It’s not a new spirit, it’s the oldest spirit from Brazil.’”

Know Before You Go

Tiquira is widely available in the downtown markets of São Luís, Maranhão. Both the local Mercado Central and touristic Mercado das Tulhas have many vendors selling tiquira. The commercial brand, Guaaja Tiquira, is also available in São Luís at Empório Fribal, in addition to Copacabana Palace and Fairmont Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, and Mocotó Bar e Restaurante in São Paulo. 

The origins of Germany’s Maultaschen are deliciously devious. Legend has it that, in the late Middle Ages, a lay brother named Jakob invented the stuffed pasta dumplings at the Maulbronn Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site founded in 1147 by Cistercian monks in southwest Germany.

One direct translation of Maultaschen is “mouth pockets,” though “Maul” could just as easily refer to Maulbronn. Maultaschen are usually square dumplings (though sometimes they're rolled) and can be fried in a pan or served in broth. Commonly described as Germany’s version of Italian ravioli, they allegedly emerged as a way to use up an unexpected bounty of meat that Brother Jakob stumbled upon in the forest outside the monastery walls.

The twist? Although they abhorred waste, these monks weren’t allowed to eat the meat of four-legged animals, especially during the Catholic fasting period of Lent in the spring. So Brother Jakob minced the meat with herbs and onions and wrapped everything inside pasta dough, hiding the forbidden flesh from the eyes of his fellow monks—and even from the eyes of God.

In Swabia, the region encompassing much of Baden-Württemberg and part of Bavaria where Maultaschen originated, one of the colloquial names for the food references this deception directly: Herrgottsbescheißerle means “little God-cheaters.”

Everyone in Swabia has their version of the legend with more or less embellishment. Ludwig Nestler holds a master’s degree in heritage conservation and works for the State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg, a government organization that oversees monuments like Maulbronn Monastery. His version of the tale includes a sack of stolen meat dropped in the woods by a fleeing thief, which inspires Brother Jakob’s trickery in the kitchen. But he acknowledges that there’s no undisputed “historically correct version” of how Maultaschen came to be. Similarly, everyone in Swabia has their own Maultaschen recipe, with unique ingredients for the minced filling, called Brät.

“Traditionally the Brät is made from pork mixed with herbs, onions, and occasionally bread crumbs for texture and stability,” says Nestler. Swabia, however, “was a rather poor region with limited amounts of meat due to rather unfertile land, so being adaptive and innovative has always been a part of the people’s nature.” As Maultaschen became popular, fish and seasonal vegetables like spinach, carrots, beets, and mushrooms became common inclusions.

Today, the European Union ties Maultaschen to Swabia with a Protected Geographical Indication, which lists required ingredients the authentic product should feature, but even the necessary inclusions are pretty loose, such as “pork and/or beef and/or veal” for meat Brät and “typical regional vegetables” for meat-free Brät. It speaks to the way the dumplings developed as subsistence food, used to stretch leftovers and reduce food waste.

Today, Germans throughout the country enjoy Maultaschen in dozens of flavors in all seasons thanks to grocery stores that stock packaged varieties made by companies like Ditzingen-based Bürger, whose mascot, Erwin, is a Maultasche (the singular form of the plural Maultaschen).

But the dumplings remain most popular in southern Germany. Maulbronn Monastery offers a special tour that pairs Maultaschen with wine from the monastery’s vineyards. And many locals, including Nestler’s family, still make them from scratch on special occasions—even during Lent, when meat might otherwise be off the menu. There’s no telling if it’s a fraud good enough to fool God, but it’s worth a shot.

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Trends in Wellness... Mother/Daughter Travel WRITTEN BY ANNE GORDON, OWNER, LEISURE TRAVEL ADVISOR, LIVE LIFE TRAVEL • WWW.LIVELIFETRAVEL.WORLD We recently had the pleasure of planning such a trip for local resident, Erin McCarthy-Dates and her mother Joan. This past November, they traveled to Italy together! Here’s what they had to say about their trip… 10-NIGHT ITINERARY: ROME > FLORENCE > VENICE Anne: Was it hard deciding where in Italy to go and what to do? Erin: No, you planned everything (laughing)! I joked that we could do whatever Mother wanted, but of course you set up separate phone calls with each of us to make sure you knew what both of us wanted and took both of our preferences into account. I would have never had the time or energy to do any of it, which is why we wanted to work with an Italy specialist. A: What was your favorite part of the trip? E: I loved the day excursion to Siena in Tuscany from Florence. It was the quintessential Italian location for me, and the food tour was amazing. The Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica were also fascinating and especially meaningful for my mother. A: How do you think this trip affected your relationship with your mother? E: This trip was a great bonding experience! It was nice to have time just the two of us, without the usual chaos that the rest of the family or a group can bring. I was struck by how many friends, family and even acquaintances mentioned how cool it was that we were doing this. Many people spoke about missing their own mom, and wishing they had 2 weeks back with her. Others said they realize we won’t have our loved ones with us forever, and how it’s important to appreciate them while we still have them here. It helped realize what a gift it was to have this opportunity together. A: What were the greatest challenges during your time together? E: Being away from my 2 kids and husband (and work) for 2 weeks created anxiety before I left, but it all worked out. ATTENTION ALL WOMEN: As it turns out, we can take vacations and the world (our jobs, our families) doesn’t stop without us. It’s a very important thing for all women to do. A: Travel tips for other Mother/Daughter Travel Duos? E: Having private tours with a guide were invaluable. We were able to learn so much more about a place and its history than we would have been able to do on our own. Consider going in the “low season.” It is less expensive, less crowded and you miss the heat of summer. Most importantly, leave the planning to a professional, I could have NEVER planned a trip like this as well. A: What was it like being there during the flooding in Venice? E: It was actually their “aqua alta,” so they expect flooding twice per day during November, and then the levels recede to normal. Obviously, this was much more than usual, and I don’t want to minimize the damage that citizens, businesses, and historic sites experienced, however, I was struck by how the Venetians really just got on with it. They all have rubber wading boots, and all of us tourists bought disposable galosha-style boots to fit right over our own shoes. Saint Mark’s square was like a big swimming pool at times, and we can say we were there for it! A: Are you planning to travel again with your mother, just the two of you? E: I could see us going somewhere domestically for a shorter duration and possibly including my daughter for a women’s family retreat of sorts. Ooh, I might be on to something there! A: Has it inspired you to travel more with your own daughter and family in general and if so, what’s up next for Erin? E: We have already started thinking about a family trip with the kids to the UK in 2021 and a couples only trip with my husband to Iceland, so yes, I’m definitely looking forward to a lot more travel and very excited about it. The post New Trends in Wellness appeared first on Live Life Travel.

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Be a SMART Traveler WRITTEN BY ANNE GORDON, OWNER, LEISURE TRAVEL ADVISOR, LIVE LIFE TRAVEL • WWW.LIVELIFETRAVEL.WORLD Here are some essentials to becoming a SMART Traveler: STEP (SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM): Register all International Travel with STEP. This ensures that the local US Embassy can contact and locate you in case of an emergency while traveling: https://step.state.gov/step/ IMPORTANT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION: REAL ID: Deadline is 10/1/20 https://www.tsa.gov/real-id GLOBAL ENTRY: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry CLEAR: https://www.clearme.com/ VISA: Some countries require a visa to enter them, you should apply as early as possible as some are harder to obtain than others. https://cibtvisas.com/visa-quick-check Avoid lines by having the proper documentation PLAN AHEAD: Learn about your destination before you get there and arrive well-informed – We recommend the State Department as a trusted resource: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html STAY HEALTHY: Use one trusted source for all travel-related health information, including vaccines you may need: https://www.nc.cdc.gov/travel Other tips: Wash your hands often, travel with hand sanitizer and wipes, pack more than enough of your prescription medication (you may want to carry an extra scrip on you as well), get your annual flu vaccine, drink bottled water/stay hydrated. FINANCIAL SMARTS: Avoid international fees by using a travel credit card that waives them. Get a duplicate of your ATM card to travel with. Take out foreign currency once in destination using a bank ATM, avoid airport currency exchanges and never take out a cash advance on your credit card. Carry emergency fund cash on you at all times. Leave all of your valuables at home (including the engagement rings). Common Sense: The best advice that we could give any traveler today is to use plain old common sense. Be smart, be aware of your surroundings at all times and be prepared. Lock all doors and don’t go out alone at night (even on the beach). PLAN AHEAD: Get your passport renewed at least one year before it expires (reminder that kids passports only last for 5 years; adults for 10): https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/havepassport/renew.html Leave your passports locked in your hotel safe; carry a copy on your person while in destination (we travel with both paper copies and have them backed up in the cloud on our mobile devices). Make sure your travel advisor has copies of your updated passports pre-travel (do not email or text any ID or credit card info). Use RFID blocking and never store your passport in a carry on or check it with other luggage. A FEW FINAL TIPS TO KEEP YOU HEALTHY DURING AIR TRAVEL: A certain celebrity always travels with Neosporin and uses a Q-Tip to apply it gently in their nostrils before every flight (we are seriously going to try this!) I personally take and travel with Airborne (chewable tablets) and swear by them (pre, during and post air travel.) Beware of the water on planes, we recommend washing your hands with soap and water and then always using your hand sanitizer upon return to your seat. With all of this said, please don’t be afraid to travel, just be smart when you do. These same “essential tips” can also be applied to your everyday life. The post Be a Smart Traveler appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post 4 Honeymoons and an Anniversary appeared first on Live Life Travel.

It’s likely around the time when most of you are starting to think about your honeymoon. And while there is no right answer for everyone in terms of when to plan, we do have some general guidelines that we can share with you based on our professional experience: The sweet spot to have your honeymoon planned is roughly 9 months before your wedding (the exception to this rule is that places such as the Amalfi Coast and The Greek Islands can be planned even earlier given the short season, high demand and limited availability). If you are looking to book Sandals, they open their inventory 2 years before check-in date (vs. 1 year for most hotel inventory) and we recommend that you book as early as possible with your preferred agent as there are only benefits to doing so. If you are not sure where you want to travel for your honeymoon yet, you are not alone. Eighty-five to ninety percent of the couples we meet say the same thing and this is something that we specialize in, so no reason to worry or stress. We really do take care of everything. To help inspire all of you who are just starting to think about your honeymoon (or any other type of celebration travel), we would like to share with you ‘4 Honeymoons and a 20th Anniversary’ from 2019, along with their personal travel planning tips. Nicolle & Brian Africa Honeymoon Itinerary Highlights: Cape Town – 3 nights – Cape Point, Penguin Colony, Table Mountain Zambia – 3 nights – Victoria Falls, Elephant Café, Walking with Cheetahs, Sunset River Cruise, Private Dinner Kruger Park Safari – 4 nights – Mjejane River Lodge Johannesburg – 2 nights – Local Museums & Restaurants Honeymoon Travel Planning Tips: Even if you prefer to book your own travel, use a travel advisor for your honeymoon to make everything stress-free & super organized, as well as adding those special touches Be willing to try new things while you are in destination including experiencing the local culture and food Don’t be afraid to travel during the low season to take advantage of lower prices, more exclusive experiences and fewer crowds John & Becky Thailand Honeymoon Itinerary Highlights: Bangkok – 2 nights – Floating Markets, Street Food Tour Chiang Mai – 3 nights – Elephant Sanctuary, Night Market Tour, Visit to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Temple Koh Samui – 6 nights – Big Buddha, Angthong National Marine Park Singapore – 1 day – Gardens by the Bay, Cloud Forest, Bumboat River Cruise Honeymoon Travel Planning Tips: Don’t be afraid to go big for your honeymoon; it’s a once in a lifetime experience, so make it count Don’t settle for the first travel advisor that you use if they are not for you; we tried several before we found Anne Always choose the “crazy” option – We opted for an extended layover in Singapore for the way home and ended up having an incredible experience that we would had completely missed if we had planned this on our own Dan & Amanda Riviera Maya Honeymoon Itinerary Highlights: 7 nights in an Over-The-Water Villa at The Rosewood Mayakoba Inclusive of an Adults-Only Beach Club with Pool and Taco Truck, Bicycles for the week, Private Plunge Pool and Hammock, Daily Breakfast and Private Boat Ride Honeymoon Travel Planning Tips: Choose a place that you love so much that you can return for anniversaries and other celebration travel including family travel Listen to the locals; We had the best tostadas of our entire life based on a recommendation of our driver in the village of El Publeto Be sure that your resort has a specified “Adults Only” section if it is a family resort; our favorite spot was the private beach club and adults only pool where the staff was impeccable Lynsey & Andrew Sicily Honeymoon Itinerary Highlights: 2 nights – Vineyard on Mt. Etna – Private Mt. Etna Summit Jeep Experience, Private Cooking Class with Wine Tasting 6 nights – Taormina – Evening Walking Tour with Culinary Experience, Pizza Making, Private Yacht Experience with Grotto Tours Honeymoon Travel Planning Tips: Whatever you do, DON’T skip your honeymoon Using a travel advisor is a MUST – All we had to do was show up and we were treated like celebrities the entire time, everything was perfect! Don’t overthink about anything, just enjoy it all. Sicily was perfect for us and even Andrew, who has never liked wine, acquired a taste for it there (we especially loved the Etna Rosso) Mike & Becky Amalfi Coast 20th Anniversary Itinerary Highlights: 3 nights – Rome – Colosseum Tour, Vatican with Sistine Chapel Tour 1 night – Naples – Archeological Museum with Authentic Pizza Dinner 3 nights – Sorrento – Private tour of Pompeii & Herculaneum, Lunch & Wine Tasting at Vineyard on Mt. Vesuvius, Lemon Farm Tour, Lunch & Shopping in Positano 3 nights – Ravello – Anniversary Dinner at Belmond Hotel Caruso Anniversary Travel Planning Tips: Having 24/7 in-destination contacts while traveling provided us with a peace of mind that we did not realize was available to us Go to Ravello on the Amalfi Coast; it was unbelievably beautiful, so laid back and relaxing and we felt so welcome there by the locals Make time to travel together for milestone anniversaries; It was the trip of a lifetime and we are so happy that we did it For more information on planning your next vacation, contact Anne Gordon at Live Life Travel. anne@livelifetravel.world www.livelifetravel.world The post 4 Honeymoons and an Anniversary appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post Families Bond through Multi-Gen Travel appeared first on Live Life Travel.

Families Bond through Multi-Gen Travel WRITTEN BY ANNE GORDON, OWNER & LEISURE TRAVEL ADVISOR, LIVE LIFE TRAVEL, LLC Click here to download article. Whether we like to admit it or not, life just passes us by way too fast. Having recently lost my grandparents, I can tell you that I have never been more grateful for all the time that we spent together -and how much we loved traveling with them every summer. It is the time you spend together, and the memories you make, that makes life worth living. Multi-generational travel has become very popular and with good reason. As families live further apart and lives are crazier than ever, it is important to carve out that time to have shared experiences, nurture family relationships and create those memories that will last a lifetime. Naturally this type of travel does not come without challenges. I recently spoke with two local women who have traveled as a Multi-Gen family and here are their stories: In April, Jeanne Sciocchetti, her husband and their daughter took Jeanne’s parents away to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. Here is what Jeanne has to say about Multi-Gen travel: “For more than ten years I had the idea I wanted to send my parents back to Bermuda, where they had honeymooned in 1969, for their 50th Anniversary. When it came time to plan, we decided to tag along with them for this trip down memory lane. Having three generations of our family together to share this experience made it so special. All of us being there with them and listening to all of their stories was magical, and it also gave my 7-year old daughter a chance to feel like she was part of their love story. Even though we all spend a lot of time together, this is not something that could have happened at home. The memories we made on this trip will last more than a lifetime – they’ll last for three lifetimes!” You can read the full story about their trip to Bermuda (from the Grandparents’ perspective) here in the Fall/Winter 2019 issue of Saratoga Bride. We also had the opportunity to speak with Kelly Wyland, who explains that doing two big trips in one year is not the norm for her family, but when you have opportunities like this, you have to go for it. Kelly and her family traveled to Ireland as an extension of a work trip and to France as a school trip with her daughter. Anne: What were some of the highlights of multi-gen travel for you? Kelly: While in Ireland, we had the opportunity to experience part of our family’s history going back many generations. In Paris, it was all about sharing experiences and making new memories. A: Any challenges? K: It was difficult at times for the grandparents to keep up with the younger ones when navigating busy streets and some older hotels did not have elevators. A: What are your suggestions for others planning a multi-gen trip? K: Be willing to compromise. Be aware of mobility issues and stamina, and plan accordingly. You don’t have to do everything together, but plan to meet up for lunch or dinner and share your experiences. Take tons of photos and don’t be afraid to ask strangers to take your picture so you can all be in it (and then offer to reciprocate!). A: Who did this trip affect the most? K: Honestly – me! I grew up with stories about my ancestors and Irish culture and have tried to teach my kids a little about that part of our family history. It was nice to have my mom to reminisce with, and my kids to learn with. We all have roots there and it was an unforgettable experience to step foot into the same country my ancestors left so many years ago. It’s something all of us will remember for the rest of our lives. Don’t wait to plan your Multi-Gen trip – life is too short. For more information on Multi-Gen contact: Anne Gordon Live Life Travel, an independent affiliate of Travel Experts Member of Virtuoso, Virtuoso Family, Culinary, Wellness Virtuoso Saveur Advisory Board. LiveLifeTravel.world | 518-966-2663 The post Families Bond through Multi-Gen Travel appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post 50 Years Ago appeared first on Live Life Travel.

50 years ago... LOCAL COUPLE RETURNS TO SAME RESORT WHERE THEY HONEYMOONED TO CELEBRATE THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY! WRITTEN BY ANNE GORDON, OWNER & LEISURE TRAVEL ADVISOR, LIVE LIFE TRAVEL, LLC Click here to download article. Ed and Chris Galka met in 10th grade homeroom. Being seated alphabetically, he sat behind her. In 1962 they went their separate ways for college, the service and other life lessons. After reuniting on October 4, 1968, they became engaged on Thanksgiving of that year. And married the following Spring… April 26, 1969. Now – 50 years later – they revisited their honeymoon destination for their 50th Anniversary! Travel Agent Anne Gordon asks them about their trip… Q. So, what was your first impression being back on Bermuda’s Elbow Beach, for the first time in 50 years? A. The Hotel (same as the honeymoon) has an updated entrance and more cottages. There are now restaurants, all along the beach, with breathtaking beach views!!! Q. What was the biggest surprise? A. Being greeted by Randy and his team – midday on Easter Sunday – with an enthusiastic welcome and a pitcher of Rum Swizzles! (A favorite drink from 50 years ago!!) There was even a Welcome Poster at the front desk -with pictures from our wedding and honeymoon! And then when they brought us to our luxurious and spacious beachfront suite (an upgrade thanks to Anne!), we were surprised to find they had even more wedding and honeymoon pictures framed and displayed throughout the suite. The amenities were amazing – from the photos to the Prosecco (on ice!) to the Happy Anniversary cake, it made us feel like royalty from the very start of our stay. Q. Has Elbow Beach changed over the past 50 years? A. The island looked the same, but the traffic is definitely worse, and the city of Hamilton is much more developed. One thing that has not changed over the years is that the people of Bermuda are just as friendly, kind and hospitable as they were 50 years ago! Q. Were the Rum Swizzles as good as you remember? A. Yes, however the volume consumed was much less this time! Q. What was your highlight of the trip? A. Celebrating the occasion with our family and close friends in such a beautiful resort was fantastic. From the amazing welcome and hospitality we felt from the entire staff at Elbow Beach during our stay, to the incredible dinner celebration at the Blu Bar and Grill on the evening of our 50th Anniversary and last night on the island, we had the trip of a lifetime! Q. Who went on this dream trip with you? A. Our daughter Jeanne, her husband Dino, and our granddaughter Lora planned the trip (with Anne’s help) and traveled with us to Bermuda for the occasion. We were also fortunate to have our dear friends Rich and Jill Mack join us for the week. Our friendship goes back to 1969 when they were our neighbors in Parkwood Village and we became very close friends. After they moved to Wilmington, NC in the late 1970s we stayed in touch and would vacation together, at first with all our children and then just the four of us. We planned a cruise to Bermuda together for a joint 40th Anniversary celebration but had to cancel last minute due to family illness, so when they heard we were traveling to Bermuda in April they asked if they could join us. It was an amazing week reminiscing, laughing and making new memories. Q. Any unexpected surprises? A. Absolutely! The incredible suite with the gorgeous view, the welcome reception and notes from the Elbow Beach staff, the gifts sent by friends to the resort, anniversary cakes brought to us on our first night and again at Blu! Q. Would you recommend this destination for others? A. Yes! We could have spent the entire week on property at Elbow Beach and felt fulfilled. Every day started with a delicious breakfast with a beautiful view served by an incredible wait staff. Mickey’s restaurant, which is right on the beach was our favorite spot for lunch and dinner and the atmosphere at night under the stars is very romantic. Where we were located, we could easily walk to the Lido complex which is where you find all the restaurants. The beach is gorgeous, and the water is an amazing aqua blue and crystal clear. Randy (Wilcott, Vice President of Sales and Marketing) made us feel so welcome. He met with us on several occasions, called to see how we were enjoying our stay and I’m guessing he made sure we were treated extra special at the “Blu Bar & Grill” where we had dinner on our actual Anniversary. They seated us at the best table overlooking the water! For help planning your next “trip of a lifetime” contact: Anne Gordon Live Life Travel, an independent affiliate of Travel Experts Member of Virtuoso, Virtuoso Family, Culinary, Wellness Virtuoso Saveur Advisory Board. LiveLifeTravel.world | 518-966-2663 The post 50 Years Ago appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post Live, Life, Travel…Forget the Bucket! appeared first on Live Life Travel.

Live, Life, Travel... FORGET THE BUCKET WRITTEN BY ANNE GORDON, OWNER & LEISURE TRAVEL ADVISOR, LIVE LIFE TRAVEL, LLC Click here to download article. When my 12-year old son told me that he had a “bucket list,” I was surprised by my mixed emotions. On one-hand, I was so proud that I had inspired him at such a young age to be so passionate about travel that he had his own list of “must see destinations.” However, when I think about a “bucket list” it conjures up feelings of people who almost missed out because they waited to enjoy life until it was almost too late, which is not how I want to live, not how I raise my son, and definitely the complete opposite of WHAT we should all be aiming for… Live Life Travel. Perhaps it is just a saying and I am taking it too literally; however, I view it as a mindset that we can be changing at home starting with our own children in very engaging, fun and educational ways. Instead of a “Bucket List,” we can make a conscious decision to start building “Life Lists” with our families from a very young age, which then creates both life and family goals. Here are some of the awesome benefits: Increased sense of community within the family through shared goals Better communication encouraging teamwork at home Education – Geography (we recommend not going to any destination before all children have completed their in-classroom education) Budgeting – Goals Parents become role models for their children in terms of prioritizing family time, being able to unplug from work, taking all of their paid vacation time TRAVEL BENEFITS FOR KIDS: Increased independence, self-esteem and self-confidence as well as developing intellectual curiosity, better cooperation skills and adaptability and increased tolerance and respectfulness of others. Education beyond the classroom… learning about different cultures, languages, history, currencies, museums/art as well as becoming global citizens. Vacation Benefits for Adults: Lowers stress, Heart disease prevention, Increased productivity, Better sleep, Irreplaceable memories and Experiences with your children (set goals for before the 1st child leaves for college). Naturally, as parents, our biggest challenges will always be: Having enough time Having enough money Or a combination of both at the same time We call this the “Time/Money Ratio,” and it is why planning and having goals is essential. For example, I made a commitment for my son and I to always spend February Break together when he started Kindergarten and since then, we have. However, February has become an extremely busy month for me and he’s turning 13 (new “Life Stage”) so we are re-assessing our Family Travel Goals. Perhaps it would make more sense for him to fly alone to Florida and spend more time with his Grandparents that week. This is a perfect example of why my family needs to re-assess our own goals right now. We also only have 5 years before he graduates from High School and we both know that we have certain places that we want to travel to together before then that we will need to save and plan for. Every family will have different obstacles, but the objective is to make a commitment, then work together towards the goal that is important to everyone. For your children, this will be the first of many “life lists.” Encourage your children – along with yourself – to seize the opportunity when it presents itself. Studying abroad or “volunteer travel” are both rewarding experiences for young travelers. If you are not sure where to start, speak to a travel advisor for a consultation and professional planning. LiveLifeTravel.world The post Live, Life, Travel…Forget the Bucket! appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post Traveling with Autism appeared first on Live Life Travel.

Traveling with Autism Click here to download our article in Saratoga Family, or read online below. Travel is usually very easy for me to write about, but this article was a tough one and not because I did not do my homework (I am now a Certified Autism Travel Specialist (CATP*), but because of how frustrated I am at the lack of certified family vacation destinations that are available in today’s world. It is something that I am committed to changing as a Virtuoso Family Travel Specialist. It is not acceptable to me and it should not be acceptable to anyone that has a child with autism. As of today, there are only 4 family brands that I currently work with and recommend that are IBCCS* certified. Beaches – Locations in Turks and Caicos, Negril and Ocho Rios Nickelodeon Resort – Punta Cana (a second location opening soon in Riviera Maya in Mexico) Royal Caribbean – Family Friendly Cruise Ships; applies to children, teens and adults Sesame Place – Has a sensory guide for every attraction so parents can plan in advance (I believe that this should become the universal standard) One of our favorite initiatives of all is Julia. In late 2017, Beaches Resorts added Sesame Street’s newest, and first ever autistic character, Julia, to the collection of walk-around characters at Beaches Resorts and staff underwent extensive training. Based on data collected since the beginning of 2018, an average of 200 children per month took part in the Meet and Greet with Julia and the ‘Amazing Art with Julia’ painting activity, across all three Beaches Resorts. The introduction of Julia also brought with it an exciting new activity, ‘Amazing Art with Julia,’ teaching children how to express themselves through art. In this activity, children are greeted by Julia a 4-year-old girl character who has Autism. Julia, who loves to paint, highlights how people can express themselves through art. Using a range of materials, children have the opportunity to explore, experiment and create in this open-ended art activity. We need to adapt to the world that we live in today, we need to be inclusive, not exclusive and like it or not, the diagnosis rates for autism are increasing by 600%** every year. The latest numbers indicate that 1 in every 59 children are affected; 1 out of 42 of those children are boys. And don’t be fooled, “Autism Friendly” is not good enough. To become a Certified Autism Center, 80% of its full-time staff must go through the IBCCS certified training program (individuals are matched up to different certifications based on their education and experience). You are then certified for a 2-year period. Below is the reality of WHY we need change. We need to support and empower families with the ability to be able to travel. Vacations are essential to these parents and families now more than ever before. PARENT TRAVEL SURVEY (SOURCE: IBCCES) Over 1,000 parents who have a child on the spectrum were asked: Do you currently take vacations as a family? 87% responded “NO” Would you be more inclined to travel if autism certified options were available? 93% responded “Yes” Are you satisfied with current travel options for families with autism? 89% responded “NO” “We know that training and certification is the best way for organizations to ensure they can accommodate all families,” explained Myron Pincomb, IBCCES Board Chairman. “IBCCES is proud to work with Aquatica Orlando and other leaders in the industry to increase the availability of certified options and help individuals have a safe and enriching experience when traveling or visiting a new place. With the rise in diagnosis rates of cognitive disorders, there is a huge need for these options and for organizations to make a long-lasting commitment to their guests.” “You have no idea how much it means to our family to finally find a travel professional who understands us! Thank you!” – Greg, parent with child on autism spectrum SOME BASIC TRAVEL TIPS FOR ALL PARENTS: Take your time and be patient Be aware, be creative and be prepared Focus on your children’s strengths – lots of positive re-enforcement Do what you enjoy doing with your child – Avoid trying to fix, cure or change them Relax (easier said than done said every parent ever); Kids sense your stress AUTISM TRAVEL RESOURCES: TSA: Dress rehearsals for individuals with autism for the entire experience of air travel covering everything from check in, security, boarding and deplaning. TheArc.org/WingsForAutism AutismTravel.com Ibcces.org Autism-Society.org AutismSpeaks.org Reach out to a Certified Travel Professional to help plan your next family vacation. As we know, each individual on the spectrum is unique as should be their travel plans and preparation, but together, we can make a difference. One day, one advisor, one family, one resort at a time. Please join our Facebook group to show your support as we urge resorts and other advisors to get certified so that our families, friends and neighbors can travel easier in the future. JOIN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE – “AUTISM TRAVEL AWARENESS” *The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) offers certification programs to travel professionals who help families and individuals with special needs prepare for their perfect vacation. A Certified Autism Travel Professional (CATP) is defined as a professional who has demonstrated that they are both knowledgeable and capable of providing support and travel related services to an individual on the autism spectrum as well as their family. **Source: CDC The post Traveling with Autism appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post Ballsfest and Live Life Travel partner appeared first on Live Life Travel.

Ballsfest and Live Life Travel Partner Making Family Vacations a Priority for Those Who Need it the Most! Download a PDF of the article here. From the moment a parent hears the words “Your child has cancer,” their lives are forever changed. Life as they knew it quickly turns into a world of unknowns, worry, and fear, and strikes a stifling blow as the saying “Life can change in an instant” becomes a reality. A cancer diagnosis takes a tremendous toll on a family, emotionally, socially, physically, and financially. This is where the nonprofit Ballsfest comes into play. With their mission to lift the spirits of children, teens, and families battling childhood cancer, they strive to provide unique gifts and experiences, as well as year-round programs and services to help ease the stress and strain felt by families. Recognizing the importance of remaining positive, enjoying the moment, and creating memories, Ballsfest has provided families with unique travel experiences to do just that. We have found a partner who genuinely shares all of these same motivations with a mission that is stated clearly within the company’s name, one that she lives by herself and encourages others to as well, Live Life Travel. While already focusing on family travel locally in Saratoga Springs, NY, the partnership was a perfect fit. Anne Gordon, owner of Live Life Travel, LLC stated that “It is my belief that all families should prioritize time together, live life to the fullest, and spend as much time as possible creating family memories (while also unplugging). Having the chance to see the pictures of Evan and his family and how happy they were, (Evan’s Universal trip in January 2019 was the partnerships first collaboration together) is exactly why I love my job so much. Seeing Evan’s smile on a trip that I had the privilege of planning was just an incredible feeling of joy and I am really looking forward to creating more of that joy as our partnership moves forward with Ballsfest.” With the rigorous treatment schedules these families juggle, along with the financial implications of treatment related costs, travel typically falls to the wayside. The financial resources are not available for travel, while the importance of vacations and memory making remain so critical. Through this newly developed partnership, Live Life Travel will be the exclusive travel partner for all Baller trips. Live Life Travel shares in the belief that family vacations can truly help lift the spirits of the children and families living with a diagnosis. “We are committed to creating customized travel experiences for all of our Baller families. We have also pledged to make a financial donation to Ballsfest for every family that travels with us. In addition, we will create a page/button on our website where our clients can also make contributions. We feel that this is just the beginning of what will be a very meaningful partnership,” shared Anne. Angie Silipigno, Executive Director of Ballsfest NY, shared, “Having been in the field of childhood cancer for a long time, I know that it takes more than medicine to heal these children. While working to cure the disease, it is so important to heal the heart and spirit as well. Partnering with Live Life Travel to create once-in-a-lifetimes experiences for our Ballers immediately felt like the perfect fit. Having the confidence in Anne’s heart and passion to put together special travel packages for each family means the world to us. It is our mission to really bring joy, hope, laughter, and everlasting moments to these amazing children and their families during an extremely difficult time.” After a Baller is presented with their personalized trip idea, this partnership will go into full effect to develop a perfectly laid plan to build on the patient’s interests and deliver an unforgettable experience. BALLSFEST is a registered nonprofit organization that lifts the spirits of young children, teens, and families affected by cancer. The term “Ballsfest” was created as a play on words by testicular cancer survivor, Frank DeBlasi, to reflect his positive spirit and outlook throughout his own battle. With his passion for children, Frank has focused on helping those battling remains positive and hopeful. BALLSFEST provides personalized gifts and experiences to Ballers at an annual signature event, as well as year-round programming and support to patients and families. Live Life Travel is your local Virtuoso travel advisor specializing in custom global experiences. From family vacations, multi-gen travel, honeymoons, special occasion, groups and luxury/family cruise, we have unparalleled access around the world. We offer personalized experiences, customized to make everyone’s trip extraordinary. By booking with a local trusted travel advisor, you will also always have peace of mind, which is the ultimate luxury. Live Life Travel was founded in 2015 by Anne Gordon who encourages everyone to live life to the fullest and appreciate every day. Anne also promotes taking all of your paid vacation time and to please travel with your children. #livelifetravelnow www.livelifetravel.world The post Ballsfest and Live Life Travel partner appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post Dream Honeymoons to Italy appeared first on Live Life Travel.

Dream Honeymoons to Italy Our Favorite Italy Destinations for 2019: AMALFI COAST AND SICILY Click here to download our article in Saratoga Bride, or read online below! Belmond Hotel Timeo - Taormima, Italy While we do not subscribe to the ‘one size fits all’ theory for any vacation, that especially goes for honeymoons! However, we do have our very favorite Amalfi Coast and Sicily towns as well as the “Best of The Best” hotel and excursion recommendations that should be on the top of everyone’s list when planning their Italian getaway. Amalfi Coast – SORRENTO is the northern most town on the Amalfi Coast and a great choice if you can only pick one town to visit during your stay on The Amalfi Coast as it serves as a great “home base” if you are unable to take an extended honeymoon. Day trips and excursions are easy from Sorrento including visiting the other coastal cliffside towns, spending a day on the water, taking the ferry over to Capri or even touring the ruins of Pompeii. Sorrento sits upon a cliff and faces the Bay of Naples with stunning views of Mount Vesuvius. There is a town square, Piazza Tasso that is lined with cafes, restaurants and shops along with narrow alleys with lots of hidden gems to be discovered. Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria – Sorrento, Italy Best of The Best Sorrento Hotel – Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria* One of the most iconic hotels of Italy and it is still owned and managed by the same family (and they live there!). Established in 1834, the hotel was built on the same property where Emperor Augustus had his private villa, so it is possible to see ancient Roman ruins across the five-acre private gardens which is also a paradise of orange, lemon and olive trees, all local staples of the coast. Original antiques, unique rooms, amazing views, a central location, stunning pool, a few restaurants and bars (one Michelin starred) all make this hotel an extremely special place on the Amalfi Coast. Best of The Best Sorrento Excursion The Lemon Farm Tour is our favorite, hands down. This half day tour is nothing short of spectacular as you have the opportunity to meet 3 unique Sorrento families and not only learn/watch them do their trade, but also taste/eat/drink/enjoy the results. It is not only delicious, but a very authentic experience and a lot of fun. From the lemon farm with limoncello, lemonade and olive oil to the cheese factory (amazing) and then off to pizza making with the “pizza man.” POSITANO is a village located south of Sorrento and is magically set within a steep cliff lined with narrow streets with a pebble beach along its coastline. Positano is the place to be and be seen and is usually very crowded during high season. There are a lot of great hotels, shopping, boutiques, cafes and bars, the most popular being ‘Music on the Rocks.’ John Steinbeck is quoted as saying “Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.” Harper’s Bazaar 1953 Best of the Best Positano Hotel – Le Sirenuse* Le Sirenuse opened in 1951, when four Neapolitan brothers turned their summer house in to a charming hotel overlooking the bay of Positano. Today, the 58-room boutique hotel is considered one of Italy’s best, yet it still retains the intimate and personal feel of a private home. We recommend enjoying the luxury spa, heated pool along with evening cocktails and great views at the romantic Champagne & Oyster Bar and then top the day off with dinner at Michelin starred restaurant, La Sponda. This infamous restaurant, which also boasts gorgeous sea views, is illuminated in the evening by four hundred candles that create an unforgettable atmosphere, especially for honeymooners. Palazzo Avivo – Ravello, Italy For those traveling in May and October, you can look forward to somewhat cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. During high season (June through September), we recommend Positano for those couples who want to be in the mix of fun and sun as it becomes a very lively town (sometimes crowded) and very hot during the days. A great pool is essential. And for those who book Le Sirenuse* with Live Life Travel (3 nights or more) in a Junior Suite or Suite, will receive a complimentary evening sunset cruise with bubbly during your stay. One of our favorite things to do, so an incredible deal. Best of the Best Positano Excursion Full Day Private Yacht Charter (and regardless of the wait time, the Blue Grotto is a MUST SEE) RAVELLO is set 365 meters above the Sea by Italy’s Amalfi Coast and home to iconic cliffside gardens, unbeatable views along with a quaint and historic Italian village. Best of the Best Ravello Hotels Belmond Hotel Caruso* was formerly an 11th-century palace. Our absolute favorite part of this hotel is the (almost unbelievable) infinity pool that boasts some of the best views in the world. You will also enjoy complimentary boat rides as part of your stay here. This pool is UNREAL! The truly something unique and special here for honeymooners is the “Infinity Dream Dinner,” which is a private candlelight dinner under the stars while floating on the hotel’s infinity pool, all with a private butler. Palazzo Avino* was built in what was once a 12th century private villa for an Italian noble family, then opened as a hotel in 1997. What makes this resort unique and a favorite of ours is their ‘Clubhouse by the Sea,’ which is located in Marmorata, a short 15-minute drive from Ravello (via complimentary shuttle starting at 930am daily). All hotel guests can enjoy the beach platforms directly on the sea along with a pool, restaurant and lounge chair service. Open May through October. Best of both worlds. As for excursions in Ravello, there is really no reason to leave the sanctuaries that are those two hotels. They are destinations in and of themselves. Of course, go into Ravello town and possibly do a walking tour, enjoy the shops and restaurants, but other than that, enjoy the view! TAORMINA, SICILY is a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily. Sicily deserves a dedicated trip to see the entire island (we consider it one of the world’s best kept secrets), but if you want just a small taste (and you do), we recommend Taormina. Enjoy some best cannoli’s (we love Roberto’s) and cuisine of your life while strolling along the Corso Umberto. Best of the Best Taormina Hotel – Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo* The first hotel to be built in the city; you will enjoy views of the coast along with the beautiful Mount Etna. It is a Sicilian hideaway in the heart of town that fuels the imagination. Our favorite and most unique part of this hotel is its central location to town and the Greek Theatre (a must see). This resort also offers complimentary shuttle service to its sister hotel’s private beach at the Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea, the other “best” hotel in Taormina. You truly cannot go wrong with this choice since you get them both. Best of the Best Taormina Excursion – Mount Etna Plan for a full day guided tour of this incredible volcano. Venture to the summit, enjoy wine tasting (fun fact: some of the best wine is produced in volcanic soil). Pack a warm jacket, it’s cold up there, but you will literally feel like you are on another planet, it is one of the best experiences we can recommend. Definitely do the helicopter transfers if you can to get the absolute best views as well as maximizing your time on Etna. *Virtuoso property – All Virtuoso properties booked through Live Life Travel will receive VIP amenities that are not available online; contact for specifics To start planning your honeymoon today, email anne@livelifetravel.world Belmond Timeo Hotel - Taormina, Italy. The post Dream Honeymoons to Italy appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The post SARATOGA FAMILY, The Ultimate Holiday Gift for Your Family: A VACATION!! appeared first on Live Life Travel.

The Ultimate Holiday Gift for Your Family: A VACATION!! It may be cliché, but also very true, the best gift that you can give your family (especially your children) is the gift of time. And what better way than traveling the world as a family. 4 TIPS FOR PLANNING ANY TYPE OF FAMILY TRAVEL 1) PLAN AHEAD – It’s never too early to start planning Tip: Airfare goes on sale 11 months in advance; We like the Hopper APP to track airfare prices 2) DON’T WAIT – Start them young; they grow up way too fast 3) ENGAGE – Let them be part of the decision; Inclusive family decisions always make every trip much more successful. 4) EDUCATE – Don’t tell the kids, but traveling the world is a totally super fun way to learn all of that “stuff” that they teach you in school. Tip: The SSCD kids learn about Ancient Rome, Greece, China, India and Egypt in the 6th Grade, we recommend taking them to these magnificent destinations after the 6th Grade. LIVE LIFE TRAVEL’S TOP PICKS FOR FAMILY TRAVEL BEACHES TURKS AND CAICOS – To us, this is comparable to what Disney World is to the rest of American children (but way better!); Contact us to receive your $250 spa credit Tip: We recommend booking 1-2 years in advance for this property (for high season weeks); there are 2 other Beaches located in Jamaica (Negril and Ocho Rios); we love them all ITALY – Ancient Rome is really something spectacular, especially after learning about it in 6th grade, we think that Italy is a trip that the entire family can enjoy; We also highly suggest heading down to Sicily, a hidden gem AFRICAN SAFARI – A must for every family; truly a once in a lifetime experience. We recommend the Cape Town – Sabi Sands – Victoria Falls combo if you want to do it right. HAWAII – A favorite destination for families over the Holiday Break and for good reason! We love the Grand Wailea in Maui and The Four Seasons Hualalai on The Big Island. Experience two very different landscapes as to what Hawaii has to offer ALASKA – Experience nature up close and personal with Lindblad Expeditions on the National Geographic expedition ships that have custom programs just for kids FOUR SEASONS RESORTS – In general, you just cannot go wrong, and we love them. Our top family choices are Nevis, Costa Rica, Anguilla, Chiang Mai and Langkawi. OUR #1 FAMILY TRAVEL RECOMMENDATION: GLOBAL CITIZENS WANTED ME to WE – A new travel partner to our Virtuoso family, this company is one of our very favorites. We would encourage you all to please check out their video on our Facebook and Instagram pages. If you want to make a difference in the world, if you want to make an impact with your children, if you want to create lifelong memories and a feeling that will never fade away, then ME to WE is what you are looking for. Travel itineraries currently include Ecuador, Kenya and India. Contact us to learn more! 52% of Americans do not take all their PAID vacation time. Please do not become or stay part of this statistic— Vacations are healthy, not only for you physically and mentally, but emotionally for your family, especially for kids. Life is short, make the most of it! The post SARATOGA FAMILY, The Ultimate Holiday Gift for Your Family: A VACATION!! appeared first on Live Life Travel.

Solo female travel anywhere and everywhere.

Planning a trip to Madinah, Saudi Arabia for a group of people? Here’s a list of family-friendly hotels in Madinah to get you started.

Syria was, literally and figuratively, a wild ride for me. I have millions of thoughts on my time there, but I’ll start with the first question everyone has: what was it like to travel to Syria?

For decades, travellers have been drawn to the Arab world’s hidden network of natural wonders, which spans from the lush palm groves of Oman to the dry oasis of Saudi Arabia. Mineral-rich hot springs, rejuvenating fountains that appear to breathe new life into the surrounding landscapes, are among the region’s most sought-after havens. Those in need of a vacation from the fast-paced world of today may take advantage of these geothermal spas and inexpensive luxury flights with Flyadeal for the ultimate rest and renewal. Read on to learn about some of the best hot springs in the Arab world.

Endless scenic roads leading everywhere and anywhere. Every kind of landscape, from snowy mountains to aquamarine coastline. A strong culture of hospitality toward foreign visitors. Motorcycle travel in Turkey (Türkiye) is a dream every biker should experience at least once.

Truck art motorcycle rental in Pakistan is a no-brainer. Here’s how we can make it happen for you in Islamabad.

Traveling overland in Turkey with your own vehicle but need to leave for some time? Here’s a guide to leaving your foreign vehicle in Turkey (Türkiye), based on my experience leaving my foreign motorcycle in Turkey for 2 months.

Traveling overland in the Middle East? You’ll likely end up at the Kuwait-Iraq border crossing eventually! Here’s what you need to know, based on my experience crossing the border by motorcycle in January 2023.

Biking through Iraq? Yes, it can be done! Here’s my guide to motorcycle travel in Iraq with everything I learned from one month of biking solo across Iraq.

Yep, solo female travel in Iraq is possible! I was there for a month, and I survived (and, dare I say, thrived). Here’s my guide with everything you need to know to travel Iraq as a solo woman.

A wee story from my visit to the Al Hasun Museum in Basra. It ended up being my favorite thing to do in Basra, Iraq!

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

I’m a big fan of Daily Drop. It’s a points, miles, travel, and credit card newsletter created by my friends, Kara and Nate (they run a big YouTube channel of the same name). Daily Drop keeps you informed about the latest news and information around points & miles, as well as updates across the airline...

The post My Daily Drop Pro Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

I’m a big fan of Daily Drop. It’s a points, miles, travel, and credit card newsletter created by my friends, Kara and Nate (they run a big YouTube channel of the same name). Daily Drop keeps you informed about the latest news and information around points & miles, as well as updates across the airline and hotel industries. While the newsletter is free, they also have a subscription service called Daily Drop Pro, which promises even more points deals, alerts, and tools to help you find the award availability you need for your next trip. But does it deliver? Is it worth the price? As Daily Drop has gotten bigger, I’ve gotten questions about the service from readers so I figured it was time to breakdown the service and talk about who it is right for. What is Daily Drop Pro? According to the team at Daily Drop, Daily Drop Pro was created to be your one-stop shop for flights and hotels (whether with points or cash), deals, and chatting with like minded people in their community forum. The service has five main features: Flight Points Search Hotel Points Search Deal Alerts Wallets Daily Drop Pro Lounge Let’s walk through all of them. Flights Point Search There are lots of websites that let you search for points flights. In addition to Daily Drop, there’s Point.me, Seats.aero, Points Path (a chrome browser extension), and a few others. The space has become incredibly crowded in the last few years. What makes Daily Drop Pro Different? The main feature that I really, really like is that you change your preferences to narrow the results based on time of day, stops, duration, maximum points, and aircraft type (which is a feature that is unique to them). They also have a feature that lets you compare the cash rate but that just sends you Google Flights and I don’t think that a real selling point. I think the real edge here is that you can get really specific on the award flights you want, which is something the other services lack. Hotel Points Search Daily Drop Pro also lets you search for award space for hotels. There’s not a lot of other competitors in this space and Daily Drop has a ton of options that let you customize your results based on points, programs, award certificates, which hotel programs you can transfer credit cards points, and so many more. I think the hotel award search is the best in class and, like the flight search, its ability to let you get hyper specific is really awesome. Deal Alerts This feature lists points and cash deals. It’s really cool because you can see not only award fare sales (which happen all the time but are a pain in the butt to keep track of) but also cash fare deals. You can select your home airports, choose your preferred travel regions, and let the deals decide your destinations. Daily Drop Pro’s points deals are detailed, too — showing the taxes and fees of an award, which program to book through and how the redemption stacks up to Daily Drop’s point valuations. It’s one of the more comprehensive deal feeds out there. Wallet & Points Management The Wallet lets to link your different accounts (award programs and credit cards) and have them all displayed in one place. Plus, it will remind you of all the perks, credits, and other benefits you get with each card / loyalty program. If you have a lot of different cards, this can be really helpful because it can be confusing to remember all the perk and deals that come with each card. Heck, even I forget sometimes and I’m expert at this stuff (but when you start to have double digit cards, it’s a lot to remember)! The Daily Drop Pro Lounge The lounge allows you to chat with other members. It’s a message board and like all message boards it didn’t seem that active. It’s a good feature but not one that I would rely on given that there’s not a lot of activity on the forum. How much does Daily Drop Pro cost? Daily Drop Pro Membership is $149 a year. Is Daily Drop Pro worth it? I think Daily Drop Pro is a good product if you have a lot of credit cards and are heavy into the points & miles game. Inputting all your cards and membership programs takes some initial start up time but the ability to track all your points, benefits, and rewards in one place is really convenient. As I said, even I forget about card benefits sometimes. It’s hard to keep multiple cards in your head so having it in one place is nice. The hotel award feature is definitely the best in class. And, while there are other airline search tools, I do like the increased search filters (especially the ability to filter by plane type!). And the deals feature can allow you to keep track of all the deals happening in one place rather than subscribe to multiple newsletters and websites. So, is the service worth $12 a month? I think so. Daily Drop Pro essentially bundles lots of other programs, improves on them, and puts them all into one dashboard for you and that is a real time saver. I think the service is definitely worth it. Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post My Daily Drop Pro Review appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Travel savviness is a process born of missed buses, foolish behavior, cultural unawareness, and countless tiny errors. eventually, after many lessons learned, you begin to seamlessly move through airports and integrate yourself into new cultures like a fish to water. Use these tips to become a savvier traveler and to avoid all the mistakes that I made!

The post My Best 51 Travel Tips to Make You the World’s Savviest Traveler appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Most people aren’t born savvy travelers. It’s something that only comes with on-the-road experience. Travel savviness is a process born of missed buses, foolish behavior, cultural unawareness, and countless tiny errors. Then, one day, you begin to seamlessly move through airports and integrate yourself into new cultures like a fish to water. In the beginning, you’ll make a lot of travel mistakes.But I want to help speed up the process and help you avoid my mistakes (and I often make a lot of them), so I put together this giant list of my best travel tips that cover everything under the sun to help you reach your full travel ninja potential. I’ve learned these tips over almost twenty years of being a nomad. These tips for traveling will have you saving money, sleeping better, getting off the beaten path more, meeting locals, and just being a better traveler. So, without further ado, here are the best 61 travel tips in the world: 1. Always pack a towel. It’s the key to successful galactic hitchhiking — and plain common sense. You never know when you will need it, whether it’s at the beach, on a picnic, or just to dry off after a shower. While many hostels offer towels, you never know if they will or not, and carrying a small towel won’t add that much weight to your bag. Make sure it’s a lightweight, quick-drying towel since regular towels are too bulky and heavy (and they take a long time to dry). Dry Fox travel towels are my favorite (use the code “nomadicmatt” for 15% off your purchase)! 2. Use a small backpack/suitcase. By purchasing a small backpack (I like something around 35–45 liters), you will be forced to pack light and avoid carrying too much stuff. Humans have a natural tendency to want to fill space. Even if you pack light initially but have lots of extra room in your bag, you’ll end up going, “Well, I guess I can take more” and fill that space.” You’ll regret it later as you’ll be carrying around a bunch of stuff you don’t need as well as more weight on your shoulders. This article has more tips on finding the best travel backpack for your needs. The same rule applies to suitcases. Don’t take a huge suitcase because they are a pain in the butt to lug around, especially if you’re traveling long term (short term, not so much). I like Level 8 suitcases. They are durable, quite spacious, nicely designed, and well-priced (luggage can be pretty damn expensive). Plus, they have a TSA lock built into the zipper. You can click here to learn more and buy one. I also recommend packing cubes, which are essential if you’re going to be living out of a backpack for a few weeks (or months), or you just want to keep your suitcase better organized. They come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to store items big and small. They’re great for making it easy to find everything in your backpack or suitcase. 3. Pack light. Write down a list of essentials, cut it in half, and then only pack that! Plus, since you bought a small backpack like I said above, you won’t have much room for extra stuff anyways! Take half the clothes you think you will need…you won’t need as much as you think. It’s OK to wear the same t-shirt a few days in a row. I love Unbound Merino, as their travel clothing can be worn daily for weeks without getting smelly. They are super light and they look stylish too. I really love the material, they’re comfortable, they hardly ever need a wash, and they last forever! (I wrote a review of the company here.) But bring extra socks! You’ll lose a bunch to laundry gremlins, wear and tear, and hiking so packing extra will come in handy. Take a few more than you need. Trust me on this. For a complete list of what I pack, click here to read my post. 4. Stay in hostels. They are cheap, organize events, you’ll meet a lot of people, and they are just tons of fun! Plus, hostel bars sell cheap beer. Hostelworld is the best hostel-accommodation site out there, with the largest inventory, best search interface, and highest availability. I use it for all my hostel bookings. Here’s my list of all my favorite hostels around the world broken down by city. If you’re planning on backpacking Europe, it’s worth getting HostelPass, a card that gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money, and they’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and so I’m glad it finally exists. Use code NOMADICMATT for 25% off. 5. Take an extra bank card and credit card with you Disasters happen and things get stolen or compromised. I once had a card duplicated and a freeze put on it. I couldn’t use it for the rest of my trip. I was very happy I had a backup. You don’t want to be stuck somewhere new without access to your funds. This happened to a friend once and they had to borrow money from me for weeks while they waited for their new card to arrive. Here are some helpful articles on banking: How to Avoid Banking Fees While Traveling 20+ Ways to Cut Your Expenses and Have Money for Travel How to Pick the Best Travel Credit Card 6. Make sure to use no-fee bank and credit cards. Don’t give banks your hard-earned money. Keep that for yourself and spend it on your travels. Get a credit card and debit card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee or an ATM fee. Over the course of a long trip, the few dollars they take every time will really add up! This article will tell you how to do that. 7. Don’t always fly direct. When booking flights, sometimes it is cheaper to fly to airports close to your final destination, and then take a train, bus, or budget airline to your final destination. To use this method, find out how much it is to go directly to your destination. Then, look at prices to nearby airports. If the difference is more than $150 USD, I look to see how much it is to get from the second airport to my primary destination. My favorite flight search engine is Skyscanner. This is my go-to website for finding cheap flights. It searches a lot of different airlines, including many of the budget carriers that larger sites miss. 8. Travel by yourself at least once. Solo travel teaches independence and confidence. It’s a cliché, but it’s true. Traveling solo taught me how to fend for myself, talk to people, and handle unfamiliar situations with ease. It can take some getting used to if you’ve never done it before but do it at least once. Make yourself uncomfortable and surprise yourself. You’ll learn valuable life skills when you push yourself! Here are some helpful articles on solo travel: Why I Travel Alone The Joy of Solo Travel Travel: The Ultimate Personal Development Tool How to Overcome Being Alone 9. Always visit the local tourism information center. This is probably one of the most underused travel tips in the world. Tourism information centers know about everything going on in town. They can point you to free activities, special events happening during your stay, and everything in between. They even offer discounts on attractions and transportation. It is their job to help you experience the destination better. They are staffed by locals who can tell you all the ins and outs of their city and where to eat or drink that aren’t filled with tourists. Plus, they often offer city tourism cards that can get you into multiple attractions for one set price, saving you a lot of money if you are going to do a lot of sightseeing. 10. Take free walking tours. Besides being free, these tours will give you a good orientation and background of the city you are visiting. I love, love, love taking walking tours when I travel. You pass the time, you get to pepper the guide with questions, and you get to learn so much about where you are. And, in the last few years, they have exploded in popularity and now most cities around the world have one! This page here lists all my favorite walking tour companies, broken down by city. If you’re looking for paid tours, Walks is one of my favorite paid walking tour companies, offering in-depth history and cultural tours in cities around the world (especially Europe). Its small-group tours also tend to offer exclusive behind-the-scenes access you can’t get elsewhere. For fellow foodies, Devour Food Tours has all kinds of amazing food tours around Europe. You can also use Get Your Guide to find plenty of unique day tours. 11. Don’t be afraid to use a map. Looking like a tourist isn’t as bad as getting really lost and ending up in the wrong neighborhood. Don’t be afraid to use a map or ask for directions and look like a tourist. After all, you are one! 12. But don’t be afraid to get purposefully lost. Wandering aimlessly through a new city is a good way to get to know it, get off the beaten path, and away from the tourists. You might be surprised by the hidden gems you find. I like to wander around and try to find my way without using Google Maps. Travel is the art of discovery and you never know what cool little spot you’ll come across. 13. Ask hostel staff for information — even when you aren’t staying there. Hostel staff deal with budget travelers all day, every day. They know exactly where to go for cheap meals and attractions. They also tend to be locals so they know the city very well. Ask them for all sorts of information. Even if you aren’t staying in one, just pop in and ask for help. They’ll usually give it. 14. Sign up for flight deals. When it comes to travel, your flight(s) will likely be your biggest expense. Save money by signing up for flight deal websites. You’ll get epic flight deals straight to your inbox, saving you time and money. Also be sure to sign up for airline newsletters, since that is where they will announce their sales first. The best websites for finding travel deals are: Going.com – The BEST for upcoming US flight deals. The Flight Deal – Great for global flight deals. Holiday Pirates – The best for European flight deals. Secret Flying – A great site for flight deals from around the world. 15. When you go out, take only what you need. Limit the amount of cash and bank cards you carry with you when you go out, so if something does happen, you can easily recover. Never take more than one credit card or ATM card with you. My rule for cash is to limit what I carry to $50 USD. 16. Always carry a lock. Carry a small combination lock with you when you travel. They come in handy, especially when you stay in dorms. Most hostels use lockers, so budget travelers need to provide their own travel lock to keep stuff secured. While you can usually rent or buy them at hostels, it’s much cheaper just to buy one before you go. (Just don’t use one with keys because if you lose the keys, you’re screwed!) 17. Make extra copies of your passport and important documents. Don’t forget to email a copy to yourself too. You never know when you might need to have some sort of documentation with you and might not want to carry your original. Additionally, if your passport gets stolen, having a copy will come in handy for your police report. 18. Learn basic phrases in the native language of your destination. The locals will appreciate it and it will make your interactions easier. You don’t need to master the language but learning a few things like “Hello,” “Goodbye,” “Thank you!”, “Where’s the bathroom?” will go a long way to endearing yourself with the locals. They’ll like that you tried. Here are some tips on how to learn a language. 19. Don’t be ashamed to walk into a Starbucks or McDonald’s. Sometimes familiarity is comforting and both places have free wifi and public restrooms you can use. (Just don’t eat the food at McDonald’s! That shit is gross and unhealthy for you! You can get it back home!). Libraries and most modern coffee shops also have free Wi-Fi too. 20. Always get behind business travelers when in security lines. They move fast since they are usually in a rush and travel light. They know the drill. Line up behind them as much as possible. You’ll speed through the line! 21. Never get behind families in airport security. They take forever. It’s not their fault. They just have a lot of stuff because of the kids. Try to avoid getting in lines with lots of kids. It’s going to take a while. 22. When you check in to the hotel, don’t be afraid to ask for an upgrade. They have a lot of flexibility when it comes to assigning upgrades at check-in. It never hurts to ask. Oftentimes they can accommodate you if the hotel isn’t full. Just be super nice! Note: If you stay in hotels frequently (or want to), it might be worth it to get a hotel credit card. You can earn points on your everyday spending at home and convert those points into free stays. The best cards come with status, making upgrades more likely too! 23. Lunchtime is the best time to visit historical sites. Lunch time is one of the best times to visit historical sites. You’ll have fewer crowds getting in your way as big tour buses, groups, and most travelers head to lunch. It’s always best to visit an attraction super early, late, or when people eat. You’ll have even the most popular places to yourself! 24. Never eat in a touristy area or near a tourist attraction. I don’t eat within five blocks of a major tourist attraction or area. I simply walk in any direction and search for a place to eat when I hit five blocks. There’s an invisible line at this area: tourists don’t go past it. All of a sudden you notice that the crowds are gone, and that’s when you want to start looking. Sure, you might find a good meal in a tourist area, but you’ll find a better, cheaper meal outside it. Go where the menus aren’t in multiple languages. Go to those little tiny hole in the wall places that you are unsure about. The meal might not knock your socks off each time but it will be a memorable and more local experience. Use websites like Yelp or Google Maps to find some delicious and popular restaurants around you. 25. Locals don’t eat out every night and neither should you. Go grocery shopping. You can learn a lot about locals’ diets by seeing the type of food they buy. Plus, it will save you a lot of money. You won’t regret it. Cook your food, save money, and surprise yourself! 26. Eat at expensive restaurants during lunch. Most expensive restaurants offer lunch specials featuring the same food they would serve for dinner but for a fraction of the cost! That’s the best time to eat out when you travel. I share more tips on how to eat cheaply around the world here. 27. Pack a headlamp. This is a handy tool for both backpackers and anyone looking to do any hiking or camping. If you’re going to be staying in a hostel, having a headlamp is helpful when you need to check in or out but don’t want to disturb your fellow travelers by turning on the lights. They’re also helpful in emergencies. 28. Carry a basic first-aid kit. Accidents happen, so be prepared. I always take band-aids, antibacterial cream, and ointments for minor cuts and scrapes. You never know when you’re going to need it and you can’t always get it when you travel. You can either assemble a first aid kit yourself (here are some tips for doing so), or purchase a pre-made kit online. 29. Don’t believe the cheap flight myths. Don’t drive yourself too crazy trying to get the absolute cheapest fare. There are a lot of myths online about how to find cheap flights, but there is no magic bullet or one secret ninja trick. It’s not cheaper to book on a particular day of the week or if you search in an incognito window. To learn how to actually find a cheap flight, check out these two posts I wrote: 5 Steps to Booking a Cheap Flight Online How to Always Find a Cheap Flight My favorite company for finding cheap flights is Skyscanner. I start all my searches there. 30. Use technology to meet locals. These websites will help you get an insider’s perspective on your destination by connecting you with locals in the places you visit. The sharing economy has changed the way people travel allowing you to meet locals, get off the tourist travel, and save mega money! It’s a triple win — and I use these resources all the time when I travel. Here’s an article on how to use the sharing economy (and what websites to use) when you travel. 31. Be open to strangers. Not everyone bites. Say hi to people on the road. Turn strangers into friends. Remember they are just like you! They want to live a happy, full life and have hopes and dreams too! You never know. You just might make some lifelong friends. 32. But keep your guard up. Some people do bite, so keep a healthy level of suspicion. You don’t want to fall for any travel scams or get yourself into uncomfortable situations. Be open but cautious. Here is a list of travel scams to avoid. 33. Avoid taxis. They are always a budget buster. Never, ever take a taxi unless you absolutely have too! 34. Take a reusable water bottle through airport security and fill it up at your gate. Single-use plastics are common in a lot of countries around the world. They’re also polluting our oceans and destroying the environment. Drink from the tap when you can — you’ll save money and help the environment. If you’re going somewhere where you can’t drink the water, be sure to get a water bottle with a filter. I love Lifestraw. 35. Take pictures of your luggage and clothes. If your bag gets lost, this will help identify it more easily and speed up the process of having your travel insurance reimburse you. 36. Carry emergency cash. Because emergencies happen, like that time in Romania when I couldn’t find an ATM and needed money for the bus to the hostel. I usually try to keep around $200 USD in emergency cash in case something happens! 37. Get vaccinated. Because falling prey to an illness in a foreign country is not fun — and many countries require you to get vaccinated in order to visit them. So regardless of your opinion on the subject, you just might have to. Here is an article on how to stay healthy on the road. 38. Learn to haggle. Haggling is a fun, playful way of not getting charged the foreigner price. It’s the art of negotiating and one that will help you throughout all of life, not just at the market. Just don’t argue over pennies — it’s not worth it! 39. Use points and miles for free travel. You can go a lot further in the world when you don’t have to pay for it. Learn how to collect points and miles through your everyday spending so you can get free flights, accommodation, train tickets, and other forms of travel. It’s what all expert travelers do to lower their travel costs and something you should do too! Here are some articles to help you get started with using points and miles: Points and Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide How I Earn 1 Million Frequent Flier Miles Every Year The Best Travel Credit Cards 40. Eat street food! If you skip the street food, you miss out on culture. Don’t be scared. If you’re nervous, look for places where kids are eating. If it’s safe for them, it’s safe for you. 41. Get travel insurance. Travel insurance is the most important thing to get that you never want to use. If something goes wrong, you don’t want to be out thousands of dollars in bills. Travel insurance will be there if you get robbed, flights get canceled, you get sick or injured, or have to be sent home. It’s comprehensive and, for just a few dollars a day, one of the best investments you can get for a trip. You may think you’re superman/woman but so did my friend who broke her arm, didn’t have insurance, and had to pay thousands out of pocket. Insurance was there when I had to replace my camera and when I popped an eardrum scuba diving! Get it! Here are some tips on how to find the best travel insurance. My favorite companies are: SafetyWing – A budget-friendly choice for travelers who need basic coverage. They are affordable, have great customer service, and make it easy to make a claim. If you’re on a tight budget, go with SafetyWing! Insure My Trip – The best insurance for those over 70 years old. Medjet – This is a membership program that provides emergency evacuation coverage should you get into a dire situation while traveling and be hospitalized. Medjet is meant to supplement your regular travel insurance. 42. Be patient. Things will work out in the end. No need to rush. You’ll get to where you are going in due time. Travel is about the journey, not the destination. 43. Be respectful. Locals are willing to help you out, but there’s probably a language barrier, so keep your cool when something doesn’t go your way. If you don’t, you’ll end up just looking like an asshole tourist. 44. Don’t over plan your trip. Let your days unfold naturally. Schedule two or three things and let the day fill in the rest on its own. It’s less stressful, and letting the day just take you is one of the best ways to travel. Here’s my advice on how not to over plan your travels! 45. Be frugal — but not cheap. Don’t be penny wise but pound-foolish. Look for deals and don’t waste money, but don’t miss out on great experiences or walk 10 miles to save a couple of dollars. Time is money. Spend them both wisely. 46. Take earplugs. Anyone who has ever stayed in a hostel knows that earplugs are a necessity. Snorers are everywhere and you need your sleep. Even if you’re not going to be in a hostel, they’re still helpful for sleeping well if your accommodation is located on a busy street, or for sleeping in buses, overnight trains, and other types of transportation. A good night’s sleep is priceless — be prepared! These earplugs are reusable and work much better than the cheap foam ones, blocking out any distracting noises. 47. Remember that you’re not alone even if you’re traveling solo. Traveling alone never means you’re really alone. Wherever you go, there is a network of travelers who will be your friends, give you advice or tips, and help you out. They will guide you, point you in the right direction, and be your mentors. You aren’t out there on your own. You’ll make lots of friends and tons of memories. If you’re not sure about traveling on your own for the first time, you can always join a group tour, such as those we offer at The Nomadic Network. I’ve designed all the itineraries myself to ensure they cover the highlights, get you off the tourist trail, and connect you with friends and locals. 48. Take photos of and with people. When you do make those new friends on the road, take photos. Lots of photos. Years from now, you’ll want to look back on those nights you can’t remember and the people who made them memorable. 49. Pre-book your tickets to attractions, activities, and excursions online. If you’re planning to do any activities or excursions on your trip, book them online. Companies usually offer a discounted price when compared to buying in person. Not only that but you’ll be able to pay with a credit card, giving you some extra protection as well as more travel points! Many major attractions also allow you to reserve your spot and skip the line. Always look online to see if this is an option. This will help you avoid wasting time in multi-hour lines and go right in. I’ve seen people wait hours for the Paris Catacombs, Louvre, London Churchill War Rooms, churches, temples, historic fortresses, and more. Pre-book the day before, skip the line, get to see more during your day! Get Your Guide is my favorite place to book activities in advance. It’s a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions, with tons of options in cities all around the world, including skip-the-line attraction tickets, cooking classes, walking tours, and more! 50. Avoid TripAdvisor. TripAdvisor is fine when you need opening hours or an address, but when it comes to reviews I ignore it completely. People always leave a negative review when something bad happens but rarely leave a positive review when something good happens so the reviews tend to be skewed. On top of that, it’s very easy to create fake reviews and make a place seem better than it is. Many hotels and restaurants hire firms to artificially inflate their reviews on the platform. Additionally, TripAdvisor has been known to take down reviews that are overly negative as well as reviews on sexual assault. Use TripAdvisor with caution. Or better yet, don’t use it at all. 51. Finally, wear sunscreen. For as the Baz Luhrmann song “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” goes: If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable Than my own meandering experience. *** There you have it! My top travel tips! Follow them and you’ll be the best traveler you can be in no time flat! How to Travel the World on $75 a Day My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.” Click here to learn more and start reading it today! Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post My Best 51 Travel Tips to Make You the World’s Savviest Traveler appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

When I was growing up, I wanted to be an archeologist. I loved history (and still do), and the thought of uncovering temples and tombs in jungles excited me. I used to read books on Greek and Roman history and have discussions with my history teacher, even as young as 13. In short, I was...

The post The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Pompeii appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

When I was growing up, I wanted to be an archeologist. I loved history (and still do), and the thought of uncovering temples and tombs in jungles excited me. I used to read books on Greek and Roman history and have discussions with my history teacher, even as young as 13. In short, I was a huge geek from the get-go. Being such a huge history geek, visiting Pompeii, the city destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, has always been high on my list of things to do. When the volcano erupted, the falling ash came so quickly that it preserved the city just as it was, burying Pompeii in 4–6 meters (13–20 feet) of ash. It’s a city frozen in time. The earliest settlements in the area date to the 8th century BCE, though most people know Pompeii as the Roman city that it was at the time of its demise. The rich agricultural land combined with its location on important trading routes meant that, over time, Pompeii became a wealthy provincial city. it had a population of over 20,000 people. The city was also a regional cultural center, with a large amphitheater, forum, public baths, various temples, and an extensive aqueduct system providing clean water. Many of these buildings, including expansive private villas in the surrounding countryside, were buried during Vesuvius’s eruption. The eruption itself lasted over two days, with the first phase of falling ash and pumice lasting over 18 hours. While the 1,150 bodies discovered is significant, it was only a fraction of the overall population. Most inhabitants likely had a chance to escape during this initial eruptive phase, though the final casualty count remains unknown. While the eruption was the biggest tragedy of its time, the falling ash also kept the buildings, frescoes streets, pots, and bodies incredibly well preserved. And while there was some looting after the eruption, eventually Pompeii’s location was lost with the passage of time. It wasn’t until the rediscovery of the nearby town of Herculaneum (buried in the same Vesuvius eruption) that interest was renewed in the area. The first excavations at Pompeii occurred in 1748, with archaeological work continuing to this day. There is still a significant portion of the site that remains unexcavated so who knows what they will discover here in the future! I’ve traveled the world for a while and have seen plenty of marvelous ruins over the years. But this is one of the best. Even though a lack of upkeep has taken its toll on the site, I still found it a fascinating place to spend the day. My only hope is that the Italian government will get its act together to keep this site from falling into further disrepair. Located near Naples in Italy, Pompeii takes a full day to see. If you truly want to indulge your inner Indiana Jones and visit every building here, schedule an extra half day. At over 160 acres, it’s a huge site and you could easily spend even more time than that. I saw a lot on my full day, but there was a lot that I missed. To help you make the most of your visit, here is everything you need to know to visit Pompeii: The Top 12 Attractions in Pompeii 1. The Brothel The ancient lupanar (brothel) is a tiny house with stone beds and scenes of the acts customers might pay for. It’s essentially ancient porn, though whether the frescoes served a practical purpose or were merely decoration is unclear. Unsurprisingly, this is one of the most visited houses in all of Pompeii (it was probably just as popular before the eruption — no pun intended — too). It’s the largest of the pleasure houses uncovered in Pompeii (so far) and so historians think it was the city’s main brothel. After all, the Romans did enjoy their…rest and relaxation. 2. The Forum Baths Located near the forum (the main public space), these baths are incredibly well preserved. You can peek inside the wall to see how they heated the baths back when they were still in use. Their innovation is incredibly impressive, and it’s not hard to picture the baths as they were. While the forum baths are the smallest of the various bath ruins in Pompeii, they are arguably the most elegant. There were separate areas for men and women, including separate entrances. The bath not only had hot baths but cold and tepid baths as well. 3. The Villa of the Mysteries Located outside the main area, the frescoes here are amazingly well preserved in their full vibrant color. In fact, they’re some of the best examples of 1st-century Roman painting. The frescoes seem to depict a woman entering into the initiations for a Greco-Roman mystery cult, hence the name the villa is known by today. The villa, which is on the outskirts of Pompeii proper, was excavated long after the rest of the city (excavation of the villa began in 1909). Since it’s a bit of a walk, not many people come here either, giving you the place virtually to yourself. 4. The Forum The most crowded place in Pompeii, the forum is located right near the main gate. It was the main center of life in Pompeii, the cultural and civic nerve of the city. Any significant religious or commercial events would occur here; it was essentially the main square and heart of the city. When you wander around here, you can really get a sense for what life in Pompeii was like. 5. The Stabian Baths Another well-preserved bath, this one is the oldest in Pompeii. It also has a slightly bigger chamber and sees a whole lot fewer crowds. You can also see some preserved bodies here, which is unsettling (though you’ll get used to it the more you wander the ruins). The bath area also had a gym and workout area (for wrestling, as well) and a large, almost Olympic-sized, swimming pool. 6. House of the Small Fountain A beautiful house with a large back room, wonderful frescoes, and a beautiful mosaic fountain. Almost all of the rooms lead to the central atrium and you can see that the house was owned by someone who was wealthy. The sloped roof was used to collect rainwater and doubled as a fountain, a great example of innovation at the time. 7. House of the Faun This is the biggest house in Pompeii and gets its name from the statue in the front courtyard. Built in the 2nd century BCE, there’s a large courtyard in the back where you can also find a very detailed mosaic of a battle scene. It’s one of the most complete surviving examples of a wealthy and luxurious private residence from the time — even better preserved than many sites in Rome itself! 8. Garden of the Fugitives Located in the back of Pompeii, this old vineyard has preserved casts of people who didn’t make it out of the city alive. There are 13 bodies in the garden, frozen in a grotesque and agonizing tableau that reflects the horrible final moments of the city. It’s both incredibly interesting and unsettling at the same time. 9. House of Venus in the Shell Another place located far away from the crowds, this house has a colorful fresco to the goddess Venus. There are also a few gardens here and a detailed statue of Mars. The house was actually under renovation when Vesuvius erupted and was also damaged during the bombing in World War II (though it was restored in the 1950s). 10. The Amphitheater This huge amphitheater is where the citizens of Pompeii held the ancient games that entertained them. It’s a quiet place to walk around and given its position at the far end of Pompeii, you’ll see very few people there, especially during the early morning or late afternoon hours. Built in 70 BCE, it was one of the first amphitheaters to be built of stone. Today, it is the oldest surviving Roman amphitheater in existence. 11. Great Palestra Right next to the amphitheater, the “great palace” was an exercise park and place for youth groups. It was used for sports and games, and there was also a swimming pool here as well. It’s another a great place to escape the crowds as not so many tourists make it here. 12. House of Sallustio This is one of the oldest houses in Pompeii, with sections dating to the 4th century BCE. It was most likely an elite residence, owing to its location and size. The upper floors may have even been used as an inn at some point in its history. There’s a small garden and covered porch in the back, a fresco of the goddess Diana, a bakery, and even a little food shop in the front. During World War II, a bomb partially destroyed the back walls, though these were restored in the 1970s. 12 Tips for Visiting Pompeii Here are 10 super important things to remember when visiting Pompeii: 1. Watch out for closings – Not all the attractions are open, even if they say they are. I found a number of places you were supposed to be able to get into closed. They even started closing one while I was looking around. Check the hours when you arrive, since information online might not be accurate. 2. Start in the back – To avoid the crowds, move from the farthest temples toward the front. The majority of people stick to the center of Pompeii, and you can visit the main area when the crowds have gone by late afternoon. 3. Don’t do the audio guide – I bought the audio tour and found it to be a waste of time. The free book they give you includes enough information. The audio guide doesn’t explain much more. 4. Limited time? Do a guided tour – I listened to a number of guided tours while I was walking around and I was impressed with their knowledge. Plus, I like being able to ask questions that can further explain things. The guided tours simply take you to the highlights, unless you do a personal tour. 5. Bring lots of water – During the summer, it gets scorchingly hot. Bring lots of water and some sunscreen to avoid getting burnt. A hat is a good idea too. 6. Pack snacks – There are a few cafes and snack bars here, but if you wander far into the ruins, you might not be near them for a while. It’s best to bring some food with you for the day’s explorations. 7. Take the train – This is the easiest way to visit. Just make sure you go to Pompei Scavi – Villa Dei Misteri station as the main Pompeii station only takes you to the modern city. 8. Watch out for scams and pickpockets – As Pompeii is such a popular attraction (over 2.5 million people visit each year), there are many people who try to take advantage of visitors. Common scams include trying to sell fake (or overpriced) train and bus tickets or saying that the entrance is closed (but they can get you in). Also watch out for pickpockets around the entrances and train station. 9. Don’t bring a large backpack – Security likely won’t let you bring in a large rucksack, so only come with a smaller purse or day bag. 10. Choose your tour carefully – If you’re going to do a tour, do an official tour from inside the gate. There are plenty of tours offered outside of the gate, but they are much larger and not as good (though they are cheaper). I suggest going with Take Walks. I always learn a ton on their tours. 11. Wear sturdy footwear – The ruins are actually quite spread out and you’ll be on your feet all day. Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes (no flip flops). 12. Buy tickets in advance – To beat the line, buy your tickets online in advance. Pompeii can get super busy, meaning long lines when they open. Avoid the hassle and get your tickets ahead of time. How to Get to Pompeii The train is the best way to get to Pompeii if you’re coming from Naples. To get here, catch the Sorrento Circumvesuviana train from Naples and get off at Pompeii. The journey takes about 40 minutes and costs around 3.50 EUR. The site is just 5 minutes from the train station. If you’re coming by car, it’s about a 30-minute drive. Note that there is no free parking lot for the site, though there are many paid municipal and private parking lots nearby. Starting in 2025, the site has put restrictions on daily visitors to help preserve the site: From 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, a maximum of 15,000 admissions (subdivided into 12,000 for Pompeii express and 3,000 for Pompei +) From 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm, a maximum of 5,000 admissions?(subdivided into 3,000 for Pompeii express and 2,000 for Pompei +) From April 1st to October 31st, the entire site is open from 9am-7pm (last entrance at 5:30pm). From November 1-March 31, the site is open from 9am-5pm (last entry at 3:30pm). However, each individual attraction has its own opening and closing times, with last entrances starting 1-1.5 hours before closing time of the entire site. For updated hours, check pompeiisites.org. FAQ on Visiting Pompeii How long do you need in Pompeii? You’ll want to spend a full day here if you want to see everything. If you just want to see the main sites, 3–4 hours will suffice. Do you have to pay to visit Pompeii? Yes! Tickets are 18 EUR per person for the basic ticket (this gets you the main sites) and 22 EUR for the comprehensive, all access ticket. Should I book a guided tour? If you don’t have a guidebook or if you want a deeper, more insightful visit then getting a guide is a good idea. There is minimal signage here so you’ll get much more from your visit if you have a guide. You can either book a guide on arrival (you’ll see a bunch hanging around the entrance) or go with a reputable company like Take Walks. They have a comprehensive and informative 3-hour tour of the site as well as a full-day tour that includes Pompeii and a drive along the Amalfi Coast. Tickets are 59 EUR for the three-hour tour and 189 EUR for the full-day tour (including tickets that let you skip the line). Do you need to book tickets in advance for Pompeii? Tickets can be bought online in advance, which includes access to Pompeii, Oplontis, and Boscoreale. If you’re visiting on a Saturday or public holiday, you must book online in advance. How many tourists visit Pompeii each year? Pompeii is one of the most popular attractions in Italy, bringing in over 2.5 million tourists each year. It gets busy! When should I visit Pompeii? The summer offers the best weather, but it is also incredibly hot and busy. Consider visiting in the shoulder season (May or October) in order to beat the crowds and also have cooler weather. But if you are going to visit in the summer, bring sunscreen as the site is very exposed to the sun. *** In the time I was there, I barely scratched the surface of Pompeii — and I filled a whole day! One day, I’d love to go back and visit all the buildings I missed. But then again, I’m a history geek and could spend days upon days among ruins. If you don’t live and breathe history as I do, one day would be enough to see the highlights. Make sure you move away from the city center to see some of the lesser-known and less crowded sites. Walking among the ruins is an eerie but beautiful feeling. Plan your trip to Europe like a pro Get all my best Europe travel tips as well as free planning guides sent straight to you and see more of the country for less! Get your guides here! Book Your Trip to Italy: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned! Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. If you’re looking for a place to stay, check out Agorà Hostel Deluxe. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: Safety Wing (best for everyone) InsureMyTrip (for those over 70) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too. Need a guide? Take Walks runs my favorite paid tour. Their Complete Pompeii Experience: Skip the Line Tour & Archaeologist Guide will give you an incredible behind-the-scenes and historical Pompeii experience. If you want a tour, take that one! Want More Information on Italy? Be sure to visit my robust destination guide on Italy for even more planning tips! The post The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Pompeii appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Traveling alone can be a big fear for people - especially introverts like me. But when you travel, you never have to be alone. You'll meet plenty of people and in this post, I explain how.

The post How to Overcome Being Alone When You Travel appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Before I first went traveling in 2006, I had these expectations in my head based on nothing but my imagination and popular culture. My trip was going to be a nonstop adventure filled with colorful and exciting people. Crazy things were going to happen to me. I’d make friends everywhere. I’d be talking to strangers on buses. Locals would invite me out for drinks. I’d be sipping a latte, strike up a conversation with my beautiful waitress, and then the next thing I’d know, we’d be at a wine bar, staring into each other’s eyes while she taught me French. It was going to be just like those articles I’d read or travel movies I saw. One adventurous scene after the next. Then I went overseas. There I was in the hostel, on the road, seeing amazing attractions in historic cities. I could do whatever I wanted, when I wanted. I was finally marching to the beat of my own drum. At first, it was exciting, as I set my daily schedule and did things by myself. I was so busy those first couple of days that I had forgotten I was alone. And that was fine — until it wasn’t. As the days wore on and my tongue forgot what speech sounded like, that excitement dissipated. I began to crave human interaction and companionship. Suddenly, I was alone — and in the bad way. Aloneness had turned to loneliness. Where were the locals who were supposed to show me around? The cool travelers I’d spend nights out with? Once I ran out of things to do, I could no longer hide my aloneness. Sure, I could move on to another city, hoping that the magic would happen there, that it was the destination’s fault and not me. But it was me. Life doesn’t just happen to you — you have to make it happen. And I wasn’t. I began to realize the only reason I was alone was because of fear. As an introvert, it isn’t natural for me to just walk up to strangers and talk to them. That was especially true way back in 2006, when I first started traveling. (Heck, it takes me a lot to overcome that today.) But that fear was keeping me from living the dreams I had in my head. If I wanted those dreams to happen, I was going to have to make them happen. A lot of people wonder if traveling alone means they will always be alone. How will they make friends? Is it hard? It’s a valid concern and, for us to whom socializing doesn’t come naturally, it’s a challenge. But let me tell you: it’s a lot easier than you think. There are a lot of people traveling solo. People just like you. People looking for an adventure. People who crave interactions with others. And that other is you. I overcame being alone when people in my hostel in Prague started talking to me. They were the first ones to reach out, luckily. They broke the barrier I was too afraid to break myself, sitting there, waiting for “something to happen.” But, after they broke the ice, I realized that it was actually easier and less scary than I thought. Those travelers were like me and looking for a friend. Things rarely happen unless you make them happen. You need to go out and talk to strangers yourself. It took the introvert in me a while to learn that truth, but once I did, I had no trouble meeting people. After those travelers said hello and showed me how easy it was, I realized I was making a mountain out of a molehill. There was nothing to be scared of. I just had to say hi. Because we all start off in the same boat: in a foreign country without any friends, not speaking the language, and looking for people to spend time with. Once you realize that, you also realize how simple and easy it is to make friends…because everyone is just like you. That’s the big secret. There’s nothing more to overcome being alone than to get over yourself and say “hi.” The key is to start small and break out of your shell. Talk to the person in your dorm room. Say hello. Ask them about themselves. Trust me, they will respond. They’ll ask you about you, your home, your travel plans, and more. From there, just do the same to other travelers you see. Look for a group leaving for the bar and ask, “Can I join you?” Walk over to that pool table in the hostel and ask, “Who’s next?” People will say yes. Conversation will begin. Friendships will blossom. And thanks to the sharing economy, there are lots more ways to meet people beyond meeting them at hostels, For example, I’m sure you have one thing you are passionate about, right? Well, people around the world have that same passion. Use a website like Meetup.com to find local groups that form around that passion. Maybe it’s swing dancing, maybe it’s pickleball or Dungeons & Dragons. Whatever it is, I’m sure there are locals who do it too. Finding local groups with a shared interest is a great way to break the ice because you already have something to talk about, something that creates an instant connection. Moreover, you can try the website Couchsurfing. It’s not only a place to find accommodation; it also has tons of meet-ups you can attend to find other travelers and like-minded people. Additionally, there are lots of Facebook groups where you can find people to meet. I know, it sounds sketchy, but I’ve used them a bunch recently and they’ve been great. Some groups worth checking out are Girls Love Travel, Find a Travel Buddy, and Solo Trips and Travelers. I’ll be honest, at first, I found it hard to speak to others. Conversations stumbled from time to time. But you either sink or swim on the road. My options were to be alone (and risk potentially going home early) or to get over my fear, take the plunge, and talk to people. I choose the latter. And on the occasions I was sinking instead of swimming, other travelers came up to me and said hello. They made the first move so I didn’t have to. Why? Because they were looking to make friends too. Like me, they understood that if they didn’t do something, they too would have been alone. Travelers are a friendly bunch. They want to meet new people and make new friends. And one of those friends is you. For that reason, you are never alone on the road. There are people everywhere who will be constantly talking to you and inviting you out (especially if you’re staying in hostels). So no, traveling alone doesn’t mean you will be alone. Take it from this introvert: you’ll meet more people than you’ll know what to do with. (In fact, there will be points when you wished you had some personal “me” time.) Eventually, you’ll realize there was never a reason to worry in the first place. And you’ll never be alone again. How to Travel the World on $75 a Day My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.” Click here to learn more and start reading it today! Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post How to Overcome Being Alone When You Travel appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Don't think you have the time to travel? This article breaks down that myth and highlights all the ways to travel when you have limited time.

The post Cubicle Nation: You Have More Travel Time Than You Think appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Time. There just never seems to be enough of it. It always seems to move too fast (and, every year, it seems to just move faster). Time is something people always tell me they don’t have enough of and is one of the main reasons why they don’t travel as much as they would like. (Money is also an issue, which I’ve talked about here.) While there are more digital nomads and remote workers now that COVID has changed the concept of the office, not everyone is able to work remotely these days. But, even if they don’t want to be nomadic, most people I know with office jobs (specifically Americans) want to travel more than they do. They just feel like they don’t have the time. They are wrong. Here’s why. Let’s say you work 50 weeks a year and get two weeks of vacation. (Not American? Then you probably get a lot more and that’s wonderful.) Counting your vacation time and every weekend brings the total number of days per year you can travel to 110 (104 weekend days plus the 10 days in your two-week vacation). That’s a lot of time to travel. Throw in three-day weekends and holidays, and we can add even more days to our total. It may not be all continuous, but you can do a lot with that much time. Let’s think about that for a second: 110+ days of free time per year. That’s close to four months of potential travel time per year! Four months! The world is your oyster with that much time. When looking at it this way, our busy schedule becomes a lot more open. What are you doing with that time? Everything is about priorities. Yes, there are certain obligations we have in our day-to-day lives that take up time but if you really want something, you find a way to make it happen. It’s like when I say I don’t have the time to go to the gym. I have plenty of time to go to the gym; I’m just spending that time elsewhere. Because the gym just isn’t a priority for me (though it probably should be). Moreover, most people associate “travel” with a long-term, big, expensive trip and thus discount all the short-term methods of travel. When people think “I want to travel” they envision a two-week vacation, a cruise, or some long, multi-month journey. It’s a big trip to a faraway land. That’s not really their fault. It’s just how the travel industry tells us we need to travel because long and big trips mean people will spend more money. We internalize that concept and never consider other options. And if you hear something enough, you believe it. I used to. It’s why Jessica is never going to Ireland and Bob will always be a hater. However, if COVID has taught us anything it’s that there are TONS of things to see and do close to home. Even when you don’t have months to travel, as we’ve seen, you still have 110 days of potential travel per year. If you make it a priority, you can certainly travel more. But what do you do? What kind of trips can you take on a smaller time scale that still have a big impact? Here are some trip ideas to help you plan to travel when you have limited time: 1. Take a weekend getaway Spend a weekend away somewhere. Two days isn’t a lot of time, but it’s still enough to explore a city, town, or camp in a national park close to you. I used to spend a lot of time in New York City. From there, weekends away would include trips to Atlantic City, Fire Island, the Hamptons, the Berkshires, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington DC — and those are just the ones a few hours away! Try to incorporate more weekend trips away. It can help break up your routine and keep your wanderlust in check until your next big trip. Even a couple of days somewhere are better than no days anywhere! 2. Go somewhere close Only have a week? Don’t travel halfway around the world, wasting tons of time getting to your destination. Go somewhere a short distance away. Living in Miami and Fiji is too far? Head to Central America! In Sydney and Los Angeles is too far? Go halfway and stop in Hawaii, visit New Zealand, or pop over to a Pacific island nation! In Europe? Well, 90% of the continent is a three-hour flight away so you’re set! Stay close and you’ll need less time to do what you want. Additionally, the best flight deals you can find are often for destinations close to you. So be flexible. Anywhere you haven’t been is a good place to visit. And, when you travel, less is always more. 3. Be a local tourist I don’t think people are tourists in their own city often enough. How often do you visit the museums, explore new areas in your town, or visit the major attractions of your city? I know New Yorkers who have never been to the Met, Bostonians who have never walked the Freedom Trail, and Amsterdammers who have never wandered through the red-light district. Take the weekend, move out of the house and into a cheap place to stay, and be a tourist. I love playing tourist in my own city because it helps you learn and understand where you come from. There’s so much around you that you probably don’t take advantage of when you’re busy leading your regular life that, when you stop and look for a second, you can find plenty of exciting activities to fill your time. After all, travel is about seeing and learning about new things – and that can take place right in your own backyard! Important: If you are going to do this, stay somewhere that’s not your house so it feels more like a vacation. Otherwise, it will be too tempting to wake up, run some errands, and then “run out of time.” For this to really work, you need to break your routine — and not staying in your house is important to do that. 4. Maximize your time Don’t try to see everything under the sun. You’ll run around too much. I field a lot of emails from people who want to see half of Europe in two weeks or want to conquer all of South America in a month. When you think that is how you have to travel and try to cram everything in, it’s easy to get burdened by your itinerary. You look at all those destinations, get overwhelmed, realize there is not enough time, give up, and hold off until you do “have” the time. I get that you don’t have a lot of vacation and want to see a lot, but don’t! Sticking to just one or two places suddenly opens up a lot of time and opportunity! You’ll never be able to see it all. Even with my open schedule, I still can’t see everything I want. I stopped trying long ago. In travel, less is more. Quality over quantity. **** You may not have months to travel, but that doesn’t mean you can’t travel at all. There are a plethora of ways to get out and travel the world on a budget without having to be a nomad like me. Telling yourself you don’t have time is just an excuse. You do have the time and you can learn the skills to travel better. The problem is you probably aren’t thinking of how to spend that time beyond the typical “two-week vacation.” So the next time you think “I don’t have the time,” think of all the places nearby you could explore. Yes, you’ll have errands to run and things that require your attention. But by using your time productively, prioritizing travel, and thinking outside the box, you’ll find you do have time to explore the world. Travel is about exploration, and that exploration can happen anywhere for any length of time. How to Travel the World on $75 a Day My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.” Click here to learn more and start reading it today! Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post Cubicle Nation: You Have More Travel Time Than You Think appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

There are incredible travel deals happening all the time. In this post, I share with you where I go to get the best flight, hotel, tour deals when I'm looking to travel - and the one site that you should never ever use when you are planning a trip!

The post Where I Find the Best Travel Deals appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Finding the best travel deals is a matter of timing. A lot of people think travel is just expensive, but in reality, there are incredible deals happening all the time. They often don’t last too long, and you have to act quickly. That can sometimes be a problem when a deal requires jumping on a plane tomorrow (how many people can do that?). Fortunately, most deals are for months in the future, giving you ample time to plan your schedule. Often I will book a flight and then figure out my plans. Since you can usually cancel a flight within 24 hours without incurring a fee, I lock in the deal and then figure out if I can make it work. Sometimes I can (like the $1,200 USD business-class flight from LA to Stockholm round-trip); sometimes I can’t (like the $400 USD New Zealand flights I had to cancel). I am always looking out for deals. Today, I want to tell you where I go for travel deals, tips, and expert advice. After all, these resources focus solely on this one aspect of travel, so why not use them? I can’t know everything, so I rely on specialists. If travel were a hospital, I would be your general practitioner. Here’s a quick look at the top companies I use and suggest: Quick Overview: Best Travel Deals Best Hostel Website Hostelworld Best Hotel Website Booking.com Best Cheap Flight Website Skyscanner Best Travel Insurance SafetyWing For a full breakdown of each company and what they are best for, click on the links below to jump to that section: Where to Find the Best Flight Deals When it comes to finding flight deals, I use these four websites for last-minute deals. There are always finding new (and tempting) last minute flights — often for a fraction of what you would pay otherwise. My go-to website for cheap flight deals is Going.com. Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights, this is an awesome resource for finding flight deals from the US. They offer free flight alerts, and with a premium membership you get access to even more deals as soon as they find them. (New users can get 20% off Premium with the code NOMADICMATT20.) Three other great websites to use are: The Flight Deal – This is a great resource for finding cheap flights from the USA. If you’re based in the States, start your research here! Secret Flying – This cheap flight website finds “error fares” (when airlines make pricing mistakes) to and from destinations all around the globe. Holiday Pirates – No matter where you’re based this is a great cheap flight website so be sure to always check here for more deals. If you’re simply looking to book a flight, check out the search engines below. It’s important to remember that there is no one best online booking website. All the search engine websites have blind spots so it’s important to search a few different places before you book your flight. Generally, the BEST booking sites are the following: Skyscanner – I always start my searches with Skyscanner. It’s a very intuitive platform that searches booking websites and airlines all around the world to ensure that no deal is missed. If you’re not 100% sure where you want to go (or when) then start your search with Skyscanner. Google Flights – A good all-around flight search website to include in your cheap flight arsenal. Where to Find the Best Points & Miles News When it comes to finding the latest in airline and frequent flier news, I turn to these sites. They give me the latest on the changes in the industry and loyalty programs, and any points and miles news that might be important: View from the Wing – This is where I go for airline and frequent flier news. The Points Guy – A great resource for credit card and points & miles news and information. One Mile at a Time – This is a great website for credit card, in-flight experiences, and frequent flier news. For Australia and New Zealand, visit Points Hack. For Canada, use Prince of Travel. For the UK, Head for Points. As a very, very, very avid traveler (and while I have my own special tricks and tips), when you’re overseas a lot, it’s hard to stay up to date on your own so I use these three sites to keep me in the loop. READ MORE: Points & Miles 101: A Beginner’s Guide The Best Travel Credit Cards How to Pick the Best Travel Credit Card Where to Find the Best Cruise Deals In my mind, there is only one cruise deal website worth following: CruiseSheet. This site consistently has some of the lowest rates out there, and its interface is beautiful. If I don’t find anything on CruiseSheet or want to double-check a price, I go to the second-best website, vacationstogo.com. Where to Find the Best Transportation Deals If you’re looking for budget transportation, these are the websites you’ll want to check. Cheap buses, trains, and rideshare apps can help keep your transportation costs low, giving you more time on the road. Here are my favorites: FlixBus – A budget-friendly bus company routes all across Europe and parts of the USA. Trainline – Offers a variety of discounted train passes for both individual countries as well as entire regions of Europe, including passes for the entire continent. Rome2Rio – A helpful resource for finding and comparing budget transportation options. BlaBlaCar – A rideshare app that pairs travelers with local drivers who are looking to pick up passengers for a small fee. RVShare – A sharing economy platform for renting RVs and camper vans directly from locals. Turo – A car rental app that enables you to rent cars for short periods of time from locals. Japan Rail Pass – A budget-friendly train pass exclusively for Japan. Comes in 7, 14, and 21-day passes. Discover Cars – A comprehensive rental car aggregator for destinations all around the globe. I always find the best car rental deals here. READ MORE: A Complete Guide to the Japan Rail Pass A Complete Guide to the Eurail Global Pass How to Find a Cheap Rental Car Where to Find the Best Accommodation Deals From hotels to hostels to camping, there are tons of great websites out there to help you find deals and save money. Here are my suggestions to help you get started: Booking.com – This is the best website for finding hotels no matter where you are in the world. I usually start my search for hotel rooms here. Campspace – This app connects you with locals renting out plots of land, RVs, cabins, and camper vans ranging from rustic to glamping. Trusted Housesitters – Helps travelers connect with locals looking for house and pet sitters. Great for slow travelers/long-term travelers. HomeExchange – A network that facilitates swapping homes with another person or family. They have over 200,000 members with houses in 155 countries, making it an amazing platform for finding house swaps around the globe. Hostelworld – They are hands-down the best resource for finding budget-friendly hostels around the world. I use them every time I travel and you should too! HostelPass – This card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money and it’s constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and so I’m glad it finally exists. Use the code NOMADICMATT to get 25% off too! READ MORE: How to Find a Cheap Hotel Room: Sites to Use and Sites to Avoid How to Start House Sitting How to Pick a Good Hostel Where to Find the Best Tour Deals For tours and excursions, I keep an eye on the following companies by subscribing to their emails: The Nomadic Network (TNN) – I created this global community for travel lovers in 2019. While I no longer run it (they’re now run by Lisa, a long-time TNN community member), they’re great group tours for people who want to travel — not simply vacation! Intrepid Travel – This is my favorite small-group tour company. They hire local guides and are great for both solo travelers and couples/groups. Walks – Walks operates small group tours with local guides in some of the best cities around the world. Devour Food Tours – My go-to food tour company, with tours all around Europe and the US. EatWith – Allows you to eat home cooked meals with local cooks. Everyone sets their own price (so prices can vary wildly depending on the cook) but this is a great way to do something different, pick a local’s brain, and make a new friend. Get Your Guide – A huge activity aggregator where you can find and book all kinds of activities, from cooking classes to walking tours to multi-day local excursions. Worldpackers – Worldpackers organizes group tours centered around volunteer experiences. It’s a great way to meet like-minded travelers while giving back to local communities. READ MORE: How to Pick the Best Tour Company My Favorite Walking Tours Around the World Where I Find the Best Travel Insurance Deals I never travel anywhere without travel insurance. After dealing with injuries and emergencies abroad (and knowing plenty of other travelers who have been injured or robbed on the road) I always make sure I have comprehensive medical and travel insurance before I leave home. Here are my recommended companies for finding the best travel insurance: SafetyWing – This is my go-to travel insurance company. They offer affordable monthly plans with a deductible. Great for digital nomads and frugal travelers! Insure My Trip – If you’re over 70 and looking for insurance, this is the best place to find it! Medjet – Medjet is a good option for people who are going to be far from home and want added evacuation coverage. It’s great for solo travelers and super affordable. World Nomads – The first company I ever got travel insurance with, World Nomads is best for adventurous travelers. They cover a lot of adventure activities that other companies don’t, and now even offer annual travel insurance. READ MORE: The Best Travel Insurance Companies Do You Need Medical Evacuation Coverage? A Complete Guide to Buying Travel Insurance *** While I think my site is amazing for your on-the-ground tips, tricks, and advice needs, for when you need travel deals to get you to where you want to go, use the companies above. They’re what I use, and they’ve never steered me wrong! They’ll save you the most money! Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post Where I Find the Best Travel Deals appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

No matter how cheap we want to be, travel requires some money. There’s no way to avoid that, so in order to save for our trips, we need to cut our expenses. Here are some simple and creative ways to cut your expenses, make money, and get on the road sooner!

The post 17 Ways to Cut Your Expenses and Have More Money for Travel appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Get out a sheet of paper and write down all your set expenses: rent/mortgage, car payments, cable/streaming bill, cell phone, insurance, school payments, etc. Tally them up. Then write down all your discretionary spending. This is what you spend on food, movie nights, drinks, shopping, that daily coffee from Starbucks, your daily midday snack, and other similar things. If you don’t know what you spend money on, go track your expenses for a two-week period, see what you spend, and come back. Add that all up. What did you get? Probably a large sum of money. And I bet there will be many expenses you didn’t realize were there. Financial experts call these “phantom expenses” — we never know they are there because the expenses are so small. People bleed money without realizing it. A dollar here and a dollar there…it adds up. Even a daily bottle of water or candy bar can make a substantial difference over the course of a year. What does this have to do with travel? Well, one of the main reasons why we think we can’t travel the world is money. “I can’t afford it,” people say to me, “I have too many expenses.” Most of us certainly have expenses we can’t cut (though remember when you travel the world long-term, many of those expenses disappear), but if we cut our phantom expenses, reduce our set costs, and find other ways to save we can build our travel fund much more quickly. Cutting your daily expenses, being more frugal, and downgrading to a simpler way of living will allow you to save money for your trip around the world without having to find extra sources of income. Of course, the lower your income, the longer it will take to save enough to travel. But longer does not mean never. A little bit every day adds up to a lot over a long period of time. Here are some simple and creative ways to cut your expenses, make money, and get on the road sooner: 1. Track your spending As mentioned in the introduction, most people don’t have a budget so the first thing you need to do to save money is to know where you’re spending it. In an age where you tap an app and a car arrives, it’s easy to not think about how much we spend. You can use a spreadsheet or one of these websites. You’ll probably be surprised at where your money goes once you start paying attention. Start tracking your expenses — and keep doing so — so you can keep cutting out the low-hanging fruit and find where you’re spending money. 2. Set up a separate bank account Financial experts have long recommended this for a variety of things. When you set up a separate bank account and have money automatically deposited into that account each pay cycle, you don’t have the urge to spend it. “Out of sight, out of mind”, right? This works for travel. No matter how much you put away there, putting that money in a separate bank account means it’s away from your spending and you won’t overspend. Think of this like a piggy bank. Don’t raid it. It’s your travel fund. Let it sit there and grow. Just make sure that the account is a high-yield online savings account. I’ve done this since the time when I was preparing to go away on my first trip and I netted hundreds of dollars in extra money thanks to interest (and a bit more while I was traveling too as the money was sitting there while it was being spent down). Interest rates are very high these days and you can earn around 4% on your savings account! Take advantage of that! Here are the current best rates: Not from the US? Check out these websites for information: Canada UK Australia New Zealand 3. Get a new credit card A travel credit card can give you free money, free rooms, and free flights. After accruing miles and rewards points with your card on everyday purchases, you can redeem them for free travel on your trip. Travel credit cards are a big weapon in a budget traveler’s arsenal. You’ll even earn huge sign-up bonuses when you get a new card. For more credit card suggestions, check out this list of the best travel credit cards. And, for more information on travel credit cards in general, here is my comprehensive guide on how to pick a good travel credit card. 4. Cut the coffee Love your Starbucks? Well, Starbucks loves your money. Coffee is the little thing that quietly drains your bank account without you ever noticing. That daily coffee can cost you $90 per month ($3 for a regular coffee, more if you want some fancy Frappuccino). At $1,080 per year, that’s a lot of money. So, what’s more important: your daily cup of Joe or spending more time on the beaches of Thailand or exploring the jungles of Borneo? Give up the coffee, or switch from the cappuccino to a standard brew. Move to tea, or brew your own cup. Folger’s might not taste as delicious as a venti triple mocha latte with whipped cream, but it’s a lot cheaper (and, let’s be honest, healthier). Sure, giving up your cup of coffee seems like a “duh” thing. And, yes, there is utility in the time saved from buying one. Under normal circumstances, this would be “small thinking” financial advice that isn’t worth the time or effort. But, right now, you have a travel goal to reach and every penny counts. 5. Learn to cook Dinner out is usually someone’s biggest discretionary expense—and it’s also one of the easiest to eliminate. Instead of buying $20 lunches and $30 dinners, brown-bag it to work and cook dinner at night. When I saved for my first trip, I was spending $70 per week on groceries. I cooked once for dinner and ate the leftovers the next day for lunch. Sure, cooking can be intimidating since not all of us are Julia Child in the kitchen. However, I found cooking to be an invaluable skill, not only because it saved me money before my trip but because it’s also one of the easiest ways to cut down expenses when you travel. The more I cooked, the more I loved cooking. And the more I saved. (I also got a lot healthier because I knew what was in my meals, which was an added bonus.) Of course, grocery prices have gone up since the mid-2000s and you’re likely spending a lot more than $70 on groceries (I currently spend around $125 per week). But cooking is still cheaper than eating out or getting your food delivered via an app. Here are some sites to check out to get the ball rolling: Food52 Deliciously Ella Bon Appétit Jessica in the Kitchen 6. Lose the car Between insurance, repairs, loan payments, and filling your tank with gas, cars are crazy expensive to own. Get rid of your car if you can. Learn to love the bus, take the subway, bike, or walk. It may take longer to get to work using public transportation, but you can use that time to plan your trip, read, write, or do other productive tasks. I understand that this tip may not be feasible for everyone, especially those in smaller towns that don’t have an extensive public transportation system, but an alternative is to sell your car and buy a cheaper used one, which you will only need until you leave for your trip. Buying a throwaway car will allow you to pocket the money from your more expensive car and put it toward your travels. Additionally, with the proliferation of Uber, Lyft, and other ride-sharing services, it’s never been easier, even in small towns, to find transportation. Do the math on it but it may be cheaper to get Lyfts around town than to own a car. (Plus, if you need a car for long distances, you can easily rent one.) 7. Save on Gas Gas adds up! Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save on gas! First, use the app GasBuddy to find cheap gas near you. Second, sign up for all the major gas station loyalty programs. By default, they save you around 5 cents per gallon. Shell’s Fuel Rewards is the best because you attach it to a dining program leading to savings up to 50 cents a gallon. Moreover, use GasBuddy’s credit card, which can be tied to any gas station loyalty program for an additional savings of 25 cents per gallon. Most supermarkets also have loyalty programs that offer gas savings. If you sign up for Costco, they have huge savings on gas, too. 8. Cut your streaming Cutting the cord was supposed to save us money, but with so many subscription services out there, it feels to me that we are paying more than we did with regular cable. I mean, how many streaming services do we really need!? Rather than subscribe to all of them at once, try rotating which ones you are using. I watch everything I want to watch over the course of a few months on one service, cancel it, sign up for a new service, and repeat. By doing this, you are never paying for more than one service at a time while still being able to binge watch what you want. 9. Sign up for travel newsletters No one likes to clutter up their inbox, but by signing up for mailing lists from airlines and travel companies, you’ll be able to get updates about all the last-minute sales or special deals happening. I would have missed out on a round-trip ticket to Japan for $700 USD (normally $1,500) if it wasn’t for the American Airlines mailing list. Additionally, consider signing up for a website like Going.com. They hunt down deals and send them directly to your inbox — for free! They also offer a premium service that offers more (and better) deals but at the very least join their free newsletter. Chances are you’ll find some awesome deals! 10. Replace your light bulbs Electricity costs money and, since every penny counts, using energy-efficient light bulbs will cut down on your utility bills. Moreover, due to energy efficiency initiatives in certain states, many electric companies will give you a rebate if you buy LED bulbs. Be sure to check out which rebates your local energy company offers no matter where you live in the world. Going green can save you green! Check your local government or utility company’s website for information. For US readers, check out EnergyStar or the DSIRE database. For Canadian readers, check out this page run by the government. For everyone else, check your local government or utility company’s website for information! 11. Buy second-hand Why pay full price when you can pay half? Use websites like Amazon (discounted books and electronics), wholesale websites, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. Towns big and small usually have thrift stores like Goodwill where you can pick up clothing and odds and ends. Sure, you don’t want to buy everything used, but you can definitely buy most things used! (Plus, it’s good for the environment since you’re giving stuff an added use life rather than having it end up in a landfill!) 12. Cut coupons The Entertainment Book, grocery coupons, Groupon, and loyalty cards all reduce the price you pay at the register. Clipping coupons might make you feel like an 80-year-old grandmother, but the goal here is to be frugal and save money, and coupons definitely help with that. Many grocery stores also offer electronic coupons based on your shopping habits. Sign up at your local grocery store for their loyalty program and you can lower your weekly grocery bill with discounts either sent via email or added directly to your loyalty card. Also, use Rakuten, which is an app and web browser extension that gives you cash back on purchases that range from 1–20%. You can also get American Express Membership Rewards points instead of cash back if you want. I use this service for all my shopping, including all my hotel bookings since many travel companies are on the service. You can also tie a specific credit card to your Rakuten account and get cash back in physical stores, too. They offer many deals and I always check this website before making any purchase. When you combine Rakuten with coupon codes you find on the web, you have a very powerful combo to save money. 13. Sell your stuff Before I started long-term travel, I looked around my apartment and saw just a lot of stuff I had no need for anymore: TVs, couches, tables, stereo equipment. Instead of keeping it in storage (which costs money), I decided to just get rid of everything. I sold it all and used the money to travel. After all, I’m not going to need my couch while eating pasta in Rome! Sites like Craigslist, Amazon, and Gumtree are excellent places to sell your unneeded consumer goods. Personally, I love the app OfferUp. It’s easy to use and people are less flaky than on Craigslist (and they don’t try to haggle you down as much). Definitely check it out. If you’ve got a ton of stuff, consider having a yard sale. That’s the fastest way to clear out your house and make a few bucks in the process. As you downsize your life, sell your clothes and extra stuff for cash. Sites like The Real Real, Poshmark, and Facebook Marketplace all provide an opportunity to get rid of your unwanted stuff and make some decent money. 14. Stop drinking alcohol Alcohol is expensive. Cutting down the amount you drink is going to have a big impact on your budget. While this might not apply to everyone, those of you who are carefree might go out with your friends on the weekend. Drink before you go out to the bar or simply don’t drink at all. Cutting down the amount of alcohol you consume is considered low-hanging fruit — an easy way to save money. 15. Stop snacking A snack here and there not only adds calories to your waistline but also empties your wallet — another example of phantom expenses. We don’t think much of them because they cost so little, but they add up over time and eat into our savings. Eat fuller meals during lunch and dinner and avoid snacks. If you do want to snack, bring snacks from home and plan your snacks in advance. That way, you can buy cheaper (and healthier snacks) and avoid buying chips, chocolate bars, and other expensive junk. 16. Earn extra money on the side The rise of the gig economy has made it easier to earn extra money on the side. TaskRabbit lets you do tasks that people don’t have time for—from cleaning to moving, doing research, or helping with errands. Websites like Fiverr and Upwork allow you to be people’s assistants, editors, designers, or a host of other professional roles, while Yoodlize allows you to rent out your unused stuff for money. These sites can provide an easy way to earn money on the side. Be sure to check them out as a way to earn extra money for your upcoming trip. Additionally, you can become an Uber or Lyft driver, teach a skill on the side, or rent out a room on Airbnb. In the age of the “side hustle,” there are lots of ways to utilize your proven skills for extra cash. Get creative! Here is a full list of sharing economy websites you can use to earn some extra cash on the site. 17. Buy a reusable water bottle Single-use water bottles are not only harmful to the environment, they are also harmful to your wallet. One or two water bottles a day at $1 USD per bottle will add up to at least $30 USD a month. That’s $360 USD a year! You can spend a week in France with that much money! Instead of plastic, buy a reusable water bottle and fill it with tap water. You’ll want one for your trip anyway, so buy one now and get in the habit of using it. I like Lifestraw as it also has a water filter. *** These tips will help save you thousands of dollars and will make your dream trip seem less like a dream and more like a reality. I know some of them are obvious but it’s the obvious things we rarely think about. The most important thing you can do though is to track your expenses as everyone’s situation is different. For me, the biggest “Wow! I can’t believe I’m spending money on this” were Lyft and e-scooters. Hundreds of dollars a month were being wasted on those two things with me realizing it. Track your spending so you can keep cutting what is discretionary spending. The more you do that, the more you’ll save money, the quicker you’ll be able to get on the road! How to Travel the World on $75 a Day My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.” Click here to learn more and start reading it today! Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post 17 Ways to Cut Your Expenses and Have More Money for Travel appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

As much as I love staying in hostels, there is something nice about the luxuriousness of a hotel. They are clean and quiet and feature comfy beds, strong showers, and lots of soap I can take for later. The downside is they are expensive. Wondering how to find the best deals? I've got you covered.

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As much as I love hostels, there is something nice about the luxuriousness of a hotel: the clean room, comfy bed, desk, iron, strong shower, and bottled soap for the taking (errr…I mean borrowing). They are a quiet, relaxing respite from the world. But luxury comes at a price. Hotels aren’t cheap and I hate spending money on a room I am only going to be in for a few hours. Often, even at my age, I would much rather stay in a hostel (private room though!), which costs less, has more social interaction, and doesn’t make you feel as removed from the destination you’re staying at. I always feel hotels are isolating, like a concrete bubble keeping you out of the place you’re visiting. That said, the older I get, the more I use hotel points, and the more I travel for work, the more I find myself staying in hotels, especially if it’s a short trip. I’ve spent years looking at websites trying to find the best ways to get the best rates on hotel rooms because the budget traveler in me hates spending a lot of money. Post-COVID, hotel prices have increased a lot and it seems there are fewer and fewer bargains these days. But there are a lot of ways to actually get a good deal and stack deals on deals to lower the cost of your room. Let me show you how. Want to travel the world for free? Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to master the one thing all travel experts do to save money and get free flights and accommodation! Enter your info below to get the guide sent to you right away: Get the free guide How to Book Cheap Hotels Here is how to find the cheapest hotel in one simple step: First, go to Google and type in where you want to go. For example, “New York City hotels.” That’s it. Google will pull results from all the major booking websites and tell you what site is the cheapest. You just go there and book your hotel. That’s why it’s the best booking site because, rather than searching every website individually, you can just go to Google, find which website has the cheapest rate, and book there. It saves a lot of time! Here’s a step-by-step guide: Click on the “View hotels” button at the bottom of the first result section to go to Google’s hotel searching hub. Next, put in your dates and filters to narrow your search until you find a hotel you like in your price range. You’ll be able to sort by lowest price and look at the map to book by location. You can even see typical pricing trends for your dates by clicking on “what you’ll pay.” Click on the “view prices” button for a hotel and you’ll be presented with all your booking options. Find the lowest price and head to that website. Just keep in mind that the top results are usually ads, so scroll down to make sure you aren’t missing out on any deals. Once you’ve found the lowest price, book at that website! But, before you actually book the room, there are a couple of other tips you need to know about to ensure you get the best price possible: 1. Contact the hotel directly Find the hotel, call them up, and ask them to match the offer (they usually will since it saves them on commission). If they are a big global brand, the big benefit to direct bookings is that you only earn loyalty points and status when you book direct, so if you love earning points and miles, don’t book their rooms elsewhere! 2. Use points The best way to save money on a hotel room is to not have to pay for it. Collect hotel points through branded credit cards or transferring them from a Chase, Capital One, etc., and book a free room. I save thousands upon thousands of dollars a year doing this. Here are my favorite hotel cards to get you started. 3. Use discount rates like AAA or AARP If you are part of the AARP or AAA you can get special rates that are cheaper. Fun fact: Anyone can join the AARP. I’m a member. They have amazing travel benefits (including deals on hotels and British Airways flights). It’s well worth the membership. 4. Use Mr.Rebates or Rakuten If the lowest rate is through a major booking site like Booking.com, Expedia, or Hotels.com, go through Mr. Rebates or Rakuten. By using their links, you’ll get 1–10% back. It’s a little extra savings that can add up over time. I never do any online shopping without going to these sites (they have deals for everything). 5. Book a mystery deal Both Priceline and Hotwire offer cheaper rates on hotel bookings where you don’t get the full reservation details up front. On Hotwire’s Hot Rates and Priceline’s Express Deals, you’ll see the general neighborhood as well as star rating of the property and amenities offered, just not the exact hotel itself. With Priceline’s Pricebreakers deals, you’ll be guaranteed one of three hotels that they group together (you just won’t know which one until you book). You can save 30–60% off with these deals if you can tolerate a bit of the unknown! 6. Sign up for Booking.com’s loyalty program Booking.com offers members 10–20% off bookings. They definitely helped a lot. Before you sign up for their loyalty programs before you book with them! 7. Get discounted gift cards You can book major hotel chains with hotel gift cards. Check out a website like Giftcardgranny.com for discounted gift cards and use it to book your hotel. (Gift card purchases also count toward point earnings and status.) 8. Buy someone else’s reservation with Roomer Often people can’t go on a trip and can’t cancel the reservation, so rather than lose the money, hotels put these rooms on Roomer, where they sell it at a discount to earn some money back. I’ve never used this website, but I’ve heard good things about it. *** Hotel pricing is a lot more set than airline pricing and tends to fluctuate less. I wouldn’t spend hours searching hotel websites or days tracking prices like people do with airline prices. I’d spend, at the most, 30 minutes on booking a hotel. Just follow the steps above to get a cheap hotel by using my favorite (and what have been shown to be the best) hotel booking websites listed here so you get a good deal and enjoy your trip quicker. And if you find yourself staying in a lot of hotels, it might be worth looking into getting a hotel credit card so that you can start earning points towards free stays (free is always better than cheap)! Stop paying full price for travel! Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It's how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I'll show you: How to Pick a Credit Card How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending How to Redeem Your Points And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips! Get the guide Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post How to Find Cheap Hotels (And Which Sites to Use!) appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Travel makes for a great break when you are feeling low. Whether you take a weekend, a week, a month, or a year, just getting out and doing something different can recharge the batteries. The excitement, the fun, and the new places you see give you more energy and bring you back into focus.

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Life can be stressful. Work, bills, relationships, the economy, love, family… the list goes on! There are lots of things we can do to do to relax, like changing our diet, exercising more often, sleeping more, and improving our work-life balance. But sometimes we need to do more than just make changes at home. Sometimes we need a break. And one of the best ways to do that? You guessed it: travel! Travel can refresh us. It is like a time-out from life — like the ones you got in grade school, but this time more fun. It slows us down, makes us stop and smell the roses, and creates a little change in the normal patterns of our lives. It’s not so much “running away from your responsibilities” as it is taking the time to refresh yourself and give yourself a mental and physical break. Travel is a tried and true way to reset when you are feeling low or just need a new perspective. It’s an amazing tool for personal development and a wonderful vehicle for self-reflection and growth. Whether you take a weekend, a week, a month, or a year, just getting out and doing something different can recharge your batteries. The excitement, the fun, and the new places you’ll see can give you more energy and bring you back into focus. You’ll get a chance to meet some great people and even get offline and disconnect if you need to. Think about it: when you travel, you’re away from all the stress in your life. You are in a new environment. There are a lot of things to see and do, people to meet, places to go, and fun challenges to overcome. You can let go, relax, and embrace new habits or perspectives. In short, you can be a new you. And you have ultimate freedom when you travel — and freedom is the most liberating, stress-free experience there is. By focusing on your mental health when you travel you can return to work and your responsibilities with new focus and commitment, because you have cleared your head. But isn’t travel expensive? Doesn’t it require a ton of planning and savings? If you believe the advertisements on TV for fancy vacations, then sure. A vacation can cost a fortune. Fortunately, only a small fraction of travel is like that. Travel can be super affordable — you can even do it for less than $50 USD a day. With the rise of points and miles, credit cards that offer points/miles, cheap flight deals, and the sharing economy, it has never been cheaper to travel the world on a budget. Plus, you may find a new passion or opportunity that would never have presented itself otherwise. There are tons of job opportunities overseas, too, so you can even work while traveling if you want. In his book The Four Hour Workweek, Tim Ferriss talks about the idea of mini-retirements. Most of us work toward retirement — that time when we can sit back, relax, and do what we want instead of what we have to do. But by the time many of us get there, we might not have the money — or health — to do that. After all, there are no guarantees in life. We may never even make it to retirement. That’s why I say: don’t put off your dreams for a future that may never come. That’s why I say: now is the best time to travel — because you don’t know what the future holds. I’ve seen friends die, get sick and become bedridden, and businesses collapse. The past is not prologue and if COVID has taught us anything it’s that life and society can change at the drop of a hat. Don’t be reckless and rack up debt to travel. But if you need a change, look to the open road. The blank slate travel gives you allows you to work on yourself and enjoy life. No one looks back and says, “If only I had worked more.” We all want to make the most of our time here. Stop delaying all those things you really want to do and just do them. Don’t let your travel dreams remain just dreams — make them your goals. So, the next time you have visions of white-sand beaches or climbing Mt. Everest, start making them happen. Don’t let yourself wonder what might have been. Life is too short. How to Travel the World on $75 a Day My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.” Click here to learn more and start reading it today! Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post Now is the Best Time to Travel appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

I’m not sure why, but there is this perception out there that anyone who travels long-term and isn’t interested in settling down or getting a conventional job must be running away from something. In this post, I explain what I'm running away from...

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When I first started traveling, my dad used to ask what I’m running away from with my travels. Another time, a commenter told me to stop running away from my problems and to start living life. “Grow up,” he said. And, years ago, there was even a blog called “Mom says I’m running away.” I’m not sure why, but there is this perception out there that anyone who travels long term and isn’t interested in settling down or getting a conventional job must be running away from something. We travelers are running away from responsibility, being a grown-up, heartache, problems, etc, etc. We are all just Peter Pans refusing to be “adults.” While American society thinks traveling is something everyone should do at one point, it’s only gap years after college or short vacations that seem to be acceptable. Get it out of your system and come back into The Matrix. Those of us who lead nomadic lifestyles, or who linger just a bit too long somewhere before reaching that final homestretch, are all too often accused of running away. Yes, go travel — but not for too long, the world says. Responsible people don’t just travel forever. We nomads must have awful, miserable lives, or are weird, or have had something traumatic happen to us that we are trying to escape. People assume that we are simply running away from our problems, running away from “the real world.” And to all those people who think I am running away, I say: you are right. I am running away. I’m running away from your idea of the “real” world. I’m avoiding your life. I’m running towards everything — towards the world, exotic places, new people, different cultures, and my own idea of freedom. I’m building a life that makes me happy. While there may be exceptions (as there are with everything), most people who become nomads do so because they want to experience the world, not escape their problems. They are running away from office life, commutes, and weekend errands, and the corporate 9 to 5. They are running away from the strict path society has laid out as “normal.” The one that makes us mindless ants marching to and fro. We (I) want to experience every culture, see every mountain, eat different food, attend crazy festivals, meet new people, and enjoy different holidays around the world. We want to construct a life that makes us happy on our own terms. Life is short and we only get to live it once. I want to look back and say I did exciting things and lived life on my own terms, not say I spent my life reading blogs like this during my lunch break while wishing I was doing the same thing. No one dies saying, “If only I had spent more time in the office!” As an American, my perspective might be different. In my country, the accepted path is long and narrow: you go to college, get a job, get married, buy a house, have 2.5 children, raise them, and then retire. Only then, after you’ve put in your time, can you enjoy the fruits of your labor. Society boxes you in and restricts your movements to their expectations. And any deviation is considered abnormal and weird. People may want to travel, tell you they envy what you do, and say they wish they could do the same thing. But they never do. Few people muster the courage to take the leap, no matter how much their heart pulls them. They are simply fascinated by a lifestyle so outside the norm. While social media, the rise of digital nomading, and websites like this have made quitting your job to travel the world or teach English in Thailand a little more acceptable, the general attitude is still “follow the path if you want to be normal.” Well, I don’t want to be normal. I feel like the reason why people tell us we are running away is that they can’t fathom the fact that we broke the mold and are living outside the norm. To want to break all of society’s conventions, there simply must be something wrong with us. (Maybe they are a little jealous too?) But life is what you make it out to be. Life is yours to create. We are all chained down by the burdens we place upon ourselves, whether they are bills, errands, or, like me, self-imposed blogging deadlines. If you really want something, you have to go after it. People who travel the world aren’t running away from life. Just the opposite. Those that break the mold, explore the world, and live on their own terms are running toward true living, in my opinion. We have a degree of freedom a lot of people will never experience. We get to be the captains of our ships. But it is a freedom we chose to have. We looked around and said, “I want something different.” And then we went for it. It was that freedom and attitude I saw in travelers years ago in Thailand that inspired me to do lead the life I am now. I saw them break the mold and I thought to myself, “Why not me?” I’m not running away. No. I am just running towards my own idea of a normal life. And I never plan to look back. How to Travel the World on $75 a Day My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.” Click here to learn more and start reading it today! Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post Everyone Says I’m Running Away appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

News releases from Gateway National Recreation Area.

Brooklyn, N.Y. –Gateway National Recreation Area (Gateway) is seeking proposals to lease a sports and events center as well as golf facilities in two different locations. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-issues-requests-for-proposals-for-sports-and-events-center-and-outdoor-golf-facilities.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area and the Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee will hold an in-person meeting at 9 am on October 31, 2024. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-21st-century-federal-advisory-committee-to-hold-meeting-thursday-october-31.htm

Staten Island, NY –There will be a partial closure of Crooke’s Point beginning October 4, 2024. The parking area will remain open, and there will still be access to the shoreline. Visitors with a valid 2024 fishing access parking permit will still be able to use the site. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/partial-closure-of-crooke-s-point-at-great-kills-park-due-to-us-army-corps-dredging-project.htm

Queens, NY –Construction begins on the Jacob Riis Park Boardwalk this week. This project focuses on the eastern end of the boardwalk and is expected to be complete by the end of December. Contractors will reconstruct the boardwalk surface, rehabilitate approximately twenty benches, and construct a new accessibility ramp near the bathhouse. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/construction-begins-on-jacob-riis-park-boardwalk.htm

Staten Island, NY –The beaches at Great Kills Park are closed for swimming. Bacterial levels in water samples taken from this body of water exceed local, state and National Park Service standards for recreational activity. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/swimming-beach-at-great-kills-park-is-closed-until-further-notice.htm

Queens, N.Y. – The National Park Service (NPS) will begin demolishing Fort Tilden’s building T-9 in late July. The work is expected to take 10 weeks and includes abatement before the demolition starts. All equipment, materials and work performed will be within the existing fencing surrounding Building T-9. Visitor access to the rest of Fort Tilden will not be impacted. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/demolition-of-fort-tilden-s-t-9.htm

Queens, N.Y. – Due to extremely hazardous conditions Gateway National Recreation Area has restricted access to sections of Jacob Riis Park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jacob-riis-park-access-restrictions.htm

Brooklyn, N.Y. - A temporary electric vehicle (EV) charging station and energy storage unit is now available for use in Gateway National Recreation Area. Part of a citywide pilot program, the park's first public EV charging station is located at Floyd Bennett Field in Gateway NRA’s Jamaica Bay Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/floyd-bennett-field-to-host-electric-vehicle-charging-and-energy-storage-pilot.htm

Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee to hold virtual meeting Thursday, November 9. Please contact Daphne Yun via email at Daphne_Yun@nps.gov for more information. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-21st-century-advisory-committee-to-hold-virtual-meeting-thursday-november-9.htm

Broad Channel, N.Y. –Ferae Naturae (Wildlife), an exhibit of photographs by Frantz Michaud, will open on Sunday, September 17. The exhibit opening and reception will be from 2 pm – 4 pm at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. The opening reception is free and open to the public. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/local-photographer-presents-solo-exhibit-at-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

The beaches at Great Kills Park are closed for swimming. Bacterial levels in water samples taken from this body of water exceed local, state and National Park Service standards for recreational activity. Due to the increased human health risk, the National Park Service warns to avoid contact with these waters until further notice. For updates on this advisory, please go to Gateway National Recreation Area's website at www.nps.gov/gate or call 718-354-4606. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/swimming-beaches-at-great-kills-park-are-closed-for-the-2023-season.htm

Middletown, N.J.—Join Gateway National Recreation Area and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services staff to welcome 40 new citizens at Gateway’s Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/welcome-40-new-citizens-at-the-sandy-hook-unit-lighthouse.htm

Broad Channel, N.Y. –New York City Natural, an exhibit of paintings by Jessica Dalrymple, will open on Sunday, June 11. The exhibit opening and reception will be from 2 pm – 4 pm at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. The opening reception is free and open to the public. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/local-painter-presents-solo-exhibit-at-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

Middletown, N.J. –By the Sea an exhibit of paintings by Gregory Lewis, will open on Saturday, June 3. The exhibit opening and reception will be from 1 pm – 4 pm at the Fort Hancock Post Museum (Building 28) at Sandy Hook. The opening reception is free and open to the public. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/local-painter-presents-solo-exhibit-at-sandy-hook.htm

Queens, N.Y. – The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that Gateway National Recreation Area will transition to a cashless fee system. Effective June 24, 2023, fee collections booths at Jacob Riis Park will only accept credit card payments for beach parking fees. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-moves-to-cashless-fee-collection-at-jacob-riis-park.htm

Middletown, N.J. – The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that Gateway National Recreation Area will transition to a cashless fee system. Effective June 24, 2023, fee collections booths at Sandy Hook will only accept credit card payments for beach parking fees. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-moves-to-cashless-fee-collection-at-sandy-hook.htm

Queens, N.Y. – Jacob Riis Park is ready for summer. All bays are fully open to visitors this weekend. The placement of 360,000 cubic yards of sand has been completed. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/beaches-at-jacob-riis-park-ready-for-summer.htm

Middletown, N.J. – The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee held a virtual meeting on Thursday, April 27, 2023. The Committee made several recommendations at this meeting, including a recommendation that Gateway continue the Sandy Hook leasing program, soliciting partners in the adaptive reuse of the nationally significant structures. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/the-fort-hancock-advisory-committee-affirms-the-merits-of-the-sandy-hook-leasing-program.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee will hold a virtual meeting on April 27, starting at 9 am. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-21st-century-advisory-committee-to-hold-virtual-meeting-thursday-april-27.htm

Queens, N.Y. – The National Park Service has authorized placement of approximately 360,000 cubic yards of sand along 5,000 feet of shorefront at Jacob Riis Park as part of the US Army Corps of Engineers, New York State, and New York City’s East Rockaway Inlet to Rockaway Inlet, and Jamaica Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management project. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sand-replenishment-at-jacob-riis-park.htm

Queens, N.Y. –Phenology Was My Refuge, Life Thrives at Jamaica Bay Amidst a Pandemic that Stopped the World, an exhibit of photographs by Angela Carcione, will open on April 2. The exhibit opening and reception will be from 2 pm – 4 pm at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Broad Channel. The opening reception is free and open to the public. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/howard-beach-teacher-presents-photo-exhibit-at-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

Queens, N.Y.  The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to invite visitors and stakeholders to the West Pond Habitat and Viewshed Management Open House on February 25, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. More information on the event, including optional registration, is available here: https://westpondvegetatation.eventbrite.com. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/open-house-at-jbwr-feb-25.htm

Queens, N.Y. – Tangible Nature, an exhibit of photographs by Dean Moses, is on view at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center through March 31. The exhibit documents the interaction of the park’s diverse visitors as they participate in outdoors activities including observing nature, beach cleanups, kayaking, and hiking. The Visitor Center is open 10 am to 4 pm, Friday through Monday. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/-tangible-nature-exhibit-at-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

[Rockaway, NY]—One of Queens’ most beloved Art Deco gems, the historic bathhouse in Jacob Riis Park, is coming back to life after nearly half a century. Under the terms of a new 60-year lease from the National Park Service, signed today, Bathhouse Lodge LLC, doing business as CBSK Developers and Brooklyn Bazaar, will preserve and restore the 1932 bathhouse. The revitalized landmark will feature restaurants, a bar, pool, event spaces and 28 hotel rooms. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/national-park-service-signs-lease-for-historic-riis-beach-bathhouse-partners-unveil-50-mill-restoration-plans.htm

Middletown, N.J.—Join Gateway National Recreation Area and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services staff to welcome 50 candidates become citizens at Gateway’s Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/welcome-50-new-citizens-at-gateway-national-recreation-area-s-sandy-hook-unit.htm

Queens, N.Y. –Chris Allieri and the NYC Plover Project received the national George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Excellence on Aug. 24 at the ceremony to Celebrate America’s National Parks and the Dedication of Those Who Serve. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/nyc-plover-project-receives-national-award-for-outstanding-volunteer-service.htm

A variety of National Park Service (NPS) employees, volunteers and partners were honored at a ceremony to Celebrate America’s National Parks and the Dedication of Those Who Serve. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/08-25-2022-nps-awards.htm

Queens, N.Y. - The National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the conviction of the person(s) responsible for the intentional destruction of at least one American oystercatcher egg at the border of the Breezy Point Co-Operative and the National Park Service’s Gateway National Recreation Area Breezy Point Unit, Rockaway Point, New York. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/reward-offered-for-information-about-intentional-destruction-of-shorebird-eggs-and-nests-in-new-york.htm

Queens, N.Y. – On July 1, 2022, Gateway National Recreation Area closed a portion of Bay 1 located at Jacob Riis Park to swimming and water access. Beach erosion has created unsafe conditions along the Bay 1 waters and eastern beach, exposing deteriorating wooden groins and other structures. The exposed structures could be dangerous to swimmers. The closures will be adjusted as necessary but is anticipated to remain in place for the rest of the summer. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jacob-riis-park-bay-1-partial-closure.htm

Queens, N.Y. – The National Park Service has selected Riis Beach Collective (RBC) for a seven-year lease for use of facilities at Jacob Riis Park. Riis Beach Collective was one of several applicants that submitted proposals in response to a recent Request for Proposals. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-awards-lease-to-riis-beach-collective.htm

Queens, N.Y. –Queens, N.Y. - The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to announce the inauguration of a Stewardship Plan for the East and West Pond area of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Gateway National Recreation Area. This planning effort will help define the future of this beloved area by identifying and developing strategies to advance management goals related to resource protection, education and interpretation, and the visitor experience. It will also expand upon other guiding documents for the East and West Pond area, including Gateway’s 2014 General Management Plan. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/east-and-west-pond-stewardship-planning-team-invites-public-input-for-planning-efforts.htm

On the agenda for the this meeting will be the National Park Service Associate Director for Park Planning, Facilities and Lands; Associate Director for Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science; and the Chief of Staff for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science. They will discuss the leasing program and Sandy Hook as a national pilot for addressing climate change issues. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/national-park-service-associate-directors-to-address-fort-hancock-advisory-committee-on-april-13.htm

NEW YORK— The National Park Service (NPS) and the City of New York have announced an agreement between the City and the NPS to facilitate a path forward for a critical coastal resiliency project on Staten Island and to clean up contaminated sites in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/the-national-park-service-and-new-york-city-announce-path-forward-on-construction-of-the-staten-island-coastal-storm-risk-management-project-and-remediation-across-three-boroughs.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee brings together experts from several disciplines and occupations, drawn mainly from the communities surrounding Sandy Hook, to make recommendations for the preservation and adaptive reuse of over 30 National Landmark historic structures under the National Park Service's leasing program. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-21st-century-advisory-committee-to-hold-virtual-meeting-thursday-january-6.htm

Middletown, N.J. – The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a call for nominations for individuals who wish to serve a three-year term as a member of the Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee. The 60-day period for applications will end on October 25, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/members-needed-for-fort-hancock-21st-century-federal-committee.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee brings together experts from several disciplines and occupations, drawn mainly from the communities surrounding Sandy Hook, to make recommendations for the preservation and adaptive reuse of over 30 National Landmark historic structures under the National Park Service's leasing program. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-21st-century-federal-advisory-committee-to-hold-virtual-meeting-on-thursday-sept-23.htm

Queens, N.Y. - The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, a project of the Fund for the City of New York, is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of an innovative living shoreline and restoration project at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Gateway National Recreation Area (Gateway). https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/living-shoreline-and-restoration-project-begins-at-the-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

Starting June 1 National Park Service (NPS) contractors will be onsite at the Great Kills Park during two different mobilizations conducting field activities associated with the NPS Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Remedial Investigation (RI). https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/media-advisory-great-kills-fieldwork-2021.htm

Starting June 1 National Park Service (NPS) contractors will be on-site at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge working to address erosion at the West Pond Trail with the construction of a living shoreline. To ensure the safety of park visitors and to help facilitate this restoration project, the majority of West Pond Loop Trail will close starting June 1, 2021 through the duration of the project. In addition, project materials will be placed in a portion of the Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center parking lot, and parking will be limited during construction. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/media-advisory-west-pond-trail-closure.htm

Middletown, N.J. – Gateway National Recreation Area announced today that full beach closures of designated nesting beach areas will begin to be implemented starting this Friday, May 21, for shorebird conservation. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/beach-closures-implemented-for-shorebird-conservation-at-sandy-hook.htm

Queens, N.Y. – The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that Gateway National Recreation Area will increase its beach parking fees at Jacob Riis Park. The additional revenue will fund infrastructure and maintenance needs and help enhance the visitor experience. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/nps-increases-beach-parking-fee-at-jacob-riis-park.htm

Middletown, N.J. – The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that Gateway National Recreation Area will increase its beach parking fees at Sandy Hook. The additional revenue will fund infrastructure and maintenance needs and help enhance the visitor experience. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/nps-increases-beach-parking-fees-at-sandy-hook.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee brings together experts from several disciplines and occupations, drawn mainly from the communities surrounding Sandy Hook, to make recommendations for the preservation and adaptive reuse of over 30 historic structures under the National Park Service's leasing program. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-21st-century-advisory-committee-to-hold-virtual-meeting-friday-april-23.htm

Queens, N.Y. – The National Park Service has selected Riis Bazaar, LLC (Riis Bazaar) for a five-year lease for use of facilities at Jacob Riis Park. Riis Bazaar was one of several applicants that submitted proposals in response to a recent Request for Proposals. Riis Bazaar will offer a selection of year-round and seasonal food service along with a variety of music, events and pop-up vendors. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-awards-lease-to-riis-bazaar.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area (Gateway) is releasing a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) in connection with the Silver Gull Beach Club and the Breezy Point Surf Club currently managed under contracts which expire December 31, 2021. The RFEI was developed to gather information from the public and potential operators about how the park might add additional services to improve the visitor experience at Silver Gull Beach Club and Breezy Point Surf Club in Gateway’s Jamaica Bay Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-issues-rfei-for-beach-clubs.htm

The National Park Service uses leasing to help preserve areas of historical significance, including Sandy Hook’s Fort Hancock. Join us to discuss Fort Hancock’s leasing program, including its progress over the past several years as well as the most recent proposal for rehabilitating the remaining buildings for residential and commercial use. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-open-house-nov-23.htm

Middletown, N.J. - Gateway National Recreation Area is proposing to increase parking fees in the park. These parking rates would go into effect for the summer of 2021. This would be Gateway’s first parking fee increase since 2012. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/proposed-fee-increases-for-sandy-hook-2021.htm

Queens, N.Y. - Gateway National Recreation Area is proposing to increase parking fees in the park. These parking rates would go into effect for the summer of 2021. This would be Gateway’s first parking fee increase since 2012. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/proposed-fee-increase-for-riis-park-2021.htm

Dead Horse Bay at Gateway National Recreation Area will be closed to the public in August due to the presence of radiological contamination at the site. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/dead-horse-bay-closed.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area’s Fort Wadsworth will not be open for fireworks viewing this year. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/no-wadsworth-fireworks.htm

Lifeguards will be on duty at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Jacob Riis Park beginning Wednesday, July 1. The beach will now be open for swimming. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/lifeguards-jr.htm

Lifeguards will be on duty at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Great Kills Park beginning Wednesday, July 1. The beach will now be open for swimming. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/lifeguards-gk.htm

Brooklyn, N.Y. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Gateway National Recreation Area is increasing recreational access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. Beginning Saturday, June 13, Gateway National Recreation Area will reopen access to Floyd Bennett Field for recreational activities such as fishing, biking, hiking. The Ryan Visitor Center, campground, archery and sports fields remain closed until further notice. Fishing permits are not being sold at this time, but 2019 fishing permits will be honored until further notice. Please follow regular park rules while visiting and maintain six feet of social distancing from other park visitors. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-to-increase-access-to-floyd-bennett-field.htm

Middletown, N.J. – Lifeguards will be on duty at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Sandy Hook Unit beginning Saturday, June 13. Most beaches will now be open for swimming. Advisory signs noting which beaches are lifeguarded will be at the entrance and updated daily. Gateway National Recreation Area will resume collecting beach access fees at Sandy Hook on Wednesday, June 17. Daily fees are $15 per car. Fees are collected between 7 am and 5 pm. Restrictions on parking (50% capacity) at Sandy Hook will remain in effect through June 16. Parking will return to 100% capacity on June 17. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/lifeguards-and-entrance-fees-return-to-sandy-hook.htm

Middletown, N.J. – The demolition of buildings 119 and 120 located within the Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark will begin on June 15. These historic buildings were flooded and extensively damaged during Hurricane Sandy. Buildings 119 and 120 were two of nearly one hundred temporary buildings constructed as part of the U.S. Army’s 700 series of temporary wooden buildings developed in response to the massive mobilization of World War II at Sandy Hook. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/demolition-of-buildings-119-and-120-at-sandy-hook-begin.htm

Brooklyn, N.Y. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Gateway National Recreation Area will continue to provide limited recreational access and services for Canarsie Pier for the Memorial Day weekend. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/memorial-day-canarsie-pier.htm

Staten Island, N.Y. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Gateway National Recreation Area will continue to provide limited recreational access and services for the Staten Island Unit for the Memorial Day weekend. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/staten-island-memorial-day.htm

Middletown, N.J. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Gateway National Recreation Area will continue to provide limited recreational access and services for Sandy Hook for the Memorial Day weekend. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandy-hook-memorial-day.htm

Queens, N.Y. – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Gateway National Recreation Area will continue to provide limited recreational access and services at Riis Park and Fort Tilden for the Memorial Day weekend. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/riis-and-tilden-access-for-memorial-day-weekend.htm

Middletown, N.J. – A four-year program has been initiated to re-establish the Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle at Sandy Hook. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/northeast-beach-tiger-beetle.htm

Beginning May 9, Gateway National Recreation Area will reopen access to the Sandy Hook Unit with certain restrictions in place. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandy-hook-gateway-national-recreation-area-available-for-limited-recreational-access-on-may-9.htm

Staten Island, N.Y. – Tangible Nature, a virtual exhibit of photographs by Dean Moses, is available for viewing on Gateway’s website at www.nps.gov/gate. This exhibit explores the relationship and rapport humans can have with nature. “More than a walk on the trail or a rest beside the water; nature is tangible, we can not only touch it, but we in turn can be touched by it. The photos were taken during I Love my Park Day, in May 2019 and show people exploring nature and outdoor recreation; and doing some hard labor in performing a clean-up.” Dean Moses https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/tangible-nature-exhibit-online.htm

Effective immediately, Sandy Hook will be closed to all park visitors until further notice. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide update on our website www.nps.gov/gate and social media channels @GatewayNPS. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandy-hook-closure.htm

Staten Island, N.Y. – Gateway National Recreation Area, in response to Executive Orders issued by the governors of New York and New Jersey, is announcing additional modifications to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As of March 20, Gateway National Recreation Area will offer no services outside those that support visitor or resource protection. At Gateway National Recreation Area, the following services will be suspended in order to comply with these state orders. Gateway will not issue permits, conduct on-site public or educational programs, collect trash, operate or provide restrooms, maintain roads or walkways (including plowing and ice melting), or provide visitor information and services. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-is-updating-earlier-modifications-to-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance.htm

Staten Island, N.Y. – Gateway National Recreation Area is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. All of Gateway’s facilities, including visitor centers and ranger stations, are closed until further notice. Programs and events are also temporarily cancelled until further notice. Where it is possible to adhere to the latest health guidance, our open spaces, including trails and shorelines, remain open for visitor use. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-is-modifying-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance.htm

The National Park Service received an exciting redevelopment proposal from Stillman Development International for 21 historic buildings in the main post area of Fort Hancock in the Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-proposal-for-adaptive-reuse-at-historic-fort-hancock.htm

Queens, N.Y. – “Exploring Gateway,” a photography exhibit capturing the “locations, worlds and points of time” at Gateway National Recreation Area will open on Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Broad Channel. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/local-photographers-featured-at-exhibit.htm

Queens, N.Y. – Our National Parks, an exhibit of paintings by Jayne Holsinger, will open on Dec. 8. The exhibit opening and reception will be from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Broad Channel. The opening reception is free and open to the public. This exhibit will be on display for two months. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/-our-national-parks-opens-at-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

You could spend Black Friday inside shopping. Or you could spend it at Gateway National Recreation Area. Help clean up the shores of Jamaica Bay, climb the lighthouse at Sandy Hook, or learn about New York’s harbor defense system in the nineteenth century and beyond. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/skip-the-stores-spend-black-friday-at-gateway.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is entering into an agreement with the Monmouth County Vocational School District (MCVSD) to facilitate the rehabilitation and reuse of Sandy Hook historic Buildings 23 and 56. MCVSD intends to rehabilitate the buildings to provide needed space and facilities for the Marine Academy of Science and Technology’s (MAST) campus which is located at Sandy Hook. As proposed the project will stabilize and rehabilitate historic Barracks building 23 to provide classroom and drill hall space. Mess Hall building 56 will be rehabilitated to provide for office and uniform storage space. The purpose of this pubic meeting is to provide an update on the project status and to provide an opportunity for the public to comment. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-announces-public-meeting-oct-19.htm

Queens, N.Y. – Where Worlds Converge, an exhibit of photographs by Micah Bochart, will open on Sept. 29. The exhibit opening and reception will be from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Broad Channel. The opening reception is free and open to the public. This free exhibit will be on display for two months. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/-where-worlds-converge-opens-at-the-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

Stop by the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on Oct. 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and pick up your pass. Join National Park Service rangers for a day filled with adventure. Join National Park Service Rangers for a day filled with fun and excitement, including ranger-led adventure hikes at 11 am and 1 pm, a special production of City that Drinks the Mountain Sky by Arm-of-the-Sea Theater at noon, face painting, and special activities with NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers, Rockaway Artists Alliance, the Queens Library Bookmobile, American Littoral Society, and more. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fourth-graders-and-their-families-can-get-free-entrance-to-public-lands.htm

Staten Island, NY –We are proud to announce that the National Park Service (NPS) has selected Moonbeam Leasing & Management LLC as the new operator of the Great Kills Marina, located at Great Kills Park in the Staten Island Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-operator-at-great-kills-marina.htm

Highlands, N.J. --The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a Call for Nominations for individuals who wish to serve at three-year term as a member of the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee. The 30-day period for applications will end on Friday, October 4, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/call-for-nominations-for-fort-hancock-21st-century-federal-advisory-committee.htm

Jacob Riis Park Closed to Swimming, Sat. Aug. 24, 2019 https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jacob-riis-park-closed-to-swimming-sat-aug-24-2019.htm

Highlands, N.J. – Thanks to the shared stewardship of Gateway’s visitors, plovers at Sandy Hook have had another successful breeding season. Forty one nesting plover pairs fledged 53 chicks this year. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/piping-plovers-fledge-53-chicks.htm

Results of the 35th Annual Women's Lifeguard Tournament held at Sandy Hook, July 31, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-35th-annual-women-s-lifeguard-tournament.htm

Join Gateway staff, Staten Island OutLOUD and the Staten Island Philharmonic to celebrate Independence Day at the Overlook at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island. OutLOUD will present a group reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1 p.m., followed by an afternoon performance by the Staten Island Philharmonic at 2 p.m. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrate-fourth-at-the-fort.htm

News Release and joint statement on cancellation of the 2019 Summer Concert Series. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-sandy-hook-concert-series.htm

News release and joint statement on the cancellation of the Sandy Hook Foundation 2019 Summer Concert Series. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandy-hook-foundation-cancels-2019-summer-concert-series.htm

Queens, N.Y. – The Horseshoe Crab’s Crown, an exhibit outlining the creation of the children’s book written by Heather Feather and illustrated by Valentina Gallup, will open on June 9. There will be a live reading at 1:30 p.m., followed by the exhibit opening and reception from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Broad Channel. This exhibit will be on display for two months. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/horseshoe-crab-s-crown.htm

Brooklyn, N.Y.—Visitors of all ages are invited to join the National Park Service (NPS), Wilderness Inquiry, NYC H2O, and Urban Soils Institute for Canarsie Pier Paddle-Fest on May 25 and Canarsie Pier Family Day on May 26. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrate-canarsie-pier-paddle-fest-on-may-25-and-canarsie-pier-family-day-on-may-26.htm

The demolition of the concession building at Beach Center at Area D of Sandy Hook has started. Beach Center D was previously home to the Seagull's Nest, a popular restaurant with beachgoers. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/demolition-of-beach-center-d-begins-at-sandy-hook.htm

From March 15 through September 15, no pets are allowed on Riis Park beach, Fort Tilden beach, West Beach (area between the Silver Gull Beach Club and Reid Avenue) and the Breezy Point Tip including the Bayside Beach. Pets are also not allowed on the ocean beaches in the Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/pet-restrictions-during-plover-season.htm

The osprey are back and the warm weather is here. Spring has finally arrived at Gateway. Come out and celebrate the season with us. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrate-spring-at-gateway.htm

Alcoholic beverages at the Sandy Hook Unit are now prohibited. This restriction will not affect visitors having weddings at the Sandy Hook Chapel or other permit holders. Smoking is also prohibited on beaches at Sandy Hook. Designated smoking areas are in all parking lots. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/alcohol-and-smoking-ban-now-in-place-at-gateway-s-sandy-hook.htm

Queens, N.Y. --Solitude, an exhibit of photographs by Agron Jashari, will open on Sunday, March 31. There will be an opening reception from 2 pm. – 4 p.m. at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Broad Channel. This exhibit will be on display for two months. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/solitude-opens-at-the-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

Are you interested in working at the country’s first urban National Park site? Are you passionate about New York and New Jersey history and nature? If so, consider applying to work at one of our three units: Sandy Hook, NJ; Staten Island, NY; or Jamaica Bay, NY. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/we-re-hiring.htm

The National Park Service seeks to fill multiple surf-lifeguards jobs at all three units of Gateway National Recreation Area for the 2019 summer season. These positions are currently open on USAjobs.gov. The closing date for these jobs is February 15, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/lifeguard-positions-available-at-all-three-gateway-units.htm

2018 Fishing Permits Extended for Duration of Federal Government Shutdown. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/news-releases2019permits.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area announced today some basic visitor services will reopen using revenue generated by recreation fees. Basic services include re-opening bathrooms, collecting garbage, picking up litter, and plowing of roads to visitor use areas. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/news-releases.htm

Visit Fort Wadsworth at 2 pm on Saturday, December 29 to meet an archaeologist. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/if-old-bones-could-talk.htm

The Mandarin duck seen recently paddling in ponds in Central Park brought much excitement to New Yorkers and on the Internet. But have you ever seen surf scoter, a sea duck with a clown-like face? They can be seen at Jamaica Bay in Queens. How about a long tailed duck, which can be seen at the Sandy Hook Unit in New Jersey? For bird and wildlife enthusiasts, Gateway National Recreation Area will hold two free events in November and December. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/see-the-surf-scoter-and-other-amazing-ducks.htm

Queens, N.Y. Soundless Landscapes, a solo show of recent work by Michael Berg&#é;s, at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Please come to see the show and greet the artist. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/-soundless-landscapes-art-exhibit-opens.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area has been selected to receive an Open OutDoors for Kids Focus City grant for the 2018-2019 school year from the National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service. Gateway will work with new partners to expand educational programs for local 4th grades in the school districts and communities adjacent to Jamaica Bay. Working together, NYC H2O, the Urban Soils Institute (USI), a division of the NYC Soil and Water Conservation District, and Gateway’s education staff will provide programs and activities focused on the diverse natural resources of Jamaica Bay. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/open-outdoors-for-kids-focus-city-grant.htm

Queens, N.Y. – Ninety-six hatchlings of the world’s most endangered sea turtle crawled out to sea this week on West Beach on the Rockaway Peninsula located within the Gateway National Recreation Area (Gateway), National Park Service (NPS). Kemp’s ridley is the smallest of all sea turtles and critically endangered. It was listed in the United States as endangered throughout its range in 1970. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rarest-sea-turtle-nests-on-queens-beach.htm

Visitors of all ages are invited to celebrate the grand re-opening of both the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and the Fort Hancock Post Museum at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area on Sunday, September 30, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/re-opening-of-sandy-hook-lighthouse.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is please to announce a donation of sand fro the restoration of Spring Creek Park at the Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sand-donation-at-spring-creek.htm

Queens, N.Y. - An exhibit showing the transformation of religious offerings collected from monthly cleanups at Jamaica Bay will be on display at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center starting Aug. 19. The exhibit will be up for about two months. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/project-prithvi-exhibit.htm

Starting July 8 until approximately August 11, National Park Service (NPS) contractors will be on-site at Spring Creek Park conducting field activities associated with the NPS Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) response action. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/spring-creek-field-work-2018.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing to demolish building 69, a WWII temporary barrack building at Floyd Bennett Field. The NPS has determined that the proposed demolition of building 69 will have an adverse effect on the Floyd Bennett Field Historic District. As required by National Historic Preservation Act, the NPS has notified the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation of the adverse effect, is consulting with New York State Historic Preservation Office, and has drafted a Memorandum of Agreement to that effect https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/demolition-of-building-69.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area invites the local community to join the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and its Traveling Trainer Team for training, education programs and service projects in Jamaica Bay. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/help-improve-jamaica-bay.htm

Join us at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center this Saturday at 2 pm for the opening of exhibit: "Drowning in Plastic: Why Recycling is Not Enough." https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-photography-exhibit-opening-at-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge-visitor-center.htm

We are proud to announce that the National Park Service (NPS) has selected Moonbeam Leasing & Management LLC, as the new operator of Gateway Marina, in the Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-operator-at-gateway-marina.htm

Fort Tilden, a solo show of recent paintings by Chris Wright will begin on Saturday April 7 with an opening reception from 2 to 4 pm at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Please come to see the show and greet the artist. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/-fort-tilden-exhibit-opens-april-7-at-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

Gateway is proud to announce that the National Park Service has signed a Letter of Intent with Brooklyn Bazaar for the Jacob Riis Park Bathhouse. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/letter-of-intent-signed-for-jacob-riis-bathhouse.htm

Sarah Nicholls exhibit opens at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on January 27 and will run for approximately two months. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/book-arts-exhibit-by-sarah-nicholls-opens-january-27-at-the-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

The National Park Service is seeking interested parties to redevelop historic structures and land at Fort Tilden East and Riis Landing in the Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/honor-history-invest-in-its-future-gateway-seeks-new-uses-for-fort-tilden.htm

Join us the weekend of December 16 and 17 to celebrate Christmas at Gateway's Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/christmas-at-fort-hancock-join-us-on-december-16-and-17-for-this-weekend-event.htm

Join the National Park Service (NPS) throughout October for the Herbert Johnson Lecture Series. All talks are held on Sundays at 2 pm at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/herbert-johnson-fall-lecture-series.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area is expanding our camping this year with a pilot partnership with Getaway. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/getaway-at-gateway-gateway-expands-camping-opportunities.htm

Join the National Park Service (NPS), on Saturday May 6, from 2-4 PM at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge for an exhibit opening and reception. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/painting-exhibit-by-denise-levine-opening-at-jbwr-on-may-6.htm

On Sunday April 30, 2017 at 10:15 United States Park Police Officers were dispatched to Plumb Beach for someone taking horseshoe crabs. Officer Fajardo and Greenberg arrived and observed Huase Chen harvesting horseshoe crabs from the waters of Jamaica Bay. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/illegal-taking-of-horseshoe-crabs.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 19,720,849 visitors to ten National Parks of New York Harbor (NPNH) sites in 2016 spent $656,984,900 in communities near the park. That spending supported 8,120 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $838,133,200. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/report-shows-visitor-spending-supports-more-than-8000-jobs-in-local-economy.htm

Today, partners came together to ensure kids across america can experience our national parks and public lands. The National Park Trust, The North Face, and the Outdoor Alliance for Kids joined the National Park Service to co-host an Every Kid in a Park event at Gateway National Recreation Area for 90 fourth graders from PS 119 in Brooklyn. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/nyc-4th-graders-get-free-passes-to-visit-public-lands-and-waters.htm

The 2016 Herbert Johnson Lecture Series kicks off at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on Sunday afternoon, September 25 at 2 PM with a presentation by Brooklyn-based artist and naturalist George Boorujy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/artist-and-naturalist-george-boorujy-to-present-at-the-2016-herbert-johnson-lecture-series.htm

On September 23-24 2016, the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway will participate in the National Parks BioBlitz. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/bioblitz-is-coming-to-sandy-hook.htm

Gateway seeks public comment for proposed parking fee increases in 2017. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-seeks-public-comment-concerning-proposed-2017-fee-increases.htm

The NPS proposes to partially deconstruct Hangar 38 at Miller Field, Staten Island, in response to Hurricane Sandy damage, and is requesting public review of the Memorandum of Agreement with the New York State Historic Preservation Office (NY SHPO). https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/partial-deconstruction-of-hangar-38-miller-field-memorandum-of-agreement-available-for-public-review.htm

Gateway's annual photo contest returns. We are accepting photos that tell the story of "I found my park and it's Gateway" during the month of July. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-2016-photography-contest.htm

Gateway's Jamaica Bay will be holding a BioBlitz from June 10-June 11. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jamaica-bay-bioblitz.htm

Fourth graders will be able to use their Every Kid in a Park pass to waive parking fees at Gateway's Sandy Hook Unit and Jacob Riis Park in Queens between Memorial Day and Labor Day of 2016. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-invites-fourth-graders-to-use-their-every-kid-in-a-park-pass.htm

Gateway has issued the first lease for adaptive reuse at Fort Hancock. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-issues-first-lease-for-adaptive-reuse-at-historic-fort-hancock.htm

On Friday, April 22, representatives of Gateway National Recreation Area, New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg (NJYC), and The Corps Network will cut the ribbon on a new porch for Building 26, the headquarters for Gateway’s Sandy Hook Unit in Middletown. The ceremony will begin at 11 A.M. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ribbon-porch.htm

Superintendent Jennifer T. Nersesian announced the next step toward completing the Relocation of Hurricane Sandy Damaged Maintenance Facilities with a Finding of Nos Significant Impact (FONSI) for the preferred alternative. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-announces-finding-of-no-significant-impact-for-staten-island-unit-maintenance-relocation.htm

Gateway is currently in phase one of rehabilitating the Sandy Hook Beach Center Areas for sustainability and resiliency as the park continues to recover after Hurricane Sandy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-announces-plans-for-rehabilitation-of-sandy-hook-beach-centers.htm

The National Park Service has prepared an Environmental Assessment to evaluate a range of alternatives to address changes to access and visitor safety brought about by Hurricane Sandy at Fort Tilden Beach, Queens, New York. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-announces-public-meeting-and-review-period-for-an-environmental-assessment-for-the-fort-tilden-shore-access-and-resiliency-project.htm

Law enforcement rangers arrested a man for poaching a deer in Sandy Hook. His trial is set for early April. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/poacher-arrested-at-sandy-hook.htm

Rolling Requests for Proposals are Open at Gateway's Fort Hancock https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rolling-requests-fro-proposals-are-open-at-fort-hancock.htm

United States Park Police conducted a surveillance operation in Jamaica Bay in response to an increase in suspected resource violations. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/united-states-park-police-catch-illegal-fishers-in-jamaica-bay.htm

Gateway Photo Contest opens on October 3. The top ten photographs will be displayed until the end of November https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-photo-contest-exhibit-opens-on-october-3-at-the-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge.htm

In celebration of Public Lands Day, Gateway National Recreation Area and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation welcome volunteers to help clean up the entrance to Great Kills Park along Hylan Boulevard. The event will occur Saturday, September 26 beginning at 9 A.M. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gk-entrance-cleanup.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a Call for Nominations for individuals who wish to serve a three-year term as a member of the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee. The 30-day period for applications will end on Thursday, October 15, 2015. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/c4n2015.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee will meet on Friday, September 18, 2015 beginning at 9 A.M. at the Monmouth County Eastern Branch Library, located at 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury, New Jersey 07702. All meetings are open to the public, with a period set aside for public comment. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca-sept-18-2015.htm

For 24 hours, citizen scientists will swarm the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, counting as many species as possible. At the same time, free fun and educational activities will take families and individuals into the coves and trails of this seven-mile peninsula on the New Jersey coast. The BioBlitz is co-sponsored by the American Littoral Society (ALS) and the National Park Service (NPS). https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/shu-bioblitz-2015.htm

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell has named 13 members to the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee, including the re-appointment of seven members whose terms had expired and six new members. Membership of the Committee will increase from 20 to 22 members. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca-new-members-2015.htm

Find Your Park and Celebrate the 99th Birthday of the National Park Service. All three of Gateway's units will celebrate Founders Day on August 23 and 25. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/find-your-park-and-celebrate-the-99th-birthday-of-the-national-park-service.htm

Come meet the young adults who are rebuilding the historic porch on Building 26, Sandy Hook’s Headquarters (built in 1899), and learn how Hands-On Preservation Experience (HOPE) and New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg are preserving America’s parks while building a brighter future for young people in need of a second chance https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/hope-porch.htm

Gateway NRA hosts the oldest and largest all-women lifeguard tournament in the nation, to be held on Wednesday, July 29 at Sandy Hook Unit's Beach Area E. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/allwoman2015.htm

The second annual Gateway National Recreation Area photography contest will be held during the month of July. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrating-the-nps-centennial-find-your-park-and-tell-us.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Committee will meet at 9 am on Friday, June 26 at the Beech Room of the Thompson Park Visitor Center. Thompson Park, located at 805 Newman Springs Road in Lincroft NJ, is part of the Monmouth County Park System. Members of the public are invited. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/facameetjune2015.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has made available for public and regulatory review the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Staten Island Unit Maintenance Facilities Project, Relocation of Hurricane Sandy Damaged Maintenance Facilities to More Sustainable Locations. This project would make the maintenance facilities resilient to coastal storm surges and flooding through relocation to areas outside the 100-year floodplain. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/environmental-assessment-notice-of-public-availability-and-open-house.htm

Fort Hancock's History House will open to the public on May 17 for the first time since Hurricane Sandy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/find-your-park-at-history-house-starting-may-17.htm

"Find Your Park" this summer in your backyard at Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-summer-gateway-offers-ways-to-find-your-park-right-in-your-backyard.htm

The camping fee at Gateway National Recreation Area has been set at $30 per night, beginning with the 2015 season https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fees-to-improve-camping-experience-at-gateway-national-recreation-area.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee will meet this Friday, May 8 from 9 AM to 3 PM in the Beech Room at Thompson Park, part of the Monmouth County Parks System. All committee meetings are open to the public. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca-mtg-may2015.htm

With the donation of materials from the Sandy Hook Foundation, Gateway National Recreation Area will repair and rebuild Sandy Hook's popular Observation Deck beginning Wednesday, April 1. The park expects the deck to be available to the public by the Memorial Day weekend. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/repair-deck.htm

Come to an open house to learn more about leasing an historic former Army building as a residence, bed-and-breakfast or home for a not-for-profit. The open house takes place Sunday, March 22 from 1-3 PM at the Sandy Hook Chapel. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rfp-openhouse.htm

25 young adults from all over the state of NJ will clean up Building 27 at Sandy Hook's Fort Hancock on March 12 https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-jersey-youth-corps-volunteers-to-help-clean-up-historic-building-at-the-sandy-hook-unit-of-gateway.htm

The NPS, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration- Eastern Federal Lands Highway (EFLHD) is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate a range of alternatives to address access, safety, and shoreline resiliency at Fort Tilden, Gateway National Recreation Area due to changes brought about by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-begins-planning-process-for-the-fort-tilden-shore-road-shoreline-resilience-project-queens-new-york.htm

Join the NPS at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge visitor center to see the winners of the 2014 Gateway National Recreation Area Photo Contest. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/terrapins-tell-a-tale.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) will provide an update on the project status for the West Pond Environmental Assessment on Jan. 22 at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Center. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/national-park-service-to-hold-open-house-on-the-status-of-the-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge-west-pond-environmental-assessment.htm

Gateway will hold a public meeting on January 13 at the Ryan Visitor Center to discuss our proposed fee increases at Riis Beach. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-will-hold-public-meeting-on-january-13-regarding-proposed-fee-increases-at-jacob-riis-beach.htm

Gateway seeks new uses for historic buildings at Fort Hancock. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-seeks-new-uses-for-historic-buildings.htm

Gateway will hold a public meeting on January 5 to hear comments about our proposed fee increase. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-will-hold-public-meeting-on-january-5-regarding-proposed-fee-increases-at-sandy-hook.htm

Gateway is seeking public comments on proposed fee hikes for camping throughout the park and beach parking at Jacob Riis and Sandy Hook. Gateway is also initiating a study into the feasibility of instituting metered parking at select locations throughout the park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-seeks-public-comment-concerning-proposed-fee-increases.htm

Come celebrate Fort Hancock's military history by joining the volunteers of the Army Ground Forces Association from October 24 through October 26. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-days-2014.htm

The winners of Gateway's first annual photo contest have been announced. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-photo-contest-winners-announced.htm

Gateway begins planning process for the proposed relocation of Hurricane Sandy damaged maintenance facilities to more sustainable locations within the Staten Island Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-begins-planning-for-proposed-relocation-of-damaged-maintenance-facilities-in-staten-island.htm

The NPS is preparing an Environmental Assessment in support of a proposed project to address damage to the maintenance facilities at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-begins-planning-for-proposed-relocation-of-damaged-maintenance-facilities-at-sandy-hook.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee will meet Friday, September 12 at Brookdale Community College's Donald D. Wagner Student Life Center. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/facabrookdale.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area proposed Phased Rehabilitation of historic Fort Hancock https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/phased-development-plan-proposed-to-rehabilitate-fort-hancock.htm

The National Park Service welcomes public comment and regulatory review of an Environmental Assessment (EA) to extend the Multi-Use Path (MUP) at Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit. Comments are due by August 29, 2014. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/mup-3.htm

The Fort Hancock 21st Century Federal Advisory Committee will meet at Twin Lights Historic Site in Highlands, NJ, on Friday, July 18 beginning at 9 am. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca7-14.htm

The National Park Service has extended the deadline for nominations to the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee by one week. The new deadline is Monday, July 21. Applicants must nominate themselves; a third party cannot nominate someone else. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/c4nextend.htm

The National Park Service, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD), is preparing an environmental assessment (EA) in support of a proposed project to address damage that resulted from a breach that occurred at the West Pond of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge during Hurricane Sandy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/westpondassess.htm

The National Park Service seeks nominations for individuals to be considered for appointment to the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/c4n.htm

Rockaway! Arts festival to celebrate the reopening of Fort Tilden and recognize ongoing recovery of the Rockaways. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rockaway-arts-festival-to-celebrate-the-reopening-of-fort-tilden-and-recognize-ongoing-recovery-of-the-rockaways.htm

For 250 years, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse has guided ships sailing to New York Harbor with beams of light. Now it broadcasts live streaming images of Sandy Hook to the entire world. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandycam.htm

A beacon of hope survives hurricanes, wars and a revolution--and it still works today. On Saturday, June 14, 2014, Gateway National Recreation Area will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse from 11 am to 4 pm. The public is invited to this free event. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/shl250.htm

Audrey Tepper, historical architect, National Park Service (NPS), Technical Preservation Services Branch, will discuss the basics of the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program and national standards for rehabilitating historic buildings. These standards will be used for rehabilitation of historic buildings at Sandy Hook’s Fort Hancock. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/teppertalk.htm

Gateway releases final General Managment Plan/Environmental Impact Statement. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-releases-final-general-management-plan-environmental-impact-statement.htm

Tourism to National Parks of New York Harbor creates more than $390 Million in Economic Benefit. Report shows visitor spending supports 4,395 jobs in local economy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/tourism-to-national-parks-of-new-york-harbor-creates-more-than-390-million-dollars-in-economic-benefit.htm

Wood Chipping to Begin at Great Kills Park, Staten Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/wood-chipping-to-begin-at-great-kills-park-staten-island.htm

Gateway receives dozens of responses to its Request for Expressions of Interest https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-leases-on-life-at-fort-hancock.htm

Media tour of Sandy Hook's Fort Hancock held November 8, 2013. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/invest-in-historic-shoreline-properties-media-tour-of-fort-hancock.htm

Honor History, Invest in its Future. Gateway seeks new uses for historic buildings at Fort Hancock. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/honor-history-invest-in-its-future.htm

Jennifer T. Nersesian selected as superintendent of Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-superintendent-at-gateway.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area Draft General Management Plan is Unveiled, Public Invited to Help Shape Vision for a Great Urban National Park https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-draft-general-management-plan-unveiled.htm

Next Fort Hancock FACA meeting June 28 2013 https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-advisory-committee-to-meet-june-28-2013.htm

The Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee will hold its next meeting Friday, June 28, 2013, at Building 22, the NJ Sea Grant Consortium, located within Fort Hancock from 9 am to 5:30 pm. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-advisory-committee-to-meet-on-june-18-2013.htm

All lifeguarded beaches at Gateway National Recreation Area open this weekend. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/we-love-the-smell-of-sunscreen-in-the-morning.htm

Ready, Set, Launch! Great Kills Park's Boat Ramp Reopens to Public on May 25 https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/great-kills-park-boat-ramp-reopens-to-public.htm

Sandy Hook reopens on May 1st for the first time since Hurricane Sandy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandy-hook-reopens-to-public-on-may-1st.htm

Miller Field reopens to the public on April 20. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/miller-field-reopens-to-the-public-on-april-20.htm

Gateway Nation Recreation Area today announced a series of steps to rebuild the Nichols Marina in Great Kills Harbor on Staten Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-announces-plan-to-rebuild-nichols-marina-at-great-kills.htm

Twin W First Aid Squad (FAS), located in West Windsor, N.J., will donate an ambulance to the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area on Friday, March 22. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ambulance.htm

The Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee will hold its second meeting Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch, N.J. from 9 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca-march.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area announces more opening dates as the park recovers from Hurricane Sandy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-national-recreation-area-hurricane-sandy-recovery-update.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area and Rockaway Little League (RLL) have signed a seven-year lease on the use of a clubhouse and corresponding lands, which include ball fields, in Fort Tilden, part of Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rll.htm

Gateway presents "Hurricane Sandy: Before and After," a photo exhibit featuring the effects of Hurricane Sandy on the park. The exhibit will open from 3-5 P.M. on Sunday, January 27 at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Queens. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandypix.htm

Tidewater, Inc. has been awarded a contract, through an Inter-Agency Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), to investigate and clean up radiological contamination at Gateway National Recreation Area's Great Kills Park on Staten Island https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gkp-tidewater.htm

The Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting January 23-24, 2013 at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch, N.J. (not at Monmouth University, as stated in the Federal Register notice). https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca-meeting-01-13.htm

It has been more than a month since Hurricane Sandy roared up the East Coast, making landfall on October 29 in southern New Jersey. The storm affected nearly 70 national park sites, including all 15 in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, from Sandy Hook (part of Gateway National Recreation Area) in New Jersey to St. Paul's Church National Historic Site in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., from Morristown National Historical Park in New Jersey to Fire Island National Seashore on Long Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandy-parks.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area will reopen two sections of the park after Thanksgiving. These are the first areas of Gateway to reopen after Hurricane Sandy. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gkp-jbwr.htm

MillionTreesNYC and NYC Parks joined Gateway in planting 5,000 trees at Brooklyn's Floyd Bennett Field on Saturday, October 27 to celebrate the park's 40th birthday. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/milliontrees-oct2012.htm

Effective Monday, October 15, 2012, the Sandy Hook - Spermaceti Cove Visitor Center will close and relocate to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse Keepers Quarters. The Spermaceti Cove Visitor Center will be closed until spring 2013 based on visitor patterns and anticipated staffing levels for the coming year. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/shuvcclosed2013.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area begins its yearlong celebration of its 40th anniversary with the annual celebration of Fort Hancock Days, to be held on Friday, October 26 through Sunday, October 28, 2012. Fort Hancock Days commemorates the establishment of Fort Hancock as an Army base on October 30, 1895. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/forthancockdays2012.htm

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has nominated 20 citizens to serve on the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee. This committee will provide recommendations for the historic reuse of more than 30 historic buildings in the Fort Hancock Historic Landmark District within Gateway's Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca-fort-hancock.htm

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted a radiological survey of closed areas in Gateway NRA's Great Kills Park on Monday, August 27 through Wednesday, August 29, 2012. The first areas surveyed included the fishing area along Great Kills Harbor. Depending on the results of the survey, the fishing area may be reopened for use in 2012. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gkp-survey-8-2012.htm

Help Gateway choose among three draft management alternatives for the General Management Plan (GMP) which will guide the park for the next 20 years. The park will hold three open houses on the GMP in mid-September to discuss options. Each alternative lays out a different direction for the park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gmp-open-houses-2012.htm

Visit any of Gateway's three units on Saturday, August 25 for free programs celebrating the National Park Service's 96th birthday. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/founders-day-2012.htm

Your Park! Your Health! will celebrate the end of a successful summer engaging new communities with heart-smart outdoor recreation at Gateway this Wednesday, August 15, from 3-6 P.M. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ypyh-kayak.htm

On Monday, August 6, Gateway National Recreation Area welcomed its first overnight public campers at its new campground in the Horseshoe Cove area of Sandy Hook, N.J. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-inaugurates-overnight-camping-at-sandy-hook.htm

For the last few years, the National Park Service has worked with local communities to promote our "Leave No Trace" policy at North Channel Beach in Queens, particularly with the nearby Hindu community. Join us on Saturday, August 4 as volunteers pitch in to make this special place shine. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/cleanup-ncb-2012.htm

Help Gateway create a new vision for a great urban park in the 21st century. As part of the next phase of the on-going the General Management Plan (GMP) process, a series of outdoor information sessions will take place in August 2012 at three locations: Sandy Hook, New Jersey; Jacob Riis Park, Queens, and; Great Kills Park on Staten Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gmp-beach-2012.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) and the City of New York plan to establish a top-tier science research center focused on urban ecosystem restoration and resiliency within Jamaica Bay. Organizations interested in partnering with the City and the NPS are invited to submit Expressions of Interest between now and November 2, 2012. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rfei-resilience.htm

Two piping plover nests were vandalized in two locations within the protected nesting area at Breezy Point, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, on the night of July 3. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/plover-eggs-stolen.htm

For the 28th time, Gateway NRA hosts the oldest and largest all-women lifeguard tournament in the country, again at our Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/pr-lifeguard-tourney-2012.htm

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today signed an unprecedented agreement between the National Park Service (NPS) and the City of New York Department of Parks of Recreation – spelling out ways the two agencies will cooperatively manage 10,000 acres of federal and city-owned parks in and around Jamaica Bay to promote visitation, education programs, scientific research and opportunities for outdoor recreation. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/seamless.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area invites the public to learn about and comment upon the development of an Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect (EA/AoE) for the park's upcoming Fire Management Plan. The EA/AoE sets out varying options for the park's wildland fire management program, including one chosen as a preferred alternative. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fire-ea.htm

On Friday, July 6, Gateway National Recreation Area will welcome its first overnight camper at its new campground in Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. Seven campsites, nestled among trees and historic fortifications, offer views of the Verrazano Bridge and New York Harbor. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/camp-si.htm

As of July 1, 2012, the Visitor Center at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island has closed for building repairs and restoration of museum exhibits. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-wadsworth-vc-closes.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area hosts Staten Island Borough Historian Thomas Matteo as he reveals the impact of the War of 1812 on New York City. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrate-the-bicentennial-of-the-war-of-1812-at-fort-wadsworth.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area has issued its annual revision of the park compendium which details a park's basic operations and responsibilities to visitors. A compendium includes hours of operation for areas of the park, permits issued by the park and activities which are permitted or prohibited. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/compendium-2012.htm

The National Park Service will begin issuing an annual pass offering free entrance to all 397 national parks for active duty military members and their dependents. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/military-pass.htm

Thanks to funds available through the federal government’s Hazards Fuel Mechanical Treatment Project, Gateway National Recreation Area is helping create firebreaks in key high risk areas along the island’s southeastern shore, which will aid in protecting local residents from wildfires. A press conference is scheduled Thursday, May 17, 2012 in an open area on Kissam Avenue to mark this ongoing effort. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/mow-phrag.htm

On Sunday, May 20, Gateway National Recreation Area will host "Treasure Your Island," a community awareness day, at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place rain or shine from 11:30 A.M. to 4 P.M. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/treasure-2012.htm

Enjoy both the natural and historical sides of Sandy Hook Sunday, May 20, as Gateway National Recreation Area’s Sandy Hook Unit hosts Coastal Defenses Day and Ocean Fun Day. All events are free and will be offered rain or shine. Lunch may be purchased at the event. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ocean-coastal-defense-fun.htm

Swing into the 1940s when the Army Ground Forces Association (AGFA), hosts an evening of swing dancing at historic Fort Hancock, part of Gateway's Sandy Hook Unit. This fundraiser for AGFA takes place Saturday, May 19 as park of Coastal Defenses Weekend. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-swings.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area reopens the William Fitts Ryan Visitor Center on Saturday, May 5, 2012. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ryan-reopens.htm

Nominations are being accepted for the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee. This new committee will advise the Secretary of the Interior on the development of a reuse plan and on future uses of the Fort Hancock Historic Landmark District, part of Gateway's Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/faca.htm

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District is leading an ambitious effort to restore the Yellow Bar Hassock Marsh Islands, part of Gateway National Recreation Area. The project addresses the vanishing marsh islands by beneficially using clean sand from the New York - New Jersey Harbor deepening project to restore marsh habitat in the bay. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/restore-yellow-bar.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that more than 17.5 million visitors in 2010 spent $462.3 million in the National Parks of New York Harbor and the communities surrounding them. That spending supported more than 5,300 jobs in the local area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/npnh-brings-visitors-to-ny-area.htm

The National Park Service has chosen JBAY, LLC to operate beach club services at both the Silver Gull Beach Club and the Breezy Point Beach Club beginning April 1, 2012. Both clubs are located in the Breezy Point section of Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jbay-beach-clubs.htm

The President's Fiscal Year 2013 budget released today requests $2.6 billion to support the bureau's critical national recreation, preservation and conservation mission. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/2012-nps-budget-request.htm

Five local juveniles were arrested Monday, January 30 by U.S. Park Police at Spring Creek, a wildland area of Gateway National Recreation Area in New York City. They were charged with lighting a fire in an undesignated area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/spring-creek-arrests.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area has begun the restoration of a two-acre pilot project at Crooke’s Point, a section of Great Kills Park in Staten Island, to create a barrier island habitat. This project will replace non-native and invasive plant species with native trees and shrubs that will nurture a more diverse wildlife population at the coastal area. The National Park Service (NPS) is partnering with New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and MillionTreesNYC. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/crookes-point-restoration-begins.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area and the Rockaway Artists Alliance (RAA) signed a new cooperative agreement to expand programs offered within Gateway's Fort Tilden area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/raa.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area has selected the AIDS Resource Foundation for Children for negotiation of a proposed lease for Officers Row Building #2, one of the historic structures at Fort Hancock located within Gateway’s Sandy Hook Unit in Highlands, N.J. A Letter of Intent is required to begin formal negotiations of the lease terms. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/arfc.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area will hold its annual celebration of Fort Hancock Days Friday, October 28 through Sunday, October 30, 2011. Fort Hancock Days commemorates the establishment of Fort Hancock as an Army base in October 1895 https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-days-2011.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area invites the public to a meeting on Thursday, October 27 which will highlight the ongoing investigation and cleanup of contamination at Gateway’s Great Kills Park. The public will have the opportunity to examine documents and ask questions. Doors open at 6:30 P.M. at the Education Field Station at Great Kills Park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gkp-public-meet.htm

Scientists will report the latest data on the preservation and restoration of Jamaica Bay at State of the Bay--Revisited, a symposium at Brooklyn College on Thursday, October 20. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/stateobayma.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and Brooklyn College will host a scientific symposium concerning Jamaica Bay at the Brooklyn College Student Center on Thursday, October 20. State of the Bay: Past, Present and Future - Revisited is an all-day event featuring research by top scientists in the preservation and restoration of Jamaica Bay in New York Harbor. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/state-o-bay.htm

About 600 youth representing New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the Boy Scouts of America, Brooklyn Council, the YMCA and the Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Inc., will join together to enjoy local stewardship and camping at The Great Urban Outdoor Event on October 15-16 at two parks in Brooklyn: Gateway National Recreation Area’s Floyd Bennett Field and NYC Parks’ Marine Park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gao-2011.htm

Over 150 volunteers helped Gateway National Recreation Area identify animal and plant species at Gateway's Sandy Hook Unit September 16-17. The American Littoral Society co-sponsored the event with the park, attracting volunteers and sponsors. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/shu-bioblitz-results-2011.htm

Beginning Sunday, October 2, several visitor centers throughout Gateway National Recreation Area will have new operating schedules. The new schedule is based on visitor patterns and anticipated staffing levels for the coming year. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/vc-hours-fall-2011.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area will commemorate National Public Lands Day this September 24, and National Hispanic Heritage Month with an array of events around the park led by "Tu Parque, Tu Salud" interns who are focused on promoting health and fitness in Spanish-speaking communities in Brooklyn and Queens https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/npl-day-2011.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area, in partnership with the American Littoral Society, will hold a 24-hour “wildlife census” of animals and plant species at the park’s Sandy Hook Unit in Highlands, N.J. One “species” that the park hopes to see in great numbers: volunteers. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/shu-bioblitz-2011.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) issued two prospectuses for proposals to operate two beach clubs at Gateway National Recreation Area: Silver Gull Beach Club and Breezy Point Beach Club, both of which are located on the Rockaway Peninsula in New York. The new contract would allow the beach clubs to operate for approximately ten years, providing similar services to those that currently exist. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/beach-club-proposals.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area has reopened almost all of its 26,000 acres to the visiting public. Exceptions include Fort Tilden in Queens and Gunnison Beach on Sandy Hook in Highlands, N.J. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/irene-b-gone.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area has reopened most of its 26,000 acres to the visiting public. Some areas remain closed, including: Sandy Hook in Highlands, New Jersey; Jacob Riis Park and Fort Tilden in Queens; and the beach area at Great Kills Park on Staten Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/goodnite-irene.htm

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edwin G. Burrows discusses the role of Staten Island in the "Battle of Brooklyn" during the American Revolution, while military demonstrations and English colonial dancing illustrate life during wartime in the former colony of New York. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/battle-of-brooklyn.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area waives all parking fees on Thursday, August 25 in honor of NPS Founders Day. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fee-free-day-2011.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area seeks public comments from Monday, August 15, 2011, to Friday, September 16, 2011, concerning proposed increases in parking fees at both the Sandy Hook Unit and the Jamaica Bay Unit. The proposed changes would take effect at the beginning of the 2012 beach season. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/pr-parking-fee-up.htm

Over 150 women from four states competed in the 27th annual All-Women Lifeguard Tournament, held at Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit on Wednesday, July 27. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/all-women-tourney-final.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area hosts the 27th annual All-Women Lifeguard Tournament at Sandy Hook Unit in New Jersey. Over 200 contestants are expected to participate. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/all-women-tourney-2011.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area welcomes Outdoor Nation, a youth-led organization championing outdoor recreation, which will hold a summit at the park’s Floyd Bennett Field June 24-26. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/outdoor-nation-at-fbf.htm

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar proposed a series of first steps to link parks and other open spaces in the New York City metropolitan area to enable local communities, and especially young people, to connect with the natural beauty and history of the region. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/great-urban-park.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area’s Floyd Bennett Field is host to a replica of the 1911 Ely-Curtiss Pusher through Friday, May 20. The historic aircraft landed to commemorate the Centennial of Naval Aviation. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ely-curtiss-pusher.htm

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Gateway National Recreation Area’s Sandy Hook Unit hosts not one, but two events: Ocean Fun Day on Saturday, May 21 and Coastal Defenses Day on Sunday, May 22. Both events are free of charge and lunch may be purchased at the event. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ocean-fun-coastal-defenses.htm

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On Sunday, April 10, 3,600 visitors attended the third annual "Treasure Your Island Community Awareness Day" at Gateway National Recreation Area's Fort Wadsworth. The event brought together 28 Staten Island community and cultural organizations. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/tyi-2011-story.htm

The third annual Treasure Your Island, to be held Sunday, April 10 at Fort Wadsworth, showcases over two dozen Staten Island museums, parks, theater and cultural groups. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/tyi-2011.htm

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On Saturday, January 22, join naturalist Dandelion Dilluvio from 10 AM - 11:30 AM for an indoor and outdoor presentation on wildlife winter survival strategies at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/waiting-out-winter.htm

See a surprising diversity of winter bird life at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge's West Pond with naturalist Ron Bourque. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/winter-waterfowl-and-much-more.htm

Nature photographer Johann Schumacher shares tips on getting that perfect shot. Bring your own camera and dress for the weather. Call 718-318-4340 first to make sure the park is open. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/photo-magic-with-johann-schumacher.htm

Several holiday activities will take place at Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit, located in Highlands, New Jersey. Most events are free of charge. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/shu-holidays-2010.htm

Newly restored tennis courts cap a year of improvements by Gateway National Recreation Area to Frank Charles Park, a 20-acre section of Gateway in located Howard Beach, Queens. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fcp-tennis-courts.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gmp-open-house-nov-2010.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) recently awarded a $4.9 million contract for the restoration and rehabilitation of the William Fitts Ryan Center at Floyd Bennett Field, Jamaica Bay Unit, Gateway National Recreation Area (NRA) to RAAD Construction Group, LLC of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. RAAD Construction will rehabilitate the historic passenger terminal building and create a primary visitor facility and administrative center for Gateway. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/ryan-center-rehab.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area hosts the annual Herbert Johnson Lecture Series at 7 PM on Wednesday evenings from October 20 through November 10, 2010. Lectures will take place at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/herbert-johnson-2010.htm

The playground area at Frank Charles Park, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, will close for two weeks to be resurfaced. This is part of a larger beautification project for the neighborhood park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fcp-playground.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit will hold its annual celebration of Fort Hancock Days Friday, October 22 through Sunday, October 24. Fort Hancock Days commemorates the establishment of Fort Hancock as an Army base in 1895. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-days-2010.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area's (GATE) Great Kills Park has reopened to the public. The main entrance, multi-use pathways, marina, boat ramp, beach center and Crooke's Point are all open at this time. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gkp-reopens.htm

Great Kills Park on Staten Island has reopened to the public. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gkp-reopens-short-version.htm

Great Kills Park, a part of Gateway National Recreation Area's Staten Island Unit, has been burning since Wednesday, September 8. The fire is not out but under control. Approximately 200 acres have burned so far. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gkp-fire.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area is prohibiting water-based activities, including swimming and kayaking, on Friday, September 3 in anticipation of Hurricane Earl. https://www.nps.gov/gate/hurricane-earl.htm

Riding a bicycle along Sandy Hook's seven-mile Multi-Use Path is a great, and green, way to see the park up close. https://www.nps.gov/gate/green-ways-to-shu.htm

On Thursday, July 29, Coca-Cola will present a $50,000 check to Gateway National Recreation Area through the National Park Foundation (NPF) as part of their “America Is Your Park” campaign, to be launched today. Gateway will use the money to purchase kayaking equipment and bicycle racks for Riis Landing, a section of Gateway’s Jamaica Bay Unit. The donation is part of Coca-Cola’s “Live Positively” initiative. https://www.nps.gov/gate/america-is-your-park.htm

Nena Shaheed is this summer's Teacher-Ranger-Teacher at Gateway NRA. https://www.nps.gov/gate/trt-program-2010.htm

Parter organizations work with the National Park Service to restore an historic building for use as an education and research center. https://www.nps.gov/gate/barracks-building-22-restored.htm

Thanks to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, boaters at Great Kills Park on Staten Island can borrow free children's lifejackets. https://www.nps.gov/gate/lifejacket-station.htm

The Sebago Canoe Club is sponsoring an “All Club Invitational” day of exploration on the waters of Jamaica Bay. https://www.nps.gov/gate/sebago-canoe-club-explores-jamaica-bay.htm

Soar Productions presents "Murder On the Nile," a play by Agatha Christie, at Sandy Hook's historic Post Theater. Opening night on Friday, July 23 begins at 8 PM with a champagne toast. https://www.nps.gov/gate/murder-at-shu-post-theater.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/wildlife-artists-at-jbwr.htm

New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium/New Jersey Sea Grant (NJMSC/NJSG) has received a 2010 Monmouth County Historical Commission Historic Preservation Award in recognition of its efforts and accomplishments to restore and preserve Barracks Building #22 at Gateway NRA's Sandy Hook Unit. https://www.nps.gov/gate/preservation-award-for-barracks-22.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area has been selected as one of 29 new marine protected areas added to the National System of Marine Protected Areas. https://www.nps.gov/gate/marine-protected-area.htm

About 100 volunteers documented over 500 animal and plant species at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Floyd Bennett Field. Results are still coming in and will be updated as scientists receive lab test results. https://www.nps.gov/gate/bioblitz-2010.htm

Barry Sullivan, superintendent of Gateway National Recreation Area, has announced his retirement after a 34-year career with the National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/gate/sullivan-retires.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/enviromedia-mobile-canarsie-pier-may-2010.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area is the place to visit on Sunday, May 23 from 10:45am – 4pm. Visit Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook and celebrate Coastal Defense Day and Ocean Fun Day. Opportunities to discover fortifications, tour gun batteries, touch sea creatures, and tour an aquarium are just some of the activities planned throughout the day. The event will kick off at 10:45am with a special ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the latest extension of the beloved Multi-Use Path (MUP). Visitors are encouraged to bring their bicycles to tour Fort Hancock and the rest of Sandy Hook in an eco-friendly way!  https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/a-family-fun-day-at-sandy-hook-may-23-2010.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/united-states-corp-of-engineers-news-release-may-2010.htm

The United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey and the United States Coast Guard Sectors New York and Delaware Bay announced on May 10th 19 new grants to promote the health and living resources of the coast and oceans of New Jersey. Gateway National Recreation Area received one of the environmental and conservation grants for $46,000 to remove marine debris along a 1.5 mile stretch of intertidal and foredune habitat at the North Beach of Sandy Hook. The grant was funded by community service payments made by Holy House Shipping AB, a Swedish shipping company that pled guilty to dumping oil-contaminated waste into the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/grant-for-marine-removal-at-north-beach-sandy-hook.htm

On Sunday May 23 at 1p.m., the latest extension of Gateway National Recreation Area’s Sandy Hook Multiple-use Pathway (MUP) will be unveiled to the public at a ribbon cutting ceremony. Visitors are encouraged to bring their bikes, roller blades, in-line skates out to the park for a spin. The project extends a new section of multi-use pathway to augment the existing Sandy Hook MUP system. The scenic asphalt pathway extends access from the existing multi-use pathway system at North Beach to Gunnison Beach and various historic sites and gun batteries at Fort Hancock. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/mup-press-release-may-2010.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area received a grant for removal of marine debris from North Beach at Sandy Hook, New Jersey. This was one of 19 grants announced today by the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey and the U.S. Coast Guard Sectors New York and Delaware Bay. The 19 new grants totaled $1,531,391 and are to promote the health and living resources of the coast and oceans of New Jersey. The grants were funded by community service payments made by three shipping companies as part of their criminal sentences for violating federal laws aimed at eliminating vessel pollution. The three criminal cases were U.S. v. Clipper Wonsild Tankers Holding A/S et. al., U.S. v. Dalnave Navigation Inc., and U.S. v. Holy House Shipping AB. The prosecution of the cases by the U.S. Attorney’s Office was made possible through the combined efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/grant-received-for-removal-of-marine-debris-from-north-beach-at-sandy-hook.htm

Learn about the fun and educational events taking place at Gateway National Recreation Area. There is something for everyone. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-this-week-may-8-15-2010.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/arson-awareness-week-2010.htm

In an effort to celebrate National Park Week and Junior Ranger Day, “Junior Rangerpalooza” was held at the newly adorned Great Kills Education Field Station on Saturday April 24, 2010.  https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/junior-rangerpalooza-april-2010.htm

Three opportunities available for preemployment test in 2010, for the surf-lifeguard job at Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/opportunities-for-preemployment-test-at-gate-and-fiis-2010.htm

“Wham!” was the sound of an airbag as it hit the unbuckled driver with enough force to blow the ‘test dummy’s” head twenty feet in the air. “Crunch!” was the sound of a vehicle as its solid metal body smashed into pieces on the hard asphalt at over 60 miles per hour. But, absolutely not a single sound was heard when Allison Wheeler recalled the events leading up to her younger brother’s death in a drunk driving incident. “Oh my God,” were the words heard over and over again from teens attending the Rude Awakenings presentations and demonstrations at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Sandy Hook Unit on April 22. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rude-awakenings-april-2010.htm

On April 22-23, as part of a celebration of National Park Week the Teacher to Ranger to Teacher Renay Moran-Kurklen camped out at the Ecology Village Campgrounds, Gateway NRA for the first time with her 4th grade students from the Renaissance School, Charter School #705. The students stepped off the yellow school bus bright eyed and bushy tailed, excited to experience a camping trip with a full agenda that included marine explorations, campfire with smores and ghost stories, and sleeping in tents under the Brooklyn night sky. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/trt-camping-experience-2010.htm

Macy’s motto, “Volunteering is Always in Fashion,” fits their commitment to volunteerism to a “t”. In fact that motto was sported on the t-shirts worn by their volunteers at the Frank Charles Park Clean-up on April 19. The volunteers looked their best and helped the park look its best because of their hard work. A group of about 35 volunteers, from Macy’s and Bank of America, in partnership with the National Parks Foundation and the National Park Service, contributed their time and effort to clean up the playgrounds, baseball fields and shoreline of Frank Charles Park. The site is located in the Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/frank-charles-park-clean-up-april-2010.htm

Thanks to teacher Carl Ballenas and the Aquinas Honor Society from the Immaculate Conception School, a new Jacob Riis bust has been installed on the pedestal at Bay 9, the Mall in Riis Park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/riis-bust-installed-2010.htm

Enjoy this exceptional PBS film dedicated to the little known treasures found in New York Harbor.  https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-wadsworth-film-festival-april-2010.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrate-national-park-week-from-april-17-24.htm

Celebrate National Park Week, National Volunteer Week, and Earth Day by volunteering to clean-up some of the park’s resources.  https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/earth-day-2010-jbwr.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/habitat-defenders.htm

“Ambassadors for Riis” Kick Off National Park Week Celebrations What do a missing bust, the town of Ribe, Denmark, a talented local artist, and Gateway National Recreation Area all have in common? Answer: A creative teacher and his talented class of honor students from the Immaculate Conception School in Jamaica Estates, Queens who brought them all together because of their interest in the history and legacy of Jacob Riis. Join us on April 17 at 2 P.M., at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Riis Park, Bay 9 to celebrate the start of National Park Week and the return of the historic figure Jacob Riis. How he is making his return is not only cause for celebration but an inspiring story of the dedication and commitment of youth to a project they believe in. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jacob-riis-bust-dedication-pr.htm

Lois and Sig Steine exhibition of artwork at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/steine-artwork-opening.htm

This week's programs at Gateway NRA, April 11-17, 2010 https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-week-at-gateway-nra-april-11-17.htm

What do a missing bust, the town of Ribe, Denmark, a talented local artist, and Gateway National Recreation Area all have in common? Answer: A creative teacher and his talented class of honor students from the Immaculate Conception School in Jamaica Estates, Queens who brought them all together because of their interest in the history and legacy of Jacob Riis. Join us on April 17 at 2 P.M., at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Riis Park, Bay 9 to celebrate the start of National Park Week and the return of the historic figure Jacob Riis. How he is making his return is not only cause for celebration but an inspiring story of the dedication and commitment of youth to a project they believe in. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/jacob-riis-returns.htm

This week's programs at Gateway NRA. April 4-10, 2010 https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-week-at-gateway-nra-april-4-10.htm

STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 5, 2010 — On Sunday, April 11th, 2010, residents from all over Staten Island can experience the second "Treasure Your Island," a community awareness day that will take place at the Joan & Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center (JCC), 1466 Manor Road, from 12-4pm. The event is free, and everyone is invited to attend. Parents can learn about all the great things to do with their children, and students can learn about volunteer opportunities with organizations on the island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/treasure-your-island-april-2010.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/surfs-up-and-so-are-surf-lifeguard-opportunities.htm

Programs offered throughout the Units of Gateway National Recreation Area the week of March 14-March 20, 2010. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-week-at-gateway-national-recreation-area.htm

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National Park Service Northeast Regional Director Dennis Reidenbach has announced four winners of the Regional Director's Natural Resource Awards. The awards recognize outstanding contributions to natural resource stewardship in five categories that include park management,resource management, maintenance, and research. Gateway National Recreation Area Superintendent Barry Sullivan was named Superintendent of the Year for Natural Resource Stewardship. Sullivan was cited for leading a multi-disciplinary effort on the regional Ocean Stewardship Implementation Strategy. He led a successful effort to develop a network of coastal parks, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries and estuarine reserves and develop marine resource conservation initiatives with multi-agency collaboration. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-nra-superintendent-barry-t-sullivan-receives-natural-resource-award.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/65-year-old-sets-age-record-for-nps-surfguard-pre-employment-test.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/state-of-the-parks-report.htm

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Gateway National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service, has awarded a $600,000 design/build contract to the Cutting Edge Group, LLC, of Lake George, NY to complete improvements to the historic landscape at Jacob Riis Park, Queens, New York. Jacob Riis Park lies at the foot of the Marine Parkway Bridge-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, located in the middle of the Rockaway peninsula. The project includes the restoration of approximately 2,500 linear feet of the historic Ship's Rail located along the boardwalk areas along the beach as well as repaving the existing original walkways within the Back Beach Mall area, behind Bay 9. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/riis-park-ships-rails-to-be-ship-shape-in-2010-2.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/winter-animal-homes-2009.htm

Hear Every Voice: NYC and the National Park Service can now be seen online at www.thirteen.org. Created by Stephen Ogumah, this video documents a civic engagement project with the residents of Brooklyn and Queens, particularly the Caribbean immigrant communities. It was produced in partnership with Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and Gateway National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. This project was created to coincide with the airing of the Ken Burns documentary about National Parks, America’s Best Idea, in September 2009. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/hear-every-voice.htm

National Park Service (NPS) Northeast Regional Director Dennis R. Reidenbach today announced that an independent third party has concluded its final review of the financing commitments submitted by Sandy Hook Partners, LLC (SHP) for the rehabilitation of historic Fort Hancock at Sandy Hook. Based on its review of all the information submitted, the independent third party reviewer, Maurice Robinson and Associates LLC, has determined that the financing commitments made by SHP are insufficient to meet the purposes and requirements of the lease. Based on this determination, the NPS has notified Sandy Hook Partners President James S. Wassel that the lease is null and void. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/termination-of-fort-hancock-rehabilitation-agreement-announced.htm

Step back in time at Sandy Hook during Fort Hancock Days! The Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area will hold Fort Hancock Days on Saturday evening, October 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday, October 25 from noon to 4 p.m. to commemorate the anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Army facility on Sandy Hook in 1895. Join the Junior Ranger program and make model missiles, see a living history program and experience the life of Fort Hancock during the 1940s, or go back in time by watching WWII reinactments! There's something for everyone at Sandy Hook October 24-25. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fort-hancock-days-2009.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area is pleased to announce that its 2009 General Management Plan Newsletter is now available in four languages. "The diversity of the region surrounding Gateway is rich with many cultures. By providing the newsletter about this new planning process in Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and Russian, in addition to English, we hope to improve the dialogue between the park and the many visitors that recreate at Gateway," said Gateway General Superintendent Barry Sullivan. "This planning only comes around once every 20-plus years, so we need to not only share news about this effort but also receive valuable input from as many park users as possible." https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/2009-gmp-newsletter-translations-available.htm

On September 27, acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns’ much anticipated new documentary, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,will premier on PBS. What better time to let New Yorkers know about the national parks right here at home. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/national-parks-week-new-york-city.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrate-the-400th-anniversary-of-henry-hudsons-voyage.htm

On Tuesday afternoon there was a chlorine leak in the Sandy Hook Sewage Treatment Plant located on the eastern side of the peninsula, near Gunnison Beach. Hazmat teams responded and contained the leak. As a precaution, visitors were escorted off Gunnison Beach due to their proximity to the plant. No employees or visitors were injured. The source of the leak was discovered and repairs were made during the overnight hours. The plant is back in operation today. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sandy-hook-beaches-reopen.htm

It's not often that one hears the words results, accomplishments, independence, opportunity, experience, and pride in one conversation. But, if you spend a little time talking with Community Resources Program Manager Toni Decker and Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE) Park Ranger Steve Salgo, you will. They both have been instrumental in connecting people with developmental disabilities to valuable volunteer opportunities at GATE. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/exceptional-park-projects-by-exceptional-people.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fire-damages-miller-field.htm

Celebrating Henry Hudson’s Quadricentennial Free programs beginning Thursday, September 3 will take place at Fort Wadsworth to celebrate Hudson’s exploration here 400 years ago. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/henry-hudson-quadricentennial.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area is offering Manhattan riders who visit the park by New York Water Taxi ferry an opportunity to see more sites via the new National Park Service Visitor Transport Shuttle Service. The free shuttle originates at Riis Landing on the Rockaway Peninsula and stops at the Jacob Riis Park Boardwalk, the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, and at Floyd Bennett Field, including the Aviator Sports Center and the Historic https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/free-shuttle-at-riis-landing-jamaica-bay.htm

Anglers at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area can now do their part for the environment thanks to a grant from the Sandy Hook Foundation that provides bins for recycling discarded fishing line. Monofilament fishing line, another name for single-strand, high-density, nylon fishing line that is used on fishing reels and in the manufacturing of fishing nets, is responsible for untold damage to endangered marine wildlife such as birds, fish, manatees and sea turtles, and poses a hazard to boaters and swimmers. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/no-string-attached-sandy-hook-foundation-helps-park-adopt-fishing-line-recycling-program.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/wildlife-observation-platform-rebuilt.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-pilot-park-shuttle-bus-at-jamaica-bay.htm

Come out and play this weekend at Gateway! There's plenty of activities for all interests at the park. For example, why not learn about why birds use Jamaica Bay as an important pitstop on their migrations route? Interested? You can join naturalist, Ron Bourque, at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. to take a look at migrant shorebirds and learn why Jamaica Bay is a hot spot for these long distance travelers. Wear waterproof footwear. Bring binoculars, drinking water, sun and insect protection. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-week-at-gateway-august-17.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/nps-announces-termination-of-fort-hancock-rehabilitation-agreement.htm

For many people, a trip to one of our country’s national parks is the culmination of a life long dream. “I always wanted to see Yellowstone,” or “When we retire we’re going to see…(fill in the name of your favorite national park),” are just a few of the comments rangers hear from visitors. Indeed, visits to national parks enrich the lives of many in this nation. However, not everyone can take the big “dream vacation”— often due to a variety of social and economic factors. Also, many people don't realize that there are plenty of national parks, like Gateway National Recreation Area in NY/NJ, right near their own backyards. The National Park Service (NPS) Teacher to Ranger to Teacher (TRT) Program offers a solution for those who may never get to parks out west and beyond. At Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE), Teacher-Ranger Renay Moran-Kurklen is one of those teachers. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/teacher-not-whiling-but-working-and-blogging-away-the-summer.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area's (GATE) Great Kills Park is participating in the Staten Island Dragonfly Atlas (SIDfA) program. Great Kills is located in the Staten Island Unit of GATE and the area provides habitat that contributes to specie richness and an abundance of dragonfly populations. The SIDfA project is the brainchild of the Nature Section of the Staten Island Museum. This 5-year project is designed to collect and analyze data about dragonfly populations on Staten Island. National Park Service (NPS) Volunteer Paul Lederer and Great Kills staff are participating in this citizen science endeavor to compile dragonfly information https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/citizen-science-program-at-great-kills-helps-build-dragonfly-database.htm

With a wing span of only 3-4 inches across and a migratory journey hundreds of miles long, the Monarch butterfly could use a break don't you think? The Monarch is perhaps the best known of all North American butterflies and two groups have been working together to see that there is a "butterfly break" for the Monarch and all butterflies that come to and through Gateway National Recreation Area's (GATE) Great Kills Park on Staten Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-gives-butterflies-a-break.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/hooping-it-up-at-gateways-miller-field.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area spans from Jamaica Bay and Staten Island, NY to Sandy Hook, NJ. There's a variety of activities and programs for everyone. Take a look at what we have to offer this week.k https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-week-at-gateway-july-27-august-2-2009.htm

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In an effort to better manage the traffic delays leaving Sandy Hook caused by New Jersey’s Highlands Bridge replacement project, today National Park Service officials met with representatives from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT), including the Director of the Division of Traffic Operations and the Director of the Division of Construction Services and Materials. “The meeting was extremely productive,” said Dave Avrin, Superintendent of the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area. “The DOT definitely shares our concerns about the impact the bridge construction is having on our visitors. We have worked together to find workable traffic flow solutions for years, and beginning this weekend we will all be implementing some changes that will make a difference to motorists when they exit the park,” Avrin added. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/changes-will-help-motorists-exit-sandy-hook.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/reward-offered-in-sandy-hook-poaching-case.htm

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The park is hosting a series of Open Houses in July and September to solicit input from the public regarding the future management of park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/general-management-plan-open-houses-announced.htm

Who Says There Are No Free Rides Anymore? Sandy Hook and Jacob Riis Park, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, are taking part in the nationwide Fee Free Weekend at America's National Parks program July 18-19. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/fee-free-weekend-july-18-19.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-week-at-gateway-july-13-19.htm

There are many and varied programs each week at Gateway National Recreation Area. Join us for one, or more, that interest you. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/this-weeks-programs-at-gateway-july-6.htm

DIAMINDBACK TERRAPIN TOUR DAY AT JAMAICA BAY WILDLIFE REFUGE On Sunday, July 5, join a morning or afternoon ranger guided tour of promising terrapin terrain at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. You might get to see these marvelous turtles come ashore from their brackish homes to nest and lay eggs. Tours are at 10:00a.m. – 11:30a.m. and at 2p.m. – 3:30p.m.. Bring binoculars, sun and insect protection. For reservations and more information: 718-318-4340. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/july-5-terrapin-turtle-tour.htm

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This Saturday and Sunday, June 20 & 21, the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area will be participating in the nationwide Fee Free Weekend at America’s National Parks. Although Sandy Hook has no entrance fee, a beach parking fee of $10 per car is charged between Memorial Day and Labor Day. This weekend all beach parking will be FREE. Sunday is also Father’s Day, and the Fee Free Weekend is a great opportunity to invite your dad and the rest of your family and friends to enjoy Sandy Hook and make some memories at a local National Park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/free-beach-parking-this-weekend-at-sandy-hook.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-receives-funds-from-the-american-recovery-and-reinvestment-act.htm

Barry Sullivan, Gateway National Recreation Area General Superintendent, recently announced that the park has received funding to begin Phase I of the project to identify and potentially remediate the radium contaminated soil at Great Kills Park. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-receives-funding-to-deal-with-radium-contaminated-soil.htm

Media Advisory: Kick-off event for the Kayaking on Jamaica Bay Program, part of Gateway’s participation in a nationwide Active Trails program. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/kayak-program.htm

In order to help visitors get around Sandy Hook this summer, a jitney bus will transport visitors from the ferry dock at Sandy Hook to locations within the park. But, here's the kicker, it will be powered by French fry oil. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-shuttle-at-sandy-hook-helps-visitors-go-green.htm

Over the next century, climate change will significantly affect human and ecological systems. In the past few decades, climate change science has grown in certainty. While attention has historically focused on mitigation efforts, adaptation is beginning to emerge as an important area. Climate adaptation is critical, since current GHG concentrations will already cause climate change impacts in the next few decades. As a result, society must begin to take steps to prepare for and buffer against climate change impacts. At Gateway National Recreation Area, climate change adaptation means increasing ecosystem resilience and protecting cultural and recreational resources from damage or loss. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/long-term-resource-management-under-a-changing-climate.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-nighttime-regulations-will-close-the-parking-lots.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/the-forgotten-navy-flyers-from-queens.htm

Three Year Temporary Contract will keep the Silver Gull Club and the Breezy Point Beach Club Open Gateway National Recreation Area General Superintendent Barry Sullivan announced that an agreement has been reached that allows the Breezy Point Surf Club and the Silver Gull Club to continue to operate within the park for three more years. An agreement between the National Park Service (NPS) and Mr. Tom August, principle operator of the two clubs, was signed on April 15. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/breezy-point-beach-clubs-will-remain-open-this-year.htm

PHILADELPHIA, PA –The National Park Service (NPS) today announced nearly 800 projects totaling $750 million that can be completed across the country with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This major effort includes projects in the agency’s Northeast Region, which includes Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/nps-announces-recovery-act-projects.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/treasure-your-island.htm

National Park Week, an annual week for celebration and recognition of our nation’s National Parks, will run from April 18-26, 2009. Visitation to America’s National Parks is on the rise, and last year Gateway National Recreation Area had the largest visitor increase of any park in the nation. Visitation at Gateway, America’s the third most visited National Park, increased by 618,000, bringing the total to 9,500,000 visitors. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/celebrate-national-park-week-at-one-of-the-top-national-parks.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE) Public Affairs Office is pleased to announce that its news releases are now available via RSS feed. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/rss-feeds-now-available-at-gateway-nra.htm

Barry Sullivan, General Superintendent of the Gateway National Recreation Area, today announced that the lease agreement between the National Park Service and Sandy Hook Partners, LLC is moving forward and is on schedule. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/project-to-rehabilitate-fort-hancock-buildings-moves-forward.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/temporary-closure-shifts-leagues-to-miller-field-from-great-kills.htm

This year the Gateway National Recreation Area, in conjunction with the National Parks of New York Harbor Conservancy, will offer a special program to introduce area residents to the joys of kayaking on Jamaica Bay. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/free-kayak-instruction-program-on-jamaica-bay.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/sperm-whale-found-at-gateway-beach-investigation-to-reveal-cause-of-death.htm

In honor of Black History Month, Gateway National Recreation Area will present a program on the racial segregation that took place at Floyd Bennett Field during World War II. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/black-history-month-and-local-history-highlighted.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/new-pier-and-ferry-dock-envisioned-for-sandy-hook.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area access permits for activities on Staten Island, including fishing, boat launch, and birding will not be available until Sunday, March 1, 2009. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/permits-for-gateway-visitor-activities-delayed-at-staten-island.htm

The National Park Service is set to begin a long-awaited phase one restoration and improvement project at the William Fitts Ryan Visitor Center at Floyd Bennett Field. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/major-restoration-project-begins-at-floyd-bennett-field.htm

Gateway National Recreation Area access permits for activities in Brooklyn and Queens, ncluding fishing, off-road access, kayak and canoe launch, and surfing, will not be available until Sunday, March 1, 2009. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/permits-for-gateway-visitor-activites-delayed-at-jamaica-bay.htm

The National Park Service has begun the task of removing a small amount of soil that contains trace amounts of radioactive material from Great Kills Park on Staten Island. https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/gateway-removing-radioactive-material-at-great-kills.htm

https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/testing-for-national-park-service-lifeguard-jobs.htm

News releases from Grand Canyon National Park.

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Thursday, May 15 at 6 a.m. to mark the official start of the 2025 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their 2025 seasonal operations on this date. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-opens-may-15-for-2025-season.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will reopen the Bright Angel Trail and Campground for public use beginning May 15, 2025. Multiple inner canyon areas were closed last fall for Transcanyon Waterline project construction activities. The Phantom Ranch Canteen and Lodge reopened on schedule, April 1. The River Trail, between River Resthouse and the South Kaibab Trail junction, Silver Bridge and Plateau Point Trail, between the Tonto Trail West junction to Plateau Point, originally scheduled to reopen in May, will remain closed until Oct. 1, 2025. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tcwl-trail_closure-modifications-2025.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will implement a fee increase for frontcountry standard campsites at Desert View, North Rim, and Mather Campgrounds starting May 1, 2025. Rates for standard campsites will increase to $30 per night. Group sites will remain $55 per night. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/campground-fee-rate-change-may-2025.htm

On Saturday, February 1, 2025, the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park for specific launch dates within calendar year 2026. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/non-commercial-river-lottery-announced-2026.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is seeking the public’s input on a proposed fee increase for non-commercial river trips. The proposed change would begin March 1, 2025. The existing $25 lottery application cost fee would remain the same and the flat rate per-person cost would increase from $90 to $310 for Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek and $0 to $55 for Diamond Creek to Pearce Ferry. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/proposed-fee-increase-noncommercial-river-trips.htm

The National Park Service is actively searching for a missing person last seen at Grand Canyon National Park. On December 10, 2024, Martha Overholser, was last seen at Mather Point on the South Rim and later failed to return on a commercial bus tour. Martha Overholser, 66, is believed to have walked west from the Mather Point area, possibly towards the Bright Angel Lodge or Hermits Rest. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-conducts-missing-person-search-at-grand-canyon-december-2024.htm

Fire managers at Grand Canyon National Park are preparing to conduct a prescribed burn operation on the North Rim this week, which will begin on Tuesday, December 10. These operations will help reduce hazardous fuel loads, improve forest health, and restore natural fire regimes. The burns are expected to occur over several days and will coincide with prescribed burns planned on the North Kaibab Ranger District. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-fire-beginning-dec10-north-rim.htm

Effective immediately, the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will begin phasing into greater water restrictions and conservation measures due to a new break in the Transcanyon Waterline. Until park staff repair the break and water in storage tanks reaches sustainable levels, the park will remain in conservation mode. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/additional-water-conservation-measures-south-rim-december-2024.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is implementing mandatory water conservation measures for the South Rim, effective immediately. These measures are in response to a pipeline break along the North Kaibab Trail, which has impacted the park's water supply. To help conserve water, all residents, visitors, and park operations are urged to reduce water usage wherever possible, including in homes, hotel rooms, and campgrounds. These efforts are critical to maintaining water availability while still ensuring public health and safety. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-initiates-water-conservation-measures-nov-26-2024.htm

Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) has been awarded National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) grants through the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety (AZ GOHS). This funding will enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety, speed enforcement, and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) prevention efforts within the park. The grants will support a variety of initiatives aimed at improving safety for both community members and the millions of visitors who visit the Grand Canyon each year. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/rangers-receive-azgohs-funding-2024.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is seeking the public’s input on a proposed increase for frontcountry camping fees. This increase would begin April 1, 2025. Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) collects campground fees from visitors for overnight stays. GRCA is seeking public comment on proposed fee increases for standard tent and RV sites at Mather, Desert View and North Rim campgrounds. The current camping fees have remained unchanged for the past 20 years. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/public-comment-on-proposed-campground-fee-increase-november-2024.htm

Beginning October 8, National Park Service and USDA Forest Service fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, anticipate initiating prescribed burns on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Fire managers will be assessing weather, fuel moistures, and other conditions for opportunities to conduct burns safely and effectively into December. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-zone-prescribed-burn-operations-fall-2024.htm

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will begin day-use operations on October 16, 2024. Grand Canyon Lodge will close, and no overnight accommodations, including camping, will be available to visitors. Those exploring the North Rim on or after October 16 should plan to be self-sufficient, bringing enough food and water for the day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-transitions-to-day-use-oct-16-2024.htm

The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management Vermilion Cliffs National Monument are hosting a celebration on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 28th by releasing four captive-bred California condors at 1 p.m. MDT/Utah time (noon MST/northern-Arizona condor time). The 28th annual event will be held in person at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and will be live-streamed via The Peregrine Fund’s YouTube Channel. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/condor-release-2024.htm

On Sept. 13, Grand Canyon wildlife managers successfully relocated 100 bison from the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. All bison were transferred to the Intertribal Buffalo Council, which transported them to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. Since reduction efforts began in 2018, park staff have removed 306 bison from the North Rim, with 282 transferred to eight different American Indian tribes through an agreement with the Intertribal Buffalo Council. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/100-bison-transferred-from-north-rim-2024.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is seeking the public’s input on a proposed increase for backcountry permit fees. The proposed change would begin May 1, 2025. The existing $10 per application fee would remain the same and the nightly per-person fees would increase: the below-rim fee would go from $15 to $24 per person per night, and the above-rim fee would go from $4 to $6 per person per night. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/proposed-backcountry-fee-increase-may-2025.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim will transition to Stage 2 water restrictions due to rising water levels in reservoir tanks. Camper Services, operated by Delaware North, will reopen to the public. Water spigots in Mather Campground and Desert View Campground will be turned on. Fire restrictions throughout the South Rim will be lifted. However, the park will remain under Stage 1 fire restrictions, which require campfires to be contained within designated fire rings in maintained campgrounds. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/transition-to-stage-2-water-restrictions.htm

A new National Park Service report shows that 4.7 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2023 spent $768 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 10,100 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $1.0 billion. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-spending-2023-report.htm

On Monday, Sept. 9, at approximately 9:15 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a missing boater in the area of Lower Nankoweap Camp (river mile 53.5) along the Colorado River. On Tuesday, Sept. 10, park rangers, responding via helicopter, located a body in the Colorado River near river mile 63.5. Initial information suggests the body is that of a 71-year-old male who was reported missing. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-boater-located-september-2024.htm

On Sept. 7 at approximately 5:30 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a fatality at Poncho’s Kitchen, near river mile 137 along the Colorado River. Park rangers responded to the scene and found the victim, Patrick Horton, 59, of Salida, Colorado. Horton was on the 10th day of a non-commercial river trip along the Colorado River and was discovered deceased by members of his party. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-at-ponchos-kitchen-september-2024.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will reopen hotels on the park’s South Rim beginning Thursday, September 5 and transition down to Stage 3 water restrictions. Park water utility crews successfully completed complex repairs to the Transcanyon Waterline late last week and resumed pumping water without identifying any new breaks. The park will operate under Stage 3 water restrictions until the water storage tanks have adequate capacity to return to routine water conservation practices. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/transition-to-stage-3-september-5.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim starting the afternoon of Thursday, August 29, due to a series of four significant breaks in the 12½ mile-long Transcanyon Waterline that supplies water from the canyon for use in the park. Since July 8, the park has faced challenges with water supply, and currently, no water is being pumped to either the South or North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/temporary-closure-of-hotel-accomodations.htm

On Tuesday, Aug. 27, at approximately 4 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a solo backpacker who had failed to check in with a family member while attempting the Thunder River Trail-Deer Creek loop. On Aug. 28, at about 9:45 a.m., National Park Service (NPS) search and rescue personnel, responding via helicopter, located a deceased individual along a route connecting Lower Tapeats Camp and Deer Creek Camp. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-near-thunder-river-trail-aug-2024.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is beginning public review of a programmatic agreement to establish a more efficient process to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) in Grand Canyon National Park. Public comments will be accepted from August 29 – September 28, 2024. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-section-106-programmatic-agreement.htm

On Sunday, August 25, at approximately 3:40 p.m., Grand Canyon National Park was alerted to an emergency via a satellite phone call from a commercial river trip near Fossil Rapid (river mile 126) on the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report that CPR was in progress on an 80-year-old male who had entered the river after his boat flipped at Fossil Rapid. Despite the efforts of the group and park rangers flown in by helicopter, all resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-at-fossil-rapid-august-2024.htm

On August 25 at approximately 11:30 a.m., the body of Chenoa Nickerson, 33, from Gilbert, Arizona, was discovered by a commercial river trip near river mile 176 in the Colorado River. Park rangers responded and recovered the body, which was transported to the rim by helicopter and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner. Nickerson was reported missing following a flash flood that struck Havasu Canyon (river mile 157.3) on August 22. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/recovery-of-chenoa-nickerson.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is actively engaged in search and rescue operations following a flash flood that struck Havasu Creek on August 22, 2024. The flash flood, which occurred shortly before 1:30 p.m., led to several hikers being stranded in the affected area. Rescue efforts began promptly, with an initial flight taking off before 3 p.m. to assist individuals stranded both below and above Beaver Falls. Currently, there is one individual, Chenoa Nickerson, who is believed to be missing. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-havasu-creek-august-2024.htm

Effective immediately, the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will begin phasing into greater water restrictions and conservation measures due to a new break in the Transcanyon Waterline. The North Rim will begin preliminary water conservation measures. Until park staff repair the break and water in storage tanks reaches sustainable levels, the park will remain in conservation mode. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/additional-water-conservation-measures-implemented-august-2024.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will reimplement mandatory water conservation measures for the South Rim of the park. These water restrictions are in response to a pipeline break along the North Kaibab Trail. Water conservation measures require all park residents and visitors to conserve and reduce water usage wherever possible in homes, hotel rooms and campgrounds. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-reimplemented-aug132024.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Explor South Rim, LLC to operate visitor services under a 10-year concession contract. The existing bicycle rentals, guided bicycle tours, and food and beverage services at Grand Canyon National Park will transition to the new concessioner on January 1, 2025.  The contract requires seasonal bicycle rentals, as well as guided daily bicycle tours conducted during the spring, summer and fall. The contract also requires year-round, "grab and go" food and beverage service targeted toward hikers, bikers and pedestrians in the Mather Point area of the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-selects-explor-south-rim-concessions-contract.htm

Park staff successfully restored the pump at Havasupai Gardens that supplies water to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and all water restrictions have been removed. Visitors, residents, and businesses should consistently practice basic water conservation and be mindful of their water usage at all times. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-lifted-august-2024.htm

On Tuesday, August 6, National Park Service personnel located a body below Twin Overlooks along Desert View Drive following a multi-day search. Park rangers recovered the body which was located approximately 150 ft. below the rim. The body was transported to the rim and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. The individual was identified as Leticia A. Castillo, 20, of Albuquerque, New Mexico. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-recovered-below-desert-view-drive.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will reimplement mandatory water conservation measures for the South Rim of the park. These water restrictions are in response to a pump failure at Havasupai Gardens. Water conservation measures require all park residents and visitors to conserve and reduce water usage wherever possible in homes, hotel rooms and campgrounds. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-reimplemented-south-rim.htm

On Thursday, August 1, at approximately 7:30 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a visitor who had attempted a BASE jump from Yavapai Point on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Park rangers responded and located the body of a deceased male approximately 500 feet below the rim, along with a deployed parachute. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/base-jumper-recovery-at-yavapai-point.htm

On Wednesday, July 31 at 10:40 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a visitor who fell from the rim approximately ¼ mile west of Pipe Creek Overlook. Responding rangers located the body of Abel Joseph Mejia, 20, of Hickory, North Carolina 400 ft. below the rim. Mr. Mejia was near the edge of the rim when he suffered an accidental fall. An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/rangers-recover-20-year-old-near-pipe-creek-overlook.htm

Park staff repaired the damaged pipeline that supplies water to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and all water restrictions have been removed. Visitors, residents, and businesses should consistently practice basic water conservation and be mindful of their water usage at all times. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-lifted-july-2024.htm

Heritage Days will return to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park Friday, August 2 through Sunday August 4th. Each day, Heritage Days programs and demonstrations will run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. throughout the North Rim developed area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-heritage-days-2024.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will implement mandatory water conservation measures for the South Rim of the park. These water restrictions are in response to a failure in the Trans Canyon Waterline after it was shut off for repairs. Crews were trying to repressurize the line when there was a break, causing an extension of the current water outage. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/news-release.htm

On July 7 at approximately 2 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an unresponsive hiker on the Bright Angel Trail, approximately 100 feet below the Bright Angel Trailhead. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-along-the-bright-angel-trail-within-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is announcing modified closure dates of inner canyon trails and facilities to support the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL) construction project. These closures are necessary for the protection of staff and visiting public during an extensive TCWL construction effort along the Bright Angel Trail. Visitors will still be able to use the upper portion of the Bright Angel Trail, from the South Rim to Havasupai Gardens, and the Tonto Trail during the Oct. 21, 2024-May 14 closure period. The South Kaibab Trail will remain open for all hikers. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/modified-waterline-closures-october-2024.htm

On June 29 at approximately 7 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a semi-conscious hiker on the River Trail, approximately halfway between the Silver Bridge and Black Bridge near Phantom Ranch. The hiker became unresponsive shortly thereafter and bystanders initiated CPR as three National Park Service (NPS) paramedics responded from Phantom Ranch. All attempts by bystanders and NPS personnel to resuscitate the individual were unsuccessful. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-along-river-trail-june-2024.htm

Effective on Monday, July 1 at 8 a.m., Stage 2 fire restrictions are rescinded for the entire Grand Canyon National Park. Increased monsoonal activity throughout northern Arizona has significantly lowered the fire danger risk within the last week. Grand Canyon National Park will remain in Stage 1 fire restrictions which requires that a campfire always be in a designated fire ring within a maintained campground. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/stage-2-fire-restrictions-lifted-july-2024.htm

The staff at Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon Conservancy are proud to announce a milestone celebration marking 10 years of the Cultural Demonstration Program. A celebration event marking the 10-year anniversary will take place at the Desert View Watchtower on Saturday, July 6, 2024, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the 11 Associated Tribes of Grand Canyon through traditional demonstrations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrating-10-years-of-cultural-demonstrations.htm

Due to warm and dry weather conditions and increasing fire danger, Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions for the South Rim, North Rim and Inner Canyon beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 21. The restriction encompasses the entire park including all campgrounds, residential areas, backcountry sites and developed recreation sites including: Phantom Ranch, Cottonwood Campground, Havasupai Gardens Campground and the Colorado River corridor. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/stage2-fire-restrictions-begin-june21-2024.htm

On June 16 at approximately 6:45 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an unresponsive hiker on the Bright Angel Trail, approximately 0.5 miles east of the Pipe Creek River Resthouse. All attempts by bystanders and National Park Service (NPS) personnel to resuscitate the individual were unsuccessful. The hiker was a 41-year-old male who was hiking out of the canyon from an overnight stay at the Bright Angel Campground near Phantom Ranch. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-along-the-bright-angel-trail-june-2024.htm

Beginning Friday, June 21, the Bright Angel Point Trail on the North Rim leading to Bright Angel Point will be closed for construction. This closure is necessary for the protection of staff and visiting public during an extensive repair effort to the Bright Angel Point Trail. The trail will be closed to all pedestrian traffic as National Park Service (NPS) personnel replace asphalt, move large rocks, and operate equipment in these areas. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bright-angel-point-trail-closure-2024.htm

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for parts of Grand Canyon National Park. The warning is in effect from 8 a.m. Thursday, June 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 7 for areas below 4,000 feet in the canyon including Phantom Ranch and Havasupai Gardens. Forecast temperatures in the shade range between 105 F/41 C and 111 F/44 C. Hotter than normal temperatures will also hit the rims, with highs of 92 F/33 C on the South Rim and 85 F/30 C on the North Rim. The National Park Service recommends not hiking below the rim during the excessive heat warning. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/summer-safety-hike-smart-2024.htm

On May 18, 2024, at approximately 12:00 am, Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim structure fire department and law enforcement rangers responded to a structure fire within a concessionaire housing area. Prior to the arrival of the fire department, an employee used a fire extinguisher to put out most of the fire thereby potentially saving the lives of other residents and several cabins surrounding the structure fire. The fire department’s further suppression efforts extinguished the fire completely. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-responds-to-structure-fire-on-bourbon-street.htm

The 34th annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 1 through Saturday, June 8, 2024, on the South and North Rims of Grand Canyon National Park. National Parks such as Grand Canyon are protective havens for some of the last remaining dark skies in the United States. Dozens of telescopes will offer views of planets, double stars, star clusters, nebulae, and distant galaxies. By day, keep an eye out for solar telescopes pointed at the sun. Weather permitting, expect spectacular views of the universe! https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/star-party-2024-announced.htm

On Friday, May 10, National Park Service personnel were notified of a body in the Colorado River near river mile 6. Park rangers responded and recovered the body which was transported to Lees Ferry and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. Initial information indicates the body is that of missing person Thomas L. Robison. The Coconino County Medical Examiner will confirm positive identification. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovered-along-colorado-river-may2024.htm

Grand Canyon National Park announces the release of a new video that invites visitors to experience Grand Canyon through the lens of Indigenous peoples and the 11 Associated Tribes. “We Are Grand Canyon” stands as a testament to the profound connection between the Grand Canyon and the 11 Associated Tribes that have called it home since time immemorial. This collaborative project, years in the making, is a joint effort of the Intertribal Working Group, Grand Canyon Conservancy, and Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-announces-new-tribal-film.htm

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Sunday, May 15 at 6 a.m. to mark the official start of the 2024 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their 2024 seasonal operations on this date. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-reopens-may-15-for-2024-season.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park. On April 21, 2024, a vehicle belonging to Thomas L. Robison of Santa Fe, NM was found abandoned at Lees Ferry within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Thomas Robison, 58, is believed to have attempted to travel down the Colorado River with his small dog on a wooden raft. Robison is described as a white male, 5’10” in height and 160 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-search-underway.htm

The Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) program at Grand Canyon National Park is pleased to announce the launch of its innovative HIKE SMART film project aimed at enhancing hiking safety awareness among visitors. In response to evolving communication trends and the increasing influence of social media, PSAR managers recognized the need to update its messaging approach. With platforms like YouTube and social media shaping public discourse, staff developed an approach to the important PSAR message through engaging video to effectively convey vital safety messages. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/new-hike-smart-film-announced.htm

The National Park Service is announcing temporary day-use trail closures for the North Kaibab Trail north of the Manzanita Day Use Area to the Supai Tunnel. The Manzanita Day Use Area will be available for use during the closures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/announcement-temporary-trail-closures-north-kaibab-april-2024.htm

The National Park Service is announcing Havasupai Gardens Campground and the Bright Angel and Tonto Trails will reopen for public use April 15, 2024. The areas were closed Dec. 1, 2023, for Transcanyon Waterline project construction activities. Plateau Point Trail, from Havasupai Gardens to Plateau Point remains closed until June 20, 2024. During this time, Tonto Trail hikers will be able to use a trail detour to connect to and from the Bright Angel Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/reopening-of-trails-and-campground-april-2024.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is beginning a public review of a programmatic agreement to remove and replace the Grand Canyon Railway wooden ballast bridge at the South Rim in Grand Canyon National Park. Public comments will be accepted from Feb. 7 until midnight, March 7, 2024. The wooden ballast bridge, constructed in 1925-26, is in poor condition resulting in safety concerns. The bridge crosses over Bright Angel Wash, north of the historic Powerhouse building and Village Loop Bypass Road, in Grand Canyon Village. Trains cross daily over this bridge as they travel between Williams, Arizona, and Grand Canyon Village, providing the only train access into a United States national park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/public-comment-on-wooden-ballast-bridge-opens.htm

Today, Thursday, February 1, 2024, the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park for specific launch dates within calendar year 2025. A total of 482 permits will be available for 12- to 25-day river trips. Eligible individuals may apply online at the weighted lottery website: https://grcariverpermits.nps.gov. Applications will be accepted online through noon Mountain Standard Time on Monday, February 26, 2024. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-announces-2025-river-lottery.htm

Grand Canyon National Park congratulates U.S. Park Ranger Elizabeth “Betsy” Aurnou as the 2023 winner of the National Park Service (NPS) Wright Brothers National Aviation Safety Award. Aurnou was nominated by her team for her diligence and leadership in removing hazardous and historic telephone lines from the main flight corridor in the park. Since 2020, she has worked collaboratively with many divisions to facilitate the removal of sections of telephone line from challenging and technical terrain within the inner canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2023-wright-brothers-aviation-award.htm

On November 16 at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center was alerted of an emergency by a personal locator beacon on the Bright Angel Trail, approximately 1.5 miles north of Havasupai Gardens. A hiker was reported unresponsive, and a rescuer immediately responded on foot from Havasupai Gardens. Additional National Park Service (NPS) search and rescue personnel responded via helicopter. Upon arrival, rangers pronounced the hiker deceased. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-along-bright-angel-trail-nov2023.htm

Beginning November 15, National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, anticipate initiating prescribed burning within the North Rim developed area of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-burns-north-rim-nov-2023.htm

The National Park Service is announcing modified closures to support the Transcanyon Waterline construction project. The construction areas and schedule are subject to change and visitors are encouraged to check the park’s website for the current operational status. Intermittent trail delays of up to 30 minutes in the vicinity of construction work may occur as necessary throughout the project. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/modified-tcwl-closures-november-2023.htm

Grand Canyon releases a new podcast series featuring Tribal artists. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-speaks-podcast-released.htm

Effective April 1, 2024, Grand Canyon National Park will increase the cost of overnight backcountry permits. Grand Canyon began charging for overnight backcountry permits in 1997 and last modified backcountry fees in 2022.The cost recovery charge for overnight backcountry permits will increase for all permits that begin on or after April 1, 2024. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-fee-increase-october-2023.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with staff from the Kaibab National Forest and Bureau of Land Management, anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatments from October 16-31, on the North Rim, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. On Monday, October 16, ignitions will occur on the Atoko Point unit, located on the far eastern edge of the Walhalla Plateau. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-prescribed-fire-october-2023.htm

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will begin day-use operations on October 16, 2023. Grand Canyon Lodge will close and no overnight accommodations, including camping, will be available to visitors to the North Rim. Visitors exploring the North Rim on, or after, October 16 should plan to be self-sufficient and bring enough food and water for the day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-transitions-to-day-use-oct16-2023.htm

On September 5, park managers implemented mandatory water restrictions for the South Rim due to diminished water supplies. Water utilities crews were able to get water flowing again, and on September 18, the restrictions were lifted. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-restrictions-lifted-09-08-2023.htm

The National Park Service is announcing the expected Transcanyon Waterline construction-related closures to Grand Canyon National Park trail and campground areas today. The construction areas and schedule are subject to change and visitors are encouraged to check the park’s website for the current operational status. Intermittent trail delays of up to 30 minutes in the vicinity of construction work may occur as necessary throughout the project. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/announcement-of-tcwl-construction-closures-september-2023.htm

On September 9 at approximately 1:55 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received an emergency call of a hiker in distress on the North Kaibab Trail approximately one mile south of Cottonwood Campground. Soon thereafter the hiker became unresponsive and bystanders initiated CPR. Attempts to resuscitate the hiker were unsuccessful. The victim has been identified as 55-year-old, Ranjith Varma of Manassas, Virginia who was hiking from the South to North Rim (Rim-to-Rim) in a single day.   https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-along-north-kaibab-trail-september-2023.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is working to remove invasive species and protect native species of fish in the Colorado River with $258,000 from the Inflation Reduction Act. This project is part of a nationwide effort to restore natural habitats and address climate change impacts.  https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ira-to-help-protect-native-fish-in-colorado-river.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will implement mandatory water conservation measures for the South Rim of the park. This is due to diminished water supplies. Crews continue to investigate challenges with water treatment and cannot pump water from Roaring Springs to the South Rim to replenish water stores. They are working to reestablish water treatment and ensure drinking water is safe for the public. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-south-rim-september-2023.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 4.7 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2022 spent an estimated $759 million in gateway regions near the park. This spending supported a total of 9,990 jobs, $346 million in labor income, $576 million in value added, and $1.0 billion in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2022-visitor-spending-to-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The Grand Canyon Lodge will officially commence their 2023 seasonal operations on Sunday, July 23. Since June 2, limited visitor services have been available due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline that led to water conservation measures. The water pipeline has been fully repaired and water conservation measures for the North Rim are no longer in effect. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-resumes-full-visitor-services-july-2023.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will soon be moving its backcountry permit reservation system to Recreation.gov. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-permits-move-online.htm

A man pled guilty to leading illegal backcountry packrafting trips in the Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/illegal-packrafting-plea-deal.htm

Heritage Days will return to the North Rim within Grand Canyon National Park July 28 through July 30, 2023. Each day, Heritage Days programs and demonstrations will run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. throughout the North Rim developed area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/heritage-days-2023.htm

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced the award of $27.5 million to the National Park Service (NPS) for the Grand Canyon National Park Shuttle Bus Fleet Replacement project in Arizona. The project includes 30 new buses, including 10 new battery electric buses and 20 new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, to replace the current aging fleet and the installation of charging infrastructure to support the new electric buses. An estimated 6 million people visit the park each year and use the free shuttle buses to access destinations throughout the Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/shuttle-bus-award-announcement-july-2023.htm

On July 2 at approximately 6:30 p.m., a U.S. Park Ranger received a report of a distressed day hiker in the Tuweep area of Grand Canyon National Park. The hiker, a 57-year-old female, was attempting an eight-mile hike in the remote Tuweep area of the park when she became unconscious. A ranger arrived on scene and pronounced the hiker deceased. On July 2, the high temperature at Tuweep was well over 100°F (38°C), with the high temperature at Phantom Ranch, near the Colorado River along the North Kaibab trail, reached approximately 114°F (46°C). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/heat-related-fatality-reported-in-grand-canyon-july-2023.htm

The National Park Service announces the selection of North Rim Hospitality, LLC, to provide lodging, food and beverage, retail, and other services at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park under a concession contract that will be effective for 15 years from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2038. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-concessions-contract-selected.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is beginning civic engagement to seek public input on proposed improvements to the water system at the North Rim and inner canyon in Grand Canyon National Park. Public comments will be accepted from June 22 until midnight, July 5, 2023, and used to refine the project proposal. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-seeks-public-comment-water-delivery-north-rim.htm

The public is invited to celebrate Juneteenth on June 19 at Grand Canyon National Park. This day of events, including special programming, food and live music is sponsored by the National Park Service and Grand Canyon Conservancy. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-juneteenth-at-grand-canyon-national-park-2023.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keable announced the National Park Service’s selection of 16 companies to provide guided interpretive multi-day whitewater trips on the Colorado River in the park. These trips last from three to eighteen days, starting at Lees Ferry in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, continuing through Grand Canyon National Park, and ending at Pearce Ferry within Lake Mead National Recreation Area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/selection-of-sixteen-commercial-companies-colorado-river-trips.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers will resume prescribed burning on the South Rim this week. On Wednesday, June 7, fire personnel will continue working on the Grapevine unit, approximately 0.5 miles south of the “Duck on a Rock” overlook along Highway 64 (Desert View Drive). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-fire-continues-june-2023.htm

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park has reopened today, June 2, for day use, with limited visitor services and water conservation measures due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline. The National Park Service recommends that visitors bring their own drinking water and food with them. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/update-north-rim-reopens-summer-2023.htm

On May 21 at approximately 9 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an unresponsive hiker on the Bright Angel Trail above the Three-Mile Resthouse. National Park Service (NPS) emergency services personnel responded down trail and soon thereafter the hiker became pulseless. All attempts to resuscitate the individual were unsuccessful. The victim has been identified as a 36-year-old female from Westfield, Indiana who was attempting a hike to the Colorado River and back in one day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-along-bright-angel-trail-may-2023.htm

The thirty-third annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held Saturday, June 10 through Saturday, June 17, 2023, on both the South and North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. National parks such as Grand Canyon are protective havens for some of the last remaining dark skies in the United States. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-star-party-news-release-2023.htm

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open as scheduled, on June 2, with limited visitor services and water conservation measures due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline. A landslide from winter storms destroyed more than 300 feet of the North Rim water pipeline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-to-reopen-june2-with-limited-services.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with personnel and resources from Saguaro, Rocky Mountain National Park as well as Dinosaur National Monument, anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatments from May 10-12, on the South Rim, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-fire-planned-beginning-may-10-2023.htm

From May 2-23, 2023, the composting toilet located at the “Tip Off” on the South Kaibab Trail will be closed for needed maintenance. There will be no restroom facilities available for public use during this time. Hikers should plan ahead before entering the canyon and use either the restroom facilities at Cedar Ridge or at Phantom Ranch. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tip-off-composting-toilets-closed-february-march-2023.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has scheduled meetings to provide information to the public and respond to questions about multiple construction activities at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The meetings will include a presentation by NPS staff featuring the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL), Bright Angel Substation and the substation access road projects with a question-and-answer period. These meetings will be an opportunity for community members to learn about construction updates and anticipated impacts to park operations, residents, and visitors. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-schedules-public-informational-meetings-for-south-rim-construction-activities.htm

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed as the cause of mortality for three California condors found in northern Arizona, according to wildlife officials. The Arizona-Utah population moves throughout northern Arizona and southern Utah, using the landscape within Grand Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, the Kaibab Plateau, and surrounding areas. To date, the virus has not been detected in the other condor populations in California or Baja California, Mexico. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-confirmed-as-cause-of-three-california-condor-mortalities-in-arizona.htm

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Friday, June 2 at 6 a.m. to mark the official start of the 2023 season. Following a record-setting snow season, this delayed opening is necessary to ensure the safe plowing of State Route 67 and allow staff to reopen visitor facilities on the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-to-reopen-june-2-for-2023-summer-season.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing for a multi-year $208 million rehabilitation of the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL) and related upgrades to the associated water delivery system within the inner canyon and South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. This critical investment will ensure the park is able to meet water supply needs for the next 50 plus years, supporting 6 million annual visitors and approximately 2,500 year-round residents. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/transcanyon-waterline-construction-contract-announced.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park can expect long lines and full parking lots during the spring break season, which spans from early March through mid-April. As a result of increased visitation, traffic regularly backs up at all entrance stations, with wait times of up to one to two hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Parking lots begin reaching capacity by 12 p.m. and shuttle bus wait times may be prolonged. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/spring-break-tips-2023-announced.htm

On February 17 at approximately 3 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report an unresponsive hiker on the Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens. National Park Service (NPS) search and rescue personnel arrived on scene at approximately 3:30 p.m. and pronounced the individual deceased. The victim is described as a 56-year-old male from Pewaukee, Wisconsin who was attempting a day hike to the Colorado River and back. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-along-bright-angel-trail-february-2023.htm

Today, Wednesday, February 1, 2023, the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park for specific launch dates within calendar year 2024. A total of 459 permits will be available for 12- to 25-day river trips. Eligible individuals may apply online at the weighted lottery website. Applications will be accepted online through noon Mountain Standard Time on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2024-noncommercial-river-trip-lottery-period.htm

Starting on December 2, 2022, through February 26, 2023, the Cultural Demonstrator Series will transition to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC) on the South Rim. Every Friday through Sunday, artists from traditionally associated tribes of Grand Canyon will be in the lobby from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cultural-demonstrators-series-transitions-to-gcvc-winter2022-2023.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a Wetland Statement of Findings for the Transcanyon Water Distribution Pipeline project. Public comments on the proposed action will be accepted Nov. 21 until midnight, Dec. 23, 2022. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-seeks-public-comment-for-wetland-statement-of-finding.htm

The U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted unanimously (19-0) earlier this month in favor of the formal request submitted by the National Park Service on behalf of the Havasupai Tribe to change the name of Indian Garden (FID #6209) to Havasupai Gardens. Earlier this year, the Havasupai Tribe passed Resolution 29-21 which provided a formal request to the National Park Service to change the name. Havasupai Gardens is along the Bright Angel Trail and is a frequent stop for day hikers and backpackers exploring the backcountry of Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/indian-garden-officially-renamed-to-havasupai-gardens.htm

On October 26 at approximately 3:30 p.m., an electrical fire was reported at El Tovar Hotel within Grand Canyon National Park. Structural firefighters from the National Park Service (NPS), Xanterra Fire and Security and Tusayan Fire Department responded with the first unit arriving within three minutes of the initial report. A circuit breaker malfunctioned in the basement of the hotel causing smoke but there were no open flames found by responders. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/firefighters-respond-to-el-tovar-for-reported-electrical-fire.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent, Ed Keable, has announced the availability of a prospectus for a business opportunity in the park to provide lodging, food and beverage, retail, and other visitor services on the North Rim. The prospectus released today outlines this business opportunity, describes the existing business, and provides details on how to submit a responsive proposal. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/business-opportunity-announced-for-north-rim-2022.htm

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will transition to day-use operations on Sunday, October 16, 2022. At that time, the Grand Canyon Lodge and North Rim campground will close, and limited services will be available to visitors. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-transitions-to-dayuse-october16-2022.htm

After several weeks of pipeline breaks and water restrictions, water in storage tanks on both North and South rims of Grand Canyon National Park have reached sustainable levels. Visitors, residents, and businesses should continue to use basic water conservation practices and mindful water use at all times. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/parkwide-water-restrictions-lifted-september-2022.htm

Water delivery to Grand Canyon National Park's South and North rims has been restored and the park is beginning a phased-in approach to easing water restrictions. The amount of water in reservoir tanks is increasing daily and once sustainable levels are reached the park will continue to ease water restrictions. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-to-ease-water-restrictions-september-19-2022.htm

On September 11, Grand Canyon wildlife managers successfully relocated 58 bison from the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. All bison were transferred to the Intertribal Buffalo Council, who transported the animals to the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bison-reduction-efforts-complete-for-2022.htm

On Saturday, September 10 at approximately 2:12 p.m., Grand Canyon National Park was alerted to a flipped boat with multiple injuries from a river trip near Bedrock Rapid on the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center then received a report that CPR was in progress. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/river-incident-at-bedrock-rapids-sept-2022.htm

Effective immediately, the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will begin phasing into greater water restrictions and conservation measures due to a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline. The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will remain in current water conservation status. Until park staff repair the break and water in storage tanks reaches sustainable levels, the park will remain in conservation mode. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/additional-water-conservation-measures-for-south-rim-september-2022.htm

On September 4 at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a deceased backpacker along the Thunder River Trail, approximately one mile from the confluence of Tapeats Creek and the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-thunder-river-september-2022.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will re-implement mandatory water conservation measures on both the North and South rims of the park. This is due to diminished water supplies as a result of a major pipeline break discovered on September 3 in the inner canyon along the North Kaibab Trail. Water conservation measures require all park residents and visitors to conserve and reduce water usage wherever possible in homes, hotel rooms, and at the campgrounds. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-reimplements-water-conservation-september-2022.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Ed Keable has announced the Prospectus Release for the 16-contracts to provide guided interpretive multi-day whitewater tours within Grand Canyon National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area. These tours will provide guides, boats, gear, meals and interpretation of Grand Canyon's spectacular natural and cultural resources. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/business-opportunity-announced-for-colorado-river-grca.htm

Grand Canyon National Park biologists have received confirmation that a bat collected along the Colorado River in mid-August has tested positive for rabies. Wildlife managers generally report an increase in human-bat interactions in summer months. Individuals who have had physical contact with a bat are advised to seek medical attention and be assessed for appropriate medical treatment. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bat-tests-positive-for-rabies-along-colorado-river-august-2022.htm

On Friday, August 26 at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a visitor who fell from the rim west of the Bright Angel Point Trail on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Responding rangers located the body of a 44-year-old male approximately 200 ft. below the rim. The visitor was off trail when he accidentally fell off the edge. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/rangers-recover-body-below-bright-angel-point-august-2022.htm

Effective immediately, all Dragon Fire closure areas on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park have been reopened to the public. These areas include the Tiyo Point Trail, the Widforss and Outlet Canyon backcountry use area, and the Widforss Forest Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/dragon-fire-closure-areas-open.htm

A variety of National Park Service (NPS) employees, volunteers and partners were honored at a ceremony to Celebrate America’s National Parks and the Dedication of Those Who Serve. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/08-25-2022-nps-awards.htm

Della Yurcik, Backcountry Park Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park, has been selected to receive the 2022 National Park Service (NPS) Harry Yount Award for excellence in the field of rangering. The Harry Yount Award annually honors a NPS Ranger who consistently excels in the performance of duties that serve park visitors and protect the natural, historical and cultural resources of parks. The award is named after the nation's first park ranger and is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a park ranger today. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/della-yurcik-receives-harry-yount-award.htm

Matthew Snider, Compost Crew Leader at Grand Canyon National Park, has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 National Park Service (NPS) Excellence in Natural Resource Stewardship through Maintenance award. This award recognizes an employee for outstanding contributions in natural resource management by a Facilities Management employee. This award is given to one individual, once a year. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/matthew-snider-receives-2021-directors-award.htm

Grand Canyon National Park lifted its mandatory water conservation measures for the South Rim when water storage reached an acceptable level on August 15, 2022. Water at Mile-and-a-Half and Three-Mile rest houses will remain off until crews are able to complete repairs to the damaged pipe above Mile-and-a-Half rest house. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/sr-grca-np-lifts-water-conservation-measures-as-water-tank-levels-return-to-normal.htm

The Peregrine Fund and Bureau of Land Management at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument are hosting a celebration on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 24 by releasing captive-bred California Condors at 1 p.m. MDT (noon MST, northern-Arizona Condor Time) to take their first flights in the wild. The event will be held in-person at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument for anyone interested in traveling to the area, and it will be live streamed via The Peregrine Fund’s YouTube Channel. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/california-condor-release-2022.htm

Effective this weekend, Grand Canyon National Park will implement mandatory water conservation measures due to diminished water resources and storage on the South Rim. This measure is a reversal from earlier this week when water restrictions were lifted, as park managers have learned that storage tanks on the rim are not refilling at a sustainable rate. Water conservation measures require all park residents and visitors to conserve and reduce water usage wherever possible in homes, hotel rooms, and at the campgrounds. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-implements-new-water-conservation-measures-august-2022.htm

Grand Canyon National Park lifted its mandatory water conservation measures when water storage on the South Rim reached an acceptable level on Aug. 1, 2022. Currently, the water at Mile-and-a-Half and Three-Mile rest houses will remain off until crews are able to repair the damaged pipe above the rest house at Mile-and-a-Half. For the most up-to-date information, please consult the Critical Backcountry Updates page. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park-lifts-water-conservation-measures-as-water-levels-return-to-normal.htm

Over the last several days, the Dragon Fire has been holding at approximately 1,309 acres in size. The 135-personnel assigned fire has had minimal spread due to monsoonal precipitation over the Kaibab Plateau. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/dragon-fire-holding-and-meeting-resource-objectives.htm

As of July 22, the Dragon Fire grew to approximately 733 acres and has 47 personnel assigned. The fire spread across the planning area with low to moderate fire behavior. The lightning-caused fire began July 17 and is being allowed to fulfill its natural role in a fire-dependent ecosystem. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/dragon-fire-grows-at-steady-pace.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park will implement mandatory Level 2 water conservation measures due to diminished water resources. At Level 2, measures require that all concessions operations switch to disposable dishes and utensils; alter menus to use less water for food prep and dish washing; adopt low water use for hotel room cleaning; and serve drinking water at restaurants by request only. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-begins-on-south-rim-july-2022.htm

The Dragon Fire, located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is approximately 85 acres in size. The lightning-caused fire began July 17 and is being allowed to fulfill its natural role in a fire-dependent ecosystem. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/dragon-fire-on-north-rims-grows-to-85-acres.htm

On the morning of July 13, 2022, for more than 4 hours, Grand Canyon National Park did not meet a treatment requirement to provide sufficient levels of disinfectant due to a waterline break near Ribbon Falls on the North Kaibab Trail. The break triggered loss of the chlorination and pressure for pumping in sections of the waterline, impacting the following areas: Manzanita, Cottonwood, Phantom Ranch, and the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/roaring-springs-system-failure-july-2022.htm

On July 1, 2022, juvenile smallmouth bass were found in the Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam. Smallmouth bass are a predatory non-native fish that have adversely impacted native and federally protected fish in the upper basin of the Colorado River over the last 20 years. The National Park Service (NPS) is working closely with partners and stakeholders to coordinate rapid response actions to address this finding in accordance with previously approved management plans. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/invasive-smallmouth-bass-colorado-river-below-glen-canyon-dam.htm

Heritage Days will return to the North Rim within Grand Canyon National Park. After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Heritage Days will be held from August 5 through August 7, 2022. Each day, Heritage Days programs will run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in various locations throughout the North Rim developed area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-heritage-days-2022.htm

Effective immediately, Stage 2 fire restrictions are rescinded for the entire Grand Canyon National Park. Increased monsoonal activity throughout northern Arizona has significantly lowered the fire danger risk within the last week. Grand Canyon National Park will remain in stage 1 fire restrictions which requires that a campfire always be in a designated fire ring within a maintained campground. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-restrictions-lifted-june-2022.htm

Park staff and contractors have successfully repaired the electrical system that supports water delivery from the Roaring Springs Pumphouse to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Water restrictions have been removed and the park has resumed basic water conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-implements-stage1-water-conservation-june-2022.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 4.5 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2021 spent an estimated $710 million in gateway regions near the park. That spending supported 9,390 jobs in the local area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-use-spending-to-grand-canyon-2021.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will implement a new pilot advance day-use ticket reservation system for the Tuweep Visitor Use Area, July 21, 2022. Park staff are managing for significant and steadily increasing visitation at Tuweep since 1995, along with limited park staffing in the area, ongoing vehicle safety, and natural and cultural resource concerns. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/implementation-tuweep-pilot-day-use-reservation-system-20220621.htm

On June 11, at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a passenger on a commercial river trip who had fallen into the Colorado River. Commercial guides were able to reach the woman by boat. The commercial guides pulled her from the river and began CPR. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-on-the-colorado-river-near-pipe-creek-beach-20220613.htm

The 32nd annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 18, 2022, through Saturday, June 25, 2022, on both the South and North rims of Grand Canyon National Park. This is the first onsite event since 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-hosts-32nd-annual-star-party-20220609.htm

On June 2, 2022, the Cultural Demonstrator Series returned to Desert View within Grand Canyon National Park. After an absence of more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the series returns in-person every Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The series will run for 14 weeks from June 2 through September 2, 2022. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cultural-demonstrator-series-resumes-in-person-at-desert-view.htm

On June 2 at approximately 5:50 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a hiker in distress on the Bright Angel Trail above Three-Mile Resthouse. Soon thereafter the hiker became unresponsive and bystanders initiated CPR. All attempts to resuscitate the individual were unsuccessful. The victim has been identified as 41-year old Melanie Goodine from Ottawa, Ontario who was hiking out of the canyon after hiking to the Colorado River earlier that day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-on-bright-angel-june-2022.htm

Due to warm and dry weather conditions and increasing fire danger, Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions for the South Rim, North Rim and Inner Canyon beginning at 8 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2022. The restriction encompasses the entire park including all campgrounds, residential areas, backcountry sites, and developed recreation sites including: Phantom Ranch, Cottonwood Campground, Indian Garden Campground and the Colorado River corridor. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/stage-2-fire-restrictions-may-2022.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park this Memorial Day weekend should expect long lines and full parking lots. Traffic regularly backs up at all entrance stations, with the longest wait times between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Parking lots, especially near the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, will reach capacity by 12 p.m. and shuttle bus lines will be long. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/memorial-day-weekend-tips-2022.htm

The National Park Foundation (NPF) recently announced its fiscal year 2022 investment in service corps programs across the country, including support for a Native Conservation Corps. This program provides opportunities to Indigenous youth for career shadowing in natural resource stewardship and protection, along with recreational experiences at multiple National Park Service (NPS) units. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/npf-grant-native-conservation-corps.htm

Starting Saturday, May 28, the National Park Service (NPS) will offer shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park Visitor Center and the gateway community of Tusayan, Arizona. The Tusayan Route will run at 20-minute intervals between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. daily through September 9, 2022. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tusayan-shuttle-begins-may-28-2022.htm

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Sunday, May 15 at 6 a.m. to mark the official start of the 2022 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their 2022 seasonal operations on this date. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-reopening-2022.htm

Following an investigation by Rangers of the National Park Service (NPS), a man pled guilty for conducting business operations without permits within the remote backcountry of Grand Canyon National Park. William “Billy” Chandler Woods of Flagstaff, Arizona, pled guilty on April 8, 2022, and was ordered to serve two years of supervised probation and is banned from Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area for the next two years. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/illegal-backcountry-guiding-april-2022.htm

On Monday, April 4 at approximately 6:30 p.m., Grand Canyon National Park was alerted of an unresponsive river trip participant near Ledges Camp (river mile 152) along the Colorado River. Due to darkness, Grand Canyon National Park requested Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) emergency helicopter response. DPS arrived on scene at Ledges Camp at approximately 8:30 p.m. and pronounced the individual deceased. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-near-ledges-camp-colorado-river-april-2022.htm

Following an investigation by Rangers of the National Park Service (NPS), on Friday, March 25, a man pled guilty for violation of the group size limitation on a rim-to-rim hike within Grand Canyon National Park. Joseph Don Mount was ordered to serve two years of supervised probation and is banned from all national parks, national monuments, and federal lands within the state of Arizona. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/washington-man-pleads-guilty-illegal-r2r-hike.htm

On Thursday, March 24 at approximately 11:18 a.m., Grand Canyon National Park was alerted of an emergency by a personal locator beacon from a non-commercial river trip near Hance Rapid on the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center then received a report that CPR was in progress. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/boater-fatality-at-hance-rapid-march-2022.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is beginning civic engagement to seek comments on implementing a three-year pilot advance day-use reservation system to manage day-use visitation to the Tuweep Visitor Use Area including all park areas within Toroweap Valley and the Kanab Plateau. A $2 ticket fee per vehicle is proposed for visitors to get to Tuweep. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tuweep-day-use-civic-engagement-2022.htm

March 18 through April 6, 2022, the Mile-and-a-Half composting toilet facility will be temporarily unavailable on the Bright Angel Trail. Hikers should plan ahead before entering the canyon and use either the restroom facilities at the Bright Angel Trailhead or at the Three-Mile Rest House. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bright-angel-restroom-closure-spring-2022.htm

A project to repave roads and parking areas within Mather Campground at Grand Canyon National Park will begin in early June and continue through October 2022. Periodic closures will occur within Mather Campground throughout the summer and a fixed number of sites will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mather-campground-repaving-2022.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with resources from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the National Park Service Utah Parks Group anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatments as early as next week downriver from Lees Ferry, Az. within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/news/20220304.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with resources from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the National Park Service Utah Parks Group anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatments as early as next week downriver from Lees Ferry, Az. within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-fire-lees-ferry-march-2022.htm

Effective July 1, 2022, Grand Canyon National Park will increase the cost of overnight backcountry permits. The charge of $10 per backcountry permit remains the same; the nightly per person fee will be increased from $8 per person to $12 per person or stock animal camping below the rim in designated backcountry camping areas. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-camping-fee-increase-2022.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park this spring break can expect long lines and full parking lots. As a result of increased visitation, traffic regularly backs up at all entrance stations, with the longest wait times between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Parking lots, especially near the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, start reaching capacity by 12 p.m. and shuttle bus lines will be long. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/spring-break-tips-2022.htm

At approximately 8:40 p.m. on Wednesday, February 2, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call of a single car accident near the South Entrance Station along Highway 64 in Grand Canyon National Park. 26-year-old Haley McCormick of Tusayan, Arizona suffered fatal injuries when the vehicle she was driving collided with a tree. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/rangers-respond-to-vehicle-accident-february-2022.htm

Beginning Feb. 8, 2022, the first phase of short-term repairs and upgrades to the Phantom Ranch Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) will begin. Work is anticipated to be completed by December 2022 and includes two phases of hauling equipment via helicopters. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/phantom-ranch-wastewater-treatment-plant-construction-begins.htm

On Tuesday, February 1, 2022 the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2023-river-lottery-opens.htm

Beginning Thursday, January 6, National Park Service (NPS) fire managers will begin pile burning along the Hwy. 64 corridor on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/winter-pile-burns-begin-on-south-rim-2022.htm

On Tuesday, December 21, at approximately 8:04 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an overdue hiker in the vicinity of the Boucher Trail within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-found-deceased-boucher-trail-december-2021.htm

Beginning December 1, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park this winter season should be prepared for modified changes in operations. Visitors should also plan ahead and anticipate temporary road closures and poor driving conditions whenever winter storms pass through the area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-transitions-to-winter-operations-2021-2022.htm

A series of prescribed fire projects will begin Tuesday, November 30 and continue throughout the week at various locations across the North Kaibab Ranger District on the Kaibab National Forest. Approximately 6000 acres are scheduled to be ignited at the following specific locations beginning Monday, November 30, and continuing through Sunday, December 5. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-burns-scheduled-for-north-rim-fall-2021.htm

Bison reduction operations are now complete for 2021 on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. In total, 36 bison were removed through live capture and transfer, and five were removed lethally, reducing the impacts of the herd on the park’s water, vegetation, soils, and culturally significant sites and locations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bison-reduction-complete-for-2021-north-rim.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers-working with resources from Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Zion National Park and the Kaibab National Forest anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatments as early as tomorrow, November 16, 2021, on the South Rim, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-fire-planned-for-south-rim-november-2021.htm

Beginning Monday, October 18, National Park Service (NPS) fire managers will begin pile burning along the Hwy. 64 corridor on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-pile-burning-south-rim-2021.htm

Effective October 11, 2021, the National Park Service (NPS) will begin shutting off water to the upper Bright Angel and North Kaibab Trails. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-water-availability-changes-october-2021.htm

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will begin transition to day-use operations on Saturday, October 16, 2021. At this time the Grand Canyon Lodge will close and limited visitor services will be available. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-transitioning-to-day-use-october-2021.htm

Due to high Covid-19 transmission levels in counties surrounding the condor release site, and to help prevent further spread of the virus, partners hosting the 26th annual California Condor Release are strongly encouraging the public to attend the live stream event online. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/public-encouraged-to-attend-virtual-california-condor-release-sep-2021.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has successfully located missing person, Clifton Beck. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-located-near-roosevelt-point-sep-2021.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park. On Tuesday, September 14 at approximately 9 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an overdue backpacker in the vicinity of the Walhalla Plateau on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-search-walhalla-plateau-sep-2021.htm

The Peregrine Fund and Bureau of Land Management at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument are hosting a celebration on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 25 at 1 p.m. MDT (noon MST, northern-Arizona Condor Time) by releasing captive-bred California Condors to take their first flights in the wild. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/26th-annual-condor-release-takes-flight-september-2021.htm

After weeks of extensive searching, the National Park Service (NPS) is reducing the scale of the search for Charles Lyon of Tyler, TX who went missing at Grand Canyon National Park on June 10, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/search-continues-in-limited-mode-september-2021.htm

On Saturday, August 28, at approximately 4:19 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an injured non-commercial river trip participant in the Deer Creek Narrows within Grand Canyon National Park. The participant fell approximately 50 feet while on a hike in the narrows and could not be located by members of the river trip. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-fatality-at-deer-creek-august-2021.htm

On Monday, August 23, National Park Service personnel located a body below Yavapai Point following a multi-day search and rescue operation. Park rangers recovered the body which was located approximately 430 ft. below the rim. The body was transported to the rim and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. Based on evidence found with the body, the individual is believed to be missing person Gabor Berczi-Tomcsanyi. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-recovered-august-2021.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has successfully located missing person, Arturo Hernandez. On Tuesday, August 24 at approximately 2 p.m., search and rescue personnel located Hernandez via helicopter along the Hermit Trail near Breezy Point. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-located-august-2021.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park. On Monday, August 23 at approximately 4:30 a.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of two overdue hikers on the Hermit Trail within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-search-initiated-near-hermit-creek-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing person on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.Gabor Berczi-Tomcsanyi, 45, a Hungarian national, is believed to have traveled to the South Rim on or around July 19, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/august-2021-missing-person-search-initiated.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Deputy Superintendent Louis Rowe has announced the selection of Angela Boyers as Chief Ranger for the Division of Visitor and Resource Protection. As chief ranger of Grand Canyon National Park, Boyers will manage a complex program that includes law enforcement, emergency services, wildland and structural fire, aviation, fee collection, backcountry operations, and a regional dispatch center. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/chief-of-visitor-and-resource-protection-selected.htm

On July 20 at approximately 2:50 p.m., the Grand Canyon Communications Center received a report of multiple individuals struck by lightning at the Bright Angel Trailhead during a monsoonal thunderstorm. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/lightning-strike-causes-injuries-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On July 19 at approximately 9:47 a.m., the Grand Canyon Communications Center received a report of a hiker with a medical emergency in progress on the Bright Angel Trail. The caller determined that the hiker did not have a pulse while on the phone with dispatchers.   https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-on-the-bright-angel-trail-7-19-21.htm

On July 14 at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of two individuals missing and multiple parties injured after flash flood activity impacted Tatahatso Camp near River Mile 38 on the Colorado River. Grand Canyon Search and Rescue sent two paramedics to the scene to assess and treat patients. Active monsoonal weather in the area limited access to the scene for overnight search and rescue operations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tatahatso-flash-flood-july-2021.htm

On July 14 at approximately 4:49 p.m., the Grand Canyon Communications Center received a report of CPR in progress on an unresponsive hiker at the Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse on the Bright Angel Trail. The hiker, (Rodney) Jason Hatfield, 44, of Washington, Louisiana, was on a multi-day hiking trip and returning from Phantom Ranch when he began experiencing difficulty hiking up the Bright Angel trail near Indian Garden. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-on-bright-angel-trail-july-2021.htm

Due to monsoonal activity and heavy rainfall, Grand Canyon National Park will rescind Stage 2 fire restrictions as of 6 a.m. Friday, July 16. Grand Canyon National Park will remain in stage 1 fire restrictions which requires that a campfire always be in a designated fire ring within a maintained campground. Inner canyon users can use gas cook stoves, but campfires and other open fires are never allowed below the rim. River users should continue to follow the conditions of their permit regarding fires along the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/stage2-fire-restrictions-lifted-july-2021.htm

Beginning July 17, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park should be prepared for changes in shuttle bus operations. The following changes will be in place from July 17 through November 30, 2021 unless otherwise noted. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/shuttle-bus-changes-summer-fall-2021.htm

On June 22 at approximately 1:20 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting CPR in progress approximately a half mile below the South Kaibab Trailhead. Bystanders initiated CPR and National Park Service (NPS) EMS personnel responded and assisted with resuscitation efforts. All attempts to resuscitate the victim were unsuccessful. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/june-2021-hiker-fatality-on-south-kaibab-trail.htm

On June 20 at approximately 1:15 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a backpacker experiencing heat illness on the Tonto Trail near Monument Creek. The backpacker, Michelle Meder, 53, of Hudson, Ohio was on a multi-day backpacking trip from the Hermit to Bright Angel Trail. Hiking down the Hermit Trail on June 19, she became disoriented and later unconscious. On June 20, responding rangers determined Meder to be deceased; the cause of death is believed to be heat-related. On June 20 the high temperature at Phantom Ranch was approximately 115°F (46°C). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/june-2021-hiker-fatality-on-tonto-trail.htm

On Monday, June 15 at approximately 10 a.m., Grand Canyon National Park was alerted to a personal locator beacon activation from a non-commercial river trip near Hance Rapid on the Colorado River. The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center then received a report that CPR was in progress. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/boater-fatality-colorado-river-june-2021.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park. Charles Lyon, 49, of Tyler, Texas, was last seen at the Best Western hotel in Tusayan, Arizona on June 10, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/june-2021-missing-person-lyon.htm

Due to warm and dry weather conditions and increasing fire danger, Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions for the South Rim, North Rim and Inner Canyon beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 11, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/june-11-2021-fire-restrictions.htm

The 31st annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held virtually June 5-12, 2021. The park will bring the wonders of the night sky into the virtual realm through a series of live video premieres on Grand Canyon’s official Facebook page. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2021-virtual-star-party.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park this Memorial Day weekend and through the summer season can expect long lines, full parking lots and crowded conditions. To make the most of a visit to the park during this time, park rangers recommend the following pro tips. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/summer-2021-season-tips.htm

Hikers and backpackers hiking in the inner canyon are strongly encouraged to be prepared for excessively hot temperatures—greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit this spring and summer season. Hikers attempting rigorous distances, such as ‘Rim to Rim’ through the inner canyon, must be self-reliant and understand their own physical limitations to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-urges-visitors-to-hike-safely.htm

The gate at the entrance to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Saturday, May 15 at 6:30 a.m. to mark the official opening of the North Rim for the 2021 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their 2021 seasonal operations on this date. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park-to-open-may-15-for-2021-season.htm

On April 26, 2021 at approximately 11:00 a.m. MST, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a satellite phone report of a boating accident on the Colorado River near Kwagunt Rapid at river mile 56. A commercial river trip requested assistance with an overturned motorboat and reported boater injuries. The park swiftwater rescue team responded with two crews of rescue boats which launched on April 26th and arrived on scene the morning of April 27. Due to adverse weather conditions, the park helicopter was not able to immediately respond. A 60-year-old female on the trip died in the event. On the afternoon of April 27, the park helicopter evacuated two injured individuals and the deceased. Salvage operations of the overturned boat are ongoing. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/one-fatality-and-two-injured-on-colorado-river-in-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The National Park Service, in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), seeks skilled volunteers to assist with the removal of bison on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in the fall of 2021. Interested parties should carefully read this announcement and the information in the links below. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-seeks-skilled-volunteers-for-north-rim-bison-reduction.htm

April 25 through May 10, 2021, the Cedar Ridge composting toilet facility will be temporarily unavailable to hikers on the South Kaibab Trail. Hikers should use the restroom facilities at the trailhead before entering the canyon.  https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cedar-ridge-composting-toilet-facility-on-south-kaibab-trail-temporarily-unavailable.htm

After a multi-year effort, the National Park Service and the Utah Geological Association have published Grand Canyon National Park Centennial Paleontological Resources Inventory: A Century of Fossil Discovery and Research, available for public download on the Utah Geological Association website. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/centennial-paleontological-inventory.htm

Beginning April 13 and continuing until May 7, 2021, visitors hiking along the Bright Angel trail near Phantom Ranch will experience a closure of the Silver Bridge, which crosses the Colorado River near Phantom Ranch. The closure will prohibit hikers from crossing the bridge Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. as necessary repair work is completed on electrical utilities. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-announces-temporary-closures-along-the-bright-angel-trail-and-silver-bridge-near-phantom-ranch.htm

Park officials, working with tribal and state officials, stakeholders and community leaders, announced the reopening of the Park's east entrance gate on April 8, 2021. The east entrance, along Arizona State Highway (Hwy) 64, has been closed since April 1, 2020. The intent of the closure has been to minimize visitor traffic through the Navajo Nation and other communities east of the Park, respecting the health and safety need of park neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-re-opens-east-entrance-gate-4-8-2021.htm

Following an investigation by Special Agents of the National Park Service (NPS) Investigative Services Branch, a man has been sentenced for misappropriation of government property and interfering with agency functions by providing false information within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/isb-grca-case-update-03182021.htm

On Wednesday, March 3, National Park Service personnel located a body and motorcycle below the South Kaibab Trailhead after a multi-day search and rescue operation. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-recovered-below-skth-march-2021.htm

Starting March 2, Grand Canyon National Park’s Cultural Demonstrator Program at Desert View will launch the ‘History Behind the Arts’ video series. This series will feature cultural demonstrators from the 11 traditionally associated tribes of Grand Canyon and will highlight the history of tribal crafts and personal interviews with artisans. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2021-virtual-cultural-demonstrator-series.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park. John Pennington, 40, of Walton, Kentucky was last known to be on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon near Yaki Point. Pennington abandoned his vehicle at Yaki Point on or around February 23, 2021 and is believed to be traveling alone. Currently, Pennington may be traveling on a yellow motorcycle with Ohio plates (2005 Suzuki GSX-R600). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-search-initiated-february-2021.htm

On Tuesday, February 23, the National Park Service located a body below the rim near Trailview Overlook along the Hermit Road. The body was recovered and has been identified as Lillian Meyn, age 31, of Woodside, California. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovered-below-rim-february-2021.htm

Beginning March 1, 2021, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park should be prepared for modified changes in shuttle bus operations compared to previous years. The spring schedule will be in place from March 1 through May 28, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2021-spring-shuttle-bus-schedule.htm

On Monday February 15, Grand Canyon National Park will begin repairing a leak in the Transcanyon Pipeline (TCP) at Phantom Ranch. As part of this repair, the TCP will be turned off and trail closures will be in place to allow crews to fix the existing pipeline. The project is expected to continue through Thursday, February 18. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/transcanyon-pipeline-shutdown-february-2021.htm

2/7/21 Update: Coleman has been located outside of Grand Canyon National Park and is no longer reported missing. The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park. Stephen Coleman, 60, of Portland, Maine was last seen on Dec. 20, 2020, on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Coleman is believed to be traveling alone and indicated he was going hiking in the Grand Canyon. Coleman’s whereabouts are unknown and he may have been transient and traveling in the Arizona area from Maine. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-search-underway-2-6-2021.htm

On Monday, February 1, 2021 the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. The permits are for specific launch dates within calendar year 2022. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2022-noncommercial-river-lottery-opens.htm

Between February 2-5, 2021, Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with resources from the Alpine Interagency Hotshot Crew and the Arizona Conservation Corps Veterans Fire Corps—will conduct prescribed pile burning at Indian Garden as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/pile-burning-at-indian-garden-feb-2021.htm

On November 19, 2020, Michael T. Reynolds, National Park Service Regional Director of Regions 6, 7, and 8, and Ed Keable, Superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park, signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the implementation of the Grand Canyon National Park Telecommunications Plan outlined by the 2019 Telecommunications Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2021-1-14-telecommunications-fonsi-signed.htm

Following an investigation by Special Agents of the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB) and US Park Rangers, a man has been sentenced to serve time in prison for disorderly conduct-fighting and interfering with agency functions by resisting arrest within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/isb-case-update-01142021.htm

Grand Canyon National Park announces the award of the contract for the South Rim’s shuttle bus operation to Paul Revere Transportation, L.L.C. The ten-year contract is in effect from December 1, 2020 through November 30, 2030. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/shuttle-bus-contract-awarded-to-paul-revere-transportation.htm

Galen Howell, fixed wing pilot at Grand Canyon National Park, has been selected as the 2020 National Park Service (NPS) Aviator of the Year. This award recognizes an individual who has performed mission(s) of significant consequence and valor or has actively promoted the advancement or recognition of an NPS aviation program, mission or service. This award is given to one individual, once a year.  https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/howell-nps-2020-aviator-of-the-year.htm

On December 15 at approximately 7:41 a.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a fatality above the Black Bridge on the South Kaibab Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/12-15-20-visitor-fatality-on-south-kaibab-trail.htm

Beginning December 1, 2020, visitors traveling to Grand Canyon National Park this winter season should be prepared for modified changes in operations. Visitors should also plan ahead and anticipate temporary road closures and poor driving conditions whenever winter storms pass through the area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2020-2021-winter-operations.htm

National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, plan to begin conducting pile burns north of the Grand Canyon the week of November 16, 2020. Hand piles composed of woody debris are located near the NPS developed zone at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park as well as around Big Saddle, Demotte, and Jacob Lake on USFS administered lands. Fire managers anticipate conducting prescribed burns through mid-December, as conditions allow, to reduce hazardous fuels and enhance site protection at these high-priority locations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2020-11-16-prescribed-pile-burn-nr.htm

On October 13, 2020 at approximately 12:00 p.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call alerting officials to a potential suicide. Responding staff conducted an initial hasty search and located a body below the rim just east of the Yavapai Geology Museum. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/victim-identified-yavapai-geology-museum.htm

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will begin day-use operations on October 19, 2020. At this time, the Grand Canyon Lodge will close and no overnight accommodations, including camping, will be available to visitors at the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-begins-day-use-operations-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park rangers urge inner canyon hikers to hike smart while visiting the park this fall season. Hikers and backpackers attempting rigorous distances, such as ‘Rim to Rim’ through the inner canyon are strongly encouraged to be self-reliant and to understand their own physical limitations in order to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-urges-visitors-to-hike-smart-this-fall-season.htm

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission (AZGFD) and the National Park Service (NPS) entered into an agreement on Friday, September 25, 2020 to reduce the number of bison present on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2020-10-01-nps-azfgd-bison-agreement.htm

Effective September 24, 2020, the National Park Service (NPS) will shut off water to the Supai Tunnel water filling station on the North Kaibab Trail for the remainder of the season. This adjustment is in response to an ongoing water pump failure at the Roaring Springs Pumphouse. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-change-availability-on-north-kaibab-trail.htm

Effective immediately, the National Park Service (NPS) is initiating additional water conservation measures on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park to ensure that the area's facilities can remain open until a replacement water pump can be repaired at the Roaring Spring Pumphouse. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/additional-water-conservation-measures-on-north-rim.htm

On September 26, The Peregrine Fund will release up to four California Condors atop the spectacular ledges of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona. Since the public is unable to watch from the annual viewing site, the opportunity to observe the release virtually on The Peregrine Fund’s YouTube Channel. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2020-california-condor-release.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has reopened the Silver Bridge to all foot traffic following a formal structural assessment. The Silver Bridge, which crosses the Colorado River along the Bright Angel Trail is located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon near Phantom Ranch. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/silver-bridge-reopens.htm

Following an investigation by Special Agents of the National Park Service (NPS) Investigative Services Branch and U.S. Park Rangers, Thomas Grabarek, 71, of Flagstaff, Ariz., pled guilty on September 8, 2020 to misdemeanor violations for starting a wildland fire within Grand Canyon National Park. The Cottonwood Creek Fire ignited approximately 64 acres in the Inner Canyon along the Tonto Trail near Horseshoe Mesa. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cottonwood-fire-2019-plea-deal-reached.htm

On September 4, in cooperation with the Intertribal Buffalo Council, Kaibab National Forest, and Arizona Game and Fish Department, Grand Canyon wildlife managers successfully relocated 57 bison from the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fifty-seven-bison-relocated.htm

Effective immediately, the National Park Service (NPS) has closed the Silver Bridge to all foot traffic due to structural safety concerns. The Silver Bridge, which crosses the Colorado River along the Bright Angel Trail is located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon near Phantom Ranch. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/silver-bridge-temporarily-closed.htm

As part of its phased reopening, the National Park Service (NPS) continues to increase recreational access and services at Grand Canyon National Park. Park officials are pleased to announce the resumption of modified shuttle bus services on September 5. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2020-shuttle-buses-resume.htm

Paleontological research has confirmed a series of recently discovered fossils tracks are the oldest recorded tracks of their kind to date within Grand Canyon National Park. In 2016, Norwegian geology professor, Allan Krill, was hiking with his students when he made a surprising discovery. Lying next to the trail, in plain view of the many hikers, was a boulder containing conspicuous fossil footprints. Krill was intrigued, and he sent a photo to his colleague, Stephen Rowland, a paleontologist at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cliff-collapse-reveals-313-million-year-old-fossil-footprints-in-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has received confirmation that a bat collected at the Whitmore Helipad, located along the Colorado River near river mile 187 on August 6, has tested positive for rabies. The rabies positive bat did not come in contact with any visitors. In recent months, wildlife managers have reported an increase in human-bat interactions. Individuals who have had physical contact with a bat are advised to seek medical attention and be assessed for appropriate medical treatment. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bat-tests-positive-for-rabies-in-grand-canyon-national-park-august-12-2020.htm

Effective immediately stage 2 fire restrictions are rescinded for the entire Grand Canyon National Park. Increased monsoonal activity throughout northern Arizona has significantly lowered the fire danger risk within the last week. Visitors and residents are now allowed to use charcoal grills and have campfires.  https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/stage-2-fire-restrictions-lifted-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The Bureau of Reclamation urges those recreating on or along the Colorado River through Glen and Grand canyons to exercise increased caution as possible sudden fluctuations in water releases to meet summer energy demands may cause rapid changes to the river’s flow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/reclamation-urges-public-to-exercise-caution-below-glen-canyon-dam-due-to-potential-for-rapid-fluctuations-in-river-releases.htm

This is the final update for the Thumb Fire unless conditions change significantly. The Thumb Fire is 100% contained. The final acreage reported for the fire is 8,354. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/thumb-fire-switches-to-monitor-status.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will temporarily close the Cape Royal and Point Imperial Roads on the North Rim in order to complete necessary road improvement projects. This closure will be in effect from sunset on Sunday, July 26, through Thursday, July 30. The Cape Royal and Point Imperial Roads as well as all overlooks along these roads will reopen to the public on July 31 at 6 a.m. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/two-roads-on-north-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park-will-temporarily-close.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures on the North Rim due to a water pump failure within the Transcanyon Pipeline system at Roaring Springs. Park staff and contractors are working on repairs to the system. The estimated timeline for repair and replacement is unknown and water conservation measures will remain in effect for the North Rim until further notice. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park-implements-water-conservation-measures.htm

The Thumb Fire is approximately 6,200 acres. Growth yesterday was primarily in the southern portion of the fire perimeter. Fire behavior was active with single tree torching and surface fire of three to four foot flames where the fire was consuming grass. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/thumb-fire-grows-to-6-200-acres.htm

Located along the western edge of the Great Thumb Mesa, the Thumb Fire is burning in pinon-juniper and brush. Fire managers are actively working to suppress and monitor the Thumb Fire while providing for point protection of identified sensitive natural and cultural resources. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/thumb-fire-grows-to-3800-acres-2020-0719.htm

Recent monsoon activity in the region resulted in two new lightning ignited fires. Fire crews are actively working to suppress and monitor the two fires. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-fire-crews-respond-to-two-fires.htm

On Friday, July 3 at approximately 12:35 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a visitor who fell from the rim west of Mather Point. Responding rangers located the body of Maria A. Salgado Lopez, 59, of Scottsdale, AZ approximately 100 ft. below the rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-rangers-recover-body-below-mather-point-07-04-20.htm

Effective immediately, the National Park Service (NPS) is requesting all river trips, both commercial and non-commercial, to voluntarily bypass Havasu Canyon on the Colorado river, located at river mile 157. This request is an effort to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to further safeguard the Havasupai people and their traditional lands. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-requests-river-guides-boaters-bypass-havasu-07-01-2020.htm

Effective immediately, the National Park Service (NPS) is implementing modifications to operations at Phantom Ranch through the year 2021. The Phantom Ranch Wastewater Treatment Plant (PRWWTP), located at the bottom of Grand Canyon, requires critical rehabilitation due to deferred maintenance and increased visitation levels. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-phantom-ranch-opps-mod-06-30-2020.htm

The entrance gate to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Tuesday, June 30 at 6 a.m. following the reopening of Highway 89A and State Route 67. The North Rim will open for day use only and visitors are encouraged to be self-sufficient as services may be limited on the Kaibab Plateau following the Mangum Fire. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/n-rim-grca-np-to-open-for-day-use-06-29-2020.htm

On June 24 at approximately 5:36 p.m., the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a fatality approximately half a mile above the Tip Off resthouse on the South Kaibab Trail. CPR was initiated and National Park Service personnel responded from the South Rim via helicopter. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-on-south-kaibab-trail-in-grand-canyon-national-park-june-26-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park rangers responded to multiple heat related search and rescue incidents this past weekend. Hikers and backpackers attempting hikes in the inner canyon are strongly encouraged to be prepared for excessively hot temperatures and to understand their own physical limitations in order to prevent emergency situations for themselves and responders. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/multiple-search-and-rescue-incidents-over-weekend-due-to-excessive-heat.htm

Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park has temporarily closed the North Rim until further notice due to the Mangum Fire near the park. The Mangum Fire is located on the Kaibab National Forest and is not within Grand Canyon National Park at this time. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-temporarily-closes-north-rim-due-to-mangum-fire-2020-06-12.htm

The 30th annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held virtually June 13-20, 2020. While the on-site event at Grand Canyon National Park has been cancelled on both rims due to concerns over COVID-19 this year, the park hopes to bring the wonders of the night sky into the virtual realm through a series of video premieres on Grand Canyon’s official Facebook account. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-s-2020-star-party-will-be-hosted-virtually.htm

The National Park Service is asking visitors to take caution and not to approach wildlife, especially wild rabbits. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV2) was recently detected in a dead jackrabbit found within Grand Canyon National Park, making it the first detected case in the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-warns-visitors-to-beware-of-wild-rabbit-carcasses.htm

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Grand Canyon National Park is increasing recreational access. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-increases-recreational-access.htm

Grand Canyon National Park implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions for the South Rim May 25, which will be effective until further notice. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-implements-stage-2-fire-restrictions.htm

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Grand Canyon National Park is increasing recreational access and services. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-is-beginning-to-increase-recreational-access-at-the-south-rim.htm

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Grand Canyon National Park is increasing recreational access to selected South Rim viewpoints. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-is-beginning-to-increase-access-to-south-rim-viewpoints.htm

From May 1 through August 31, the Department of the Interior will conduct a Macro-invertebrate Production Flow at Glen Canyon Dam. This experiment, also known as a Bug Flow, aims to improve egg-laying conditions for aquatic insects, which are the primary food source for endangered and native fish in the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bor-news-water-experiment-to-be-conducted-along-the-colorado-river-while-maintaining-hydropower-production-this-summer.htm

US Park Rangers of Grand Canyon National Park seek tips from the public to aid a vehicle burglary investigation. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/grca-rfi-04132020.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) announced today the appointment of Edward Keable as the superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park. Keable, a 34-year veteran of federal service, will begin his new role within the next 60 days. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/grand-canyon-superintendent-ed-keable.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) received a letter today from the Health and Human Services Director and Chief Health Officer for Coconino County recommending the full closure of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-closed-04-01-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park, in response to guidance from Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-modify-additional-opps-to-implem-loc-health-guid-03-26-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote public safety. As of, March 24, 2020, Grand Canyon river rafting trips including administrative, research, private and commercial trips, are suspended until May 21, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-modify-river-ops-for-health-guidance-03-20-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities. 03/19/2020 https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-np-transitions-to-limited-services-03-19-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-np-modifying-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures for the South Rim and inner canyon from March 7-22, 2020. A leak was detected along the transcanyon pipeline near Phanton Ranch, and park staff are working to repair the break. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-03-17-2020.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to announce that the 2020 Edwin C. Bearss History Fellowship has been awarded to Jeremy Childs, a member of Grand Canyon National Park's Division of Interpretation and Resource Education, at Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2020-bearss-fellowship-award-recipient-announced.htm

Shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park Visitor Center and the neighboring town of Tusayan, will resume on March 1, 2020. Buses will run daily at 20-minute intervals between 8 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-tusayan-shuttle-begins-march-1-2020.htm

The National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. The permits are for specific launch dates within calendar year 2021. A total of 462 permits will be available for 12- to 25-day river trips. Applications will be accepted online through noon MST on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2021-river-lottery-01-31-2020.htm

Grand Canyon National Park's permit office is temporarily extending the permit processing time periods effective Feb. 14, 2020 until this summer. This change will impact commercial use authorizations (CUA) and special use permit (SUP) applications submitted after Feb. 14. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-permit-processing-updates.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will join national park sites around the country in celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day with free entrance to the park. Entrance fees will be waived for all visitors arriving to Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-mlk-day-at-grand-canyon-fee-free.htm

National Park Service rangers located Martin Edward O'Connor and evacuated him from the inner canyon via helicopter at approximately 10 a.m. today in Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-man-from-texas-found-alive-at-grca-2020-01-02.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a missing person search at Grand Canyon National Park for Martin Edward O'Connor, 58, of La Porte, Texas, last seen on Dec. 22, 2019, at Yavapai Lodge on the South Rim of Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-search-initiated-at-grand-canyon-2019-12-30.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures for the South Rim, including Desert View, from Dec. 9-19, 2019, for scheduled maintenance at the Indian Garden North pump house. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-initiates-water-conservation-measures-for-maintenance-20191206.htm

The fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) has potentially been detected on a fringed myotis (Myotis thysanodes) at Grand Canyon National Park. The bat was captured and sampled for the fungus in April 2019 during routine surveillance by park biologists. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bat-fungus-potentially-detected-at-grand-canyon-20191204.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a proposed Telecommunications Plan and Environmental Assessment from Dec. 2, 2019 until midnight on Jan. 6, 2020. If approved, the plan would provide a framework and guidance for the future construction and operation of telecommunications infrastructure. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-requests-public-input-on-a-telecom-plan-and-ea-at-grca-20191202.htm

In advance of a winter storm, Grand Canyon National Park will close Desert View Drive, on the South Rim at 7 p.m. (MST), Wed. Nov. 27, 2019. Additionally, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) took precautionary measures by closing state Route (SR) 67, the 43-mile highway, between Jacob Lake and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park on Tues. Nov. 26. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-prepares-for-winter-storm-2019-11-26.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures for the South Rim, including Desert View, from Nov. 11-18, 2019, for scheduled construction at the Indian Garden South pump house. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/scheduled-construction-at-grand-canyon-initiates-water-conservation-measures-20191107.htm

Grand Canyon National Park backcountry users can seek out shade and an opportunity to rest from the elements at the new Tipoff Shelter along the South Kaibab Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-kaibab-trail-shelter-now-available-2019-11-04.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is hosting free Native American heritage and diversity events in early November 2019, as well as offering fee-free entry in honor of Veterans Day on Monday, November 11, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-native-american-heritage-month-diversity-and-honor-veterans-at-grand-canyon-20191029.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will begin installing five water test wells within the inner canyon at Phantom Ranch next week. The construction will begin Oct. 28 and is expected to conclude on Dec. 5, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-installs-new-test-wells-2019-10-24.htm

Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim will begin day use operations on Nov. 1, 2019. Visitors exploring the North Rim after Oct. 31 should plan to be self-sufficient, bringing enough food and water for their stay, as services will not be available. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-n-r-to-begin-seasonal-day-use-operations.htm

Grand Canyon National Park documented the fifth wild hatched California condor chick on Oct. 10, 2019, in the Southwestern wild population, making it an annual record number of chicks, or nestlings, within the region. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/record-number-of-sw-condor-chicks-2019-10-23.htm

Water connectivity to Grand Canyon's South Rim is restored. The park has removed water restrictions and resumed basic water conservation measures. A valve leak, which prevented water from being pumped between Indian Garden and the South Rim was identified and replaced by park staff. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-np-s-rim-returns-to-normal-water-operations-2019-10-15.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures for the South Rim on Oct. 10, 2019, due to a loss of water connectivity. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-measures-initiated-at-grand-canyon-2019-10-10.htm

The National Park Service approved a plan to protect native fish and other aquatic species in the Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/news/10092019.htm

Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim will transition to seasonally reduced services beginning at noon on Oct. 16, 2019. Grand Canyon National Park would like to remind the public to plan accordingly if they intend to visit the North Rim after Oct. 15. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/gcnp-n-rim-transitions-to-reduced-services-2019-10-02.htm

The 11,000-acre lightning caused wildfire which is located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest became active last week during a wind event that produced wind gusts to 45 mph. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-grows-helicopters-to-assist-2019-09-26.htm

National Park Service staff closed the doors on livestock trailers yesterday, securing 31 bison inside to transfer them to the InterTribal Buffalo Council who will take them on the journey to join their new herd with the Quapaw tribe in Oklahoma. The transfer of the bison concluded the Grand Canyon National Park's pilot program for corralling and relocating bison from the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/31-bison-from-the-north-rim-are-relocated-20190919.htm

Construction to replace two water pumps at the Grand Canyon National Park Indian Garden north pump house is beginning Sept. 23, 2019, and continuing into May 2020. The construction will require visitors to use a marked bypass trail around the construction site along the Bright Angel Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/indian-garden-water-pumps-being-replaced-2019-09-17.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Fossil Day and the 26th anniversary of National Public Lands Day entry fee-free on Sept. 28, 2019. National Fossil Day events include a paleontology symposium Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium, featuring four guest speakers https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-national-public-lands-and-fossil-day-at-grand-canyon.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has received confirmation that two bats collected along the Colorado River in the park last month tested positive for rabies. The rabies-positive bats, both Canyon Bats, were deceased at the time of collection and did not come in contact with any visitors or staff. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bats-found-in-grand-canyon-national-park-test-positive-for-rabies-20190912.htm

Grand Canyon National Park rangers responded to an emergency call of assistance for a 77-year-old man on a river trip Sept. 3, 2019, below Deer Creek Falls on the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-fatality-colorado-river.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is implementing its pilot bison reduction activities on the North Rim this month through live capture and removal of approximately 60-100 animals. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-relocates-bison.htm

Park staff repaired the damaged pipeline that supplies water to the North and South Rims of Grand Canyon National Park and water services have been restored to facilities. The park has removed water restrictions and has resumed basic water conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-normal-water-ops.htm

Pipe installation of the Grand Canyon North Rim waterline will result in the closure of the Lodge entry road by the Grand Canyon North Rim Visitor Center Sept. 3 to 26, 2019. Expect commercial traffic detours to the Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge and decreased parking opportunities. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-north-rim-traffic-detours-08-30-2019.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is initiating water conservation measures on the North and South Rims on Aug. 30, 2019, due to a water pipeline break that occurred on Aug. 29 on a section of the pipeline north of Phantom Ranch, along the North Kaibab trail. Until park staff repairs the break, the park will remain in conservation mode. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-initiates-water-conservation-measures-2019-08-29.htm

Grand Canyon National Park joins multiple national parks across the country by offering an official park app. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-free-mobile-app.htm

The Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan will be added as a free park and ride location for park visitors from Aug. 30 through Sept. 2, 2019, to alleviate some of the holiday traffic. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/overflow-park-and-ride-labor-day.htm

The National Park Foundation, National Park Service, and the Department of Energy partnered with BMW of North America to donate 100 EV charging stations for locations in and near national parks. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/electric-vehicle-charging-stations.htm

The Ikes Fire, which has been managed by a Local Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT), transitioned to a local Type 4 Incident Commander effective this morning, Sunday, August 25, 2019. This will be the Final Ikes Fire News Release unless significant fire activity occurs. North Rim Closures: Powell Plateau Trail, The North Bass Trail, Fire Point, Swamp Point, and the W4 road north of the intersection of the W4 and W1 Roads. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-command-transitions-to-type-4-team-closures-remain-20190825.htm

Over the past two days, firefighters made progress with firing operations along Forest Road 223. This tactic is conducted to strengthen and improve the northern boundary of the planning area. The North Rim Village and businesses are open. However, road and trail closures remain in effect for the Ikes Fire planning area for Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-holding-after-tested-by-winds-20190823.htm

Yesterday, firefighters did minimal hand ignitions along the National Park Service W4 Road as the fire progressed slowly to the west. Crews did not conduct firing operations along Forest Road 223 as more prep work is needed before putting additional fire on the ground. Smoke from the Ikes Fire, along with other fires in the area, will be visible throughout the area and may cause smoke impacts. The North Rim Village and businesses at Grand Canyon National Park are OPEN. Temporary trail and road closures for the Ikes Fire Planning Area within Grand Canyon National Park include: Powell Plateau Trail, North Bass Trail, Fire Point, Swamp Point, and the W4 road heading north starting at the intersection of the W4 and W1 roads. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-expands-crews-continue-to-meet-objectives-20190821.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate the National Park Service’s 103rd birthday by visiting the park for free on Aug. 25, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-invites-the-public-to-celebrate-the-national-park-service-s-103rd-birthday-by-visiting-the-park-for-free-on-aug-25-2019.htm

Yesterday, firefighters moved west along the W4 road and improved the boundary line with hand ignitions. Crews also created debris piles to clean up vegetation along the forest floor and hazard trees. Fire managers completed a reconnaissance flight to assess fire behavior within the interior of the fire perimeter. Fire effects are consistent with land managers’ objectives and are expected to remain as such based on current conditions. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-behavior-aligns-with-land-managers-objectives.htm

Yesterday, crews continued to patrol and hold the northern boundary and improve line. Firefighters on the southern boundary lit debris piles constructed in the early phases of line preparation. This tactic deprives the fire of excess fuel as it spreads to the west. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-holding-well-within-perimeter.htm

Yesterday, the Ikes Fire grew to approximately 4,297 acres and has 87 resources assigned. Despite gusty winds and dry conditions, the fire spread across the planning area with low to moderate fire behavior. The weather will continue to be drier than normal with no chance of precipitation in the forecast. Light winds are expected out of the southwest at 8-10 mph with gusts up to 18 mph. Smoke from the Ikes Fire, along with other fires in the area, will be visible throughout the surrounding area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-progresses-at-steady-pace-20190818.htm

The lightning caused Ikes Fire has burned through approximately 3,500 acres of the pre-determined 7,785 acre planning area. Currently, there are 88 resources assigned to the Ikes Fire. Yesterday, gusty winds prevented firefighters from carrying out firing operations. Crews patrolled the perimeter on the northeast and eastern portion of the fire while other personnel continued to prep the west side of the Forest Service Road 223. Observed fire behavior was active with backing fire along ridge tops and single tree torching. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/incident-objectives-being-met-on-ikes-fire-20190817.htm

The Ikes Fire is approximately 3,289 acres, 42% contained, and has 89 resources assigned. The natural caused lightning fire is being utilized to fulfill its natural role within a fire-dependent ecosystem. The lightning-caused wildfire is actively burning within a 7,785-acre planning area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-moves-across-landscape-as-containment-increases-20190816.htm

Warm, dry weather conditions have led to additional growth on the Ikes Fire, which is now approximately 1,535 acres and 20% contained. Smoke settled into the Grand Canyon overnight as temperatures cooled but smoke may begin to lift as temperatures warm up throughout the day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-spreads-crews-secure-planning-area-20190815.htm

The public invited to the 23rd annual public condor release scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, and witness first-hand a spectacular release into the wild of several captive-bred young condors on National Public Lands Day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ca-condor-release-saturday-sept-28-at-vermilion-cliffs.htm

The Ikes Fire is being utilized to fulfill its natural role within a fire-dependent ecosystem while providing for point protection of identified sensitive natural and cultural resources. Resource objectives include reducing hazardous fuels, promoting forest regeneration, improving wildlife habitat, and restoring more open forest understory. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-ecological-benefits-20190814.htm

The Ikes Fire has grown to 85 acres due to warmer, drier weather over the past few days. Over the weekend, Grand Canyon identified 3 lightning caused fires. The Royal Fire, Sinkhole Fire, and Outlet Fire located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park are 100% contained due to full suppression tactics. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-grows-due-to-warmer-drier-weather-20190812.htm

The Ikes Fire has seen minimal growth over the past 2 days due to multiple rain showers over the fire area. Due to moisture, fire activity has been limited, however, the fire continues to burn within the duff layer of needles, leaf litter, and downed logs along the forest floor. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-remains-active-despite-rain-20190810.htm

Grand Canyon National Park would like to invite the public to the eighth annual season of "Echoes from the Canyon". This living history event will feature day time and evening programs August 16 –19th. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/echoes-from-the-canyon.htm

The Kaibab National Forest instituted a Temporary Area Closure for all National Forests System lands and roads within the Ikes Fire Planning Area. This Order will be in effect beginning at 8:00 AM on August 8, 2019, and shall remain in effect until September 27, 2019, or until rescinded, whichever comes first. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/kaibab-national-forest-temporary-area-closure-for-ikes-fire-20190808.htm

The Ikes Fire moved into the northeast portion of the planning area that has a history of little to no fire activity in over two decades. This wildfire is consuming heavy fuel accumulations on the forest floor and is helping ensure the ecosystem will be healthier and more resilient in the future. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-promotes-healthy-forest-regeneration-as-fire-activity-increases-20190807.htm

The Ikes Fire continues to grow despite the minimal amount of moisture received from recent storms. Fire is estimated at 77 acres. Crews continue to prep the perimeter of the planned burn area. Road and Trail closures remain in place. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-grows-to-58-acres-despite-monsoon-weather-08062019.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has temporarily instituted closures for the portion of the Ikes Fire Planning Area that is within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-implements-temporary-road-and-trail-closures-on-the-north-rim.htm

The Ikes Fire, which started on July 25th, is approximately 28 acres. Rain on Wednesday significantly reduced fire behavior, resulting in almost no new fire growth. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/precipitation-temporarily-slows-ikes-fire-growth-on-north-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The Ikes Fire, which started on July 25th, is approximately 25 acres. Fire behavior was active with surface fire of three to five foot flames where the fire was consuming dead logs. The fire is backing and flanking towards the east. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ikes-fire-on-grand-canyon-national-park-north-rim-grows-to-25-acres.htm

Grand Canyon's Volunteer Program wrapped up a week-long experiential training session for college students with the Alternative Break Citizenship School. Approximately 75 students from over 40 colleges participated in educational sessions and hands on service work at the park July 22 to 26, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/alternative-break-citizenship-school.htm

Recent monsoonal activity in the region resulted in several new lightning ignited fires on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park over the past several days. Fire crews are actively working to suppress three fires within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-suppressing-three-fires-on-north-rim.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) completed an interagency safety review finding no radiation exposure health risk to employees or visitors from uranium ore samples at Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/final-report-concludes-no-radiation-exposure-from-uranium-ore-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

National Park Service Requests Public Input on a Telecommunications Plan at Grand Canyon National Park https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/telecommunications-plan.htm

On Wednesday, July 10, 2019, National Park Service personnel were notified of a body in the Colorado River below Lava Falls near river mile 181. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovered-july-2019.htm

The National Park Service is conducting a missing person search within Grand Canyon National Park.  https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire resources completed ignition operations on the Long Jim Prescribed Fire. Crews will continue to patrol the unit and mop up any areas along the fires perimeter that may threaten the holding line. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-resources-at-grand-canyon-complete-ignition-operations-on-long-jim-rx.htm

Importance health notice for Grand Canyon South Rim community members. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/community-notice.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers continue to treat the Long Jim Prescribed Fire unit, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. On Tuesday, June 18, 2019, crews successfully treated 180 acres. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-managers-at-grand-canyon-continue-prescribed-fire-adjacent-to-grand-canyon-village.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers will initiate a prescribed fire treatment today, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. The Long Jim Prescribed Fire is adjacent to the developed area on the South Rim, east of South Entrance Road and south of Highway 64 (Desert View Drive) East. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-managers-at-grand-canyon-initiate-prescribed-fire-adjacent-to-grand-canyon-village.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers-working with resources from Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Rocky Mountain National Park, Zion National Park, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, Bryce Canyon National Park, Saguaro National Park and Kaibab National Forest anticipate initiating a prescribed fire treatment as early as tomorrow, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-managers-at-grand-canyon-plan-prescribed-fire-adjacent-to-grand-canyon-village.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is officially certified as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/dark-sky-designation.htm

The damaged pipeline that supplies water to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park has been repaired and most water services have been restored to North Rim facilities. The park will lift water restrictions and return to basic water conservation measures on Saturday, June 8, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-water-operations.htm

On Tuesday, June 4 and Wednesday, June 5 staff from the Division of Science and Resource Management (SRM) will be applying herbicide to the traffic islands on South Entrance and Yavapai Roads to remove grasses that attract elk in these congested areas of the Grand Canyon Village. The intent of the removal is to minimize conflicts between wildlife (elk) and both visitors and residents along the road corridors. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-entrance-and-yavapai-herbicide-use.htm

Beginning Tuesday, June 4, the National Park Service road crew will begin a three-week pavement preservation project to seal cracks in the older asphalt surfaces around the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/road-preservation.htm

Grand Canyon National Park's summer season is set to begin in the next few weeks, plan ahead to make the most of your trip! https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitation-tips.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that the 6.3 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2018 spent $947 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 12,558 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $1.2 billion. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-economic-benefit.htm

Effective immediately, the National Park Service (NPS) is initiating water conservation measures on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park to ensure that the area's facilities can remain open until the repairs are made to the damaged water pipeline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-level-2-water-conservation.htm

An international team of paleontologists has united to study important fossil footprints recently discovered in a remote location within Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. A large sandstone boulder contains several exceptionally well-preserved trackways of primitive tetrapods (four-footed animals) which inhabited an ancient desert environment. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/newly-discovered-fossils.htm

Due to water turbidity and maintenance issues, some of the water filling stations and flush toilets normally available along the North Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails at this time of the year will not be open until water conditions change and/or water line repairs are made. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-users-advised-of-changes-to-water-availability-on-north-kaibab-and-bright-angel-trails.htm

From Tuesday, May 16 to Wednesday, May 17 the Grand Canyon National Park Division of Science and Resource Management (SRM) will apply minor spot spray treatments of herbicide around the Grand Canyon Lodge and campground in the North Rim Developed Area to aid in the control of an especially invasive grass species for which mechanical removal is ineffective. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-apply-herbicide-on-nr-2019.htm

The twenty-ninth annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held Saturday, June 22 through Saturday, June 29, 2019 on both South and North Rims of the park. Amateur astronomers from across the country will volunteer their telescopes and expertise for the enjoyment of park visitors. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-grand-canyon-national-park-100th-anniversary-during-star-party-week-june-22-29.htm

Finding of No Significant Impact signed for the Transcanyon Water Distribution Pipeline project in Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/finding-of-no-significant-impact-for-transcanyon-waterline.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers anticipate initiating prescribed pile burning this week as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-south-rim-piles-project.htm

The gate at the entrance to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Wednesday, May 15 at 7:30 a.m. to mark the official opening of the North Rim for the 2019 season. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-2019-season.htm

At 1:05 p.m. on April 23, 2019, Grand Canyon National Park rangers responded to a call reporting that a person needed help at rocky point west of Pipe Creek Vista. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-fatality-at-pipe-creek-vista.htm

From April 15 to 30, 2019 the Grand Canyon National Park Division of Science and Resource Management (SRM) will be applying cut-stump and occasional spot spray treatments of herbicide to invasive plants along the banks of the Colorado River to aid in the control of several invasive plant species for which mechanical removal is ineffective. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-apply-herbicide-along-co-river-2019.htm

A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed by Kate Hammond, Acting Regional Director for the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service (NPS), for a site plan to transform Desert View in Grand Canyon National Park into an Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site and share a unifying message from the park's traditionally associated tribes: "we are still here". https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/finding-of-no-significant-impact-signed-for-the-desert-view-inter-tribal-cultural-heritage-site.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate the 49th anniversary of Earth Day during National Park Week with free entrance on Saturday, April 20, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-earth-day-at-grand-canyon-national-park-with-fee-free-entrance-on-april-20.htm

Starting on approximately April 8, 2019 Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C., a concessionaire within Grand Canyon National Park, will be fulfilling a contractual obligation to rebuild the Maswik South lodging complex and construct new roads near Maswik South. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-rebuilding-maswik-south-lodge.htm

On Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at approximately 11:30 am, Grand Canyon National Park rangers responded to a call reporting that someone had fallen over the canyon rim east of Yavapai Geology Museum. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/over-the-edge-fatality.htm

Each year in the spring (March - June) Grand Canyon National Park experiences an increase in turbidity in the drinking water. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/spring-snow-melt-causes-annual-turbidity.htm

Visitor Fatality at South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-fatality-at-south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On April 3, 2019, Grand Canyon Railway, in consultation with the National Park Service (NPS), will be applying herbicide along the railroad tracks including those within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-railway-herbicide.htm

Spring Break is one of the most popular times to visit Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/spring-break-tips-for-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Preliminary findings of an interagency safety review conducted last week at Grand Canyon National Park indicate no current exposure concerns for park employees and visitors from uranium ore samples previously stored in buckets at the park's Museum Collection building. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/preliminary-findings-indicate-no-current-uranium-ore-exposure.htm

A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed by Kate Hammond, Acting Regional Director for the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service for the rebuild of the Maswik South lodging complex and the construction of new roads near Maswik South at Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fonsi-signed-for-maswik-south.htm

The National Park Service is accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. The permits are for launch dates within calendar year 2020. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2020-noncommercial-river-trip-lottery.htm

The National Park Service and the Department of the Interior are coordinating with federal and state agencies to investigate and address concerns of exposure to uranium rock samples previously stored at Grand Canyon National Park's Museum Collection building. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-park-service-reviews-uranium-exposure-at-grand-canyon.htm

Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon Conservancy invite the public and park partners to join National Park Service staff in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Grand Canyon’s designation as a national park. To celebrate this significant milestone, Grand Canyon National Park will waive entrance fees for visitors coming to the park on February 26. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-100th-anniversary-commemoration.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) will again offer shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan in 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tusayan-shuttle-starts-march-1.htm

Following the enactment of the continuing resolution, staff at Grand Canyon National Park will resume regular operations this week, including opening visitor centers, offering ranger programs, opening permit offices, and collecting fees at entrance stations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-visitor-services-reopen-following-shutdown.htm

Using revenue generated by recreation fees Grand Canyon National Park has reopened the South Rim and Desert View entrance stations to provide information and safety messages to visitors.  https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/park-accessibility-possible-with-rec-fee-dollars-and-az-state-support.htm

During the partial shutdown of the federal government due to the lapse of appropriations, national parks will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures. Park roads, lookouts, and trails at Grand Canyon National Park will remain accessible to visitors. Visitor services provided by park concessioners and other entities will also remain open and operational, including lodging, restaurants and food service, grocery stores, retail locations, bicycle rental, concessioner provided tours, and park shuttle operations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-np-accessible-to-public-during-partial-government-shutdown-2018-12-22.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will be joining national park units across the country in honor of Veterans Day with fee-free entry into the park on November 11. On November 14 Grand Canyon National Park will host a Native American Heritage Celebration with special presentations and demonstrations recognizing the many accomplishments, contributions, and sacrifices made by America's first people. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/veteran-s-day-native-american-heritage-month.htm

Following a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline earlier this month, Grand Canyon National Park now has enough water in storage to scale back to Level 1 basic water conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/level-1-water-conservation-seasonal-trail-water.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on the Maswik South Rebuild Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA will be available for public review and comment for a 30-day period from October 25 to November 25, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/maswik-south-rebuild-ea.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public review of a site plan/environmental assessment that proposes to modify facilities at Desert View to create an Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/desert-view-inter-tribal-cultural-heritage-ea.htm

Elyssa Shalla, park ranger at Grand Canyon National Park, has been selected as a recipient of the Intermountain Region 2018 Freeman Tilden Award. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/elyssa-shall-regional-award.htm

National Park Service (NPS) Rangers of Grand Canyon National Park and Special Agents with the NPS Investigative Services Branch (ISB) are investigating a double-fatality that occurred at Grand Canyon National Park on, or around, September 18, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-seeking-tips-to-aid-double-fatality-investigation-in-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

At approximately 1:00 am this morning, October 11, an officer involved shooting occurred on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The suspect is in custody at this time. The National Park Service (NPS) does not believe there to be any ongoing safety concerns for the public. The park remains open and all visitor services are available. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ranger-involved-incident-under-investigation-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on the Transcanyon Water Distribution Pipeline (Pipeline) Environmental Assessment (EA). Public comments will be accepted for a 30-day period from today, Wednesday, October 10 through Saturday, November 10, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-park-service-requests-public-review-of-the-transcanyon-water-distribution-pipeline-ea.htm

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has reopened US 89 between Cameron and US 160 on the Navajo Nation. Traffic has been restored in both directions following damage caused Wednesday by heavy rains. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/highway-89-has-reopened-between-north-and-south-rim-of-grand-cyn-nat-pk.htm

Grand Canyon National Park implemented Level 2 water conservation measures on Wednesday, October 3, due to a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline. This morning Water Utility staff at the park responded to another pipeline break. Additionally, attempts to pump water beyond Indian Garden yesterday failed. Park staff are currently assessing the situation and attempting to resolve the problem as quickly as possible. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-nat-pk-prepares-for-potential-increase-in-water-conservation-methods.htm

Highway 89 has been closed due to flooding and road wash out between Cameron and Highway 160 southwest of Tuba City. Grand Canyon National Park remains open to the public. However, detours are in place, extending travel times to the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hwy-89-closure-affects-travel-to-n-and-s-rim-of-grand-canyon-nat-pk.htm

North Rim operations in Grand Canyon National Park will begin day use operations on Thursday November 1, 2018. At that time, the Visitor Center, Backcountry Office and Campground Kiosk will be closed. The Entrance Station will be unstaffed, but fees will continue to be collected via an automated machine. Limited park staff is present on the North Rim year-round https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-north-rim-transitions-into-day-use-area-november-1-2018.htm

Grand Canyon National Park implemented Level 2 water conservation measures due to a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline. Until park staff repairs the break and water in storage tanks reaches sustainable levels, the park will remain in conservation mode. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/level-2-restrictions-implemented-at-the-south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate National Fossil Day on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. Events are designed to celebrate National Fossil Day and will be held throughout the day to highlight the importance of fossils and their uses. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-fossil-day.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Christine Lehnertz has announced the availability of a prospectus for a business opportunity in the park to provide lodging, food and beverage, retail, and other visitor services on the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/business-opp-announced-for-hospitality-contract-on-n-rim-of-grand-canyon-nat-pk.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Public Lands Day fee-free on September 22, 2018. This year in celebration of National Public Lands Day, the National Park Service(NPS) is focusing on restoration and resilience. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-nat-public-lands-day-at-grand-canyon-np-fee-free-day-sept-22-2018.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has received confirmation that a bat collected at Phantom Ranch on August 31, 2018 tested positive for rabies. The rabies positive bat did not come in contact with any visitors. All individuals who have had physical contact with a bat have been advised to seek medical attention and be assessed for appropriate medical treatment. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bat-positive-for-rabies-in-grand-canyon-natl-park-09-14-2018.htm

North Rim operations will begin seasonal changes on the morning of October 16, 2018. The North Rim transitions to reduced services with the Visitor Center, gift shop, campground and entrance station remaining open for visitor use. The Grand Canyon Lodge, food services, Canyon Trail Rides and park ranger programming will no longer be available. These operations will resume on May 15, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-north-rim-operations-begin-seasonal-changes-oct-16-2018.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on an Expanded Non-native Aquatic Species Management Plan and Environmental Assessment in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Glen Canyon NRA) and Grand Canyon National Park below the Glen Canyon Dam. Public comments will be accepted for a 30-day period from Sept. 11 to Oct. 11, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-seek-public-comment-expanded-non-native-aquatic-species-mgmt-plan.htm

Wildlife biologists will be putting GPS collars on ten adult elk between late August and October of this year to gather movement data of the elk at Grand Canyon National Park. The GPS collar information will be used to inform the development of a draft elk management plan. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/wildlife-biologists-to-begin-gathering-gps-data-for-elk-at-grand-canyon-np.htm

Effective August 21, 2018 Kolb Studio will be closed and a detour will be in place while work is being completed along the Rim Trail. This project will be completed on August 23, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/rim-trail-detour-historic-kolb-studio-temporarily-closed-august-21-23-2018.htm

As the Obi Fire winds down, temporary road and trail closures will expire on Saturday evening, August 18th, 2018. Some road and trail closures will remain in place due to fires on the neighboring Kaibab National Forest. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/final-press-release-for-obi-fire.htm

The Obi Fire slowly increases in size as firefighters near Cape Royal and begin to scale back on backfiring operations. Temporary road and trail closures are still in effect. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/obi-fire-slowly-increases-to-10-067-acres.htm

Temporary road and trail closures for public and firefighter safety continue at Grand Canyon National Park. These include the Swamp Ridge Road, the North Bass Trail, and the Powell Plateau Trail. Fire Point, the Nankoweap Trail, and the Point Imperial Trail remain closed. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/obi-fire-grows-to-9-921-acres.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has implemented new temporary closures for public and firefighter safety. These include the Swamp Ridge Road, the North Bass Trail, and the Powell Plateau Trail. Fire Point, the Nankoweap Trail, and the Point Imperial Trail remain closed. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20180810-grca-new-temp-road-trail-closures-obi-fire-8100-acres.htm

This is a summary of current fire related closures for Grand Canyon National Park. Today, new temporary trail closures were implemented that include the Nankoweap Trail, the Point Imperial Trail, and Fire Point on the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-08-08-current-grand-canyon-national-park-closures.htm

The Obi Fire is estimated at 7,420 acres. Growth today was primarily in the northern and eastern portions of the fire perimeter. Light southwesterly winds combined with dry, unstable air contributed to the fires growth. Fire behavior was active with isolated tree torching and surface fire of two to four foot flames where the fire was consuming dead logs. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-08-07-obi-fire-7420-acres-temporary-road-trail-closures-nr.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has temporarily closed Cape Royal Road. Included in this closure are Cape Final Trail, Cliff Spring Trail, the northern section of the Ken Patrick Trail from Point Imperial to Cape Royal Road, and the southern section of the Ken Patrick Trail from Cape Royal Road to the old Bright Angel Trail. The road to Point Imperial and all other North Rim trails and facilities are open at this time. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-08-05-north-rim-temporary-road-trail-closures-obi-fire-3350-acres.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will implement closures of the Cape Royal Road, Cape Final Trail, and Cliff Spring Trail tomorrow August 4th, 2018 at 9:00 pm. This closure is for public and firefighter safety as crews continue to prep the Walhalla Plateau. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20180803-temporary-road-trail-closures-nr-obi-fire-2270-acres.htm

The Obi Fire is approximately 1000 acres. Growth today was primarily in the northern and eastern portions of the fire perimeter. Light southwesterly winds throughout the day allowed fire to grow through pine needles and downed logs. Fire behavior was active with single tree torching and surface fire of one to three foot flames where the fire was consuming dead logs. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/obi-fire-on-grand-canyon-national-park-north-rim-grows-to-1000-acres-stina-fire-on-kaibab-national-forest-grows-to-25-acres.htm

The Obi Fire is approximately 941 acres. Growth today was primarily in the northern and eastern portions of the fire perimeter. Light southwesterly winds throughout the day allowed fire to grow through pine needles and downed logs. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/obi-fire-nr-grandcanyon-941-acres-20180729.htm

The Obi Fire, which started on July 21st, is approximately 743 acres. Growth of the fire perimeter today was primarily in the northern and southeastern portion of the fire perimeter. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/obi-fire-nr-grandcanyon-743-acres-20180728.htm

On May 14, biologists with the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Reclamation released endangered humpback chub, an endangered fish species endemic to the Colorado River basin, into Bright Angel Creek - following six years of successful removal of nonnative trout. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/humpback-chub-release-ba-creek-may-2018.htm

The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, along with the DUI Abatement Council, granted Grand Canyon National Park $10,000 to improve highway safety and stop impaired driving. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-awarded-state-grant-to-improve-highway-safety-and-stop-impaired-driving.htm

The Obi Fire, which started on July 21st, is approximately 578 acres. Daytime growth was slower despite active surface fire in downed logs and needle cast and a few instances of single tree torching. The fire continues to move to the north and east displaying moderated fire behavior due to overcast skies and scattered light rain showers. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/obi-fire-grand-canyon-np-nrim-grows-to-578-acres.htm

Recent monsoonal activity in the region resulted in an several new lightning ignited fires on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park over the past several days. Fire crews are actively working to suppress three fires within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-nat-park-suppressing-3-fires-on-north-rim.htm

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff, Ariz. has issued an excessive heat warning for the surrounding area, including Grand Canyon National Park at Phantom Ranch and Indian Gardens. This warning will be in effect from Monday, July 23 to Wednesday, July 25 at 8 p.m. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/excessive-heat-warning-issued-for-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Fire crews are actively working to suppress the lightning ignited Imperial Fire. Currently the fire is estimated to be three (3) acres in size and is located along the Cape Royal Road near Vista Encantada. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/imperial-fire-being-suppressed-on-north-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park-20180718.htm

Increased monsoonal activity has significantly lowered the fire danger risk for Grand Canyon National Park. On Friday, July 13, 2018 at 8:00 am stage 2 fire restrictions will be rescinded for the entire Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/stage-2-fire-restrictions-lifted.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a proposal to demolish and rebuild the Maswik South lodging complex (Maswik South), and to construct two new sections of road to improve traffic flow in the vicinity of Maswik South. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/maswik-south.htm

Safety First. A trip to Grand Canyon can be both fun and safe by keeping these few tips in mind. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/safety-first-at-the-rim-2018-07-03.htm

In place of the park's nightly evening program, visitors can learn about characters from Grand Canyon's past as they come to life and share their stories about life on the rim. Opening night is Friday, June 29 at 8:30 pm at McKee Amphitheater with additional presentations on Friday, July 27; Saturday, July 28; and Sunday July 29. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/echoes-from-the-canyon-2018.htm

National Park Rangers at Grand Canyon National Park are strongly urging visitors to Grand Canyon, especially inner canyon hikers, mule riders, and backpackers to be prepared for excessively hot days in the coming weeks. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hike-smart-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Will Ease North Rim Water Restrictions https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-water-restrictions.htm

Due to a malfunction in the pump that supplies water to the North Rim of Grand Canyon, the North Rim will enter Level 2 water restrictions on Monday, June 18, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-level-2-water-restrictions.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon, especially inner canyon hikers, mule riders, and backpackers, need to prepare for excessively hot days in the coming weeks. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hike-smart-reminder.htm

The U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service will implement additional fire restrictions, also known as Stage II fire restrictions, across the North Kaibab Ranger District, and the South Rim, North Rim and Inner Canyon of Grand Canyon National Park beginning at 8 a.m. this Friday. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/stage-2-fire-restrictions.htm

NPS fire managers remind visitors and residents that fire danger in the park is very high. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/reminder-of-very-high-fire-danger.htm

The National Park Service reminds visitors to enjoy Grand Canyon safely and to remember a visit to Grand Canyon is not like going to the zoo-there are no fences to separate you from real wild animals. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/view-wildlife-safely-2018-1.htm

The 28th annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 9 through Saturday, June 16, 2018 on the South and North Rims of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-star-party.htm

A national park service report shows that more than 6.2 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2017 supported the local economy. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2017-gcnp-economic-benefit.htm

The gate at the entrance to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 7:30 am. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-2018-season.htm

Another major phase of the South Rim Roads Improvement Project is set to begin Thursday, April 19, when contractors pave Village Loop Drive. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-rim-paving.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate Earth Day during National Park Week fee-free day on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza near Mather Point from 10 am to 2 pm. All Earth Day activities are free and open to the public. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-earth-day-fee-free-day.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) announced today that Grand Canyon National Park will modify its entrance fees beginning June 1, 2018 to provide additional funding for infrastructure and maintenance needs that enhance the visitor experience. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-entrance-fee-changes.htm

After several weeks of pipeline breaks and water restrictions, water in storage on the South Rim of Grand Canyon has reached sustainable levels. Park operations will return to and stay at Level 1 water conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/level-1-water.htm

Residents and visitors to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park over the last week and a half have reduced their water consumption, resulting in the ability of the park to refill water storage tanks to sustainable levels. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-rim-modified-level-3.htm

On March 29, 2018, the National Park Service (NPS) will begin installing one test well and two monitoring wells next to Bright Angel Creek near Phantom Ranch. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/test-wells.htm

The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park has implemented Level 3 water restrictions following a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/level-3-restrictions.htm

On Friday, March 16, 2018 Grand Canyon National Park will begin phasing to Level 3 water restrictions and conservation measures due to a series of breaks in the Transcanyon Waterline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/level-3-water-restrictions-to-be-implemented-at-the-south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park-on-friday-march-16.htm

Grand Canyon National Park implemented Level 2 water conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-rim-level-2.htm

Grand Canyon National Park visitors planning to hike, camp, recreate, and take in the breathtaking views of Grand Canyon National Park during spring break 2018 should also prepare for long lines and road construction. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/spring-break-hacks.htm

In recognition of Grand Canyon National Park's 99th birthday, the National Park Service and Grand Canyon Association unveiled the logo for the park's upcoming 2019 Centennial. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/centennial-logo.htm

The National Park Service will again offer shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan in 2018, starting March 1. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tusayan-route-2018.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Christine Lehnertz has announced the availability of a prospectus for 16 business opportunities to provide guided whitewater tours on the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/river-running-prospectus.htm

In honor of African American History Month, Grand Canyon National Park will host a special evening program to highlight the African American experience in Northern Arizona and contributions to Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/african-american-history-month.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a proposal to modify facilities at Desert View to create an Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site. The NPS is preparing an environmental assessment (EA), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, to develop and evaluate alternatives. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/desert-view-public-input.htm

On Thursday, February 1, 2018 the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. The permits are for specific launch dates within calendar year 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2019-river-lottery-open.htm

Another phase of the 2018 South Rim roads improvement project will begin the week of February 4, which will include full closures of several Grand Canyon Village intersections. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/february-4-detours.htm

Following the enactment of the continuing resolution, staff at Grand Canyon National Park resumed regular operations Tuesday, January 23, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-services-resume.htm

Crews repaired one of the pumps at Indian Garden and park managers feel confident that enough water is in storage to scale back to Level 1 basic water conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/level-1-water-conservation.htm

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Grand Canyon National Park will join national park units across the country and offer visitors free entrance into the park on Monday, January 15, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mlk-jr-fee-free-day-2018.htm

Grand Canyon National Park remains in Level 2 water conservation measures due to water delivery system issues and may implement further restrictions next week. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-continues-to-conserves-water.htm

As part of the 2018 Federal Highways Administration’s South Rim Roads Improvement project, additional construction and detours will begin Monday, January 8 at the South Entrance Road and Desert View Drive (Arizona Highway 64 East) intersection. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/road-construction-south-entrance-road-and-desert-view.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is implementing immediate Level 2 water conservation measures due to water delivery system issues. Due to a water pump failure that occurred with the Transcanyon Pipeline pump system located at Indian Gardens, the primary pump is inoperable and is not currently flowing water to the South Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mandatory-water-conservation-due-to-indian-garden-pump-failure.htm

On December 20, 2017 a private Colorado river trip participating in a day hike up the Monument Creek drainage, discovered human remains. Investigating Rangers located evidence at the scene indicating the remains are likely those of 72 year old Raafat "Ralph" Nasser-Eddin of Los Angeles, CA. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovery-monument-creek.htm

Construction will begin as early as January 2, 2018 at the Hermit interchange to resurface and improve the Hermit Road and Village Loop intersection. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-south-rim-roads-improvement.htm

Fire managers will take advantage of continued warm, dry weather conditions over the next several weeks and may initiate additional prescribed fires on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bright-angel-rx.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public input on an Expanded Non-native Aquatic Species Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) in Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (GCNRA) below the Glen Canyon Dam. Public scoping will be held for a 30-day period from November 15 to December 14. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-public-scoping.htm

On Friday, November 10 at approximately noon, the National Park Service located a body below the rim on the Rim Trail, between Pipe Creek and Mather Point. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovered-on-south-rim.htm

On Thursday, November 9 Grand Canyon National Park will host a Native American Indian Heritage Celebration. Park entrance is free November 11-12 for Veterans Day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/veterans-day-native-american-heritage.htm

The National Park Service is conducting a search for a missing person within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/legus-missing-person.htm

National Park Service (NPS) and US Forest Service (USFS) fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, anticipate initiating more prescribed fire (Rx) treatments this week as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-zone-rx-fires.htm

The Kaibab Suspension Bridge, also called the Black Bridge, will close to foot traffic while trail crews replace wood decking and tread boards. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/repairs-close-black-bridge.htm

Grand Canyon National Park has closed the yurt located at CC Hill on the North Rim effective September 21, 2017 for safety concerns. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20171003-grand-canyon-nr-yurt-permanently-closed.htm

North Rim operations will begin seasonal shut-down of most visitor services on Sunday, October 15. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-to-close.htm

Afterpleadingguiltytoseveralcharges,amanwassentencedtoimprisonmentand supervisedprobationduringarecentcourthearing.NathanD.Goodman,age36,isalso bannedfromGrandCanyonNationalPark. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/man-sentenced-for-dui.htm

Lisa Carrico, a 33-year veteran of the National Park Service (NPS), has been selected as Deputy Superintendent of Operations and Science at Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/lisa-carrico-selected-as-deputy-superintendent.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will join national park sites around the country in celebrating National Public Lands Day with free entrance to the park. Entrance fees will be waived for all visitors arriving to Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, September 30, 2017. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fee-free-national-public-lands-day.htm

The National Park Service has selected three companies to provide logistical services in support of administrative river missions along the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park. The apparent awardees are Ceiba Adventures, Inc, Colorado River & Trails Expeditions, and Grand Canyon Whitewater, LLC. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2017-09-08-nps-selects-river-logistics-companies.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) will work with cooperating agencies and partners to reduce the size of the bison herd on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/09-06-17-nps-to-reduce-bison-herd-at-grand-canyon-nat-park.htm

VERMILION CLIFFS, Ariz. – California Condors will be released to the wild in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. The public is welcome to observe the release from a viewing area where spotting scopes will be set up and project personnel will be available to answer questions. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/public-invited-to-release-of-california-condors.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will join national park sites around the country in celebrating Founder's Day with free entrance to the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/founders-day-fee-free-entrance.htm

Hydration while hiking is critical to human health- ensure that you are drinking enough water for physical activity. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/updated-water-treatment-advisory-lifted.htm

Hydration while hiking is critical to human health-- ensure that you are drinking enough water for physical activity. Grand Canyon National Park is advising hikers that they need to treat their drinking water at the following locations: Cottonwood Campground Manzinita Resthouse https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/update-water-treatment-advisory.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is advising hikers that they need to treat their drinking water at the following locations: Indian Garden **NEW LOCATION** Cottonwood Campground Manzinita Resthouse https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-treatment-advisory.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park can now learn more about the role wildland fire plays at Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/short-wildland-fire-film.htm

On Wednesday afternoon search and rescue crews located a body believed to be Sarah Beadle of Fort Worth, TX. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-located-near-black-bridge.htm

The National Park Service is conducting a missing person's search within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-at-grand-canyon.htm

The National Park Service announces a solicitation for award of up to three contracts to provide logistical services in support of administrative river trips along the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2017-07-05-grand-canyon-seeks-river-contracts.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public comment on a proposal to replace the obsolete Trans-Canyon Water Distribution Pipeline (Pipeline). The analysis of the project to replace the Pipeline and development of alternatives through an environmental assessment (EA) is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2017-07-05-pipeline-public-comment-sought.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Chris Lehnertz invites Flagstaff area residents and park lovers to a Community Conversation on July 11 from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Coconino Center for the Arts in Flagstaff. Superintendent Lehnertz will be joined by several park staff members at the event. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/invitation-to-community-conversation-with-park-superintendent-and-staff.htm

The National Park Service would like to remind everyone that the best way to enjoy Fourth of July at Grand Canyon National Park is safely. Visitors and residents are encouraged to contribute to a safe and enjoyable park experience on Fourth of July by drinking responsibly and not driving under the influence. With the holiday fast approaching, visitors and residents are also reminded that fireworks are prohibited within Grand Canyon National Park at all times. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/celebrate-4th-of-july-safely-at-grand-canyon-national-park-v.htm

After nearly 100 years since its opening, Grand Canyon Pioneer Cemetery will close to new burials due to lack of space. Although the cemetery is closed to new plots, some burials may continue for individuals with a spouse or immediate family already interred in the cemetery. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2017-06-26-historic-pioneer-cemetery-has-closed.htm

Bringing Fido or Freda to visit Grand Canyon National Park can be an once-in-a-lifetime experience for you and your furry family members, but before you plan your great American road trip, be sure to follow these suggestions from Park—and Bark!— Rangers. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-issues-warnings-to-pet-parents.htm

After three days of extensive searching, the National Park Service (NPS) will reduce the scale of the search for missing hiker, 72 year old Raffat "Ralph" Nasser-Eddin of Los Angeles, CA and Lebanon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-hiker-update.htm

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for parts of Grand Canyon National Park. The warning is in effect from 10 am Saturday, June 17 to 8 pm Wednesday, June 21 for areas below 5,000 feet in the canyon including Phantom Ranch and Indian Garden. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/summer-safety.htm

Search efforts continue in Grand Canyon National Park for missing hiker, 72 year-old Raafat “Ralph” Nasser-Eddin of Los Angeles, CA and Lebanon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-hiker-search-continues.htm

On Tuesday, June 13 at approximately 7:45 pm, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting an overdue hiker. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-hiker-grand-canyon.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers completed ignition operations on the Long Jim III Prescribed Fire. Crews will now monitor the unit and mop up any areas along the fire’s perimeter that may threaten the holding line. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/long-jim-rx-ignitions-complete.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with resources from Sedona Fire Department, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Rocky Mountain National Park, Zion National Park, Saguaro National Park and Kaibab National Forest—are continuing operations on the Long Jim III Prescribed Fire. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/prescribed-fire-continues.htm

Grand Canyon National Park fire managers—working with resources from Sedona Fire Department, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Rocky Mountain National Park, Zion National Park, and Kaibab National Forest—anticipate initiating a prescribed fire treatment this weekend as weather and fuel moisture conditions allows. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/long-jim-3-prescribed-fire.htm

The NPS has announced that it will extend the public comment period on the Initial Bison Herd Reduction Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA will now be available for public review and comment through June 14, 2017. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/initial-bison-herd-ea.htm

Grand Canyon National Park and Yuntaishan Geopark from the Henan province of China renewed their five-year Sister Park Agreement on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/sister-park-agreement.htm

At approximately noon on Sunday, May 21, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call about a single car accident on Center Road in Grand Canyon Village. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/motor-vehicle-accident.htm

The 27th annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 17 through Saturday, June 24, 2017 on the South and North Rims of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2017-star-party.htm

Repairs to the damaged water pipeline serving Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim were completed ahead of schedule this week, allowing lodging for those with prior reservations, campgrounds, and other services to open May 15 as normally scheduled. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-open-2017.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has announced that the Initial Bison Herd Reduction Environmental Assessment (EA), which evaluates management actions related to bison on Grand Canyon’s North Rim, is available for public review and comment. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bison-ea.htm

Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim will open as scheduled May 15 with limited visitor services despite major storm-caused breaks in the only pipeline that supplies its water. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-water-hauling.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 5,969,811 visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2016 spent $648,170,900 in communities near the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/econ-benefit-2016.htm

On Friday, April 28 the Grand Canyon Regional Communications was notified by a commercial river trip that they located a body on the Colorado River at River Mile 152. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/recovery-from-river.htm

The North Kaibab Trail is now open. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-kaibab-trail-open.htm

At approximately 12 pm on Sunday, April 23, Grand Canyon National Park was alerted to a personal locator beacon activation near Hance Rapid on the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/colorado-river-fatality.htm

After five days of extensive searching, today the National Park Service (NPS) is reducing the scale of the search for two hikers who went missing at Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, April 15. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/search-continues-limited-mode.htm

On Saturday evening, April 15 the National Park Service received an alert from a personal locating beacon in a backcountry area of Grand Canyon National Park near the confluence of Tapeats Creek and Thunder River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-hikers-tapeats.htm

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open as scheduled, on May 15, with limited visitor services and water conservation measures due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-open-may-15-water-conserve.htm

This week, Grand Canyon National Park trail crew was able to repair a section of the Colorado River Trail damaged by a rockslide. The trail between Pipe Creek and Silver Bridge is now open to foot traffic and remains closed to stock use. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/river-trail-open-to-hikers.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate the 47th anniversary of Earth Day during National Park Week fee-free days on Saturday, April 22, 2017. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/earth-day-park-week-2017.htm

Due to an unanticipated rockslide the National Park Service (NPS) will close the Colorado River Trail between Pipe Creek and the Silver Bridge for trail repair starting Monday, April 3. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/repairs-close-river-trail.htm

On Monday, March 27, Grand Canyon National Park will begin daily closures of the North Kaibab Trail at Redwall Bridge to remove debris from a storm-caused rockslide. During this time, rim-to-rim travel will be restricted. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-kaibab-ribbons-falls-temporary-closures.htm

On Tuesday, March 14, at 4:17 pm, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting that a visitor had fallen from the rim of the canyon west of Mather Point. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mather-point-fatality.htm

Each year in the spring (March – June) Grand Canyon National Park experiences an increase in turbidity in the drinking water. This increased turbidity is caused by snow melt and spring rains. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/annual-turbidity2017.htm

Beginning in mid-February the National Park Service will rehabilitate the pump houses at Indian Garden and the Black Bridge near Phantom Ranch. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/pumphouse-and-black-bridge-repairs.htm

The National Park Service will again offer shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan, Arizona in 2017. Service will begin March 1 to help ease spring break congestion on the South Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tusayan-route-starts-march-1-2017.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will join national park sites around the country with free entry into the park in honor of President’s Day Monday, February 20, 2017. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fee-free-presidents-day.htm

Grand Canyon National Park annual passes are available for purchase for 2017. This annual pass provides free entrance for a year exclusively to Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grca-annual-pass.htm

At approximately 5 pm on Saturday, January 28, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a man who had fallen from the rim near the South Kaibab trailhead. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fall-south-kaibab-trailhead.htm

On Wednesday, February 1, 2017 the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2018-noncommercial-river-lottery.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will join national park sites around the country in celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with free entrance to the park. Entrance fees will be waived for all visitors arriving to Grand Canyon National Park on Monday January 16, 2017. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mlk-fee-free-day.htm

As the National Park Service (NPS) prepares for a second century of service, Grand Canyon National Park celebrates the significant accomplishments of the NPS centennial celebration and looks ahead to its own park centennial in 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grcacentennialsuccess.htm

At approximately 12:30 am on December 12, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call alerting rangers to an overdue individual at Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/possible-suicide-twin-overlooks.htm

Grand Canyon National Park celebrated its 6 millionth visitor as its final National Park Service Centennial event. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/6-millionth-visitor-2016.htm

At approximately 9 am on Thursday, December 1, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call alerting rangers to a potentially suicidal individual at Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/potential-suicide-grand-canyon.htm

Following a storm last weekend, and with a chance for more snow on Friday, visitors to Grand Canyon National Park should be prepared for snowpacked and icy roads. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/winter-hiking-driving.htm

Fire managers will take advantage of favorable weather conditions over the next several weeks and initiate prescribed burns on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-fall-prescribed-burns.htm

On Wednesday, November 9, Grand Canyon National Park will host a Native American Indian Heritage Celebration and will waive entrance fees on Veterans Day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2016-native-heritage-and-veterans-day.htm

On October 3 and 5, 2016, Grand Canyon National Park partnered with Arizona Department of Public Safety and the US Department of Transportation to support ongoing inspections of all commercial traffic entering the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2016-commercial-vehicle-inspection.htm

Fire managers at Grand Canyon National Park anticipate initiating two prescribed burns on the North Rim this week as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/slopes-and-hse-rx.htm

The U.S. Department of the Interior today released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for a Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan (LTEMP) for Glen Canyon Dam operations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/final-eis-glen-canyon-adaptive-management.htm

North Rim operations will begin seasonal shut-down of most visitor services on Saturday, October 15. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/season-close-north-rim.htm

On Tuesday, September 20th National Park Service personnel located a body on the Colorado River at River Mile 139. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovery-colorado.htm

National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, anticipate initiating a prescribed fire treatment this fall as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow near the boundary line between the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab NF and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fall-prescribed.htm

National Park Service crews searched by air, water, and foot yesterday and today for missing river guide, Joshua Tourjee. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/search-continues-for-river-guide.htm

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with free entrance to Grand Canyon National Park Saturday, September 24. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-public-lands-day.htm

A National Park Service Search and Rescue crew was flown into the Canyon early this morning to begin the search for missing river guide, Joshua Tourjee. Tourjee was reported missing on September 12 by his river trip after failing to return to camp the previous evening. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/search-river-guide.htm

On Monday, September 12 the National Park Service received a satellite phone call from a commercial river trip reporting a missing guide near River Mile 137 also known as Pancho’s Kitchen. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-river-guide-tourjee.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites bird enthusiasts of all levels to participate in a weekend of birding fun and excitement including a LIVE radio broadcast with Talkin’ Birds Radio. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-bird-festival.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is turning 100 years old on August 25, 2016 and to celebrate the anniversary, Grand Canyon National Park will waive entrance fees August 25-28. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fee-free-august-25-28.htm

On July 30th, rangers located human remains below Pima Point. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/remains-located-pima-point.htm

On July 25, National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis presented the 2015 National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Wildfire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Award to the Grand Canyon Helitack Crew. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/helitack-receives-national-ems-award.htm

Today additional resources arrived to support the Fuller Fire. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/type-2-team-fuller.htm

Firefighters conducted an aerial reconnaissance flight this afternoon and estimate the Fuller Fire is approximately 1,324 acres. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/point-imperial-rd-closure.htm

Warmer, drier weather has led to increased fire activity on the Fuller Fire. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fuller-fire-increased-activity.htm

On Friday, July 8, 2016 Park Rangers responded to a call from hikers on the South Kaibab Trail reporting a woman who fell from Ooh Aah Point. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/ooh-aah-point-fatality.htm

National Park Service fire managers on the North Rim of Grand Canyon have decided to manage the Fuller Fire for multiple objectives. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fuller-fire.htm

Grand Canyon Village is no longer in level 1 water conservation mode and water operations have returned to normal. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/normal-water-operations.htm

On Monday, June 27 at approximately 4:45 pm, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a visitor over the edge at Mather Point. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mather-point-over-the-edge.htm

Grand Canyon National Park rangers will implement a selective sobriety checkpoint July 4th in an effort to assure the safety of park visitors and residents. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/july-4th-sobriety-checks.htm

Water restrictions at Grand Canyon National Park have been scaled back to basic conservation measures. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/level-1-water-update.htm

Grand Canyon National Park remains at mandatory Level 2 water conservation measures due to diminished water resources. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/continued-mandatory.htm

Floyd E. Roberts III of Treasure Island, FL, remains missing in a remote area of western Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-hiker-western-canyon.htm

Beginning at 8 am on Thursday, June 23rd Grand Canyon National Park will implement mandatory Level 2 water conservation measures due to diminished water resources. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mandatory-water-conservation.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is requesting that all visitors and residents on the South Rim of Grand Canyon begin instituting water conservation measures. A break in the Transcanyon Pipeline was identified today; in addition to the breakdown of one of the Indian Garden pipeline water pumps that provide water to the South Rim storage tanks. The combination of these situations has resulted in immediate water conservation guidelines for all consumers on the South Rim. The North Rim is unaffected by these issues. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation-june-21.htm

Fifty-two year old Floyd E. Roberts III of Treasure Island, FL, remains missing in western Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/update-missing-hiker.htm

On Saturday June, 18 at approximately 3 pm the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a missing person near Kelly Tanks. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-person-western-grand-canyon.htm

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for parts of Grand Canyon National Park from Sunday, June 16 to Wednesday, June 22. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/excessive-heat.htm

Yesterday, National Park Service (NPS) fire managers successfully treated 994 acres with prescribed (Rx) fire on the South Rim of Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/shoshone-rx-success.htm

National Park Service fire managers anticipate initiating a prescribed fire near Shoshone Point Thursday, June 9 as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/shoshone-prescribed-fire-june-9.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) and the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) announced at last night’s Star Party that Grand Canyon National Park is now a Provisional IDA International Dark Sky Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/provisional-dark-sky-park.htm

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for parts of Grand Canyon National Park. The warning is in effect beginning today Friday, June 3 at 10am through Sunday, June 5 at 8 pm for areas below 4,000 feet in the canyon including Phantom Ranch. Temperatures at Phantom Ranch could reach 113 F/45 C. Areas above 4,000 feet including the South Rim will experience high temperatures in the 90s. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/excessive-heat-warning.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park over Memorial Day weekend can expect long lines, crowds, and full parking lots. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/busy-memorial-day.htm

The twenty-sixth annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 4 through Saturday, June 11, 2016 on the South and North rims of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/star-party-2016.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) and its partners invite the public to a re-dedication ceremony at the Desert View Watchtower on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 10:30 am. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/desert-view-ceremony.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga today announced his retirement effective June 1, 2016. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/superintendent-dave-uberuaga-announces-retirement.htm

National Park Service (NPS) fire managers anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatment in Grand Canyon Village Thursday, May 19, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/village-prescribed-fire-may19.htm

The Cave of the Domes is closed to protect roosting bats and other sensitive cave resources. Bats are particularly sensitive to human disturbance and will abandon roost sites. As a reminder all caves in Grand Canyon National Park are closed to protect sensitive resources. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cave-of-domes-reopened.htm

National Park Service (NPS) fire managers are postponing prescribed fire treatment in Grand Canyon Village Thursday, May 5 due to predicted high winds. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/village-prescribed-fire-postponed.htm

National Park Service (NPS) fire managers anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatment in Grand Canyon Village Thursday, May 5, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/village-prescribed-fire.htm

The National Park Service will again offer shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan, Arizona in 2016. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tusayan-shuttle-2016.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 5.5 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2015 spent $584 million in communities near the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tourism-economic-benefits-2015.htm

The gate at the entrance to North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open on Sunday, May 15 at 7:30 am. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-open-2016.htm

Celebrate Earth Day at Grand Canyon and commemorate the National Historic Preservation Act https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/earth-day-2016.htm

Search and Rescue crews continued looking for missing woman Diana Zacarias of Natchitoches, LA. Crews spent yesterday and today looking for Zacarias by foot above and below the rim. The park helicopter has assisted ground searches. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/search-continues-zacarias.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will waive entrance fees April 16-24, 2016 to celebrate National Park Week and the National Park Service Centennial. To join in on the week-long celebration, visitors can attend ranger programs, cultural demonstrations, and Earth Day events. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-park-week-fee-free-days.htm

On Sunday, April 3 the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a phone call reporting a missing individual last known to be at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-woman-zacarias.htm

Due to rodent activity and the potential exposure risk to hantavirus, the National Park Service has temporarily closed Cave of the Domes. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cave-of-the-domes-closure.htm

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park this spring break can expect long lines and full parking lots. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/spring-break-crowds.htm

On March 16th or 17th, Grand Canyon Railway, in consultation with the National Park Service, will apply herbicide along their railroad tracks. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/herbicide-application-railroad.htm

Each year in the spring (March – June) Grand Canyon National Park experiences an increase in turbidity in the drinking water. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/annual-turbidity.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) has announced a 30-day public comment period seeking input on changes to the scope of the Bison Management Plan at Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-bison-ea.htm

The National Park Service announced a 30-day extension of the public comment period for Grand Canyon National Park’s Backcountry Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement . https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-deis-comment-extension.htm

On February 21, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a car below the rim near Lipan Point on Desert View Drive. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovered-lipan-point.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites public to a special dark skies program with Charley Bulletts from the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/darkskiesstorytellingatgrand-canyon.htm

On Monday, February 1, 2016 the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park in 2017. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2017-noncommercial-river-lottery.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) announced today another opportunity for the public to weigh in on revisions to Grand Canyon National Park’s Backcountry Management Plan (BMP). The NPS began developing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for this plan in 2011 in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-plan-webinar-and-open-house.htm

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Grand Canyon National Park will join national park units across the country and offer visitors fee-free entry into the park on Monday, January 18, 2016. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/mlk-fee-free-2016.htm

The U.S. Department of the Interior has released a proposed framework for adaptively managing Glen Canyon Dam over the next 20 years with the goal of creating certainty and predictability for power and water users while protecting environmental and cultural resources in Grand Canyon National Park and the Colorado River ecosystem. The draft environmental impact statement (EIS) is available to the public for review and comment for 90 days. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/interior-proposes-adaptive-management-framework-for-glen-canyon-dam.htm

Over the last 24 hours Grand Canyon National Park has received heavy snowfall resulting in significant snow accumulation. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/winterweather2016.htm

This week, the National Weather Service is predicting several large winter storms across Northern Arizona, including Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20160105-winter-weather.htm

To kick off the new year and to celebrate the National Park Service’s Centennial, Grand Canyon National Park is participating in the 127th Rose Parade Friday, January 1, 2016. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20151218-rose-bowl.htm

Hikers near Phantom Ranch reported a fatality in Bright Angel Campground on Sunday, December 6. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bright-angel-campground-fatality.htm

National Park Service fire managers anticipate initiating a prescribed fire near Shoshone Point Monday, December 7 as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/shoshone-point-prescribed-fire.htm

The Arizona Department of Transportation has closed State Route 67 between Jacob Lake and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The North Rim is now closed to vehicle traffic for the winter. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-winter-closure.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) announced today another opportunity for the public to weigh in on revisions to Grand Canyon National Park’s Backcountry Management Plan (BMP). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/backcountry-plan-draft-eis.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate Native American Heritage Days on Monday, November 9th, 2015. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/native-american-heritage-days-2015.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to start the celebration for the upcoming National Park Service Centennial on Saturday, November 7 and visit the REI Village. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/rei-village-at-grand-canyon.htm

Grand Canyon Trail Crew will replace toilets at Cottonwood Campground. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/cottonwood-toilet-replacement.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will offer free entrance to everyone on Veterans Day, November 11. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fee-free-veterans-day.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is in the process of replacing a portion of the Transcanyon Pipeline (TCP) at Phantom Ranch. As part of the construction process, the TCP will be turned off to allow crews to connect the new portions of the pipeline to the existing pipeline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/temporary-pipeline-shutdown.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate Earth Science Week (ESW) and National Fossil Day festivities during the week of October 11-17, 2015. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/earth-science-week.htm

Grand Canyon National Park, the National Park Service Office of Public Health, Coconino County Public Health Services District, and other park partners are investigating a positive case of tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) contracted by a recent visitor to the North Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tick-borne-relapsing-fever.htm

Crews finished repairing a break in the Transcanyon Pipeline that occurred north of Phantom Ranch earlier this week. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/pipeline-break-fixed.htm

At approximately 2:30 pm on Saturday, September 26th the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call alerting officials to a potential suicide west of the South Kaibab Trailhead. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-rim-suicide.htm

North Rim operations will begin seasonal shut-down of most visitor services on Friday, October 16. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-seasonal-closure.htm

Water utility staff at Grand Canyon National Park will begin repairs to a break in the Transcanyon Pipeline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/september-pipeline-break.htm

Tree removal and trimming will occur adjacent to the Bright Angel Trail near the Indian Garden day-use area Monday, September 28 through Wednesday, September 30. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/indian-garden-tree-trimming.htm

Weekends through autumn, join jewelers, silversmiths, weavers, potters and more during Desert View Watchtower's Cultural Demonstrator Series. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/watchtower-cultural-demonstrators.htm

Celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 26, with free entrance to Grand Canyon and all national park units across the country. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fee-free-public-lands-day.htm

At 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, September 13 the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting that an unidentified male was possibly struck by lightning on the South Kaibab Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-south-kaibab.htm

Visitors and residents may experience short delays during construction to South Entrance Station and Hermit Road. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-entrance-and-hermit-road-construction.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga has announced the award of a concession contract to Xanterra South Rim, L.L.C. Xanterra will provide lodging, food services, retail, transportation, mule rides, and other services on the South Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/award-of-hospitality-contract-on-south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Heavy rains caused major road damage in the Tuweep area of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/storms-damage-tuweep-roads.htm

Because of a break in the Transcanyon Pipeline, there is no drinking water available on the North Kaibab Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/pipeline-break.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites all fourth graders and their families to visit the park for free. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/every-kid-in-a-park.htm

A river trip reported a hiker fatality on Friday, August 28. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fence-fault-route-fatality.htm

The Desert View Watchtower at Grand Canyon National Park will host the final artist in the annual Cultural Demonstrator Series. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/last-2015-desert-view-demonstration.htm

The National Park Service is turning 99 years old on August 25 and Grand Canyon National Park wants to give you a present- free admission! The usual entrance fee will be waived for all visitors to Grand Canyon on Tuesday, August 25. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-park-service-99th-birthday.htm

Justin Kremer of Tempe, AZ has been successfully located by search crews earlier this afternoon. Kremer was reported as missing on Friday, July 31st with a last known location of West Rim Drive. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-individual-located-at-south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On Friday, July 31, 2015 the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a phone call reporting a missing individual at Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/justin-kremer-missing-person.htm

The National Park Service invites the public to the 22nd annual Native American Heritage Days on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, August 6 and 7, 2015. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-native-american-heritage-days.htm

Eric Graff received the National Park Service's inaugural Tom Clausing Aviation All Risk Programs Award. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/eric-graff-wins-national-award.htm

Grant to help transform Desert View into a cultural heritage site. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/desert-view-tribal-heritage-grant.htm

Join award-winning western singer Dave Stamey and the Alternative Break Citizenship School for a free concert. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/dave-stamey-concert.htm

Relive Grand Canyon's history with park rangers in character as notable figures from the past. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/echoes-from-the-canyon-returns.htm

On July 11th, the North Rim celebrates the unique culture of the area with Western Arts Day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-western-arts-day.htm

Hiker fatality on Grand Canyon's North Kaibab Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-kaibab-trail-fatality.htm

Visitation at Grand Canyon National Park is up 20 percent in 2015. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/record-breaking-visitation.htm

A man who died while hiking the Bright Angel Trail has been identified. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bright-angel-trail-fatality-identified.htm

The trail between the El Tovar Hotel and the train depot will close for repairs July 1. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/el-tovar-walkway-detour.htm

On Thursday afternoon, hikers reported to a park ranger that a member of their party needed help. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bright-angel-fatality.htm

Managers of both the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona were recently recognized for the leadership role they've played in managing wildland fire across the landscape and jurisdictional boundaries for the purpose of improving forest health conditions. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-award.htm

Coconino County Public Health Services District and Grand Canyon National Park will begin monthly monitoring for plague. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-and-coconino-county-to-monitor-for-plague.htm

Twenty-two year old Morgan Heimer remains missing on the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park; and a six day search by the National Park Service has turned up no additional clues as to his whereabouts. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/heimer-update.htm

A National Park Service search mission continues in efforts to find Morgan Heimer. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/rangers-search-for-missing-river-guide.htm

A Grand Canyon National Park search and rescue mission continues for Morgan Heimer of Cody, WY who went missing June 2 at River Mile 213 on the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/guide-still-missing-on-colorado-river.htm

Fire crews report that the Pinon Park fire is now 100% contained. On Wednesday, June 3 at approximately 3 pm the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a wildfire at Pinon Park located within the South Rim Village. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/pinon-contained.htm

Wildland firefighters respond to fire at Pinon Park located within the South Rim Village. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/south-rim-village-fire.htm

On Tuesday, June 2 at approximately 8 pm the National Park Service received a satellite phone call from a commercial river trip reporting a missing guide at River Mile 213 near Pumpkin Springs. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/guide-missing.htm

The twenty-fifth annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 13 through Saturday, June 20, 2015 on the South and North rims of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/free-telescope-viewing-at-grand-canyon-june-13-20.htm

On May 20th, a private boating trip reported the wreckage of an airplane to park rangers at Diamond Creek. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/park-rangers-respond-to-report-of-plane-wreckage.htm

On Sunday, May 24th, park rangers responded to a report of an unconscious man in the vicinity of Grand Canyon Visitor Center. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-fatality-at-south-rim-of-grand-canyon.htm

Grand Canyon will celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-to-celebrate-asian-american-heritage-month.htm

Effective June 1, 2015, Grand Canyon National Park will increase park entrance fees and the cost of overnight backcountry permits. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-announces-fee-increases.htm

On Monday, May 11th the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center was contacted by the Tallmadge, OH Police Department reporting a missing man who was believed to be suicidal and currently at Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/intervene.htm

From May 23 to September 25, 2015, Grand Canyon National Park will offer shuttle bus service between the park and the neighboring town of Tusayan, AZ. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tusayan-shuttle-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Repairs of a break in the Transcanyon Pipeline near Phantom Ranch are complete. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/update-pipeline-repairs-complete-in-inner-canyon.htm

Alejandro Bussot, 25, of Miami, FL has been identified as the potential suicide victim at Grand Canyon National Park. Body recovery teams were able to reach the victim, who was located approximately 250 feet below the rim, earlier this morning. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/victim-identified.htm

A break in the Trans-Canyon Water Pipeline late on Monday, May 4th has resulted in the implementation of water conservation measures for the inner canyon and no water availability at Roaring Springs or Cottonwood. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/water-conservation.htm

At approximately 5:45 a.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call alerting officials to a potential suicide. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/possible-suicide.htm

Fire managers plan a prescribed fire within Grand Canyon National Park near Grand Canyon Village. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-fire-managers-plan-prescribed-fire-for-grand-canyon-village.htm

The National Park Service is able to confirm that yesterday’s over the edge incident resulted in a fatality. Earlier today the body of the victim was recovered by short haul operation utilizing the park helicopter. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/over-edge-fatality.htm

On Thursday, April 30 at approximately 4:20 p.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a man who had fallen from the edge of the rim trail east of Mather Point. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/over-edge.htm

Replacement of the Transcanyon Pipeline at Phantom Ranch has progressed and the contractor has replaced over a quarter mile of pipeline. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/construction-continues-on-transcanyon-pipeline-replacement-at-phantom-ranch.htm

National Park Service (NPS) fire managers anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatment for the Shoshone Rx during the week of April 27 as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/shoshone-rx.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that over 4.7 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2014 spent $509 million in communities near the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-tourism-creates-509-million.htm

Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim will open Friday, May 15 for the 2015 summer season. All NPS operations will be available by 8 am that day and Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim and Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their operations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-rim-to-open-may-15-2015.htm

College students from around the country participated in Alternative Spring Break by helping Grand Canyon National Park's wildland firefighting crew. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/alternative-spring-break.htm

Local artisans will share their culture and crafts with Grand Canyon National Park visitors at the Desert View Watchtower. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/dv-cultural-demonstrations.htm

Grand Canyon National Park joins in the Find Your Park Campaign and will celebrate with Earth Day events and a fee-free weekend, April 18-19 https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-park-week-2015-04-18.htm

Twenty-one year old Drake L. Kramer remains missing at Grand Canyon National Park; and a six day search by the National Park Service has turned up no additional clues as to his whereabouts. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/kramer-limited.htm

Today National Park Service Search and Rescue crews expanded the search area for missing San Antonio man, Drake L. Kramer. Kramer, 21 was reported missing by family on Monday, February 2. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/expand-kramer-search.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will be joining national park units across the country in honor of Presidents Day with fee-free entry into the park on Saturday, February 14, 2015 through Monday, February 16, 2015. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2015-fee-free-pres-day.htm

On Monday, February 2, 2015 the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a phone call reporting a missing individual last known to be at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-man2015.htm

Sunday, February 1, 2015 Grand Canyon National Park will open the permit lottery for 2016 Noncommerical River Trip launch dates. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2016-lottery.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will begin replacing a portion of the Trans-Canyon Pipeline at Phantom Ranch beginning on Monday, January 26, 2015. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/replace-portion-tcp.htm

Grand Canyon National Park announced the award of the contract for operation of the South Rim’s shuttle bus services to Paul Revere Transportation, L.L.C. The five-year contract is in effect from December 1, 2014 through November 30, 2019. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20150113-gc-award-shuttle-services.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will be joining national park units across the country in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day with fee-free entry into the park on Monday, January 19, 2015. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20150119mlk-fee-free.htm

Grand Canyon National Park staff have completed repairs to the Trans-Canyon Water Pipeline. Water restrictions have been lifted and Xanterra South Rim LLC has resumed normal operations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/13dec2014-pipelinerepair.htm

Visitors hiking to Phantom Ranch must be self-sufficient and be prepared to carry or treat all drinking water. A break in the Trans-Canyon Water Pipeline and inclement weather delaying equipment from reaching repair crews, has resulted in a water shortage at Phantom Ranch at the bottom of Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20141211_pipeline-break-phantom.htm

A prescribed fire treatment will take place on the Campground unit of the Bright Angel Rx on Wednesday, November 19, as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/20141118-nr-prescribed-fire-planned.htm

Grand Canyon National Park is proposing to increase entrance fees into the park. The single vehicle entrance fee would change from $25 to $30 for a seven day pass. The park’s annual pass would increase from $50 to $60. The current rate of $12 per individual or motorcycle would increase to $15 per individual and $25 for a motorcycle. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/proposed-fee-increase.htm

On October 14-15, 2014, the Grand Canyon Fee and Commercial Enforcement Unit partnered with the Grand Canyon Concessions and Fee Management Offices to support ongoing inspections of all commercial traffic entering the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2014-commercial-inspection.htm

In observance of Native American/Alaska Native Heritage Month, Grand Canyon National Park is sponsoring a series of special events on Tuesday, November 11 and Wednesday, November 12. All are invited to participate in these presentations and demonstrations as we recognize and celebrate the many accomplishments, contributions, and sacrifices made by First Americans. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2014-native-american-heritage.htm

In honor of those that serve and have served in the United States military, national park units around the country, including Grand Canyon National Park, will be offering everyone fee-free entry on Tuesday, November 11. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/veterans-day-2014.htm

The National Park Service is lifting a drinking water advisory that was issued on Friday, October 31st for the following areas along the North Kaibab Trail, Manzanita Rest Area (Roaring Springs) and Cottonwood Campground within the backcountry at Grand Canyon National Park. Water in the rest of the park including South Rim Village, Desert View, Indian Garden, Phantom Ranch and North Rim Developed Area continues to be safe to drink. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/lift-advisory.htm

The National Park Service is issuing a drinking water advisory for the following areas along the North Kaibab Trail, Manzanita Rest Area (Roaring Springs) and Cottonwood Campground within the backcountry at Grand Canyon National Park. The rest of the park including South Rim Village, Desert View, Indian Garden, Phantom Ranch and North Rim Developed Area is not affected by this advisory and water is safe to drink. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/drinking-water.htm

National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) fire managers, working together as the North Zone Interagency Fire Management Program, anticipate initiating prescribed fire treatment during the fall and winter months as weather and fuel moisture conditions allow. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/north-zone-fall-2014-rx.htm

A bat recently removed from an area along the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park has tested positive for rabies. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/bat-rabies-october-2014.htm

On Friday, September 19, at approximately 4 p.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a 911 call from a visitor reporting that a male hiker had fallen and was having trouble breathing. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/male-hiker-dies-while-hiking-on-north-kaibab-trail.htm

Grand Canyon National Park invites the public to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act on September 25th and National Public Lands Day on the September 27, 2014. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/wilderness-npld-day.htm

The staff on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will begin to shut down most visitor services and facilities on Thursday, October 16; the North Rim will remain open to visitors through December 1 or until snow closes Highway 67 leading into the park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2014-north-rim-seasonal.htm

On Saturday, September 13, 2014, Grand Canyon National Park will dedicate the park as a Globally Important Bird Area as part of its 7th Annual Celebrate Wildlife Day. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/september-2014-wildlife-day.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) will begin issuing Special Use Permits on an interim basis for organized, non-commercial rim-to-rim and extended day hiking and running in the inner canyon of Grand Canyon National Park. The inner canyon is defined as the area below Tonto Platform (Tipoff and Indian Garden) from the South Rim and below Manzanita Resthouse (Pumphouse Residence) from the North Rim. Permits will be issued to groups with activities planned for after September 15, 2014. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/interim-permits-r2r.htm

In celebration of the National Park Service’s 98th birthday all 401 national park units, including Grand Canyon National Park will waive entrance fees on Monday, August 25, 2014. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/august-25-fee-free.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga has announced the availability of a prospectus for a business opportunity in the park, to provide lodging, food services, retail, transportation, mule rides, and other services on the South Rim. This business opportunity is very similar to solicitation CC-GRCA001-15A, announced on March 11, 2014, with the exception that the initial leasehold surrender interest has been reduced to approximately $57 million, and the franchise fee has been adjusted to 14%. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/business-opportunity-south-rim-august-2014.htm

The National Park Service has selected DNC Parks & Resorts at Grand Canyon, Inc., a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, Inc., to provide a variety of visitor services at Grand Canyon National Park for the next 15 years. This is one of two concessions contracts that are expected to be awarded this year. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/nps-awards-concession-contract-to-dncpr.htm

National Park Service personnel have located a body several hundred feet below the rim in the last known vicinity of missing Glendale, AZ resident Marc Buckhout. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-located-august-6.htm

National Park Service employees continue to search for missing Glendale, AZ resident Marc Buckhout. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/search-continues-buckhout.htm

The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a missing individual on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-individual-august-4.htm

The National Park Service invites the public to the 21st annual Native American Heritage Days on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/native-american-heritage-days.htm

Grand Canyon In Depth is the video podcast series that explores the natural and human history of Grand Canyon National Park. The series features park rangers, scientists, and historians as they take us beyond the rim of the canyon to discover the diversity of life and the extraordinary beauty of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/in-depth-podcast.htm

Growth continued yesterday on all fires being managed for resource benefits with multiple objectives. Today crews continue to do preparation work ahead of managed ignitions and ignitions may occur on some fires. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/july-27-fire-updates.htm

National Park Service fire managers on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon are managing the Kanabownits Fire for multiple objectives. Lightning ignited the fire Tuesday, July 8, about one mile northeast of the historic Kanabownits Cabin on the Walla Valley Peninsula. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/kanabowntis-july-25.htm

National Park Service fire managers on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon have decided to manage the Kanabowntis Fire for multiple objectives. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/kanabowntis-july-22.htm

On Wednesday, July 16 sometime between 2:30-3 p.m., MST, a bat landed on a visitor while she was standing in front of the Tusayan Museum, just west of the Desert View Visitors’ Center within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2-bats-positive-rabies.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 4,564,841 visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2013 spent $476,194.8 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 6,238 jobs in the local area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tourism-to-grand-canyon-national-park-creates-476-million-dollars-in-economic-benefit-report-shows-visitor-spending-supports-6238-jobs-in-local-economy.htm

A man who died while hiking the North Kaibab Trail in Grand Canyon National Park has been identified as 47-year old Andrew Sammler of Lancaster, OH. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-identified.htm

The body of a man recovered from the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park on July 4th has been identified as that of Victor Tseng. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-identified.htm

At 2:20 p.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a 911 call from a visitor reporting CPR in progress on a male hiker on the North Kaibab Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality-july-11.htm

Fire restrictions to be lifted in Grand Canyon on Tuesday, July 8, at 8 a.m. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-restrictions-imposed-last-month-in-grand-canyon-to-be-lifted.htm

This morning at approximately 9:30 the National Park Service received a call from a commercial river trip that had located a body in the Colorado River at approximately River Mile 182 on river right within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/body-recovered-from-colorado-river-in-grand-canyon.htm

At approximately 11:30 am the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting CPR in progress just above Three-Mile Rest House on the Bright Angel Trail. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hiker-fatality.htm

National Park Service Search and Rescue crews continue to look for Victor Tseng of Phoenix, AZ who went missing at River Mile 157 on the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/search-continues.htm

On Friday, June 27 at approximately 3:40 p.m. the National Park Service received a satellite phone call from a commercial river trip reporting a missing passenger at River Mile 157 known as Havasu Rapids. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/missing-man-on-colorado-river-within-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) today announced plans to dedicate one of the nation’s newest National Historic Landmarks, the 1956 Grand Canyon TWA-United Airlines Aviation Accident Site in Grand Canyon National Park. This site commemorates a horrific airline collision over the Grand Canyon in 1956. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/1956-nhl-designation.htm

On Wednesday, June 11 at approximately 2:00 p.m. the National Park Service received a call reporting an unconscious male kayaker at Badger Rapids, river mile 8 on the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/kayaker-fatality-badger-rapids.htm

On Monday, June 9 at approximately 9:40 p.m. the National Park Service received a 911 call reporting an unconscious man at the Desert View Campground within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-at-desert-view-campground.htm

The Galahad Fire has been contained to the point where no direct threats remain to park resources. The fire will continue to burn across the southern portion of the Walla Valley Peninsula west of the W-4 Road until wetting rains arrive, typically in mid-July. Currently it is estimated to be 4,363 acres and 50% contained. The increase in containment reflects ongoing holding actions by firefighters along the W-4 Road. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/galahad-fire-likely-to-burn-until-wetting-rains-arrive.htm

Due to increased fire danger throughout Grand Canyon National Park, park officials will be implementing fire restrictions for all areas within the park except the Colorado River corridor. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fire-restrictions-june-13.htm

Due to the hard work of firefighters and the successful plan they implemented, the Galahad Fire has been contained to the point where no direct threats remain to park resources. The fire is not out, but the chances of it crossing existing containment lines have been greatly reduced. The fire is estimated to be 3,102 acres and 30% contained. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/hard-work-and-good-planning-pay-off-on-the-galahad-fire.htm

On Wednesday, June 3 at approximately 7:20 p.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call via satellite phone reporting a female in and out of consciousness from an apparent allergic reaction at river mile 168 on the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/boater-fatality-on-the-colorado-river-in-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Firefighters had another good day on the Galahad Fire holding it west of the W-4 Road and continuing to strengthen and improve existing containment lines. The fire is estimated at 2,950 acres and 30% contained. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/progress-continues-on-the-galahad-fire.htm

Firefighters made good progress today in strengthening and holding the established containment lines on the Galahad Fire. Once again hot, dry and windy weather challenged firefighters but they were able to keep the fire to the west of the W-4 Road, which is the major focus of fire managers. These same weather conditions are forecasted for the rest of the week. The fire is estimated at 2,702 acres and 5% contained. This containment is based on the portion of the fire in which firefighters are continuing to control. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/firefighters-make-good-progress-on-galahad-fire.htm

Red Flag conditions consisting of high temperatures, low relative humidity and gusty winds challenged firefighters again today, but they were able to hold the Galahad Fire west of the W-4 Road. These same weather conditions are forecasted for the rest of the week. The fire is estimated at 2,172 acres. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/firefighters-overcome-challenge-of-red-flag-conditions.htm

Firefighters were successful today in holding the Galahad Fire to the west of the W-4 Road, even though they were faced with higher temperatures, lower relative humidity and gusty winds. Yesterday, these same conditions caused three spot fires across the W-4 road to the east, but firefighters were able to quickly contain them. The fire is estimated at 1,975 acres https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/firefighters-hold-the-line-on-the-galahad-fire.htm

Today’s weather brought higher temperatures, lower relative humidity and gustier winds, which tested containment lines. Late afternoon winds caused four spot fires east of the W-4 Road containment line. A plan was in place in anticipation of the predicted weather and potential spot fires. Firefighters, aided by engines, responded and are working to contain the spot fires across the W-4 Road and south of the Kanbowbitz Cabin. These challenging weather conditions are expected to continue over the next few days. The fire is now estimated to be 1,550 acres. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/weather-conditions-challenge-firefighters-on-galahad-fire.htm

Once again, favorable weather conditions today allowed firefighters to make good progress in building and improving containment lines along the W-4 Road to the north and south of the historic Kanabownits Cabin. These containment lines have been constructed to protect the cabin and hold the fire west of the W-4 Road on the Walla Valley Peninsula. The fire is now estimated at 1,100 acres. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/firefighters-continue-to-make-progress-on-galahad-fire.htm

Due to favorable weather conditions today, including lower temperatures, higher relative humidity and lighter winds the Galahad Fire showed little growth and is now estimated at 743 acres. The fire remains west of the W-4 Road and south of the historic Kanabownits Cabin. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/weather-helps-firefighters-meet-management-objectives.htm

National Park Service fire managers on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon are managing the Galahad Fire for both resource and protection objectives. Resource objectives for the fire include returning fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem in order to maintain forest health. Protection objectives for the fire include protection of sensitive cultural resources and wildlife habitat. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/galahad-fire-continues-to-meet-objectives.htm

The twenty-fourth annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 21 through Saturday, June 28, 2014 on the South and North Rims of Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-hosting-24th-annual-star-party.htm

National Park Service fire managers on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon have decided to manage the Galahad Fire for multiple objectives. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/galahad-fire-to-be-managed-for-multiple-objectives-on-the-north-rim-of-the-grand-canyon.htm

On Friday, May 23, four fire starts were reported on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The North Rim of the park is currently at High fire danger and the South Rim is at Very High. A storm this afternoon produced rain and hail on the North Rim moderating fire behavior. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/multiple-fire-starts-on-north-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Although Grand Canyon National Park received below-average precipitation this winter, the warm spring caused vegetation in the park to thrive. Now, fine fuels are quickly drying out as winds and temperatures rise, increasing the risk of wildfire. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/memorial-day-fire-aware.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) will again offer free shuttle bus service between Grand Canyon National Park and the neighboring town of Tusayan, Arizona in 2014. The Tusayan Shuttle will be available from Saturday, May 10 through Friday, September 5 and will run at 20-minute intervals between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. daily. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tusayan-shuttle-at-grand-canyon-national-park-begins-saturday-may-10-2014.htm

Grand Canyon National Park on September 1, 2014 will begin requiring reservations for all campers who wish to stay at the Tuweep Campground. After September 1, visitors who plan to camp at Tuweep will need to have a permit issued by the National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-to-require-camping-permit-at-tuweep-campground.htm

At approximately 1:10 p.m. Monday, April 28, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a female that had fallen off the rim at Mather Point located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-victim-at-grand-canyon-national-park-identified.htm

The Arizona Department of Transportation will open Highway 67 to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park on Thursday, May 15 by 8:00 am; and Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim, a Forever Resorts property, and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will commence their 2014 seasonal operations. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyons-north-rim-to-open-may-15-for-the-2014-summer-season.htm

Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) will hold two informational, online meetings as part of the scoping process for a bison management plan and environmental impact statement. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/public-scoping-webinars-planned-for-grand-canyon-national-park-bison-management-plan-eis.htm

Bureau of Reclamation, the Nevada Department of Wildlife, BIO-WEST, Inc., and the Arizona Game and Fish Department, National Park Service (NPS) biologists successfully released nine adult endangered razorback suckers (Xyrauchen texanus) in the Colorado River downstream of Lava Falls (River Mile 180). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tagged-razorback-suckers-released-in-grand-canyon.htm

Throughout the upcoming field season, National Park Service staff will be applying herbicide to targeted high priority invasive plant species in Grand Canyon National Park's developed areas. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/herbicide-to-be-applied-within-developed-areas-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Go wild for the history, nature, trails, and archeology of Grand Canyon National Park during National Park Week, April 19 through 27, 2014. To get the celebration going, Grand Canyon National Park will waive entrance fees on April 19 and 20. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/go-wild-for-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to announce the latest step to manage the impacts of bison on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP). After meeting with cooperators Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)--over the last several months, the NPS will initiate public scoping later this week for a bison management plan and environmental impact statement (EIS) to be prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/national-park-service-seeks-public-input-on-a-bison-management-plan-and-environmental-impact-statement-for-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On Tuesday, March 18 at approximately 6:30 p.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call via satellite phone reporting a fatality on the Colorado River. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/kayaker-fatality-on-the-colorado-river-in-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On Saturday, March 15 at approximately 8:00 a.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of a man who had fallen off the rim near El Tovar Lodge. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/fatality-at-south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On Saturday, March 22, 2014, Grand Canyon National Park will host its seventh annual Archaeology Day celebration, commemorating Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-to-host-archaeology-day-on-march-22.htm

Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga has announced the availability of a prospectus for a business opportunity in the park, to provide lodging, food services, retail, transportation, mule rides, and other services on the South Rim. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/business-opportunity-announced-for-hospitality-contract-on-south-rim-of-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

On Sunday, March 9 at approximately 2:00 p.m. the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a report of an unresponsive male at the South Entrance Station. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/visitor-fatality-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that over 4.4 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2012 spent $454 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 6,010 jobs in the local area. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/tourism-to-grand-canyon-national-park-creates-454-million-in-economic-benefit.htm

Park Rangers recently recovered skeletal remains from the Hermit Creek drainage within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/human-remains-found-at-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

The National Park Service will burn piles of woody debris between Monday, February 24 through Wednesday, February 26 at Indian Gardens within Grand Canyon National Park depending on weather conditions. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/pile-burning-at-indian-gardens-within-the-grand-canyon.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will host author and conservation activist Audrey Peterman for a special evening program on Monday, March 3 in honor of Black History Month. Ms. Peterman and her husband Frank authored the book Legacy on the Land: A Black Couple Discovers Our National Inheritance and Tells Why Every American Should Care. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-to-celebrate-black-history-month-with-special-guest-audrey-peterman.htm

On Thursday, February 13th, Grand Canyon Railway, in consultation with the National Park Service (NPS), will be applying herbicide along their railroad tracks including those within Grand Canyon National Park. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/herbicide-to-be-applied-along-railway-within-grand-canyon-national-park.htm

Grand Canyon National Park will join National Parks across the country to celebrate Presidents Day Weekend, February 15-17, with fee free admission. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/presidents-day-fee-free-weekend-2014.htm