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How to Choose Best Travel Rewards Program

by travzdlaDecember 28, 2022

Travel rewards are the programs used by airlines, credit cards, and some hotels to cultivate a sense of loyalty among their customers.

Customers can earn points or miles that are redeemable for free flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, or shopping sprees.

Some popular travel rewards programs include those offered by credit cards such as American Express, Capital One, and Chase bank.

Some are offered by airlines, such as Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus, and those offered by hotel chains, such as Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors.

It’s a good idea to compare the features and benefits of several programs before making a decision on what program you want to join.

There are many travel rewards programs available, however, finding the best one for you will depend on your specific travel needs and preferences. Below are some 5 things to consider when choosing a travel rewards program:

Travel rewards earnings potential

You should consider the earning potential, how much you will be able to earn in the program, and how long it will take because most of the time is based on your travel and spending habits.

For instance, if you want to earn rewards through credit cards, you want to know what is the better credit card, how much you will need to spend, and if it’s worth it.

For most credit cards the more you spend the more rewards you get. Some programs offer higher earning potential on certain types of purchases, such as airfare, car rentals, or hotel stays.

However, some rewards programs offer rewards for other purchases. than airfare or hotel stays. For instance, Delta Skymiles do offer rewards when you make purchases at Starbucks and Lyft.

Travel rewards program redemption options

Look at how you can redeem the points or miles you earn. Can you use them to book travel with any airline or hotel, or are you limited to certain partners?

Can you use them for other types of redemptions, such as cashback or merchandise? Do the points or miles you earn expire? meaning do you have a deadline to use them?

Knowing all these questions will make you determine if you are choosing the right program.

Is there an Elite status in the travel reward program?

Some programs offer elite status tiers that provide additional benefits, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and room upgrades. Programs such as Delta Skymiles provide elite-status silver, diamond, and platinum medallion.

The elite Medallion status provides benefits such as flight benefits, fee waivers, access to Delta lounges, and many more. Consider whether achieving elite status is a priority for you and whether the program you are considering offers a feasible path to achieving it.

Are there partner benefits associated with the reward program?

When we join these programs most of us are in for the benefits. With that being, having those programs that have partnerships will be a way to go.

Many travel rewards programs have partnerships with other companies, such as car rental agencies or credit card issuers. Consider whether these partnerships provide any additional benefits that could be useful to you.

For instance, again Delta Skymiles this program has partnerships with different companies such as Starbucks, Instacart, Lyft, and also American Express credit cards.

So if Delta Skymiles rewards programs you can earn some benefits when you use their partner companies.

What are the annual fees associated with the reward program?

Some travel rewards programs charge an annual fee for membership. Make sure to consider this fee when deciding which program is right for you. The reward you need to check for annual fees is credit card annual fees.

Credit cards such as Chase Sapphire and Capital One Venture has an annual fee of $95-99, however, some other credit cards their annual fee are higher than $200, some of them are Capital One Venture X has an annual fee of $395 and American Express Platinum card has an annual fee of $695, and Chase Sapphire Reserve has an annual fee of $550.

Lifestyle, Travel, Travel Adventures,

The 11 Best Travel Gadgets For Travel In 2023

by travzdlaNovember 8, 2022

While traveling most people want to carry less and also we don’t want to forget something that is essential or important in our daily life. Below are some must-have travel gadgets that will be very useful when you travel;

3 in 1 Magnetic Foldable Wireless Charger

Check it out at Amazon

This is a travel friendly wireless charging station, with a small folding design, easy to carry. You can easily fold the wireless charger to avoid collisions or scratches when traveling.

The 3-in-1 wireless charging station can also be folded when not in use, saving more space. Its versatility is also suitable for giving as a gift.

It can easily become a phone holder and it can also be folded into a wireless charging pad. The charging board is covered with a magnetic device, and the phone can be placed horizontally or vertically without slipping.

The wireless charging station can not only charge phones, it can also charge iWatch and Airpods. Compatible with AirPods 2 wireless/AirPods 3/AirPods Pro and iWatch 7/6/5/4/3/2/SE.

Support the iPhone and Android wireless charging mobile phone charging. The 3 in 1 wireless charger has a light switch, which can be turned off when not needed. Different indicator lights represent different meanings.

AstroAI 12 Volt Car Refrigerator, 12V Portable Freezer 16

Check it out at Amazon

This refrigerator uses its power cooler to function as both a fridge and a freezer, keeping drinks, fruit, ice cream, vegetables, seafood, meat, skincare products, milk, and more chilled or frozen.

It’s an ideal fridge for road trips, picnics, barbecues, camping, fishing etc. With its powerful compressor, the car refrigerator can cool to 32°F at most in 15 minutes when empty; it takes about an hour to reach its lowest temperature of -4°F (-20°C).

You can switch between the MAX and ECO modes for faster cooling or energy saving. (It consumes less than 1 KW.H per day in ECO mode).

The portable freezer includes three power-saving levels: low, medium, and high. These modes reduce power consumption to the desired level, maximizing the car’s battery life.

Once you set a level, the refrigerator will automatically re-apply the setting whenever you turn it on. The fridge has an LED display that ensures easy operation and temperature checking in low-light conditions. It also has a USB port that allows you to conveniently charge your phone.

NOTE: The operating temperature does not exceed 131°F.)

Portable Outdoor Shower with Handheld Bidet Toilet Sprayer.

Check it out at Amazon

This is one of the best you must have if you are camping, hiking, or on a road trip. All you need to do is just fully submerge the pump in your bucket/tub of water and turn the motor on, it will pump water from the bucket into a steady, gentle shower stream and you get a nice flowing shower.

It comes with two detachable USB rechargeable batteries separated from the pump. It’s easy to carry and you can store it in luggage, backpack, or car trunk. It can also be used for pet cleaning, car washing, plant watering, windows, and backyard cleaning.

Portable Rechargeable Cordless Electric Car Air Pump

Check it out at Amazon

This product is a life saver especially on a road trip when you are in the middle of nowhere. The air pump is compact and space-saving, it can be put in the car and used at any time.

It’s cordless, which makes it possible to be used anywhere under any conditions without an external power supply. Also, it has an LCD digital display that will auto-shut off when reaching the desired tire pressure.

You can preset the pressure that you want and then precisely control the required pressure with buttons. This can effectively avoid over-inflating or underinflation.

Portable Hanging Travel Shelves Bag Packing Cube Organizer Suitcase Storage

Check it on Amazon

When traveling or on a business trip, you can put your luggage in and fold it up to make it easier to organize your luggage.

When not in use, it can be folded and placed compactly without taking up space. It is not only easy to enter, it’s also easy to carry and easy to clean.

It has good air permeability and the content is self-explanatory, saving time and convenience. It is easy to install and fold and has a simple appearance.

It can not only be effectively used in the closet of the house, but also can be effectively used in destination hotels, student dormitories, or camping.

Portable Travel Garment Steamer

Check it on Amazon

The best portable steamer you must have when you are traveling. This Mini iron steamer removes the smallest wrinkles & easily fits in your backpack.

Feather light & powerful as a full-sized steamer. It has an extended ultra-long cord for added convenience.It can be used on wool, cotton, satin, linen, nylon, sequins, embroidery, and beads.

It also comes with a bonus brush that is gentle and safe to use on delicates, like silk & lace.

Travel Jewelry Organizer

Check it on Amazon

This jewelry organizer won’t take up that much space in a carry-on. It’s slim but has a large capacity.

Has various compartments that can be used to store different types of jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, and watches separately.

This jewelry bag has buttons, elastic straps, multiple clear PVC pockets, and wraparound zippers that are all carefully designed to make your bag easy to use and secure.

Folding Travel Mirror Lighted Makeup Mirror

Check it out at Amazon

This lighted makeup mirror is surrounded by 72 Pcs bright LED lights that can give you great assistance for make-up and make you have perfect viewing while applying makeup in dark or poorly lit areas. You can choose different light colors, white light, warm light, and natural light according to your needs.

This mirror features a high-sensitivity touch button design. LED light brightness control by the touch sensor switch, and just touch the sensor switch to dim or brighten the LED lights.

Keep your finger on the switch, you can switch between 100%, 50%, and 10% brightness. The cosmetic mirror is made of high-quality ABS and glass, and can clearly see your facial features, which is more durable than normal plastic mirrors.

It is perfect for makeup, shaving, brushing your teeth, exfoliating, and more. And have sturdy standing, can stand stable on a table or any flat surface.

Magnetic Charging Cable USB-Lighting

Check it out at Amazon

If you like to be organized and hate detangled cables this is your product. Organizing your USB t cables has never been simpler or more addictive.

This technology holds the cable in a neat and tidy shape while remaining fully functional and extendable. This cable is portable, compact and always organized.

The magnetic charging cable snaps into place to keep your recharge routine clean and orderly. You will not have to worry about detangling the cable every time when you want to charge and it’s also a space saver.

In Flight Phone Holder

Check it out at Amazon

This is the most versatile phone holder you ever own. Has a strong clamp to mount your phone to a table, luggage handle, gym equipment, or any objects up to 1.5 inches wide.

It has 360 degrees rotation and gives you flexibility for the best viewing angle. Vertically or horizontally. Compatible with multiple phone sizes from an iPhone Mini to an iPhone 12 Pro Max or Samsung Note 20 Plus

Mini Refillable Perfume Atomizer Bottle

Check it at Amazon

If you travel with carry-on only and you still want to be able to carry your favorite perfume but are scared the TSA might take it, this is your go-to gadget. This Perfume Atomizer Bottle is a handy travel size. Clear Vial Inside to easily see how much perfume remains.

Wide use: Perfect for storing your perfume, cologne, aftershave, makeup remover, and so on. Give you a fresh perfume spray when you are on the go all day. Easy to use and easy to fill/refill, just press the bottom against your favorite perfume gauge and keep clicking until it is refilled.

The shell of the atomizer is made of high-quality aluminum and plastic inside, so you don’t need to worry it will be broken when drop onto the floor, It’s durable. It is lightweight and durable aluminum material making it ideal for placing in your handbag or pocket.

Gateway, Lifestyle, Travel, Travel Adventures, Vacation,

Getting Ready for Holiday Travels: Easy and Cheap Holiday Planning Tips

by travzdlaOctober 16, 2022

The 2022 holiday travel season is almost here and it’s more likely to be a very busy one. Consumers are making holiday travel plans and are also concerned about potential price hikes, flight delays or cancellations, baggage issues, and long security lines.

Below are some tips that can help you get prepared for holiday travel which will help you to avoid being stressed.

Purchase your ticket

Well, if you want to take a plane, the plane ticket is already high and increasing by the day. So, if you’re looking for the best deal on a flight for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s you might want to buy it right now.

According to different travel outlets reports, it shows this holiday season plane tickets can expect to rise 40-45% more than last year.

This means you find the best deals right now, book it sooner rather than later. You might decide to wait but there is no guarantee the prices will go down.

airline ticket

Avoid Busy Travel Days

Sometimes it’s hard to get the days off that you want, so you have to schedule your traveling plans with what you have, which might end up being busy days that you should avoid. But if you can, try to avoid the hassle of busy travel days.

Don’t travel the day before and after Thanksgiving or Christmas tends to be the busiest for travel. These days have a high demand for flights because everybody is trying to rush to their destination, and prices may also be higher. So, if you can, for thanksgiving, travel on Tuesday and maybe return on Saturday or Monday.

Sunday won’t be a good idea because it seems like everyone will be traveling to get back. You will pay more and be in crowded airports. For Christmas, I can’t tell a specific day because it goes with a date, unlike Thanksgiving we know it’s the last Thursday of November.

With that being said, consider traveling several days before and after Christmas day. You can expect crowds at the airport around the holidays, so check-in and security lines may be long. Get to the airport early, so you don’t miss your flight.

people at the airport

Limit your packing

Limiting what you can take on your holiday trip can be somehow useful. Sometimes we want to carry extra stuff for emergencies because we can’t predict what can happen so we wanna be ready for any changes. But carrying less is good, meaning you can just travel with a carry-on instead of checking in luggage.

Traveling with a carry-on can save you time and money and here is how. First, most flights charge you for checked-in luggage and the prices are different depending on the airline.

Second, when you get to your destination you have to go to retrieve your luggage which can be time-consuming in big airports like Atlanta, where it can take you 15-20 minutes to get to baggage claim depending on what terminal you are at and once you there sometimes you have to wait before they release luggage.

lady reading newspaper next to open luggages

Another thing you can encounter is luggage being lost or headed to different destinations from you. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation reports more than one million bags were mishandled by airlines between January and June 2022. That’s up from 629,000 in 2021. This can be very stressful especially when you have important things in your luggage and you can’t get hold of it.

If you are planning to travel this holiday season you may want to avoid checking your bags. It will be a good idea if you try and fit everything into a carry-on so you can avoid all the hassle.

Give yourself time

Giving yourself time is the key to not getting stressed. When you are purchasing your ticket make sure you consider time in many factors.

For instance, get a ticket that will give you enough room for you to get to the airport without any delays. If your flight requires a connection, make sure you have enough time for a layover before your connection flight.

You don’t want to have 15 minutes between the flights’ and chances are you will miss that flight. You also might want to download the airline’s app and turn on the notification so you can get important information such as flight cancellations or delays.

All in all the holidays can be very stressful, and you don’t want to add extra stress on yourself. Unfortunately, you can’t predict how crowds will look or if there are going to be flight delays or lost luggage.

The only thing you can do is to prevent or avoid the chaos by traveling on less popular days. Also, you can purchase your ticket early and don’t forget to give yourself enough time if you have to transit or if you have a long drive to the airport.

Business, Culture, Gateway, Lifestyle, Travel, Travel Adventures, Vacation,

Weekend Getaway to Atlanta: 4 Days In Atlanta Itinerary For Two

by travzdlaOctober 8, 2022

Atlanta is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the eighth most populous city in the Southeast and 38th most populous city in the United States according to the 2020 U.S. census.

Atlanta is home to major attractions in the U.S such as the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Atlanta botanical garden, and many more.

Every place you go there are the goods and bad so we will try to analyze our experience, and we are sure everybody has a different experience.

We will go over our experience with attractions, transportation, restaurants, etc. We spend 4 days it was labor day weekend from Saturday to Tuesday. We did have time to explore the city and have some opinions, without further due let’s start.

So How can you spend 3 or 4 days in Atlanta?

Traveling to Atlanta For Two

We flew to Atlanta on Saturday, as usual, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport is always busy no surprise this airport has been ranked as the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic since 1998, briefly losing its title in 2020 due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and regaining it in 2021.

After we landed it took us about one hour to get out of the airport, yes from our gate to pick up our checked-in luggage and to the parking lot. Well, we didn’t have any issues at the airport but it was a long walk.

We didn’t do rental reservations, so we used uber to get around which was kind of expensive, according to our hotel receptionist he said its because there was a lot going on in the city, there was a baseball game, college football, concerts, and pride parade all this on one weekend.

The Best Attractions and Sightseeing In Atlanta

Atlanta has a lot to offer when comes to attractions and sightseeing. There are a lot of things to do around the city. For us, this was the best part of the trip because we were able to enjoy it even though was crowded.

We were able to visit the Georgia Aquarium, The World of Coca-Cola, the Atlanta botanical garden, Centennial Olympic Park, Martin Luther King Jr National Park, Ponce city market, and the College Football Hall of fame (we were lucky because it was free that weekend).

Another thing we did was a hoop in Skyview Atlanta. Everything was great in these places the only issue was the crowd was big.

Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world and it houses more than 20,000 marine creatures. It is located in Atlanta and it is open daily from 9am to 5pm.

How Many Whale Sharks Are In The Georgia Aquarium?

There are currently four spotted whale sharks in the Georgia Aquarium, in the aquarium’s Ocean Voyager gallery. The whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium were all born in captivity. The aquarium also houses other types of sharks like sandbar sharks, pacific blacktip reef sharks, and more.

The World of Coca-Cola

The World of Coca-Cola is an interactive museum that offers visitors the opportunity to explore the history of Coca-Cola and its impact on global culture.

Visitors can learn about the company’s history through interactive exhibits and see how it has evolved over time. They can also sample different types of Coke from around the world or enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants inside the building.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in the city of Atlanta, Georgia. It is located on 13 acres in Midtown, adjacent to Piedmont Park. It would take you about 2 hours to walk through Atlanta Botanical Garden.

When is the best time to visit Atlanta Botanical Garden?

The best time to visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden is in the springtime when the flowers are in bloom. The gardens are also open during the summer and fall, but the heat can be oppressive and the crowds can be larger.

If you do visit during the summer, try to go early in the morning or late in the evening, when it is cooler.

Winter is a beautiful time to visit the Garden as well, although some of the outdoor areas may be closed. The indoor conservatory is always open and is a great place to escape the cold.

Keep in mind that parking can be difficult, especially on weekends, so plan accordingly.

How many lights are at Atlanta Botanical Garden?

The Garden’s Holiday Lights display is one of the most anticipated events of the year. Visitors can stroll through gardens transformed by more than 2 billion lights. The Lights display runs from mid-November through January.

Martin Luther King Jr National Park

The Martin Luther King Jr National Park is a national park in the United States that commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

CNN In Atlanta

CNN building atlanta

The College Football Hall of Fame

What is the best place to eat in Atlanta?

This is where we had a major issue. Usually, when we travel in different cities we like to try new restaurants that are not in our city or not chain restaurants that are a no, no.

So we usually take recommendations from yelp, TikTok, or Instagram, and we go from there. But recently most of our recommendations come from TikTok. TikTok never failed us(lol) but this time we were surprised at how things turned out.

Southern Fire Kitchen In Atlanta, GA

Our first restaurant was Southern Fire Kitchen. We saw this restaurant on TikTok. The food looks really good so we thought why not give it a try? According to the restaurant website, it shows it opens at 4 -11:30 pm no reservations are required.

So we decided to go around 8 pm it was a little bit far from downtown. We arrived there the restaurant was at the strip mall and was giving a nightclub vibe, we did not expect that.

Then we saw a long line outside and we proceed to the staff/receptionist who was outside and asked if we can get in or what are the procedures to get in. To our surprise, the lady told us the waiting list is full and they are closed.

We didn’t get that because the restaurant website showed it closes at 11:30 pm and we didn’t need any reservations. So we didn’t really know what is going on.

As I mentioned the restaurant was at the strip mall so people were waiting outside some in their cars so is kind of uncomfortable if you are from out of town or not used to the area. We did not get a chance to get in and we think that was misleading and poor customer service on their part.

Lily’s Restaurant & Lounge

Well, we still wanted to eat, so we take a look at our list and see if we can find something close to that area. Then we found a restaurant calls Lily’s, the picture, environment, and food look good, but we decided to call before going so we don’t waste our time.

We called and the lady say we can’t make a reservation we can get there and wait to be seated we asked how long is the wait. She said she can’t tell but usually is 30 minutes, we are like okay since there is a place to sit, and maybe we can have a drink while we are waiting.

Well, we got there was crowded and again it gave us nightclub vibes. There was a bouncer outside who asked us if we have a reservation, and we explain what we have been told over the phone.

The bouncer told us to wait so he can check with the receptionist, then he came back and say the wait is 1-2 hours and there is nowhere to sit if we want we can try the nightclub upstairs.

My question is why the lady who spoke to us did not tell us all this over the phone when we call? We were more than disappointed. At this time we were so tired from all this and went back to the hotel.

Atlanta Breakfast Club

Well the next day, still on our tour we said let’s go for brunch since we have plans to visit the Georgia Aquarium we decide to search for restaurants around that area that’s when we saw Atlanta Breakfast Club.

The food looks good but the place was parked and we arrived at 10:30 we were #137 on the waiting list at around 2:17 pm we received a text that our table now is ready, and we were long gone. We couldn’t wait that long because we had some other things to do and places to be.

So next door to Atlanta Breakfast Club there is a restaurant that has brunch too its called Suite Food Lounge, so we decided to take a shot. Well, we went there and we encounter two bouncers who asked for our IDs and search our purses.

We were kind of shocked most of the restaurants we visit they have to strip-search us and show our IDs, which was new to us we never experience that in any other cities we traveled to.

We get in and ordered our food which was okay not wow. Another thing we experience is that in every restaurant there is shisha. This is new to us because we midwesterners have not seen shisha in a regular restaurant.

We did not say there is no shisha in the midwest, is just not regular at the restaurants, the restaurant might have shisha but they have a designated section for that. Another thing we experience is that when a bill comes they already add tip/gratuity on your total bill so if you add tip you will be paying twice.

BQE Restaurant

On another day we want to have dinner at a fancy bbq/ soul food restaurant so we did our search then we came up with BQE Restaurant, we browsed the website, and the restaurant had a reservation policy that we read and follow. Then there is the dress code etc. We were so excited now we are going to some decent place.

So we made our reservation and then we went. When we get close by according to GPS the environment was not giving like we are going somewhere fancy, the place look off and we checked the address it was correct.

We got there were homeless people sleeping or sitting around, they didn’t have parking if they did was maybe behind the building which we didn’t even want to get there.

We were curious to see inside because what we saw on the website was totally different from what was in front of us. We walked to the door here we go there is a bouncer ready to check our IDs and search our purses by this time we know the routine.

So we got in omg it was totally different nothing looks like their website it took more than 10 minutes for a waitress to come and take care of us, we were hungry so we said let’s order we ordered some food which looked like was not cooked there, the food came before drinks not only that the food was served with disposable silverware/utensils that were enough for us, we feel like we got robbed.

Conclusion

Usually, when we travel we like to visit some places we saw on social media, tv shows, etc. Most of the time they have been exactly like what we saw or imagined but Atlanta was the opposite we feel like scammed, and what you see on a website or social media is not real life.

But we did enjoy the attractions and we were able to go to Atlanta Breakfast Club which we really like the brunch was worth waiting for. Atlanta Breakfast Club is the only place we did not see on social media we just found it while we were there.

They have good customer service and there was some entertainment while we were waiting outside. And for our last dinner, we didn’t t wanna encounter another situation so we ended up at Fogo de Chao, and was nice.

Gateway, Lifestyle, Travel, Travel Adventures,

The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum (Should You Visit?)

by travzdlaOctober 5, 2022

Ark Encounter is a theme park located in Williamstown, Kentucky, in the United States. The main attraction of the park features a full-size Noah’s Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. Spanning 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, this modern engineering marvel amazes visitors young and old.

How much does it cost to get in the Ark Encounter?

There are different ticket prices to get to the par and activities. There are One-day tickets that cost $54.95 for adults (ages 18-59), $44.95 for seniors (ages 60 and older), $24.95 for youths (ages 11 to 17), and children under 10 are free.

The theme park also offers different combo ticket options such as three-day and annual passes that offer special parking options. Tickets are available online and at the park.

When you arrive, you will take a shuttle from the parking area to the ark location which is a mile away from the parking lot and visitor center.

Parking costs are $15 for standard vehicles and $20 for oversized vehicles. Parking is also available for RVs and motorcycles, but it is not allowed overnight.

How long does it take to walk through the Ark Encounter?

The ark has three decks, visitors will start to enter on the lowest deck and move between decks on ramps constructed through the center of the ark. There are132 bays, each standing about 18 feet those bays are arranged in three decks.

You will need approximately 3 – 4 hours to walk thru the Ark Encounter. The first deck contains models of some animals that are believed could have been on the ark, but there are no live animals within the exhibit. The second deck contains more animal models, along with dioramas of Noah’s workshop and a blacksmith.

The third deck contains displays presenting what is believed might have happened inside and outside the ark during the flood.

The Ark has State of Art Exhibits, the living quarters where you can find out how Noah and his family might have lived on the Ark from cooking food to sleeping, recreation, and even gardening.

The Ark Encounter also has a variety of events to enhance your visit, from daily speakers, live animal encounters, the creation museum, and movie presentations to concerts in the Answers Center

Things to do at ark encounter

Besides the Ark Encounter itself, there are a handful of other attractions within the theme park.

The Ark Gift Shop

The gift shop is located on the lower level of Ark. You can find some souvenirs to remember your Ark Encounter experience for years to come. Explore a wide range of books, DVDs, apparel, stuffed animals, and handmade gifts.

There is something for everyone inside the gift shop. While you are inside the shop you can enjoy a sweet treat from Uncle LeRoy’s Fudge, or enjoy a coffee or hot chocolate from Kezia’s Coffee.

Emzara’s kitchen

Emzara’s Kitchen is a two-story, buffet-style restaurant with a capacity of 1,500 guests, making it one of the largest restaurants in the world. There is a variety of delicious hot entrees, salads, and desserts including food-allergy sensitive options.

You can enjoy a spectacular view of the Ark when you grab something to eat before or after you board. The restaurant opens Sundays: from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Monday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Buffett prices are as follows adults and youth(age 11-59) $16.99, Seniors (age 60+) $14.99, Children (age 5-10) $8.99, and 4 and under(age 0-4) Free.

Ziplining

For those who like adventure, the zipline is something you don’t want to miss at the Ark encounter. There are several activities, all overseen by trained staff and held to high standards of safety..For everyone’s safety, there are requirements that must be met such as age, weight, and health limitations which vary between activities.

Virtual reality theater-Truth Traveler

Located outside the Ark, the virtuality reality theater shows the Truth Traveler’s A Flood of Reality is a totally immersive 4K virtual reality experience that will feel like a “ride,” though you will be comfortably and safely seated in MX4D Motion EFX Experience seats while wearing a state-of-the-art VR headset.

Your seat will move and provide a variety of special effects in coordination with what you see and hear in your VR headset. Enjoy the Truth Traveler time machine and journey back to the time of Noah in an immersive virtual reality experience, you will witness the building of Noah’s ark, experience the flood, venture inside the ark with the animals, and more exciting surprises along the way.

The Flood of Reality VR experience shows throughout most of the day. Separate timed tickets are required.Tickets prices are Regular (ages 11+): $14.99 Children (under 10): $9.99 .Tickets can only be purchased onsite at the Ark Encounter’s Truth Traveler building. Due to high demand, they recommend you purchase your tickets and secure a time for your VR experience soon after your arrival.

Ararat Ridge Zoo

If you are an animal lover, don’t miss the opportunity to visit animals of all shapes and sizes at the Ararat Ridge Zoo. It’s a fun place for all ages and provides biblical teaching on the animal kingdom.

At Ararat Ridge Zoo, you’ll encounter mammals, birds, and reptiles from every corner of the planet. There are a lot of zoo activities such as animal encounters, keepers chats, camel encounters, camel rides, and kangaroo walkabouts.

The zoo, petting area, kangaroo walkabout, and animal shows are included with Ark Encounter admission. Camel rides and camel encounters have an additional cost.

All in all the Ark Encounter is one of the must-visit, it’s a good place for family and friends to enjoy.

Directions to The Ark Encounter

Gateway, Travel, Travel Adventures, Vacation,

How To Travel To Qatar For 2022 World Cup (Complete Guide)

by travzdlaAugust 11, 2022

The 22nd of the FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place in Qatar from November 21st to December 18th, 2022. This will be the first World Cup ever to be held in the Arab world, and the second World Cup held entirely in Asia.

The world cup event usually takes place every after four years, around June-July. But due to Qatar’s intense summer heat, World Cup will be held from November to December, making it the first tournament not to be held from June- July.

The events will take part in different cities in Qatar not only in the famous cities of Doha. The cities that will officially host the World Cup in Qatar are Al Khor, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, Doha, and Al Rayyan (Education City).

This is one of the world’s biggest events and many people are planning to attend whether it’s from somedays or the entire event. But before you head to Qatar you need to make some plans, because there are several factors to consider. Below are some factors to consider.

How To Get To Qatar For The World Cup

Qatar is located in Western Asia, which is almost entirely a part of the Middle East. With that being said, Qatar is considered to be a Middle Eastern country.

Unless you come from Saudi Arabia, the only way you can get to Qatar is by the airline. You can’t travel by sea because it is mostly commercial.

So it seems the best way to get to Qatar is by air, and what is the best airline to get there than Qatar Airways? Yes, Qatar airlines are from Qatar and are one of the best airlines in the world.

Qatar Airways flies to over 140 international destinations every day across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania from its home and hub the Five-Star airport, Hamad International Airport, in Doha.

This doesn’t mean there are no other airlines going to Qatar. There are many flights that can take you to Qatar such as Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Lufthansa, and many more.

Best Accommodations For World Cup In Qatar

white concrete building during night time

Qatar, especially the city of Doha is known for having high-class hotels. But there are some reports that show at this moment Qatar does not have enough hotel rooms to accommodate people for the World Cup.

According to Qatar tourism, there are under 30,000 hotel rooms and 80% are already booked for FIFA players, (players that are representing their countries), media, referees, and other officials. You can search for hotel rooms directly from the hotel websites or use websites like booking.com.

There is another alternative that is available for the fans which is non-hotel accommodation such as Airbnb which we are all familiar with. Another accommodation option is Bedouin Style tents usually available in the desert and it’s known to be an authentic way of Qatari Camping.

With the Bedouin Style, tent fans will have opportunities to experience Qatari culture and more. According to Al-Jaber head of accommodation at the Supreme Committee for delivery and legacy, he said these Bedouin Style tents will be extremely lavish and luxurious.

Al-Jaber also mentions there will be two cruise ships in Doha and shared villas or apartments for rent. But the catch is you need to make your booking earlier to secure your spot.

Languages Spoken In Qatar

Arabic is the official language of Qatar, however, English is widely spoken and roadsigns and other signs/instructions are in both languages.

English is a second language in government schools and is hence spoken widely. In business, it is always good practice to have copies of documents in both Arabic and English. At work depending on the sector, both English and Arabic may be spoken.

Getting Around Qatar

Public Transportation

Qatar is one of those countries where public transportation is available everywhere and is reliable. It’s easy to move around with public transportation because of its flexibility and most importantly it’s affordable. Let’s see the types of public transportation that you can use in Qatar;

Bus Services

There is a bus network that connects Hamad International Airport to different places across the city of Doha, which is a convenient transportation option.

Bus fares can only be paid with a Karwa Smartcard, which is available at the airport help desk. Karwa Smart Card is Public transport smartcard needed to ride the Karwa public buses are used as a quick and easy way to pay for Karwa bus trips inside Qatar. You can top up your Karwa SmartCard with anything from QR5 to QR500 (US$ 1.37 to US$ 137.32)

The bus service is not only in the city of Doha, there are also buses that are going to different Qatari cities. This is very useful since the World Cup will be in different cities not only in Doha.

You can find the schedule and more information on Mowasalat Website. Mowasalat is the national transportation provider of Qatar, offering buses, taxis, and even limousines to travelers.

Doha Metro

The Doha Metro is a transit system in Doha, Qatar’s capital city. The metro is connecting various points of interest across Doha.

It’s mostly underground, and a tram system is under development and expected to open shortly. It has three lines with an approximate overall length of 76 km and 37 stations.

The Doha Metro is one of the fastest driverless trains in the world. Even though the Doha Metro is operating it’s not fully completed it has a completion date of 2026.

The three Doha Metro lines are; the Red(Coastal) Line which connects Hamad International Airport to West Bay, Katara Cultural Village, Qatar University, and Lusail.

Then there is the Green (educational) Line which connects Hamad Hospital, Al Bidda park, Qatar Foundation’s Education City, and Mall of Qatar.

Gold (historic) Line runs through Khalifa Stadium, Villaggio Mall, to Souq Waqif, and the National Museum of Qatar.

Taxis and Ride Share

The main taxi service in Qatar is operated by the same company that runs bus services Mowasalat. Karwa taxis offer a convenient and flexible way to travel to and from Hamad International Airport.

All taxis are metered and the minimum f fare at the airport starts at QR 25 (USD 7), the only problem the payment has to be in cash which is Qatari Riyal(QR) only.

In Qatar, the different color roofs indicate which company operates the taxi. The aqua-colored taxis are the most popular ones which are operated by Mowasalat and they are known as Karwa Taxis.

There are other taxi companies operating in Qatar. These companies include Al Ijarah Taxi (blue roof), Al Million Taxi (maroon roof), Capital Taxi (black roof), and Profit Trading Taxi (yellow roof).

Also, there are ride-sharing companies you can find that operate in Qatar. Those ride-share companies that you can use in Qatar are Uber, Colo, and Careem.

Language

Arabic is the official language of Qatar, however, English is widely spoken and roadsigns and the like are in both languages.

English is also a compulsory second language in government schools and is hence spoken widely. In business, it is always good practice to have copies of documents in both Arabic and English.

Both English and Arabic may be spoken at work, depending on the sector, with Arabic being widely spoken within the Government departments and English is prevalent in most international companies. Smart business dress and traditional dress are essential.

Car Rental

There are many local and international car hire companies operating in Qatar, including several with branches at Hamad International Airport, such as Avis, Budget, Europcar, and Hertz.

Rules and Regulations.

Qatar is one of those countries that have strict rules and regulations. This rule doesn’t apply only to Qataris it also applies to foreigners when they visit Qatar.

Here are some of those rules, regulations,s, and customs that you should be aware of before you head to Qatar.

Qatar Entry and Exit Requirements

Citizens of over 95 countries are eligible for visa-free entry. Allowable lengths of stay vary, and visitors are kindly advised to check with an authorized entity for the terms and conditions that apply.

You can check what is required for your country here. Another thing you should beware of when processing your entry in Qatar is, that the country has restrictions for HIV/AIDS visitors, and does not permit individuals with HIV/AIDS to live in the country.

Medical exams are a must for all long-term visitors and residents of Qatar. Visitors can be charged taxes by the Customs General Authority for carrying certain goods at the point of entry.

There are items that are prohibited in Qatar which are any type of weapons, firearms, and ammunition. Alcoholic beverages, pork products, narcotic drugs

Dress code

When comes to dress code Qatar is very strict. You should dress modestly when in public, areas. Women are required to cover their shoulders and avoid wearing short skirts or dresses.

Both men and women are advised not to wear shorts or sleeveless tops when going to government buildings, health care facilities restaurants, and malls.

They are so serious about this in the sense that If you do not dress modestly, you may be asked to leave or denied entry to these locations. Dressing modestly is required especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

Public displays of affection (PDAs)

Public displays of affection with the opposite sex in Qatar are prohibited which means you can get in trouble. Kissing, and cuddling in public places whether it’s with your fiance or husband it can still cause offense.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Qatar face legal challenges. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar it is considered to be a criminal offense, and those convicted may be subjected to lashings, imprisonment, and/or deportation

Alcohol Consumption or Being Drunk

Alcohol is not illegal in Qatar, but drinking in public or being drunk in public is a crime. You can get alcoholic drinks in some five-star luxury hotels, licensed hotel restaurants, and bars.

The Qatar Distribution Company (a subsidiary of Qatar Airways) is permitted to import alcohol and; it operates the one and only liquor store in the country.

Drinking in a public place could result in a prison sentence of up to 6 months and/or a fine of up to QAR3,000(the US $ 823.95). Foreigners living in Qatar can obtain alcohol on a permit system.

Offensive Behavior

Swearing and making rude hand gestures are considered obscene acts and offenders can be jailed and/or deported. So whatever happens, no matter angry you are, stay calm and keep cool, because you will end up getting in trouble that you didn’t see coming.

You can find more by doing little research before you take your trip. Still, a few months left before the World Cup 2022 starts, see you there!!!

Gateway, Lifestyle, Travel, Travel Adventures, Vacation,

13 Travel Must-Haves That Are TSA Approved 2021

by travzdlaFebruary 23, 2021

There are lots of things you can’t take through airport security checkpoints—knives, liquids over 3.4 ounces, and more—but there are also items you won’t be allowed to bring on board. These items are usually banned for safety reasons, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have them with you when you fly. (In fact, you probably want to.) These 13 items should be in every travel bag, and they’re all TSA-approved.

Refillable 4-in-1 Travel Dispenser Bottle Set for Toiletries Lotion Shampoo.

This unique Nacuwa 4-in-1 travel dispenser its design features 4 refillable travel bottles in one convenient case. This clever design prevents leaks when on the move and is suitable for most liquids and lotions.

It the ideal space saver for all your favorite lotions, shampoos, and other toiletry products you can carry all of them in one place. Built with an easy-spray design and easy to carry. It’s also TSA approved.

Check it out here

Lightweight Hair Dryer for Travel

This portable hairdryer is the perfect size on the go. It only weighs 340g, which is equivalent to an iPhone. With this hair dryer, you can style your hair anytime and anywhere.

You don’t have to worry about not carrying your traditional hair dryer, it’s a space saver and very convenient because you can carry it anywhere. Check it out here

Mini Portable Travel Soap Paper Sheets

This is the must-have product right now, especially when people are trying to stay clean and avoiding to spread germs. These portable soap paper sheets are made of natural premium quality biodegradable environment material, pure natural plant extract.

Safe, without side effects, does not leave your hands ashy and dry. You can use them anywhere even if you are not traveling because they are very useful.

All you need is to take out a soap sheet put a small amount of water to wet the soap sheet, gently rub your hands to produce foam then wash your hands with water, you are done! You can keep your hands clean and healthy everywhere. Check out here

Travel Laundry Bag

It’s always good to separate your dirty clothes from your clean clothes, especially when you are travel. The travel laundry bad is a good idea to have with you when you are traveling.

The Miamica travel laundry bag conveniently keeps your dirty laundry separated from your clean clothes while traveling.

It is expandable with drawstring closure, laundry bag starts out small for easy packing and then unzips to open up and hold your dirty laundry. Its also lightweight, and microfiber material that is torn- and moisture-resistant. Check it out here

Collapsible Water Bottle

This foldable collapsible water bottle looks like an hourglass, the shape of the bottle fits wonderfully in your hand, let you more comfortable to grip it, steady base, and flexible silicone body, you can adjust the height of it to match the size of your drink.

The bottle has a maximum capacity of is 500 ML/ 17 OZ and becomes super small(1.5inch) when folded and fits in a pocket which makes it easier to carry it around.

It also equipped with a carabiner that can be hung on a backpack or everywhere. This portable water bottle is reusable and great for travel, camping, hiking.

Made of durable food-grade premium silicone, BPA-free, odor-free, soft, lightweight but thick enough to be sturdy and to hold the shape.

More durable and flexible than ordinary glass and plastic bottles. The sealing performance of this portable water bottle is outstanding, the lid has a nice screw-on drinking cap that does not leak and stays pretty secure.

Check it out here

Toothbrush UV Sanitizer Box Case

Sometimes when we travel we don’t put things where they should be, this toothbrush sanitizer kills bacteria to prevent infectious diseases, gum disease, cavities & life-threatening diseases! Eliminates up to 99.9% of the germs and bacteria on your toothbrush.

Built-in 1pcs UVC LED, which can allow you to sanitize your toothbrush easily in travel, hotel, or office. Brush your teeth healthier by taking only 3 minutes every day. Comes in small size and lightweight, about half of your hand, it is easy to store in your bag, especially suitable for business trips, travel, and home or office use, etc.

It also has a protection sensor that switches, automatically stops working when open the lid during disinfection mode. When the UV sanitizer box is dormant, it can be activated by opening the lid, then closing it.

All you need to do is open the lid, and place your toothbrush in the product, close the lid, then the sanitization mode will be automatically turned on, after 3 minutes, the sanitization mode will be completed and automatically closed.

Check it out here.

Electric Lunch Box and Portable Food Warmer Heating

The electric lunch box is the must-have travel gadget. It’s very useful for road trips, camping, etc. The electric lunch box is made of food-grade PP plastic and a 304 stainless steel container.

It has a strong heat resistance and meets the safety standards of dietary materials. With this electric lunch box, you don’t need to rely on fast foods because you will have access to warm home-cooked meals.

It contains two different plugs: one for Work/Home (110V) and another one for Cars/Trucks (12V) so you can use it anywhere from home, bus station, in your vehicle, etc.

Check it out here

Powerful Travel Steamer 7-in-1

Tired of wearing wrinkled clothes when you are on the go? Well, you don’t have to do that anymore. Check out this portable travel steamer, it is highly effective and very gentle for all kinds of garments or fabrics.

Instantly erase all wrinkles from shirts, dresses to suits. Perfect For last-minute ironing emergencies: The good part is, it is TSA approved in Carry-On Luggage.

Check it out here

Portable Espresso Machine

With this portable espresso machine, you will never miss your espresso time. You can make espresso anytime, anywhere. It only takes up little space and weighs 0.97 lb, very small but it can hold up to 80 ml water and a maximum of 0.53 ounces of ground coffee.

This Portable Espresso Machine is the perfect companion for travel. With access to hot water, you can enjoy real tasty hand espresso at home & office or during hiking, camping, and traveling. Check it out here.

Hanging Toiletry Bag

When we travel sometimes we are not sure how our accommodations look like, you can either end up in a tiny room or an average room.

This toiletry bag will make you comfortable in any environment you don’t have to worry about a bathroom counter or a dresser because you can easily hang it up ina shower or towel rack with a handy top hook, making it easy to view and access stored contents.

It has water repellent fabric and lining to keep your items secure. it’s easy to store in a suitcase, cupboard, or backpack. It has 3 different useful compartments which are the ventilated pocket, mesh pocket, and clear plastic pocket to keep everything organized.

Wet items can be held in the transparent see-through pocket to keep other pockets dry. Check it out here

Leather Passport Holder Cover Case RFID Blocking Travel Wallet

Tired of misplacing things when you are traveling? Well, try this GDTK leather passport holder. It’s an organized passport cover that will keep all your passports, air tickets, credit cards, cash in one place.

It has slots to hold a passport, business cards, credit cards, boarding passes sufficiently which gives convenient access to information during boarding and transit.

Built-in RFID blocking helps prevent personal account information disclosure. RFID Secure Technology, make your travel safe, it can block RFID signals from cards work at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. Ooh did I mentioned it comes with a ball pen as a gift? Yes, it is check it out.

Travel Jewelry Organizer Case

If you find yourself every time-wasting time trying to untangle your different kinds of jewelry this jewelry organizer is your savior. It helps organize your jewelry according to your needs especially when you are traveling.

As you know Traditional home jewelry box is too heavy and bulky for outgoing into your luggage. However, the BAGSMART travel jewelry organizer case has a soft roll that has ”Mini”, “S”, and “L” sizes for different needs. It’s good for a short business trip or weekend trip or daily outgoing, you can take the ”Mini” or “S” with you.

If you are going on a long journey, like 5-15 days or an even longer trip, you can choose “L” for yourself. It can keep your earrings, rings, diamond, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, hairpins, watch, and many more preventing them from the tangle and keeping them well organized.

Check it out here.

International Universal All in One Worldwide Travel Adapter

The universal travel adapter is the must-have gadget especially when you are traveling overseas. The NEWVANGA travel adapter accepts plugs from more than 150 Countries with US/EU/UK/AU.

Built-In safety shutters protect users from the direct touch of the live parts on the socket-outlet. It has a detachable charger that includes 5 different input plugs tightly connect to 1 adaptor. Check it out here

Business, Lifestyle, Travel, Vacation,

Airline Changes That You Should Know In 2021

by travzdlaFebruary 14, 2021

Recently there has been a lot of changes in the travel industry especially when it comes to airlines. The airlines have made some changes due to the COVID 19 outbreak and some of the changes are due to lawsuits the airline companies have experience etc.

Before you book a ticket make sure you check some policy changes that may affect you. There are a lot of airlines domestic and international but we tried to cover as much as we can.

1. No Change/Cancellation Fees Policies

Many airlines have changed their cancellations/change reservations due to the pandemic. However, it’s important to see the rules and regulations when you want to change or cancel your airline ticket so you won’t be surprised.

For instance, Delta Airlines is waiving change fees and award redepositing, issuing e-credit that can be used through December 31st, 2022. This applies to customers who purchased their tickets before April 17th, 2020 and scheduled to travel through March 31st, 2021.

Those who purchased their ticket between March 1st, 2020, and March 30th, 2021 can change their reservations without a fee or award deposit fees for a year from the date you purchased a ticket. With Emirates airlines for tickets issued on or before September 30th, 2020, and on or before October 1st, 2020 can be used later, you have 24 months or two years from the date you originally booked the ticket with no extra fees.

Qatar Airways is offering unlimited date changes, no fee refunds for tickets purchased before April 30th, 2021 for travel completed before December 31st, 2021.

Another option Qatar Airlines offers is exchanging tickets to travel vouchers with an additional 10% if you book a flight with them again, that can be good let’s say you were in economy class you can upgrade to business or first class.

2. Rules For Emotional Support Animals

Recently the use of emotional support animals has been a controversial issue among travelers. According to industry trade group Airlines for America report, it shows the number of emotional support animals traveling aboard commercial flights increased from 481,000 in 2016 to 751,000 in 2017.

This brought conflicts between passengers to passengers or cabin crews to passengers. There have been several incidents of emotional support animals misbehaving attacking other passengers or cabin crews.

Some of the many incidents that led to the rules of traveling with emotional support animals to change are, a man who was traveling from Atlanta to San Diego filed a lawsuit alleging he was attacked by an emotional support dog and mauled his face on a flight the incident happened in 2017.

Another incident happened last summer when an American Airlines flight attendant received five stitches after she was bitten by an emotional support dog on a flight out. According to the Department of Transportation, they said they have received reports of biting incidents that led to children being scared and a lot of lawsuits.

In December 2020, the Department of Transportation announced it will revise rules around flying with emotional support animals and will no longer consider them to be service animals.

There is a difference between service animals and emotional support animals. On the revised Air Carrier Access Act rules (the new rule) the U.S Department of Transportation defines a service animal as “any guide dog, signal dog, or other animals individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items.”

With that being said the Department of Transportation no longer considers an emotional support animal to be a service animal, this allows the airlines to ban the animals if they don’t fit established rules.

After the Department of Transportation announcement, Alaskan Airlines was the first one to ban the emotional support animals in their flight, and the most recent one was SouthWest airlines. Here is the list of airlines that already ban emotional support animals in their flights

Alaskan Airlines- As of January 11, 2021, Alaskan Airlines only accepts service dogs that are trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability. Emotional support animals will no longer be accepted. The airline will continue to accept emotional support animals for reservations booked before January 11, 2021, for flights that are on or before February 28, 2021. No emotional support animals will be transported after February 28, 2021.

American Airlines- Starting February 1st, 2021 the airline will only allow trained service animals to fly in the cabin and customers will need to complete and submit the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Service Animal Air Transportation form before their trip. If a customer is traveling with an animal that doesn’t qualify as a trained service animal, it may be transported as a pet.

Delta Airlines– As of January 11th, Delta airlines no longer recognize emotional support animals as service animals. The airline will honor reservations submitted and confirmed by Delta before January 11, 2021, but will not accept new emotional support animal reservations for upcoming travel. With that note starting January 11, 2021, Delta will only accept trained service animals that are dogs. Customers traveling with a trained service dog(s), regardless of breed, must complete the required DOT forms

Frontier- As of February 1st, 2021, Frontier will no longer accept emotional support animals onboard. The animal may be eligible to travel in accordance with their Pet Policy for a fee.

Jet Blue- The Airline will only allow service animals with restrictions, the customer must notify them that they are traveling with a service animal and receive the U.S. Department of Transportation Service Animal Air Transportation Form no later than 48 hours prior to departure.  The airline only accepts fully-trained service animals not the ones in training.

Southwest Airline – The airlines allows trained service and emotional support animals that comply with certain safety and documentation requirements. Be aware that trained service and emotional support animals may be subject to additional governmental laws and regulations at the destination, including but not limited to, health certificates, permits, and vaccinations required by the country, state, or territory from and/or to which the animal is being transported.

Spirit Airlines- As of January 11th, 2021 the emotional support animals can travel onboard as pets if they meet airline pet requirements. Those customers who have a return flight on or after January 11, 2021, will be allowed to travel back with their animal per the previous policy.

You can visit the airline websites and find out more information

3. Other Revised Airline Policies from the Department of Transportation.

These are revised airline policies done by the Department of Transportation-Aviation Consumer Protection after several incidents that happened to consumers.

Most of these policies are really beneficial for consumer perspectives. One of the revised policies is Involuntarily Giving Up Your Seat (Bumping) which they are working on increasing the compensation known as Denied Boarding Compensation (DBC). A ticketed passenger who boards an airplane cannot be involuntarily bumped from an overbooked flight.

This rule applies to flights originating in the United States. For the passengers who involuntarily bumped from a flight, the maximum required compensation that they will be paid is 200% of the one-way fare but no more than $ 675 for arrival delays of up to two hours.

For over 2 hours arrival delay the compensation will be 400% of one-way fare but no more than $1,350. For international flights, the compensation will be 200% no more than $675 of one-way fare for arrival delay of 1-4 hours. For over 4 hours of arrival delay, the compensation will be 400% and no more than $1350.

There is no compensation for both domestic and international flights for a 0-1hour arrival delay. The airline must offer passengers compensation at the airport on the same day.

If they provide substitute transportation that leaves the airport before they compensate the passenger, the airline must pay the passenger within 24 hours of the bumping incident.

For more about Aviation consumer protection changes and policies you can check here

Gateway, Lifestyle, Travel, Travel Adventures,

12 Best Romantic Destinations For Valentine’s Day In 2021

by travzdlaJanuary 15, 2021

In less than two months most people will be celebrating valentine’s day. Valentine’s day is recognized as a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.

The celebration usually takes place on February 14th, people usually spend this day with loved ones, going out for a romantic date in a fancy restaurant, sending flowers, cards, or presents, some people proposed to their boyfriends or girlfriends, etc.

Some people prefer a romantic getaway for valentine’s where they can go somewhere like out of town or country and enjoy a new environment, relax and create some memories.

There are many places you can go for a romantic valentine’s day getaway in the U.S. Here are some places that you can make valentine’s memories with your loved ones.

1. Amelia Island, Florida

Amelia Island located 30 miles from Jackson, Florida, it’s well known for its pristine nature and uncrowded beaches, it offers world-class golf, spas, and restaurants, If you are looking for a quiet romantic valentine’s getaway Amelia Island is a place to be.

On Amelia Island, you do something different and very memorable like enjoying a romantic beachfront horseback ride or hop in a private sunset cruise yacht.

Another activity you can do is to explore the scenic Amelia Island Trail by riding a bike or hiking, this is a good activity for those who like outdoor activities.

There is also an opportunity to pamper yourselves with a couples massage at one of the luxury resorts on the island.

2. Aspen, Colorado

Aspen is located in a remote area of the Rocky Mountains’ Sawatch Range and the Elk Mountains. It’s a popular tourist destination due to its outdoor recreation and amazing ski resorts.

There are a lot of things to do on Valentine’s Day in Aspen, from romantic dinners to fun events and activities.

3. Big Sur, California

Take an epic road trip and travel to Big Sur and enjoy its spectacular scenery and romantic atmosphere. Big Sur is a peaceful destination on the California coast that has a lot to offer.

It’s a beautiful valentine’s day getaway for outdoor enthusiasts. You can go hiking on the famous trails and admire the scenery.

If you like to chill at the beach you can stop by Pfeiffer beach, or Sand Dollar Beach and have some atmospheric picnic.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod is a peninsula located in Massachusetts, is a very popular summertime destination. Surrounded by seafood shacks, lighthouses, ponds, and ocean beaches.

Its unique natural beauty and amazing white-sand beaches make it perfect for a romantic valentine’s day destination. Also, the slow pace of Cape Cod makes it a better place to spend quality time with your loved one.

Enjoy different things such as taking a helicopter ride, strolling at the beach, enjoy the Cap symphony, and eating a variety of fresh seafood.

Charleston, South Carolina

This largest city in South Carolina is a low-key romantic getaway. Charleston, South Carolina, is a beautiful city filled with historic homes, art galleries, beaches, and tasty Southern cuisine.

While in Charleston you can head to Sullivan’s Island to escape the crowd enjoying this historical island.

To spice up your romance on valentine’s day you can book a cruise just for two with Spirit line cruises where they have different packages to choose from.

You can also hop on sightseeing cruises that can be memorable too and a wonderful way to explore the city of Charleston.

Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai, also known as Garden Island, offers many different ways for couples to enjoy a romantic valentine’s getaway.

In Kauai the couple has an option to relax on secluded beaches, relax in a private luxury villa or go on a hiking adventure along the Napali Coast above the Pacific ocean.

You can also book a private helicopter tour and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the island or enjoy stargazing. Kauai is known to be the best place for stargazing.

When it comes to dining Kauhai does deliver the best, to make it more romantic you can choose a dinner cruise with Leila Na Pali Sunset Dinner sail or Na Pali Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise.

Whatever you choose to do in Kauai, you will never be disappointed.

Lanai, Hawaii

Lanai, the smallest island in Hawaii, is truly a romantic place for Valentine’s day gateway. The exclusivity of Lanai does make it feel like you are on a different planet.

You can enjoy a luxury resort while indulging in high-end cuisine. A valentine’s day in Lanai is guaranteed to be a memorable experience with your loved one.

Besides dining in fine restaurants, there are a lot of activities like golfing, epic back road adventures such as hiking, horseback rides.

The Lanai experience won’t be satisfied without water activities, and this place has tons of those like diving, snorkeling in tide pools, etc.

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Martha’s Vineyard is an island located in Massachusetts. It’s a place where you can relax on quiet beaches, explore the historic Edgartown Lighthouse, and enjoy fine dining.

All this contributes to making this island one of the valentine’s day destinations. For a memorable romantic valentine’s day, book a stay at one of the island’s top hotels, you will get the experience of a lifetime because they have a lot to offer to their guests.

Napa Valley, California

Napa Valley is the wine-growing region in the U.S and one of the most famous in the world. Known for its cozy wine caverns, vineyards, chic restaurants, luxury hotels, and spa-treatment, it’s not only a wine lover’s paradise it’s also a valentine’s day romantic getaway.

One can assume that the only thing you can do in Napa Valley is wining and dining that is not true. There are a lot of things you can enjoy with your loved ones such as; visiting the Hess collection Wine & Art museum, there is a lot to learn in this place.

Hop in a Napa Valley wine train tour, is the best way to explore the Napa Valley. You will get to enjoy fine dining and wine tastings, there are different train tours to choose from depending on your needs.

Another thing you can do is to take a break from everything and treat yourself to an amazing spa, or go kayaking and explore the Russian River.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is a coastal city located in the state of Georgia. Savannah is well known for its beautiful coastal landscapes, well-preserved architecture, and its rich, vibrant history.

The city of Savannah is one of the best places to visit for a romantic valentine’s day gateway. There are a lot of things that you can do with your loved ones, like take a walk in the River Street area where you can enjoy dining and nightlife.

If you want to make your day special, you get Valentine’s day dinner on Savannah Riverboat Cruise and get some dessert at Better Than Sex – A Dessert Restaurant.

Well, if you want to have more fun than a quiet evening you can head to some dinner and live shows around town where you can have fine dining and entertainment.

Sedona, Arizona

This Arizona desert town with its majestic red rock scenery and evergreen vegetation makes it easier to express your love. Whether you are an indoor or outdoor person, Sedona is the best place for a valentine’s romantic gateway.

There are a lot of things to do like hiking in Sedona’s scenic red rocks such as Slim Shady trail or the courthouse. Hop into a hot air balloon and see dramatic red rock formations, take an astronomy tour and enjoy night skies.

If you are not feeling the outdoor activities, you can enjoy a romantic dinner in some of the fine restaurants around the town. Go for the wine tasting at the Verde Valley Wine trail or better yet go for a spa and enjoy yourself.

Willamette Valley, Oregon

Willamette Valley is a 150-mile long valley in the Pacific Northwest region located in Oregon. Willamette Valley is best known as a wine lover’s retreat. It’s home to more than 500 wineries.

Willamette Valley is truly a valentine’s day destination because it has a lot to offer. Enjoy outdoor adventurers such as fishing, hiking, and biking.

Also, don’t forget to visit Silver Falls State Park where you can enjoy the waterfall trail and take amazing memorable pictures.

You can stay at one of the region’s luxurious wine country resorts, many of which feature on-site vineyards, spas, and gourmet restaurants, this will be something different and memorable.

A visit to Willamette Valley will be complete without visiting one of the many wineries in the region where you can taste a variety of local wines while pairing them with delicious foods.

Beaches, Gateway, Lifestyle, Travel, Travel Adventures, Vacation,

27 Best Vacation Destinations For 2021

by travzdlaDecember 28, 2020

Many people are looking forward to this pandemic to be over, so they can resume their daily life. One of the things people are looking for is to travel.

Things are looking good for 2021, the vaccine came out, and more countries are beginning to open or lifting their lockdown while still practicing safety protocols to keep everybody safe.

Airlines and hotels are also following safety protocols, and top of that providing discounts, no fee cancellation or rescheduling for some bookings. You can check airlines or hotels cancellations policies before you do your reservations.

So when it comes to travel, every year we are looking at where we want to travel, what we want to or experience, or where are the best places to travel for the coming vacation or just to scratch our bucket list.

As of now, we are looking at where are the best places to travel in 2021. Here are some places we think you should consider for your 2021 vacation.

Bali, Indonesia

Bali is a paradise, it’s a bucket list for many of us. Here you’ll find beaches, volcanoes, and jungles sheltering elephants, and many more. Bali is where you can have your dream luxury vacation for less.

It’s a popular destination if you haven’t seen it on social media you probably heard about it somewhere.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is also known as the Paris of South America. The city of Buenos Aires it’s also considered one of the most romantic destinations because there’s a lot of romantic things to do.

It’s impossible to be bored in Buenos Aires. There are a lot of amazing restaurants, dance clubs, nightclubs, and bars.

If you like tango dancing, ooh well Buenos Aires will be your paradise, you will see some, tango dancing in the streets that you can somehow learn.

Budapest, Hungary.

Budapest, the capital and the most populous city of Hungary, is one of the novelish, fairytale cities in Europe. Sitting in the River Danube, the city is well known for its famous thermal baths.

There are a lot of things to do in Budapest such as take a tour of the spectacular Neo-Gothic Parliament building, visit The Budapest Pinball Museum, ruin bars, the underground cave system.

Cairo, Egypt

Cairo is one of the most ancient cities in the world located on the continent of Africa. This capital of Egypt is sitting on the Nile river, it has the 3rd largest population in Africa and 1st in the Middle East.

The city has a vibrant culture, wonderful museums, and friendly people, it’s also the home of the Pyramids of Giza, the last of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa. The city is known for its stunning views, adventure, and history. Cape Town is also known for its wineries, you can take wine tram tours, private wine tours with experts.

If you like adventures you can take Table Mountain Aerial Cableway to get the best views of Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain. You can take a hike up to Lion’s head.

Don’t forget to enjoy the amazing restaurants and many things that Cape Town has to offer.

Cusco, Peru

This ancient Inca capital is one of the top travel destinations not only in Peru but also in South America. The city of Cusco is 46 to 50 miles away from Machu Picchu. The city has archaeological sites, museums, marketplaces, and many more. Cusco is those kinds of places you will like to add to your bucket list if you haven’t done it yet.

Dubai, U.A.E

For years UAE has proved to be one of the best vacation destinations. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the most famous cities in the UAE where people like to go to visit.

Dubai is well known for its modern architecture and its beauty in general, surely it is a must-go vacation destination to cool off from 2020 stress. There is a lot to do in Dubai that will create a lifetime memory such as sightseeing, activities, dining experience, etc.

You can take a sightseeing tour where you can get a chance to see the tallest building in the world Burj Khalifa in Dubai, visit Gold and Spice souks, Dubai Aquarium, underwater zoo, Green planet, Arabian Dune Safari, stroll at the Dubai Mall, and many more.

If you have time you can take 2hrs to see Sheikh Zayad Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is a city in Croatia, one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea.

The city is popular for its spectacular seafront location on the Dalmatian Coast and offers numerous cultural activities and festivals.

You can enjoy Dubrovnik by walking around its picturesque winding streets, visiting the Cathedral of Assumptions, cliffside beach bars, without forgetting the Dubrovnik Old Town.

Hanoi, Vietnam.

Hanoi is the capital and second-largest city of Vietnam. Hanoi is known for silks and handicrafts, delectable cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. Hanoi is a multicultural city that’s made up of Chinese, French and Russian influences.

The city has a busy street life, there are a lot of things to do like visiting historical sites like Hoa Lo Prison, Museum of Ethnology, enjoying the best view of Hanoi at Lotte Tower Observation Deck and visiting some temples.

Don’t forget to take a stroll and enjoy all the street foods the city of Hanoi has to offer.

Ibiza, Spain

Ibiza is one of the beautiful Spanish islands, is not only known for its scenic beaches, but it’s also known for its nightlife. If you like electronic /techno dance music, and club scenes, in general, this is the must-go place. There are plenty of things to do in Ibiza and you will never get bored of this place.

Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Another place to go if you like a safari vacation is Kruger National Park in South Africa.

The park is one of the largest game reserves with a high density of wild animals including the Big 5, which are lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos.

Kruger National Park has safari experiences of all kinds, it’s a great escape from busy city life and gets back to nature.

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is the capital and the largest city of Portugal. It is best known for its tradition of Fado music, ornate architecture, and full of colonial history.

It is the Mediterranean’s hidden gem, there is a lot of sightseeing and activities, and the restaurants offer delicious menus for all tastes and diets. The city is close to beautiful sand beaches that give you relaxation.

Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakesh is the fourth largest city in Morocco. Marrakech has famous palaces and is also known as the city of luxury, with 5-star restaurants, luxury spas. You will always be amazed at the city’s vibrant colors, aromatic dishes, surely the city of Marrakesh to offer.

While you are there make sure you visit the botanic garden Jardin Majorelle, Maison de la Photographie, Musée Yves Saint Laurent a museum dedicated to Yves Saint Laurent’s couture legacy and has a permanent display of hundreds of garments spanning his 40-year career.

Designer Yves Saint Laurent spent some of his lifetimes in Marrakech and he even bought the Jardin Majorelle in the 80s if you are into fashion somehow you knew about this.

Don’t forget to visit the Soukous and collect some souvenirs.

Napa Valley, Calfornia

Napa Valley in California Wine Country is one of the world’s famous wine regions located in the United States. Napa Valley has more than 375 wineries that are open for tastings and more than 80 urban tasting rooms.

This wine country region is known for its world-class wine, as well as beautiful scenery without forgetting the perfect weather year-round.

Napa Valley is also the home of several Michelin-star restaurants, and luxurious accommodations and spas. Napa Valley is good for a weekend getaway or whatever you prefer.

New Orleans, U.S.A

New Orleans is also known as NOLA, or Big Easy is a city located in the state of Louisiana on the Mississippi River.

New Orleans is one of the lively cities because of its round-the-clock nightlife, street music, festivals, and many more.

This is a city full of festivals and adventures, if you are looking to explore historical sites, eating and drinking while enjoying famous festivals like Essence festival, or Jazz festival, NoLa will be your place to go.

New York City, U.S.A

New York City is one of the world’s most exciting cities. Its true definition of a melting pot, with beautiful architecture, different cultures and cuisines, festivals, and many more things to explore and do.

There are a lot of places you can visit besides restaurants, you can visit one of the largest art museums in the word The Metropolitan Museum of Art, enjoy a show at Broadway, take a stroll at Central Park who knows you might bump into the filming of your favorite show or favorite actor/actress filming a movie.

New Zealand

This small island nation located in the Pacific Ocean is famous for its picturesque landscape, and its indigenous Maori culture. New Zealand is a dream place for nature lovers.

There are a lot of outdoor adventures, wellness retreats, and natural wonders. The country is known for its best farm-to-table dining.

There are a lot of places to visit and enjoy while vacationing in New Zealand such as exploring Middle Earth, visit Auckland also known as City of Sails, visit the country’s capital Wellington.

While you visit Wellington don’t leave without going to, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa also known as Te Papa.

Paris, France

Paris, the capital of France, is one of the most iconic cities in the world. Paris is also known as the City of Light or the City of Love, is home to famous landmarks such as Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre Museum, and many more. The streets of Paris overflow with culture, art, beauty, and history.

Phuket, Thailand

Phuket located in Thailand is the country’s largest island as we know Thailand has more than a thousand islands. Phuket, Thailand has something for everyone, it is known for its tranquility and amazing beaches.

If you are a beach lover, Phuket is the place to be but there some other things you can enjoy and make your vacation memorable such a taking a trip to Wat Chalong, a tour to The Chalong Bay Rum Distillery, visit Tiger kingdom, Phuket Town Weekend Night Market and many many more.

Rome, Italy

Rome is the capital of Italy. The city of Rome is known for its stunning architecture. There are a lot of attractions in this amazing city such as the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and the Pantheon.

While in Rome you will also have an opportunity to visit the smallest country in the world Vatican City. Tons of things to do in this beautiful city don’t forget the amazing restaurants, designer stores and many more.

Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria. Salzburg is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The city is known for its Baroque architecture, the city also hosts a series of opera, concerts, theatre performances, and the Salzburg Festival.

Salzburg is where the movie “The Sound of Music” was shot. . There is a lot to explore when it comes to history, art, music, and culinary.

You will never be bored when you are in Salzburg, no matter what time of the year. The city’s also known for its famous Christmas festivals and Christmas markets.

Don’t forget to visit Mirabell Palace for the best Christmas markets

Santiago, Chile

Santiago is the capital and largest city of Chile. The city of Santiago is known as one of the cosmopolitan cities in the world.

The city is surrounded by handicraft markets, art galleries, design shops and is also famous for its lively Latino nightlife.

There are a lot of places to visit while in Santiago such as the La Chascona museum, Bellavista neighborhood, Cerro Santa Lucia, Cerro Stan Cristobal, and many more.

Santorini, Greece

Santorini is a volcanic island in Greece, It is famous for dramatic views, stunning sunsets in Oia, nice beaches with clear blue waters.

It is one of the most popular destinations, you can enjoy your vacation by visiting the Santo winery where you can enjoy Greek Wines, delicious Greek cuisines, hiking on the top of the Santorini volcano, and many more. Surely a trip to Santorini will be a memorable vacation.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti National Park is a Tanzanian national park in the Serengeti ecosystem.

Serengeti is well known for its annual migration of millions of wildebeests plus hundreds of thousands of gazelles and zebras, followed by their predators, providing one of the most impressive nature spectacles in the world.

The best primary reason to visit Serengeti National Park is to witness The Great Migration, which usually is around July. There are other activities such as camping, safari balloon, safari tour groups.

The Maldives

This nation of islands in the Indian Ocean has been a tourist attraction and one of the amazing vacation destinations. Five percent of the planet’s reef can be found in the Maldives.

The reefs are home to a thousand species of fish and come with an explosion of color and corals. If you like the beach vacation the Maldives will be the perfect fit for you.

A lot of activities to do such as scuba diving, snorkeling, visit the Male fish market or get some spa treatment, etc.

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is the largest metropolitan in the world and one of the world’s most modern cities in terms of its infrastructure and design.

There’s a lot to explore in the city such as temples, the Aqua Zoo, Tsukiji Fish Market, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo National Museum, and many more.

Vancouver, Canada.

Vancouver is one of the major cities in Canada. surrounded by water and close to the mountains. Vancouver is where you can enjoy fresh, local seafood, especially salmon.

You can enjoy this beautiful city by taking a boat tour or sightseeing cruise, which are available throughout the city. Vancouver it’s also known for its outdoor recreation and adventures.

If you love outdoor life then Vancouver is your place. The city is offering a lot of outdoor sports and adventure, from kayaking, hiking, camping, skiing, and mountain ziplining.

The adventures depend on the season; there are winter and summer adventures. Don’t forget to dine in their amazing restaurants, visit the parks around the city such as the famous Stanley Park.

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