The 13 Most Beautiful Places in Texas to Add to Your Bucket List

From waterfalls, sparkly caves, surf able sand dunes and an extravagant Hindu temple, Texas boast some unexpectedly beautiful sights and hidden gems. Here, Culture Trip lists the top 13 places to add to your Lone Star State bucket list, including German Falls, Rock port Beach, Palo Duro Canyon, and Bayou Bend Gardens.

Culture Trip has partnered with Virgin Atlantic and Delta Airlines to promote trips to Texas to see these beautiful places, and everything else this massive, gorgeous state has to offer.

Book your flight to Houston from only £612 ($760) return from London’s Heathrow Airport, to start your Texas getaway. Houston’s large international airport welcomes visitors to the Lone Star State from all over the world, and is only a few hours drive by car from Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and multiple beaches.

Hamilton Pool—23 mi. (37km) west of Austin

Hamilton Pool Preserve, just outside of Austin, is created by Hamilton Creek spilling over the top of a limestone rock formation, creating a delicate waterfall. This spot is so popular with visitors, you have to make a reservation ahead of time, if you want the opportunity to take a dip in the warm months, though you can choose to wait in a non-guaranteed entry line that will cost you about 45 minutes of your time, on average. As locals will tell you: it’s more than worth the wait.

Santa Elena Canyon—121 mi. (195km) south of Marfa

Santa Elena Canyon calls Big Bend National Park home, and is just a mere pin drop in the massive 1,252 mi.² (3,250km²) park. This canyon is one of the most popular choices in the area for those wishing to take a leisurely kayak, canoe, or raft downstream. The tall cliffs reach up to 1,000 ft. (305m), creating a stark contrast with the low rapids, and you can camp along your way as well.

Bayou Bend Gardens in Houston

The Bayou Bend Gardens have been a labor of clipping and manicured love since Miss Ima Hogg chose the area for her gardens back in 1925. The formal gardens she grew were meant to be places to sit, enjoy nature, and converse, rather than flora and fauna to gaze at from a distance. The gardens are planted during the formal Country Place era of the late 19th century, and are still as impeccable as ever today.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir—20 mi. (32km) SW of Houston

You can simply call this stunning temple in Stafford, Texas ‘the Mandir’ for short. It was built for Houston-area Hindus as a place of worship and prayer, and was built according to the guidelines outlined in the Shilpa Shastras. This collection of architectural guidelines has been a part of Indian religion and history for thousands of years, though this particular site is extravagantly beautiful.

Rockport Beach—32 mi. (51km) north of Corpus Christi

While South Padre Island gains most of the notoriety as Texas’s premier beach, Rockport Beach is just up the coast and boasts pristine sandy beaches with gorgeous blue-wave shorelines. A simple $5 parking fee will get you set for the day, and there are pavilions to have a picnic lunch and a walking path for further exploration, should you want to do more than lay in the sun.

Palo Duro Canyon—32 mi. (51km) south of Amarillo

Palo Duro Canyon is second in size in the U.S. only to the Grand Canyon, and with way less foot traffic. The park sits in the Texas Panhandle, and hosts a wide arrange of activities for the outdoor enthusiast, such as wild and RV camping, hiking and biking trails, and shaded picnic areas.

Gorman Falls—100 mi. (161km) northwest of Austin

Gorman Falls resides in Colorado Bend State Park, one of Texas’s most beautiful and popular state parks. You can explore the falls on a guided 1.5 mi. (2.4km) hike, or go rogue on a solo, rugged three-mile (4.8km) hike to reach the same destination. The nearby lake offers opportunities for boating, kayaking, and swimming, or stay on land exploring the park’s 35 mi. (56km) of multi-use trails.

Texas State Capitol in Austin

You can see this legislative structure far before you reach downtown Austin, as it sits atop the end of Congress Avenue. This version of Texas’s Capitol building was constructed after the 1853 version was deemed too small for the mighty state, and features immaculate attention to detail from the star-studded rotunda to every chair in the House of Representatives. Get the full rundown on this historic building with a brief history of the Texas State Capitol.

Caddo Lake—60 mi. (97km) south of Texarkana

East Texas has a distinct ecology, and it’s where you’ll find most of Texas’s “swamplands”, which are much more magnificent than you may have presupposed. The area is filled with bare cypress trees covered with Spanish moss, providing a natural playground of bayous and waterways to explore via kayak or canoe.

Caverns of Sonora—190 mi. (306km) northwest of San Antonio

You have to go the extra mile—underground—to find this hidden Texas gem. The Caverns of Sonora are a great pit stop on your way to West Texas, about halfway between Big Bend and San Antonio. These caves are made up of acres of limestone, and you can pan for sparkling gems, hike, or even camp during your stop too.

Willow City Loop—80 mi. (129km) west of Austin

The Texas Hill Country is your destination for a Sunday drive any time of the year, but especially during the spring when the Texas wildflowers are blooming in every field. The rolling hills offer expansive views of Central Texas, and small towns along the way boast delicious restaurants, homely bed and breakfasts, and plenty of wineries and breweries to keep you busy. Want to catch as many famous Texas bluebonnets as you can, before they disappear? Check out the best spots for viewing them this spring.

El Capitan—113 mi. (182km) east of El Paso

Didn’t think you could see snow in Texas? In Guadalupe Mountains National Park on the Texas-New Mexico border sits the El Capitan peak, which is dry and barren much of the year but gets a white coat of snow and clouds once in a while. El Capitan is the eighth highest peak in Texas and a journey to the top offers a sweet reward for hikers in terms of miles upon miles of desert beauty from above.

Monahans Sandhills—140 mi. (225km) northeast of Marfa

Bring your boogie board or rent a toboggan onsite to ride a different kind of wave at Monahans Sandhills in West Texas. Besides the dunes, you can ride a horse anywhere in the 800-acre equestrian area (324 hectares) or check out the nearby Odessa Meteor Crater.

               CR:https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/texas/articles/the-13-most-beautiful-places-in-texas-to-add-to-your-bucket-list/

March 12, 2018 ·   0

15 Tips for Traveling Europe

 you’ve done it—bought your tickets for a vacation in Europe and needing to see the sights- or you have a minimum of the set that “Europe” is your next destination!

From east to west, Europe could be a mixture of cultures, languages, heritage, design, and customs all across the continent. The dissolution of border checks among the EU implies that travel in Europe has more nee been easier, more cost-effective or additional convenient!

Here army prime fifteen tips for traveling Europe to the fullest!

– Visit on Off Season –

Europe is a multitude in the peak travel season, with crowds and queues lining up in Paris and London, and even smaller hamlets like Avignon and urban center. Avoid the months of a Gregorian calendar month, Gregorian calendar month and August if you’d rather not fight massive lines and crowds to envision the Anglesey Lisa or the Sistine Chapel.

Plus, time of year is once Europeans themselves head elsewhere for vacation, thus my suggestion to induce a true feel on what locals air like in your destination, visit cusp-season- early spring or within the fall!

– back up Family Businesses –

Head off the crushed track of Eiffel Towers and Galeries Lafayettes to see the smaller businesses, the family-run bakehouse or the mom-and-pop gelato place on the corner.

You’re here to fulfill and mingle with locals, thus you may furthermore support native businesses and whereas you add it, you'll even strive a ‘Bonjour’ or ‘Ciao’ with them. Restaurants and outlets of the most roads tend to be cheaper anyways!

Helpful Tip: Restaurants with footage on the menu tend to cater towards a traveler crowd, which suggests their costs ar marked up furthermore. Learn some food phrases in your destination’s language, or carry a translator thus you don't like the photographs anyways!

– Learn the Native Language –

Practice some phrases before you arrive and use them with locals if you are feeling snug. In most cases, they’ll appreciate a traveler attempting to talk the native tongue.

Try being attentive to some podcasts to induce the correct pronunciation, or pay it slow with a language program like Rosetta stone leading up to your trip.– Stay Longer in One Place –

It forever feels additional gratifying to remain in one place for every week or 2 instead of city-hopping each few days. Not solely will that mean less packing and unpacking, you have got the possibility to urge to grasp a vicinity, notice a favorite restaurant, and even build some friendships by projecting it enter one place.

Rent an Airbnb for the week, or notice a Homestay in an exceedingly favorite corner of the city for some weeks!

– Do because the Locals Do –

You don’t need to be that holidaymaker standing out from the group with ill-breeding or loud exclamations, thus observe what the locals do and imitate.

For example, don’t wear tank top notch in conservative Orthodox churches, or lower your tone—most Europeans speak at a softer tone than Americans. simply bear in mind of your surroundings, and analysis native rule for your destination if you’re unsure what to expect.

– bear in mind of Afternoon Closures –

A quick tip—Europeans price their lunch breaks, and noon meals usually extend over hours. thus you'll notice a ticket booth or post is closed from hour until 2 pm.

Take the late lunch into consideration after you arrange your daily itinerary. And guess what—it’s an ideal likelihood to derive pleasure a protracted lunch yourself. once in Rome!

– Stray From the crushed Path –

By all suggests that see the tower and ride a gondola in Venice—sometimes the crushed path is often its own fun expertise.

But for the foremost half, you'll be able to see and do most additional if you avoid it. raise locals at the bar for his or her recommendations of wherever to eat and drink, or browse on-line. It’s locals UN agency very grasp their city—the best place to own a picnic, the simplest read of gargoyles, the simplest place to catch the underground music scene.

– keep Central and Walk everyplace –

It may appear logical to pay the night in an exceedingly low-cost edifice within the suburbs, however, trust me—it’s not forever worthwhile. after you take into consideration the transportation to and from the town, or the trouble of making an attempt to search out a building in an exceedingly residential area— sleeping removed from downtown is often a true pain.

Instead, splurge somewhat and book a moderate place in or close to the town center. You’ll be able to reach the most sights and notice cafes and restaurants with no bother in the slightest degree. Plus, you’ll see additional of the town if you’re walking around instead of taking the railway or a bus.

– keep in an exceedingly Smaller town –

On the opposite hand- giant cities like Rome, Paris, London, national capital will all be overrun with tourists—making it tough to mix in and meet and speak with locals.Choose a smaller city with its own eye, and one that doesn’t get as several tourists, however area unit still simply a brief train leave from the most hubs: Girona close to the metropolis, Bologna close to Florence.These cities square measure sometimes quieter and run at a slower pace, permitting you to fancy yourself with less pressure. you may conjointly realize there square measure additional accommodations within the type of housing rentals and homestays obtainable farther from the town center!

– consult with individuals –

Don’t be shy—yes, you’re on your own however there are no higher thanks to meet locals and similar travelers than putting up a spoken language.

Street vendors, shopkeepers, bar patrons, even individuals staying at your hostel—smile and be receptive individuals. you will find yourself meeting some womb-to-tomb friends!

– visit Countries Not on the monetary unit –

To save a couple of pennies, hit the countries that also retain their own currency.

Bulgaria, European nation, Romania, Republic of Poland and Republic of Hungary square measure all fascinating European countries with their own distinctive story to inform, and have a tendency to be less expensive than their Western European neighbors.

– Use Budget Airlines –

Budget airlines square measure destiny’s gift for the aware individual. Europe has dozens of value|low-cost} airlines that fly from town to town at marginal cost. you'll be able to fly from Irish capital to national capital, or city to Dutch capital for underneath $100, and typically cheaper than train tickets counting on the gap.

– move Train –

Europe loves their trains, and for an honest reason. Traveling by train is usually additional spacious, comfy, and easier than travel counting on your finish destination.

There square measure nearly no lines and you'll be able to get your price ticket minutes before departure. confine mind that several trains square measure dearer than travel in Europe, however, the comfort makes all the various. to form train travel even easier, transfer a rail planner app wherever you'll be able to track schedules and get tickets.

– town Walking Tours –

In fashionable cities, there square measure tours and excursions galore! I’ve taken tours with Walks of a European country, furthermore as Walks of Turkey, and therefore the guides square measure thus knowledgeable and personable- it's an excellent introduction to native culture.

Most hostels provide free walking tours, and that they square measure usually run and expedited by university students, and might be a fun introduction to your new host town.

They’ll inspire you with native anecdotes, history lessons and you'll be able to come to the favor by tipping them in exchange for his or her spirited service.

October 27, 2017 ·   0

How to visit Cuba as associate degree Yankee

has been out-of-bounds to Americans since 1960 once a trade barrier was placed in situ. This basically created Cuba fully off limits for Americans. Europeans and travelers from close countries are freely traveling to Cuba for many years and eventually, it's a lot of easier for Americans to go to this northern Caribbean Island. Recently things have modified and currently, it's even easier for Americans to visit Cuba. Here is what you would like to understand regarding traveling to Cuba as associate degree Yankee.

How to visit Cuba as associate degree Yankee

I have traveled to Cuba flawlessly and de jure and each way work. Traveling lawlessly has been common for years however there's now not a desire to travel through another country to enter Cuba. I like to recommend the legal methodology currently since it's far more reasonable than the previous people-to-people tours and their area unit currently industrial flights direct from the U.S. one in all the largest queries I receive is a way to visit Cuba as associate degree Yankee. With all of the recent changes it absolutely was time for associate degree update to my guide.

I traveled to Cuba in 2012 while not a license through North American country. this is often referred to as an entrance country and technically embezzled within the eyes of the U.S., however, thousands of individuals try this annually from many various entrance countries close to Cuba.

Read More: a way to visit Cuba while not a License
Here is associate degree example of the entrance country Method: Fly to Cancun, North American country (your entrance country), purchase your Cuba visa for $20 USD at the flying field in Cancun, fly to Cuba on a single reserved flight.
When flying home to us it seems you simply flew to the North American country. However, Cuba is now stamping passports so it'll be difficult to assert you probably did not visit Cuba. There is not a requirement to cover Cuba from your travels unless you don’t feel you qualify for travel. U.S. immigration officers don’t care if you're open and honest and have the correct to travel there.

Entry Requirements for Americans Traveling to Cuba
Those who will lawfully trip Cuba now could be constant because it was before the main changes in 2015 however it's abundant easier currently. antecedently you required to use for a license through OFAC And be approved to trip Cuba as an America.

Now you simply have to be compelled to declare yourself lawfully allowed to travel and there's now not a need to use for a license through OFAC. However, you'll still want a visa that is printed below.

Who is Permitted to Travel to Cuba
You must fall into 1 of 12 categories which allow Americans to legally travel to Cuba.

There are 12 categories that permit anyone to travel to Cuba:
1. Family visits
2. Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
3. Journalistic activity
4. Professional research and professional meetings
5. Educational activities*
6. Religious activities
7. Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and different competitions, and exhibitions
8. Support for the Cuban folks
9. Humanitarian comes
10. Activities of personal foundations or analysis or academic institutes
11. Exportation, importation, or transmission info|of data|of knowledge} or information materials
12. bound export transactions that will be thought-about for authorization beneath existing laws and tips.
*Most folks I do know have chosen to mention they're going to academic functions. I selected to mention I used to be traveling for print media activity despite the fact that I'm solely a travel blogger. This worked with no issues once I flew from the big apple to Havana on JetBlue.

It is necessary to notice that Cuba doesn’t care concerning these twelve classes. They don’t raise if you're visiting for journalism, education, humanitarian comes, or spiritual activities. this can be only for records on the U.S. face and Cuba solely cares if you’re visiting for business or business. the precise same question that each alternative custom type asks around the world. once you fill out the customs declaration type for Cuba simply check “tourism” as a result of you're a traveler a bit like anyone else visiting the country.

How to Book A Flight to Cuba

Many airlines fly directly to Cuba currently and there's no ought to book a charter flight or fly from the United Mexican States. merely search on your favorite OTA like Skyscanner or Kayak. I set-aside my flight with JetBlue. They fly to four cities in Cuba currently from NYC, Orlando, and Ft. Lauderdale.
A quick search on Kayak showed American state the most affordable Cuba flights on JetBlue, AeroMexico, American, Avianca, Copa, Delta, Spirit, and United. clearly, this can modification on each search however there squares measure plenty of flights and airlines flying to Cuba currently.

What Documents square measure needed for travel Cuba
Since I flew to Cuba de jure with JetBlue can|I will be able to|i'll} use them as my example, however, traveling to Cuba on alternative airlines will have similar necessities for Americans. in line with JetBlue you wish the subsequent documents to travel Cuba:
• A U.S. passport that’s valid for the complete length of keep
• Health insurance
• Visa to enter Cuba- I purchased mine at JFK for $50 USD

Health Insurance for Cuba
If you're flying JetBlue they embody worth} of insurance within the price of your price tag. there's no ought to purchase extra coverage for Cuba.
From JetBlue: The Cuban government needs all guests to possess insurance that covers the territory of Cuba; for U.S. citizens, this suggests native Cuban insurance. once getting your JetBlue price tag to Cuba, Cuban insurance provided by ESICUBA and administered by Asistur is mechanically enclosed within the value of your fare (a $25 surcharge).

Do You would like a Visa to travel Cuba
Yes, you may like a visa for Cuba. you may decide this up at your entryway aerodrome. as an example, if you're flying from JFK to Cuban capital you may purchase your visa at the aerodrome. JetBlue charges $50 for a Cuban visa at the aerodrome and this might vary by airline.
When I flew through the United Mexican States to Cuba I purchased my visa at the urban center aerodrome. the method is easy and that I explained the method of flying from the United Mexican States to Cuba during this post.

Visa data from JetBlue:
Cuban traveler visa, that is ample for less than sure classes of OFAC-permitted travel, are often purchased from JetBlue at a “gateway aerodrome” (the final airport before outgoing the U.S.) for $50 per person. the client can like their passport, pass and a serious MasterCard to shop for the Cuban traveler visa.

What to Expect once you arrive for Cuba Flight
Flying from the U.S. to Cuba was a replacement expertise on behalf of me and it'll be that approach for several Cubans United Nations agency will currently visit members of the family and curious tourists visiting for the primary time. JFK had a chosen arrival space for Cuba passengers. this might modification, however, the explanation for this can be the requirement to sign AN legal instrument and fill out the shape that says you'reapproved to travel Cuba. they are doing not verify this or invite proof thus it's utterly in your honor.

The form shows higher than is that the same one JetBlue asked American state to fill out on-line after I set aside my flight. you want to check the box for one amongst the twelve reasons to authorize your visit to Cuba. Education is that the commonest one tourists use and I’ve nonetheless to listen to of anyone having issues doing this. when you arrive for your flight to Cuba everything else is simply like all alternative flight.

Airbnb's in Cuba
When I 1st traveled to Cuba in 2012 I stayed with a family in a very cash explicit. These square measure primarily native home stays wherever Cuban families host you. These square measure excellent thanks to fancy a town like Cuban capital and currently they will be set-aside on Airbnb.
Use my link to save lots of $35 off your 1st booking on Airbnb
I worshiped staying with a family however now I selected to urge a 2-bedroom Airbnb in the previous Cuban capital. it absolutely was still in hand by a Cuban family however they rented it out currently that Airbnb is accessible within the town and now not board the flat. There square measure Airbnb rooms to rent or entire flats the market in Cuba on Airbnb.
Airbnb can raise you if you're de jure permissible to travel Cuba once you book. All you wish to try to is choose your purpose of travel Cuba and pay such as you would the other time.

Cuba Immigration method
Entering Cuba is uncomplicated and is extremely the same as getting into the other country around the world. they need no downside with Americans getting into the country and area unit happy to possess you. they'll stamp your passport that has been a priority within the past. This caused zero issues after I came from Cuba to u. s.. Immigration officers in NYC aforementioned welcome home and one even mentioned he’s been needing to go himself.
Have your passport, address for your accommodation, proof of insurance (if not provided by airline), Visa card crammed out, and customs forms able to go. getting into Cuba is easy. Don’t forget to save lots of the opposite half your visa for after you leave Cuba. Keep it in your passport or somewhere safe as a result of you may want it after you leave the country.
As you'll see on the visa/tourist card on the proper It's crammed out on each side. they'll take one 0.5 after you enter and therefore the spouse after you leave.

WiFi in Cuba
WiFi in Cuba is rising however not nice. I carried a Verizon and AT&T phone with ME to visualize what reasonably service they'd within the town. after I was there in 2012 I had very little to no information obtainable on my telephone however now I had 3G. However, AT&T and Verizon don't provide Cuba information plans however this I don’t advocate victimization information whereas you're there. it'll be terribly dearly-won information however it's AN choice if you wish to pay terribly high information costs on your telephone.
Use public WiFi and notice a building with WiFi within the lobby. after you see a bunch of locals hanging out on an intersection in the capital of Cuba viewing their phones you recognize you’ve found a hotspot.
Many hotels sell WiFi cards which can provide you with some access to the web whereas you're in Cuba. Don’t expect it to be quick however you'll be ready to transfer some photos and text home at no cost over WiFi. Here is a lot of information regarding WiFi in Cuba.

Credit Card, Debit Cards, and ATMs in Cuba

There were reports that bank credit and debit cards would begin operating in 2016 however that's not the case. don't decide to use credit cards in Cuba as a result of they'll not work and lots of places don't settle for them. If you've got a card issued from an ECU bank you may be ready to use them at some places and use ATMs however Americans ought to be ready to hold plenty of money.

Exchanging cash in Cuba
There area unit 2 currencies in Cuba. The Cuban monetary unit and Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC). you merely have to be compelled to be conversant in CUC as a result of this is often the one for tourists.
The CUC is 1:1 with the USD. you'll bring USD and exchange it at the flying field or at hotels however despite wherever you are doing it you may lose around 100% on prime of your exchange. this extra 100% fee is barely for USD thus some advocate transferral Euros or GBP to exchange. it's up to you, however, certify you've got lots of additional money for emergencies.
I reserved my Airbnb with my MasterCard before I departed that saved ME the requirement to pay money for accommodation in benefit capital of Cuba. after I stayed at Casa explicit some years past I had to bring additional money. Yes, casa particulars area unit all-time low, however, the less money I actually have to hold the higher. The key's to bring additional money as a result of you newer apprehend if you may want it.

Flying Home From Cuba
Flying back to Cuba to u. s. is simply like several alternative flight home. world Entry may prevent an additional spherical of queries in immigration, however, there's fully no have to be compelled to gaze traveling to Cuba at now. If you traveled there de jure you may have a Cuba stamp in your passport and you may don't have anything to stress regarding.
You can even bring home up to $400 in Cuban merchandise. This includes tobacco and alcohol product value but $100 combined.

More Cuba Resources
Now that Cuba is actually receptive Americans it's an excellent time to go to. we tend to don’t apprehend if things can modification beneath the new administration or if Cuba can become AN yank hotspot in five years. For currently, it's still a singular and howling country to go to.

October 27, 2017 ·   0