Nestled in the Nilgiri hills, Ooty is one of India’s most scenic hill stations. Popularly known as the Queen of Hill Stations, this picturesque town is a perfect retreat for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

From serene lakes to cascading waterfalls, verdant tea estates to misty mountains, Ooty has a lot to offer. So, let’s visit Ooty with thoughtfully curated Ooty tour packages and enjoy the trip to the fullest.

5 Amazing Places to Explore in Ooty (Queen of Hill Stations)

1. Ooty Lake

First on our list is the enchanting and artificial Ooty Lake in the shape of an irregular ‘L,’ where tranquillity meets adventure. Rent a paddleboat or rowboat to navigate the serene waters surrounded by eucalyptus trees and lush landscapes.

The lake also offers horse riding for those seeking a different perspective. Enjoy a peaceful day at the lakeside, picnicking and soaking in the natural beauty that Ooty has to offer.

2. Botanical Garden

This place is a paradise for those who love plants and gardens. It started in the year 1848 and covers a vast area of around 55 acres.

Here, you have a chance to explore a variety of wonderful flowers, unique plants, and trees collected from varied parts of India and the world. Additionally, the garden has nicely planned pathways to take a leisurely walk and soak in the natural beauty all around.

3. Doddabetta Peak

For breathtaking panoramic views, head to Doddabetta Peak, the highest point in the Nilgiri Range. A short trek takes you to the summit, where you’ll be rewarded with unparalleled vistas of the surrounding hills and valleys.

In addition, capture the beauty of Ooty from the observation tower and revel in the cool breeze. Doddabetta Peak promises an awe-inspiring experience for nature enthusiasts and photography enthusiasts alike.

4. Tea Estates

Ooty is known for its tea plantations. The tea estates offer picturesque views of the surroundings and have guided tours that take you through the tea-making process. The tea produced here is of the best quality and is exported worldwide. In addition, you can also explore any of the tea factories and witness the process of tea-making.

5. Dear Park

A short distance of 2 kilometers from Ooty Lake lies Deer Park, easily accessible by road. For nature and animal enthusiasts, this is an exciting place to explore. The park is home to various deer species, such as Sambhar and the Chithal. Additionally, you’ll find a diverse range of plants and trees within its extensive 22-acre expanse.

Established in 1986, Deer Park is recognized as a wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and throughout India. It presents a wonderful opportunity to observe animals up close, making it a must-visit, especially for wildlife admirers.

The Bottom Line

Ooty, a picturesque town, has much more to offer than just these places. Apart from exploring the mentioned spots, you can venture into the hills for a trek, visit tribal villages, or just unwind and revel in the refreshing weather.

The ideal time to experience Ooty’s charm is from September to May when the climate is delightful and the town is lively with visitors. So, take Ooty tour packages and explore this delightful town for a holiday you won’t forget.

Traveling with your children is an amazing way to create lifelong memories.
But it can also be a little stressful — especially when traveling in winter, one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. Add young children to the mix and the travel experience has the potential to be even more daunting.

But with a few tips and hacks from experts, your family travels (even in winter) can be far less overwhelming. And dare we say, downright enjoyable?

Whitney Cesares, a pediatrician, Gerber pediatric consultant, author and mother of two, offers up these tips for globetrotting with children in tow during the winter.

When can I start traveling with my little ones?

Most children are old enough to travel at about 6 weeks to 2 months of age (after their first set of vaccinations), but it’s always best to share travel plans with your pediatrician to be sure.

The Mayo Clinic, meanwhile, says air travel is appropriate for most healthy, full-term infants, but advises that before flying you should consider a number of factors including your child’s age. Newborns, for instance, have developing immune systems, and flying can increase their risk of catching an infectious disease.

If you do fly with an especially young baby — particularly during winter, when it’s more common to come down with a cold or the flu — take steps to protect their health. Getting all family members vaccinated, for instance, can help to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Focus on health and safety en route

Frequent hand-washing is one of the most effective ways to keep your baby healthy during travel, says Cesares.

“Avoiding sick people, giving plenty of opportunities for rest and offering a diverse array of nutritious food options (or breast milk or formula if your baby is too young for solid foods) can also help,” Cesares explains.

When traveling by car, make sure your child is properly fastened in his or her car seat. If traveling by plane, follow all crew members’ and airline instructions for a safe journey.

Provide nutrition on the go

Traveling can be a disorienting experience for little ones, so it’s important to remain consistent with eating schedules. Taking this step can provide comfort and keep babies healthy, happy and energized along your journey.

“Wholesome travel snacks are an absolute must, especially for little ones,” says Cesares.

It’s also important to keep an eye on your children while eating in transit, ensuring they’re safe, seated and supervised while eating. This can help avoid any choking hazards (not to mention helping to make sure snack time stays mess- and stress-free).

Offer soothing play opportunities

Children have endless toy choices these days, which can make it challenging when deciding what to pack. But Cesares says knowing which toys to bring (and having backups as well) is key, as the right toys can be very soothing during the course of your journey.

“Compact toys like rattles and teething toys are some of the best choices for tiny travelers because they’re easy to pack and clean,” Cesares advises. “A stuffy or lovey can help console older babies and toddlers who may experience ear discomfort on an airplane or boredom on a road trip.”

And given how tiresome travel can be, even for adults who know what to expect, it’s important to find ways to give young travelers a chance to take a break and stretch.

Cesares says allowing kids to “get their wiggles out” helps them not be overwhelmed by the experience of long travel days. Staying engaged with children is also key to keeping boredom or restlessness at bay.

Stick to a sleep routine

A little disruption to sleep schedules is to be expected, so try not to stress about it if your little one isn’t sleeping at usual times when you’re traveling.

But do try to maintain your routine as much as possible.

“If you plan on using a portable crib, have little ones practice sleeping in it for a few nights before you leave for your trip so they’re already accustomed to it,” says Cesares. “Young sleepers can also benefit from sleep aids such as a white noise machine to ease the transition to a new environment.”

Capture memorable travel moments with these tips: Understand your camera, plan your shots, and utilize the right lighting, particularly during golden hours. Follow the rule of thirds for composition, including people to tell a compelling story. Pay attention to details, experiment with depth of field, and ensure stability. Edit your photos mindfully for a natural look. Be patient and observant, ready to seize spontaneous moments. Enjoy the process of creating lasting memories through stunning travel photography.

If you are a travel enthusiast who loves taking pictures, but for some reason you are not able to fulfil your dreams, then you have landed on the right page. Taking the best/amazing/memorable photos during a trip involves a combination of technical skills, creativity, and an understanding of your camera.

So here are some tips to help you capture memorable and stunning travel photos:

Be an early riser: Sunrise is considered the best time to capture the beauty of nature. For photography enthusiasts, good light is one of the most important ingredients of capturing the best. The warm and soft early glow makes for some great pictures. Avoid harsh midday sunlight, as it can create strong shadows and overexposure.

Know your equipment: Knowing your equipment is another important factor. So get familiar with your camera or smartphone settings. Understand how to adjust exposure and focus, and other things. Clean your camera lens before shooting to avoid blurry or hazy images.

Plan your shots: Research your destination and plan the shots you want to capture. Consider the best times of day for specific lighting conditions. Be aware of local customs and laws regarding photography.

Composition: Rule of thirds is quintessential in capturing awesome pictures. Mentally divide your frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically, and place your main subject at the intersection of these lines.

Include people in your story: Capture local people to add a human element to your photos.
Aim to tell a story with your pictures. Show the culture, environment, and emotions of the place.

Talk to people before taking their picture: Photographers often find shooting local people a task. So it is important to get comfortable with this practice. The key is to interact with people and talk to them. Try to build a rapport and be friendly before asking for a photo.

Pay attention to details: Capture small details that represent the essence of the location, such as local cuisine, architecture, or unique patterns. Don’t forget to photograph signs, maps, and other items that can help you remember the specifics of your trip.

Carry a lightweight tripod: Photographers have started carrying a tripod these days which allows you to hold your camera at a fixed position. Once the camera is placed in the wanted position, it gets easier to focus all your attention towards capturing the perfect image.

Depth of field: Use a wide aperture (small f-number) to create a shallow depth of field, which can help isolate your subject from the background. Experiment with different depths of field to add variety to your shots.

Stability and focus: Use a tripod for stability, especially in low light conditions or when taking long-exposure shots. Ensure your main subject is in focus. Most cameras and smartphones allow you to tap on the screen to focus on a specific point.

Edit mindfully: After the trip, spend time editing your photos to enhance colours, contrast, and sharpness. Be careful not to over-edit; aim for a natural look that reflects the atmosphere of the moment.

Be patient and observant: Sometimes the best shots happen when you least expect them. Be patient and observant, ready to capture spontaneous moments.

Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the experience of capturing memories. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things to develop your unique photographic style.

Pinterest Predicts released its annual trend forecast last month, and it appears 2024 will be a great year for staycations and relaxing, unhurried trips. Here’s how to plan yours

If just the idea of going on vacation is stressful, don’t worry — you’re not alone. And there is a solution.

This year, travel focused on rest and relaxation is expected to become a major trend, paving the way for adventurers and homebodies alike to use travel as an opportunity to recharge.

According to Pinterest Predicts, which forecasts expected trends each coming year, “rest stops,” or restful, unhurried vacations, will be the focus of travel in 2024.

“This year, people will plan trips that take it extra slow — and help them catch up on some precious z’s,” the website reads. “Fewer nights out on the town, more lazy mornings in bed. In 2024, there’ll be no shame in your slowcation game.”

Here are a couple of ways you can plan a laid-back vacation.

Tips for a restful vacation

1. Opt for a staycation

One of the biggest stressors around travel is the fact that it can get quite expensive. Another issue is that the actual act of traveling — whether you’re driving a car for hours on end or cramped in a tiny airplane seat — isn’t all that fun.

You can largely avoid both of those problems by giving yourself a staycation, where you stay in your own town or somewhere nearby and dedicate a period of time to rest and relaxation.

You can stay at home, which will definitely cut costs, or you can set yourself up in a local Airbnb or hotel. Either way, make sure you make your environment as relaxing as possible by eliminating clutter and distractions and cultivating a space that puts your mind at ease when you enter it. Take this time to explore new areas of your hometown, stay off social media for a while and reconnect with yourself.

2. Choose a relaxing travel destination.

While it can be thrilling to visit a big city and visit dozens of museums, monuments and other attractions every day, it can also be kind of exhausting. If you’re hoping to slow down your travel, try visiting a locale with a slower pace and put fewer destinations on your itinerary. Small towns are great for this, and as an added bonus, the cost of accommodations tends to be cheaper outside of larger cities.

You could also visit places known for their relaxed, peaceful vibes, such as one of the most peaceful countries in the world or a location with natural beauty, whether that’s a mountain resort or beach town.

3. Give yourself time

Even if you do have a long itinerary, you can keep your vacation peaceful by allowing yourself ample time to visit every destination on your list. Make sure you’ve set aside enough time for you to fully experience your destination rather than jumping through it.

Additionally, rather than trying to plan everything ahead and fit a new activity into each hour, focus on one big activity and a few smaller ones each day with plenty of time to cushion them. Don’t worry about jumping from one thing to the next; take your time enjoying each new sight and experience.