Another superb travel spotlight via our friends at ShareAmerica.
With massive, towering cliffs and deep canyons, Zion National Park consistently ranks as one of America’s most popular spots for outdoor adventure. Designated as a U.S. national park in 1919, Zion, in southwestern Utah and two hours from Las Vegas, now attracts 5 million visitors annually.
Tallest Sandstone Walls In the World
They come for red-and-white sandstone walls, among the tallest in the world, that soar to heights of 2,000 to 3,000 feet (609 to 914 meters) above the canyon floor. Zion’s immense scale and dramatic rock formations lead many to describe the park in spiritual terms. Mormon pioneers who arrived at the canyon in the 1800s gave it the biblical name Zion, meaning “sanctuary” or “refuge.”
Sandstone walls, wildlife and trails
Hikers will find numerous trails, from the near-effortless to the very challenging. Less difficult hikes like the Pa’rus, Riverside Walk and Canyon Overlook provide stunning views and the chance to spot wildlife, including bighorn sheep and mule deer. The more challenging Angels Landing offers panoramic views of Zion’s iconic cliffs, including the Court of the Patriarchs, composed of three biblically named peaks: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Hiking Amazement
Hiking The Narrows trail is a signature Zion adventure. Hikers tread upriver in shallow water into a gorge with soaring cliff walls 1,000 feet (300 meters) high. Boots and hiking poles can help navigate the rocky riverbed. The Narrows is most popular in June through September, when the water is warm and river levels are low.
Another sightseeing option is the Zion Canyon Shuttle , which takes visitors from one scenic spot to the next. The shuttle operates March through November or December and is the only way to access Zion’s Emerald Pools trails, which feature waterfalls and hanging gardens.
Guided tours on horseback are available for those seeking an authentic Western experience. Zion’s Nature Center offers programs for families, including an interactive exhibit where children can explore the park’s geology, history and wildlife.
Stargazing and nature photography
Certified as an International Dark Sky Park, Zion’s high elevation and minimal light pollution make it a premier spot for stargazing and astrophotography. Expect clear nighttime views of the Milky Way, planets and distant galaxies, but bundle up because temperatures drop after sunset.
Nature photography is a Zion favorite at any time of day. The National Park Service recommends taking advantage of nature’s golden hours at sunrise and sunset to capture the changing light on the park’s vivid red cliffs.
Ansel Adams documented Zion on numerous visits to the park. A series of the legendary photographer’s black-and-white images of Zion taken in 1941 and 1942 are held at the U.S. National Archives, and several can be viewed online . Adams’ photographs are still enticing visitors to experience the rugged beauty of Zion National Park.
For the Silo, Lauren Monsen/ Share America.
Featured image- Margaret Wiktor/Shutterstock.
The Cold European Country of Iceland Has the MOST Search Increases – Ranking Above Beach Favorite, Mexico Beaches, relaxing by the pool and all you can drink cocktails are usually synonymous with summer, but according to our study, Canadians want to escape the heat in favor of colder climes. With an average of over 689,980 monthly searches and a huge 122% increase in 30 days, Iceland surprisingly ranks in front of Mexico as a go-to vacation destination this summer. Looking at why Canadians might be interested in visiting the land of ice and fire, searches for ‘northern lights’ are up 10,900% and people looking at ‘portugal v iceland’ have increased 1,043% on Google. According to the regional data, Niagara Falls residents in particular are looking for a totally unique experience this summer, with searches for ‘Iceland summer vacation’ up 200% since the same time last year.
Cuba Revealed as Canada’s Most Desired Beach Destination This Summer – Ranking Above Mexico and Costa RicaWith more than 712,000 monthly searches and an increase of 36% in 30 days, Cuba is revealed as Canada’s most desired beach vacation destination for summer 2024. According to the data, Canadians are researching long distance swimming in the country, with searches for ‘swim from cuba to florida’ up 3,500% and ‘vacations to cuba’ up 333%.
The Dominican Republic Ranks in Top 10 With over 97,000 monthly searches for ‘The Dominican Republic summer vacation’ and a 35% increase in the past month – it’s evident the Caribbean Island will be one of the most coveted destinations by Canadians this summer, which is why it features in the top 10. When analyzing search trends on a city level, Montréal has seen a 25% increase in residents’ searching for the beautiful beach spot, and Ottawa shows a 20% surge.
Las Vegas Named the Most Desired Destination The gambling capital of the world is the most searched for city across the 10 cities of Alberta with searches spiking by nearly half (48%) since the same time last year. With 1.7 million monthly searches and a 12% increase in Canadian’s searching for the desert oasis summer vacation, Las Vegas has seen a 6% increase in search increases than topspot New York, the city also ranks above favorites Cuba and Mexico.
Greece Ranks Second as Research Reveals European Summer Vacations Most Popular with Ontario ResidentsThe data shows there’s a rapid number of Canadians looking to experience a European summer vacation this year, with both Greece and Italy coming up top in Ontario. Looking at the most searched for destinations, searches for Greece’s picturesque Santorini have increased by 67% since the same period last year across Canada, and Italy’s Rome have spiked 25%.
Costa Rica is the Most Desired Destination by Two ProvincesFilled with rugged rainforests, pristine lagoons and beautiful beaches, it’s little wonder the Central American country of Costa Rica is the most desired by two parts of Canada. Provinces of Quebec and Manitoba both had Costa Rica as their favorite destination, with searches for the tropical country up by an average of 81% across 10 cities in Quebec since the same time last year. Looking at locations on a city level, searches for ‘all inclusive Costa Rica vacations’ are up 300% in Quebec City, highlighting a need to escape busy metropolitan life.
Toronto’s 3 Favorite Summer Vacation Spots are all City DestinationsResidents hailing from Ontario’s capital, Toronto, are interested in keeping the summer city spirit alive, with 3 favorite destinations also being city spots. According to the data, Toronto’s favorite destination is Dubai with a 49% increase in searches since the same time last year. Closely followed by Rome (22%), and Miami (20%).
The implications of what Virtual Reality can achieve are vast, and it is predicted that VR will seep into every area of our lives in the very near future. VR is not just a concept that excites the entertainment business, but has a very real presence in some of the world’s most essential industries. However, many people remain skeptical about the impact virtual reality will actually have and suggest that it is only an attractive concept for gamers. Although it is true that VR is a fantastic way to improve online gaming, it has already been used in the medical and manufacturing industries, proving that virtual reality is 
Entertainment
