This Christmas What Things To Do Around The World 20 Dec 2021, 9:29 am

 Explore the sector’s vacation traditions during this magical season and find out how human beings of all cultures celebrate Christmas. Whether you want to get a taste of Christmas at a German vacation marketplace, see the light presentations in New York City and Paris, or scent the evergreen aromas in the botanical gardens of Victoria and Vancouver, there are so many things to do this Christmas. This upcoming winter, plan a trip and reach all these places very sufficiently by getting allegiant airline reservations to spend your Christmas time with your family and friends. And that’s why we’re here to help you narrow down your holiday travel wish listing.

Munich

Head to Munich for dozens of festive Bavarian Christmas markets. Your first stop needs to really be Marienplatz, Munich’s biggest Christmas market. Start on the towering Christmas tree in Marienplatz, and then meander through festive, light-strung streets. You can browse cubicles with handcrafted soaps, scarves, and adorns to your heart’s delight. Warm-up with a mug of glühwein, warm mulled wine, while youngsters revel in alcohol-loose kinderpunsch and ice skating.

Prague

The Czech capital is home to a number of the maximum spirited Christmas traditions in Europe. Prague has a unique connection to the holiday thanks to the legend of Good King Wenceslas, the purchaser saint of the Czech state and the first person in records to keep Christmas from a Grinch. Begin close to the rectangular named for the Good King and head out on a tour of Prague’s Christmas markets. Warm-up with mulled wine as you analyze all about Czech excursion customs like Christmas carp. Continue to a 2nd market and indulge in some steaming mead and roasted almonds below the twinkling lighting fixtures of the Old Town Square’s magnificent tree.

Paris

Not fantastically, the area known as The City of Light has no problem turning at the Christmas spirit way to the epic mild show on the famed boulevard, Champs Elysées. Stroll down this illuminated walkway and gaze into keep windows as you skip limitless Parisian landmarks. If you need to make it clean, be part of a Paris Christmas excursion that takes you down the well-known street on the way to the Arc De Triomphe. Walk beyond Elysée Palace for your manner to a celebrated patisserie, Ladurée, wherein you may be dealt with to scrumptious French macarons. Closeout the nighttime atop the Arc De Triomphe and take inside the breathtaking perspectives of Paris at night time, which include a luminous Eiffel Tower.

New York City

No location inside the US captures the united states’ holiday traditions quite like New York City. Whether you want to see the Rockettes carry out their festive excursion show, wonder on the displays in NYC’s iconic stores, or skate at Rockefeller Center, the City That Never Sleeps has a vacation revel in for you.

If you need to have a look at the nice Christmas mild suggests inside the metropolis, take the New York Christmas Tour to view the massive crystal snowflake at Tiffany’s, Radio City Music Hall’s decorations, and the Winter Village at Bryant Park. Once you’ve seen all of the conventional points of interest, try out New York’s Alternative Christmas Lights Night Tour to revel in the vacations like an actual New Yorker.

Chicago

Experience the spirit and warmth of Christmas in diverse neighborhoods alongside Chicago’s lakeshore, in which citizens share their awesome history and unique traditions. Wander through any community just out of doors of the Loop and also you’ll locate endless dive bars stuffed to the brim with locals celebrating. Join in with a shot of Jeppson’s Malört liquor, a uniquely flavored gift from Chicago’s Swedish immigrants. A short trip to the coronary heart of downtown brings you to the German Christmas marketplace, which turned into stimulated using Nuremberg's Christkindl market. Grab a bratwurst and a mug—or —of mulled wine, after which revel in the holiday cheer.

Branson

One state over from Chicago, you can discover even greater Midwestern attraction in the epicenter of family-friendly holiday things to do—Branson. And not anything says Christmas in Branson pretty just like the Andy Williams Ozark Mountain Christmas, which has been delighting lovers with captivating performances of Christmas songs for almost 50 years. Though Andy “Mr. Christmas” Williams passed in 2012, he nonetheless makes an ordinary appearance at his display way to the marvels of modern technology. Keep the vacation cheer going with a VIP tour of Christmas lighting fixtures at some point of the Branson, wherein you may discover the city’s one-of-a-kind nativity scenes. Then, close out the night with a cup of warm cocoa at the historical Branson Hotel.

Montreal

If you need a flavor of European Christmas without leaving North America, visit Montreal. Venture down the cobblestone streets of the Old Montreal community and wander through Bonsecours Market to see the French-Canadian holiday traditions on the show—and don’t neglect to sample all the chocolate treats. To discover the testimonies in the back of the twinkling lights, take a guided tour through Old Montreal and wander the snowy streets, admiring superb window displays along with the manner. After your guide leads you through the Santa Claus exhibit at Montreal’s World Trade Center, prevent by the properly-lit Notre-Dame Basilica to revel in the authentic spirit of the season—and perhaps even hear a few Christmas carols.

Victoria

Victoria, additionally known as The Garden City, is an excellent small-city Christmas vacation spot. Set at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria’s conventional structure, small waterfront downtown, and comfortable cafes deliver it a Hogsmeade-at-Christmas vibe. Instead of loading your vehicle onto a ferry, take the smooth manner out with a guided excursion of the quality excursion places in Victoria. Experience the marvel of the Magic of Christmas displays at the lush (even in wintry weather) Butchart Gardens. Spot all the festive wreaths, join the chorus of cheery carolers and even take to the ice at a skating rink.

Vancouver

Whether you’re always in a Christmas temper otherwise you had been stimulated using watching the Murdoch Mysteries Christmas unique, there are such a lot of quintessentially Canadian Christmas activities in Vancouver. Take to the streets of Vancouver for a night of merriment and jollity with a trolley ride through the metropolis. Sing alongside to your favorite Christmas carols as you pass the magnificently decorated Stanley Park and its 3 million twinkling lights. 

Conclusion

As you can see above that, these the most trending places to spend the time of Christmas over these places. Apart from all these, you can also visit VanDusen Botanical Garden and its Festival of Lights, a fairy story-like excursion show set in a snowy forest lit up via hundreds of bulbs that dance to both traditional and rocking seasonal tunes. All you have to do is to make a delta airlines reservations to reach here very easily. Don't you know that, the entire night-time with a heat cup of hot cocoa from one of the town’s surest purveyors like Koko Monk Chocolates?

5 Major Dams in India That Are Worth Visiting 20 Dec 2021, 9:27 am

 India stands third in the world below the U.S., and China for their endless dam structures and plans. Dams are a multipurpose project as they not only control the water flow but also reserve it for a dry day. The first dam built in this world dates back to the Mesopotamian civilization. Before that the ancient Egyptians built gravity dams that were made of concrete and stone. Today the world sees mostly earthen dams that are made of solid rocks and soil.

India houses 5,264 dams as of 2020 with over 437 dams under construction. Most of the dams in India today were built after Independence from the British rule. Dams in India have truly been a lifesaver for drought-stricken areas. These architectural marvels attract thousands of tourists each year. Here is the list of the most popular dams in India that you should consider visiting.

Tehri Dam: The Highest Dam in India

Located in Uttarakhand, the Tehri Dam is built over the Bhagirathi River and is the highest in India. This embankment dam made of rock and earth fills is also one of the tallest in the world. Tehri Dam is a reservoir for irrigation and stands at 260.5 meters high and 592 meters wide. Getting to the dam is a mesmerizing drive uphill through pine-covered hills and quaint villages.

The completion of the dam resulted in a 17 sq miles artificial lake that provides a plethora of water sports from snorkeling to kayaking and even jet skiing. Tehri Dam’s multipurpose features make it one of the most important dams in India.

Bhakra Dam: The New Temple of Resurgent India

Unlike Tehri Dam, this is a gravity dam on the River Satluj that took 15 years to construct. This magnificent structure attracts tourists from all over to marvel at this architectural wonder. This gravity dam is situated on the border of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh acting as a powerhouse for irrigation purposes.

The dam construction began in 1948 but was halted after which Jawaharlal Nehru resumed the work in 1955. The name ‘New Temple of Resurgent India’ was given to the dam by Nehru as he considered the dam a symbol of India’s progress.

Sardar Sarovar Dam: The World’s Second Largest Gravity Dam

This concrete gravity dam is the second largest in the world right after the Grand Coulee in the United States. The Sardar Sarovar Dam that sits on the Narmada River in Gujarat was inaugurated in 2017. It may come as a shock to most but the foundation was laid in 1961 by the first Prime Minister of India. The Dam’s construction was delayed due to a dispute of water distribution among the nearby states.

Sardar Sarovar Dam is surrounded by lush greenery and the monsoon season adds to its scenic beauty. Many tourists visit this dam to admire this architectural marvel and indulge in the serene atmosphere.

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam: The Second Largest Water Reservoir in India

The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is a beautiful masonry dam built on the Krishna River in the Nalgonda district of Telangana. The dam is a beauty by itself but the rich vegetation and untouched nature add to its overall magnificence. You can find cascading waterfalls, rare flora, and fauna around this majestic structure.

The dam is just a 3-hr drive from the city of Hyderabad which is easily accessed by road. While most travelers visit the dam all year round, the best time would be from October to March. During this time the dam is full and the serene surroundings are blossoming. Like most dams in India, the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam was also planned right after independence.

Hirakud Dam: World’s Longest Earthen Dam

The Hirakud Dam built in the Sambalpur region of Odisha on the River Mahanadi stretches over 9.3 miles. This stupendous structure was the first multipurpose river valley project after Indian independence. The Hirakud Dam is twice the size of the island of Sri Lanka.

The dam opened an infinite spectrum of possibilities in terms of irrigation and water reservation. Asia’s largest artificial lake was also formed with the completion of this mighty project. The dam is truly a sight for sore eyes as you drive across the dike with a clear view of the dam and the glistening lake.

India is a farmers’ country and the dams in India are a means to support their agricultural needs. The importance of dams in India goes beyond development and power but as security to always have water. Now that you know about the 5 major dams in India, the next step is simply booking cheap flight tickets. Indian Eagle is as simple as it gets with its curated lists of airlines based on your requirements.

Your Scrum or Kanban board- Best Practices 20 Dec 2021, 9:24 am

 Kanban is an agile workflow management method used in project management to maximize project efficiency by visualizing the workflow and reducing work in progress. Scrum, on the other hand, is an agile product development process where the complete work is divided into short iterations and completed within a timeline called “sprint”.

Despite having many differences, the Kanban board and Scrum board are quite similar in some important aspects. Many organizations have made both methodologies an important part of their project management tool. Yet many would prefer to use only the Scrum methodology because of its prescriptive nature. It is not easy to declare one of them as the best given their varied pros and cons.

Let us have an understanding of the differences between a Scrum board and a Kanban board

Kanban and Scrum board differs mainly on the following points:

1. Roles and responsibilities:

• There are three parties to a scrum, a product owner, scrum master, and the scrum team. The product owner defines what goals need to be achieved. The scrum master defines the timeline and guides the team on Scrum technique. All the team members (which is generally cross-functional) have a predefined set of roles. No one remains in a state of ambiguity and the work is equally distributed.
• However, in Kanban, roles are not predefined. The team, which doesn’t require being cross-functional, is expected to collaborate on their own in terms of work allocation.

2. Due dates

• In Scrum, the work is divided into sprint backlogs and are assigned a timeline of less than a month, which is termed as a sprint. All the subtasks are expected to be completed and reviewed in the given timeframe.
• Due dates in a Kanban board are decided by the business as per its needs. The workflow continues and the products are delivered on an “as-needed” basis.

3. Modifications

• In Scrum, no changes are allowed once the sprint backlog is determined and the work is commenced. Any required changes are encouraged to be made in the subsequent sprint.
• Kanban board is flexible in terms of changes, which could be introduced at any time during the development of the project. Continuous improvements are allowed even in the project mid-stream.

4. Measurement

• In a Scrum board, productivity is measured through velocity. Each sprint is laid out back-to-back to review the performances. The success of a sprint depends on the previous sprint because adjustments and disruptions identified in a sprint are corrected in the next sprint.

• In a Kanban board, productivity is measured on a project basis by ascertaining the time required to complete a project right from the beginning to the end.

5. Board

• In a Scrum board, at the beginning of the sprint, all the stories are mentioned in the first column. The stories pass through different stages until they land on the final “completed” column. After successful completion and review of each sprint, the board is prepared for the subsequent sprint.

• In a Kanban board, too, the same way columns are labeled. However, there is a limit on the number of stories allowed in each column at a time. The same content on the board continues until the completion of the project.

Advantages of Scrum

• A scrum board promotes more transparency in the project development process as frequent feedback is obtained from the product owner throughout the sprint process.
• With predefined roles and responsibilities and sprint reviews, it increases team accountability.
• It is a cost-saving method.
• It is an independent tool and does not require to be merged with any other business process.

Disadvantages of Scrum

• It is less flexible in terms of changes. Changes are discouraged in a sprint and be carried out only in the next sprint.
• It requires an experienced and trained team to work with a Scrum board.
• It is mandatory to appoint a Scrum master to guide the team in scrum methodology. A less experienced scrum master can severely impact the development process.

Advantages of a Kanban board

• A Kanban board is way more flexible than a scrum board, which allows for process changes whenever needed.
• A Kanban board helps in reducing wastes from processes.
• As the process is quite easy to understand, it does not require a trained team to work with it.
• It helps organizations in reducing the time cycle of the product development process.

Disadvantages of a Kanban board 

• One major disadvantage is the lack of timeframe. As workflows continue on an “as-needed” basis, there are chances of processes taking way too long if the team does not work sincerely on it.
• It cannot be used as an independent tool. It has to be merged with other processes to derive its benefits.
• Through Kanban allows flexibility in terms of project requirements, it is not suitable if your organization operates in a dynamic environment. The planning is done assuming stable situations.

Which is better?

The choice depends on various factors and circumstances as under:

• If you already have a product development system in place, which is deriving the best results and all you want is to improve its productivity, then a Kanban board is the ideal choice. This will help in visualizing the workflow and help in managing time more efficiently. Your primary development system will remain the same.

• However, if you want to adopt an efficient and well-defined product development framework to replace the existing system in your organization, then Scrum is the best choice. In this case, Kanban cannot be implemented, as it is not an independent tool.

• As far as types of projects are concerned, a Kanban board is best with projects with varying requirements as it allows for frequent changes. While projects with stable priorities, a Scrum board is preferable as not many changes are allowed.

4 Hacks That Make Your Reception Space Perfect In a Customized Fashion 20 Dec 2021, 9:18 am

 Being able to find a wedding venue in Houston that answers your wants, while remaining in your budget, can be tough. The décor itself crosses out many options. This is because most wedding venues and reception halls have a set décor for an occasion. This then rules out adding your customizations. However, there are also many inexpensive wedding venues in Houston that provide customizable options. Thus, opting for them makes your wedding more personal.

In this blog, we shall be talking about 4 great hacks to help you customize your wedding reception to make it more personal and attractive. All these hacks work seamlessly without requiring extra costs or requirements. All you have to do is to think from the guests’ point of view. There are some affordable wedding venues in Houston that allow you to incorporate your own ideas and their design experts will work on them to give you the perfect wedding reception space.

Here are 4 great wedding space hacks for you:

1. 1. CREATE FOCAL POINTS

One of the most primary concerns for any couple about to be hitched is to be able to find a wedding venue that is perfect for the number of guests invited. A reception venue seems either too small or too large. Well, when this is the situation, it is suggested to go for a larger venue and then make the most of the space with decorations to give it a personal touch. You can use floor coverings or furniture to designate separate areas. You can think of setting up buffets and drink stations in a spread-out fashion so that people can move around. There are many wedding venues in Houston that have customizable décor options. Their expert designers will help you in turning the spacious interior into a cozy wedding space.

1. 1. INCORPORATE Themes

Themes are what make a wedding unique. And the primary aspect of a theme is color. However, it is very much possible that you may run into a wedding reception hall whose décor colors clash with those of your intention. And this can be really irritating. However, instead of chalking out the venue itself, find out ways of how you can create a contrasting décor using the hall’s color. For this, what you can do is think about incorporating them in minute ways, like in the napkins, centerpieces and flowers too. Many inexpensive wedding venues in Houston let you add your own choice of flowers and beautiful centerpieces and make your wedding theme more attractive and gorgeous.

1. 1. LOSE THE CARPET

This is a very underrated aspect of a wedding reception hall. Many such halls try to make the event look special by putting patterned carpets. This pulls the concentration of the guests downwards to the floor. But you don’t want that, do you? So what you can do is get rid of them. Or better still, opt for attractive centerpieces that your guests will look up to. As a matter of fact, many affordable wedding venues in Houston provide table covers and chair linens that make them much more royal and suit a wedding.

1. 1. PROJECTOR SCREEN

This is a great way to customize your wedding. You can have images showing memories of you and your beloved along with the friends and family especially of those who have been invited. After all, people love to search for themselves in old pictures. There are many wedding venues in Houston that provide high-quality projectors and large projector screens to make your memories larger than life while making sure that your guests are entertained to the fullest.

Making sure that your guests do not feel bored is very important. These 4 hacks will help you customize your wedding reception space perfectly.