If you’re a night owl, and have a lot of questions about your upcoming hotel stay, the best time to call the hotel for details is around midnight. Because the hotel is likely to be less busy during these times, you will likely receive more focused service.
This may also a great time to ask questions about the surrounding city.
[Photo: Flickr | StephenMitchell]
San Francisco is a particularly photogenic city, between the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the city’s iconic cable cars. But these “same old” San Francisco shots get old after awhile – that’s why I’m loving today’s image from Flickr user evilninjam0nky, who captured this unique nighttime street scene. A frenzy of activity catches your eye in the foreground, as a blur of pedestrians and traffic scurries back and forth. It’s contrasted perfectly by a block of stoic old Victorian brownstones, which anchor the background.
Have any picturesque shots of San Francisco you’d like to share with Gadling? Why not add them to our Gadling group on Flickr? We might pick one of yours as our Photo of the Day.
With any road trip longer than 12 hours, consider beginning the drive at night. This is especially true if you’re traveling with young children.
The driver should, of course, sleep several hours before leaving, then begin the trip at the children’s bedtime. By driving while the children are asleep, you won’t need to take as many potty breaks, and the parents can enjoy a good portion of the ride without having to listen to children’s movies and songs.
Bonus: you’ll arrive at your destination when it’s daytime, so you won’t feel like a whole day has been wasted in the car.
Here’s to hoping the Orionid meteor shower puts on a show tonight! Weather permitting, this annual meteor shower will pass through the night sky in the pre-dawn hours tomorrow morning. Those in cities and suburbs will see fewer meteors, but regardless, star gazers should head to the hills (or country) between 1 a.m. and dawn local time Wednesday morning. Peak activity is expected around 6 a.m. Eastern Time.
The Orionids have been quite visible in recent years, with about 15-20 meteors within the peak hours, so find a comfortable spot with as wide a view of the sky as possible, allow about 10 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkeness, and let the show begin. The meteors will come from pretty much anywhere, but supposedly are concentrated around the Orion constellation (you know, the dude with the three-studded belt). There’s really no use for a telescope or binoculars because these things fly too quickly through the night sky to catch them through a lens.
Depending on where you are in the States, it might be a chilly night, so wear extra warm clothes (or bring layers) — even a sleeping bag or blanket would be a good idea.
Enjoy the show! And if you feel so inspired, upload your meteor photos to Gadling’s Flickr pool.
Like many people, I’ve been to this exact spot at the Niagra Falls. But I’ve never considered that a night shot would ever be possible. Who knew it was even open to the public after hours? After a little research, I found out they schedule an illumination of the falls every night.
Thanks to All-Star Rob for getting out there at night, hooking up his GorillaPod and capturing this magical scene.
Take a look at Rob’s other pictures from that night.
Are you a Flickr user who’d like to share a travel related picture or two for our consideration? Submit it to Gadling’s Flickr group right now! We just might use it for our Photo of the Day!