Friday 22 July 2016

The Best Things To See And Do When Visiting Victoria, British Columbia

“Lovely, astonishing, delightful, magnificent. “  “Let’s take a picture!”  “One, two, three, Smile.” Parliament Building Victoria British Colombia

These are the kinds of words that will truly pour out from the mouths of every tourist who has visited or traveled to Victoria, British Columbia. Victoria is the Capital of the Province of British Columbia in Canada. Anyone who has set foot in the city will surely take a while to pause and pose in the spot that has attracted the eye of so many people such as the Belfry, Royal Theater for those who are inclined to the calling’s of the past, while Ogden Point Breakwater and Beacon Hill Park are for those who are inclined to the callings of Mother Earth. Ogden Point British Colombia But, do not mistake that whatever is in Victoria, British Columbia can only appeal to those who have the specific tastes avove. Anyone can enjoy what Victoria has to offer because of the sheer beauty and grandeur of the place, due to the history and intermingling of the English and French cultures. One of the best ways to arrive in Victoria is via a ferry. The heartwarming colors that proliferate throughout will be knocking at the very core of your spirit, which will give you a sense of reawakening, particularly when the ferry passes through the Gulf Islands. Ferry Victor British Colombia Upon arriving in Victoria, you are spoilt for choice with activities. For instance, for more adventurous escapades, hiking at Mount Finlayson is a good choice. The exhilarating adventure from the mountain’s base up to the peak will truly be a moment that will be remembered when back at home reflecting on your trip. Once the peak has been conquered, the view below is truly breathtaking. Or for those who are not physically and mentally able for such an activity, there are also other places to go to, like taking a dip in the Thetis Lake or a walk at its surrounding trails; or heading to Jordan River to get the feel of the Pacific Ocean. The place is a hang-out for surfers and the like since the waves are one of the best in the region. Thetis Lake Victoria British Colombia For the classic downtown adventure, it’s best to explore on foot as the area is not massive. There are nooks and crannies waiting to be explored by everyone in the city. An example of these are the local pubs that serve local craft beers. Forget about the major brands and go for locally or house-brewed beer which will make you crave for more of that delectable beverage. The Churchill Pub Victoria British Colombia Aside from the local pubs, the local markets are the place to be. Yes, markets! The nearby areas such as Lower Johnston street or LoJo, Pandora, and Fisgard, hold Downtown Markets every Sunday. Moss and Fairfield hold the Moss Street Market, and they have everything from fashionable garments, accessories, arts and crafts, up to organic products and homemade clothing. It doesn’t necessarily mean that going to these places is going to cost a fortune. These areas are good places for strolling as well, learning a little bit of culture from the local inhabitants too. A visit to Victoria will not be complete without visiting attending the spirit distillery or cider house tour. There are different places that offer a tour around their wineries, such as Victoria Spirits, Sea Cider, Cider House, and Church-State Winery. Each place has its own charm that will captivate every visitor, and it will beckon you for another visit. Sea Cider Brewery Victoria British Colombia For food adventurers, there are numerous places to eat. Just take your pick as they have an array of choices to dine at. Lastly, depending on the month you visit, there could be a festival, so check out if there are any events on at that time. the Tourist centre website is great and letting you know what is on! Victoria is definitely a place worth visiting. The downtown Victoria area has many hotels to choose from so finding suitable accommodation dependent on your budget will not be a problem.

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48 Hours Or Less – Las Vegas – Living The Luxury Life On A Budget

Living in Los Angeles always makes Vegas an option for a quick weekend getaway. To be honest, does anyone really want to stay in Vegas longer than a weekend?

Welcome To Las Vegas For anyone this is the normal cadence of a trip to Vegas, you have the excitement and anticipation of Friday, on Saturday the partying/gambling and other debauchery and normally on Sunday you just can’t get out of there fast enough recovering from the hangover, lack of sleep or the loss of money. Las Vegas Drinking Partying Gambling If you are no longer twenty-something or can’t handle that weekend, this is a great alternative for a more epicurean weekend. We went over President’s Day weekend to see how to do the luxury Vegas experience without breaking the bank, and we found some great ways to live it up even if you aren’t a whale. The easiest way to make Vegas a deal from the beginning is to book flights off peak. Normally when I’ve gone from Friday-Sunday, the tickets average $200 round trip from LAX, definitely not a bargain. For the long weekend, we decided to go Saturday and return Monday and saved over $100 on Southwest. Las Vegas Airport Southwest Airlines If you can fly to Vegas for the $71/round trip, it’s amazingly easy justifying the trip. This isn’t attractive for a regular weekend but for any holiday weekend, I would check this option out. We left Saturday at 2PM and the one drag was leaving Monday at 7am but for Vegas it was great. Getting home that early gives you the whole day to detox and get ready for the short work week. Once we booked our flights we started looking at room rates for our favorite hotels. The price on Friday night was over $200 for most 4-5 star hotels (Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Palazzo, Wynn, etc.) but once we decided to come on Saturday night, the cost dropped by $40 on Saturday night and over $100 for Sunday night. The Palazzo Hotel Las Vegas We called the Palazzo and worked with their reservation agent they helped us book a better rate than the website price and we immediately started planning the fun part of our weekend. We also found that sites such as Expedia, Orbitz and Hotels.com were very competitive if you don’t want to go through the hassle of talking with the reservation agent and hunt for deals. So now that we booked our flight and hotel we decided that we would rent a car to get us around. As much as we love not to worry about drinking and driving, we hate Las Vegas cab drivers even more. There is not a more maddening experience than getting in a cab where they want to take you for an extended ride and expect to get a big tip for this service. Las Vegas McCarran Car Rental If you are not planning to go out hard, we highly recommend renting a car. It’s easy, cheap and helps you avoid the crazy cab lines at the airport and the hotels. We booked our mid-size car through Avis for $35/day. Now the downside of renting the car is dropping it off on the way to the airport. The rental cars for McCarran are not attached to the Terminal and adds another 20 minutes to your return trip. The shuttle to take you to the Terminal is prompt, and you don’t wait for more than 10 minutes but if you like to cut it close at the airport, keep this in mind. Suite at the Palazzo Hotel Las Vegas Once we picked up our car we headed to the Palazzo for check-in. The Palazzo is my favorite of the high-end hotels in Vegas. Each suite has a sunken living room, comfortable bed and large bathroom that are larger than the rooms at the Wynn and Bellagio. The service is always prompt and attentive which contrasts with Aria, which has great rooms but terrible service. We booked dinner at Postrio, Wolfgang Puck’s contemporary, casual restaurant that sits in St. Mark’s Square in the Shoppes at the Venetian. We’ve gone a few times to Postrio, and we’ve never disappointed. The highlights include the spaghetti with meatballs, corn chowder, lobster club and … We received a 20% off coupon from MLife Magazine, the lifestyle magazine for MGM’s new affinity program. Wolfgang Puck's Postrio Restaurant Las Vegas After dinner we headed out to Lavo, as guests of the Palazzo there was no cover, and we enjoyed some drinks while the thumping of club music filled the air. Sunday we started off with a great brunch at our favorite brunch spot in Vegas – Cafe 6 @ Palms Place Hotel. Now Cafe 6 is off-strip but totally worth the drive/cab ride over to the world of the Maloofs. Palms Place is the condo-hotel sister property of the Palms but has a very different vibe. Palms Place Hotel Las Vegas While many tourists will rave about the brunch buffets at the Wynn and Bellagio are what you expect from a Vegas buffet, long rows of dishes sitting under heat lamps and a few carving stations, nothing wrong with that but for me, it just isn’t appealing anymore. At Cafe 6, they do a great job of making the buffet experience feel more refined. Cafe 6 presents its food 2 ways the first is a made to order bar for sushi, crispy spicy tuna, paninis, crepes, peel and eat shrimp, smoothie bar pastries. Secondly, you can order off their a la carte menu as well, and that features variations on eggs benedict, pizzas, and southern comfort food such as pulled pork, fried chicken and waffles and pigs in blankets. Cafe 6 Palms Place Hotel Las Vegas Now all the items are good, nothing overwhelmingly great or bad but all consistently better than what you would find at any of the other buffets around town for the same price. The piece de resistance is their dessert-- the junk food platter. In many ways, Vegas is a place to be a grown up kid, and this platter is the perfect way to channel your inner child. The platter features a big pink ball of cotton candy, rice krispy treats, their take on a Hostess cup cake, and other fun items. Finally, you can grab some candy from jars at the hostess bar on your way out to top off a great and fun brunch. Now across the hall is the Drift Spa @ Palms Place and this is the best place to spend the rest of your day after a great meal. Drift Spa @ Palms Place Hotel Las Vegas Drift Spa has held some great promotions from Sunday – Thursday and lucky enough for us the long weekend allowed us to take advantage of their promotion. The promotion that we took advantage of was the $200 for 2 (50) minute treatments for $200/person. Why is this a great deal? The cost for a normal 50-minute procedure costs $135 and you save per treatment. Also, Drift Spa takes SpaFinder gift certificates which we had purchased from Costco at a 20% discount. So in total, we saved $220. We chose to get facials and massages. The treatments were a great way to relax and spend a cold winter day. Drift Spa Hammam @ Palms Place Hotel Las Vegas While we enjoyed the treatments, the real reason we love the Drift Spa is that of the co-ed Hammam. Drift Spa’s Hammam is unique in Vegas in that it offers a great co-ed space so that you can spend time with your significant other. We spend the afternoon between the Hammam and our treatments; it was the most relaxing afternoon I’ve ever had in Vegas. Now as hard is it is to leave the Spa we had an early dinner reservation at Joel Robuchon’s Atelier in the MGM Grand, and that’s probably the only reason why would ever leave. Before 6:30PM l’Atelier has a 3 course $45 Prix-fix that is heralded as one of Las Vegas’ best dining deals and we agree. Joel Robuchon Atelier in the MGM Grand Las Vegas The normal meal is an $85 5-course Prix-fix that is also well worth it but to get a sub-$50 3 course meal from Joel Robuchon is a feat. The bread and butter alone feel like it’s worth it. After indulging this meal, we still had time to go back to Drift and spend one more hour in the Hammam to help digest. Finally after walking around and checking out the new Cosmopolitan we called it a night and headed back to the Palazzo. The next morning we had an early wake-up call and headed back to LA more refreshed than any other trip to Vegas.

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Wednesday 20 July 2016

A Novel Way To Discover Paris – Paris Bike Tours!

Bike tours are fast becoming a very popular mode of exploring new cities within the tourist community. A Paris bike tour is surely the icing on the cake.

Paris Bike Tour Louvre With over 700km of bike lanes, Paris is one of the best cities in the world to explore from the saddle. Several companies operate Paris Bike Tours with local guides. It’s a relaxing way to see the famous landmarks and cycling also enables tourists to amble down the little narrow, side streets. It’s also a safe way of seeing the sights, as the guides tend to stick to the footpaths, bike lanes and one-way streets. Bike Tour Paris Champs Elysee Bikes are available for rent, and there are bicycle lane maps, so it’s possible to tour Paris by taking a Paris bike tour on one’s own, but having a guide is fun, and you can’t beat local knowledge. Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world and owing to its smooth and hassle free mode; cycling tours appeal to couples as well as families and groups. It’s an environmentally friendly way of taking a vacation, and the sightseeing tour can also be combined with keeping fit. The city is bicycle friendly and motorists are used to a high volume of cyclists. Fat Tire Bike Tours Paris The Fat Tire Bike Tours is an American owned Paris bike tour company, and its tours are aimed at English speaking people. The company also organizes cycling tours to Versailles and Monet’s Gardens. Almost the entire route on the Paris Bike Tour is over parkland, on bike lanes and broad sidewalks. There is a Day Tour and a shorter Night Tour. The Night Tour also involves a boat cruise with complimentary wine. Bike About Tours Paris Bike About Tours cater for small groups and have English speaking guides which help you take in the historic sights and allows you to stop for good photo opportunities. The route also includes quaint back streets and a visit to a traditional French bakery in the Latin Quarter. Guides will also advise you on the best restaurants to go to. Paris Bike Tour Eiffel Tower Three different tours are offered by the Paris Bike Tour Company. They are the Left Bank, Paris Right Bank, and Paris by Night. Different language guides can be requested for English, French, German, Dutch, Italian and Spanish speakers. These tours are for between 10 - 15 people. Bikers are given helmet, a basket and a rain poncho. Paris Bike Tour The Heart of Paris Cycling Tour is for three hours and affords ample time to see some great sights, including the Marais, Les Halles, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, and the River Seine. The Paris Day Bike Tour starts at the Eiffel Tower and lasts for four hours. This Paris Bike Tour includes a trip to Napoleon’s Tomb, the Louvre Museum, the Musee Dorsay, Tuileries Gardens, the Alexander III Bridge, and the Place de la Concorde. Paris Cycling Tour Eiffel Tower Another four-hour tour is organized for up to 10 people by the Paris Bike Tours Company. Tourists are given rain gear, a water bottle and a bike bag for keeping personal possessions. Sights included in these Paris bike tour include a visit to the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Champs de Mars, the Place Vendome, Louvre Museum and the Petit and Grand Palais.

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Taking a Break in Kuala Lumpur – 5 Top Tips from a Local

Kuala Lumpur is a vibrant, colorful and multiracial Asian city. Because the Malays, Indians and Chinese live and work together closely in this city, visitors are treated to different food and culture in just a block of the city.

Petronas Towers Malaysia But in order to get the most out of Kuala Lumpur, heed these 5 tips.

1. Learn a Few Words of Malay

You could get around the city with English. But in order to get anywhere easier, you should learn a few words of Malay. Make sure you know the word “Terima Kasih” for thank you and “Berapa” for how much. You will use both of these words often. Malaysian Street Food If you plan to eat around the stalls, keep the word “Kurang Pedas” and “Kurang Manis” in your mind. These two translate into less spicy and less sugar — very important to remember because KLites love chillies and sweet teas.

2. Ask For A Tourist Card

We are proud of our malls. In fact, this city is considered one of the best city to shop in the world — ahead of Hong Kong and Singapore. Malaysia Shopping Mall There’s almost everything for everyone. If you want to buy Gangnam Style clothing, head on to the Fahrenheit88. If you need accessories for your phone, just walk into the LowYat, a Chinese dominated mall that sells only gadgets and computer related wares. If that is not enough, enter the Berjaya Times Square, the biggest mall in Asia and hop on a ride on the mall’s indoor roller coaster for a quick adrenaline rush. But before you shop, remember to ask for a tourist card. You will normally get 10% to 20% discounts on most items, especially if you use your card in a concentrated commercial area like Bukit Bintang.

3. Wear Loose Clothing

Kuala Lumpur is best described as a tropical city. That means it is mostly humid and hot, but rain could trickle out of the blue. And like Indonesia and Thailand, a flash flood is common. Gaya Street Market Malaysia To combat this problem, wear something loose. If you’re a woman, wear a shirt that covers your shoulder. This is useful not only to combat sweat (yes, you’ll sweat a lot here) but also helpful when you are trying to enter religious places like mosques or temples. If possible, wear long pants or blouse made of cotton. Whatever you wear, never put on anything tight unless you like to be stared at.

4. Enjoy The Fruits

We love our food, and we admit that being in a multicultural society, people of KL are spoilt when it comes to food choices. You will probably think so too. But remember, when it comes to food, man-made cuisines are just one part of the equation. While here, try the tropical fruits too. Dragon Fruit Malaysia Just walk into a wet market like Chinatown or Chow Kit and start browsing. You’ll be amazed at the many exotic fruits that you could find in the city — from red, baseball sized fruits called the Dragon Fruit right to fruits with skin similar to snake scales called the Buah Salak. While there, ask the seller to show you how to remove the skin and enjoy the flesh.

5. Skip the Taxis

Kuala Lumpur has more taxis than New York. But that’s the end of the good news. Here, most taxi drivers will cheat, lie or give a ridiculous excuse in order to swindle you. Meters are seldom used. If used, they are usually rigged. Those with unrigged meters will find ways to drive on routes unrelated to your destination in order to jack up the fares. That’s not all. Despite the fierce competition among themselves, taxi drivers will normally refuse to take you to areas like Bukit Bintang or Petaling Jaya, where the traffic jams are bad. Because of these, some tourists even call Kuala Lumpur taxis as the taxis from hell. KL Monorail Malaysia The solution is to use the RapidKL trains. They are far cheaper than taxis, and you don’t have to listen to drivers complaints about the economy and politics. Another alternative is to use the GoKL free buses. These buses will take you to major tourist locations and attractions throughout the city — from posh malls to historical sites that you must see. There’s so much to explore, see and try while in Kuala Lumpur. In order to enjoy more of the city, keep the 5 tips in mind and your vacation will be an experience you will remember for a long time. See you in Kuala Lumpur!

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Tuesday 19 July 2016

Australia – Essential Information You Need To Know When Visiting

Australia is an immense country with a vast interior filled with wildlife, but very few human settlements and an 11,800-mile (19,000-km) coastline of wild surf, protected harbors, world-renowned coral reefs, and myriad national parks. It is a destination that demands you slow down and stop along the way to appreciate what each region has to offer. Sydney Opera House & Harbour Bridge Traveling by road, you can experience the ever-changing landscape as you drive from the famous sandy beaches to the isolated interior, with fascinating Aboriginal sites, unique flora and fauna, and the colors of the countryside along the route. Ayers Rock Australia On top of all these natural wonders, there are many wine regions where you can savor internationally renowned New World wines; sophisticated, multi-cultural cities with excellent restaurants and lively and diverse art scenes; and the easy-going nature of the locals at every stop of your trip.

When to Go

The top half of the continent is tropical and has two seasons: “the Wet” and “the Dry.” The dry season (May–Sep) is the best time to visit because flooding has ceased and all roads are open. The wet season (Oct–Apr) is hot and humid, but it also offers spectacular wildlife and thundering waterfalls at places such as Kakadu National Park. Australia Great Barrier Reef The southern half of Australia has seasons that are opposite to those of the US and Europe. The Outback is best explored in Winter (Jun–Aug), as summer (Dec–Feb) brings flash floods and high temperatures. Fall is temperate, and spring brings on stunning wildflowers, especially in South Australia and Western Australia. Summer means the time at the beach in Australia, and it appears that every Australian takes the latter half of December and all of the January off to watch cricket and work on their tans. Winter in New South Wales and Victoria sees snow in the mountains and wet weather almost everywhere else, although in some areas April brings the most rain, while in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, the most rain falls in January – often with amazing thunderstorms – the result of the sub-tropical conditions there.

Times to Avoid

Summer may be the best time to enjoy many of the coastal drives, but accommodation will be booked up well in advance. Australian Beach Unlike in most of Europe, though, you can still find empty stretches of beach. Easter signals the end of the beach season and all of Australia heads to the surf for one last plunge. In the wet season, many roads are closed by flooding and landslides in the tropical north.

Australia Festivals

  Melbourne Cup Horse Race Australia The Melbourne Cup, the famous horse race, does not quite bring the nation to a halt in early November as it used to, but it is still a big affair. All over the country, a plethora of spring flower festivals, sporting events, and art fairs take place and every region has its own annual agricultural show.

Getting to Australia

Qantas 747 Jet Above Sydney Opera House & Bridge The vast majority of visitors to Australia arrive by air, although cruise ships do visit from as far away as North America and Europe. If you are flying from the US, Canada or Europe, be prepared to have a layover or endure jet lag for the first couple of days in Australia. Once you have arrived, domestic travel between state capitals is easily done by air, with flights usually not longer than a couple of hours. The exception being from the east coast to Perth, of course, which is around 6 hours from Sydney or Melbourne.

Arriving by Air

Flights to Australia can be very expensive, especially in December, the peak season. Off-peak or “shoulder” season fares are much more reasonable. If you can fly on short notice, check with discount travel agencies and online as the major airlines often release unsold tickets at the last minute. Australia is well served by dozens of international airlines, as well as Australia’s own Qantas, which has a strong worldwide network. Along with its low-cost offshoot, Jetstar, it operates the most flights in and out of Australia every week. Jetstar operates increasingly widely throughout Asia as well. Most flights from North America to Australia are offered by United Airlines, Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Virgin Australia, while flights from Canada with Air Canada stop at Los Angeles – virtually every airline’s last US stop before heading to Australia, although you can also stop over in Hawaii. Australia Flight Map Path Key operators to and from the United Kingdom are Qantas, which stops over at Singapore, and British Airways, which stops over in Bangkok in Thailand, as well as Singapore. Emirates and Etihad Airways (based in Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively) have flights from London through Dubai to Asia and Australia. Virgin Atlantic stops in Hong Kong on the way to Australia, as does Hong Kong’s own airline, Cathay Pacific, while Malaysia Airlines stops in Kuala Lumpur from London. Most of the big airlines fly to Australia from major continental cities such as Paris, Berlin, and Rome. These include Qantas, British Airways, and KLM, along with the respective national airlines Air France, Lufthansa, and Alitalia. Several airlines “codeshare,” so if you book yourself on a Singapore Airlines flight you may actually find yourself flying on a Qantas jet, or vice versa. If traveling from Ireland, most flights will stop at London Heathrow before continuing on to Australia. From South Africa with South African Airways, Johannesburg is the main point of departure and Perth the most likely destination. One of the largest airline operators in Asia, Japan Airlines, also flies to Australia. Before arrival in Australia, you will be given customs documents to fill in. Foodstuffs and untreated wood are items that interest customs people, as they constitute a biological hazard. Officials will not hesitate to confiscate any food or banned items and issue you with a fine. Australia is a country with a large agriculture industry and it is vigilant on this issue, routinely using sniffer dogs around the baggage halls. Always fill out the customs form correctly and declare anything you are uncertain about rather than risk a fine, and discard uneaten travel snacks before landing.

Australian Airports

Sydney Airport Australia From Air The main airports for international travelers are Sydney Airport (often called Kingsford Smith Airport), which is always busy, and Melbourne (also called Tullamarine Airport), which is much less frenetic than Sydney. Most overseas flights land at these two airports. Brisbane Airport and Darwin Airport increasingly receive Asian airline traffic, while Perth Airport handles flights from the UK, Asia, and South Africa. Adelaide Airport has direct flights from Asia, but for flights from Europe and North America you will be stopping in Melbourne or Sydney first. Hobart in Tasmania only handles domestic flights. Domestic flights are very frequent in Australia, and it is easy to add a domestic connection to your flight plans. It only takes an hour to fly between Sydney and Melbourne and Sydney and Brisbane, for instance. However, the costs are pretty high compared to traveling by road. Before booking, check what the luggage allowance is, as this can be lower on domestic flights and excess baggage costs are expensive. Always take into account the distance between domestic and international terminals if you are taking a domestic flight to your final departure point from Australia, and make sure you leave enough time. Check-in lines, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, can be a problem.

International Flight Times

From North America, most direct flights from Los Angeles last around 14 hours. With Hawaii only around 5 hours from Los Angeles, a layover there is more of a luxury than a necessity, but can be worthwhile in one direction on your trip. Flights between Australia and Europe can take at least 24 hours with a minimum of one stop. A layover is an excellent idea, however, especially for those traveling with children. Asia is the most common stop, which leaves a much shorter flight of around 8 hours to Australia and ensures you arrive reasonably fresh. Dubai Airport It is also possible to stop over in Dubai, the most popular hub in the Middle East, then fly direct to Australia. Two or three nights is usually enough time to refresh and explore a little. Also, you might consider arranging flights so that they account for international time differences. Arriving at your destination in the afternoon, spending the rest of the day awake and then going to sleep at night will help to counteract jet lag by getting your body clock in sync with local time.

Arriving by Sea

Obviously, being an island, Australia can be reached by sea. However, most of the ships arriving are on around-the-world cruises or cruises taking in Australia and New Zealand. Companies such as Cunard, P&O, Princess Cruises, Holland America, and others do complete South Pacific cruises. While the cruises are limited and quite expensive, there are few more glamorous ways to arrive in Sydney than cruising into one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. Cunard Queen Mary 2 Sydney Harbour Australia If you wish to take in Tasmania, Australia’s island state, on your trip, you can take a ferry, the Spirit of Tasmania. This journey south takes 14 hours to sail across the choppy Bass Strait from Melbourne. The ship has plenty of different classes to suit all kinds of travelers. There is also a frequent Sealink ferry to Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

Practical Information

Australia is a major tourist destination and has all the facilities you would expect to cater for international travelers. It is a relatively safe, friendly, and relaxed destination, and visitors should encounter few problems once past the customs counter at the airport. The standard of accommodation is relatively high, the quality of the cuisine is fine, and the major roads and public transport can cope with the number of visitors. The only caveat is that Australia’s Outback and coastal waters are wild and sometimes inhospitable places where those unused to the conditions can get into trouble if they do not stay alert and use sound judgement.

Passports and Visas

Australian Visa Visitors to Australia must have a passport valid for longer than the intended duration of their visit. All visitors, other than New Zealand passport holders, need a pre-arranged visa to enter the country. For visitors from most countries, this will be in the form of an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), which can be obtained through a travel agent, airline, or applied for online. This electronically stored authority is for short-term visits to Australia of up to three months. Another electronic visa that can be issued over the Internet is eVisitor, available to the European Union and some other European countries. No paperwork or special passport stamps are required for entry – the visa is stored electronically.

Travel Insurance

Most travel insurance policies will cover you for loss or theft of luggage and other property, as well as personal accident and repatriation in case of a serious medical condition. Delayed or canceled flights are generally covered, as are the expenses incurred because of this. Policies also cover lost luggage, allowing you to replace missing items (such as clothes and toiletries) immediately. Travel Insurance Note that if you do wish to undertake activities and sports considered dangerous by the insurer, this will generally require a different insurance policy or an extra premium to the normal policy. Read the terms and conditions carefully because coverage, excess amounts, exclusions, and deductibles vary widely. Also, check to see what kind of coverage, if any, is offered under your home insurance policy. Some credit card companies also offer limited travel insurance benefits if you use your card to book your trip or to rent a car.

Health

Australia’s medical services are generally world-class. Under reciprocal arrangements, visitors from the UK, New Zealand, Malta, Italy, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands are entitled to free hospital and medical treatment, provided by Australia’s National Insurance scheme, Medicare. Note that dental emergencies are not covered under this arrangement, nor with standard travel insurance, so make sure your insurance policy covers this. Visitors not covered by these arrangements can face hefty bills for medical treatment, so ensure that you have adequate travel insurance. Dial “000” nation-wide for ambulance assistance. Most public hospitals have a casualty ward for accidents and emergencies but note that if your case is not urgent, waiting times can be very long. There are 24-hour medical centers in the larger cities that have shorter waiting times for non-urgent care, and most smaller country towns always have a doctor on call. The state capitals also have emergency dental centers. Chemist Warehouse Australia Pharmacies are known as chemist shops in Australia, and they are generously scattered throughout the cities, suburbs, and small towns – often with competing “discount” chemist shops on opposite sides of the road. There is a good range of over-the-counter medicines, although the brand names of items you are familiar with may be different. A pharmacist will always be on duty and can assist with minor ailments. Foreign prescriptions will not be filled unless endorsed by a local General Practitioner (GP). Hotel staff, hospital, and medical practitioners’ staff will direct you to after-hours pharmacies as required. If you have medicines that you need to take regularly, always take the prescription with you.

Personal Security

Few areas within Australia are “no-go” for visitors. While a big city’s red-light district can be seedy, the constant police presence makes it safer than poorly lit suburban streets. Things can get very lively late at night on weekends. As with any country, take the usual precautions, however, and avoid poorly lit areas and parks late at night. Public transport is relatively safe, but hitchhiking, particularly for women or even couples, is not recommended. Taxis are generally a safe way to travel. Also, note that country areas are “early to bed and early to rise” – restaurants can have their last sittings at 8pm – so it is advisable always to have a hotel or RV park booking at your destination and arrive before dark to avoid wandering around in poorly lit places. In rural areas, note that if you need police assistance at night, most police stations will be closed, but dial “000” and an officer will handle any important problems.

Disabled Travellers

Disabled travellers are very well catered for in Australia, and the facilities are usually excellent. Hotels, restaurants, most tourist sights, cinemas, theaters, airports, and shopping centers all have wheelchair access, and most nature park trails have wheelchair routes. While public transport can occasionally be a problem, there are radio taxis that have wheelchair-accessible vehicles in a surprising number of places, even smaller rural centers. Melbourne Visitor Centre Australia Tourist Information Centers, or Visitor Centers as they are sometimes called, are a great source of information regarding wheelchair access and facilities. The National Information Communication Awareness Network has comprehensive information for travellers, including a database of accommodation and services that have disabled facilities.

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Discover Five Of Australia’s Wackiest Road Trips

Australia has much more to offer you than its metropolitan cities, LGBT clubs, sparkling seashores and carefully pruned natural preserves. Don’t stick to Sydney, Canberra, Perth and Melbourne. Instead, get hold of a budget car hire (or an Aussie muscle car) and get out on the road. Australia things to do map As you drive past the rural locales, crocodile infested rivers, quaint towns and fishing communities, and miles of meadows with sheep and flowers, you know Australia is much more than what is usually advertised. Australia's Longest Straight Road Be a roadie and begin your exploration of the picturesque country with these five wacky road trips:

#1: Sunshine Coast Road Trip

Australia Sunshine Coast This trip takes 4 days to conclude and is a wonderful way to explore the laidback city of Brisbane and other places in the vicinity. On the way, you also get to marvel at the Sunshine Coast and gawk at the colorful markets that dot Eumundi. Noosa is a quintessential beach town with snazzy restaurants, clubs, and performing art galleries. The roads are clear, and the drives are perfect.

#2: Tasmania Food and Nature Trail

Samalanca Market Tasmania This trip takes 5 days to conclude. Beginning with Launceston, you head to Tamar Valley, Bicheno, the East Coast, Richmond and Hobart, where you shop at the Salamanca Markets. Yummy ice cream, fresh cheesecake factories, chocolate factories, and fine dining amenities on the way ensure you never stay hungry on the road. The enchanting scenery of the East and the North Coast are a feast for the senses. With easy driveways and striking views, the Tasmania food and nature trail is an adventure you ought to embark on.

#3: Great Ocean Road

Coonawarra WIne Region Tasmania The 6 day trip along the Great Ocean Road stretches from Melbourne to Adelaide, and is a visual delight. The Victoria Coast, the Naracoorte Caves, the Coonawarra wine yards and the charming towns of Apollo Bay, Warrnambool, and Keith are fabulous sightseeing vistas you can enjoy. And oh – don’t forget to savor a few meals at Adelaide’s famous “eat street”, with more than 100 shacks juxtaposed for you to choose from.

#4: Nature’s Way

Kakadu National Park Australia The 5-day road trip from Darwin to Kakadu to Katherine to Litchfield and back to Darwin is a great way to spend your Australian vacation. The Aboriginal culture, the crocodiles, the pristine ecology and wetlands are great features on the way. Add to that, a cosmopolitan city (Darwin) and you are sure to have a great holiday on the wheels.

#5: Grand Pacific Drive

Grand Pacific Drive Australia We always tend to save the best for the last. The Grand Pacific Drive, which extends for over 5 days, connects Sydney to Melbourne and touches Canberra on the way. When you have three metropolises to explore, a whole assortment of sandy beaches with surfing avenues, wildlife that is unique to Australia, and culinary delights that make you drool, you can hardly complain about being “on the move” always, can you?

Original Post Here: Discover Five Of Australia’s Wackiest Road Trips