Heading to Thailand this summer? Before you check-in, it’s worth noting that Thailand is so much more than the postcard perfect beaches for which it’s most famous (not that there’s anything wrong with that!).
The glorious, mysterious, and (at times) mystifying country of Thailand is a smorgasbord when it comes to things to do, places to visit, and experiences to be had. Expect a rich depth of culture. Expect a deep history and yes, expect great food.
But whether you intend to spend all summer, or can only spare a week, here are a few destinations which we feel you shouldn’t miss.
Read More
Let’s be honest, it’s a claim that most hotel search engines make, that their prices are the lowest you’ll find anywhere else online. But to date it hasn’t really mattered which search engine you choose – from the Booking.com’s to Agoda and Expedia, it’s much of a muchness, and you usually end up paying the same price.
This is because there’s very little room for hotel search engines to undercut each other; each hotel has an online login and sets their own price. The search engine then gets a small % of the booking, around 10% of the rate. And there are so many websites competing with each other that they’re usually all offering the lowest price.
So when we hear that a hotel search engine claims to offer better prices than other third party booking sites, I’m skeptical. It would take a fresh and creative approach to the established business model to be able to offer big enough savings to pull people away from their already bookmarked sites.
But a company called Sears Vacations has done just that; come up with an original approach which will noticeably save you the most.
Read More
For over 70 years the story of the Battle of Kokoda has been told by survivors, memoirs and war records. The poignant narratives tell a very human story of comradeship and true grit that took place along the formidable Kokoda Trail, the single file trail that links New Guinea’s interior to the coast near Port Moresby.
The fighting there, against a Japanese invasion force, was perhaps the most significant battle fought by Australians in World War II, and now many Australians make the pilgrimage to understand about this extraordinary event: Why it occurred, who was involved and what it was like to face death in the jungled mountains along the Kokoda track.
Following in the footsteps of Australian soldiers remains a physically challenging task, though for those looking to make a difference this year, Alzheimer’s Australia NSW is organizing unique fundraising event, and encouraging anyone up for a challenge to join them to trek the Kokoda Trail.
Read More
Planning a beach vacation and not sure where you should go? Most people immediately turn to “safer” options such the Caribbeans, Hawaii or the Bahamas. While undoubtedly these have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, we would argue that South East Asia has more!
Home to tens of thousands of tropical islands, South East Asia boasts some of the greatest beaches in the world, and vacations here are much cheaper and usually more flexible. The countries in this region offer diverse culture, an exotic food scene, and an extreme wealth of beach activities and water sports, and you can easily hop between islands, packing your itinerary with as much relaxation or extreme adventure as you like.
Consider some of the following destinations for your next beach trip.
Read More
There are plenty of myths surrounding travel insurance, from thinking it’s unaffordable to believing it’s a waste of time. We bust 5 common travel insurance myths and explain why travel insurance is essential for every trip!
Read More
“Stop!” he yelled at me from across the courtyard. “Yes, you!”
“Show me your student card! How did you get in here? The school is closed today. You’re not supposed to be here!”
The ironic thing was he actually looked like Vernon Dursley and was about to have a palpation that I had snuck past the guards.
The many colleges of Oxford University were closed for orientation day, and tourists were being turned away as students passed through the gates. Though I hadn’t traveled from Australia to see my Harry Potter trail go cold, and as an 20 year old employing the idea that if I didn’t look suspicious, they wouldn’t have reason to stop me, I walked myself straight through the gates.
Read More
It was a welcome retreat returning to our cabin at Discovery Parks after an exhaustive day of activities. We had traveled for a relaxing break by the lake, however found ourselves seduced by the Snowy Mountains and its wealth of outdoor recreation.
We flicked on the TV and collapsed into the couch – the weather would be sunny tomorrow too. There was the choice of bushwalking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, horse riding, visiting the National Park, or water-sports on the lake.
Personally though, I was keen to dedicate a day to something people don’t often travel to do – searching for relics from the old town of Jindabyne; an alpine town at the bottom of a lake.
Swallowed by flood water in the 1960s when the Snowy River was dammed as part of the Snowy Mountains Scheme, the town was abandoned and rebuilt on higher ground. The ruins have been submerged for over 50 years, though occasionally when lake levels are low, out from the depths comes the remnants of the old Catholic Church. Unbelievable to imagine the remains of a whole town beneath your water skis!
Read More
The great Aussie Barbeque is world famous, and as far as cultural experiences go, nothing says “Australia” like sizzling a snag (sausage) on a barbie.
Much of the challenge is finding the perfect spot and knowing what to serve, but as far as Sydney is concerned, we’ve got the locations covered for you. From beaches to coves, national parks to foreshores, Sydney knows the value of a public BBQ, and this is a great way to enjoy time with family and friends while getting outside and experiencing the city’s local attractions and beautiful parklands.
So the next time you’re in Sydney, pack a picnic and check out some of these fabulous BYO BBQ’s!
Read More
I love Thai food, but then again so does most of the world. Fresh and fragrant, famous for its balance of sweet, sour, bitter and salty, a visit to Thailand is as much about the food as it is about the country.
There is enough variety and food experiences from buzzing local markets to posh culinary schools, restaurants and street markets to keep every kind of person sated. In fact there is a lot of merit in following your nose and the rumbles of your tummy and discovering Thailand through its food.
Read More
In an ideal world, everyone would have enough money to travel. But in reality that’s not the case. And for many people, their best option for travel is taking out a personal loan.
And in many situations there’s nothing wrong with that. Personal loans are a great way to reach a short term goal, and with better interest rates than credit cards, are a much safer way to fund your holiday. However you do need to approach this sensibly. Banks see the yawning gap between reality and aspirations as a tremendous opportunity, and you need to be smart enough to borrow responsibly.
So if you’re considering taking out a personal loan for travel, make sure you’ve understood the following.
Read More
As South East Asia’s biggest international hub, Singapore is an almost inevitable stop for those doing business in the region. It has long played a key role as a central international business hub, and a meeting point for corporate travelers attracted by opportunities in its biggest industries, including shipping, banking, trading, oil and gas, and increasingly, tourism.
As business travel increasingly flows to Singapore, the following are tips every executive should know.
Read More
There’s no worse feeling than booking your flight, getting excited about your trip, and then having an airline rain on your parade by offering everyone else a better price. It obviously happens all the time, but is it just a matter of luck that the person sitting next to you paid half the price?
Chances are that it could have been luck, but it’s more likely that they knew how to find the best travel deals to save on flights.
Flights are often the biggest expense of a trip, so they shouldn’t be something you book blind. Use our following tips to know that what you’re paying is not overpriced.
Read More
Beach bars in the Caribbean have three things in common: “cold beer, a potent rum punch, and a killer view of the sea.” Nothing beats sipping a cocktail with your feet in the sand and a live band competing against the roar of the ocean.
From crowded dive bars where the cocktails are cheap, to the laid back and low-key, these are the Caribbean beach bars we’re raising a glass to. Did someone say cocktails?
Read More
Europe is one of the best places in the world to experience art and culture, and the continent’s expansive history has created a very diverse cultural experience.
The next time you visit Europe, spend time taking in museums, galleries, music venues, and events. If you plan to visit the following cultural cities of Europe, you won’t be disappointed. The following are just a few experiences you should add to your cultural bucketlist.
Read More
Peru is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise with trails winding through an array of land formations, rivers, jungles and climates. If you are seeking a vacation far from the norm and have a hankering for history and culture with a dash of adventure thrown in, then the hiking treks of Peru are perfect for you.
Most trails will offer a spectacular close-up view of the soaring Andes Mountains, and there are a variety of hiking trails which cater to all, from novices to skilled trekkers.
Before embarking on any trek, make sure you have the best hiking gear you can afford. For example, you’ll need to organize hiking boots, backpacks, tents and look at clothing options such as compression tights for women and men. Once you have your gear ready, take your pick from these top five hiking trails in Peru:
Read More
Traveling with your dog overseas especially in Asian countries is an adventure of a lifetime. Thailand’s rich cultural heritage and hospitality is the reason why tourism is so high. And in this same vein, their pet importation laws are not as strict as those in westernized countries.
Thailand, the door to southeast Asia, is an amazing place to chill and enjoy the ocean with your dog. As long as you meet the qualifications, you can travel with your four-legged friend anywhere within the country.
However, there are some important details every dog owner needs to consider when planning the logistics of your trip. To get you started, here are nine essential tips for navigating Thailand with your dog.
Read More
If you’ve got your eyes set on Russia for your next vacation, then there’s certainly no looking back! Its grandeur and opulence in combination with the harshness of its climate will cast a spell on you.
As one of the most beautiful winter destinations in the world, Russia owes its popularity to the incredibly scenery and the majestic places it has to offer. Here is a list of only a few of them.
Read More
Everyone talks about skiing. Everyone loves skiing. But strapping two planks to your feet and hurtling down a hill may not be your idea of a dream winter vacation.
With skiing, what most people don’t talk about how tough it is to learn. Yes, you will spend hours on your butt for the first few days. On top of that, it is usually insanely expensive!
As someone who lives in Switzerland, I actually moved here partly because I love skiing. So, don’t get me wrong. I love it. But in the past few years I have been checking out other winter options and soon fell in love with snowshoeing.
Have you heard about this old-school sport, or ever considered it? Let me tell you why snowshoeing is a great idea for your next winter adventure!
Read More
The small and picturesque town of Manali lies in a valley nestled between mountains in the northern state of India, Himachal Pradesh. The beautiful town is the gateway to an ancient trade route that leads to Ladakh and then to the famous Karakoram Pass connecting India and China.
Manali is natures treasure chest with its majestic mountains, flowing streams and rivers and mystical springs. To get a really immersive experience in Manali, one should stay there for at least a week.
There are many good hotels in Manali to suit everyone from the backpacker to the luxury traveler. Once you are settled in, you can embark on your voyage of discovery. Here is a list of top 5 places you must experience when in Manali.
Read More
National Parks are often quoted as America’s best idea – in 1872 Yellowstone became the first national park to ever exist, and its protected status sparked an idea that spread across the country, and then across the world.
In 1916 the National Parks System was born, and since then, the US has declared 58 areas of natural wilderness to be a protected national park.
Destinations Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite are world famous, and draw enormous crowds from all corners of the globe, though there are many parks that fly under the radar, that even Americans overlook.
Read More
The world beyond our borders is home to millions of other people, who all lead very different lives. Though have you ever wondered what it would be like to live among them? To experience a change of culture and scenery, and live abroad at least once in your life?
There are very many reasons people dream of relocating to a foreign land. This can be for work, to volunteer, study, pursue a change of scenery, or retire. Though whatever your reason, moving into a new country can be a rich and rewarding experience.
Here are my five reasons why everyone should find the energy to pack up and move abroad … at least once in their life!
Read More
There are several amazing Greek island day trips from Athens you can plan for. Greece’s ancient yet modern capital is the primary entry point to Greece, rich with archaeological sites, vibrant nightlife and unique urban flair. Athens is also a launching pad for Greek island excursions that are perfect day trips, each one just about an hour ferry ride away.
Here’s a look at the most popular Greek island day trips from Athens.
Read More
Southern Finland is a unique and somewhat magical destination, made up of 40,000 islands and islets scattered over a fascinating archipelago, a vibrant European capital city, colourful Scandinavian wooden houses, and thousands of lakes and dense forests.
It is a destination on the rise with a lot to offer, especially in terms of untouched arctic and subarctic nature. Though Southern Finland isn’t just vast expanses of pristine wilderness. “Vibrant cities offer a cutting-edge urban space with world-renowned design and music scenes. There is a spectacular ensemble of modern and stately architecture, and island restaurants” serving Nordic gastronomy.
The summer months see endless days, replaced by the northern lights during winter. Though regardless of the season, the following southern destinations should feature on your Finnish adventure this year!
Read More
The Arctic region’s beauty crosses the borders of 5 countries: Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Norway, Russia, and the United States. Because of its immense size it contains some amazing sites, both natural and those that occur from the meshing of cultures.
There is simply no way you’re going to be able to take in all that the Arctic has to offer in one visit. So we’ve put together a quick list of eleven bits of awesomeness that should help you get started in putting together your Arctic adventure.
Read More
Paulo Coelho in ‘The Alchemist’ says – “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
And thus all the universe conspired me to visit Croatia on my first ever trip to Europe. And needless to say, the visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park was the highlight of the trip.
I fell deeply and madly in love with Plitvice and I’m certain you will too. But in the absence of old newspaper in your sock drawer, I’ve put together 10 reasons to convince you.
Read More
