The Surf Coast of Victoria and its world famous beaches, makes it an incredible destination for an escape from the bustling heart of Melbourne. Just over an hour west of the CBD, The Surf Coast stretches along the Great Ocean Road, so you’ll be at no shortage of breathtaking ocean views from atop the rugged cliff faces.
Whether you make the trip in summer to soak up the sunshine from the sand, or choose to explore the region on a cooler day, there’s so much to see and do!
Read MoreMelbourne is Australia’s style setter; an arty city, both scenic and cosmopolitan, with diverse, dynamic inhabitants that proudly claim their title as Australia’s sporting and cultural capital.
It’s progressive, multicultural, gritty-chic, food-obsessed, and has a non stop events calendar which is always packed with arts festivals, live music, exhibitions, blockbuster theater shows, sport and activities for kids.
From the Australian Open in January to the Comedy Festival in March and April, why not travel for one of the following major annual events?
Read MorePhu Quoc island is a relatively unknown tourism destination in Vietnam. Yet, the biggest island in Vietnam and the gulf of Thailand offers no shortage of tourism attractions, landmark, and unique tropical experiences.
As an almost virgin, relatively unknown destination, you can expect a clean tropical paradise with spectacular panoramas. For beach lovers, Phu Quoc is definitely a tropical paradise, but the island offers a wide variety of landscapes from rocky mountains to beaches to the city itself.
If you are looking for your next adventurous destination, Phu Quoc should be a serious contender; here are some of the unique experiences you can enjoy.
Read MoreJapan is a wonderful country known for it’s blend of traditional culture and modern dynamic cities. And while the buzz is all about it’s pop culture, neon-lit streetscapes and architectural wonders that redefine what a city should be, there is also an incredible outdoors and nature scene.
Over two-thirds of Japan is made up of mountains, perfect for hiking, and there are majestic volcanoes, thundering waterfalls, bubbling hot springs, and vast forests inhabited by monkeys, bears, deer, cranes and other wildlife. The tropical beaches of the south are popular for sunning, snorkelling, diving and surfing, and in fact, Japan’s coastline is one of the longest and most impressive in the world.
So to inspire you to make your visit to Japan a little different from the standard Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima itinerary, let me introduce you to 5 beautiful places you shouldn’t miss. Because Japan is much more than one large, densely populated megacity!
Read MoreWhen it comes to planning a holiday, most people aim to tick off the essentials – tickets, accommodation, and itinerary. However, unless you’re a digital nomad who moves from one place to the next without a fixed address, you also need to take precautions to secure your home.
Things like holding your mail to avoid an overflowing mailbox and scattered subscription magazines at your doorstep, securing your windows and doors, and double checking security alarms to make sure they are turned on and really working.
To help you out, here are some tips for things you need to do to keep your house safe while going away on holiday.
Read MoreHong Kong is a destination famous for many things. There’s that iconic skyline, deserted islands, and the ‘sheer variety of products in Hong Kong’s shops is dizzying’. However if there’s one thing which is impossible to miss, it’s trying one of their celebrated dim sum.
Because dim sum is a ritual in Hong Kong. It’s a lifestyle, and revered on a completely different level to that of other food. And from traditional dim sum teahouses, to the cheapest Michelin Star restaurant in the world, the diversity and sheer number of Hong Kong dim sum restaurants is insane!
So whether you’re after steamed, baked, or deep fried, we’ve put together a guide of the top restaurants you shouldn’t miss.
Read MoreWhen I mentioned to family and friends that I planned to climb Kilimanjaro, the overwhelming majority laughed. Not in a malicious way, but in a “you over-estimate your abilities” type of way.
And honestly, to begin with, I didn’t really care if I climbed Kilimanjaro or not. I was going to be in Tanzania, the mountain was going to be there, and I had read a feature about Thérèse Rein and vaguely remembered that the climb was something you could brag about having done (I still use it as a sticking point on my adventurous resume to this day).
But for my original indifference of whether I completed the climb or not, the decision was made when I was told “it’s a lovely goal, I just don’t think you’ll get to the top.” And honestly, I thank every single person who said this to me. Because this was the motivating factor which got me to the top. Come hell or high water (I did trek through hell, just not high water!), I was going to prove every single one of them wrong.
I often write about what travel has taught me, and how travel has changed my perspective on life. However a lot of my transformation happened on that mountain top.
Read MoreOur trip to Antarctica was bittersweet. We were experiencing the most epic adventure of a lifetime – exploring the most isolated and remote continent on earth, though acutely aware that no trip in the future would ever compare.
I’ve grappled for the past few weeks with how to put the experience into words. Because even though the continent pulls rave reviews, the experience is still undersold. One of the rare destinations which actually exceeds and surpasses the hype.
And I’ll admit, I was apprehensive of traveling to Antarctica. Extraordinarily excited, sure, but I’ve traveled enough to know that you can ruin a destination by building it up in your mind. And the pedestal I’d built for Antarctica was exceptionally high. But we needn’t have been scared. Because the reality of Antarctica didn’t crush the dream – it blew it out of the water.
Read MoreDown Under, we hear the call of the beach often. But if you’re up for more than just a swim or a stroll, these pristine beach spots along the coast offer mesmerizing views, remote camping, reef snorkeling, horse riding and even cliff walking above the Tasman.
Read MoreBefore my trip to Norway, I thought of the country as a fairy tale land that although travel guides insisted was real, seemed to me to be fiction. And sure enough, you really have to be there to believe it.
Western Norway’s epic landscapes rank among the most stunning in Europe, and the “sheer drama of the fjords is alone worth the effort of coming here. Fjords of extraordinary beauty cut gashes from a jagged coastline deep into the interior, cliffs plunge down to barely populated shorelines, and waterfalls drop from impossible heights.”
I was in Norway in June, when the days are long and the light never goes away. This truly is the best time to visit because you can literally explore for 24 hours a day. And although I’m not a frequent backpacker, backpacking is the best way to experience Norway. Railway transportation is the easiest (and cheapest) way to travel around the country, and having a backpack is a very practical as you’ll find there’s a lot of walking ahead of you.
Read MoreWhen it comes to Australia’s best wine producing regions, Western Australia’s Margaret River or South Australia’s Barossa Valley may come to mind. However Australia has more than 60 designated wine regions across the country and many regions on the East coast have also developed a worldwide reputation for award-winning wine.
So while the largest wine production region is South Australia, and Western Australia receives similar fame, don’t discount wine regions along the East Coast. Remember these names!
Read MoreYou often hear people talk about the benefits of tourism for local communities. The main argument in favor of mass tourism is that it creates more jobs for locals and more opportunities to promote their culture. But is that all there is to it?
In reality, we witness large hotel chains spreading into developing countries, and cookie-cutter holiday resorts, not to mention foreign-owned food chains offering uniform food all over the globe. The world is becoming increasingly globalized and culture is being diluted and lost.
The situation is hardly black-and-white, though. For a local community to truly enjoy the benefits of tourism, we have to become more responsible as travelers.
As travelers with an eye and heart for adventure, we believe that sustainable tourism can and should be mutually beneficial, so have put together the following tips on how you can make a positive impact on local communities every time you travel. While still having the time of your life.
Read MoreThere’s no doubt that Dubai is one of the most fascinating and interesting places in the world; a fast-paced cosmopolitan city with oodles of glitz, glamour and excitement around every corner.
This is a destination which effortlessly fuses its native Arabian traditions with all some of the best luxury amenities in the world, and with some of the most tranquil beaches in the Middle East, and the barren beauty of the desert, there are many unforgettable adventures you can experience during your time in the city.
Perfect for travelers looking to unwind, indulge, and get a taste of the Middle East, if Dubai is on bucket list, you’re in luck. We’ve put together the ultimate travel guide with our favorite spots, including where to stay, play, relax, shop, and tips you should be aware of when you head out to eat.
Read MoreSpain is the most popular destination for holidaymakers from Ireland and the UK, which means that those seeking sunshine and sand will have considered visiting the Canary Islands at some point.
Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma are the most popular islands for families to visit, so here’s a brief overview of each island to help you to decide which one is the right destination for your next family holiday.
Read MoreThere’s no denying that long haul flights can be a pain in the neck. And I mean that literally. Travel can be a real physical pain. You’re cramped for hours on end in a confined space, and as anyone who has sat in one can testify, airline seats aren’t exactly designed for comfort. A substantial 88 per cent of people experience increased back or neck pain following a flight.
But we suck it up and write it off as an unavoidable part of travel. Resign ourselves to the fact that we’ll contort ourselves into some semblance of comfort, and deal with the stiff neck at the end.
Which brings us to the wonderful world of travel pillows; designed specifically to help you sleep better while traveling, and feel better once you’ve reached your destination. (I’m sure everyone will agree that airline pillows are farcically small and essentially useless).
Many people can’t be bothered with travel pillows, believing these are just as useless as those the airlines provide. However these people have usually only tried the simple inflatable neck pillows, when there’s a whole range of different options specifically designed with comfort and neck support in mind. In fact, there’s even one which is NASA approved!
Read MoreRunning out of money while traveling can be a nightmare. And for most travelers this means having to head home. But what if you could earn money while traveling, without having to worry about work visas, and it was enough to keep you on the road?
As luck would have it, there are always ways to earn extra money so long as you can find an internet connection. Broke on the road? The following websites let you earn cash online!
Read MoreCloaked from the world by largest mountains and evergreen forests, untouched by modernization, wild, flaunting its serene beauty, and maintaining its natural diversity, the seven sister states in north east India are cluster of varied cultures, languages and people.
Here are 5 destinations shouldn’t miss.
Read MoreWhen it comes to booking accommodation, hotels and hostels tend to be the first port of call. However, if you’re looking to infuse some extra adventure into your trip, there are plenty of wonderful and wacky alternatives.
In fact, accommodation should never be seen as a mere afterthought – it can really transform your experience of a place. Even if you’re more of a luxury hotel kind of person, it is definitely worth trying a more unconventional option at least once.
Here are some out-there accommodations and where you can find them.
Read MoreAs far as nightlife in Europe goes, Berlin’s got the title of best clubbing city firmly in the bag. Since the 90’s, Berlin’s dance floor action has reached near-mythical status; the clubber culture having become both a lifestyle and a religion.
This is a city where the nightlife is intense. Techno still rules the house, though there are plenty of other beats like hip hop, dancehall and dubstep, and every weekend, global hedonists invade town to bond with locals in their pursuit of good times.
From edgy clubs with recycled venues (two of the biggest hot spots are ensconced in abandoned power stations and two more in old swimming pools) and outdoor performances under summer skies, the following are the best nightclubs in Berlin.
Read MoreMost travelers understand the importance of switching off data roaming when you’re traveling overseas. And for those who don’t, it only takes one $700 phone bill for this realization to hit hard!
Yet having access to mobile data is perhaps even more important for those who travel. So when it comes to hacks for finding cheap mobile roaming abroad, last year we brought you news of a company called Flexiroam, who offer a data roaming solution that lets you earn free data before you travel, avoiding huge roaming fees overseas. It’s a new approach to travel sim cards where you can earn 100 GB of free data to use in over 120 countries around the globe.
And while we were incredibly impressed by the app in November, Flexiroam have just released a major app revamp (March 1 2017) offering even more free mobile roaming while you’re overseas!
Read MoreIn 2015, the United States government finally lifted its decades-old ban on travel by US citizens to Cuba. While restrictions remain, it is finally possible to travel to one of our geographically closest neighbors.
The resulting travel rush has been unsurprising. As the unreachable home nation of many prominent Americans and their ancestors, Cuba carries a special mystique. The opportunity to break through that veil and see what the country is all about carries great appeal for American travelers.
As soon as the ban was lifted, airlines were able to start planning flights into and out of Cuba. But with such close proximity to Miami and the Keys, Cuba is an obvious choice for taking a cruise.
The process of setting up oceangoing routes for these trips is underway, and it won’t be long until American citizens can board a ship headed to Cuba. As you consider options for family friendly vacations, you will find Cuba to be a great option.
Read MoreThe capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is a beautiful city with an amazing variety of things to see and do. And if you love travel photography, getting the perfect shot will most likely be at the top of your list.
From it’s seventeenth-century buildings and canals, to impressive museums and joint-smoking alien sculptures, few cities meld history with modern urban flair like Amsterdam, and this is a fantastic place to be a photographer.
Best known as the home of Anne Frank, this home of 2,431,000 friendly residents invites you to visit the city that takes its name from its famous canals built on the Amstel River. The following are great photography locations for shooting throughout Amsterdam. Head here if you’re looking to travel like a photographer and not a tourist.
Read MoreThere are a myriad of articles online providing tips for staying healthy while traveling abroad; stay active, wash your hands, eat well, be cautious of the tap water. However staying healthy should start at home, before you depart for overseas.
Travel can put real pressure on our immune system, even if it’s for fun; the stress, breaking the routine, “plastic” inflight food, jet lag, exposure to sick people, and environmental toxins. These all take their toll.
So while washing hands with soap and using hand sanitizer while you’re away are all great tips, these practices won’t stop you from getting sick if you have a weak immune system before you go. A strong immune system will keep you healthy despite everyone else coughing and sneezing around you, and will protect you from that bacteria circling through the airline A/C.
So it’s important to take care of your immune system whether traveling for business or pleasure. And, if you prefer to spend your time abroad doing what you love rather than being sick in bed, there are a few things you can do to prepare your immune system by staying healthy before you travel.
Read MoreEurope is one of those destinations where you could easily spend $400 a night on a standard hotel room, or throw down $20 for a burger, and there’s no doubt that the expensive reputation of some European cities can be intimidating for first time visitors. It’s not always the cheapest getaway.
Yet Europe is one of the most iconic backpacking destinations in the world and continues to welcome millions of budget travelers touring the continent with very little cash to spend.
These travelers know that even the most expensive cities have room to economize, and that if you’re willing to sacrifice a little comfort and convenience, Europe doesn’t have to break the bank.
Read MoreThe Eiffel Tower truly is one of the most iconic, most visited and most photographed landmarks in France, and if you love travel photography, getting the perfect shot will most likely be at the top of your list.
Situated in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, whether you’re cruising past it on the Seine, climbing to the roof of a nearby Cathedral, or standing directly below it, there are a million ways to get a shot of the Eiffel Tower, and it’s quite easy to take a great photo here. Though this is one of the most photographed landmarks in the world, so what’s not always easy is taking an interesting one. As a tourist, it’s difficult to capture a unique angle which the world hasn’t already seen.
The following are great photography locations for shooting the Eiffel Tower. Head here if you’re looking to travel like a photographer and not a tourist.
Read More
I am Megan Jerrard, professional travel blogger/journalist with a focus on adventure, discovery, immersion and inspiring you to explore!
