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Oaks Santai Resort Casuarina: A Lavish Balinese Retreat in Northern NSW
Tucked halfway between the energetic Gold Coast, and the zen town of Byron Bay you’ll find a hidden paradise; a collection of small beachside towns that offer respite from the usual hordes of tourists.
Three of my favourite sleepy beach towns along the Queensland-NSW border are conveniently lined up just south of Tweed Heads. Kingscliff starts off the trio, and a bit further south you’ll encounter Casuarina and Cabarita Beach.
Setting yourself up in this part of northern NSW allows you to enjoy three delightful beach towns for the price of one, though only one of these towns is home to a lavish Balinese-style retreat (hint: it’s Casuarina).
Smack bang in the middle of these three often overlooked beachside getaways, Casuarina is quite the hidden secret … and we got the distinct impression that locals prefer it stays that way!
This is where Gold Coast locals come to escape the tourism that floods into their city; and as soon as you step through the colossal automatic bamboo doors at Oaks Santai Resort Casuarina, you’re instantly transported to Bali.
read moreElements of Byron: How to Experience the Luxury of Byron Bay
Chris Hemsworth. Matt Damon. Natalie Imbruglia. Pat Rafter.
The golden beaches, turquoise waters, and zen mentality are just some of the reasons celebrities from all around the world are drawn to the Australian town of Byron Bay.
Byron Bay overflows with both energy and beauty, while at the same somehow offering a place where a chilled out vibe takes centre stage. Though there are two very distinct and opposite experiences here: one backpacker, one luxury.
After the latter?
Situated far away from the backpacker chaos, yet just a 10-minute drive from the colorful boutique shop windows and trendy cafes, Byron Bay’s award-winning beachfront resort Elements of Byron provides the type of experience that draws the world’s biggest celebrities.
read moreDon’t Miss These UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Extremadura, Spain
If you were to brainstorm Spanish cities to include on your next holiday, you would probably come up with Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville. If I asked you to dig a little deeper, you might land on Granada and Valencia as well.
While these are undoubtedly excellent destinations, they can often leave the more adventurous traveler a little bit dissatisfied; unfortunately they’re just so overcrowded with tourism.
Travel is supposed to be about experiencing something new, and immersing yourself in history and culture. But this is hard to do when you’re trying to appreciate Gaudí with selfie sticks blocking your view.
If you’re hoping to experience a more authentic side of Spain, away from the crowds, look no further than Extremadura. How this autonomous community has managed to stay under the radar is a wonder in itself, especially when you consider it boasts half a dozen locations that are recognized by UNESCO.
While Extremadura has something to offer every type of traveler (an amazing combination of food, festivals, history, and nature), my favorite thing about this region is its off-the-beaten-path World Heritage Sites.
read more7 Best Destinations for a Handfasting Ceremony in Europe
These days, couples looking to celebrate their marriage in an alternative way often choose symbolic rituals like the handfasting ceremony.
This ancient Celtic ritual adds depth to the wedding proceedings, and involves the couple’s hands being bound by a cord, ribbon, or even a scarf. It is a beautiful representation of a couple’s sealed union.
For couples interested in having their destination wedding in Europe, we have put together a list of destinations that will be perfect for your wedding and handfasting ceremony. Some of these venues even assist in organising the ceremony, as they are well versed in this unique and alternate wedding style.
So, to have your European wedding in a grand fashion, consider some of these locations.
read moreThings To Do While Saving For Your Next Adventure
Work, save, travel, repeat; for most people, this is the dream.
But what do you do while you’re sitting at home saving?
The following are great, productive ways to pass time when you’re inbetween trips; they’ll allow you to really make the most of your time at home, and help to manage those travel cravings!
read more5 Skills You Should Learn Before You Travel
Just as Liam Neeson has a set of acquired skills if you mess with his family, for a kick-ass vacation, you’ll need to master a number of travel skills before you go.
Traveling like a pro requires many skills sets. From learning how to handle your money, to being able to communicate with strangers (forget what your mother told you!), there’s a lot more involved than just knowing how to pack a suitcase, or being comfortable with traveling alone.
Many people head out on their first trip and find that they’ve jumped in the deep end, learning these skills on the road. But it does pay to know what you need to become a better traveler before you go.
Sharpen your pencil and grab a notepad, because travel school is now in session! The following are 5 travel skills we highly recommend learning before you leave home.
read moreEuropean Food To Try At Least Once in Your Lifetime
“Food is the ingredient that binds us together.”
Food connects and unites people of all backgrounds and religions across the world, and be it a bad mood or anxiety; there aren’t a lot of things that a tasty dish can’t fix.
A great man once said, ‘if you wish to explore and grasp the vibes of a place, explore its cuisines, not the tourist destinations and landmarks”. And the most well traveled know this rings true.
For travelers who love food, Europe presents the unique opportunity to sample a diverse range of tastes; a patchwork of more than 40 compulsively individualistic countries, this Michelin-starred continent is not only famous for its gourmet scene, but also mouth-watering street foods.
From savory foods like schnitzels and goulash to sweet dishes like waffles and pastries, Europe will satisfy any and all food cravings. The following are five delicious dishes to try at least once in your lifetime!
read moreKenya vs. Tanzania: Which Destination Is Best For An African Safari?
A safari trip in Africa is by far, one of the most exciting getaways you could ever experience. The vast continent is world famous for its wildlife safaris, incredible landscapes, and options for adventure, from classic jeep safaris, to visiting local tribes.
However, trying to decide on the best destination in Africa can be tricky. Each country that makes up the unique and culture-rich continent provides its own unique experience, though it’s important to decide on a destination that suits your individual requirements.
Both Kenya and Tanzania are the classic options for an African Safari; they both offer breathtaking scenery, amazing wildlife, and a long list of exciting activities from walking safaris to hot air balloon rides.
But, with both destinations sharing a border, they’re both incredibly similar. So, the inevitable question is how do you decide?
read moreA Guide to Iceland’s Best Thermal Spas
Iceland is one of the Earth’s hottest countries – literally. Brimming with volcanic activity, the country is blessed with a huge range of hot springs and geothermal spas, and a hot soak under the Northern Lights has become central to Iceland’s cultural identity.
Iceland is famous for it’s hot tub culture, and swimming pools have always been a hub of social activity, even in winter on a dark, frosty night. But with a huge range of swimming pools, hot springs, and spas, where do you even start?
While the country has an incredible range of natural hot springs, today we’re going to focus on Iceland’s thermal spas. The difference? Thermal spas are a cross between a man-made pool and a natural spring.
While natural springs are usually in rural locations, where the journey there is an adventure in itself, thermal spas offer the same natural water, but you’re surrounded by man made facilities.
At thermal spas you’ll have access to showers, restaurants, toilets, and storage to keep your things dry; much more than your typical hole in the ground filled with water!
read moreShopping for Sunglasses? Check Out These Ingenious Eyewear Brands for Travel
We’ve come a long way from classifying eyeglasses as bulky medical equipment intended purely for optic aid.
These days, glasses have become less about vision correction and more of a fashion statement, saturating the eyewear market with thousands of different shapes and styles.
While fashion has always blurred the lines between the classic and the avant-garde with perennial collections by the likes of Gucci, Ray-Ban and Tom Ford – it’s often the underdogs who rewrite the rules of the game.
With e-tailers like SmartBuyGlasses carrying more than 80,000 products across over 200 brands, it may seem impossible to find that diamond in a sea of glass(es). So we’ve created a list which celebrates ingenious functionality from eyewear brands you may not have heard of!
read more