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Articles for the ‘Travel’ Category

After 6 months of working and saving I finally travelled the East Coast to Cairns. Secondly to Sydney Cairns has to be one of the best places to party in this country. It was so good I actually went there twice in the space of my holiday.The Great Barrier Reef from Cairns was just a bonus.

Cairns is where I did my PADI Advanced Open water dive course. I went with Cairns Dive Centre for a 4 day liveaboard dive course which was absolutely fantastic. I originally looked at diving with a company called Reef Dive but they seemed very up themselves and I had heard many a good thing about their learn to dive courses. Also after a buit more digging I found out they had probably one of the best dive pools.

Their liveaboard dive boat has been fully refit and has all the modern technology installed. It has very nice air conditioned rooms which cater for 2-4 people, has a huge saloon, lounge and even its own bar. Of course it even has a spa on the front deck to sit in and relax. The catering was superb and served from a rather well built galley, one of the best meals they served was steamed Barramundi. Hmm hmm.

The liveaboard dive boat is always moored at the dive site but would move every day to different parts of the reef, which would either be done over night if some distance or early in the morning if closeby. This was great as you get to experience a selection of reefs and have a truly unique dive holiday. These guys had a fast transfer boat which takes you there and back which also allows you to add another night if you want.

I truly couldn’t recommend anyone else to teach me to learn to Scuba Dive in Cairns but if you decide to look elsewhere please be very careful when choosing a scuba school in Cairns as many scuba schools use hotel pools for your theory part of the course.

We did the Great Adventures Cruises outer reef tour in Cairns. The initial destination was the Fitzroy Island where you had approximately 2 hrs to explore. Not enough time really since there were a lot of people about. Don’t forget to bring insect repellant because there are a lot of biting insects around. Snorkelling from the beach area was ok, although it was nothing extraordinary.

After that it’s off to the outer reef (Norman Reef) and their pontoon. As others have noted, it is acceptable for the number of passengers on the cruise. The so called underwater observatory was a disappointment – I have seen better in the aquariums in Sydney or Brisbane . They have not got around to cleaning the glass so it was very difficult to see anything through it. My wife said the same thing about their glass bottom boat tour which I didn’t get to do because we just simply ran out of time.

If there’s something that you definately should do, it’s the Scuba-doo, especially if you’ve done a scuba dive before. It’s a great way to experience the reef. We even saw a turtle and one of the crew showed us a star fish which my son really enjoyed. It’s a little expensive but I think it’s worth it.

After the scuba-doo, I went for a scuba dive. It may be because it was the monsoon season but the waters wasn’t as clear as I’d expected . Maybe it’s different when you do a serious dive trip but with this sort of tour, you don’t get too dive any other sites. Corals were more of the dull and brown shades. Fish, while there were many, were nothing special. Then to top if off, my divemaster just swum around in circles, not even going out of his way to show me anything special.

By the time the dive was finished, I had just enough time to eat and change (if my wife had not set aside lunch for me, there was none left) – therefore, I missed the semi-sub ride. If it wasn’t for the scuba-doo, this would have been a very ordinary tour.

I would do a dive specific cruise next time. There are lots of other options in Cairns

Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.

The reef is the biggest living thing  on the planet, made up of more than 2,800 individual reefs, and some 900 islands and coral cays that stretch over 344,000 square kilometres. The Great Barrier Reef, positioned approximately 20 km from Cairns, is home to hundreds of kinds of sealife and was granted World Heritage status, in the early eighties, to help preserve its heritage for the future. 
Expert Travel Tip:
if you are looking for a romantic getaway then consider purchasing a low-level scenic seaplane flight over the reef, as the views are highly photogenic and you can sometimes spot turtles and large fish in the crystal clear waters from the air. Plus, you can be delivered to a deserted sand cay for the afternoon with just an esky, a packed lunch, and a umbrella, as well as snorkelling equipment, and then collected at the end of the day. This is my first choice when asked by clients for the best place for a proposal.

Cape Tribulation Beach and the Daintree Rainforest National Park:

Cape Tribulation is located approximately 100 kilometres drive from Cairns and is within the Daintree National Park, which is World Heritage listed.
Expert Travel Tip: 
Cape Tribulation has luxurious spa resorts, so stay overnight in luxury. Cape Tribulation is in the middle of the Daintree Rainforest, when you can enjoy wildlife cruises on the Daintree River, to spot Crocodiles in the wild, and walk on boardwalks amongst virgin rainforest as well as along
miles of deserted| golden sand beaches. They say the Daintree is “where the rainforest meets the reef”. As the only place in the world where two World Heritage areas meet one another – it is a magical location! It is very assessable for those who are not mobile, and makes for a great family destination.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway:

Finished in the mid 90’s, the Skyrail spans 7.5 kilometres over the Barron Gorge National Park, and is acclaimed as being simply breath-taking, even for those visitors who are scared of heights. 
Expert Travel Tip:
When going on the Kuranda Train and the Skyrail Cableway I also advise going to the Tjapukai Aboriginal theme Park, because here you will learn how to throw a woomera , play the didgeridoo and enjoy traditional dancing, which is lots of fun for all the family, in additional to learning about Indigenous culture. Also make time to visit bird world.

Lizard Island:

Located about 250 kilometres north of Cairns, Lizard Island is one of the many islands found in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Expert Travel Tip: I highly recommend Mike Ball Dive Expedition’s 3 night fly / dive expedition which starts with a stunning scenic flight along the barrier reef, landing at Lizard Island to meet up with the luxury vessel that will be your home for the next 3 days. I had done lots of scuba tours before I went on this trip, and I was impressed by the aquatic life that I had never seen before like the beautiful butterfly cod fish and the ghost pipe fish. And if you think you can’t dive then you are wrong, an resort dive is great, as long as you are free from medical problems such as heart problems, or asthma, and it is a relaxing way to see the reef for all ages.

The Outback

Some of the sights that you will come accross when visiting the Aussie Outback are vividly painted landscapes and amazing rock structures that are awe inspiring, red earth that blazes brighter than fire embers, and indigenous art and culture that makes you understand what it truly means to be an Aussie.
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Undara:

Situated just over four hours from Cairns, Undara is a series of lava tubes that is situated in the rich red soil of outback Australia. Surrounded by Australian desert, Undara, which was created by tubes of lava, gives visitors a taste of Mother Nature’s destructive capability. 
Expert Travel Tip: Due to the distance that you have to travel to reach Undara from Cairns, a three day, two night holiday package is the best way to savor this region. I thoroughly recommend the guided 2 hour lava tube tour and the sunrise wildlife tour, however there are also longer tours available for those that want to explore more of the area.

If you are ready to hit the slopes, but you don’t have a lot of extra cash, then you’re in luck.  Cheap ski deals can be found, but you just have to know where to look. In most cases, you’ll find the cheapest rates at the beginning and the end of the ski season. You can also find more discounts and savings if you call the lodge directly.  These cheap ski packages might include a buy one get one free lift ticket or a free meal or two.  Finally, you’ll have a lot more luck finding cheap ski trips if you travel during the middle of the week, instead of on the weekends.  Tuesday and Wednesday are usually your best days to fly. Lodging is also usually much less expensive during the week. These are just a few of many helpful hints on finding cheap ski vacations.

Planning a trip to the captial city of Wales?  There are several cheap hotels in Cardiff that won’t require you to give up all the amenities in exchange for a low price.  From the City Centre to Cardiff Bay, many hotels offer terrific rates, especially during the week.  Tips for finding cheap Cardiff Bay hotels include calling the hotel directly, traveling with a group, or buying a travel package.  Since most hotels aren’t booked solid, you can have fantastic luck by calling the hotel.  Ask for a lower rate than what you found online or through your travel agent. Many times, the reservations agents have the authority to offer you a better deal when you ask.  If you travel with a group, you’re likely to see significant savings, because these trips are usually booked in blocks of rooms or airline tickets.  The savings gets passed onto you.  Finally, if you would like hotels in Cardiff City Centre, considering buying a full travel package.  You could end up with a bonus or two and a great rate!

St. Augustine, Florida is America’s oldest city. It is also one of the nation’s most charming cities, for a variety of reasons.

Its cobblestone streets. The history that peeks out from every turn and corner.

The quaint inns and bed and breakfasts that rest under ancient oak trees.

The ghosts, too, make things interesting in St. Augustine, Florida!  It’s one of the great Florida vacation spots.

The Oldest City

Known as the “Ancient City,” St. Augustine was founded forty-two years before the English colony at Jamestown, Virginia, and fifty-five years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts – making it the oldest permanent European settlement on the North American continent.

St. Augustine is in North Florida, located between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach, on the Atlantic Ocean. While Orlando is a bit of a jaunt, it’s not too terribly far away either.

What’s the Weather Like?

North Florida has mostly mild temperatures in Fall and Spring. Winters can get a bit on the nippy side, with temperatures at the freezing mark can certainly happen. But usually the days are sunny and on the cool side in Winter.

Summers are something else — hot and very humid. So arrange your vacation, if you can, in such a manner that you can avoid the hottest and most humid times (July and August). However, October, November, March and April are wonderful times for a visit.

Things to do in St. Augustine, Florida

There are a lot of things you can do here in St. Augustine, like visiting the Fountain of Youth, the Alligator Farm Zoological Park or Potter’s Wax Museum. There is Ripley’s Believe it or Not where you can spend an hour or two.

If you like the beach, you’ll love St. Augustine’s beautiful, wide, sandy beaches, just made for basking in the sun or playing in the waves.

There is a very special event in October of every year called the St.Augustine Art Walk. October is considered the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the people participating in this walk raise money to help research and fight breast cancer. The event has become known for its art raffle. Around 10 paintings are raffled each year, with the proceeds going to various breast cancer foundations. After the walk many other raffles and fund-raisers takes place.

The Ghostly Side of Life

Then there are the St. Augustine ghost tours. These tours take a look into the city’s sometimes spooky past, as it is said that there are restless spirits which haunt certain locations in town.

Another interesting aspect of ghost walks is that your guide dresses up in a period costume, to get in the “spirit” of things, so to speak. The walks are held in the evenings, when the weather is cooler and the atmosphere more eerie. Who knows what you’ll see around the next corner?

One of the best places to start finding cheap ski deals is at the websites of the ski resorts and lodges you’re interested in. Many will offer fantastic bargains that aren’t available anywhere else. Some of the cheap ski packages may include discounts on lift tickets, such as buy two days, get one free, or get a free child’s ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket.

There are usually reduced lodging rates available directly from the resort, too. Sometimes, you may find discounts for as much as 40% off the rack rates. Some cheap ski resorts will offer complimentary breakfast or an evening cocktail.

When you travel with kids you need to really plan what they bring so that there is not any fighting or stress added to the day. This means to think out how each child can have their own entertainment. Relying on sharing isn’t a great idea because this can lead to a lot of irritation in very tight quarters.This is because Airline Flying Travel is fun but also strained.

Getting each child their own book or magazine as well as figuring out the electronic gadgets if that’s appropriate will make everyone more peaceful on the day of flight, at the gate and on the plane. With the new 9 Dollar Fares people are travelling a lot more and it’s worth it to make the time together as stress-free as possible. 

A trip to Europe would not be complete without a visit to one of the continent’s most stunning cities. Located two hours north of Rome, Florence is a travelers dream. It is everything you have dreamed of in a city and more! Browse world-class art galleries and museums, stare in awe at centuries-old architecture, take a romantic stroll along The Arno River, and hike to Piazzale Michelangelo to catch a fabulous view of Florence’s skyline. Make sure to photograph the beautiful landscape and scenery, shop in stylish boutiques or strike up a conversation with one of the friendly locals who would be happy to tell you more about their beloved home and maybe even take you on a guided your.

The city played a very important role in ancient times and continues to draw in tourists from all over the world. The next time you cannot decide where to go for your vacation, think about visiting Florence and you will see why so many come back again and again!

Click here for more information on Florence Hotel Italy, Florence Blog and Family Rooms Florence

Not everyone is comfortable flying when they go on a vacation. Some people get motion sickness and can feel very anxious as they board the flight. If you close your eyes on takeoff it can make the sensation of lifting off a little easier to handle and once the plane has leveled off and is flying straight most riders get a sense of relaxation and get  finally get comfortable.

Getting to the airport early with your travel cosmetic bag that is packed and full as well as your other luggage checked in can help relieve some of the stress before you get boarded on the jet. Some people like to chew gum on the way down and this can help with any problems that you may have with the inner ear imbalance that seems to affect some passengers. Also make sure to drink plenty of water to help with any dehydration that can occur while flying.

Being in the sky at thirty thousand feet is not natural for humans, so your feelings of being a little queasy are justified. The statistics say that you have a better chance of getting into a car accident on the way to the airport then actually being in a plane crash. Just think of all the planes that fly each day and land safely. Hopefully this will help you the next time your husband or boyfriend is packing his mens toiletry bag or you are packing your toiletry travel bag for your next vacation, holiday or business trip.