Thursday, May 6, 2010

Fun Experiences On The Sunshine Coast

By Zane Archer

When you are planning a Sunshine Coast vacation then you may be looking around for things to do while you are in the land down under. Australia is among the most unique areas to experience and with the Sunshine Coast you will discover not only the lovely beaches entrancing but all the other sights and sounds of the location as well.

If you are seeking to experience the critters of the region then look no farther than Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin's famed Australia Zoo. This Aussie Zoo is still operated by his family in his honor and operates as one of the most amazing zoos across the globe. Come to this location to see various creatures indigenous to this area run free within a natural habitat. Koalas, kangaroos and crocs are simply a few of the amazing creatures you might discover at the Australia Zoo.

interested to encounter the nature within the Sunshine Coast, then visit Noosa's National Park. This park allows for hikes that take you to Devil's Kitchen not to mention Hell's Gate. Both of these locations of the Tea Tree Bay deliver you the chance to view some awesome underwater creatures at the same time as adoring those on the land.

The Sunshine Coast is as well an incredible area to get some scuba diving. Should you be searching for the very best diving experiences then try the coast of Mooloolaba.

You will find that no matter what you might be looking for in a beach trip that you are able to find it all.

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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Make Your Central American Vacation Even Better

By Marina K. Villatoro

Traveling to Central America isn't like traveling to the rest of the world, there are some things to keep in mind to make the trip as enjoyable as possible.

The truth is that there are some things about the places we are going to visit that we need to know but that we don't know. That's why I thought it would be a good idea if I gave you some pointers for your Central American trip:

The first thing you have to know is that children need paperwork

This is for when only one parent is planning to go to a Central American country and is taking a child with him. The first thing you need to do is to get a notarized letter from the other parent granting permission for the child to travel abroad. The problem is that they won't let you get into the country without that letter, and if they do, they won't let you leave until it's done somehow.

Be Vigilant

I'm not saying that you have to become a human radar, you just need to be a little more careful than usual. Thieves are usually around busy public areas where careless tourists congregate. The problem is that most of them look like regular people, so make sure that all of your possessions are kept away safely somewhere under your clothing or even better in your hotel room.

Bedbugs Everywhere!

When checking into your hotel room, do a pest inspection before unpacking your luggage. Bedbugs can be lurking, even in the cleanest and most respected hotels. It is because Central America is filled with forests and wildlife. Wherever you look there are mountains, rivers and volcanoes and most of the towns are placed very close to these. They can make an overnight stay a miserable, itchy experience.

A Great Way to Hide Valuables

I have just found out about a great product that gives you a great way to hide valuables: Passport security socks. They come in different sizes and heights, from ankle socks to over-the-calf styles. They have a zipped pocket that can hold cash, passport, keys, and other small valuables. This way, you will never have to worry about losing them.

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Thursday, April 22, 2010

Looking Ahead To The 2012 Summer Olympics

By Adriana Noton

Sometime around the 8th century B. C., athletes came from Sparta, Croton, Rhodes, Athens and other city-states of the ancient world to compete in competitions on Greece. Some of these events were chariot racing, boxing and running. This gathering of strong and fast competitors would become the forerunner to today's summer Olympic Games. The Olympics of today is considered the top athletic stage in the world with more than 70 countries sending their athletes to try to take home a medal. The 2012 Summer Olympics will take place in London, United Kingdom. The games will run from July 27 through August 12.

The selection of London as host city for the 2012 games goes back to 2003. Nine cities were vying for the honor of being chosen. These cities were London, Madrid, New York, Havana, Moscow, Istanbul, Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Leipzig. By 2004, the number of contenders had been narrowed to five: London, Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow. In 2005, on July 6, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) announced that London would be the city to host the games in 2012.

Competition to be named host was heavy. Each of the cities did all they could to impress the judges. During the selection time, many people believed that Paris had an upper hand. The attempt for the 2012 games was Paris' third attempt in a few decades and it was also thought that they were "due" to win. But, London had an ace up its sleeve.

In the 1980 summer games in Moscow, and again in Los Angeles in 1984, a young British athlete won gold in the 1500 meter race. Both times, his wins were dramatic and unexpected, as he beat out another British competitor who was regarded by many as the dominating force in the race. The winning athlete was Sebastian Coe and the man whom he defeated was Steve Ovett, the favorite in the race. Twenty years after his amazing upset, Coe would play a big role in winning the nomination for the 2012 Summer Olympics for London.

Barbara Cassani, chairperson for London's Olympic bid committee, resigned in 2004, after the first phase of the bidding process was complete. She strongly believed that a person with close experience in the Olympics should head up phase 2.

Cassani recommended Sebastian Coe as leader of the second phase. In July 2005, Coe made a presentation to the IOC at one of its important meetings. This presentation was viewed as very successful and possibly a key deciding factor for the award going to London.

The games of 2012 will include 26 sports. Baseball and softball will not be played in London; however they do remain Olympic sports. Women's boxing has been added for 2012. The Paralympics will also take place and will feature 20 different areas of competition.

The Summer Olympic Games have a rich and fascinating history. Through the years, spectators have been awed as they watch men and women reach higher highs and faster speeds. People have marveled at seeing one nation go all out and do the impossible to upset the favored nation's team and become the victor. Let's hope the same kind of excitement is in store for 2012.

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Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Tips For Getting Cheap International Airline Tickets

By Adriana Noton

Traveling abroad is so popular because it is a great way to experience new cultures, diverse environments, amazing attractions and activities, and much more. Many people tend to avoid traveling abroad because they think the price of airline tickets is too expensive. Fortunately, international flight tickets do not have to be too expensive to purchase when you know how to get a great deal. There are now a number of ways people can find cheap international airline tickets:

The following are a number of tips to getting cheap international airline tickets:

1. With so many travel agencies and online travel sites competing for business, it is essential that you comparison shop to find the cheapest price on international flight tickets. The best source to locate affordable international flights is the internet. It is helpful to compare prices from different travel sites. There are a number of travel and cheap airline ticket websites that specialize in selling inexpensive airline tickets. In most cases, you can usually get a better price than a traditional travel agency or buying directly from the airline. There are online discount airline sites that offer great deals on international flights. It is recommended that you look for discount airlines that fly in and out of your travel destination so you do not have to transfer to another airline.

2. There are a number of factors that affect the price of an international airline ticket. For instant, the length of the flight, whether you have to make a stop over and switch planes, and if you purchase a first class ticket, can increase the price you pay for the ticket. Purchasing a direct and shorter flight will lower the price of the ticket. Search airline tickets thoroughly for the best prices possible.

3. The time of the year that you purchase your international flight ticket can affect the price you pay. For instance, traveling during the off season will result in a lower price. Traveling during the off season will allow you take advantage of lower prices for cheap airline tickets. As well, check for special flight offers and discount deals. Also, the farther away from the scheduled departure date you book your ticket, the less you will pay for your ticket. Travel experts recommend that people book no later than 21 days before they plan to fly. Most experts recommend booking tickets 3 months prior to the scheduled departure.

4. There are traditional methods of getting great deals on international flights. Check local magazines, fliers, travel commercials on television, and newspapers for special travel promotions and sales. As well, you can also cash in your airline frequent fliers miles to purchase a ticket which will result in substantial savings on tickets. When it comes to redeeming air miles, it is important to be aware that most airlines set aside a specific number of seats for air miles rewards so you should book as early as possible.

Just because you are on a strict budget, it does not mean you cannot have a fun vacation in another country. To get a great deal on international airline tickets, you just have to know where to find the cheapest tickets, when you should book, and the type of ticket you should purchase. In no time, you will be booking an international flight to an exciting country where you will make long lasting memories.

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Monday, April 12, 2010

Why Vacationing in the Bahamas Means Enjoying The Best Of Both Worlds

By Rafael Wallace

When it comes to taking a break from hard life concerns, only a few Caribbean islands can do the trick and the Bahamas is one of these. As an archipelago with hundreds of islands, only some are inhabited, making it an ideal place for busy folks who want to get away from the hassle and bustle of urban city life. A visit to two or three of these islands is enough to rejuvenate you for the next ten years of hard labor! Be aware though that these islands can be as different from each other as night and day.

If you are not the exploratory type of traveler, you may prefer to experience a few samplings of everything Caribbean. If this characterizes your Bahamas vacation preferences, you do not need to go further than Nassau or Freeport.

The capital of the archipelago is Nassau. As such, you can expect less than quiet attractions. The capital city also easily fits the profile of a shopping and dining capital with its streets peppered with the comforts and flavors of modern shops, restaurants and spas. Nassau also provides the best island experience when it comes to tourist sports like golf and tennis. For risk takers and gambling enthusiasts, there is always Paradise Island right across Nassau.

Freeport, found in Grand Bahama is the second largest city. Like Nassau, this is the city you should be in if you are the type of tourist who remains bound to modern comforts and activities. Undoubtedly though, Nassau still trumps Freeport when it comes to showy glamor. What Grand Bahama can offer better is a treat to one of its well preserved beaches. Aside from laid back relaxation on the sand, beach establishments offer snorkeling and diving activities where you might even come close to underwater creatures.

Nassau and Grand Bahama are only the first half of a complete trip. These two Bahamas vacation destinations give you a glimpse of convenient comfort and common excitement. You can only get the true extent of a Bahamas adventure if you also take a trip down its least known, rugged paths.

If you are the adventurer type of traveler, you might want to know that there are no more unexplored primitive locations in the Bahamas. That is unless you count the rugged, untouched marshes and jungle greenery of Andros or the more accessible but undeveloped beach paradise of Cat Island. There are however a number of natural attractions that are not completely primal adventures but bring tourists closer to the unrefined side of nature.

The least adventurous individuals can go bone fishing. Visit Andros, Harbour Island or the Abacos for quiet mornings with a rod and tackle. Better nature activities however always include visits to the Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park, the Abaco National Park or the Exuma Land and Sea Park for the once in a lifetime opportunity to see rare plant and animal life as well as land and sea formations. Pay for snorkeling or diving gear on the sea parks to better appreciate the wonders under the sea.

Whether you are a timid traveler or an adventurer, Bahamas vacation lets you experience the best of both worlds. This should be your destination of choice if you are looking for both modern city adventure and genuine outback adventure.

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Sunday, April 11, 2010

Where To Find Cheap Flight Tickets And Accommodations

By Dale Miller

Just because people are cash-strapped doesn't mean they don't still long for an exotic vacation. Americans are known for grabbing the bull by the horns and getting what they want, regardless of what it takes to get there. Sometimes this means racking up credit card debt for a much-needed break. Yet, there are many ways to find cheap airline tickets and hotel deals if you know where to look. Read on for some of the best resources for securing inexpensive flight tickets, hotel rooms and vacations.

Perhaps you've heard about last-minute travel bargains at cut rate rates. You most likely thought, "What a great deal... but it doesn't fit my travel plans." As a rule, we've got a specific time at which we are able to take a trip, after we've booked time off work. So where can the typical person look for flight tickets for less?

Airline tickets are one of the most popular searches when it concerns online travel sources. Airfare Watchdog is an excellent site for people who are trying to find the greatest airline deals. Users can browse to the site to look for the most recent specials themselves or opt for email updates on sales from particular cities. This site includes fares from Jet Blue, Southwest and other less publicized airline carriers. Farecast has now joined with Bing to run a unique "price predictor" service, which forecasts whether US airfares are expected to go up or down over the coming days or weeks. Traditional sites like Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz have some of the most easy to use interfaces.

Cheap hotels can be found just as easily as flight tickets, but you'll have to determine what sort of traveler you are before looking. For instance, if you're a budget student traveler, then you'd be best looking at Hostelz.com, which offers over 34,000 hostel listings starting as low as $19/night, or Homeexchange.com, which is a house-swapping program costing just $100/year for unlimited swaps. If you're looking for creature comforts at rock bottom prices, you might like the idea of a bed-and-breakfast (Bedandbreakfasts.com) or a plush vacation villa (Villasintl.com) instead. Last-minute travelers who care more for price than where they'll be staying can snag red hot deals at Hotels.com, Laterooms.com or Priceline.com.

Going to Europe? According to Budgettravel.com, a great resource for flight tickets between European countries is Dohop.com. This website conducts simultaneous searches of several different airports in one city to retrieve the best travel deals that other well-known travel sites overlook. Another site they recommend is Venere.com, which will help you find independently owned properties overseas. Instead of staying in a generic hotel, why not stay at a charming inn, bed and breakfast, apartment, farm house or villa for less than 60 euros ($82)?

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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Why Do You Travel?

Travel is the most complex subject one could blog about. First, there are so many places to travel. We can go virtually anywhere in the world that we have the nerve to go. Maybe there are some places you would avoid, like small pockets of the Middle East, but given the proper amount of incentive, the world is open to anyone.

But the real question is, why does one travel? There are 2 basic kinds of travelers, the grass roots, backpacking, really see the world type adventurer; and the snobby, check that destination off my list, and tell all my friends where I went, traveler. You know the ones I’m talking about. The ones that tell you how uninspired the 5 star hotel was, how their travel was long and arduous in their first class seat, how the snow in Vail was just too “icy” for their liking, or the 72 degree temperatures were a little too hot on the beach of the Riviera.

These fake travelers, as I call them, spend their vacations going to incredible places, come home, have house parties to tell people where they went. This makes them somehow important in their circle of friends. They check off that destination from their list, and start planning their next travel bonanza. Did you ever ask these snob travelers what they saw? Can they ever articulate the historical data and importance of where they went? If you did ask them, they don’t know. They only know how good they looked while they were there, and how many famous restaurants they were able to visit.

If you contrast this so-called traveler with the ones that really get into the trail and the destination, find bungalows, camp on the trail, see the real venue, you really start to see and understand what travel is all about. I’m not talking about a solo safari, on foot, in Africa. But I am talking about people who are visiting places for the sheer enjoyment of the surroundings and beauty.

I like to think about Lewis and Clark and their trek to the Pacific Ocean. You have to believe they saw the country, and lots of it. At one point in Montana, they had a fork to choose, and each decided to go a different way. They also agreed to meet back at this location on the return. After hundreds of miles for both parties, they met back at this same spot within a week of each other! And they didn’t complain about the weather, their mode of transportation, the Indians or their companions.

So what does this all mean? Today’s snob traveler is just another symbol of the soft America that exists today. We don’t know how to work, and alas, we don’t even know how to vacation and travel. Our brethren from the past would be appalled at our pompousness and lack of fundamentals. Thank goodness our forefathers had the knowledge and courage to understand that one’s life really should have some value, deliver some small contribution, and leave some mark that says you were there. I for one am not sure we will ever recover from the “ME squared” generation we are in today!

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