Destinations, Europe, Sport and Adventure

5 Best Camino de Santiago Routes

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Nowadays, more and more people are choosing to go on walking holidays, rather than your average vacation getaway. This is because walking holidays give you the chance to really get out and explore the world and everything that it has to offer. One of the best walking holidays you can choose to take is undeniably the Camino de Santiago. It has a variety of different routes that you can take to get to Santiago de Compostela. The capital of Galicia is actually a historic city, complete with a beautiful cathedral. There is definitely a lot to see there, but getting there is all the fun!

Here are a few of the best Camino de Santiago routes:

#1 – Camino del Norte

The Camino del Norte is actually not as well known as many of the others. It is sometimes referred to as the Camino del Costa. It travels along the coast, giving you views of the sea along the way. For those that love a beach view, this could be a great route to take. It is historically known for being one of the oldest routes to Santiago de Compostela. This route is also well developed, making it ideal for new travelers. It starts out in the small town of Irun, and runs alongside the coastline. The full distance is 825 km.

#2 – Camino de Madrid

The Camino de Madrid is one of the less popular routes.  If you are looking for a walking holiday that is not too packed with other tourists, this may be the route for you. Along the way, there are a lot of great historic places to stop in at and visit. From churches and signs, to other relics, this route offers a lot in the way of culture. This route starts out in Madrid, and is only 322 km long. It has a pretty decent terrain, but it can be challenging in the beginning as you go through some hilly areas.

#3 – Via de la Plata

The Via de la Plata is a great route to take if you are looking for a longer holiday. This is actually the longest route leading to Santiago de Compostela. It was not really populous until just a few decades ago, when there were a lot of upgrades made. It starts out in the lower region of Spain, and is 1000 km long.  That means that it can take up to 8 weeks to make the entire trip. The good news is that you can start the trip further in if you need to, based on how much time you have. Take in views of Roman architecture and culture all along the way.

#4 – Camino Frances

The Camino Frances is the most popular route along the way. It is 780-kilometers long, and starts out at St. Jean Pied de Port. Since it is more popular than others, chances are you will meet some people from different walks of life right away. The route is really very built up, and has great infrastructure. This means it is great even for those that tend to get lost. Just follow the road and the signs and take in the sights on this journey.

#5 – Camino Ingles

Finally, we have the Camino Ingles. This route takes you through the northern parts of Spain. It is actually the shortest route, at just 118 km. That makes it a great choice for those that don’t have a month to spend hiking and walking. It does have some patches of rough terrain, however it has good markings so you can be sure you will not get lost.

Europe, Infographic, Street Food Guide, Travel Tips

How to Say Avocado on Toast Around the World

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It’s safe to say the world has been struck by avocado fever. Over the past five years, there has been a 405% increase in the number of online searches for ‘avocado on toast’ around the world.

If you’re wondering how to order the nations favourite dish ‘Avocado on toast’ look no further, Canvas Holidays compiled the ultimate guide to ordering it in 27 different languages as well as 5 fictional dialects.

Dorthaki (Game of Thrones)  – “Fichat anna havon zhavvorsa sovi” 

Elvish – (Lord of the Rings) – “Amin irma avocado coimas“

If you’re heading to Portugal, simply ask for “Desejo uma torrada com abacate por favor” 

As well as these languages, we’ve compared prices around some of the major cities in Europe.

With many of us now getting ready to book our 2018 holidays, we thought it would be useful to show you how to order your beloved ‘Avocado on Toast’ in every language in the EU… and a few others like Dothraki and Klingon in case you plan on travelling farther afield…

Infographic provided by https://www.canvasholidays.co.uk/blog/2018/02/01/ordering-avocado-on-toast-around-europe

Europe, Luxury Travel, Sport and Adventure

10 Reasons Why Cruise in Croatia

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  1. CLEAR SEA

Croatia is, for years, in the top of European countries of sea cleanness. Sea quality is excellent in 99% cases of diameter measurements. Croatia is constantly taking care of sea cleanliness because of sea environment, clean nature and it’s development potential, especially for touristic ones.

Croatia, is on the quality of the sea,  in the top three countries.

  1. PERFECT WEATHER

Croatia belongs in the Mediterranean climate zone which is characterized by dry and warm summers and mild winters, with an average of 2,600 hours per year. The Adriatic coast is one of the sunniest in the Mediterranean and the sea temperature in summer period is from 25°C to 27°C. Croatian islands and middle Dalmatia have best climate, warmest summers and mild winters. All this makes Croatia ideal location, for summer and winter adventurers!

  1. BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES

Hidden bays, sandy beaches, secret uninhabited islands, amazing untouched nature, early sunrises and late sunsets. Croatia has fantastic natural landscapes, it is very known because of islands and coastal towns. Whole Croatia is full of greenery, but most beautiful are islands and Dalmatia, where summer shows all the best. Best way to discover Croatian landscape is gulet cruising Croatia.

  1. DIVINE FOOD

Mediterranean food is one of the best! That’s confirmed! Seashells, crabs, lobsters, shrimps, fishes, mussels, octopus and other divine seafood, are something that you MUST taste if you’re staying in Croatia. Amazing Croatian coast is one of the most beautiful and well known in the world. Characterized by amazing clear sea, beautiful landscapes, kind people and the best food ever. Because of its position, Croatia has the best climate and it makes it the top destination for tourists during the whole year, but especially during the summer period.

That is one of the things that makes Croatia such as it is – special.

  1. KIND PEOPLE

Croatian people are very kind and friendly. People in Dalmatia are traditionally engaged in tourism, and they will do their best, so that you can remember your cruising in Croatia, only for good things.

  1. PLENTY ACTIVITIES

Many restaurants, beaches & cocktail bars, beach entertainment with day and night activities are something that you can’t miss it in Croatia. Every bar and restaurant is full, every beach is full, jet skis, bananas, kayaks, paragliding, rafting and scuba diving are one of the many things that Croatian coast offers to their visitors.

  1. UNFORGETTABLE NIGHTS

As the matter of fact that Croatia is the host of Ultra Europe festival, good fun is guaranteed, that’s for sure! Festival revises town of Split in the middle of summer and it gives it special magic. Except for this manifestation, Croatia (particularly Dalmatia) lives during summer holidays, so because of that, your holidays will be filled with many fun, good people, cheap drinks and food. In summertime every night is a night to go out and have fun! 

  1. LOTS OF PEOPLE

Croatia is favorite destination for all ages of people, from younger till middle ages, so everybody will definitely find something for themselves. Beautiful beaches are perfect for long summer walks, quiet and louder restaurants and bars will find their customers, crowded or hidden beaches and bays are just waiting for swimmers. In every direction where you look can find many people, from tourists to local people. If you wish for a little piece, you can walk at the beach at night and enjoy in warm air and summer in Croatia. And you can go for a night swimming! We recommend!

  1. GOOD PRICES

This land is known because of good prices, so you will be able to eat, drink, have fun in a very cheap way. There are couple of things that are more expensive, but most prices are acceptable.

  1. PERFECT PLACE FOR PERFECT MEMORIES

You could not choose better country for making memories…
To see more check your Croatian cruise expert!

 

Asia, Shopping Guide

Florist of a New Kind – A Better Florist

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You’ll find everything in Singapore that you could ever imagine. It’s the land where people rarely can’t get what they set their minds to. But, in terms of flowers, we could rarely find something that literally took our breath away. Flower bouquets can be seen everywhere, but nothing was quite standing out. Until A Better Florist came along.

Their florists have unique designs and each flower bouquet and arrangement is carefully put together, until what the arrangement is absolutely perfect. It’s exactly what you would expect to see on Pinterest, but in real life. And finally, Singapore has a florist that does amazing bouquets. But that’s not all.

They also have the best gifts delivery Singapore has ever encountered because they can pretty much tackle anything with fruits, flowers and little gifts and turn it into a spectacular gift.

Imagine having the ideal gift and accompanying it with breathtaking flowers. And now imagine having a 24-hour florist Singapore florists offer every day of the year, so you have access to amazing gifts and flowers all the time. Well, now you don’t have to imagine because A Better Florist covers it all.

They are able to maintain a swift delivery because they have a florist in Suntec City, a Bugis florist and a flower shop in every part of Singapore. This enables them to tackle any order and deliver their gifts and flowers within only 90 minutes.

Such a large number of flower shops throughout entire Singapore also enables them to keep their flowers fresh for longer, and that means, you’ll get a longer lasting bouquet. You can always count on them because they are available 24/7/365. They make Valentine’s Day Flower Delivery in Singapore and work on even the busiest holidays, so all of their loyal customers and first-time customers don’t miss out on a chance to get their loved ones flowers. This makes them the best flower delivery in Singapore.

After reading more online to find out all there is to know about them, we’ve learned that they make almost every top 10 list on the most respectable websites. They are the best florist in Singapore, best florist in Hong Kong but also the best florist in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They have expanded beyond Singapore because their flowers impressed so many people outside of our sunny island. They are equally successful at maintaining their reputation when it comes to the delivery. The same principles and systems apply when it comes to their Dubai flower delivery and a Hong Kong flower delivery.

If you’re ever outside of Singapore, don’t hesitate to count on A Better Florist and the best flower delivery in Hong Kong.

A Better Florist is an excellent florist that every Singaporean should be crazy not to try out. They bring a little piece of flower heaven into the arms of all people who appreciate luxurious beauty.

It seems impossible that the best florist in Singapore can do it all, and still be cheap, fast and reliable, but don’t doubt it. Believe it. A Better Florist has truly revolutionized the world of flowers and you should definitely become a part of their world.

 

 

Cultural and Historical Heritage, Europe

North Ireland coast

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North Ireland coast

Words: Len Rutledge  Images: Phensri Rutledge

Stunning coastline, windswept cliffs, spectacular scenery and fabulous unspoiled beaches are the promise on one of the world’s great road journeys. Unfortunately, all we can see at the moment is fog.

My wife and I are on the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland with high expectations but so far the results have been disappointing. We have crawled out of Belfast and are now peering through the gloom at Carrickfergus’s well-preserved 12th century Norman Castle.

The road heads north and the weather improves. It’s now inland to the charming village of Glenarm then on through flower-filled Broughshane where Saint Patrick is said to have tended livestock in the 5th century.

Bright sunshine appears on approaching Ballycastle. Our spirits have soared and so too has the scenery. We stop at the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge which traverses a 30-metre deep canyon. I am immediately intimidated, however, despite my fears I make it across, as have salmon fishermen for 350 years.North Ireland coast

We are surprised to discover that the bridge is more than a kilometre from the car park but the walk along the cliff-top path is exhilarating with stunning views across to Rathlin Island. Spring has brought wildflowers and a profusion of bird life.

Rangers control access to the bridge and we are told that sometimes there are considerable delays for the thousands of visitors who want the challenge of the crossing.

It is now on to Northern Ireland’s top natural attraction, the Giant’s Causeway. Apart from the amazing layered basalt columns plunging into the ocean, there are famous legends and colourful folklore associated with the causeway.

The six-sided basalt columns have been formed when molten lava filled a river valley 60 million years ago, then cooled and cracked. The site is now owned by the National Trust there is an excellent Visitor’s Centre.

The area around the causeway is attractive. Grasslands, heath, cliffs, marshes, the rocky shore and the sea provide homes for a wide variety of plants and animals. We see purple orchid flowers, vivid yellow gorse, colourful stonechats, petrels and peregrine falcons.

The tourism development manager tells us how the causeway is made up of three promontories with one curving gently out to sea towards Scotland. She also points out strange rock formations known as the camel, the organ and the harp.

The historic 1830s Causeway Hotel is serving food but we cannot resist a visit to the Old Bushmills Distillery, Ireland’s oldest whiskey distillery which was granted a licence in 1608. Luckily there are guided tours, a gift shop and a cafe.

A few kilometres, further along, is Dunluce Castle, said to be the most romantic and picturesque in Ireland. The ruined castle has clung onto its dramatic hilltop location since the 14th century. We pay the admission charge then wander around by ourselves fantasising about events long past.

Nearby Portrush has been a fun destination for generations of people and its beaches, hotels, amusements and stimulating nightlife are still here. We stop at the Royal Portrush Golf Club which is home to 2010 U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell and 2011 British Open Champion Darren Clarke.

The club founded in 1888 is one of Ireland’s premier tournament venues and has dramatic physical features that provide a formidable challenge to all players.

Mountsandel Wood is a venue of a different kind. This is the earliest known settlement of man in Ireland dating back nearly 10,000 years. There are an earthen fort and a forest walk.

Next is Downhill Demesne, a stunning landscaped park with sheltered gardens and cliff walks. Close to the edge of a sheer drop stands Mussendon Temple, an 18th century folly based on the Roman temple at Tivoli, Italy.

We drive on to Londonderry, Northern Ireland’s second city but our thoughts are still on the special place we have just visited. As they say here, “When God made time, he made plenty of it!” we have seen it in a day but we could equally have taken a week.

IF YOU GO.

The Irish Tourist Board can provide good information on Ireland and Northern Ireland. https://www.discoverireland.ie/

Detailed information on the region is available from www.causewaycoastandglens.com

For details on the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede attractions contact www.nationaltrust.org.uk

For Dunluce Castle information contact https://www.glenarmcastle.com/dunluce-castle

 

www.LenRutledge.com

Len Rutledge is the author of Experience Ireland 2018 available at https://amazon.com/dp/B078GJW7JK

Travel Planning, Travel Tips

7 Travel Trends for 2018 That Will Drive the Global Tourism Industry

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With population growth comes the rise in the demand for tourist packages and exciting vacations. Just like the entertainment industry, tourism is booming and coming back stronger every year, probably due to the same factor – pure, unadulterated hedonism. Throughout the year, the incessant pace of everyday obligations and soul-crushing work leaves people thirsty for a grand escapade, and in 2018, the menu has never been so long and varied. If this fact alone makes you pumped for the coming vacation, read on to find out what seven travel trends for 2018 will drive the global tourism industry.

Experience more important than comfort

Traveling used to be all about comfort. Even today, most casual travelers will look for tasteful hotels that offer scheduled meals and exclusive access to a nearby beach. However, there is a strikingly different subculture that is looking for completely opposite offers from agencies – flexible experiences that will provide them with the basics and leave them to revel in the experience.

Loose framework better than schedule

These people are looking for authentic bed and breakfast accommodations or Airbnb setups. They do not want scheduled guided tours; instead, they use their trusty cell phone to tell them where they are going, they gather information and use GPS completely independently from any guides. In many ways, this is the best way to “get your hands dirty” and truly get a feel of the country you are visiting.

Free marketing via social media shared photos and videos

In relation to the aforementioned cell phones, mobile bookings, ratings and social network activities are through the roof. With the access to high-quality phone cameras, people are making audio-visual diaries of their travels as they upload photos and videos to their social media profiles. This alone is a form of self-replicating marketing for many popular regions in the world. Furthermore, short video formats are slowly replacing the ever so popular endless photo-ops, which make the destination appear even more appealing.

LGBTQ travel is on the rise

Up to 7% of world trotting travelers identify as members of LGBTQ community, and vibrant tourism targeted for this population has been booming like mad over the last three years. In fact, the statistics are showing that LGBTQ identifying people are traveling more often and have different spending habits than members of the cisgender population.

And so is female solo traveling

80% of all travel decisions are made by women, married or single. Naturally, as western culture encourages equality and independence, this also reflects on tourism – there is a noticeable increase in arrangements made by solo female travelers who are just as bold and adventurous in their choice of packages as their male counterparts – in 2018, solo female travelers are looking for challenging traveling experiences more than comfortable, pampering setups in five star hotels and world-class spas.

Food tourism never goes out of style

Gourmet inspired vacations have actually been at the heart of traveling since forever – throughout history, many people have been prepared to embark on long pilgrimages just to mingle in the region that is known for their dream food, be it cheese or pasta.

Appropriately, there is a significant increase in interest in the food travel market. In fact, the World Food Travel Association has concluded that the industry is generating more than 150 billion US dollars per year. If this number does not give you a coronary, neither will a salty Bavarian weisswurst.

Adhering to this statistic, travel agencies are looking to capitalize on such a lucrative trend and offer some delish sounding packages. In fact, one of the popular trends right now consists of having an exquisite world-class meal in your living room by hiring a personal chef service, while regions like Singapore offer a bona fide event out of a visit to the farmer’s market where you haggle over condiments and watch food being prepared on the spot.

Blood-pumping adventures against mundane boredom

As it turns out, before your typical 2018 traveler indulges in a region-specific meal, they’re looking to fill up on something else – a blood-pumping activity or an experience that will leave them exasperated and excited. Plunging into the depths off the coast of the Cayman Islands to investigate haunting shipwrecks, hiking on the steep slopes of Swiss Alps or driving across the African safari as the wind blows-back your hair are only some of the adrenaline-inducing adventures travelers seek out. Additionally, it appears they mostly opt for bikes to move around, even when the terrain is not particularly friendly.

Travel preferences tend to evolve with the constant flow of dangerous hotspots and simmering conflict zones, but they never alter the landscape completely. People know what makes their heart flutter with excitement and they recognize true beauty when it stands right in front of them. Global safety concerns notwithstanding, the demand for more travel packages and preferences continues to grow at a relentless pace, and it appears 2018 will be a busy and exciting year for tourism. All things considered, it’s not hard to discern one thing from these travel trends – working hours might have become crueler around the world, but quite fittingly, people like to party and travel just as hard as they work.

Asia, Travel Tips

Best Places to Visit in Hong Kong – How to Experience this City to the Maximum

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Best places to visit in Hong Kong – How to experience this city to the maximum

It will take you more than one trip to explore all the best places in Hong Kong to the maximum. From temple visits, early morning hikes, unique dining experiences, shopping raids to theme park rides, overnight partying and racing track betting, Hong Kong has many amazing attractions for everyone and is suitable for all seasons. Its cultural diversity and rich history make this destination special, unique and endlessly fascinating. Here are some of the best places to visit in Hong Kong as well as things to see and do but remember that this is just a tip of the iceberg of one of the world’s most visited cities.

hong kong

1. The Star Ferry

The Star Ferry in Hong Kong can only be compared to the Eiffel Tower of Paris and is an absolute must while you are in this city. This vessel transports guests between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula providing them with a spectacular view of the city. The famous skyline of Hong Kong offers amazing photo opportunities, especially during the night.

2. The Street Markets

While on a tour of this great city, make sure to explore the diverse street markets that cater to different clienteles offering different kinds of merchandise. The Ladies’ Market, for example, specializes in different kinds of women’s clothing as well as accessories and is located in Mong Kok along Tung Choi street. The Temple Street Night Market is a nocturnal marketplace that is a favorite among visitors. With brightly lit stalls and a flurry of activity, you can find anything from culinary accessories, local food, electronics to clothing including opera singers and fortune tellers.

The Stanley Market is another place of note on Hong Kong Island’s Southern Coast. This marketplace occupies an old fishing village and is home to colorful souvenirs, jewellery as well as home decor. Visitors do not shy away from bargaining prices as low vendors are always willing to drop prices especially when you are about to walk away.

3. The Victoria Peak

Also known as The Peak, this tourist attraction site offers breathtaking views where visitors can experience Hong Kong’s blue waterways and skyscrapers. Victoria Peak is located atop Hong Kong Island’s highest point providing a spectacular scenic view of the Island.

4. The Ocean Park

This place provides an amazing natural scenery on the coastline with a diverse zoo where you can find plenty of dolphins and pandas. There is also an aquarium with rays and sharks as well as incredible carnival games and electrifying roller coasters. This is a good place to take your family for an underground funicular including a cable-car ride.

5. The Happy Valley Racecourse

Thousands of Hong Kong residents flock the Happy Valley Racecourse stands every Wednesday between September and July to watch the city’s only legal form of gambling. Horse racing gives happy valley an electric atmosphere and while many residents come here to bet, others simply visit this institution to watch the sparkling city skyline after the sun goes down.

6. The Nan Lian Garden

This is the perfect place to rest your feet and relax after a long day. Situated in Kowloon, this expansive garden is a public park with well-manicured trees, peaceful pathways, gurgling springs and lotus ponds as well as beautiful Chinese timber architecture.

After a long day of touring, there are several Hong Kong massage centers that can be accessed easily from several places in this city. You can get a pure massage including a traditional massage for total relaxation.

Travel Tips

Born to be Mild – Survey shows 20˚C’s is where Brits are at their happiness

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Born to be Mild – Survey shows 20˚C’s is where Brits are at their happiness

The Great British weather can often have us longing for a 30 ˚C beach holiday in the Caribbean. Surprisingly Thomas cook’s national survey looks like we are the average, play it cool Brits – because our comfort heat and the one we long for is actually 20˚C, and that’s just 1˚C off our average room temp.
So with that being the findings, I thought I’d lay out on the table a top pick of countries Brits can get their perfect heat.
January – Mexico, Los Angeles
During January, the weather is at its coolest but that doesn’t mean to start packing your sweaters just yet, the lowest temperature in January is 20 degrees. So keep that factor 25 packed.
February – Morocco, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria
The canneries is on my top list of destinations, Player Del Carmen in Lanzarote had some awesome hot spots. Scuba diving on the coast, in 20˚C, can still be a treat, but I would suggest packing a light sweater for your walk back. The canneries tend to have slightly higher winds which can make the sun look deceiving, although you may feel a little chilly, the sun is still beating down on your skin.
March – Tunisia, Ayia Napa
If you want to experience Ayia Napa away from the 18-30’s crowds that flock there in the summer months, then I’d highly recommend visiting this beautiful island during March.
Tunisia is a country I’m yet to explore although friends and family say it’s one of the most beautiful countries in the world, with the Grand Erg Oriental a must visit. For most, dune buggies and camels are a popular attraction but what’s better than sitting on a huge sand mountain watching the sunset.
From April to December, you can experience our nations best voted temperature of 20˚C’s in the below destinations.
April– Bodrum, Crete, Balearic Islands
May– Sunny Beach, Montreal, Paris
June– Amsterdam, Boston

July– Vancouver, Lapland, Dona Paula

August– Stockholm, Oregon

September– Croatia, Calgary

November– Texas, Algarve, Sicily, Ibiza

December– San Antonio, Cyprus, Egypt

Survey by Thomas Cook
Destinations, Europe

Born to be mild. Brits are happiest at a surprisingly average 20 degrees Celsius.

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Born to be mild. Brits are happiest at a surprisingly average 20 degrees Celsius.

Chilly winter weather can often have us day-dreaming about tropical heat but a new survey from Thomas Cook shows that we Brits actually feel happiest at a rather mild 20 degrees Celsius.

The survey simply asked, ‘at what temperature are you happiest?’ with a quarter of people opting for a fairly balmy 20 degrees mark. There were some other surprises in the results too. 7% of people are happiest at a sweat-inducing 35 degrees and 1% actually said they are happiest at a bracing 5 degrees – the average winter temperature according to Met Office data for 2016/17.

With a few months of winter weather still ahead of us in the UK, Thomas Cook has pulled together a handy list of destinations to help Brits plot out locations that mean they’re able to stay at their ‘happy heat’ all year round

  • January – Mexico, Los Angeles
  • February – Morocco, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria
  • March – Tunisia, Ayia Napa
  • April – Bodrum, Crete, Balearic Islands
  • May – Sunny Beach, Montreal, Paris
  • June – Amsterdam, Boston
  • July – Vancouver, Lapland, Dona Paula
  • August – Stockholm, Oregon
  • September – Croatia, Calgary
  • October – Cape Town, New York
  • November – Texas, Algarve, Sicily, Ibiza
  • December – San Antonio, Cyprus, Egypt

Where will you go to find your happiness heat? ☀

Australia

The Best Summer Holiday Spots in Australia

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Have you ever dreamed of an escape to the Land Down Under on a carefree vacation? It is a land renowned for its untamed nature, vibrant cities and easygoing attitude of welcoming citizens. However, be mindful of the fact that the Australian continent comes with steep prices in every respect, and be financially prepared before you embark for its shores.

Going to the far side of the world seems like the ultimate escapade and, if you know exactly what you want, you can turn this fantasy into reality. Therefore, without further ado, here are the ten best summer holiday spots in Australia for your consideration.

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

If you ever thought about visiting Australia, why not start off with the continent’s capital? With its expansive and meticulously planned cityscape, Canberra is bound to be one of the quaintest yet most breathtaking urban areas you have ever visited.

You really have to spend some time on its streets to truly appreciate the lengths to which urban planning and design has gone to create an aesthetically pleasing modern metropolis that harkens back to classical Greek architecture.

As far as the summer activities go, it boasts an enormous artificial lake smack in the middle of the city, known as Lake Burley Griffin. The lake area is brimming with aquatic activities but, if you wish to take a dip in the salty waters, you are just a few hours away from the prime-time beach areas. Also, if you are in the mood for a daily excursion to Melbourne or Sydney, they are both five to six hours away.

Torquay, Victoria

Also known as Victoria’s surf capital, Torquay is a seaside resort which is immensely popular with people of all generations. Located just outside of Port Phillip Bay which conceals the skyscrapers of Melbourne, it is renowned for its azure beaches with relentless waves that lure brave surfers in from all corners of the world.

However, Bells Beach is not everything this location has to offer. There is also the world’s biggest surf museum, Surf World, the Surf Coastal Walk that spreads for 44 kilometers and connects Torquay with Anglesea, as well as many more summer related activities, restaurants, resorts and interesting places to stay.

Byron Bay, New South Wales

Byron Bay is a gem of a beachside town, hidden somewhere on the coastline between Brisbane and Sydney. With its attractive stretch of beaches, Byron Bay offers a picturesque and lavishing experience for every summer-loving enthusiast.

White sand bay is very popular for surfing, as most beachside hotspots in Australia. You can enjoy whale watching, snorkelling, hiking to Byron Bay Lighthouse, and even skydiving. Treat yourself with a visit to a relaxing spa in Byron Bay accommodation and a stay in the comfiest establishments around. This is an amazing locale for those who just need to get away from the smouldering city.

Great Barrier Reef

Have you ever imagined a tropical paradise that is a perfect place for dreamlike underwater excursions? The Great Barrier Reef is one of the top destinations for scuba divers and underwater explorers in the world. It boasts the largest barrier reef system in existence, with more than 2,900 coral reefs that build into impossible beautiful islands lagoons. It is located in the appropriately named Coral See, right off the coast of Queensland.

Tasmania

We will not concentrate on any particular location in Tasmania, and rather treat the biggest Australian island as a spot of its own. Right off the south-west corner of the grand continent, there is a sizeable chunk of land that looks as if it was chipped away from its “big sister” Australia. Tasmania remains one of the best preserved wild islands in the world, with an amazing ecosystem that is only rivalled by its beautiful vistas.

Sydney, New South Wales

Of course, we cannot talk about holiday summer spots in Australia without mentioning its biggest and most popular (not to mention – most iconic) city – Sydney. Sydney is a perfect city for those of you who enjoy the hectic urban rhythm, diverse cityscape and streets filled with verve. Take a tour of some of the most legendary tourist spots in the world – Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Tower Eye, Bondi Beach, etc.

There is something alluring about the possibility to whisk your friends and family away for a sunny adventure on the precipice of the world. With white sands between your toes and azure waves crashing against your ankles on a vast beach that seems to be going on forever, you will feel you are only one step away from the primordial spirit within each of us, and yet you will never be too far away from a classy restaurant or a luxurious hotel room with a picturesque view.

Summer in Australia, at the very edge of the Pacific, is much more than a season-bound vacation. It is an experience of a lifetime.

Best Travel Guides to Destinations Around the World