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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.

Infographic

How To Order A Pizza/Beer/Taxi/Coffee in 15 Different Languages

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No matter where you head for your next holiday, you can be sure there will be no issues communicating with locals.

This is because a lot of countries around the world speak English. In fact, according to Wikipedia, English is the third largest language by number of native speakers in the world. If you take into account non-native speakers, it becomes the second largest.

This is obviously very helpful, especially if you’re travelling to countries very different to where you call home. However, it of course, means that you are very unlikely to make the effort to learn another language.

This lack of effort on the part of British and North American tourists is often interpreted as being rude in certain countries.

The assumption that locals will know English is a reasonable one. However, the expectation is something which understandably can seem rude to those who are already making an effort.

A great example can be seen in this article from the Telegraph. It explains why much of the British Expat community in Spain tends not to bother learning Spanish.

How To Order A Pizza/Beer/Taxi/Coffee in 15 Different Languages

It’s for this reason that before we head off on our next holiday, we should at least learn a few important things.

A great place to start is with common phrases you’re likely to use whilst away. You can find a number of great examples in a new infographic from silverdoorapartments.com.

It’s called ‘How To Order A Beer/Pizza/Taxi/Coffee In 15 Different Languages Around The World’. You can take a look for yourself below this post.

As infographics go, this one really does what it says on the tin. It covers languages from a number of popular destinations including Spanish, Italian and French. On top of this, it offers some for the more adventurous traveller, including Japanese and Russian.

Asia, Europe, Infographic

15 of The World’s Oldest Buildings and Where You Can Find Them [Infographic]

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15 of The World’s Oldest Buildings and Where You Can Find Them

Travelling abroad gives us a chance to experience authentic cultures which can’t be enjoyed anywhere else.

Drinking Guinness in Dublin, eating pizza in Rome or watching a jazz band in New Orleans are great examples.

Authentic cultural experiences are often tied to history. For example, while you can take a trip on a punt or rowing boat all around the world, there’s something extra special about taking a gondola around the waters of Venice.

Venice, along with 99 other unique experiences makes up a great list from Wanderlust. If you want some inspiration for authentic trips, this is a good place to start.

Historic Sightseeing

Sightseeing is certainly a big part of enjoying authentic cultural experiences. For example, to really soak up all that Egypt has to offer, you really must visit the Pyramids.

One of the reasons visiting buildings such as these is so fascinating is because of how long they have existed.

These days, we often see Townes blocks bulldozed after standing less than half a century. However, there are some stunning structures which still exist thousands of years after their construction.

15 Of The World’s Oldest Buildings And Where You Can Find Them

If history and sightseeing are one of the biggest reasons you travel the world, you’re in luck. ŴThis is because a new infographic from Globehunters presents a number of must-see historic buildings from, around the world.

It’s called ‘15 Of The World’s Oldest Buildings And Where You Can Find Them’ and you can take a look below.

This fascinating piece presents 15 must-see locations for any history-loving sightseer.

It contains places you certainly will have heard of and other you probably haven’t. For example, probably the most famous is the Coliseum in Rome.

This truly iconic structure is one of the oldest amphitheatres on the planet and really offers a glimpse of what life was like in ancient times.

There’s also the lesser-known oldest house still in existence. The Knap of Howar sits on the island of Orkney, just off the coast of Scotland and is thought to have stood since 3700 BC.

Oldest Buildings

Infographic, Travel Tips

13 Of The World’s Oldest Living Things And Where To Find Them [Infographic]

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13 Of The World’s Oldest Living Things And Where To Find Them

While humans now wander just about every corner of the planet, there is still something truly fascinating and mysterious about the natural world.

In fact, while we have extensively mapped Planet Earth, we still know staggering little about what lives on it.

In recent years, scientists have discussed what they consider to be the number of species which have been catalogued.

According to National Geographic, they believe only 15% of all species have been discovered, that’s right, 15%!

Even among that seemingly tiny 15%, it’s fair to say that the world is full of truly fascinating nature and wildlife.

Natural Wonders of the World

The excitement of seeing natural wonders is something which many of us travel in search of.

A number of things which feature on most bucket lists are the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. You can take a look at them in this list from World Atlas.

For animal lovers, there are a number of stunning creatures to see before you die. The most common tend to be The Big Five.

The Big Five are all from the continent of Africa and are the reason so many people go on Safari. They are the Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino and Leopard.

Obviously, there is slightly more urgency to see certain natural wonders than others. This is because some species are closer to extinction than others.

13 Of The World’s Oldest Living Things And Where To Find Them

There are also a number of individual creatures which have lived for an incredibly long time. Witnessing them before they shuffle off this mortal coil is certainly something many travellers try to achieve.

You can find the most interesting of them in a new infographic by Globehunters. It’s called ‘13 Of The World’s Oldest Living Things And Where To Find Them’ and you can take a look below.

It covers everything from the world’s oldest living Black Rhino to the oldest standing tree in Europe!

Oldest Living Things

Asia, Destinations, Editor's Picks, Travel Planning, Travel Tips

A Handy Guide to Experience 3 Days in Koh Samui

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Koh Samui offers a lush landscape of beautiful beaches full of palm trees and mountainous rain forests. The island is located in the Gulf of Thailand, off the east coast of Kra Isthmus. Visitors can get a beachside cottage among the coconut trees or rent one of the most luxurious resorts they can find. There is also a plethora of fun activities to do.

Wondering how many days to spend in Koh Samui? A three-day trip would allow you to take in a lot of the sites and not break the bank. Of course, if your work and budget allow, you can spend all the time you want here. This guide will help you make the most of a shorter trip.

Big Buddha Temple in Koh Samui
Big Buddha Temple in Koh Samui

Day 1

You definitely want to make the most of all the activities to do in Koh Samui. Spend your first day taking in some of the most notable attractions.

  • Visit Big Buddha. The majestic gold statue stands nearly 40 feet tall and is easily one of the most popular attractions in Thailand. Visitors can stay as long as they like – whether they choose to stay and reflect or just snap a photo. Keep in mind, this is a religious site. Make sure you follow the clothing guidelines to be as respectful as possible. Also, it’s advised to not go too close to noon as the stairs get very hot. Visitors say the sunsets there are magical.
  • Explore Bophut Fisherman’s Village. The village boasts beautiful architecture with a Mediterranean feel. There are plenty of unique shops to check out and a lot of dining options for dinner. The menu offers a variety of seafood delicacies with a fusion of Asian and European flavors, all served in a contemporary atmosphere on the shore. After dinner, be sure to check out the bustling and eclectic nightlife throughout the Village.
Long Tail Boat Tours
Long Tail Boat Tours

Day 2

Now that you’re settled into your hotel, day two is a great day to check out the options for brunch in Koh Samui and do more exploring.

  • Have a Delicious Brunch. The Ocean Club at Beach Republic is known as the ultimate brunch venue. The menu includes oysters, salmon, Maine lobster, sea bass, sushi, and much more. There’s a great pool for the perfect pool party afterward.
  • Take a Tour by Boat. Get a unique view of the area, from out in the ocean. Angthong National Marine Park is a popular destination. The park covers 42 islands, full of forestry and limestone mountains. It is only accessible by a boat tour. This can be a complete day outing if you prefer. You can even stay overnight and camp on the islands.
  • Dinner with The Romantic View. Want to head back instead for another delectable meal? At Treetops Sky Dining and Bar, the romantic atmosphere offers an intimate setting with breathtaking views from up in the trees. Guests can enjoy a glass of wine with their choice of a five-course meal including beef short ribs, duck breast, salmon, lobster, and more.
Chaweng Beach
Chaweng Beach

Day 3

Even in your third day, there still isn’t a shortage of things to do and see in Koh Samui.

  • Enjoy the Outdoors. Scuba diving in Koh Tao is a popular choice. The island is full of beautiful beaches and bays, with plenty of unique marine life and plants. There are so many popular dive sites to choose from. Visitors also like to check out the Na Muang Waterfalls. The two waterfalls are found inland, southeast of Nathon Bay. They cascade over purple rock, aptly making them also known as the Purple Waterfalls. The waterfalls are a popular destination for many tours of Koh Samui if you’d like more history of the area and to explore its surroundings.
  • Relax at a Spa. Ready to unwind? There are many choices of spas ready for you with varieties of treatments include a steam and scrub, Thai yoga massages, classic oil massages, hot and cold stone massages, and much more. It’s another perfect way to unwind after a busy couple of days.
  • Party on the Beach. Finish off your trip by enjoying the exciting nightlife Koh Samui has to offer. There are sunset clubs, beach clubs, world-famous transgender cabaret shows, disco clubs, and much more. Visitors can also enjoy a delicious meal at one of the many gourmet restaurants, followed by a drink under a coconut tree by the water.

Koh Samui offers a plethora of fun activities and delicious meals, all wrapped up in beautiful surroundings. It’s definitely a trip you’ll enjoy, and one you won’t be able to wait to make again.

Infographic

What Does Breakfast Look Like Around The World [Infographic]

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While every meal of the day is important to helping healthy, one which is often held above the rest is breakfast.

This is so important because it not only provides us with vital fuel for the day but also kick starts our metabolism.

Studies have also linked the meal to better memory, concentration as well as lowering the chances of heart disease and diabetes. You can read plenty more about the importance of your morning meal in this from Web MD.

Healthy & Unhealthy Choices

Obviously, simply eating breakfast doesn’t make it healthy. There are lots of unhealthy options on the modern day morning meal table, so it’s important to know what you are eating.

Just take a look at this helpful post from The Daily Meal which lists some of the healthiest and unhealthiest breakfast cereals.

If you are a particular lover of the morning meal, something which you might have noticed when on holiday is how much it differs.

In hotels, you might be slightly shielded from this, by being offered the ‘continental’ breakfast. However, depending on where you are visiting, there may well be a number of other delicious local options available.

Now you can discover lots of wonderful options from around the world thanks to a new infographic from citybaseapartments.com

It’s called ‘What Does Breakfast Look Like Around The World’ and you can take a look at it below.

By scrolling through the many different options you’ll see just how much breakfast varies around the globe.

There may well be a number you’re aware of, such as the Full English or the Australian Vegemite on toast. However, there are almost certainly plenty you haven’t sampled.

For example, the typical Japanese breakfast usually includes fish, fermented soybeans and tofu. This is certainly a morning meal which seems a million miles away from sausages, beans and eggs.

So, if you’re sick of having the same old breakfast, why not take a look what else you could be enjoying below?

breakfast

Infographic

The World’s 12 Most Amazing Train Journeys [Infographic]

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The world’s 12 most amazing train journeys

The idea of spending all day on a train may not sound like a holiday to most commuters, but upgrading to First Class isn’t all about wider seats and free newspapers: a truly first-rate rail trip can be among the greatest adventures in the world. With a bit of forethought, your mode of transportation needn’t be just a means to get to some yawn-worthy resort. Embracing the “it ain’t where you’re going, it’s how you get there” idea means opening up to the luxury of a smooth ride through astonishing landscapes and cultures. How better to experience a place than by combining the conviviality of the rail carriage with sheer mileage through open country?

Of course, the level of ‘luxury’ implied in each of the world’s most renowned rail trips depends somewhat on the location. The famous Orient Express from London to Venice, for example, offers vintage cabins, steward service, and afternoon tea. Beats the morning commute, right? Things might be a little more crowded on Japan’s Tōkaidō Shinkansen line from Tokyo to Kyoto: it’s ferried a record-setting 5.3 billion passengers during its 52-year existence. It’s worth a little hustle and bustle for a high-speed trip to the ideal viewing point of iconic Mount Fuji, though.

Whichever continent you find yourself on, rail engineers have been hard at work creating ever more ambitious and awe-inspiring ways to cut through nature and offer first class glimpses of Earth’s awesome, endless landscapes. A new infographic from Pettitts identifies twelve of the most luxurious rail trips available, enabling you to recline and enjoy your holiday without too much wear on the old shoe leather. Whether it’s wild salmon for dinner on the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver, or the Harry Potter charm of Scotland’s Jacobite route across the Highlands, you’ll be glad you opted for an upgrade from the tin-can experience of budget airlines and overpriced taxis this summer.

train

Infographic

Ten Jobs That Allow You To Travel The World [Infographic]

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Ten jobs that allow you to travel the world!

It’s fair to say that more people than ever are getting gripped by the travel bug. In fact, the Express reported that in 2016 that more Brits than ever travelled abroad across the 12 months.

Whether we travel to experience new cultures, broaden our minds or just for a week in the splendid sun; the majority of us love getting away at least once a year.

Finding Time To Travel

However, for the majority of us, the experience of travel only ever leaves us wanting more. On top of this, we never quite get to experience as much as we’d like.

This can come down to a variety of reasons, the most common of all being our professional life.

With most jobs unwilling to give us a sabbatical of several months to travel the globe, we are confined to just a couple of weeks each year. So how on earth do we go about altering this?

The most obvious answer is to find a job which involves a great deal of travel. There are lots of different professions which involve a certain amount of travel, such as a sales role.

However, there a select few which have global travel at their heart.

Infographic

If you fancy a job that could take you to every corner of the globe then take a look at the new infographic from silverdoor.co.uk

It’s called ‘Ten Jobs That Allow You To Travel The World’ and discusses roles from a wide range of industries.

If you’re a journalist or writer, why not try your hand at travel blogging? Perhaps you’ve always loved skiing, why not become an instructor? If you are a photographer, the world is certainly your oyster!

These are just a few of the many suggestions in this piece. So, if you’d love to marry your profession with your love of travel, take a look below. 

Ten Jobs Which Allow You To Travel The World – An infographic by the team at SilverDoor.co.uk

Food, Infographic

How Do People Eat Sausages Around The World? [Infographic]

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There are largely two different types of globally popular foods.  There’s those that belong to one particular culture and those which become broadly interpreted and enjoyed.

A great example of the first is sushi. Sushi is unmistakably Japanese and is enjoyed across the world by all classes and cultures, from Michelin star restaurants to convenience meal deals.

Learn more about how sushi became a global sensation in this article from The Guardian.

At the other end of the scale, you have dishes which are enjoyed all over the world but are interpreted and enjoyed differently wherever you go. Generally, this means they don’t have one individual identity.

A brilliant example of this is sausage. Sausage is defined by dictionary.com as:

“Minced pork, beef or other meats, often combined, together with various added ingredients and seasonings, usually stuffed into a prepared intestine or other casing and often made in links”

This definition is pretty vague and sums up the versatility of the dish. This is why there are so many iterations of it around the world.

In the UK the classic banger is the sausage of choice at meal times. It picked up the name during the Second World War when meat was in short supply.

Sausages had a much higher water content and tended to burst or “bang” when placed in the oven or frying pan.

The classic British dish, of course, is bangers and mash which is simply pork sausages and mash potato covered in an onion gravy.

However, this is massively different to some of the other popular sausages around the globe.

Consider Spanish chorizo, German Bratwurst, American Corn Dogs and the many others, all varying massively from one another.

Infographic

In fact, sousvidetools.com has created a globetrotting and mouthwatering infographic which charts the different types of sausage from all across the world.

It’s called ‘How Do People Eat Sausages Around The World?’ and you can read about all of those mentioned above, along with plenty more in the infographic below.

How Do People Eat Sausages Around The World? – An infographic by the team at SousVideTools.com

Food, Infographic, Wine and Drink

Around The World In 16 Winter Warmers [Infographic]

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There’s no getting around the fact that winter is finally upon us. Once the temperature is cooler and the days become shorter, we find ourselves turning from the pleasures of summer to the comforts which will keep the chill at bay.

As soon as the temperature drops, there is something a lot less appealing about light summer meals. Instead, we replace them with heavy, warming foods like stews, pies and roast dinners.

Hot Drinks

We do the same with our hot drinks. The lemonades and ice teas don’t seem very appealing when the cold arrives, so we turn to hot drinks instead.

Coffee, tea and the occasional hot chocolate become commonplace at work, at home and pretty much everywhere else to give us that welcome fuzzy feeling.

Somewhat surprisingly, despite the coffee revolution which has swept the face of the Earth several times in the last few years, tea is still the most popular beverage according to National Geographic. 

It’s fair to say that despite the obvious variations of coffee and tea, there’s actually not much choice, especially in comparison with refreshing summer drinks.

However, this isn’t entirely true. There are actually many delicious hot drinks from around the world which many of us are missing out on.

Around The World In 16 Winter Warmers

The people at citybaseapartments.com have created a taste bud tingling infographic which offers up a number of tasty alternative from around the world.

It’s called ‘Around The World In 16 Winter Warmers’ and has drinks ranging from Canada to Colombia, India to Ireland and Sweden to South Africa.

This infographic is packed with plenty of drinks you won’t have tried or maybe even heard of. However, you absolutely have to try them!

There’s also plenty that you can spice up for the adults by adding certain alcoholic drinks to give you that extra added cozy feeling on chilly nights. 

Don’t just take our word for it, take a look at the infographic below and go try some of these out yourself!

Around The World In 16 Winter Warmers – An infographic by the team at Citybase Apartments