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Turkey’s Best Foodie Experiences
One of the best reasons to visit Turkey is for the food and the whole experience around its preparation and, of course, its eating. Visitors to Turkey will find all types of food and culinary experiences and here are just some to look out for on your holidays.
Buy Spices in the Egyptian Bazaar
One of the best souvenirs to take home are spices and the Egyptian Bazaar in Istanbul is fun to explore and just see some of the culinary items on offer. It is crowded and full of locals but the stall holders don’t hassle to buy like other parts of the souk and for those on family holidays it feels just like an adventure. From cinnamon sticks to gum Arabic and rose petals there are so many things to smell and taste. Look for genuine saffron with the strands, and cumin for flavouring meat. Then take a step beyond the arched 1940’s building to the streets outside where the best of the bazaar spills into the neighbouring area. It is here that you will find the stuffed vine leaves and olives along with other delicious Turkish meze.
Taste Lokum in Afyon
Lokum or Turkish Delight is a specialty of Turkey and renowned the world over. Between Antalya and Izmir the town of Afyon is famous for production of the sweet, usually from local clotted cream. Wander along the main street here and many of the shopkeepers will offer a sample or two of the mouthwatering delicacy. There are lots of varieties to choose, many flavoured with rose water or pistachio. You probably won’t need to eat much but buying a box to take home always makes for a welcome homecoming gift.
Drink Tea
Turkish tea is grown on the slopes surrounding the Black Sea and is famously made samovar style. There are tea waiters all over Turkey offering trays of the beverage to everyone. Most Turkish people add cubes of sugar to the strong tea which is drunk in small glasses. For those who do not want caffeine there is apple flavoured tea which is delicious. If you go looking at carpets in Turkey it is highly likely that you will be offered a cup of tea by the shopkeeper. It is also likely that your glass will be refilled many times and so when you have had enough place your spoon on top of the glass.
Take a Cookery Lesson
Turkish cuisine is famed the world over and so learning to cook it is an experience which can be a fun way to entertain friends back home and tell them of your travels. There are lots of small cookery schools in Turkey including some in Antalya and Istanbul, each offering a programme of the types of cuisine found locally. Try your hand at the art of making meze or other Turkish specialties. The best part is sitting down afterwards to eat what you’ve produced.
Taste the Street Food
There is nothing quite like the smell of grilled lamb on the streets and a fresh shish kebab is just mouthwatering, particularly after mooring into a harbour on one of the sailing holidays in Turkey. Watch them being cooked in front of you and eat them hot in one of the small cafes. Gozleme or the pancakes with lots of different fillings are also delicious and freshly cooked. The bread rings or simit are also very tasty with a cup of Turkish coffee.
Feast on Meze
Turkey is renowned for the delicious and tempting meze that are served as a starter in restaurants or as a snack. There are olives, stuffed vine leaves, stuffed peppers or dolma, and tasty dips made with eggplant. The bread accompanying the meze is wonderful. Meze are a lovely infusion of flavours and perfect for a light lunch and to get a feel for Turkish food. Hummus, cracked wheat in chili paste and potato salad are just some of the other foods to sample on a meze plate.
Biog: Rachael Rowe is a UK based travel writer who has travelled in Turkey and enjoys sailing holidays.
Eight Great Ways to Learn French
The first thing I was ever taught to say in French at school was ‘ou est le singe?’ which means ‘where is the monkey’. Understandably the response was ‘il est dans l’arbre’. He’s in the tree, which I guess is where monkeys tend to hang out – no pun intended there. I’ve since forgotten most of the French I studied, except for that single phrase, which is a problem when heading to France on holiday.
If you’re keen to learn French, here are ten top ideas that will help you remember much more than the location of a monkey.
Rent a French Film
Invite your friends round, rent one French film, like Amelie or Au Revoir Les Enfants. Switch off the subtitles and see how much you understand. It will take a while but with lots of time and even more patience you’ll forget you ever needed subtitles. Eventually.
Sing in French
Download some tunes by French artists (yes, there are some), learn the lyrics and sing along in French. The great old classic ‘Ca Plane Pour Moi’ by Plastic Bertrand is a starting point – or ‘Joe Le Taxi’ by Vanessa Paradis. You’ll soon be humming them all day and eventually you’ll know what they are talking about – which will be more than the singers ever did!
Buy a French Phrasebook
Learn all the key French phrases like ‘je t’adore’, ‘je m’apelle Bob’, ‘un bier s’il vous plait ‘ and ‘ou est le singe?’. Carry it around with you at all times and you can check up every time you here a new question or comment that you’ve not heard before.
Get a French Girlfriend or Boyfriend
You can easily find a foreign girlfriend or boyfriend. Ask them out on a date (go on, be brave) and spend the entire evening speaking only in French. Actually, it may be easier to visit a French restaurant with some friends and refuse to speak in anything but French, much less embarrassing.
Head Out to a Summer Camp
If you can’t actually afford to live in France then a holiday at a summer camp, in somewhere like the French Alps, is a great way of meeting new people and immersing yourself in all things French. Make sure you take your phrase book and watch lots of your rented DVDs before you go. Plus you get to learn lots of new activities.
Play Games in French
Whatever it is, bingo (easier to start with numbers) crosswords or computer games – play them only in French for at least a week. At the end of the week you’ll be ready for the ultimate challenge: French Scrabble! You might need to find a French Dictionary to go with your phrasebook.
Overwhelm Your Mind with French!
Label every single item in your house with its French name, from the cutlery to the bathroom accessories and your dog or cat. Use brightly coloured labels so you can’t miss them (and nor can anyone else). Before long the whole house will be speaking in French and – depending on what sort of people you live with – asking where the monkey is. At last!
Live in France!
What better way to learn a language than to actually live in the country where it’s spoken? You won’t find the soaps and reality shows with English subtitles there. Throw yourself in at the deep end and live like the French. If the prospect of living in France is hampered somewhat by your lack of budget, why not apply for a summer job at an adventure camp where you can have fun, earn some cash to cover your costs and learn to speak French.
So that’s it, I’m off to buy the book, watch the film, sing the songs, label the house and get some extra points at Scrabble – before I book my holiday of course. The best time to start learning is now so whatever your preferred method the key is consistency. Even ten minutes a day will make a difference. Allez then – and bonne chance!
Biog: Kate Smedley will be off to summer camp in the French Alps this year.
Going for Gold: Five Places Where You May Just Find Treasure
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Photo by Mykl Roventine on Flickr.com. Used under Creative Commons Licence.
We’re more used to spending money on our holidays than earning it; after all, who wants to be working day and night when jetting off somewhere nice and warm? Yet, there are one or two locations around the world where you may end up coming home with more money than when you left! In homage to mysterious lands full of buried treasure, potential windfalls and hidden jewels, here are five places where you may just find treasure.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Treasure comes in many forms, but not all discoveries are shaped like rough diamonds, golden nuggets or crown jewels. Potential fortunes are just as likely to look like the right roulette number or a winning sequence on a fruit machine, and if you are into gambling there is only one place worth heading – Vegas. Yes, while Monte Carlo has more glamour, and Macau more money, Vegas still offers the best all-round holiday appeal, with fun pool parties, slick nightclubs and great restaurants on hand for when you get bored of playing poker. And with sights such as the Hoover Dam, the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon and Death Valley on your doorstep, Vegas is also great for those seeking adventure holidays.
Norman Island, British Virgin Islands
During the golden age of piracy, when buccaneers caused mayhem across the seven seas, the Caribbean was studded with treasure islands. Sadly, most of these sites have long been plundered by thieves and lost bounties have been recovered by the authorities. Yet there still lies long lost treasure on Norman Island, left behind hundreds of years ago by infamous pirate Owen Lloyd. The fearsome Welsh pirate stole 150,000 pieces of silver from the Spanish, and over one-third of that loot remains hidden somewhere on the island. So a trip to the Caribbean doesn’t just have to be about sun, sea, sand and surf, you can engage in a bit of treasure hunting, too!
Kerala, India
Treasure hunters have long suspected that the ancient Hindu temples of Kerala, in southern India, have housed a potential treasure trove of riches. Yet it was only in 2008, when precious gold, silver and rubies were uncovered, that the suspicions were confirmed. A cache once belonging to a local maharajah, and worth up to $500m, was uncovered by canny archaeologists investigating rumours of the hidden stash. If you don’t have access to a team of diggers helping you out, then a visit to Kerala may not prove so lucrative, but thankfully the state can also offer safari holidays, beach breaks and elephant excursions into the deep rain-forest.
Western Australia
The history of gold mining in this sun-baked corner of Australia goes back well over a century, when thousands of prospectors from around the world flooded to the small town of Kalgoorlie, causing a gold rush akin to those seen in the American West. And to this day dozens of profitable gold mines still exist in Western Australia, with the major city of Perth operating as home to many mining firms. Though most visitors to Perth stick to the huge golden beaches, swim in the uncannily warm seas, or visit historic settlements such as Freemantle, you do not need to venture far to discover hints of this precious metal. The suburb of Boddington is supposedly so flush with gold that traces of the glistening ore can be detected flowing in the stream of the nearby Hotham River.
Staffordshire
Just what is humble Staffordshire doing on this list? Well, the English county isn’t just famous for bull terriers, oatcakes and pottery, it also happens to be the site where one of the greatest treasures in British history was uncovered. It all happened back in 2009, when treasure hunter Terry Herbert discovered the trove, known now as the Staffordshire Hoard, in a ploughed field. The hoard primarily comprised of Anglo-Saxon gold and silverwork, and was said to be the most important find of its kind in history. A final evaluation of the treasure estimated its worth at over £3.2m, making Terry Herbert one rich man.
Biog: John is a travel writer who loves everything from scuba diving to safari holidays.
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Photo by ronsaunders47 on Flickr.com. Used under Creative Commons Licence.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Real Treasure Islands
Blackbeard, Long John Silver and Jack Sparrow – just fanciful tales of the high seas concocted by over-imaginative minds, right? Well, while the era of swashbuckling pirates and buccaneers has been overstated and exaggerated, there is, like many myths, a kernel of truth hidden inside these romantic stories. And even today as treasure hunters continue to search for buried riches, shipwrecks and the elusive X that marks the spot. Here is a look at five real treasure islands, each full of secrets, mysteries and a history of piracy.
St Kitts
Though first discovered by the great explorer Christopher Columbus, the Leeward Island of St Kitts is more famous for its swashbuckling past. It was in the late 17th century that the French hired the infamous pirate Captain Kidd to attack the island so that the British could be driven out. Yet, in true pirate fashion, Kidd double-crossed the French, attacking and stealing one of their naval galleons. St Kitts is also said to be home to the buried loot of another pirate, a former merchant captain named Owen Lloyd. Lloyd was alleged to have stolen 52 chests of silver from the Spanish, and to have buried them on numerous nearby islands. While most of the silver was eventually recovered, this has not stopped treasure hunters from speculating that some of the riches may still be stored underground somewhere on the island. If you are thinking about visiting St Kitts as part of your adventure camp, maybe you should consider bringing along a metal detector!
Gardiner’s Island, New York
They say X marks the spot, but on this island there is a handy plaque to help you out. Yes, while the buried treasure is long gone, the site where Captain Kidd once hid his stolen booty can be seen to this day on Gardiner’s Island, a small islet just off the coast of Long Island, New York. Shortly after Captain Kidd stole a vast amount of riches from an Armenian vessel in the Indian Ocean, capturing treasures such as satins, muslin, silk, gold and diamonds, he travelled to Gardiner’s Island to surreptitiously store his cache of goods. Yet, shortly after, Kidd was arrested, and landowners on the island were forced to return the treasure to the British government. Found guilty, Kidd was executed in full public view, hung in chains on the banks of the River Thames. Shiver me timbers!
New Providence, Bahamas
Now a well-regarded cruise destination and home to Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas, New Providence, has a much darker history, full of bootleggers and buccaneers, violent raids and brutal sea battles. For it was on New Providence where the terrible pirate Blackbeard once operated, waging war on passing ships and all who dared to cross him. In fact, so powerful was Blackbeard during his stay here that he was even proclaimed to be magistrate of the island, instituting his very own justice system based on the principles of piracy i.e. anything was up for grabs. Even the Royal British Governor, who expelled Blackbeard from the island in 1718, could not curtail his pervasive, pernicious influence, and the island suffered his wrath until, in a bloody encounter, Blackbeard was captured and decapitated, his head displayed for all to see on his ship’s deck. Youth camp this isn’t!
Martinique
Known as the most exclusive and glamorous resort in the Caribbean, Martinique nevertheless hides a few sorry secrets from the era of piracy. It is from this island that Bartholemew Roberts, a violent Welsh pirate, led his band of men to spread terror across the seven seas. When the governor of the island put a price on Roberts’ head, the cunning pirate lured him into a trap, and promptly hung the governor on board his very own ship. Ancient legend also has it that Roberts left valuable treasure on Martinique, and to this day the isle is marked by smuggler’s coves and half-hidden beaches that evoke the buccaneering spirit.
Biog: John is an adventure camp enthusiast, amateur pirate and world-wide treasure hunter, who just happens to write travel articles in his spare time.
See Something Special on a High Altitude Trek
Treks and hiking trips can literally take travellers around the world, across some of the most beautiful and remote areas and into vibrant cities and cultural Meccas. Every trip can be unique, offering different experiences that can be tailored for individual walkers. But no matter where you go, there is always one thing that will guarantee to make you feel truly inspired – a stunning view.
Throughout the world there are a number of high altitude walks that offer unparalleled vistas across deserts, oceans and distant mountain regions. Walks like these tend to be relatively uncrowded – not because you have to be a qualified mountaineer to reach them, because you don’t – but more often than not because most travellers aren’t aware that they exist. They are often found hidden away from main tourist routes and tend to be places you would only venture with a knowledgeable guide.
Choosing to travel with a company that organises walking holidays to these high altitude areas means some of the world’s highest mountain ranges and ridge walks can be within reach of most adventurers who have a reasonably good level of fitness. Travelling on an organised tour also gives you the comfort of knowing your route is already planned and that there is qualified assistance in the unlikely event that you’ll need it.
Many of these companies also help you decide which route is right for you by grading them according to difficulty, length and any necessary expertise you might need to have before you set off. Take a look at the examples below, and you’ll get an idea of some of the most popular walks available.
The Alps
Beginners to high-altitude walking might like to venture into the Chablais region of France, where the smaller Alps still provide a good high-level traverse through this famous Alpine region. Most of the peaks here are signposted and littered with visible footpaths, and although we’re not talking the altitude of Mont Blanc or the Matterhorn, these most famous of mountains are still visible from the lower surrounding peaks.
The Dolomites
Heading to the north of Italy, close to the Austrian border, is where you’ll find a range of mountains called the Dolomites. If any of you have ever flown to Italy from the UK, you are likely to have passed overhead, although you may not have realised it at the time. The Dolomites are a hugely popular location for walkers because it offers a diverse range of experiences. People with a real head for heights, and some knowledge of rope work, can head for a via ferrata, a system of wood and iron bridges, and metal rung ladders, that lead intrepid mountaineers across ravines and up sheer rock faces. Travellers who find the thought of that type of walk exhilarating enough without attempting such a feat, can enjoy any one of the moderate trails along the Dolomites’ lower slopes instead. These treks can take anywhere from one to ten days to complete and offer the experience of camping under the stars or holing up in remote mountain huts along the way. The views from these routes are every bit as spectacular as the daredevils will enjoy on the via ferrata, but they come with fewer compulsory changes of underwear on the itinerary.
The Carpathian Mountains
If your destination of choice is the Carpathian Mountains, then your packing list might include such strange items as garlic, holy water and wooden stakes, because you’ll find yourself walking through the Transylvania region of Romania. This mountain range offers a diverse walking opportunity with ridge walks, gully climbs and some cabled sections on the more exposed summits to navigate. At least at this altitude you’re avoiding the wild bears and wolves that live on the outskirts of the remote Romanian villages on the valley floors below.
The Atlas Mountains
Although most of us remember the legendary story of Hannibal crossing the Alps with his army of war elephants, what isn’t common knowledge is that he stole – sorry borrowed – his elephants from the Atlas Mountains, which now lie in the region of Morocco. Sadly, because of the Roman love of animal combat this legendary breed of elephants is extinct. What hasn’t disappeared is the remarkable views that can still be seen from the many trails that cover this mountain range. Guided walks to the Neolithic summits of each peak usually start from Marrakech, which makes an excellent base and can turn an Atlas trek into an interesting multi-stay tour.
Byline: Fiona Galloway is an intrepid travel writer who loves nothing better than walking holidays with her dog, Kim.
Run to the Hills – Great Ideas for Fitness Holidays
For the old rockers amongst you, don’t get too excited. I’m not going to be discussing the delights of past Iron Maiden records. For that you’ll have to tramp through the muddy fields of Download and its equivalent.
Let’s face it, we’re now well into the New Year. How many of you have stuck to your New Year’s resolutions? I don’t mean the ones to eat more cakes. I mean the ones to get fit, join a gym and lose all that post Christmas excess weight. The holiday season is looming – what are you going to do apart from panic? I’ll tell you what you’re going to do: you’re going to leave the cakes behind and get fit. From boot camps to swimming to cycling holidays the choice is yours.
Kayaking in Croatia
You can actually kayak in the Hebrides if you want to, rather than Croatia. Excuse me but, the Hebrides or Croatia, guaranteed sun or guaranteed damp? Nothing against the Hebrides but I’m firmly on the side of fair weather exercise. You don’t have to be superfit to make the most of this holiday but if your fitness level is fair and you enjoy getting wet – go for it! Forget the boredom of the gym rowing machine. Imagine kayaking on the serene Cetina River as you paddle through one of the most untouched canyons in Europe. Seeking something that bit more manly? Get you! Try your hand at white water rafting. While you’re in Croatia visit the nearby town of Sinj with its historic fortress, museum and sanctuary where thousands of pilgrims from around the world congregate in search of blessings.
Swimming in the Caribbean (the Virgin Islands to be precise)
Well, it sounds more salubrious than comedian David Walliams’ swim of the English Channel – or worse still – the River Thames! You may not know it, I didn’t, but over 100 islands, cays, islets and reefs make up the Virgin Islands. Imagine swimming around that lot. If you really fancy yourself as a strong swimmer this will be the making of you with average daily swims of 5km. Average. That means some will be longer. Swim over reefs, along the coast and don’t miss the vibrant underwater world of this archipelago. Swim to Mosquito Island, Prickly Pear Island, Dead Chest and Peter Islands and the uninhabited Ginger Island. All real names! Swimmers are warned to watch out for jellyfish, sea urchins and coral. Yeah, yeah, that’s fine – have they never seen Jaws?
Cycling in Morocco
Enough of all that water based stuff! Here’s a real challenge for cycling fans. Cycle 50-60km a day through southern Morocco. The pain of the lactic acid build-up will be nulled by the breathtaking sights of each day, honest. Take challenging climbs like Tizi-n-Test (2100m, that’s a lot of feet!), with its panoramic views of the High Atlas mountains. Throw in waterfalls and more of those panoramic views, this time of the Atlantic Ocean. When you’re finally exhausted, explore the labyrinths of the ‘Pink City’ of Marrakech for a day. Rock fans, this is your chance to cycle past Diabet, the famous haunt – not literally I hope – of Jimi Hendrix.
OK, it’s not Iron Maiden but it’s cool. Look out for the pink houses too, apparently the houses in Marrakech have to be painted pink to maintain its image and uphold its name. Great for the girlies among you!
For the tri-athletes, the swimmers, the cyclists, the runners or those just attempting to get fit, taking a break is no excuse to let yourself go and pile the pounds back on. What’s that I hear you say? You’d rather go on safari? Not a problem, there are plenty of safari holidays to keep you moving. Take in the deserts of Botswana, the volcanic treks of Costa Rica or walk along gorilla trails in Uganda. There’s no getting out of it. This year, you really are going to get fit.
Biog: Kate Smedley is trying her hand – and her legs – at cycling holidays this year.
10 Ways to Save Money and Still Have a Great Trip
Just about everyone going on vacation tries to find the best deal for their flight and hotel, but what they may not realize is that there are many other ways to save money on their trip. The money you save on your next trip could help you pay a bill back at home, or it could mean you can afford an extra day on your dream vacation. Whether you feel you have to save this money or not, you should at least try to save as much as possible to help you in the future. The following tips are just a few ways that I have used to save some money on my vacations.
1. Vacation in the off season – This may seem incredibly obvious, but it really is a great way to save money in every part of your vacation. Hotel rates are lower, flight prices are cheaper, and local businesses are trying to get more customers, so you may even get a deal with them.
2. Pack smart – Only pack what you need and leave the rest at home. The less you pack the better. When you are able to pack everything you need into a carry-on bag, you won’t have to pay for checked baggage, and even if you are going to be gone for a week or two, you can always find a place to wash your cloths and wear them again. Bring the essentials and don’t pack anything that you can buy at your destination.
3. Drive – Sometimes, the best vacation memories come from the drive to the location. Take the time to talk and bond with your family or read that book you haven’t had time to finish. In some situations, it may be worth the time it takes to drive if you are able to save a lot of money over flying.
4. Look at other airports – There may be an airport a few hours away with a much cheaper rate than the airport in your area. Make sure you weigh the cost of gas and the amount of time it will take to drive to the other airport when comparing flights.
5. Stay with a friend – If you know someone who lives in the area you want to visit, ask them if you can stay with them instead of paying $100 or more every night for a room in a hotel. Plan your trip around their schedule or offer to swap houses for a few days. If you feel you are going to be staying too long to ask a friend or family member for a place to stay, ask them if you can stay for a weekend or a few days during the week. You can move to a hotel after a few days and still save a lot of money.
6. Budget each day – Know exactly what you are going to do each day so you know how much money you will need. Take that amount with you on the day you need it and don’t take any more.
7. Find coupons – Websites like Groupon and LivingSocial are perfect for tourists who are trying to save. You can find great restaurants and activities that you may have never known about and you will get a great deal when you try them out! You may also be able to find coupons for hotels in the area when you look online.
8. Use public transportation – Only rent a car if it is absolutely necessary. In many popular tourist locations, there are lots of options when it comes to transportation. You’ll save a lot on gas and much more if you don’t have to pay the fees for a rental car. If you do find it necessary to rent a car, don’t fall for the unnecessary fees they try to talk you into. For example, if your insurance covers any car you drive, you don’t need to pay for their extra insurance.
9. Research for inexpensive activities – The more research you do, the more you will know about your destination. Going off the beaten path and trying new things can be a lot of fun and very inexpensive if you do enough research.
10. Schedule time to relax – You don’t need to be on the go during your whole vacation. You should be able to find time to relax. Not only will this give you the rest you need, you will also spend less money than you would if you filled every day with activities.
Kristin Mullen is an author who writes guest posts on the topics of business, marketing, credit cards, and personal finance. Additionally, she works for a website that focuses on educating readers about concerns with debt consolidation.
Australian Jewels
Sydney and Melbourne
While people around the world are familiar with Sydney and Melbourne, they may not know the many reasons why the two destinations are worthy of recognition. These modern cities are a tourist’s delight and serve as the jewels in Australia’s crowning glory.
Sensational Sydney
From the moment tourists fly into Kingsford Smith Airport, Sydney’s beauty is immediately apparent. Today’s flights to Sydney make dreams of an Australian holiday a reality. By day, tourists to Sydney enjoy a veritable treasure trove of sights and activities. Sports, the arts and the wonderful shopping pavilions and malls rank Sydney among the world’s most favoured cities for travellers. Food enthusiasts find the distinctive native cuisine as enjoyable as the variety of familiar offerings on restaurant and dining facility menus. By night, Sydney is lively, romantic and entertaining, comprising all that is expected of any world-class city.
A Homely Welcome
If Sydney has one true hallmark, it’s the welcoming feeling that travellers receive. All accommodation is equipped with major conveniences up to and including the most comprehensive medical services, should they be required, giving visitors a sense of “home.” The most prominent site in Sydney is the Sydney Opera House. For photo op enthusiasts and lovers of great architecture, Sydney Opera House is a must see. Other sites include the Harbour Bridge, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Hyde Park and for beach lovers, the famous Bondi Beach. Sydney’s history of settlers dates back 30,000 years and is an added attraction for history buffs.
The Mystique of Melbourne
Another Australian jewel is the city of Melbourne, which offers a wealth of stunning sights for sightseers to marvel at. Of the more prominent attractions are Federation Square, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Shrine of Remembrance and the Royal Exhibition Building. Visitors often extend their holiday just to enjoy these sights. However, Melbourne has plenty more to offer in the way of things to do and places to see. Head to the Federal Coffee Palace or the 1850′s Canvas Town of Australia’s Gold Rush days. Lovers of Victoriana find their home in Melbourne. The city’s combination of modern and Victorian buildings is part of its mystique and the blending of the two eras gives it a unique appeal and style.
Melbourne the Magical City
Melbourne offers travellers a wealth of activities and upscale accommodations as well as an outstanding mix of casual and superlative dining. Luxury and opulence are accented in accommodation and the city offers sports, theatre, cafes, bistros and an opportunity to soak in fun and culture at St. Kilda Promenade.
Booking a trip to Australia in advance can give you the chance to find the cheapest flights available. So, start planning your holiday to discover these forever Australian jewels.
Photo Credits: tony888vo, Andrew Hux
Robyn Vinter
5 tips for travel success
The main key to travel success is planning. Everyone has heard horror stories of people losing their passports, misunderstanding foreign customs or arriving at the airport only to find their flight departed the day before. If you make sure you have everything organised by the time you set off, you should avoid the most common pitfalls.
Here are some top tips to make sure everything runs smoothly.
1. You can make massive savings by getting foreign currency changed before you travel. At the last minute, it is always tempting to get your money changed at the airport, but the exchange rates differ considerably so it is best to shop around to get a good deal.
2. Make sure you have a folder containing all your travel documents. It’s easy to misplace a boarding pass or prescription when you’re stressed, so the easiest thing to do is to have everything in one place.
3. Read up on the area you are visiting. It sounds like an obvious one, but you would be surprised at how many people travel to a country without doing any research on the place. Make sure you know what the customs, religious beliefs and food are like, and learning a few words of the language can get you far.
4. Write down your flight times and numbers, any connections, as well as any other travel arrangements, trains, shuttle buses, allowing enough time to make it from one to the other. A good idea is to research other travel options in case your flight is delayed. Make sure you leave a copy of this with someone at home, so that they know exactly where you will be, should anything go wrong.
5. Make sure you book your http://www.looking4parking.com online using a parking comparison site before you travel. http://www.looking4parking.com
Airport parking can be a hidden expense and you can end up paying above the odds if you don’t book ahead. Besides, the last thing you want to worry about while you’re away is your car. Reputable parking comparison sites vet our car parks to make sure your pride and joy is safe and secure for the length of your journey.
By following these simple tips, your journey is sure to be a relaxing one.
Inca Trail Machupicchu VS Inca Trail Lake of The Condors
Machupicchu is not all Peru
Lake of The Condors ( Leymebamba Chachapoyas )
Archeological complex composed of six mausoleums, presents architectural features of the Chachapoyas Civilization and is decorated with paintings in which were found close to one hundred bales funeral, fine fabrics, wooden carved ceramics, decorated quipus mates, crowns and various objects of great value. It is located in the district of Leymebamba. To reach the site, it is necessaryto to go by horse an average of ten hours from Leymebamba.
To visit all the archeological site, 3 days are required not only becuase of the location of the archaeological ress but also because of the rough area. It’s called ” Lake of the Condors ” because the first people who discovered it, stated that over the impressive lake, whose waters are blue-green, in previous years Condors flying could be appreciated . Around this beautiful lagoon are the old buildings (mausoleums) and in its interiors were found funerary bales, objects and crafts, which have now been transferred to the museum of Leymebamba.
This is a horseback expedition to the mausoleum where 219 mummies were discovered and documented on the Discovery Channel in 1998. This site is located on a cliff above a huge alpine lake. In the rainy season this is behind a waterfall from the cliff above. This appears to be a very sacred site where dead leaders were mummified and brought here from far away. In Leymebamba we will see these mummies and a large treasure of artifacts in the museum donated by the Austrians.
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Send me One Million FREE Guaranteed Visitors
Below are links where you can advertise free and sites you can go to in order to purchase packages to help you get up and running on the world wide web. I hope you have success and take your time so you dont get overwhelmed. This first ad will allow you some free advertising. Just click on it and follow – its so easy! You can post ads free and worldwide at the following link. They last 30 days and you can post several at a time.
Search Engine Submission – AddMe
“WorldClassifiedDirectory.com – Post Free Classifieds in 195 Countries”
Hope you have fun and success with these first two. 
Maverick Money Makers will send you a load of downloads and keep you up with everything. It hasnt cost me anything yet I have vidoes I can watch and downloads for free. It has helped so much and I can do it in my own time.
Search Engine Optimization and SEO Tools
Here you can submit your site for free to SEO’s. 
http://community.adlandpro.com/createad.aspx?refer=kiwiingrid 
This site is like facebook but so much better as people will help you on your internet business for free. If you dont want to do that then following this link will allow you to post an ad totally FREE.
Place Free Ads Here iLeeg lets you place free ads.
http://twitter.com/invite Follow me on TWITTER
This is an auto Article Submitter.
Free Classified Ads – Find jobs, homes, apartments, etc. 1000s of ads. Post free with photo.
Sales Spider
Salespider.com is The Largest Free Social Network For Business Owners and Entrepreneurs and Includes Free Sales Leads & Prospect Lists, Free Classified Ads, Free Business Directory, Free Business Videos, Free Business Chat Rooms, and Free Business Forums.
Earn money from your website traffic!
