4 Reasons to Visit Victoria

It may be the smallest state in Mainland Australia, but Victoria definitely punches above its weight when it comes to mass tourist appeal. With the incredible produce, lush farmland, breathtaking mountains, stunning cliff tops and gorgeous beaches, what’s not to love? Add to that the fact that it boasts Australia’s second-biggest city and more cultural swagger than the rest of the country put together, and you’ve got a thousand reasons to visit Victoria. To start with, however, we’re going to give you just four. Whether you’re taking a Great Ocean Road tour to marvel at the beauty of the Southern Ocean from the cliff tops or living it up large in gorgeous Melbourne, Victoria will enchant you like no other state can, and you’ll be coming back for more in no time.

The City

There’s no denying it, Melbourne is certainly a jewel in Victoria’s crown, and one that proudly shows itself off. Melbourne is arguably the arts and culture capital of the country, with more theatre, art galleries, fashion shows and designers than the rest of Australia combined. In fact, Melbourne is just a great place to be if you’re passionate about something. Anything really, but it helps if that something is fashion, food or Aussie Rules football. The city is vibrant, beautiful and steeped in colonial history. If we’re talking reasons to visit Victoria, Melbourne is up there with the best.

The Country

If you’re looking to experience some ‘true blue’ Aussie country traditions, look no further than the Victorian farming regions. Gippsland is dairy produce centre, and boast the kind of picturesque scenery you’d expect from an English meadow. There’s also the rougher, scrubbier and more rugged landscapes as well, all mingling together to create vistas that are quintessentially Victorian and Australian.

The Coast

Victoria’s coastline has to be one of the most breathtaking in the country. At the right time of year it’s possible to see Whales breaching off the cliff tops, and of course there are the Twelve Apostles, majestic sandstone structures rising out of the Southern Ocean. Add to this the fact that southern Victoria boasts beautiful Bells Beach, a surfer’s oasis of epic waves and the location of one of Australia’s biggest surf competitions, and you’ve got the perfect coastal holiday destination.

The Wildlife

If you’re a nature lover, or simply interested in checking out the unique animals that inhabit Australia, Victoria is a pretty good place to check them out. The Chiltern National Park is one of the best bird watching spots in the country, with several rare and endangered species calling the park home. If you want a really up-close-and-personal nature experience, however, Phillip Island is the place to go. Not only will you get a chance to see Little Penguins in their natural habitat, but you’ll also encounter sea lions and other forms of native wildlife as well. Whether you take a Phillip Island tour or make your way on your own, you’ll be blown away by this little piece of heaven just 140km outside of Melbourne.

5 Great Travel Ideas For The Person Who Loves Water

If you are someone who loves water, the world is absolutely full of fantastic holiday destinations. Whether you want to be doing exciting activities in it, on it or just lazing around next to it, the following great ideas are sure to hit the spot for that lover of water. Try one or all of them and treat yourself to that holiday you’ve been dreaming of.

The Mekong River (Vietnam)

For a relaxing and beautiful holiday, spend a week touring the length of this amazing river, extending from Vietnam to Cambodia. Start off by spending the night in one of the luxury Vietnam hotels, before boarding your charming river boat vessel in Saigon. Settle in, then slowly make your way down river while taking in the awesome sights of the countryside, markets, temples, and wetlands. You will never forget this magical and diverse landscape.

Fiji

For more of an ‘in the water’ experience, immerse your self in these warm, blue waters, and do some scuba diving here in Fiji. Holiday packages here will often include diving options and there is a huge amount to explore. Offering underwater caves, soft coral reefs and numerous ship wrecks, you won’t want to come out of these crystal clear waters where visibility can reach 40 meters. For something even more amazing, do a night dive and see the ocean like you’d never believe.

Broken Group Islands (Canada)

Located off the west coast of Canada, this is one of the best places on earth to go paddling. You won’t have the warm waters of Fiji, but the feeling of being far away from everyone and everything will have you feeling relaxed and unwound. Apart from the spectacular clear waters, paddling here will give you the best chance of an up close look at a Humpback or even a Killer Whale.

Victoria Falls (Zambia/Zimbabwe)

For an experience that will leave you astonished by the power of water, a trip to Victoria Falls is unlike anything else. Stretching over 1700 metres across and more than 100 meters high, these falls showcase the largest sheet of water of any falls in the world. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning ‘the Smoke that Thunders’, you will never forget the enormous roar and the spectacle of these incredible falls.

The Gold Coast (Australia)

If your love of water has anything to do with playing in it, you need to get to the Gold Coast. An absolute paradise for surfing, this area has some of the most consistently good waves in the world and has something for every board rider, from the beginner to the professional. When you have got your fill of the waves, you will have no trouble settling into one of the luxury high rises and watching the sun set over the ocean.

Over 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by water, so it’s no surprise that we are intrigued by it. Regardless of how you do it, get to these places and be amazed by their water wonderlands.

As the capital of the modern Republic of Macedonia, Skopje is located about 100 K east of the Adriatic Sea which separates it from Italy, and just south of Bosnia and Romania. Though it has taken attributes from all of the places surrounding it during its long history, it is a totally unique and modern city today. With almost 700,000 people, it houses about 25% of the population of the small country. The people are diverse with many Turks, Albanians, Serbs, Roma, and Bosnians living there.

Skopje by night:

The history of the city has made both the people and the foundation of the city, its churches, monasteries and the aqueducts built by the Romans, and also the many mosques and other buildings built by the Ottoman Empire. Lovers of history and culture will find much to keep them busy and happy during a visit to Skopje.

Kale Fortress

The fortress was built on the highest hill in the valley where Skopje is located, and gives great views of the entire city. Built by the Byzantines after the great earthquake of 518 as Emperor Justinian wanted to help rebuild the city where he was born. The oldest sections are included within the fortifications which are standing today; they originated from the 10^th century when the square tower was built to the 13^th century when the round tower was completed. The entire fortress was reinforced during Turkish rule, and there were as many as 70 towers. Today, there are only three remaining. The fortress burned in 1689 and was severely damaged, and then was damaged still further during the 1963 earthquake.

Stone Bridge

Byzantine Emperor Justinian also built the Stone Bridge, and since that time it has become synonymous with the city. Each ruler has left a mark on the bridge since the 6^th century when it was completed. There was a large reconstruction done in the 15^th century by Sultan Mehmed II, which was when the guard tower and stone fence were completed. During the most recent restoration, the guard tower fell, and is awaiting repair and restoration now. The Stone Bridge is the main route between the square and the old bazaar, and is built of 6^th century stone blocks, which are huge. The bridge is 214m long and has 13 arches along its span.

Macedonia Square

A couple of interesting sights exist around Macedonia Square. Unfortunately, most of the neoclassical buildings were destroyed in the 1963 earthquake, with the exception of a small section of house in the center. Close to the main square, turn to look toward the shopping mall and find a marker. This is where Mother Theresa’s home stood, and she lived there until the age of 18 when she left to minister first in Ireland and then in India.

Bedesten

This is the area within the old bazaar where the precious goods were sold. It had gates to close in the evening to ward off thieves, and housed spices, jewelry, perfumes, and silks, which were the prized objects of the day. The old Bedesten burned in the fire of 1689, so sometime in the 17^th century the present day bedesten was built for trade. It is smaller, but has lots of atmosphere, with five short streets, shops, and four gates that can be opened.

Double Haman

In the middle of the 15^th century, public baths were all the rage. This one has both a male and female bath, and is unique because the heating room runs down the middle, with an entrance on either side. It is used today as a gallery for temporary art exhibits.

Book cheap international flights and visit Skopje for its fantastic culture and history.

If you are looking for something completely different than the hotel experience in Skopje, why not make a trip to the UK and see it the way most tourists never do?

Whether you are looking for camping for recreation with your family or for an adventurous experience with friends amidst raw nature, the UK offers ample opportunities to get the most of your camping experience. The United Kingdom is blessed with a widely varied landscape; from the Grampian Mountains of Scotland to Lowland fens, mountainous regions of Wales, and gently sloping hills. Among the natural backdrop, it is also home to hundreds of lakes and it is surrounded by the English Channel and North Sea- all of these things combine to present a rich opportunity for camping in the unblemished wild.

Three Cliff Bay at Gower Coastline is one of the best campsites offering panoramic views of the Three Cliffs Bay. A ten minute walk over the footpath takes you to the wonderful sight of the beach with golden sands and clear blue sea.  Just near the Three Bays Cliff you can enjoy the sights at Tor Bay, Crawley Woods and Oxwich Bay; these areas are all popular with water skiers and wind surfers.  Golf enthusiasts have six different courses in the vicinity and it is a pleasure to play against the scenery and breathtaking views from any of these spots. You can also explore the ancient castles and churches. Gower also offers great climbing spots. The Three Cliff Bay camp areas will offer you some of the most beautiful sites anywhere on earth.

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Gwern Gof Isaf Campsite in North Wales is another area favored by campers in the UK and situated in the heart of untouched nature. It is listed as one of the top fifty best camping sites in the world. This camping area is situated in a 750 acre National Trust farm, which is part of Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. Gwern Gof Isaf is located in the midst of a mountainous region and offers excellent opportunities for climbing the peaks of Glyders and Carneddu. It is a favorite destination for families and for groups. Here you will have all the basic amenities for sleeping and living outdoors.  You can enjoy lots of outdoor activities like climbing, pony trekking, abseiling, and mountain biking. You can also experience the famed Tree Top adventure Snowdonia at Betws-y-Coed.

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Ardmair Point Campsite near Ullapool in Highland, Scotland offers you a fantastic camping experience. It is located on a small peninsula about three miles north of Ullapool, and is situated right on the waterfront.  It is set amidst spectacular Highland scenic beauty, and on the backdrop you will find the sight of Ben Mhor Coigach Mountains. This area truly offers the very best of the famed Scottish landscape and spectacular beauty of nature. Family campers will find a full range of amenities and camping pitch areas offering spectacular views.

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You must also consider a camping adventure at Turner Hall Farm in Cumria (North West England) if your desire is to enjoy the un-spoilt beauty of Mother Nature. Duddon Valley is one of the least developed areas in all of the UK and offers serene sights of the lovely river Duddon that is a delight to stroll by on a sunny afternoon or in the evening.

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Humble Bee Farm located at North Yorkshire offers wild camping spread over an area of 320 acres. The valley is surrounded by wildlife and has retained its pristine beauty. The southern boundary has Wolds Way Footpath with six meters grass strips where you can walk and enjoy the stunning sights. It is near to the coast also, which might be of interest to those who like to surf.

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For some of the best experiences, buying a campervan is a great investment. Protect that investment with quality campervan insurance.

You want an accommodation in a hotel in Skopje that is situated close enough to the city centre but yet far away from the city noise? If so, ‘Hotel Victoria’ is the hotel for you!

Being situated in a very pleasant climate area, far away from the traffic and the city noise and yet only 1000 meters from the city centre makes Hotel ‘Victoria’ an ideal place for your business trips, seminars and accommodation in general.

Hotel Victoria is modernly built hotel, thus still retaining the charm of the traditional Macedonian architecture. It has 2 apartments, 3 twin rooms and 6 single rooms, all of which equipped with air-conditioner, modern furniture, free internet access, direct telephone line, mini bar, cable TV (international channels) and private safe box. Another important amenity for our guests is the transportation to/from the airport on our expense if they are staying for more than 3 nights altogether.

The friendly and helpful staff will do their best to solve any problems that you might face with and to supply you with any information you need.

At our guests disposal is a bar, 24 hours-secured private parking lot, restaurant, a summer terrace and buffet breakfast included in the price. Our restaurant provides premium atmosphere, good service and tasty meals from the traditional Macedonian as well as from the International cuisine. The bar for our guests is opened for 24 hours.

HOTEL VIKTORIA CONTACT INFO:
Mention that you have found this hotel at skopjehotels.info and get a special pleasant surprise:

Hotel Victoria
str. Slave Delovski N°.18
1000 Skopje, Macedonia

Phone: ++389 2 3107600
Fax: ++389 2 3107610

Contact eMail:
hotelvictoriaskopje1@yahoo.com

Web address:
www.hotelvictoria.com.mk

If youʼve been put in charge of putting together the bachelorette getaway, there are a few things to keep in mind. Apart from deciding on what type of holiday your hen would enjoy, you need to organise the guest list, activities and making sure the bride-to-be has a great time. Here, weʼve listed some great bachelorette holiday ideas suitable for every type of hen. From a whirl wind trip to Las Vegas to choosing one of the relaxing Fiji cruises, weʼve got some ideas you wonʼt want to miss:

Fiji:

The Crazy Hen

Her 18th birthday was mayhem, her 21st was off the hook and sheʼs expecting no less from her bachelorette party. Thankfully there are some great package deals for flights and accommodation in Las Vegas- the only place to host the ultimate girls weekend for your crazy hen whoʼs soon to tie the knot.

The Hippy Hen

She loves yoga, enjoys vegetarian restaurants and always seems to have a plethora of scented candles at home. For the Hippy hen, the ideal bachelorette getaway should be spent with her closest circle of girlfriends in a bungalow in Byron Bay. Close to the beach, some of the best vegetarian and vegan eateries around and a place where you can arrange visits to places like the Crystal Castle.

The Conservative Hen

She’s the cautious one. She likes to have fun, but nothing too over the top. Her idea of the ideal getaway is a weekend with the girls tasting wine. That’s why a bachelorette holiday to the Hunter Valley is just the thing sheʼll thoroughly enjoy. Book in wine tours in advance and organise accommodation that has in-house spa facilities for extra pampering and relaxation.

The health kick Hen

So your friend enjoys detox diets, pilates and getting away from the city any chance she gets. Why not book her and her closest friends in for a weekend at a country well-being retreat. Sheʼll be so excited and youʼll all come back glowing and relaxed. Sheʼll definitely appreciate this thoughtful idea.

The Beach Babe Hen

The beach babe hen loves spending her weekends at the beach and so her bachelorette getaway should be no different. Fiji is a great place to arrange for the girls to take a week off exploring the soft coral capital of the world whilst sipping cocktails on white sandy beaches. There are some great Fiji holiday packages that offer tourists the chance to experience different aspects of the many islands that make up Fiji. This is something she is sure to love, and a great holiday all of you will never forget.

No matter what type of ʻHenʼ your friend is, there is sure to be the perfect holiday idea they are guaranteed to love. We hope our tips on some of the best bachelorette holiday ideas has given you some inspiration on how to spoil and surprise the bride to be in your life,with a trip theyʼll never forget.

The Queensland bush can only be described as spectacular. The Gold Coast hinterland, just minutes away from Australia’s busiest tourist zone, is the genuine article, a bushwalker’s paradise. This is the sort of thing that makes the Gold coast special. There’s nothing you can’t do in this amazing place. You can rent a beautiful Gold Coast apartment, go and explore an incredible place like the Green Mountains in the Lamington National Park then simply come home in time for dinner and a night on the town.

Gold Coast:

The Gold Coast hinterland is horse riding, bushwalking territory, and it’s also rain forest country. There’s nothing like the Queensland rain forests, and they can prove it.

The sheer number of different attractions is a bit of a clue to what this fantastic part of Australia has to offer:

• Tamborine Mountain Rainforest Skywalk
• The Border Track Bushwalk for expert bushwalkers
• 100,000 hectares of national park and reserves
• Springbrook National Park
• Beaudesert, a true rural oasis
• Green Mountains, which has a stunning series of bushwalks in the real Queensland heartland
• Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk- Three days of walks through an ancient, astonishing land

The Gold Coast Hinterland- A special place

If you’re getting the impression that your Gold Coast holiday may be like nothing you’ve ever done before, you’re right. One of the things Australians like about Queensland, and the Gold Coast hinterland in particular, is the incredible countryside. People literally fall in love with the place.

Gold Coast:

If you’ve never been to Queensland or Australia before, it’s like coming to another planet. This is the real Australia, and there simply is nothing like it, anywhere else on Earth. You learn to appreciate the bush in all its subtlety and endless variety. The animals, the sometimes startling birds, giant ancient trees and extraordinary scenery merge into a living work of art. Australia still is in many ways an explorer’s country, and it doesn’t take long to see why so many people are so passionate about preserving it.

This is one of the oldest landscapes in the world, and new things are still being discovered in it all the time. There are caves, there are mountains and there are stunning waterfalls, all an hour or so away from the Gold Coast. This is southern Queensland’s equivalent of the Blue Mountains, a legendary place that has earned its reputation through direct human experience.

The Gold Coast- A place to love

The Gold Coast Hinterland is one of the reasons so many southerners move to this part of Queensland. It’s the sheer love and fascination of the place and its fantastic variety of environments. You’ve got the sea on one side and an ancient landscape on the other. The Queensland lifestyle is also a bit of an incentive. You can have your luxury Surfers Paradise apartments and the incredible natural environment as well.

Do yourself a big favor -Take your next holiday on the Gold Coast, and make a point of checking out the Gold Coast Hinterland. You’ll never regret it.

• Location. With so many hotels competing to get your business, you should look beyond location, because many of them will be in the same area. What you are looking for is easy access at the time of your event.
• Car Parking. Most hotels will offer valet parking, or at least priority for taxis at the busiest times. This could be a real issue for everyone coming and going. Make sure your hotel will allow for car parking and reservation of your guests.
• Lobby and More. One great advantage of using a hotel, you have all those other services and locations to use before and after your event. Some guests will want to enter your event together, and a lobby with space to meet, will be a real advantage.
• Standards. Hotels are graded for a reason. You pay for the standards you want. A hotel must have the service and standards to match its star rating.
• Event Management. If a hotel does not have the ability to help you with more than just the setup for your event, they will probably know an event hire company that knows their venue well. An event management company will perform better and will know exactly what you need because they know that venue that much better. Discuss with your hotel management how much of your needs they can supply and which company is best to supplement your activities. Most hotels will have all the standard items and technology for a basic event, and special needs will need to be outsourced.
• Accommodation. If you have out of town guests, or guests who have consumed a little too much alcohol because your party or event was so much fun, you know there is somewhere for them to sleep. The dangers of drink driving, or just going out alone after drinking too much are too great.
• Find-ability. Just about any hotel will be easy to find. All taxi drivers will know where to go, and this will make it that much easier for all of your guests.
• Price. We all want to get the best deal. There should be a range of packages available from the most flexible hotels. Events are big business for hotels, and they fight for it. Think about what should be included and what relationship or membership discounts they will offer. Businesses normally get discounted rates compared with the general public simple off the street.
• Food and Beverage. The great thing about a hotel is they have it all, and you know it will be what you want. Most hotels will be more than happy to discuss and demonstrate to you the range of possibilities with price.
• Style. Make sure you look for the hotel that reflects your goals, the reason for your event and your guests. Price and brand name are not everything. You should take a holistic view of this issue.

Travelers say of Hotel Leonardo in Skopje, “You can’t help but like this place.” Located in the heart of town this hotel is the perfect halt for business travelers. Being in the city center means having quick access to important business establishments, saving time on commuting and, of course, saving money on transport. Yet the four-star Leonardo offers much more than these overtly functional facilities. It is, as one traveler put it, “a home away from home, an oasis”.

Right from the time you step into its well-appointed lobby you know that you are a valued guest. The friendly staff takes care of all your needs and answers all your queries. Brisk efficiency is the hallmark of Hotel Leonardo.

Hotel Leonardo, Skopje

The rooms, in keeping with the hotel’s aura, are well-turned out, modern and up to date. Comfortable and classy your room has a telephone and 24-hour internet (wireless). Business travelers or travelers on work wanting to work out of their hotel rooms are likely to find these services extremely efficient and well-organized.

Feel like relaxing after a hard day of travel? Sink into a hot bath with a beverage of your choice (if you wish) from the well-stocked mini bar. If you don’t feel like dinner right away you might like to lounge on the comfy sink-in sofa with cable TV switched on. Or you might like to read in complete isolation. The double glass windows in your room keep the noise outside from streaming in. You can have dinner later in your room if you like- there’s room service available at all times of the day.  Depending on the time of year you can switch on the heating or air-conditioning and simply relax!

The next morning take advantage of the hearty Swedish buffet that starts at 7.30 am and goes in till 10 am on weekdays and till 11 am on weekends. You will absolutely relish the smorgas, muesli, and the yummy Swedish pancakes.

Hotel Leonardo, Skopje

While in Skopje why not sample some of its exotic sights and sounds. The hotel’s staff would be only too pleased to arrange trips for you and your family.

One of the most exotic spots in Skopje is the Kale Fortress located in the old town. Perched on a hill it is an important landmark built across the famous Stone Bridge. The site of several fortresses, the first one dating back to the 6^th century AD, you’ll get to see some beautiful monuments harking back to the Turkish period. You will also get to see remarkable views of the city from this historical fortress.

Next, take a tour of the old bazaar known as Charshi and savor the sights, sounds, and smells of this old market place replete with old Turkish architecture, tiny bylanes, and single-storied shops displaying sparkling jewelry, gifts and souvenirs. Stop by at the café Pivnica An, also called the Beerhouse An, and sample some lip-smacking Moussaka and grape leaf rolls with minced meat.

Take a walk along the river Vardar and do check out the Irish pub.  Return to relax at your favorite hotel- the Leonardo.

Author Bio:

Angelina Christy is a travel author who has written many articles that keeps on guiding the travelers throughout the world. Angelina herself is an avid traveler who has traveled more than 22 countries. She also talks about travel options like cheap flights and cheap plane tickets that explains how tourists can minimize the cost of their travel fares.

package holidays

In general, tastes have broadened since the late sixties and early seventies when package holidays became truly popular. Although many people are still looking for the traditional family break featuring sand, sea, and sun, the desire to experience different locations each year has not gone unnoticed by tour operators.

In basic terms of cost, the full range from budget to luxury is now available in many parts of the world. The all singing, all dancing form of package holidays is the all inclusive. All inclusive holidays used to predominantly occupy the pricier end of the market. This too has changed in the last few years, no doubt in response to the need for many to be more careful about spending a dwindling disposable income.  Look to operators like Monarch for both package holidays and the bespoke booking route, providing expanded choice when you come to plan for the summer. We are all looking to keep things cost effective these days, so which is the best route to take?

beaches

As a general rule, package holidays are very competitive if you want to visit a place with an established tourist industry. This is especially the case if you want a standard break of seven, ten or fourteen days. In many cases, the all inclusive option can now keep the overall cost of a holiday down by saving a significant chunk of spending money, especially if drinks are included in the deal. The current exchange rate has a lot to do with the economics of this, as do the rising costs of living in some of the popular European tourist destinations like France and Italy. All in all, the net result of these factors can mean that eating out every night can end up costing as much in total as your accommodation. In contrast, Spain and Portugal are once again amongst the cheapest places to visit in Europe, a by-product of the financial crises affecting both countries. This means that self-catering package holidays on the Iberian Peninsula this year can often be a very affordable option.

If you wish to travel off the beaten path, however, you may still find that a tailor made break pieced together through separate bookings is the most cost effective route to take. All inclusive deals in locations like the Caribbean, Thailand and Africa still tend to be at the luxury, premium end of the market. Save money on these kinds of breaks by utilising the full power of internet comparison when searching for your bookings.

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