Salamanca Place

Located in Sullivans Cove, Salamanca Place is a popular place to meet friends. The area is lined with a long row of 1800s waterfront sandstone warehouses that now house alfresco cafes and restaurants, jewellers, craft shops, fashion boutiques and subterranean bookshops. On Saturdays, you can visit the famous Salamanca Market where you can find a variety of clothing, home wares, fresh fruit and vegetables. Stalls are sheltered under sun umbrellas.

Up the stairs of Salamanca Place, you’ll also find the Salamanca Arts Centre and surrounding art studios and galleries. The courtyard is great for music lovers where you can catch the Rektango band play gypsy, jazz and swing music.

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

Located in Macquarie Street, this exquisite place celebrates the natural and cultural heritage of Tasmania. It features presentations and exhibits on Aboriginal art, Tasmania’s ancient origins, flora and fauna, Tasmanian tiger, gemstones, and 19^th century and modern artworks.

The architecture here is of rare historical buildings including the Commissariat Store, Private Secretary’s Cottage, Custom House, Bond Store and Queen’s Warehouse. Each building includes information on their animal past.

Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)

The already world renowned MONA just opened in January 2011 and is the only Australian travel destination that features a vineyard, accommodation, fine dining, wine bar, cellar door tastings, as well as the innovative museum and art gallery. It is also known as displaying Australia’s largest private art collection including displays of Egyptian mummies and ancient coins.

Theatres

There are many venues for theatrical performances around the city centre and Hobart accommodation. The most popular are the Theatre Royal and the Playhouse Theatre.

Theatre Royal – This is the oldest Australian theatre built in 1837. Since then, it houses many famous plays, performances and tour productions. Performers have included Marcel Marceau, Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell and Ronnie Corbett.

Playhouse Theatre – This building was originally built in 1864 and has hosted theatrical productions since 1937. Recent shows include Richard III and The Seagulls.

Historic tours

You’ll find lots of tours to keep you busy. You can take a guided tour through Battery Point, one of the most admired Hobart suburbs where St George’s Church is one of the places you’ll visit. The Old Pub Tour offers a darker and fascinating experience with tales of murder, brothels and smuggling during Hobart’s ancient history. Port Arthur, a heritage convict site, will intrigue you with its locations including the anciently wicked Penitentiary and the restored Convict Church.

Music

Hobart is popular in symphony productions. The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra based at the Federation Concert Hall, is considered as one of the most skilled small orchestras. Also, the Australian International Symphony Orchestra (AISOI) features local and international aspiring musicians. They also perform concerts at Federation Concert Hall during December.

Other Hobart events

●      Sydney to Hobart race – The long running Australian annual yachting competition traditionally starts in Sydney on Boxing Day and finishes at Hobart’s Constitution Dock.

●      Taste of Tasmania – Features local and international food and wine tasting during the Hobart Summer Festival.

●      Tulip Festival – A spring celebration held at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.

Blend in

Whether you’re holidaying in Greece or South Africa you must do your best to blend in. This means learning a little about the culture and language in advance. If it’s unusual to expose lots of skin when away from the beach make sure you cover up too. Don’t cook yourself to a vivid shade of red on the beach on your first day and try to use the odd bits of the local language such as please, thank you, yes and no.

Get insurance

Travel insurance is vital, even in Europe where your European Health Insurance Card is valid. It makes no sense booking a cheap holiday to Greece for example only to forgo travel insurance then fork out hundreds for emergency treatment when you’re there. Travel insurance can start from just a few pounds a day and can save time, hassle and lots of money in the long run. Check out On The Beach for cheap holidays to Greece and other popular European destinations.

Make use of technology

Rather than pulling out a guidebook in the middle of a foreign city, alerting people that you don’t really know where you’re going, download an app and use your phone to guide you around the city. Checking for directions on your phone looks less conspicuous than checking a map or guidebook; in fact it looks completely normal as you could just be checking a text message.  Check out this article from the Telegraph on the best travel apps.

Don’t flash cash, use cards instead

Check what the situation is with card payments; if you can pay by card easily it makes sense to rely on plastic than on cash as cards are less attractive to thieves. Furthermore, credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are covered for fraudulent use. However, remember to take contact information for your bank and credit card company with you just in case you loose your wallet or purse or have it stolen and need to cancel your cards.

Store equipment safely

Cameras are the number one items to get stolen on holiday. If you don’t want to get mugged or have your camera taken, keep it stored securely in a bag and away from view when you’re not using it.

Beach holidays can go either way; too much activity means you don’t have time to distress, but not enough activity and your children end up miserable and unhappy, which only adds to your stress. So how do you arrive at a happy medium? Here are our top tips.

Combine romance with exploration

When it comes to romance, European destinations don’t come much more romantic than Paphos on the southwestern tip of Cyprus. This is reputed to be the birthplace of the goddess of love, Aphrodite and the landscape is just as heavenly. However, you wouldn’t normally associate a Paphos holiday with a family holiday. But that doesn’t mean it won’t work as a family beach holiday destination. There are ruins, ancient tombs, forts and a classical Greek amphitheatre to explore and children will love running free and imagining, with a little help, just what it was like to live on the island thousands of years ago.

There’s also a huge water park, the Aphrodite Water Park and an animal park in Paphos, plus several hotels offer babysitting and childminding facilities. If all else fails the beach can keep your little ones amused for hours as they build sand castles, play in the shallows or even get sailing lessons. If you like the sound of this, you can book a holiday Paphos based with On The Beach throughout the year. You can find more information about Cyprus on the Visit Cyprus website.

Look for activity clubs

If a Paphos holiday sounds too idyllic, look for holidays with a little more action. Greece is a family favourite thanks to its range of family activity breaks. You can choose from little to lots of activity depending on your preferences, budget and children’s ages. If you want to relax however, activities such as sailing and windsurfing are your best bets. You can sit back and let the wind do all the work, but you children will still find this level of activity fun. Furthermore, after a few hours in the morning they’ll probably be tired so they’ll be quite happy to play quietly on the beach in the afternoon allowing you to soak up some sun and delve into a good holiday read.

The Med has some of Europe’s, if not the world’s, best party destinations; here are our top picks.

Ibiza

Hand’s down and without a doubt Ibiza is the number one party destination in the world. It has the biggest and best clubs and attracts the best and most famous DJs. It’s not cheap mind you, with club entrance to legendary locations such as Space, Es Paradis and Amnesia costing around €40-€50 and beers and spirits setting you back around €10 a pop. But the sheer quality of the clubs in terms of performances, sounds, lights and atmosphere makes up for the high costs, not to mention the island has some of the Med’s best beaches to rest your sleepy head on during the day.

Zante

Holidays to Zante are much more affordable than those to Ibiza. The main party destination on the island is Laganas, which boasts a huge 9km stretch of sheltered sandy beach. The resort has developed around clubbing so caters well to a party goer’s needs. It’s not the most beautiful resort on Zante and lacks much of the Greek charm found elsewhere on the island, but the party scene is impressive. Rescue is by far the biggest, best and loudest club and holds around 2,000 people. It regularly hosts Hed Kandi club nights that attract people from many other Greek Islands and the atmosphere is buzzing. On The Beach offer holidays to Zante from May to October allowing you to take full advantage of the Laganas clubbing scene during its peak.

Faliraki

Similar to holidays to Zante, holidays to Faliraki are an affordable party option. Falaraki, like Zante is not particularly Grecian anymore, but the beach is still stunning and the surrounding landscape and nearby towns remain charming. However, you’re looking for nightlife not history so Faliraki is the place to be. The best and largest clubs are Q, Bed and Liquid, but some of the most legendary partying goes down on the beach; you need to keep your ear to the ground and listen to the latest news and gossip. You can find more information on the Greek Islands on the Visit Greece website.

Pentlands Backpackers Hostel
22 Pentland Avenue, Mount Eden, Auckland

A spacious home full of character, Pentlands Backpackers Hostel is situated in Mount Eden on 2500 square metres worth of land. Because it’s located a little bit out of the city (you’re looking at a 40 minute walk into the CBD, or a 10 minute bus ride), this makes for a quieter stay, which is great if that’s what you’re looking for. The staff are super friendly, the surroundings are serene and the bathrooms and kitchen have been recently renovated.

Surf ‘N’ Snow Backpackers
Level 1, 102 Albert Street, Auckland

Located directly across from Auckland’s Sky Tower (the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere!), Surf ‘N’ Snow Backpackers is just minutes away from everything you need in the Auckland CBD. It doesn’t have the reputation for being the cleanest or quietest location, but the staff are friendly and helpful, and you definitely cannot beat the location.

Ponsonby Backpackers
2 Franklin Road, Ponsonby, Auckland

Situated on the funky and fashionable Ponsonby Road, an area renowned for some of the coolest bars and restaurants in Auckland, Ponsonby Backpackers is a 19th century villa. With a reputation for cleanliness and super helpful staff, along with super-fast internet and a relaxing outdoor BBQ area, this is arguably the best hostel in Auckland.

K Road City Travellers
146 Karangahape Road, Auckland

A quaint little hostel that has often been described as the “hidden gem” of the Auckland backpacking scene, K Road City Travellers has comfortable beds, friendly staff, and a steady flow of clean, friendly and quiet travellers. If you’re looking for a party hostel, this isn’t the one, but if you’re looking for a friendly place with helpful staff in an ideal location, then you should consider taking the K Road.

Base Auckland
Cnr Queen Street and Darby Street, Auckland

The Base chain of hostels can be found around Australia and New Zealand so, naturally, they have a location in Auckland — and what a location it is. Close to all the CBD’s major attractions, from the Auckland Harbour Bridge and SkyTower to harbour rides on an NZ jet boat, Base truly is your base in Auckland. Bear in mind that all Base Backpackers have a no alcohol policy in rooms — you’ll need to head down to the adjoining bar to have a drink.

Honorable Mention:

BK Hostel (Cnr Karangahape Road and Mercury Lane, Auckland)
Silverfern Backpackers (234 Hobson Street, Auckland)
YMCA Hostel (Cnr Pitt Street and Greys Avenue, Auckland)
City Travellers Auckland (93-95 Anzac Avenue, Britomart, Auckland)

Australia is an incredibly popular tourist destination, and it’s easy to see why. Firstly, there are the incredibly beautiful beaches, renowned the world over as being some of the most breathtaking in the world. Secondly there is the great weather, friendly locals, vibrant cities and peaceful country towns. In short, it’s Australia’s diversity that makes it so appealing, and as a result there is always something to grab your attention, no matter what your tastes are. Whether your ideal Aussie adventure includes booking your Ballarat accommodation and exploring the history of the Australian gold rush or lazing on the beach somewhere with a cocktail in hand, this great big country has got you covered. It might even show you something you didn’t know you wanted…

Towns

If towns and cities are your idea of a good time, Australia will not disappoint. Whether you’re headed for the tropical sunny city of Brisbane, the stunning splendour of Sydney or the artsy culture of Melbourne, Australia’s cities are as unique and diverse as her citizens. If you’re headed to Sydney, make sure you take advantage of some harbourside scenery, and if you’re in Melbourne then take the opportunity to shop up a storm in the fashion capital of Australia! Before a lot of tourists visit Australia they often assume that we’re little more than nice beaches and dusty desert—but once they arrive and discover the thriving cosmopolitan centres that most Australians call home, their perspective shifts a little and they can appreciate Australia for the modern, exciting and vibrant nation that it is today.

Country

Australia’s outback and country towns are another part of what makes the country so great. There is a sense of family, community and connection with the land in the regional and rural parts of the country that is stronger than in the cities, and the country is where you’re likely to see a lot of our most beautiful nature. Head to the dusty red centre of the country and check out Uluru, visit the beef capital of Australia, Rockhampton, and tuck into a juicy steak, or check out a sugarcane plantation in tropical Bundaberg. Australia is a huge expanse of land, much of which changes dramatically as you travel across it, so getting out of the cities and exploring the outback, farming communities and the mystical ‘top end’ will leave you enchanted.

Surf

Ok, let’s be honest. We’ve all seen the tourist shots of Australia with the pristine beaches and bronzed locals getting amongst the surf and sand. Visitors to Australia looking for a coastal holiday will definitely not be disappointed, and whether you’re kicking back on Stradbroke Island for a holiday in the sun or watching the beautiful people stroll by from your Surfer’s Paradise accommodation, Australia’s laid back surf culture will get under your skin. If you’re planning on learning to surf there are hundreds of surf schools all over the country that can combine tourism with a bit of athletic education, but if your idea of a beach break is watching other people do all the hard work while you work on your tan, that’s OK, too!

No matter what kind of holiday you’re looking for in Australia, you’ll find it…and so much more.

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.