My Holiday Getaway

Holiday Packages for Tropical Islands

Holiday packages are becoming more popular with tourists for a number of reasons. Saving money is a big benefit, by combining accommodation types, tours, meals, transfers, and even air flights. Many of these package options can found at the one travel agent and huge savings are passed on to the traveller. Another huge advantage in using holiday packages is that less research needs to be done before the holiday. The agent handles visitor information on the destination and all the other extra details that come with intrastate and international travel with little fuss for the holiday goer. Fiji is the perfect holiday destination to use holiday packages, moving from mainland hotels to island resorts easily, without the need to have cash handy.

In many other tropical holiday destinations tourists are taking advantage of holiday packages. Places like Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, Hawaii and Bali. Vanuatu has some of the most popular resorts in the Pacific with names like Le Lagon, Iririki Island and Bokissa Island. All these resorts and many more can all be packed into deals to make cheap Vanuatu holidays for Australians possible.

Flights are a little harder to find savings on as the prices are heavily regulated. Hawaii for example, is much further to fly for Australians so packaging flights will save you a little money. There are some good tours to see in Hawaii so booking these along with accommodation will save you more money. Hawaii is made up with several large islands all reasonably close together so any holiday there should include a couple of islands. Book them all at the same time and do it on the cheap.

Tags: Fiji, Hawaii, holidays, Vanuatu

Getaway to Asia – Part 2

This is our second look in to the wondrous holiday destinations in Asia. Vietnam holidays are becoming very popular with Australians. Slowly emerging from a savage civil war 30 years ago, Vietnam’s major tourist cities are Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and are seeing steady growth in tourist numbers. The country is also blessed with one of the most beautiful and rugged wilderness areas in Asia. Halong Bay is featured in movies and TV documentaries with iconic images of junk sailing boats cruising past huge limestone outcrops jutting out of the sea. Still very undeveloped, visitors get a glimpse of basic fishing villages floating on the sea and a look at the real historic Asia.

Penang and Langkawi are the major draw cards for Malaysia holidays in terms of staying in more traditional Asian destinations with ancient customs all around. Kuala Lumpur is now a huge city development with some old temples and religious sites in amongst huge modern buildings and busy roads. The highlight of the capital city is still the Petronas Towers but the city zoo and the abundance of traditional food outlets keep visitors interested. Other Malaysian locations to see include the rice fields at Kelantan, the beautiful seaside village of Malacca and the amazing rainforests of Sarawak.

Hong Kong is rapidly become one of the top destination for vacations in Asia for Australians. All the attractions are close by as Hong Kong is almost a sprawling city. Disneyland and amazing shopping experiences are some of the main factors for increasing tourism. Hong Kong holidays are usually fast and furious, lots to see and do in the bustling city but the surrounding smaller islands tend to go at a slower pace and visitors can get a look at some traditional fishing villages.

Tags: asia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, vietnam

Getaway to Asia

With a long history, lush rainforests, ancient customs and unbelievable beauty, Asia is rapidly becoming the top international travel destination for Australians. Malaysia and the Philippines are just 2 of many Asia countries quickly developing into tourism attractions.

Malaysia is made up of 2 large regions separated by a large amount of ocean. The capital is Kuala Lumpur and is world famous for its twin Petronas Towers. Standing high above the skyline, the towers are Asian in design and are the largest concrete buildings on earth. Two of the more popular destinations for visitors are Langkawi and Penang.

Penang is a small region in Malaysia that consists of a mainland and Penang Island. The capital city of George Town is found on the north eastern side of the island. There are some beautiful beaches on the island and visitors love the place because of the lovely mix of beauty and history. Not just Asian history but also British and European influences as well.

Langkawi is a group of islands also found in the very west of Malaysia. With a small population and being close to Thailand, tourists also like the stunning natural beauty. Langkawi has also just started expanding its tourist market with more hotels and apartments being built. Stunning beaches abound and it’s these beautiful palm fringed beaches that travelers love on their holiday getaways.

The Philippines are heavily populated becoming the 12 most populous countries on earth. The Philippines are warming to the idea of a huge tourism industry and building holiday accommodation is becoming more and more common. With over 7000 island there are too many lovely beaches to visit and the capital Manila is found on Manila Bay, one of the cleanest and prettiest ports in the world. The Philippines also belong in one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world. The county is teeming with natural beauty and wildlife. Holiday goers keep coming back for more of this tropical paradise.

Tags: asia, Langkawi, Malaysia, Penang, Philippines

Getaway Holidays on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast in Queensland Australia is often compared to Miami, Florida in America because of its sunny, beach friendly weather and for large high-rise hotels, resorts and apartments right on the beach. The Gold Coast has wonderful golden sand beaches, hundreds of kilometers of canals and waterways, a lush hinterland backdrop and several world-class theme parks half an hour away.

A getaway holiday to the gold coast is filled with sun, sand, surf and shopping. Surfers Paradise is the center of the coast and has several malls filled with boutique shops, arcade and gaming lounges, pubs, restaurants, and take-away outlets. Often buzzing with tourists, Surfers also has duty free shopping and Conrad Jupiters Casino just down the road beside the Gold Coast’s biggest shopping complex.

Accommodation on the Gold Coast is almost endless. Most of the high-rise accommodation is found at Surfers Paradise and spreading north and south from there. At the northern and southern ends of the Gold Coast, places like Coolangatta, Miami, Labradore and Kirra run at quieter pace and although big resorts and hotels can be found, visitors can find smaller more affordable accommodation.

What are you waiting for? Now is the best time for a getaway to the Gold Coast.

Tags: accommodation, Gold Coast, holidays, surfers paradise

Holidays in the USA

Think about your ideal holiday. Is it sand, snow, luxury, hiking or diving focused? Any holiday scenario imaginable is possible in the USA. Sun bake on the beaches at Miami in Florida or ski the slopes on the Rockies in Colorado. Witness impressive natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and the Great Lakes or visit impressive man made structures like the Empire State Building, Times Square or the Seattle Space Needle. While on holidays in the USA some tourists like to visit cities based on their favourite TV shows or movies. Places like Chicago, Las Vegas, New York, Boston, Los Angeles and Miami. USA holidays really are blessed with choice.

The United States of America is also home to the celebrity, especially in places like Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Hollywood. Hollywood is home to the US film industry and tourists love to stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Here you will also find the back lot for Paramount Pictures and the Kodak Theatre where the Oscars are now held.

If you like warm weather, you should travel to the USA in the middle of the year, during the summer time. The Deep South has an almost tropical climate and the best times to travel to places like New Orleans and Florida is during spring and autumn. If cold weather is more your thing, then try a Christmas holiday in the snow at some of the northern US cities. USA Holidays – the hard part is where to go and what time of year to travel.

Tags: holidays, hollywood, miami, USA

Hong Kong Holidays

Hong Kong is growing steadily to become one of the top holiday destinations in Asia for Australian’s. It’s a lively mix of ancient Asia combined with 99 years of British rule to become a westernised region perfect for Aussie tourists. Hong Kong is made up of over 260 islands jam packed with history, skyscrapers, statues and amazing shopping. Now under the administrative rule of China (mainly for defence and foreign affairs), Hong Kong translates to ‘fragrant harbour’ referring to the sweet smells of wood and incense that were once traded by the sea.

Subtropical in climate, Hong Kong is prone to typhoons (similar to cyclones) in the summer months. Although starting out sunny the weather can get quite cold in winter. The best times to visit Hong Kong are in spring and autumn, September to November and March to May respectively. The islands are mostly mountainous with only a quarter of the land mass used for development. The majority of urbanisation occurs on Hong Kong Island and pollution can be a problem, so just forget the city and head to a park or nature reserve. 40% of Hong Kong is devoted to parks and reserves.

Hong Kong Holidays must include a visit to Victoria Harbour. Surrounded by tall buildings the Harbour has spectacular views, day and night. For an even better view of the Harbour and the surrounding areas then a visit to Victoria Peak is a must. The biggest peak on Hong Kong Island has several parks and a milder climate which tourists love. Travelling by taxi or by the scenic peak tram visitors to the peak now have shopping options at 2 nearby shopping centres. Away from the heavily populated areas the religious beliefs become more evident with Buddhist statues, monuments and temples dotting the countryside. The Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island features a huge bronze Buddha statue, which is the biggest of its kind in the world and is a favourite for tourists.

See why Hong Kong is so popular for Australians on holidays today.

Tags: accommodation, asia, holidays, Hong Kong

2010 Holidays in the Snow

Most of Australia is basking under a hot sun right now. With Christmas and the New Year behind us we look forward to working off our festive season excess in a much colder climate just 5 months out from now. Images of skiing down soft white slopes while on holidays in the snow start to fill the mind. But is it too late? Accommodation at all the skiing hot spots is being snapped up quickly so start searching.

The Australian snow season is very short with July and August being the best times for skiing but the season can extend sometimes into early October. The two most well known snow regions in the country are Perisher and Thredbo and both are nearly full for the upcoming season. Some accommodation is available in the surrounding areas like Crackenback and Jindabyne but is disappearing rapidly.

You may even have to start thinking about next years snow season. Now is the time to start the odd purchasing of ski equipment in preparation and motivation for unbelievable and unforgettable holidays in the snow.

Tags: australia, holidays, Perisher, Skiing, Snow, Thredbo

Lord Howe and Tourism

Lord Howe Island is located about six hundred kilometers east from mainland Australia. Almost directly out from Port Macquarie, Lord Howe is a tiny island just 56 square kilometers in area and has a small population of just a little under 400 people. The island has a wide range of unique flora and fauna and became World Heritage listed in 1982. This holiday destination is perfect for not just nature lovers be lovers of peace and quiet.

Formed from an ancient shield volcano, Lord Howe Island has pleasant temperatures from 20-26 degrees in summer to 13-18 degrees in winter. The Island’s rainforest are home to some unique plants and animals – including a glowing mushroom seen sometimes after rain. Several bird species are endemic to Lord Howe Island. The Howea plant makes a great indoor houseplant and millions are sold annually all around the world. This is the only major industry behind tourism on Lord Howe.

Lord Howe Tourism provides the bulk of the income to the Island. With just 400 tourist allowed on the Island at any one time means it never becomes over-run or busy. All the Lord Howe Island accommodation is owned and operated by the locals. Lodges, apartments, cottages and B & B’s dot the island and all have friendly hosts and a warm holiday experience. Accommodation needs to be confirmed before you reach Lord Howe Island and camping is not allowed.

Tags: accommodation, heritage listed, holiday, Lord Howe, tourism

Getaway Holidays to New Caledonia

New Caledonia is a bit of an unknown. It is a lot closer to Australia than many might think. Found before you get to the islands of Vanuatu and Fiji, it is the nearest south pacific island group to Australia making it great for holiday getaways. The main island is quite large compared to many other Pacific Islands at eighteen and a half thousand square kilometers. The French still rule New Caledonia as it is referred to as a non-self governing territory and the vote for independence will happen between 2014 – 19.

The weather on the islands is clearly tropical, hot humid summer months with plenty of rain and cool winters with the occasional cyclone. Mostly warm weather means New Caledonia holidays are filled with sunshine.

Noumea is the capital, the country’s largest city and port as well as the world’s biggest lagoon. Reef tours are everywhere with over 1200km of reef at your doorstep. There a dozens of beautiful beaches nearby that are usually only frequented by the locals.

The French history and the daily lives revolving around the water combine for a very interesting country that is ideal for family holidays and sailing adventures.

Tags: holidays, New Caledonia, tropical

Norfolk Island – Laid back Holidays

Norfolk Island is a small rock outcrop right in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. It sits right in between New Zealand, Australia and New Caledonia as an isolated piece of paradise. Lush rolling fields are found right across the 35 kilometers of land that makes up Norfolk Island. Formed from an ancient volcano, Norfolk is well known for its laid back pace and quiet way of life.

The islands icon is the Pine Tree, which also features on the Norfolk Island flag. Pine trees gently sway in the breeze in front of quaint bed & breakfasts and other boutique accommodation. Norfolk Island accommodation is not cheap but the service is excellent and the visitors just keep coming back for more.

Norfolk Island has a dark and barbaric history, which is in stark contrast to how quiet and serene the island looks today. On and off for 50 years, Norfolk Island was home to some of the worst criminals in early Australia history during the late 1700’s to the mid 1800’s. Some of these settlement ruins are still visible today and make for great viewing in the afternoon sunlight.

Norfolk Island is rich in history, lovely in isolation, abounding in luxury accommodation and is perfect for laid back holidays.

Tags: accommodation, holidays, National Parks, Norfolk Island, Walks