Visit Nature » Accommodation

South Africa Travel Tips: Accommodation, Getting Around, Making Friends, Staying Safe

admin — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:43:23 +0000

Getting Around South Africa

If you are travelling around South Africa, especially if you’re on your own, the best tip I can give you is to use the Baz Bus. This is a hop on, hop off bus that goes to most of the hostels on the tourist routes. It is the easiest way to travel around South Africa. All you do is phone their number the night before and tell them you need to be collected the next day. The guide book you are provided when you buy a Baz Bus ticket tells you what time to expect them, you hop on, then hop off at the door of your next hostel, no lugging big heavy bags around public transport, no trying to navigate your way through complicated public transport systems or worry about your safety and security. This service made travelling through South Africa a dream!

Travelling Alone

Don’t worry if you’re alone, most other travellers are alone too and if you strike up a conversation on the bus or in a hostel, you can almost guarantee that it will be well received. You will no doubt see the same people throughout your journey as most tourists are travelling the same route, so you’ll probably make friends very easily. If you get to a hostel and you want someone to share a trip with and are too scared to approach anyone, just ask the hostel owners and they will link you up with someone.

Where To Stay

If you want to meet people, the best place to meet people is in hostels, they are sociable and fun environments with other like minded people who are also travelling around South Africa. They are usually very safe and will have loads of information about trips that are arranged straight from your hostel door.

Staying Safe

Even though you’ll be having fun, you still need to ensure you’re being safe, and cities in South Africa can be very dangerous places. However if you bear this in mind, and stay with a group of people, stay with your tour guide, in your hostel or on your tourist bus you should have no problems whatsoever. It’s better not to walk around on your own after dark, and be careful getting money out of cash machine that you are in a group. Ensure you always have the name of your hostel and contact details on you when you’re out and about, and I liked to carry some cash (notes) and some contact details in my shoe in case my bag was stolen.

Visit Scandinavia: Stockholm, Oslo and Helsinki

admin — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:41:21 +0000

Stockholm

The capital city of Sweden is also the most enchanting. The attractive city offers waterways, parks, gardens, fairytale castles, churches and palaces. The maritime feel to the city also makes it a lively, energetic place to visit.

Transport: how to get there and around

By air, you can travel to Arlanda airport. Stockholm’s airport is located about 30 miles from the city centre. By land you have the option of long distance bus or train. The main bus station is Cityterminalen, which is nearby the train station Centralstationen. If coming from Helsinki or Turku, the ferry is also an option.

Climate

From May to July you can enjoy the Swedish summer which brings around nine hours of bright sun each day. The winter however dark and very chilly with frequent snow. The temperature in July and August averages 16 C and below freezing in the winter.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Stockholm.

Attractions & Events

*From May to August there are theatre performances at Drottingholms Court for the Summer Music Festival.

*For great food, drink and entertainment head to Kungstradgarden for the Taste of Stockholm event in early June.

* The Jazz Festival is held mid July, in early August you can experience the lesbian and gay Stockholm Pride event.

*Film lovers can watch 24 hours of films at the November International Film Festival.

Oslo

Oslo the capital of beautiful rugged Norway has plenty to keep the visitor interested. Fo one thing, the city boasts 50 museums and many art galleries. Highlights are the Viking Ship Museum, the Munch Museum and Holmenkollen. A new attraction is the Nobel Peace Centre.

Transport: how to get there and around

The International airport in Gardermoen serves Europe and North America well.

The train can link you as far as London, and the bus serves Russia, Germany and other Scandinavian countries. Ferries also run to Germany and the UK.

Oslo city is compact enough to walk around, although you could spoil yourself with a ferry trip on the fjord. There is also a choice of buses, subway system and taxis.

Weather

Oslo weather is fairly tame in comparison to other Scandinavian locations. Temperatures are around 16 C upwards during the long days of the summer. However being coastal there is frequent rain. Winter is snowy and there isn’t much daylight, so can be quite gloomy.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Oslo.

Attractions & Events

*An important day in the Norwegian calendar is 17 May. Constitution Day is a traditional day is widely celebrated with dressing in folk costume.

*Beach bonfires are lit on Midsummer’s Eve, another big celebration in Oslo.

Helsinki

The city with its waterways and parks feels the fresh air from the nearby sea. With influences of Russia and Sweden, the Finnish capital has a bustling market square enveloped by classic architecture and al fresco cafes make if a great place to hang out on long summer nights.

Transport: how to get there and around

Vantaa International Airport, 12 miles away from the city serves flights from Russia and other European countries. The ferry connects Sweden, Estonia and Germany. The train also has international connections.

Traveling around the city is made easy by a single ticket which serves all public transport including the tram, metro, ferry and bus. You can also conveniently rent a cycle from a coin machine and try one of the city’s cycle trails.

Weather

The winter months can get as cold as -5 C in Helsinki, where as the summer averages 25 C. If you are looking for some sunshine, the best months to visit are June to September.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Helsinki.

Attractions & Events

*If you like a tipple, the event where most drinkers overindulge is the May Day Festical, Vappu.

*Kaivopuisto Park holds weekly concerts each Sunday throughout the summer.

• The Arts Festival at the end of August to September is a popular time for celebrations in the city.

Enjoy A Fun Filled Family Holiday In South Africa

admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:37:24 +0000

Wondering where you should go this year for your family holidays, South Africa is the answer. A South Africa travel trip is just what you need to refresh and invigorate yourself after a stressful year, and a great place to show your kids what nature and heritage really is like.

South Africa offers something for every member of your family. Be it adventure and sport, culture and heritage, wildlife, accommodation safaris, natural beauty, or entertainment and leisure, South Africa travel has got it all. In addition to its inherent geographical and cultural vibrancy, the great thing about spending your family holidays in South Africa is that it is quite affordable. You can get great luxury accommodation and still have enough to shop a tonne.

The wildlife that you will encounter in your South Africa travel is almost addictive. And not just the big five, even the whales, meerkats, birds, wild dogs and penguins will hold you spell bound for the longest time. Kids will have a whale of a time exploring the great outdoors, and there is something to learn at every turn.

Offering tourists the ultimate combination of wildlife, nature, adventure, culture and vibe, you will have nothing to complain about on your South Africa travel. Even their rich history is a great experience. Learn about their freedom struggle as you follow the footsteps of Hector Pieterson, Mandela and many other revolutionary thinkers.

That’s not all. Teach your kids the importance of conservation and sustenance as they buy recyclable art, participate in social conservation projects, and stay green. Do something different this year. Spend your family holidays in South Africa and explore a whole new world of culture, heritage, nature and wildlife. Who knows what you may find on your South Africa travel?

Australia Travel – Holidays in NSW Accommodation

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:06:05 +0000

Australia–travel.com.au is an on-line Australian travel directory for people who want to truly experience Australia, one of the world’s oldest landscapes. Australia is a country that has it all: From beaches to unspoilt wilderness and stunning landscapes; from world-class wineries to world-class ski fields; from bustling metropolises full of cultural attractions, shopping, and nightlife, to peaceful retreats. So Australia–travel.com.au is here to offer you the very best in travel information and services to make your Australian holiday, travel plans, resort or hotel visit easy and enjoyable to arrange.

Australia is a unique and relaxed place to travel and spend holidays. It offers a vast range of experiences including the unique tropical nature of Queensland and the Northern Territory, the vastness of Western Australia and historic features in Tasmania. Travel to South Australia to enjoy the food and magnificent wines grown in this region. Explore Victoria that offers beautiful natural features including the Great Ocean Road Coastline and Sydney, New South Wales that is home to one of the most picturesque harbours in the world.

Queensland is a leading tourist destination in Australia, and is home to a multitude of tourist points such as; the Great Barrier Reef, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, a huge number of theme parks and zoos such as Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo, Dreamworld, Sea world And Movieworld. As you travel through Queensland you will come across some of the world’s finest holiday destinations. Traveling to Cairns in the North you will experience some of the best of Queensland accommodation resorts, hotels etc. Brisbane is the capital of Queensland that is located in the south east corner, between the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Our website can provide you with all the information you need on Queensland accommodation, hotels, motels, holiday apartments and condominiums, bed and breakfasts, and holiday packages

Covering one third of the Australia continent, Arid desert to the east and pristine coastline to the west, Western Australia is adored for its warm sunny climate, brilliant blue skies and towering forests. It is blessed with some of the world’s most precious natural phenomena including the dolphins of Monkey Mia, 350 million yr old Bungle Bungles & spectacular wildflowers. Home to beautiful national parks, gorgeous waterways, boutique hotels and award-winning restaurants; Perth is a modern, compact city set on the banks of the Swan River. Our Perth accommodation makes a great base for exploring the state of Western Australia and the Swan Valley wine region, which is perfect for a diving holiday.

Experience the real Australia, the red heart of the nation, the Northern Territory. Showcasing the world’s largest monolith, Uluru has breathtaking national parks, starry skies, and friendly outback towns like diverse landscapes of Kakadu National Park, Alice Springs, remote Arnhem Land & Gove Peninsula and multicultural Darwin. While you are in the Territory, stay in our Darwin hotels, resorts, apartments etc. The capital of the Northern Territory, Darwin is one of the most multicultural and progressive communities in Australia. This city is an exotic mix of Asian, European and Aboriginal cultures with a distinctly Australian feel.

New South Wales has so much to offer, so why not get more for your holiday dollar by making big savings on NSW accommodation. Experience the real Australia travel using our NSW accommodation as a base. Against a stunning backdrop of endless beaches, World Heritage National Parks, Outback Australian desert, snow-capped ski fields, lush hinterland farms, and dazzling city lights – you will find a network of historic towns, small town pubs, food and wine trails, premium shopping and fascinating Aboriginal heritage.

Sydney Australia the oldest, largest and one of the beautiful city in Australia is memorable for far more than its famous landmarks. In this great city, the stunning Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge are the pride and joy, but there’s much more on offer, Great accommodation, restaurants, shopping. Explore Sydney Accommodation options in the heart of the Sydney CBD, which range from hotels, motels and budget apartments. In the sprawling suburbs of Sydney the accommodation options cover resorts, hotels, motels, self-contained apartments, holiday houses and backpacker style accommodation.

The capital city of Australia, Canberra is one of the world’s greatest examples of urban planning and landscape architecture. Canberra offers a range of accommodation including five star hotels, motels, apartments and resorts. Canberra boasts famous national landmarks like parliament house, national gallery and museum and Canberra war memorial. Byron Bay is one of Australia’s top holiday destinations; with great sparkling beaches, an amazing marine park, award-winning restaurants, music festivals, skydiving and specialty shops. Whether flying solo or traveling with a group, there are bed and breakfasts, apartments, holiday homes and resorts galore.

While heading to South Australia to sample world famous Barossa Valley wines, witness the rugged beauty of the Flinders Ranges, view Kangaroo Island wildlife or sail a houseboat on the Murray River. Separated from mainland Australia by the 240 km stretch of Bass Strait, Tasmania is a land apart – a place of wild and beautiful landscapes; friendly, nice people; a pleasant, temperate climate; wonderful wine and food; a rich history; and a relaxed island lifestyle. Hobart is a blend of heritage & lifestyle, scenery & vibrant culture and rich in restaurants, bustling markets and festivals, with a fine selection of motels, apartments, boutique hotels, bed & breakfast and budget accommodation.

While your Australia travel, visit Victoria, Australia’s second smallest state that has something for everyone. Whether the vibrant nightlife, fabulous shopping and premium restaurants of Melbourne, the famous Great Ocean Road, wineries in the Yarra Valley or the tranquil villages of the Gippsland. Melbourne city is a spectacular combination of old and new architecture, stunning streetscapes, ethnic communities and lavish parks and gardens. Stay at one of our Hotels, resorts, holiday houses, and self contained apartments in Melbourne to experience the city that is full of art, shopping and food and wine.

Australia, being such a diverse country offers many contrasting climates, terrain, features, foods, travel experiences and has people from all over the world offering a truly multicultural experience. Australia travel and Accommodation, NSW Accommodation, Gold Coast accommodation, Sydney Hotels or Sunshine Coast apartments… You’ll find them all here in our Australia–travel.com, the complete guide for travel and holiday accommodation in Australia.