Interesting Places To Visit in Queensland, Australia

Australia, a country in the Southern Hemisphere is included in my travel wishlist. One of its states that I would love to visit is Queensland. You know why this state is on top of my list? It is not only the most famous in Australia but it has several major world heritage sites that are a must-see including the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree National Park.

I need to slowly save money so that I can book one of the cheapest QLD holidays in the future. Here are some of the most interesting places I would love to see and experience in Queensland, Australia.

Brisbane- known as the capital of the state of Queensland, this city is truly worth a visit. Brisbane's year-round warm climate, pleasant locals and spectacular scenery has drawn many tourists and visitors, both domestic and international. This city has everything to offer to every tourist that wants to explore it

The Portside Wharf, Manly Boat Harbour, Alma Park Zoo, City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane City Hall and King George Square, Museum of Brisbane, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, are among its famous sights to see and to experience.

a bridge in Brisbane, Australia. photo credit: Dominilika Lis

Gold Coast- From its name alone, I can already think that this area is a coastal city. Adding "gold" to it, I can conclude that this is truly a must-see in Queensland. Its sunny subtropical climate, its high-rise dominated skyline, surfing beaches, nightlife, and rainforest hinterland, makes Gold Coast a major tourist destination not only in Queensland but in Australia as a whole.

I don't want to miss visiting any one or two of its theme parks. The Sea World,Wet'n'Wild Water World or the David Fleay Wildlife Park, will be great for me to experience. I would also like to go on top of the Q1 building, the world's highest residential tower, to have a good view of all the directions around it. I can't really do surfing but I would love to spend some time at the beach and watch the surfers dancing on the waters. I would find a drive or a bus tour to the Hinterland as the one of the highlights in visiting the Gold Coast.

Great Barrier Reef – I love to watch world travels and nature trips on Television and I have seen a TV program about this amazing reef in Australia. I was truly amazed by the beauty of it, with its thousands of species of brilliantly coloured fish, corals and other marine life including whales, dolphins and turtles. This will be a dream come true if I will see these creatures right in front of my naked eyes.

The Great Barrier Reef is known as the world’s largest living organism and the only one visible from outer space.

Great barrier reef. taken by an FB friend.

Fraser Island – I don't know for what reasons but I always love the sea and the beache. It is probably because we have a house right in front of the sea with a beach and I am missing it now?

Fraser Island known to have natural attractions. With its pristine fresh water lakes champagne pools, amazing coloured sand formations and a shipwreck, this island has been a famous tourist destination in Queensland. It is also very known for its flora and fauna with its over 300 species of birds. This World Heritage Listed island is for me a must to see.

Townsville- If there are cityville, farmville or castleville in facebook, I would say, thanks to all my fb friends who always invite me in these online games. Sad to say, I really don't have much time playing these games. I would rather browse about Townville, the proud unofficial Capital of North Queensland.

The Castle hill, Riverway,Dairy Farmer's Stadium,Queens Gardens, Village Boulevard, are among the sights I would love to see. Or maybe a relaxing holiday to one of its beaches, enjoy the sun and water, dining in some of its good restaurants, these are some of the things I would love to do when visiting Townville. I can imagine the 320 days of sunshine in this part of Queensland. I guess a perfect place to retire.

There are still a lot of interesting places and things to do when visiting Queensland. So far, the ones mentioned above are on top of my list. How about you?

Fiji Holiday

Are you planning for a vacation in Fiji? Are you well-informed about the things you need to do when visiting this country? If not here are some of the travel guides and information when spending a holiday in Fiji. If you are still looking for Fiji holiday packages, for sure you will one that best fit for you time and budget.

Fiji, also known as the Fiji Islands, is a Melanesian country in the South Pacific Ocean. It has 332 islands and approximately 110 of which are inhabited. How interesting to know that this country is known to be the product of volcanic mountains and warm tropical waters. Many tourists from all over the world are drawn to visit Fiji due to its majestic and ever-varied coral reefs. Adding to its beauty are its lovely fine beaches, tropical rainforests, coconut plantations and fire-cleared hills.


Some sights to see in Fiji are the Garden of the Sleeping Giant and the Fiji Museum. If you love flowers and nature, the garden is truly a must for you. The Garden of the Sleeping Giant was originally the garden of famed actor, Raymond Burr which is located next to his house. Native Fijian orchids, varieties of flowers and many exotic plants are found in this 20 hectares garden. If you want to understand Fiji's historical background, Fiji Museum is the excellent place for you to visit.

Among the water activities, you can do in Fiji are whitewater rafting, surfing and sea kayaking.

Good news for tourists who will be visiting Fiji. It is blessedly free of malaria, landmines, or terrorism that attend many similarly lovely places in the world. I believed you will have a good time during your Fiji holiday. Be sure to plan it in advance to save you time and money.

Europe Sightseeing- Famous Festivals To Experience

This is one thing I love in Europe, the many festivals all year round. Whether you are in England, Germany, Brussels, Sweden, Belgium , Austria or in any European countries, there are a lot of fairs and festivals that are taking place from time to time.


Unlike American festivals that are usually one-day affairs with a parade and may feature cotton candy, European festivals are completely different. These festivals often last from four days to a month featuring unique attractions and activities. Our friends from Taylor Herring who are event and festival pr experts come up with a list of the many festivals to see and experience in Europe:

Edinburgh Hogmanay Festival

This festival takes place in Scotland every year to ring in the new year. The word 'Hogmanay' means holiday and that is definitely what guests and natives enjoy for four days. There are special film screenings along with Torchlight parades through and around beautiful Gothic castles. Not unlike festivals around the world, one of the major highlights is a gigantic fireworks display.

Couleur Cafe Festival

This 3 day festival in Brussels features live musical performances on several stages. Among the guests slated to appear in 2011 is Snoop Dogg.

St Patrick's Festival

This event began in 1995 in Dublin to bring some of the long neglected traditions of St. Patrick's Day to the homeland. In 2011 the festival is expected to attract 650,000 live spectators with countless more being given access via TV and online streaming. There will be music of all genre as well as crafts,art displays and fireworks. One outstanding attraction of this festival is a 150' tall Ferris Wheel.

Fasching or Carnival in Germany. These participants were acting like vampires.

Dusseldorf Carnival

This carnival is held in Germany each year from November to March. There are parades such as the Rosenmantag Parade featuring everything from clowns parading down the street on stilts to beautifully decorated floats. On the Thursday preceding Ash Wednesday, women converge on the town hall to seize the right to govern for a day. During the 'Drag Queens Race' men race through the streets wearing high heels and sporting dresses of all lengths to include accessories.


Kiruna Snow Festival

This festival takes place in Sweden from January 29th to 31st each year. There are snow sculpting contests which not only attract children but serious artists both on the professional and amateur level.

As with many festivals, the Kiruna Snow Festival would not be complete without a fashion show featuring clothing for all reasons and all seasons. The Mr. Snowman contest is quite different from what the name implies since this is a contest where men vie for a strongman title. Among the special foods offered at the Kiruna Snow Festival are reindeer burgers and bear steaks.

Whether you're looking for snow, good food, live music, carnival atmosphere a European Festival has everything your heart could desire.

Sightseeing in Scotland- Top Places To Visit

Scotland is a wonderfully diverse country in the north western part of Europe. This country has rich and strong culture and has a great tradition of festival, arts and literature. Scotland has a lot to offer virtually to all its tourists and visitors. Don't miss to include this country when you will be touring Europe in the future.

Glasgow Science Centre

300 hands-on exhibits, interactive workshops, live science shows and an IMAX Theatre can be enjoyed this tourist attraction. But the highlights are the 105m tall Glasgow Tower which is the only tower in the world to rotate 360 degrees from the ground up and the Science Mall that houses the Scottish Power Planetarium and a climate change theatre, along with three floors of interactive exhibits.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

This free gallery/museum has recently become the number one tourist attraction after completing a 3 year remodeling effort in 2006. Found in Kelvingrove which is located opposite of Glasgow University, this museum hosts a broad collection of paintings and artefacts. The building itself is constructed using the finest Victorian (red sandstone) architecture and shows off Scotland's rich history through an extensive collection that has been accumulated over more than two centuries.

Additionally, there are sections focused on education such as the Study Centre, the History and Discovery Centre and the Multimedia Object Cinema. Exhibition halls featuring major fields of study like Archaeology and Zoology (with relative exhibits) are also available.

Kelvingrove Art Museum.

Edinburgh Castle and its Royal Mile

Edinburgh Castle is built on the remnants of an extinct volcano and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. From the royal mile below, the Scottish castle is a grandiose spectacle especially at night whilst illuminated. A thousand years worth of history sits atop this rock as evidenced by the statues guarding the gates of the castle. These statues represent two of Scotland's most famous historical characters, Robert the Bruce and William Wallace.

August is the best time to visit the castle and mile because that is when the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is held. During the festival, the Military Tattoo is staged at the castle for 3 weeks. The over 50 year performance is a parade of the pipes and drums of the Scottish regiments.

Edinburgh’s Royal Mile leads up to the castle and boasts the world's first skyscrapers, the Scottish Parliament building and Giles Cathedral.

The Royal Yacht Britannia

Visits to the yacht start at the Visitor Centre. Located on the 2nd floor of the ocean terminal, tourists can learn of the yachts incredible history before boarding. The tour can last up to 2 hours and provides insight into the life of the royal family and those that worked aboard the ship.

Guests are first welcomed through the Royal Brow and taken on a personal tour, they are then herded into the State Apartments for cocktails and whatnot. Afterward, special events are held including a speech given by one of Britain's past admirals and a viewing of the Royal Collection. A tour of the ship from the bridge to the engine room is also provided

The Falkirk Wheel

Completed in 2002 in the town of Falkirk, the waterway structure connects Edinburgh and Glasgow via canal; making it easily accessible from both cities. An extraordinary feat of engineering, it is the only rotating boat lift in the world. Carrying eight or more boats at a time, the wheel scoops them out of the water and places them either up or downstream on the waterway between the two cities.

The Visitor Centre provides a great view of the wheel in action and is free of charge. Along with the standard food court and gift shop, the centre also possesses an interactive exhibition and a "fun factory" for children. For those tourists looking for an up close look, the centre provides a hour long boat tour.

For your travel infos, Scottish currency is the Pound Sterling (£). You can apply for a prepaid currency card before travelling this country. Accommodation in Scotland is also not a problem because there are hostels, bed and breakfast, hotels and cottages to stay in.

Places To Visit in Estonia

This is also one of the countries I want to visit in the Baltic region. My eagerness to visit and experience Estonia has become stronger when I saw beautiful images from it in the internet.

This country is officially called Republic of Estonia. It is considered to be one of the wonderful holiday destinations in the Baltics. Whether you want to spend a city break in Tallinn, a coastal holiday to Saaremaa, relaxing at a spa in Kuressare or a beach vacation in Jurmala, Estonia is simply a place to spend an enchanting holiday. The Baltic Travel Company is the expert to all vacation getaways in all of the Baltic nations.

Here are the top charming cities I wish to visit in Estonia:

Parnu

This is another interesting city to visit in Estonia. It is located southwestern Estonia on the coast of Pärnu Bay. This city is sometimes called Pyarnu. It is a famous summer vacation resort with many hotels, restaurants and beautiful beaches. This is also the reason why it attracts a lot of visitors every year especially during summer season. No wonder it is the summer capital of Estonia.

Other interesting cities to visit in Estonia are Narva, Tartu, Rakvere, Valga, Paide, Tapa and depending on your choice there are still a lot to see. Having received a lot of international rankings, Estonia has been a target of many tourists and visitors.

Tallinn

This is the capital and largest city of Estonia. Tallinn is considered a global city. It is the European Capital of Culture in 2011. It is a member of the European Union countries.

Tallinn is a combination of historical sites and ultra modern styles which made it unique. There a lot of things to see and experience in Tallinn. Visiting its Old Town which belong to the list of World UNESCO Heritage Sites is a must-see in this city. The coastal district Pirita, the Kadriorg Palace which now houses the Art Museum of Estonia and the Estonian Open Air Museum in Rocca al Mare are also worth visiting.

Kuressaare

This is the capital city of Saaremaa. It is a historical city that was first mentioned in 1424. It is located around 216 kilometres from Tallinn. It is considered to be a safe and healthy city. It was the first city in Estonia to receive the official status of Healthy City in 1998, thus making it a perfect place to have a relaxing and healthy vacation. I was amazed after knowing that alone this city has seven great spa-hotels, three of which are located by the sea. That is also the reason why a lot of tourists are visiting it all year round.

Things To Do When Visiting Miami

Planning for a holiday to Miami and still don't know what do there? Miami, the world renowned city of Florida, is known for its endless beaches and vivacious lifestyle. Often described as a hot and tropical destination, Miami boasts a sunny and bright climate all through the year.

If you are visiting Miami, there are several beautiful local sites and numerous popular things to do that you should not miss:

1. Snorkel and scuba dive

With its ideal weather and warm water, beaches in Miami are the great place to experience some underwater adventure. The city has various activity options in beaches that appeal all age groups. Apart from the gorgeous South Beach, you can visit to Virginia Key Beach. Discover numerous interesting paths through various hidden coves with thousands of colorful fishes and corals surrounding while enjoying your scuba diving. If you are looking for a secluded beach experience, then Haulover beach is the best choice for you.

2. Stroll on the strip

Miami’s popular South Beach has the stunning strip that is known as the one most beautiful spot in this city. While the South Beach offers amazing scenic views of Miami, the strip boasts numerous shops, restaurants and nightclubs line the streets adjacent to the sand. You can shop, enjoy in the clubs and dine in fancy restaurants on the strip.


3. Check out where the celebrities live

Miami is the home of several celebrities. Tourists come here to see celebrities and celebrity homes. The city offers various celeb sightseeing tours where the tours take the tourists on a boat cruise to show the celebrity homes.

4. Experience Miami nightlife

With a vibrant and pulsating nightlife, Miami welcomes all its guests to indulge in music, fun and dance. Renowned for the best night scenes in the world, this city truly plunges in to a sparkling nightlife as the sun goes down. Popular clubs in this city includes the Club Space, Clevelander, Opium Garden and the Miami Velvet Swing Club.

5. Relish a typical Floridian dinner

Miami has a great mix of cultures and that’s the reason for the diversity in restaurants in this city. Whether you want to savor the typical Floridian seafood dinner or a different cuisine at any of the restaurants in the city, there are a number of choices for you. Some of the popular names include the Joe's Stone Crabs, News Café, Emeril's Miami Beach Restaurant, Poraco Capital Grille, Shorty's Bar-B-Q and Tropical Chinese Restaurant.

If you are planning for a trip to Miami, there is a lot to see and do in this city. Experience a wonderful nightlife, visit the city’s popular spots, stay in a cheap Miami hotel, dine in the restaurants and swim through the tropical water to experience something new in this city.

Five Alternative Hotels to Stay-In Across The Globe

There are many great hotels to stay but few have the much-coveted ‘wow’ factor. In the last 30 years, the emphasis on eco friendliness and preservation has inspired many a hotel owner to experiment with alternative hotel concepts. Of all the unusual hotels in the world, the following truly provide a once in a lifetime experience:

1) 360 Leti

Perched on the Himalayas are four perfectly placed cottages which boast a breathtaking view of this majestic mountain range. The village houses overlook the Ramganga River and snow capped mountains. From your sitting area, you’ll get a glimpse of the untouched Himalayan mountains and wilderness. Crafted by local tradesmen and staffed by locals, 360 Leti serves a variety of cuisine, including Indian, Tibetan, Continental and Asian. 360 Leti is a true Himalayan experience and has to be seen to be appreciated. This must-visit hotel has made 360 Leti very popular amongst travelers and adventurers alike, and has recently been voted in the top 101 hotels in the world, for the third year running.

2) Quinta Real Zacatecas

No one would expect an unusually characteristic lodging from a big chain but Quinta Real in Zacatecas has defied imagination by restoring a former bull fighting ring into an architectural jewel. The award winning building gives the feeling of a real Mexican fiesta in action. All suites face the cobblestone ring, which itself overlooks an old water aqueduct.

3) Hotel Palafitte

Built on wooden silts in the middle of a lake in Switzerland, this hotel is an example of things to come. All water cabins have private terraces and some of them have direct access to the lake. A good restaurant provides various menus and delicious meals while room service caters to the need of most demanding guests.

4) Jules Undersea Lodge

It is the only place on earth where you can spend a night underwater without any direct connection to the land. The lodge is located in Key Largo, Florida. To access it, one has to take a course in scuba diving. Once inside the small lodge, guests can enjoy every facility imaginable in a 2 star hotel. The freshly cooked seafood is provided by trained divers. There are two bedrooms, wet room and a common room. This undersea lodge contains a microwave, refrigerator, TV and stereo. There are three 42 inch windows.

Chillingham castle

5) Chillingham Castle

As the name suggest, the castle really gives chills. It is located in Northumberland and is a Grade I listed historic building, which is now marketed as the most haunted location in Britain. This castle has also been featured in many popular documentaries. If you don't believe in ghosts, you may want to rent a room in this castle. Maybe, you will have other thoughts, after visiting this place.

Don't miss all these unique accommodations when you have the chance.

Beautiful Coastal Areas I wish to Visit

Summer time is vacation time! This is the best time of the year to spend a holiday. No need to wear thick winter jackets, no winter shoes and boots and most of all no freezing cold weather. Did you already book your summer vacation? Yes, I do but sad to say not in any beach somewhere in Europe. I wish, I am lying and relaxing now in one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Here are some of the beautiful coastal areas I wish to visit in the future.

Estonia

Spending a coastal holiday in Estonia can be a beautiful experience. Since it is a country that has over 1500 islands, for sure you can find a lot of beautiful beaches there. You might want to relax for a spa break in its biggest island, Saaremaa and have a sightseeing in its well-restored medieval castle in its only city, Kuressaare. You can also enjoy some outdoor activities like hiking, cycling and sailing. Visiting Estonia's summer capital, Parnu can be a highlight for your holiday. How about watching the film festivals in Tallinn? I believed visiting Estonia with all its charm and beauty is well-worth it.

Just a reminder, as guests and visitors in a certain place, we must also think and consider about responsible tourism. In this way, we will learn to respect the culture and tradition of a certain country. Lastly, we will also learn to take care of our environment especially our Mother Nature.

the beautiful fine white sand beach of Boracay in the Philippines. Thanks to my sisters for sending me some images from Boracay.

Boracay

It is an irony for me visiting other places in the world but still was not able to visit one of the beautiful beaches in my home country. Boracay is an island in the Philippines. It is voted by the BMW Tropical Beach Handbook one of the best beaches in the world in 1990. It is also the world's number one tropical beach in 1996 by British publication TV Quick. Imagine how beautiful it is!

My three sisters and my brother had the chance to visit it again last March 2011. I envied them and how I wished that I was there too!

Mauritius

Do you know where to find Mauritius in the map? It is a small tropical island located in the Indian Ocean, southeast of the Seychelles and east of Madagascar. This is a perfect place to visit because of its nice tropical weather all year round. You can find here white sandy beaches and the warm, turquoise water in Indian Ocean is simply great for swimming. Accommodation in Mauritius varies from wonderful villas to apartments, hotels and private rentals. There are also a lot of activities to do while spending your holiday in Mauritius. How would you like to tour around with quad bikes or maybe go deep sea fishing? Hiking and trekking can also be an awesome experience especially when seeing the breathtaking views of the mountains, forests and rivers.

Places To Visit During My Spring Vacation 2011

It is always my dream to travel around the world. That is also one of the reasons why this travel site is created. I wish to travel in the Baltic Region of Europe, the coastal areas in Mediterranean Sea covering 21 countries, 4 regions and and 3 territories and some other interesting countries in this planet.

I will be having a short spring vacation starting April 15. I found a cheap holiday package last February and immediately booked the trip. Included in that cheap trip are breakfast, dinner, 3-star hotel accommodation, trips to different places and the transportation.

Here are some of the places that we will be visiting:

Cinque Terre in Italy

It is a very popular tourist destination. The Cinque Terre is a rugged portion of coast on the Italian Riviera. It is called as "The Five Lands" and composed of five villages, the Vernazza, Corniglia, Monterosso al Mare, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. It is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I am quite excited to see the beautiful landscape of Cinque Terre. I hope we will have the chance to do some coastline hiking trails there.

Monterosso, one of the villages in Cinque Terre. credit

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Don't you know that Monaco is the second smallest independent state in the world after the Vatican? Also be informed that Monte Carlo is not the capital of Monaco but it is a government district.

Monte Carlo is very famous for its casino and its prominence. Some of the sites to visit include the Monaco-Ville, Monaco Cathedral,the Prince's Palace, La Condamine, the Grimaldi Forum and many more. I will see if I can try my luck in Grand Casino. For sure, my friends will!
Cannes, France

This place is included in my travel wishlist. It is one of the best cities of the French Riviera and one of the best social hubs in Europe. It is very famous for its Cannes Film Festival which is held every year. Some of the must-see include the Old Town,Palais des Festivals, La Croisette, the Port, Covered Market and a lot more.

This place is also famous for its luxury boutiques and designer fashion. Don't forget your credit cards when visiting this beautiful place.

Port de Cannes vu de la Rotonde credit

Other place that we will also be visiting are Nice, Blumenriviera, San Remo and Menton. I am quite excited for this trip. For sure, I will share here some images when I am back. Time for me to pack my luggage.