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Where to Go in Thailand This Summer

Posted by on 5:23 pm in Blog, Thailand, Writers | 24 comments

Where to Go in Thailand This Summer

Heading to Thailand this summer? Before you check-in, it’s worth noting that Thailand is so much more than the postcard perfect beaches for which it’s most famous (not that there’s anything wrong with that!).

The glorious, mysterious, and (at times) mystifying country of Thailand is a smorgasbord when it comes to things to do, places to visit, and experiences to be had. Expect a rich depth of culture. Expect a deep history and yes, expect great food.

But whether you intend to spend all summer, or can only spare a week, here are a few destinations which we feel you shouldn’t miss.

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The Hotel Search Engine Which Saves You the Most: Use Sears Vacations for the Cheapest Hotels

Posted by on 1:25 pm in Accommodation, Blog, Budget Travel, Travel Tips | 50 comments

The Hotel Search Engine Which Saves You the Most: Use Sears Vacations for the Cheapest Hotels

Let’s be honest, it’s a claim that most hotel search engines make, that their prices are the lowest you’ll find anywhere else online. But to date it hasn’t really mattered which search engine you choose – from the Booking.com’s to Agoda and Expedia, it’s much of a muchness, and you usually end up paying the same price.

This is because there’s very little room for hotel search engines to undercut each other; each hotel has an online login and sets their own price. The search engine then gets a small % of the booking, around 10% of the rate. And there are so many websites competing with each other that they’re usually all offering the lowest price.

So when we hear that a hotel search engine claims to offer better prices than other third party booking sites, I’m skeptical. It would take a fresh and creative approach to the established business model to be able to offer big enough savings to pull people away from their already bookmarked sites.

But a company called Sears Vacations has done just that; come up with an original approach which will noticeably save you the most.

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4 Amazing Road Trips in Africa for a Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

Posted by on 1:48 pm in Travel Talk | 0 comments

4 Amazing Road Trips in Africa for a Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

Hitting the open road with a camper van, car or motorbike is becoming an increasingly popular way for independent travelers to explore. Many people think of the vast and diverse United States of America or the huge country/continent of Australia for the best road-tripping adventures. If you’re looking for something different, however, how about exciting road trips in Africa?

Check your vehicle is road-worthy and that your belongings are well secured, buckle up and head off for memorable experiences aplenty.

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The Kokoda Trail: Join the Alzheimer’s Australia Charity Trek

Posted by on 1:03 pm in Adventure Travel, Blog, World | 26 comments

The Kokoda Trail: Join the Alzheimer’s Australia Charity Trek

For over 70 years the story of the Battle of Kokoda has been told by survivors, memoirs and war records. The poignant narratives tell a very human story of comradeship and true grit that took place along the formidable Kokoda Trail, the single file trail that links New Guinea’s interior to the coast near Port Moresby.

The fighting there, against a Japanese invasion force, was perhaps the most significant battle fought by Australians in World War II, and now many Australians make the pilgrimage to understand about this extraordinary event: Why it occurred, who was involved and what it was like to face death in the jungled mountains along the Kokoda track.

Following in the footsteps of Australian soldiers remains a physically challenging task, though for those looking to make a difference this year, Alzheimer’s Australia NSW is organizing unique fundraising event, and encouraging anyone up for a challenge to join them to trek the Kokoda Trail.

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How to Prepare for an Extended Trip

Posted by on 12:54 pm in Travel Talk | 0 comments

How to Prepare for an Extended Trip

Thinking about spending the summer in Europe? Or maybe you want to through-hike the Appalachian Trail? There are many great trips you could take beyond the standard one or two weeks away. Spending a few months on an extended trip gives you the chance to really get away and reset while also learning a new place inside and out and really immersing yourself in the experience.

However, spending a few months on an extended trip also means making more plans than you otherwise would for a vacation. You will have to take care of your needs for that whole time and make sure that your business back home is settled. Here are a few things you’ll need to take care of for a longer-term trip:

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Countries for a Beach Vacation in Asia

Posted by on 11:03 pm in Blog, Indonesia, Maldives, Philippines, Thailand, World | 34 comments

Countries for a Beach Vacation in Asia

Planning a beach vacation and not sure where you should go? Most people immediately turn to “safer” options such the Caribbeans, Hawaii or the Bahamas. While undoubtedly these have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, we would argue that South East Asia has more!

Home to tens of thousands of tropical islands, South East Asia boasts some of the greatest beaches in the world, and vacations here are much cheaper and usually more flexible. The countries in this region offer diverse culture, an exotic food scene, and an extreme wealth of beach activities and water sports, and you can easily hop between islands, packing your itinerary with as much relaxation or extreme adventure as you like.

Consider some of the following destinations for your next beach trip.

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5 Myths About Travel Insurance You Probably Still Believe

Posted by on 6:24 pm in Blog | 30 comments

5 Myths About Travel Insurance You Probably Still Believe

There are plenty of myths surrounding travel insurance, from thinking it’s unaffordable to believing it’s a waste of time. We bust 5 common travel insurance myths and explain why travel insurance is essential for every trip!

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Wardrobe Tips for Long-Term Travelers

Posted by on 5:33 pm in Travel Talk | 0 comments

Wardrobe Tips for Long-Term Travelers

One of the obstacles that comes along with traveling for an extended period of time is managing and maintaining your wardrobe. As your activities change with your destinations and the seasons, you can quickly become stranded with a suitcase of inappropriate clothing.

Fortunately, this issue is simple to overcome as long as you observe a few key practices. Keep reading for some insider’s tips on keeping a stylish and functional wardrobe as you travel.

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Hidden Film and TV Destinations in Europe

Posted by on 7:22 am in Austria, Blog, Book & Film Reviews, Croatia, Greece, Italy, UK, World | 24 comments

Hidden Film and TV Destinations in Europe

“Stop!” he yelled at me from across the courtyard. “Yes, you!”

“Show me your student card! How did you get in here? The school is closed today. You’re not supposed to be here!”

The ironic thing was he actually looked like Vernon Dursley and was about to have a palpation that I had snuck past the guards.

The many colleges of Oxford University were closed for orientation day, and tourists were being turned away as students passed through the gates. Though I hadn’t traveled from Australia to see my Harry Potter trail go cold, and as an 20 year old employing the idea that if I didn’t look suspicious, they wouldn’t have reason to stop me, I walked myself straight through the gates.

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Visiting Australia’s Snowy Mountains + Discovery Parks Jindabyne Accommodation Review

Posted by on 11:33 pm in Accommodation, Australia, Blog | 16 comments

Visiting Australia’s Snowy Mountains + Discovery Parks Jindabyne Accommodation Review

It was a welcome retreat returning to our cabin at Discovery Parks after an exhaustive day of activities. We had traveled for a relaxing break by the lake, however found ourselves seduced by the Snowy Mountains and its wealth of outdoor recreation.

We flicked on the TV and collapsed into the couch – the weather would be sunny tomorrow too. There was the choice of bushwalking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, horse riding, visiting the National Park, or water-sports on the lake.

Personally though, I was keen to dedicate a day to something people don’t often travel to do – searching for relics from the old town of Jindabyne; an alpine town at the bottom of a lake.

Swallowed by flood water in the 1960s when the Snowy River was dammed as part of the Snowy Mountains Scheme, the town was abandoned and rebuilt on higher ground. The ruins have been submerged for over 50 years, though occasionally when lake levels are low, out from the depths comes the remnants of the old Catholic Church. Unbelievable to imagine the remains of a whole town beneath your water skis!

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