Articles for the ‘Travel’ Category
Our Cairns Day Cruise wasn’t what I expected
We did the Sunlover Cruises outer reef tour in Cairns, Queensland. The initial stop was the Fitzroy Island where you had about 2 hrs to explore. Not enough time really since there were a lot of people about. Don’t forget to bring insect repellant because there are a lot of mosquitos around. Snorkelling from the beach area was ok, although we’ve seen better.
Then it’s off to the outer reef (Norman Reef) and their pontoon. As others have noted, it is acceptable for the number of tourists on the boat. The so called underwater observatory was a disappointment – I have seen better in the aquariums in Sydney or Perth . They have not bothered to clean the glass so it was very difficult to see anything through it. My wife said the same thing about their semi-submarine tour which I didn’t get to do because we just simply ran out of time.
If there’s something that you definately should do, it’s the Scuba-doo, especially if you’ve done a scuba dive before. It’s a great way to enjoy the reef. We even saw a turtle and one of the crew handed us a sea cucumber which my son loved. It’s not too cheap but I think it’s worth it.
After the scuba-doo, I went for a dive. It may be because it was the monsoon season but the visibility wasn’t as good as I’d hoped . Maybe it’s better when you do a specialist dive trip but with this sort of cruise, you don’t get too dive any other sites. Corals were more of the dull and brown shades. Fish, while there were many, were nothing special. Then to top if off, my diveguide just swum around in circles, not even going out of his way to show the wonders of the reef.
By the time the dive was finished, I had just enough time to eat and change (if my wife had not set aside lunch for me, there was nothing left to eat) – therefore, I missed the semi-sub ride. If it wasn’t for the scuba-doo, this would have been a very ordinary tour.
I would do a smaller tour next time. There are lots of other options in Cairns
My Cairns Scuba Dive Course
After a few months of cold Sydney work life I finally saved enough to get to Cairns. Secondly to Sydney Cairns has to be one of the best places to have fun in this country. It was that good I actually went there three times in the space of a year.The Great Barrier Reef from Cairns was just a feather in it’s cap.
Cairns is where I did my PADI Advanced Open water dive course. I went with Pro Dive for a 4 day liveaboard dive course which was absolutely fantastic. I originally looked at diving with a company called Down Under Dive but they seemed quite up themselves and I had heard many a good thing about their learn to dive courses. Also after some further research I found out they definately had just about the best boats.
Their dive vessel has been fully rebuilt and has all the modern technology installed. It has very nice air-con rooms which cater for 2-4 people, has a large saloon, lounge and even a floating bar. As a bonus it also has a small spa on the front deck to sit in and have a beer. The food was above average and created in a very well built galley, one of the best things they served was probably the most basic of all and that was potato wedges with sweet chili sauce which was often sat waiting for us on deck for when we finished diving. Yummy.
The liveaboard dive boat is permanently moored at the reef which would move every so often to different parts of the reef, which would either be done over night if a long way or early in the morning if closeby. This was excellent as you get to experience a variety of reefs and have a truly unique dive course. These guys had a fast transfer boat which takes you there and back which also allows you to spend as many days and nights aboard as you want.
I truly couldnât recommend another company to teach me to learn to Dive in Cairns but if you decide to look elsewhere please be very careful when selecting a dive course in Cairns as many dive schools use fixed platforms at sea which you stay on and then commute by boat for the diving, not quite the live aboard you expected!
Whats so good about organised Party Tours?
Pub Crawls have sprung up in all the busy vacation towns lately. And so they should. They make a fun evening a sure thing. We have 2 popular Pub Crawls in Cairns, with the Ultimate Party and the Frog and Toad Bar Hop Party Tours. Both tours happen twice weekly. I’m sure they work in similar ways in other places such as the Sunshine Coast and Perth, but I have experience of the Cairns one so I’ll tell you about that one.
There’s prizes and party games and of the utmost importance, the operators endeavour to keep the ratio of sexes the same. Lots of people have found the love of their holiday on a party tour. It probably will only last until the morning, but as long as no-one gets hurt it’s just being young isn’t it?
Popular with both backpackers and locals, these tours also attract Hens & Bucks nights, netball teams and army and air force goups.
Basically the night runs this way; Everyone meets at the first venue at a preordained time, this is where travel vouchers and money is organised and the all important wristband is given out. This ID bracelet is what gets you entry to the evenings venues as all entry charges are included in your tour price, both on the tour and for the rest of the night. This usually saves you lots of money on entry charges alone, without counting all the other extras. You get VIP service at all the top nightclubs, pubs and bars. There are also prizes and giveaways including dive courses and hostel vouchers. Fun and games are the order of the night, with the operators experts at how to get the party going.
You are guided between each pub by bus and if you are lucky it may even be in an convertible 2 level bus.
So if you’re new in town, or travelling solo, or just want a definate great night out why not try an organised party bus tour, you won’t be disappointed.
Should I do a four or five day dive course?
I get asked this question all the time here at my travel website and the answer is very simple. We specialise in arranging all tours, reef cruises and accommodation in Cairns, however as a bubble blower myself, I always look after Great barrier Reef Scuba Diving and Cairns dive courses bookings. I nearly always leave the annoying motel accommodation and skyrail bookings to my collegues.
If you have spare time do the 5 day course. You are only going to do this once, so why worry.
It’s sort of like doing a dive course and dive trip united.
With a four day course you’ll do four dives, which is the very minimum required to achieve your dive certificate. They will all be “learning dives”.
A 5 day course will almost always give you 9 dives. Now the first four are training dives but for the next 5 dives you are a qualified scuba diver. One of these usually is also a night dive. Another advantage is that the dives will be with the other people from your class who have the same skill levels as you.
So the next dive cruise you do after finishing your course you will have already done five solo dives and be that little bit more skilled and confident.
Also the price per dive is almost .
You can even want to upgrade your scuba course into a 6 day learn to dive course and get an advanced qualification`scuba divers certification, but thats another article.
So I trust I’ve inspired all you budding Scuba Divers out in internet land.
Disney World In Orlando Vacation
If you are traveling to to Florida, it is commonplace to take some point in time to pay a visit to Disney World in Orlando.
An Orlando trip, even as part of a larger vacation is a great getaway and if it is a family vacation, your loved ones will talk about it for quite some time.
Getting a ticket to Orlando
It is easy to determine where to get the preferred flights to Orlando. Check for low-cost plane tickets on the internet, as you can find some very fine prices.
Where to Vacation
When you look for flight availability and prices at many sites, you can also check for the best prices on motels and flights, getting them together in one package deal with a discount usually.
Seeing Disney World Orlando Florida
Disney World has no lack of theme parks. And you will prefer to make certain to go to as many as you can fit in. Some theme parks will have performances, others, such as the water parks, offers activities that are sure to keep you cool and happy.
And who would not choose to go to Disney’s Magic Kingdom. This theme park is set in a medieval castle design and you can find the idea of Disney’s fantasy movies and Cartoon movies. Plus you will meet the cartoon characters of those videos. Any boy or girl or adult will truly enjoy themselves here.
Be sure to stay for the fireworks display after dark. It is magnificent.
The Water Parks
The water parks will give you several selections, from water slides, to racing around in the water. Because of the temperature and dampness, this is a great getaway to have some entertainment and stay cool.
So put Disney World Orlando on your Family vacation must do list and enjoy yourself. It will be something you will remember for years.
When you choose to take a trip, be sure to examine where to buy cheap airfare and orbitz cheap tickets. Why pay a high price, when you don’t have to?
Denver Airport Limousine
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Check out our website for complete information. Client satisfaction is most important to us. We offer superior service and convenience in the ability to use your laptop while in transit. Top priority is a satisfied client that will be a loyal repeat client to Denver Limo. Always receive consistent service at the same consistent rate you can depend on.
For a first class ride, depend on us at Denver Limo to exceed your expectations in transportation. Stay productive even while you are traveling to your destination, quiet ride offers you the time to plan for important meetings or work on the laptop catching up on work, or if you want to go out on the town while traveling, enjoy not having to worry about driving and arrive in style. We also serve the Colorado Ski-Resorts such as Vail, Aspen, Avon, Keystone, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Frisco, Snowmass. Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Loveland, Boulder, Castle Rock, Boulder, Highlands Ranch, all of Downtown Denver Hotels. So sit back relax and leave the driving to Denver-Airport-Limousine.
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England on Four Wheels – Advice for Driving in England
If you really wish to see England and everything it has to offer, the ideal way is by car. Driving through England means traveling at your own speed and choosing your itinerary yourself. This itinerary gives a trip from your cheap hotel in Brighton to England’s North East, and this should have your mouth watering. I’ve chosen this trip due to the way the landscape shifts, from sea to sea and city to village.
1st Day – Begin in the southern coastal area of Brighton. Brighton is a wonderful place with a Pavilion, funfair and pier. Exit your hotel in the morning and head along the coast through the A27. An ideal area to hold up to have lunch would be Portsmouth, that has a famous Spinnaker Tower along with all the fantastic eateries at Gunwharf Quays. Get back on the highway and take it till Southampton, from which you’ll change to the A36. The A36 can take you up to the historic area of Salisbury, with its impressive medieval castle.
Day Two – Leave Salisbury on the A360 then get onto the A303. On this route you’ll be lead to a site all must see once, the mysterious and impressive Stonehenge. From here, you’ll travel west, through Warminster, and get into Bath. Bath has some of the remains of the Roman baths, consisting of England’s finest classical architecture. After this, go on the A46 and A433 north until you end up in the Cotswolds. Tetbury and Cirencester are two towns that have a lot of pleasant motels and budget hotel chains for a night’s stay.
3rd Day – On this day, you’ll take a trip to Coventry. While you’re going, you’ll stop and view two of England’s greatest sights. First, you’ll take the A429 and rest along the way at Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Head north on the A46, and you can stop at the immaculate Warwick’s castle. Be sure to allow time to see the beautiful cathedral in Coventry.
4th Day – From exiting your hotel in Coventry, drive north on the M69 and after this the M1. You can stop at the strange attraction of Chesterfield’s crooked spire. After this, head west up to the tiny town of Bakewell, located in the Peak District. An additional option is to head north to the lively area of Sheffield, where you can find a range of excellent hotels.
5th Day – Continue heading north on the M1 until you pass Leeds. From a short stop there, take the A64. This will bring you to the classic town of York, where you can be shopping in the labyrinthine streets full of old style shops, view the Minister and walk along the old city walls. York has a lovely park-and-ride service for visitors, as the city really doesn’t give a lot in the way of parking spaces. If you’ve still got some daylight, you might head northeast up to Pickering, well-known for the North York Motors steam railway which you can ride. Otherwise, you can stay at any of the wonderful UK hotel chains in York.
Day Six – Now, you’ll be getting to the coastline. Take the A170 and soon you’ll get to Scarborough, a rustic fishing town right on the coast. Scarborough contains an old castle that’s right on the headlands, and this is a wonderful area to hold up for a seafood lunch. Travel on the A171 and soon you’ll get to the beautiful cliffside town called Robin’s Hood Bay. Stay in any of the sweet quaint hotels at the hill’s top; the streets at the level of the sea are quite narrow, so driving down there is not recommended.
Day Seven – Keep on the A171 along the coast and soon you’ll be at Whitby. It’s an attractive town with a bustling harbor, little side streets along with an old gothic abbey. You’ve reached the end of the journey! Now, you can take your car to the local branch of the car rental agency, or you can drive back to Brighton and enjoy the the sights on the travel back!
Searching for Cheap Hotels in Cardiff? Here’s What You Need to Know
Should you have a future holiday getaway to Cardiff, there are many of cheap hotels in Cardiff that won’t break the bank. From plain, single star motels with limited amenities to 3 and four star hotels at affordable prices, you can get cheap hotels in Cardiff to meet every budget. These hotels are located all all over Cardiff, which includes City Centre, Cardiff Bay, and other relevant areas of the city. Discover all the tradition, growing culture, and points of interest this beautiful locale offers. From the New Theater Cardiff to the Millenium Center to the Cardiff Castle, there surely is something for everybody here. This capital city of Wales, is really a centre for commercial enterprise activities, like conventions, trade shows, along with other corporate functions. Get out and experience this urban center whilst not wasting a small bundle each night on accomodations. Come see why it’s so easy to find cheap hotels in Cardiff.
Vacation Spots in Florida Bahia Honda and Paradise
Bahia Honda State Park has something very unusual for the Florida Keys.
It has a beach. And a really nice one too. So why is that surprising?
Although the Florida Keys are islands, natural beaches are very rare indeed. Why? Mainly because the waters surrounding the Keys are so calm, the sand doesn’t get a chance to build up. Bahia Honda has the best beach in the Florida Keys, and possibly the best in Florida.
Things to Do and See
Swimming is a popular activity at Bahia Honda State Park. The turquoise waters are warm, in the upper 70’s to the 80’s most of the year, and very clear. Although the beach faces out to the Atlantic Ocean, unless there is a storm out to sea, the waters are calm.
Along with swimming, snorkeling is a big draw to Bahia Honda. The same calm, clear waters that invite swimming are excellent for exploring the underwater world. And if you really want a treat, take a snorkeling tour from Bahia Honda out to Looe Key and visit the coral reef.
Kayaking and boating are also on the list of fun things at the park. There is a small marina and a boat ramp. If you have somehow misplaced your boat, you can rent a kayak from the park concession. The calm waters are great for exploring the nooks and crannies of the island, especially on the Gulf side.
Why Not Stay Awhile?
Let’s not forget camping. From tents to RVs to renting one of their beach cabins, all kinds of camping are available. Here’s a caveat: call ahead to reserve a camping spot or especially one of the cabins. As you might imagine, a beach cottage in paradise has a bit of a waiting list.
Bahia Honda State Park is located in the lower Florida Keys, just south and west of the Seven Mile Bridge. One visit and you’ll understand why they call the Florida Keys the American Caribbean.
So come on down for a visit awesome vacation spots in Florida – like Bahia Honda State Park, for example.
The weather is fine and the natives are friendly.
What To Do Whilst Visiting Bristol, England
Bristol, which is the principal city of South West England, serves as the gateway to some of the UK’s most scenic locations, including Cornwall, Devon and Wales. Boasting the fifth largest population in England, as well as a rich and colorful history, Bristol has more recently transformed into a modern, vibrant European city packed with attractions to suit every kind of visitor and every taste for hotels in Bristol.
The original town was 10th century trading port and the city’s maritime heritage is highlighted by the achievements of Bristol’s most famous son, the great Victorian inventor Kingdom Brunel. It was Brunel who designed the SS Great Britain, which was the first iron-hulled, propeller-driven ship to cross the Atlantic and, of course, the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge with its breathtaking view of the city.
For the dedicated shopaholic, the recently built Cabot Circus shopping complex has moved Bristol into the top 10 list of UK shopping destinations. With over 120 new shops, in addition to restaurants and cafes, and a state-of-the-art 13-screen Showcase Cinema de Lux, this impressive site guarantees that shoppers will not leave Bristol disappointed.
Walk a short distance from the busy shopping areas and you will find yourself in the midst of the enchanting old buildings that made up Bristol’s original city center. The cobbled streets of Broad Street, Corn Street, St Nicholas Market and King Street remain much the same today as they were hundreds of years ago. Do not miss the majestic Corn Exchange or the quirky old Llandoger Trow pub on King Street.
One of the most important changes to Bristol over recent years has been the transformation of the city’s harborside from a busy commercial dock to a modern development filled with restaurants, bars, shops and a range of hotels to suit every visitors pocket. Key attractions to look out for include The Hippodrome, Explore-At-Bristol, and Bristol City Football Club. Hop on a Bristol Ferry for a great way to see the area from a different perspective.
Alternatively, why not take a pleasant stroll up Park Street towards Clifton village, which has a great range of boutique clothing stores and classy restaurants and range of cheap hotels in Bristol. Then, there is Bristol Zoo Gardens, with over 450 rare and endangered species, and provides plenty of activities for kids of all ages.