Posts for Travel Tips Category

Top 5 Best Things to do in the Sunshine Coast

Travel Destination, Travel Tips - Shelia - April 30, 2020

Discover the top things to do in the Sunshine Coast and enjoy your Queensland Holiday in the sun.

1. Visit the beaches

If you go to the Sunshine Coast, you have to visit the beaches; they’re what the coast is known for! Check out popular beaches like Bulcock beach with its local playgrounds, perfect for families. Or visit Noosa Heads for classic fun in the sun. Surfers will enjoy a trip to Coolum Beach for the opportunity to paddle out and hang ten. Just don’t forget your sunscreen!

2. Climb a mountain

Along with a lot of beaches, the Sunshine Coast has a lot of mountains that you can climb. One of the best things to do in the Sunshine Coast if you like getting active, try one of the local mountain climbs. Mount Coolum National Park features Mount Coolum, a dome-shaped mountain that stands 208m tall and overlooks the Sunshine Coast lowlands. Of course, Mount Coolum isn’t the only mountain with impressive views of the Sunshine Coast. The Glass House Mountains are also full of popular hikes with stunning scenery.

3. Enjoy some ginger

Something you might not expect on your trip to the sunny, seaside Sunshine Coast is ginger, but you’d be surprised how enjoyable a trip to The Ginger Factory can be. The Ginger Factory is more than just a store that sells ginger and ginger-flavoured food (though there is plenty of that). There’s also rides and activities for visitors of all ages. There’s also an attached rainforest for when you want to reconnect with nature. Then you can enjoy a meal at the café, and maybe some handmade ice cream for a final treat.

4. Go to Aussie World

If the fun rides at The Ginger Factory weren’t enough for you, all the excitement of Aussie World might be one of the best things to do in the Sunshine Coast for you. Thrill rides, family rides, sideshows and more can be found at Aussie World. The park is full of brightly coloured attractions that are sure to capture the attention of any young ones with you.

5. Check out the markets

Like a lot of seaside Australia, the Sunshine Coast is home to many markets. The Original Eumundi Markets are some of the most popular markets, full of art, craft, entertainment, and more. But there’s also markets like Nights on Ocean with artisan stalls, live music and performers, and street food—a great way to spend an evening in the Sunshine Coast. You can also check out the Sunshine Coast Collective Markets, the Caloundra Street Fair, and so many more markets and marketplaces. The markets are a great way to get a feel for the culture of a town and find a memento to take home with you.

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How To Make the Most of Your First Yacht Charter Experience

Travel Tips - Shelia - April 5, 2020

Warm weather is just around the corner, and chances are you have some cabin fever right now. Why not start planning your summer adventures? One excellent choice is chartering a yacht. Whether you’re stepping aboard with family or a large group of friends, there’s nothing quite like sailing across the open water and soaking up the sun. Check out these tips to help you make the most of your first yachting experience.

Read the Contract Thoroughly

When you charter a yacht, you’ll need to sign a contract. Read it thoroughly to ensure you understand what you’ll receive, which rules you’re expected to follow, and which fees you may incur during the course of your experience. Check the size of the yacht first. If you’re only taking a small group of friends, a small one is fine. On the other hand, if you’re hosting a large party, you want to make sure everyone has enough space to move around.

Next, read the insurance clause. Some charters provide the insurance as part of the cost. Others expect you to pay more for optional insurance. Verify how much the deposit is and what happens if you need to cancel. In addition, read the rules regarding whether smoking is allowed on board, how old children must be and whether they can roam freely (younger children should not, regardless of the rules), and whether you’re allowed to bring your own food aboard.

Pack Only What You Need

Chances are you’ll be on your charter yacht for the entire day and possibly into the evening, so it is important to pack essentials. Naturally, you’ll want to have bathing suits with you to enjoy the sun, but you can save space by wearing them under your regular clothes. Remember, being on the water can be chilly in the evening, so check the temperatures and consider packing a sweatshirt or light jacket.

In addition to layered clothes, pack plenty of sunscreen (and remember to apply regularly). A lip balm with an SPF and a large hat will help to protect your scalp and face. Avoid tanning oil, as it can stain the boat’s deck. If you’ll need it, pack essential medications, as well as some pain reliever and anti-nausea medication.

Finally, bring the fun stuff. A deck of cards and a Bluetooth speaker are great for music and entertainment on the water. A flashlight and matches help with light for evening sailing. Pack smartphones, tablets, and other electronics in Ziploc bags to protect them from the water.

Practice Good Etiquette With the Crew

The crew running your yacht charter is there to make your experience as special as possible, so practice excellent yacht crew etiquette. In addition to treating the boat itself well, listen to all of the crew’s instructions and follow them. The rules are not only to protect the boat but to protect you as well.

After listening to instructions for your trip, give the crew the space they’ll need to work safely. Avoid their quarters and work space, and never expect them to take care of any children you have aboard with you. If you do have questions, ask the captain first. If the captain can’t help, he or she will direct you to someone who can.

Finally, part of practicing good etiquette is tipping well. The standard rate is between 10% and 20%. You can offer cash to individual crew members or tip a lump sum that they can divide between themselves. Some charters automatically add a gratuity for large groups, but tipping above and beyond shows your appreciation and ensures you’re treated well if you ever book another sailing trip.

Take Advantage of the Offered Stops

As nice as it is to lay back on the deck and watch the waves and the sun, part of the experience is taking advantage of the stops you can make. Some charter experiences allow fishing, while others will stop at popular beaches or spots where you can watch for dolphins or other sea life. Many charters sail along shores that provide a variety of shops and restaurants right by the water. For example, charters in southern Florida often stop at waterfront restaurants Miami. If you have the chance to eat at one of them, some of the popular ones include Seaspice, Zuma, and Texas de Brazil.

Before you know it, temperatures will soar, the sun will shine, and you’ll be itching to feel it on your skin. By planning and preparing your yachting experience now, you ensure smooth sailing down the line.

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How to Plan the Perfect Party

Travel Tips - Shelia - March 25, 2020

Party planning has it’s perks. You’re in control of all aspects of a celebration, from the decorations to the food and drink to the guest list. But with these perks come the logistical challenges of planning a large gathering for a huge number of people. To help you through these logistical challenges, here are a few tips for planning the perfect party.

Take Care of the Essentials First

Of course, you might want to jump right into all the fun aspects of planning a party before doing anything else. But before you can make your party playlist and plan your decorations, it’s important to first take care of all of the essentials that go into a large gathering. This means making a budget, thinking about how many people you’re going to invite, coordinating table and chair rentals and planning out the food and drink that you want to serve. Getting these essentials out of the way before doing anything else in relation to planning your party will eliminate any large scale worries you have about making sure you have a space large enough for your guests and whether they’ll have enough to eat.

Hire Outside Help

With so much to coordinate in planning a party, it can sometimes seem like a full-time job. So, for assistance, why not hire the help of people for whom party planning is a full-time job? Hiring a private event planner New Jersey is one way to make sure you are taking care of everything you need to take care of when it comes to hosting a large event. This event planner will be able to provide advice for your party as well as coordinate some of the essentials that you want to get done before moving onto other more fun elements of the planning process.

Customize It

Finally, remember that this party is a reflection of you and your tastes. Take the time to have some fun with customizing the party, whether that be through music, decorations or special food and drink selections. The fun part of hosting a party is that you get to make the decisions that dictate what kind of experience your guests will have, so try to embrace this opportunity and really make the party your own.

Taking care of the essentials, hiring outside help and customizing your party are three steps to planning the perfect party. Remember that this party is a reflection of you, and really try to embrace the opportunity to put on a killer event.

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Keep Your Life Trendy Online and Offline With These Simple Tips

Travel Tips - Shelia - March 2, 2020

Fads come and go, but some trends have the staying power needed to become a cultural phenomenon. In our increasingly high-tech world, many of the most popular pastimes are digital in nature. For those less inclined to embrace a virtual activity, however, connecting to the web might be the best way to make new connections in the real world. The points detailed below will provide a brief overview of the technological trends you should know about.

Discover a New Hobby or Rediscover an Old One

Hobbyists come in all forms, from the casual fan to the serious devotee. Wherever a person falls on that spectrum and whatever he or she finds interesting, chances are high that there are many others with a similar passion. Though it is often difficult to find these like-minded individuals in daily life, the internet makes it easier than ever before. A fan of vaping, for example, might want to connect with others to discuss the latest flavors or products. In addition to searching for an online vape site like smokingthings.com, he or she could also find online communities dedicated to this popular pursuit.

Discover the Latest Hits or a Hidden Gem

Services like Netflix and Hulu allow audiences to binge on content anytime. Finishing a season — or an entire series — in one sitting is no longer an unattainable goal. Additionally, movies are now available on many streaming services as soon as a film is no longer showing in theaters. This allows people to enjoy a wider range of content in the comfort of their own homes. That freedom has resulted in the widespread popularity of several shows that became instant classics thanks to online audiences.

Discover More Effective Methods of Staying in Shape

Though it is difficult to stick to a plan involving diet and exercise, a person on such a program can find advice and support through his or her smartphone. Apps and gadgets abound in this sector of the market. The more connected people are, the better able they are to repeat successes and learn from failures. Track physical activity, find expert nutritional advice and discover much more designed to help anyone the path to getting in better physical shape.

There is seemingly no aspect of human civilization that has not been tied to our continued reliance on technology. While on one hand that might sound foreboding, it can also be harnessed for useful purposes including the three listed here.

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5 Experiences You Should Not Miss When In Mauritius

Relaxing Resorts, Travel Tips - Shelia - January 29, 2020

Known for its charming white sand, turquoise blue waters and gorgeous beaches surrounded by picturesque coral reefs, Mauritius is a paradisiacal island nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean. Apart from being a mainstream destination for passionate beach enthusiasts, Mauritius is also an excellent vacation spot for travelers in search of calming natural beauty which evokes inner peace. Here are the top 5 experiences that you should not miss on your next Mauritius trip.

1. Stay in a luxury villa

There are plenty of luxury villas in Mauritius such as Maurice Villas that cater to the needs of travelers that come to explore the destination from different corners of the world. So, pick a villa that is situated at a walking distance from beautiful beaches where you can relax and cultivate peace of mind. Ensure that the villa offers everything from private swimming pools to spacious game rooms to make the most of your trip. If you want to make your travel memorable, a luxury accommodation can make the experience far more worthwhile.

2. Pay a visit to the beautiful tea plantations

If you are a fervent lover of nature, you must pay a visit to the picturesque tea plantations in Mauritius at least once in your lifetime. Relish the fresh air while enjoying the breathtaking views of the natural greenery around as you slowly stroll through the ravishing tea plantations. Moreover, make certain that you taste the wide range of flavored teas in Bois Cheri, the biggest tea plantation of Mauritius.

3. Try out the local mouth-watering delicacies

One cannot deny that Mauritius boasts some of the most mouth-watering delicacies in the world. Mauritian cuisine usually features a blend of Chinese and European dishes that you can always try at your hotel. Nevertheless, you should give a try to local Mauritian delicacies as they offer a burst of exotic flavors that are capable of tantalizing your taste buds in the blink of an eye.

4. Explore the diverse culture of the country

Exploring the diverse Mauritian culture can be really fun as the inhabitants of the place belong to different cultural and religious backgrounds. Since Mauritius is always buzzing with festive activity, you will never grow weary of exploring the country’s diverse culture. Talk with the locals, visit different places and become a part of ancient traditional festivals to immerse in the rich cultural heritage of Mauritius.

5. Indulge in water sports

Without a doubt, a visit to Mauritius remains incomplete if you do not indulge in water sport activities. Mauritius offers a wide range of adventurous water sports such as kite surfing, scuba diving, parasailing, and snorkeling. The best part about indulging in certain water sports is that you get to enjoy the rejuvenating beauty of marine life in the best way possible. Some of the best spots in Mauritius where you can try out water sports include Le Morne, La Gaulette, Tamarin etc.

Whether you are planning an adventurous outing for your whole family or looking forward to a romantic getaway with your loved one, Mauritius is one of the best destinations you can visit this holiday season. So, see to it that you indulge in the unmissable experiences listed above to make your next vacation to Mauritius worth remembering.

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