When you think of places to go scuba diving what comes to mind? The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean or the warm waters of Thailand and Indonesia?
But why not somewhere closer to home for European divers?.
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Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
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Image via Flickr by Ian McWilliams
Owning a motorhome makes it possible for families to explore the world without spending a lot of money on travel and lodging. It’s become possible for a family to not have to sacrifice fun and comfort for a cheaper way of vacationing in their favorite destinations. Before buying your own motorhome, consider whether you would enjoy some of these popular destinations.
You can’t travel Big Sur Coast Highway without the right vehicle. Motorhomes present a unique set of features that allow families to take full advantage of the area’s amenities and attractions. This 72-mile stretch of road winds through some of the most beautiful mountain scenes in California. If you head out West, be sure to stop for a hike in Big Sur or take a walk along the area’s sandy beaches. RV parks at Plasket Creek and Kirk Creek offer the perfect place to park your conversion van while you explore the area or prepare for the next day’s adventure.
Used Class B motorhomes fit in perfectly at national parks. Big Bend National Park in Texas is one of the best places for travelers to visit without spending a lot of money. The park has a diverse range of desert wildlife and plants that you won’t find anywhere else. It also features plenty of hiking trails. If you fancy a challenging hike, head into the higher elevation, where you will climb steep hills. If you want an easier walk, stick to the flat areas. Park your RV at the Rio Grande Village for access to water and electricity.
Route 66 was once the most direct way for people to travel from the eastern U.S. to the western states. Today, most people travel via interstates, which are faster and more direct than the old highway. Still, there are plenty of sites to explore along Route 66. An RV is one of the best ways to experience the stretch of road, especially if you’re not keen on the idea of traveling hundreds of miles on a motorcycle. Some must-see locations include the Coleman Theatre in Miami, OK, Mid Point Cafe in Adrian, TX, and the lush maple forest in Funk’s Grove, IL.
Asheville, NC is a medium-sized city nestled in the Smoky Mountains. The town has plenty of hotels and motels, but you don’t need indoor accommodations when you’re surrounded by beautiful mountains. Hotels can place a barrier between the vacationer and destination, separating people from the natural wonders and sights that can be found outside. A Class B motorhome is perfect for traversing the Smoky Mountains and experiencing the full impact of the natural beauty. Some of the top spots to visit in the Asheville area include the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the Biltmore, and Blue Ridge Parkway.
When you have a trust motorhome, you can visit practically any location whenever you want. What place would you visit first with your new motorhome?
Miles Young is a freelance blogger who specializes in travel, vacations, camping and anything in between. … View full profile
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Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
New places to go, good value accommodation, great activities and exciting things to do.
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Even though it was getting towards the end of the season before the Humpback whales head south to the Antarctic for the summer, Maureen and I together with our daughter Alison, her partner Matt, and our 2 year old grandson Matari took a whale watching trip from Hervey Bay, and what a trip it was.
Goodbye
Hervey Bay, known as the whale watching capital of the world, is a huge bay in South East Queensland, Australia, protected from the ravages of the Pacific Ocean by the world famous Fraser Island. This World Heritage site, 123 kms long and 23 kms wide is the largest sand island in the world and creates a resting place for the whales to relax and play preparing for their 4,000 km journey ahead.
We took the afternoon trip with Australia’s longest established whale watch operators Hervey Bay Whale Watch on their boat Quick Cat II.
It started with a light lunch and fruit, cakes and freshly brewed tea and coffee were provided on the return trip. The weather was beautiful with clear blue skies and the temperature was approaching 30C with clear blue calm waters.
Quick Cat II is a fast and stable catamaran which quickly got us to the whale watching area and we were soon surrounded by pods of huge Humpbacked whales, many of whom were mothers and their calves, spouting jets of water high into the air and thrashing about no more than a few metres from our boat. It was almost as if they were putting on a show for us.
An added bonus was the trip goes alongside Fraser Island so there was always something to see on the 45 minute journey including 4 wheel safaris on the beach and Sea Eagles circling above.
The owners Brian and Jill Ferry made us very welcome and the skipper Brent and crew member Tony certainly know their stuff finding the whale pods and and providing a commentary about the whales and their behaviours, and Tony videoed the trip so if your camera skills aren’t up to scratch you can still have something to show your friends back home.
With the Skipper Brent.
Before leaving England to visit our daughter and her family in Australia we had whale watching on our agenda and along with seeing our family this was one of the highlights of our visit.
Hervey Bay Whale Watch http://www.herveybaywhalewatch.com.au/ is a multi award winning company with 40 awards, which has been family owned and operated for more than 25 years, and on the day of our trip they had just received their latest award for wheelchair access. Quick Cat II is a spotlessly clean boat designed for whale watching. Wheelchairs and prams can easily move around the main deck and we found it perfectly safe for an active 2 year old. It also has a bar so we have no hesitation in recommending it.
If you get to make the trip, say hello to Brian, Jill and the crew and tell them Cliff from traveljunkies recommended you.
So if whale watching is on your bucket list or if you are visiting Australia, try to take a trip to Hervey Bay, just a few hours North of Brisbane, to see one of the greatest shows on earth. You won’t be disappointed.
Thanks guys, we had a great day.
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Please leave a comment and tell us about your whale watching experince. Thank you
Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
Get a free listing in traveljunkies for your travel or activities business!
Jazz Republic Club
http://www.jazzrepublic.cz/en/
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Please leave a comment to tell us what you think. Thank you
Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
New places to go, good value accommodation, great activities and exciting things to do.
Get a free listing in traveljunkies for your travel or activities business!
It is approaching that time of year where Halloween is just around the corner but where will you be travelling for it this year? Last year, I went to Disneyworld Orlando Florida and loved being out in the USA again. I can never get enough of the sunny state of Florida as it is beautiful and adventurous. I have been to Disneyworld four times in my life and every time I go it gets better and better, with a new attraction and event to see.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
If you have not visited Disneyworld in Florida in September or October time you are missing out because you get a Halloween Event that is so much fun to be at, this event is called Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. The magnificent Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is located in Disneyworld’s Magic Kingdom, which is the best park in my opinion. Set in the surroundings of Cinderella’s castle, it is an event for kids and adults of all ages, a chance to dress up in fancy dress and see amazing shows and the famous HalloWishes firework display that makes the castle come alive. You may even get to meet the Disney Villains as they wonder around the park and surprise you at every corner turned. Jafar from Aladdin really did give me a fright the last time I was there but it made the experience so much better by having characters from the movies interact with the crowds in the way they did.
So what is on the travel menu at Mickey’s Halloween party this autumn?
The Boo to You Parade will be a consistent feature, where Disney characters and a headless horseman take the streets of Main Street USA on a parade that combines the stars from the Haunted Mansion attraction. You can still join in the fun of the trick and treat adventure, hopping from one attraction to the next and picking up some candy on your way. Hope you are ready for a sweet tooth because by the end of the night you will be all sugared up and partying with Goofy in his dance off in Tomorrowland!
The best part of the menu for me was the Happy HalloWishes firework display, where you can see ghost illuminations appear on the castle and special lighting and music combine to make you feel you are in a haunted place. It is exactly as it states though; not so scary, the special effects are there to make things lively and fun and are not there to scare children in any way. It is a light hearted event and full of joy and laughter.
The great thing about getting to visit such an attraction in an amazing part of America is you get to live the Disney dream no matter what age you are. This is a destination spot where dreams really do come true.
Author Jeanna H suffered from a hair loss condition and everytime she thinks of Disney it gives her that magical miracle feeling back; Read more about her Alopecia hair loss advice and her journey to recovery.
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Please leave a comment to tell us what you think. Thank you
Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
New places to go, good value accommodation, great activities and exciting things to do.
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Style Counsel – Whether you go on holiday in search of adventure or to be pampered, or just to relax while the kids are having fun, there’s a cruise to suit.
ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS
So you think cruising is for softies? For folk to spend idle days at sea? Well maybe it was in the past but cruising 21st-century style can be packed with adventure, visiting places it’s hard to reach on a land-based holiday, if that’s what floats your boat.
You can get close to wildlife in the Galapagos, discover remote communities in Greenland and the Falklands, spot polar bears in the Arctic, get your chills in Antarctica, sailing past icebergs as big as houses, walking through penguin colonies, looking out for passing whales.
You can cruise the challenging Northwest Passage between Greenland and Canada, sail around Borneo or the Kimberley in Australia, or venture into the Russian Far East. Or take a voyage to Alaska for fun activities such as zip-wiring, hiking on glaciers, bear or whale-watching expeditions.
Alaska aside, these cruises are a real adventure – trips ashore are made in inflatable zodaics, in the polar regions you’ll need wellies, woollies and gloves, you’ll be cruising through ice – and a great way to learn as well, as expedition cruises have biologists, geologists and naturalists on board to talk about the flora and fauna of the places being visited.
At a glance: Adventure cruises
* Explore the most remote parts of the world.
* Get close to wildlife in the Galapagos.
* Enhance your knowledge about the polar regions.
* Have fun on Alaska’s once-in-a-lifetime excursions.
* Discover places untouched by tourism.
Find out all about Adventure Holidays afloat and much, much more only at The CRUISE Show.
Show Details:
The Telegraph CRUISE Show is the UK’s only event dedicated to discovering a world of voyages. From small boutique river boats to modern resort style ships perfect for the whole family, this is your chance to meet with over 100 cruise lines and specialist operators all under one roof – and have a great day out!
Visitors to the October shows can get up-to-date insider tips and advice from the experts, attend the informative FREE talks and participate in the exciting panel discussions, discover different ships styles and incredible destinations, find out what’s new for 2013 and also save thousands of pounds with the exclusive show-only offers!
Cruising is the fastest growing travel sector and with over 25,000 people expected to attend the two events in October, this really is an unmissable show offering inspiration and expert advice to anyone considering a holiday at sea.
The Telegraph CRUISE Show takes place in Glasgow’s SECC on 6-7 October 2012 and in Birmingham’s NEC on 20-21 October 2012.
EDITOR’S NOTES
We can arrange special discounts and competitions to win tickets, holidays and more. A selection of photographs are available for press use. For further information please contact Madeleine Herridge on 01795 844400 or madeleine@escapeevents.co.uk.
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Please leave a comment to tell us what you think. Thank you
Cliff Chapman
www.traveljunkies.com
New places to go, good value accommodation, great activities and exciting things to do.
Get a free listing in traveljunkies for your travel or activities business!
Whilst most of us are reliving summer holiday memories, sharing photos with friends and trying to prolong our sun tans, ski companies are well into the swing of things planning for winter.
One of the common misconceptions of ski companies is that they only work during winter. In actual fact all the behind-the-scenes things are done throughout summer leaving them free to focus on customers and ski related aspects during the winter.
The summer months are largely spent recruiting the winter staff; finding new properties to offer as guest accommodation for the following winter; maintaining existing buildings and plenty of industry networking, sales and marketing.
Of all these aspects, staff recruitment is one of the most crucial things to consider for ski operators as holidays are made by great staff and ruined by terrible ones. Everyone has a horror story about chalet hosts too hung-over to feed them properly or the terror of being driven by young drivers smelling of last night’s booze. In order to avoid these issues and get the very best staff, reputable ski companies start advertising for staff as early as late May or early June and then go through a rigourous interview process, often incorporating phone interviews, followed by face-to-face interviews including role plays, scenarios and very searching questions. Whilst it is well known that there is a lot of competition for ski jobs amongst seasonaires, ski companies can also find themselves vying with other operators in order to secure the best applicants. Competition is tough to find the right staff for the job.
Hopefully, though, by the end of this process – maybe as soon as early September – the ideal staff are chosen, training dates are in the diary and ski operators can continue with their other pre-season jobs secure in the knowledge that this season’s guests will be able to enjoy an exceptional holiday hosted by the best people for the job.
At Ski Weekender we pride ourselves on having the best team we can find to ensure the quality of our customer service, our chalets, the airport transfers, the food and our ski hosting are maintained, if not bettered, year on year.
So now we’ve recruited our fantastic new team for winter, which includes some old faces too, we have changed our focus to recruiting guests to enjoy this top quality service!
Visit our website www.skiweekender.com to find out all the information you need about our short ski and snowboard breaks in France, as well as meeting our great team on the About Us page.
For full details visit www.skiweekender.com; email info@skiweekender.com or call us on 0845 557 5983.
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Posted by Jess at karibuni.co.uk
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Cliff Chapman
traveljunkies
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It may only be 17 miles long by 8 miles wide, but Malta has an incredibly diverse landscape with exciting natural attractions that can all be enjoyed for next to nothing! From the spectacular craggy coastlines and paradise-like beaches to stunning countryside and peaceful fishing villages, Malta is one of the most relaxing and beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. Working up from the south to the north, here are the best places to chill out.
Luzzo Boats, Marsaxlokk
On the south coast of Malta lies the quaint fishing town of Marsaxlokk. It’s one of the few remaining towns in Malta that has been left untouched by the booming tourism trade. Marsaxlokk has stayed loyal to it fishing roots you can find evidence of the still thriving industry at the town’s pretty harbour. Watch the traditional Luzzo fishing boats bob on the ocean whilst enjoying a pint of local beer and a delicious pastizzi (a pastry snack filled with ricotta or broad beans) – a wonderful way to unwind in Malta.
Prices
Bus from Valetta City to Marsaxlokk: €0.47 single (Bus 27, every 30 mins.)
Pint of Beer: €2
One Pastizzi: €0.40
On the east coast, north of Marsaxlokk, is one of the smallest capital cities in Europe. Valetta is only 600m x 1000m but has over 320 historical sites, monuments and statues – making it one of the most culturally dense cities in the world! For a chilled out afternoon, head to the pretty landscaped gardens on top of Valetta’s hilltop. The gardens are great to explore and have magnificent views of the city and the ocean. If you need a quick energy fix to reach them, stop by the Dates Kiosk in the city centre to pick up some tasty mqarets – deep-fried, sugary pastries stuffed with spiced dates.
Prices
Entry to Gardens: Free
One Mqarets €0.20
In central Malta, north of Marsaxlokk, is the charming town of Mdina. This small town, much like the rest of Malta, is packed with cultural and historic sites. It’s also surrounded by the gorgeous Maltese countryside. Find the best views of the rolling hills and even the sea, from Mdina’s high town walls. Spend relaxing hours over a light lunch at the Fontanella Tea Gardens on top of the old town walls, soaking up the warm Mediterranean sunshine. Close to Mdina are the pretty BUskett Gardens, the perfect place to enjoy a picnic in the shade of the olive, oak and orange trees.
Prices
Cakes, sandwiches, meals at Fontanella: €2 – 15
Entry to Buskett Gardens: Free
Head to Malta’s west coast to discover the less touristy spots of this island. Whereas the east coast has the popular resorts of Bugibba and Qawra, you’ll find lots of idyllic spots on the eastern coastline. For a chilled-out day on the beach head over to Golden Bay. This beach has pretty Golden Sands but can be quite crowded in peak times, so instead head to the Blue Flag beach next to Golden Bay, known as Ghajn Tuffieha Bay. This stunning beach has bright blue waters and a long stretch of golden red sand, surrounded by lush green landscapes. The perfect place to unwind by the sea in Malta.
Prices
Bus from Bugibba to Ghajn Tuffieha Bay: €1.16 (Bus 652)
Car Park Tip (if driving): €0.50
From Cirkewwa harbour, catch a water taxi to the enchanting islands of Gozo or Comino. Gozo is much greener and less touristy than Malta. The green hills, romantic coastlines and beautiful beaches are the perfect backdrop to a relaxing day out. You’ll typically see goats wandering the countryside in Malta; exploring the island by foot is one of the best ways to explore Gozo.
Blue Lagoon, Comino Island
Comino Island is home to the Blue Lagoon – although it’s quite popular with locals and tourists and you won’t find as many secluded spots as you would in Gozo, the Blue Lagoon is definitely worth a visit to witness the breath-taking beauty of the turquoise waters and white shores.
Prices
Water Taxi to Gozo from Cirkewwa: €4.65 return ticket
Water Taxi to Comino from Cirkewwa: €10 return ticket
About the author: Stephanie is the local expert for Malta holidays with lowcostholidays.com. Having fallen in love with Malta’s natural beauty and rich culture, Steph hopes to show that there’s a lot more to discover in Malta than just the beaches and sunshine.
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Cliff Chapman
traveljunkies
New places to go, good value accommodation, great activities and exciting things to do.
Get a free listing in traveljunkies for your travel or activities business!
Cliff Chapman
traveljunkies
New places to go, good value accommodation, great activities and exciting things to do.
Get a free listing in traveljunkies for your travel or activities business!
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