Lucrative Travels

Best Travel Destinations

Boutique Hotels Are Making a New Splash – With Good Reason!

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Tired of traditional hotels? We don’t blame you. When you’re going to go traveling, you already plan ahead of time to spend good money. This means that it’s more than just travel — it’s building an experience. It’s making memories. It’s getting away from all of the stress and strain of everyday life. You owe that to yourself. You owe yourself a chance to be able to rest, relax, and try to let the rest of life pass you by. You have to keep everything in perspective. Do you have to necessarily spend a lot of money? No, not at all. But do you want a specific experience that may come at a premium? Yes, you might be in that category.

Thankfully, there is a way to spend good money without feeling cheated. Let’s start with the accommodations here, shall we?

Boutique hotels are making a splash in a big way. A lot of travelers are fed up with the same generic, sterile experience that they can have at virtually every hotel. As Tim Ferriss famously said in The Four Hour Work Week, it’s time to actually see the world rather than just passing through life like a bored spectator. Again, it’s all about how you spend money.

boutique_hotels
When you get into a boutique hotel, you’ll find that there’s actually a lot of potential to feel right at home. Since the hotel is a lot smaller, there’s a feeling of intimacy that isn’t seen with the big hotel chains. You also feel more connected to the local economy, since these aren’t going to be hotel chains. These are regular hotels run by entrepreneurs. If you want to support the rising entrepreneurial movement in a country, going with a boutique hotel can really be a good thing.

You’re also going to have a nice taste of luxury that might not have been there before. The staff will really want to earn your business again, which means that you need to definitely think about any type of little details that you want to have added. Remember that if you don’t speak up, it’s very unlikely that you’ll get what you’re really looking for.

It’s completely up to you to design the vacation that you ultimately want to have. While the accommodations aren’t the only thing that you will need to think about, they account for a very large part of the planning work. Good luck!

Experiencing the Gran Canaria like a Local

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Gran Canaria is the ultimate tourist attraction with the number of annual visitors approximating 2.2 million. The majority of these tourists visit the southern end of the island, and this is because it is brighter and experiences less rainy seasons. The climate varies as the north of the Island is generally cooler compared to the south, which is warmer and sunnier. The east coast of the island is flat, dotted with beaches while the western coast is rockier and mountainous. The island offers a number of alternative activities for tourists, so let’s take a look at some of the best!

Check Out The Beaches

At 2.8km long, consisting of perfect golden sand, Playa de las Canteras is one of the world’s ultimate modern beaches, and can be found in Las Palmas. Just a short drive along the shore is Playa Chica (Little Beach), where one can swim out to the reefs if the waves are calm. On the other side of the beach, the water is just perfect for snorkeling, and there are a variety of activities available on the beach too, like beach soccer or volleyball!

Aloe Vera Rub Downs

Meloneras hosts an array of the island’s exclusive hotels, perfect for taking some time out to relax. Here you get close with the native Aloe Vera that soothes your sunned skin in one of the fine spas. The Spa Corallium at the Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort offers Aloe Vera peels, and the Spa and Wellness Centre offers a refined spa experience. Aloe Spa in Gran Canaria’s Sheraton Salobre Golf Resort and Spa is set in the mountains above Maspalomas, and is a world away from the hustle and bustle of regular tourist life on the island.

Gran Canaria

Travel to the Heart of the Earth

This is an experience like no other, and following in the footsteps of Flemish merchant Daniel Van Damme, you’ll be able to journey towards the centre of the earth! In the 16th century, Van Damme descended 200 meters to the bottom of the Caldera de Bandama, a volcanic crater that is only 15 minutes’ drive from Las Palmas. It’s approximately a half hour trek that offers elegant sights of endemic botanic, volcanic ash and a long discarded farm. Permission from the official tourist board in advance is in order, and guided hiking tours are also available.

Be One of the Locals

For the youthful tourists who want to fit in perfectly as locals, the excitement of an all-inclusive break allows you to try out all the local food and drinks available in your hotel. Compare prices at www.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/Gran-Canaria-Island/ – saving money of flights will let you spend more on a fancy hotel! The wall-to-wall relaxation on the island is a challenging temptation, however you simply must visit some of the local markets that offer the finest traditional dishes.

Hike Gran Canaria’s Camino

Where there is Camino de Santiago, there is also an ancient footpath connecting the churches of Saint James in Tunte in the interior part of the Island, and Galdár in the North West. In 2011, the Gran Canaria tourist board extended the route to over 75km, in order to accommodate an extra day’s hike from Maspalomas on the south coast. The Camino is a must adventure not to be missed, and will certainly be the hike of your life!

The Mini-Bar – Best Hotel Room Perk or Total Rip Off

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Since the holiday season is now in full swing, we decided to take on all of our questions. And really, we truly do mean all of your questions. Indeed, you all were filled with plenty of questions, large and small. We’re pretty fond of the big problems, because we love helping people, but the small questions also have a place in our hearts.

Today’s question is straightforward and one of our all time favorites: is the mini-bar the best hotel room perk, or a total rip off?

First and foremost, let’s be honest — you’re going to pay for the mini bar either way. Even when some of the higher end hotels offer a free mini-bar, the reality is that you are paying for it through the cost of the room. It’s a nice grabber that gets rooms filled, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s worth getting.

Hotel-mini-bar
The mini bar in the room is going to be much more expensive than just going to the liquor store and getting your own alcohol. Remember that they are doing it as a convenience, and in the travel game convenience is always expensive. You have to think about what you’re going to do at all turns here, not just go with what’s right in front of you. Do you really have the money to spend on the mini bar? If so, then you definitely can push forward. On the other hand, if you really don’t have time to hunt for a place to buy your own alcohol, then the mini bar is a great deal.

It’s up to you and it’s definitely your money in play here. If you are going to use the mini bar, make sure that you save whatever little tags that comes on the bottles. Some hotels need those in order to ring up exactly what you took from the bar. This is very important, because you don’t want the maid to mark that you drank it all — that could get expensive in a hurry!

The mini bar isn’t just for alcohol either — many hotels are putting juice bottles, milk, water, and more in the fridge, ready for you to eat. Some hotels even place food in there, or they have a small cafe right on the property. Either way, it’s definitely a good time for you to try to figure out this little piece of the travel puzzle.

Not every question we receive is serious — this one certainly isn’t a life or death decision by any stretch of the imagination. However, it’s a question that’s definitely worth asking. Why not check it out the hotel of your choice today? You never know what they’ll put in your mini bar!

Give Your Family an Amazing Holiday in the Caribbean

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Are you thinking about trying to please the whole family for this upcoming holiday? After all, if someone’s not happy with the travel plans that you have set up, they’re going to make that well known to all parties in earshot. Any parent knows how frustrating it is to put in so much planning to go somewhere, only to find that the children absolutely hate being there. Surely there’s a better way to travel, right?

Actually, the truth is that you can find amazing travel deals if you’re just willing to step out of your comfort zone just a little bit. You see, if you were to go and look at some cool Caribbean cruises for families, you’re going to find that the Caribbean has everything that makes for a great vacation. It has great weather, friendly people, and plenty of things to do. If you’re trying to let the kids experience going to a different culture filled with friendly people, it really doesn’t get any better than going to the Caribbean.

Cruise Holiday in the Caribbean

Why? Well, it’s simple: the people of the Caribbean have truly had a long history welcoming foreign visitors. The earliest peoples believed in sharing amongst all peoples, not just people who looked like themselves. You’ll find that as the region thrive son tourism, many people go out of their way to make you feel at home. In addition, if you are traveling with children, they will do anything that they can to make the kids feel welcome as well. Trying to get the children exposed to new environments without panic can be hard, and a cruise is the best of both worlds. They will have plenty of preplanned activities on the cruise ship, but they will also be able to go with you as the ship docks at port.

You might be concerned that if you go to port, you won’t be able to have a good time. You’ll be worried about when the ship departs, and other details of that nature. Don’t worry, all of these things are actually handled for you, leaving you free to just enjoy the best that the port country has to offer.

Of course, this is a general article about the Caribbean. You’ll find different activities depending on where your cruise ship is scheduled to actually go. But don’t forget that you always know ahead of time where the ship will be docking, and what activities you can on the cruise ship. If you’re trying to crunch the numbers right now when it comes to expenses, you should also consider that everything that you could possibly need or think of needing is going to be on the cruise ship. You also get the peace of mind from knowing that there’s security when you need it, first aid if you need it, and entertainment for the entire family. Cruise ships provide great value for what you spend, and this shouldn’t be overlooked at all.

So, are you ready to get started? You definitely want to look at some of the great Caribbean deals from First Choice, where they really work hard to give you affordable travel deals all year long!

Family Cruises Everyone Will Enjoy

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If you want to take the entire family on a vacation or holiday getaway that they surely won’t forget, perhaps you’ll want to consider a cruise. Many people hear the word cruise and they hear nothing but dollar signs that they can’t afford, but the good part is that nowadays cruising is becoming more affordable. Here are a few top cruise lines to consider.

Disney Cruise Lines

The entire family is sure to have the time of their life on this cruise line. There is a certain type of magic kids as well as adults will come to enjoy from eating breakfast with their favorite Disney characters to enjoying 3D shows. There are kids clubs and even special hangout spots for young teens and older children. Adults can enjoy the numerous bars and little cafes while the children are in the cabin with the sitter for a little alone time. There are pools and even learning activities to keep your child engaged the entire time. There is something for everyone aboard Disney Cruise lines so plan your next Disney vacation.

Royal Caribbean

You’ll find a number of age appropriate activities for the entire family aboard Royal Caribbean. Ships are expanding each year allowing for even more entertainment taking your cruise experience to the max. Children will enjoy rock climbing, swimming, ice skating, water parks, mini golf and much more. Adults can take a little time out from reality and enjoy spas, karaoke, and much more.

Family Cruises

Princess Cruises

Princess cruise ships again have dedicated areas for different age ranges allowing everyone traveling to enjoy their trip. Some of the many activities include talent shows, pizza parties, crafts, video games, giant TVs, juke boxes, and much more. Another great benefit is for younger children there are learning activities to educate them while they play. Young teens and older children can enjoy activities as well without their parents which allow them to make new friends while aboard.

P&O Cruise Lines

There are 5 ships offered on this cruise line which all are geared towards family entertainment and enjoyment. There is a kids program for children from 2-17 which is further split onto age groups. This program is called The Reef and allows children to be entertained from ball rooms to soft play areas and more. There are video games for older children and a supervised nursery if you’re looking for some alone time with your partner or to pamper yourself.

NCL

NCL has become partnered up with Nickelodeon to bring you the ultimate experience. Children can enjoy dancing with Dora at her music party and also singing and dancing with Spongebob Squarepants. Older children can take advantage of the video games such as Wii and Xbox, while families of all ages can enjoy the Blue Men entertainment that was recently incorporated into the cruise line.

Regardless of where you want to go, cruise lines are catering more towards families of all ages and within all budgets. Cruising has become a family favorite for many and can be done even with the tightest budget as most cruise lines offer all-inclusive packages for your convenience.

Do Travel Jobs Really Exist

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Are you thinking about traveling anytime soon? You’re actually in good company. Many people derma about going on holiday because it’s existing and it allows them to get away from their everyday life. However, what if your everyday life was nothing but virtually non-stop travel? Wouldn’t that be exciting?

Nonsense, you say — there’s no way that travel jobs exist. That’s just something for movie stars to portray in movies and for those special few that luck into big opportunities. But is that really the case?

Well, it honestly depends on what type of skills you’re actually bringing to the table. Becoming a travel writer is a matter of having connections, but you can indeed get into the industry. You need to build a writer’s portfolio of your work and explain what other skills you have to bring to the table. You might be fluent in a wide variety of languages — that could open up a lot of work as a translator. Believe it or not, there are many high paying jobs for translators, but you really do need to be as fluent as you possibly can.

Travel Jobs
There are also people that are looking for people that can work on a cruise ship. You might not realize it, but cruise ships actually employ hundreds of people all of the time. They need to have the personnel on hand that can really help bring joy and pleasure to your guests.

There are plenty of sites online that accumulate job listings for cruise ships. It’s a perfect way to actually see the world and get paid doing it.

There’s also the world of adventure tourism — sort of a mix between Fear Factor, Bizarre Foods, and The Crocodile Hunter. You will have plenty of adventure waiting for you if you decide to pursue this type of world.

You will need to think about the skills that you bring to the table. If you aren’t physically fit — you might need to change that in order to get attention. You will need to definitely be a people person in order to land a job like this!

Getting onto a big yacht is another way to see parts of the world that you wouldn’t normally see. You just need to do some digging around and make some new connections. You can work on the boat and travel to the same locations that the boat is traveling to. Boats are often out to sea for a long time, which means that they need a trained staff that can really make sure that all is well.

Of course, even though we’re talking about jobs that pay, there’s always volunteering. You never know when a volunteer position is going to turn into a paid position — especially if you display that you have plenty of skills.

Now, you might notice a few classic themes here: skills, networking, connections. If you’re not an outgoing person, you might have some trouble breaking into a travel job. It’s really going to be all about your personally. On the other hand, if you really love working with people and you’re determined to get known, then you really shouldn’t have any trouble eventually getting into a great travel job that lets you really see the world!

Winter Travel With Children – Yes, It Can Be Done!

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There’s nothing wrong with being protective over your children. They are, without question, the most important thing in your life. You don’t want anything to happen to them, and it goes without saying that you really do want the very best in life for them. It would be better to always make sure that they can have the best of everything, but sometimes you have to wait on things.

But is travel one of those things that you need to wait until they’re much older for them to enjoy? Definitely not. It’s one of the most controversial areas of travel. We all value our children very much, and travel is a big unknown. There are a lot of things that can go wrong, and then when you add in the idea of winter travel, people get very nervous. However, we’re not fans of believing that disaster is lurking in every corner. With smart planning, you can really minimize the risk that your children would face if they traveled with you.

Not sure what to do from here? This guide is definitely your friend!

First and foremost, you must make sure that you are actually going to get your trip planned out from start to finish. Yes, last minute trips can be done, but whenever there are small children involved, there’s already enough stress. We don’t think that anyone should try to do a last minute trip with children involved, not without having a lot of experience under their belts to begin with.

Winter Travel With Children
You must make sure that you already have all medications accounted for, if they need to be refilled. Children tend to get sick in the winter, and you don’t want to just assume that you’re going to be able to get anything you need to treat them in the host country. Be sure that you not only get letters fro your doctor stating what needs to be taken and when, but also that you talk to customs on both sides to make sure that you aren’t stopped in security for having the liquids in your possession. Controlled substances can be tricky, and narcotics can be downright disbarred — even if you do have the right papers for them. If that’s the case, you will have to have your doctor ship them to a pharmacy there, where they can be held security and picked up by you. Make sure that you have your passport if you have to do that.

Winter travel also means dressing smart — this is not the time to see how few things you can leave with in terms of suitcases. If you have to make sure that you have extra warm clothing for your children, definitely do so. If you know that you will be able to get their sizes in the new country, then you might be able to pack a bit less. However, you don’t want your children cold.

If you’re going to a tropical climate, then the advice is definitely in reverse. You want to absolutely make sure that you’re thinking about getting loose fitting clothing so that sweat has a chance to wick away from the skin, not be pressed up against the skin.

Traveling on long flights can make children feel tired and irritable — especially when they don’t feel they have anything to do. This is where you can bring their favorite little movies that can be watched on small DVD players, or a laptop for the older kids. They can at least play games on the flight. It’s also important to let them know the benefits of being polite — travelers will be pleased your children aren’t making too much of a fuss. Babies do cry on long flights, and it’s a fact of life. While you’re willing to be accommodating, there’s no need to feel that you have to punish your children for being children, either.

What you will find is that children are pretty universal in the travel world — going to another country means that other people will see your kids, and it’s not a weird thing at all. Westerners have found that when they travel to non-Western destinations, children are welcomed and even treasured — all without even knowing the same language! It has been said that the language of children is truly universal.

The most important thing that you can do is be open with your children and the rest of your family. If there are budget requirements that have to be met, you need to share this. Package deals will help you save money, and it all also help you if you know what you want when you arrive. This is why making out a full travel agenda is definitely a good thing.

Don’t get lost in the paperwork of travel, either — get a file system going to store all of your receipts and documents. The more you get the paperwork out of the way, the easier it will be to make everything else about your trip flow smoothly.

If you do nothing else, you really need to make sure that you are thinking about travel insurance. When you have small children in tow, hoping and praying that your insurance company’s policy that you already have will cover things is just not enough. It’s better to have a travel insurance plan that covers cancellations as well as emergency medical care.

Children can actually get quite a bit out of the travel experience, but it all boils down to what you’re willing to allow them to learn. As long as you’re flexible, everything else is possible!

Package Holidays Are Going to Make a Big Comeback In 2012 – Check It Out!

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There’s something big that has come to life with the start of the New Year, and it’s only grown from there. The “big trend” now is package holidays, and every tourist definitely benefits from them in a big way.

You see, all inclusive value means that you know exactly where you stand rather than worrying that you don’t have enough to travel in the first place. When you’re finally ready to use that holiday time that you’ve gotten saved up, you will want to make sure that you can get away from your regular life with confidence.

But you need to figure out exactly what you want your package holiday to look like. Do you want fun in the sun, or do you want to try to go on a ski holiday? It’s completely up to you.

Package Holidays

What does it really mean to get an all inclusive package holiday? Quite a few things, actually. First and foremost, you will have all of your meals taken care of, as well as your hotel activities and entertainment. This means that if you want to sneak in that extra slice of cake at dinner time — nobody and nothing is stopping you at all!

What about if you want to go snorkeling — no problem! You’re going to be able to do just that.

Every hotel is going to have different amenities that are part of the all inclusive mentality. You might have to go with a more luxurious option in order to get say, spa treatments and the like. But if you’re looking for a break in prices, package holidays with all inclusive fare is definitely where you want to look.

Can all inclusive be a luxury thing? Absolutely! If you’re willing to pay more than the usual all inclusive rates, you will tap into a whole world of luxury that’s already set up for you. Gone are the days where you have to stress and struggle with planning your ultimate holiday — you can find what you’re looking for without worry or stress!

Is it kid friendly? Absolutely — there’s plenty of places to take the kids as well. You just need to make sure that you plan ahead and really make sure that you have everything under control. That’s the best way to really make sure that you are getting the experience that you want — especially if you have children.

On the other side of the coin, what if you’re looking for adults only all inclusive holidays? You will definitely find them online. There are plenty of packages for hotels and resorts that require everyone be either over 18 or over 21. It’s completely up to you to figure out where you want to go — don’t be afraid to get adventurous! Good luck!

It’s Never Too Early to Think About Summer in Venice!

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Is Venice the most beautiful city in the world? We’re not sure but it definitely comes pretty close. If you’re thinking about going around Italy anytime during the summer, you really need to add Venice to your list. The romantic charm of Venice has been marred by modern development over the years, but there’s there a lot of appreciate about this old city.

You need to make sure that if you go during the summer time, you really want to make sure that you are protecting yourself accordingly. Venice can be pretty hot. IF you really don’t want to go during the summer, we suggest making a Spring Break type trip to Venice. This means that there won’t be so many tourists and you’ll be able to get a lot more accomplished on your own than you might expect.

Summer in Venice

If you want to get around the city of Venice, a boat trip is definitely the preferred method. You can get around pretty easily, especially because there are no cars. Everything is done on the water, with plenty of water buses and water taxes. If you’re going to go to Venice for a while, you really want to make sure that you go with the water buses rather than the taxis. It’s a lot less expensive.

Even if you don’t want to take the boats, you going to be able to walk just about anywhere that you want to go. However, you really need to make sure that you pace yourself. It’s far too easy to wear yourself out and be unable to push yourself to see anyone of the city.

It’s going to take some time to get used to Venice, but it’s really wroth it.

While you’re on foot, you can soak in all of the different sites. If you are a fan of viewing old churches, you might want to make sure that you get a church pass. This will get you into the churches that actually charge a fee.

Museums are also a way of life here — there are plenty of museums to choose from, and you might find yourself looking for the best one. There’s just so many to choose from, and they’re covered by a multi-entry ticket.  We like the Correr Museum and the Doge’s Palace above all, but there’s also the La Fenice Theater that contains old history.

As you can see, this is definitely a city where you can check out a lot of older sights and sounds, as well as getting in a lot of outside time. Make sure that you don’t try to wear yourself out.

We really like the Rialto Bridge, which also features the farmer’s market on the west side. The farmer’s market can help you get a lot of fresh and interesting food, grown from around the region. If you’re interesting in “local food” movements, this is definitely where you want to be. [Read more…]

Christmas in the Summertime – Absolutely! Visit Sydney for Your Warm Christmas Holiday!

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Trying to figure out where to go for your next Christmas holiday? It’s time to think about somewhere warm. Now, we’re not trying to talk bad about a nice white Christmas. Isn’t that the stuff that holiday songs are made of? Hot cider, sleigh rides…it’s all wonderful. We even have done quite a few winter vacations ourselves. But when you’re already surrounded by cold, we just can’t blame you for wanting to get away to somewhere warm for a change. Yet where do you really go when you want to actually feel some warm air on your back and a little sun on your skin?

Australia! Specifically Sydney, since that’s the topic of this guide and all. We covered Sydney a while back, but in the spirit of warm Christmas vacations, we decided that there’s a lot more to think about if you really want to plan the ultimate Christmas in the summer.

First and foremost, the Aussies definitely enjoy Christmas just as much as everyone else, even though it’s the warmest time of the year. This means that you will still see a lot of traditional Christmas stuff along with traditions that are truly Australian in nature. Just go with the flow — if you really want a traditional Australian Christmas, that’s perfectly okay — but make sure that you really do take the time to explore and maybe step out of your comfort zone a bit. For example, you will definitely see people grilling during this time of year. If you aren’t into that, then you can skip it but really, who isn’t into grilling?

Sydney_christmas

Sydney is a very large city, with plenty of things to do. If you’re going to start from the top, you need to start with airfare. There are lots of great flights to Sydney that even can be combined into a package deal. This will give you the best in terms of accommodation, airfare, and even car hire if you’re interested in that. It’s better to think about all of the options that you want rather than just assuming that everything will fall into place on its own. If you want to start traveling around the start of the New Year, then now is definitely the best time to start planning. Last minute holiday trips are common to Sydney, but there might not be the same types of deals. It just deals on your willingness to do your search. There are a lot deals online, but you will still need to make sure that you read the fine print before you just plunge forward.

Keep in mind that the airports close in Australia from 11PM to 5:30AM local time. This means that you will also want to make sure that you can get into the airport and get out of it. Like other international locations, you might need to expect delays for security checkpoints. It would be best to bake in as much time as possible when you’re trying to schedule things. That way, you’re not having to rush around and leave yourself without options.

One thing that you really want to make sure that you take the time to add travel insurance to your list. Again, we know that this can be a touchy subject with people but we have to stress it anyway. Travel insurance is low cost enough to where you really owe it to yourself to make sure that you get good medical coverage. Do we want to have anything bad happen to you? Not at all. However, we’ve taken enough trips to know that sometimes accidents just sneak up on you. Sometimes things don’t work right and it’s good to know that if something gets cancelled, you can actually get reimbursed.

It would be better to make this purchase early on and have it. If you’re reading this guide you should already have a passport and your forms for a visa, but if you need those items it’s time to get them. The visa process won’t be difficult at all, but you will make sure that you have it before you can actually enter the country.

If you can help it, you might want to have a stopover in another country before you actually get into Sydney — the flight from some countries can actually be quite lengthy, and that means that you will have a lot of time on your hands. Sometimes it’s nice to explore another city on the way, which is why Sydney often becomes a city that’s included on “round the world” type trips.

There’s a lot of ways to get around, but we really recommend the bus system or even using the taxis. Since Australia is fully urbanized and industrial in its own right, the transit system is actually quite good. The Cityrail is actually very fast and you can handle everything without much hassle or fuss.

So, what about the things to actually do in Sydney? After all, you’re on Christmas holiday and you want to have a good time. Well, you will have to first realize that many tourist attractions do indeed close down Christmas Day as well as Boxing Day, which is the day after. You will still find a few places that are open, but it’s going to be a bit more hit or miss.

This is actually where having a vacation home in Sydney is a smart thing. If you’re not going to go with a package deal, then you really want to look for a good vacation home. It will give you the benefit of having a kitchen to call home. That’s better than trying to figure out where you’re going to cook all of your food. This is also invaluable if you have food allergies of any kind.

Of course, we’re getting off track — you want to know what you can do, not the things that you can’t do — right?

Right! [Read more…]