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5 Must See Attractions In and Around Melbourne

Going to be visiting Melbourne in the near future?  Aren’t you lucky!  Melbourne is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, beckoning to travelers and adventurers from around the globe.  There are so many things to see and do, you’ll want to spend as much time here as possible.  Here are five of the attractions in and around Melbourne that you will not want to miss.

5.  Healesville Sanctuary

Not far from Melbourne is Healesville Sanctuary, also known as the Sir Colin Mackenzie Sanctuary, named after its founder.  Located in the Yarra Valley region, this sanctuary is Australia’s leading wildlife park. You’ll see emus, platypus, kangaroos, koalas, Tasmanian devils, and more, all in their natural habitats.  Rugged beauty surrounds you as you get up close and personal with more than 200 species of Australian wildlife.  It’s an experience you’ll never forget.  Healesville Sanctuary is just an hour north of Melbourne, so it’s perfect for a day trip.

4. Yarra Valley Vineyards

While you’re in the Yarra Valley area, there are a number of other attractions to visit, including more than 70 wineries.  This region is the birthplace of Australian wines, home to world renown winemakers and tiny, hidden gem wineries.  Cruise the beautiful countryside, savor the heady vintages, and enjoy a delectable meal prepared by a top chef at one of the wine restaurants.  A perfect way to spend the day.

3.  Philip Island

Now turn your car to the southeast and travel about 140 kilometers from Melbourne to Philip Island.  Here you’ll find an array of activities that are bound to keep the entire family happy.  The most famous attraction is the Parade of the Fairy Penguins, but there are also dozens of other activities you won’t want to miss, including a visit to Seals Rock, the Koala Conservation Center, and more.

4. St. Kilda

This colorful inner city suburb of Melbourne is rich with history and offers a bevy of attractions.  It gracefully blends a unique artist culture, beautiful parks and gardens, theatres, shopping, and, of course, magnificent St. Kilda beach where water sports abound.

1.  Great Ocean Road

Just 243 kilometers from Melbourne is one of the most spectacular scenic ocean routes in the world, the Great Ocean Road.  The views are stunning, the rainforests lush, and the beaches are breathtakingly beautiful.  You’ll see sites like the famed 12 Apostles rock formations and cruise through the Great Otway National Park.  You really need to dedicate more than one day to this fascinating journey, so arrange a short-term car rental that allows you enough time to truly enjoy this adventure.

Want to know a way to save some money on this vacation of a lifetime?  Instead of renting a car from traditional sources, try peer-to-peer car rental.  You could save up to 60% and drive any kind of car you want as you enjoy the wonders of Melbourne and the glorious region it rules.

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Glasgow Hotels: More than Luxury Accommodation

Are you looking for a relaxing, indulgent break in Scotland? If so, there are several vibrant cities throughout the country that will leave you spoiled for choice. Many Glasgow hotels are situated in the heart of the city centre, allowing you to explore some of the memorable attractions that this historical location has to offer. Additionally, with great rail links to other Scottish hotspots such as Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Paisley and East Kilbride, broadening your horizons and travelling around Scotland could be a lot cheaper than you would think.

Within Glasgow itself, there are numerous points of interest to stimulate the mind and offer great days out. For art aficionados, a visit to the Gallery of Modern Art comes well-recommended, offering a sophisticated and contemporary perspective on the culture of the 21st century. Throughout the year, the gallery’s exhibitions encapsulate Scottish tradition while remaining true to the international art scene, and one example is the collection of artwork called Hertie Querty, words which in Old Scots means ‘full of fun’, ‘mischievous’ and ‘in good spirits’. If you want to get a feel for Glasgow and feed your passion for fine art simultaneously, the abstract and obscure offerings from the GoMA won’t disappoint.

The Gallery of Modern Art also shares its building with the city centre library, an architectural masterpiece that is steeped in heritage. Before its transformation into a hub for cultural exploration and learning, this building within the heart of Glasgow was used for business, finance and exchanging information. Should you visit the gallery or the library at its iconic location, you will appreciate how the gallery has continued the philosophy of exchanging information for locals and tourists alike.

The accommodation in Glasgow represents some of the finest UK hotels on offer, with spacious rooms and apartments available in abundance, perfect for tourists who love to immerse themselves in city life. Staying in this Scottish city brings the opportunity to experience hotels in brand new ways, with some of the largest international hoteliers offering designer accommodation with luxurious amenities. Whether you are excited tourists who are eagerly planning their visit to Scottish landmarks, or a hurried business traveller who wants a hotel that offers comfort and professional facilities such as a business centre, the perfect venue for you isn’t too hard to find once you look online.

hotels in Edinburgh by HotelClub can be equally extravagant, unearthing a whole new world of opportunities and potential. Whether you are looking to push the boat out with several nights in a five star hotel, or would prefer to select a hotel with basic amenities and a budget price tag, looking for accommodation on a comprehensive and efficient website will save you time and money. Who knows, it could also empower you to get a bigger, better and more luxurious room with your modest budget thanks to the hefty discounts that can be found online.

Why, though, should you choose to stay in Edinburgh instead of Glasgow or Aberdeen? In short, it is the festivals and attractions that may swing it for those who love comedy, fine cuisine, history and culture. It’s been said before that the capital of Scotland boasts many different facets, with the 900-year-old Old Town and the Georgian, 18th century New Town coalescing wonderfully to offer a city with variety, authenticity and character. Even though there are crumbling castles and old ruins to keep historians and traditionalists satisfied, the exciting new additions to Old Town such as the modern Scottish Parliament building, shows how this part of the city is still as relevant and up-to-date as it was before.

One thing that’s essential for anyone to do in Edinburgh is to sample some traditional Scottish delicacies; the luxurious products that have put this country on the map. There are some fantastic restaurants that whip up local produce into sumptuous three-course meals, and the chance to savour a dram of whisky afterwards on a leather armchair in front of a roaring log fire is an alluring opportunity. If you want to relax, unwind and feel content on your getaway to Scotland, Edinburgh has all of the necessary ingredients to make it an adventurous, romantic or laid-back trip.

It would be an insult not to mention the Fringe Festival, which allows an explosion of creativity to flood through Edinburgh’s streets every summer. If you love watching TV panel shows and stand-up comedians, it’s worthwhile noting that many of the most talented comedians in the country will have been discovered at this annual event. Whether you enjoy listening to unsigned talent, the fresh content of undiscovered comedians, or the emotion seen in musicals and opera, this festival is where the arts come together in an eclectic mix that’s fun and exciting for performers and spectators alike.

It’s the little things that will make your Scottish getaway memorable, such as the sheer shock when you’re in Edinburgh Castle and the field gun explodes spontaneously at 13:00; the chance to truly appreciate the different types of tartan at a quaint and charismatic weaving company; watching your children become engrossed in the Scottish Storytelling Centre as vivid fictional tales come alive and creeping around the city metres underground in an area that was once cordoned off because of the plague outbreak. As you can see, this city is more than a place where you can book a hotel, wander around during the day and have a great meal during the evening; it’s somewhere to create memories with the people you love.

Cheap hotels are not difficult to find here, and the Internet has made the task of finding accommodation infinitely easier. By doing your research and planning in advance, you and your party will have the holiday you deserve. Why not treat yourself to a stay in an award-winning boutique hotel? Alternatively, why not go for an apartment with striking panoramic views over the city? The choice is yours.

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Talk Beer in Foreign Pubs

Learn the Language of Beer (Infographic)
Source: Pimsleur Approach

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Queenstown Travel Tips

queenstownNew Zealand is a dream location and definitely one of the places where most people in the world would like to go very much. New Zealand is considered an amazing place because of the sharp contrasts that especially its landscape offers. In the southern half the temperature is colder and more alpine, whereas the northern half is almost tropical with volcanoes.

The key to backpacking New Zealand is to take the time to see everything. It really doesn’t matter if you’re not going to have time to see all the things on your list, what matters more is that you take the time to appreciate all the beauty in the things you will be seeing.

New Zealand has a lot to offer for any backpacker, but one of the best places to go is Queenstown. The reason is simple – the landscape is the most iconic of New Zealand. The town is nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, high up in a mountain valley which is considered New Zealand’s premier four season lake and alpine resort.

The four seasons…

All four seasons are busy tourist times for Queenstown. The best time to go skiing is in the spring, which is from September to November in the southern hemisphere. The temperatures range from 48F to 75F and the weather is very sunny and beautiful most of the time. These days are perfect for skiing. Sometimes the season can last well into October as well.

More Queenstown travel tips include the possibility of going in the summer months, from October to February, or even March. The summer opportunities are endless, with mountain biking, golf, hiking and boating and waterskiing on the lake. The rugged terrain all around Queenstown is one you will never forget

There is of course skiing throughout the winter and if the snow comes early then in late fall as well. Fall is the time for barbecues, hiking to see the foliage and other relaxing activities.

Where to eat

Queenstown has over 150 restaurants, bars and cafes. Furthermore, the local vineyards keep these establishments well stocked with the best quality wines. You can even go to many of these wineries as they are mostly fitted out as small private restaurants serving the best local food and drinks conveniently in one place. A great travel tip for tourists is to take home one of these special bottles of wine for a special occasion later, such as a wedding or a baby shower.

Finally, Queenstown also offers luxury spa resorts with natural springs, saunas and other useful natural formations in this volcanic area. Queenstown is also one of the shopping capitals of New Zealand so you should have no trouble finding any souvenir or memento.

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