Author : Amy NuttIf you’re going to Australia for vacation it’s likely that you’ll be there for more than just a day or two, for an effective holiday halfway around the world you’ll need at least a week or more to have the full experience after you’ve recovered from the exceedingly long journey Odds are, if you’re there for a week or ten days that you’ll have plenty of plans for fun things to do during your stay, most of which will probably require further travel of some variety

Taxis are an expensive way to get around while you’re on vacation, especially if you’re going to be there for a while - if the event of a longer vacation it will save you a pretty substantial amount of money to rent a car and drive yourself where you need to get, but will you legally be able to rent a car in Australia, or any other country for that matter, without a valid drivers license in that country? Not many people know the answer to this question, but it could be crucial information to the overall success of your vacation to another country

Some people think that simply having a valid driver’s license from anywhere in the US will be enough to allow them to rent a car and drive in a foreign country, but the truth is that many foreign countries don’t recognize a US driver’s license If you thought that simply having a valid license in the US was going to be enough, don’t despair - just having a valid license in good standing may be enough to get you the documentation that you need to be able to drive and rent automobiles in Australia as well as in other countries

In order to be able to drive in Australia you need what is known as an International Driver’s Permit, or an IDP An IDP will give you the legal ability to operate a motor vehicle in more than one hundred and fifty foreign nations, of which Australia is one You can get all of the information that you need regarding the application process and actually obtaining your IDP from either AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance, both of which are designated as authorized issuers by the US State Department

Though obtaining an IDP is relatively easy, you do need to have a valid US driver’s license to obtain one and an IDP will not replace your US driver’s license - it will merely act as a supplement that allows you to operate a motor vehicle in another country

If you are a frequent traveler or if you just want to maximize the experience you have during the times that you do travel, looking for a taxi is not always the best or most economical option Having a rental car that you can freely and legally operate whenever you need to for whatever reason is the epitome of convenience and in many countries the only way to be able to operate a motor vehicle is by having an International Driver’s Permit

Going through the simple process of obtaining your IDP at one of the many local offices of AAA or the American Automobile Touring alliance is much easier and more convenient than having to try and fight for a taxi every time you want to travel farther than what is considered a safe walking distance in many foreign countries If you love to travel, it makes perfect sense to obtain an IDP before you leave on your journey - even if you aren’t sure that you’ll be renting a car when you arrive a your destination just having the security of knowing that you can if you need to will make going through the very simple process of obtaining one worth it Specializing in discount truck & car rentals in Australia. In our commitment to customer service we provide a free express pickup service from our many locations as Sydney airport car rental

Read full story

Author : David UrmannFamilies should devote time among themselves to have fun, relax and enjoy each others company It does not have to be too expensive but should be meaningful and held memorable Going out for a special vacation might just be what families need to bond with each other again

Planning a family outing is always a difficult task because it involves quite a big group There are many individual interests and needs to consider that must all be consolidated in one big package This will guarantee that everyone will have a very good time

Family resorts cater especially to such groups And they offer discounted rates also Here are some of them

First is the Caribbean Resort It is available the whole year round Every family can enjoy different activities being offered such as water sports, programs for kids and teens as well, and lots of restaurants with delectable cuisines

Families may also try the Coconut Bay Resort and Spa It is known for their all-inclusive package deals because they offer the best value in rates They also have a water park with slides, a lazy river and a big area for playing

This resort is located in St Lucia which is known for attractive sceneries such as the Piton Twin Peaks, jungle, vast areas of coconut and banana plantations Guests can truly enjoy different water activities like snorkeling and diving

The Natura Park Eco-Resort and Spa can be found a few minutes from the airport of the Dominican Republic, and near Bavaro and Laguna Beach It features luscious and beautiful landscaping with their flowers, ponds and other naturally-acquired decorations such as stones found locally, coconut, wood, and cane

This resort has 13 2-storey buildings in Dominican style, with 510 rooms having a balcony or patio They also have 20 suites, all with views overlooking the ocean

Their amenities include a pool where both kids and adults can swim, king-sized beds (for reservation), all-inclusive a la carte dining (limited), and a Metamorphosis Spa with sauna and flower bath (good for people who wish to relieve stress)

Natura Park Eco-Resort and Spa also has a buffet restaurant with open air atmosphere Kids can also enjoy seeing different animals like peacocks, flamingos, ducks and many other interesting animals

The Amelia Island Plantation is located in Amelia Island, Florida, 20 minutes away from Jacksonville This island owns 1,350 acres of land and consists of fantastic beach resorts

There are many exciting activities a family can do here There are nature trails with boardwalks, a nature center offering nature tours, kids camps and play areas, bike rentals, various poolside games, beach with professional lifeguards, and boating eco-tours

Guests can choose to stay in hotels, villas and condos inspired with Spanish moss Rooms have private balconies viewing the beach They can enjoy playing golf and tennis Two outward pools are provided; one is joined to the kids pool There is also a fitness center with an indoor pool for people wanting to stretch their muscles and keeping their shape

Kids camp features full-day for children aging 3 to 10 years old Just for Kids give evening theme parties, very helpful for parents deciding to go out Teen Explorers are for 11-19 teens, providing activities such as mini-golf, bowling, movie viewing and many more Their weekly events change depending on the season and prices vary from free up to 50$ For more information on Family Resorts and Family Resorts Hotelsplease visit our website.

Read full story

Author : David UrmannAugusta is regarded as the Augusta-Richmond County in Georgia It is also noted as a consolidated city of the state Its population has reached 528,519 as of 2007, making it East Central Georgias largest city and Georgias second largest

Richmond County and the City of Augusta merged their operations in late 1996 In the International scene, Augusta is noted for its hosting of the Masters Golf Tournament every spring season and as the beloved hometown of the famous James Brown With this golf tournament, several golf enthusiasts flock to Augusta and participate in the competition Due to this, there are numerous hotels that offer excellent accommodations and a closeness to popular attractions

Downtown Augusta is always crowded with tourists Many visitors go here to experience the best of Georgia It is good to choose from the hotels here to be near the tourist attractions

The Partridge Inn
This full-service hotel is only a short distance from 5 major hospitals such as the Augusta Medical Complex It is also near the citys Executive Airport, Daniel Field Its address is 2110 Walton Way Augusta, GA 30904

The Partridge Inn was established last 1892 and was classified as The Grand Hotel of the Classic South It has undergone a multimillion dollar renovation It has a total of 145 guest rooms having suites and studios It also has a secluded outdoor pool, award winning restaurant, a fitness room and outdoor verandas

It is perfect for both leisure and business travelers because of its 5,000 sq ft of meeting spaces that can accommodate 250 guests It has function rooms and a business center The Verandah Grill Restaurant provides sumptuous meals while the Bamboo Room offers live jazz and martinis

Ramada Augusta Conference Center
This hotel is located at 640 Broad Street Augusta, GA 30901 It lies along downtown area, right in the heart of Augusta, Georgia It is near beautiful attractions like the Riverwalk Augusta, Augusta Museum of History, Civic Center, Bell Auditorium as well as the Medical College of Georgia

Ramada offers excellent facilities and amenities for its guests such as free high speed Internet and newspaper (USA Today) as well as a heated indoor pool, onsite restaurants like Eagles Nest Rooftop Lounge and Bjs Restaurant They also provide free parking, banquet/meeting facilities, valet parking, safe deposit boxes, laundry services and interior corridors

Each room boasts of irons with boards, coffee makers, 25 inch Cable TVs, hairdryers, alarm clocks, Moen Revolution showerheads, Serta Plush mattresses and radios Thus, pets are not allowed in this hotel

Quality Inn - Medical Center Area
This hotel is located at 1455 Walton Way Augusta, GA 30901 It is near medical institutions like the Augusta VA Medical Center, Medical College of Georgia, St Josephs Hospital and Paine College Historic attractions nearby include the National Science Centers Fort Discovery, Augusta Riverwalk, Bell Auditorium and Ford Gordon as well as the Augusta State University, Augusta National Golf Club, Bush Field and the Augusta Regional Airport

Quality Inn offers 100 spacious guest rooms, a business center and meeting rooms Each room is provided with complimentary Continental breakfast, newspaper, coffee, local calls, Internet access and parking areas Copying services, refrigerators, iron with boards, hairdryers, data ports, fax services and microwave ovens as well as valet, laundry and cleaning services are guaranteed Check in time at the hotel is at 3PM while check out time is at 11AM For more information on August Hotels and Pet Friendly Augusta Hotelsplease visit our website.

Read full story

Author : David UrmannColorado Springs is El Paso Countys seat and most populous city It is also considered as the Home Rule Municipality with a fragment off in Teller County With its 376,427 population, it is regarded as the State of Colorados second most populous city while ranking 47th in the entire United States of America

Colorado Springs is situated east of the geographic center of Colorado and about 61 miles south of Denver It is also near the famous Pikes Peak Mountain, along the Southern Rocky Mountains eastern edge

Its tourism industry focuses on a large part to Pikes Peak, the most famous destination here Aside from this, due to its close proximity to the Rocky Mountains, it features numerous parks and trails This has made Colorado Springs popular for its amazing scenery It has even gained prestige for its numerous rock formations as well as geological features In fact, Money Magazine selected Colorado Springs as the number one Best Big City in the criteria Best Places to Live-in

Dressing-up and Weather Tips in Colorado Springs
With its location along the Rocky Mountains eastern slope and at approximately 6,035 ft above sea level, the snow rarely stays on the ground for more than a few days Since the city is abundant in yellow aspen trees, autumn is definitely the best season to visit Colorado Springs During the spring season, expect cool nights and warm days When they get afternoon thunderstorms, it has a somehow cool and cleansing effect

When planning for a trip to Colorado Springs during the winter season, it is best to bring and wear gloves, sweaters and coats This is very important because the temperatures can reach 60 up to 70, especially with the Chinook winds blowing through

For the summer season, wearing and bringing cool clothing is essential However, it can become cool during the evenings so it is best to also carry a light jacket or windbreaker For Pikes Peak, of course, the temperature is different It is usually from 20 up to 30 degrees below the temperature in Colorado Springs Dont worry; you can always purchase a Pikes Peak sweatshirt

When planning to have social dinners, keep in mind that there are restaurants that implement dress codes Most of these establishments require clients to be in either business or formal attire However, for most of the regions dining establishments and shops, casual dress code is implemented This is since mountain hikers tend to mingle with business travelers at pubs, restaurants and even night clubs in Colorado Springs

The Best Places to Visit in Colorado Springs
There is Garden of the Gods, a beautiful place to visit due to its unique rock formations It also offers great views of Pikes Peak as well as exciting hiking trails for the whole family Since this park was given to Colorado Springs, it can be visited for free It is also near the Woodland Park and Rampart Reservoir

Pikes Peak is renowned all over the world This landscape is a magnet for tourists since the early Native American settlers There was even a carriage road that takes travelers by horse throughout the landscape

Pikes Peak was built by Spencer Penrose, a millionaire, during the year 1916 Its purpose is to host the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, an auto race At current, it features the Barr Trail which hosts an ultra marathon for thousands of hikers annually

Also visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo This amazing is attraction located at 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road Colorado Springs, CO 80906, is noted as a well-loved natural setting for baby Meerkats, elephants and Komodo Dragons For more information on Colorado Springs Hotels and Colorado Ski Vacationsplease visit our website.

Read full story

Author : Anna StenningLeave behind the cares, stresses and strains of the week, escape for a welcome weekend break to the countryside, many people treat themselves to a weekend away now and again simply to escape the rat race and hustle and bustle of everyday life, or to celebrate special occasions, even purely for a change of scene, there doesn’t have to be a specific reason

Weekend breaks can be an inexpensive way of sampling something new for couples and families, a chance to spend quality time together, most will try to incorporate weekend breaks away with an event or day out which warrants overnight accommodation such as visiting theme parks, going to the theatre, or special events such as birthdays, anniversaries with probably the biggest occasion of the year for couples being Valentines breaks

England is a prime location for taking well deserved weekend breaks away, with a healthy mixture of both countryside and seaside and offering some of the most stunning scenery, not to mention places of historical interest to visit, some of the most popular destinations within the UK include, the Lake District, Peak District, Cotswolds, Yorkshire Dales, Bath, Somerset, The new Forest and many more west country locations as well as Norfolk and the Broads Each of these locations will provide a different experience depending on what you are looking to achieve from your time away

If you love the countryside opting for the lake or peak district will most definitely provide some of the best walks and countryside in which to indulge your passion, places such as Bath are steeped in history and provide a cultural place in which to browse, around the area of Bath there are many places to visit such as cheddar Gorge, the Mendip hills, wooky hole just to provide a few examples

Cornwall and Devon offer some of the most idyllic fishing villages and seaside towns which provide endless hours of browsing fun; Cornwall is a place to also indulge interests in water sports, with some of the best surf being easily obtained on this part of the west coast

When looking for weekends breaks it is advisable to do a little bit of research to find out what are the best offers around, many country hotels and classic country inns will have themed weekends, which provided you pre-book will provide a pleasurable weekend away with a difference Themed weekends can include murder mystery weekends, craft weekends, golfing and sports weekends as well as classic comedy weekends such as Fawlty Towers Often these weekends will be limited to adults only ensuring you have a relaxing weekend away without the children and perhaps enjoying the peace and quiet without other people’s children disturbing the peace

Theatre weekend breaks are very popular these days, many people now book a theatre package which will include theatre, hotel and breakfast, these breaks work out very reasonably especially if booking for a group and ensure you get the most out of your time spent away

So in order to get value for money, combined with experiencing the best weekend breaks possible, take a little time to focus you bookings on what you desire from your time spent away, you never know you might just book the best 48hours of your life Anna Stenning investigates weekend breaks looking into the many different varieties of break available throughout England.

Read full story

Author : Henry AshworthSomewhere retirees go for a holiday?

That might have been the image for Malta in the past, but more recently, the island’s Tourism Authority changed its efforts to attract a younger, wealthier group of people

This renewed focus has paid off, as the number of young people visiting the island rose significantly last year In 2007, the percentage of visitors under 24 years old was 15 percent, while visitors between the ages of 25-44 represented 36 percent Both demographics have increased their attendance this year, with those under 24 up 53 percent and 25-44 year-olds increasing 32 percent

The diverse population on the island of Malta influences many facets of life and attracts a wide variety of visitors From the nightlife of Paceville to the view of the sea, Malta has much to offer every age group Even though the visitors to Malta used to be retirement age, a great set of clubs, discos and bars has developed over the years for the local population This is one of the main ways in which the Malta Tourism Authority has lured younger visitors to the island A thriving, variety of local establishments gives young visitors a taste of the diverse culture that comprises the island

Paceville is the nightlife capital of Malta Most of the venues of Paceville are located on four main streets that spread out from the main square These streets are Dragonara Road, Wilga Street, St Georges Road and St Rita Steps A police presence is always nearby, keeping the denizens of the clubs safe and orderly A taxi rank is also located in the main square, for those who need a lift

Another way in which Malta is attracting a younger group of tourists is with the Isle of MTV concerts, sponsored by the Tourism Authority This will be the third year and the Isle of MTV concerts brings in stars such as Enrique Iglesias, N E R D and the Kooks Besides the promotional act of hosting the concert, Malta also receives a lot of promotion throughout Europe on MTV This gives the island a possible viewership of 147 million households

The Tourism Authority is also organised last year an MTV Music Week before the concert This include a lot of local talent, which MTV filmed for broadcasting Many of the Paceville clubs are involved in organising the right music for the MTV Music Week The concert took place in June, but was broadcast in September Malta hopes that this will further draw the young and affluent to their island paradise

The island will still remain one of the top destinations for those who have retired Even with its focus on the nightlife of the youth, it still has one of the most laid back atmospheres of the Mediterranean

Even though the pace of life is slow, every modern convenience is still available at your fingertips So, whether you’re young or old, this heavenly island can be your destination to get away Just be prepared - once you’re on the island, you may never want to leave

And with the way the European economies are at the moment, Malta will probably welcome you for as long as you like!Holiday and country information, including the island’s Luqa Airport and cheap flight to Malta deals is available with yourmalta.com

Other Malta holidays information includes a variety of accommodation with a resource for hotels in Malta

Read full story