Travelista is delighted to bring you this special offer from Sea World Resort:

Stay, Play and SAVE at Sea World Resort and enjoy

– 1 night at Sea World Resort
– UNLIMITED Sea World entry during your stay
– FREE entry to Paradise Country
– Kids Eat FREE*

Get below the surface to discover a world of fun and adventure at Sea World! Flip out with the dolphins; seal a new friendship with a kiss. Or dare to dive with the predators of the deep! Experience the world’s best adventure playground Castaway Bay and be enchanted by the new dolphin show Imagine. Enter the amazing frozen world of Penguin Encounter, home to the world’s second largest penguin species, the King penguin.

The clever and hilarious Sea Lions will have you in stitches in their Fish Detectives show. And come face to face with the beautiful Polar bears at their state-of-the-art home Polar Bear Shores, and sharks and tropical marine life at the awesome Shark Bay. Meet everybody’s favourite Sesame Street characters in the kids’ adventure precinct Sesame Street Beach and don’t miss the new Happy Feet 3-D experience.

From $119 per person twin share. Most rooms sleep 4 so bring the kids for only $39* each per stay.

Book online: Click here to book this special with Sea World Resort

Terms and Conditions
* Subject to availability. Payment required in full by credit card at time of booking. No refunds. Date may be changed subject to availability and within the sell period timeframe. Valid to 24 December 2011 or until sold out. Surcharges apply for Qld School Holidays, GC600 and other room types. ^One child eats free with one paying adult and conditions apply. Kids Eat Free is not valid when adults are utilising Dining Plus member benefits. Additional adult $59, additional child $39.

If you are vegetarian, or just love a great value and wholesome meal, join the locals as they keep coming back to Melbourne’s greatest vegetarian institutions. Here are four of the best offering a range of prices and unique experiences.

Crossways – a seriously cheap lunch in the city

Look for a person dressed in Hare Krishna garb on Swanston Street, climb the stairs behind and you’ll find the best value lunch in the city.

Join the queue of lunching locals to get your big plate of hearty vegetarian food and a desert according to the day’s menu (i.e. Mondays may be chickpea curry, rice, and papadum with pineapple halava in custard). You can go back as much as you want – all for $6.50! Discounts apply for students and the elderly.

Sitting at the communal tables you might have some interesting conversation with some locals.

123 Swanston Street, Melbourne
(Upstairs on 1st Floor)
(03) 9650 2939
Monday – Saturday 11.30am – 2.30pm

Lentil as Anything – you decide what it is worth

Lentil as Anything offers a warming experience for your heart as well as your stomach. Come here for delicious vegetarian food sourced from local organic suppliers and served buffet style.

You pay, anonymously, what you feel the meal is worth. It is a unique opportunity to place human dignity above profit.

There are three locations throughout Melbourne: St Kilda, Footscray and at the Abbortsford Convent. The later is a particularly lovely experience to enjoy the music, markets, gardens, and galleries of the Convent over breakfast, lunch or dinner.

1 St. Heliers Street, Abbotsford
(03) 9419 6444
Everyday 9.00am – 9.00pm (except Monday, 12.00pm – 9.00pm)

41 Blessington Street, St Kilda
0430 388 984
Everyday 10.00am – 9.00pm

233 Barkly Street, Footscray
0424 081 652
Everyday 9.30am – 9.30pm

Tofu Shop International – the best tofu in Australia

This little eatery has been enticing the lunch time crowd for over 20 years with their well thought out kosher vegetarian food. Squeeze in and ask someone in the queue what is best combination of the current tasty choices on offer as the menu is always changing. But make sure you don’t miss out on the house brand of tofu – Five Seasons – as it is arguably the best in the continent. Expect to pay from $9 to $20 for your lunch.

78 Bridge Road, Richmond
(03) 9429 6204
Monday – Friday 12.00pm – 8.00pm
Saturday 12.00pm – 5.00pm

Shakahari – the original and still the best

When a visiting Indian colleague tells you eating at Shakahari was the best vegetarian meal he has ever had, you know you’re onto a good thing. Shakahari has been serving Melbournian’s for over 30 years and stay on top by continuously refining their carefully crafted, beautifully presented, light but satisfying vegetarian meals. Expect to pay around $15 for entrees and $20 for mains.

201-203 Faraday Street, Carlton
(03) 9347 3848
Monday – Saturday 12.00pm – 3.00pm
Sunday -Thursday 6.00pm – 9.30pm
Friday – Saturday 6.00pm – 10.00pm

Santiago de Chile is the number one city that tourists should visit in 2011, according to The New York Times. But, what can the capital of Chile offer you if you decide to get there? Flanked by the Andes mountain range and with an increasing number of urban and cultural events, Santiago can easily be described as a vibrant and diverse metropolis that you must know while you are in South America.

Ranging from sky lodges and wide parks to bohemian neighbourhoods and cultural venues, the city is a true delight when it comes of cuisine, art, commerce and nightlife, and here are its top 6 landmarks:

Click here for special offers on Hotels in Santiago with Hotels.com

One thing about America that tends to impress visitors is the level of service you get. It’s got nothing to do with native hospitality or the protestant work ethic; it’s all about the Benjamins. Aporcyphally, tips stands for ‘To Insure Prompt Service’ setting aside whether or not that’s true (and the misuse of the word ‘insure’) tipping is the reason for the great service in America. For Aussies visiting the states, tipping is like buying underwear for a new girlfriend – you know it’s something you’re supposed to do; get it right and you’ll reap the benefits, get it wrong and it’ll be awkward for everyone involved. So here’s a quick guide to gratuities.

Most of the time when you’re tipping it will be at restaurants and bars. The first thing to remember is that it’s not really optional. Servers in the US make a pittance hourly (in some states, less than the minimum wage) because it’s expected that they’ll make most of their money in tips. They even pay taxes based on the assumption that they will be tipped on every bill so by not tipping, you’re actually costing them money. 15% of the total bill is the standard for good service. If they’ve done a great job, then 20% is welcome and if they were barely adequate, 10% is sufficient. On the other hand, if you get someone who is genuinely rude (a rarity but it does happen) then leave a nickel (a 5 cent piece) rather than nothing at all – it’s considered an insult.

In bars when you’re paying as you go, it’s a little different. One dollar per drink is pretty standard, regardless of how much the drink cost. However, on your first drink it’s usually a good idea to tip extra – 5 bucks should do it – to ensure that the bartender remembers your face. You’ll see the dividends when they skip three-deep queue to serve you first. Also, if you order anything particularly complicated its nice to kick in an extra buck.

Other people you should tip include bellmen/porters ($1-2 per bag), hairdressers (10-15% of the bill), Taxi drivers (10-15%), valet parkers ($2-3 per car), hotel maids ($2-3 dollars per night, left on the pillow each day) and casino dealers (place a bet for the dealer every five games or so, ask them what they want to bet on).

The Sierra Nevada’s in Southern Spain boasts the highest mountain range in Europe after the Alps. There are over 20 peaks with the highest being over 3,000 metres, but walkers do not have to succumb to mountain climbing to enjoy the fabulous hiking, photographic opportunities or bird watching in the area. Here are three options on where to start planning your walking adventures into this stunning part of Spain.

1: Parque Natural de la Sierra de Grazalema

This park has over 51,695 hectares of river valley views, cliffs, limestone caves, grottoes, and gorges to explore, not to mention quaint white washed villages.

The township of Grazalema itself has a woolen mill worth investigating and the enchanting town of Ronda is good for bull fights.

Getting around this part of Spain can be difficult at times without a car. However, this park is the best option if traveling by public transport as there are airport transfers and a direct train service to Grazalema from Granada.

2: Parque Natural Sierra de Aracena

Another option if you are without a hire car is Parque Natural Sierra de Aracena, situated northwest of Sevilla. This park offers hill rather than mountain walks, and also has many lovely villages to visit. There is a bus connection from Sevilla to close to the park which takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

3:  Parque Natural Los Alcornocales

Option three is the walks from the small town of Alcornocales, the main town of Parque Natural Los Alcornocales. This area boasts unspoilt, stunning scenery and offers around 20 walks within the park, which vary from mountain and hill country walks to coastal tracks.

Deep, narrow valleys, called canutos, shelter rare ferns and other subtropical forest vegetation. You can also see the best example of a primeval Iberian forest and cork tree groves in the world. Visit Alcala Conservation Centre for information, and maybe permission for some of the longer walks. A car is essential for this area.

For all three walking locations check that all paths are open in summer, as in high fire danger times some may be closed. Take good walking boots and carry sunscreen, a hat and water.

Those seeking gorgeous white sand and clear blue water in the Kingdom of Thailand have two options: the Gulf of Thailand, home to Kho Phang Ngang and the (in)famous full-moon party or the Andaman Coast, whose most famous destination is undoubtedly the amusingly-named Phuket. (For the record, its pronounced Poo-Ket).

But just across the channel between Phuket and the mainland lies the province of Krabi, one of the region’s best-kept secrets. For those who find Phuket’s glitzy resorts and endless girly bars to be too much, Krabi offers a laid-back alternative that really showcases the region’s famously gorgeous beaches and lush tropical rainforests.

The Railay Penninsula is a little spit of land that projects out into the Andaman Sea about an hour south of Krabi Town. Although physically connected to the mainland, this haven can only be reached by boat due to the sheer cliffs and jungle that occupy the neck of the peninsula. This gives the whole place an island feel, similar to Phi Phi but without the same crowds.

Railay East is the backpacker’s enclave. The beach is nothing special – it’s a mud flat at low tide and serves as the landing point for the longtail ferries. However, the lack of a view means that this is the locus for the cheap accommodation. If you don’t mind the precipitous staircase, the Diamond Private Resort is high enough to afford a great view and offers a pool for very reasonable rates.

West Railay is where you go to get horizontal on fine white sand and stare out at the cool blue Andaman (preferably with a Singha in hand – readily available from the restaurants set about 50 meters back from the beach).

But the best part of Railay is experienced vertically. The area is home to some of the most accessible climbing walls in Thailand and beginners and experts alike will find some great routes and there are plenty of operators to provide guides, training and equipment rental. King Climbers is the most established and they run single- or multi-day classes with expert English-speaking guides to show you the ropes (so to speak).

Don’t want to pay for a hotel? Can’t afford Parisian prices? Can’t afford the expensive tours around the city, or just can’t suffer the snap-happy fools you’ll be experiencing it with? Well couchsurfing or one of the many other free hospitality exchange options may be for you.

1. Couch surfing & Homestays

With 2.5 million members across the globe from Taiwan to Timbuktu, and advanced security referencing couchsurfing .com is a great way to travel the world. Stay with locals for free. The multi-lingual hospitality exchange BeWelcome offers a similar platform to couchsurfing.com, yet is Europe specific. A registered NGO, it has 10,000 members.

www.Couchsurfing.com
www.BeWelcome.org

2. WWOOFing

Willing Workers On Organic Farms (WWOOF) offers a perfect break from city living. The hospitality exchange offers food and board for a few hours of work or skill-share. Work may involve childcare, teaching the owner your native tongue, picking fruit or any other duties. The beauty of this site is that it specifies the exchange. A farmer on the British Columbia, Canada is building a fence, give him a hand… A single mother in outback Australia needs a farm hand or childcarer for a week… Pick your destination, pack your bags and experience local life, whereever you are, for free!

www.wwoof.org

3. Volunteering

Volunteering is a fantastic way to take a city break both locally or international. A host of websites offer free volunteering breaks for city dwellers with free accommodation and food. With a vast array of opportunities both local and abroad you can find just about anything you want. An enriching experience and holiday combined.

http://www.volunteer.com.au/

http://www.govolunteer.com.au/

http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/volunteer

4. Servas open doors

The UN recognised NGO, Servas Open doors, has 13,000 members or as it calls them ‘open doors’. Homestays are easily arranged with anyone of these members with profiles viewable on the website, you know what you’re getting, before you get there. Servas also supports volunteer programs that have led aid missions in India and Pakistan. Bragging to be ‘multi-generational’, the organisation welcomes young and old promoting goodwill and mutual tolerance.

http://www.servas.org/newsite/

5. Squatting

What top 5 would be complete without the intrepid travellers ultimate hospitality exchange, squatting. While often discarded to the dustbin of travel, squatting has for decades been a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the oft-unseen underbelly of everyday society. The ‘movement’ in Europe and North America has gained speed in recent years with many squatting abodes across the globe now bordering on hotel standard, some even bed-bug free! Numerous websites now exist to facilitate your stay, helping you negotiate the legalities of such travel and putting like-minded squatters in touch with each other.

www.squatspace.com
www.squat.net/

Bicycle cycling is not just a sport. It is an exercise, a hobby, a passion, a lifestyle. Aside from the health benefits of cycling, it also promotes environmental preservation and cost-efficiency.

If you are planning to take on a biking tour in Australia, here are some of the best cycling routes every cyclist should try:

1.       Munda Biddi Trail – Located in Western Australia, this cycle route has been included in National Geographic’s travel book as one of the top 10 cycle routes. In the local Noongar Aboriginal dialect, the name stands for “Path through the Forest”. With an initial 500 km distance, this cycling trail starts at Mundaring, in the Perth Hills to Nannup, east of Margaret River. Another trail has also been opened that links Nannup to Manjimup where you can find the famous black truffles and wineries in Australia. The final version of the trail, which is aimed to be completed by 2012,  will link Perth with Albany on the southern coast, covering a distance of about 1000 km, making it world’s longest distance off-road cycle trails. Threading on this trail, bicyclists will catch a glimpse of kangaroos, brushtail possums, western brush wallabies and an awesome collection of wildflowers.

2.       Central Tablelands of NSW- Ride by train and a few hours away from Sydney, you’ll find an incredible fusion of open farmland, forests, historic villages, rolling hills, rugged escarpments, and vibrant country towns. The trail’s level of difficulty ranges from moderate to difficult since there are a lot of hills and steep, long climbs. With this trail, you can pass by Mt. Victoria, Lithgow, Bathurst, Orange, Oberon, Kanangra Walls and Jenolan Caves.

3.       Canberra to the Coast- Want to go to the south from Australia’s capital? Then this is the best route to take especially for those who have limited bicycling skills. Travelling to New South Wales via this route, cyclists will go through three stages without long and hard climbs. Travelling through quiet roads in the Southern Tablelands and the scenic views of the Araluen Valley to Moruya composes the first two stages. The third stage of the route allows you to enjoy the breath-taking views of the forests and coastal sceneries between Moruya and Narooma at the same time, avoiding the heavy traffic in Princess Highway.

Enjoy your cycling!

P.s. – We don’t think you can go past Mt Buller for Mountain Bike trails: http://www.mtbuller.com.au

Queensland offers the best value holidays this Easter. As the weather cools in the south why not think about heading north for the break? Or if you live in the Sunshine State, why not grab a bargain just around the corner, saving on travel time but still enjoying a relaxing Easter?

Images beamed into homes across the globe of flood-ravaged Queensland gave the impression that the entire state was devastated. Although the affect areas have recovered from the summer’s extreme weather, as far as tourism is concerned, the Sunshine State’s tourism industry on its knees and desperately needs holiday-makers to come back.

One initiative between Tourism Queensland, Sunlover Holidays and Virgin Blue –  ‘Queensland’s Hottest Deals’ – promotes offers from 137 operators including accommodation providers, iconic attractions and tour operators. Specials available today and ending 26 March, include:

• Three nights on the Gold Coast with an Avis hire car, staying in a deluxe room at Club Watermark Hotel and Spa and a $25 day spar gift certificate is $524 for two people
• Three nights on the Sunshine Coast in a one bedroom apartment, entry to Australia Zoo and three days Avis car hire to get you around is $608 for two people
• Four nights at Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort for $390 is two people.

Check out www.sunloverholidays.com.au/hottestdeals or call 13 88 33.

A trip to inland Queensland offers remarkable bargains as well. Any damage from Toowoomba’s unbelievable flash flood has been cleaned up and the area offers wonderful country escapes. One of these is Sugarloaf Country Retreat, a working farm where you can stay in the three bedroom homestead for $140.00 for two people per night. Check out www.sugarloafmountain.com.au

So take advantage of these incredible deals this Easter and enjoy for a relaxing holiday not so far from home.

Packing for a trip can be stressful and it’s even more stressful if it’s a business trip that you are preparing for. With all the gadgets, documents, clothes and shoes that you have to bring along, it is always every businessperson’s problem on how to travel lightly and stay within the given baggage allowance.

Packing for a business travel often raises a lot of questions so travel with ease and relief on your business trip using some of these packing tips:

-          Create a check list. Write down the things you need to bring. It is essential that you pack the necessary items and assure that nothing’s overlooked. Limit your list to the items that you will be using during your trip.

-          Choosing the right clothes is always a big problem during business trips. If you want to travel light then use a uniform color scheme by keeping compatible colors that can easily be paired with everything else that you have. Wrinkling is another problem that you should consider. Knitted fabrics wrinkle less compared to natural fabrics and, in general, you can avoid creases and wrinkles on most other types of clothing through bundle wrapping. Choose clothes that are culturally acceptable to your business destination and remember that clothes are always an important factor in trying to create the best impression.

-          When choosing a luggage, you should consider three things: quality, ease of transporting and airline baggage limits. If all your things fit properly on one carry-on bag, then congratulations! But if not, then you should try to pick out a bag designed in a rectangular shape to maximize carrying capacity and look for luggage that can expand to accommodate any additional items that you may pick up along the way.

-          Save luggage space for more essential items by carrying bulky items instead of packing them in. Wear your blazer or jacket, wear the heaviest shoes (if you’re bringing two pairs or more) and carry your laptop and files with you.

-          Create more luggage space by filling the bottom part of the bag. Tightly roll clothes that are not that important and fill every vacant corner to create a flat surface.

-          Pack ahead of time. You don’t want to rush on the day of your flight or trip and end up forgetting to bring the most essential stuff for your trip.

-          Organize and secure every file and document that you will need on your business trip.