Laundry is for suckers

Pack a heavy duty plastic sack in your suitcas along with some brown packing paper and tape, then mail your dirty washing home the day before your holiday is over. You’ll arrive home before it does, and it makes your luggage so much lighter to carry, leaving you extra room for souvenirs.

The web we weave

Try the ‘Interweaving Method’ of packing on your next trip. Drape longer garments (trousers and dresses) across the suitcase, with the ends hanging over the sides. Then, fold smaller items like jumpers and singlets around the longer garments. The clothes will cushion each other, and by placing a piece of tissue paper in between each layer of clothing, it will prevent wrinkling.

Divide and conquer

This trick works for any size of suitcase. First, put your luggage over a large piece of cardboard, trace the outline then cut it out so you have a divider that fits your suitcase. First pack shoes, toiletries, hard items – anything except clothing, then put the divider on top of these items and pack your clothes on top of it. This way you can lift the divider and clothing neatly away to pack or unpack more things, and you can present your belongings for airport inspection without hassle.

Get stuffed

Shoes are a pain to pack because of their bulk and weight. But the hollows of your shoes are an underused packing space. Try filling them with rolled socks or sandwich bags containing small and easily lost items. Combine with the above for Ikea-level space maximization

Don’t bring the whole thing
If you’re traveling with a guide book, consider either cutting out the pages you need or making a photocopy so you don’t have to lug around the entire thing when you only need one chapter.

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

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.

Melbourne is one of the few cities in the world that caters balloon rides for its tourists. A balloon ride can be a creative way for you and a loved one to celebrate a special event. The ride is also a perfect gift to any occasion. But above all that, the balloon ride is a great way to explore the city of Melbourne with a bird’s eye view.
Most balloon ride companies offer a flight package that schedules the hot air balloon to fly in the early dawn. But in general, the balloon flight in Melbourne depends on the city’s weather. When you schedule your ride, the tour operator gives you several choices. Either they pick you up at your hotel accommodation early in the morning or you avail of the complementary hotel transfers to the launch site. You can also opt for a champagne breakfast on the air or land.
On the day of your air adventure, you can participate with the operators in preparing the hot air balloon. But if you don’t feel like helping, you can just stand back and capture photos of the preparation phase. After everything’s set, it’s now time to rocket up in the sky. The route is determined by the direction of the winds. While the city awakens in the morning light, you and your co-passengers are there up in the sky, hovering over Melbourne’s gardens, parks and the Yarra River. Throughout a one hour flight, you can look down and see some of the city’s famous places like Melbourne Park, Albert Park Racetrack and the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Your balloon may also fly over Melbourne’s CBD or head to the inner suburbs, gardens and parks. Here you’ll realize why Victoria is known as the Garden State. While your eyes feast to the beautiful sceneries, some hot air balloon operators provide facts and stories about balloon flying.
Final landing and it’s over. But the memories of a great balloon experience will live on. You can now head back to your hotel and take a good rest for another adventure in the land of Melbourne!

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Hong Kong is one of Asia’s most exciting and most visited tourist destinations. The city has three regions: Kowloon, New Territories and Hong Kong Island each with a range of unique attractions and all of which showcase the shopping for which the city is legendary.

There are many sightseeing opportunities for tourists to visit throughout the Hong Kong territory so here  is a list of the top tourist destinations that you should add to your list of things to see and do:

Ocean Park- teaming with marine life and wide variety of aquatic resources, Ocean Park is one of the most visited attractions in Hong Kong. It is not just the experience of a journey through the Grand Aquarium but a range of rides, exhibits and performances that are amazing for the kids and the young at heart.

Hong Kong Disneyland-  Experience magic and excitement with your friends and family through attractions such as Disney on Parade, Fantasy Gardens, The Golden Mickeys, Mickey’s PhilharMagic 3D show, fireworks at night and fantastic rides. 2011 marks Disneyland’s 5^th birthday here in Hong Kong and there are plenty of surprises and events prepared to celebrate this event like the Celebration in the Air by Mickey and Tinkerbell.

Po Lin Monastery and Tai O - known as the “Buddhist Temple of the South”, Po Lin Monastery  is the most magnificent of the four Buddhist temples in Hong Kong. Here you will find Sakyamuni, a magnificent statue made of copper, on top of the Muyushan Mountain. Within the statue’s pedestal is a large bell engraved with Buddhist scriptures and figures. The bell rings once every seven minutes as a symbol of “relieving” 108 vexations a day. Meanwhile the Tai O is a fishing village that is known as “Hong Kong’s Venice” since boats are the primary means of transportation within the village’s intersecting waterways. Shrimp paste and dried fish are just some of the delicacies that you will find here.

Symphony of Lights – A multimedia show of coloured lights, laser beams and search lights that play in time with music and narrative, the show has five different themes that celebrate the energy and spirit of Hong Kong.

Lei Yun Mun Seafood Bazaar – with restaurants that serve fresh seafood cooked straight from the wok, this place is heaven for all the seafood lovers. Aside from the scrumptious seafood meals, there are other attractions like the Lighthouse and The Tin Hau Temple.

As a city of tourism, Hong Kong provides a number of entertainment, shopping, recreation and food establishments that will surely please every traveler.

• New farm Deli and Café- for 14 years now, this restaurant has never failed to serve its customers with fine Italian, deli style breakfasts and lunches. Service is also outstanding. That’s why the place is usually crowded with hungry diners especially on weekends. You can also dine al fresco and still smell the wonderful aromas that fill the kitchen and dining areas inside the restaurant.

• Vue Lounge- In the morning, this dining place serves excellent coffee and breakfast meals. By lunch time, they offer a café-style of dining. The restaurant transforms their menu to serve Italian dishes and cuisine by dinner time.

• Cilantro restaurant and terrace- found at Brisbane CBD’s Novotel Hotel, this grill and restaurant gives a dining experience of the modern Australian cuisine that uses ingredients from quality local produce.

• Bow Thai- Have a taste of Thai food without actually going to Thailand. Apart from the delicious fare of Thai influence, the tranquility and good service of the place makes you want to return in this restaurant over and over again.

• Asian Fusion- Obviously, the restaurant’s menu contain what the name suggests. Here you’ll find an eccentric combination of Asian cuisines from the traditional Chinese food to the specialties of the Thai and Vietnamese cooking. They offer quick meals for take-outs and also a 3-course meal.
There are still other cheap yet good restaurant eats you can find at Brisbane. Get ready for a food-trip and check-out other restaurants and their offers.

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Boutique hotels in Sydney are known to offer good accommodation with their awesome ambiance and design. Traditional standard bearers of Sydney’s boutique hotels industry have consistently satisfied tourists and business travellers  alike. Now, a new breed of boutique hotels have opened their doors to a more diverse, unique and personalized experience for all guests. Whether you like a room that gives you an astounding view or a feel of Sydney’s heritage, there’s a boutique hotel for you. You deserve nothing but the best for your entire stay at Sydney. So here’s a list of our picks of the best boutique hotels in Sydney:

1. The Diamant

The place is strategically located near the city which allows you to enjoy the leisure of work and play. Upon entering the hotel lobby, you’ll surely have an impression of a grown-up feel. The rooms are spotlessly clean.

2. Ravesi’s

When you’re in the Bondi Beach, this is the best place to check –in. Rooms provide you a beautiful scene of the ocean and morning sun. This place is definitely your sanctuary after a day of surfing, moving about on the sand, restaurant hopping and partying.

3. Moog Hotel

Here is a hotel that was once a dilapidated 10-bed hotel. But now, it has been renovated into a single, huge room. The amenities include two pools, playstation-enabled spas, big screen projectors and an awesome stereo system. This is surely a pick of rock-stars and their likes.

4. The Storrier

Do you have the love for art? This place combines hotel and art gallery in one. The paintings and artworks displayed in this hotel are the creations of Tim Storrier. Rooms come with kitchenettes and terraces at the back of the hotel. Amenities include LCD-flat screen TVs with Foxtel, fast internet connection, his’ n’ hers robes, quality linens and toiletries from Molton Brown.

5. Australia Street Cottage

With modern furniture and bare sandstone walls, it’s evident that “Old meets New” is the hotel’s primary motif. From the yoga mat placed on a cupboard, pantry filled with supplies you need, queen-sized bed hovered with an insect net; truly you can say that this place has been well thought of to provide you with convenience and comfort. Unfortunately, the rooms don’t have airconditioning systems. You must open the windows and get a bit of noise during weekend nights.

Book your boutique hotel here

The exotic beach break in the island nation of Tahiti is world known for its huge swells and amazing surf lifestyle.

Each year there is the ASP world tour event that takes place on the break, one of the biggest events on the Tahitian calendar.

Here is some footage of just how to surf the scary break.

Just warning you, it’s not for the faint hearted!

Croatia borders Slovenia and Hungary to the north, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the southeast, and Serbia and Montenegro to the east, making it a country in good company.

For tourists, Croatia is absolutely beautiful and definitely a worthwhile place to visit.

The roads are great for traveling and the restaurants are a great way to experience the gorgeous culture the nation has to serve up.

One of the things Croatia is known for is its great coffee. I recommend an tourist to try a local version of the drink at least once!

In terms of places to visit, the old part of Split is definitely worth checking out. The ancient city is like a Roman Tine land and is sure to take the breath away from travelers.

Another must see town of Hvar, where great old market places and the beautiful old buildings will give you something to enjoy.

It is also encouraged to get on a boat, and explore the many inviting bays, where you can go swimming almost all by yourself!

A day-trip to The Brijuni Islands is also something that should be considered.

Croatia as a whole has so much to offer, form amazing beaches to some real ancient history. All this, with a stack of interesting countries bordering it.

If in the Europe area any time soon, check out Croatia. Bets times to go are June/July, as the hotter months make for some great times drinking coffee in the sun and enjoying the beach.

The land of samba and football is a great place for any lover of traveling and will be sure to provide you with months of sightseeing, and years of memories.

Brail boosts an amazing landscape that offers everything from breathtaking beaches, to unique wildlife, to jaw dropping constructions.

While Brazil does have a plethora of gorgeous places to visit and things to do, there are also some lesser-publicized norms in the country.

While it is classed as a third world country, Brazil is home to a great amount of poverty and corruption.

Places in their largest city Sao Paulo have been known as danger spots due their gang mentality and territorial attitudes.

One place in particular that should be avoided by all tourists is the Cicada De Deus in Rio de Janeiro.

The place is translated to City of God, and is a town where corruption, drugs, guns and murders run rampant in.

If you do manage to steer clear of all danger and unwanted areas in you time in Brazil then you should be sure to enjoy your holiday.

The country has so much to see and do that you will be lost at where to start.
Some great places to see are the Salvador beaches, the Igacu Falls and of course the Amazon River.

If it’s buildings and constructions you like, then look no further than the Christ the Redeemer statue, which is the biggest statue of Jesus in the world.

With a population of nearly 200 million people, you are sure to find some fun partying in the party nation also.