New Website That Helps You Find The Right Seat on the Plane!

A new website has been launched called seatplans.com that helps you to choose which airline you fly with and which is the best seat to choose.  Run by Business Traveller magazine, the site allows you to choose the class of cabin you will be flying in on your chosen route, and compares seat pitch and seat width, how much the airline seats recline, and what type of entertainment system is available on all the planes of the airlines that fly that route.

However, the website does tend to focus more on premium cabins than economy and sometimes the best and worst seats aren't given.

To read the whole news article, click here

Things to Do When You Visit Luxor in Egypt

Many of us have dreamed of visiting the magical land of the pharaohs and visiting the monuments of the ancient Egyptians.  If you are lucky enough to go on holiday to Egypt, why not consider going to Luxor on the banks of the river Nile?

The modern city of Luxor is built on the remains of ancient Thebes, and this interesting article takes you on a trip around what you can see and do in Luxor.  On the east bank there ar mighty temples, the Luxor Museum, the Mummification Museum and plenty of shops, bazaars and restaurants.

Crossing to the west bank of the Nile takes you to the land of the dead and you can visit the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, the Tombs of the Nobles, the ancient workman's village at Deir-el Medina and the mortuary temples of the pharoahs.

Click here to read the whole Hub

Evora City in Portugal

In this interesting Hub, Dale Mazurek take us on a trip around Evora City in Portugal.  Evora is situated in the far south of Portugal near the Tagus River and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Evora has a well-preserved historical centre and the central part of the old town is surrounded by fortified walls.  The city was founded around 2000 years ago by the Romans, and there are many ancient monuments and old buildings to be seen in Evora.  Evora was also occupied by the Visigoths and the Moors before it came under Portuguese rule.

To read the whole of this fascinating Hub on the city of Evora, please click here

Luxury Eco-Resort to be Built on Marlon Brando's Private Island

Once Marlon Brando's private piece of heaven, the French Polynesian atoll of Tetiaroa is set to become a luxury eco-resort in 2011.Construction of the new resort, which will be the only holiday accommodation on Tetiaroa and is to be called 'The Brando',  has already commenced after several years of studying the impact that the building work will have on the environment.

The ultra-luxurious 'Brando' resort will consist of 47 villas with private plunge pools, a spa and fitness centre and a large resort pool. Activities available will include snorkelling, scuba diving and trips to royal Tahitian archaeological sites.

To read the full article, click here

Western Australia - Why Choose Exmouth as a Holiday Destination?

Australia is a huge country, and the coastline of Western Australia is often overshadowed by the more glamorous and famous East Coast, that boasts the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday Islands, the tropical rainforest and the cosmopolitan cities of Sydney and Melbourne.  However, for the more adventurous and intrepid traveller, Western Australia has a lot to offer.

Western Australia is the largest state in Australia.  Most of the state is still sparsely populated, with around 75% of the population living in its capital city Perth.  The coastline of Western Australia is very long and if you travel around 2200 kilometres north from Perth, you will arrive in Exmouth, at the northernmost tip of Australia’s Coral Coast.

Cape Range National Park

Exmouth

Exmouth is a small town with a population of around 2500, and it could also be said that it is not the prettiest or most interesting of towns.  One of the things that make Exmouth unique is its emus.  There are emus everywhere!  They wander freely down the streets and even wander into the hotel and camping complexes as they are extremely inquisitive birds. However, remember that they are still wild birds.  Do not feed them and be careful around them, especially if they are accompanied by chicks, as they can be very protective.

 The first Europeans to set foot in the Exmouth area were the Dutch, and Captain Jacobz of the Mauritius came ashore in 1618. Exmouth was named after Viscount Exmouth by a naval captain, Phillip Parker King, in 1818 and he also named North West Cape.  The area was then visited by pearl luggers occasionally until the Second World War, when Exmouth became the centre of a military operation called ‘Operation Potshot’.  Many of the streets in Exmouth are named after early residents or military and naval craft or operations. In the 1950’s the area was being used for oil exploration, fishing and grazing, and in 1967 Australia and the US combined to build an important communications base.

Humpback Whales, Exmouth WA

So why does it attract such a large amount of tourist and travellers each year? The answer is that Exmouth is the gateway to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes to be found in Australia.  Off its coast and beaches of fine silvery, sand can be found the pristine, beautiful underwater world of the Ningaloo Reef and if you prefer to keep your feet dry you can enjoy exploring the beauties of the Cape Range National Park.

High season in Exmouth is April through until the end of October, and you can expect the weather to be hot and sunny.  July is probably the busiest month of all, so it is highly advisable to pre-book your accommodation and travel well in advance.

To get to Exmouth you can either take a 2 ½ hour flight from Perth, or drive up which generally takes two days.  If you want to go by road, you can catch the Greyhound coach, which runs a frequent service to all the major destinations between Perth and Darwin. When you arrive there is a wide range of accommodation to choose from, varying from basic backpacker type to plush hotels, and also many self-catering apartments and chalets.   Camping is also available, and there are plenty of spaces for camper vans!  There are also eco-retreats and wilderness safari tents to stay in.

Exmouth Sunset

Exmouth has a range of shops, including a couple of supermarkets, restaurants, cafes and bars.  There is a large Visitor Information Centre, where you can get advice on what to do in Exmouth and book accommodation or one of the many tours available.  There is also a new marina that has been built in the last few years, where a lot of the diving and whale watching tours start from.   If you like being active on dry land, there is a golf course and a gym.

Ningaloo Reef

Ningaloo Reef is Australia’s largest fringing coral reef and is around 260kms long.  It was designated the Ningaloo Marine Park in 1987.  It is teeming with different coral, fish and marine life.  More than 500 species of fish and 220 species of coral make Ningaloo their home. During the winter month’s it is regularly visited by migrating humpback whales, dugongs, dolphins and manta rays. And of course Ningaloo Reef is most famous for being one of the best places in the world to swim and snorkel with Whale Sharks, which arrive at the reef to feed on the rich plankton between March and June.  The beaches are also important breeding grounds for turtles, and hawksbill, green and loggerheads all nest here.  The reef is especially good for snorkelling as it lies very close to the shore, and you can snorkel straight off the beach.  There are coral bolas in the shallow waters that enable you to snorkel and encounter many of the denizens of the reef in waist-deep water.  However, beware of the strong currents.

Osprey Bay, Ningaloo Reef

So with this wealth of marine life, clear turquoise seas and powder sand beaches on its doorstep, it is not surprising that diving, snorkelling, kayaking, whale watching, and glass bottom boat cruises are big business in Exmouth.  The diving trips that track the Whale Sharks are especially popular and can be booked months in advance, so if you have set your heart on snorkelling with these gentle giants make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to make arrangements.  Other trips combine snorkelling with manta rays and whale watching, or scuba diving, or snorkelling the reef.  There are also PADI courses available, so you can learn to scuba dive at Ningaloo Reef!

There are also many fishing tours that can be booked; you can do a boat or fishing charter or combine a fishing trip with snorkelling.  There are around thirty species of game fish that can be caught in the seas around Exmouth, and they host the Gamex Fishing Tournament every year in March.

The Cape Range National Park

The Cape Range National Park encompasses a wide area of rocky plateaus, spectacular gorges and around 50kms of beautiful beaches.  There are over 700 caves in the Park, and the rocky slopes and cliffs help to make this a stunningly beautiful landscape.  The Cape Range National Park contains abundant wildlife, ranging from emus to euros, red kangaroos and birds.  There are even rare black-footed rock wallabies to be glimpsed if you take a cruise down Yardie Creek.  During the season the Park is also carpeted by a colourful array of wildflowers including some species only found in this region like a variety of the Sturt Desert Pea that has a red centre.

Yardie Creek

You can take a 4WD tour around the Park which will include some of the gorges, visiting the Milyering Visitor Centre, going on the Yardie Creek Cruise, snorkelling off one of the beaches and probably finishing off at sunset at Vlamingh Head Lighthouse to take photographs.

If you wanted to spend more time in the Cape Range National Park, there are camping bays available which make it easy for you to make the most of the snorkelling, hiking, fishing and swimming.  They do, however, have very few facilities and you have to bring everything with you, including your own water.  Don’t be surprised if you find a euro making the most of the shade under your car!

So Exmouth truly has a lot to offer as a holiday destination, especially for the tourist that likes being outdoors and active.  Although popular, it is nowhere near as crowded as the popular holiday destinations on the East Coast, and you can just relax and enjoy the spectacular wilderness that is still Western Australia.

All images my own

Visit Britain's Top Ten Ways to Start the New Year

Visit Britain have published their 'Top Ten Ways to Start the New Year', which outlines some ideas for New Year travel in Great Britain.

They give ideas for saving money by staying at youth hostels, going green, getting back to nature in the UK, spending time in our historic churches and cathedrals, activities to get the kids some exercise, trying something new, ways to de-stress in the UK, where you can get away from it all, spending more time in the garden and travelling by train rather than car.

To read the full article click here and get some new ideas for travel and activities in Britain!

How To Survive A Long Train Journey

There are many great train journeys in the world and many iconic trains, such as the famous Ghan, The Blue Train, The Orient Express and the Indian Pacific.  But while train journeys are great for putting up your feet, relaxing and watching the scenery go past, they do have their challenges.

Read this informative article on 'How To Survive A Long Train Journey', which outlines what you can do to enjoy your long rail journey, including researching the train's facilities before you travel, whether or not to take blankets and pillows, what money you need to take, and what reading material and music you need to bring!

So if you want to learn 'How To Survive A Long Train Journey' read on here

Indian Pacific Railway

Teeth Chattering Visit to the Royal Gorge in Colorado

In this charming Hub Peggy W tells us about a day out that she had in the Royal Gorge in Colorado.  The Royal Gorge is formed by the Arkansas River and is a dramatic landscape of towering cliffs leading down to the river.  The Royal Gorge boasts a suspension bridge hovering 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River, abundant wildlife such as deer, an awe-inspiring Incline Railway up the side of the Royal Gorge, an Aerial Tram and for the truly adventurous the Skycoaster where you can swing over the river!

Follow Peggy W's great day out here

Things to Do In New Zealand in Winter - North Island

New Zealand is a very beautiful and interesting country, famed for its glorious scenery and outdoor activities.  With its long stretches of sandy beach and myriad of sports, camping and adventure opportunities, it is a perfect summer destination.  But what about in the winter?  What does New Zealand have to offer the tourist who visits in the wintertime?

In this informative article, you can discover what the North Island of New Zealand has to offer in the winter.  From the 'winterless north' down to Wellington on the North Island's southern tip, there are many activities you can enjoy throughout the winter including dolphin watching, visiting geothermal parks, hiking, sailing through the glow worm caves, relaxing in natural hot spring or body boarding down a sand dune!

Click here to read more about what to do on NewZealand's North Island in winter!

Cuba - its People and History

Cuba is a beautiful island in the Caribbean that has a long and interesting history.  Discovered in 1492 by Christopher Columbus, Cuba was ruled by Spain for several centuries.  The Americans forced out Spain and then Cuba was ruled by dictators until the revolution that swept Fidel Castro into power.

This interesting hub by Hello, hello outlines the history of Cuba, looks at its famous tobacco and cigar making industry and looks at Cuba's climate and weather patterns.  Cuba is now mainly famous for its iconic capital city Havana and its tourism industry, so click here to read the whole Hub.

My Top Ten Beaches in Australia

There are many great beaches in the world, but Australia has been exceptionally blessed with hundreds of great beaches.  Stretching from tropical beaches in the north with miles of golden sand and backed by lush rainforest to silver sands and dramatic cliffs in the West.

In this Hub - My Top Ten Beaches in Australia - take a trip around my favourite ten beaches in Australia so far.  I say so far as I have still only visited a tiny percentage of all the Australian beaches and if you have any favourites that I have not mentioned, please leave a comment noting your top choice of beach in Australia.