Articles for the ‘Travel’ Category
Should I do a 4 or 5 day dive course?
We get asked this question constantly here at my travel website and the answer is pretty easy. We specialise in booking all tours, reef cruises and accommodation in Cairns, nevertheless as a scuba diver myself, I tend to look after Great barrier Reef Scuba Diving and Cairns learn to dive courses bookings. I nearly always leave the annoying resort accommodation and skyrail bookings to my collegues.
If you have time and money I extremely advise you to do the 5 day course. You are only going to do this once in your life, so make the most of it.
It’s sort of like doing a course and dive trip in one.
With a 4 day course you’ll do 4 dives, which is the minimum requirement to pass your dive certificate. They will all be “training dives”.
A five day course will usually give you nine dives. Now the first four are learning dives but for the next 5 dives you are a qualified diver. One of these usually is also a night dive. Another advantage is that the dives will be with the other divers from your dive course who have comparable skill levels as you.
So the first dive cruise you do after completing your course you will have already done five certified dives and be that little bit more skilled and confident.
Also the price per dive is the lowest.
You may even want to extend your learn to dive course into a 6 day learn to dive course and get an advanced certification, but thats another article.
So I hope I’ve helped all you future Scuba Divers out in cyberland.
Doing a scuba dive course in Cairns
After a few months of cold Sydney work life I finally saved enough to get to Cairns. After Byron Bay this has to be one of the best places to have fun in this country. It was that good I actually went there three times in the space of a year.The Great Barrier Reef off Cairns was just a bonus.
Cairns is where I completed my SSI Advanced Open water dive course. I went with Deep Sea Divers Den for a 4 day liveaboard dive course which was absolutely fantastic. I originally looked at diving with a company called Down Under Dive but they seemed quite expensive and I had heard many a good thing about their learn to dive courses. Also after a buit more digging I found out they had probably just about the best dive pools.
Their dive boat has been fully rebuilt and has all the modern technology installed. It has very nice air conditioned cabins which cater for 2-4 people, has a huge saloon, lounge and even its own bar. Of course it even has a small spa on the fore deck to sit in and have a beer. The food was superb and served from a rather well built galley, one of the best meals they served was steamed Barramundi. Yum Yum.
The dive boat is always based at the reef which would move every so often to different sections of the reef, which would either be done over night if a long way or early in the morning if a short distance. This was great as you get to see a selection of reefs and have a truly unique diving experience. This company had a fast transfer boat which delivers you to your liveaboard boat which also allows you to spend as many days and nights aboard as you want.
I truly wouldn’t recommend anyone else to teach me to learn to Dive in Cairns but if you decide to look elsewhere please be very careful when selecting a scuba school in Cairns as many scuba schools use inexperienced newly qualified instructors.
A three year old girl suffered only minor injuries due to falling from a moving tourist train in Queensland Australia on Wednesday.
A 3 year old toddler was lucky to survive a fall from a packed tourist train yesterday near Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Shocked tourists say the girls father jumped from the moving train to rescue his daughter late yesterday.
It is beleived the girl fell from the window of the Kuranda Scenic Train approximately 2 km from Kuranda Station about 3.35pm yesterday afternoon. Emergency Services were called to the scene and the girl was taken to Cairns Base Hospital with minor abrasions and a fractured collarbone.
The fall was witnessed by a number of shocked tourists. Witnesses said the victims father appeared very shaken by the incident, however he refused to comment. Witnesses say the girl was in surprisingly high spirits just after the accident.
Queensland Rail declined to guess on how the incident may have occured, although a full safety investigation will be launched. All the usual warnings regarding safety and not to put any part of ones body outside the train were made as usual.
The train returned to Kuranda Station before departing at 4.15pm and finally ending it’s journey 1 hour late at Cairns. The railway operates 2 services daily between Cairns and Kuranda. The Kuranda Scenic Rail service has only been running for 8 weeks after a derailment in March, caused by a landslide dumping tonnes of debris over the tracks injured 6 people.
Disney World In Orlando Vacation
If you are going to Florida, it is customary to take some moment in time to visit Disney World in Orlando.
An Orlando trip, even as part of a even bigger vacation is a great escape and if it is a family vacation, your relatives will talk about it for quite some time.
Getting a ticket to Orlando
It is easy to figure out where to get the best flights to Orlando. Check for low-cost flight ticket online, as you can discover some very decent rates.
Where to Stay
When you search for flight availability and price ranges at many sites, you can also check for the best prices on motels and flights, getting them together in one deal with a discount usually.
Traveling to Disney World Orlando Florida
Disney World has no shortage of theme parks. And you will prefer to make certain to visit as many as you can fit in. Some theme parks will have shows, others, such as the water parks, offers fun-filled activities that are sure to keep you cool and happy.
And who would not plan to go to Disney’s Magic Kingdom. This theme park is established in a medieval castle design and you can find the idea of Disney’s fantasy movies and Animated movies. Plus you will meet the characters of those videos. Any child or adult will truly enjoy themselves here.
Be sure to stay for the fireworks display after dark. It is magnificent.
The Water Parks
The water parks will give you a lot of choices, from water slides, to racing around in the water. Because of the high temperature and humidness, this is a good escape to have some pleasure and stay cool.
So put Disney World Orlando on your Trip must do list and enjoy yourself. It will be some thing you will remember for years.
When you choose to journey, be sure to check out where to buy airfare and orbitz cheap tickets. Why pay a high price, when you don’t have to?
Tips for Locating Cheap Hotels in Cardiff
Planning a trip to the captial city of Wales? There are several cheap hotels in Cardiff that won’t require you to give up all the amenities in exchange for a low price. From the City Centre to Cardiff Bay, many hotels offer terrific rates, especially during the week. Tips for finding cheap Cardiff Bay hotels include calling the hotel directly, traveling with a group, or buying a travel package. Since most hotels aren’t booked solid, you can have fantastic luck by calling the hotel. Ask for a lower rate than what you found online or through your travel agent. Many times, the reservations agents have the authority to offer you a better deal when you ask. If you travel with a group, you’re likely to see significant savings, because these trips are usually booked in blocks of rooms or airline tickets. The savings gets passed onto you. Finally, if you would like hotels in Cardiff City Centre, considering buying a full travel package. You could end up with a bonus or two and a great rate!
Florida Vacation Package Tips
There are plenty of Florida vacation packages to be found, but the question is really how to find the one that’s right for you. After all, not all vacation packages are alike, so you want the best value for your money.
Here are some tips on finding the best vacation package for you and your budget, for the Florida vacation spots that you want to visit!.
Where to Visit?
The first thing you need to think about is where in Florida you want to spend your vacation.
Many people don’t realize that the state of Florida is pretty long, and while you certainly can visit both (for example) Key West and Pensacola, you’d best either have a long time for a vacation – or plan to spend a lot of time driving.
Your best bet — stick to one general area of the Sunshine State, unless you find a great package tour that takes care of the driving for you.
Plan Ahead
You can sometimes find great last-minute Florida vacation specials, but if you book at the last minute you might also find yourself paying a premium rate.
Here’s an example – Bike Week in Daytona Beach sends the hotel rates soaring. Also lobster mini season in the Florida Keys will also make for a pricey stay.
So check the weeks before and after your tentative vacation dates, and see if one of them can get you a better deal.
Should You Book the Cheapest Vacation Packages?
Don’t automatically go for the cheapest rates, until you check if there is any fine print – like stiff cancellation fees. Also make sure you know what isn’t included, so you don’t get a rude surprise.
When it comes to hotels, you don’t want that cheap rate be because it’s in a not-so-savory part of town!
When you do a close comparison, a package that has a higher rate might be the better overall deal. Naturally, the cheapest might also be the better deal – just check the fine print, first.
Want more information? Here are some more ideas for Florida vacation packages for you.
Book your trip and have a great Florida vacation!
On the Lookout for Cheap Hotels in Cardiff?
If you have a future outing to Cardiff, there are a variety of cheap hotels in Cardiff that won’t break the bank. From common, one star motels with a handful of amenities to three and 4 star accommodation options at fair rates, there’s cheap hotels in Cardiff to meet just about every price range. These hotels can be found all all over Cardiff, including City Centre, Cardiff Bay, and other relevant regions of the city. Discover all of the heritage, growing culture, and attractions this beautiful location offers. From the Millenium Center to the Cardiff Castle to the New Theater Cardiff, there indeed is something for everyone right here. This capital city of Wales, is a center for commercial enterprise pursuits, for example conventions, trade shows, along with other business events. Get out and experience this city without blowing a small wad of cash every night on your accomodations. It’s quite easy to find cheap hotels in Cardiff.
5 Great Florida Family Vacation Ideas
Florida family vacations can be as diverse and exciting they are sunny. And while Florida may well be the home of the world’s most famous theme parks, there is so much more to the sunshine state than Orlando. You really can have the most perfect family break here combining all the favorites. There is just so much to do, more than you could possibly fit into even then lengthiest of vacations. Here are some firm favorites offering something for everyone.
Amazing Adventure Parks
Many Florida family vacations will include a visit to at least one of the amazing adventure parks. To get the most out of this, plan and research well in advance. Don’t wait until you arrive, because the magic that is everywhere will carry you away. Advance booking will also give you access to some of the great deals available.
‘Florribean’ Food
For some a Florida beach vacation, then South beach is the place to be. The white, soft, powdered beaches are world-renowned. A stay in South beach can be combined with a visit to Miami city, which really is one of the coolest city destinations. You have to try the ‘Florribean’ food, invented in Miami; this delicious cuisine combines the best of Florida style cooking with Caribbean influences, delicious.
South Beach
If you were hoping to get in some shopping therapy then here is where you should do it. You have a choice of discount designer malls all over Miami and this will complement the glamorous, sophisticated boutique experience in SoBe. (Sobe is South Beach to the locals).
Miami Children’s Museum
For the children, there is the all new Miami children’s museum, this will entertain and delight them for several hours.
Kennedy Space Center
The Kennedy space center is a valuable addition to any ‘things to do’ list for a Florida family vacation. It is educational and fun, the great thing about it, is the fact that the fun disguises the learning. Something most children do not like to do while they are vacationing. It is guaranteed that your children will be telling all their friends about the space centre, long after their family vacation has ended.
Interested in Cheap Hotels in Cardiff?
Should you have an upcoming holiday getaway to Cardiff, there are a number of cheap hotels in Cardiff that won’t empty your wallet. From plain, one star motels with few amenities to three and four star hotels at acceptable rates, there are actually cheap hotels in Cardiff to meet every price range. These lodging choices are located all throughout Cardiff, like City Centre, Cardiff Bay, as well as other relevant areas of the city. Discover all of the tradition, culture, and sights this fabulous location has to offer. From the Cardiff Castle to the Millenium Center to the New Theatre Cardiff, there surely is something available for all here. Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is a centre for business pursuits, like conferences, trade shows, as well as other business events. Get out and enjoy this locale whilst not having to spend a small wad of cash every night on your lodgings. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to find cheap hotels in Cardiff.
Disney Family Vacation
You and your children will remember a Disney family vacation for many years. The photo albums will be well thumbed, and children will sleep with them under their pillows for months after the vacation is over. Gone but never forgotten.
There is just so much that can be written about the experience that a Disney family vacation offers. Walt Disney World in Florida has 4 theme parks; two water parks, over 20 themed Disney hotels and two entertainment districts (and that is just for starters).
So here is what is in store for you at the theme parks.
Magic Kingdom Park
Magic Kingdom has no less than 7 enchanted lands for you to explore and discover. It is the home of the famous space mountain and is a great place to experience what it’s like to be a pilot, when you get to go on your own spacecraft the Astro Orbiter. Magic Kingdom is great for adults too; you get to see the characters and homes of some of the golden oldies, it’s not just about recent productions but all the old favorites are there too.
Disney Hollywood Studios
This is where your family gets to meet the characters that they have come to know and grown to love through storybooks, cult TV shows and movies. The latest addition here is the American idol experience where they have an exact replica of the set used in this hugely popular show.
Disney Animal Kingdom
The Animal Kingdom showcases animals from all over the world in 5 distinct lands, all surrounding the tree of life, which stands 14 stories tall above the park. It is wonderfully educational and will introduce your children to species from continents that they may not have even learned about yet.
Epcot
EPCOT is a travel experience and a geographic phenomenon. Your children can learn about 11 different nations that they share their world with. They will be able to see and experience what their neighbors across the oceans and seas eat, and learn about their different cultures. EPCOT should be on all school curriculums.
All in all, a Disney family vacation is about much more than just childish fun. The abundance of fun works for the all ages, but there is also an opportunity to broaden the horizons and minds of your children who won’t even be aware of how much they are learning.
And Don’t Forget a Disney Cruise!
Disney provides the perfect setting for the whole family to build the perfect memories. The Disney cruise vacation will add to the family fun all the while adding exciting ports of call. The family will be treated like royalty that adds the time of their lives for the little ones.