Travel Tips To Help Your Vacation Flow Smoothly

Almost everyone enjoys traveling, but most do not find pleasure in preparing for the trip. Arranging the logistics of any trip can be complex and mentally intimidating. The following tips will give you all the help you need to plan an enjoyable trip.

If you will be flying leave the gift wrap home. If the TSA is suspicious about something, they will be forced to open your presents. Pack the wrapping paper for later, but do not wrap the gifts until you reach your

When and Where You Can Get Campervan for Hire Australia

There are some people out there who are looking to go on a trip. However, depending on the type of year, they might wonder if they can get a campervan for hire Australia. There are all sorts of places where a person can go to get one of these and there are many places that allow you to rent one of these any times of the year.

The first thing you should know is that there are many different areas in this continent where you can get one of these. You want to know where to go as there are some locations that have a wider selection of these than other places. Some of the most common areas where you can go to make such a rental would be areas such as Perth and more.

Very Exotic Locations Sunderban

Every year more than 1, 50,000 people from across India and some from across the world visit Sunderban. The world's largest mangrove forest is an UNESCO declared heritage site.

But of course, most people visit Sunderban just for a magical glimpse of the tiger. For the irresistible lure of locking eyes with the elusive tiger even as the camera freezes in one's hand.

But one question here, of the thousands of people who visit Sunderban, how many have actually seen the tiger?

More than 200 tigers are reported to be living along the 100 islands that span across West Bengal and Bangladesh. But noisy boats, broken watch towers, rowdy tourists and unregulated tourism have made the sighting of tigers an almost impossible sight.

There are stories of the stealthy hunter striking with unimaginable speed even as they swim across the river in quick strides and carry away the unsuspecting prey even before people can look around them. But that happens only in the deep of the forest where the poor tribal people still live today.

Tiger tourism has brought fame to Sunderban. It's no longer a sleepy, forgotten town. Exotic resorts like Sunderban Tiger Camp have sprung up on the islands which offer city travellers a few days of quiet and peace in the utmost luxury of well decorated cottages with sumptuous food and entertainment. But the luxury and the wealth has not really benefited the villagers.

The islands so poignantly depicted in Amitava Ghosh's ‘Hungry Tide' tell a tale of neglect and decay.

The plight of the villagers is painful and distressing. Daily fight for survival with limited access to education, healthcare, sanitary, transportation facilities and the surprise attacks by the tiger have all drained down the resources of the villagers.

As for the visitors, when they realize that the stealthy tiger they had come to see is not willing to oblige them, most of them spend their days gorging on the sumptuous fresh food with little thought to the islands or its people.

But, there's much more to Sunderban than the tigers. In fact, maybe the tigers are a little tired now of all the people rushing about in the boats madly waiting for a glimpse of them.

I remember one incident clearly. As dusk fell and our designated boat for the river cruise navigated across the vast swamp lands to make our way back to the safety of the cottages, most people hardly had eyes for the beautiful mangrove trees, the flying birds, or the lone, lazy crocodile on the river bank. All eyes were fixed on a spot behind the trees on one island, where one of the people in the boat, said he had noticed something moving. Everyone and their cameras waited impatiently as the boat came nearer to the island, silence stretching into the dark.

"Isn't that too small to be a ti



Every year more than 1, 50,000 people from across India and some from across the world visit Sunderban. The world's largest mangrove forest is an UNESCO declared heritage site.

But of course, most people visit Sunderban just for a magical glimpse of the tiger. For the irresistible lure of locking eyes with the elusive tiger even as the camera freezes in one's hand.

But one question here, of the thousands of people who visit Sunderban, how many have actually seen the tiger?

More than 200 tigers are reported to be living along the 100 islands that span across West Bengal and Bangladesh. But noisy boats, broken watch towers, rowdy tourists and unregulated tourism have made the sighting of tigers an almost impossible sight.

There are stories of the stealthy hunter striking with unimaginable speed even as they swim across the river in quick strides and carry away the unsuspecting prey even before people can look around them. But that happens only in the deep of the forest where the poor tribal people still live today.

Tiger tourism has brought fame to Sunderban. It's no longer a sleepy, forgotten town. Exotic resorts like Sunderban Tiger Camp have sprung up on the islands which offer city travellers a few days of quiet and peace in the utmost luxury of well decorated cottages with sumptuous food and entertainment. But the luxury and the wealth has not really benefited the villagers.

The islands so poignantly depicted in Amitava Ghosh's ‘Hungry Tide' tell a tale of neglect and decay.

The plight of the villagers is painful and distressing. Daily fight for survival with limited access to education, healthcare, sanitary, transportation facilities and the surprise attacks by the tiger have all drained down the resources of the villagers.

As for the visitors, when they realize that the stealthy tiger they had come to see is not willing to oblige them, most of them spend their days gorging on the sumptuous fresh food with little thought to the islands or its people.

But, there's much more to Sunderban than the tigers. In fact, maybe the tigers are a little tired now of all the people rushing about in the boats madly waiting for a glimpse of them.

I remember one incident clearly. As dusk fell and our designated boat for the river cruise navigated across the vast swamp lands to make our way back to the safety of the cottages, most people hardly had eyes for the beautiful mangrove trees, the flying birds, or the lone, lazy crocodile on the river bank. All eyes were fixed on a spot behind the trees on one island, where one of the people in the boat, said he had noticed something moving. Everyone and their cameras waited impatiently as the boat came nearer to the island, silence stretching into the dark.

"Isn't that too small to be a tiger?" one brave soul ventured out finally after 10 minutes of patient waiting. Just then, the elusive figure came out from behind the trees, not a majestic tiger, not even a baby tiger but a small monkey.

I wonder who was laughing at us more then, the tiger or the monkey or maybe both.

You don't need to see a tiger to love Sunderban. The vast open stretches are home to some of rare birds if one cares to look at them. The mangrove themselves are a fascinating sight with the water submerging the roots and unmasking them periodically as if hinting at mysteries yet untold.

The crocodile, river dolphins, sea turtles and deer are the other animals one can chance upon in these islands.

But the most fascinating of all is the history of the place. The proud, magical beats of the tribal dance still practiced by the villagers of the islands, the stories of the ancient "Bon Bibi" goddess who they believe, protect them from danger and the simplicity of the villagers who spend every single day battling danger and yet never lose their smile are a far bigger reward for visiting the place.

So, let's not disturb the tiger. Let's visit Sunderban for all its riches beyond the tiger and help the people of islands to better their lives over time.

ger?" one brave soul ventured out finally after 10 minutes of patient waiting. Just then, the elusive figure came out from behind the trees, not a majestic tiger, not even a baby tiger but a small monkey.

I wonder who was laughing at us more then, the tiger or the monkey or maybe both.

You don't need to see a tiger to love Sunderban. The vast open stretches are home to some of rare birds if one cares to look at them. The mangrove themselves are a fascinating sight with the water submerging the roots and unmasking them periodically as if hinting at mysteries yet untold.

The crocodile, river dolphins, sea turtles and deer are the other animals one can chance upon in these islands.

But the most fascinating of all is the history of the place. The proud, magical beats of the tribal dance still practiced by the villagers of the islands, the stories of the ancient "Bon Bibi" goddess who they believe, protect them from danger and the simplicity of the villagers who spend every single day battling danger and yet never lose their smile are a far bigger reward for visiting the place.

Best of Italy Tour

Travel, truly nourishes the mind and soul. Be it a rejuvenating cruise trip, a beach holiday, a historical voyage or an adventure, holidays according to your idea of fun and adventure are always delightful. The opulence of history, culture, heritage, thrill, fun and enjoyment is amazing and Planet Earth offers it all. One can discover plethora of glee and charm all across the world. Travel indeed is a great learning and fun experience. Whether it is an expensive trip to London or Paris or a domestic trip, travel is undeniably rejuvenating and offers a much needed break from one's hectic schedule. Travel has certainly gained momentum in the recent years. Travel industry has been growing leaps and bounds. Various travel agencies and tour operators come up with interesting packages quite often that destination oriented and also theme based. The idea is to design trips that suit everyone's interest and pocket too. Travel agencies offer tours ranging from the best of Italy Tour Package, the best of Thailand Tour Packages to Russian tours and packages to unconventional destinations too.

These travel operators help one experience the fantabulous beauty of nature as well as created by man. With internet percolation, all kinds of tour packages to suit pockets and preferences are easily available.

Talking of European high end tours, the various agencies design packages in a way that brings out the best at great prices. Covering places like United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Spain and Italy. European tours are truly the desired ones. Italy is one destination that offers a plethora of exciting and elating activities for people across the world. The best of Italy tour packages cover the rich culture, ancient heritage, beautiful landscapes and awesome fashion.

The tour agencies also offer South East Asian destinations like Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. The best of Thailand Tour Packages include the shopping paradise, Bangkok and beautiful beach destinations like Pattaya, Phuket etc. Destinations like Phuket and Krabi are breathtaking beach destinations which also offer a plethora of water-sports activities for the adventure lovers. These tours attract tourists from various parts of the world. The tours make you experience a gamut of tour options at unbeatable and great prices.

Australia and New Zealand are other places that draw people from all across the globe. The sea, surf, sun on the one hand and the beautiful culture and tradition on the other hand makes Australia one of the favorite tour destinations for many.

For those who love to explore off-beat destinations, there is an array of interesting options. Russian Tours and packages that are unique are also offered by various travel agencies. In nutshell, if there is an ardent traveler within you wanting to discover places and learn from the experiences, there are excellent options.

Hawaii Big Island

When staying in condo rentals on the Island of Hawaii, some travelers may be a little intimidated. After all, they are visiting a place that is more commonly known as the Big Island. While this landmass certainly dwarfs the other Hawaiian Islands, there are ways for vacationers to fully explore this Pacific destination in one trip. They just have to figure out what it is they want to see.

Those who have come to the Big Island in search of the natural beauty that Hawaii is famous for should add several sites to their travel itinerary. For instance, at Akaka Falls State Park, individuals can hike their way through a lush rainforest and find the 100-foot Kahuna Falls. However, this is only an appetizer for the main attraction, Akaka Falls, which pours water 442-feet down into an eroded gorge.


Meanwhile, Wailuku River State Park reminds visitors to the Big Island that Mother Nature does not need digital projectors to put on a great show. In this part of the island, travelers will find Rainbow Falls, where water gushes 80-feet down and vibrant rainbows are known to form in the mist. Another impressive display can be found at the nearby Pe'epe'e Falls, which feed into terraced bubbling pools known as the Boiling Pots.

While staying in timeshare rentals in Hawaii, some travelers may want to combine Big Island sightseeing with horseback riding. This is possible thanks to the island's expansive landscapes and ranchers who are more than willing to lend a horse or two.

A variety of horseback experiences are available, so visitors will want to decide whether they would rather take part in a storytelling tour or simply ride through the Island of Hawaii's Waipio Valley.

Of course, no visit to Hawaii would be complete without a trip to the beach. Those who are staying on the Big Island are in for a treat, as its beaches are among the most unique in the U.S.

For instance, those who have only set foot on white sand beaches will want to visit Panaluu Black Sand Beach and maybe see a green sea turtle while they are there. For another colorful experience, travelers need look no further than Papakolea Beach, where they will find green sand.

Vacationers can pack a lot into a trip to the Island of Hawaii. All they have to do is get organized and stick to their schedule so they do not miss out on any of these natural wonders.

Very Exotic Locations Canowindra Attractions

Canowindra located in New South Wales of Australia is popularly known as the balloon capital. One of the largest festivals known as "balloon festival" in Australia is hosted by this pleasant country town in every April. Canowindra became the centre of attraction when an ancient fish fossil site discovered near the town believed to be 360 million years old, preserved in rock.

However, there is several travel attractions in Canowindra listed below –

Age of Fishes Museum: The most known attraction of Canowindra is "Age of Fishes" museum filled with fossils found in Canowindra in late 1955 which is believed to be 360 million years old. There is a rare collection of ancient fishes with unique varieties, some fishes with lungs, some with armoured shell, some having crocodile look. It's just a different experience and opportunity to get a view of the world when dinosaurs were ruling the earth.
Canowindra Historical society museum: This is another exciting attraction keeping history of Canowindra from the beginning. The city started its journey from 1840 as a frontier township. You can see the steps of developments of Canowindra. There are horse drawn vehicles, vintage farm machinery; household equipments can make you feel upbeat.
Canowindra Trading Post: Enjoy an excellent mix of old and new. This is a symbol of Canowindra trading post. There is option to get a Lavazza coffee or light refreshment served in the tranquil garden setting. During Christmas the post offers an extensive range of Christmas decorations.
Hummitons Bluff Vineyard : With a scenic view of vineyards and the historical township of Canowindra, Hummitons Bluff is a family owned & operated vineyard specialising in the traditional Tuscan grape variety of wines.
Rosnay Organic Farms: Home of famous Rosnay wines. Its located in the foothills of the central ranges of New South Wales. This is the first organic & biodynamic vineyard of the Cowra wine region and now part of a unique certified organic subdivision.
Ryall Street Gallery: A new and innovative contemporary art gallery which is located in the central west of New South Wale. Video art exhibited with photography, painting, sculpture, mixed media & many more
taste Canowindra : Get a good meal with music & art. Taste Canowindra features includes food, wine visual and performing arts.This music theatre restaurant evening are held each month featuring internationally accredited performers & famous local musicians. The restaurant is open 7 days a week but you need prior arrangement because the demand is so high.

News Diving Indonesia On Bali Tour Package

Scuba Dive Asia is making people aware of a number of luxury scuba diving vacations that are available at exotic destinations where they can be accommodated while enjoying their scuba diving activities. One of these exotic destinations is Indonesia. One of the many resorts that divers can be accommodated at in Indonesia is the Minahasa Lagoon Resort in the province of North Sulawesi on the island of Bunaken. According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia on the internet, Bunaken is quote, "Bunaken is an island of eight square kilometres and holds the Bunaken National Marine Park. Bunaken is located at the northern tip of the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. The island belongs administratively to the municipality of Manado" end quote. The island has and will continue to receive many scuba diving visitors all year round who will enjoy the great scuba diving activities that abound in the ocean waters of this region.

People interested in vacations that involve diving Indonesia, diving Komodo or being part of an Indonesia liveaboard or enjoying Komodo liveaboards diving need to contact Scuba Dive Asia who are travel experts that will organise a Bali tour package that includes a Bali hotel package for individuals or groups planning holidays to a specific dive resort in Indonesia or for various other dive resorts in Indonesia. The cottages or bungalows of the resort are roomy and totally private, including the totally private open-air bathrooms and also the wide wooden terraces providing views of the ocean. Other amenities, facilities and services consist of a stocked mini bar, tea and coffee facilities, international direct dialling (IDD) phone, wireless internet connection, a private safe and a complete set of toiletries in each bungalow.



The resort has its main restaurant positioned in the centre of the resort where professional chefs and their staff provide and serve the best international cuisine. There is another restaurant known as the ‘Jungle Restaurant' which has been built in and amongst the vegetation of the lagoon. This restaurant is a characteristic and charming ‘hut' where the traditional recipes of the region can be ordered and consumed. There is also a swimming pool in the front of the restaurant that can be ‘lowered' into the sea resulting in a unique swimming experience for all guests. Many scuba diving vacationers who have previously been accommodated at the resort return to the resort to enjoy the luxury and first class amenities and services that they receive from the competent staff who are employed and work at the resort.

Travel News Train Portraits In Pakistan

Photo © Sam Phelps-All Rights Reserved
Let me venture a guess...we all love a long train journey in an exotic land.

If I'm right, you'll love Sam Phelps's wonderful portraits of Pakistanis sharing a train journey with him. If I'm not...you'll still love them.

The portraits were made on the Khyber Mail, a Pakistani mail and passenger train that travels from Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and ends in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city at the southern tip of the Sindh province on the Arabian Sea. The train journey involves 35 hours of travel.

My favorite portrait is of Joman, an 80 year-old Sufi. He is from Nowabshah, Sindh Province, and has two wives and twelve children. He has been a beggar all his life.

Sam Phelps has a background of fine arts study in Sydney, and is now increasingly working with NGOs including the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, as well as taking assignments for clients including Der Speigel, Time, Newsweek Pakistan and the Times UK. He is also a registered photographer with Getty Images Global Assignment.

He traveled the mountainous roads to Leh, the capital of Ladakh in northern India, and photographed the lives of people along the route. He undertook a four day trip on a train meeting and documenting pilgrims' experiences traveling from Tehran through northern Iran, across Turkey and south to the Syrian capital of Damascus to pray at the Umayyad, the Great Mosque of Damascus.

Travel News Steps to Winterizing a Vacation Home

Expert Author Renee Laurin 


Having a second or vacation residence is the perfect way to 'get away from it all' while still feeling right at home! So how do you protect this valuable investment when the weather turns colder? Effectively winterizing your vacation home is essential. Winterizing is different than maintenance performed during the rest of the year.
Specifically preparing your home for winter can potentially save you a world of trouble down the road. Your home's exposure in significantly colder weather can lead to costly repairs and loss of irreplaceable belongings if the residence has not been properly winterized. Here are several tips to help you prepare your vacation home for winter:
  • Purchase A Temperature Alarm Dialer
    These devices, sometimes called Freeze Alarms, monitor the temperature of your vacation home. If the temperature drops below a set point, a temperature alarm dialer will call whatever phone number you have specified to issue an audible alarm message. This is especially handy if your vacation home is a considerable distance from your regular residence. You could potentially program the freeze alarm to dial a trusted neighbor or service man in your vacation home's immediate vicinity, with the agreement prearranged for them to handle the emergency.
  • Inspect the Furnace
    Having an HVAC service man in to inspect your furnace and ducts can prevent issues while you're away. Clearing the area around your furnace and heating vents of any obstructions or combustibles as a safety precaution is always a good idea.
  • Window and Door Check
    make sure to inspect windows and exterior door every season. Check for cracked and/or chipped windows. Consider replacing old weather stripping and old caulking around all windows and doors. Covering basement window wells with plastic covers is also beneficial.
  • Roof, Gutters and Downspout Inspection
    Replacing roof tiles or shingles as necessary will prevent from water/ice from forming in areas it should not reach. Make sure to clear out gutters and downspouts to ensure that runoff will be properly distributed away from the house and foundation.
  • Foundation Check
    Do a 'walk around' of entire structure and ensure foundation has no cracks. Some mice can enter cracks no thinner than a dime! Check ill plates for rot or infestation. Make sure to secure all your crawl space entrances. Be sure to remove any debris, including vegetation from the foundation base.
  • Landscaping Preparation
    Make sure to re-seal any brick patios, driveways or wooden decks. Trim all tree branches that are very close to the residence or nearby electrical lines. Remove sensitive potted plants and/or bulbs inside or to a sheltered area. Purge any sprinkler systems of water. Protect any air conditioning condensing units with a waterproof, breathable cover.
  • Fireplace/Chimney Check
    After ensuring the chimney is free of any bird, squirrel or other animal nests - consider installing a chimney screen to prevent animal or bird entrance during the winter months. Double check that the chimney flue damper is operating efficiently. A flue should open and close completely and be able to lock in either position. Consider having a professional chimney sweep clean the fireplace chimney. After years of use - they can become blocked with possible debris, ash or creosote.

Travel News Thinking of Retiring in Mexico?

We believe that our life in Manzanillo, Mexico defines "the American dream". We have a beautiful 4000 sq. ft. house with a garage, pool and gardens ON the beach. A house like this, at this time, can be built or purchased for just under 1 million dollars. Imagine that in Seattle or Los Angeles.

We have a wonderful lady who does our cleaning and ironing, and a young man who takes care of the pool, garden, and other things we need done. We pay about 200.00 dollars a week for both of them.

There is no "honey do" list to fight over. It is taken care of for us. The first week we were here, one of our neighbors said, "we in Mexico do not do much for ourselves". She is of course from the upper end of the economic scale, but, I have often thought about how true those words are.

So how do we spend our days? What do we do? I remember asking a lady on a plane who was on her way down to Mexico for the 6 months of winter." What do you do all day? " The obvious answer is, whatever we want.


It is the opportunity to figure out what you really want out of life, and do it. We have people who take up art at 50 or older and become accomplished artists. We have groups of women and men golfers several days a week as a social occasion as well as exercise. We have tennis groups and bridge groups. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer with the children, the old folks, the dogs, or individual families. With each year we have more opportunities, such as the availability of the latest books with e-readers, on-line classes to improve your mind, body and or life, newspapers, of course, are on line. And the best part of our small town is that most of us have time for one another. We are very social (those who want to be) because we have time and not a lot of distractions.

We do have a "Gold's Gym" as well as several others. And an ocean that is warm all year. One of the best parts for me is the weather. I am from Seattle where it is often cold and dark (sorry). Here, it is possible to go outside almost every day. The first summer we were here I was learning to play golf and praying for rain. We only missed six days of golf due to rain. It rains mainly at night, like in Hawaii.

12 years ago we started two groups to help foreigners get to know each other, as we live all over, not congregated in one place. The first was a lunch group for English speaking ladies. We meet once a month and have speakers to keep the rumor mill on track and keep us educated on what is happening in our town. This group is called mujeres amigas, "women friends".

The second group is for couples and meets every week for early dinner and drinks at different restaurants. They are the manzamigos.

Between these two, it should be possible to get to know many of the other ex-pats in a short time.

We have great restaurants with reasonable prices, a big movie theater with 8 or more movies playing. Usually about half of them are in English with Spanish sub-titles. We have a Walmart and Soriana, and Commercial Mexicana for big grocery and department stores. We even have Starbucks and Burger King.