Bargain Travel Agency

The astonishing region of Africa named South Luangwa has been named the finest place to safari in Africa. The region has been made famous in numerous years by the worlds very best safari experts. Couples might be able to see huge groups of lions as well as beautiful boars. A Zambian safari in South Africa is available from Shenton Safaris.

The park is well known for its magnificent night safaris and is a hit with all British holiday makers. The changing seasons makes the region irrestible with a dry season throughout winter and a green charming jungle feel over June to August. During the changes in season the wildlife animals might differ giving folk a different aspect.

Find out the allure of Africa with a walking safari vacation and be at one with the beautiful wildlife. The astonishing rivers and wildlife can make you feel alive with energy. Folk will be able to take huge amounts of photos and bring home the very greatest memories.

Southern Africa comes with many animals in its parks and UK travellers may easily see the perfect photo of a zebra. If you are not used to a walking holiday you might well go on a driving safari and admire huge amounts of the country all within a short amount of time. When you have concluded your driving safari by day you should then go back to your hotel to have dinner. Lots of apartments are three star and great value.

They flexed their muscles this year all the in name of the Olympic spirit, but it was hardly spirited at all.”

As he planned for the climb, Sherchan told reporters he wanted to inspire fellow senior citizens. He also said many Nepalese have established records on Chomolungma or Mount Everest, so it was only fitting that the record for the oldest climber to reach the summit should also belong to a Nepali. The 76-year-old man from Nepal is now the oldest person to have reached the top of Mt Everest. Min Bahadur Sherchan returned this week from Nepal after successfully climbing to the summit of Everest. With the Chinese preparing for the impending summer Olympic Games, Andrew Brash noted that the government’s actions hardly reflected the Olympic spirit. Sherchan just 7 days away from his 77th birthday beat the age record set last year by 71-year-old Japanese teacher Katsusuke Yanagisawa.

Now that Bahadur Sherchan has successfully scaled the tallest mountain in the world, he is once again ready to focus on his family. Andrew Brash last attempt resulted in the rescue of Lincoln Hall, an Australian climber who was left by his team in the “death zone.”

More than 3235 people have climbed to the summit since it was first conquered in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary, who died in January, and Nepal’s Tenzing Norgay.

Andrew Brash and four climbing guides reached the 29,035-foot (8,850-meters) summit of the world’s highest mountain early Sunday, said Ramesh Chretri, an official with Nepal’s ministry of tourism.

His first found him within 184 metres of the peak when his team stopped to help a fellow mountaineer who was left for dead. Three years later, Min Bahadur Sherchan, a University of Calgary alumni, returned to Chomolungma to finish what he had started.

The Chinese were flying their airplanes over the Mount Everest and had Chinese officials in Kathmandu. “The Chinese weren’t allowing anybody on Chomolungma. They ended up commandeering it for themselves, even though Everest is shared by two countries. Further, the decision to actualize a long-time personal goal left Bahadur Sherchan with some internal uncertainties, he cited the political actions of China and Nepal as providing the greatest adversity he faced on his journey. However, he was all too aware of the potential dangers the Mount Everest could bring. Certain parts of the climb are more dangerous than others and it is important for climbers to remain focused Hall was frostbitten and severely disoriented due to altitude sickness. Min Bahadur Sherchan returned a hero to Calgarians. Nepalese climber, 74, oldest man to climb to the top of Mt Everest This season climber Anthony Loeff is reporting the scales for Chomolungma or Mount Everest after he reached the summit of Mont Blanc in France earlier this season.

“Mount Everest this year became a political pawn,” he said with some frustration.

They basically coerced the Nepali government to not allow any climbers past camp two on the Nepali side.

Southern Africa is a fascinating country, the huge open planes teaming with wild dogs and one of the smallest population ratios in the area. South Africa comes with some of the most amazing natural terrain in Southern Africa, the fabulous blend of beautiful fields, scenery and marshlands makes the entire land come to life. Not only can you be pleased at the landscapes, one will also be seduced at the incredible lakes and waterfalls. A real heaven on earth.

In Southern Africa you yourself will be able to enjoy the very best waterfall of all, the Victoria Falls. This appealing waterfall has been a location for tons of big cats with loads of big cats and elephants coming to enjoy the pure waters that run here. Additionally make sure one view the snakes & hippos at the Zambezi River, & don’t forget to book a guide as the river might often be a tiny bit unpredictable. one may also wish to hire a driving tour in South Luangwa National Park and get upclose with the diverse wildlife. On a driving tour one will view lions & astonishingly rare wild dogs. If you yourself are lucky enough you yourself may see a heard of giraffes with their young. The facility to be so close with all of these fabulous animals is amazing. Visit Kaingo to find out more about a south africa safari.

Accommodation in South Africa might often range from 5 star chain hotels right through to outside shelters without any electricity. Whichever accommodation type you yourself select you will be sure of a brilliant time.

“The Chinese weren’t allowing anybody on the mountain. They ended up commandeering it for themselves, even though the mountain is shared by two countries. Sherchan just 5 days away from his 77th birthday beat the age record set last year by 71-year-old Japanese teacher Katsusuke Yanagisawa.

Now that Bahadur Sherchan has successfully scaled the tallest mountain in the world, he is once again ready to focus on his family. More than 2964 people have climbed to the summit since it was first conquered in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary, who died in January, and Nepal’s Tenzing Norgay.

He was reported in good health as he began making his descent. They basically coerced the Nepali government to not allow any climbers past camp two on the Nepali side. As he planned for the climb, Sherchan told reporters he wanted to inspire fellow senior citizens. He also said many Nepalese have established records on Everest, so it was only fitting that the record for the oldest climber to reach the summit should also belong to a Nepali. They flexed their muscles this year all the in name of the Olympic spirit, but it was hardly spirited at all.”

The Chinese were flying their airplanes over the mountain and had Chinese officials in Kathmandu. This season mountaineer Anthony Loeff is reporting the scales for Chomolungma or Mount Everest after he reached the top of Kilimanjaro earlier this year.

With the Chinese preparing for the impending summer Olympic Games, Andrew Brash noted that the government’s actions hardly reflected the Olympic spirit. Min Bahadur Sherchan and four climbing guides reached the 29,035-foot (8,850-meters) summit of the world’s highest mountain early Sunday, said Ramesh Chretri, an official with Nepal’s ministry of tourism. Min Bahadur Sherchan returned this week from Nepal after successfully climbing to the summit of Chomolungma. Indeed, he was all too aware of the potential dangers the mountain could bring. Certain parts of the climb are more dangerous than others and it is important for climbers to remain focused The 77-year-old man from Nepal is now the oldest person to have reached the top of Mount Everest. “the Mount Everest this year became a political pawn,” he said with some frustration.

His first found him within 222 metres of the peak when his team stopped to help a fellow mountaineer who was left for dead. One year later, Bahadur Sherchan, a University of Calgary alumni, returned to Mt Everest to finish what he had started.

Min Bahadur Sherchan last attempt resulted in the rescue of Lincoln Hall, an Australian climber who was left by his team in the “death zone.”

Hall was frostbitten and severely disoriented due to altitude sickness. Andrew Brash returned a hero to Calgarians. Therefore, the decision to actualize a long-time personal goal left Min Bahadur Sherchan with some internal uncertainties, he cited the political actions of China and Nepal as providing the greatest adversity he faced on his journey.

London has in many opinions some of the most famous museums in the whole world in fact it has tens of hundreds of museums & shows equally large & small. There are masses to pick from although for obvious reasons particular are more popular than others. Some of the most trendiest ones to drop in at consist of the British Museum, Natural History & Science Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Imperial War Museum & the National Maritime Museum.

The British Museum has recently opened yet again, but with a considerable face lift & is traditionally regarded as being the greatest museum on the whole planet where unimaginable 4000 year old Pharaohs witness a significantly more eventful life after death than they ever designed. Located in the Centre of London this is maybe one of the major museums in The City to take the entire family to visit. There are masses of interesting collections and corridors to glimpse at, some that comprises the reading room and the new African collection, which has been said to be the world’s biggest and finest in terms of assortment & quality with well over two-hundred thousand historical objects.

The Natural History and Science Museums are suitable for both youngsters & adults. The Natural History Museum structure is fantastic any dinosaur devotee will undisputedly love getting lost in everything that is a part of the history that escorts this fantastic museum.

The Science Museum is astounding, and very up-to date in regards of when historic breakthroughs are made. There are a collection of scientists on hand developing genuine experiments in which you can take part in if you crave. There are bags of electrifying hands on things to do for both children & adults. If you are looking for essential information on London’s Attraction and Museums then visit http://www.timeout.com.

The Victoria and Albert museum also more universally recognised as the V&A is a massive museum overflowing to the top with history. It’s worth a journey for the cast rooms alone. The museum itself is free of charge to go in and is the earth’s biggest decorative & arts and design museum. The Imperial War Museum looks a lot at the history of the imperial world war rather than its prosecution. Some specific demonstrations like that of the “The Blitz” and “The Holocaust” are tremendously heart-rending.

The Costa Blanca and Alicante area runs north to south or south to north, you can begin your holiday travel either way. The Costa Blanca, on the Mediterranean Sea coast is situated in the Province of Alicante, entering in the south through the town of Pilar de la Horadada or maybe Torrevieja might sound a little more familiar, all being part of the Valencian Community. Costa Blanca in English means ‘the White Coast’ probably because of its clear white beaches, the white washed buildings and the sunny weather which brightens all its villa like Guardamar, Javea, Altea, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Moraira and Alicante.

Navegate your own route in Costa Blanca

Being as Alicante was last mentioned and it has the advantage of its international airport called the Altet, you can start an entertaining holiday there. As you arrive into the city either by public bus, mini-bus from your hotel or by taxi, you will love how it is set at the foot of a hill where the Saint Barbara Castle still remains. It was built in 300 B.c. by the Carthaginians and even though it has undergone many wars, it has been kept in good condition, which nowadays houses an excellent restaurant. It is also surrounded by extended beaches with only a beautiful tiled promenade lined with all kinds of flowers and palms to separate them from the busy city and the harbour. Stroll along this refreshing central walkway where hand made goods are always set up in booths, or in the summer months, different bands and orquestras play soothing music to accompany the night breeze. Or delve into a good guide book with map of Alicante to be able to choose a special holiday festival such as The Saint John Bonfires with spectacular carton and wooden monuments depicting local and international characters which are finally burnt to the ground, carrying out a pagan tradition of wanting to eliminate all bad spirits.

Benidorm, which has excellent transport from the Alicante airport is also a very moving city. During the day you can either choose to relax and enjoy the long out stretching beaches or take the kids and family to one of the many parks around. You can choose from one of the Theme parks like Terra Mitica which has set up rides and attractions having to do with ancient Egypt or Rome, Aqualandia, a water park right within Benidorm where there are rides for the wee folks, younger dare devils and just splashing pools for the older ones. A good keep cool day! If animals are the theme for the day, go to Terra Natura also within the city and have your children come into full contact with very different kinds of animals. Here too, you can cool off in an area where there are water rides, underwater diving or nature climbing and trekking. At night, the nightlife is quite moving and the selection of places to dine go from fast food restaurants to the most exquisite delicacies, whatever you feel affordable for you.

Altea, the next villa you can see on the map, has kept its old town atmosphere while offering good places to stay. There are usually pebble beaches and many exclusive coves to hide out in - a very recommendable tranquil ambience. Calpe is the next villa on our map tour so that you can get a glimpse of the Rock of Ifach, a steep rugged hill made of rock formation that has captured amateur and professional mountain climbers from all over the world. Whether you have used your energy rock climbing or just lazing around on the white soft beaches, you must head over to the harbour area for either lunch or dinner. There, you have an endless show of seafood and fish to choose from and have it cooked as you like, or just trust others and go for the caldereta, a stew of many kinds of seafood with a succulent broth.

Save time for Javea

Javea, on the east coast, lies a little over 100 kilometres from Valencia and just 94 kilometres from Alicante city. At either of these cities you can find international flights making travel plans easy to arrange all year round. On the map of Spain, just a little south of Denia and right near the outstanding Montgo mountain peak, Javea ( http://www.alicante-spain.com/javea.html ) can be found.

This park was declared under national protection in 1987 so that its marvellous richness in fauna and flora could be conserved and further studies could be done on its archaeological discoveries. These discoveries can be seen in one of the many museums in the town. But what makes travelling to Javea so much fun is its traditional and cultural activities of long times ago, especially on the Costa Blanca and made available for the tourist to see nowadays. One of these activities is the sport called ‘ Valencian Ball’. There are two teams, usually two players on each team. It can be played right in the middle of the street, without a referee. Many times it is the public who must decide if the ball was fair or foul.The ball is made up of rags that have been tightly wound and covered with other rags. The players use their hands as rackets, using a special wrap to protect the palm of their hands. If you are looking for a good game, head to the Nou Street or to the Jesus Nazareno Street, or ask at the tourist office.

You will never have enjoyed your Spain vacation stay so much thanks to the variety and friendliness of the people who are awaiting to share their Costa Blanca with you.

The writer Robert Carlton publishes articles for www.alicante-spain.com ,an Alicante website. Many of his publications focus on the Costa Blanca www.alicante-spain.com/costa-blanca.html and travel to Spain.

Forget a motel, forget an RV you have not had the best vacation
you have ever had until you have stayed in a Mountain Cabin.
Mountain Cabin Vacation

Mountain cabins are usually found in the best locations situated
in beautiful mountain settings and range from brand new to
rustic charm. What more could you want from your mountain cabin.

You may be thinking rustic charm may mean old fashioned but
today many mountain cabins are fully equipped with all the
latest mod cons such as wonderful log fires, hot tubs, cable TV
and fully equipped kitchens. One of the best features though of
a mountain cabin, is unsurprisingly, the mountains. I suppose
that goes without saying that you would expect mountains next to
a mountain cabin, after all it seems sensible, but until you
have visited some of the best places to vacation in the US you
may not have been to the mountains before and boy are you
missing something.

So try us folks up here in the mountains where the air is
clean, the views are superb, the food is great and the
activities are unparalleled.

Mountain cabins come in all sizes from single one bed roomed
mountain cabins which are great for single couples, especially
anyone on their honeymoon, to large 10 bedroom affairs which are
great for group activities such as team building ventures.

One of the biggest attractions in vacationing in a beautiful
mountain cabin is the peace and quiet you can find in a secluded
cabin, yet most things are on your doorstep. You are so close to
nature, with trails to walk and hike, short backpacking trips,
skiing in the winter months, lakes for swimming, sailing and
fishing and just plain good fresh air.

So stop thinking about mountain cabins, stop planning to rent a
mountain cabin, stop dreaming of having a vacation in one and
just do it. Book one and book one this week. Plan your next
vacation in your own mountain cabin in some of the best mountain
scenery in the US.

Ladysmith BC on Vancouver Island is only a 85 km (53 mi) drive north of Victoria BC on Hwy 1…a short trip filled with ocean and mountain views. Ladysmith BC is 26 km 16 (mi) south of Nanaimo BC. South of Nanaimo, closer to Ladysmith is Cassidy, home to the Nanaimo Airport and the Duke Point Ferry Terminal providing various easy access points to the Ladysmith BC area.

Recreation includes water sports such as kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, diving, boating, and water-skiing. The archipelago of islands around the Ladysmith area makes it one of the most popular paddle sport destinations in N. America. There are three marinas: two are public, and one is commercial. Attractions include Skateboard park, par 3 golf courses.

Transfer Beach Park is a popular spot for swimmers, picnics and large gatherings. Popular attractions are the amphitheatre, logger sport facilities, horseshoe pitch, barbecue huts, kids playgrounds, sand volleyball and basketball courts, concession stand, and kayak rentals. It is a well-planned and attractive park with acres of grass and flowerbeds, surrounded by big trees.

Behind Ladysmith in the hills is a 4-kilometer hike through a rainforest with bridges, wildlife and waterfalls. This area includes Stocking Lake, one of the two main sources of Ladysmith’s drinking water.

Ladysmith has focused its interest on attracting tourism by setting up world-renowned annual festivals and events. In spring there is a two-day festival which attracts hundreds of paddle sport enthusiasts for boating fun, food and music. On Canada Day there is cake, fun and music on Ladysmith’s historic waterfront. On BC Day there is a daylong weekend parade, a soapbox derby, logger sports, games, rides, music, entertainment and fireworks.. Ladysmith Fall Fair in late August or September, showcases Ladysmith and area talents in horticulture, arts and crafts, home economics, beer and winemaking.

There are two main shopping areas: the First Avenue in the downtown area and the modern Coronation Mall on the Island Highway, with a wide variety of shops, services and eateries.

Ladysmith, with its downtown heritage buildings, was named one of the ten prettiest towns in Canada by Harrowsmith Country Life magazine. Ladysmith has been given the National Communities in Bloom Award with a 5-Bloom rating, with a special mention for Heritage Conservation.

Ladysmith was originally known as Oyster Bay, formed in the late 1800s…then came the coal mining and logging industries. In 1986 the logging industry pulled out, and in 2003 Ladysmith introduced the Festival of Lights, which displays thousands of lights, from the last Thursday of November till the New Year, attracting over 10,000 people in one night and continuing to the present day. An official light -up ceremony includes a parade, spaghetti dinner and fireworks.

James Dunsmuir, owner of the mines, was laying out his new township of Oyster Harbor in 1900 when he received news that British troops under the command of General Buller had broken the four month siege of Ladysmith in Natal province, South Africa and decided then that his new town would be named Ladysmith to honor this British victory of the Anglo/South African war of 1899 to 1902. Ladysmith was used as a dormitory and recreation complex for the miners and their families and as a shipping port for coal from the Extension Mines in Nanaimo. It was incorporated in 1904 and the town grew rapidly over the next few years mostly due to the coal industry, but also because of copper excavated from Mount Sicker, which continued ’till 1912. The following year the coal miners up and down the Island went on strike. Bombs targeted equipment and homes, prevailing for over a year when the military was called in and the riots were crushed. Ten years later the mines were shutting down as the demand for coal was dissipating and the coal getting harder to find. The areas residents turned to logging and other forms of employment after the mines closed in the 30s, but in 1933 1000s of trees toppled in a massive windstorm [known as the Big Wind] and the logging industry was born when the Comox Logging & Railway Co used the harbor as a shipping port.

Trail Guide: The Holland Creek Loop, The Heart Lake Loop, The Stocking Lake Loop, The Rotary Lookout Trail, The Estuary Trail, The Marine Walk. Developed through the collaboration of volunteers, government grants, and staff.

by Margot B,

About the Author

Web site designer and writer
http://margotbwritersforum.com

Florence Italy accommodation as far as hotel and farmhouse are concerned, let your imagination go from richly furnished five star hotels either in the hub of the city or smaller town accommodations, hidden away in the green hued countryside. From palaces to castles exquisitely decorated and pensions or guesthouses owned by friendly local people. These all year round lodgings have a wide price range but you can assured that good bargains are to be found in the low season. Florence welcomes everybody to be comfortable and caters to everyone’s budget.

Wealth and Comfort in Florence Italy

The Savoy Hotel is a favourite for those wishing to fulfil a desire for luxury sleeping, not forgetting the shopping gallery and excellent cuisine at the restaurant. The Hotel II Guelfo Bianco on the Via Cavour right near the San Marco Square has antique art treasures and original paintings and excellent commodities. Or maybe a stay at the Grand Hotel Baglioni with its sweeping grey stone stairway so typical of many Florentine monuments and wooden beams decorating the ceiling all which give you that special feeling of peace and relax.

Florence city needs to be visited during an extended period of time and if this is not feasible, then short visits are ideal to take in all the museums. And for me, one of the best ways to do this is by staying in a small town farmhouse near Florence and with your Florence car rental, enjoy small joints into the city. One of the cutest medieval towns nearby is San Gimignano, situated in the triangle of Siena, Florence and Volterra. San Gimignano is undoubtedly known for its thirteen remaining towers of the original seventy-two which once existed. Here, you can have sweet dreams sleeping in a mansion from the 14th century and have breakfast in a precious patio. Or in a rural house with high ceilings and worked iron beds.

Praise Good Italian Cooking

At some of these farmhouses there are cookery classes and it is here where I learned to cook Stracotto or ‘Pot Roast’. This is a very popular weekend Sunday meal in Italy as well as in Great Britain and North America. The Italians serve it over a delicious noodles bed of pasta enriched with the Chianti wine sauce where the others serve it with potatoes. Here goes……

Stracotto (serves 4-6 persons)

- 3 to 4 lbs. top round beef
- 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 3 medium thinly sliced carrots
- 3 medium diced onions
- rosemary leaves
- 2 cut up celery stalks
- 2 cups water
- 1 lb. ripe tomatoes ( peel, seed and cut them )
- 1 fourth cup olive oil
- 1 and a half cup Chianti or dry red wine
- 1 tbsp. melted butter
- 1 tbsp. flour
- salt and pepper as you like
- 1 lb. pasta of your choice

Roll and tie up beef and then make small holes to put the garlic into.

In a saucepan, heat the oil and slowly cook the carrots, onions and celery until soft and add in the rosemary. Push these vegetables to one side and put the beef roll in the middle and brown on all sides at the same time as you are saut©ing the veggies. Add in the tomatoes and when they are getting soft, add the wine. Boil until the wine liquid has been consumed to about one half cup and add 1 and a half cup of water and let simmer for about 1 hour more. Separate the meat and vegetables from the broth and let the meat cool. With remaining half cup of water mix the flour and the melted butter in with the broth and cook, constantly stirring it for 3 minutes. Slice meat and put the pasta and the sauce in the middle of the plate and two or three meat slices to one side and top with some more sauce if desired. Bon appetite!

This is just one of the Florence Italy recipes that I learned. Stay tuned for more!

Peter Wilson publishes for the www.florence-italy-guide.com internetsite. Peter is working on topics such as sightseeing tours around Florence and around Italy.

There are loads of road trips people take in Australia that look like a snap when looking at the map, but surprisingly translate into many hours when actually on the road.

Sydney to Brisbane is one of those road trips. You could do it quickly - as long as you don’t mind strapping a brick on to your accelerator and spending the next 12 hours trying to avoid running into the other, more sedate drivers on the road.

The other, more road-safe option, is to meander your way up the Pacific Highway, and stop off at your leisure. There’s all sorts of nooks and crannies dotted up the coast that you can drop in for a quick visit and wander.

If you don’t have a car, you should think about booking a rental car online and saving yourself a bit of cash. Sites like www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au pool together all of the current prices and specials on offer from the most popular car rental companies in the country. You can directly compare all the prices available with one click of the button to make sure you get a brilliant car hire Sydney deal.

Once you’ve piled into your motorised transport of choice, one of the first popular places for a stretch of the legs would be by the Hawkesbury River, which flows into Broken Bay, and is surrounded by, not one, but three national parks. If you only have time to tramp around one, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase is the most popular - plenty of lovely walks and interesting Aboriginal paintings scattered about at various sites. Or there’s always a spot of fishing and sailing to be had at Broken Bay itself.

Just a little further up the road you’ll find the town of Terrigal. It has followed the tradition of the likes of Byron Bay where a residual alternative vibe has been frilled up to serve a relaxed and palatable mainstream holiday feel. Artsy-crafty shops and a good street-side café culture.

Newcastle will probably be your next stop - although if you’ve paid any attention to word of mouth, you may not be eager to stay very long. But that would be a shame - Newcastle has its attractions. Like what? Well, its got five beaches (try Nobbys Beach, it’s the most popular and it has a bad name - what else do you need?), a huge student population (ie: thriving music scene), some beautiful architecture lurking in colonial buildings and terraced housing - and after a long walk you can head to Darby street to satiate your food and coffee needs.

Ever onwards and upwards will find you pulling in to Port Stephens, which is barely an hours drive away from Newcastle. If you’ve ever dreamt of dolphin spotting, then this is one of the places to do it. There’s a local population of bottle-nosed dolphins which play in the waves near the coast. You can grab any one of the innumerable charter vessels available to take you out.

From here on in, there are plenty of little towns and laid-back cities - you’ll be passing by the beach-laden Port Macquarie, the tiny resort town of Nambucca Heads, the big banana near Coffs Harbour. But you’re now fast-approaching one of the most popular corners of NSW.

The farmers came for the soil, the hippies turned up and hugged the trees, and the yuppies - well yuppies always follow the hippies and make everything fashionable and launch the careers of many hundreds of professional barristas.

The north-east corner of NSW takes in the truly picturesque towns like Bangalow, Mullumbimby, and Byron Bay; the alternative vibes of Nimbin; and tiny villages like Mooball - where the telephone poles and local servo are painted in the pattern of dairy cows. There’s rolling hills, odd communes, pretty beaches, rainforest, spectacular bushwalks and enough chilled-out vibe to make you seriously consider investing in a comby and a didgeridoo.

The local pub scene is fantastic - try to check out Byron Bay’s Beach Hotel, the Nimbin Hotel (in Nimbin of course), and the Tumbulgum Tavern (Riverside Drive in Tumbulgum - just outside of Murwillumbah), just to name a few.

It’ll be a bit of a shock leaving the area and driving through Tweed Heads, Coolangatta and the Gold Coast. Don’t worry too much about the first two towns - not much personality - all fibre glass and concrete. But the beaches can be nice.

The Gold Coast - Surfers Paradise - is where the well-off go to spend money in Jupiter’s Casino, and the young dress in sparse clothing so they can congregate in the loud, vibrating clubs that muscle up against each other in Orchid Ave. Spend a bit of time here, and you’ll eventually be making your sorry way up to Brisbane penniless or hung-over, or both.

Don’t worry, laid-back Brisbane can soothe away your travel wrinkles. You’ve got Southbank, South Brisbane and West End to chill out in, watch the river and the traffic and the people roll on by (although you can’t see the river from West End - you’ll just have to content yourself with people watching).

Alyssa Betts has travelled around a bit (from Europe and the UK to parts of Southeast Asia and Australia) and very much likes the southeast QLD/northeast NSW part of Australia. She works for http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au