There are many activities for young and old on the Gold Coast. They include:

Extreme sports
The Gold Coast is home to many adventurous people who love the beach. They also love extreme sports. A visitor can indulge in some daring activities whilst at the Gold Coast. Some extreme activities you can enjoy on the  Gold Coast include, bungee jumping, jet skiing, water skiing, and mountain biking.

Theme Parks
The Gold Coast is an ideal place for a family holiday. The area is home to five theme parks. They range from movie studios to water themed and animal parks. Each is easily accessible and a thrilling experience for the family.

Beach Activities
The Gold Coast is home to many of Queensland’s most spectacular beaches. Each beach is patrolled and watched by life savers. The beaches are pristine with white sands which seem to stretch to the horizon. Swimming at the beaches is generally safe if all instructions, such as swimming between the flags, are followed.

Bush Walking
Many people who visit the Gold Coast remain near the beach. But there is considerable the beauty inland. The rugged mountain ranges and beautiful scenery of the south east Queensland interior is perfect for long moonlight bush walks. Camping and bush tours are also available.

Hot Air Ballooning
Hot air ballooning is a popular way to spend an afternoon on the Gold Coast. Sailing gently above the clouds looking down upon the perfect beaches is an awe inspiring sight. Hot air ballooning is romantic, inspirational and relaxing. The vistas below stretch for untold miles as does the sky above. It is a perfect mixture of sea and sky reaching for the clouds.

The Gold Coast is one of the Queensland’s most popular tourist destinations. It is particularly popular with school leavers in late November and early December each year. People who like to party regularly visit the Gold Coast. They leave with good stories to tell their friends at home. The area is also well suited for families who wish to visit theme parks or see spectacular natural scenery. The water lover is equally catered to with extreme sports and beach activities, and let’s not forget the famed surfing. Overall the Gold Coast is the perfect destination for a holiday.  For more information on Gold Coast activities, visit the Gold Coast Tourism website, VisitGoldCoast.com

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About The Author : Tom Mallet is an Australian freelance writer and journalist. He writes extensively in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the US. He’s published more than 500 articles about various topics.
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Images: VisitGoldCoast.com

Namale Resort & Spa, Fiji
The sensual Namale Resort in Fiji that was recently featured on The Bachelorette TV series, has announced a promotion that offers 2 free nights when you book a 5 night stay (7 nights for the price of 5).

This resort is known for tropical  seclusion and a  dramatic setting on a volcanic cliff overlooking the Koko Sea.  The 5-star Namale Resort was recently voted the “Best Hotel for Romance in the Pacific” by Trip Advisor readers.  It has just unique 19 bures and villas – each one designed with romance in mind.  The Holiday Romance Package includes two free nights in the accommodation category of your choice, all meals and beverages, round trip airport transfers, fully stocked min-bar, daily laundry service, access to the Namale Spa Hydrotherapy Room, and complimentary activities including horseback riding, golf, snorkeling, kayaking and waterfall hikes.  The promotion is in effect from now until February 28, 2012 – so it’s a perfect choice for Valentine’s Day!  Rates at the resort start at approximately $975 per night.

The backpackers you choose to stay at in Australia will have a big effect on the amount of partying and surfing you manage to fit in.

The surfer’s choice hostel in Brisbane is Sleeping Inn Surfers Paradise. There’s always something happening at Sleeping Inn Surfers Paradise, with a range of seasonal activities catering to all tastes and skill sets. The hostel is located just minutes walk from the Surfers Paradise famous beaches, and offers free boogie board hire for aspiring surfers looking to hit those summer waves. Make the most of free activities including dive-in movies, BBQ and limousine pick-up. Private and dorm rooms from €19.50pppn.

Backpackers in Sydney should head down to the Cronulla Beach YHA. Home to famous reef breaks such as Cronulla Point and Shark Island, Cronulla Beach is the perennial surfing locale south of Sydney city. Cronulla Beach YHA is a modern budget backpackers’ accommodation located only a few minutes’ walk from the sandy shore. Grab one of the hostels free bodyboards and attempt to catch a wave! Surfing lessons are available from local companies and can be booked through the hotel reception. Shared rooms are available from €24.20pppn.

Far from your typical Byron Bay backpackers hostel, Evans Head Surf Shack is the perfect mix of budget accommodation and adventure experience. A hidden treasure, the hostel offers 3-day package deals consisting of transport to Byron, meals, surf equipment, daily surf lessons, surfboard factory tours, sea kayaking, dolphin watching, yoga sessions and more. Package prices are from €72.74pppn.

Finally, San Simeon Beachfront Apartments is the ideal place for backpackers in the Gold Coast to those looking to ride some waves. Right on the surf beach at Tugun you’ll find the San Simeon Beachfront Apartments with superb 1 and 2 bedroom accommodation. Every apartment has a balcony with Pacific views as well as a full kitchen and laundry facilities. There’s also a swimming pool on site and a rooftop spa and steamy sauna, for adults only. You can also enjoy Wi-Fi, tennis courts and a games room with video games and a pool table. Prices start from €9.53pppn

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About The Author:  Shing Mon Chung | Online Marketing Executive | HostelBookers.com Ltd  e: ShingMon.Chung@Hostelbookers.com | t:+44 (0)20 7406 1800 | f:+44 (0)20 7406 1801
a: 52-54 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6RL
Registered Number: 2841908 England
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New York
The managers of New York HI love Christmas and New Years, they say it’s the best time of the year to enjoy the city. They put on three festive activities a day for guests from mid-December to early January, including guided tours of the New York illuminations, trips to enjoy the Christmas carols at the Harlem Gospel Church and welcome parties with free cocktails. They’ll also help you on your mission to spend New Year in Times Square or in a nightclub with your fellow travellers.

Prague
Sir Toby’s Hostel invites all guests to cook and eat a great Christmas dinner together for free. Their large kitchen is perfect for communal dining and you’ll get to meet some great people around the Christmas turkey who are sure to have some interesting travel stories to tell. Whoever is so inclined is then encouraged to enjoy Midnight Mass in English at the nearby Anglican Church.

Sydney
Blue Parrot is the best place to spend a social Christmas in Sydney. The inn is run by two sisters who know how to create a warm, family atmosphere. They’ll be giving out little Christmas presents to everyone staying on December 25, and they’ll also be the opportunity to join in the “Secret Santa” by offering a small gift to another traveller. Customers can also enjoy a tradition Christmas dinner menu, which includes turkey, pudding and also a barbecue with grilled kangaroo. At New Year the sisters will bring their guests to watch the Sydney Harbour fireworks from the comfort of a small park known only to the locals after a day of picnic relaxing under the sun of the Australian summer.

Rome
The B & B Smart in Rome has got some exciting things planned for Christmas and New Year including traditional Italian Christmas decorations, champagne and delicious lunches and dinners cooked especially for the occasion. Afterwards you can enjoy the evening fireworks held in the city or, for anyone wishing to attend the Christmas Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, it’s within walking distance.

Amsterdam
Cocomama Youth Hostel is offering a delicious hearty dinner on Christmas Eve with games and films to be played afterwards. On New Year’s Eve customers can join the employees on foot to the nearby Museum Square where the concerts and NYE activities takes place.

London
The Generator Hostel celebrates Christmas in true English tradition from 24 December 26. During the day, Christmas films will be broadcast and in the evening they’ll be holding a lottery where you can win bottles of champagne. A free cocktail is offered to anyone in Christmas-themed dress. On New Year’s Eve the Generator is holding its own party featuring a DJ and karaoke and with many prizes and a glass of champagne for each customer.

Get Christmas dinner at the Clink Hostel in London on Christmas Eve with lollipops and wine. Then on Christmas morning guests can come to a pyjama party where you can get breakfast until noon and then play billiards, quizzes and games and on Boxing Day, you can join in with a fun game of bingo.

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About The Author:  Shing Mon Chung | Online Marketing Executive | HostelBookers.com Ltd  e: ShingMon.Chung@Hostelbookers.com | t:+44 (0)20 7406 1800 | f:+44 (0)20 7406 1801
a: 52-54 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6RL
Registered Number: 2841908 England
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Photo Credit:  HostelBookers.com

Auckland
New Zealand’s largest city also boasts a large and diverse wine region. Some of the country’s oldest and most established wineries can be found in the Auckland area – vines were first planted in Northland in 1819, four hours north of the city. The region is best known for Bordeaux style wines, including Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays, which can be sampled at the 100 or so wineries scattered across Northland, Keri Keri, Warkworth and Matakana to the north of the city and Waiheke Island and Kumeu, closer to the city.

Gisborne
On the most easterly point of the north island, Gisborne is beautiful, charming and steeped in Maori culture. It’s also New Zealand’s 4th largest grape growing region, concentrating on Chardonnay and other white varietals including Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer and Riesling. Gisborne is very sunny – in fact, it’s the first wine region in the world to see the sun every day! The vineyards and wineries are close to Gisborne city. Just to the west is the Bay of Plenty, best known for its rugged landscape and beautiful surf beaches – it’s a popular holiday destination for many New Zealanders.  Flights to New Zealand operate out of all international airports.

Hawke’s Bay
On the east coast of North Island is Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand’s most popular food and wine destination. The temperate climate and beautiful rural landscape is home to some of New Zealand’s best wineries – lots of sunshine and different soil types make it an ideal viticultural region. While Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape, the long ripening season provides perfect conditions for red varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. You’ll need at least a day to sufficiently eat and drink your way through this area!

Wairarapa
Wairarapa is a great weekend destination from New Zealand’s capital, Wellington. With quaint little towns and a spectacular mountain backdrop, wine is just one attraction of the area. Wairarapa is best known for its boutique wineries and eateries – particularly in the town of Martinborough. While the volume of wine production in Wairarapa is low, the area is internationally recognised as producing some of the best quality Pinot Noir wines.

Marlborough
Marlborough is New Zealand’s largest wine producing region, and is arguably home to the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc. Its location on the north eastern corner of NZ’s south island is recognised as one of the world’s best places to grow Sauvignon grapes. It also makes very good Chardonnay and Riesling and is fast developing a reputation for high quality Pinot Noir. The city of Blenheim is the hub of the area, and most of the region’s wineries can be reached from here. There are, however, many wineries to visit so you’ll want to give yourself a good couple of days to do it justice. Blenheim is also just a 20 minute drive from the spectacular Marlborough Sounds.

Nelson
A haven for artisans, food and wine lovers, Nelson is a charming wine region just two hours south of Marlborough. The town has a certain alternative feel, and boasts not only boutique and picturesque wineries but beautiful golden beaches set against snow capped mountains. Nelson vineyards concentrate on grape varieties suited to cooler conditions, with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir accounting for most of the grapes grown.

Canterbury
Vast and sweeping plains join the Southern Alps of New Zealand to the east coast of the South Island in Canterbury, a relatively new wine region. Despite being in its infancy, the area is fast becoming recognised for its Riesling and Pinot Noir wines. The city of Christchurch is the heart of this region, from which most of the wineries can be reached.

Central Otago
Last, but definitely not least is Central Otago, a region often referred to as the most picturesque wine producing area in the country. Wine tasting is just one of the activities to enjoy in this region, with the ski fields and a plethora of adventure activities attracting visitors from all over the world. Queenstown is the main city, and the many wineries in the area are recognised for their quality Pinot Noirs. Give yourself at least a few days to experience all that this area has to offer.

Fine wine is one of New Zealand’s main attractions, so make sure you include a trip to its world class wineries when you next visit. If you’re a wine connoisseur, you need to sample the Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, Rieslings and Pinot Noirs that have helped make New Zealand an internationally acclaimed wine destination.

Written by Guest Author:  Samantha Deavin

Photo Credits:  #1 Boston Public Library, #2 Flickr:westius, #3 &4 Flickr:Philip  #5 Flickr: iambents

Australia is famous for its beaches and with very good reason. They are some of the most beautiful and least crowded of any country, anywhere in the world. You don’t have to go far off the beaten track to get a stretch of warm golden sand all to yourself.

If you’re visiting Australia, a beach visit is a must, and touring from beach to beach is a wonderful way to spend a week or two. Most travellers arrive in Sydney, where it’s easy to hire a car and travel along the coast in any direction- you’re absolutely sure of finding good spots to soak up the sun and try out the surf.

Between Sydney and Melbourne there is more than 1000km (621 miles) of coastline, much of it accessible to the public. Some of it is rocky, some sandy. Some of it is surf beach and some stays flat and calm in almost any weather. There are long stretches of pristine national park and a few patches of real wilderness with no roads, just walking tracks. Every now and again there is a small town offering caravan park, bed and breakfast, and hotel accommodation. Travelling between them is easy and stress free, and never boring.

There are lovely beaches within a stone’s throw of Sydney city centre but the first real gem is Jervis Bay. Here a typical Australian coastal town nestles into a national park and sits on the edge of some of the clearest, cleanest waters you could hope to swim in. Many of the beaches in this area are gently sloping and very flat. They’re ideal for less confident swimmers, for snorkelling, and for scuba diving.

Jervis Bay is a haven for marine life. Get into the water almost anywhere and you’ll be swimming with dozens of different fish. Warm currents bring brightly coloured tropical visitors to waters along the southern coast in summer and early autumn, and many of these make it as far as Jervis and the beaches around it. Some lucky visitors encounter dolphins too.

Batemans Bay

Another short drive and you’ll reach the town of Bateman’s Bay, one of the busiest on the south coast. This is a great place to take a boat tour or try the local restaurants but once you’ve finished in town head for Guerrilla Island.

It’s a well-kept secret and a favourite with scuba divers.

Guerilla Island

The high, rocky island is reachable by foot at low tides and offers gorgeous sea views.

Further south again, you’ll travel along the Sapphire Coast and reach the town of Merimbula. The beaches here are just as good as any others along the route and Merimbula has one very special extra attraction- whales. Southern Right, Minke, Pygmy Right, Brydes, and Humpback whales all visit this region. So does the biggest animal on Earth, the magnificent Blue Whale.

One possible next stop (there are many) is the Lake’s Entrance, where the Gippsland Lakes meet the sea. Aside from an excellent surf beach this is a good place to fish or just walk along the famous 90 Mile Beach. The golden sand is actually a little over 90 miles long. It’s the third longest stretch of unbroken sand in the world.

Before arriving at the hustle and bustle of Melbourne city, it’s worth stopping once more and visiting Phillip Island. It’s famous for the nightly penguin march- something visitors are welcome to experience as long as they’re willing to sit quietly and let the beautiful little fairy penguins go about their business- and it’s also one of the best places to see koalas.

The stops listed here are nothing more than suggestions. There are so many wonderful places to visit that it would take years to write about them all. Drive along the coast road and you’re absolutely sure to find gems of your own.

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About The Author:  Jess Spate grew up wandering the beaches of South East Australia but now lives in Wales, where the coast is just as beautiful but the water is a lot colder! She edits an outdoor clothing website and also works for Appalachian Outdoors, one of America’s leading camping gear stores.
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Photo Credits: #1 Flickr: sarah c, #2 Flickr: pierre poulequin,
#3, #4, Jess Spate

Let’s get an idea of the setting first. Most of Borneo’s great caves are well away from major towns and cities in the middle of the jungle. The light-aircraft flight to the tiny airstrip that serves Gunung Mulu’s surprisingly luxurious cave resorts is not for the faint of heart but it does give visitors a wonderful view of a lush, dark green carpet of rainforest broken only by winding brown rivers. The rainforest seems to go on forever, but all of a sudden vertical white limestone walls rise straight up from the jungle floor. Spectacular isn’t a strong enough word.

The paths that take you to the cave mouths are usually boardwalks set slightly above the surface. It’s obvious that real efforts at sustainable eco-tourism are being made, and as you walk towards the cave of your choice you’ll almost certainly see huge butterflies in blue, white and green (don’t try to photograph them- you’ll waste hours and they’re very good at flitting away at the last second), countless rainforest birds, lizards, and insects. Lucky walkers might hear or even see monkeys, hornbills, and otters by the rivers.

The massive cave chambers are favorite daytime haunts for several species of bat. Deer Cave could comfortably accommodate about 40 747 aircraft but instead it’s home to about a million bats. It’s well worth walking up to the viewing platforms outside the cave mouth to see them spiralling skywards at dusk, hunted by hungry birds of prey.

You can walk through some of the caves yourself- Deer Cave is open to the public- or take a more adventurous guided tour through one of the wild caves- no non-slip stairs and even boardwalks here. Some of the wild trips involve swims through pools, scrambles up and down rock faces, squeezes through narrow passageways and every underground challenge an adventurous caver could hope for. A trip to River Cave is highly recommended. You’ll be taken to the cave mouth in a local river boat and explore the first part of a rushing underground river that flows for more than 100km under the mountains.

The giant cave systems of Borneo are only just being deeply explored. They’re quite new to science, but in most cases the efforts to encourage tourists are refreshingly sympathetic to the needs of the local population and the rainforest. It may be because the developments are so new. The tourist operators don’t have decades of bad habits to break and the boardwalks, in-cave lighting, and other facilities were installed with the latest and best understanding of cave ecosystems. Whatever the reason, visiting Borneo will let you see caves that are some of the biggest and most awe-inspiring in the world and also the most pristine.

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About The Author: Jess Spate is a keen caver and rock climber. She works as a consultant to websites in the travel industry, most recently with  Marriott timeshare points resale resources and Wyndham timeshare for sale sites.  She travels frequently in Europe, South East Asia, and Australia, but her experience in Borneo ranks as one of the best holidays she has ever taken.

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To introduce the new flight route, Qantas is offering a free stopover in Brisbane on your way to Sydney for the promotional fare of $1,078 round-trip.  The introductory fare includes the $300 fuel surcharge, and must be purchased by May 5th for travel between July 30 – 9/10/11. Fares are available from connecting cities at very attractive add-on prices.  Check all the details at Qantas.com.

The Fiji Islands are calling with a fabulous family vacation deal – Kids Fly Free to Fiji!

A South Pacific island probably hasn’t been the first destination that comes to mind when thinking about a family vacation – but on second thought – why not???  The Fijian islands are a wonderland for every water based activity imaginable, and the Fijian people are some of the friendliest folks on earth.  And as the Aussies know, (Fiji is a popular vacation destination for Australians) many of the resorts have extensive kids programs and offer amenities that will make your family feel right at home.  Couple all this with an incredibly great exchange rate (1 USD =2 FJD), and you have the makings of a great vacation opportunity.  We traveled with our kids to Fiji, staying at the Fijian Shangri La Hotel, and had a fabulous time snorkeling on the Coral Coast, playing Golf on their 9 hole course, lawn bowling, windsurfing – you name it!

You can save even more money by booking one of  Travel2′s family vacation packages – here’s a sampling:

• Sonaisali Island Family Vacation, 8 Days from $419 per person, which includes 7 nights lodging, a jungle cruise, breakfast daily, airport transfers, and a village tour…. PLUS, Kids under 12 eat free!
• Sofitel Family Vacation for 8 Days from $449 per person, including 7 nights at the Sofitel Resort and Spa, breakfast daily, and kids under 12 eat dinner and breakfast free.
• 7 Day Fiji Island Cruise Vacation from $649 per person, including 2 nights at the Sofitel Resort and Spa with breakfast daily and a 4 night Northern Yasawa Islands cruise with all meals included.

BULA, go learn to hula!!!