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Cities, Trip Ideas, International Travel

5 Best Ways To Have Fun In Sydney

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Unlike many other slow-paced corners of the world, Sydney does not lack versatile options for having fun, especially for couples. Whether it is a new watersports competition, an art exhibition or a road-trip, this city always has some new event on the horizon.

Depending on your preferences, you can fill your days with long relaxing strolls along the beach, or daring adventures both in the wild and in the city.

As a pair of adventure enthusiasts, and lovers of this iconic city, we’ve compiled a list of our absolute favorites when it comes to organizing your fun time. Let’s take you through our top fun choices in Sydney, and prepare you for the time of your life!

Visit the Royal National Park

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An endless source of Zen, healing energy, as well as adventure activities, the Royal National Park is just a ride away from Sydney’s CBD (central business district), and perfect for nature enthusiasts. You can start with a picnic, surrounded by the tranquil greenery. Next, hike over the coastal path, which is a staggering 26 km long. You can opt for just a single section or have an occasional break.

The entry fee is only $12 per day per vehicle, and you can stop by any of the barbecue-friendly spots, sunbathe on the beach, take a bike ride, or even organize a weekend stay with your better half in the Reids Flat Cottage.

Climb the Harbor Bridge

If you are interested in a fantastic view of the city as well as the ocean and wish to experience an incredible thrill, then a Harbor Bridge climb suits you best. You can choose from a variety of daytimes, climbing angles and depending on the weather you will have a completely unique experience and a mesmerizing view.

The climbs are organized in small groups, so make sure to book your spot in advance. Each climb takes a while unless you want the express version. There is a wide range of prices, including some that go over $300, so save up and take the climb!

Awaken Your Inner Child

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Has it been a long time since you’ve carelessly jumped and goofed around like a kid? No matter your age, a perfect way to have fun and spend your day laughing and getting surprisingly tired is to visit a grown-up-friendly trampoline park in Sydney where you can unleash all that positive energy.

Purchase an all-day pass for $35. Just spend an hour or two jumping around, flipping, and bouncing. You will most likely end up wanting to book your next visit as soon as possible. Just so you know, every 10th visit is free! Why not use this perfect chance to remember that invaluable feeling of being a kid, with not a single care in the world, because that is precisely what you will get when you spend a few hours monkeying around.

Go to Luna Park

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Another way to inspire your childlike energy is to visit Sydney’s famous amusement park, Luna Park, with its retro sections and modern rides. For just $52, you can get an all-day pass and enjoy those rides that are suitable for your height and age.

Once you get past the creepy clown entrance, you’ll be immersed into a timeless world of rides such as the old-fashioned carousel. The crazy rotor and the devil’s drop are just a few of the exciting rides that await. Come get lost in the mirror maze and travel in a space shuttle. Finally, you can wrap up your visit by having a nice refreshing drink and a meal in some of the cafes.

Ride a Hot-Air Balloon

You’ve seen the videos, and you’ve read the stories, but you’ve probably never tried this old, romantic visit to the skies. Fortunately for all couples in love, Sydney offers hot-air balloon rides perfectly designed for you and your soulmate to spend a few hours exchanging those sappy glances and enjoy a dazzling view of one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

The Hawkesbury Valley flight on a weekday costs $259 per person and includes a bus ride to the balloon, souvenir photos, a certificate, insurance and about an hour of flying above the city and enjoying a spectacular view.

These are just a few among many of our favorite things to experience in this majestic city that will bring a lasting smile to your face, give you invaluable moments of memory and make your fall head over heels in love with Sydney!

Author’s Bio

Gabriella Diesendorf is a freelance writer from Australia and a devoted mother of two kids, two cats, and one large dog. She loves badgering about pets, green lifestyle choices, and parenting techniques, and if you mention attachment parenting, she will bore you to death.

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Trip Ideas, Cultures & Customs, Travel Inspiration, Festivals & Events, Top 10 List

10 Most Unique Christmas Traditions Around the World

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Our planet is a multicultural place. That means that people around the world celebrate many different holidays at the end of the year, from Hanukkah to Kwanzaa, among many others.

However, with Christianity being followed by one-third of the global population, Christmas is celebrated by many nations and in many countries. Still, these Christmas traditions vary greatly, both from country to country and from continent to continent.

Here are our top 10 most exciting traditions from different countries:

The Philippines

The Philippines is the third largest Catholic nation in the world. No other country’s celebrations come even close to Philippine style celebrations. Filipinos have the longest celebration in the world, starting in September.

There are nine days of Christmas masses in a row, which have the name of Simbang Gabi. On the last day of Simbang Gabi, which is Christmas Eve, the mass service is actually called “Misa de Gallo.” That’s Spanish for “The rooster’s mass”.

And there are also festive of parols, star-shaped ornaments traditional to the country, which brighten the windows of the houses during the entire holiday season. These are the lights which reflect the Star of Bethlehem in design. Their name comes from the Spanish word “farol”, which means lantern.

In the Philippines, Merry Christmas is “Maligayang Pasko”. Try to remember this if you plan to spend the holiday season in this magnificent country!

Sweden

The Yule Log is the traditional Christmas in Sweden. It greatly differs from both European and American traditional celebrations. For example, instead of wood, the Swedish go with a goat. The Yule Goat, or the Julbok, isn’t a live animal. It is made almost entirely of straw and originates from mythology. The Swedes have adopted it as part of the modern Christmas tradition warmly. However, not everybody in Sweden is happy with this holiday symbol.

For example, the town of Gävle has set up a giant Julbok annually since 1966. Since that very same year, people in the town have tried to torch, kidnap or vandalize the symbol in one way or another. Over the half of the goats have fallen victim to what the town authorities call vandalism.

By the way, Merry Christmas in Swedish is “God Jul”. Memorize this congratulation, if you are going to celebrate Christmas in Sweden.

Australia

In Australia, the holiday season falls in the summer. In fact, these might be the hottest weeks in the whole year. So Christmas in Australia is more often characterized with electrical storms and brush fires than with snowstorms.

However, that doesn’t prevent Australians from getting into the Christmas spirit. One family from Canberra even broke a world record by decorating their property with 31 miles of lights.

Some Australians try to follow British traditions. In these families, you will surely see a roast turkey, a steamed pudding, and gingerbread on the Christmas dinner table. However, most people in Australia head towards beaches during Christmas for barbecues. Plum pudding with ice cream is also served traditionally, in an attempt to tolerate the Australian Christmas temperatures.

Finland

Finland is the perfect place for Christmas. Joulupukki, the Finnish Santa Claus, waits for visitors in Rovaniemi, the hometown of Santa in Lapland. However, Christmas in Finland is not all about snow, Santa, and reindeer.

There are several traditions, which you won’t find in any other place in the world.

For example, in South Finland, a formal ceremony takes place at noon, with reading the Declaration of Christmas Peace. With some changes, the document has been read annually since the 13th century. It states that the holiday “shall under aggravating circumstances be guilty and punished according to what the law and statutes prescribe for each and every offense separately”.

It means to never mess with Finnish Christmas! The declaration also wishes the inhabitants of the country a joyous Christmas holidays.

In Finland, people wish each other “Hyvää Joulua” on Christmas!

Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, single girls and women perform an unusual ritual on Christmas to find out if they will get married next year or not. With her back to the house door, a woman throws a shoe over her shoulder. If the shoe lands with its heel towards the door, the woman will stay single. However, if the front of the shoe faces the door, she can start wedding preparations.

If you want to wish somebody Merry Christmas in the Czech Republic, you should say “Veselé Vánoce”!

 

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Slovakia

In Slovakia, during Christmas dinner, the head of the family takes a full spoon of Loksa (a traditional Christmas dish, made of bread, poppy seed filling and water), and throws it up onto the ceiling. There is a belief that the more that sticks to the ceiling, the richer that the family will be next year.

In Slovakia, Merry Christmas is “Veselé Vianoce”!

Ukraine

In Ukraine, Christmas is celebrated on January 7.

The traditional Christmas Eve dinner must contain 12 dishes, relating to the number of the Disciples of Christ.

Christmas dinner doesn’t start until the first star appears in the sky – it is a symbol of a Christmas Star, which showed the way to the Kings when Christ was born.

Also, on Christmas, people gather in groups and perform a unique Christmas performance, called vertep. It usually tells the story of Christmas, reminds the popular of national traditions or pays attention to the modern social problems. Traditionally, vertep includes Maria and Joseph with baby Jesus, Shepherds, which were first to greet the birth of Christ, Kings with presents for the Savior, an Angel, a demon, a Jew and a goat. People go from house to house, performing vertep, singing carols and wishing the hosts all the best in the new year.

In Ukraine, people congratulate each other, saying “Shchastlyvogo Rizdva” (Merry Christmas) or “Khrystos narodyvsya” (Christ was born).

Venezuela

In Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, people go to Mass on roller skates on Christmas morning! The local authorities even close the main city roads for this matter.

To wish Merry Christmas to somebody in Venezuela, say “Feliz Navidad”.

Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, people also celebrate Christmas on January 7th. People traditionally dress in white clothes on this day. Men also play ganna, a fast-paced game with sticks and wooden balls.

“Melkam Genna” is how they say Merry Christmas in Ethiopia.

Cuba

Every December, the Cuban city Remedios hosts the Parrandas festival. The city is divided into two halves, each building a sculpture from light bulbs. These sculptures then compete against each other. 

“Feliz Navidad” works for Cuba too, if you want to say “Merry Christmas”, as Spanish is country’s language as well.

 

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Winter Travel, Trip Ideas, Cultures & Customs, Travel Inspiration, Top 10 List

10 Summer Destination Ideas for a Christmas Vacation

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If you are tired of spending Christmas the same way every year, bored with the view of snow and ice and eager for new experiences, try choosing a summer destination for your Christmas vacation this time.

Celebrating Christmas among sandy beaches, warm waters and palm trees, instead of snowstorms, ice sculptures, and traditional ornaments.

Isn’t it a wonderful idea? Here are our top ten summer destinations for your Christmas vacation:

Australia

During Christmas time, Australians enjoy sun baths, diving and drinking cocktails on the beach, as the holiday season falls during the summer in this part of the world.

What could be better than spending Christmas diving with colorful fish in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef? Cairns, for that matter, has become one of the most popular Christmas destinations in recent decades.

Barbecues on the beach, tours to the wine lands of the Yarra Valley and road trips along the Great Ocean Road are also popular Christmas activities in Australia. And you can build a sandman, instead of a snowman, if you want.

Fiji

If you really want to escape from it all and have a week or two just relaxing on a sandy beach with a refreshing cocktail in your hand, Fiji is the perfect choice for you!

A stunning archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, surrounded by crystal waters, coral reefs, and rich marine life, is probably the closest you can find to heaven on Earth. It is populated with the friendliest folk on the planet and offers numerous activities for travelers. No wonder, Fiji is one of the most popular summer destinations in the world!

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka usually experiences monsoon season from October until January. However, the southern part of the island is generally dry from October until April, which makes December a perfect month to visit.

The island offers much more than just the sun and the beach. You’ll also find a fascinating culture, ancient cities, rich history and prosperous wildlife. Visit the Nala National Park and watch leopards, colorful birds, monkeys, crocodiles, and elephants.

Or explore the jungle while sitting on the back of an elephant. Or watch the magnificent sunset on the coast of the Indian Ocean.

Your Christmas in Sri Lanka will be unforgettable!

Thailand

If your idea of a perfect Christmas includes white sandy beaches, unique culture, and delicious food, then Thailand is a perfect destination for you. The “land of smiles” offers its visitors a warm welcome and a warm climate, diverse wildlife, and cultural heritage, various entertainments and Buddhist temples to explore.

Thailand is really the best value for your money!

Indonesia

The Indonesian island of Bali is a wonderful travel destination all-year-round. There’s no way it will disappoint you during the Christmas vacation. Like Thailand, it offers great value for money and both day and night entertainment features.

During the day, Bali offers surfing, lying on the beach under the shadow of a palm tree or exploring the island. While during the night, you can enjoy the vivid club life with great music, dance, and low-priced drinks. Thousands of people go to Bali every year to celebrate Christmas and New Year in the tropical climate and pleasant, friendly atmosphere!

Mexico

Mexico offers numerous destinations for a warm sunny Christmas vacation. Swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, explore the Mayan sites in Cancun or enjoy the taste of Mexican delights in Puebla. 

This includes mole, a chocolate sauce with chili peppers, cinnamon, and fruit. In Puebla, you can also take part in the Christmas night procession, which represents the biblical story of Mary and Joseph looking for shelter. It starts downtown and walks throughout the neighborhoods of the city.

By the way, its proximity to the United States of America makes Mexico one of the most popular Christmas destinations among American citizens.

South Africa

South Africa is another fantastic place, which receives plenty of sunshine in December and January.

Enjoy a hot air balloon ride in the bright blue sky on an aerial safari as you look for elephants, giraffes, and zebras. Visit Ukutula Lion Park or a penguin colony on Boulder Beach, near Cape Town. Or spend Christmas day diving with Great White Sharks.

Christmas in South Africa will surely be an experience you’ll never forget!

Caribbean Islands

The Caribbean region is a perfect destination for visitors from the USA. Its geographical proximity, favorable climate, and the regular air connections make it one of the favorite places for Christmas vacation among travelers from the USA. Of course, island such as the Bahamas, for example, are dream destinations all-year-round.

But who could refuse to spend Christmas time among deserted sandy beaches, clear warm waters and out-of-this-world views?

Christmas celebrations in the Caribbean follow many American traditions nowadays. However, they are complemented with an abundance of traditional local festivals, carnivals, and other festivities. In the Cayman Islands, you can even meet their very own Caribbean Santa.

Holidays are also the great time to visit Barbados, with its endless blue sea, soft sand, and unique traditions. No matter, what island you choose for your Christmas vacation, the Caribbean will not disappoint you!

Spain

If you would prefer to spend your Christmas vacation in the Old World, but still want to bathe in the rays of a warm sun, then Spain should be your main choice. The Canary Islands are not as hot as Africa, but winters here are warm enough for a pleasant vacation.

Also, if you feel adventurous, you can explore the island’s soaring volcanoes or sail in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

United Arab Emirates

When you’re looking for Christmas vacation opportunities in a summer climate, you can’t leave Dubai, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, out, of course.

In this metropolitan city, you can ice skate, watch a fountain show or visit the famous Dubai Aquarium. The shopping enthusiasts will be excited to hit the huge Dubai Mall. This is the world’s largest shopping mall by area, which hosts over thousand different stores.

However, if Dubai is too much for you, and all you want is some peace and quietness, head towards the nearby island of Abu Dhabi, where you can relax and kayak in the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf.

 

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Cultures & Customs, Festivals & Events

5 Epic Art Festivals Around the Globe

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Art festivals are microcosms of international art. They are a unique opportunity to explore up-and-coming artists displaying their art.

Contemporary art festivals are an attraction for art fiends. If you love musing over distinct forms of art, then these festivals can be a heaven for you.

Travel to some of the world’s most stunning locations and enjoy both cutting-edge and traditional art. Or, if you are an artist from heart, head to one of these fests for a renewed sense of inspiration.

International Fair of Contemporary Art

Foire Internationale d’ Art Contemporain is in the vibrant city of Venice, Italy. Contemporary art is celebrated. You’ll encounter both unique and breathtaking pieces. Held in October, visitors come to gawk at the beautiful specimens of Contemporary Art.

Venice organizes the fest in Grand Palais. It provides a majestic background for brilliant art pieces. Around thirty countries partake in the fair. You can visit during October and gawk at the beautiful specimens of Contemporary Art.

The city provides a majestic background for brilliant art pieces. Over 30 countries participate in the fair.

Biennale of Sydney

Biennale of Sydney might be one of the oldest art festivals in the world, but it is by no means less modern. Australia showcases its contemporary art scene with pride. Over a hundred international artists present their pieces in this festival.

Photo by 1717 Wikipedia CCBYSA 3.0

Every other year, this festival is held from June through September. The city diligently works to welcome visitors. There are both guest lectures and tours. Also, free film screenings are offered!

Hong Kong International Art Fair

As of 2016, over 40 countries take part in the Hong Kong International Art Fair. It is the youngest of all art festivals.

Artists flock to display their masterpieces here. From classical plays to antiques, a bit of everything is presented to an appreciative audience.

Have your pick and savor the art before you. Collectors have the opportunity to purchase unique art pieces.

Art Basel, Switzerland

Switzerland started hosting Art Basel in the late 1970s. Inspired by its success, Miami also began hosting its own Art Basel. Both festivals are patrons of contemporary art. Get to know burgeoning talents as they present their art.

Allow the passion mirrored in their art to inspire you. Explore three hundred galleries in four days–it may be a challenge, but it is also a great reward.

You can also shortlist the events you’re most interested in seeing. Some prefer to wander aimlessly throughout the festival.

Whitney Biennial, NYC

Art is not just paintings and sculptures. It embodies so much more. Whitney Festival of America (in New York City) showcases this philosophy well.

Photo by Brent Nycz CCBYSA 3.0

Art is welcome in all of its forms. Dancers and musicians provide both refreshing perspectives and inspiriting performances.

You’ll enjoy the opportunity to watch films and hunt down quirky art galleries. Enjoy this festival, as it provides a launching pad for many young and unrecognized artists. You’ll experience both a whole new and modern twist to art.

Find your muse at one of the many Art Festivals scattered across the globe. Whether you’re a creator or collector, there is a perfect festival for you!

Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Bucket List, Adventure Travel

Scuba diving at Great Barrier Reef: An Experience of Lifetime

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When you visit ‘the land down under’, i.e. “Australia“, definitely explore the Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage Site, that stretches for more than 1,243 miles along the Queensland coastline.

It is the only “living thing” on earth visible from space. Yes, corals are a living organism. And, snorkeling and scuba diving cannot get any better than at Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. 

The Great Barrier Reef is home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 411 types of hard coral, one-third of the world’s soft corals, 134 species of sharks and rays, 6 of the world’s seven species of threatened marine turtles, and more than 30 species of marine mammals.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of Earth’s most important marine environmental system. Due to ecological and environmental changes, the Great Barrier Reef is in high threat of coral bleaching and loss of biodiversity.

Scuba diving in Cairns, Queensland was my first ever underwater water experience. I was very nervous but the first breath underwater is just so amazing.

There are many companies that have great day package for scuba and snorkeling at great barrier reef. I also got my first certificate from PADI.

The Great Barrier Reef is Australia’s as well as world’s most remarkable natural gifts with the breathtaking beauty of the world’s largest coral reef and abundance of marine life. An experience of a lifetime and definitely a must add bucket list.

The beautiful corals and biodiversity put me in awe. Some fishes came near and said “hello”. The corals were breathtakingly beautiful. In that moment I could connect so much with the sea, and the underwater life and habitat.

A living clam, corals, colorful fishes and turtles — all nearby, everywhere! I am glad that I did this!

The Great Barrier Reef as seen from above.

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International Travel, Did You Know

10 Fun Facts About Australia

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Australia is the only nation which is a whole continent in itself. Many a times, we just think Australia as cricket loving, opera loving, land of kangaroos and deadly critters! But there is so much more to it.

Here are 10 interesting and fun facts about Australia. They will excite you for your trip to the Oz, the land that’s Down Under.

16 WORLD HERITAGE SITES

You would not regret visiting Australia. It has 16 world heritage sites. Whoa! That is wonderful. You can’t just miss them. And before you ask, yes, the Great Barrier Reef is in the list and so is the Sydney Opera House.

DIVERSE CULTURE

We all know that Australia is full of diverse culture. But this would come as a surprise. Did you know, there are over 200 languages spoken in Australia?

After English, the most popular language is Greek. That is understandable as Melbourne has the highest Greek population next to Athens.

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

The beautiful architectural marvel Sydney Opera House was designed by Danish architect, John Utzon. Because of the difference of opinion with the government, he later resigned from this project. It was built and later inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II.

The sad thing is John never got to see how his design became such a wonder. He died in 2008. John never came back to Sydney.

THE NULLABAR PLAINS

The Nullabar plains have both the longest section of straight railway track as well as the longest straight road. Traveling on both of these would be interesting.

The railway section is 478 km long, whereas the road is 146 km long. Go on for the once-in-lifetime ride of the Nullabar plains.

Runway on the Nullarbor Plain by Firstac5 CC BY-SA 4.0

LOTS OF SPACE

Australia is heaven for all the people who want space. The population density here is very less. In U.K it is 248.25 persons/square kilometer.

But here it is just three persons per square kilometer. Those who hate crowds can have fun here. Or maybe even think of migrating to Australia if you like empty spaces.

KANGAROOS

Australians love kangaroos. So one day they decided they will use them as a symbol in their coat of arms. One interesting thing is both Emu and Kangaroo cannot walk backward.

So it was a symbol of moving forward for the Australian Government. It means Kadima (Forward in Hebrew).

UNSOLVED MYSTERIES

There are a lot of mysteries in Australia. It is an intriguing fact that Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared. You read that right.

In 1967 he went for a swim on Cheviot beach. He has been missing since then. Nobody knows what happened to him.

BEAUTIFUL BEACHES

If you want to uncover the mystery, go to the beach. Australia has around 9900 beaches.

If you say it in a fancy way, it will take you 27 years to visit each beach in Australia. That sounds time-consuming. But we hope you are going to opt for the best.

POKER

Do you love playing poker? If you do Aussies can teach you few things. Because up to 80% of the adult population are engaged in gambling. Twenty percent of world’s poker machines are in Australia.

New South Wales has the highest number of pokers in Australia. Hope you win much in beginner’s luck, though you should not make gambling your passion.

SPORTS CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

Lastly, Australia is known as the sports capital of the world.

But surprisingly, it is also one of the most obese countries according to a 2012 study. Approximately 63% of the population is overweight. They are not as healthy being a sports-loving nation, eh?

 

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