Hotel & Travel Tips

Joseph Hyde Potts purchased a tract of land of 64 acres along the Sydney Harbour and named the land Potts Point – a favourite place for Sydney accommodation specials. He continued to add acreage to the land until his death in 1865. He was an accountant for the Bank of New South Wales and he married and had four children. His was one of the founding families in Sydney.

Parramatta’s population is around 19 000 and it is located 14 miles from the Sydney Central Business District. Located west of Sydney, it is considered to be the governmental seat of Sydney with numerous agencies having their headquarters there including the New South Wales Police Force, Sydney Water and the administrative seat of the LGA (Local Government Area).

The Challis Lodge Sydney has rooms from $80AU ($68US) per night. With 60 rooms over 3 levels, it offers charm for the budget-conscious. There is no elevator or internet, so it suits the traveller seeking a no-frills location. The hotel offers laundry service and each room has a TV, fridge, coffee-maker and telephone. The El Alamein Memorial Fountain is just a half-mile from the hotel and it is close to the Royal Botanical Gardens as well.

The Swiss Grand Resort and Spa is right on the beach and for $161AU ($136US) per night, it is a waterfront dream. There are 203 accommodation units, each with a private balcony. On-site gym facilities, spa/wellness centre as well as indoor and outdoor pools provide every opportunity for burning off calories from the wonderful food. Each room has air conditioning, refrigerator, modem/data port connection, safe as well as an iron. The hotel also offers laundry service.

Ravesi’s On Bondi Beach Hotel is a perennial favourite. Offering rooms from $249AU ($210US) its proximity to both Bondi Beach and St. Mary’s Cathedral make it perfect for a tourist to the area. Many of the 12 rooms have views of the beach and ocean. With so few suites, intimacy and privacy are assured. The on-site cocktail lounge, Drift, adds to the ambiance of the hotel and is a must-visit.

If in Parramatta, a visit to Max Brenner’s is essential. Primarily a dessert/ice cream/coffee shop, it offers some of the most decadent chocolate dishes. The Chocolate Pizza is truly a unique experience. For chocoholics, it is a must-visit.

The famous architect John Verge designed Elizabeth Bay House located in Potts Point, making it a must-visit for lovers of architecture and design. The Darlinghurst Theatre is located in Potts Point and with only 111 seats; it is an intimate way to enjoy theatre. Air conditioned with large plush seats it is a wonderful experience. Garden Island, near Potts Point, is the Fleet Base East home of the Royal Australian Navy.

The 333 bus takes you from Bondi Beach to Circular Quay in downtown Sydney in about 47 minutes or you can rent a car if you want to go further afield. Bondi Beach is a must-see for any visitor and finding Sydney accommodation specials will make it even better.

Sean Bond is actually a professional author who is known as a Sydney Accommodation specialist and is also recognised for working on Sydney tourist and information projects

There are a ton of hotel websites, but which one is the best? The answer is that all of them but you just need one website to search all of those other sites at one time! And that one site is, without a doubt, HotelDealsFinder.com.

The principle thing that makes Hotel Deals Finder the very best hotel site is that it searches over 30 hotel websites at once for the best deal. In other words, instead of searching all over the web for the lowest prices, you can just use Hotel Deals Finder and it does all of the hard work for you.

This ability to search for the lowest price on hotels on over 30 hotel sites simultaneously isn’t the only thing that sets it apart. There are the many excellent search features it is equipped with for finding the perfect hotel room to match your wants.

One of the coolest features is how with all of the bigger cities you can specify what part of that city that you want your hotel to be. You can pick a neighborhood you want to stay in or a city landmark that you would like to be close to. For example, in Boston, Massachusetts you can say that you want to be in Back Bay and in Dublin, Ireland you can select that you want to be near Saint Stephen’s Green.

In addition to being able to sort hotel search results by neighborhoods and landmarks, you can also sort them by cost (to find a good discount hotel) and by stars (for luxury hotels.)

Hotel Deals Finder also has some “sister sites” which have the same power to search through over 30 different hotel websites at one time so that you always get the best deal but they have a single city focus. For example there is New York Hotel Deals which is definitely the place to go to if you’re going to New York.

LA Hotel Deals and Virginia Hotels Online are two more sister sites of Hotel Deals Finder.

So you’re coming to Maui and you want to stay in a place that’s away from all the hustle and bustle of the tourist belts in Wailea and Kaanapali. I don’t blame you. The last thing I want on a vacation is to be surrounded by a bunch of high-rise hotels and hoards of rental cars. But where do you go to get away from all of this commercialism? The answer, you head over to Maui’s North Shore to a little place called Huelo. It’s just on the outskirts of Haiku and strategically located within striking distance of anything you’d want to do on Maui.

One hidden gem on Maui’s North Shore is called Huelo Point Lookout. It’s one of the few licensed bed and breakfasts on the windward side of the island.

Huelo Point Lookout is a romantic Maui hideaway owned and operated by myself, Sharyn Stone, and my husband, Dr. Jeff Stone. We have been full time bed and breakfast operators since 1998 and absolutely love what we do. We provide peace and tranquility to people from all over the world.

Huelo Point Lookout is located on Maui’s windward side and overlooks some of the most picturesque coastline on earth. And if you’ve never watched the trade winds pushing billowy white clouds across the horizon, then you’ve missed one of this planet’s most awesome sights. There is nothing like watching Mother Nature as she approaches this island paradise.

Obviously, I am passionate about where we live. This is truly a magical place. People feel healed by coming here, by simply being in this wondrous place. Every day brings something different. During the winter we watch Humpback whales breach outside our windows as rainbows arc above the bluest water you’ve ever seen. Year round cleansing trade winds blow billowy white clouds across the horizon and set the ocean raging with cresting swell and whitecaps as far as the eye can see. On land, myna birds and wild parrots fly overhead. Banana trees and coconut palms abound on our land. Everywhere you turn is beauty.

And of course, there are the accommodations. We have gone to great lengths to provide our guests with everything that a great vacation hideaway should have. Comfort and tranquility set amongst the most beautiful surroundings on Maui’s north shore – that defines your stay at Huelo Point Lookout.

Come stay with us. We’ll show you the best time of your life.

Looking for paradise and luxury on Maui, then visit www.maui-vacationrentals.com/home to find out more about the experience that awaits you.

Tropical North Queensland is full of wonderful activities throughout the year with a multitude of festivals and events that may fill your days and nights of pleasure. It is a generous land rich in beauty and adventure and the many festivals in September can help bridge the gap between good food and relaxing on the beach. Many of these events are free or relatively cheap which makes them a great way to pass time while in Australia.

September is a time for fun and festivals including the incredible Sunwater Burdekin Water Festival and the Port Hinchinbrook Fishing Classic you’ll find that the fun does not stop. The Water Festival is an event which last throughout the week and delievers a parade and Mardi Gras kind of festival which starts with an amazing food festival from around the world. The Fishing Classic is a competition that awards fisherman with prizes of about $50,000 in cash and trophies in several competitive categories. Both events are great fun for those who want to participate and for those who just want to get out and see.

Sunferries Magnetic Island Race Week is an incredible five day event and one that you’ll really appreciate if you are in the region in early September. This event is an annual sailing regatta which takes place at the beautiful Magnetic Island and all races are held from Peppers Blue. This amazing event is a lot of fun with many activities for spectators to attend as well.

Cairns is a wonderful city to visit and if you love music and history, then you’ll want to be sure and attend the City Reggae Festival. This event is a celebration of 12 hours and takes place in the Aboriginal Cultural Park, which allows you a chance to visit and learn about one of the original cultures of the earth while enjoying the music and Reggae. Three stages will host shows during the long day and will include a variety of groups from Jamaica, New Zealand and Africa, plus some local bands as well. This is a fabulous outdoor event that is fun for the whole family.

The incredible thing about the Tropical North Queensland is that there are always events and festivals taking place over the region so if you can not take your holiday during the one of the many festivals in September, do not worry. There are many events taking place in this region throughout the year.

If you are planning a holiday to Cairns you should check out www.tropicalnorthqueensland.com. Here you will find everything you want on cairns hotels. You can also use this site to look at and reserve palm cove hotels and much more.

One of the best ways to explore New Zealand is to journey by car. Get Car Rental New Zealand promptly and easily by going online and making a booking at DriveNZ.co.nz. Budget automobiles start from about NZ $35 a day and there are discounts for longer periods. Simply collect your keys from the agent at the airport and drive away.

One area of amazing scenic and cultural interest is the upper North Island, and travellers can visit this region by keeping in line with the week long upper North Island road tour. This starts and comes to a close in Auckland, the largest city in the country. Home to in excess of one million inhabitants, it is located on a slim piece of land squeezed between the Tasman sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean on the east. It is an eye catching seaside city, with an up-to-date cosmopolitan flavor and multi-cultural make up.

After exploring the sights of Auckland, you then commence your journey in earnest, travelling 240 kilometre’s north to Paihia. Located in the beautiful Bay of Islands, the town is an ideal place to spend day number 3, sitting back on the beach or visiting some nearby historical areas, such as Russell, the initial capital of New Zealand.

Day 4 involves the longest drive on the tour, from Paihia to Rotorua. The excursion is 474 kilometre’s and takes 7-8 hours. Rotorua is a big tourist centre, and vacationers flock to see the boiling mud pools and geysers and enjoy the healing thermal springs. Cultural performances are often put up by Maori cultural groups, and if you have the opportunity to see one, it is an awesome experience.

On day number 5, you drive only 80 kilometres to Taupo in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand. Thousands of years back, a major volcanic eruption created what is now Lake Taupo, and the town overlooks this beautiful natural wonder. It is a scenic town and during the summer, it attracts many water sport zealots. On day number 6, you journey on to Whitianga, in the Coromandel, a area widely known for its unpopulated beaches and amazing scenery. You finish your tour on day number 7 in Auckland, where you can once again make the most of all that the city offers.

With such an exhaustive itinerary, you will surely have made the most of your time, and will have had the opportunity to see some of the most impressive places in NZ’s North Island – DriveNZUAW0810.

Auckland Car Hire is affordable and unbelievably easy to arrange with DriveNZ. Start your trip with Auckland Airport Car Rental.

If you have chosen Kauai as your desired Hawaii vacation destination, you are way ahead of the game. Now you must decide between a condo, home or hotel room. This can be confusing without properly understanding the amenities each type of property has to offer.

First, let’s consider Kauai Condos. Here you will find more space than traditionally available than hotels, which can be important if you are a family traveling or if you simply value your privacy. These condos often have one or more bedrooms, living rooms, and full kitchens. With this type of arrangement you have more flexibility than afforded you with a hotel room, giving you the opportunity to prepare your own meals if you wish or simply relax in comfort.

Kauai Vacation Home Rentals are even bigger than condos, offering more space to spread out. This can also be an important advantage for traveling families who may find themselves cramped in hotels or even in condos. Many such home rentals also offer washer and dryer facilities, an important consideration for extended vacationers who do not wish to use Laundromat or dry cleaner facilities.

Honeymooners or couples traveling to the island for a romantic getaway will delight in the complete and utter privacy made available through a vacation home rental. Enjoy a completely private dinner by candlelight while watching the reflection of moonlight on the ocean, all from the privacy of your own oceanfront dining room.

Both of these types of accommodations are generally less expensive then hotels. In fact, many visitors are frequently surprised by the affordability offered by Kauai vacation home rentals. They are also great for families seeking additional privacy. This option is popular with multiple couples who can share rooms in these rentals to further cut expenses, as well as families who choose the island as an exotic backdrop for their next family reunion.

In addition, while many people may be attracted to the daily rates available at hotels and be turned off by mandatory weekly rates for some vacation rentals, it is important to note that this is not always the case. In fact, many properties available through Kauai vacation rentals are available with both very affordable daily rates as well as weekly rates. Not planning to stay an entire week? Book a condo, bungalow or home rental with a daily rate instead and take advantage of the numerous amenities available only through a vacation rental.

Beyond the affordability factor, vacation rentals present travelers with the freedom and comfort of home, all located in an atmosphere that is relaxing, beautiful and perhaps most importantly, private. Whether you’re looking for a beachfront villa, private oceanfront luxury home, ocean view resort condo or a quaint Kauai cottage or bungalow, you can take advantage of all the many amenities offered through Kauai vacation rentals.

Business travelers are not immune to the benefits offered through vacation home rentals, either. With the availability to conduct business and conferences in private along with private lanais for entertaining while enjoying sweeping ocean and mountain views, many business travelers feel this provides a perfect blend of amenities and privacy.

Kauai Hotels have more elaborate lobbies, grounds and pools. There are generally shops and restaurants in the hotel and they have daily maid service and a bellman to help with luggage.

One thing to note; however, is that Hotel facilities such as the Spa, golf and restaurants are available to everyone, even if you are not staying there. In addition, many condo and vacation home rentals are also available with similar amenities as hotels, including access to fabulous golf courses and spa services. Through arrangements with property managers you may also be able to schedule regular maid service for your vacation home rental as well, taking the worries and hassles of picking up after yourself while on vacation completely out of your hands. With the wide variety of restaurants available on the island, preparing meals in your vacation rental is truly an option you can either take advantage of, or if you wish you can instead try a delicious new restaurant each day of your stay.

Finally, an advantage many hotels cannot usually offer that is often available with vacation home rental is the availability of private beach access. When staying in a hotel you are at the mercy of public beach access; and while this is certainly fine for many vacationers, others prefer a more intimate and private atmosphere in which to enjoy the fantastic sunsets and ocean views. Kauai vacation home rentals provide this amenity, allowing you to truly relax in comfort and privacy.

This article brought to you by Apollo Bay Hotels in conjunction with Barossa valley wineries

One apartment you walk into looks great, the next one looks horrible. You are looking for a place to live and finding it frustrating. You should be aware this is just the nature of the beast. Apartment choosing is not easy but with some preparation work it should go smoother.

View the apartment yourself. Your own opinion can not be replaced with the reviews of others. This is too important of a decision to relay on others. You must see the apartments with your own eyes.

We all have different priorities on what we would like in an apartment. You have to be there to experience what it might be like to live their first hand. There are a few tips to use when going through this process.

Online is a great place to find resources in searching for an apartment. You must first start by figuring out what you wish to pay for rent.

Make a budget and calculate how much monthly rent you can afford. Decide on you top amount. You must stick to this.

Ask yourself what you would like to have in your apartment setting. Knowing what is essential to you will help you know what you are willing to pay an additional cost to have. Before you go looking, ask yourself if amenities like a pool and view are worth the extra cost to you.

You have decided on a budget and an amenities list. Your search can now really begin. Prioritizing your list of essentials will help narrow down your search. Start calling around, make appointments, and go see some apartments.

The quest to find an apartment that fits your list exactly may not be possible to fulfill. You probably will find one with most of what you want and you will have to settle on things that are not at the top of your priority list. By doing a little work before hand to prioritize what you want, you will find an apartment that is right for you.

This author additionally regularly gives advice about things including wood floor registers and heating vent.

It’s hard to think of a golf rush town anywhere in the Victoria region that is better preserved than Beechworth. It’s magnificently restored central area consists of some stunning 19th century buildings. The streets have a very special ambiance, aided by the numerous old pubs brimming with character and the many cafes and restaurants where you can while away the hours over a drink or a plate of good food. For shoppers there are a large number of galleries and handcraft shops – enough to keep even the most avid browser occupied for many hours. Beechworth accommodation options are extremely varied – you will find everything from basic camping sites to luxurious hotels.

At the bottom end of the price range you get quite a number of hostels and hotels. If you’re on a tight budget and all you need is basic but clean accommodation, these are perfect for you. It’s always advisable though to find out a little more about an establishment before making a reservation for a room. Try one of the many online booking sites where visitors can leave comments about or rate a particular establishment.

The time when hostels were aimed solely at backpackers or young people is long gone. No matter how old you are, if you are young at heart and love to mix with other guests a hostel is an excellent option for you. Most hostels offer kitchen facilities, so you can cut the cost of your meals substantially by preparing one or more meals yourself. To stay connected with those at home is easy nowadays, since the majority of hostels have guest computers with Internet connections. An increasing number also have wi-fi connections. A nice feature of most hostels is the public area where guests can just chill out and make new friends.

If you are travelling with your family, or perhaps two or more couples together, self-catering units might be your best bet. It will give you everything you are used to at home at a much lower cost than staying in a hotel. The units usually come with kitchens that are fully equipped. You are likely to have a TV lounge as well as a comfortable dining room or breakfast nook. Depending on the size of your party, you can rent a one, two or three-bedroom unit. There will most likely be a small supermarket on the premises and more upmarket establishments have luxuries such as swimming pools and sports facilities.

Should you love camping and the outdoors, there are a large number of camping sites and caravan parks to choose from in Beechworth and its immediate surroundings. Before checking in, ensure that the sites are equipped with electrical connection points and that the public bathrooms are well kept and clean. In summertime it’s a good idea to try and get a site that is at least partly in the shade, since it can become unbearably hot in a tent or caravan.

If you don’t want to rough it too much, yet you like a more personal experience than you will get at most hotels, the many B&Bs in the area should strongly appeal to you. Beechworth has B&Bs in all price ranges, so regardless of the size of your wallet you are bound to find something suitable. While (mostly) not as luxurious as hotels, they nevertheless offer all the comforts you are used to at home, with the added bonus of a much more personal atmosphere. If you like meeting other guests over breakfast and to share stories over the dinner table, this is the perfect option for you.

As far as hotels are concerned, Beechworth has a wide range to choose from – once again to suit all budgets and tastes. If you simply want a decent, clean place with private facilities, there’s a variety of hotels catering for your needs. And if you are a sophisticated world traveller who wants the best a hotel can offer, you will be surprised at the level of services provided by Beechworth’s top hotels.

Beechworth accommodation options truly cater for all tastes and budget ranges. Regardless of your choice, you are going to have a superb time in this lovely part of the country.

Learn the advantages and benefits of getting a Beechworth accommodation for your next holiday. When you choose the beautiful accommodation Beechworth offers, you will be able to enjoy all of the events and activities taking place in the area.

After wedding, honeymoon is one of the most memorable moments of one’s life. Coupes want to go to the honeymoon destination which offers them wonderful memories to treasure for a lifetime. But where to go is very important. If you are feeling trouble deciding where to go to celebrate your honeymoon, you can get help with honeymoon planner. Honeymoon planners make your honeymoon tour hassle-free. At first think about what type of destination you want to celebrate in. If your interest is lush green climate what better place can be than Kerala, India?

Kerala is one of the most premier honeymoon destinations in India. Celebrating honeymoon in Kerala – God’s own country – is like celebrating honeymoon in green paradise. Kerala is a beautiful state in the sub-continent of India.

The state is blessed with lush green natural beauty, breathtakingly beautiful beaches dotted with palm coconut trees and mango groves, enchanting backwaters, breathtaking hill stations, rich flora and fauna. In whatever the region of Kerala you will travel in, you will find all around greens and greens. On your Kerala Honeymoon Tour you will find that there is no lack of lovely spots and scenic locations in Kerala, South India.

At first we discuss about some major facts that draw the attentions of honeymooners from all around the world and make Kerala a premier honeymoon destination. Think its Honeymoon Tour and think about Kerala’s lovely lakes which are capable to sensitize honeymooners. Think honeymoon tours to Kerala backwater and think breathtaking backwaters which are capable to cherish lovers and honeymoon couples. Think Honeymoon in Kerala and think beautiful hill stations gifted with verdant lush green nature which are capable to create perfect ambience for tourists and honeymooners.

Think Kerala Beaches – a perfect romantic spot – which are speculated with palm coconut trees and extraordinary natural beauty. Think Kerala and think hospitable people to help you and great accommodation to provide you excellent facilities. Besides these what a honeymoon couple demands for.

If you want to enjoy real experience of your honeymoon tour, you must explore the countryside, hill stations, beaches and backwaters of Kerala, South India. its is not only popular among honeymooners but also among other tourists, like nature lover, adventure and sports lover, beach lovers, etc. While you will on Kerala backwater tour you will have opportunity to enjoy its Houseboat sailing through the breathtaking backwaters of kerala, South India. its Backwater or its houseboats Tour is a part of its beaches Tour and very popular these days among honeymooners and tourists.

Besides beaches, backwaters, houseboats, wildlife and hill stations, its is also known for Ayurveda – the traditional Indian medical system of preventive health care. These days its also attracts a large number of tourists for Kerala Ayurveda Tour. So, there are several tour packages to travel in Kerala. Think what type of tours packages go well with you. Either you embark on Kerala beaches tours or wildlife Tours and its hill stations Tours or Honeymoon tours to its Backwater, Houseboats, Ayurveda, Beaches, Wildlife and Hill Stations it doesn’t matter all of them are capable to impress you with their extraordinary charm.

Read my latest articles on Discovering the Ecstasy of Houseboat Tours in Kerala and Kashmir and do check out my website for my other Travel Articles .

This time my family and I visited Livingston, a town in the Caribbean side of Guatemala, Department of Izabal. Livingston is a town with a unique population. It is a mixture of Garifuna, Mayan and Latino People. So you will see a very different culture from the rest of the country. These guys are famous for their dancing and food.

For our adventure to this side of the country after a lot of research we decided to stay in a beautiful hotel called Hotel Gil Resort. Now, this isn’t a big luxurious hotel, instead it is a cute, tiny, kid friendly, family owned hotel overlooking the Caribbean Sea. But I loved it, The service was great and the rooms were nice.

The first thing that I loved about it was getting there because after a couple of hours of roads you have to take a small boat in the Puerto Barrios town to get there. That is the only way! The boat ride isn’t too long but it is along the Caribbean Coast so you get some beautiful sights.

I was impressed when I heard that this 14 room hotel was founded 62. We were lucky enough to stay in one of their ocean view rooms and I loved it.

Some other things this hotel offers area restaurant where they offer trypical Guatemalan dishes, seafood and the most traditional dish of the region “Tapado” which is a different kinf od seafood soup. There is also a bar, a private dock, a jacuzzi, semiprivate beach and boat service.

We really enjoyed our stay there and we even took one of the tours they offer to a place called Seven Alters which is a place with a bunch of beautiful waterfalls where you can take a swim. But that’s not the only attraction of the area. There is also Playa planca, one of the only white sanded beaches of Guatemala, San Felipe Castle and Rio Dulce.

I would highly recommend this region of Guatemala to anyone that is planning on visiting this side of Guatemala.

Marina K. Villatoro, has lived in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for over 10 years. She’s traveled these parts extensively and now loves to organize vacations to these amazing parts of the world. With her first hand experience, she can recommend the best options for you. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!