Travel

A dream vacation around the magical land down under features high on pretty much everyone’s bucket list. From swimming the Great Barrier Reef, to watching the sunset at Uluru, to hanging out with actual kangaroos and koala bears, the attractions of Oz are too many to list. Whether you’re planning a long road trip around this vast country or maybe embarking on a popular working holiday, one thing you’ll need to consider is logistics. Australia is more of a continent than a country, spanning three million square miles and packed with dozens of cities, sights and beaches. The worst thing you can do is land in Oz without a proper plan in place. Here are some tips on how to plan your dream trip to Australia.

Map it All Out

Your starting task also happens to be the most fun part of your prep. Travelling around a country the size of Australia can actually be incredibly challenging, despite the high-quality infrastructure. Have a map, either on your phone or the old-fashioned way, and make sure you have every stage of your route properly planned out, with plenty of backup options for when you inevitably miss the train or your car rental breaks down in the middle of the desert. Always make your starting point somewhere with plenty of infrastructure that is well-connected.

Whatever you do, don’t just draw out a route on a piece of paper on where you’d like to go without seeing if it’s actually feasible or not. Driving across Australia can take several weeks, and going from one major city to another may involve a four-hour flight with a transfer in between, so always check the logistics every step of the way, before you start to make any notes on that trusty map of yours.

Start with the Cities

A little fact about Australian geography; most of the country’s civilization is clustered into a little corner in the east of the country, which is where you’ll find the top three biggest cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane (Perth is the cheeky little outlier in the West of the country). These should be your starting points as well as your hubs in between other places you plan to stop off. They’re also the places where you should allot the greatest amount of time for, as exploring them properly can easily take weeks.

Oz’s big cities are global melting pots of culture, nightlife and entertainment, with some of the most renowned bars, museums, restaurants and sports teams in the world. Make sure to schedule in some things you want to do in each city before you land, and prepare by buying tickets or making your reservations, as these are all super busy cities. If it’s your dream to see the Sydney Swans in action, then make sure to book your tickets in advance, and to claim your bets on Oddschecker well-ahead of schedule. Same goes for anything else. Basically, if you have an Australian Bucket List, make sure to have a similar list for each city you’ll be spending time in, and plan accordingly.

What to Pack (and Download)

Once you’ve got everything planned, mapped out and booked, it’s time to finally start packing! There are a few things you’ll definitely need to survive your Oz adventure, so let’s get straight down to business. Make sure to buy at least a couple of Australian Power Adapters for your plugs, as they won’t be easy to come by once you’re in the country. Get some very high SPF sunscreen and make sure it’s completely waterproof. Bring along a classic Lonely Planet Guide Book in case you’re in need of inspiration, a waterproof phone case, and a sturdy water bottle for those long stints in the desert.

There are also some handy apps you can download; when you’re in the city, download The Happiest Hour for live info on all of the best happy hours and food deals across all of Oz’s major cities. Get LiveTrekker for when you’re on the road or in more rural areas (operates on GPRS so 4G signal not necessary), and of course the Stayz app through which you can book accommodation anywhere in the country. Happy travels and stay safe!

Are you unable to afford a trip away? Would you love to escape the demands of daily life? Are you extremely close to reaching the end of your tether? If your answer to these questions is yes, you should seriously consider arranging a staycation. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to enjoy the benefits of a holiday, without any of the costs. However, your staycation will only be a success if you take the time to plan ahead. Below are four steps that will guide you through the process.

Overhaul your living space

Before you do anything else, you will need to overhaul your living space. Failing to take this step will make it impossible for you to enjoy your staycation, as you will be spending your time in a cramped and cluttered home. This is your chance to take control of your property. Throw away the old items you no longer need, experiment with a new layout, and invest in attractive accessories. You could even go all out and place towels on the end of your beds, along with some mini toiletries and a couple of fancy chocolates.

Find fun activities to enjoy

The next step is to find fun activities that you can enjoy in your local area. This is an excellent opportunity for you to inject some much-needed excitement into your staycation. Instead of falling into step with your usual schedule, it is important that you push yourself to do something different. If you are wondering how you to go about this and try something new, you should go online to visit Ticket sales. There is no better place for you to find incredible tickets at affordable prices. From musical displays to sporting events, there is no end to the amount of fun that you could be having.

Organize delicious refreshments

You could also have a lot of fun organizing delicious refreshments to enjoy throughout your staycation. If you are a keen chef, you should take the time to look through your favorite recipe books. Are there any ambitious meals that you wouldn’t usually have the time to try out? Perhaps this is the ideal chance for you to put your culinary skills to the test. Alternatively, if you are looking for an easy life, you could explore your local takeaways and restaurants. Just try to find somewhere that you haven’t visited before, as this will make it easier for you to believe that you are on holiday.

Take plenty of great photographs  

Finally, you should endeavor to take plenty of great photographs. The fact that you haven’t left your local area shouldn’t stand in the way of you getting beautiful holiday snaps. After all, if your staycation goes to plan, it will be an experience that you want to remember. That is why you should set yourself the challenge of taking at least five photos each day. You should also learn the basics of polaroid photography, as this is a brilliant way for you to mix up your photo collection.

As hosts of the 2018 Fifa World Cup 12 cities located across Russia have been selected to host world cup matches. Examples of which include St Petersberg, Moscow, and Sochi. To discover predictions to the nearest match and how some of the largest world cup stadiums have fared, simply continue reading.

Traveling to Russia during the World Cup: Review of the stadiums

1. The Luzhniki Stadium– Moscow

The Luzhniki Stadium, which is located in Moscow, is the largest of Russia’s world cup venues and can seat 81,000 spectators, so it’s clear to see why the Luzhniki Stadium was selected to host the first game of the tournament as well as a semi-final and the Fifa World Cup Final. The Luzhniki Stadium is scheduled to host 7 matches and has received rave reviews as tourists have found the stadium a breeze to navigate and love the view most seats give spectators of the pitch.

2. Saint Petersberg Stadium – St Petersberg

Saint Petersberg Stadium which has a capacity of 67,000 seats also has impressed international tourists. As it’s a modern newly built stadium, which was opened in 2017. Better yet the Saint Petersberg Stadium is fully enclosed so that spectators and players are protected from the elements. Like the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, the Saint Petersberg Stadium is set to host 7 matches, including a semi-final match, whilst the majority of Russia’s World Cup stadiums will host just 5 world cup matches.

3. The Fisht Stadium – Sochi

The Fisht Stadium is a modern stadium which was built in 2013 and boasts a sizeable capacity of 48,000 seats and provides every spectator with a great view of the pitch. Which international spectators love as one of the reasons why soccer fans from a wide variety of countries have traveled to Russia for the Fifa World Cup is to gain a real-life glimpse of their favorite soccer stars. The Fisht Stadium is set to host one of the world cup’s four action-packed semifinal matches. Which is sure to be hotly contested.

4. The Ekaterinburg Arena – Ekaterinburg

While the Ekaterinburg Arena was built in 1957, soccer fans still have raved about their world cup experiences at the Ekaterinburg Arena. The arena can comfortably accommodate 45,000 excited soccer fans as part of the arena has been opened up to accommodate extra stands. The Ekaterinburg Arena is set to host 4 matches.

5. The Kazan Arena – Kazan

The Kazan Arena was built in 2013 and can host up to 45,000 enthusiastic soccer fans. As the Kazan Arena is well designed and a breeze to navigate, the large, world-class stadium has been selected to host one of the world cup’s 4 world cup quarter-finals.

6. Nizhny Novgorod Stadium – Nizhny Novgorod

The Nizhny Novgorod Stadium was built specifically for the Fifa World Cup and as a result is extremely popular with spectators as it’s been designed to host soccer matches, whereas some of the other stadiums featured on this list host a variety of sports events. The Nizhny Novgorod Stadium has a capacity of 45,000 seats and is set to host 6 matches, including a quarter-final.

In conclusion, Russia has really stepped up, when it comes to producing world-class venues which spectators will love!

Hong Kong is one of Asia’s most prominent city states, and over the last few decades, it’s developed its well-deserved reputation as a place which should be on everyone’s travel bucket list. Combining a gorgeous harbor and natural beauty with plenty of attractions to sample, like shopping centers and cultural destinations, there’s so much to do here that you’d need weeks or months to get it all in. But to shorten the list a little, here’s a summary of the top places to visit in this truly global city.

Shopping malls

Hong Kong is one of Asia’s top shopping destinations, and it boasts a whole range of both accessible and top-end malls which are certainly worth checking out if you’re a shopaholic. Those who fancy doing a bit of luxury shopping can head to the Times Square Mall in Causeway Bay, where outlets such as Salvatore Ferragamo and Tiffany can provide you with the goods you’re looking for. And if you’d prefer to head to a mall with some less high-end brands on offer, the Tsuen Wan Plaza Mall has stores like H&M for you to try.

Cultural venues

However, Hong Kong is also known for its many cultural sites. Those who love museums can head to the Hong Kong Museum of History in Tsim Sha Tsui East, for example, where can they learn about everything from the Opium Wars to the influence of Japan on Hong Kong. And if you’d like to visit an art gallery, why not check out the Opera Gallery on Wyndham Street – which features a range of exhibitions and showcases lots of talented artists? There’s no shortage of culture here in Hong Kong, and the best bit of all is that the small size of the city and the top-quality MTR public transit system means that you can easily move on to another venue if you, or any children you have with you, get bored

Schools and colleges

Hong Kong is home to a number of prestigious educational establishments, and whether you’re considering enrolling yourself or your child, or you simply want to see what these buildings look like from the outside, you’re in luck. The University of Hong Kong’s Main Campus in Pokfulam, for example, boasts a beautiful main building designed in a Baroque style. And the school for Americans in Hong Kong on Man Fuk Road in Ho Man Tin is also worth a visit, although tours are by appointment only.

Hong Kong is a fascinating place to live, work or even just to visit, and there’s plenty of culture and fun to soak up just by walking the streets. But if you’re looking for a specific activity, you’ll be spoiled for choice here. Culture vultures and shopping fanatics alike will find something to fill their days with here, and from top shopping venues to amazing educational institutions there are plenty of top attractions to visit in this city – so don’t miss out!

There’s no better way to celebrate your long-awaited vacation than by opening the throttle and chewing up the asphalt this summer. The cross-country road trip is an American classic — and for good reason! With over four million miles of highways, the US has some of the most scenic drives in the entire world. From the California State Route 1 to Route 66 and everything in between, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to itineraries. The only thing holding you back from exploring the open road is your budget.

If you’re worried your finances may put a premature stop to your adventure this summer, take a look at the following tips. These hacks will save you money while you see the sights.

1. Use a budget

A budget isn’t just to keep your household finances balanced throughout the year. This financial tool is there to help you figure out how you can achieve specific goals, like road tripping across the country. Most financial experts suggest tracking your expenses for at least three months. This gives you a good idea of how your money flows in any given month. It also offers insights into what you can realistically afford.

On the flip side, you should also research the expenses you can expect to pay on your trip. Things like gas, tolls, accommodation, and food are high on your list, but don’t forget to balance your budget with unexpected automotive maintenance and medical emergencies. Investopedia’s made a general guide here, but it’s a good idea to confirm these costs on your own.

2. Use GasBuddy.com

Though gas isn’t as high as it has been in the past, it’s still an expensive addition to your trip. You can keep your cost at the pumps low by downloading GasBuddy to your phone. Its app helps you find the cheapest gas stations anywhere in the US. You may also win a weekly draw for a $250 gas card if you regularly update the app with the prices of the gas stations you pass.

3. Brush up on basic automotive maintenance

Do you know how to change a tire or jump your car? If the answer is “no” then it’s time you learn these automotive basics.

While there are some issues only a professional should tackle, there are plenty of small repairs you can take on yourself. When you can make these repairs on your own, you can avoid some expensive automotive bills that may cut your road trip short.

4. Expect the unexpected

Sometimes you’ll encounter speed bumps on your trip that surpass your novice skills with a wrench. A fender bender, unresponsive brakes, or transmission issues may force you to call AAA. Though you may not enjoy thinking about these worst-case scenarios, it’s important you know how you’d pay for them. As mentioned above, a well-made budget will have some savings set aside to cover these emergencies. But if necessary repairs surpass what these savings can cover, would you know how to fill in the gaps?

Before you take off, do some research on online payday loans. When you can find fast online payday loans, you’ll be able to pay for your repairs quickly — sometimes as soon as one business day after you’re approved. In some cases, some lenders like MoneyKey make it possible to manage your account from an app, meaning you can check in wherever you have Wi-Fi — on the road, in a hotel, or back at home.

Compare this to conventional loan sources, which may take weeks to come through. Every hour spent waiting on complex borrowing processes means you’ll see less of the country, so make your choice wisely.

5. Bring along a car mattress (and other camping gear)

Depending on where you plan on driving, you can skip the hotel and sleep in your car. While your car seat may not provide a comfortable resting place, you can convert the back seat or trunk space into a temporary bedroom with just an inflatable car mattress. These beds balance in the rear section of a sedan or the larger trunk space of a van and/or SUV. Once set up, they give you a comfortable place to catch some shuteye. Best of all, they’re a fraction of the cost of one night’s stay at a hotel.

As long as you keep to safe areas that you’re legally allowed to park in overnight, you’ll cut some expenses out of your budget. Many of these places often end up being national camping parks, so come equipped with camping gear. The best campsites offer full washroom facilities and other amenities, and they’re always cheaper than a hotel.

The road trip is America’s quintessential summer vacation, and it’s something everyone should try at least once. Don’t let something like finances put the brakes on your chance at adventure. Experience the open road by taking advantage of these financial hacks and you’ll keep our cross-country trip affordable.