Summer's end is fast approaching in the Northern Hemisphere, and with that in mind, there is no better time to start planning a trip to Australia. Only, Australian summer (in your winter) means high tourist season in the Lucky Country, which in turns also means busy city beaches in Sydney. You may have heard of a little place called Bondi Beach. It's the type of place that hits the dream lists for travelers to Australia, and rightfully so. The stadium style beach front, good surf waves, and a large gathering of people from all over the world add to the vibe.... but sometimes it is literally just too packed for its own good! In those cases, I often recommend a little beach town up north of Sydney, only a short 30 minute ferry ride away from Circular Quay, called Manly. Not only can you enjoy the beach in Manly, but you can explore the city's offerings as well. Visit Manly Sea Life Sanctuary This aquarium is home to sea turtles, penguins and sharks to name a few. If you'd like a closer look at some endangered gray nurse sharks, the main feature is now the Shark Dive Xtreme – an attraction where you can literally dive with sharks. Heck, you can even make it a date night! http://www.manlysealifesanctuary.com.au Take up kayaking Manly Kayaks has two locations: One off the West Esplanade and another on the Manly Wharf. It's a great place to pick up some kayaking for a sea kayaking adventure, rent a stand-up paddle board, or sign up for a combined yoga and paddle group. http://www.manlykayaks.com.au/ Visit Manly Markets The Manly Markets run every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Here you can find a variety of stalls including food, produce, clothing, crafts and more. Plus, they're open air which means you get to partake in the market while still enjoying the pleasurable surrounds of Manly. http://www.manlymarketplace.com.au/ Take a walk Manly boasts dozens of picturesque walks in its surrounds from paved strolls to harder journeys for hikers. Manly to Shelly Beach, for example, is a leisurely walk that takes about 40 minutes to complete, making it a nice addition to a Manly visit. http://www.manlyaustralia.com.au/information/what_to_do/walksViews.asp Have a drink at Wharf Bar What better way to end the day in Manly than to sit back on the wharf with a cold beer in hand? The Wharf Bar has prime real estate, making it the perfect location to watch a sunset or be inspired by water views. http://manlywharfhotel.com.au/
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Best of Italy's Summer Music FestivalsComments: 0Rating: 0 / 0
Summer vacation in Italy? That's music to everbody's ears - no matter what type of tunes you like to listen to. From sacred music to jive, from Puccini to Diana Krall, There's a wonderful range of summer music festivals scheduled across Italy catering to all tastes and budgets. Here's a look at just a few of the many....read more
Five Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Los AngelesComments: 0Rating: 0 / 0
Los Angeles is definitely known for its foodie scene. While not every restaurant in the city is “family friendly,” there are definitely some that welcome young diners. Here are my top five recommendations for kid-friendly restaurants in the City of Angels....read more
When Hotels Lack Affordable Amenities: Three Things To Research Before You Check-InComments: 0Rating: 0 / 0
I was on my way to Chicago and began to wonder about the parking at my hotel. A quick search had my mouth dropping in wonder. I quickly found out that the hotel’s parking cost nearly $50 for self-parking and almost $60 for valet. When you factor in staying three nights, the parking amenities would end up costing nearly the price of my stay. Especially in big cities, hotel amenities that are free or affordable can be hard to come by for the traveler. You need to look for ways to cut back the sting of those big-ticket items. From parking to Internet, here are a few areas that you can research before you check-in to avoid just accepting the hotel’s budget breaking amenities....read more
A Toasted Ravioli Tour of St. LouisComments: 0Rating: 0 / 0
I was just like other travelers before me as I stood under the Arch in St. Louis. I am in the Gateway to the West not for any particular reason, other than toasted ravioli tasting. The stomach filling and diet-breaking dish was reportedly born out of the Italian neighborhood southwest of the city. Ravioli can just be ravioli, but in St. Louis it is fried up like a fluffed up pillow and served as an appetizer, even if that palette starter is heartier than the main course. In order to understand this quintessential St. Louis food, you must do as I did, go taste it at some of the supposed best restaurants for toasted ravioli. Here are three tastings of toasted ravioli in St. Louis that are sure to leave stomachs bursting and taste buds satisfied....read more
Visit Kid-Friendly Oslo, NorwayComments: 0Rating: 0 / 0
Norway’s capital city of Oslo is one of the most kid-friendly destinations in Europe. Here are some ideas for great ways to spend time as a family (and learn about Norwegian culture and history) in this vibrant and cosmopolitan city....read more
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