Category Archives: Australia

Adelaide’s Upcoming Festivals that Explicate the Cultural Affluence of Australia

Australia, owing to its magnetic allures and irresistible charms, is one of the biggest holiday destinations in the world. The nation tempts millions of vacationers to net tickets on flights for Australia. Apart from the many sightseeing attractions the nation prides itself with; Australia also hosts an exciting assortment of fantabulous festivals and events throughout the year. With September 2014 already here, not much time remains before the Christmas and New Year celebrations envelope the country and the city of Adelaide. But before that, there are two festivals that are wonderful feasts for tourists who are already in Australia or are all ready to snap last minute deals on flights to the South Australian capital of Adelaide.

OzAsia Festival, 3rd – 20th September, 2014

A significant highlight on the South Australian calendar, OzAsia Festival is a premier cultural gala event of the nation that celebrates Australia’s amazing relationship with the Asia along with its rich culture of traditions, food, and arts. The carnival showcases the wonderful blend of rich artistic offerings from Australia and Asia, each year. This year, the cultural journey is planned to continue till Adelaide’s sister city, Shandong Province, China. The different events that will be part of this 2 week long festival pertain to various themes, such as film, theatre, dance, music, visual arts, food, and design culture. Most of all, the one event that’s sure to catch the fancy of most merrymakers in Australia is the Moon Lantern Festival which sees over 20,000 people in Elder Park participating in a traditional Asian lantern ceremony.

Feast Festival, 15th – 30th November, 2014

Feast-Festival

Feast Festival by Jenny Scott/ CC BY

A fantastic feast for all the senses, Feast Festival of Australia is undoubtedly worth the cost of air tickets for boarding flights arriving in the nation. A major event on the festival calendar and South Australia’s largest LGBTIQ curate cultural festival, the carnival successfully lures people from all parts of the world to participate in this 15 days long gala celebration. Transformed into an international event, the festival invites global business people, community members, and arts industry professionals to share their ideas and thoughts on a world platform. The festival organizes many workshops, art markets, outdoor games, picnics and dance classes aimed at the uplift of the gay and lesbian community. The visual arts exhibition, featuring a wide plethora of established and emerging Australian and international artists, remains the central attraction of the entire event.

Brisbane Festival Promises a Zealous Stint in the Queensland Capital!

September is the month when laidback-yet-cosmopolitan charm of Brisbane wears a new attire of cultural celebrations with the annual Brisbane festival. This is one of those art festivals that explicate the cultural affluence of Australia. If you have booked tickets aboard flights to visit Brisbane in September, this event should be there in your priority list. Why? Reasons are many! But in a nutshell, this is your time to laugh your lungs out and dance your heart out! Read on to know more about splendiferous Brisbane Festival.

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Schedule

In 2014, this annual festival is scheduled to take place from 6th to 27th September at various venues across the city. Most prominent ones are Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Theatre Republic and Brisbane Powerhouse. Tickets are available online and you can avail discounts on purchase of multiple tickets. The festival also features several free events. One can visit the event’s official website for more details on dates, venues as well as accommodation.

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Music and Dance

Music and dance lovers are sure to get baffled by the selection of performances by world class artists and bands. American Ballet Theatre, Deluge – an experimental dance project and Desh by Akram Khan are must for dance enthusiasts. Rap City and Ocean’s Skin are two free events that would allure music as well as dance buffs in large numbers. Fans of Opera can ill afford to miss out on being a part of events named The Perfect American and Floods whereas Limbo and Soap are creating a buzz among those who love cabaret.

Comedy and Circus

If you are boarding flights with family during September in Brisbane, you should not overlook the circus shows. Jaw-dropping acts at Do Do Land and the Physical Impossibility of Disappearing add novelty to the circus. The hilarious comedy at Hurry Up and Wait, Squidboy and Kaput will end up adding smiles to your face.

Theatre and Visual Art

Theatre lovers get numerous opportunities to appreciate magnificent performances of talented actors. Notable theatre acts that are on the menu of Brisbane Festival are The Shadow King, Orlando, The Button Event and Monkey…Journey to the West. Art lovers must consider adding ‘Exxopolis’ and ‘Access Art Camera Wonderer Installation’ to their travel plan.

Best Bicycle Tours in the World That Every Bicycle Enthusiast Must Try At Least Once

Exploring new places, finding new adventures are not everyone’s cup of tea. But for those who have passion, Mother Nature offers a myriad of destinations to explore. Some are breathtakingly beautiful, some are risky and some are simply both. People who have a love for bicycle tours, there are some really amazing tours not to be missed. Here are just four of them.

Connemara, Mayo and Galway Safari (Galway, Ireland)

Galway by Bike week /CC BY

Galway by Bike week /CC BY

The eight day tour round trip from Galway is one of the reasons why people from around the world book flights tickets to Galway. As the area of West Ireland is far from the hustle and bustle of cities and tourist crowds, one can witness the unspoiled views of nature en route. Organized by Cycling Safaris, the trip includes seven nights’ stay with the traditional Irish cuisine breakfast and evening meal, a bike rental, a guide in support van, route maps and many more.

Tasmania East Coast Classic Cycle Tour (Tasmania, Australia)

Tasmania by LeeAnne Adams/CC BY

Tasmania by LeeAnne Adams/CC BY

Known for its lush farmlands and wine regions, Tasmania is a great place to explore. As you depart from Hobart, you will traverse a number of beautiful plains and vineyards. A number of coastal fishing towns can also be spotted. If you wish to stop over, there are some really nice beaches en route and finally, there are magnificent granite mountains of Freycinet National Park. Island Cycle Tours are the organisers of this tour.

Vermont and New York’s Lake Champlain (Vermont and New York State, USA)

Lake Champlain by Alison and Fil/CC BY

Lake Champlain by Alison and Fil/CC BY

Being one of the largest lakes in USA, Lake Champlain offers a spectacular experience to its visitors at the time of the fall. The lake is situated between the Mountains and the Adirondack Mountains which make it even more beautiful to look at. Sojourn Bike Tours hosts this event and the trip includes a five nights’ accommodation, lavish meals, a cruise across the lake and lot more. There is always a van support available.

Pyrenees to Costa Brava Bike Tour (Catalonia, Spain)

Pyrenees by Nelson L /CC BY

Pyrenees by Nelson L /CC BY

Start the journey at the stunning Barcelona and you will never be the same again, as the tour offers a number of attractions that are nowhere to be seen. Watch the pros train for the Tour De France as you pass the breathtakingly beautiful routes to French Pyrenees, climb and descent one of the highest paved roads in the Pyrenees (La Collada de Toses), savour the Catalan fusion cuisine – Bicycle enthusiasts who are blocking tickets on flights to Catalonia will find no dearth of attractions here.

Blackmores Sydney Running Festival 2014 – Another Example of Australia’s Sports-Fanatic Society

The final countdown has begun for the 2014 edition of Australia’s most talked about sports event, Blackmores Sydney Running Festival. All set to take place on September 21st, 2014, this gala celebration is expected to lure scores of sports enthusiasts form different parts of the world to look for cheap tickets on flights bound for Sydney. The previous editions of this amazing festival have already created enough buzz and hype. Moreover, the immense popularity of this carnival has earned it a Silver Rating in the International Sports Council. The festival will feature four distinct events that will cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge allowing the holidaymakers to explore the astonishing picturesque views of the city. Here’s a quick titbit over the event giving all the necessary details to visitors taking flights tickets to Australia to participate in the carnival.

Events

This much-talked about athletic extravaganza will feature four different events that will start in Bradfield Park, Milson’s Point further travelling over the main deck of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishing at the Sydney Opera House. The different participants fighting tooth and claw for racing may compete in the following events.

Marathon

Especially tailored for true running enthusiasts and athletes, this is indeed amongst the most scenic marathon festivals in the world stretching over 42.195 kilometres and covering some of Sydney’s most historic and striking landmarks.

Half Marathon

Half Marathon by Angus Fraser/ CC BY

Half Marathon by Angus Fraser/ CC BY

This 21.0975 kilometres stretch invites the travellers to raise high till the challenge and take on the course to relish sites like Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Bridge Run

The 9 kilometres event is meant for first timers and is an easily achievable challenge taking in the visitors through the lovely sights of Sydney, including Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair just before finishing at the famous Royal Botanic Gardens.

Family Fun Run

No matter you prefer walking or running, partake in this fun run and enjoy a day out with family and friends while travelling the different parts of the city.

Good Food and Wine Show 2014 is Here to Spread a Zeal of Taste in Perth, Australia

Good-Food-and-Wine-Show

After creating an enigmatic buzz in Melbourne and Sydney, Good Food and Wine Show is ready to rock the city of Perth from 11th to 13th July. If you have already booked flights to this magnificent Australian city, do consider being a part of this event to start your weekend with a bang! Wine tasting and food gorging are not the only aspects of this show, its grandeur stretches to numerous colourful activities that allow visitors to learn more about food, ingredients, beverages and enjoy to the core. Here’s brief information about this event, which is one of the most notable food and wine shows in the world.

The Venue

This event is scheduled to take place at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) which is easily accessible by car, bus as well as train. This centre features parking with a capacity of 1500 cars. Travellers who are opting to travel by train can buy tickets for Esplanade Train Station, just a few steps away from PCEC. Those who are travelling by bus  can get down at Esplanade Busport.

Entry Tickets

Travellers grabbing tickets for this show get an access to Good Food Theatre, Riedel Wine Theatre, WA Artisan Lane, Laucke Creative Kitchen and Cheese Alley.

Good Food Theatre

This facility will host the event’s major action. You can watch your favourite TV Chefs as well as restaurateurs flaunting their extraordinary skills while preparing a delicious 3-course meal. You would not mind jotting down expert tips by popular chefs such as Matt Moran, Miguel Maestre and Maggie Beer.

Cheese Alley

Cheese tasting is one of the most unique aspects of this event. Tucker’s Natural Cheese Alley allows you to taste numerous varieties of cheese made from the milk of goats, cows and water buffaloes.

Riedel Wine Theatre

Travellers disembarking flights at Perth can visit Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre to taste some of the best wines in the world. Enrol for wine appreciation class and get introduced to six types of wines. Besides classes, there are numerous sessions conducted by the industry experts.

Vivid festival 2014: Lighting Up Sydney!!

Harbour-Lights

All roads lead to Sydney. Even all flights are coming to Sydney!

It’s rhetorical, ladies and gentlemen, so relax before you jump off your flight to Cairo or cancel your air tickets to India, fearing it may actually be leading you to Australia!! But then again being in Australia right now is not a bad proposition after all, considering Vivid Sydney, country’s favourite festival of light, music, art and ideas, is in full swing across the city.

Vivid Sydney is among the most unique annual events in Australia. It celebrates light, music and ideas. Creativity is the name of the game as a riveting free public exhibition of outdoor lighting sculptures and installations offer a spectacular experience to visitors. It is currently underway and will go on for a week more till 9th June, 2014.

Photo Credit : THE BUDGET WANDERERS

Photo Credit : THE BUDGET WANDERERS

Vivid Sydney 2014 is turning out to an amazing spectacle. Great, eclectic music performances and spectacular light displays are taking place all over Sydney and are mesmerizing the tourists who have been prudent enough to net tickets to the city, beforehand. However, all is not lost and travellers can still enjoy the myriad offerings this great festival has brought to the metropolis. This edition of Vivid Sydney is being billed as the biggest ever as thousands of Australians and foreign tourists are expected to here for the carnival.

Top Attractions of Vivid Sydney

Harbour Lights: Sydney Harbour is a must-visit in any case but it is the Vivid that is going to light up the place like never before. Ferries, cruise vessels and water taxis are all brightly illuminated, offerings a kaleidoscopic visual pleasure to sightseers.

Photo Credit : THE BUDGET WANDERERS

Photo Credit : THE BUDGET WANDERERS

Lighting of the Sails: This one is actually one of the most anticipated events at the Vivid Sydney 2014. Sydney’s most iconic structure, the Sydney Opera House is going to be set alive by three-dimensional light display!

Vivid Live: Vivid Live at the Sydney Opera House is sure to soothe the souls of music lovers who are boarding flights to the city. Different performances by various artists and groups are going to keep people entertained till June 9th.

Western Australia Day Being Celebrated With Great Gusto on June 2, 2014

Officially, the Western Australia Day is celebrated on June 1 but it is on the first Monday of the month when a public holiday is observed. The day commemorates the foundation of the Swan River Colony, the first permanent British colony in Western Australia.

Western Australia Day, formerly known as the Foundation Day, is a public holiday in Western Australia. Educational institutions as well as most business units and other organisations are closed for the day. Further, there could be slight alternations in the public transportation services for the day. It must be noted that the first Monday of June is a public holiday only in Western Australia. Schools, businesses, etc in other states and territories of Australia are open, as usual.

Background

Australia’s west coast was sighted from the Parmelia, a merchant vessel on June 1, 1829. A day later, the ship reached anchor. More ships arrived gradually and the area was named the Swan River Colony. The name was changed to Western Australia in 1832. Subsequently, June 1, the anniversary of the first sighting of Western Australia from the vessel, was chosen as the date for annual celebrations. The idea was to bring together and foster better understanding among the new settlers, masters, servants and Indigenous Australians in the colony.

How Do People Celebrate?

Locals organize a wide variety of events to mark the celebratory zeal of the day. One of the major events includes a Western Australia Day breakfast hosted by the Governor of Western Australia. A host of other events and activities are also organised to celebrate the lives of the early white settlers. Lives of indigenous Australians are also in focus with many celebratory chapters highlighting the same on the Western Australia Day. WA Day Plate, a horse-racing event at Belmont Park; and the WA Citizen of the Year Award for categories like Youth, Community, Business, Arts, etc are among the most loved events of the day.

A Brief Guide to World’s Most Treacherous and Adventurous Destinations

A-Brief-Guide-to-World's-Most-Treacherous-and-Adventurous-Destinations

After crossing the ‘wall rapids’, riding a bike in a hilly area, diving in the shallow reefs to witness the mesmerising beauty of corals, opting a wildlife safari tour or surfing on the ocean waves, if you think that you have done enough of adventure activities, hold on! There are choices to add more thrills in holidays. How about encountering the dangerous marine creatures or running to save your precious life from the ferocious bulls? Imagine a downfall from ninety feet above without any suspension cord! Got some goose bumps? Well, if it is so, keep on reading the blog to get an idea on some of the most treacherous activities which are sure to give flights to your fancies!

Australia – Cage of Death

For those adrenal junkies looking for some more thrills and booking tickets aboard Australia bound flights, the Cage of Death tour is worth to opt for. During this fifteen minutes expedition, thrill seekers will get an opportunity to get up and close with some of the very furious Australian saltwater crocodiles.

Spain – Running from the Bulls

Spain is another most popular destination among adventure enthusiasts who desire to experience a sudden excitement while running in front of fierce bulls. The San Fermin Festival sets many brave-hearts on a mad scramble for tickets to Spain, to participate in this event and prove them the ultimate saviours!

Nicaragua – Volcano Boarding

Most people must have done snowboarding at least once in a lifetime. How about sliding the volcano slopes at Nicaragua? If the thought churns the wheels of the mind, Nicaragua is perhaps one of the most ideal places to head to! There are many tour operators offering day-tours to Bigfoot Nicaragua that includes volcano boarding and hiking through the live volcanic trails.

USA – Waterfall Kayaking

Most adventure lovers, especially people craving for participating in water sports are often found to opting river rafting or kayaking. However, few of them who desire to punch a little more excitement to their vacation can opt for the waterfall kayaking in the USA’s Palouse region. A free fall from a height of fifty seven metres to the river is truly an experience of lifetime!

World’s Top Medical Tourism Destinations

World's-Top-Medical-Tourism

Medical tourism is a growing concept, especially among westerners who find the cost of medical facilities and cosmetic procedures a bit too steep back home. Take a look at top global destinations that are renowned for medical tourism.

India

India, with its all too well publicized poverty and social issues may not be the most likely place for sophisticated advanced treatments, but the country undoubtedly is the front runner when it comes to medical tourism. Top doctors and low costs are the biggest factors that drive people to the shores of this ancient country. The prevalent of English language in the country further drives Europeans and Americans to book their flights to India when there is a little ‘tweaking’ needed to the nose or chin!! Apart from cosmetic surgeries, eye treatments are very popular in the country.

Malaysia

Malaysia is a beautiful country and among the leading medical tourism destinations in the world. Penang, Malaysia’s beach resort town is famous for medical centers offering cosmetic surgeries. Breast augmentation is easily the most popular cosmetic surgery being sought in the area. So much so that even some travel and tour operators offer these surgeries in the flights and holiday package!! For more ‘serious’ medical procedures, Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur is the likely address. The natural surroundings and the refreshing milieu make the country a perfect option for post-surgery rehabilitation.

Iran

Iran is the blossoming destination for medical tourism. Plastic surgery is big in this country. Procedural costs are very low as compared to those in the west and this is the reason many of the westerners are often found seeking deals on flights to Iran.

Israel

Israel is another top contender when people look for places where they can have the best medical treatment. The country is known for its expertise in diverse fields, which range form cancer therapy to dermatological treatments.

Five Free Attractions to Enjoy While in Sydney, Australia

Five-Free-Attractions-to-Enjoy-While-in-Sydney,-Australia

Sydney is a beautiful city that has built a legacy of its own in the world of tourism. There are very few cities around the world that can boast the kind of numbers this Australian city has in terms of tourist-centric attractions. Sydney offers a lot to all, even to budget travellers who are not too willing to spend even a penny on their sightseeing here. Check out top five free things to do in Sydney, Australia!

Art Gallery of NSW

Money is not the criterion to access the incredible Art Gallery of NSW, but interest is!! People can enter this majestic art institution free of cost and can check out the large number of displays that are found here. Free films are also thrown in on Wednesdays. Surely, budget travellers couldn’t have asked for more, well…maybe cheap return flights, if one insists!

Shelly Beach

Marine life lovers who are apprehensive of the Sydney Aquarium’s soaring entry fees can instead check out the sea creatures at the Shelly Beach, in their natural habitat. One can take Manly ferry to get to the beach. Gordon’s Bay is not a bad place either to spot seal life.

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

This is another interesting avenue for budget travellers in the country looking for some grub to feed their artistic souls! Museum of Contemporary Art overlooks the Circular Quay, and offers free access to its enormous permanent collection. Featured exhibitions, however, are available only for a price tag.

The Rocks Discovery Museum

Holiday makers who are interested in the regional history of Australia, including the Aboriginal heritage, can do so by visiting the Rocks Discovery Museum. No fee is required to enter the museum, something that’s sure to sound music to the ears of holiday makers who aren’t prepared to spend a lot after having invested on flights to sydney.

Peruse Paddington Markets

Shopping at the Paddington Markets may not be free but the opportunity to take in the region’s local flamboyance is sure is! Check out the market for interesting souvenirs!