Perth: Why This Easy Going City Is Worth Visiting

Perth is the laid back city in Western Australia. As close to Bali as it is to some of Australia’s Eastern cities. With its combination of beaches, big city attractions and laid back living there is something for everyone in Perth. As this city is a place to visit I thought I would share with you some of the ways you can see it. There’s a few tips as well as some suggestions of things to do. You will be booking your flight before you know it.

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Visit the big attractions

Perth is Australia’s only city where you can experience a vibrant beach life and a relaxed bushland experience. The only place where you can sample fine wines while watching an ocean sunset. It’s such a diverse place. Perth is situated along the Swan River, seeing the city at night with its glittering lights reflecting in the river is a sight worth seeing. With Kings Park and the Botanic Garden, which is one of the biggest inner city-parks in the world. However it isn’t just pretty scenery this city has, you will be spoilt for choice of the amount of museums on offer. Showcasing wonderful art and architecture. If music is more your thing, then a must-see would be to head to Swan Bells. Which fills the air with sound from one of the largest musical instruments in the world. There is so much to do the only tough decision would be where to start first.

International Airport makes visiting easy

With daily flights into Perth from all major cities, and plenty of regional flights coming and going. Heading to Perth has never been easier wherever you are in the world. Australia is so expansive that you may even live there and not had a chance to visit this city. But air travel is so easy and frequent that it has never been easier to head there.

Get around by car

Whether you land at the airport or head into Perth from another mode of transport, there are plenty of ways to get around. However, the best way would be by car as the area is so big. There is car hire from Perth Airport making it easy to kick off your vacation from the word go. Not only is the city iconic but you also have some of the smaller places that are worth visiting, places like Mount Eliza and Freemantle.

The weather is great

Perth is the sunniest state capital in Australia with an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. It has a real Mediterranean style climate meaning that it is warm for most of the year. However, February is the hottest month of the year. You do still get a little rainfall, but that would be mostly during the winter months of May to September. However, one of the great advantages is the sea breeze you feel in the afternoon. Making this city livable even though it is known as the hottest city in Australia.

I hope this has inspired you to book a trip to Perth in Western Australia. You won’t be disappointed.

The Keukenhof Garden Experience at Lisse, Netherlands

I have been dreaming about stepping my foot in this magical garden for a long time. When I have finally visited Keukenhof Garden last March 29, 2015, it rained like crazy! But, I didn't let the rain stop me from taking pictures around the area and savour each moment I had while inside the Keukenhof Garden.

If it wasn't for the strong, gusty winds, the biting cold with torrential rains, I would brave the inclement weather and go around Keukenhof. However, the trees around me seemed like they were going to fall on me each the strong wind blows so I wasn't able to go around the entire garden to check out other areas. I was able to visit the Juliana Tulip Pavilion and checked out Tulpomania because it was near the entrance where there are covered sheds and cozy seats to get comfortable.

This year's theme is about the commemoration of the 125 years since the death of the famous Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh.

There are also other events happening in the garden so it is best to check the website if you plan to visit.

What can you see in Keukenhof Garden?

Flowers! You can see plenty of flowers like hydrangeas, hyacinths, crocuses, carnations, calla lilies, bluebells, narcissi and many more; not to mention the over 800 varieties of tulips planted all over the Keukenhof Garden. Aside from flowers, there are ponds, petting farm and playground.

Aside from what you can see there, the entire family and everyone visiting the garden can enjoy riding bikes outside the garden (biking is NOT allowed inside Keukenhof) and children can have fun in the petting farm and go on a treasure hunt for free!

When is it open?

It is open only once a year during spring time and the date of opening varies year per year depending on the weather. This year, the garden is open from March 20 to May 17, 2015. So, flower-loving visitors all over the world fly to the Netherlands to soak in the lovely splashes of colour from the many beautiful flowering plants in the garden.

Where is it?

Keukenhof Garden is located in Lisse, Netherlands. It is accessible by train, car, and public transportation.

Where to book/buy tickets?

You can directly purchase from their website or through travel agencies around Amsterdam. I booked mine through Viator with a combination tour to Volendam, Marken and Zaanse Schans. The tour is operated by Lindbergh in Damrak, stones' throw away from Amsterdam Central Station.

Here are few of the pictures I have managed to have snapped in Keukenhof despite of the heavy rains. My bucket list is just half-ticked because I haven't seen the full glory of what Keukenhof has to offer. I will definitely visit again next year and I'll make sure my visit will count.

(There were more beyond this shot but didn't venture much because of the gusty winds and very biting cold and wet weather.)

(I was so tempted to take one tulip home as souvenir. They're so pretty and there were so many varieties too.)

(I wanted to dive in this sweetness! They smell so good and looked very fluffy too.  Their colours are much better in person than in this shot.)

The pictures didn't justify the real beauty right in front of my eyes. You actually have to go there to admire the flowers and the surrounding. Some of the flowers were in bloom already and I could imagine how beautiful the whole garden would be when they are all in full bloom (and no rain!). The sight will be spectacular!

Visit Keukenhof Garden when you are in Netherlands during spring. You still have time until 17 May. It is best to visit during mid-April when the flowers are in full bloom and the weather is not as rainy when I visited. There are nearby accommodations too in Lisse if you want to book one. Check out Booking.com.

A Closer Look at Egypt’s Wonders

Although several tourists visit Egypt to enjoy the favourable yearlong warm climate or to relax at a luxurious beach resort, this fascinating country also boasts a number of remarkable natural and manmade wonders, which should not be missed.

Attempting to visit each and every one of these monuments might be a little bit ambitious, but for those planning Egypt holidays in the near future, here is a little more detail on the most significant and spellbinding attractions this country has to offer.

Great Pyramid of Giza

No trip to Egypt would be complete without taking your time to see the Great Pyramid of Giza. Over the course of its 2,500-year history, not much has changed, but it is sure to be one of the most breath taking sites you’ll ever behold.

Thought to been built as a tomb for Fourth Dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu, it took around 20 years to construct. But today, the Great Pyramid is the only remaining ancient Wonder of the World and surely this is reason enough to pay it a visit.

Old Cairo

In spite of its proximity to the Great Pyramid, Cairo was founded in the 10th Century as a Muslim city. Although some tourists won’t like the hustle and bustle of Egypt’s capital, Old Cairo should be an essential item on any itinerary.

Here you will find the Mohamed Ali Mosque, one of the largest of the old Muslim world and a stunning piece of architecture. Along with taking a trip to the Citadel, which affords views out to the Giza plateau, the souqs (markets) are also highly recommended if you want to sample a little local flavour.

Temple of Luxor

Located on the east bank of the Nile, this ancient temple complex was dedicated to the Theban Triad of Amun-Re, his wife Mut, and his son Khonsu. Follow in the footsteps of ancient Egyptians as you walk down a path lined with sphinxes, which once led the way to Ipet Sut in the modern city of Al-Karnak.

The Temple of Luxor is perhaps best known for its astonishing obelisk, which is still intact at the entrance. While here, you may want to visit the Temple of Karnak as well, which is by far the biggest temple complex in Egypt.

Abu Simbel

This archaeological site comprising of two temples was created during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BC. It took around 20 years to build and is widely considered to be one of the grandest in Egypt. However, arguably the most extraordinary thing about Abu Simbel is that the entire complex was moved in the 1960s to protect it against the rising water of the Aswan High Dam.

You may not be able to experience and enjoy all of Egypt’s wonders, but you’ll be rewarded with some long-lasting memories for the ones you do see, as every sight reflects the majesty of this ancient nation.

Image by Dennis Jarvis, used under the Creative Commons license. 

New Article Featured in Attraction Tix Blog

I'm so glad to share that my 2nd article is up in the famous Attraction Tix site's blog. It's about going around Dubai on a budget.

Attraction Tix is a famous online ticket specialist in the UK.  If you need tickets on attractions, tours, theme parks and experience holidays, then look no more and check out Attraction Tix's services and offers!

Read my post in Attraction Tix so next time you plan to include Dubai in your itinerary, you know what to do.

Click here for my post.

Beautiful Gardens in Europe

Europe is a vast continent rich in arts, history and culture. Aside from being home to famous museums, landmarks and institutions, Europe is also home to numerous famous and very beautiful gardens. People around the world have these beautiful gardens in their bucket list. After seeing their pictures and magnificent garden layout, who wouldn't dream of visiting these places once in their lifetime!

Here are some of the breath-taking gardens around Europe worth visiting:

Keukenhof Garden, Lisse, The Netherlands

(Photos are not mine)

This garden is famous for its tulips and many other beautiful flowering plants strategically planted all over its grounds. It opens only once a year from mid-March until mid-May and closed again for the rest of the year to plant new bulbs and other flowering plants for everyone to enjoy for the next opening.

Monet's Garden, Giverny, France

(Photos are not mine)

This captivating garden is located in Giverny, a small village in Normandy. It is nice to visit this garden in spring. Monet, one of the famous painters of all time, loved to visit this garden and do his paintings there.

Villa d'Este, Tivoli, Italy

(Photos are not mine)

Did you watch Lizzie Mcguire Movie starred by Hilary Duff when she was still one of the Disney darlings? If you did, then this place will be familiar to you. It has plenty of fountains and is in Tivoli, just few miles away from the city center of Rome. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage landmarks.

Luxembourg Garden, Paris, France

(Photos are not mine)

This beautiful garden is in the heart of Paris! I have seen this place but not thoroughly due to lack of time. If I had to come back, I will just to see this magnificent garden in the City of Light. It is a formal garden in the premise of the Luxembourg Palace.

5 Reasons to Visit Japan

Photo credit: deshow.net

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Japan welcomes millions of visitors each year. Here are just five reasons to consider joining the crowds for a visit to the Land of the Rising Sun.


1: The Food

From savory chazuke to exotic wraps of onigiri, you'll find plenty of culinary adventures in Japan. Don't forget to down a few shots of sake and top it all off with the sweet flavor of anpan!


2: The History

If you're a fan of history, Japan will delight you from the tips of Chusonji Temple to the lowest levels of Tokyo's Imperial Palace. Thousands of years are packed into these religious and cultural landmarks, and it's actually impossible to see them all during a single trip.


3: The Company

Japan is famous for its friendliness to foreigners, especially in big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, where strangers will walk right up to you and ask if you're free for dinner. They don't have any bad intentions; they just want to practice their English on you!


4: The Size

For all its diversity, Japan is a small country, meaning that you can travel from the remote hills of Hokkaido to the gleaming metal of Kagoshima all within a matter of days. It's like having multiple vacation experiences in a single trip!


5: The Fun

More than anything else, Japan is a place where omoide are made. Click here to learn more about the Asian holiday you could be taking right now.

Top 7 Reasons to Visit Madrid

Photo not mine

Madrid, the centrally located capital city of Spain, is known for its historical museums, its buoyant nightlife and its exquisite gastronomical scene. The city might not have the architectural charm of Barcelona or the pristine beaches of Malaga, but Madrid is truly the heart of Spain. If you are still planning your next holidays, take a look at this list about the main landmarks in the city.

1. The Museums

The Golden Triangle is formed by the city's three main museums, the Museo del Prado, the Museo Reina Sofia and the Museo Thyssen Bornemisza. Walk around the Prado while looking at some of Goya's masterpieces, contemplate Picasso's Guernica located at the modern art Reina Sofia, and walk through the history of art at the Thyssen Bornemisza.

2. The Shops

The Golden Mile stretches along Serrano Street, an upscale street a couple of minutes away from the large hotels in the city center. The nearby streets are filled with classy shops revealing designer handbags, evening dresses and shoes signed by fashion's top brands. Next to these glossy shops visitors can find more affordable brands such as H and M and Zara. If toting heavy bags from shop to shop is a tiring process, maybe one of the many El Corte Inglés department stores is the right choice. There, all brands are located on one floor, and one can buy anything ranging from a cocktail dress, baby clothes or jewelery to a book, a digital camera or gourmet food.

3. The Food

The tapas might not be a strictly Madridian invention, but the sheer amount of bars that serve them is enough to cater even for the most capricious guests. Just a couple of minutes from the tourist traps near Plaza de Sol is La Latina, a traditional barrio where visitors can mingle with locals while enjoying some pan con tomate, patatas bravas and aceitunas with a caña or a tinto de verano.

4. The Football

Barcelona F.C. might get all the international headlines, but there is more to Madrid's most beloved team than football. Home to the royal club, Real Madrid F.C., the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium located in the financial district is a must see for all football fans out there. The stadium has its own sports shops where visitors can buy the official uniform of the club, sports equipment and stock up on souvenirs. There is a cafeteria inside the stadium and guided tours are offered around this stadium, which has so far hosted three European Cup finals. The Estadio Vicente Calderón, home to the Atlético de Madrid, is another stadium.

5. The Nature

Right in the centre of the city visitors will find the Parque del Buen Retiro, the ancient royal gardens that are one of Madrid's top attractions. Enjoy a café con leche in one of the terrazas, let the little ones play in one of the many playgrounds, observe the locals taking their daily stroll or simply rent a boat and enjoy a boat ride in the pond.

6. The Day Trips

This centric city offers visitors the opportunity to visit some of the nearby historical towns. In Aranjuez guests can visit the ancient Royal Palace. In Segovia they can walk under the Roman Bridge before tasting a juicy cochinillo segoviano. In El Escorial, up in the hills of the sierra, guests can walk around the old monastery and its gardens. In the historical town of Toledo visitors can explore the history of this country.

7. The Theme Parks

There are two theme parks in the city. The relatively new Warner Bros Park, located to the south of the city, has many themed attractions, roller coasters and water rides. The more traditional Parque de Atracciones is located only a couple of metro stops from the city center, in a large park with a lake and a zoo, where visitors will be able to enjoy the many roller coasters, drop towers, and other amusement rides. There are several water parks in the city where visitors can spend a day in the many pools.

Visiting The Rathaus Glockenspiel In Munich

What is a Glockenspiel, you might ask? It is a famous attraction in the town centre in Munich, Germany. This big clock with chimes tells  several stories of a royal marriage, jousting stories,  and a folk dance called Schäfflertanz (coopers' dance) which all became part of Munich's folklore.  The last to top of the attraction is the chirping of a golden bird which signifies the end of the show.

The Glockenspiel plays every 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. every day. I'm so happy that my family and I managed to watch the whole performance. It was a good 12-15 minutes show and we all loved it.


 

 

The Rathaus Glockenspiel is in the heart of Marienplatz. It is easily accessible by train via Hauftbahnhof or directly at Marienplatz S-bahn station.

If you are visiting Munich, this place is a must. Do add it in your itinerary.

Tokyo, Japan It Is!

My family and I have zeroed in on our family trip destination this December - Tokyo, Japan! Finally, after countless times of revising the budget and all. The Europe tour will be too costly and if we go to Japan, we will spend only a small fraction of the amount the whole Europe tour will cost. So, it was a fair and wise decision made.

I have practically skipped major trips this year except for the Niagara vacation last March/April to ensure that we will have enough budget to go around for the December family vacation. It is my daughter's wish to travel to Europe before she goes back home for her college schooling but the whole thing is just too expensive. I'm glad that even if we won't see the Christmas Markets in Europe this year, she will be able to visit her dream studio of anime films - Studio Ghibli! I am excited too as I watch most of their film works and they are all great.

So there, it will Japan this time. Perhaps we can save more next time for a European tour. It's been a long time since we set foot in Europe but I guess, being pragmatic is more important to us. Anyway, I'll be checking some items in my bucket list even if we go to Japan this year.

Here we come, Japan!

Our Vacation in Seoul, South Korea Part 2

Our Seoul, South Korea trip will not be complete without a day visit to Everland Resort in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do Province of South Korea. It is similar to Disneyland Resort in Orlando as it is always compared to the latter due to the similarities in layout. It features a zoo and water resort as well.

We took the bus near the Lotte Department store that goes straight to Everland Resort. We got there around 10:00 a.m. It was not a very long ride. I think it was just around an hour if my memory serves me right.

As soon as the bus reached the terminal, we started taking pictures as the view was magnificent. There were plenty of unusual plants that I have seen for the first time. Such a lovely place and the pictures I am sharing here would show how beautiful the place was.

Enjoy viewing!



The ample parking lot of Everland Resort. This is where you will catch your ride back to the city as well.


This was taken near the bus terminal, few metres away from the main gate of Everland.

Notice the pretty "cabbage-like" plants behind me? They look so yummy! hahaha This is the area before you enter the park.

Just a bit of posing in front of the Everland Resort Logo as you enter the park.

This was taken at the Global Fair. It's the main area of the resort and so is the picture below.





This is my favorite view of the park. This was taken near the big fountain and you could actually see the various colors of fall in the vista. This place is a must-visit place in Seoul.

We were standing just outside the "gate" where the parade would start. We didn't realize the parade would start any minute and we were lucky enough to be in front of the sideline.

At the European Adventure





Bum poking hahaha




Taken near the T Express, the largest wooden roller coaster built in Seoul.

Well-known Pumpkin Patches in the US

Photo credit: yahoo images

It can't be denied but the weather is changing and we're ushering the coming of fall. Fall is a lovely time to enjoy before the cold winter season arrives. It's just a short season, not lasting more than 2 months and the weather is not too chilly. And aside from the nice weather, beautiful fall foliage, the pumpkin patches all over the US are brimming with big and beautiful pumpkins to carve, display and even cook in time for the holidays.

Here are famous pumpkin patches around the US which are all worth visiting. If you leave in the area, do consider a visit and enjoy the fun activities they have in store for everyone.


CALIFORNIA: Cool Patch Pumpkins

NEW YORK: The Great Pumpkin Farm, Iron Kettle Farm, Barton Orchards 

PENNSYLVANIA: Shady Brook Farm 

OHIO: Devine Farms 

NORTH CAROLINA: Peanuts Pumpkin Patch Express 

SOUTH CAROLINA: Holiday Farms 

COLORADO: Anderson Farms 

OREGON: The Pumpkin Patch 

NEVADA: Toll House Pumpkin Patch

DELAWARE: Mr. Pepper's Pumpkin Patch

MAINE: Pumpkin Valley Farm

Please feel free to add more in the list so I can update this. I am sure a lot will benefit from this list so anyone who wishes to visit these farms will be able to plan their visit and know what they will see and in the farms.

Top up your Tan in Tenerife

Although Tenerife is known for drinking and a general ‘Brits' abroad’ atmosphere, there is so much more to the island. From whale and dolphin cruises to year round golfing, there is something for everyone here!

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands. It’s a popular tourist destination and it has two airports, Tenerife north and Tenerife south. There are many travel companies offering package holidays to Tenerife, but if that’s not your style have a look around for low cost flights to Tenerife with Monarch and perhaps think about renting an apartment or villa.

Playa de las Americas is one of the main destinations people choose to visit. With beautiful beaches, lively nightlife and plenty of great restaurants, it’s certainly a place for friends and families who want an action packed holiday with lots of hustle and bustle. The Safari Centre is full of designer labels for those who wish to have a classier shopping experience in this lovely beach town.

For a quieter holiday, why not try visiting Tenerife’s capital, Santa Cruz. Visit the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Candelaria, a picturesque church in a beautiful old town, or wander the streets of this old fashioned city. There are many beautiful walking areas around the city as well – the Rambla del General Franco is a fantastic woodland walk which takes you through some beautiful scenery. Close by, Teide national park is one of the most spectacular areas of Tenerife and many is ranked among the top cultural attractions of the country.

Tenerife generally has nice weather all year round, with the lowest temperatures being about 22 degrees in the daytime in December and January. Take advantage of the quieter months of May and September, when school children are back in school but the tourist season is either beginning or ending so most attractions will be open for your visit. Chartering a boat for the day is cheaper in the quieter seasons and you may just decide to sail into the sunset after experiencing all the island has to offer.

(Photo credit: yahoo images, text added by riatravelbug.com)