Tips for Australian Travel
Travel Leaders’ recent surveys of travelers and travel experts have shown that Australia is the top dream vacation destination for American travelers. “For many, a trip to Australia is a once-in-a-lifetime journey,” said Roger Block, president of Travel Leaders Franchise Group. “There are magnificent cities, warm and engaging people, gorgeous coasts, indigenous wildlife, natural wonders, award-winning wine regions and the incomparable outback. Sure, it’s a long way to travel, but with some of the best pricing we’ve ever seen, along with a relatively good exchange rate, we’re sharing our advice in an effort to turn the idea of an Australian vacation into a reality.”
Australia is vast – nearly the size of the continental U.S. – and Travel Leaders’ experts recommend planning a trip of at least 12 days to see it. The cosmopolitan city of Sydney tops many lists of must-see sites in Australia, but there is so much more to the land Down Under.
For example, Melbourne is another sophisticated city to explore – it’s considered to be the business and cultural capital of Australia. Brisbane, Australia’s third largest city, has delightful walking paths, bike paths, shops and cafes along the Brisbane River. Gold Coast City offers a grand stretch of beaches that are popular with surfers and snorkelers, as well as great shopping, dining and nightlife. Adelaide is a perfect destination for wine lovers: after a visit to the National Wine Center, you can visit the nearby Barossa Valley and Clare Valley wine regions.
Australia’s awe-inspiring natural treasures provide a fabulous contrast to its cities. The Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, is home to more than 1,500 species of tropical fish. The city of Cairns is one of the jumping-off point for visits to the reef, as well as the gateway to Daintree National Park, which contains what is believed to be the planet’s oldest surviving rainforest. Uluru, the massive sandstone monolith formerly known as Ayers Rock, is a great spot for hiking and stargazing in Australia’s interior. Within an easy drive, you’ll also want to see Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), a series of domed mountains, and the spectacular Kings Canyon.
Whether you’d like to see as much of Australia as possible or concentrate on a specific region, your travel professional can help you plan a memorable vacation.
2010 World Expo Set to Open in Shanghai
Shanghai, China, is already a popular destination for international travelers – according to the latest survey of travel trends by Travel Leaders, Shanghai is the 17th most-booked international destination, up from 19th last year and 30th just two years ago. Beginning May 1, when the World Expo Shanghai opens, the city will be more popular than ever.
With the theme “Better City, Better Life,” the expo will focus on urban life in the 21st century. Shanghai’s World Expo Park stretches along the waterfront on both sides of the Huangpu River. Countries from Iceland to Nepal are constructing beautiful and innovative pavilions, showing off eco-friendly products and technologies while offering fun activities for visitors.
For example, the façade of Malaysia’s pavilion will be made of palm oil and plastic, which can be reused and recycled after the expo. Inside, visitors will be able to pitch and putt at an indoor golf area. Brazil’s pavilion will show off the sustainable development practices being implemented in its cities, as well as its national passion for soccer.
At the United Kingdom’s pavilion, a “Seed Cathedral” will be the centerpiece. The cathedral is constructed of 60,000 slim acrylic rods, each containing a seed and signifying the need to protect natural resources. Mexico’s pavilion won’t actually be a building, but a grassy area shaded by hundreds of colorful Mexican kites.
Throughout the expo, visitors will be able to sample food from around the world and enjoy tours, performances and special events on the grounds. Outside the grounds, there is also the historic and exciting city of Shanghai to explore.
The Expo anticipates welcoming 70 million visitors by the time it closes on October 31. To be among them, talk with your travel professional.
Remembering The Beatles
When Paul McCartney announced on April 10, 1970, that The Beatles would never work together again, fans hoped it wasn’t true. Unfortunately, the four talented musicians never did collaborate again, and this April will bring the 40th anniversary of their breakup. Still, it’s possible to recall and enjoy the band’s glory days by visiting some of the sites that were important during their run as one of the world’s most influential music acts.
Fans from around the world visit Abbey Road Studios in London, to which the British government granted protected status in February, as well as the famous pedestrian crossing featured on the cover of The Beatles’ Abbey Road album. If you and your companions want to recreate the iconic photo, take care – Abbey Road is a very busy street.
As the birthplace of John Lennon, McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, Liverpool in northwestern England is a treasure trove of Beatles history. If you land at Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport, you can see the famous Yellow Submarine, which used to reside at Liverpool’s docks, in the parking area outside the terminal. The National Historic Trust provides tours of Lennon’s and McCartney’s childhood homes.
The Beatles spent considerable time performing in Hamburg, Germany early in their career, and the Beatlemania museum in Hamburg celebrates their time in the city. The five-story museum, filled with memorabilia and historical artifacts, is located close to some of the clubs where The Beatles used to play.
In addition to these sites, there are many more places around the world to remember The Beatles. A section of Central Park in New York City is named Strawberry Fields in honor of one of The Beatles’ best-known songs. You can see Lennon’s and Harrison’s stars on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, Calif. Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, helped create the John Lennon Museum in the outskirts of Tokyo, Japan. There’s also Cirque du Soleil’s acclaimed “The Beatles Love” performing nightly in Las Vegas.
To make a Beatles site the centerpiece or a side attraction of your next vacation, talk with your travel professional.
Mexico Remains Popular for U.S. Vacationers
Mexico is a favorite vacation destination for Americans: according to Travel Leaders’ most recent Travel Trends survey, three of the top 10 international destinations for American travelers are in Mexico (specifically, Cancun, Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen).
There are some very good reasons for Mexico’s popularity as a vacation destination. It’s not too far away, helping minimize travel time and maximize relaxation time. Mexico’s resorts, hotels and cruises offer great value. And, the country is blessed with two gorgeous coastlines (Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean and Pacific) with everything a beach lover could ask for, as well as fabulous snorkeling, diving and deep-sea fishing. Depending on where you stay, you could also enjoy four-wheel adventures, horseback riding, golfing, hiking, browsing the works of local artists, trying out local restaurants or dancing the night away in lively clubs.
If you haven’t visited Mexico before, you may be surprised by all it has to offer. If you haven’t been there in a few years, you may be surprised by all that’s new.
In Cancun, seven miles of beaches have just been replenished with 1.3 billion gallons of soft, lovely sand. Note that biodegradable suntan lotion is required on the beaches of Cancun, helping to keep the beach environment clean and welcoming.
If you’re interested in visiting Mexico’s mountainous interior, the well-preserved colonial town of San Miguel de Allende was recently named a World Heritage Site. There always seems to be a festival or celebration going on in the refurbished Jardin, the town’s central square.
Mexico is also growing as a destination for environmentally conscious ecotourism. On the Pacific Coast, Puerto Vallarta has a fantastic range of ecosystems – from tropical jungle to coral reefs – ready to explore. You can ride a bike to gorgeous, remote beaches; take a mountain bike into the jungle; and even get involved in efforts to protect sea turtles.
To find out more about all that awaits you in Mexico, talk with your travel professional.