Connect with us

Other

How to have a kick-ass road trip in Australia

How to have a kick-ass road trip in Australia

Published

on

The Great Aussie Road Trip can be double or even triple the awesome when you change a couple of basic things about your approach and how you view the whole scenario.

How to have a kick-ass road trip in Australia 1

How to have a kick-ass road trip in Australia

Grab some mates, close or not (you’ll all be best or worst mates by the end) and get out there on the tarmac. You’ll have the best trip ever! If you don’t have a car you can always arrange car rental in Melbourne or from wherever you live.

  1. Make plans but not rigid ones – and be prepared to change ‘em!

If you’re driving to a schedule (and most of us are, sadly, much as we’d love to hit the wide open road with nothing but a map and our faithful hound/lover/mixtape) at least plan so your driving time is eight hours or less every day, and don’t plan much else besides that.

If you do that, your trip will be filled with awesome adventures down winding roads and finding things, instead of worrying about whether you’re going to reach Perth in time. Hint Perth is exciting, but it’s always going to be there.

  1. Don’t research your stops too much in advance

What we mean by this is this: When you don’t know what’s in store for you or what’s coming up next at a stop, you can’t in any way, shape or form be let down or disappointed! You’re always going to have the best damn time, precisely because you have no idea what the hell is happening in the next spot!

Plus, the tourist guides and stuff usually only spruik the big touristy stuff, so make sure if you do research stuff that you look on blogs, in article and in the local news for each town so that you get the true awesome stuff, and not the tired old stuff that they want you to see…

How to have a kick-ass road trip in Australia 2

  1. Discover the “world’s biggest” EVERYTHING

Ok, so if there’s one thing you’re permitted to seek out in the touristy guidebookit’s the ‘Big something’ – like the Big Sheep, the Big Pineapple… You get the idea. If it’s big, you NEED a photo of yourself hunkered down in front of it throwing some serious shade at the camera. Go for it. Look stupid. You probably haven’t showered for a few days anyway right, so why the hell not look dumb as well as smell bad?

  1. Bring a real map. And a pen.

Google Maps is wonderful for driving highlights and for following a basic map, but the real fun comes with an honest to goodness real live, reach out and touch it, map.

How to have a kick-ass road trip in Australia 3

  1. Pack light so there’s space to grab more crap with you as you go

You’re totally going to stop at pretty much every single op shop and variety store on the way, and you’ll probably find a whole heap of stuff from roadside growers. You might even find the object of your dream on the road trip and wouldn’t it be a HUGE shame if you couldn’t bring it with you because your boot or car was already brimming with crap?

  1. Get a fuel card

You’re gonna be buying a hell of a lot of petrol. It would make sense to get a fuel card so you can get all the access to all the awesome stuff you’re going to experience. If you were going on a huge overseas trip you’d totally get frequent flyer points and stuff, right? Same deal with a fuel card.

  1. Bring only a few CDs or tapes

This one is a bit of fun, because if you have a driving compilation made up, and if you hear the songs a couple of times, every time you then hear one of the songs in the future when you’re languishing in your office or in traffic on the way home from work it’ll transport you back to the fun times of your road trip right away.

Are you ready for an Australian adventure? Visit DriveNow first to read more travel tips and to know how you can save on your car rentals. With DriveNow, you can compare car rates and book one that fits your budget.

This is a featured article by a Guest Author. Their details can be found in the post above. If you want to become a Guest Poster please Contact Us here. Please also read our Website Disclaimer if you have any issues or concerns.

Continue Reading

Other

Top 5 Historical Landmarks of Portugal

Top 5 Historical Landmarks of Portugal

Published

on

portugaljeepsafari

Portugal is a hive of culture, history, and architecture and is home to fifteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you plan a holiday to Portugal to discover some of its glorious histories, look through our top five Portuguese historical landmarks.

Alcobaça Monastery

This beautiful monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça is a prime example of early Gothic architecture. The sanctuary is home to the ornate tombs of Ines de Castro and King Pedro I. There is a tragic love story associated with the burials. Ines de Castro was assassinated in 1355, and the king ordered his tomb to be placed next to hers so that he could face the woman he loved on the day of resurrection. They are considered to be the most beautiful medieval tombs in Portugal. There are also living quarters, including a refectory, dormitory, kitchen, and cloisters that have been inhabited by monks for 800 years.

Convent of Christ

The Convent of Christ is a beautiful roman catholic building located in Tomar. It was initially a stronghold for the Order of the Knights Templar. The building houses impressive art and examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architecture. The walls inside are exquisitely decorated with paintings, carved stone sculptures, and a window depicting symbols and motifs. This site has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.

Évora

Évora is a Portuguese city home to several historical sights, some over two thousand years old. The Cathedral of Évora is considered one of Portugal’s most important gothic monuments. Moorish palaces and courtyards, a renaissance fountain built-in 1559, and a one-of-a-kind Roman temple have become the city’s most famous landmarks. It is not surprising that Évorahas is classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Belém Tower

Belém Tower was built to be a fortress in 1515 to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor. The tower is constructed from lioz limestone that is local to Lisbon. It is considered one of the prominent examples of the late gothic Manueline style. There is a drawbridge, spaces for cannons, turrets, and arches that have been decorated with images of animals, plants, and royal coats of arms. Inside there are statues, pillars, and gargoyle facets. UNESCO has listed the tower as a World Heritage monument. 



Jerónimos Monastery

Jerónimos Monastery is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries in Portugal and Europe. Located in Lisbon, the monastery has various entrances that have been decorated with carved figures, gables, and pinnacles. There is a 16th Century Portuguese sculpture of Our Lady of Belém in the central doorway, a figure of Prince Henry the Navigator in the center of the monastery, and a statue of King Manuel I. The monastery has been classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

We hope this has inspired you to start planning your trip to Portugal today.

Continue Reading

Other

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Find out why Sand boarding, Diving and Safaris through the desert are included in the Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar.

Published

on

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Qatar is a country of reinvention. Shimmering towerblocks rise against a desert horizon, and maze-like souks thrive next to 21st-century shopping palaces. It’s also one of the more accessible countries of the Arab Gulf, with a welcoming reputation towards visitors and plenty of attractions to keep them coming. Some of the best holiday activities you’ll find in Qatar are the adventurous kind. And these are the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar.

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Sunset in Qatar – Photo by wj2012

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Diving expeditions

The Gulf Sea is famed for its crystal waters and the exuberant marine life which lurks just beneath the surface. Messaid is a good jumping-off point where you’ll find angelfish and barracuda, while those intrigued by underwater wrecks will love the Hall Island dive site at Al-Sharqi, where bright clownfish circle the abandoned boat.

Sand Adventures

Many of the sports here have been adapted from colder climates, so instead of skiing down a mountain piste, try Khor Al Adaid beach to glide down the impressive dunes on a sand-board. Alternatively, race your blo-kart along the sands of Al Wakrah, south of capital Doha, to experience the thrill of wind-sailing on dry land.

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Sand Boarding – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by ground zero

Al Jassasiya

The ancient carvings of Al Jassasiya lie to the north near Al Shamal, amid a truly remote landscape of village ruins and limestone. Hire a 4×4 of your own and make the journey to see the 900 petroglyphs which riddle the rocks here. The carvings denote flowers, animals, fleets of shows, or traditional Arab boats, and to this day, their origins remain a mystery.

Sunset Cruise

When the time comes for a more relaxed excursion, you can do no better than a sunset cruise onboard a wooden dhow as you drift past the super-modern Doha seafront of Al-Corniche and the old harbor at Al Khor. If you’re still hankering after some adventure, rent a smaller vessel and go for a fishing trip the following day.

Desert Safaris

Much of the inland desert in Qatar remains inaccessible on foot, but fortunately, that’s where a 4×4 comes in very handy for a safari trip you won’t easily forget. There are numerous options available from Doha, including day-long excursions, bumping, and rolling to the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid. Or make the trip at dusk for a spot of star-gazing before you settle in Bedouin-style tents for the night.

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Desert Safari – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by robertpaulyoung

Most activities can be arranged via a tour company. Although cash has been the predominant payment method in Qatar, this is beginning to change, which is good news for tourists since  HSBC offers protection against loss or theft. If you’re planning on taking part in several activities, it can be handy to have some plastic on you to avoid expensive traveler’s cheques, plus credit cards from HSBC and other familiar providers also enable easy access to money at the ATMs. However, it’s wise to exercise caution, using only official bank machines here and sticking with local currency at the market and in smaller shops.

There’s no doubt that Qatar offers some world-class cultural attractions beyond the more energetic highlights, and while you’re in the country, set aside some time for the historic Al Zubarah fort or browse the recreated 19th-century Souk-Waqif, in Doha.

This country has been undervalued in the past but is now coming to the world’s attention. With its desert adventures, ancient sites, and thriving culture, this attention is thoroughly deserved.

This is a travel feature by world traveler, Jose Capelo. He loves exploring the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar and has spent many trips exploring the wild deserts of Qatar.

Continue Reading

Other

Boys will be Boys – Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

Published

on

Splurging on chocolate in Quebec City

Barcelona has a lot to offer to the quintessential all-boys travel group for a stag weekend in Barcelona. This sunny Spanish city is known for its gorgeous Mediterranean beaches complemented by turquoise waters. In addition to this, this city offers the ideal environment for an all-male party hotspot, considering its vibrant nightlife, football culture, flamenco dance clubs, tattoo parlors, and its delicious sangrias and tapas.

Paella cooking class Barcelona

Barcelona is a widespread consideration for a quick all-boys getaway during the summer. With a variety of heart-thumping activities that can make your trip a memorable one, make sure you take out time to pursue the following –

  • LTW Tattoo:

    If you are looking for a real adventure that will stick with you all your life, there is no better way to commemorate this epic trip than heading to Barcelona’s best tattoo parlor.

  • Barna Paintball:

    Take on your best buddies in a battle of agility by visiting the Barna Paintball. With four thematic areas to choose from, your experience here can be genuinely adventurous.

  • Bar Crawl Barcelona:

    Considered one of the most famous pub crawls globally and the biggest in Europe, the original Bar Crawl Barcelona is a great way to explore the city in its nocturnal state. You and your buddies can visit four bars and then finish at one of the best clubs in Barcelona. Complete with some of the craziest drinking games, this memorable experience costs all but 15 Euros.

  • FC’s Camp Nou:

    If you are a group of football fans visiting the city, you cannot leave without making a trip to Camp Nou, the city’s football ground. With a ticket for the stadium tour, you will have access to the changing rooms, benches, press rooms, and stands. If you are fortunate enough to have a match coinciding with your travel dates, make sure you book your tickets for the game well in advance.

  • Circuit de Catalunya Racing Track:
    If you and your crew are into racing, consider heading to the Circuit de Catalunya, host to various Formula 1 and Moto GP races. Here, you can get a detailed tour of the briefing room, pits, and podium.
  • Comedy Nights:

    Comedy nights are often an option that everybody loves. Especially as a group of single boys, you may love to attend an event organized by the Giggling Guiri program that consists of English-speaking shows.

  • Al Fresco Drinking on Las Ramblas:

    The heart of tourist activity in Barcelona, Las Ramblas, offers unique casual outdoor ambiances for groups of boys to spend hours finishing pitchers of sangria or chugging down buckets of beer bottles. Vibrant as ever, this street located off the Gothic Quarters is a great place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

As a group of boys, you can also research options for day trips to beaches outside of Barcelona that offers relaxing and laid-back environments for your holiday. Many options are available in Barcelona for hiring a car to explore this scenic and exciting city with your friends, such as Thrifty Car Rentals. So when you are in Barcelona with your amigos, nothing stops you from having a great time!

Continue Reading

Meet Cole and Adela

Cole and AdelaWe have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...

New on Four Jandals

What Are You Looking For?

See Our Favorite Topics