50% off Sydney hotels

Hotels.com has just released a 72-hour hotel sale and is offering 50% OFF hotel rooms at a range of properties across Sydney. The discount applies for
stays of two nights or more with rates starting as low as
$44 per room, per night.

You can choose from the following properties:

-4-star Vibe Hotel Sydney ... $77-$88 (until 27 Dec)
-4.5-star Grace Hotel ... $90-$115 (23 Aug-30 Sep)
-4.5-star Medina Grand ... $85-$125 (until 27 Dec)
-3.5-star Travelodge Sydney ... $44-$70 (until 27 Dec)
-3.5-star Capitol Square Hotel ... $50-$70 (until 30 Apr)
-5-star Sheraton on the Park ... $150-$165 (Fri-Mon until
27 Dec)

This sale ends midnight (AEST) Thursday 6 August.

BOOK NOW

Harbour view Hotel

Having lived so close to Sydney for a few years and realising that I know more about overseas destinations than my own backyard, I decided to spend the weekend in the beautiful city that is Sydney.
There are some outstanding places to stay in Sydney and the prices tend to be the same. But I discovered a hotel in North Sydney with views, but not prices, to die for.
The Harbourview Hotel in North Sydney is a beautifully refurbished hotel with prime views of the Harbour Bridge (but not the Opera House).
You can find some great deals online at Lastminute.com.au or on the hotel website.
The staff are amazing and you almost don't want to leave your room as the view is so nice. But if you do decide to venture out, the train station is just outside the hotel and it is an easy ride over the bridge and into the city (approx 5 mins) or you can walk along the harbour and over the bridge.

When in Sydney there are certain 'must sees', to name just a few the bridge, the Opera House, Darling Harbour, The Rocks and Centrepoint tower (dinner at 360 Bar and Dining rotating restaurant at the top is a must if you've got the $$$)
But you can't go past The Lowenbrau in The Rocks with it's 1L beers, fresh baked pretzels or roasted pork knuckle. This is a great place to relax and take it all in, surrounded by markets on Sundays (if that's your thing)

Another hint is to walk as much as you can (the trains are not so good and only take you to limited places in the city anyway), it is an easy walk around the city and it's hard to get bored because it really is a beautiful city.

Tiger airways domestic flight sale - only 30,000 seats

Tiger Airways have just released bargain domestic flights. There's no need to wait for dates to draw closer, you can book a cheap summer break or a long weekend escape for travel as far out as March 2010. Plan ahead and secure your forthcoming flights at bargain prices when you BOOK TODAY

Sale ends on 25th of June for flights between 4th Aug 2009 - 14th Dec 2009 and 28th Jan 2010 - 8th March 2010. Flights from $19 for travel on Tuesday and Wednesday only.
Fly to and from most Australian capital cities.

New Zealand ski adventures

WINTER..... What better way to spend the chilly months then at the snow. Aus has some great slopes but New Zealand is absolutely amazing this year and there are some really good deals at the moment for travel between June and September.

Starting from about $850 fly to Christchurch, NZ from any capital city in Aus. This includes return airfares, 5 nights accomodation and car hire, 3 day ski pass ( you can explore the gorgeous countryside on the other days) You even get a free night ski with most of the packages.
Check out bestflights.com.au for all the details.

Country: New Zealand
Cost: From $850
Links: bestflights.com.au

AMSTERDAM - The Red Light District

After the onsets of one of Amsterdam's famous cafe visits are well underway, its time to carouse down to where the lights are red, the minds are open, and the term 'window shopping' takes on a brand new meaning.

Now the thing to remember about the red light district is that while it is highly sexualized, it is not highly gratuitous. You won't see anything on these streets that you couldn't see in a Victoria Secret magazine, though that rule gets a bit shadier the deeper you head down the back streets.

Prepare to see men bartering for a better price, giggling couples pointing and staring, drug dealers trying to earn a quid (a simple no thanks should suffice), and women giving the wink behind their windows. The place is clean, safe and highly regulated. Don't be afraid, keep the photos to a minimum, and just go for the experience and you'll be fine.

Some of the funnier events that deserve a mention are: a football team of young guys bartering for a group special, accidentally walking the streets of the 'other red light district' - commonly known as the purple light district (not for the faint hearted), a working girl throwing a toy at a leaving customer, and getting hit up for i.d. after ordering a coffee........

Country - Netherlands
Cost - 50 euros and up
Links - amsterdam info

Cheap flights to Los Angeles

If you are looking to travel to America this year, there are some really good deals on airfares at the moment.
For travel between the 3/7/2009 - 3/11/2009 with Delta Airlines, prices start from $695 plus taxes of $366. Travel from Melbourne or Sydney to Los Angeles.
For this and other great deals BOOK NOW on costlesstravel.com

V Australia cheap return flights to the US

Right now till midnight 10th June, V Australia are doing some great deals.

Travel period for this one is quite large which makes it a bit more flexible when choosing times. As long as you can get to Melbourne, you can go anytime between 15 July and 30 June 2009

Los Angeles	$1045*	Book now »
Seattle	$1299*	Book now »
Salt Lake City	$1299*	Book now »
Portland	$1299*	Book now »
New York	$1499*	Book now »
Orlando	$1499*	Book now »
Atlanta	$1499*	Book now »

Free upgrade on P&O cruises

This week is a good time to book a cruise. P&O have an Exclusive Offer going at the moment.So if your considering a floating vacation book by 31 May to receive this bonus upgrade!
Just Book an inside cabin and receive a FREE upgrade to an outside cabin!
Visit Harvey World travel and BOOK now.

The shell game

I was sauntering through the streets one day looking for the Moulin Rouge, when I stumbled upon a suspious crowd. Being one for adventure, I headed over to see what was happening. To my delight it was some sort of primitive street gambling.

Being cautious I watched the game a few times, and after deciding that my brain chemicals were clearly superior to my obviously inferior opponent, I threw down 20 euros in elated anticipation of doubling my money.

Before we get to the part where I lost my money, I want to share with you the poetic accuracy of the scam that I faced. After watching about 10 games of this, and witnessing other people easily win or lose money......... my moment arrived. One of the co conspirators (that status was hidden from me at the time on account of skills normally held by the world's greatest Thespians) turned over the correct cup while the dealer looked away, revealing the pea. As she looked into her purse to get the money, the dealer then swapped the cup without her (apparent) knowledge and she lost her money. Now here I am, getting all my practice games correct, I had just seen the pea under the cup, and I had seen said cup moved only once. I figured this was going to be my best chance......... there were only 2 cups left, and I KNEW which one it was under.

The next second I experienced a large spectrum of emotions. First was shock. Shock because it wasn't there. Befuddlement followed, how couldn't it be there. Then came realisation. I realised I had been had, and I kinda respected them for pulling off such an obvious scam in such a convincing way. That was all in the first second.

'Get out of there before you loose more money" was the main thought that carried my feet a few steps before the next emotion kicked in - anger. I got pissed cause not only did I realise that it was a scam, but I realised they had used my own arrogance against me.

Needless to say that when I turned around the whole group had vanished; even the senile old gent that kept loosing his money, which was rather odd. I mean, he can't run can he.

Country - Most big cities
Cost - 20-1000 dollars, depending on the penchant for gambling
Links - wiki

Jetstar 5th birthday sale

Get in now
Between midday and midnight TODAY, there are 55,000 seats up for sale for 55% off. Click here

London - Monopoly Pub Crawl

This Herculean event matches the length and enjoyment of the board game from whence this pub crawl derives its name, Monopoly. But if your head and your heart agree to do it - maybe your stomach will comply the following day................... maybe.

So if performing this laudable inebriated pilgrimage is on your bucket list, there are some things to be aware of:

1) There is ALOT of drinking. The legend goes that in order to successfully complete the MPC, one must drink a pint at every pub, 26 in total.................. but if you do halves I won't tell if you don't

2) It is done in one day, so drinking 26 beers in 26 pubs in one day can be quite a time squeeze. This brings me to number...

3) It is up to you whether or not to do the pubs in order. Pubs open at 11am in London, and unless you have a tour guide, it can be quite a challenge to do it in correct order (assuming you know the correct order by the time you hit Oxford st). So more times than not, it is done in a way that minimises travel time.

Country - England
Price - 100-150 pounds
Links - beerintheevening

Getting to Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast road is famous for its hairpin bends, breathtaking views and general scariness. For those wanting to experience the views without the cost of renting a car and the stress and expense of parking, the public SITA buses are the way to go. They are very cheap (from 2 to 6 euros) and run directly from Sorrento and Salerno quite frequently.

If your in Naples, it is an easy trip by train down to Sorrento (Pompeii is on the way - another must see) Then you can buy a return ticket (lasts for 24hr) at the station or at most tabacchi shops or bars where you see a SITA sign and your on your way.

This is well worth a visit and the bus ride there and back is unforgettable to say the least.

Country - Italy
Price - 2-6 euro
Links - Wikitravel

32 hour international Airfare sale - Flight Centre

Today and tomorrow, if you are near a Flight Centre, it may be worth your while dropping in and seeing what they have on sale.

Flight Centre's 32 Hour International Airfare Sale

is on now. With great savings on a huge range of airlines and destinations, you'll be taking off on your dream holiday sooner.

Sale ends 5pm Wednesday 20 May, so visit your local Flight Centre store or call 133 133

Nusa Lembongan - off the beaten track

On one particular travel, I found myself on a small island off Bali called Nusa Lembongan. Despite a handful of large luxurious hotels, this place is still mainly untouched by modern society. Hiring a motorbike for the day can get you around the whole island, and you will see another world. Grass huts line the streets in the more remote places, but the main stand out is the Gala Gala underground house.

Owned by Made Byasa, the house was built underground using only a hammer, chisel and intuition as guidance. It took 15 years to complete this incredible labyrinth, which includes a bedroom, dining room, kitchen, bathroom and sacred meditation room.

A take along a token donation and a sarong, leave the claustrophobia at home for this one

Country - Indonesia
Price - 20,000 rupiah
Links - wikitravel

The Louvre for free

You can literally lose yourself in the Louvre for a week, but if you don't have that sort of time, a full or half day will suffice (if you’re well planned)

The tickets range from 6-13 euros, but the first Sunday of every month is free to the public; however the lines are HUGE on these days and should be avoided. (The line has been known to wind around the exterior building)
Your best bet for quicker entry is to arrange to go at the start of the week (it is closed on Tuesdays) and arrive early (it opens at 9am) or if you want to save a bit of cash, go on Wednesday of Friday nights from 6pm - 9:45pm, it is cheaper than the daytime tickets.

But, if you’re under 26, you can enter the Louvre absolutely free, every Friday night between 6pm – 9:45pm. Just make sure you have a valid form of identification on you.

Tip:

You can enter via the glass pyramid like everyone else, or you can try entering through the Louvre Mall (access on rue de Rivoli) underneath the museum. This can save you from entering one of the two lines (but be warned, there can be a line here as well, although not as big as at the Pyramid)

Country - France

Price - 0-13 euros

Links - wiki