Destination Archives - Page 3 of 44

May 24, 2020 by Jeremy

Travel Destinations in Thailand – Hua-Hin

In 1834 the province of Phetchaburi fell victim to a severe drought which brought much hardship to the area. As a result of this, a number of agricultural workers decided to seek more fertile land and moved South. They came across a small coastal village with glorious white sand and a row of rocks along the beach. They decided to put down their roots here and named the place Samore Riang, which translates as “Rows of Rocks”.

As the years rolled by, more and more people settled in the area. Prince Purachatra had the Railway Hotel built close to the beach. Prince Krom Phra Naresworarit built palaces at Ban Laem Hin, called Sukaves. It was he that gave the beach the name “Hua Hin”. King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) had his summer palace constructed there and named it Klai Kang Won, which means “Far from Worries”. For 2 years, from 2004 to 2006 it became the main residence of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), until poor health forced him to retire to the Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok.

As 1 of 8 districts within Prachuap Khiri Khan Province and 911 kilometers Southwest of Bangkok, Hua Hin is now a popular visitor destination for indigenous Thais and foreign travelers wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of the cities. There is no doubting the beauty of the area, lush green plantations, rolling hills, sandy beaches and the calm cooling waters of The Gulf of Thailand.

See and Do in Hua Hin

Some visitors arrive in Hua Hin by train, but of course not all. For those that don’t, the station is an attractive structure and worth a short visit. Built during the reign of King Rama VI, the structure is of brightly painted timber of Thai design. But, strangely, it has the feel of a typical Victorian provincial railway station that would not be out of place in an English shire county. Remarkable this station is not, but pretty and pleasing it certainly is.

Black Mountain Water Park

Hua Hin has evolved into a family orientated resort area. Great family fun is to be had at the Black Mountain Water Park. There are 9 separate water slides, a beach pool and a pool just for the younger children. There’s also the lazy river and a wave pool. The park has been constructed around a man-made lake and is set against a mountain backdrop. Open from 10am to 5pm, the Black Mountain Water Park is an exciting day out for both parents and children, go on, make a splash.

The Venezia Hua Hin

Rather than build yet another glitzy shopping mall, which can be found in most towns and cities, the Venezia is something different, it’s a shopping village. Themed with a Venetian style this is a wonderfully refreshing shopping experience, it even sports a replica of San Marco’s Bell Tower. Lining each side of the canal are colorful shops, houses, restaurants and coffee shops. Relaxing terraces and plazas complete the experience, and Venezia makes a wonderful backdrop for the perfect photo opportunity.

Hua Hin Beach

Hua Hin Beach will always be a major attraction for visitors. With 4 kilometers of white sand the beach is rarely crowded and there are plenty of activities for all the family. Ride a pony along the soft sand, ride a banana boat, relax under a beach umbrella or sit on the terrace of one of the many beachside restaurants and bars that sit beneath the palms that fringe the soft white sand. Be you active or idle, Hua Hin Beach doesn’t disappoint.

Hua Hin, Close to Nature

Trekking and hiking is becoming more popular with visitors to the kingdom, and at Hua Hin there is much to see. Hua Hin is surrounded by National Parks, the hills and mountains that rise up from the Eastern seaboard are blanketed with verdant flora that supports a myriad of fauna, perfect for the rural explorer.

Following well mapped and signed posted trails, incredible caves and awe inspiring waterfalls await, viewing points allow for breathtaking vistas, the photo opportunities are endless. The birdlife will excite any ornithologist with, amongst others, the sight of eagles and hawks circling in the blue skies.

Hua Hin Night Market

The town’s night market is as good as any you will find in Thailand. Dominated by local merchandise this is a great place to barter for a bargain. The market also offers wonderful street food and restaurants, freshly caught seafood is a must try, prawns, crab and lobster are too tempting to miss. The night market is not just about lightening your wallet, it is a bright, colorful, vibrant form of entertainment all of its own.

Hua Hin, Something for Everyone

Hua Hin is certainly an all-encompassing holiday destination and provides an experience that lives with the visitor long after the holiday is over. For the old and the young, the adventurous and the idle, Hua Hin has it. From visiting the vineyards and the palaces, the animal park and the butterfly farm to bronzing on the beach, visitors can be sure of Hua Hin.

Visit Hua Hin Destination page on FerrySamui.com for travel packages and schedules to and from Hua Hin.

March 21, 2020 by Jeremy

Information on Australia Citizenship Test and Traveling Before Ceremony

So, you have visited Australia and have decided you want to stay and become an Australian citizen. You have thought about it and you want to live, work and invest in this great country referred to by many as the Outback.

Permanent resident

Just to be certain that you understand – a permanent resident of Australian is someone who has a permanent visa but is not yet a citizen. You can have a “permanent visa” and work, live and study without any restrictions but you will not be a citizen and will not be able to:

Automatically will not have the right of entry into Australia if you travel out of the country.
You will not be able to vote in Australian government elections.
You will not be eligible for any governmental services and benefits that are maintained for only citizens.

Australian Citizenship

Australian Citizenship does have plenty of rewards for those who want to have permanent legal residency in Australia. Most of all you get to meet and live among people that like you have come from different countries and races from almost every country around the world. Second, you become one of a unified, liberated and democratic society. And finally, the most valuable part of becoming a citizen of Australia is the commitment you make to the value of the country and its people. You can find more information at citizenshipaustralian.com.

Citizenship Test

One of the requirements of becoming an Australian citizen is that you will have to take the Australian Citizenship test. This is a test that will evaluate what your knowledge is of Australia. This includes:

Beliefs
Geography
Government
Laws
The people

You also will be tested on the responsibilities and privileges of being an Australian citizen. The Australian Citizenship Test will also test what you know about Australia in regards to the government and the law. And importantly, it will also test you on Australia’s democratic:

Beliefs
Liberties
Rights

Apart from the topics already mentioned, the exam will also test your basic knowledge of the English language.

20 questions

This test is made up of 20 multiple-choice questions. It is a computer-based exam and the questions are drawn randomly from a large database of 200 questions and each applicant will have 45 minutes to finish the test. The questions are taken from the official guide called “Our Common Bond” that is published by the Home Affairs Department. Passing this test, you will need to make a score of at least 75%. After passing the test, you will have demonstrated your commitment and understanding of the Australian Citizenship Pledge.

Traveling outside Australia

You might have questions about traveling outside of Australia after you have approved for citizenship, passed your exam and ready for the citizenship ceremony. If you have not finished all of this, you must still travel using your current passport. And in addition, this will not affect your ability to attend your ceremony or to become an Australian citizen.

10 days

If you wait for at least 10 days, you might be able to apply to get a passport as an Australian citizen. If you have passed the Citizenship Test, it takes about 10 days for this information to be updated in the system. If you can’t wait, then your current passport will have to be used.

January 3, 2020 by Jeremy

5 games to keep kids entertained while you travel

When I was a kid, long journeys were all about the games. At the first whimper of “Muuuum, I’m booooored” she would shoot right back at me with, “Let’s play a game then”. I spy, the number plate game and 20 questions were all firm favourites in the car when I was a child.

In the digital age, it’s all too easy to rely on technology to keep children entertained on long car, train or plane journeys. However, spending too long looking at a screen can make kids carsick or suffer from headaches or a sore neck. Plus, playing traditional car games is a great way to bond as a family during the journey so it’s a good thing to keep doing.

Here are five of the best games to play while you travel…

1. The number plate game

There are many versions of this game, which you can adapt depending on which country you’re in. In the USA, the game is known as the license plate game and involves spotting license plates from different states. In the UK, you could look for number plates starting with different letters, or in Europe you could even look for ones from different countries. All you need is a piece of paper to scribble down the number plates that you spot. The person who gets the most wins. The great thing about this game is that it works just as well for one child as it does for siblings.

2. I spy

“I spy with my little eye, something beginning with…” I spy has been a popular game for as long as anyone can remember. Once you’ve got past the common choices of ‘road’, ‘trees’ and ‘sky’, the game often gets trickier, particularly once your kids start thinking out of the box and coming up with things like ‘teeth’. Playing this game with young children is always funny, especially when you spend ages guessing everything you can think of beginning with S and then they tell you the answer was ‘ceiling’! For very young ones who can’t spell, you could switch letters for colours and spy things that are green.

3. Memory game

Also known as ‘Granny went to the supermarket’, this game involves making and remembering a growing shopping list of items that start with each letter of the alphabet. For example, I might say: “Granny went to the supermarket and bought apples” and you would stay: “Granny went to the supermarket and bought apples and bananas.” Other names for this game include The Picnic Game and The Casserole Game. Perhaps you could come up with your own themes, such as what you would pack to go camping?

4. Things beginning with

In this game, one person thinks of a category, for example, things you can wear. The other thinks of a letter, like B. Then you have to take it in turns to come up with things you can wear beginning with B. This can be a tricky game and is just as well-suited for adults as kids. Descriptive words are okay in this game, so “big knickers” would be allowed! But that then means that you can’t have anything else ‘big’ or any other kind of knickers! Some of the answers are hilarious once you get past the obvious ones.

5. Would you rather?

Would you rather wear a wedding dress every day or a swimming costume every day? Would you rather have twelve fingers or two belly buttons? The possibilities for this game are endless and all you have to do is decide which is the lesser of two evils. If you’re stuck for questions, there are some hilarious would you rather questions you can look up online.

So, there you have five games which should keep the whole family entertained the next time you travel. None of these need any equipment and many will have children of all ages not just entertained but laughing their heads off! So next time you have a long car journey, or even a flight, give these games a try and you may even be able to leave the kids’ tablet computers at home.

This article was provided by Simon Hansen from Family Travel Planet.

December 18, 2019 by Jeremy

Key Tips on Getting the Best Deals When Hiring Luxury Cars

You may want to make a grand appearance at an event in a top-of-the-range car or to give your lover a special treat by riding in a luxury car. Maybe you are on a holiday with your family and you want them to have special and memorable time, so you decide to hire a luxury car to drive them around. You may also want to spoil yourself by riding in a comfortable luxury ride. Whatever the reason for hiring a luxury car, you can get great deals and save your cash or get a real luxurious machine at an unbelievable rate.

Here are some tips on how to get yourself the best deals when renting luxury cars:

Make reservations

While you have an option of walking into the brick and mortar office of a luxury car rental company and getting a car on the spot, you can choose to do early bookings. You could do so online on the companies’ websites or via a telephone call or even by visiting the car rental offices long before the date of renting the car. By walking into the rental company and driving out with your preferred luxury ride, you can be sure that you will most likely pay a premium rate. Early reservations, especially online, allow you to compare the rates of several rentals, negotiate the rates, or consider other things that could save you some money.

Utilize frequent hirer programs

As is the case with airlines, hotels, and other service providers, luxury car rental companies monitor their customers and offer discounts to their loyal clients. You are therefore in a better position to get the best deals if you use one or a few car rentals every time you hire a luxury car. Joining the loyalty program of your favourite rental company is a good idea so you get benefits like members-only deals even though you may not a frequent hirer. So, identify a good and reliable luxury car rental company like Milani Exotic Car Rentals that has all of the best high-end cars that you can enjoy driving or being driven in and be their consistent client to get the best deals.

Negotiate prices

Do you know how to boost your bargaining clout? Well, get quotes from several luxury car rentals and use the rate of one company to negotiate with another or get some understanding of the prevailing market rates. You must always ask for a lower rate because you can never get a lower rate if you do not ask for it. When a luxury car rental company refuses to lower their rates, you can push to see if you could get an extra day at a lower rate.

Utilize family or friend referral discount schemes

Some luxury car rentals give discounts to friends or relatives of their past clients. To take advantage of such discounts, inquire from your friends and family if they have ever rented a luxury car form a certain exotic car rental company.

Conclusion

You can also get the best deals when renting luxury cars by ensuring that you understand what the rental price covers so you do not have to pay extra charges for things you may have overlooked. You can also seek to know the excess insurance coverage, or the amount that you should pay in case of an accident. Get to know if they will still accept the policy if you get separate insurance for the excess and a guarantee that they will not demand a deposit from you.

December 10, 2019 by Jeremy

What To Pack for a Guys Trip in the Swiss Alps

Sometimes, you just need to leave women or partners at home and go on a rogue guy’s trip. This winter, why not go on a mountain trip to the Swiss Alps? It would cross off many items on the good old bucket list.

So to help prepare for your trip, here is your packing list for a guy’s trip to the Swiss Alps:

Your passport

First things first, you’ll need your passport since you are leaving the country. It is also recommended to travel with a paper copy of your passport in your luggage just in case you are separated from the original.

Winter coat

Before you go, get yourself a good European brand winter coat. Buying a coat from a company founded where ‘real winters’ happen is advised so you know you are getting a piece made for intense winter weather. Beloved mountain brands such as Moncler for men, designed a great selection of stylish and warm coats available on luisaviaroma.com. You will certainly see this brand during your time in the Alps! Blend in with the rest in the most stylish way possible.

A good pair of snow boots

Needless to say, a good pair of snow boots is a must. Be sure to get a pair well in advance before leaving for your trip so you have time to get used to your boots. More importantly, make sure that they offer you the support and warmth you want and need! The last thing you want is for your feet to be cold and wet while exploring the Swiss Alps. Proper gear is required!

A good backpack

A good backpack for your adventures is essential. You’ll want enough space to pack essentials to bring on the slopes, snow trekking, or to a day of exploring a nearby village. In it you can carry food, a water bottle, keys, phone, wallet, an extra layer, etc. Many backpacks also have a waterproof cover that is especially helpful to help keep your items safe and dry. If you plan on going for a snowshoeing trek, look for a ’30 litres’ backpack that has straps to attach snowshoes on the outside.

Lots of warm clothing

It’s not to say that you need to over pack for your trip, but you do want the right clothing. Pack layers, including thermal layers with wicking properties that can be washed and dried quickly, thermal tights, waterproof pants, waterproof gloves, wool hat, and wool socks that wick away moisture and keep you warm. You’ll also want warm cozy clothes for time after the slopes when the temperature continues to drop.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a year round item. When you are up in elevation and in snow, the sun really reflects and you want to protect your skin. Yes, in the middle of winter it is possible to get sunburned. Don’t forget lip sunscreen!

Waterproof phone case

A waterproof phone case can save you the cost of having to replace your phone… just in case. On the off chance that something should happen, this is a purchase you’ll be thankful you did in the moment you really need it.

An empty stomach… for all the Swiss food you will eat

Swiss food is warm and delicious, and you’ll want the space for it! After days on the slopes and exploring the Alps, there’s nothing like cheese fondue, raclette, and Älplermagronen.

Switzerland has some of the best mountains and skiing in the world. A guys trip here to just relax and hit the slopes will be a trip to remember!