Monday, 25 April 2016

Things to do in Santorini


Hi readers, Amy here
Travelling to Santorini is a definite must on the bucket list, hope my list of things to do makes your journey all the more exciting..

Santorini is a mix of towering cliffs, inky waters and whitewashed villages. Filled with friendly locals, excited tourists, and many delicious cafes to choose from, Santorini is the place to be! 




Here are five brilliant ideas that I would recommend you do with your time in Santorini...

Walk the streets of OIA
OIA is home to some of the best luxury accommodations in Santorini. Taking a leisurely stroll through the famous picturesque lane-ways, surrounded by whitewash houses with bright blue domes, coloured doors and an abundance of flower filled trees.

 

Relax on the black sands of Kamari Beach
It is inevitable that the summers in Greece are exceptionally warm. Kamari Beach is the place to be on these boiling hot days. Some of the best villas are located right near this famous beach, so plan carefully if you aim to log a sun lounger for the day!


Charter a sailboat and explore Santorini's coast
What is better than taking in the beautiful views on the gorgeous ocean itself. It gives you a chance to get away from the gangs of tourists on land, have some privacy and savour the sea breezes while taking in the beautiful views


Sample of the island's best wines on the vineyard tour
Santorini produces some of the finest vintages in the world due to its sun drenched slopes, rich volcanic soil and exposure to moisture. Some of the vineyard fields have been productive since the days of the Romans, so you know your palette will be in for a treat!


Enjoy its finest cuisine at a variety of its best resturants
From Selena, A modern Greek cuisine using local ingredients, to Aroma Avlis, who provides a spectacular selection of wines, you definitely have a lot of choice. Dining out while the sun sets is a must on this beautiful island. 



Why wouldn't you want to visit one of the most beautiful islands in Greece for a holiday?

Nightlife In Greece

Hey all! Its Paolo :) Ive travelled to the wonderful islands of Greece many times and boy do i have a list of hot party destinations for all you party goers to visit!



1. Skandinavian Disco - Mykonos, Town

Skandinavian Bar and Club is the best known meeting point of the island, a place where you can meet your friends or make new ones! This was a great experience for myself as my friends and i were able to explore the large varieties of cocktails and drinks plus the great music selection by the famous D.Js that give you a greek festive experience.



2. Cavo Paradiso  - Mykonos, Paradise 

Cavo Paradiso on Paradise beach in Mykonos is one of the hottest party destinations, not just on the Greek island, but around the world. It hosts the best of parties on the island and is a clubber’s paradise! It for me was one experience that ill remember for the rest of my life! Located beautifully on top of a hill, the club owners were once apprehensive of building it at its current site. A lot of people were against going ahead with the project as they felt that in a place like Mykonos, with a number of bars, no one would leave the town to visit a club on top of a hill. However, the owners went ahead and built this stunning club.


3. Eden - Corfu, Dassia

Edem is one of the best nightclubs in Dassia, Corfu, and it is a MUST go destination you party lovers! It first opened in May 1998 as a cafe bar during the day and a rock bar during the night. In 2000 the bar was extensively renovated and officially became a popular spot receiving mostly younger crowds. Music is the major highlight of Edem Club. The experienced DJs play the latest hits as well as old time classics in beautiful and original remixes. Edem Club offers a fine collections of cocktails with original mixes and great flavors. The party just before midnight and continues until the sunrise. It is a great spot for the youngsters. Before midnight, Edem works as a cafeteria and a lounge bar.



4. Koo - Santorini, Fira 

Koo Club is located on the north end of cliffside walkway in Fira. The club has a large outdoor patio in a tropical setting with palm trees and an indoor dance floor that is in total contrast with its sultry ambience and high energy action which reaches a crescendo when the dance floor becomes packed with gyrating bodies who let them be carried away by the pulsating rhythms of the music. The indoor floor is pretty large and has a luxurious decoration, looking pretty much like the interiors of a Greek palace, with its large cave-like alcoves, subdued lighting, an impressive chandelier and plush sofas with comfy cushions. The spacious patio outside has three bars and can be used as a getaway to lounge between songs or to enjoy a drink under the stars. 



5. Galea - Paros, Parika

A dance club in Parikia with the best DJs, the Galea Club is the spot to be for dancing to the best of club music. Parikia has a fantastic nightlife that never stops and Galea has a bright party scene of Paros. After the ouzeries and taverns disgorge their patrons into the streets past midnight, most of them head to places like Galea where the music gets loud and partying lasts till the early hours.



6. Pegasus - Ios, Chora 

Pegasus is a Hard Rock Club, famous for its loud and raw music located in the main village of Ios. It opened initially in 1987 and since then it has been established as a favorite hangout for the hardcore party goers who holiday on the island. The music at Pegasus is targeted in special groups and funs of Metalica, Prodigy, Nirvana and Rage Against the Machine. 




Top ten tips to travelling on a budget in Switzerland


Hi readers, its Amy here. 
I recently went on a photography tour around Europe, and thought I'd share one of my most favourite destinations along the journey! 

To most people, the image of Switzerland consists of majestic mountains, delicious fondue and chocolate, fancy watches and an orderly society. To others (including me), it is an overly expensive destination where you spend a minimum of $15 in the local McDonald’s.

Switzerland is rated the most expensive country in the world to visit, no wonder tourists skip over the country and wait until they have a few more coins in their pockets before visiting. However, it is possible to see this country’s beauty on a relatively light budget… 


Here are some of the ways I was able to budget while in Switzerland! 
  1.   Using Couch surfing -  this is a service that allows travellers to stay with locals for free! As long as you put in requests for hosts early, you are guaranteed a free nights sleep in a traditional Swiss household. Link to their website
  2.  Using BlaBlaCar – This is a ride-sharing website that allows you to avoid trains and meet locals. You can say a good $50 and make a new French friend along the way! BlaBlaCar Website
  3.  Using hotel points – hotel reward points are a lifesaver. Rack up a few points prior to your journey and earn several nights stay in chain hotels.
  4.   Don’t drink – alcohol is mighty expensive; rather use those dollars on excursions, accommodation or transport. Fortunately when I went, I wasn't at the legal age to drink so I didn't have to worry about this! 
  5.   Buy groceries and cook – buying your fruit and veg at the local grocer and cooking your own meals can save you a lot of cash. Especially if you’re planning to stay a while.. I became a frequent buyer at the local grocer. 
  6.  Use lunch specials – Stick to ethnic restaurants who give the best deals and bigger portions! There's always a cheeky takeout just  around the corner.. 
  7. Travel in the off season - We travelled during off peak times and it reduced our costs dramatically! Not only were flight prices cheaper, but tourist activities tend to reduce in prices during these times too 
  8. Check out the free museums - For a budget friendly activity, explore the several free museums Switzerland has to offer! Its definitely worth a shot. 
  9. Buy your train tickets online - tickets tend to be a lot cheaper online and this way you can use the money you would of for transport, for a tourist attraction or bite to eat!
  10. Do your research - There are plenty of cheaper hotels and hostels, tourist attraction and eateries that offer affordable prices, you just have to find them! 





I hope my tips help you out in your future travels!

Thursday, 21 April 2016

A little bit about us!





As a group, we decided to create a travel blog. This is because we all share a common interest in the world of travel. We have the desire to explore and discover the world, learn about new cultures,  meet new people and see the beautiful sights the world has to offer. This blog is a showcase of all the experiences we have had, as well as essential tips and guides to the perfect holiday



Marina with The Leaning Tower of Pisa


My name is marina, I am a 20 year old student, studying Media and Journalism communications at Macquarie University. I have travelled through Europe in the past year and these experiences have greatly flourished my passion for travelling. I find it exhilarating being immersed in new cultures and meeting new people from all around the world. Travelling has greatly shaped my views of the world and who I am today 




      Amy scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef

Hi, my name is Amy Thomson. My  dad was an expat when I was growing up, so my family and I have travelled a lot in the last 18 years and I have lived in six different countries so far. There's nothing I enjoy more than exploring a new country, learning about a new culture and meeting new people. Growing up this way has given me a huge passion to travel and explore the world. 



Paolo in Sicily, Italy




Hi there, my name is Paolo, and I have a passion for travel. Whether it's national or international, I am always amongst the memories and uncovering new exquisite cities around the world. My favourite place of travel is Italy, on a small island off Sicily is where I've spent most of my traveling years seeing family.


Sami bungy jumping in New Zealand

The name's Sami.. Sami Chalabi. I'm Palestinian by background but as Australian as they come. I like sports, socialising, exploring and a bunch of other things that would bore you... So here I am.. Your man.. Handsome Sam