Hotel: InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort
Location: Sanctuary Cove, Gold Coast Australia
Room: Executive Room, Beach Lagoon & Pool View
Perfect for: Couples
Category: 5 Star
Planning a trip to the Gold Coast and want to check out the famous theme parks and golden beaches? The unique location of the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort might just be perfect for you.
When we look at hotels, it comes down to a few key considerations, location, amenities and a touch of luxury. The below post will cover these and a bit more!
Our welcome experience at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove…
Our luggage was taken off our hands before we even reached reception, now that’s service.
Once inside, we were quickly greeted by reception who proceeded to check us in quickly. Our room came with Club InterContinental which was explained to us in details upon check-in (see below for more info on this!).
The Room…
Our Executive room overlooked the pool area and gardens. From the moment you walk in, you feel relaxed and at ease. The bedroom is quite spacious and leads out onto the balcony.
The bathroom is complete with luxury toiletries (which not even Jenna minded using to wash her hair which says a lot!), a rain shower and a separate bath.
What was a great feature that you don’t often get is the size of the wardrobe! It was large enough to hang your clothes and place your suitcases in without having to leave them on the floor of your room. It was an added bonus for us.
Meals…
The Fireplace: What a lovely restaurant! Honestly, the service, ambience and the food was divine! Firstly, we highly recommend you book as the restaurant can get quite busy, especially on the weekend. What we loved about the restaurant is that you can see the kitchen and the chef’s prepare and plate up your food next to where diners are sitting. It’s fantastic!
For entree, we ordered the beef cheek and the scallops. The meals were beautifully presented and tasted just as good as they looked.
For main, we both ordered steak which is cooked in the wood fire oven. We ordered the pumpkin on the wide and were not expecting what came out! The steaks were cooked perfectly.
For dessert, we decided to share the orange parfait. Again, it was so beautifully presented – it was nearly too pretty to eat!
Verandah Restaurant & Bar: If you’re looking for something a little more casual with a lovely menu than this restaurant is perfect.
We weren’t starving after we checked in as we had some nibbles in the InterContinental club (see below) so ordered some lamb sliders, Malaysian drummettes and sweet potato fries to share.
InterContinental Club
With our executive room, the InterContinental Club access was included. With this access, you’re entitled to:
- Complimentary afternoon ‘high tea’ as well as tea, coffee and soft drinks – between 2 pm – 4 pm
- Complimentary pre-dinner drinks and canapes. This includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. There is a selection of cold meats, bread and other nibbles as well as some hot canapes – between 5 pm – 7 pm
- Complimentary breakfast is ordered off the A la carte menu (you can still access the buffet if you prefer) – between 6.30am – 10 am
- 24-hour access for refreshments
Hotel Grounds
The hotel has an incredible outdoor pool area which is perfect for couples wanting to relax (there is even an adults only area) or if you have a family and want to entertain the kids.
Closest to the main building you will find the swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
Just outside of this pool area is the family fun zone which includes giant chess, a putt-putt green and comfy lounge chairs to sit and relax.
The pool bar is conveniently located between the swimming pool and the one-acre lagoon beach pool. Here you can order cocktails and food and enjoy it while you relax after a busy morning exploring the surrounds.
Now, back to the one-acre lagoon beach pool. Have you ever seen anything like it? It’s massive!!! Even finished off with a sandy beach, chairs and plenty of cover for those who prefer to escape the sun, it’s perfect.
Health and Fitness…
For those who like to stay active on holidays, there is a fully equipped gym located at the Country Club. Just let the concierge know you want to head up and they will give you a complimentary transfer to/from the Country Club.
The gym also has classes should you wish to join in on the action.
What we liked about this gym is that there is an outdoor area which is much nicer than training inside!
Bicycles are also available should you wish to explore the area that way!
Good to know…
If it’s raining, don’t worry! There is still plenty to see and do around the area. Watch this space for our post on Sanctuary Cove which will provide you with our tips on things to do in Sanctuary Cove.
The hotel provides heaps of umbrellas, conveniently located at each entrance so you’re never without.
Parking is also available at the resort free of charge.
Checking out…
Checking out was simple and no issues to report.
Above and beyond…
The service we received at The Fireplace restaurant was fantastic. The staff were energetic, friendly and provided some great suggestions. Highly recommended.
The not so good…
The only disappointing part of the stay for us was breakfast at the InterContinental Club. The breakfast itself was good, the area lovely (and much quieter than the buffet). The Club was however understaffed with a painfully slow service. Interestingly enough, each dish we ordered, on both mornings, missed some of the items described on the menu, either the chef hasn’t read the menu or these need to be reprinted to remain accurate.
Would I opt for the Club again? Probably.
The verdict…
All in all, it was a really good stay and the hotel and hotel grounds are lovely. If you’re planning a trip to the Gold Coast and wanting to explore everything that’s on offer, Sanctuary Cove is centrally located.
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
The Great Pyramid of Giza is probably on every traveller’s bucket list. But, what if I told you there are other pyramids nearby that are also impressive, you can go inside AND you can have them all to yourself?
This post will tell you exactly how you can explore some of these sites without the crowds of tourists surrounding you. If you’re looking for our top 8 tips for visiting the pyramids, click here!
Where are the pyramids?
The Great Pyramid is located in Giza which is the third largest city in Egypt and is around 20km from Cairo.
If you’re heading to Dahshur, that is around 38km from Cairo. We highly recommend visiting Dahshur – keep reading to find out why.
Getting to the pyramids
We 100% recommend taking a private day tour from your hotel in Cairo. We actually arranged a two-day tour with South Sinai and were not disappointed.
Your tour guide then also acts as your driver which makes it convenient to get to the pyramids.
Why should you take a guided tour?
Firstly, if you’re with a local guide you will be given the history and information about each site so there is no guessing involved.
We opted for a private tour, and because of this we were able to custom make our tour and not only visit the Pyramids of Giza, but we could visit Dahshur as well. This is not something you can do if you book yourself on a large guided tour.
You will notice that when you’re walking around, there will be scammers and people trying to take your money for things, sell you stuff that you don’t want simply because you made eye contact. If you have a guide, they will no doubt tell you to keep walking, don’t make eye contact and don’t smile. This isn’t being rude, it is just avoiding spending unnecessary money and your local guide will help you with that. Steven made eye contact once, and it ended up in a not so free donkey ride in front of some pyramids!
Your guide can also act as your photographer. The last thing you want to do is ask a local hanging around the Pyramids to take your picture… if you do you will no doubt pay a bit of $$ just to get your camera back.
How long to spend at the Pyramids
Well, you could easily spend hours just staring at the pure size of the things!! But, we obviously don’t have an endless amount of time. I would recommend a full day tour to get the most out of your day. Anything less than that would, in my opinion, feel rushed.
It is a UNESCO site and does form part of the original Seven Wonders of the World so you need to enjoy your time there!
When to visit the pyramids
We visited in August and it was hot hot hot!!! Most travellers tend to travel in the winter time which is from the end of November until February because the weather is still warm but not as hot as the summertime.
What to wear
There are a few things to consider when visiting Egypt. If you’re a woman, click here to read Jenna’s tips for travelling through Egypt and the Middle East.
Good walking shoes: You will be spending most of the day on your feet, not to mention the ground is hot and you will be climbing up some pyramids!! So, wear some sneakers or comfortable closed in shoes.
Respectful clothing: Egypt is mainly a Muslim country so be respectful of your clothing and try to be a bit more conservative. In saying that, it is a very touristy destination so I wouldn’t say there is a need for men to wear long pants, shorts are probably OK but just not super short ones!
Hat & Sunglasses: It will be hot and sunny – you will definitely need a hat and sunnies.
Sunscreen: To avoid getting burnt, you’re best to take some with you or apply before you leave.
Small backpack: It is helpful if you can take some water with you. It can get very hot and dry at the pyramids so staying hydrated is important.
About the Pyramids
A bit of history…
The Great Pyramid of Giza is massive, no words can describe just how big it is until you see it in person. It is made of 2.3 million (yes million) limestone blocks! It is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids you will see in the Giza pyramid complex.
If you’re wondering about The Great Sphinx, it is also one of the world’s oldest and largest statues! When you see it, you will realise just how big it actually is.
There are allegedly around 138 pyramids in the whole of Egypt with the most famous of course being the Great Pyramid of Giza. They date back to 2560BC under the second ruler of the Fourth Dynasty, Pharaoh Khufu.
The pyramids are now the housing for the tombs of the Pharaohs who commissioned them. Does this give us an indication of their connection to the afterlife?
To this day, no one is entirely sure why they were built, how they were actually built or who built them – it remains a mystery to us all. Although archaeologists continue to develop different theories.
Which pyramids to visit? It’s not all about The Great Pyramid of Giza…
Dahshur: The Red Pyramid & The Bent Pyramid
We recommend starting your day off at Dahshur. Dahshur is actually part of a military base and you will also find two pyramids here, the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid. This is where we were 100% completely on our own, not another tourist in sight! It was us, our tour guide and a person at the Bent Pyramid showing us inside (yes, you get to go inside!)
The Bent Pyramid
The Bent Pyramid of Sneferu was actually the second pyramid built by Sneferu.
Can you see me in the below photo? It gives you an indication of how big this is… which if you compare it to the great pyramid, this one is tiny!!
The Red Pyramid
The second attempt was, of course, The Red Pyramid which also happens to be the largest of the three major pyramids located in the Dahshur necropolis in Cairo. You can probably guess that the name is given because it has that reddish colour to it that is different to the others.
Being the only two people visiting these two pyramids, it was a magical experience. It was nice to be able to climb up the pyramids, explore inside and not have to worry about a heap of other people fighting for their chance to climb or rush past you.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
The oldest and largest of the three pyramids in Giza. No words can describe the moment we saw it for the first time. We were speechless. It was massive… absolutely massive.
Each limestone rock was nearly the height of Jenna, goodness knows how they built it.
Camel ride at The Great Pyramid
Probably the most touristy thing you can do, but absolutely 100% worth it! Let your guide negotiate for you so you’re not too ripped off. Then, set off on your camel around the pyramids towards the Sphynx.
You can then, of course, get some typical touristy photos 🙂
What else to see on your full day tour
There are other things to see and do on your full day tour and we would recommend all of these. It includes a lovely lunch with a view of the pyramids!
The Great Sphinx
Ahhh the Great Sphinx… who doesn’t want to have a smooch with this guy? After our camel ride, we got to see the Sphinx, again it was absolutely massive.
Memphis
This stop was incredible. Here you will find a massive.. and I mean the massive statue of Ramses II. It is truly incredible how large these statues are and absolutely worth a visit.
Papyrus Factory
If you’re not sure what Papyrus is, it is a reed plant that grows in the Nile River. In the ancient years in Egypt, the plant was used for many things such as making writing material.
Nowadays it is used to make artwork and it is really quite interesting. At the factory we watched the locals make some artwork and if you want to purchase something you can do so here. It comes with a guarantee that you’re buying authentic papyrus pieces.
We picked up a piece of art and got it personalised with our name on it.
What to see in Cairo
If you’re looking for things to see in Cairo, click here for our suggestions.
Where to stay in Cairo
We stayed at the Marriott Cairo. The hotel and grounds were lovely and I would recommend considering it for your stay. Click here to read our full review.
Have you been to the pyramids? What did you think? Comment below!
“Traveling tends to magnify all human emotions.” — Peter Hoeg
Wondering how to claim the complimentary Accor Plus night?
Not only will we provide a guide on how to book the complimentary night, but we will also go into a bit more detail as to how much we saved over a 12 month period by simply having the Accor Plus membership.
Please note, this is different from the free Accor Live Limitless (“ALL”) loyalty program. If you’re keen to learn more about the Accor Plus membership that provides you with a complimentary night and many more discounts, then click here for an overview of this program or click here to view their website directly.
Guide to claiming your free Stay Plus night with Accor Plus
This couldn’t be easier!
Simply log into the Accor Hotels website, search for your preferred date and property (within Asia Pacific) and you’ll notice a ‘Stay Plus Benefit’ banner at the top of the results which you can toggle on/off if you would like to use this for the booking.
Below are a few examples of results with the Stay Plus Benefit toggled on indicating the rooms are complimentary.
If you’re wanting to stay a couple of nights and use your free night, make sure you’re searching for accommodation for your entire stay – you can still claim your free night within that booking.
Stay Plus benefit room category
It is worth noting that the properties do have limited availability for the stay plus benefit, which is for a standard room
However, you will notice when you’re searching the website that if the property does not have the standard room available, then you can opt for a premium room by paying the difference between the base room and the room that is available. We paid around $30 extra for our stay at Pullman Bunker Bay, glad we did as the room was incredible!
Tips for redeeming your Stay Plus benefit
Although you can use this at most of the Accor Hotels properties, we would recommend being a little strategic about it.
Don’t go booking a night at the Ibis or Mercure as your complimentary night if you can book the Sofitel or Pullman! The base room rate for the Pullman Bunker Bay is around $250 – that’s what I say is getting your value out of the membership!
How much we’ve saved in one year by having our Accor Plus membership
We easily saved more than $1,100!
The complimentary night at Pullman Bunker Bay was around $250, which to be fair, is an average rate at many Australian properties. We also enjoyed a discounted dinner during the stay which was around $150.
During our membership year, we have estimated the discounts received on breakfasts to be another $810. This doesn’t even take into account any of the occasional lunches or dinners.
Discounted breakfasts of $810?!
Now, I’m sure you’ve just questioned the $810 savings on breakfast alone. To be fair, we do travel a bit so do your own estimations. For example, in a recent twelve month period, we stayed at the following properties:
- Ibis Styles Harrington (1 night, December 2016)
- Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach (2 nights, December 2016)
- Mercure Port Macquarie (1 night, January 2017)
- Novotel Newcastle Beach (1 night, January 2017)
- Pullman Magenta Shores (2 nights, March 2017)
- Sofitel Saigon Plaza (3 nights, April 2017)
- Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi, MGallery by Sofitel (3 nights, April 2017)
- Hotel Royal Hoi An, MGallery by Sofitel (3 nights, April 2017)
- Ibis Saigon Airport (1 night, April 2017)
- Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square (2 nights, September 2017)
- Mercure Perth (1 night, September 2017)
- Pullman Bunker Bay (2 nights, September 2017)
- Elements of Byron, MGallery by Sofitel (3 Nights, December 2017) – stay yet to come
That was a total of 25 nights in total and if you keep reading I’ll explain how we estimated the saving of $810 on breakfast alone!
We have breakfast at the hotels each morning, why wouldn’t you!
The Accor Plus membership generally provides you with a 50% discount for up to two people. Being conservative, if breakfast averages $30 per person ($60 per day for two people) this would have cost $1620! Luckily, after the 50% discount, we saved a whopping $810 on breakfast alone!
In addition to the breakfast savings, you also save if you dine when you dine at the restaurant with up to 50% off your meals and some hotels even offering a discount on beverages as well.
Do you have to stay at the hotel to get the dining discount?
NO! You do not need to be staying at the hotel to get the benefit of your membership. If you fancy a nice buffet breakfast at the Sofitel in your local city, just head on in, present your Accor Plus membership card and get 50% off your breakfast – simple as that!
What are you waiting for? Head over to the Accor Plus website and register! The sooner you do, the sooner you start saving money. Remember, it will take a little while for the membership to be processed so don’t leave it until the last minute before you go on holidays!
Disclaimer: Savings are approximate and your personal savings will depend greatly on how much you travel, the hotels you choose to stay at and how frequently you dine in the properties.
By now, you probably know that Italy is one of our favourite countries to visit in Europe. Therefore, we’ve come up with a guide to our top 5 Italian city breaks, located on the mainland!
The thing with Italy is that no two cities are the same. Each of them is very different making them equally exciting to explore.
The below list details our top 5 cities on the Italian mainland, rather than what we would consider villages or an Italian island!
To read our top 6 Italian coastal towns, click here!
Italian city breaks…
#1 Venice
The thing about Venice is that it is so unique. We visited the city three times and each time managed to fall in love with it even more. It’s a city built on water, it’s pretty incredible.
It is, however somewhere you can very easily get lost in! Whether you have a map or not, the winding cobblestone alleyways, many bridges connecting one side to another. Getting lost is one of the beauties about Venice, you will no doubt end up somewhere you hadn’t planned like we did. We had the most delicious meal in Venice, and if we hadn’t of gotten lost, we would never have found it (and I’m not even sure if we’ll be able to find it again!).
If you jump on a boat, you can be at one of the gorgeous colourful surrounding islands, Murano or Burano, each as beautiful as the next and known for their glass making or lace products.
If you’re really looking for that romance in the city that is filled with love, then you should certainly jump on a gondola ride.
#2 Milan
Milano, the fashion capital of the world. Although, if you’re not into fashion, like us there is plenty more to see and do in Milan. The iconic Duomo is the number one thing to see in this city, it’s simply impressive! Click here to see our top 5 things to see in Milan.
If you have extra time, why not tack on a trip to the amazing Lake Como! Click here for information on travelling to Lake Como from Milan.
#3 Naples
Now, the city itself doesn’t have a great deal to offer, but you can’t visit Pompeii without going to Naples. Pompeii is just incredible, the size of the area is unbelievable. Just imagine back in 79AD, the entire area being buried in meters of ash and pumice after Mt Vesuvius erupted!
And, if you need something a little lighter to help you relax after that day, you can always duck over to the Amalfi Coast to unwind! Click here to read about the Amalfi Coast.
#4 Rome
The capital of Italy, Rome. This city is truly historical and you can really submerge yourself in the history of this place. There is, of course, the Colosseum where you can let your imagination run wild at the gladiators and events held at this impressive place!
Another spot you must visit is, of course, the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. Just some things you can’t miss when you visit Rome.
#5 Florence
The capital of the Tuscany region! Florence is an absolutely gorgeous city. From here, you can explore Tuscany if you have the time, or you can spend a weekend just enjoying Florence. Be sure to check out Galleria dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s ‘David’.
There are plenty of leather shops to pick up a nice Italian leather jacket, or bag or anything leather for that matter!
What’s your favourite Italian city break? Comment below!
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
“It is not down in any map; true places never are.” – Herman Melville
We’ve had so many people come up to us and ask us …
“How do you pack up everything and relocate across the other side of the world?”
For us, the answer was quite simple… We wanted to experience as much of this world as we possibly could.
This post is the 3rd in a series of posts that we will be publishing about our journey of relocating from Australia to the UK. Our blogs will cover the following:
Part 1: Our story
Part 2: Relocating from Sydney to the UK, including visa information as well as packing and logistics
Part 3: This post! Arriving in the UK. Where to live? How to set up internet and utility bills, bank accounts, National Insurance Number and a guide to the NHS
Part 4: Living & Working in London. How to find work, Driving in the UK, day-to-day shopping, transferring money to and from the UK & Public Transport
Part 5: Travelling Europe and how to make the best of your available time, including many travel tips!
Moving to London
Before you arrive, make sure you’ve set up some sort of accommodation. Whether it be staying with friends, an Air B&B, hotel or temporary accommodation – just something. The last thing you want to do is get off a long haul flight and not have somewhere to for a nice shower and sleep!
We had two weeks temporary accommodation provided to us through work where. Having this meant that we could set ourselves up and start looking for a place!
Finding somewhere to live
Having temporary accommodation was a big relief, but we did need to lock something in quickly before our arrangement ran out! We used a relocation agent to help us find a property, help us with the paperwork and negotiate with the property agent.
We spent quite a bit of time before getting to London liaising with our agent to make sure we had the right areas locked in for inspections. If you’ve started looking at properties on the market, there is a good chance the property won’t be available. The property agents’ don’t tend to take properties off the market, especially if they were well priced and nice to lure more potential to their agency, yes, pretty annoying if I must say so myself.
We narrowed our search down to West Hampstead. I had work commitments in a couple of offices, both central London as well as St Albans and also tend to work out at my client’s premises – a well-connected location was a must! West Hampstead had the National Rail direct to St Albans, the underground, the overground and plenty of buses should we ever need that!
It seemed perfect, and it was.
When you’re looking for somewhere to live, it needs to have the things you like around you for it to work. For example, we were able to take a walk up to Hampstead Heath on weekends, enjoy a nice run through the heath and grab breakfast at a nice cafe on our way home.
There were local bars, pubs, restaurant, grocery stores (three to be precise to choose from!) and plenty more things. It was super convenient.
You will find a lot of Aussies head to Clapham Common or Wimbledon, so it depends on what you’re after as to where you look. If you have friends already living in London, I’d suggest living close to them as getting from one side of London to the other can be extremely time-consuming!
Setting up a National Insurance Number & Bank Account
We had absolutely no idea what a National Insurance (NI) number was when we first moved over. It is essentially your Tax File Number which you need to have when you’re working.
In most cases, you may be able to start work without it but just be cautious as you don’t want your employer to withhold your pay because you don’t have your NI number. You really need to get this done as soon as possible after moving to London. Click here for info on how to apply for this.
Photo credit: http://www.movebubble.com
Not only do you need this for work, but if you plan on using the NHS you will need it for this as well.
And then comes the bank account… you obviously need this before you start work as you will need something for your pay to be deposited in. We went with NatWest international simply because it was the easiest account for us to open while still living in Australia, in particular as NatWest International is based in Jersey and familiar with Expatriates.
We had no issues with them overall, however… because they are an International bank, they don’t have any physical branches in London, it is not to be confused with NatWest bank (affiliated but not the same!).
The only hurdle we had to overcome was getting cash out in our first week of getting to London. The issue was that we needed to pay the bond and fees for our apartment and at that stage had not received our new bank debit cards and given the value did not want to use our Australian credit cards. NatWest International was, however, able to provide authority to a NatWest branch (via fax) to provide us with funds after the internal paperwork and funds transfers were complete – a little confusing and very stressful but once we got our bank cards we were set.
Photo credit: mirror.co.uk
The only issue you may have when setting both your NI and bank account up is the fact that you normally need proof of address before applying (a bit of an issue!). Many of you probably won’t have an address until after a few weeks of moving so you’re in a bit of a pickle.
I would strongly recommend reaching out to a friend, ask permission and confirm their address to use on the forms, at least you will have a trustworthy (hopefully) location to have your documents mailed. If you don’t know anyone, an alternative may be to use your work address (although this may not work) or to speak with the staff at your hostel or hotel and ask if you can use their address.
Once you have your address sorted, there is a good chance the bank will seek proof of you actually living there. This is normally in the form of a bank statement, or utility bill. If you can change your billing address on your Australian bank account, you can then get a statement printed with the new address and you will be able to use that… If you have any other suggestions – comment below!
Once you have everything sorted, make an appointment with the bank and get everything locked away. You will need proof of ID, so take your passport with you and if you have been lucky enough to secure a job, take in your contract as well. They normally need to complete a 100 point check to confirm your ID so maybe take your licence, credit card or any other cards or documentation with photo ID and details present – the more information you take the less chance of any issues.
A guide to the NHS
This was probably one of the most frustrating things we had to deal with when we moved to the UK. In Australia, we can go to any GP, any location and not have to worry about it. In London, you need to be registered with a GP and a practice (close to your house) and you can normally only be registered with one GP at a time.
The last thing you want is to be caught out, need a doctor but realise you’re unable to book an appointment because you haven’t registered yet. So, as soon as you have moved in and found a place, find your local GP and read the reviews to ensure you’re happy and then go ahead and make an initial appointment which is usually with a nurse and get yourself registered. Once you’re registered, you can then make an appointment to see a doctor.
Photo credit: http://food.ndtv.com
Our GP was pretty good, they kept appointments available for walk-ins on the day which was fantastic as there were bookings for weeks or even months in advance (I guess depending on where you live!). Our GP ran 10 minutes appointment slots and never ran over – it was fantastic. The other great thing about the GP’s over in London is that if you have a repeat prescription, and if you’ve been a few times before you can normally just phone up and they’ll leave it at the reception desk for you to collect – no appointment necessary!
Walk-in Clinics: If you’re travelling within the UK and you fall ill, don’t panic! There are walk-in clinics around which are available to everyone and you don’t need to be registered. The downside to this is that the wait time can often be a few hours.
Hospitals: If your GP refers you to the hospital, the chances are it won’t cost you anything. The treatment is typically free for residents of the UK and extends to those people who are legally allowed to be living in the UK.
A&E (Emergency): A&E is what they call the emergency room – it stands for Accident & Emergency. If you’re looking for your closest A&E, click here. You might need to make a visit if you’re stuck out of your GPs opening hours and you have an urgent issue! But, expect to wait for a few hours as you would any other emergency department.
Dentist: This is an area we didn’t have great experiences in. To be honest, we only went when we needed to for a check up and waited until we got back to Australia for our more serious dental work to be done. If you go to a dentist that is part of the NHS then the costs will be lower than that of a Private dentist.
Jenna went to a private dentist first up and it cost a small fortune. I guess we are used to having these things covered in our private health back in Australia so having to pay a couple hundred pounds out-of-pocket was a bit of a shock… especially given not much was actually done!
We then went to a cheaper private dentist and it was a disaster. The equipment they were using seemed from the 90’s and he said he didn’t do white fillings… only silver ones – who does that anymore!! Anyways, needless to say, we never went back. I suspect if you went to the NHS dentist you may get similar service with a longer waiting time. Click here for a guide on pricing for the NHS dentist.
Many employers in the UK will also have medical insurance available, check what you’re covered for and see a proper private dentist if you can. It is worth the extra if you’re there for a long period of time… you only get one set of teeth (well… unless you replace them all and have endless amounts of money!!)
Contact details: The emergency number in the UK is 999 and that is for the typical emergency services such as Ambulance, Fire Brigade and Police. If you need to contact the NHS for medical advice or help (that is not life threatening) then you can call them on 111. They can also advise what service you need so give them a call if you need.
Setting up utilities
Before you even get a place, you will want to arrange a UK Sim card. You can then use that while you’re living abroad. There are a few providers you can choose from, I was with O2 and Jenna was with EE. There is also Vodafone. Check out each of them and see which provider can give you the best deal.
Gas & Electricity: We went with British Gas and had no complaints. Their online service was great and was quick and easy to set up.
Water: We chose Thames Water and again had no issues with them.
Internet: We went with BT. Also, no issues and they had great, fast internet!
TV Licence: Yes, I know… seems a bit archaic doesn’t it? If you plan on having a TV in your flat, you will need a TV licence. If you don’t and get a knock at the door, you will need to pay a fine. My advice, just pay the licence fee!
There are other companies out there so just make sure you check rates and pick one that suits your budget.
Photo credit: mycustomer.com
Click here for all posts London related!
“The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands.” – Sir Richard Burton
Do you have any tips? Comment below!
Heading towards Margaret River from Perth? Check out the longest wooden jetty in the world, Busselton Jetty!
The jetty is just under 2km long and for those either not keen, or simply short on time, you could even hop on a cute tourist train to experience first hand just how long the jetty is.
Where is Busselton Jetty
Located 2.5-hour drive south of Perth, you will find Busselton. It is a beautiful seaside town and by the looks of the construction happening, will be a popular place for holidaymakers.
If you type Busselton Jetty into Google Maps, you will have no trouble finding it!
How long to spend at Busselton Jetty
If you’re passing through, you could have a quick stop and it would still be worth it, but if it’s a nice sunny day you’re likely going to want to stay longer. There is plenty on offer in Busselton with museums, train rides along the jetty and an underwater observatory. Click here to read about what is on offer.
The best time to visit Busselton Jetty
If you’re looking for that perfect photo, I would suggest Sunset. We had a cloudy afternoon when we visited on our way down to Margaret River so didn’t quite get the photos we were hoping for!
You won’t be disappointed, no matter the time of the day. With perfect skies, you will really see the colour of the water and how beautiful it is.
What to do at Busselton Jetty
If you have a bit of time then you have plenty of options for things to do. These include
- Charter Boats
- Diving
- Busselton Visitor Centre
- Busselton Museum
- Bike Hire
- Forest Adventures
Heading to Margaret River?
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Margaret River, click here to read about the Pullman Bunker Bay and click here for our tips on what to see and do in Margaret River!
“The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands.” – Sir Richard Burton
If you’re planning a holiday over the festive season in Europe, it won’t be a surprise to you that it will be pretty cold! You will need to be well prepared, well dressed and organised. Our top 6 tips for travelling through Europe in winter time will help get you on your way to your European winter holiday!
Travelling through Europe in winter
Wear layers
If there is only one thing you take from this post, this is the one.
Travelling in Europe in winter, you’ll need to be rugged up and wearing plenty of layers. You will be outside a lot, probably most of the day moving from sight to sight. If this is your first European winter, you will have the shock of your life! It is freezing and don’t underestimate how cold it stays even throughout the day.
The main reasons for layering up is because the moment you get inside anywhere, restaurants or museums or shops – they are extremely well heated so you will need to start taking layers of clothing off to be comfortable!
Click here for our packing guide for packing for a winter European holiday.
Plan ahead
Because you’ll most likely be travelling over the festive season, it is a good idea to plan ahead to make sure everything is going to be open when you’re there and the opening hours as some places may have reduced hours due to the holiday time. I’d recommend pre-booking your tickets in advance, make sure they are open and you may even be in luck with shorter queue times as winter is often a lot less busy than the summer time!
If you’re going to be away for Christmas Day, you will need to book in advance. You also may want to include booking in advance for Christmas Eve. We found Christmas Eve to be far more busy than Christmas Day in Europe so best to book ahead.
Mooser Christmas dinner – Skiing St Anton am Arlberg by the well travelled man
Are you spending Christmas abroad? Here are our top ways on how to spend Christmas abroad!
Give yourself some extra travel time
The one thing about travelling in winter is that the weather can be unpredictable. We have been caught out before in St Anton, getting to Zurich. The train was delayed due to the snowfall. It may seem frustrating at the time but allowing an extra couple of hours ‘just in case’ is worth it. For us, it meant we didn’t miss our flight (we made it by 2 minutes!!). Despite us making the airport on time, our flight was delayed by 3 hours due to the weather!
Another example is our bus from Geneva to Val Thorens. There was a blizzard. So instead of taking a few hours, it took over 12 hours. It was a disaster but thankfully we were going to our ski destination rather than heading to the airport. For this reason, I would always recommend staying a night at your airport destination at the back-end, to allow for these disruptions. It may seem overkill, but paying for a new flight, in the peak holiday period is also not ideal!
Taking public transport
If you’re someone who likes to hire a car when travelling (like us), you may want to re-consider the winter. Driving on icy and snowy conditions can be tricky, not to mention driving on the other side of the road (click here for tips on that!).
I’d recommend taking public transport – leave the transport up to the locals and professionals. They know what they are doing and will most likely get you there safer than if you were to do it yourself!
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” – Mary Anne Radmacher
Rottnest Island, also known as the home of the Quokka! Do you know where the name Rottnest came from? Turns out, a Dutch captain mistook the Quokka’s for giant rats (which let’s be honest, they sort of look like that!) so he gave the island the name Rotte Nest which translates to Rat Nest in Dutch.
Historically, the island was also home to army barracks, a penal colony and a prisoner of war camp. Nowadays, the island is a beautiful holiday destination for locals and tourists.
Getting to Rottnest Island
There are a number of ways to get to Rottnest Island, and they include helicopter, seaplanes, or if you’re just a regular person, then you can take the Ferry from either Perth or Fremantle.
There are a couple of companies to choose from, Rottnest Express or Rottnest Fast Ferries. You can choose to depart from Perth City, North Fremantle, Fremantle (Victoria Quay) and Hillary’s Boat Harbour in North Perth.
We departed with Rottnest Express from Fremantle and the journey is direct and was only around 30 minutes. I would absolutely recommend you pre-book your seats on the ferry. We went on a Monday and even then, our ferry was fully booked.
If you are someone who gets seasick, I would highly recommend taking something for that before you get on board.
Optional Activities – Adventure Boat and Cycling
When you book with Rottnest Express, you will see several options to choose. We chose the Adventure tour with bicycle hire. This package includes a 90-minute adventure boat tour and bicycle hire.
Again, I would absolutely 100% recommend booking these options before you get on the boat. I happened to sit next to the counter on board, the morning tour was fully booked and there were only a couple of seats left on the afternoon adventure tour. These were snapped up in seconds and a number of families missed out on the fun.
The 90-minute Adventure boat was a heap of fun. We spent around half of the time whale watching and we also spent some time checking out the New Zealand Fur Seals.
We were lucky on our way back to the dock and saw some whales having a play! As you can imagine, trying to get a photo of these guys in a boat that is rocking side to side with 1m swells was not easy. This is the best photo I could take!
Again, I would recommend taking some motion sickness tablets if you happen to get seasick.
The best way to get around Rottnest Island
Cycling! Absolutely the best way to get around. Not only can you do things at your own pace, but it is relatively an easy riding island with only a few hills (which Jenna had to walk up!).
If you’re not into cycling, you can opt for the local hop-on-hop-off bus that operates on the island.
How long to spend on Rottnest Island?
We took the 9.30am ferry from Fremantle and arrived at around 10.15 am. We collected our bikes, put them on the bike rack and hung around for our 11 am Adventure Boat.
After the Adventure boat, we had some lunch in town before jumping on our bicycles and exploring the beaches. We then got on the 4.30pm departure ferry, getting us back into Fremantle at 5 pm. It was just the right amount of time for us for a day trip.
You can, of course, spend the night on Rottnest Island if you want to relax a little. We did notice a heap of accommodation options, some of which have perfect ocean views.
When to visit Rottnest Island
If you’re wanting to go swimming, then a visit in summer is a must so you’re looking at November/December until around February. We visited at the end of September and the water was still a bit cold for us to jump in, although plenty of people were swimming!
I have also been told that mid-November isn’t ideal unless you want to be surrounded by Schoolies (Schoolies are kids who have just finished high school and spend a week celebrating and partying!).
What to bring with you
You will need enough battery on your phone to present your ferry ticket on the way home, if there is a chance you won’t then make sure you have a printed copy. Definitely take sunscreen regardless of the season, sunglasses, swimmers and I would also recommend motion sickness tablets. You can buy lunch and drinks from the town and there is a general store if you need to top anything up.
Rottnest Island Beaches
The beaches on Rottnest Island are simply beautiful. They look like beaches that are in Italy or Greece, only the water is slightly cooler! Our favourite beaches were:
The Basin: Just a short cycle from the settlement you will find the Basin. It’s the most popular not just because it is so close to town but because of how beautiful it is!
Longreach Bay: It is a beautiful white sandy bay, gorgeous water and popular with the boats! You also have some accommodation over looking the bay, which I could imagine would be very relaxing!!
Georgie Bay: Absolutely adorable! There was only one person enjoying this small bay which would be perfect if you’re trying to escape the busyness of the other beaches.
Parakeet Bay: A lovely secluded beach. If you’re looking for some quiet time then this is the spot for you.
Little Armstrong Bay: One of our favourites! The water was perfection, crystal clear and calm. Just the way we like it!
We also cycled past:
Pink Lake: It wasn’t pink!! We read that it is only really pink over the summer months so maybe you will have better luck than us!
Just a tip to always be careful of the local animals that are around. There are two types of snakes that are native to Rottnest Island, one of which is the Dugite and it is venomous. We saw one slithering across the pathway… just be careful!
Here is a map of the beaches on Rottnest Island and cycling tracks.
The Rottnest Quokkas!
And of course, probably the main reason anyone decides to visit Rottnest Island is of course to see the Quokkas! To be honest, they are a giant looking rodent… BUT are super cute…
They are all around the island and if you pick up an island map from the ferry, they mark out where the Quokka’s tend to hang around.
Keep in mind that it is illegal to feed or touch the Quokkas. They eat berries off the ground and should not be eating human food. They are a vulnerable species and the last thing we want is to make them extinct so everyone does need to respect these rules.
Getting a selfie with a Quokka is on everyone’s list (well nearly everyone I am sure). Sometimes easy, sometimes not. We didn’t want to get too close to them.. although they are friendly I am not sure they are that hygienic… one of them had a tick in its ear which gave us enough reason to stay away!
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Perth Accommodation
If you’re looking for accommodation in Perth, we recommend Crown Towers! Click here to see our full post review. And if you’re looking for inspiration on what else to see in the region, click here to view all of our WA posts.
Photos from Rottnest Island
Here are a few more pics of our time on Rottnest Island.
“Remember that happiness is a way of travel – not a destination.” – Roy M. Goodman
What to pack for a European Winter? That is the question I often asked myself. There are a few things you need to know when packing for a winter European holiday and I wish I had this list before I started travelling around Europe!
Click here for a printable version of the below.
Click here for a check list for your carry on luggage!
So, what to pack for a European winter?
Jacket.. a good jacket
A jacket is an obvious choice, but you really do need a good quality jacket, not a cheap one. Not only will it last you several years, but it will keep you warm in the winter. Your jacket also needs to have enough room to be able to layer up underneath with a jumper, scarf etc.
When looking for a jacket, I’d probably recommend buying two depending on your holiday. The first would be a long coat, one that comes past your butt. This is because when you bend over, you don’t want your back showing and getting cold.
The second jacket would have to be a windproof and waterproof jacket. This is an absolute must and we learnt the hard way. We travelled Iceland in April and it was windy and rainy every day. We didn’t have the right jacket so we sat in wet clothes all day every day for 4 days! Not ideal.
Tip: Look for your jacket at the end of winter so pick up a bargain. It is worth paying good money for a decent jacket, so hit the outlet stores or wait until after winter to pick up a bargain.
Shoes … boots … waterproof shoes…
The next most important thing alongside a jacket is your shoes. In the winter, it is likely to be rainy or even snowing so the right shoes are a must.
I purchased myself some men’s ankle waterproof boots from Geox in London. They are absolutely amazing and worth every penny. They go with most outfits as well so you don’t look ridiculous.
Jenna also picked up a pair of black waterproof boots from Geox. She wore these on our way to the snow, stepped off the bus into snow that came to the top of the boots. They are a suede sort of boot and she was worried about how they would cope with that amount of snow. She got inside and the snow just fell off and shoes 100% dry – they are amazing.
She also has some brown leather just below the knee Clarkes boots. These are also amazing and keep her feet dry.
Buying the right shoes are important – you really need to keep your feet dry!!
Tip: Wellie’s/Hunters (gumboots) are NOT good for winter. Jenna learnt the hard way out in Zurich one evening, she couldn’t feel her toes!
Gloves, Scarves and Hats/Beanies
Keeping your head warm is another must! You don’t have to wear a beanie, you can also buy lovely winter hats which are not only fashionable but do the job.
Wearing gloves are also pretty important. You can get different styles depending on what you’re doing during the day. You can get nice full leather gloves, or you can get some knit glove and gloves where you can fold over the fingers so you can keep your hands warm while your fingers are exposed to do other things (like take photos, or use your phone!)
Scarves are not only a fashion statement (for both men and women) but do a great job at keeping your chest and neck warm.
Tip: For women, a nice knitted wool snood. They are amazing and do a fantastic job at keeping your warm. Not to mention they look amazing!
Thermals
Depending on where you’re going, thermals are a great idea. I personally don’t like to layer up too much as a guy, so I would normally wear jeans and a jumper or jacket and that’s about it. To get away with this, I will wear thermal pants and long sleeve thermal underneath to keep me warm. The downside to this is of course when you’re inside a restaurant or shop, you do get warm quickly!
You will obviously need good thermals if you’re off on a ski holiday. We experienced -20 degree days while we were in Val Thorens so we doubled up our thermals under our snow gear. Skiing in St Anton was only around 0 – 2 degrees so one set of thermals did the trick there!
Tip: The thing about thermals is you want good quality ones. We recommend Merino Wool thermals. I know when you’re looking at the price, you will notice they are a fair bit more expensive, BUT they do not smell.. which means you could wear them for a full week and they don’t pick up odours.
Jeans… tights…. something warm on the bottom
You all probably know jeans don’t really keep you that warm. This is why we often wear some thermals underneath to keep us warm!
For the ladies, Jenna can recommend wearing some tights underneath your long pants. It just gives you that extra layer without being too thick. You can also pick up thermal tights which you can wear as tights under a skirt if you like and then pop some boots over that. What she really liked was fleecy tights – this is where the inside of the tights are fleecy – keeps you super warm!
Tip: If you’re buying tights, pick some up that have the built in socks. This means your feet will stay warm, you don’t have to add socks and they won’t roll up which then get uncomfortable under boots!
Long sleeved shirts
Buy a heap of these and keep them on stand buy! It is good to layer up, so you can always chuck a vest or jumper over the top of a long sleeved shirt and then a jacket. That way, you can start to peel the layers off and still make sure you’re comfortable.
Tip: Jenna often wore two long sleeve tops over each other and it worked very well.
Socks
I know it sounds silly, but having the right socks is important. Your feet will be cold, even wearing good shoes so you need to make sure you keep them as warm as possible. Thermal socks are a good idea, and they aren’t too thick and chunky either so makes wearing them under your boots easy enough.
Tip: you may even like to double up on your socks to keep your feet extra warm!
Accessories
Umbrella: Not sure if this is an accessory or not, but you will need to carry one with you. We would recommend a small one you can fit in your backpack or handbag.
Waterproof bag: When you’re walking around and it starts drizzling, there is nothing worse than things getting wet (like your camera). For ladies, this is easier! Pick up a Longchamp Nylon Le Pliage bag. These are super light weight so fold up to nothing, and also water repellent so will keep your goods dry if you’re stuck in some rain!
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
Planning on a white Christmas?
If you’re planning on spending Christmas abroad, click here for our top 5 tips!
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert
Hotel: Pullman Bunker Bay
Location: Margaret River, Western Australia
Room: One Bedroom Lake View
Perfect for: Couples
Category: 5 Star
Located in the Margaret River Region, the Pullman Bunker Bay Resort is a 5-star luxury hotel with a prime beachfront location. If you’re thinking about spending some time in the south west of WA, then you should read this post!
We booked two nights at this hotel, one of which was our complimentary night as part of our Accor Plus membership.
Our welcome experience at the Pullman Bunker Bay…
After a quick stop in at Busselton Jetty on our way down from Perth, we arrived at the hotel.
The Room…
Massive. Just massive! Equiped with a large dining room, kitchenette, lounge room, laundry facilities, extra large bedroom and spacious bathroom. It was pure luxury. I could actually live there!
You enter into the living area and immediately look down to one of your private balconies overlooking the lake.
When you make your way through to the bedroom, you will notice another balcony here and also the bathroom.
The bathroom has a beautifully placed bathtub designed for pure relaxation.
A separate shower is also very spacious.
Looking back onto the room from the pathway leading to the beach, you can see just how private the rooms are.
Meals…
Other Side of the Moon: If you have breakfast included, you will have this at the main restaurant at the hotel. There is a large range of fresh food available, including a kids buffet which by the looks of things, they really enjoyed!
There was also a fresh juicing station there for you to make your own with recommended recipes there from the kitchen.
We ate dinner at the restaurant on both evenings. Because we have the Accor Plus membership, meals were 50% off. Bargain! We ordered some delicious food and the service was pretty good as well. We would recommend dining here at least one of your evenings.
Health and Fitness…
For those who like to stay active on holidays, there is a fully equipped gym which includes some cardio machines and weights. The gym overlooks the pool which is always a nice way to exercise.
Hotel Grounds
The pool area is lovely and a great way to relax or cool off after a day of exploring!
Good to know…
There is plenty of complimentary parking available at the hotel.
If you need help with getting luggage to your room, let the concierge know, it won’t be long before concierge arrives via golf cart to take your luggage (and yourselves included if you need help!)
The hotel grounds also have some lovely grassy areas equipped with a BBQ so you can always bring your own food and cook up a storm!
Checking out…
As always with Accor, check out was simple, quick and easy!
Above and beyond…
Nothing out of the ordinary to mention here for us other than the spacious and luxurious room.
The not so good…
Nothing to report here either.
The verdict…
Overall, the hotel and grounds are really quite lovely. It is a perfect spot to relax and explore the Margaret River region. The hotel also offers great options for families as well. It’s a big yes from us!
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
