Are you an English-speaking traveller?
The English language is the most common language understood and spoken, but certainly falls short when it comes to native-languages.
source: statista.com
Having had the privilege of travelling extensively over the past few years, we appreciate the importance of at least attempting to speak the native language, even when it’s limited to a friendly “hello”, “thank you” and “goodbye” you’re, almost, guaranteed to receive a heart-warming smile in appreciation.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” Nelson Mandela
This post will focus on saying “hello” in 10 languages and where you can speak the language. Why not leave a comment if you know how to say hello in another language.
Saying Hello in 10 languages
French: Bonjour (bohn-ZHOOR)
French is not only spoken in France, but also Belgium, parts of Switzerland, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, sub-Saharan African countries of DR Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Guinea, Gaob and Mauritius.
German: Hallo / Guten Tag (GOO-ten tahk)
German is spoken in Austria and parts of Switzerland in addition to Germany.
Spanish: Hola (OH-lah)
In addition to Spain, this language is also the main language of all Central and South American countries with the exception of Brazil. It also happens to be the second most common language spoken in the United States.
Portuguese: Ola (oh-LAH)
In addition to Portugal, Portuguese is spoken in Brazil as well as former Portuguese colonies including Mozambique, Macau, Angola, Cape Verde and Sao Tome.
Turkish: Merhaba (mehr hah bah)
Not only spoken in Turkey but also Cyprus.
Italian: Ciao (chow)
Spoken in Italy.
Japanese: Konnichiwa (kon-nee-chee-wa)
Spoken in Japan.
Mandarin: Nǐ hǎo (Ni Hau)
This is the most spoken language in the world! Spoken in China, it is the native language to around half of China’s population.
Hungarian: Szia ((SEE-å) like English “See ya!”)
Spoken in Hungary.
Arabic: Marhaba (Marhaba)
Very similar to Turkish. Arabic is spoken throughout most Northern African and Middle East Countries. These include Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, UAE, Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Eritrea, Israel, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Libya, Lebanon, Kuwait, Somalia, Syria, Qatar, Tunisia, Iraq, Mauritania, Palestine and Western Sahara.
Now, just go ahead and plan your next holiday and remember to try and say hello in their language!
“No place is ever as bad as they tell you it’s going to be.” – Chuck Thompson
There is something super special about a Christmas in the wintertime. To start with, Christmas Carols actually make sense and you can sing ‘let it snow, let it snow’ and it actually is snowing! Secondly, most European cities get fully into Christmas, super festive and it is just so nice to be around. The smell of crepes, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts – there is nothing in the world that is more festive.
If you’re like us and living in the Southern Hemisphere, then you will be no doubt dreaming of a White Christmas. Who doesn’t? We have had the luxury of a white Christmas once before and it was magical. This was, of course, our first year living in London and we visited St Anton for a ski trip. I believe everyone has to experience this at least once in their life!
Before you travel over Christmas, be sure to check out these top tips! And, if you need some advice about spending Christmas abroad, take a look here.
So, below we talk about the top 7 European Destinations to spend Christmas. Do you recommend one that’s not on the list? Let us know in the comments below!
Top 7 White Christmas destinations in Europe
Rovaniemi, Lapland
If there is one place in the world that feels like Christmas, it is Rovaniemi in Lapland. Could this be because Santa Claus lives only 8km away from this village?
If you’re lucky enough to spend Christmas here, you will be able to enjoy activities such as snowmobile safaris, reindeer and husky rides and not to mention see the Northern Lights.
To top it off, you can visit Santa Claus Village yourself and see what all the fuss is about!
photo credit: visitinglapland.com
Copenhagen, Denmark
We absolutely loved Copenhagen in the summer and can only imagine what it would be like during Christmas time.
You will be surrounded by Christmas markets which will be sure to get you into the Christmas spirit. You absolutely must visit the famous Tivoli Gardens which is the second oldest amusement park in the world! It is transformed into a Christmas Winter Wonderland, amazing light displays and plenty of Christmas stalls for you to pick up a few bits and pieces.
In addition to visiting Tivoli Gardens, you will find more markets in Nyhavn – they are called Christiania Christmas Market. You may have also heard of the Royal Copenhagen’s Christmas Table tradition? It is an incredible 50-year-old event and features around 6 Christmas tables which each have their own story.
photo credit: Urban House Copenhagen
Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg is home to one of the oldest Christmas Markets in Germany and a visit to this Bavarian medieval town is right up there for places to visit over Christmas.
You will find yourself surrounded by many Christmas stalls, an old-fashioned wooden Ferris Wheel, plenty of arts and crafts and of course the famous gingerbread of the region, lebkuchen.
photo credit: unknown
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg – home to the oldest Christmas market in France! Surround yourself with the quaint UNESCO listed old town, this town borders Germany and is a perfect little spot to spend Christmas.
The markets will offer you around 300 different stalls each filled with beautiful bits and pieces, ornaments and food. There are plenty of carols being sung, nativity plays and of course an ice skating rink!
photo credit: unknown
Vienna, Austria
Vienna turns to Christmas and it is wonderful, and an easy to get to destination to spend Christmas. Visit the famous Chriskindlmarkts and wander through the market stalls, go ice skating or pop in to see the Snow Globe Museum. And if that’s not enough, you can visit one of the famous Christmas concerts held in the churches during Christmas time,
photo credit: holidayguru.ie
London, England
After living in London for a couple of years, we really enjoyed visiting Winter Wonderland. We stopped by a few times and it never disappointed. The smell of mulled wine, crepes and waffles – what’s not to love! Located in Hyde Park, it is truly spectacular and offers plenty of things to do including ice skating.
You can also jump on a bus, or walk the streets of Oxford and Regents streets and really enjoy the Christmas festivities and lights that are on display.
photo credit: unknown
Prague, Czech Republic
This Gothic fairytale city in Europe is just beautiful. The most famous Christmas Market in Prague is located in the Old Town Square and is breathtaking. You can find plenty of goodies here from ornaments, toys and traditional food. There is of course music, lights and nativity scenes to keep you in the spirit of Christmas.
photo credit: tripsavvy
“Christmas is like candy; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.” – Richelle E. Goodrich, Smile Anyway
Most people pack up and head on a holiday over the Christmas period and it can often be a time of stress. Whether you’re heading overseas on the hunt for a magical white Christmas or if you’re travelling locally, either way, it is always nice to be travelling stress-free!
If you haven’t got anything planned, click here for our 5 ways to spend Christmas abroad.
Here are our 7 tips for a stress-free holiday season!
#1 Make a list – Yep, just like the Santa himself!
The most important thing you can do is make a list of everything you need in regards to your travel documents. Most countries require at least 6 months validity on a passport – have you checked your expiry date?
If you want a printable carry on checklist, click here.
#2 Tell your bank / financial institutions
If you’re travelling overseas, the last thing you’ll need is for your cards to be cancelled because the bank thinks they have been stolen! Let your bank know you’re travelling and you won’t have any issues.
#3 Register with Smart Traveller
For fellow Aussies, you can register your details with Smart Traveller before you travel. The website also has helpful travel information as well.
#4 Pack your chargers & Emergency phone numbers
Update your contacts with any emergency numbers you may need (e.g travel insurance) and also remember to pack your phone charger!
#5 Check your flight bookings online for accuracy and check in online
If your airline will allow you to check in prior to arriving at the airport, you can often beat a massive queue as you can skip right to the bag drop counter!
#6 Check for last minute flight changes at the airport
When you’re at the airport, keep an eye on the departure board as you will often find there is a last minute gate change and it can be a mad dash to get to the gate on time if you’re not aware.
#7 Pack your Christmas Presents
It is Christmas after all! Remember to pack your Christmas presents (if they are fragile, you’re best to put them in your carry on luggage).
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.
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear – Will Ferrell ‘Elf’
When you try and think about what the smallest country in the world might be, I am sure a few spring to mind… Monaco (2nd smallest) or even Liechtenstein (6th smallest) but how many of you know what the smallest country in the world actually is?
I’ll give you a few hints…
- It measures only 0.2 square miles (around 0.44 square km) – that is almost 120 times smaller than the island of Manhattan!
- It is home to the biggest church in the world
- The country sits within the Italian capital city of Rome
- The entire 2-mile border is landlocked to Italy
- It is also known as the Holy See
If you haven’t guessed it by now, I’ll tell you – It, of course, is the Vatican City! Vatican city is the centre and home of the Catholic Church and home to the biggest church in the world, St Peter’s Basilica.
Visiting the smallest country in the world -What to see
Basilica di San Pietro (St Peter’s Basilica)
It is one of the largest churches in the world which is pretty impressive. It was built in the 17th century and was in fact built on top of an existing church from the 4th century.
They were in no hurry to construct this beauty with it taking around 120 years to complete.
There is no entry fee to enter this stunning church but please ensure you follow the dress code! When you are inside, you will see three most celebrated masterpieces. They are of course the Sistine Chapel, Bernini’s 29m high baldachin which sits over the altar and Michelangelo’s Pieta.
Photo Credit: ItalyGuides.it
St Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro)
Like St Peter’s Basilica, the Square was also designed in the 17th Century by Bernini and is the main entrance to the church and Vatican City.
The Royal staircase is probably the most popular spot and where you will see many tourists. It is roughly 60m high but the way the staircase is designed makes it look much longer.
St Peter’s Square is divided into two sections and there are 140 statues of saints along the balustrade, Michelangelo’s Pieta and two stunning fountains. All of this with an exceptionally wide promenade which leads you to the basilica and the statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
Photo Credit: catholicvote.org
Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel was built and designed in the 15th Century and its purpose is to serve as the Pope’s private chapel and the location for where the cardinals elect new Pope’s.
As you probably guessed, it is the most popular and famous landmark in Vatican City and once again, Michelangelo gets to showcase his masterpieces on the ceiling and behind the altar.
If you look up at the ceiling when you’re inside, you will notice the Old Testament stories with the Last Judgement behind the altar.
Photo Credit: getyourguide.com
St Peter’s Tomb
As I mentioned above, the church was built on top of an existing 4th-century church. What you may not already know is that excavations at this site have taken place and archaeologists believe they have uncovered the Tomb of Saint Peter who died around 64 – 67 AD.
This is due to the fact that bones of an older man, who appeared to be quite strong were found behind the wall, in a box back in 1942.
Although the Vatican has never made a statement as to whose bones they are, Pope Paul VI did say that the identification process was rather convincing!
Photo Credit: reidsitaly.com
Vatican Museum
Surprisingly, the Vatican Museum holds one of the largest art collections of any country. The museum was originally founded by Pope Julius II in the 16th Century.
This museum has it all… spanning a whopping 7km of corridors, guests will be able to see everything from Egyptian mummies, modern art to Renaissance masters. There is something to suit everyone here.
The Vatican Museums are actually located in two palaces – the Vatican Palace and the Belvedere Palace.
As you walk through, you will be able to get a glimpse of the courtyards which are beautiful.
Given the size, I’d advise you to pre-plan what it is you want to see and pre-purchase your tickets or jump with a tour guide. Otherwise, you run the risk of having to line up for a few hours to get in – what a waste of time!!
Photo Credit: italyguides.it
See the Pope!
Probably the biggest thing to try and do in Vatican City is to see the Pope! If you want to increase your chances, Wednesday is the Pope’s audience day. He makes his appearance in Saint Peter’s Square, so hang around the square and see if you can see him for yourself.
When he comes out, it usually starts with a welcome, says a prayer, blesses any religious artefacts that visitors have brought and the ends with a blessing.
I’d suggest arriving early if you want a good spot!
Photo Credit: policestateusa.com
Tips for visiting Vatican City
Pre-purchase tickets
If there is only one thing you take away from this post, it is to make sure you pre-book your tickets! We were part of a group tour so it was easy for us, but if you’re going on your own the last thing you want to be doing on your holiday is waiting for a half a day just to get inside of the Vatican. Our guide told us that people can wait up to 6 hours just to get in during the summer time – I can think of much better things to be doing with my time!
“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” – Seneca
This is a question we get asked quite often…
How do you do travel so often when you work full time? There are a few factors that come into play which we’ll go through below. But rest assured, it can be done!
Make the most of public / bank holidays
If there is one thing we did exceptionally well while we were living in London was making the most of the bank holidays.
This does often mean planning ahead as often these weekends can prove to be more expensive than others. We looked a year in advance, got our calendar out and marked up all of the long weekends. Then we made a list of cities we wanted to visit and which season is best for playing tourist.
Then, jump on Skyscanner or google flights and find the most reasonable flights and book them in! Quite often the earlier you book, the cheaper your flights will be. We had quite a few fantastic city breaks such as Krakow!
Krakow, Poland
When you have longer breaks, such as Christmas or Easter, you only need to take minimal annual leave to make the trip into a week or so and go somewhere for that bit longer. So again, plan which country you want to go to and lock it in! We used these breaks for Morocco, Iceland and Cinque Terre to name a few!
Manarola, Cinque Terre
Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland
For our top 16 must visit European destinations, click here!
If you’re not living in Europe, picking different countries can obviously be a tricky thing! We’re now living back in Australia but we are sticking with the same method and will go further into detail below.
Know your annual leave entitlement
Depending on your country and organisation, you could get anywhere between say 15 – 30 annual days per year – some more and some less. You need to be strategic in how you use these days.
Remembering that you are probably forced to take some of that leave over the Christmas break, it doesn’t always leave a lot left for the rest of the year.
Some organisations require you to book your leave well in advance, so make sure you know what your company requires before you book your flights!
If you are trying to work out how to ration out your leave throughout the year, and it doesn’t look promising… see below!
Nyhavn, Copenhagen
Purchase Additional Annual Leave
When we were working in London, we both purchased additional annual leave.
Basically, this means buying extra leave which gets deducted from your pay. When you go to take this type of leave, you will still get paid. Essentially it is the same as unpaid leave, except you’re paying it off over the year, rather than going fully unpaid at the time of your holiday – who wants to be without pay when you’re away!!
Enjoy city breaks!
If you’re living in Europe, city breaks are easy, can be relatively inexpensive and you can take plenty of them! If you leave on a Friday night after work, you can return on Sunday night and not take a single annual leave day!
This means you’re still exploring the world, getting to know different cities and cultures without reducing your leave balance.
Paris, France
Embrace you’re own neighbourhood!
If you’re living too far away to escape to a different country each month (like we are now) then you need to really embrace your own back yard!
We have made a real effort since moving back home to explore what our own country has to offer. We’ve had a heap of weekends away and are really enjoying ourselves.
Port Stephens, NSW
The benefit of exploring your own local area means you don’t need to waste hours in transit at airports, in the plane and so forth – you can just jump in the car and head off.
If you don’t always have a full weekend, plan some day trips! We have also made the most of the sunshine here in sunny Queensland and have booked in a heap of day trips which make us feel like we aren’t missing out too much while exploring what is close by. Again, this doesn’t use up any annual leave!
Figure 8 Pools, Sydney
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.
Do you work full-time and manage to get away frequently? What are your top tips? Leave your comments below!
“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls.” – Anais Nin
If you’re off on a sneaky weekend to Munich, you won’t be disappointed. Spending two days in Munich is not a great deal of time, but enough to see what the city has to offer!
Friday: Arrive Friday evening and check in to the hotel
Saturday: Book yourself on a full day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle.
Sunday: Explore Munich with a free walking tour before flying out.
Neuschwanstein Castle
There was one thing we had to do while in Munich and that was to visit the beautiful castle of Neuschwanstein.
We booked a full day tour from Munich through Viator and were not disappointed. The entire day was amazing and we would totally recommend you do the same thing.
To read our full blog and to look at some amazing photos, click here.
Marienplatz & the Town Gates
This is where it’s all happening. The one thing to remember is that not everything is open on a Sunday, but the place is still buzzing.
The buildings are gorgeous and you can stroll through some of the back streets and find some cool restaurants to stop and have a bite to eat.
The main tourist attraction is, of course, the Rathaus Glockenspiel. If you’re there at 11 am every day (the times differ for summer, they are 12 pm and 5 pm) you can watch the 15-minute Glockenspiel show. It is interesting to watch and the story line is a traditional Bavarian story. It gets busy so arrive a bit before starting time to snag a good viewing spot!
Here is a short video of the Rathaus Glockenspiel.
If you want to see the original town gates, you can do so in Munich! They were built during the 13th century and were used as a defensive wall to protect Munich.
We would recommend joining a free walking tour with Sandemans New Europe tours. They run tours every day, no matter the weather and they are free! You just tip at the end what you think the tour was worth. Click here for more information and to reserve your spot.
The walking tour takes you to all of the must see spots within the town centre and the local guides give you advice on where to eat and drink!
You should also take a walk around in the evening. The town square looks so lovely lit up!
Then be sure to head up the New Town Hall for spectacular views over Munich Marienplatz!
Hofbräuhaus
Well, probably the most famous part of Munich is, of course, one of Munich’s oldest beer houses, Hofbräuhaus. Even if you don’t drink beer, you need to visit this beer garden, the atmosphere is fantastic, although very touristy! It can seat up to around 3500 people!
You can choose to sit inside or outside in the garden. We sat inside for dinner, you just pick a spot and sit down. They have long tables and people share with other people – that’s just what you do!
There is live traditional music playing which adds to the atmosphere.
There is a real touristy vibe to this beer hall but the building itself is really lovely. I wouldn’t rate the food as fantastic, but I guess it’s all part of the experience.
You should go because, well you just have to but we personally preferred spending our time at Augustiner-Keller!
Location: Platzl 9, 80331 München, Germany
Augustiner-Keller
The second beer garden you need to pay a visit to is Augustiner-Keller. Seating over 5000 people, this gorgeous beer garden opened in 1812.
This place is just awesome. Guests can bring their own food, or you can buy food from the restaurant area. It is super casual and just an amazing atmosphere.
You hear a bell strike which is when you know they have opened up a new barrel. This is because the beer here is served straight out of the wooden barrels!
You’re surrounded by something like 100 chestnut trees so the grounds are just gorgeous. For me, it was a nicer beer garden than Hofbräuhaus for the day time.
Location: Arnulfstraße 52, 80335 München, Germany
Where to stay in Munich
We stayed at the Novotel Munich City Centre and found it to be extremely convenient and located across from the main train station. We definitely love staying with Accor and find the variety of hotels fantastic. Click here to read more.
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.
“No place is ever as bad as they tell you it’s going to be.” – Chuck Thompson
Western Australia covers the western third of Australia, so when planning your trip to the west coast it can be a little daunting. This post will focus on the southwest corner, which is home to the capital of WA, Perth as well as the incredible Margaret River region.
There is plenty to offer on the southwest corner of Australia… from pristine beaches that look they should be on the Mediterranean, botanic gardens, wineries and wildlife – there is absolutely something to suit everyone.
A guide to exploring Perth & surrounds
Kings Park & Botanic Garden
Kings Park is a 4.06-square-kilometre park and also happens to be one of the world’s largest inner-city parks. It is actually larger than Central Park in New York which is only 3.41 square-kilometres.
Getting to Kings Park is easy – either via public transport or you can drive and park in one of the large Visitors can embrace the incredible views of the Swan and Canning Rivers as well as the city.
If you’re into walking, there are walking trails that suit most people. Visitors can also enjoy free daily guided walks.
There are plenty of spots to relax or have a picnic as well and chairs are scattered around for people to use.
Kings Park War Memorial
While you are in the gardens, you will no doubt see the State War Memorial remembering those who died in World War I and World War II.
Swan River
If you’re looking for stunning views over the Swan River, you should definitely check out the Crystal Club Lounge at Crown Towers and enjoy a drink, overlooking the Swan River for sunset. It is the best spot in Perth to enjoy the views. Click here for a review of Crown Towers.
The Bell Tower
You can’t miss the Bell Tower! It is located down on Riverside drive and the most unique building in Perth. The Bell Tower has 12 bells of St Martin-in-the-Fields which are believed to be around since before the 14th century and recast in the 16th century by Queen Elizabeth I.
Elizabeth Quay
This is such a cool spot in Perth CBD. There is so much happening here. When we visited there was a beef and beer festival, so it was pretty busy! You can sit and enjoy the water views, get some gelato and vitamin D.
Margaret River
Margaret River is located around a 3.5-hour drive south of Perth. All I can say is that Margaret River really surprised me. It is not just a wine region but has some of the most beautiful coastlines I’ve seen. Click here to read our full review on Margaret River including what to see and do and click here on our tip for where to stay.
Rottnest Island
An absolutely awesome day trip from Perth and is something that you must do during your trip. For our reasons why and tips on getting to and from the island, click here.
Fremantle
After your trip to Rottnest Island, you’ve probably worked up a hunger! So, why not check out the Little Creatures Brewery. The Brewery opened in 2000 and is now a very popular brewery across the country. The venue is great and funky and you can choose to sit indoors or outdoors by the water. The food menu was pretty good as well and it came out quickly which is good if you’re in a hurry. Although, you could easily spend a couple of hours here.
Where to stay in Perth
If you’re looking for accommodation in Perth, we highly recommend Crown Towers. We spent one night in Perth and wish we had longer so we could spend more time at the hotel!
“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey.” – Babs Hoffman
Did you know that Cairo is home to the ONLY remaining Ancient Wonder of the World? I know, hard to believe that those big stone triangle-shaped things are still there!
That’s why visiting the Pyramids are top of our list of things to see when you’re in Cairo!
#1 Visit the Pyramids
If there is only one thing you do when you visit Cairo, it has to be the pyramids. Click here to read our advice on visiting the Pyramids and which pyramids you can visit where you’re probably the only people there.
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#2 Egyptian Museum
This is an absolute must when you’re in Cairo. This is no ordinary museum that’s for sure. It is home to a massive collection of ancient Egyptian pieces.. 120,000 pieces to be exact and that’s only what’s on display – the rest is in storerooms!
You can see the Gold Mask of Tutankhamun, which by the way is made from 11kg of solid gold amongst the pieces.
The most incredible part of the museum for us was the Royal Mummy Room. It is an additional charge to go into this room and you are not allowed to take in cameras. It is a special air-conditioned room that is home to the royal mummies. Here, you can see Ramesses II. Ramesses II died in July or August of 1213 BC. The room is full of mummies and I tell you what, it is not something you forget about! It was seriously impressive.
#3 Coptic Cairo – Walking Tour
We booked ourselves on a walking tour with Cairo Walking Tours and booked a private walking tour. The tour cost us $35 USD per person which did not include entrance fees. As part of the tour, we stopped in at:
- The Hanging Church
- Saint George Church
- Synagogue
- Fortress of Babylon
- City of the Dead
The tour included hotel pick up and drop off in an air-conditioned vehicle and an expert guide.
#4 Khan-el-Khalili
Khan-el-Khalili is a major souk in Cairo. It is very popular with both locals and tourists and you can pick yourself up a few souvenirs.
We picked up some Alabaster candle holders which are just gorgeous!
#5 Mosques of Sultan Hassan and Mosque of Al-Rifa’i
The Mosque of Sultan Hassan is one of the largest mosques in the world. Located in the old city of Cairo, this mosque is 150m in length and was built in 1359.
The Mosque of Al-Rifa’i also located in Cairo is located next to the Mosque of Sultan Hassan and was built in 1361.
Where to stay in Cairo
We stayed at the Mariott. The hotel grounds are really lovely. Click here to read our full review.
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.
“You don’t have to be rich to travel well.” – Eugene Fodor
Margaret River is home to many beautiful things… wineries, local produce, incredible coastlines and some world famous surfing breaks!
It is easy to see how you can spend much longer than a weekend in this part of the world!
Getting to Margaret River
Located only 3 hours south of Perth, Margaret River is easily accessible.
I would recommend stopping in at Busselton Jetty on your way to check out the world’s longest wooden jetty at just under 2km! Click here to find out more about this stop.
Where to stay in Margaret River
We stayed at the Pullman Bunker Bay. It is a beautiful hotel and sits just at the top of the Margaret River region and is a great location for exploring the region. Click here to read our full review.
What to see in Margaret River
We decided to start with the coastline as we had sunshine and some time to kill before the wineries opened!
Castle Bay
This was our first stop on our way down towards the wine region. The water was absolutely perfect and it actually reminded me a lot of the Bay of Fires region in Tasmania.
Margaret River Coastline
Canal Rocks
This spot was so beautiful. It is a rocky area with waves crashing. We spent quite a bit of time here exploring the area and climbing up over the rocks!
Injudup Natural Spa
What a special place. Surrounded by rocks and crashing waves you will find a gorgeous rock pool with crystal clear water! If you’re lucky you will see some whales depending on the time of year!
Sunset at Sugarloaf Rock
This spot was recommended by the staff at the Pullman Bunker Bay. The sunset was absolutely beautiful and it is totally recommended to stop here to take a sneak peek! You may want to get there a little earlier to get yourself a carpark though!
Margaret River Wineries & Breweries
Aravina Estate
Aravina Estate is more than just a winery! If you like classic cars, then check out the garage attached to the winery! They also have a little shop as well to do a spot of shopping.
Black Brewing Co
So not quite a winery, so if you’re up for some beer tasting then the Black Brewing Co is a good stop. The grounds are beautiful and they have a lovely restaurant if you’re looking for a bite to eat.
Vasse Felix
What we loved most about Vasse Felix was the underground cellar. You can walk down and enjoy marvelling at the wine that dates back to 1972.
Voyager Estate
I really liked the grounds of Voyager Estate. It was beautiful worth a stop in!
Watershed
A really lovely venue – the layout and the outdoor area were really lovely.
Stella Bella
A really quaint little house, staff were friendly but the wines just didn’t quite hit the spot for me personally.
Juniper
Probably our favourite! It wasn’t on our list but was recommended by a nearby winery. The staff were really great and Jenna even found a wine she enjoyed (she isn’t a wine drinker!!)
Cape Leeuwin – Where the Indian Ocean means the Southern Ocean
Cape Leeuwin
Just a further half hour or so down the road you will reach Cape Leeuwin. It is here where you can see the Indian and Southern Oceans meet.
Visitors are required to pay a nominal amount (a couple of dollars) to get into the area but that comes with an audio guide. You can then take your own pace.
However, there are lighthouse tours if you prefer a guided tour.
Where to stop for a bite to eat or drink
KoffeeWorks
We were recommended to stop in here for some coffee! The shop has plenty of coffee beans, you can even take a tour. They also have a shop where you can purchase some goods, or you can just grab a coffee if you prefer.
Temper Temper Fine Chocolate
Right next door to KoffeeWorks is Temper Temper Fine Chocolate. They have chocolate available to taste or you can pick up something that looks good and buy it for later which is what we did – the coconut rough!
Cape Lavender
Cape Lavender is a coffee shop and as you can probably guess is filled with lavender things! You can purchase all things lavender or you can have a cup of tea or coffee before heading on. Cape Lavender is located up towards the coastal areas.
Pullman Bunker Bay
We ate dinner at the Pullman Bunker Bay both nights we were at the hotel. The food was delicious. To read more about the restaurant, click here.
Getting around Margaret River – Hire Car
We hired a car with Hertz which we picked up at Perth Airport when we landed. It is really the only way to get around the region.
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.
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine
When it comes to planning your trip to Egypt and visiting the pyramids, there are some things you need to know.
Below are our top 8 tips any traveller should read before visiting this famous landmark!
Top 8 tips for visiting the Pyramids
#1 Take a private day tour
Not only for peace of mind and safety but for being able to personalise your tour and see not only the touristy parts but the pyramids where you will be the only people there!
#2 Dress appropriately
It is important to be respectful of other cultures. For women, click here for a checklist and ultimate guide to what to wear. This does include men as well, no singlets or short shorts!
You also need to remember to wear appropriate shoes! You’ll be doing a lot of walking or climbing on pyramids so comfortable shoes are the way to go. Also, you will want to be wearing closed in shoes if you decide on a camel ride at the pyramids.
#3 Visit on a Friday if you can
If you have a choice with your tour day, select a Friday. Because it is their weekly day of rest the grounds are a little quieter and the streets a bit emptier.
#4 Don’t accept a ‘free’ guide or photo opportunity
They aren’t free. Hawkers hang around and hope tourists use them for taking photographs or offering to show them around. Be insistent and just say No Thanks and keep walking.
#5 Take a camel ride
A very touristy thing to do, but absolutely worth it! Let your private guide negotiate how much you need to pay. Be careful the camel guides (in our case, kids!) don’t insist on you paying them again at the end.
#6 Look out for scammers (do not make eye contact!)
They are everywhere! Our tour guide warned us in advance and told us to keep our head down, do not make eye contact and definitely do not smile at them. They are only after your money and have no interest in showing or helping you around.
I made the mistake of smiling and then we had to both pay for a donkey ride. Our guide just said ‘I told you so’.
#7 Take plenty of bottled water
It is hot, hot hot. You will no doubt get dehydrated and feel very dry. Take a small backpack with water so you don’t get too thirsty.
#8 It is a tipping culture
Tipping is expected in Egypt. It is just something to be mindful of if you aren’t planning on tipping, don’t let someone do too much for you!
Do you have any other tips we should add to the list? 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.
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 recommend the Marriott. Click here to read our full review and for more photos.
“When overseas you learn more about your own country, than you do the place you’re visiting.” – Clint Borgen
