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The Breathtaking Blue Mountains of Australia

There aren’t many major cities in the world that have a World Heritage listed wilderness literally in their own backyard, but that’s exactly what Sydney, Australia has in the breathtaking Blue Mountains. Between the Blue Mountains and the other national parks that adjoin them, there are over a million hectares of unspoiled wilderness to explore, all within an hour’s commuter train ride of Australia’s biggest city.

When you travel from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, you feel as is you’ve been teleported to another world, one where there is no sign of the hustle and bustle of the city you left behind. Instead, you find yourself gazing across an endless landscape of undulating hills covered in blue-green eucalypts. As you step into this stunning landscape, you peer over sheer rock faces, look up at spectacular waterfalls and into the eyes of Australia’s unique animal life. If you’re an outdoor lover, you will surely fall head over heels in love with the Blue Mountains. If you like putting on your hiking boots and exploring, you can spend weeks in Katoomba or Leura, two of the main cities, hiking a different trail every day. If the thrill of rock climbing or mountain biking is to your liking, then you will be in paradise.

If you have never been to the Blue Mountains before, you can see the best of them from Katoomba. Just walk or drive down the main street of town until you come to Echo Point and the famed Three Sisters. You have probably seen these Sisters in pictures, since they have been photographed thousands of times before and been featured in countless ad campaigns. You won’t be disappointed, though, when you “meet” the Sisters in person for the first time. Only then will you really appreciate the sheer depth of the cliff faces and breadth of the scenery. If you’re a climber, you will head straight for the Giant Staircase that leads to the valley floor and head for the cliff faces, where you can tackle some of the hundreds of classic climbing routes that dot the area.


The Giant Staircase is also where thousands of hikers begin their discovery of the Blue Mountains. If you have limited time but want to feel like you’ve escaped civilization, by the time you’ve reached the foot of the stairs, you will have forgotten everything. Surrounded by pristine nature, the only reminders of civilization you will see will be the signs that will help you find your way and the occasional welcome bench when you can rest your weary feet and gaze out at the horizon. If fatigue overcomes you and you don’t want to have to face the steep climb back up to the top, just hop on the world’s steepest railway line and you’ll be back up in minutes.

Incredibly, you can come to the Blue Mountains, do all of these things and still be back home in Sydney in time for dinner. However, you probably won’t be in a hurry to leave. That won’t be a problem, since finding a cozy Katoomba accommodation is easy. Aside from the numerous camping grounds in the area, there are B&Bs, backpackers, hotels, motels and other Blue Mountains accommodation options to choose from. After you’ve checked in, step outside and check out the many great restaurants and cafes along Katoomba Street. Being Blue Mountains locals, they know you’ll be hungry and looking for a hearty meal. They won’t disappoint you, either!

Escape to Byron Bay Australia

Byron Bay, on the far north coast of NSW, is not a major metropolitan center by any stretch of the imagination. The entire Byron Shire region boasts a population of just over thirty thousand while the city of Byron Bay itself, Australia’s easternmost city, has only about 5000 permanent residents. Their small population doesn’t stop them from playing host to over one and a half million visitors every year, though.

 

Byron Bay wasn’t always so popular. Back the the 1960s, it was known as dairy country and there was far more cattle in the region than there were people. In the sixties, Byron Bay’s now world famous surfing break, “The Pass” was an insider’s secret spot coveted by surfers from as far south as Sydney. In the “Flower Power” era, those surfers spread the word about the stunningly beautiful scenery and serene atmosphere of Byron Shire and gradually, thousands of young Australians migrated there in search of a gentler lifestyle away from the city.

The new breed of locals revived the shopping district of Byron Bay just when the previous generation left after the closing of the meatworks and other industries that had been the commercial lifeblood of the town. They opened craft shops, surf shops, vegetarian cafes and, to cater to the increasing numbers of traveling surfers and other young travelers, backpackers resorts. By the 1980s, Byron Bay was on the map as one of Australia’s most popular backpacker destinations.

In 1990, the Arts Factory, a popular backpackers resort, hosted the first Byron Bay BluesFest. Even BluesFest organizers didn’t realize that they were making history with that inaugural event. The turnout far exceeded expectations and the Blues Festival remains an annual event to this day, though it outgrew its original venue many years ago. More than any other single event, this first music festival led to an explosion of global interest in Byron Bay.

 

Byron Bay found prosperity in tourism and continued to grow, but has always kept its ideals and the locals have resisted all attempts to create highrises or huge developments in the region like those that are found in Surfers Paradise. This determination to retain its unique, laid-back atmosphere has paid off. Today, Byron Bay remains true to its values but still welcomes its millions of visitors with open arms.

There is much more to Byron Shire than what Lawson and Jonson Streets, the main streets of town, have to offer. You can get a better perspective from the Byron Bay Lighthouse. From high above the city on Australia’s eastern tip, you command a sweeping view of the whole magnificent panorama. Up there on the green hills behind Byron Bay are many other fascinating places to explore and you can easily do so by shuttlebus tour or by car.

 

Today, surfers and alternative lifestylers mingle freely with families and jet-setting tourists in Byron Bay. There’s something for everyone there. If you want a cheap but healthy vegetarian meal, it’s as easy to find as is gourmet restaurant. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious five star resort or an inexpensive backpackers lodge, you’ll find the perfect Byron Bay Accommodation for your needs. Above all, if you’re looking for fun and relaxation, you’ll find it in abundance in Byron.

Holidays to Malia… The Greek Pearl Crete, A Fantastic Place To Stay!

Malia is a town in Crete that has quite a reputation. If you’re in for a party, then Malia is definitely the place to be. The best holidays in Malia tend to be an experience by itself that you will never forget. Because let us be honest, the beach locations in Malia are the very best of the isle of Crete. Excellent sand stretches that only fade away at the horizon. The beaches are established with really comfortable sunbathing stretchers to aid you to get the sun tan you have been looking for. Or, for those who had some sort of tough party night, they are great to sleep off your party “fatigue.”

In case you survived the evenings of Malia, there is lots of water activity available: it is easy to hire a jet-ski or boat and sail the deep blue ocean. The bottom line is: Holidays in Malia are usually the greatest summer breaks you can imagine.

If you leave the beach in the late afternoon, there’s a lot of cafes as well as dining places to choose from. You could enjoy your meal literally anywhere in the city. And if you wish to eat a little something while on the beach, there is a good amount of snack bars that fulfill that need for only a small amount of money. But at night, the options are virtually limitless. It will be really hard to choose from the countless possibilities you have. You can actually eat Mexican, Dutch, Indian and Chinese food or simply order a hamburger menu.

After you have ate your portion of good Malia food, it is now about time to get yourself ready for some Malia nightlife.

Nonetheless, Malia isn’t just a place to go to for its infamous and wild nightlife. Malia is a historical location and you’ll definitely taste the flavor of traditional Greece on this particular part of the island. And when you rent a car in Malia, you will be able to pay a visit to all historical places on the island of Crete together with your pals or family members.
And let’s not leave out an important fact with regards to Holidays in Malia: Malia is a really cheap place to go on a vacation. Regardless of whether you rent an apartment, book a hotel or choose a studio for your vacation, the locations are all really budget friendly.

Students And Advice For Those Wishing To Travel To Europe By Train

Students will often relish the opportunity to take a train around Europe. Travelling in this way is great fun when you are that age and it gives you the chance to see so much more of the continent. When you are on a train you can really socialise with your friends; this is something that is not really possible when you fly. Here are a few tips for students who are thinking of travelling Europe by train.

- There are normally discounted train tickets available for students so it would be wise to look for these. All you will usually need to claim these is your NUS card and it can make a huge difference to the amount you pay. Remember to always take your student ID with you when you go out because this is the only way to avail of all the other discounted prices that are available for students all over Europe.

- If you are travelling long distance you might want to consider going by night and booking a sleeper. Travelling in a sleeper cabin at night means that you get a good nights sleep while you are travelling and you can save on the cost of a hotel room. As long as you remember that you will be missing out on some spectacular scenery when you travel at night.

- Most trains will stop in the heart of the city and this is really one of the most advantageous things about taking a train. Try to find a hostel or other accommodation beside the train station and that way you will avoid having to pay for a taxi or needing to deal with public transport upon your arrival.

- Booking your tickets in advance is a good idea especially if you are travelling with a large group. That way you will all be able to sit together. If you want a sleeping cabin you will usually have to book this in advance.

It can be great getting an English ferry for a holiday to the UK. Very often, though, some enjoy the delights of the Channel Tunnel Channel Tunnel (shuttle are the alternatives, in French). Should you wish to stay in England, these are probably the best ways of getting there.

Grasping How to Express Greetings in Korean

Greeting someone with a warm “hi” is a universal expression that makes the other person feel accepted and it lets him perceive that the person is happy to meet him. This manner of greeting is used by people everywhere irrespective of sexuality, age, faith, or nationality.

When an individual meets somebody in Korea, he will most probably hear the expression “annyeonghaseyo” which is means “hello.” The nation is predominantly influenced by Confucianism thus as a result, there is a prominent order in society and respect for elders. A lot of the customs and traditions existent today in the Korean society still demonstrate the respectfulness they have for others and the elderly. One of the practices in Korea is bowing when meeting people. Traditionally when two people of like social position meet they both bend. On the other hand, if one person has a lower social position than the other, then only the man with the lower social position will bend when exchanging salutation. This traditional practice applies for example, to a instructor and a student. The pupil will bend towards the instructor. The instructor then nods to acknowledge his pupil’s gesture. Bending is not the only form of greeting practiced in Korea. There are other scenarios where two close friends, might greet each other by waving.  In the business arena, businessmen practice handshaking when they greet each other.

As a general rule, when talking in Korean you should endeavor to make sure that you are using the polite form of a greeting or word by appending the suffix ‘yo’ to the end of the salutation or sentence.  Most polite forms of words end in ‘yo’ in Korean and this ending can be found in some phrases such as “annyeonghaseyo” which means hello.  Every time you speak to those well-advanced in years than you, strangers and anybody who has a high status in society, remember to use polite words at all times.

There are a number of simple greetings in the Korean language that you can quickly learn besides “annyeonghaseyo.”  When you want to ask a person “How are you?” you can say “Jaljineseyo.”  To become more familiar with somebody and when presenting yourself, you may say: “Hello, I am ….” and the words to use in Korean is “Anneyonghaseyo, ……. imni da.” To ask someone “What is your name?” use the sentence “Sungham-i mu-uht ipnika?” When meeting or upon knowing the name of someone, you could say in appreciation ” Mannasuh Bangapseupni da” which means ” happy to see you!” An additional popular expression in the Korean language you may wish to study is “Chwii-miga Mu-uht-ipnika? which means “What is your hobby?”

There are many manners of greeting a person. It is crucial to know what common words, phrases and sentences are spoken in greeting locals in the Korean language. There are formal and informal ways of greetings and learning how to use both is also important.

Useful Info And Comparison Shopping Trends To Cashiers, NC

Cashiers is a beautiful and cozy small town located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cashiers is pronounced locally as if it were spelled cashers, and is one of a few communities in the area popular with tourists and owners of vacation homes. Those looking for a place with oustanding views, warm and friendly people, quiet and relaxing atmosphere, look no further, Cashiers is the place!

Next, we share some fascinating  attractions and things to do.  You will also find some interesting tendencies for this amazing destinations as well as great lodging options.

Cashiers will provide you with every kind of accommodation you are looking for. From a secluded, home-like Cashiers rental, a cozy Cashiers lodging to a mountain- view Cashiers condo – North Carolina offers endless lodging possibilities.

Easily accessible from your cozy Cashiers cottage is the scenic Nantahala National Forest, perfect place for mountain biking and camping. “Nantahala” is a Cherokee Indian word meaning “Land of the Noonday Sun” as in some parts of the forest the sun only reaches the ground at midday. This beautiful park is full of waterfalls and scenic campgrounds perfect for a family picnic.

A piece of the history of the area is, without doubt, in the Zachary-Tolbert House. Built 150 years ago, and virtually unaltered, the Zachary-Tolbert House is one of the most important historical buildings in Western North Carolina. A rare example of Greek Revival-style architecture, it serves as a monument to the pioneer settlers of Cashiers Valley. Today visitors can step into the past and delight in the artistry of the 19th  century furniture, crafted by Mordecai Zachary, thought to be the largest collection of Plain Style furniture  by a single maker.

Those who love nature will be amazed at the beauty of Cashier Waterfalls. Tourists from all over the world visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains are attracted to the most spectacular waterfall in the entire area: The Rainbow Falls. For those who love hiking will find there a place with an oustanding scenery.

Although the ocean is hundreds of miles away, Cashiers offers many fresh water spots for fishing enthusiasts. Lake Glenville and countless Cashiers rivers are great places for a fishing adventure providing tourists with both easy and challenging conditions. Chattooga is a “technical river” full of deep ponds and fast runs perfect for those who like to hike around to find a good spot. Stay at a Cashiers hotel and go fishing at Chattooga River.

A market research study shows that 58 percent of the travelers that were looking for a place to stay in Cashiers were interested in comparison shopping among Cashier vacation rentals, b&bs, resorts, and hotels. It is noteworthy that 25 percent of the vacationers were open to receive lodging offers from places near Cashiers, including Sapphire, Highlands, Lake Toxaway, Scaly Mountain, Cullowhee, Otto, Franklin, and Dillard.

A travel website informs that 20 percent of the tourists looking for a place to stay in Cashiers were mindful travelers who started their trip preparing two or more months in advance from their travel date. A 23 percent were more traditional vacationers who began their lodging requests just one to two months in advance. It is remarkable that typical travelers who preferred to wait until the last month to send their inquiries represented the 50 percent.

It is widely known nowadays that travelers are looking for websites that facilitate comparison shopping. Rentalo.com was designed to  make it easy for travelers to evaluate and compare different lodging options from vacation rentals, hotels, and bed and breakfasts that satisfy their particular requirements.

For example, below we have two excellent options to explore:

Cashiers NC Vacation Cottage: Have Carolina on your Mind? Looking for a peaceful easy feeling away from the daily work grind? Need a place to getaway and enjoy a Summer Break on beautiful quiet Bear Lake. Enjoy time at Bear Lake Reserve Cottage 460, where you have all the comforts of home, plus more! At Bear Lake you can enjoy your own private getaway with your loved one, family, or friends. Cottage 460 has a full gourmet kitchen, or if you prefer, a gas BBQ and fire pit on the screened porch overlooking the rhododendron forest with sounds of streams below. Enjoy the ability to plug in your iPod and enjoy your own music, free wireless internet, free 30 minutes per day long distance phone calls. Pop some popcorn and enjoy a DVD from our library or your own on a 50 inch TV. Don’t forget your wine to enjoy and sit in front of the wood burning fireplace or gather outside on the screened in porch around a fire pit to enjoy hot chocolate, toast marshmallows and be a kid again. Forgot your wine? Not a problem, Bear Lake Greeters Cottage has various wines for sale. For details and photos, please visit rentalo.com, property ID#264538.

12 Tips For Travelers Cruising With Kids

If you’re taking a cruise taking your kids along with you, don’t be fraught with anxiety. Granted, it is a floating trip and you’ll be on the sea for days together before sighting land. It’s an unnerving experience if it’s your first time as an adult. For a child, it can be quite traumatic if you don’t prepare them first. Here are 12 tips on how to cruise happily with your kids.

 

Prepare Your Kids For The Cruise
Before you leave on your cruise, prepare your kids to be on water for days on end. Show them videos of cruises and ships at sea. Explain how many hours or days you’ll be on sea before landing at the different ports. Explain to your kids about the various delights that await them at each port, so that they have something to anticipate.

Involve Your Kids In The Planning
Get your kids involved in the research and planning stage of your cruise. Unless they’re very small, they should be able to contribute and participate eagerly. Shop for port guides, study your ports-on-call using the internet and get as much information as you can. Let your kids contribute their ideas; pool all your ideas together in your family plan.

Prepare Your Kids For Stopovers
Lengthy stopovers and airport transfers will be part of your cruise experience. A good book and suntan lotion might be your way of dealing with it, but kids just don’t have our patience. Let your kids know that stopovers are to be expected. Organize games and activities to keep them occupied during these times.

Practice Flexibility
Not much goes as planned in life and cruises are no exception to this fact! Your flight could be delayed, anticipated ports could be canceled and you might even miss your cruise ship! Whatever you do, don’t transfer your anxiety to your kids. Kids are tough to handle when taken outside their comfort zones and your anxiety will make them even more hyper.

Sign Your Kids Up For Cruise Programs
Take advantage of any on-board programs on the cruise. Reputable cruises such as the Royal Caribbean provide supervised activity centers for young kids. Let your kids have fun and explore your deck. If you find older kids on the cruise, pay them to babysit and play with your kids.

 

Bring Out The Child In You
The best way to enjoy any time with kids is to bring out the child in you. You’re anonymous while on the cruise; go ahead and clown along with your kids, run around, explore, climb up and down decks and have a ball in general. A few hours of you playing with them will set their anxiety at rest and help them adjust better to the cruise.

Buy Disposable Cameras
Buy a few cheap disposable cameras, load them up with film and get your kids to take pictures of everything they see. Point out interesting objects that might motivate them to click away. Arrange a competition amongst your kids; whoever builds the most impressive photo album chronicling the entire cruise gets a special reward.

Take Some Painter’s Tape Along
Use colorful painter’s tape to block electric sockets so that your children don’t get accidentally shocked. A large roll of such tape is also great to put up your kids’ cruise pictures and artwork in your cabin. Use a bit of the tape to ensure your camera lens stays shut when you’re traveling.

Pack Inflatable Toys
Buy some inflatable toys for your kids for the cruise. These toys are cheap and easy to pack and it’s ok to leave them behind when you’re done. You can buy beach balls, animals and a variety of blow up toys.

Take Bubble Bottles Along
It’s important to keep your kids occupied so that they don’t get into trouble. Buy small bottles of soap bubbles and start blowing bubbles whenever you need to distract your kids. This could be during stopovers, delayed flights or while waiting in long lines for something or the other.

Buy Cheap T-Shirts
Pick up several white and color t-shirts for cheap before you travel. You’ll need to replace several of your kids’ t-shirts on the cruise, especially when they’re allowed free to play on the ship. Plus, you’ll be able to avoid paying 10 dollars for white t-shirts for activities such as spray painting and making tie-and-dye t-shirts.

Take All Required Medications Along
Most cruises will provide you excellent first aid facilities and services. Still, when accidents occur, it’s hard to wait for someone to go get the supplies. Always carry basic first aid supplies in your on-hand bag. Also carry basic medications for cold, cough, fever, pain, inflammation and mild antibiotics for infections with you.

Teena is a freelance writer working for Adrenaline that offers a large range of gift ideas for men like – skydiving , hot air ballooning, V8 race experience, rally driving and a lot more all across Australia

Visiting the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo, Egypt

When you think of traveling to Egypt, which is the first image that comes to mind?

For many people, it will be the iconic image of the amazing Pyramids of Giza. These incredible structures have come to stand for the ancient wonders of Egypt and are on the must-see list of many an intrepid traveler. If you will be visiting Cairo, taking a trip out to the desert to see the pyramids is definitely worth doing.

 

About the Pyramids of Giza

There are three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis, and the Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and the largest. They are easy to reach from Cairo, as they are only an 8km trip southwest of the city.

No one really knows for sure when it was built or exactly why, but the best guesses of most Egyptologists is that it was originally built as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu and took approximately two decades to build. They estimate that construction was completed in 2560 BC.

 

For over 3,800 years, the Great Pyramid at Giza was officially the tallest man-made building in the world. It’s hard to imagine how truly majestic and enigmatic these landmark monuments are, until you are gazing up at them in the warm desert sun.

Tips for Visiting

Here are some helpful tips to remember when you are exploring these beautiful structures:

  • One of the best ways to get out to the pyramids from central Cairo is to take the public transit bus route 355 or 357. It is a large, comfortable, air-conditioned coach which will take you out to Giza for only LE 2.
  • Unfortunately, the pyramids are a popular location for opportunist scam artists to try to con tourists out of their money. Beware any “favors” or “advice” from these characters, as they are most definitely expecting to end up with as much of your money as possible.
  • Try to avoid eye contact and interaction with the tourist scammers, because being too friendly will show you as an easy target. “La Shukran” means “No Thank You” and is a very handy phrase to memorize in these situations.
  • It is completely forbidden and very dangerous to climb any of the Pyramids or the surrounding structures.
  • While you are at the pyramids, you will see many men offering camel or horse rides. These animals have been notoriously mistreated in the past, so take a look at how healthy and happy the animal looks before you consider taking a ride.
  • If you really want to go horse riding in the desert, it is best to do business with one of the better quality stables rather than the cheaper touts.
  • The sun will be very hot, so don’t forget to protect your skin with lots of sunscreen and a hat. Also, bring plenty of bottled water with you to prevent dehydration.

Enjoy exploring the amazing Pyramids of Giza!

 

Simon Grant is a writer and traveller who has written this on behalf of Etihad Airways, a provider of flights to Cairo.

Extreme Caribbean Adventures

A Caribbean destination is the perfect getaway for couples who enjoy participating in extreme adventures together. Extreme escapades are sure to create a bonding and memorable experience for those traveling together.

Canyoning

Couples can discover the beautiful natural landscaping on the island of Dominica first-hand when they hike through the volcanic rock together. The hike may be challenging with the necessity of climbing and rappelling down the side of cliffs and waterfalls, but the experience will last a lifetime.

 

Swimming

Couples have the chance to take their hobby of swimming a step further and participate in swims that range from 1 to 3 miles in the open ocean waters near the British Virgin Islands. Swimmers of all skill levels are invited to participate and experiencing the best water on earth will bond couples together for an unforgettable adventure.

Surfing

Couples vacationing in Rincon, Puerto Rico will find quiet waves to learn this inspiring sport while those already comfortable with surfing will find their skill level tested. Couples can reserve a travel package that includes a surfing guide along with unique accommodations located in a bamboo tree house. Puerto Rico is known by the nickname “Caribbean Pipeline” and couples will appreciate the variety of surfing conditions available.

 

Explore A Bat Cave

Adventurous couples who love to hike together will love the unique island of Trinidad. The island’s mountainous terrain offers many chances to view wild animals. However, couples who embark upon the 30 minute climb to the highest summit in the island’s mountain range, Mount Tamana, will reach Trinidad’s complex cave system. The first cave features over 500,000 bats that perch throughout the day. The bats are large with a wingspan of one foot.

Couples can take their adventure a step further and explore the second cave chamber with over 12 separate bat species. Brave couples who’d like more contact with these insect eating creatures can wait until sunset to encounter the bats flying within centimeters of their faces.

Sport Fishing

Couples can spend time out on the ocean water fishing for a variety of large game including Mahi-Mahi, Barracuda, and Tuna. Couples can charter a boat and experience the thrill of reeling in one of these strong ocean creatures. Deep sea fishing can be enjoyed at any time during the year and couples will have the opportunity to view picturesque beaches, inlets and lagoons while waiting for the big one to bite. Sport fishing is available on most Caribbean islands and couples will enjoy the unique features of each island getaway.

Kiteboarding Adventures

This unique extreme sport will have couples challenging one another for the best ride. Kiteboarding features methods used in sailing, windsurfing and wakeboarding. The British Virgin Islands is known for kiteboarding and guides are on hand to teach couples how to utilize the wind and enjoy the breakers and slicks of the ocean. Couples with experience may consider visiting in the winter months with access to stronger trade winds that can bring wind speeds averaging 20-25 mph.

 

Snorkeling

When couples travel to the Silver Banks region in the Dominican Republic from January to March, they’ll have the good fortune of snorkeling with humpback whales. These gentle giants mate and bear their young in this part of the Caribbean and couples will be thrilled to experience their presence. Quiet inflatable rafts are used to bring snorkelers to the whales and couples will be able to swim near the babies while the mothers keep an eye on their young calves. Guides will be present to make sure that snorkelers approach the whales carefully with gentle movements and calming gestures.

Couples traveling to the Caribbean have the chance to discover the excitement of extreme adventures. The islands offer a unique bonding experience and couples will reminisce for years about the amazing Caribbean trip that they shared. Furthermore, an exciting island vacation will give couples the chance to appreciate each other all over again.

 

The Caribbean is more than just romantic caribbean resorts, it is full of all sorts of adventure and fun.

Visiting Perth in Western Australia

When you look at the map of the country, you will notice that the majority of Australia’s people live on the east coast. What’s on the other side of the country? To see the best of Western Australia, visit its capital city, Perth.

Virtually every postcard and panoramic picture you see of Perth features the Swan River in the foreground with glimmering modern skyscrapers in the background. These photographs capture the spirit of this city of 1.7 million perfectly. As big and bustling as Perth is, it has never lost touch with nature or an appreciation of beauty and refinement.

 

The Swan River has been of vital importance to Perth ever since the city was first settled. In its early days, the river was the most important transportation hub between the settlement and the ocean port twenty miles west. The Swan is no longer as vital a transportation link, but remains vital to the city and in many ways defines the Perth lifestyle.

Perth’s commitment to nature began way back when the city was founded in 1872. 172 hectares were set aside in the heart of the city for Perth Park. This was expanded to 400 hectares in 1901 and the name of the park was changed to King’s Park. This makes New York’s Central Park, at 340 hectares, only the second largest city park in the world. King’s Park, with its hundred plus species of animals and 250 plant species, is the largest.

 

Aspects of King’s Park is a good example of how artfully Perth blends commercial enterprise with its beautiful natural surroundings. Aspects Gallery and retail shops offer some of the finest examples of Australian arts and crafts that can be found anywhere in the world. Whether you go there to make a purchase or just view the exquisite examples of art, glass, woodworks, ceramics and other fine crafts, you will come away inspired.

After you have been inspired at Aspects, call in at the Aboriginal Art Gallery. It is located in a stunning area of the park and the staff includes the aboriginal performers who entertain visitors with traditional aboriginal performances each day. You can meet with them in person and learn about their heritage as you browse the gallery, where you can buy stunning examples of aboriginal art.

 

While you’re in Perth, you simply have to go to the Bell Tower. Located on Riverside Drive, the Bell Tower is a stunning example of modern architecture. After Western Australia was offered a priceless gift of historic European bells for its Bicentennial celebrations in 1988, it was decided to build an architectural structure worthy of them. More bells have been acquired since then, including an enormous, 459 kilogram bell dating back to 1550 and the legendary 12 bells of Saint Martin-in-the-Fields, whose origins go back to before the fourteenth century.

These few examples of Perth attractions are just a handful out of dozens of places to see and things to do in this amazing city. After you have seen Perth for yourself, you’ll know why it has a reputation as one of the world’s best capital cities. Your Perth accommodation will reflect the city itself – refined, sophisticated and still in touch with nature.