The main holiday expenses are displayed in this infographic

Whilst the infographic portrays the holiday habits of those in Northern America, it is probably fairly much the same across most western nations.

Source: FastLoanTree.com

Travel Photo of the Week: Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia

I visited Kakadu National Park back in 2000. It was early June and the wet season was only just finishing up but there was plenty to mark the wet season had been! Many roads were still under water and a good portion of the Yellow Water Billabong car park remained submerged. So much water laying about together with ‘Beware of Crocodiles’ signs, you couldn’t help but feel a little apprehensive. During the Yellow Water Billabong tour by boat, these water lilies were captured. Photos of the crocs will come another time! Stay tuned!

Where is Ballarat?

Ballarat is a quaint little city located about 117 kilometres west of Melbourne, Victoria. By car, it would take you about an hour and a half to reach your destination.

Ballarat’s roots are embedded deep in the region’s, not to mention the country’s, history and it only follows that a lot of the city’s attractions.

Apart from the historical attractions, the city’s mild weather makes it an ideal venue for various cycling events, and music and art festivals.

Spring is the best time to visit as this is when the flowers are in full bloom and everybody is outside to enjoy the weather.

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

One Great Reason to Visit Ballarat

Your Ballarat experience will never be complete without a visit to the city’s most famous attraction: Sovereign Hill. Sovereign Hill is a man-made open air museum that showcases life in the 1800s when the gold rush was in full swing.

Have fun exploring over 60 historically accurate buildings all across this complex while interacting with the costumed personnel to get the most out of your experience. Dig for gold, explore the mines, visit the tents, and buy souvenirs at the shop.

Before you leave, make sure to watch the multi-million dollar production Blood on the Southern Cross. This lights and sounds extravaganza centres on the events leading up to the Eureka uprising which most experts credit as heralding the birth of democracy for all of Australia.

Ballarat: Discover Your Own Backyard

For More Information

• Wikipedia
• Visit Ballarat

A New Year’s Eve to Remember

Every year it’s the same. You vow that 31^st December will be a night to remember and pledge to make fantastically exciting plans. You look forward to a sparkling evening as everyone delights in each other’s company in the spirit of the season.

But, let’s face it, more often than not, the reality is a world away from the hype. The last night of the year can end up a crashing, anti-climactic disappointment, whether that’s because you have forgotten the astronomical price of cabs, babysitters and restaurants, or because you end up having to kiss and hug strangers as you wish them a happy new year. Or because you just feel forced to ‘have fun’.

All too often you end up drinking warm white wine or cheap champagne out of a plastic cup before pumping the sweaty hands of people you’ve known for three hours in a teary, tipsy rendition of Auld Land Syne as the midnight chimes of Big Ben ring out another year.

The real shame, of course, is that it shouldn’t be this way. After all, the occasion is a time to celebrate having lived through another year, and to welcome the 12 months to come. A night for seeing out the end of the festive season in style.

The trouble is, it can be hard to break the cycle of annual disappointment. As the saying goes: “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”

So vow to do something genuinely and completely different this year – and plan your celebration early to avoid the eternal let-down.

If you’re more of a party pooper than a party popper, you feel out of place at a nightclub or you just can‘t face the thought of another disappointing suburban gathering, it’s time to give your New Year’s Eve a thorough makeover.

Superbreak, established for more than a quarter of a century, has a range of great ideas for New Year breaks, from hotel stays in the UK’s most gorgeous cities to south coast beach breaks.

There are no credit card or booking fees or taxes to pay on top of quoted prices, and many breaks include entertainment, a gala New Year’s Eve dinner and a late check-out and brunch the morning after.

Or perhaps a theatre trip, mini-cruise or European capital visit would be more to your liking? Whatever you choose, as 2012 becomes 2013, fall in love with New Year’s all over again.