Archive for May, 2015

What sort of luxury traveller are you and how does it fit into your ideal travel experience? This infographic just might shed some light on the options available.

The Many Types of Luxury Traveller

Infographic source: www.globetrottingguide.com

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Split is the second largest city in Croatia and the center of the coastal region of Dalmatia. It’s a city where the traditional and the urban clash to form a city where the tourists can enjoy the Mediterranean to the fullest. It is visited by dozens of thousands every year and we provide you with a guide to make sure you’ll enjoy your trip to Split and experience the city in its full glory.

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The most famous site in the city is the Diocletian’s Palace, built by the Roman emperor Diocletian in 3rd century AD. The historical core of the city developed around the Palace whose walls stands preserved to this day, and the Palace found its place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Other great monuments of culture are the Cathedral of St. Domnius, patron saint of the city, the statue of Gregory of Nin, a medieval Croatian bishop, plus many museums and galleries exhibiting pieces from the city’s long history. Even if you’re not so interested in visiting museums, we suggest visiting the Maritime Museum and the Gallery of Fine Arts as they provide the best overview of Split and Croatian culture.

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The beaches of Split are very popular among locals and tourists, as the Adriatic is warm and clean and the beaches are surrounded by parks and pine trees. The Marjan Park is a perfect place for a relaxing afternoon stroll and the most popular beach is Bačvice, where the locals engage in a water game called ‘picigin’, similar to handball. Ask them if you can join and enjoy the game yourself, since the locals are usually open to foreign visitors. And when you get tired, have a cup of coffee or a beer at one of the bars at the Promenade. Drinking your coffee for a long time and just enjoying the sun is also a vital part of Split culture!

Nightlife in Split is rich and diverse; there are many late-night coffee shops, bars, nightclubs and beach bars. Rock and music lovers will want to check out the Kocka or the O’Hara, where you can hear local indie & underground bands, those who like electro music will want to visit Hemingway Split and the Bačvice Bar, hosting both domestic and international DJs. During the summer there are some large music events as well – the biggest being the Ultra Music Festival, attracting more than 30 000 people from all over the world.

Split is also a city of sports; the football club of Hajduk is one of the city’s most recognizable symbols, with a vast army of supporters throughout Croatia. You can try out cycling, tennis, golf and various water sports, such as waterskiing and diving.

As in any major tourist center in Croatia, there are plenty of fast food diners and shops in the city, but it would be a shame if you didn’t try the Dalmatian cuisine and at least some of Split specialties. The traditional cuisine is based on fish, herbs, olive oil and boiled vegetables; some famous dishes include grilled sardines, squids, octopus salad, cuttlefish risotto, tuna and shrimps, accompanied by domestic wines or beers. These can be found in virtually all taverns and restaurants in split, just search for a sign stating ‘konoba’ (a type of tavern/restaurant) and enjoy your food!

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We also encourage you to visit islands and towns in the vicinity of Split as they’ll give you a better picture of how beautiful Dalmatia is; start with the islands of Brač and Hvar, the nearby towns of Omiš and Trogir and you could even visit Biokovo and Krka National Parks. But even if you prefer to stay in Split, the city provides such a wide range of attractions that you’ll have your hands full just enjoying them

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Concrete jungles may have their monumental sky-scraping beauty, their ever-changing culture, and as life bustles between the streets of a city, day and night, this cultivated environment can eventually feed up and bore its citizens, because what we truly feel connected to is nature and all her wilderness. So if you want to unwind, get yourself in tune with your senses and surroundings, an open road can get you anywhere, and Australia is full of places to visit, landscapes to behold. All you need is a good car, a spare tire and, let’s face it, a decent amount of fuel, because this continent is vast. Since travelling cleanses the soul, here are some of the most rewarding driving experiences Australia can offer…

great_ocean_roadThe Great Ocean Road, Victoria

This coastal route lives up to the reputation as one of the greatest areas to drive by and relish the natural scene. The 12 Apostles stand like sculptured static giants, as they stick out from the coast to greet the passers-by. Alongside beautiful beaches, there are also countless historic shipwrecks, magnificent rainforests and places to grab some good food and relax.

Road from Sydney to Melbourne

Simply follow the ocean between these two populated urban zones and you will find yourself passing through a string of coastal towns, rich with turquoise colored lagoons on one side of the road and lush preserved national parks on the other. This region is full of fishing spots, birdlife, Aboriginal culture, camping spots and wild scenery, as kangaroos pose for photographing, especially at Pebbly Beach.

The Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia

You will definitely need a four-wheel-drive vehicle for this adventure if you plan on abandoning the highway, because the road to Perth, or should I say – all the way to the shores of the Indian Ocean, is an expanse that’s dry and harsh for newly-bred adventurers. Bear in mind, this is not entirely a desert, but series of plateaus covered with bluebush and wedge-tailed eagles that soar the skies.

The Heritage Highway, Tasmania

Way down south, on the island of Tasmania, between Hobart and Launceston are a series of stone villages, emitting an old atmosphere in the lovely green countryside. Excellent local food can be found here, even though, historically speaking, this region was established and built by convicted gangs and criminals who preyed and looted on these highways.

The Alpine Way, New South Wales

If you ever wanted to camp among wombats and wallabies near the Snowy River, this is the place! The hills of Corryong in Victoria are an alpine sight to behold, especially when the snow melts and spring awakens nature from its slumber. Then you can ride mountain bikes to hurtle through the scenery, or grab a good walking stick to explore the forest trails by foot.

Kangaroo Island, South Australia

You can board a ferry with your car from Adelaide to reach this island full of wild animals – kangaroos (obviously), fur seals, penguins, koalas, etc. Alongside remarkable flora and fauna in Flinders Chase National Park, you can also visit rock formations which have been sculpted by wind-erosion. This is where nature is kept in its most pristine state, so explore its beauty at your leisure.

Great Alpine Road, Victoria

From Wangaratta you can embark this trip on a previously used railway track, which is now a haven for bicyclists and reach valleys full of wineries and alpacas. Up on Mount Buffalo you can mount a horse to witness the specific rock formations and waterfalls, while at the bottom, along Ovens Rover you can find many local breweries.

Uluru to Kings Canyon, Northern Territory

Now this is a real treat, because if you want to cross this red earth with your car, you should supply yourself for a multi-day drive. Make sure to choose from wide variety of tyres if you ever wish to challenge yourself on the road. This journey starts off at Alice Springs, in the middle of the continent, and for five days you can stop at old towns and ancient sites where Aboriginal art is displayed on the rock walls. Also, watch out for wild camels, because they can pop out of nowhere along the route.

grand_pacific_driveGrand Pacific Drive, New South Wales

Not far from Sydney, you can find the Royal National Park if you follow this route. Beautiful beaches, white sands, blooming blowholes at Kiama, cliffs and mesmerising lookouts. Nothing could be more perfect, since this raw nature is really close to an urban jungle and doesn’t require much strain and preparation to get there.

I’m sure you’re pretty much familiar with all of these locations, but words can never fully describe what eyes can witness. So prepare your car, or rent an appropriate one if terrain requires such conditions and go get your lifetime experience. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the natural beauty Australia possesses, since it’s undisputedly, without much needed discussion, one of the leading continents in terms of biodiversity and uniqueness.

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