You already know you’re going to love Australia. From our sun-soaked beaches to our booming cities, Australia has something to offer everyone, whether you’re looking for a quiet getaway or a week of pure adventure.
Our natural resources are unsurpassed – and I’m not just talking about the countryside. Australian guys and gals are some of the most gorgeous specimens you’re likely to see on your travels. Here’s a guide to figuring them out – and maybe even getting lucky!
What you’ll do
Get someone to take you to a football game. Wear a team scarf and chant things like, “CARN THE PIES!” just for the hell of it. Eat a meat pie and drink a Foster’s at half time. Go to the beach. Marvel at the blue oceans, the golden sand, and the beautiful people in tiny swimming outfits walking past. Go to the pub.
Drink a pint or two, eat a parma (a chicken Parmigiana – schnitzel with cheese and tomato sauce on top) or a schnitzel with some chips (Aussie for French Fries).
Who you’ll meet
The guy you’re likely to meet in Australia loves his mum, cares too much about footy, enjoys a beer or three on a Friday night, and is loyal to his mates. The girl you’re likely to meet loves to shop, meet her friends for a cocktail, root for her favourite footy team, and spend time at the beach.
Where to meet people
You’ll meet tons of friendly Aussies no matter where you’re staying. But if you’re looking to meet people for a bit of romance, you might have to consider other options too. If you’re in Brisbane, you could visit this page. Wherever you’re staying, visit eHarmony to meet people who share your interests.
How to approach someone that catches your eye
Flash your best grin and go over and go over and say hello. Ask them if they’d like a beer or a flat white. Tell them you’re visiting from another country and, if you’re game, ask them to show you around town.
Etiquette and local customs
Aussies are a modest bunch. They never want to give the impression that they’re “up themselves” – that is, that they think they’re better than you or anyone else. And they don’t react too kindly to people who do so, so make sure you don’t spend too much time talking about your achievements.
We tend not to care about very formal greetings, so don’t feel the need to put on any airs or graces. There’s no need to address people by their last name – Aussies tend to be relaxed and informal.
Australians can be self-deprecating – again, they never want you to think they’re blowing their own trumpet (Aussie slang for talking too much about yourself) – but don’t make the mistake of agreeing with them. It’s just their sense of humour at play.
Long unspoilt beaches and beautiful coastline are not exactly the first things that come to mind when thinking about Germany, but that is exactly what you’ll find if you travel to the sea in Mecklenburg-Vorpommen. Long known to the Germans, but something of a secret to the rest of Europe, this area offers natural beauty, outdoor activities and plenty of opportunities to relax.
Rügen is Germany’s largest island, and is connected to the land by Germany’s longest bridge. There are accommodation opportunities all over the island but the majority of tourists head to the east coast, which is where you’ll find the best beaches. You can take a trip on the Rasende Roland, a beautiful old steam train, or visit the large forest and hills in the north if you want to go hiking. Usedom is another German island with similarly lush forests and beautiful beaches.
Getting around the Baltic coast is fairly simple, with trains linking all the major towns and buses taking you most places you need to be. However, to get to the small holiday home tucked away in the forest, you’ll probably need a car and you can rent one at www.erento.co.uk. Cycling is also an option, and there are many bicycle lanes for intrepid tourists.
Like many coastal areas, fish is the most recommended dish, with smoked fish being a speciality and certainly worth a taste. Restaurants are reasonably priced, but you can save money by eating at less touristy spots, so it pays to look around for a hidden gem.
There are several historical towns along the coast, including the university city of Rostock, the Gothic town of Stralsund, linking the Baltic islands to the mainland, and Lübeck, which has the largest medieval centre in northern Germany and is definitely worth a visit.
It’s not too late to plan a holiday in the sun for this summer, and shopping around is likely to get you some great last minute deals. If you are considering a holiday to Turkey, On the Beach have some attractive self-catering and all inclusive deals to a number of Turkish resorts.
With all the attractions of Turkey clustered into a small island, Cyprus also offers much to the visitor, and is a popular destination for British holidaymakers. It really has something for everyone – if you want to combine partying the night away with lying beside the Mediterranean during the day soaking up the sun, then the fishing village of Ayai Napa is probably for you. There are the fascinating Roman ruins to visit at Paphos, and for visitors wanting to get away from the neon lights and disco music of the livelier resorts, there are endless tracks to walk and little villages to explore in the interior. And for those who enjoy nothing more than trying out new and varied menus whilst they are on holiday, Cyprus offers a real feast of experiences! The cuisine of Cyprus is a well-kept secret, and the traditional Cypriot meal is the “meze”, which translates as “small dishes”. Typically, you will be served many different courses, each one consisting of just enough to allow everyone a taste before moving on to the next.
Some specialties not to missed during your stay :
Typical of Cypriot cuisine are the dishes grilled over charcoal, such as Sheftalia, a sausage made of pork, lamb, onions & parsley, and Souvlaki, a mix of chicken and pork on little skewers, served with “pourgouri”, the traditional rice of Cyprus.
You will find wonderfully fresh salads and vegetables in Cypriot restaurants, and it’s worth trying Yemista – a variety of vegetables, peppers, aubergines, courgettes – stuffed with rice, pork and beef.
There are two excellent cheeses made on the island – Halloumi and Feta, often served grilled as an appetizer, or with water melon.
For those with a sweet tooth, Cyprus offers an array of wonderful desserts, including the little rich cakes made with honey and nuts – Baklava and Ketafia. Kourabiedes are small almond cakes sprinkled with icing sugar, and, of course, not to be forgotten is Loucoumi or Turkish Delight.
As the home to one of the earliest civilizations in Europe, Crete is steeped in history and culture. And with a landscape as rich and diverse as it’s history, it’s easy to see why around 2 million people will enjoy a Crete holiday.
With so much on offer, the choice can be overwhelming so here is a rundown of the best things to do in Crete so all you have to do is book your flights and sort out that all important holiday wardrobe.
Discover an Ancient Civilisation
As the epicentre of the Minoan civilisation, Knossos palace has stood on this site at Heraklion since around 1900 B.C. and making it an integral part of Greek History.
It is also a central part of Greek Mythology: it played host to Theseus’s fight with the Minotaur and housed Daedelus – the master craftsman of the Labrynth – and Icaurus his ill fated, wax-winged son. The impact that this palace has had on Western story telling cannot be underestimated.
First discovered by Sir Arthur Evans in 1900, this is an historical site definitely worth discovering for yourself on your Crete holidays in 2012.
If you want to delve deeper into the history of Crete, then head to the Heraklion Archeological Museum where you will find one of the largest collections of artefacts in Greece, from the Neolithic to Roman periods. However, if Mythology is more your thing then head up the Dicte Mountain range in East Crete and seek out the Dikteon Cave. This is reputed to be the birthplace of Zeus, the God of Gods.
Natural beauty at Samaria Gorge
One of Greece’s oldest National Parks, Samaria Gorge stretches 16km along the south coastal region of Chania and has been protected since 1692. It is a haven for nature enthusiasts and hikers keen to glimpse Greece’s flora and fauna in all their glory.
Visitors should be prepared for a long and challenging walk but rest assured, the views are worth it and dinner afterwards will be well deserved. Many who made the journey said it was one of the best things about their Crete holidays in 2012. So lace up your walking boots and head over to www.west-crete.com/samaria-gorge.htm for details on how to get there.
Relax in idyllic surroundings at Elafonissi Beach
No trip to Greece would be complete without the obligatory time spent on the beach. And this one is a real treat. With turquoise blue seas, pink sands and breathtaking sunsets, Elafonissi has to be seen to be believed. Situated on the west coast of the island, the beach is around an hour from Chania but is well worth the drive and the perfect place to relax after taking in all that history and nature.
The Traveler IQ challenge ranks geographic knowledge of cities such as: Punta Cana, Willemstad or Columbia by comparing results against 5,473,834 other travelers.
Long unspoilt beaches and beautiful coastline are not exactly the first things that come to mind when 
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