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.

Where is the German Baltic Coast?

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.

Rick Steves’ Germany 2012

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Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of the German Baltic Coast

One Great Reason to Visit the German Baltic Coast

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to view the famous chalk cliffs of Rügen.

The chalk cliffs of Rügen Island, Germany’s Baltic Coast

For More Information

• Wikipedia

Travel Photo of the Week: Montgri Castle, Spain

A Dutch friend recently enjoyed 3 weeks to Spain for his summer holiday with his family. He took himself on a long walk to Montgri Castle starting from Mas Pinell. You can read about his walk on his blog post ‘Wondering‘. He has also kindly shared a couple of his favourite photos with us. The fortress-like-castle sits high upon a bluff and as you can see from the panorama photo below – the view out over the Mediterranean is breath taking!

Photos courtesy of JeanD99

Where is Rottnest Island?

Rottnest Island lies 19km off the west coast from Fremantle, Western Australia. It’s more affectionately known as ‘Rotto’ by the locals and is a favourite destination for day trips. The island is 11km long and roughly 4.5km wide and much of it is sand! A popular activity on Rotto includes hiring a bike and that’s just what I did when I visited. I grabbed myself a bike, had my day pack filled with water and a picnic, and took off.

Riding around Rotto with the warm spring sun on your back is just heavenly. Stopping at the small island bays to laze in the sun. There’s also opportunities to go boating, fishing, diving and snorkeling. The waters off Rotto have some of the world’s most southerly coral. You also can’t go to Rotto without spotting the quokkas or rather dodging them when on a bike!

Gone To Rottnest

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Rottnest Island

One Great Reason to Visit Rottnest Island

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to grab yourself a bike and cycle around the island dodging quokkas!

Rottnest Island, Western Australia

For More Information

• Wikipedia
• Official Tourism Site