While you travel to a new country, there is so much to take along and so much to leave behind. You may find your favourite stuff anywhere in the world but the love of your family is what you would miss the most.

Well, if distance is a concern then there are many ways to keep in touch. Make a call, send emails, chat online and do your bit to sustain the bond. You surely need to do a little of study like phone services, internet facility, etc and then you may connect to anyone around the world without going broke.

Phone Calls:

In the past, delays in communication were common. It was a huge expense to make a phone call to those travelling or living in other countries, yet people opted for this. Even today a phone call is believed to be the most suitable option for a personal touch.

Many companies have introduced different technology methods to make international calling easier and cheaper. So now it is certainly within your reach to pick the apt service, make cheap calls around the world and feel closer to your loved ones.

Online Calls:

You can download Skype for free and make calls via your laptop while you travel or at your home computer. Even most of the Internet café computers have it pre-installed. You also have the option of Google Talk and Yahoo Calls to make free calls. Register online; ask your family and friends to do the same, and just TALK!

Email/Chat:

If you have internet connection at your finger tips then it’s even simpler to keep in touch all day long. Fix a common time to be available online and login on Facebook Chat, Gtalk or Yahoo Messenger to chat with your family and friends around the world.

If they are not online, you can send emails of your experiences, plans, information, schedules, etc and this would surely make them feel good.

Upload Video & Pictures:

While you travel, create lots of memories to share them with your loved ones. Show them where you stay, places you visit, kind of work you do, your friend circle and the fun you enjoy. Put all of these together in videos and pictures and upload them on social sites.

If you are on Facebook, let your stuff go there! You can even upload your gallery on Flickr and Picasa or rather use youtube to host all your videos.

A guest post by Rebtel.

10 Little Gems in Sydney as Suggested by a Local

Born and bred Aussie, Isobel Daly has lived in Sydney most of her life: “It’s such a vibrant city, with so much on offer, one moment you can be sunbathing at the beach, yet just round the corner you can be lost in beautiful gardens or immersed in the business district; and this isn’t even touching on the harbour or attractions such as the hundreds of bars, cafes, restaurants and shops Sydney has to offer!”

Here, she spills the beans on her favourite hidden gems for eating, drinking and generally relaxing, resulting in some great advice for people going on Australia holidays.

My favourite hang out
I love hanging out at Icebergs at Bondi Beach. It has large balconies and windows from which you can see some amazing views across the beach. The place is stylish, sophisticated and relaxing making it a very popular hangout. I like to go there for evening drinks but if you fancy eating in there, I would advise you to book a table as it often gets really busy.
Tip: Try to visit around sundown as it’s a great spot to see some amazing sunsets across the beach
1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach 2026, Australia +61 2 9365 9000 ‎

My favourite bar
The interior of the Ivy Bar is amazing; in fact the whole building is gorgeous and it’s worth going there just to see the bar alone. Through eight zones and on different levels, the décor’s influence is a mix of very modern with very grand and all the soft furnishings and muted colours help to still give a sophisticated, yet homely feel. If you’re there early evening, I’d recommend their cocktails but it’s also a great place to end the night as they throw some awesome parties so you can dance the night away.
Tip: It’s more of a standing/dancing establishment so wear appropriate shoes and if you want a seat or there’s a group of you, you may want to phone ahead to book an area.
330 George St, Sydney, NSW, 2000 +61 2 9240 3000

My favourite restaurant
Tetsuya’s is a great place to go if you’re celebrating something special like an anniversary. Be prepared for a lot of courses as the degustation (set menu) has nine courses of fine food for you to devour, with influences from France, Japan and modern Australia. While eating you can enjoy views across a Japanese-inspired courtyard of maples and waterfalls which results in a really relaxed atmosphere. You don’t need to take my word for this one as Tetsuya’s has been included in The S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants for years!
529 Kent Street, Sydney 2000, Australia +61 2 9267 2900 ‎

Where to share cheap and cheerful drinks with friends
Zanzibar rooftop bar is beautiful for early evening drinks while the sun goes down. The joint has a vibrant chatty atmosphere, making it a great place for a relaxing night catching up with friends. It’s the type of place where the night seems to fly by when you’re sharing some sangria and yummy tapas style tasting plates.
Tip: They have great cocktail happy hours on Friday and Saturday night.
323 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia +61 2 9519 1511 ‎

Where to grab brunch with friends
To have a lazy Sunday morning, to get over a hangover, or just to catch up with friends, Vargabar is a cute and cosy café which is great for brekky or lunch. Whilst they have an extensive drinks menu, milkshakes, smoothies and so on, their coffee is always good and highly recommended. You can find it on Wilson St in Newtown. Being a converted old second hand clothing store, it has a funky vibe and stands out from other cafés.
Tip: The café is quite small and often busy. If you arrive mid morning you may have to wait a little while for a table but it’s worth it.
10 Wilson St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia +61 2 9517 1932 ‎

Where to head for the perfect day out
My perfect day out, as stereotypical as it is, is a BBQ at the beach. If you visit Australia you have to throw at least one shrimp on the barbie! My favourite beach to recommend is Coogee beach. It’s less touristy than Bondi and if you fancy a walk, there’s a path from Bondi to Coogee. The walk takes about two hours, weaves around the cliffs of the coast and has fantastic views, rock pools and small beaches all the way.
Arden St, Coogee 2034, Australia

Where to escape from the crowds
When I really want to escape the crowds, I head off to the Botanic Gardens. Despite being in the centre of Sydney (just opposite the Sydney Opera House), it’s one of the most beautiful urban gardens I have been to. You can wander through; lose yourself in the exotic trees and spot wildlife such as cockatoos and fruit bats. There are also numerous lakes and benches which are great for relaxing with a picnic. From the gardens you can still see the Sydney skyline which looks fantastic, yet the gardens are so peaceful you’ll feel far away from the city.
Tip: Enthusiastic volunteers conduct free walks every morning at 10.30 which last 90 minutes and they teach about the vast flora and fauna of the gardens.
Mrs Macquarie’s Road, Sydney 2000, Australia +61 2 9231 8111

Where to find a relaxing cup of coffee
If I want to get lost in a crowd, I love to sit in one of the many coffee shops in the Queen Victoria Building and watch the world go by. Once a concert hall, the QVB is such a beautiful, elegant building which was built back in the 19th Century. It still keeps its elaborate Romanesque architecture, which was designed to resemble a Byzantine palace, has a cast iron circular staircase and you can’t miss the central copper dome and the glass roof.
455 George St, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia +61 2 9264 9209 ‎

My favourite bookshop
I love browsing the bookshops of Sydney and my favourite has to be Kinokuniya. In the centre of town, the enormous shop stocks every book you can imagine; from foreign or obscure to graphic novels or new releases, the knowledgeable staff can always find what you’re looking for. And of course, no bookshop would be complete without lots of comfy couches and armchairs to relax in while you browse the books.
Tip: Pop into the coffee shop where they often have art galleries and exhibitions.
Level 2, The Galleries Victoria, 500 George St, Sydney, NSW, 2000

Where to go for shopping
For mainstream shopping I tend to go to Bondi Junction – there’s a huge Westfield shopping centre there with over 300 shops so you’re bound to find what you’re looking for. However, if you prefer browsing boutique shops for unique gems, try the smaller shops in Queen’s Street in Paddington.
Westfield: Bondi Junction 2022, Australia and Queen’s Street, Woollahra 2025, Australia

If this has whet your appetite to visit Sydney, Austravel has some great deals on flights to Australia at the moment, with prices available from as little at £679pp.

When it comes to staying safe, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell you whether something is dangerous or not. When it comes to most accidents that take place overseas, it is more likely than not a combination of a) alcohol and/or b) stupidity. The best way to protect your life while on an adventure in Asia, travellers need to use a little common sense, before attempting to drunkenly recreate that scene from Titanic with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslett on the bow of a banana boat. It’s also important to read up on local laws prior to travelling. Police at home may give you a slap over the wrist for a small amount of drugs, but in Asia could see you come face-to-face with a firing squad or spending the rest of your life behind bars. Not a good way to end a holiday, right?

Carrying or using drugs is very, very risky and the laws on both trafficking and the use of illegal narcotics are worlds apart from those at home. While the laws of most Western countries take the ‘harm minimisation’ stance and aim to protect the health of drug users, all countries throughout Asia have the death penalty in place as an option to sentence would-be traffickers. Do what your mother says and stay away from drugs, and do not carry drugs for anyone else! Even if they pay you enough to buy your own Jetski! When you carry drugs for someone else – even if you do not profit out of it – that’s called trafficking, and Asian countries don’t let traffickers off too lightly.

The first thing that will save your life/get you out of trouble/prevent you from losing wads of your well-saved money is – common sense! If things sound dangerous, they generally are. If things sound risky, they generally are. If things sound too good to be true, nine-tenths of the time, they generally are! Scams don’t just happen in Asia, but all over the world. In Asia, scammers generally target tourists as they are often viewed as easy targets. Many scams involve gaining the trust of the potential victim, so if a fairly random person begins to act super nice to you – remember that no one is invulnerable to scammers, especially you.

Always be wary of other people and make sure you do not cause offense. Across all Asian cultures, the concept of ‘face’, ‘saving face’ and ‘losing’ face relates closely to what we refer to as ‘Dignity’. Dignity is of course important to westerners, but not compared to the complete and utter seriousness of the consequences of losing face in Asia. It is important when dealing with authorities, police or anyone to treat them with respect, and do not question their authority, as this could potentially make them feel like they have lost face – ultimately creating a worse set of consequences for you.

If you use common sense and logic while when travelling throughout Asia, the biggest cause for concern should only be minor interruptions, such as having the runs, sunburn, or that splitting headache from drinking too much Tiger Beer!

This is a guest article from Andrew Wang who blogs about saving money.

Travelling around Australia Solo

Heading Down Under on your own? Australia is one of the easiest countries to navigate solo – with plenty of accommodation and activities that make it easy to make new friends – or just enjoy your own company. Meanwhile, if your day-to-day routine has got you wound up, it might be the perfect time for a solo getaway to recharge those waning batteries.

There’s plenty to be said about the solo adventure – here are some ways to really make the most of your trip:

• Indulge – travelling by yourself doesn’t have to have to be about staying in hostels and dorms. If you have the budget to spend, there’s much to be said about splurging on your own hotel room. It doesn’t have to be a five star luxury – even the modest double bed can feel like decadence.
• Be spontaneous - on your own, you have no obligation to communicate decisions and itineraries – you’re free to go on a whim. Make the most of those occasions when something takes your fancy and you can do that “about face” in the middle of the street.
• Be open-minded – one of the best things about travelling alone is seeing the world unfiltered, without the influences of a travel mate. We spend so much of our time within our circles that we may be conditioned to think and believe a certain way. Solo travel offers greater independence and the chance to learn more about yourself as you learn more about the world.

Great ideas for the solo Australian holiday

Townsville - the perfect coastal getaway, Townsville is a great destination for singles looking for a relaxing time to enjoy the surf and sun. Magnetic Island offers a unique natural sanctuary as over half the island is a National Park. Try out your favourite water sports – what better way to spend your holiday than kayaking amongst Townsville’s brilliant waters? You can find Townsville accommodation that caters for singles as well as families.

Darwin – if you’re looking to meet fellow travellers and make new friends, Darwin is one of the best destinations for single travellers. Backpackers mingle with locals in the many pubs and night spots while the Mindil Beach markets are a spectacle to marvel at. You can also join a tour to visit nearby Kakadu and other nearby national parks.

Brisbane – enjoy a night out on the town in style. Brisbane has a number of great entertainment venues and vibrant hot spots. You’ll enjoy the many singles’ events and travel groups where you can meet fellow travellers. Or just spend a day wandering aimlessly through the eclectic streets of the city.

Author Bio:
This article is supplied by Quickbeds.com. With no booking fees and great rates – you’ll have no trouble finding cheap accommodation – Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne – Australia awaits you.