| Bridge the World with City Breaks Guide |
TRAVELLER'S TIPS ON BRIDGE THE WORLD
BRIDGE THE WORLD
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Australia
With 24 million head of cattle, Australia is the World’s largest exporter of beef – you are guaranteed a great steak!
The Akubra hat has become part of Australian folklore - over the years they have adorned the heads of prime ministers, US presidents, sporting greats and film stars. Take home a piece of Australian history!
For over 30 years Rip Curl Australia has been producing colourful surf wear for this nation of coast-dwellers! Rip Curl's style is uniquely Australian and can be found in most major department stores at a fraction of the cost of the UK.
The world's largest island naturally has access to some serious seafood! From rock lobsters, oysters, prawns (shrimp), scallops, tuna, and the mighty barramundi, the choice is endless. Prices for seafood in even the best restaurant are bargain-basement - 'still swimming' fresh is generally how they are prepared!
Throughout Australia’s wine growing regions you’ll find a very ‘open’door policy to tastings. Not only will you get to taste the wines but you’ll often get to chat with the winemakers as well. Be sure to agree who is doing the driving before you set out though!
If you’re a foodie, make sure Melbourne is included in your itinerary – there are over 3000 restuarants to choose from!
Australia has 2 large reef networks – the world famous Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, as well as the lesser known Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia which has it’s reef just 100 yards from the shore.
The Whitsunday’s is made up 74 islands in total, however only 8 of these offer resort accommodation. Little compares with crossing the Whitsunday Passage under full sail – aboard a 30 metre schooner or a racing yacht, the choice is yours!
Eating al fresco is a huge part of Australia culture – take a stroll along Hobart’s Salamanca Place, through the Canberra suburb of Manuka or Mindi Beach Market in Darwin with over 60 outdoor food stalls serving a host of ethinic cuisines.
When is the best time to visit? The sun is shining somewhere in Australia every day of the year – the Southern half of the country, the Interior and the Tropical North enjoy very different weather patterns,
For real romantics, take a scenic flight over the heart-shaped and aptly named Heart Reef on the Great Barrier Reef – a perfect treat for a honeymoon!
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New Zealand
New Zealand's seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. This means that the warmest months are December, January and February, while the coldest are in June, July and August.
New Zealand is comparable in size to the UK or Japan, but with a population of only 3.8 million it is one of the world’s least crowded countries.
There are no motorways in New Zealand, so allow longer for your journeys than you would expect – the speed limit on open roads is 100 kmp (around 60mph) and in urban areas, the limit is reduced to 50 kmp (around 30mph)
New Zealand's 'Pacific Rim' cuisine style takes its inspiration from regions and countries such as Europe, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Polynesia, Japan and Vietnam. This unique blend of influences has created a mouth-watering range of flavours and food available from cafes and restaurants nationwide.
For cuisine that has a distinctly New Zealand style, look out for lamb, pork and venison; salmon, crayfish, Bluff oysters, paua (abalone), mussels and scallops; kumara (sweet potato); kiwifruit and tamarillo.
New Zealanders do not expect tips for normal service - even in restaurants and bars. However, tipping for extra special service or kindness is at the discretion of the visitor. Hotels and restaurants in New Zealand do not add service charges to their bills.
The Maori were New Zealand's first settlers. They made an epic journey from the legendary Hawaiki, probably in Polynesia to the north of New Zealand, about 1000 years ago. The great explorer Kupe, who legend says first discovered New Zealand, named the new land Aotearoa - Land of the Long White Cloud.
You will need a RJ45 type plug to be able to connect your laptop into a computer socket in New Zealand, and an adaptor with a flat two or three-point power plug to connect to the power supply.
New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day, 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
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Asia
Pack only the essentials - these include: good footwear, medical kit, padlock, torch, insect repellent, hat and a daypack.
Remember - clothes are cheap and readily available all over S.E. Asia, so what you don't pack can be bought locally.
Wear natural fibres such as cotton and linen in hot and humid climates.
If buying a mosquito net make sure it' s light, has the smallest mesh available and can be strung up easily. To help hang it, bring a few screw in hooks and a length of cord.
Buy a sarong in S.E. Asia - they ' re cheap, colourful and can be used as sheets, wraps (useful for when visiting temples where you have to cover your legs), headgear (to protect your head from the sun) and even to carry things in.
Take some US$ cash - it's nearly always exchangeable or acceptable.
Do as the locals do - get up early and watch the sun rise as they go about their daily routines. Rest in the shade in the heat of the midday sun. Eat in the popular local cafes and restaurants, try the local delicacies and see some of the culture such as dances, theatre or sport.
Be a responsible traveller - respect cultural differences and local dress standards, moral codes, religions, habits and day to day ways of life. These are part of what makes Asia such a wonderful place to visit.
Recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio and Tetanus in all areas of Asia. Some areas have Malaria - check with your GP.
Visas are not required for UK passport holders travelling to Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia (for stays up to 60 days), Thailand, Sri Lanka (for stays up to 30 days). Visas are required for India,China and Vietnam.
Thanks to Adam at Imaginative Traveller for these invaluable tips.
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Africa
If you don't like getting up early don't go to Africa, the magical hour is always just before and after sunrise.
Take a good sealed bag for your camera gear and Walkman to protect them from the dust.
It does rain in Africa. HARD, wet weather gear is important, but rain is good, it means less humidity and wonderful lush scenery.
Try not to look too much like a tourist - large money belts, floppy hats and spanking new rucksacks will single you out to every hawker and street vendor in Africa!
Get your photos developed on returning home not locally as the processing systems are archaic.
Insects can be a problem - don' t use perfumed soap but do use a good repellent, and garlic tablets which should keep them away (and your friends!)
Old clothes, pens and any intrinsically western goods are always good haggling tools or excellent gifts for local children.
Understand animals behavioural habits before going out on safari. Be patient - the rewards are in the whole game viewing experience not just ticking them off on a scorecard.
Haggling for goods is fun, but don't spend half an hour arguing about the odd $2.00. It may be fun for you but it is the traders' livelihood.
Recommended vaccinations are Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A and Yellow Fever. Most areas have Malaria.
UK passport holders do not require visas for South Africa, Zimbabwe or Botswana providing your stay is less than 90 days. You will need a visa for Kenya and Tanzania. For other African countries please check with the relevant Consulate.
Thanks to Paul Goldstein of Exodus for these invaluable tips.
click here for our itinerary recommendations
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The Americas
US$ travellers cheques can be used as cash in the States.
Overcome your fear of heights by climbing "Half Dome" in Yosemite National Park. You can sit on the stone' s outcrop perched 1,500 metres above the valley floor.
The legal minimum drinking age in the USA is 21 and in Canada it's 19. Take your passport to the bar with you to prove your age.
Remember to tip 15-20% in bars and restaurants as the staff depend on tips to make a living.
For a real Southern Comfort try the all-powerful "Hand Grenade" at the Tropical Isle in New Orleans.
For an authentic piano bar experience don' t miss "Lefty O'Douls" in the theatre district of San Francisco.
You can buy half price tickets for most Broadway shows at New York' s Times Square on the day of the show.
Summer temperatures in Death Valley can reach well over 120oF so the best time to visit is in winter.
There are no compulsory vaccinations required for travel to North America although Tetanus is recommended.
No visas are required for UK passport holders for stays of up to 90 days in North America. A visa may be required for South American countries - please check with the relevant Consulate.
Thanks to Matt of Trek America for these Travellers tips.
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