4 day Queen Charlotte Track in New Zealand

The trip consists of mainly hiking the Queen Charlotte track which goes through the coast and also into the wilderness and kayaking through the Queen Charlotte Sound.  Other features of the package includes a visit to the Motuara Island bird sanctuary, dolphin spotting and a cruise through Punga Cove. Food, accommodation at places exclusive to the Queen Charlotte Track company and all kayaking services are included, but airfares are not. The price of this is $1650.

Travelling to help

Once you get past all the requirements to get into a developing country like applying for visas, vaccines, money and passing through immigration, there are many ways to help the people who live there. Most people who travel to these places usually go with tour groups and work with existing charities that have already started to work there, to teach kids how to speak english, give more people opportunities or built schools and hospitals. These are some of the places you can visit and help out the local communities:

African Impact: 

Medical and Clinical projects in Victoria Falls, Livingstone in Zambia

Orphan day care and HIV/AIDS project in South Africa 

Orphan and teaching program in Kenya

To be a part of these programs it costs around $1500 for 2 weeks with everything included

Cambodia with Projects Abroad:

Based in the capital Phnom Penh working with children who have disabilities, HIV/AIDS, are orphans or living on the streets. You can also teach English or French in some of the schools for orphans that have been set up. The organisation provides food, accommodation with local families, insurance and back-up for the price of $2400 for a month.

  

Northern Ireland: Belfast and Londonderry

Crossing over from the republic of ireland into Northern Ireland many things change. The currency from euros to pounds, religion, road signs change from km to miles and mostly the culture. One of the most iconic things to see in Derry are the murals especially this one of the girl with the butterfly

Shopping In LA

There are plenty of places to shop, there's both expensive and cheap places to go. In West LA and there is mostly pretty expensive and stars the famous Rodeo Drive that is great for window shopping with all of the designer brands. Beverly Centre Shopping Mall is here as well with more affordable shops but usually very busy with tourists and also people from around there as well.

In Downtown LA and Santee Valley there is a huge fashion district with all kinds of clothes too at really low prices. Sunset Plaza is another famous place to visit with heaps of cafes and boutique shops to visit and part of the Sunset Boulevard which winds through Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

Attractions in New York City

In New York City there are so many places to visit. Ice skating and seeing the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller centre. Visiting the main landmarks of the empire state building and the statue of liberty. Walking through central park to have a picnic.

Top 4 islands to visit around the world

These are what I think are the best islands to visit around the world. I've visited some of them but not all.

1. Maldives- This is my favourite island that I've been to because they have amazing coral reefs to snorkel and dive in and they are relatively quiet so there are not too many people around to ruin the peacefulness. The water is also really nice to just swim in. They are made up of a number of islands, not all of them inhabited. Most of the islands have 1 resort of them and are quite small. It would probably be best to spend at least 1 week in the Maldives to experience everything they have to offer. 

2. Galapagos- The Galapagos Islands were named the best island to visit in 2010. They are situated in the Caribbean Islands and are very close to Ecuador. They have many wildlife especially endangered creatures living on the island which is what makes it worth the visit. 

 3. Maui- This is one of the islands in Hawaii that I've visited and there are so many things to do in the island which is what makes it great. There are great places to surf, swim and even trek in the rainforest. Maui is also really popular with tourists so the resorts are usually quite busy but not as bad as the main island of Hawaii. 

4. Santorini- I haven't been to Santorini but I know a lot of people who have who loved it a lot. Santorini is an island in Greece and is famous for the iconic blue domed houses. The sunsets in Santorini are said to be the most beautiful in the world and there are many attractions like the volcanos that are unique to Santorini. In Santorini the best places to stay are in the villas either near the main town or higher up to see the sunset.

Famous parts of Switzerland

The Swiss Alps in Winter are great for skiing or snowboarding.

Chillon Castle- The water castle on Lake Geneva is really pretty inside and out!

Derborence- A mountain lake formed by a landslide surrounded by the mountains called Diablerets or the Devil's mountains

St Peter's Island- The historical town on lake Biel

Since the water levels dropped the island actually isn't an island anymore and you can walk there from the mainland

Rhine Falls- Schaffhausen

This is the largest waterfall, not in height but in breadth, in Europe situated in a Medieval City in Northern Switzerland.  The best way to see the falls is in one of the daredevil boats to actually feel the spray of the waterfall and also to see the sights. Many companies take people out to Rhine falls departing from one of the jetties on the banks and usually ending in Rheinau. You can also take a canoe trip down to Rhine falls and up to Rheinau either with a tour or by yourself as there are canoes available to hire as well. In the middle of the falls is another main attraction which is the rock. You are able to climb up the rock and see a panoramic view of the falls. In the evening the falls are also very beautiful almost looking like a glacier with the light show presented on the rocks.

Switzerland

I've never actually been to Switzerland but I would love to travel there and to ski in the swiss alps. When I was on holidays I met a couple who were from Switzerland and it sounded like a great place to visit.

Switzerland is great to visit in both Summer and Winter. Switzerland isn't part of the European Union so they still use Swiss Francs or CHF but they usually give the prices in Euros to compare as well. There are many different places you can stay in; campsites, hotels, apartments and even farms.

Switzerland is most famous for their mountains but also their picturesque lakes, both are beautiful to see.

My time in Ireland

When I was younger I lived in Ireland for 3 months. Every weekend we would travel to a new place around Ireland, mostly the South and once to Belfast and Londonderry in Nothern Ireland. All of the places I've talked about, I've been to. Most of the time we stayed in B & B's and sometimes with people we knew from Australia who had migrated to Ireland. During the weeks we stayed in Galway City of Galway county, the largest county in Ireland.

Connemara

This is a school for nuns. You can't actually go in the school but can see it from the cafe and outside

Dun Aengus Fort

This is actually on Aran island and one of the most exciting things to do on the island. It can be a little dangerous to look over the edge of the cliff but it is an amazing experience. A couple of people have actually died falling over the edge but it isn't very likely to happen. The more famous version of Dun Aengus Fort is the Cliffs of Moher but this place is more relaxing and there are less tourists around to ruin the atmosphere. 

River dancing

This is Ireland's traditional dance and you can see performances all over the country. The main theatre is the Gaiety Theatre in the capital Dublin. All of the dancers are very skilled and amazing to watch. However most of the singing is in Gaelic so the story line is a bit hard to follow.

Aran Islands

Just off the main land easily accessible by boat. There are no cars allowed in the time so most people travel by foot and there are rides in horse carts led with for tourists.

Ireland

A country made up of many beautiful towns each with their own history and magnificent structures. Ireland is split into 2 parts, the republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (actually owned by England) and both have their own cultures. While the capital, Dublin is a busy city the countryside is very serene and great to drive around.

La Biennale di Venezia

The 68th film festival in Venice is from the 31st August to 10th September 2011.
The festival is to raise awareness about international cinema in every form: art, entertainment and industry. Countries from all over the world participate.

Where to stay in Venice?

Bellevue Suites- Luxury apartments overlooking San Marco, staying in 18th century Venetian style: rich decorations, silk fabrics, brocade bedspreads and all the best amenities, the Clock tower right outside the balcony, 

Hotel Saturnia- Tucked away in the streets of Venice just 5 minutes away from St Mark's Square, the rooms are furnished in modern venetian style, surrounded by shops, restaurants and entertainers, the view of the rialto bridge from your balcony, the la fenice theatre around the corner. The theatre was burnt down several times before it was rebuilt to what it is now.

Piazza San Marco

Venice carnival

Next carnival in 11- 21 February 2012

What to do in Venice? Gondola rides down grand canal, visit ice cream parlours and cafes in piazzo san marco, go to the venice carnival and St Mark's Basilica

Across the world to Venice, Italy

Meet the people!

Traditional food

First stop Madagascar...

White sand beaches, treks through lush rainforest, diving in pristine ocean