New Zealand is an amazing place to live and a fantastic place to visit. We have lush, green rolling hills surrounding us in many parts of the country but then we also have acres and acres of lush, green flats with flowing rivers all leading out to the Pacific Ocean.

There is so much to do here and no matter what your age, there is something for everyone. Having lived in New Zealand all my life and having traveled around most of the North and South Islands, I can tell you there is no other place in the world I would rather live.

So, what can you do in New Zealand? Well, if you are into hiking and camping, this is going to be like heaven for you. We have some fantastic mountain ranges. The best places to go for hiking and camping are Taupo, which is in the middle of the North Island, Wellington, Christchurch and the west coast of the South Island, where there are some amazing hiking tramps down there.

Not into hiking or camping? Prefer shopping? I have just the place for you! Auckland, our largest city, has got one of the best places for shopping ever! There are so many factory shops and bargains to be had, you will most certainly find something and being a bargain shopper myself, I would recommend checking out “Dressmart” at Onehunga, it is huge and has some of the best shopping to be had! Another fantastic place to shop is the main street of Wellington; catch a cable car to get around. Christchurch has some fantastic shopping malls also.

Ok, so you are over shopping? Want to see all the different attractions New Zealand has to offer? Well, where do I start?! Here is a list of my favourites spots throughout New Zealand, there are many more but these are the ones I love:

- Swimming at 90 mile beach at the top of the North Island. This is just past Kaitia which is about 6 hours drive from central Auckland.

- Fishing off Great Barrier Island. There are some great charters and this is some of the best deep sea fishing you can find.

- Enjoying a good coffee on the waterfront at Mission Bay in Auckland. This is a fantastic place to be during summer.

- Visiting the Auckland Museum for some history about our beautiful country. Learn about the Maori culture and how our country has evolved through the ages.

- Head on down to the Waitomo district and go to the Waitomo caves where you can go white and black water rafting and see the amazing glow worms in the caves. This is a truly surreal experience.

- Visit our national bird, the Kiwi at the Kiwi house in Otorohanga. Get up close and personal with this two legged flight less birds. They are gorgeous.

- Taupo – my favourite place to be during summer and winter. Taupo has one of the largest lakes in the world which is the crater left behind by one of the biggest volcanic explosions to rock this world. The lake is renound for its amazing trout fishing. Also one of my favourite things to do is para gliding behind a boat on the lake, you get some amazing views! Take it that step further and do a tandem sky dive over the Taupo district. My Dad did this for his 50th birthday last year; he was on a high for days after that!

- Drive an hour and half out of Taupo and you will come across some of the best skiing in the world. Mt Ruapehu (which is still an active volcano!) is one of the busiest mountains during winter; you can ski on either side of the mountain as there are two ski fields.

- Cape Kidnappers is another great historical place to visit and it is one of the warmest places in New Zealand. Take the tour up to the point at Cape Kidnappers and visit the colony of Gannets (birds) that gather there. Be warned about the smell though, it’s something you have to experience!

- Catch the ferry at Wellington across to Picton in the South Island and you will find a very different New Zealand. The South Island is not so much hustle and bustle, it is more a relaxed, take your time atmosphere, a great place to chill out.

- Nelson is one of the fastest growing cities in New Zealand and it is not hard to see why. This is a great beach side city and lots of people are retiring here or bringing their families to for the lifestyle.

- Head down the west coast of the South Island and you will come across a town called Kaikoura, where you can take a cruise on a boat to see some of the most amazing dolphins and whales, up close and personal.

- Queenstown is probably my favourite town in New Zealand, it has a great atmosphere all year round, is surrounded by a beautiful lake and one of the best ski fields in New Zealand. Whether visiting during summer or winter, you will love the locals and tourists a like, this is definitely a place to be.

- Invercargill, where one of my brothers lives, is a small town at the very bottom of the South Island. On a clear day, you can see Stewart Island in the distance. Drive half an hour out of Invercargill and you will come across Bluff? famous for it’s Bluff Oysters, this sleepy little town has “lands end” marked by street signs pointing you in the direction you want to head. A great place to have your picture taken and of course if you like shell fish, you will want to taste their oysters.

This city of about 100,000 Indians and mixed Spanish blood inhabitants is named for Mt. Orizaba (Citlaltepetl), Mexico?s highest peak and the third highest peak in North America at an elevation of about 18,406 ft. (5,610 meters). Only Mt. McKinley in Alaska and Mt. Logan in Canada are higher. Also referred to as Pico de Orizaba, it can have snow at its upper levels year-round but the climbing season is in Winter, which is just the opposite of the other North American climbs. That makes Orizaba a very popular destination from November through February. The climbers (and tourists) come principally from all over North America with some from Europe and beyond. They almost all speak English, so the English language teaching trade is booming. EFL and ELT professionals, local schools and businesses want and need your services!

There are several interesting websites with information on the volcano, which apparently last erupted in 1687 with prior eruptions in 1613 and 1537. The point is that unlike Mt. Popocatepetl, you won?t have to worry about flying hot rocks, molten lava or steaming craters of asphyxiating volcanic gas and suffocating ash. As with other mountains and natural features in the regions of the Aztecs, there is a legend attached to Citlaltepetl, a name that means ?Star Mountain? in Nahuatl ? the language of the Aztecs. Legend says that the feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl, was first consumed by sacred flames emerging from the heart of Pico de Orizaba, then took on human form and finally sailed from the Veracruz coast across the sea, vowing one day to return to his beloved people.

GETTING TO AND AWAY FROM ORIZABA:

Orizaba is conveniently located on the main turnpike route between Mexico City in the mountains and the city of Veracruz on the Gulf Coast. There are frequent buses in both directions connecting to the smaller towns and pueblos, so getting there is a snap. Xalapa, the capitol city of the state of Veracruz, and the city of Puebla, which overlooks Mexico?s current volcano-in-action, can be easily reached as well. Travel by first-class ADO bus services is as follows between Orizaba and M?xico City – 4 hours, Veracruz – 2 hours 15 mins., Xalapa – 4 hours, Puebla – 2 hours 30 mins.

There is train service (El Jarocho) on the Veracruz ? M?xico City line, the fare is about 160 pesos one way. Check for an updated schedule in Mexico City or Veracruz in the train ride interests you. Presently, there is one train each way per day. In Orizaba, the train station is on the corner of Poniente 19 and Sur 10.

Travel is no different.

Whether you?re passionate about traveling, a weekend adventurer, or head out once a year with the family to experience what the world has to offer, a travel blog is a fabulous medium to share your encounters with others. In addition to any family member with a computer and Internet connection having the ability to access your blog, friends and friends of friends can read what you?ve written about destinations around the globe!

While there are dozens of reasons for keeping a general blog, we?ve come up three very good reasons to keep a specific travel blog. They are:

#1. Any bad experiences at hotels, restaurants, or stops along the way can be vented and heard as you write about your encounters, while the positive events can be pleasantly shared amongst avid blog readers around the planet on the World Wide Web. By choosing a travel specific site, potential readers are on that site with that one topic on their mind- and want to know what you have to say about their potential future destinations.

#2. Pictures, pictures and more pictures. Family and friends can keep a tab on you and your travels by reading all about your adventures and viewing he accompanying pictures that you?ve uploaded to your travel blog site of choice. Beside the fun of it, you?ll be saving yourself a few afternoons of re-showing your pictures to everyone who wants to see them. Simply send them the link to your travel blog, ask them to bookmark it on their favorites and visit it often to see where your travels have taken you now.

#3. Travel blogs bring your journal into the digital era, and preserves it for an eternity. Floods and other catastrophes can?t damage your memory or your blog, but they can certainly wreak havoc onto pictures, private paper journals and yes- can even damage computers and back-up discs, where the majority of invaluable digital photos are stored.

So what are you waiting for? Get blogging!

To make your honeymoon preparation less worrisome, here are some tips you can follow:

Plan ahead of time
Preparation should begin early. If you want to go to a honeymoon trip after the wedding celebration, then you should have already prepared for it long before the wedding day. Meanwhile if you will go to a honeymoon trip weeks after your wedding day, it is not an excuse to plan late. Preparing for the wedding day is also not an excuse to plan after the wedding. Everything should be prepared. Make sure you have already determined or have booked and made reservation on the location of your trip.

Create a checklist of everything
If the schedule is hectic and there is so much to do, you surely would forget some important things. Do avoid this from happening; create a checklist of everything you need to prepare. This does not only go with the honeymoon trip; it should also apply to the whole wedding preparation itself.

Finalize your travel documents
Make sure that your travel documents are all set before your honeymoon trip. Doing this early would save you a lot of trouble when the day closes near. If you are traveling outside the country, if is advisable to complete all your travel documents and keep them in a safe place.

Confirm your booking and reservation
Booking your flight and accommodation is not enough. You should confirm them days before you go. Making sure that everything is set and prepared once you arrive should be your primary concern.

Relax
After you’re stressful wedding preparation, you surely would not want to add pressure on your head. Keep in mind that one reason why you are going for a honeymoon trip is to relax, so you should relax. There is no reason why you should make the preparation for your honeymoon trip troublesome. Wedding preparation is stressful enough. You should not add some more.

Mini golf
Dino Park, between Karon and Kata, is a great venue for families. The mini golf course is complete with realistic-looking dinosaurs and a “live” volcano spewing steam. There’s also a bar and a restaurant serving some of the best hamburgers around.

Golfing
There are four international standard courses on Phuket. Five, counting Thai Muang, just a short trip off the island. All courses have their own special features and excellent standards of (female) caddying.Blue canyon, Laguna Golf Club, Phuket Country Club, Loch Palm.

Go-karting
Go pedal-to-the-metal on the eastern side of Patong hill at Kathu. Lots of fun and not as dangerous as some people imagine.

Traveling in traditional style
The longtail boat, or reua hang yao, is a ubiquitous sight in Thai seas. Originally based on the design of the Arabic dhow, the boats- as we see them these days- have been built here for the last fifty years, using skills handed down from father to son.
No plans, no drawing, yet the incredible seaworthiness of this vessel makes it indispensable for fishing and taxiing around these islands. The engine, generally big enough to power a large truck, is pivot-balanced to rotate almost 360 degres, affording a reverse manoeuve without having to use a gearbox.
It’s an art in itself to handle one, and most Thai fishermen are big strong chaps due to the exertion needed from the effort needed to keep the boat under control. Most boats can be hired to visit nearby islands and fares can be agreed on after bargaining with the owner. Considering the time and skills that went into building each og these fine craft, sailing in one should be a memorable experience for the visitor.

Elephant trekking
The wild elephant popilation of Phuket was wiped out last century but has been replaced in recent years by an influx of pachyderms brought here for the tourist trade. Since logging was banned in Thailand( officially, at least) about 10 years ago, hundreds of Thai elephants have been out of work and the tourist boom has been a blessing for this work-loving creature. Riding an elephant is an experience not to be missed. These lumbering monsters are incredibly agile for their size and can negotiate slippery slopes that even humans would falter and slip on- all this while carrying three people on their backs.
There are many elephant treks to choose from and most include a lunch package. Some trekking companies do deals where you get to canoe, ride buffaloes and see a monkey training show too.

Take a trip to Fantasea
For anyone a little bored with the nightlife and bars around the island, Phuket Fantasea is definitely the place to try next. This has got to be one of the biggest entertainment complexes in Asia.The drive up to the entrance will leave you in no doubt about what you are going to be offered at Fantasea. It’s all bright lights and big top type cabaret and there are so many staff you can’t possibly get lost.
The evening kicks off with a buffet dinner in the enormous Golden Kinaree Restaurant. Seating up to 4,000 people, this palatial pink and yellow eating house dishes up anything from sushi to fresh green salad. Dinner over, there is plenty of time to take a stroll through Festival Village. This is a purpose-built shopping area decked out with artificial lakes and cave entrances and plenty of glitter. Crafts are for sale from all over Thailand and those in the mood can play games like tombola or skittles. Heaven on earth for children.
Finally comes the big show. A little late for some, starting at 9 pm, but worth it all the same. All guests take their pre-allocated seats in the state-of-the-art theatre and settle down for a spell-binding performance set in ancient Sukhothai with all the feel of a Broadway spectacular. The next one and a half hours takes you through magical illusions, acrobatics, pyrotechnics, brilliant sound effects and of course, elephant antics. Fantasea has over 30 elephants on the team and they provide one of the most memorable parts of the evening.

For real antiques try Chan’s Antiques on the bypass road out towards the airport. Even if you’re not buying, the dazzing display of Buddhas and other statuary along with antique toys, boxes, inlaid cabinetry and pots is well-worth seeing. For those who love the look and aura of antiques but can’t afford the price, reproductions can be a solution.Modern Cultured Stone on Prabaramee Road in Kathu has a selection of reproductions of the finest Khmer and Thai sculptures.

Buddhist temples
All Buddhist monasteries are open to the public. But please do remember these grounds are holy, and there are a few simple rules to observe. Women, in particular, should be careful, for no monk should come into physical contact with any woman, and women should remember that in a place where monks are trying to leave physical desires behind, it is polite to cover their bodies well. Short pants are not acceptable wear in the monastery grounds. When entering temple buildings shoes must be removed.
One popular Buddhist site in Phuket is Wat Chalong, a sprawling temple in the middle of the island. But the island has numerous, equally interesting monasteries that can be visited freely.

Bungy jumping
The Jungle Bungy Jump in Kathu is a real test of guts. Fight the internal struggle that every jumper experiences when standing 54 metres above the ground. It’s well worth the rush in the end and most people manage to throw themselves off and live to tell the tale. Look out for the crane peeking out over the palm tops in Kathu.

Phuket Zoo
For those visitors with a taste for zoo, Phuket’s own zoo is in Soi Palai, a lovely drive off Chao Fa East Road on the way down to the Chalong circle.

Travour offers you tours and trips to the beautiful destinations of Singapore. The trip can be trimmed or added as per your wishes. Read on to know about the most famous destinations of Singapore. You can also use the Map of Asia to see the geographical location of Singapore and its regions.

Parks And Reserves
Singapore is famous world wide as a Garden City. on your tour to Singapore you will find the city well laden with beautiful gardens, parks, tropical green plants, radiant flowers that carpet the Singaporean landscape all over. We are describing some of them here-

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
It is a beautiful natural reserve with a rainforest in its borders, where tigers roamed once. It is a reserve that is spread in 164-hectare area and contains different varieties of types of plants. Bukit Timah Hill, the highest point of Singapore, lying in the heart of the reserve is the main tourist attraction here. Birds’ melodious songs and voices of monkeys or pangolin accompany you when you roam here in the greenery while listening to the birds. You may even see some.

Chinese and Japanese Gardens
These two gardens are located side by side to each other. But reflect beautifully contrasting landscapes. The Chinese garden spreading across 13-hectare area has the representation of being a traditional Chinese imperial garden with pagodas, while the Japanese Garden highlights simplicity with its stone lanterns, classical Japanese motifs and Zen rock garden.

East Coast Park
East Coast Park is the best playground not only for Singaporeans but also for international tourists. It offers numerous avenues of fun, like cycling, canoeing, windsurfing, bowling, picnicking and more. You can also enjoy delicious food served here.

Jurong Bird Park And Jurong Reptile Park
Covering the vast area of 20-hectares, this is the largest bird park in the whole South-East Asia. It is the home for about 8000 birds of 600 species. Named as Birds of Prey, it displays the outstanding huntsman ship of big birds like, the eagles, falcon and hawks. . It also has the world’s biggest man-made waterfall and world’s largest hornbill collections. The main attraction for tourists is the Jurong Bird Park All-Star Bird Show, which entertains you by beautiful parrots, flamingos and other thrilling highlights. You can also see Penguins swimming in their air-conditioned habitat.

Jurong Reptile Park is also South-East Asia’s largest one that boasts over 50 reptilian species living in various landscapes. It offers you memorable experiences like, walking a track near which the reptiles freely roam, enjoying the reptile shows or taking a snap with them.

The Night Safari
Night Safari is such irrestible attraction of Singapore that no tourist can afford to miss. It is the world’s foremost and only night zoo of its kind. It offers you the chance to see nocturnal animals’ activities in eight different biological zones. Some 1000 nocturnal animals ranging from timorous forest dwellers to ferocious predators. This is a great opportunity to explore the Asian, African and South American habitations in the dark, which diminishes all the visible barricades between the tourists and the wild animals.

Chinatown
Famous as the cultural heart of Singapore, Chinatown provides memorable glimpses in Singaporean history with its plentiful temples, bedecked terraces and an interestingly frenzied hodgepodge of shops, trading merchants and their continuous activities. Nice restaurants and posh shops décor the whole of Chinatown, beautifully.

Little India
Little India is a humbly multihued area having small shops, nice-smelling aromas and melodic Hindi film music. Its whole environ lends much needed break from the prudish contemporaneousness of the city. You can pick up pictures of Hindu deities, relish delicious vegetarian food and observe chapatis being fried by street side cooks.

Sentosa Island
The biggest park than all Singapore’s parks together, Sentosa Island is just wonderful. It is the most visited attraction by the international tourists. It offers you everything on earth, from aquariums, museums, sporting facilities, beaches, luxury hotels, rides, walks and food centres. The recently built Carlsberg Sky Tower that offers the whole overview of Sentosa is the best attraction.

Traveling is a great way to escape the daily routines of work and other daily responsibilities. You can enjoy great food, new locations, and meet new people. Although traveling is suppose to be relaxing and fun, you can reduce the chances of having a great travel experience if you do not make the necessary preparations prior to leaving for your trip.