Italy 3 week Intrepid vs G Adventure- Trip planning

This is the second in the series of compare tours for Italy. This time we are comparing Intrepid and GAdventures.

I am budgeting A$5000 including flights, insurance, all expenses (my companion has a bit more to spend, but I assume they will simply spend more on food, gifts, etc). I don't want to skimp on the experience, but I'm happy to eat less, but have more meals.

Both Intrepid and G Adventures didn't have a single tour that covered all must visit places in Italy, so I thought I would combine two tours.

See the comparison between 3 weeks with Contiki and Topdeck, and Cosmos and Trafalgar.

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Travel piggy- saving money for travel

Funny strategy. So I'm a psychologist, and I know for a fact that I'm externally motivated, that simply means that I feel greater rewards on the outside. And TRAVEL and MONEY are two ways that I find rewarding. Think token economy. Do a chore- get a dollar.



In an effort to push my way through some writing/"homework" that I must do, I have started to clock my time and "pay myself" for constructive time towards my writing. And I've done it, I've finally "earned" $600 worth of constructive time. AND this is just enough for my tickets and accommodation in my upcoming Taiwan trip.

If you love travel as much as me, and externally motivated, why not try this strategy to reach your goals.

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Fanfares cx 24 Sept 2013- Chiang Mai

Limited time, Limited seats! Chiang Mai here we come.

Last week's long haul sold out within a couple of hours. Bahrain didn't sell out though.

This week:

Location	Price	Taxes	Total HK$	AUD$	Dates	Seats
Zhengzhou	$790	$669	$1,459	$208	26/9/2013-7/10/2013	180
Hanoi	$790	$679	$1,469	$210	26/9/2013-5/10/2013	150
Shanghai	$890	$669	$1,559	$223	17/11/2013-30/11/2013	200
Xian	$890	$669	$1,559	$223	17/11/2013-30/11/2013	250
Chiang Mai	$1,190	$729	$1,919	$274	17/11/2013-30/11/2013	150
Yangon	$190	$632	$822	$117	27/09/2013-7/10/2013	180
Seoul	$1,390	$762	$2,152	$307	2/10/2013-7/10/2013	120
Nagoya	$1,790	$753	$2,543	$363	17/11/2013-30/11/2013	250
Chicago	$1,990	$2,374	$4,364	$623	29/9/2013-6/10/2013	100
Johannesburg	$2,990	$2,355	$5,345	$764	17/11/2013-30/11/2013	250
London	$3,990	$3,445	$7,435	$1,062	17/11/2013-30/11/2013	100

Flights also earn 25% of actual miles flown on asian miles. Note, prices on website don't include taxes. 

My top picks are Chicago, Shanghai and Chiangmai. Most of the Chicago flights sold out faster than I could load the page!

Chiang Mai is on sale, it's a great holiday destination for lovers, families and individuals alike.

• There is a famous Elephant Nature Park that's sure to be a once in a lifetime experience. 
• And there is the opportunity to learn cooking Thai Cuisine at a Thai cooking school. 
• Spas are cheaper here than in Western Countries
• And let's not forget the opportunity to shop and pick up bargains

It's a cultural experience above all else. There is an incredible concentration of religious places, but I think if I were to go, I would be captived by the natural offerings. 

Don't forget to check AirAsia for sale fares too.

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Italy 3 week contiki vs topdeck- trip planning

My friend and I are planning a trip to Europe for 3 weeks next year. We haven't quite decided on where to go or how to go yet. A Europe trip is on my 30 things before 30 list. Having a quick search on the internet, I found out that Italy is a great European destination with a moderate price tag. I am budgeting A$5000 including flights, insurance, all expenses (my companion has a bit more to spend, but I assume they will simply spend more on food, gifts, etc). I don't want to skimp on the experience, but I'm happy to eat less, but have more meals.

Firstly, I wanted to compare Contiki and Topdeck offerings.

Attractions to see:

• St Peter's Square, Rome
• Colosseum, Rome
• Trevi Fountain, Rome
• Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel
• Leaning tower of Pisa
• Gate of Paradise, Florence
• Lake Maggoire
• Romeo and Juliet's Balcony- Verona
• Gondola, Venice
• Pompeii
• Boat trip to Capri
• San Gimignano
• Tuscany

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Once in New York: Broadway tickets

I was reminded of seeing a broadway show in New York by the newsletter in my inbox this morning.




Usually, I would say no to such an experience. An expensive, time consuming activity while in the city for only a short amount of time doesn't usually play to it's favour.
On this occasion, my cousin and I tried to get last minute tickets by cuing early that day. But it was sad, we were too late and only standing tickets were available.
Well, since it was cheap I took the ticket.

Once the musical was fantastic. The small theatre really made it an amazing intimate setting. While the story was somewhat weird and actors over the top compared to their silver screen counterparts, don't take my word for it, you have to experience it to truly appreciate. And I am a big fan of violins, drum boxes and the like, so it was good old fashion fun.

If I am no longer a poor stingey traveller, I would opt for seating for sure. It was really really uncomfortable to stand for so long, especially since this was the last few days of my 3 month long adventure.

If you are in New York for the next couple of months consider these sales tickets: [Affiliate links included].


Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays - On Broadway - Save on Tickets!
Wicked on Broadway - Save on Tickets!
Annie The Musical - Save Over $25!
Fuerza Bruta - Now Live in NYC - Save 20% on Tickets!
Cinderella on Broadway - Mezz Seats - Tickets from $86!
The Lion King: The Musical -Tickets from $120!
Phantom of the Opera on Broadway - Save over $30 on Seats!
Jersey Boys on Broadway - Orchestra Seats - Tickets from $115!
Mamma Mia on Broadway! - Save Over $40 on Seats!
Romeo and Juliet - On Broadway - Save $15 on Tickets!
The Book of Mormon on Broadway - Buy Tickets in Advance & Save!
Chicago: The Musical on Broadway - Save over $25 on Tickets!

I would skip the link up at the red ticket booths. Only do so if you have time, the lines are so long, and you might miss out on what you wanted to see anyway. With a limited amount of time, just buy tickets in advance so you won't get disappointed. 

What are you cheap ways to get tickets in advance?

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Fanfares CX 17 Sept 2013- Bahrain

Limited time, Limited seats!

Last week's Beijing, Shanghai and Guilin flights sold out within a couple of hours. This week, prices really weren't that enticing.

This week:

Location	Price	Taxes	Total HK$	AUD$	Dates	Seats
Fuzhou	$590	$669	$1,259	$180	21/9/2013-29/9/2013	150
Manila	$590	$554	$1,144	$163	20/9/2013-30/9/2013	180
Chengdu	$790	$749	$1,539	$220	10/11/2013-23/11/2013	200
Phnom Penh	$790	$669	$1,459	$208	21/9/2013-29/9/2013	180
Nanjing	$890	$669	$1,559	$223	10/11/2013-23/11/2013	250
Ho Chi Minh City	$990	$710	$1,700	$243	10/11/2013-23/11/2013	200
Phuket	$1,190	$726	$1,916	$274	10/11/2013-23/11/2013	150
Bahrain	$1,490	$2,020	$3,510	$501	22/9/2013-25/9/2013	60
Tokyo, Narita	$1,590	$775	$2,365	$338	21/9/2013-25/9/2013	120
Amsterdam	$3,290	$2,224	$5,514	$788	10/11/2013-23/11/2013	200
Los Angeles	$3,690	$2,374	$6,064	$866	10/11/2013-23/11/2013	200

Flights also earn 25% of actual miles flown on asian miles. Note, prices on website don't include taxes. 

 There is an Asian sale on Cathay, A$800 from Brisbane to HKG at the moment. Hurry!

Bahrain is an interesting destination. It's a small island nation. Think a smaller version of Dubai, but surrounded by so much water that it would be a shame not to enjoy the beach- think snorkeling.There are a fair few restored forts and museums available for those interested.But I think the name rings a bell most for it's annual car racing.

It's easy to access, 14 day visitors visas available on arrival. But because of political instability and constant violent demonstrations, I'm not sure it's somewhere on my must visit list. 

Check out more at: lonelyplanet.com




Post contains flickr imagers. No affiliate links.

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Gold Coast Day Trips: Swell Sculpture festival 2013

Another trip to the annual Swell Sculpture Festival at Currumbin Beach, Gold Coast.

Check out more information at the website: swellsculpture.com.au







This year was a little disappointing, but it was still a fun family day out.

 
Let's just say we took many many pictures here...

 

My brother poses for some fun shots
I wonder if my new figure was an inspiration for some of the art...

Even if there are no sculptures, this is one of my favourite places to take visitors to the Gold Coast.

HOW TO GET THERE

  Set your GPS to: Pacific Parade, Currumbin

Park in the first large carpark when you rearch Pacific Parade on weekdays or park at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on weekends.


Hopefully next year brings better weather.

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Thailand stopover- trip report

 After much heartache, I finally found flights home with Malaysian airlines, but I needed to stopover in Bangkok, Thailand for a day. Sounded like an adventure! I had planned most of this trip before I left home, I grabbed the sections of the Lonely Planet Guide that I needed, and a print out of a map.Left the airport with my carry on luggage- got the rest of my luggage checked through to my final destination.

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Quick post: London flight sales

Crazy airfare sales at the moment to London. Travel.com.au , Flight center, 

Return flights.

1) Melbourne- London. A$1320 (HK$9240) including tax with Air Brunei,
many dates from now to April 2014 available.
Takes 2 stops, 26-28 hours to get there

 2) Eastern Capitals- London A$1566 (HK$10962) including tax with China Southern Airlines,
many dates from now to April 2014 available.
Takes 1 stop, 24- 38 hours to get there

3) Eastern Capitals- London A$1693 (HK$11851) including tax with Malaysian Airlines,
many dates from now to April 2014 available.
Takes 1 stop, 23- 27 hours to get there

If I had not booked flights to Hong Kong, I would definitely reconsider a flight to London from Australia.

These shoulder and off season flights are worth a mention. But the weather will be variable, with very few hours of sunlight on average. But if you don't mind the chill, and would rather a tourist crowd free experience of europe, this might be the way to go!

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