Slowing it Down in Europe

Have you ever visited Europe and come home only to feel like you need a vacation to recover from your vacation? For one reason or another, the hustle and bustle of the continent’s great cities can really take their toll. This might be well and good for backpackers in their twenties, but when it comes to travelling with the family, most people want their vacation to include a good amount of relaxation as well.

Travel by canal boat is becoming increasingly popular and for good reason: it allows families to glide along at a slow pace and enjoy the great outdoors, taking in incredible scenery and stopping at pretty villages along the way. This makes a great balance to a busy schedule of city-hopping. You can plan to spend your entire vacation aboard a canal boat or rent one for just part of the time.

The undeniable attraction of Europe’s historic sites and beautiful cultures will always draw travellers from overseas, and thankfully there is another way to absorb the charm of countries like France, Holland and Italy.

Canal boats are easy to maneuver and require no special certification. They cruise along at a maximum of 4km per hour- it can take moment to get used to this slower form of travel but once you do, you’ll begin to experience true relaxation!

Boating in Europe is great for all ages, so you can plan to bring kids and elderly relatives along for the ride. There are no waves to contend with, just smooth canals- these rivers and waterways form a virtual highway through Europe. They continue to be an important means of transportation but are now also used for glorious leisure pursuits as well.

Just choose your destination- are looking to cruise through a sunny Mediterranean destination or do you prefer the romance of the misty green landscapes of the north? Perhaps you’d like to visit the wine country of France and sample incredible cuisine along the way.

Canals flow through just about any place that attracts tourists and many that don’t! The beauty of setting off on a boat is that you’re often able to beat the crowds and high prices of the big cities. Stroll through charming village squares and stop off at waterside restaurants and pubs.

You can also plan to prepare meals on board- canal boats have full kitchens for making anything from a light snack to a full dinner. Shop for regional ingredients and fresh produce along the way. You’ll also have hot showers, flushing toilets and comfortable berths for sleeping.

Perhaps best of all, canal boating is surprisingly affordable. Check out these special offers on cruises from the largest tour operators.

Make your next Holiday an Adventure on the Open Seas

When we think of a holiday aboard a boat, many of us imagine those gigantic sleek white yachts seen in music videos or captained by millionaires on television. The notion of cruising on a yacht may seem reserved for only the super-rich, so you may be surprised to learn that this option is readily accessible to many families.

Sailing yachts can be chartered in a wide range of destinations- practically anywhere in the world! There is truly no better way to experience the essence of the sea than by living it day and night. The fresh salty air and gentle rocking of the waves can be highly therapeutic, offering that feeling of genuine revitalization when you return from holiday.

Here are a few more reasons why sailing is a great option for your next getaway.

Everyone Together

When you plan a family or group escape, you’re often looking to spend quality time with the people you care about most. Perhaps you’re looking to get away from a hectic family schedule, or catch up with friends or relatives who live far away.

Aboard a yacht you’ll have the luxury of spending uninterrupted days together, and exploring new things. This is truly the way to create lasting memories and take unforgettable photographs. Plus, you’ll have accommodations sorted- aside from the time before you set off and the night after you return the yacht, there will be no hotel rooms to book. The yacht is your home while you’re on it.

Sailing is suitable for travellers of all ages, meaning you can set off with children and elderly relatives with confidence.

Do Something Different

It may be easy to simply go online and book a holiday in a popular destination, but when you do so you’re relegated to the same scenery and same routine the entire time. Staying in one place also makes it a bit difficult to really get a feel for the culture and surroundings of the place you’re visiting. If you look to go to more than one place, you’ll have to contemplate getting there by car, train or other transportation- this can be especially difficult when travelling with kids.

So this year, why not do something a bit different? Set off on a yacht and experience the true beauty of any maritime destination, with majestic views of the infinite blue horizon and pretty coastlines viewed from the water.

Simple and Cost Effective

Chartering a yacht is actually much easier than many people may believe. Those with no sailing experience can do what is called a skippered charter, where a skipper and crew are included. People with some sailing experience can take off on a flotilla charter, in which you sail in a group and support is available. And for confident sailors with certification, bareboat charters are available.

All that remains is to choose the right destination and boat for the adventure! Find out more about all options and enjoy excellent rates.

A Few Tips Before You Head to Jamaica

Jamaica travel advice is important before you leave for the island. The best time to leave for Jamaica or to visit the Caribbean country is from the onset of October to the middle of December. At that time, the beautiful weather of the island is at its most glorious state while flight and hotel deals are very easy to find. In summer, the rates are not high but you could risk the fury of the hurricane season. From January all the way to March, the peak travel period to Jamaica begins and rooms could spike to USD 700 for one night or even more in some of the revered hotels.

Jamaica Travel: January - March

January through March is the period many people make their way to the shores of Jamaica, more so in the dying days of March to make the most of Spring Break. The hurricane season ends at that time while the temperatures allow for breezy moments and idyllic enjoyment of the island. To save some cash and avoid huge populations, the Jamaica travel advice is to refrain from planning vacation at this period of the year. However, in case you do, you will be in time for some key events such as the Jamaica Blues and Jazz Festival in Late January in the Montego Bay. The Bob Marley Week held in Kingston is usually in early February. At the same time, in Montego, the Bob Marley Birthday Bash takes place.

April to June

From April to June, the temperatures are on average between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, although the weather sometimes is rainy. The beaches and golf courses are a little quiet at this time while hotels offer wonderful perks to visit the country in spring. Some of the key events between April and June include the All-island carnival in early April and mid June's Ocho Rios Jazz Festival. 

Those who would like to save should consider that the room rates and flights are lowest at this time, although rain showers are on the increase and decrease in tourism make many of the big attractions as well as quality hotels to close shop for renovation purposes. One key event in late July is the Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay.

October to December

Between October and December, the hurricane season around the Caribbean seemingly tapers off. The skies open up to give a lot of sun with average temperatures ranging around 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. To make the most of this time, the advice is to plan your vacation at this time right before the onset of mid-December when real holiday rush starts and everything becomes expensive.

Jamaica is a place worth visiting when you have the time, for many reasons. The Blue Mountains boast as the place where the best coffee in the world can be found, with a factory more than a century old around Marvis Bank. Nonetheless, the world class reefs will open your eyes to Jamaica. They are ideal for diving, such as those around Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay.

Apart from unforgettable sunsets,the island provides a lot of varieties with distinct vacations, such as wetlands holding endangered species of manatees and crocodiles, cosmopolitan cities, pristine waterfalls, amiable fishing villages and hiking tours among others.

Also consider staying at one of the all-inclusive Jamaican resorts if you really want to take in your vacation like a rockstar.

Why Travel to Haiti Despite Travel Advisories

Like the proverbial phoenix, the small country of the Republic of Haiti is rising once again to reclaim its title as a tourist hot spot in the Caribbean. After the unforgettable earthquake that ravished Haiti in 2010, Haitians are now eager to welcome back to their shores tens of thousands of vacationers. Last year, several modern hotels were opened and more are being built especially in the country's capital Port-Au-Prince. if you are thinking of travelling to some Caribbean island destinations, you might want to consider travelling to Haiti for a relaxing vacation.

Watch For Haiti Advisory Updates

It is just unfortunate that other countries have issued negative "Haiti Travel Advice" to their residents beginning in the last quarter of last year. The United States, Canada and France were the first countries to issue travel advisories advising Americans, Canadians and the French from travelling to Haiti allegedly due to the high crime rate in the country, lack of adequate medical facilities as well as infrastructure, the presence of cholera and limited protection afforded by the police to tourists. While France renewed its "Haiti Travel Advice" on April 10th, Canada has not issued any such advisory as of April 18th. Instead, Canada merely advised their residents to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to Haiti still due to high crime rates.

Despite the "Haiti Travel Advice" issued by the governments of the United States, Canada and France, there is no real danger when taking your vacation in Haiti. Crimes and demonstrations happen anywhere in the world and these unpleasant activities can be avoided if you are extra careful. So, if you want to have fun under the sun and enjoy unspoiled beaches, experience a diverse culture, or whet your artistic appetite with original art and impressive fortresses then what are you waiting for? Get on the phone with your travel agent and arrange to spend your vacation in Haiti.

The Haiti Carnival

Haiti boasts of holding the best Carnival, a post-Lent activity that is held in the Caribbeans. If you want to be part of the Haitian Carnival next year, make sure to book your travel as early as possible as most hotels are fully packed during Carnival time which usually happens in February. Aside from the Carnival event, you can visit Haiti anytime of the year but be mindful that August or September is hurricane season in these areas and you would not want to be in the middle of transport problems and mudslides on these months.
Things to do in Haiti varies from visiting national museums like the Musee du Pantheon National in Port-Au-Prince, to visiting old but stunning fortresses like the Marche de Fer and the Citadelle also in Port-au-Prince. Be amazed by the handiwork of Haitian artists at the Iron Market, a two-block bazaar, that features intricate arts and crafts as well as fruits and vegetables. You can also visit Jacmel, Haiti's handicraft capital that is home to skilled papier-mache artists. For those who want to have fun in the sun, sand and sea, you can enjoy all three at La Tortue, that boasts of 25 miles of white sand beach, recently voted as one of the top ten best in the Caribbean by the Caribbean Travel and Life magazine.

Moving to Australia on a Family Visa

Having family in Australia is just one of the many reasons that you may choose to relocate halfway across the world – but in many ways it is as good an excuse as any! Joining family members overseas can be a great experience and it can give you the chance to reunite your family, while starting a new life at the same time – but there is so much more to relocation than just packing up and leaving and it’s crucial that you understand this to emigrate successfully.

Am I eligible?

If you are looking to join family in Australia then the first question you have to ask is whether or not you are eligible to move. In most situations you will need to have a direct family member already living within Australia before you are eligible to move. In addition, this family member needs to be a settled resident, this means that they need to have been a permanent resident for at least two years within Australia before they are eligible to sponsor you.

What are some common mistakes that people make?

Family migration can be a great experience, but you need to take into consideration that there are many other elements you need to take into account before you can decide whether or not permanent migration is right for you. Here are some key considerations that you may need to make:

• Financial Status – what is your current financial status? Australia is a country which has a high cost of living and you need to ensure that your present financial status is set up in a way that you are easily able to cover any of these costs

• Your Family – who are you taking with you to Australia? Are you able to support both yourself and your family throughout this transition?

• Work – will there be work available for you once you reach Australia and will this provide a stable income for your family? Do you have the right qualifications or skills to find a job within Australia?

• Location – Australia is a big country, do you want to move to the same area as your family or is your work and family geared in a different direction?

Visa – Can you get a family visa for all the members who are moving over there with you?

If you are looking to join your family overseas then remember a permanent relocation is a serious decision… and not something that you should at all take lightly. It’s crucial that you take all factors into consideration and that you are able to look practically at your ability to support your family throughout their new life in this country.