Author: Alan

The Top 5 Accommodation Spots on Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island is a tourist spot located in Queensland, Australia. You can book to Hamilton Island Apartments where it offers relaxing views of the beaches within Whitsunday Islands. Don’t miss the boat and book a vacation with your family to world-class accommodations and facilities with water activities that your family will surely enjoy. Jump into this opportunity to relax and enjoy the white sands of the beaches, the sound of the ocean, privacy in your apartments while enjoying the taste of paradise living. Keep on reading to know more about their accommodations.

Hamilton Islands Holiday Apartments

1. Edge Apartment

It is a place to stay that gives you heavenly views of the surrounding islands with the relaxing sound of the ocean to wash away your worries. This apartment is complete with amenities that are essential to your dream vacation with the family or your future honeymoon. Get rested with the spacious rooms after the long water activities in the vicinity. Indulge in the master bedroom that features a king-sized bed. There are two more bedrooms that are equipped with a king, a queen, and two single beds.

2. Blue Water Views

With its amazing views and amenities, your group and family will surely plan to hit the beaches around it. Indulge in the sunset view in this apartment that is perfect for a cocktail and barbeque party. There are essential amenities that are included for your perfect memorable escape from the city. One of these is the outdoor pool that you may enjoy spending time with your family and friends. The luxurious apartment is also your ticket to the complimentary golf buggy from the beach and marina.

3. Casuarina Cove

This is the perfect place to stay near the best food hubs where family members can have the best food experience of their lives. With the views of the sailing boats on the ocean, you will surely enjoy it without a hinch. There are a lot of activities waiting for your family and loved ones in this wonderful. This is going to be a vacation that will surely be remembered by your family for the rest of their lives.

4. Compass Point

If you are looking for a place for your little happy family, Compass Point might be the one. This townhouse-style apartment will give your family the most memorable vacation ever. Try driving your family down to Marina with a golf buggy while enjoying the beauty of Whitsundays. Take a break and enjoy the breeze of the ocean while enjoying the amenities that are suited for your perfect vacation.

Marina

5. Cooinda Gardens

Your big family will surely be delighted with the space of this apartment where you can party and dance all out with its wide space. Including large windows for relaxing views with a golf buggy that can tour you to the beach and Marina. Leave the noise of the city and spend your holiday in a place like a paradise. Release all your worries and problems and feel the vibe of the island life in a place where you will feel recharge.

Once in a while, we need to do a clear sailing away from the noise and stress of the city. It is important for our body, mind, and soul to recharge. We could get a rejuvenating effect on our body with the relaxing views and activities here. Choose your dream accommodations with Hamilton Islands Holiday Apartments for your perfect beach vacation with your loved ones. Next time you plan for your group retreat, family vacation, honeymoon, and sweet escape plans, make it the most memorable one. Visit Hamilton Island and book with Hamilton Islands Holiday apartments. Swim all day long and walk through the white sands of the beach while looking for a perfect restaurant or go back to your apartment to relax in your place like royalty.

July 30, 2021
Top eats on the Tour of Tuscany

Tuscany is a region globally renowned for its enchanting beauty. Its rolling hills, sprawling vineyards, picturesque villages and medieval castles are the perfect recipe for a cyclist’s paradise.

But one cannot think of Tuscany’s beauty without sensing the rich aromas and flavours that are synonymous with the region. Tuscany is a dreamland for food and wine lover’s the world over, with hungry pilgrims making the trip just to enjoy some of the delectable cuisine and vino produced from the region’s rich soil.

Tuscany is home to some of Italy’s most renowned dishes, as well as some other rustic delights. Here are some of the mouth-watering plates you can expect to enjoy after a rewarding day’s cycling in Tuscany.

Lampredotto sandwich

This is one of those eats that if you’re game enough to try you will not be disappointed with. The lampredotto sandwich simply consists of boiled tripe (the fourth and final stomach of a cow) and a spicy, green sauce known as “salsa verde”. We say if you’re game enough to try it as many people scoff at the idea of eating tripe, however, this sandwich is a Florentina institution, and is as juicy as any roast beef roll you would get back home.

Pappa al pomodoro

Perhaps no other dish encompasses the earthy simplicity of Tuscan cooking like pappa al pomodoro or “tomato mush”. A quickly whipped up soup consisting of stale bread, fresh tomatoes, garlic, local olive oil and basil, this is a dish that can be served at room temperature in the warmer months of the year. What makes this dish so special, and so much different to any tomato soup you’ve experienced, is the unbelievable freshness of the ingredients.

Bistecca alla fiorentina

For rare steak lovers, this is one cut you won’t want to bypass. Another Florentine favourite, bistecca alla fiorentina is a giant t-bone steak that comes from the local Chianina cattle breed. What makes it so special (and truly special if done so) is the meat being left to hang for a couple of weeks before butchering, allowing the meat to become ultra tender. The steak is quickly charred over a high heat, making the outside deliciously salty and the inside rare and warm.

Antipasto

An imperative starter for Tuscan festive meals, antipasto has become a staple for wine and cheese hangouts the world over. The typical Tuscan antipasto plate usually consists of cold cuts, cheese, pickles and crostini, and is presented in platters for people to pick at before moving onto the more heartier courses. A true delight after a long day’s cycling.

Chianti

Because what would a trip to Tuscany be without enjoying fine wine? The region is well-and-long regarded as one of the world’s top fine wine producers, with the famous Chianti being no exception. A dry red wine, Chianti is the perfect accompaniment to the bistecca alla fiorentina, as well as being served alongside antipasti.

Prepared on behalf of A’qto Cycling, Tuscan cycling holiday specialists.

November 11, 2020
Where Can I Travel Overseas From Australia Currently?
The Covid-19 pandemic has had significant impacts across the globe. If you are a regular jetsetter, you will be well aware of the current travel restrictions in place. With many countries starting to open up their borders to tourists, you may be wondering if you can leave the country right now and if so, where you can travel to. So, where can you currently travel to from Australia? Take a look below to find out.

Overseas travel from Australia is banned

According to Smartraveller, there is a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You are currently not allowed to leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs. As international travel is banned, people who are planning to leave the country need to be aware that flights may be difficult to find due to border closures and travel restrictions, many travel insurance policies won’t cover claims related to Covid-19 and even if you are granted an exemption, entry restrictions such as mandatory quarantine on arrival back in Australia still apply.

Travel exemptions

If you are planning on applying for an exemption to leave the country, you have to meet specific requirements to be approved. According to the Department of Home Affairs, to be granted an exemption, Australian citizens and permanent residents must:
- Be travelling as part of the response to the Covid-19 outbreak
- Be conducting essential travel for critical industries and business
- Be travelling to receive urgent medical treatment which is unavailable in Australia
- Be travelling for urgent and unavoidable personal business
- Be travelling on compassionate or humanitarian grounds
- Be travelling in the national interest
If you meet at least one of these requirements, you are able to apply for an exemption to travel internationally.

Returning home

Australians who have been overseas and want to return back home will face significant delays as travel restrictions are currently in place. As the international flights have decreased, passenger numbers are restricted to ease the pressure on quarantine facilities and even key transit hubs have closed, you may find it difficult to find a flight back into Australia if you are in a hurry. Returning residents are warned that the process to return home may be lengthy and disruptive due to the current restrictions in place.

Stay local

As international travel is inaccessible and not recommended from Australia, many people are turning to local travel instead to still get their holiday fix. Whether you live in a state or territory that’s borders are currently open or you are living in an area which is still locked down, you can still experience a luxurious stay-cation. Many Australians are currently swapping out their usual flights for exciting road trips, which they may not have experienced if they were still able to travel internationally. So, what are you waiting for? Escape the city for the beautiful hinterland, hit the beach and soak up the sun or explore your local city to get your travel fix during the Covid-19 restrictions.
October 8, 2020
Uncommon Holiday Destinations to Consider This Summer

With the current travel restrictions in place in Australia, many people are looking for alternative destinations for their summer travel plans. Whether you love the beach and you want to soak up the sun or you would like to experience a beautiful hinterland location to get your rural fix, you may be wondering where to go on holiday during the warmer months. So, what are some uncommon holiday destinations to consider this summer? Take a look below to find out.

Lake Mungo National Park

If you love nature and history, Lake Mungo National Park may be the perfect unique destination for you to visit. This national park dating back 40,000 years is part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area and is home to some of the world’s oldest fossils. Lake Mungo used to be a 135-square kilometre freshwater lake before it dried up 14,000 years ago and it now features unique fossils and landmarks such as the Great Walls of China, which are eroded sand dunes which conceal early examples of cooking hearths, campfire areas and burial sites.

Lord Howe Island

World Heritage Listed Lord Howe Island is a favourite destination for many Australians and when you see breathtaking pictures of the place, it is no surprise. Outdoor fanatics can enjoy all of the natural experiences on offer, such as swimming, fishing, snorkeling and bushwalking through the palm forests. If you love all things nature, you can experience all of the rare native flora and fauna that the island boasts. Marine lovers can also see the world’s most southerly coral reef among a variety of marine life that loves to live around the island.

Esperance

Esperance is an iconic area in Western Australia that is known to have it all – from beautiful beaches to stunning islands, local wildlife to unique local attractions. There aren’t many places in the world (or even Australia!) where you will catch a local kangaroo soaking up the sun on the beach, but in Esperance, you may just catch a glimpse of nature at its finest. Other unique experiences include diving among the local wrecks, beautiful wetlands filled with local birds and wildlife cruises where you can see dolphins, seals and sea eagles living in the wild. If you prefer land animals, why not take a 4-wheel drive tour inland, where you can see camels, deer, llamas, kangaroos and buffalo, to name a few.

Fleurier Peninsula

If you consider yourself to be a water baby, Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia may be the perfect place for your summer holiday. The peninsula offers a huge variety of aquatic activities, with visitors enjoying fishing, surfing, bodyboarding, scuba diving and sailing. If you love nature, you can also experience a penguin tour, where you can see the little fellas living in the wild. If you would like to see dolphins swimming in the ocean, you can also embark on a dolphin cruise during the day. The peninsula is known as an aquatic wonderland, so make sure you check it out to get your summer fix!

October 8, 2020
Buckle Up! Epic Inner-State Road Trips To Take From Sydney

Thanks to good old ‘Rona, the NSW borders are shut once again. However, this does not mean the fun has to stop completely. Yep, you guessed it… time for a road trip! Not just any road trip, either. NSW has heaps of incredible scenic drives we’re just itching to get amongst.

These road-trips have it all – winding highways, epic mountains, tropical beaches and classic bushlands. Some of the drives are long (we do live in Australia, after all) so crank the tunes, grab the sunblock and get on the open road to these ultimate Sydney staycations.

The Kosciuszko Alpine Way

Stacks of mountains for your driving pleasure. Clocking in at around 6hrs from Sydney, the Apline Way is an absolute stunner of a road trip. Picture rollings valleys as far as the eye can see, hiking trails and extreme sports like mountain biking. You’re going to want to take advantage of the rugged NSW alps. This road trip takes you reeling through Kosciuszko national park and the adjacent forests. If you get there before summer truly kicks off, you’ll also get to witness the snow on the mountain region.

Greater Blue Mountains Drive

Who needs to go overseas when we’ve got a World Heritage-listed area just over an hour outside of Sydney. The Blue Mountains national park is famed for its sprawling cliffs with dramatic formations, grand waterfalls and eucalyptus forests (giving the mountains their prominent blue hue). Take a road trip along one of the discovery trails of Greater Blue Mountains Drive and take in the array of scenic lookouts along the way.

The Waterfall Way

Take a drive-through splash by whizzing through 185km of national parks, with epic waterfall views, ancient rainforest and plenty of scenic lookouts. Take yourself up to Coffs Harbour where the road will wind through to Armidale and directing you through the New England Tableland. If you’re looking for that sweet spot waterfall, make sure to stop at Crystal Shower Falls and get your adrenaline pumping on the suspension bridge.

Grand Pacific Drive

For those of you who can’t take too much time off, Grand Pacific Drive should be your Sydney road-trip of choice. This stunning drive will treat you to coastal rainforests and plenty of chances to spot some of our famous Aussie wildlife. Start your road trip at the Royal National Park, the worlds second oldest national park (and a whole day out in itself!). Once you’ve arrived at the Sea Cliff Bridge, get ready for the drive of your life over 665m of spectacular, coast-hugging road.

One of the most popular spots along the Grand Pacific Drive is Jervis Bay, where you can bask in tropical seas and white sandy beaches. Grab your binoculars, too! Jervis Bay is a prime spot for spotting dolphins.

Pacific Coast Road Trip

If you’re one for a multi-day, multi-activity drive then the legendary Pacific Coast is going to be your road-trip of choice from Sydney. Here, you’ll unearth Australia at its absolute best. The legendary Pacific Coast spans from Sydney, all the way up to Brisbane. And, don’t worry, you will not be strapped for insane views, wildlife spotting and experiences galore!

The 999km spanning road will take you through Port Stephens, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and the inimitable Byron Bay. Think hipster coffee shops, beach boutiques and stunning sunrises. Not to mention you’ll hit Australia’s most easterly point at the Cape Byron Lighthouse.

September 18, 2020