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Joffa
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Where have you been and how was it? Quote:Record numbers of cashed-up Aussies head to Britain Thanks to the strong Australian dollar, Aussie tourists are flocking to Britain in record numbers - and spending more time and money there. Photo: AFP Record numbers of Australians are visiting Britain each year and they are are prepared to splash their cash, particularly on the theatre, opera and ballet. A new report from Britain's national tourism agency says Australia is an increasingly important market because visitors from Down Under stay longer and spend more. "Research actually shows Australian holiday visitors have the highest propensity to go shopping during their stay compared with all other major markets," VisitBritain marketing manager Mark Haynes said in a statement. That's partly down to the strong Aussie dollar. Advertisement In 2011, more than one million Aussies ventured to Britain, placing Australia eighth on the table of inbound visitors. But due to longer-than-average stays Australia is Britain's fifth most important market in terms of visitor nights. It's ranked fourth when it comes to spending. On average Aussies stay for 12 nights and pump STG900 ($A1320) each into the UK economy. Half of that spending occurs in London and 10 per cent in Scotland. Australian tourists are twice as likely to attend the theatre, opera or ballet compared with other visitors. Common language is a factor, but Australians also have a much higher propensity to visit castles, religious buildings and historic houses. Nearly half of antipodean holiday makers will visit a museum, with one in three attending an art gallery. Almost 45 per cent of all Australians believe a trip to Britain will be "educational". "Australians are actually some of the most likely visitors to Britain to indulge in a bit of culture," STA Travel spokeswoman Andrea Robinson said in a statement. Ms Robinson said the VisitBritain research dispelled the myth that Australians were "sun-loving layabouts". Australians rank Britain as their third favourite tourist destination. Brits themselves are ranked number two (out of 50 nations) as a likeable people, but the country's natural beauty is a more lowly 13th. Nine per cent of all outbound trips from Australia end in the UK. That places Britain second behind neighbouring New Zealand which is the top travel destination. The United States comes in third. AAP Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-news/record-numbers-of-cashedup-aussies-head-to-britain-20130320-2gf8w.html#ixzz2O4qW7mP3
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Eastern Glory
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My trip last year:
Cyprus- 10 days, loved it! Football pubs, great weather, amazing food, good fun atmosphere and wild cats absolutely everywhere
Barcelona- 4 days ish... Was really good! I was sick, but still had a great time. Saw all the sites and did the Barca tour which was unreal
England- 2 weeks. Was amazing seeing and meeting relatives. Saw my Godson. Spent a lot of time up north. Hadrian's wall was awesome! I lit ally stood on the edge of the Roman Empire, which was a weird feeling. Did the Blackburn stadium tour which was a real high light. Did London for a weekend, was an absolute blast! Didn't sleep.
Toronto- 2 weeks. Stayed with friends, good city... Didn't do too much. In agora falls and CN tower were amazing though.
Vancouver- 5 months. Best time of my life, worked, partied, lived and grew up. Hard as hell coming home to all my friends who are still in high school fantasy land. Been to Vancouver 4 times now, and I want to be a permanent resident there one day, I love it. Made the best friends I've ever had there.
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Roar_Brisbane
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I thought we once had a travel thread.
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Heineken
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Roar_Brisbane wrote:I thought we once had a travel thread. It's gone AWOL. 8-[
WOLLONGONG WOLVES FOR A-LEAGUE EXPANSION!
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AJohn
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I get around a bit :lol:
England: Mostly Blackpool, though I've also visited Liverpool, Manchester, and London. Shit weather but what can you expect with England?
Australia: Mostly Brisbane, though stayed in Cairns for a bit, and been to Melbourne. Need to see more.
NZ: Mostly upper South and lower North, though lived in Christchurch while going to Uni. Want to properly explore Auckland one day.
America: 2 week holiday in Florida with the family, before Mum passed. I think I was about 9 or 10.
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KenGooner_GCU
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Plane tickets here are a lot more expensive then the UK but that's the market I guess. Hoping to go to the continent next year on exchange or something but early days yet.
Hello
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notorganic
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Going to Indonesia in September for a wedding, then 3 weeks in Thailand and Laos.
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AJohn
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Currently saving about 8 grand for a holiday in Blackpool; have 4.3k in my savings. So I'm aiming at having enough come August so I can spend my 26th with my cousins, Nan, and old flatmates.
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pv4
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went to peru in september. already stinging to get back there. have been to usa as a kid, thailand & singapore a couple of years ago, and that's about it.
next o/s holiday will probably be snowboarding somewhere in canada or nz (even though the mrs & i have only been 1-2 times each and will suck majorly). but that won't be for a while - too many house renovations to do that cost too much money!
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Krackovich
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I've had a few trips, family ones to Fiji, England/France/Ireland & Vanuatu/New Caledonia.
School trip to Italy where we went to Rome, Bay of Naples & Sicily.
Went to England with dad for the FA Cup Final in 2009.
Backpacking trip with a few mates for a couple of months and went to Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Greek Islands, Amsterdam, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany.
Had a trip with work to England last year and added on Denmark and Portugal.
For my next trip I'd like to go to Broome or if i'm going OS then Spain & Croatia or South America when the 2014 WC is on.
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Benjo
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Used to live in England when I was younger. Only been back once since, about 9 years ago now. Did the usual tourist stuff, went to London, Norfolk, the Midlands, saw a whole load of relatives, watched some football.
Went to America about 5 years ago. Went to Vegas, awesome place even though I'm too young to gamble there. Orlando is awesome, Went to Disney World and the like, incredible place not just for kids. Spent a few days in Pennsylvania, and then had a week in Toronto with my cousins, which was awesome fun.
Spent a few days in Italy after that, which wasn't bad. Did the Coloseum and the Vatican City tours.
Been to Singapore a few times, haven't been n the last few years, but awesome place.
Gone to China and Japan on school trips, great places. Japan in particular was an awesome time. I think we did slightly better stuff in China (Great Wall, Pearl Tower in Shanghai, Forbidden City), but Japan tops it just for the people on the trip. So many great memories. Peace Park, Disney Sea and my home stay were awesome.
New Zealand was cool last year, went to Auckland, Rotorua and Queenstwon, the latter being the high point.
Inside Australia, been to Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast.
Keen to check out more of Europe and the USA in the future.
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pv4
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anyone here done many/any cruises? the mrs & i are thinking of doing a cruise with my parents. dad has heard about a cruise that leaves nz, basically cruises around parts of nz & heads to melbourne then sydney.
anyone got do's/don't's for cruising?
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Eastern Glory
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pv4 wrote:anyone here done many/any cruises? the mrs & i are thinking of doing a cruise with my parents. dad has heard about a cruise that leaves nz, basically cruises around parts of nz & heads to melbourne then sydney.
anyone got do's/don't's for cruising? Make friends with the European billionaires. Buy them one drink before you let on that you know they're billionaires... And with any luck they'll just keep dropping them on you for the rest of the trip. My mate was on an Alaska cruise, and these 3 Italian guys bought a 15 000 bar tab for everyone in that restaurant that night.
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Joffa
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pv4 wrote:anyone here done many/any cruises? the mrs & i are thinking of doing a cruise with my parents. dad has heard about a cruise that leaves nz, basically cruises around parts of nz & heads to melbourne then sydney.
anyone got do's/don't's for cruising? My folks did a similar cruise, had an absolute blast of a time, they'd booked their next cruise within a week of coming home.
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LFC.
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pv4 wrote:anyone here done many/any cruises? the mrs & i are thinking of doing a cruise with my parents. dad has heard about a cruise that leaves nz, basically cruises around parts of nz & heads to melbourne then sydney.
anyone got do's/don't's for cruising? Took the fam on a P O pacific cruise last year with 2 other relo families. Ex Sydney was a little rocky but within 2days got my sea legs. Plenty to do had a ball - swimming, just hanging around on the pool deck, drinking cocktails etc. Big screen top deck with music vids giving an atmosphere people just dancing away great fun. Fantasic bbq all day top deck - from brekky to after dinners...... Watch NRL games live when on pity no HAL. Got into the table tennis, bingo for a laugh and chance to win some $$$, trivia at different bars through the course of the day and then good stage shows at night. With or without kids it is fun though I would hate it if it rained for days thankfully we didn't get this. Isle of Pines is paradise - snorkeling etc the place is sensational. Noumea is ok but the above stop just kills it. Food is great and eat as much as you like. Friends have re booked - we haven't only because we plan to do a EU cruise when we get over there next year. Value for $$$ are cruise's imo, my only dislike is that I can't get off when I want so yer once your used to being locked in and get into the activities you forget about it and get into it. Business has taken me to the US every year for the last 15+yrs, west/east coast north/south. Nashville is awsum and surrounding areas RedNeck capital LOL, Miame ! have to say California, San Fran, LA. Conference every year in Vegas, same ol same ol but you never get bored thats for sure ! Dominican Republic is awsum ! Mexico - city and Acupulco ! x 3 times, gorgeous women !!! China - HK, Shanghai Bejing x 20 + times
Love Football
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Krackovich
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M.L. wrote:
Isle of Pines is paradise - snorkeling etc the place is sensational.
Can vouch for this, absolutely amazing. Quote:
Dominican Republic is awsum !
Can you go into any more detail about what it's like? I'd love to see some of the Caribbean one day Edited by Krackovich: 2/4/2013 03:37:33 PM
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KiwiChick1
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pv4 wrote:anyone here done many/any cruises? the mrs & i are thinking of doing a cruise with my parents. dad has heard about a cruise that leaves nz, basically cruises around parts of nz & heads to melbourne then sydney.
anyone got do's/don't's for cruising? Ask RedKat about that, he did a cruise around NZ.
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KiwiChick1
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I've been around New Zealand, and I went to Adelaide about 5 years ago for my auntie's wedding.
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LFC.
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Krackovich wrote:M.L. wrote:
Isle of Pines is paradise - snorkeling etc the place is sensational.
Can vouch for this, absolutely amazing. Quote:
Dominican Republic is awsum !
Can you go into any more detail about what it's like? I'd love to see some of the Caribbean one day Edited by Krackovich: 2/4/2013 03:37:33 PM Re Isle of Pines - next time I'm going to fly over ex Bris and stay there for the week, talk about chill out relax, swim fish etc be a great holiday ! Dominican Republic - we stayed in a amazing Punta Cuna resort - check out Paradisis Punta Cuna Resort on the web, great packages not as expensive as you'd think. Place is tropical paradise as you'd expect, resort has eveything you need incl private beach front, 12 odd restaurants, bars, huge outdoor cyrstal clear pools, own casino etc. plus some great golf course's just what I like as well ! Walking out onto the beach past other resorts is great, meeting locals and there's 2 markets on the beachs, naturally you get hassled a bit but buying is well worth it. Locals are cool and very helpful,took a day cruise for more snorkelling then a fantastic island bbq on another beach just perfect got to say. Naturally you wouldn't go walking out of the resort grounds at night in case of being held up but only the silly unwise would risk this. Highly recommend experiencing the place - same goes for mexico amazing place as well.
Love Football
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pv4
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so i've locked in my sydney-melbourne-around-nz cruise for late november. we roll in to auckland at the end of it, at which time we're going to get a hire car and tour around the island for a while.
nz people - i've got somewhere between 3-7 days, what must i see?
only thing i really care/know about is hobbiton, which is a must.
i do not mind driving around a bit
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Benjo
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pv4 wrote:so i've locked in my sydney-melbourne-around-nz cruise for late november. we roll in to auckland at the end of it, at which time we're going to get a hire car and tour around the island for a while.
nz people - i've got somewhere between 3-7 days, what must i see?
only thing i really care/know about is hobbiton, which is a must.
i do not mind driving around a bit Can confirm Hobbiton is awesome. Some of the stories that the guides tell you about previous people who have visited The Shire are hillarious.
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Jay_Swann
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When are people looking at booking world cup trips and how much are they intending to save?
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sydneyfc1987
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East coast US Vietnam Cambodia Laos Thailand France Belgium UK (Scotland & England) Vietnam and Laos are the best..
(VAR) IS NAVY BLUE
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MusikResponse
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Lived in the UK for about 18 months over 2007-2008. While I was there I went to a few places around the continent (Finland, Norway, The Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, France, Belgium)
Have also been through Asia a bit - China (Beijing), Laos, Cambodia.
I went to New Zealand for about four days to go skiing.
Havent really been to that many places in Australia though. Have never been out of the three eastern states, and even then i've only been as far north as Brisbane.
Interestingly, the Mrs is being scouted by her work for a permanent move to Nashville, Tennessee, in which I would be able to go with her. No idea what that would be like but will probably go if it happens. Not sure what i'd do with myself once there tho.
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Jay_Swann
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I asked you a question bitches be polite and fucking answer me now
Edited by Jay_Swann: 17/4/2013 06:13:22 PM
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f1worldchamp
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Also lived in the UK, and did a lot of England, particulary the South East. Also Wales, Scotland and Ireland, Belgium, Holland, Germany and France.
Spent a lot of time in Italy, doing the south where my family is from, Rome, Modena, Florence, Pisa, Bolongna, Cinque Terre, Milan, Venice. Driving the Selvio Pass between Merano and Bormio, then into Switzerland to St Moritz.
Toured the 'Motor Valley', visiting the Ferrari factory and museum, Lamborghini, Maserati and Ducati factories.
Lived in Canada for a while, based in Toronto and did mostly eastern Canada. Niagra Falls, Montreal, Halifax and Nova Scotia.
Done a bit of the US while I was there too, New York, Washington DC, Arlington VA, Baltimore, Green Bay, South Bend Indiana (Notre Dame). Since then I've been back to visit Los Angeles (well, Anaheim) and San Franciso and Oakland.
Also spent a week in Fiji and in my last year of school took a family P&O cruise that went to Fiji and New Caledonia.
Would like to do heaps more of the US, the Grand Canyon, Memphis, Florida top the list. Would love to see Mount Rushmore and tour Civil War sites.
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KiwiChick1
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pv4 wrote:so i've locked in my sydney-melbourne-around-nz cruise for late november. we roll in to auckland at the end of it, at which time we're going to get a hire car and tour around the island for a while.
nz people - i've got somewhere between 3-7 days, what must i see?
only thing i really care/know about is hobbiton, which is a must.
i do not mind driving around a bit I have no idea where Hobbiton is, but definitely check out Taupo/Rotorua, plenty of touristy things to do there.
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f1worldchamp
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KiwiChick1 wrote:I have no idea where Hobbiton is How can you not know where the capital of New Zealand is?
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Joffa
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Anyone done The Camino de Santiago?
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melbourneboys
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Someone else mentioned it but I can't seem to find a response anywhere (or is there a specific thread for it?) When are people looking at booking the world cup, I'll probably go even if australia don't qualify
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