Going on an Australian tour can include anything from wandering the tropical rainforests of northern Australia, to taking in the night life in the capital city of Sydney. Whether your penchant is for lush and untouched scenery or fine wine and entertainment, Australia is sure to have something to offer you.

If you're interested in treasures of the urban nature, Sydney is home to eclectic architecture, major art galleries, and more than one performing arts theater, as well as several fine dining establishment choices. During your Australian tour of the settled delights be sure to stop by Melbourne, a city known as a trend-setter and home to grand musical extravaganzas, non-stop food and film festivals, and some of the best shopping and nightlife to be found. There are more than 75 different ethnic cuisines just waiting to tickle your taste buds in several hundred restaurants and cafés. If you're a sports fan, Melbourne hosts international tournaments as well as grand prix events in various locations around the city.

Visiting the secluded islands in the Great Barrier Reef can provide a new and fresh look at nature's beauty. While on your tour of Australia, be sure to take a peek at the Daintree Rainforest in tropical North Queensland. There you can see the rare sight of two World Heritage wonders nestled right against one another as the forest slopes dip into the Great Barrier Reef, with some sections of the reef growing almost to the shore itself. Following the same natural beauty guide you can opt to head into the expansive Outback and explore the treasures of the Kimberley, sometimes called Australia's last frontier.

Taking Time to Relax

Beginning or ending your Australian tour at one of a multitude of resorts the country has to offer can ensure a relaxing evening or two is had with some of the most beautiful scenery. The resorts located well inside the Great Barrier Reef can cater to just about anyone - from newlyweds, to families or singles, or even sophisticates who demand the utmost in dining and beauty spas available.

Of course, Australia is surrounded by sea, so good swimming and surfing beaches are more rule than exception. Generally these beaches will be full of tourists, especially during the week. Still, it is easy to find your "spot" for the R&R that you demand and rightfully deserve.

If relaxing on your Australian tour calls for a cruise, that can be arranged too. Several options are available depending on your level of sailing skill and budget. For the couple that doesn't want an entire boat to themselves, a catered cruise through the Whitesundays might be just the answer. These cruises usually run from five to seven days and can be had on modern racing yachts or older square-riggers with a multitude of sails billowing overhead. Passengers can usually opt to sleep in cabins on-board or set up camp on the beach at night. Either way you're sure to be lulled to sleep by the gentle wash of the waves against the hull or shore.

A Tour for Learning

If the goal of your tour of Australia is knowledge, you should look into an Aboriginal-lead tour. Aboriginal guides are available at many places you can visit during your Australian tour, and during the course of your tour you will likely hear creation stories that have been handed down thousands of years. Guides are often accompanied by experienced translators, allowing them to speak their traditional language. The Aboriginal people vary depending on their location; the people of the islands and coasts having differing traditions then those of the expansive Outback.

While on an Aboriginal-guided tour of Australia you should be sure to try bush tucker by either taking one of the widely available tours focusing the food itself and its preparation, or stopping by an Aboriginal cultural festival. Bush tucker, as it's now called, is the food that sustained Australia's original people for thousands of years and has now gone mainstream as Australian chefs experiment with the unique recipes. All in all, there is so much to take in on an Australia tour that you could easily spend months there letting yourself get lost in the rich history and culture of this beautiful and historical land.

By: Darlene Berkel
At http://tours.every1loves2travel.com you will discover some of the best places to go on a tour. For more great family vacation ideas we recommend vacationing-with-kids.com and on-a-cruise.com Travel Safely!

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O Rio, Rio how lovely art thou, Rio! Rio de Janeiro is without a doubt one of the most popularly visited spots worldwide. If you think about it, it really has it all--the mountains, beaches, Arts, museums, sophisticated and bargain shopping facilities of all kinds, historical sites, red hot night life, and the list goes on forever.

Many people start with Sugar loaf Mountain (Pao de acucar). Its name describes the way the mountain juts out of the ocean and dazzles you with its sweet appearance. You can reach the top of it by cable car, which will stop halfway up at Morro de Urca. Both of these sites will provide picturesque views of the sea and city below.

Don't forget about Corcovado Mountain with the famous Jesus Statue. This is the most visited spot in Rio. The view here is also fabulous and a must see for anyone with a sense of adventure.

Speaking of adventure, perhaps you are one who looks to turn the adrenaline up a few notches. Hang gliding from the popular, Pedra da Gavea (Topsail rock) is a real hit for adrenaline junkies. It boasts a height of about 3000 feet and includes your landing on Pepino beach below.

Speaking of beaches, lets chat a bit about some of Rio's world renowned beaches. Copacabana is often talked about and even makes its way into the lyrics of a couple of our songs. It is a very popular beach among tourists and the Brazilians alike. Along with Epinema (of the famous song entitled "The Girl from Epinema"), Leblon, Leme, Sao Conrrado, And Arpoador you have some of the most elite beaches of Rio.

It is not at all unusual to see some of the famous soccer players like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, or maybe even Pele himself playing a game of Futevoley (a combination of soccer and volleyball) at one of these popular spots. Copacabana also boasts one of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the world at their New Year's celebration. The fireworks are done in the most organized fashion from atop hotels and in boats well out in the harbor. Though often the attendance reaches the two million mark, it is a safe and joyous affair.

Some of the other famous districts where the middle and upper classes like to congregate include: Barra de Tijuca, Lagoa, Jardim Botanica, Gavea, Flamengo, Botafogo, and Laranjeiras. Most of which can be reached easily and somewhat luxuriously on Rio's sophisticated underground metro system.

Speaking a bit more abstractly, picture some junctures that simply don't exist in such harmoniously perfect forms in most countries. For example, the mountains meet the ocean and the forest meets the mountains in such blissful synergy it is impossible to describe with words.

Even photos are no substitute for the real thing--you have to witness it for yourself! Another unusual intersection that is not typically contemplated is where the urban jungle meets the real jungle. The Tijuca Forest (in Rio) boasts the second largest forest adjacent to a major city in the world. The largest one is coincidentally also in Rio. We provide the best for you in Brazil. See you in Brazil !!! contact us.

By: Luiz Silva
http://seeyouinbrazil.com

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As you plan your trip to St. Thomas, you will probably find that one of the favorite activities for St. Thomas vacations is duty-free shopping in Charlotte Amalie. While shopping and walking the streets of this colonial capital might be a great start to a St. Thomas vacation, St. Thomas tourism certainly has more to offer than simple shopping and dining. From the historic colonial sites scattered throughout the island to the natural beauty of the Caribbean, St. Thomas has something to offer any type of tourist. You and your family can embark on exotic underwater adventures, or ride a cable car to the top of a Caribbean peak. The possibilities are endless in St. Thomas.

A favorite of families, the Coral World Ocean Park features over five acres of aquariums, pools, hiking trails and observatories. Feeding shows and snorkeling expeditions allow children to interact with some of the Caribbean's most interesting sea creatures. For the daring tourist, the site even offers parasailing and a swim-with-sharks program. Also for lovers of marine life, the high-tech submarine tour - Atlantis XV - allows tourists to coast through coral reefs and observe numerous types of fish, turtles and other Caribbean creatures. Your tour guide will point out interesting and rare species along the way.

Just east of the capital city of Charlotte Amalie is another tourist favorite, Bluebeard's Castle. Though local legend states that the structure was built by the famous pirate to commemorate his love of Mercedita, the stone tower was actually constructed by Danish colonists in 1689 as a watchtower for nearby Fort Christian. Connected to this site is the complex know as Frederiksberg, a residence erected after the colonial government sold the land in 1818. Today, the buildings serve as one of the most unique architectural sites in the Caribbean.

The highest point in St. Thomas, the 1,542 foot peak of St. Peter Mountain, was once used by the U.S. government as a communications station. Today, this scenic overlook features shops and restaurants that look down upon Drake's passage - the legendary site believed to have been a lookout for Sir Francis Drake spying on the Spanish Armada - and the surrounding Virgin Islands. Another great location for that perfect Caribbean view is The St. Thomas Skyride to Paradise Point. The aerial cable car at the site takes you up 700 feet in less than 7 minutes with stunning scenery along the way. At the top you will find a number of fun shops and restaurants, all of which feature amazing views of Charlotte Amalie harbor.

The Tillet Gardens are the home of St. Thomas' vibrant local art scene. Formerly a Danish farm, English artist Jim Tillet converted the property into a center for visual arts and performance after arriving in St. Thomas in 1959. Besides being one of the few colonial farms open to the public, Tillet Gardens are brimming with local paintings, silkscreen prints, jewelry and other crafts all created by the local community. After enjoying a cool drink and a snack, check the event schedule as you may have the pleasure of hearing a classical music performance. The charming fishing outpost known as Frenchtown is another great area to visit and relax while in St. Thomas. Settled in the late 1800s by fishermen from the nearby French-Caribbean island of St. Barthelemy, Frenchtown still features an active fish market. Early in the morning, you can observe fishermen approaching the shore in their small boats and preparing their catch for sale. Resting on a hilltop in the middle of town is St. Ann's Catholic Church, a great place to catch a view of town and the vast Caribbean. Frenchtown also has the beautiful French Heritage Museum with artifacts documenting the French colonial experience in the Caribbean region. A little further off the beaten path is the town of Red Hook, a departure point for many Caribbean ferries and other vessels. Supporting the local marinas are several excellent restaurants and bars, each with unique offerings. Experiencing small towns such as Red Hook, in addition to the capital of Charlotte Amalie and the surrounding countryside, will certainly offer some understanding of the rich culture and history of this beautiful Caribbean island.

By: Justin Burch
This article was written by Justin Burch. Justin writes select pieces about travel in Caribbean for the Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort.

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Naturally, Cancun's biggest attraction is the beaches with their soft, white sand and brilliant turquoise-blue water. Cancun's Hotel Zone is one long beach separated from the mainland by a system of lagoons and bridges. The beautiful white sands of Cancun's beaches are light and cool underfoot even in the blazing sun, because it is composed not of silica but rather of microscopic plankton fossils and crushed coral. The sand stays cool even on the hottest days; you need never worry about burning your feet. You can even go down to the beach barefoot if you like. The coolness of the sand has led it to be dubbed "air-conditioned" by those who visit there.

All of Mexico's beaches are considered public, as they are owned by the government. Anyone can freely walk along the beaches of the Cancun shoreline. There are many public beach access points spread along the Hotel Zone. The beaches of Cancun are representative of two different environments. Cancun Island is shaped like the number 7, and is connected by bridges to the mainland at both ends. The northern beaches, along the top of the 7, are sheltered by Isla Mujeres, and the Caribbean waters are calm and soothing. These beaches provide the perfect environment for diving and water sports. Along the eastern side of the island, the waves pick up, and it more closely resembles a beach you might see along the U.S. Gulf Coast. The water along these beaches is clear enough to see the sea life that inhabits the area.

Some of the popular beaches along the northern end of the island are Playa Las Perlas at the beginning of the Hotel Zone. This is good place for swimming, relaxing and various water sports. You can also get the shuttle to Isla Mujeres here or dine at restaurants and bars located along the coast. Playa Linda has dive tours, the Submarine and another shuttle to Isla Mujeres located here. Just a couple of kilometers further down, Playa Tortugas offers dive/snorkel tours, swimming and water sports. Quite a few restaurants and bars are located along this tourist-friendly beach. Playa Caracol is a great beach for children because of the shallow, flat, sandy seabed. It is also one of the most crowded beaches along the strip. Several shopping and entertainment complexes are located on Playa Caracol offering visitors restaurants, shops and activities.

Once you make your way around Punta Cancun to the eastern side of the island, Playa Chac Mool and Playa Ballenas are very popular beaches along the main Hotel Zone strip. Both are good for relaxing, swimming and water sports. There are bars and restaurants all along this stretch of beach. Farther down, towards the southern tip of Cancun Island, Playa Delfines is a beautiful beach made for relaxing and swimming.

Cancun's beaches are the area's #1 attraction, and once you get a look at the clear blue water and sugar-white sand, you will understand why so many people return year after year to enjoy them.

Lee Breeze is a Cancun expert and a Content Associate for BookIt.com - the Internet Travel Company Offering Discounted Cancun Hotel Rooms and Vacations with “No Booking Fees, Ever!” Visit BookIt.com Travel Guides for Additional Cancun Travel information including Articles, Reviews and Helpful Travel Tips

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