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Summer Fun in Victoria: Where you should go in 2018

Summer in Victoria means sun, water and daylight savings. If you’re looking for activities for the whole family, read below for our top 5 summer activities for all ages in Melbourne and its surrounds. CONTINUE READING >> 

Summer in Victoria means sun, water and daylight savings. If you’re looking for activities for the whole family, read below for our top 5 summer activities for all ages in Melbourne and its surrounds.

Royal Botanical Gardens

As one of Australia’s most diverse and beautiful public gardens, the Royal Botanical Gardens in the heart of Melbourne is great for a day or afternoon. For the budget conscious, know that entry to the gardens is free! Take a picnic for the lush grass or stake out one of the gazebos dotted throughout the park. The Ian Potter Children’s Garden has great water play options, and it’s in walking distance from Jardin Tan with meals, coffee and gelati. If you head online, a number of wandering theatre shows operate in the gardens in the summer months. Purchase a ticket to participate in the fun of Wind in the Willows or Shakespeare in the Park.

Adventure Park Geelong

If you’re after more extensive water play, just outside of Geelong is Victoria’s and Melbourne’s largest water theme park, Adventure Park. A day pass will get you access to all rides and attractions and if you wish, you can hire your own private, luxurious cabana for the day. If it becomes a little cooler, stay on for mini golf as well as archery, a carousel and the crazy coaster. The Tornado funnel water slide opened in 2017 which has moments of zero gravity weightlessness for those brave enough to try it.

Werribee Open Range Zoo

The Werribee Open Range Zoo is set on 225 hectares of open space, with both walking and safari tour options. There’s also a learning centre and interactive African village experience. You’ll find a variety of Australian and African animals across the zoo and if you have a zoo membership entry to this reserve is included, otherwise book online or buy on the day. Kids under 16 receive free entry during school holidays and each weekend. Also in the area is the historic Werribee mansion which boasts a luxurious day spa. Perhaps make a long weekend of it and squeeze in some relaxing time to yourself!

Frankston Sand Sculptures

From Dec-April, along the Frankston Waterfront is home to the annual sand sculpting exhibition. Featuring over 3500 tonnes of sand, artists spend over 5000 hours building the impressive creations that dot the shoreline. Hosted by Sand Sculpting Australia, each day you can attend from 10 am by purchasing tickets online. There is also a family zone where crafts, activities, games and face painting takes place.

Night Noodle Markets

The banks of the Yarra are home to the noodle markets each November, just as the city begins to heat up. With over 30 of Melbourne’s delicious and well known restaurants and food trucks serving up tasty Asian style fare, you won’t be left hungry. Arrive early to avoid crowds and enjoy some tasty outdoor dining. There’s also a rotating line up of live entertainment, licensed areas and a fun, albeit generally crowded vibe.

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Fun Things on Waikoloa Beach

Waikoloa Village is a beautiful little village tucked away in a secluded corner of the main Hawaii Island. We decided to survey many of the nice beaches nearby…

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Waikoloa Village is a beautiful little village tucked away in a secluded corner of the main Hawaii Island. Waikoloa Vacation Rentals are one of the popular places to stay here and is pretty close to some nice beaches on the island. We decided to survey as many of these on our first day on the island.

The Anaehoomalu Beach It is right next to the Waikoloa Beach Resort and is perfect for spending the entire day with the family. It is nice and quiet and you won’t be bothered by huge crowds and tons of people. The coastline is pristine and the waters are crystal clear. It is also very safe for children because the waves here are not so high to be of any danger to young kids. We tried some snorkelling and although the water was clear, it was not as exciting as we’ve seen on some other beaches. Wait until the sunset and you get some of the most heavenly beautiful views of the evening sky. We were happy to find some good amenities here such as showers and changing rooms, which help to keep the children clean of sand.

Another beautiful beach near this resort is Kauna’oa Bay, which we found was popular with a lot of tourists because of its white sand, quite a rarity in Hawaii. This is also a nice place to visit with the family, although it is not as developed as other commercial beaches on the island. And that is exactly what we liked about it. Don’t worry, you will find clean and functional showers and restrooms on Kauna’oa Bay as well as a barbecue area. In fact, one of the great things about this beach is that it was a public beach, but its secluded location made us feel as if we were on our own private beach. What was surprising was the fact that even though so many people recommended it to us, there were actually very few people on the beach when we arrived. It can get a bit boring for people who enjoy bustling scenes of activity and frolic on the beach.

As we continued our search for the most beautiful beaches on Hawaii Island, we stumbled across another little gem. Waialea Beach is on the opposite side of Waikoloa Vacation Rentalsand was extremely busy when we came in. This seems to be a very popular spot with international tourists since we could see a lot of them. There’s lots of opportunities to do some water sports like surfing and boarding. It’s also a pretty heavily shaded beach, which may be one reason why it is perfect for high energy activity. If you’re expecting to come here and relax on the sand while catching up on some reading, forget about it. When you’re on Waialea Beach, you simply have to join in the action.

Next on our itinerary was the Kalahuipua’a Park, which is basically a trail on an archaeological site with some amazing scenery and landscape. The site also has a cave which is supposed to have been inhabited by people way back in the past. There are lava rocks all over the place as well as some ancient fishponds which is there the people basically farmed their fish. They still have fish in those ponds which is great fun to watch. This is not meant to be a day long excursion because by the end of half an hour, you’ve pretty much seen everything.

Back at our Waikoloa Vacation Rentals resort, we were famished and couldn’t wait to have dinner before heading off to a relaxing bath.

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Family Holidays in the South Caucasus

Today we’d like to invite you to make a trip to the South Caucasus – completely new and unique travel destination. Armenia and Georgia, two hospitable countries of that region, will please you with lush landscapes, authentic dishes and many cheap options for family rest and entertainment… CONTINUE READING >> 

How to choose the best destination for family holidays? That’s quite an important question. The first thing is to find the destination where each family member will find an interest. Today we’d like to invite you to make a trip to the South Caucasus – completely new and unique travel destination. Armenia and Georgia, two hospitable countries of that region, will please you with lush landscapes, authentic dishes and many cheap options for family rest and entertainment.

Family holiday in Armenia

Armenia is one of the safest countries for a family holiday. You can stroll here till late hours and feel completely comfortable and safe.

The other important factor that makes Armenia quite attractive destination is affordable prices for accommodation, food and activities.

In local resort towns, families can relax away from hustle and bustle in the lap of nature.

Dilijan

The resort town Dilijan is considered “the small Armenian paradise. The town is beautiful in any season. Coniferous forests and mild mountain climate are ideal to improve health, to treat and prevent cardiovascular diseases. The town is also an excellent choice for trekking lovers. Once in Dilijan, make sure to include Lake Parz in your must-visit list. The name of the lake is translated as “transparent or clean”. The trees and the blue sky are reflected in the waters of that crystal clear lake; the view is so inspiring!

Jermuk

The resort town of Jermuk is considered one of the most popular health centers in the CIS. The town is famous for its healing mineral waters and guests from foreign countries come here to improve their health. By its chemical composition and properties, Jermuk mineral water is compared with the springs of Karlovy Vary. Of course, the vacation in Jermuk will cost much cheaper than in the resort town of the Czech Republic. The nature of the resort is unique; the Jermuk waterfall is considered the most beautiful in Armenia. It falls from 70 meters forming a small lake. From the source of the waterfall the legendary mineral water “Jermuk” is produced.

Eco tour in Armenia

Eco tourism is actively developing all over the world, and Armenia also began to spend resources to preserve nature. Eco tour is a great idea to spend holidays with family, to get closer to nature, to teach children to love and appreciate nature.

One of the popular eco resorts in Armenia is the HyeLandz Eco Village Resort which is located in the village of Geghadir.The eco base grows organic fruits and vegetables, gets meat and dairy products on the spot, receives energy from the sun and simply enjoys the gifts of nature without destroying it.

Sevan

For summer holidays in Armenia, the first place to go is Lake Sevan. Sevan is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. It is surrounded by Geghama Mountains the peaks of which are reflected in the blue waters of the lake. The view is fantastic!

In summer Sevan is a great place for a beach holiday. Here you can relax with family, sunbathe, ride a scooter, and eat the most delicious trout khorovats.

Family holidays in Georgia

Georgia has a great potential for tourism. The country is actively developing in all directions and at the same time carefully preserves its ancient heritage. For family holidays there are several destinations which we will tell you about:

Borjomi

Borjomi is a famous healing resort famous for its world known mineral springs. It is surrounded by mountain ranges and coniferous forests which contributes to clean and healing air in the town. The landscape reminds a fairy tale. Borjomi is all about dense forests, Caucasian mountains and mild climate.

The treasure of Borjomi is its mineral water. The healing properties of the mineral springs were known more than 2,000 years ago and here kings enjoyed their vacation. Just like in any other resort town, the life in Borjomi flows slowly without any bustle. Here you will forget the city vanity and get closer to nature.

Adjara

The best direction for summer vacation is Adjara region. What can be better than the Black Sea coast, Caucasian Mountains and Georgian hospitality? The center of the region, Batumi town, is full of ultramodern skyscrapers, five-star hotels, clubs, and restaurants. Batumi is an ideal place for outdoor activities.

For a quiet family vacation, we recommend visiting Sarpi, a small village near the border with Turkey. Sarpi is famous for its clean seashore with rocks, mountains, and dense forests. The resort towns of Adjara are close to each other. This means, you can visit several towns.

Gudauri

For winter holidays in Georgia, there are several popular destinations among which we offer to visit Gudauri ski resort. Why Gudauri? First of all, the resort town is super modern with all the amenities, services and entertainment for adults and children.

Gudauri is a great place for a family holiday. The slopes of the mountain are divided into levels, there is also a separate ski lift for children, and a playground with slides. The hotels have all amenities for comfortable rest of the whole family.

In summer you can enjoy paragliding, hiking and other extreme activities or just relax in the lap of nature.

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Festival Fun And Frolics: Grand National 2018

Big horse racing events like Cheltenham and Aintree are super exciting to attend. Not just for the horse racing and the buzz of that but for the entertainment, fashion, and fun over the festival…

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Growing up, I always wanted a horse, a nice white one. My dad and his dad’s generation would have been more used to having horses around, as a common mode of transport and for working/farming. As I grew older, I realised there was so much involved with owning a horse and caring for it. While not owning a horse became a reality, I did keep an interest in the equestrian sports and started following the racing and the festivals that accompany big races. Big hats, fancy dresses, and clinking glasses. I had fallen in love with horse racing.

Big horse racing events like Cheltenham and Aintree are super exciting to attend. Not just for the horse racing and the buzz of that but for the entertainment, fashion, and fun over the festival. There’s nothing better than getting dolled up for ladies day, having a few drinks with other racing folk and throwing a few pounds on a 10/1 in Aintree’s Grand National.

The buzz of winning a bet on a horse race is so much fun, but when you are actually at the event it is electric! You can have an old flutter yourself over at WilliamHill.

Fashion And Frolics

Hats. Hats. Hats. Racing festivals attract some of the funkiest types of headwear. You’ll see from one extreme to the other, both elegant to ostentatious. Everyone has their own style.

An important thing to consider, however, is the wind. When you’re in England at the Grand National, there’s a high chance of it being windy out. So your hat might blow off! It’s quite funny if you’re watching but some of these hats might be on hire and or/be very expensive.

Wearing an outrageous dress and hat or having heels so you’re towering above everyone isn’t mandatory. You can go smart-casual if the whole dress up is not for you. After all, in a cold English winter you’ll want to look well but keep warm too. As we have seen this year, an English March can be unpredictable and full of snow and cold spells. Wear multiple layers. An elegant scarf can double up, looking fancy but also keeping you nice and warm. After all, a scarf or light top could be removed if it gets too hot.

Festival Fun

After Aintree or Cheltenham, the papers are always littered with people drunken or passed out somewhere at the event. But it’s easy to fall into the same boat if you are drinking one after another all day without much food intake. Also, always take care when you’re having a losing streak while drinking as you’ll be more likely to try to win back the losses through carelessness. The Queen’s pub is always a hot spot at Aintree, being so close to the racecourse itself. The Hole in The Wall Cafe and the Side Door are other good spots nearby and of course, the famed Philharmonic Dining Rooms which is one of the most ornate pubs in Britain.

So get your dress wear ready, brim your wallet with a few fresh fivers and take it easy on the drink and you’ll be set to have a great Grand National this year at Aintree.

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Adventure Tours in Western Australia

Western Australia is the cradle of nature’s wonders and extremes. It possesses a mixture of white-sand beaches, beautiful vegetation of wildflowers, extensive deserts, jagged thrilling canyons, an extraordinary species of flora and fauna that make it one of the leading tourists’ adventure destinations. CONTINUE READING >> 

Western Australia is the cradle of nature’s wonders and extremes. Being ranked as the 6th largest country in the world, it possesses unique mainland and island natural features that will take your breath away. It possesses a mixture of white-sand beaches, beautiful vegetation of wildflowers, extensive deserts, jagged thrilling canyons, an extraordinary species of flora and fauna that make it one of the leading tourists’ adventure destinations. West Australia’s capital city, Perth, is dominated by a unique fusion of both city life and country life owing to its dominant commercial activities that have been shaped by activities of mining and agriculture. A tour through Perth acts as a time travel machine that enables one to travel from the old cultural ways and practices to the modern skyscrapers and hotels.

The list below elaborates on some of the unique natural features, flora, fauna, hotels, and experiences that make up the perfect adventure tours in Western Australia.

Swan Valley

Swan Valley embodies the history of Western Australia. This is through the preserved cultural heritage of Perth citizens, their delicacy, fine wine, and wildlife dominance. Adventure tourists have the privilege to visit the Caversham Wildlife Park where they encounter the troops of Kangaroos and interact in feeding them. One is also able to spot the Koala, wombat, and the colorful parrots. One also gets to visit the Black Swan Maalinup gallery hence the name Swan Valley where they reside. For chocolate lovers, the tourist has a chance to tantalize their taste buds at one of the leading chocolate company in Swan Valley known as Margaret River Chocolate CO.

Pinnacles Desert

The tourists get to enjoy a wild drive through the vast pinnacles Desert that is found in Nambung National Park. Since it is a cruise through the desert sand, it requires the tourists to be provided with up to task 4 wheel drive cars and experienced navigators such as the ones at Luxury Outback Tours. The desert provides an attractive aura for taking memorable adventure photos to capture every single experience. When it comes to testing cuisines, the tourists are treated to yummy rock lobsters by the experienced chefs at the glorious Lobster Shack.

North Wildflower Tour

Mother nature’s provide the tourists with one of the greatest phenomena ever to exist in the flora kingdom. This is the dazzling Wildflower Tour. At the Don and Joy Williams of Hi Valley Farm, The tourists are able to see the unique and beautiful diverse flower species that have colorful petals, shapes, and sizes, big and small. Hey also get a chance to meet the managers of the flowers and get a detailed historical information concerning the flowers.

Margaret River Wine Tour

This includes one of the renowned wine series in Western Australia. Wine lovers have a lifetime chance to participate in fresh wine tasting activities of different wines. This includes some of the private wine firms in the region. A good example is the Watershed Premium Wines that is globally known for producing one of the highly ranked wines in the market.

In conclusion, Western Australia is a leading venture tourism destination owing to its cultural activities and heritage, geographical unique features, flora, and fauna. These include wineries, wildflower tours, pinnacles desert, Swan Valley among others.

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Three States Nurses Simply Have to Visit and Explore

If you’re in the middle of your RN to MSN online program you probably don’t have a lot of free time for traveling, which is why you may want to look into a stay-cation of sorts and travel to states within the USA. CONTINUE READING >> 

As you train to be a nurse, it becomes very clear, very quickly just how intense the program is. Whether you are attending a brick and mortar college in person, or you’ve opted for the popular MSN online program that allows you to earn your masters from home in much less time, it can be an exhausting process. Why not reward yourself with a little getaway where you put your schooling out of your mind and just enjoy your time.

Understandably, if you’re in the middle of your RN to MSN online program you probably don’t have a lot of free time for traveling, which is why you may want to look into a stay-cation of sorts and travel to states within the country. Here’s a look at three states that nurses simply must visit to enjoy that little break they deserve.

Arizona

The state of Arizona is known for all kinds of wonderful things, but spa retreats and golfing sit near the top of the list. This could be the perfect destination that allows you to relax, unwind, and put all the stress of home away. You can combine daily spa treatments with sightseeing tours, shopping, dining, and a round of golf.

Of course, if you’re going to visit Arizona then you’re going to want to include a visit to Grand Canyon National Park. This is an absolute must-see for anyone visiting the state. Other sights worth checking out include Monument Valley Tribal Park, Saguaro National Monument, and Sedona.

New York

If nature and relaxation aren’t really your thing, then why not go the polar opposite extreme and visit New York State, which is filled with non-stop activities, sights, attractions, shopping, and dining. While many will automatically think of New York City as the place to go, the fact is that this state has fabulous treasures in every corner.

Just some of the things you can discover include over 2,000 miles worth of trails and parks, a huge variety of tours and excursions (especially in New York City), waterfalls, swimming, beaches, hiking, white water rafting, amusement parks, elegant and casual dining, and a vibrant art scene. It’s the kind of state you could visit for a weekend or a whole week and not run out of things to do.

California

The list wouldn’t be complete without California. California is one of those states that is able to combine all the thrills and high-paced excitement of city life with that of a more laid back, nature-loving atmosphere. The landscape is so varied in this state that you simply can’t experience it all in just one trip. Known for its miles of beaches, mountains, wineries, and trails, it’s a nature lovers’ dream. At the same time, it’s got its fair share of amusement parks, adventure activities, shopping, dining, and all the thrills of touring Hollywood and getting a glimpse at the country’s movie and television hub.

A Fabulous Place to Start

The country is filled with so many states well worth visiting that this list of three is really just meant to be a fabulous place to start your adventures.

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Why Not Go About a Career Change After Your Kids Leave Home?

Being done raising kids is a huge badge of honor, but it can also leave you with more free time than you expected to reflect on your life… CONTINUE READING >> 

On one hand, you don’t want your children to leave the nest because you will miss having them in your life on a daily basis. Then again, the day that your last child officially grows up, finishes high school, goes off to college, and then maybe even comes back home for a few years before leaving for good brings most parents a lot of relief. Finally, being done raising kids is a huge badge of honor, but it can also leave you with more free time than you expected to reflect on your life.

You might look at the best DNP programs and start seriously looking at how long it would take to get your degree in a completely different field. With nothing left to stop you from pursuing your dreams, why not go for broke and make a major change in your career path.

The options are almost endless, with the chance to pursue work in fields that always interested you, such as entertainment, travel, or the fashion industry.

How to Go Back to School Without Missing a Single Beat

Chances are that when you do decide to go to college for DNP entry for nurse practitioners, you won’t be the only older mom or dad who recently had the last of the kids leave home. You’ve got loads of freedom now and you don’t have to make dinner if you don’t want to or even worry about anyone else being in your home when you’re away. So, you can study all day in the living room while sitting in your underwear, if you want to receive a degree in a different area of study. Hopefully, all your friends will be happy for you and offer the moral support you’ll need to tackle your studies.

Maintaining a Social Life as You Prepare for a Huge Life Change

Although you’ll likely celebrate with friends as soon as you have your home back completely to yourself, it’s going to be challenging going for a career change soon after having an empty nest. On one hand, you’ll want to host dinners at your house every Friday night, but then again, you have to be determined when it comes to keeping up with all your study materials. Plan to spend the most time with your friends when you have lengthy college breaks, and during the summer.

Applying for a Job After a Career Shift

Unfortunately, you will need to do a substantial amount of explaining when you go on your first interviews after making a career change. For instance, those who have been working in retail might want to tell future employers why they decided to go into healthcare while in their 40s or 50s. Note that it isn’t legal for employers to discriminate against you for making a notable career change when you’re middle-aged. However, you should have a short explanation prepared as to how your past job experience can actually be a benefit to you on the job because of your unique life experiences.

Some older parents have an epiphany and decide to become foster parents after the last of their biological children leave the home. Then you have other empty nesters who pack up, sell their houses, and never stay put for more than a couple of months in a row. If you think that changing your career is going to make life that much better, then go for it.

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