SINGAPORE!

Next up we have Singapore! Singapore is a popular tourist destination as there are so many places to visit, things to do and extravagant dining and nightlife experiences available for anyone interested in getting a taste of the unique culture. 

The spectacular skyline and architectural wonders are what adds to Singapore's beauty. The culturally rich festivals and events add to the amazing lifestyle and are enjoyed by both locals and tourists. In Singapore, there is something for everyone!

This photo of the Art Science Museum has been taken from The Lonely Planet Site

Some of the most popular events which take place in Singapore that are a must see for everyone include:  

1. Singapore Art Week (January)

2. Chinese New Year Festival (February-March)

3. World Street Food Congress (April)

4. Asia Fashion Exchange (May)

5. Dragon Boat Festival (June)

6. Hungry Ghost Festival (July-August)

7. Grand Prix Season Singapore (September)

8. Deepavali (November)

This photo from Chinese New Year was taken off the Travel Singapore Site

This photo from the Asia Fashion Exchange was taken off the Travel Singapore Site

On top of their spectacular and lively events, Singapore is known for its authentic street food and reputable food festivals such as the Singapore Food Festival which happens annually. 

This photo was taken off the Travel Singapore Site

That's all from me for today! Stay tuned for more posts on various parts of Asia throughout the week! And don't forget to follow our twitter @getawaytravelmq for updates!

-Michelle

ASIA: Japan

Ever thought about travelling to Asia? From the ancient farming villages in India to the futuristic cityscape of Tokyo, Asia allows you to explore a wide variety of experiences that you’ll never forget! Enjoy its rich culture, buildings, fashion, and of course, the freshness and flavour of their authentic, Asian cuisine!

This week’s posts will provide you with information on places you must visit in the beautiful continent of Asia. 

JAPAN!

Let’s kick this series off with JAPAN! Japan is highly preached by travellers for their exquisite shrines, temples, historic sites, food and drinks, shopping, flowers, onsens, nation parks, mountains, festivals, snow activities, their love for manga and anime, and amusement parks!

Experience it all in Japan, from the traditional and modernity of famous ancient shrines bumped up against skyscrapers. From Tokyo’s urban sprawl to the peacefulness of Kyoto, from boisterous Osaka nightlife to Hiroshima's contemplative spirit, this country never fails to attract first-time and reoccurring vistors because of their big attractions, delicious food and unique culture.

Top things to do in Japan:

1.     Explore the Temples and Shrines

Feel connected with Japan’s culture by visiting their beautifully designed temples and shrines. We recommend experiencing this in Kyoto, home to thousands of these!

2.     Attend a Festival

The fun side of Japanese culture are experienced at their festivals! With approximately 100,000 festivals each year, it is possible to take part of one during your stay here.

3.     Shopping!

Shibuya and Ginza in Tokyo are very popular for their shopping and their fascinating urban environment. Filled with flagship buildings of fashion brands and department stores, you’ll defiantly shop till you drop!

4.     Relax in a Hot Spring

As the country’s most popular travel activity, it is a great way to renew and connect with nature. The natural, outdoor hot springs are highly recommended.

Visit this site for more information about travelling in Japan! 

Make sure you check out and follow our twitter page @getawaytravelmq for new updates!

- Sandy

Discover South Australia!

Known for it's multiple wine regions, long summers and it's array of festivals and events, South Australia is the perfect retreat destination for families or anyone wanting to embark on a relaxing and invigorating holiday experience. It's capital city, Adelaide (voted one of Australia's most liveable cities), is home to hundreds of pubs, cafes and eat streets as well as museums, galleries and zoo's, providing many opportunities for visitors to experience life in this central part of Australia.

Spend a day at Adelaide Zoo, home to over 1,800 animals and 300 species of exotic native fauna, this attraction can be enjoyed by guests of all ages. Now with the inclusion of The Immersion South East Asian Rainforest exhibit, Adelaide Zoo is home to Wang Wang and Funi, the only two giant pandas found in the Southern Hemisphere. Get up close and personal with these two friendly giants in a behind the scenes tour, giving you the opportunity to prepare their bamboo breakfast and release them into their day enclosure.

Image taken from the Adelaide Zoo Website

Renowned for it's 18 wine regions, South Australia is a hot spot for travellers wanting to experience the taste of artisan crafted beverages, from fine wine to cider, this region has over 200 cellars all within an hours drive from the city. Take a tour of the famous Coopers Brewery, established in 1862 and try the popular Sparkling or Pale Ale or visit any of these local establishments for your taste of what South Australia has to offer:

• Barossa Valley Brewing Comapany 

• Goodieson Brewery

• Prancing Pony Brewery

• Gulf Brewery

For more information on what South Australia has to offer, visit http://www.southaustralia.com/index.aspx

Don't forget to check out and follow our twitter page @getawaytravelmq for more updates and information on travel!

-Jessica

Sydney Harbour!

Surrounded by hundreds of kilometres of shoreline, national parks and historic sites, the sparkling waters of Sydney Harbour are synonymous with the NSW capital city. Alive with the movement of ferries, yachts and kayaks, Sydney Harbour is also a gateway to access other parts of Sydney as well as a prime spot for spending a day out on the water.



A great way to experience the beauty of the harbour is to catch an iconic Sydney ferry. Passing by some of the harbour’s famed landmarks, including the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the city’s waterways offer plenty of scenic vantage points. Follow the Manly, Watsons Bay or Taronga Zoo ferry routes to enjoy panoramic harbour views.

The Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia's most well known and photographed landmarks. It is the world's largest (but not the longest) steel arch bridge with the top of the bridge standing 134 metres above the harbour. It is fondly known by the locals as the 'Coathanger' because of its arch-based design.



BridgeClimb is fantastic and one of the 'must dos' while on a trip to Sydney, with royals and celebrities such as Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark, Matt Damon, Hugo Weaving, Sarah Ferguson, Cathy Freeman, Kylie Minogue and Kostya Tszyu all having done the Climb.

Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is Australia's most recognisable building and is an icon of Australia's creative and technical achievement. Since its completion in 1973 it has attracted worldwide acclaim for its design and construction, enhanced by its location on Bennelong Point within a superb harbour setting. It is placed right at the end of Bennelong Point, juxtaposed to the harbour and completely to scale in relation to the Harbour Bridge, the sandstone cliff face, Macquarie Street and Circular Quay. Viewed from a ferry, from the air, or by approach on foot, the vision is dramatic and unforgettable.




Don't forget to check us out on Twitter! @getawaytravelmq
-Dominic

Discover What's at The Entrance....  The Entrance is located on the NSW Central Coast where the magnificent Tuggerah Lake meets the Pacific Ocean. The Central Coast is well known for its pristine beaches and great relaxed atmosphere.  The Entrance has been the place where people have been coming since the 1800's to just "get away". Being so close to both Newcastle and Sydney it has become the ideal holiday destination for many. As a tourist destination, there are many things to do once you arrive at The Entrance.  From entertainment under the sails in the Foreshore Park, to fine outdoor dining, accommodation to suit any taste and budget and an endless array of shops and markets, there is something to be had by everyone.  There are many who choose to spend regular weekends at this serene coastal resort and many others who arrive just for a day trip or an impromptu escape. The reasons for this are simple. There is so much to do and the scenery is magnificent. Central Coast locals continually come for day and weekend trips because if you just forget for the moment where you actually are, sit relax and look around, its like being at any other major tourist destination in the world.  Don't forget to take your bike with you and ride on the purpose built bike paths which take you on a great ride along the beautiful Tuggerah Lake. For those interested in the history of The Entrance, don't forget to take the Heritage Walk. It's a great way to see first hand how The Entrance has evolved over many years into the great tourist attraction it is today. You can also click here for the history information on how it all began. We look forward to welcoming you and know you will be back time and time again. Here are some of the things included within The Entrance experience: Accommodation  - Activities - Shows - Pelican Feeding Fishhing - Family Friendly - History - Heritage Walks Don't  forget to follow us on twitter! @getawaytravelmq -Youssef

QUEENSLAND!

Also known as "The Sunshine State", Queensland is a hot spot for both locals and tourists. There is an endless amount of things to do such as soak up the sun on one of the many beautiful beaches, going wild at the theme parks on The Gold Coast, exploring the picture perfect coastal area of The Whitsundays and snorkeling through The Great Barrier Reef. 

The Great Barrier Reef is definitely one of the most well-known sites not only in Australia, but on Earth. It has been named one of the seven wonders of the natural world as it is the largest living thing and is made up of thousands of different corals and reefs as well as being home to many different animals such as fish, turtles, stingrays, sharks and dolphins. 

A part from ticking it off your bucket list, there are so many different activities available to the general public to participate in whilst at The Great Barrier Reef and the most popular include:

1. Getting up close and personal with the wildlife by snorkeling in the reef.
2. Going on a glass-bottom site-seeing cruise through the reef and surrounding islands 
3. Riding in a helicopter or seaplane over the reef 
4. Skydiving over the reef - guaranteed to have spectacular views!
5. Again, getting up close and personal with the reef by scuba diving into it.

This photo was taken off the Official Australian Geographic Site

For more information on The Great Barrier Reef, I would recommend visiting their official website by clicking here

That's all for now, but stay tuned for more Aussie posts from the rest of the group! And don't forget to follow us on twitter for updates! @getawaytravelmq

-Michelle 

AUSTRALIA: Uluru!

Want to travel to Australia? For the next two weeks, our team will be focusing on different locations and landmarks that are a must to visit while you’re here down under!

First up is Ayers Rock, also known as Uluru, is a world heritage listed icon that is famous for its unique, geological features. Located in the spinifex plains of the Northern Territories, this sacred rock is not only admired due to its spectacular natural formation, but also popular because of its spiritual vibe it provides. As one of Australia’s most iconic symbols, Ayer Rock is an ancient landscape that is rich in Australian indigenous culture and spirituality.

The top 5 things to do:

1.     Walk around the base of Uluru

2.     Enjoy a sunrise or sunset

3.     Dine under a canopy of stars

4.     Go camel riding

5.     Visit and explore Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Make sure you experience the majesty of Uluru and the beauty of this antique desert landscape!

Play me!

Remember to follow us on twitter for live updates at @getawaytravelmq! 

- Sandy

Welcome!

Hey all and welcome to our shared blog, Getaway Travel! 
The creators of this blog and the people who will be updating it and posting every week are Michelle, Sandy, Dom, Youi and Jess. We are all students studying at Macquarie University in Sydney, we all have a shared interest for travel and are excited to share our knowledge and experiences with the world. This blog is the place to be for anyone with the wanderlust gene as we will be blogging about everything travel related by posting many photos, quotes and exciting information every week! Stay tuned for our weekly posts! You can also follow us on twitter for more updates and information at @getawaytravelmq.