Hawaii!

Love being in the sun? Then you’ll love Hawaii! Famous for its beauty, atmosphere, history, beaches, waterfalls, and gardens, this is the perfect place for a vacation. With its many beautiful islands, culture, and raw beauty, it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the natural environment it offers. You can even discover the Big Island of Hawaii, home to both mountains and active volcanoes. This is definitely a place like no other, one that you’ll never forget.

Here are the top 10 things to do in Hawaii:

11. Experience Haleakala Crater

22. Visit Pearl Habor/USS Arizona Memorial

33. Waimea Canyon

44. Na Pali Coast

55. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

66. Ka’anapali Beach

7. Mauna Kea Summit

8. Diamond Head

9. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

10. Wai’anapanapa State Park

Watch this video for more information about travelling and exploring Hawaii!

Hope you enjoyed this post on this unforgettable and breathtaking visit to Hawaii!

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter at @getawaytravelmq !

- Sandy

THE U.S.A - WEST COAST!

This weeks topic is miscellaneous! Each member of the blog is choosing a country of their choice to write about! I'm starting the week off by posting about The United States of America! 

This map has been taken off the City Data Site

The United States of America (U.S.A) is one of the most recognised countries in the world and is made up of 50 states. It is home to many A-list celebrities, spectacular natural landmarks, beautiful coastal areas and architectural wonders. Their national day is the 4th of July and is celebrated nationwide.

Today's post will be focusing on the west coast of The U.S.A! The west coast is made up of the states California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Arizona. Each state is unique and has their own flag. The states which are the most tourist-drawn are California, Nevada and Arizona as they have so many sites to visit and things to do.

This photo of Hollywood, LA, CA was taken from the Air Pano Site

California is well known for its sunshine, beachy atmosphere and is one of the largest tourist destinations in the world. Thanks to the cities of Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, California is always lively and offers so many things to people of all ages including shopping, beach trips, scenic walks, theme parks and delicious dining opportunities. On top of these major cities there are sites inland which are popular visiting sites such as Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe. 

This photo of The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA was taken from the Jet Blue Site

This photo of Yosemite National Park, CA was taken from Yosemite Hikes Site

Nevada is home to the one and only Las Vegas which is their main tourist attraction on top of Death Valley. Las Vegas is a well-known city famous for its never ending nightlife, amazingly themed hotels, 24/7 casinos, shopping adventures and fine dining. The two most popular destinations in Las Vegas are The Strip and Fremont Street, which is where all the magic happens.

This photo of the Las Vegas sign, NV, was taken from The New York Post site

Arizona or "The Grand Canyon State" is home to... you guessed it, The Grand Canyon. Arizona is the red rock state of the country and has many different cities and landmarks which are surrounded by gorgeous red rock formations. Since Arizona isn't on the coast, it does get quite hot too!  

This photo of The Grand Canyon, AZ, was taken from the American Clean Energy Resources Trust

Top Tourist Destinations

1. Hollywood - Los Angeles, California

2. Disneyland - Anaheim, California

3. The Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco, California

4. San Diego Zoo - San Diego, California

5. The Rollercoaster at the New York New York Hotel - Las Vegas, Nevada

6. MnM's World - Las Vegas, Nevada

7. Paris Hotel - Las Vegas, Nevada

8. The Grand Canyon - Arizona

9. Monument Valley - Kayenta, Arizona/Utah

This photo from Disneyland in Anaheim, CA was taken from Del Sol Inn's site

If you love what you've been reading over the past couple weeks, stay tuned for more! I can guarantee there will be something for everyone! Don't forget to follow us on twitter too! @getawaytravelmq

-Michelle

Travel to South Korea!

Named the most innovative country in the world, South Korea (officially The Republic of Korea) is a must see travel destination for anyone wanting to experience a rich 5000 year history with a modern and thriving culture. Known for it's recent global prominence in music, drama, cuisine and unique culture, South Korea is an essential travel destination to experience this rich culture.

Image taken from Inhabitat.com

Seoul

With a population of over 25 million, South Korea's Capital City, Seoul, is a must see location. Small streets lined with neon lights, karaoke rooms, energetic music and spicy food stalls, this city with leave a strong impression on all the senses. If the excitement of nightlife is not in your interests, take time out to visit on of Korea's famous bathhouses (jjimjilbang) known for their ice rooms and hot pools, this unique relaxing experience is like no other.

Image taken from goabroad.com

Jeju Island

If you are looking for a more serene experience, take some time out to visit Jeju Island. Popular amongst honeymooners, this destination with its colourful rural life,  numerous beaches and volcanic structures lives up to it's hype. Take some time to explore the island and see the natural wonder that South Korea has to offer.

Image taken from globalgeopark.org

Gyeongsang

If you wish to experience the vast history of South Korea, Gyeongsang is a must see location for travellers. This unique location was home to the Silla Kingdom which ruled for almost a thousand years, shown through the jewels and tombs that remain there today. Perfect for hiking and site seeing, Gyeongsang is definitely worth visiting.

Image taken from english.daegu.go.kr

For more information on travelling to South Korea visit the official Korea Tourism Page

Remember to check our our twitter page @getawaytravelmq for more updates of travel!

-Jessica

Vietnam!

Up next we have Vietnam! Vietnam is a popular destination, particularly for anyone who appreciates the natural beauty of the well known beaches and coastal areas, the impressive and historic buildings, the fragile and culturally rich ancient structures as well as the amazing and unique flavours of the Vietnamese cuisine. 

This photo at Hoan Kiem Lake was taken off the Lonely Planet Site

This photo of Sam Son Beach was taken from Vietnam's Travel Site

The capital city, Hanoi, is situated in the northern part of the country on the Red River and is well known for its detailed and historically rich architecture throughout the city as well as its amazing sightseeing opportunities. The Buddhist Temple, known as the One Pillar Pagoda, in particular is a major attraction in Hanoi and is a popular destination for anyone interested in the unique structure of the building as well as the history behind it. On top of that there are so many more architectural sites available to visit and explore such as shrines, temples, pagodas, museums, the opera house, the ancient citadel and the famous Ancient or Old Quarter.

This photo of the One Pillar Pagoda has been taken off Vietnam's Travel Site

This photo of The Opera House was taken from the Lonely Planet Site

Moving on from history and architecture, Vietnam is also well known for it's fine cuisine, unique tastes and diverse places to dine. From traditional Vietnamese cuisines to exquisite French Restaurants and Outback Steakhouses, Vietnam offers a whole range of delicious and exotic foods for everyone to enjoy. 

This photo was taken from the Oriental Suite Hotel Site

So what are you waiting for! Visit Vietnam today!
Stay tuned for more posts and don't forget to follow us on twitter at @getawaytravelmq! 

-Michelle

China!

Ever want to travel the beautiful country of China? China is popular for its wonderful tour destinations- its antique sites, relics, imperial palaces, water towns, natural wonders, amazing cultural heritage, rich customs and landmarks! Along with the country’s interesting history, it is the perfect country to not only explore, but also undertake a learning experience that you’ll never forget!

Explore China’s history, local food and drinks, culture, religion and beliefs though different activities and landmarks that will blow you away! This country is perfect for taking beautiful pictures, with amazing buildings and backgrounds. As one of the four great ancient civilizations, China’s size is approximately the size of USA or Europe alone. With the capital city being Beijing, its population of 1.3 billion people is located Eastern Asia on the western shore of the Pacific Ocean. This enormous, mysterious, and beautiful land offers you a great variety for you to explore!

Top places you must visit:

1.     Great Wall of China

2.     Forbidden City

3.     Terracotta Army

4.     Yangtze River

5.     Li River

6.     Silk Road

That's all for today! Hope you enjoy the country of China! Remember to check us out and follow us on twitter at @getawaytravelmq!

- Sandy

Thailand is a wondrous kingdom, featuring Buddhist temples, exotic wildlife, and spectacular islands. Along with a fascinating history and a unique culture that includes delectable Thai food and massage, Thailand features a modern capital city, a pastoral countryside, and friendly people who epitomize Thailand’s “land of smiles” reputation.

   


 Located in the center of Southeast Asia, Thailand is truly at the heart of the region.  Looking over a map of Thailand will reveal a country whose borders form the rough shape of an elephant’s head. The weather in Thailand is generally marked by three seasons, the rainy season, hot season, and cool season, though the climate is generally pleasant year round. There are five regions of Thailand: North, Northeast, East, Central, and South, which are divided into 75+1 provinces, each geographically distinct from the others; each Thailand province contains unique cultural, historical, and natural attractions from the northern peaks and the central plains to the northeastern plateau and the spectacular beaches and islands of the south.

Thailand is a country with abundant natural resources, including a wide variety of flora and fauna.  There are over 100 Thailand national parks which features unique attractions and opportunities to see animals in Thailand.  Those interested in trekking, mountain biking, photography, birding, camping, scuba diving, or getting up close to exotic animals in Thailand have many options to choose from. A visit to a Thailand beach is an opportunity for visitors to relax, experience exotic marine life, or even learn to scuba dive. Animals in Thailand include not only elephants and monkeys but also bears and whale sharks.

From traditional Buddhist festivals and wet and wild Thai new years celebrations to spectacular national parks and an array of land, sea, and air activities, Thailand is a wonderland of festivals, attractions, and activities. Thailand features not only one of the finest cuisines in the world but also a wide selection of restaurants serving authentic Italian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, and other global cuisines. Thailand travel is convenient for visitors as there are many ways to get to Thailand and even more ways to travel in Thailand, whether your destination is Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, or the most remote provinces. Shopping in Thailand is hands-down one of the premier activities for visitors.  

Don't  forget to follow us on twitter! @getawaytravelmq

-Youssef

Mongolia!

Live the Nomadic dream!

Rugged Mongolia is an adventure destination where travellers can see the traditions of the past still practised today by hardy nomads dwelling on the country's vast steppes and deserts.

Nomadic Hospitality

Mongolia's nomadic culture is famous – visitors can sleep in a herder's ger (traditional felt yurt), help round up the sheep, ride horses and simply 'get back to nature'. The legacy of Chinggis Khaan and resurgent nationalist pride sharpens the experience. A culture of tremendous hospitality makes locals more accessible. In a world beset by locks and gates, it's refreshing to meet people willing to open their doors to strangers

Open For Business

For most of the 20th century, Mongolia was sealed off from the world; seemingly so distant that the very name of the country became a byword for remoteness and isolation. The 21st century promises the polar opposite as Mongolia has opened up to the world, its citizens are travelling the globe and outsiders are arriving by the planeload for business and travel opportunities. Visas are relatively easy to acquire; a handful of nationals won’t even require one. Authorities see tourism is a key growth sector of the Mongolian economy and an important revenue earner for local communities. Despite the warm welcome you will receive, Mongolia is not a pleasure cruise. This is still a developing country with rudimentary infrastructure and mostly basic facilities outside the capital.

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