TRAVEL BLOG
Friday, August 28, 2009
Travel Photo: Grand Pacific Hotel, Lorne - Australia
This post has moved to: Grand Pacific Hotel, Lorne - Australia
Labels: australia, lorne, photo-gallery-2008, victoria
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Five Foot Way of Georgetown Penang
This post has moved to The Five Foot Way of Georgetown Penang.
Labels: buildings, five-foot-way, georgetown, malaysia, penang
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Featured Travel Site: FlightCaster
With FlightCaster, you can learn about flight delays even before the airlines notify you. You can find FlightCaster at flightcaster.com or download it straight to your iPhone or BlackBerry.
flightcaster.com
Travel Directory: Flight Status
flightcaster.com
Travel Directory: Flight Status
Labels: featured-travel-site-2009
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Friday, August 21, 2009
Travel Photo: The Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia
This post has moved to The Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia.
Labels: kuala-lumpur, malaysia, photo-gallery-2009
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009
7 Recommended Tourist Spots in Japan
Guest Post by japanican.com
7 Recommended Tourist Spots in Japan
Japan is a wonderful place to visit because it offers a unique kind of experience. It is filled with many cultural and historical destinations of great importance but it also offers modern attractions that are some of the coolest in the world.
Here are some of the tourist spots that you should put in your itinerary when you visit Japan.
Nikko
If you're in Tokyo, take the time to visit Nikko, which is considered a pilgrimage site for many Japanese. The shrine at Nikko is a UNESCO World Heritage site - this distinction is reason enough to visit it.
Nikko has been closely associated with Japan's long history especially the time of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Nikko is also surrounded by the National Park, which is quite beautiful.
Hiroshima
Japan has put an indelible mark on history because of World War II and the nuclear weapons that were detonated in both Nagasaki and Hiroshima. A trip to Hiroshima is always an emotional one.
Although it became known around the world for what happened there, it has now transformed itself as a peace center. Don't forget to visit the Peace Park and Peace Memorial Museum and pay respects to those who lost their lives during World War II.
Daisetsuzan National Park
Daisetsuzan National Park by rouadec
Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japan's island chain. A trip to Hokkaido is also a trip to see some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country.
As proof of how beautiful Hokkaido is, visit the Daisetsuzan National Park, which offers visitors a good look at Japan's natural environment, untouched by man and civilization. Some of the activities that visitors can do in the park include hiking, which affords them great views the park has to offer.
Fuji Hakone Izu National Park
Mt. Fuji by jiashiang
One of the iconic spectacles of Japan is Mt. Fuji, the 12,000 foot volcano. This almost symmetrical natural wonder has come to be a symbol of Japan. Because of this eminent stature, anyone who visits Japan should book a tour to see Mt. Fuji for themselves.
Visiting Mt. Fuji can become a completely new experience by visiting the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. Gazing at Mt. Fuji within the scenery of the beautiful park is a great experience. And since you're already in the Hakone area, visit the many hot springs and spas to relieve your tired muscles.
Ginza Shopping District
Ginza by pokpok313
Visiting another country is not all about going to tourist spots and landmarks. It's also about shopping. And when it comes to shopping, nothing can beat going to Tokyo's Ginza district.
This shopping district is the preeminent shopping area in Japan. This is the place where almost all of the prestige brands put up their stores. You'll find items from the world's top brands.
Sensoji
Sensoji-Gate by Chang'r
If you happen to visit Asakusa in Tokyo, then you should also check Sensoji, one of the most popular Buddhist temples in the whole country. The temple was constructed in the 7th century and since then has become one of the centers of worship for the Japanese. Going to the temple is an experience in itself.
The streets leading to Sensoji are packed with many stalls and stores that sell many items including souvenirs and different kind of traditional snacks. Exploring the area in and around the temple is quite easy and enjoyable especially if you do it on foot.
Another way to go around the area is by hiring a jinrikisha, a traditional rickshaw which literally means man powered vehicle. A jinrickisha tour usually takes 30 minutes and costs 8,000 yen for two passengers.
Kyoto
Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion by Freakland
The former imperial capital of Japan is also considered as a cultural mecca for people who want to experience and see the cultural richness of the country. Kyoto has numerous Shinto shrines, gardens, and temples that a one-day visit is just not enough to uncover what it has to offer.
Fortunately, accommodations in Kyoto are also quite easy to find, catering to various budgets and preferences.
Japan Resources
Japan's Official Travel Website
Book a Japan Hotel Nationwide
7 Recommended Tourist Spots in Japan
Japan is a wonderful place to visit because it offers a unique kind of experience. It is filled with many cultural and historical destinations of great importance but it also offers modern attractions that are some of the coolest in the world.
Here are some of the tourist spots that you should put in your itinerary when you visit Japan.
Nikko
If you're in Tokyo, take the time to visit Nikko, which is considered a pilgrimage site for many Japanese. The shrine at Nikko is a UNESCO World Heritage site - this distinction is reason enough to visit it.
Nikko has been closely associated with Japan's long history especially the time of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Nikko is also surrounded by the National Park, which is quite beautiful.
Hiroshima
Japan has put an indelible mark on history because of World War II and the nuclear weapons that were detonated in both Nagasaki and Hiroshima. A trip to Hiroshima is always an emotional one.
Although it became known around the world for what happened there, it has now transformed itself as a peace center. Don't forget to visit the Peace Park and Peace Memorial Museum and pay respects to those who lost their lives during World War II.
Daisetsuzan National Park
Daisetsuzan National Park by rouadec
Hokkaido is the northernmost of Japan's island chain. A trip to Hokkaido is also a trip to see some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country.
As proof of how beautiful Hokkaido is, visit the Daisetsuzan National Park, which offers visitors a good look at Japan's natural environment, untouched by man and civilization. Some of the activities that visitors can do in the park include hiking, which affords them great views the park has to offer.
Fuji Hakone Izu National Park
Mt. Fuji by jiashiang
One of the iconic spectacles of Japan is Mt. Fuji, the 12,000 foot volcano. This almost symmetrical natural wonder has come to be a symbol of Japan. Because of this eminent stature, anyone who visits Japan should book a tour to see Mt. Fuji for themselves.
Visiting Mt. Fuji can become a completely new experience by visiting the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. Gazing at Mt. Fuji within the scenery of the beautiful park is a great experience. And since you're already in the Hakone area, visit the many hot springs and spas to relieve your tired muscles.
Ginza Shopping District
Ginza by pokpok313
Visiting another country is not all about going to tourist spots and landmarks. It's also about shopping. And when it comes to shopping, nothing can beat going to Tokyo's Ginza district.
This shopping district is the preeminent shopping area in Japan. This is the place where almost all of the prestige brands put up their stores. You'll find items from the world's top brands.
Sensoji
Sensoji-Gate by Chang'r
If you happen to visit Asakusa in Tokyo, then you should also check Sensoji, one of the most popular Buddhist temples in the whole country. The temple was constructed in the 7th century and since then has become one of the centers of worship for the Japanese. Going to the temple is an experience in itself.
The streets leading to Sensoji are packed with many stalls and stores that sell many items including souvenirs and different kind of traditional snacks. Exploring the area in and around the temple is quite easy and enjoyable especially if you do it on foot.
Another way to go around the area is by hiring a jinrikisha, a traditional rickshaw which literally means man powered vehicle. A jinrickisha tour usually takes 30 minutes and costs 8,000 yen for two passengers.
Kyoto
Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion by Freakland
The former imperial capital of Japan is also considered as a cultural mecca for people who want to experience and see the cultural richness of the country. Kyoto has numerous Shinto shrines, gardens, and temples that a one-day visit is just not enough to uncover what it has to offer.
Fortunately, accommodations in Kyoto are also quite easy to find, catering to various budgets and preferences.
Japan Resources
Japan's Official Travel Website
Book a Japan Hotel Nationwide
Labels: guest-post, japan, japanican
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Featured Travel Site: Atlas Obscura
Atlas Obscura is a collaborative project with the goal of cataloging all of the singular, eccentric, bizarre, fantastical, and strange out-of-the-way places that get left out of traditional travel guidebooks and are ignored by the average tourist.
atlasobscura.com
atlasobscura.com
Labels: featured-travel-site-2009
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Monday, August 17, 2009
Become a blogger in a developing country
ActionAid Australia's Project TOTO (The Overseas Training Operation) is looking for a new outreach blogger to help give poverty a voice.
ActionAid Australia is an anti-poverty agency, with operations in over 40 countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Outreach bloggers have already begun in Tanzania, and ActionAid are planning to send up to 10 people to a selection of community projects to set up blog outposts, with the next going by Christmas.
Setting up blog outposts involves training locals to use the internet and familiarize them with social media tools such as Twitter and blog writing, with the hope that those who are trained use these tools to tell their stories.
This a great idea from ActionAid to use social media to spread their message.
If you're an Aussie and this sounds like a gig for you, visit the Project TOTO nominations blog. Applications are open until 30th August 2009.
Labels: travel-news
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Friday, August 14, 2009
Travel Photo: Three Countries Corner, Basel - Switzerland
This post has moved to: Three Countries Corner, Basel - Switzerland
Labels: basel, photo-gallery-2005, switzerland
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Featured Travel Site: AirportWiFiGuide.com
Airport wireless internet connection guide for US airports. Includes ratings and WiFi user comments.
AirportWiFiGuide.com
Travel Directory: Airport WiFi
AirportWiFiGuide.com
Travel Directory: Airport WiFi
Labels: featured-travel-site-2009
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Saturday, August 08, 2009
British Readers: Sign the Airline Passenger Duty petition
Petition to reconsider its intention to more than double Airline Passenger Duty (APD) in 2010.
The British government are about to increase the Airline Passenger Duty (APD) on flights departing from the UK.
The new duty will mean flights from the UK to European destinations will have £11 duty added to the ticket. Flights to Australia will incur £55 in duty.
In 2010 it gets worse when the APD for long haul flights go from £55 to £85.
The duty is dressed up as an environment tax but so far the government have not provided details if all or what percentage of the revenue raised will be spent on the environment.
I am all for an environment duty, but the APD is an excessive amount and it will ultimately prove ineffective when neighbouring European nations are not adding the same duty to departing flights.
The new tax will consist of four geographical bands:
Band A 0-2,000 miles from London
Band B 2,001-4,000 miles from London
Band C 4,001-6,000 miles from London
Band D over 6,000 miles from London
2009-10 APD on Economy Fares
Band A £11
Band B £45
Band C £50
Band D £55
2010-11 APD on Economy Fares
Band A £12
Band B £60
Band C £75
Band D £85
What can you do about it?
If you are a British citizen or resident you can sign a petition, at the official site of the Prime Minister's Office, for the government to reconsider its intention to more than double Airline Passenger Duty (APD) in 2010.
Airline Passenger Duty Petition
For us non Brits, you will start noticing that flights out of the UK costing more than flights from other European hubs.
I find myself in Europe twice a year on average. I always hub from London. With an extra £85 added to a ticket back to Australia I will now consider flying out of Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Paris.
References
Scrap Air Passenger Duty
The British government are about to increase the Airline Passenger Duty (APD) on flights departing from the UK.
The new duty will mean flights from the UK to European destinations will have £11 duty added to the ticket. Flights to Australia will incur £55 in duty.
In 2010 it gets worse when the APD for long haul flights go from £55 to £85.
The duty is dressed up as an environment tax but so far the government have not provided details if all or what percentage of the revenue raised will be spent on the environment.
I am all for an environment duty, but the APD is an excessive amount and it will ultimately prove ineffective when neighbouring European nations are not adding the same duty to departing flights.
The new tax will consist of four geographical bands:
Band A 0-2,000 miles from London
Band B 2,001-4,000 miles from London
Band C 4,001-6,000 miles from London
Band D over 6,000 miles from London
2009-10 APD on Economy Fares
Band A £11
Band B £45
Band C £50
Band D £55
2010-11 APD on Economy Fares
Band A £12
Band B £60
Band C £75
Band D £85
What can you do about it?
If you are a British citizen or resident you can sign a petition, at the official site of the Prime Minister's Office, for the government to reconsider its intention to more than double Airline Passenger Duty (APD) in 2010.
Airline Passenger Duty Petition
For us non Brits, you will start noticing that flights out of the UK costing more than flights from other European hubs.
I find myself in Europe twice a year on average. I always hub from London. With an extra £85 added to a ticket back to Australia I will now consider flying out of Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Paris.
References
Scrap Air Passenger Duty
Labels: airfares, travel-news, uk
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Friday, August 07, 2009
Travel Photo: Lake Toba Ferry, Tuk Tuk - Indonesia
This post has moved to: Lake Toba Ferry, Tuk Tuk - Indonesia
Labels: indonesia, lake-toba, photo-gallery-2009, sumatra, tuk-tuk
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Thursday, August 06, 2009
Wicked Camper Review
This post has moved to Wicked Camper Review.
Labels: australia, cars, south-australia, victoria, wicked-camper
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Featured Travel Site: The Matchmaking Flight
The Matchmaking Flight will be matching singles in the sky from LAX to Auckland, New Zealand flying Air New Zealand on October 13, 2009.
thematchmakingflight.com
thematchmakingflight.com
Labels: featured-travel-site-2009
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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