Useful Travel Tips

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Welcome to Travel Tips
Tip 1 : never travel with 4 women, its bad for your nervous system heheh just kidding.

Tip 2: If you are travelling from Australia, maybe take some little Asutralian Souveniers with you eg.( koala key rings, aussie pens, magnets etc... its always nice to give something to people to say thanks if they help you out, its also a nice way for them to remember you. This will definately be great in Japan as the Japanese will not take money for their troubles and Its deemed offensive to offer.

Tip 3: If you are travelling to Italy (Rome) and you are planning to visit the Collosium, dont line up in the huge cues...you dont need too. If you go to the front entrence of the Collosium and then turn right up the hill you will see further ruins, you can purchase a ticket here for those ruins and the collesium and you can walk past the 5000 people in the cue, also if you are from Western Australia or South Australia, take your drivers lisence with you as you get a discount when ID is produced!!! (Bargain)

Since leaving my home in Mandurah, Western Australia on 2oth January
2006 i have travelled to 14 countries and numerous cities, towns and villages. I have enjoyed the many cultures and sceneries of Japan,Ireland,England,Germany,France,Italy,Switzerland,Czech Republic,Germany, Austria, Wales, scotland,Belgium,Netherlands and leaving for Turkey on Sunday! still to get to Greece and Thailand :)

I have listed a couple of great hostels, cheap places to eat out and fun things to do and see and maybe a couple of things not too do in the UK/Europe (ie DO NOT go to Liverpool), will keep updating for those of you who are considering travel at some time I the future.

Japan
Japan is a wonderful country full of amazing architecture, amazing culture and the Japanese are some of the most friendly I have ever encountered in the world.
The best tip I could ever give you is to purchase a JR Travel Ticket prior to entering the country, check them out at www.japanrail.com/JR_travelingonJR.html"> . This will save you so much hassle and allow you access to nearly every train and bus in the country...Amazing value as travel within the country is extremely expensive. You can find cheap places to eat in Japan also and we found that the traditional Japanese hotels are often the cheapest and they are a great experience.

Ireland
One of the most scentic places on my tavels, the country side is full of greenery, beautiful flowers, an amzing coastline and some of the worst drivers in the world. My 4 friends and I hired a car from Dublin International Airport when we arrived and booked into Jury's Inn, very reasonably priced acomodation.

We chose to drive around and see as much of Ireland as we could, great idea but make sure you have a good map, they dont like using street signs!

Must See in Ireland :
Blarney Castle and make sure you kiss the Blarney Stone, Its scary but a hell of alot of fun !
Dingle Bay: south coast...challenge, see if you can see Fungi the dolphin
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Ireland/County_Kerry/Dingle-296137/Things_To_Do-Dingle-The_Dolphin_Fungi-BR-1.html
Ireland is a very freindly place and definately reccomend travelling there. Great B7B and they do the best breakfast ever in Ireland !

TopDeck Tours
The best thing i have ever done in my life...18 days of pure fun, indulgance and happiness. My friends and I did the Winter Getaway Tour and Itt is something I will never forget. We travelled to 9 countries within Europe in 18 days and I was amazed to how much we saw, did, drank, ate and enjoyed the experience...the best thing about it is that I have made some friends that I will have forever.
check topdeck tours out at
http://www.topdecktours.co.uk/content.asp?Document_ID=16
BTW our tour guide and driver rocked ! 3 chears for Michele and Adam . PS if you meet adam, make sure you ask him about Tickle Friday.