If you’ve ever traveled around Spain for any length of time, you’ve most likely found yourself without toilet paper at key moments. That’s right, the Spanish do not believe in restocking toilet paper. I have no idea if they go out TP-ing historic statues at night, or if they’re stockpiling for the next uprising, but whatever the reason, don’t expect to find it in bars, petrol stations, nightclubs, restaurants, etc. This is just one of many truths I’ve learned to accept in my time here. And allow me to be clear, many of these rules do NOT apply to Portugal – a country that I consider “well stocked”.

BATHROOM PROTOCOL

Beyond the need to carry some tissue with you at all times, there are several other bathroom tips I suggest you keep in mind. First off, the location of the light switch will rarely follow logic. It might be outside the bathroom in the hallway; inside the bathroom, but outside the stall; or inside the stall and simply not work. Additionally, most light switches are on a timer, meaning, that you have approximately 1 minute to do your business. I, personally, know very few people who can race through this ritual at lightening speed. Consequently, don’t be surprised if you find yourself in the dark, fumbling to keep yourself intact.

Suggestion: Bring small packet of tissues and a key chain flashlight

SIESTA TIME

I’d love to know how many people over the age of 21, and under the age of 60, actually take part in the traditional siesta, or nap time. I’m betting that the number is much lower than we’d like to believe; however, despite this fact that the siesta has fallen to the wayside, this time period in the middle of the day is cherished. And by cherished, I mean that nothing, and I do mean NOTHING, other than bars and restaurants will be open from approximately 2 to 5pm. Okay, I’m exaggerating a bit, because in most large cities, retail shops and souvenir shops are open through this time period, but this is the exception, and not the rule.

Suggestion: Plan on lunch between 2 and 5pm, dinner starting at 9m, while scheduling all other non food related events in between – such as visiting any information center!!

DINERO

First off, travelers checks are not the norm here in Spain. However, if you do bring travelers checks, the best thing to do is to come prepared with the address of your local AmEx office (there is one in the Madrid city center for example). You can also cash them in exchange places, and/or at the airport, but the commissions tend to be sky high. Instead, I suggest using either cash or credit cards. Most taxis, restaurants, retail shops and cafes will generally accept your credit cards, while mom and pop places will often require cash. That said, if you need to find a bank, they are normally open until…get this…2pm. That’s right, for whatever reason (and if anyone knows why, please tell me), bankers cannot be bothered when the clock strikes 2. So be sure to do all your money exchanges in the morning. If it’s a ATM you need, my suggestion is to look for the Servired or blue Telebanco sign (4B). These machines will not charge you an arm and a leg to take out money, and are commonly found all over the country. Keep in mind, you will always be asked to provide a picture ID when paying with a credit card. If you are reluctant to bring your passport with you while sightseeing, almost all places will accept a driver’s license as ID. (Flickr photo by Pingu1963)

Suggestion: Only carry the minimal amount on you at all times. Meaning, one credit card and small amount of cash, both located on different parts of your body. Don’t be like me, and have your entire life stolen from you on several occasions, because I didn’t follow my own advice.

SIDEWALK RULES

I have been a waitress for the best part of youthful existence, and in that time period, I quickly learned to find ways around people as quickly and efficiently as I could, whereby ensuring that I could attend to my customers. However, this theory, albeit effective in Spain, should be avoided! Why? Because like West Side Story, I find that people want to rumble! They would rather plow you down on a sidewalk than actually move out of the way. You could have 5 wee little grandmas lined up, not vertically, but horizontally, refusing to offer space when you pass, whereby forcing you into oncoming traffic. Therefore, I have adopted the bulldozer method. Regardless of age, me, and my little 5’1? frame, will hold my ground when passing. And if that means I have to hip-check Maria, the fragile and innocent “looking” grandma, in order to get my 6 inches of space on the sidewalk…well, let’s just say that the thought hasn’t crossed my mind

Suggestion: Wear a helmet and go full throttle!

NOISE ALERT

Part of the reason why I adore Spain is the Spanish zest for living life to the fullest outside in the open air. Hot or cold, rainy or sunny, city or pueblo, you will always find the majority of the population either high on their terrace looking down at you, or in the streets at all hours of the day. Grandchildren will be hand in hand with their 90 year old grandmother at 11:30 at night, a gaggle of 16 year old girls will be giggling over recent hormone triggering events in the early morning hours around a streetlamp, and come lunch time, stand back, as the world swarms to the streets to invigorate themselves with a dose of Vitamin D from the big yellow ball in the sky. However, the consequence of everyone being outside, speaking at astounding decibels to the person directly next to them, is that peace and quiet is rarely ever experienced. Instead, you find yourself becoming accustomed to impromptu jam sessions, raucous laughter at 3am and the ever so popular, dirt bike screaming through your neighborhood at all hours.

Suggestion: Purchase a crate of earplugs and learn to simply go with the flow.

TAPAS TRICKS

Don’t think for a second that either the customers, or the bartender, will pay any attention to you if you stand patiently by the bar. You might as well plant an “ignore me” sign on your forehead, because that is exactly what’s going to happen. If you truly want service, use the hip checking principal you learned above, followed by a fervent arm raise, and a “Perdone!” Or simply shout out your order “Dos tintos por favor!” This is both expected and acceptable, except if someone is clearly ahead of you in turn to order. Politeness is a relative term in Spain, because with every act of politeness is conjoined with an act of assertiveness. Use “please” and “thank you” accordingly, but don’t let yourself be a wallflower. Because wallflowers won’t get a delicious tapa or a cold and refreshing glass of cava.

Suggestion: Bring a blow horn on your tapas tour, or simply shimmy up the bar and signal the bartender with your hand, but be ready to order to minute they give you their full attention.

CROSSING THE STREET

Technically, for every crosswalk, or zebra crossing, without a light, the pedestrian has the right of way. In Spain, this is taken very seriously, and it is a courtesy I really appreciate. However, don’t assume that people will stop for you. I have seen my fair share of accidents, some of which have been deadly. So rather than ruin your vacation with a hospital visit (something I pride myself in achieving on every trip), step out into the crosswalk to prove you are serious about crossing, but wait until the car has slowed down before doing so.

Suggestion: Dress in day glow yellow, or wait until cars slow down before attempting a crosswalk.

TAKE THE TRAIN

Spaniards are fantastic at many things, but directions are not their forte. If you ever decide to rent a car, understand that you will get lost in your journey many, many, many times. Signs are typically confusing, streets poorly marked (or not marked at all), and driving is more gut related than associated to logic. Spain has incredible public transportation as it is, and if you’re considering a cross-country adventure, take the train! Granted, it’s not the cheapest route, but it’s absolutely the most enjoyable and least stressful. Additionally, grab a free map from Corte Ingles. These maps are by far the most helpful and descriptive ones you’ll find. Additionally, there are huge discounts on train fares on the Renfe web page for a 14 day or 7 day advance purchase, as well as for 24 hour (last minute) travel on the AVE. Sometimes reductions can go up to 70% !! And when booking, keep note that the higher of the two prices is the equivalent to 1st class called, preferente. Personally, I would go with the “turista” class, which not only gives you an excuse to walk 40 feet to the dining car, rather than getting personal service, but it also allows for some great conversations with your seat mates. As your normal “tourist class” attracts people from around the world, why not take advantage of the moment, and strike up a conversation.

Suggestion: Take the high speed train called, AVE. And if you do rent a car, DO NOT use Pepe Car (word of caution)

MENU OF THE DAY

First off, look for a traditional bar or restaurant. The last thing you want to experience is a bland and sterile tapas chain. Go for the mom and pop places that will offer you home cooked meals at a reasonable price. Secondly, go for the “menu del dia”. These menus, typically listed on a board outside the front door, normally provide you with a choice of your first and second course followed by a dessert or beverage. These are generally traditional meals that are fantastic for the price. Things to avoid: if you see any photos of a paella or pizza displayed on a board outside the restaurant, run!

Suggestion: With the current economic crisis, you can find a “menu of the day” for as cheap as 6 euros. Not a bad deal for what you’ll get!

PRACTICE SMOKING NOW

A few years ago, Spain passed a pathetic law requiring non-smoking sections in restaurants bigger than 100m sq. Unfortunately, that takes up approximately .00008% of all restaurants in Spain. And even those restaurants larger than 100m sq. rarely follow the rule, although this is slowly changing. Therefore, your choices are either to find outdoor cafes, for which there are many, or simply take up smoking now, because trust me, it’s everywhere. Check out non-smoking restaurants here.

Suggestion: Take to the streets and enjoy the many terraces in Spain, or ask for non-smoking. Although true “non-smoking” doesn’t exist yet (said to be occurring this year), it’s the best you’ll find.

1. Security and Keeping Details Safe

Scan your passport, passport photos and paper tickets (if not the e type) in. Store this (in an email for e.g.) in your web based email account. You can also store the details of your emergency ‘lost card’ telephone numbers in your web based email account so you know who to contact if your credit card or ATM card is lost or stolen. This way, even if you lose everything, you have immediate access your all important information. You can even email the details page of your passport to the embassy or consulate when applying for a new one. (Tip from a member)

Also consider writing your home and destination address (and mobile number if you have one) on a self-adhesive sticky label to stick INSIDE your luggage in a visible place. If your luggage is lost and the baggage label has come off, at least the airline can still figure out whose luggage it is. (Tip from a member)

2. Split up your valuables

Split up your bank cards, cash, travellers’ cheques and credit cards as much as possible in different pockets, your bags and wallet when packing. In case you do get robbed, at least you won’t be strapped for cash (unless you have all your bags AND your wallet stolen of course!).

3. Nalgene/Small Bottles

Use nalgene/small bottles to pack toiletries and other small items. There are several sturdy and (very nearly) waterproof ones, with clear/see through ones being preferable (easier for security purposes post August 2006). You can also use small bottles to repack shampoo or lotions so that you don’t have to always carry a big bottle with you. This is especially useful if you normally take these items in your carry-on luggage, which as of early 2007 is much more restricted than before.

4. Backpack Tips

When you are packing things into a backpack, place the lighter items at the bottom and the heavier ones on top. Your bag will feel lighter this way as the pack rests on your lower back. It is also smart to place the things you use the most on top. Dirty clothes are perfect to pack at the bottom of a backpack. If you are still trying to decide on the right backpack, have a look at Choosing the right Backpack on our Travel Unravelled blog.

5. Plastic Bags

It is always handy to have a few plastic bags around certain items, especially toiletries. Not only does it counter any leaking, the bags can also come in useful to keep dirty clothes in, as garbage bags or even as a makeshift umbrella. Ziplock or other airtight plastic bags are the best.

6. Pack in Plastic

Pack everything in clear plastic bags (preferably zip lock), divided into items e.g. underwear, t-shirts, shorts etc. before packing in your suitcase or backpack. One plastic bag for each type of clothing. This is extremely useful in various ways. When you unpack your bag you just take out a series of bags and you can see immediately what you want. So an overnight stay somewhere just means taking 1 item out of a bag – no rummaging!! In addition, if you have to unpack at customs etc, instead of having to disgorge all your clothing etc out in front of everybody, you can calmly take maybe 5/6 bags out, the contents of which can be clearly seen by the officials. To repack then is also dead easy. Just be sure not to leave your plastic bags lying around if you are travelling in nature! (Tip from a member)

7. Clothes

Pack only what you know you will use and if you are travelling for more than three weeks, plan to wash on the road. You can cut back on the number of clothes items by packing multi-purpose clothing, for example items that can both be worn during the day and as sleepwear.

8. Split up clothes when travelling with others

When you are flying somewhere and especially if you have a few stopovers, divide the clothes between different suitcases/backpacks/bags etc. If one persons luggage doesn’t arrive at the destination, they’ll still have clean clothes available. Airlines generally don’t compensate lost luggage for the first 24-48 hours so this will save you money if it happens to you. (Tip from a member)

9. Separate Beach Bag

When packing to head to the beach consider pre-packing whatever you might need at the beach into a beachbag inside your backpack or suitcase. Especially if travelling with kids, this will prove a timesaver!

10. Suitcase lovers

For those using suitcases without a divider. A piece of cardboard makes an excellent divider and helps keep your clothes organized and neat as you are able to lay them out flat on the cardboard. It also makes airport inspections a lot less of a hassle as you can lift out your divider with clothes on top easily.

11. Gifts

While it is a good idea to take some small gifts with you while travelling, pre-wrapping them can be a waste of time if you are flying and your bags are opened. (Tip from a member)

12. Flashlights or Torches

When packing a flashlight or torch (or any other item with batteries for that matter), turn the batteries around so that if the item is accidentally turned on, you won’t empty the batteries. Don’t forget to turn the batteries back around when using the flashlight.

13. Diaper Bag

If you are travelling with babies, then the diaper bag is an excellent place to hide your valuables. This most likely will not be the first thing to be stolen. It’s also a great to use as a waste bag (even when not travelling with a child!), especially at places that do not allow you to flush toilet paper. (Tip from a member)

14. Shoes

If you want to make sure everything else in your bags stays clean and odor free, place the shoes inside old socks and then inside airtight plastic bags (ziplock).

15. Carry-On

Keep any medication and important papers in your carry-on bag. On long flights with multiple stopovers (especially if flying via London, LA or other major airports), packing a fresh change of clothes is a good idea as bags tend to get delayed or lost on long haul, multiple stop flights. You don’t want to end up stuck without medication, clothes or your important papers even if it is just for a few days.

16. Roll Technique

Somehow it seems that bags will hold more if the clothes are rolled rather than folded. If you roll in tissue paper, the clothes will also get less wrinkled.

17. Travelling to warm destinations?

If you appreciate cold drinks think of using a six-pack cooler as a toiletry bag. Once you arrive at your destination and unload your toiletries your ‘toiletry bag’ guarantees cheap cold drinks on the beach, no matter how remote.

18. Local Tourism Offices

The best source of information is usually local. Check out Tourism Offices to find unbiased feedback on the best accommodation to suit your needs. Excercise caution in countries where you feel the information might not be so unbiased!

19. Minimize on toiletries

Take only half a tube of toothpaste rolled up tight, store shampoo in small containers, only take half a roll of toilet paper (for emergencies only) and crush it so the middle is folded.

20. Take solid shampoo bars and tooth powder

Solid shampoo bars and tooth powder (instead of tooth paste) can be easily located on the internet and make carry-on travel in this age of liquid restriction possible. Places like Beijing now bar all liquids in carry-on bags, and you’ll still be able to breeze through without checking. (Tip from a member)

21. Planning on carrying a lot of luggage?

While carrying a lot of luggage is not recommendable, sometimes it is necessary in the case of relocations and so on. If you have the possibility, fly via the US as airlines will allow you 64kg (two 32kg bags) instead of the 20kg in the rest of the world. Even if it is just a stopover in the US, you will be allowed to carry the extra weight. Check with your local travel agent for the details.

22. Packing List and Trip Planning

Ready to start packing? Or is there still more trip planning to be done? Check out our Packing List, Trip Planning guide and Travel Tips to help you get the most out of your trip by planning well and packing everything.

India is a breathtaking, beautiful, but at times bewildering country. Here are my tips on how to make a trip to the sub-continent run smoothly while making the budget stretch, as I learned from my recent trip to Delhi and Rajasthan with my other half — The Norwegian.

1) They say the clothes maketh the man, and in India, especially if you are a woman or are straying from the tourist trail, choosing modest clothes will certainly make your trip easier. Indian clothes will not only look beautiful, but protect you from dust, insects, impertinent stares and the sun. The retailer fabindia has stores throughout India, and is an excellent choice. During our stay I visited many temples and forts in a salwar kameez, a long fitted tunic and the most enormous pair of drawstring trousers. Modest they may be, but flattering to the hips they ‘aint. One sweltering day on a visit to Humayun’s Tomb, a kindly yet mortified Delhi matron sidled up to me and whispered to me, “Actually, we wear these inside,” pointing to the drawstrings of my trousers that were swinging brazenly between my knees. Imagine walking into a crowded restaurant with your fly unzipped, this is the Indian equivalent.

2) Most of India is hot most of the time, and the tap water is best avoided. Apart from the environmental impact — which is hard to avoid — the cost of bottled water can really add up. Hotels seem to make a fair profit on bottled water as even the budget joints jack up the price by 50% or more. While we were staying at a cheap and cheerful place near the magical Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, we bought bottles for five rupees at the local shop down the road, whereas our guest house was charging 20. The classier hotels charge 50 rupees and more.

3) Unless you are on really tight budget, mix in one or two nights in a top-notch hotel. India does luxury so well and if you find a place that charges in rupees, it will be excellent value. After nights staying in fairly basic guest houses and sleeper trains, we splurged on a few nights in a converted 15th-century fort, The Neemrana Fort Palace Hotel, for 4,000 rupees a night. Just remember: don’t get too comfortable. It can be a wrench to go back to basics after lounging by the pool, sipping gin and tonics on the escarpments, and eating gourmet meals under the stars while surrounded by twinkling candles and a lotus pool sprinkled with scented rose petals.

4) It has taken me up to tip number four to mention, but it had to come up eventually (sorry). Most travelers will be on their guard against the famous Delhi Belly, Mumbai Rumbles or Hyderabad I-feel-bads, as traveler’s diarrhea is variously known, and it is important to familiarize yourself with a few simple rules to help avoid it. But one thing which made a big difference to us was the daily dose of probiotics (also known as yogurt pills). Some people have stomachs of iron. I have the stomach of a paper bag and was really worried about getting seriously sick, but these handy pills kept things in good working order and meant I could be adventurous with my food choices. They didn’t, however, help against the nasty cold both the Norwegian and I developed after our Ayudervic massages, delivered by two sneezing and sniffling masseurs. Vitamin C tablets are on the list for our next trip.

5) Avoid booking taxis from the hotel. Your best bet is to ask around at the local shops or from passing drivers, especially if you are planning a long trip. We saved 2,000 rupees by wandering down to the village near our posh hotel (see tip three) and asking at a silver shop. The owner organized everything for us, but remember to ask if any quoted price includes extras such as air-conditioning or toll charges, and try to agree again on the price with the driver before jumping in the cab.

6) As most night trains leave well after 11 p.m., you can spend an uncomfortable evening hanging out in a restaurant or a guest house lobby waiting for your train to go. Instead why not find a top notch hotel in the area and confuse the door staff by arriving in the afternoon with your bags but not checking in? Most hotels are happy for people to do this, but it’s courteous to ask. Both times we did, we were met with wrinkled brows, but always a kind wave towards the sun loungers, a generous head wobble and, “Of course, Sir, of course.” This can make tip five harder to organize when it comes time to leave, but well worth it for the soothing evening of luxury on the cheap.

7) Most of the people you meet in India will vary from lovely and helpful to indifferent, but there are the odd few — both locals and fellow travelers — who pose a risk. The best tip when looking for a driver, guide, or a place to eat or stay, is to go for the person trying the least. If someone is pushy, avoid them. This is especially true if you are looking for a tuk-tuk near a tourist hotspot. Just walk around the corner and you will be able to flag down a normal driver. We learned this after climbing into the laminated back seat of the tuk-tuk whose insistent driver spent a good five minutes trying to persuade us to book him for the whole day. He ended up taking us to “Delhi Hut,” his uncle’s trinket shop, rather than Dilli Haat, a famous Delhi market. A clever, but annoying trick. Before getting too paranoid though, remember most people aren’t trying to rip you off.

In touristy spots though, you will often get accosted on the street with calls and pleas to “Come my shop!,” “Just looking!” or “Good price!”

We found the following helpful:

“Tuk-tuk?”

“No thanks.”

“No?”

“No.”

“Good price?”

Silence.

“Where you from Sir?”

“Norway.”

Even the most persistent salesman is halted even if just for a few seconds enabling a swift getaway. Portugal, Lithuania or any lesser well-known country would probably also do the trick.

9) One of the things many travelers to India find challenging is the poverty and desperation they see, which leads us to the thorny issue of dealing with beggars. You will be approached by beggars in India, and it is obviously up to you whether you give or not. Some people say pencils or pens given to children is an acceptable compromise. I choose not to give anything, but try to learn about a reputable local charity and at the end of my holiday send them a donation. For this trip I choose the Salaam Baalak Trust, an organization that runs a number of projects and schemes with Delhi’s street children. They offer practical help as well as striving for longer term solutions. Giving alms in temples and churches is an option, but make sure it is legitimate: they should give you a receipt.

10) India is a stunning, shocking, assault on the senses. Prepare well, arrive with an open mind and you are sure to have a wonderful time.

Here are 5 tips for traveling alone as a single male. Going on a trip by yourself is exciting, however you must also take some precautions. It is a good idea to let someone at your workplace, a friend or a relative know where you are going. This way they can contact you during your trip, if necessary.

1. Make sure your home is secure before you leave. When you are traveling alone as a single male, unless you have a roommate, you need to shut down your home during your absence. Also remember to put a hold on your mail and newspaper, so they do not pile up while you are gone.
2. Whenever you venture away from your hotel, tell the front desk clerk. This is one of the tips for traveling alone as a single male that many men forget. Let the clerk know when you intend to return just in case something unfortunate happens to you while you are away from the hotel. You may also want to let someone back home know your itinerary as an additional safety precaution.
3. Be careful meeting strangers, especially when alcohol is involved. Many thieves, muggers and other assorted criminals target tourists and since you are traveling alone as a single male, you need to be alert. Try not to get overly inebriated if possible, so that you have your wits about you.
4. Another tip for traveling alone as a single male is to have a backpack. Since you do not have a woman with you, anything you may put in her purse (such as a cell phone or camera) you will need to carry on your person. Get a lightweight backpack to use on your trip, so you can relax and not worry about carrying objects in your pockets.
5. Take a lot of pictures during your trip. Even though you are traveling alone as a single male, one day you may want to show your future mate some pictures of your trip. When you have someone take a picture of you with your camera, make sure to pick a person who looks reliable or that you can catch if they decide to run off with your camera.

Knowing 10 tips for travelling to Israel doesn’t come naturally. Second guessing what to pack, where to go, and the best ways to get there are always issues that arise for most travelers. Here are 10 tips that will make your journey through Israel less daunting.

1. Tipping. In Israel it is customary to usually tip at 10 percent for restaurants and you typically don’t tip bartenders and taxi drivers.
2. Street Food. Street food in Israel is practically its own subculture. There are “sit down” restaurants scattered about, but with all of the beautiful attractions around, eating and walking are very customary. Typically, the street food consists of falafels, shawarma, sabich, and Tunisian sandwiches. All of them are delicious and can be eaten on-the-go!
3. Driving. As with American cars, the driver’s seat and steering wheel are on the left and you drive on the right side of the road. You don’t need any sort of international driver’s license, just one from your home country. However, you will need some tough skin. Israeli drivers have little to no patience at all on the road.
4. When To Travel. It’s said that autumn is the best time of year, weather wise, to travel to Israel. Each day is usually between 61 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s great weather for walking around and exploring.
5. Check To See Your Visa Requirements. There are two types of Visas for Israel. The first is an “immigration visa” and the second is a “visitor’s visa”. If you are wishing to stay for a while, then you would want to go through the process of getting the “immigration visa”. If you are simply visiting for a vacation/short amount of time, then you will only need the “visitor’s visa”.
6. Currency To Avoid. Israel’s currency is broken down by agorot (like cents) and shekel notes (like dollars). The highest shekel note is 200 and it is recommended not to receive these when exchanging currencies because most places won’t accept them. This is because they are very rare and harder to trade.
7. When To Exchange Currency. It is best not to exchange currency on Sundays with a bank. The banks are open on Sundays but because there is no world currency trade on Sundays, the banks will charge you a larger commission than what they normally would any other day.
8. Trains. If you are taking a train anywhere, it is usually best to plan on it running a few minutes late. The train system has developed quite a bit in the past few years, but it is still a work in progress.
9. Wheres Your Embassy? When travelling to any country, it’s always best to know where your country’s embassy is located in case of emergencies.
10. Traveler’s Checks. Some businesses do not take traveler’s checks. If you have traveler’s checks, it is best to cash them in at a post office. The post office is commission free and they are easy to find.

Here are a few for planning a trip travelling Australia.

When Travelling around or part of Australia your main costs are fuel, accommodation, food, activities and souvenirs. Allow for repairs for your vehicle or camping equipment and any other unforeseen costs that may occur.

As a general rule visit southern Australia in summer and northern Australia in winter
If you have 2 or 4 months available this is enough time to travel half of Australia either the Eastern half or Western half, but is more suited to 3 to 4 months. The extra month allows for plenty of sightseeing.
If you are flying to a location remember you have to be at airport at least an hour or maybe 2 hours before departure – take into account that flights can be delayed occasionally
Holidaying with toddlers and older children is fun, they see everything different to the way adults see things and they are always ready for adventure.
Are you interested in saving money when you camp or travel and hope to stay in as many free or cheap campsites, look for a map or camping guide book that will advise you of free and cheap camp sites
When you are starting to plan your initial itinerary you need to have worked out about how many weeks or months you have to travel.
Pack as least as possible, which is not easy to do as there is a lot of things required especially if you are travelling as a family. Remember an overloaded vehicle has to work harder, placing more strain on tyres and chassis etc .and increasing fuel consumption
Having travel insurance will help make your holiday stress free. You will have the comfort of knowing help is there if the unexpected does happen, I certainly hope it doesn’t happen to you. But unfortunately it does happen and it can happen anytime. Things get stolen or lost, we get sick or injured, flights or holidays have to be cancelled for unexpected events.
Australia is so vast that it is not likely that you will see it all, but even to see parts of it is spectacular, you will have an amazing adventure!!
The distances and the time required to travelling Australia can vary because of a lot of factors like what vehicle used, are you towing an RV or trailer, type of roads or terrain, how long you stay at each destination etc.
Central Australia can get temperatures up to 40 to 45 degrees Celsius in summer. Coober Pedy has been known to get extreme temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius that is why they have underground homes. So the best times to travel in these areas is April to September. June and July are very popular being the coolest months and also it is around school holiday time.