vacation Archives - Short Holiday Breaks

Where to Fly to From Bangkok

July 24, 2019 by admin

Around the world there are some places which are considered ‘hub locations’ because of the access which they have to a wide number of destinations. One of the best hubs in Asia is Bangkok and not only is this an awesome city to spend some time in, you can fin d a huge array of short breaks from the Thai capital, for great prices and which will arrive in little time at all. If you are in Bangkok and you are looking for a new adventure, we have the perfect list of places where you could consider.

Although many of these are so close to Bangkok, you will notice a huge difference in culture and way of life, which is why it is recommended that you use Bangkok as a hub to reach these places. Once you have had some fun in Bangkok, get yourself onto www.justfly.com and check out the brilliant prices which they have for these exciting destinations.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has long been something of a mecca for backpackers and the result is a city which offers a blend of eco-tourism and Thai tradition. You can get to Chiang Mai in just an hour and 15 minutes from Bangkok and you can often find flights priced as low as £40. Chiang Mai has a new-age vibe to it with many restaurants offering organic and vegetarian choices, yoga and pilates experiences, outdoor endeavors and a lively night scene. Beyond this you can find many ancient temples here and for the animal lovers among you the Elephant Sanctuary is an absolute must.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong can be reached in just under 3 hours from Bangkok and although it is just a short journey away the difference in the cities is absolutely huge. The Hong Kong skyline is the first thing that will strike you about this city and as you spend more time there and scratch beneath the surface, you will find so many experiences and activities to light up the senses. From vast botanical gardens to futuristic art museums and theme parks to the wide range of food choices and high end bars. Hong Kong’s kitchen is a result of colonialism and heavy local influence and it is widely considered to offer the highest quality and widest range of cuisine anywhere on the planet.

Seoul

Some Asian cities are deeply traditional, others are tech-driven futurescapes, here in Seoul you will find both of these combined with one another. The flight from Bangkok is just over 5 and a half hours but despite the distance you can get flights to South Korea’s capital for less than £200 return. Seoul offers all manner of activities from nature trails through the mountains, ancient temples and remote villages, to a bustling center which is famed for its cutting edge design, use of technology and rich music scene. This makes for a great break from Bangkok and it is a city which will provide you with something new each day that you spend there.

Singapore

Singapore is 2 and a half hours away from Bangkok and you can pick up flights for around £150. In the last 5 years this has become one of the hottest destinations in Asia and there has been a huge amount of investment into the city in order to bth meet the tourism demand, and drive it forward. Singapore is famed for its meeting of cultures and owing to the fact that it was an international business hub for such a long time, the result is a city which can offer just about every type of cuisine, entertainment and activities that a tourist could want. Here you’ll find one of the biggest zoos on the planet, museums which focus on ancient civilizations, a theme park which occupies an entire island, not to mention a packed calendar of local events and displays which showcase just what this city can do. As if this wasn’t enough, Singapore juxtaposes a futuristic skyline with thousands of hectares of natural splendor, giving its visitors the best of both worlds.

If you are looking to see more of Asia and want to base yourself somewhere, Bangkok is the ultimate place to do so, a great city and one with plenty of access to the rest of the continent.

The Best Travel-Friendly Swimwear

October 15, 2018 by admin

Whether your travels take you to nearby spots close to home or far-flung foreign destinations, one of the most important travel essentials is a great swimsuit. You want something that is lightweight so it’s easy to pack, super comfortable for long days on the water or at the beach, and will look amazing all at the same time. But that perfect swimsuit can seem pretty elusive; you’re typically either stuck with a super comfy suit that isn’t all that flattering or something bombshell yet anything but comfortable. We finally found the best travel-friendly swimwear from the company CoolTanⓇ and their TanThrough swimwear for both men and women. You’ll be able to be comfortable, while looking great and getting the perfect tan all in one.

CoolTan lets you tan right through your swimsuit, making it easier than ever before to get a great, natural glow without having to lug around bulky tanning lotions that leave you sticky and streaky. Plus you won’t have to worry about annoying tan lines anymore because you’ll be getting an even, all-over tan right through your swimsuit. That means you getting the perfect tan can be as easy as walking along the beach, hanging out by the pool, or going boating or swimming.

The secret to CoolTan’s TanThrough swimwear is their Microsol V fabric which is knitted to create millions of tiny pores to let in approximately half the sun’s rays to get you an amazing tan in about the same time as you would with a medium level SPF sunscreen. The porous fabric also lets air and water pass easily through the fabric to keep you cool and comfortable, even on the hottest of days, and wicking moisture to dry up to 3x faster than normal fabric. This is a great bonus for traveling because you won’t have to worry about waiting around for your suit to dry in the hotel bathroom before throwing it back in your bag. Plus, the lightweight fabric means your suit won’t take up a ton of precious packing space in your bag and you can stay nice and comfortable throughout your travels.

CoolTan has a variety of sizes, styles, and patterns to choose from for both men and women all with a Customer Satisfaction Guarantee to ensure you find the perfect suit for you. For women they have everything from monokinis and one-pieces to halter and string bikinis and for men they have a range from racers all the way to board shorts depending on your comfort-level and style preference. CoolTan also knows that it’s not always possible to be hanging around in a swimsuit so has made a line of TanThrough shirts that are just as comfortable while also letting you get a natural tan as you go about your everyday activities or travels.

We are loving CoolTan’s TanThrough swimwear and shirts and would highly recommend checking out their website and getting yourself a shirt and suit to try and see for yourself just how easy it is to get an amazing tan all while being super comfortable and being completely travel-proof!

Enjoy Darwin At Low to No Cost

July 18, 2018 by admin

Image by Watty via Flickr

Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory and well worth visiting. With a population of just over 100,000 people, Darwin is smaller than all other Australian State Capitals, but there is still plenty to see and do. The good news is that many of them are free, or can be achieved with a very low budget.

Before venturing off to other places in the Top End, it is worth spending a few days visiting Darwin. There’s plenty of options for accommodation in Darwin and places to eat, and then you can head off to some other attractions such as Katherine Gorge. So, take a look at some of our suggestions of free or low cost things to do in Darwin before when planning your next visit.

1. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

Here, you can learn all about the history of the NT, and you might just be amazed at some of the artefacts on display. Some of the fossils discovered around the Top End are the oldest known to man, and you can learn about natural history and evolution of the earth at the museum.

The art gallery houses some Aboriginal art from the region, as well as some special exhibits, including the Cyclone Tracy exhibition. You can also view a five-metre crocodile that was captured in 1979 after it had attached several fishing boats. The gallery is also placed at the harbour and is a wonderful place to watch the sunset in the evening.

The Museum and Art Gallery are both free to enter. There are also several other art galleries in the area including the Mason, Mbantua, and Aboriginal Fine Arts Galleries.

2. Watch the Sun Go Down

This might seem like a cliché, but Darwin is perfectly poised to watch a tropical sunset, with several waterfront venues facing west. Cullen Bay, East Point, and Mindil Beach are three of many places to watch the spectacular colour-cocktail of the sky as the sun disappears into the ocean and day turns into night. You could also indulge in a ‘sundowner’ drink – an Aussie tradition – to accompany the sunset, for a small price.

3. Spot Wildlife and Enjoy Nature at East Point Reserve and George Brown Botanic Gardens

East Point Reserve is a 200-hectare area that is a popular spot amongst the Darwin locals. You can walk, ride, or drive through the park; if you go at dusk, there is a good chance to spot some wallabies. The George Brown Botanic Gardens feature monsoon forests, mangroves, and woodlands, where you can spot endemic birds and discover traditional uses of local plants on a self-guided walk. There is also an orchid house and café onsite, and the Gardens are very easy to reach from the city centre.

Other Things to Do for Free in and Around Darwin

Those are our top three favourite free things to do in Darwin, but there’s still plenty more you can do in the area for low or no cost. Litchfield National Park is only a couple of hours away and certainly worth a visit if you enjoy bushwalking or swimming at the cascading waterfalls. Berry Springs Nature Park is also only a 40-minute drive from Darwin and a great place to swim in the pristine waters.

Whatever you choose to do in Darwin, we’re sure that you’ll enjoy your experience there at the Top End. Best of all is that many of the attractions are free or very low cost, so all the more reason to come and enjoy the Northern Territory’s capital city.

Bangkok – Top Rated Tourist Destination of 2017

December 22, 2017 by admin

Bangkok is the top tourism destination again. So, shouldn’t you be checking out what makes it top the charts year after year? Every discerning traveler has either been to the Thai capital or has plans to visit it soon. It is a tourist’s paradise. Just the right balance of culture and urbanization makes it a great destination for families, honeymooners and for solo explorers. The Thai capital is everything you expect it to be and much more. The cherry on the cake is the warmth that the people in Bangkok exude. You will come back beaming with a happy smile from your Bangkok trip. Getting the right price on your tickets is an important part of any trip, and Bangkok is no different. There are numerous airlines that fly to the Thai capital; to get a good budget deal you can opt to book cheap flights from Mumbai to Bangkok. There is a lot to do in Bangkok, and here are some things you should definitely see and experience.

Wat Pho

It has a huge Reclining Buddha statue which cannot be viewed in its entirety in one go. You can view the statue in sections. Highlights of the statue are the feet, adorned by varied precious stones and the 108 signs of true faith. Admire and revere the lotus-bud formation of the hands, a sign of purity and beauty, and the long earlobes signifying noble birth. Wat Pho is located near the Grand Palace and should be a must-visit in your itinerary. Thailand’s first university was also set up here. You can experience a classic Thai massage at the on-campus medical school but the same will be at a higher cost than in other massage parlors you will find around the city.

The Grand Palace

It leaves everyone who is visiting Bangkok for the first time awestruck. It redefines grandeur and beauty at the same time. It has been the seat of the Thai monarch for over 150 years now and still houses the state offices. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bangkok. It is not only grand but boasts of intricate detailing and stands strong as a pillar of the creativity and craftsmanship of the Thai people. The Royals do not live in the palace anymore but it is still used for important ceremonies. A quick tip; do dress appropriately while visiting the palace. The most comfortable and hassle-free way to explore the Grand Palace is to book a guided tour.

The floating markets

Well, the floating markets are beautiful and Instagram-worthy. A tourist attraction mostly these days, it serves more tourists than locals. It is a chaotic but a unique experience to be buying farm fresh produce off the boats. Take a boat tour and enjoy the Thai delights. Try a couple of local snacks served hot from the boats.

Lumphini Park

Lumphini Park is a serene, peaceful place. It was originally designed for Thai crafts and flowers. You can take a stroll and enjoy the greenery it has to offer. The best is to take a boat ride and you may even come across a water monitor lizard, a crocodile-like creature. It will definitely be the highlight of your trip. The park also hosts free, open-air concerts, mostly on Sundays.

Chatuchak Market

You will find everything here, from furniture to clothes, antiques, and numerous other things. You can also enjoy a lot of delectable local fare and enjoy various shows that happen around the market.

Bangkok is a great place to visit any time of the year. It can be a great budget destination too. And your air tickets should not let the trip cross the budget. Booking in advance helps and taking a flight from the right city can matter too. Try cheap flight bookings from Mumbai to Bangkok and you will gain a great deal from them. So don’t overthink, Bangkok is going to be delightful. Take a trip soon.

Top Tips for Transporting Kayaks with Roof Racks

December 15, 2017 by admin

For those who love to go kayaking, kayak roof racks offer a fantastic way to transport kayaks from home to water. If you’ve ever seen a fellow driver with them on the road, however, you’ll know that there seems to be more than one way to fix a kayak to a vehicle. We provide some top tips to help you determine how best to transport your cargo.

Getting Started

First of all, consider how many kayaks you will be transporting. Just one, or quite a few? Measure the height of your vehicle and figure out whether you can comfortably load the kayaks yourself or whether you will need assistance. And how long are your kayaks? It is important to know in advance whether they are going to overshoot the length of your car too dangerously for the road.

Horizontal Arrangement

Laying your kayak flat on its base is the most common method when using kayak roof racks. A wide range of sizes can be accommodated in this formation, and it makes loading and unloading easier and safer. This is also an effective arrangement to minimise wind resistance while driving. Such considerations can save you money on fuel, providing you with more money in the future to spend on kayaking trips!

Vertically Standing

Allowing for maximum boat capacity, vertical stacking is the way to go if you have many boats to place on your kayak roof racks. However, you should expect added wind resistance and a requirement to drive slower and safer.

Assistance in Loading and Unloading

Two examples of technology that can help you load and unload kayaks by yourself are the T-Load Towball Mount and the Rhino Universal Side Loader. The T-Load Towball Mount uses an anti-swivel plate to stop any tow ball sway, thereby giving you a stable support through the entire process. Meanwhile, the Rhino Universal Side Loader helps you unload your kayak from the side of the vehicle, using its pivot to load your boat onto the crossbars of the roof rack. Both items are useful for anyone who wants to go on a peaceful kayaking trip by themselves.

Freedom with Kayak Roof Racks

With kayak roof racks, you have the freedom to arrange your kayaks in whatever way suits you best. Whether you’re planning a trip to Gippsland, the Grampians, or the Great Ocean Road, you’ll be sure to arrive safe and sound, ready for your water sport adventure. Contact Roof Rack Superstore today to learn more, or browse our online range of kayak roof racks and accessories to find the best option for your needs.