Croatia

Croatia has incredible beaches, architecture, culture and history.  Don’t miss Croatia’s most popular attraction which is the UNESCO world heritage city Old Dubrovnik.  This walled city is so unique, you’ll have to visit to experience it for yourself.  As well, enjoy the Diocletian’s Palace in Split as well as the colosseum in Pula and get a glimmer of what it was like to live thousands of years ago in Roman times.

Currency is the Kuna (KN)

Language is Croatian

When to visit Croatia:

  • High Season: July to August
  • Shoulder: May to June, September
  • Low Season: October to April

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is located in the heart of Central America at the epicentre of the new world.  It is well known for its spectacular rainforests, wildlife, ecotravel and adventure tourism.  Bird lovers flock here for the rare chance to complete their birding bucket list.  In Costa Rica it won’t take long to figure out the true meaning of Pura Vida!

Currency is the Costa Rican colon.

Languages are Spanish and English.

When to visit Costa Rica:

  • High Season: December to April
  • Shoulder: May to July, November
  • Low Season: August to October

China

China is a world unto itself.  Head to Beijing to check out the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and exotic food markets.  Take a side trip to the Great Wall of China.  Visit the pandas in Chengdu.  Bring your credit card for all the shopping in Shanghai.  Sail the historic Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong.  Culture shock is high, so always have a local guide as well as a translator at the ready.

The currency in mainland China is the yuan.  The currency in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD).

Languages are Mandarin and Cantonese.

When to visit China:

  • High Season: May to August
  • Shoulder: February to April, September to October
  • Low Season: November to February

Chile

Chile is nature on a grand scale, yet travel here is surprisingly easy.  Consider a quick flight or a longer voyage by ship to one of the most remote islands in the world, Easter Island, and find out how massive the legendary Moai really are.  For the more adventurous traveller, grab a motorcycle by the horns and reinvent the legendary journey through this preposterously thin country that stretches from the incredibly dry Atacama desert through spectacular Patagonia and ends at the shores of the treacherous Drake passage.

Currency is the Chilean Peso (CH$)

Language is Chilean Spanish

When to visit Chile:

  • High Season: November to February
  • Shoulder: September to November, March to May
  • Low Season: June to August

Canada

Canada is the world’s second largest country where you will find second to none hospitality and exceptionally friendly people.  As well, the nation’s gorgeous geography features big shouldered mountains chiselled into rugged splendour by glaciers and the always undulating wind, rain and surf of an immense coastline.  Highlights of our great country include Niagara Falls (shared with the US), Banff, Old Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria & Halifax among many others.

Canada’s official languages are English and French

Canada’s currency is the Canadian Dollar ($CAD)

When to visit Canada:

  • High Season: June to August
  • Shoulder: May and September
  • Low Season: October to April

Cambodia

Cambodian people continue to embrace the world after three decades of war blighted this beautiful land.  Modern Cambodia is the successor state of the mighty Khmer empire which ruled most of Southeast Asia.  This makes the ruins of Angkor rivals to the majesty and grandeur of Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal.

Currency is the Riel, however the US dollar is widely accepted.

Language is Khmer or Cambodian

When to visit Cambodia:

  • High Season: November to March
  • Shoulder: April to June, September to October
  • Low Season: July to October

There is a code of conduct for visiting temples.  It is important to act and dress with respect when visiting religious sites.  Women may accept a gift from a monk (lok song) but must be careful never to touch him.  Shorts and tank tops are not appropriate.  Hats must be taken off when entering the grounds.   Shoes must be taken off before going into the temples.  When sitting in front of Buddha, sit with feet to the side.  Bow in the presence of elderly monks.  Giving a small monetary donation will be greatly appreciated.  Never point your finger or soles of your feet towards a monk or a Buddha figure.

 

 

Brazil

Brazil is most famous for the celebration of Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro.  This legendary celebration storms through the country’s cities and towns with joyous samba, dazzling costumes, and beach parties that thrive until dawn.  Brazil’s attractions also include thundering waterfalls, coral fringed tropical islands, lush rainforests, and powdery white sand beaches.  Best of all, Brazil offers splendid panoramas of the mother of all waterfalls Iguassu; an undisputed natural wonder of the world.

Brazil’s currency is the Real (R$).

Brazil’s official language is Portuguese.

When to visit Brazil:

  • High Season: December to March
  • Shoulder: April and October
  • Low Season: May to September

Bolivia

Bolivia is not for the faint of heart!  Yes it is rough around the edges, but the benefits significantly outweigh the risks of traveling here.  A true highlight is the superlative natural beauty that can be found throughout this great country.  Specifically, impressive sights include soaring Andean peaks, steamy Amazonian jungles, and salt crusted flamingo painted deserts.  Make no mistake, Bolivia is South America’s most diverse and affordable country.

Currency is the Boliviano (B$)

Languages are Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara.

When to visit Bolivia:

  • High Season: May to October
  • Shoulder: October to November
  • Low Season: November to April

Travel Health: it is especially important that you visit your travel physician prior to this trip as parts of Bolivia are at altitude.  You may need medication to prevent altitude sickness.

 

 

Australia

G’day, mate! No worries if your travel dreams are to live it up in Australia!! Enjoy the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays, the Gold Coast, the Australian Outback, the Sydney Opera House, the Great Ocean Road & Kakadu National Park.  This country is fairly low on the culture shock level and it is very family friendly.  In turn, it is crucial that you remember your hat, sunglasses, bug repellant and sunblock to protect against their unique environmental conditions. With that in mind, anytime is a good time to be somewhere in Australia.

Currency is the Australian dollar.

Language is English.

When to visit Australia:

  • High Season: December to February.
  • Shoulder: September to November, March to May
  • Low Season: June to August.

Antarctica

“Preserved for peace and science, this ice-crowned continent offers inspiration, adventure and perspective.  Wildlife roams freely, icebergs crash into the sea, whales breach beside your ship.  It’s the trip of a lifetime.”  – Alexis Averbuck

Reasons to go:

  • Glaciers – these glaciers will never look the same as they do today.  Take in the views of these unbelievable formations.  Don’t put off your trip for too long, because the glaciers are slowly disappearing.
  • Wildlife – keep your eyes out for penguins, whales, seals and much more.  Don’t search for polar bears in this region as they are only found in the arctic.
  • History – walk in the steps of the world’s greatest explorers.
  • Inspiration – the mountains, ice, glaciers, wildlife will certainly give you that extra inspiration you’re looking for.  Take a breath of that fresh air – you won’t forget it!
  • Adventure – are you brave enough for a polar dip?  Even if that’s not in the cards for you, there’s still lots to do to get your adrenaline pumping.  Try kayaking the icy waters to get extra close to the animals and glaciers.

When to visit Antarctica:

  • High Season: December and January
  • Shoulder: November and February

How to get around: most people travel the area on cruise ships.  The shorter cruise option is often much more rough.  It runs from Argentina or Chile crossing the Drake passage.  The longer cruise option starts in New Zealand, but these cruises can often run in the range of 1 month or longer.