You don’t have to go far from Auckland to find a natural paradise of unspoiled coastline, rain forests and gorgeous white sand beaches. A road trip around the Coromandel Peninsula rewards visitors with endless opportunities to explore the magnificent coastal landscape that defines this area.

Starting on the west coast side of the Coromandel peninsula, your first stop is Thames. Built on the pioneering industries of gold mining and kauri milling, discover the rich history of this town at the Thames Historic Museum and Thames School of Mines Museum.

Keeping your eyes on the road will be your next challenge as you drive up the Thames Coast Road. Hugging the coastline, the road passes through seaside settlements and offers spectacular views across the Hauraki Gulf back to Auckland. Stands of giant Pohutukawa trees line the road and when in flower, are a visual splendour of dark green and crimson red.

Next stop is the township of Coromandel, renown for its relaxed, laid back lifestyle, historic character buildings and home to many artists and craftspeople. Take a stroll through town and you’ll soon see the many art studios and galleries.

Coromandel township is also home to Bruce Bricknell’s Driving Creek Railway, a one hour narrow gauge train ride that winds its way through kauri trees and native forests. Bruce originally built the railway to extract clay from the hills for his pottery but was so inundated with requests for train rides; he decided to open it up to the public. Today Driving Creek Railway is one of Coromandel’s most popular tourist attractions.

From Coromandel township, head over Whangapoua Hill to explore the magnificent beaches of Whangapoua, New Chums, Matarangi and Kuaotunu. Whangapoua beach is a wonderful beachside spot; a place where many kids have warm childhood memories of idyllic summer holidays and catching their first fish off the Whangapoua wharf.

Northwest of Whangapoua lies New Chums Beach, rated one of the top 20 beaches in the world by Observer, yet unknown by many New Zealanders. The reason for its obscurity is that New Chums Beach cannot be reached by road. You need to take a 30 minute walk, through estuary, over rocks and past a magnificent grove of Nikau Palms. But it’s worth the walk as you’ll find a stunning stretch of unspoiled beach paradise lined with pohutukawas; no people, no houses, no developments of any kind.

From Whangapoua, continue along the main road to Matarangi. With 4.5 kilometres of white sandy beach that’s super safe for swimming, Matarangi is one of the most popular family destinations on the peninsula. If you are feeling a bit peckish, local haunt Piper’s Caf? offers great coffee and wood fired pizzas to recharge the batteries. Matarangi also boasts a 18 hole international golf course designed by Bob Charles which regularly attracts top golfers to test out their skill.

Bluff Road winds its way around the bluff between Matarangi to the western end of Kuaotunu, an area popular with fisherman for its many rocky outcrops perfect for surf casting. Located on Bluff Road is Rings Beach, a small settlement of about 20 houses with a fresh water lagoon that’s ideal for kids.

The settlement of Kuaotunu is blessed with awesome views of the Mercury Islands. Its excellent boat ramp and close proximity to the islands makes Kuaotunu a popular place for boaties. But its beaches and fresh water lagoon also means Kuaotunu is popular for fishing, walking, swimming, kayaking and diving.

As you drive down the east coast side of the peninsula, your next stop is Mercury Bay and the town of Whitianga. The palm-lined Esplanade is the hub of this busy town featuring cafes, restaurants and bars all overlooking the Whitianga marina. From here, you can go big game fishing with Rod of RNR Charters, take the Cave Cruiser to Cathedral Cave, swim with the dolphins or view the undersea world from one of several glass bottom boats.

Inspired by old stories of a lost thermal water spring on the Coromandel, Alan Hopping spent 20 years searching for the spring. His eventual success led to the creation of the Lost Spring Thermal Resort, a spectacular set of hot pools set in beautiful native forests.

Mercury Bay is also home to Cooks beach, Hahei Beach and the famous Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach. Accessible only by foot or water, Cathedral Cove is a magnificent cathedral shaped cavern situated in the middle of a pristine marine reserve teeming with fish and sea life.

Hot Water Beach is one of those unique experiences every visitor to the Coromandel must do. An underground river of hot water surfaces at Hot Water beach and one hour either side of low tide, visitors flock to the beach to dig their own spa pool in the sand.

Road 309 is a narrow windy gravel road but worth the drive. Linking Whitianga directly with Coromandel township, Road 309 is a scenic drive through farmland and native forest with several must-do activities.
The Kauri Grove is a protected stand of giant Kauri trees. The walk takes 10 minutes but you really need to spend 30 minutes here to appreciate their beauty and that Coromandel was once covered by these magnificent trees.

Castle Rock is the core of an old volcano that rises above the bushline and worth the two hour walking round trip for the panoramic views from the top.

Waiau Waterworks is an innovative theme park that features whimsical contractions and machines all powered by water. With a flying fox, picnic area and safe swimming hole, Waiau Waterworks offers lots of fun for all the family.

Continuing along Road 309 brings you back to Coromandel Township. A meal of local fresh crayfish at The Pepper Tree Bar and Caf? is the perfect place to recoup from your road trip. Enjoy some fine wine and reflect on the wonderful places you’ve seen in this natural wonderland of Coromandel Peninsula.

By: Leslie Preston

If you are interested in a travel trailer, you should consider using travel trailer blue book. But what is it? A blue book is a give you values for the travel trailer you are considering. In most cases, these values are based on percentages that come from analysis of manufacturers’ recommended retail prices. Note that these values are just a guide and you should make other considerations when buying this trailer, considerations on such things as the quality of it.

The greatest advantage of using blue books when buying the trailer is that you will not buy the trailer blindly. This is because you get to compare the price vis-à-vis the quality of different trailers. This increases your chances of getting a good trailer at a good price. You get to make comparisons conveniently since you do not need to leave the comfort of your home or office – these blue books are available online. All you need to use the book is enter the name of the manufacturer, the model name, and the year of manufacture. You will save money when you make these comparisons online because there are no logistical costs.

Using a travel trailer blue book is advantageous in that you get to choose between trailers by manufacturers who do not sell near your home. You could buy a the trailer from outside your state and it will be delivered to your driveway. If you compare the trailers from your home town, you are restricted on your choice and you may end up paying a lot more than you would with it outside your town.

Another advantage of using a this blue book is that you get to compare second-hand trailers. There are the trailers in different conditions that are available for sale. All you need is to set your limit and the search engine of the book will give you a list of what is available. Getting second-hand travel trailers is difficult without such a tool.

A travel trailer blue book also gives you valuable resources and information on buying the trailers. You will get information on such things as the best manufacturers and the best models in the market. You will get information on what is happening in the industry and these resources and information will help you make a more informed decision. The book is also advantageous when selling your trailer because you will know how to price your trailer.

By: Chutipawn Mahapawnprajak

You have been an avid photographer for sometime now and your confidence in the technical and artistic aspect of the craft is at an all-time high.

Wouldn’t be nice to travel different locations, taking pictures of the scenic and interesting places and consequently make money out of it? It is very rewarding to do things you love as means of living. That is why commercially successful photographers have enviable quality of life.

Deciding to be a full time travel photographer can be daunting especially, if you do not know the steps to take. The risks are worth taking. Just follow these valuable tips to realize your travel photography dream job!

Travel Photography Jobs Tip #1: Go Out And Shoot!

This may sound obvious or over-simplistic, but it’s vitally important! You must be comfortable and fluent as a photographer in all settings and conditions. Don’t be afraid to fund your own trips at first. You must understand that you are launching a business venture out of your talent. Consider this move as an investment overhead.

Use this step to showcase all your skills. You are creating a portfolio for future business/job prospects. Build up a library of truly first class images. This is also a good time to network and get to know a lot of people who may be able to help boost your career.

Travel Photography Jobs Tip #2: Know the Demand

It is essential to know the demand. You must ask yourself which types of photos are most marketable.

If there is a high demand for scenic photos of tourist destination spots, it is a great idea to initially start shooting for those. It will be easier to find clients for these photo sets and from there you can comfortably explore to new trends. Remember, you are just starting; don’t get too idealistic if the current demands are not of your artistic specialty.

Travel Photography Jobs Tip #3: Marketing is Necessary

Armed with a library of impressive photos, the next sensible step is to promote your work. You got to know the right people or businesses that are willing to buy your work and services. Examples of potential clients are resorts, hotels, travel magazine publishers, government agencies, and basically all businesses catering to the tourism industry.

The good thing about marketing in photography is that it greatly relies in your portfolio. So if you don’t have the knack for sales talk, there is no need to worry. Let your pictures do the talking.

Moreover, one of the marketing strategies that you should implement is via web marketing. Have a website to place your portfolio. It can do wonders! It is a great way to spread your work.

Travel Photography Jobs Tip #4: Find a Sales Partner

Sometimes, the hard work is not from taking the pictures but from finding and managing clients. If you are not the type or simply hate the marketing aspect of your job, you can find a dependable sales professional to do the stuff for you. Negotiate a win-win deal with your partner and then you can concentrate solely on your craft.

Travel Photography Jobs Tip #5: Be Adventurous. Explore New Methods and Techniques

Photography is a very competitive field. Get ahead of your peers and always try to improve. Explore and experiment on different techniques you can think of.

Imagine if you are able to perfect a particular technique say, for example, underwater photography. Clients with this demand will surely go straight to you because they know that you are the best at this specific field. Plus, when your reputation has grown enough, you can reasonably put a higher price on your services.

Travel Photography Jobs Tip #6: Be a Professional

Last but not least. If you want to stay long and well in this industry you must embody professionalism. Do quality work and deliver it on time. Your reputation as a travel photographer includes how easy you are to work with.

By: T Hale

Magazines are wonderful things. They are able to explore their particular area of interest in more detail than just about any other form of media. The city of Toronto, in Ontario, Canada, is often referred to as T. O. By the locals. Canada’s largest metropolis is fortunate to be served by a number of excellent traditional and digital magazines. The Toronto magazine market includes a mens magazine, a sports magazine, a travel magazine and several T. O. Entertainment magazines.

A mens magazine can tell stories in words and pictures about topics of interest to men. Glossy photos of scantily clad women is only one possibility for mens magazines. Sports, mens fashions, business, entertainment, cars and other gadgets are all suitable topics. But, sure, scantily clad women help.

Magazines are portable. It is one thing to bury yourself in your smart phone when you are lucky enough to get a seat on the morning commuter train. In Toronto, the commuter train is called the GO train. It runs from Oshawa, 60 kilometers east of TO, to Oakville, about the same distance east of the city. There is something about pulling a travel magazine out of your briefcase and reading up on Caribbean vacation destinations that is so much more in keeping with a vacation mood than looking for the same material on your laptop.

Good travel magazines are hard to come by. Some of the best are seasonal inserts in major newspapers. In fact, including a free monthly glossy magazine in the folds of a daily newspaper is quite common in the Canadian newspaper business. While a mens magazine is not the type for newspaper insertion, it is a well used forum for travel or business magazines.

The most widely purchased genre of magazines are celebrity gossip rags. Second place goes to those targeting women’s fashion and beauty. These magazines are usually primarily ads. In fact, it is for the ads that they are often bought. Travel magazines feature in-depth, in-person reports and are invaluable for those who use their vacations to travel.

Mens magazines have come a long way. The revolution started in the Sixties. It was in 1960 that the British High Court in the Chatterly case redefined obscenity. This opened the door to the mainstreaming of explicitly sexual photographs. Today there are numerous mens magazines on the market that combine in depth investigative reporting, fashion spreads, automotive reviews, and political and sports stories with beautifully photographed, glossy spreads of beautiful glossy spreads.

A sports magazine is a pleasure for sports fanatics. Where else can you get the background stories that are sports fans hunger for. Knowing the backstory of a player creates an emotional involvement in a game even when your favorite team is not playing.

The Toronto magazine market is a great one. T. O. Is home to the Canadian magazine industry. It is to Canada what New York City is to the magazine industry of the United States. For people who make Toronto their home, there are magazines about the city’s nightlife, its real estate market, sports teams, women’s magazines, mens magazine and everything in between.

By: Adriana A Noton

A cruise trip is an unforgettable experience and a very good choice for spending a vacation. Every year, more than 18 million people in the USA opt for a cruise vacation. Usually, a cruise trip in the US is planned for Miami, Florida, Alaska, and the Caribbean Sea. A large number of tourists prefer to go to Alaska and Hawaii in summers. However, the common port is Seattle.

There are many types of cruises available and you can opt for one based on your requirements. For example, different cruise trips are designed for families, sport lovers, honeymoon couples, etc. The ship size too may be large or small, based on its cost and purpose. There are many other ports where you can board your ship. A typical journey on any ship may last for three to seven days, depending upon the type of cruise and the sum of money you paid for it. Always remember that most cruises include meals in the ticket price. However, your daily expenses during the journey will range from $80 to $100. So, the actual expense of a cruise trip is always around three times the cost of the ticket you are offered by the agency.

The room size in a ship is not as good as that of a decent hotel room. The rooms are usually too small to accommodate more number of people. If you are ready to spend a few more dollars, you can opt for a bigger room as well. A regular room may consist of two to three rooms. Breakfast on most ships is very good and you can notice a wide variety of breakfast items. Similarly, the dinner also has a very good variety of items. Alternatively, you can go for room service, if you wish.

Most ships offer facilities of spa, saloon, jewelry shops, gym, and clubs. Besides, you may find endless activities happening on the ship during the journey. You may also notice several entertainment events, like dance shows, organized by the staff of the ship. In addition, your kids too can enjoy their time on the ship as ships usually organize activity for kids too. So, you can enjoy your time on the cruise while your children spend some time in plays, events, and movies.

Finally, decide the budget for your trip, and a very good idea will be to do research on the targeted tourist destinations like Miami, Hawaii and Florida on the Internet so that you can familiarize yourself with the destination before you reach there.

By: Eshwarya Patel

The sun, the soft sand sifting through your toes and fingers, the salty wind blowing in from the sea, the sound of waves…the ultimate holiday and vacation! If you’re like everyone else in this world, you should be looking for some of the top beaches in the world. And lucky for you, we have done the research on the world’s most popular beaches and have listed them here for you in no particular order.

The first one is Poipu Beach, Hawaii. If you believe in Paradise, this is it. In terms of a beach, this is definitely a world-class beach and should not be missed. Absolutely breathtaking! Poipu Beach is recently named America’s top beach by The Travel Channel with the most extensive golden sand and provides a host of activities for travelers and beach-lovers.

The second on the list is Matira Beach, also another not-to-be-missed beach! Matira Beach is one of those magical islands of Bora Bora that makes up French Polynesia in the South Pacific. Long and lazy stretches of beach with whispering shores is what you can expect from Matira Beach. In fact, Matira Beach is as magical and enchanting as it comes. It’s not called the world’s most romantic beach for nothing. People flock to Matira Beach to make proposals – imagine that!

Just when you thought there is nothing more to Mexico but Tequila and snakes, in comes Maroma Beach. Maroma Beach is more like a holiday resort getaway destination offering a combination of luxurious resorts and spas; and 500 acres of beach and rain forest.

Next on the list of top ten beaches are Pink Sands and South Sands – nestled on the edges of Salcombe. A contending beach would be the Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro. The beaches are filled with beach-goers almost all year round and who can blame them? Inexpensive accommodation and traveling makes these beaches the top few beaches in the world!

If you’re hooked on surfing, don’t forget to drop by Biarritz Beach on a holiday. It’s an absolute haven for surfers with 2 large beaches and a myriad of smaller beaches in between. And France also offers holiday-goers and beach-lovers a gem of a beach in the form of the St. Tropez beach. Who doesn’t know that St. Tropez is well known for its bikinis and beachwear groundbreaking fashion rules? St. Tropez is a hot favorite among Hollywood stars and is nestled along the French Riveria. It pays that St. Tropez beach is also a short drive from Nice and Cannes.

Coming up next is the Clifton Beach on Cape Town, South Africa. One of the most amazing sceneries can be found there. Imagine enjoying the beach with the gorgeous Table Mountain as a backdrop. There’s never anything quite like that on a beach. And if you’re looking for a natural and exotic beach, you might want to try out Anse de Argent beach in Seychelles. For nature-lovers, Anse de Argent is heaven!

By: Dakota Caudilla

Although normally associated with visions of grandeur and high society, at times of tightly stretched credit cards a trip to Paris doesn’t have to cost the earth. Accommodation Paris is often the biggest stumbling block and choosing an economical yet comfortable option can be really tricky. Paris apartments not only give you the opportunity to ‘live like a Parisian’ but also often work out much more economically than a hotel or guest house.

Sights and attractions on a shoestring: For a spectacular view of the city climb up the stairs of the northern tower of Notre Dame cathedral, ogle at the lurid yet strangely appealing gargoyles then take in the spectacular Parisian vista from above. What’s more the cathedral is one of the few major attractions of the city which is free to enter. Les Tuileries is Catherine de Medici’s magnificent park and most centrally located green space in Paris. This expansive collection of formal gardens, sweeping paths and even one or two galleries connects the Louvre with Place de la Concorde, bordering the Seine. There are various sculptures located sporadically around the gardens and L’Orangerie museum, housing works by C?zanne, Matisse, Renoir, is well worth a visit especially if you are fortunate enough to time your visit with the first Sunday of the month when entry is free.

Eating out every day in Paris can be an expensive affair but a baguette in the park can be equally enjoyable on a fine sunny day. Why not pick up a sublime poulet baguette from the Brioche Dor?e boulangerie chain, found all over the city, and take it to the Jardin du Luxembourg (Le Luco). This “people’s park” is frequented by great numbers of students, families and boules-playing retired locals alike, and provides a delightful lunchtime spectacle. Paris’ largest park is also the ideal place for children with an enclosed play area, marionette shows and other attractions to keep them out of trouble.

On a Sunday morning, there is no better pleasure than a meander down the Rue du Mouffetard in the 5th arrondissement to the home of Paris’ most famous pedestrianised street and street market. Indulge your senses in the divine flavours and appetizing of stall after stall of cheeses, meat and fresh fruit and vegetables. I challenge you to resist! Depending on the time of the day, this is a great district to treat yourself to a very reasonably priced brunch or lunch in a range of bistros and restaurants from all corners of the globe. Just take your pick!

To save on transport costs, if you are staying in Paris for a week or more it is worth investing in a Carte Orange, a photographic metro pass which allows you unlimited access to city transport for around 16 euros for zones one and two, depending on the location of your Paris apartments. Alternatively one day tickets work out economically if you intend to use the transport system frequently.

By: Joshua Thorpe