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A wedding is one of the most important events for any couple in their entire lives. Yeah right! That sounds like it came from a Hallmark greeting card. But, we all do it sometimes, so in order to reconcile our desire to travel and our desire to wed-I'm all for destination weddings. Here are number of destinations for weddings (I've only been in Australia since I have only one husband)

Italy

A certain movie must come to mind when you think of Italy as a wedding destination. Most people think of this country as one of the best places to tie the knot. There are beautiful historical sites all over Italy. The food is great and the language is musical. If you choose to head on to Italy you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to wedding spots. The euro has been having problems and therefore you might discover that the whole undertaking is not so expensive.

Hawaii

Who does not love Hawaii; it is beautiful, the people are nice and the weather is just perfect. This is an ideal destination to have a beach wedding right next to the calming sounds of the ocean waves. You can schedule your wedding to coincide with the breathtaking sunset. What is better still is the fact that you can have your wedding and then enjoy a wonderful honeymoon in the same location. It is a beautiful place to embark on a new way of life.

Australia

Australia was my choice. The country/continent offers diversity to all those who choose to wed here. You have many options when you are in this country. You could go the beach and exchange your nuptials on the sandy shores or you could decide to wed with Mother Nature as your witness in the beautiful jungles. You may also be looking for arid conditions for your wedding; you can get it all here. You can make beautiful memories in this land of diversity. I actually wasn't on the wild side. This is where I got married .

Las Vegas

There are many people who have at one time in their lives contemplated eloping while in Vegas. This city offers simplicity when it comes to the whole marriage process. While here; you may not need too much preparation to get the two of you together for life. Provided you love each other, have a few bucks and some form of identification then you are on your way to a new life.

Mauritius

This might be a long way from the homes of most people but it is worth it. Mauritius does not deserve to be called by any other name apart from paradise. The beautiful Indian Ocean waters will bear witness to your love as you come together as one. You could decide to try something crazy like exchanging your vows under the ocean waters; something new will not hurt.

Jamaica

Jamaica is rich in culture and beauty. This is a worthy destination for weddings. The white sandy beaches, clear blue sky right above the calm ocean waters. Get your wedding going right at the beach then proceed with your honeymoon in any of the luxurious resorts. You can also listen to some soothing reggae music under the moonlight.

This is just my taste. I think that this whole destination wedding thing is a great adventure. Try it. But don't bring the whole family, just you and your other half.

Summertime in Australia can be an intense experience and at times it really can feel like a struggle to survive the heat. If you aren’t thinking ahead and being sensible, it can take a heavy toll on your health. The following tips will help you keep cool and make the most of the great Aussie summer.

Close up in the day, open up in the night – When it gets hot, it gets really hot, and during the heat of the day even the breeze is stifling. You can usually tell if it’s going to be a warm day as it’ll start getting warm very early on in the day. Before it gets too hot, close all your windows, blinds and shades. This will allow the inside of your place to remain cooler for longer and make your home a refuge from the scorching hot day outside. Late in the evening once the day has cooled off, open everything up again to take advantage of any cool breeze or drop in temperature. It is definitely worth installing security doors and /or security screens so you can allow any breeze to come in at night while still leaving your home secure.

Do your chores early – If at all possible, get your workload for the day taken care of early while it is still cool. Anything you need to do outside, especially anything physically draining, get it done as early as you can. Often the temperature will be in the high twenties or even thirty degrees before noon and you’ll really not want to do much but stay cool once it heats up.

Eat cold – Using the oven on a hot day is not a smart thing to do. At the best of times the heat from the oven adds a lot of warmth to your home, so don’t make things worse on a blazing hot day by turning it on. It’s amazing the great meals you can make without using heat, so get a cold food recipe book and learn to do without the oven for a while.

Drink lots of water – You should always try to drink a lot of water, regardless of the temperature, though on hot days it can be a matter of life and death. Drink constantly, as you will be losing a huge amount through perspiration. Being without water when it’s hot can have very serious repercussions.

Cover up – Wear sunscreen at all times and apply it every couple hours, wear light long sleeves, and always have your hat on. Don’t underestimate the power of the sun in Australia. If you have any part of your body exposed for very long, you’ll end up with a burn you’ll never forget. Apart from the extreme discomfort that comes with a burn, skin cancer is a real danger, so if you want to be outside in the sun, be safe and cover up as much as you can.

Summer in Australia is a great time of year and there’s nothing better than getting outside and enjoying it. Be smart and stay cool this summer and you’ll not only survive but thrive this summer!

Whether you are moving from somewhere else in Australia to the city lights of Sydney, or if you are just planning to make the most of summer in Sydney at Bondi, or maybe you are even permanently migrating from overseas. One of the first things you will naturally need to do upon arrival, even before arriving if you can, is to find somewhere to live. Here are some tips around buying, renting, and ideal location to help make the process smoother for you.

1.      Buying a home?

If Sydney is, as far as you are concerned, your preferred long-term location, then perhaps you should look into buying your own home rather than searching for a rental.

There are plenty of great home-buying opportunities in Sydney, and the luxury of your own place means you can enjoy the freedom of decorating it however you like, maintaining it whenever you need, and of course using it as a Property Investment.

Real estate development software is a tool you should consider using to help you feel confident your chosen house will not only be a great home, but a great investment.

Realestate.com.au or domain.com.au are two great websites from which you can start your home buying search.

2.      Renting?

If you aren’t too sure how long you will be in Sydney, or on the search for your dream house, renting is of course your other option.

There are plenty of rentals available in Sydney, and prices will vary depending on your proximity to the city centre and the size and quality of the home.

Bear in mind most rentals come unfurnished, so if you are in a position where purchasing an entire new set of home furnishings isn’t feasible, you could look into joining an established flat and simply renting out a room or two instead.

Furnished rentals are available, but are typically more expensive and it is worthwhile avoiding these if you are planning to stay for an extended period of time. You can always sell your furniture when you leave if you cannot take it with you.

Great sites to search for rentals include gumtree.com.au (particularly if you are looking for a room/an established flat) or domain.com.au.

If you do happen upon a house that you absolutely wish to call home yet it is for sale, not rent: don’t let the fact that you are not sure how long you will be in Sydney put you off considering the purchase.

You can always turn your home into a rental property later on down the line if you need to. Property valuation software will help you work out whether this would be a worthwhile investment for you.

3.      Location.

Sydney is a large city. When it comes to choosing a suburb, you need to make sure your chosen location works for the life you want to create here.

If you are planning to spend most of your summers at the beach, then living in Bondi or in the Eastern Suburbs will be your best bet. If you want to be within walking distance to the city centre, you’ll need to be prepared for either apartment or townhouse living.
 
The public transport in Sydney is reliable, so as long as you are close to a train station or on a popular bus route, you needn’t worry too much about this when choosing a location. In fact you will probably find that if you work in the CBD, it will be a lot easier (and cheaper) to avoid driving in on weekday mornings.

Firstly, welcome to your new life in Oz! You’ve just moved into an apartment in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth or Canberra, you’ve decorated it as best you can and you’re here for the long haul – or at least for a couple of weeks. But something’s still not quite right, because no matter what you do, your serviced apartment still doesn’t feel like home. If so, maybe it’s because you haven’t spent enough time here? Moving to a new city is often exciting, but to really make your apartment feel like home – you have to treat it like a home! Here are some suggestions that will hopefully get you on the right track: 

Have a Movie Night – Haven’t done this a while? That’s probably because Australia is such an exciting place, with much to see and do, but spending a night indoors can be great for the mind, body and soul. It’s time to have a rest, so why not grab a DVD, put out the wine, beers, cheese and crackers and get under your favourite blanket for a night in front of movies. If you can’t manage to rent one, see if you can find something good on TV and just enjoy the couch time.

Cook dinner – Serviced apartments will always feature a decently equipped kitchen, the idea being that you’re meant to cook your own meals, since they don’t provide room service. So while you’re here, why not prepare some home cooked meals? Track down a local grocery store for your ingredients and make a point to have dinner at home at least a couple of nights a week. You’ll be surprised how easy (and cheap!) it is and you’ll start to settle into your apartment much more.

Have People Over – Know a few friends where you are? Why not invite them over! Having guests over for lunch, dinner or just a snack or a drink will undoubtedly help you settle in. Most serviced apartments will have a kitchen with a dining table included, which can be great for entertaining friends. If you’ve got a balcony, dragging a few chairs out there in the sunshine while you indulge in a drink and take in the views is great too! 

Take a Bath – Baths are wonderfully indulgent and if your room has one, you can always treat yourself to a relaxing soak after you’ve cooked dinner. Baths help you unwind tension and anxiety and can introduce a whole new level of enjoyment in serviced apartment living.  

Do Your Own Laundry – Ha! You say? As if! Serviced apartments usually come with a laundry … have you used yours yet? If you don’t feel very settled in your apartment, it could be because you’ve been out partying like you’re on holidays. Time to settle in – doing laundry can be bothersome, but at the same time, very therapeutic when it comes to home-based activities. Put some music on and go for life!

Get Local – You’re never going to settle into your apartment if you don’t get to know what’s around you. So, head out and about with your camera, take some photos and you can even indulge in a few more things to help liven up your pad and that you can also take with you to your next place.

Paris may very well be the city of love, but Sydney is certainly a contender when it comes to the city of sex! With all the beautiful people wandering around, checking each other out, romance is high on the agenda here, and if you’re looking for a great way to set the mood, we’ve got a few tips to help you out! Flowersand chocolates are great ways to grab someone’s attention, but the best way to move things to the next level is to show someone how much fun you can be—something made all the more easy if you know your way around this vibrant city! Here are four ways to woo someone in Sydney…good luck!

 
The Great Outdoors

Sydney is known as being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but it’s not the architecture alone that makes it so! Much of Sydney’s beauty comes from its natural surroundings; the beaches, the national parks, the green expanses and the stunning natural harbour. There’s nothing more invigorating that the Sydney sun on a summer’s day, so what are you waiting for? Get the object of your affections outside and soak up the smells and sights of Sydney.

Picnics

Extending this theory that the Sydney outdoors are a little bit of an aphrodisiac, why not capitalise on that with a romantic picnic for you and your par amour? The food scene in Sydney is legendary throughout the country, and you won’t be short of quality fresh produce to make a picnic. Pack some cheeses, fresh prawns and a bottle of bubbly and watch the world float by as you spot cloud-shapes and whisper sweet nothings.

Quirky Sydney

Sure, there is a range of national treasures at your fingertips in Sydney, but often the best dates are the ones that get you a little out of your comfort zone. Instead of sticking with the age-old dinner and a movie formula, why not try something a bit more fun and do a ghost tour and pub crawl of The Rocks? If the living dead aren’t exactly your cup of tea for a hot date, then why not try something a little more upbeat but equally whimsical—like the Moonlight Cinema in summer time? Thinking a little outside the box will show how much fun you can be, and if you’re trying to make a good impression, fun is definitely a good place to start!

Classic Elegance

Sydney’s wonders are many, but there are a few experiences that really set it apart. Stunning Sydney Harbour is the centerpiece to the whole city and it provides a breathtaking backdrop for a range of activities. Sydney Harbour cruises are a great way to take in its beauty, and perhaps even take in a meal or a few cocktails at the same time! If you’re not quite confident on your sea legs yet, there are plenty of great bars and restaurants around the harbour where romance is high on the agenda.

Sydney is a fast-paced, fun city where people are constantly meeting and falling in love…and lust. Whether you’re looking to impress on a hot date or trying to move the relationship to the next level, Sydney is the perfect backdrop, as long as you know where to go!

The parable of the Two Builders teaches us that it is unwise to build on sand rather than rock, but that doesn’t stop beachside locations from being the most desirable to own. Buildings on beaches, or rather just back from the beach, are some of the most valuable properties on Earth and they house countless tourists every year. Noosa accommodation offers holidaymakers an opportunity to live on the beach for a few days with fantastic weather a guarantee. So it is no wonder that these locations attract people from around the world every year. But the ultimate goal for most Australians is to be able to buy a holiday home by the sea so they can spend long weekends and holidays there. This is no wonder given that the Sunshine State enjoys an average of 300 sunny days a year!

Sunshine Coast real estate is understandably expensive, but it has a huge amount to offer to any perspective buyer. The weather comes with endless Golden Beaches and a veritable surfers’ paradise. But how pragmatic is it to join the 8% of Australians who own a property by the sea?

1. As a rental holiday property

Buying real estate on the east coast of Australia as a rental holiday property is not a bad choice of investment at all. If you are buying as a holiday home, then renting the property out for 5 or 6 weeks in the summer is probably going to be necessary so that you can afford its upkeep. Rental has the potential to bring in a nice revenue but this will probably only cover the costs of maintaining it throughout the year and your travel to and from the property to enjoy it yourself. Land tax and commission to the travel agent will reduce the income and the property could even become a burden if you are not sure to cover yourself. Insurance for both public liability and damage are essential when you are renting a property to anyone, just in case something happens and the house is no longer fit for rental. There are of course negatives to renting out a property to holiday makers, but it will allow you to maintain the property and still enjoy all of your holidays there.

2. As an investment

Buying property on the Gold Coast as a long term investment is relatively safe. Property does not generally fluctuate in value because there is always a demand for places to live, particularly on the coast. Despite a slight drop in value following the Japanese Tsunami, there is no doubt that the value of coastal properties in Australia will continue to increase. When buying a property for investment you will need to have a long-term plan because your money will be tied up for many years. Renting this property or letting a room could help you to manage the mortgage repayments whilst your investment grows. There is no doubt, however, that the purchase of a property on the Sunshine Coast will offer you great potential for fun and excitement.

Australia is full of pubs, so you are never going to struggle to find somewhere to relax and have a beer, though like anything, some places are better than others. One city is blessed with being home to the best pubs in Australia, that city is Melbourne. Maybe it's the culture of the city or perhaps it's something in the water, but there is no doubting that these drinking holes are the best in the country. The following are 4 great things about pubs in Melbourne.

Character

A lot of Australian cities used to have an amazing pub culture, but unfortunately most have fallen victim to modernization. In an effort to try and look more modern or trendy, great old pubs were gutted and essentially sterilized, leaving them without feeling or character. This did happen to some extent in Melbourne though for the most part the pubs here have kept their charm and style and therefore their unique feel. In Melbourne you are a way better chance of finding a great old building, a nice private nook to settle into and even a pool table to show off your skills on.

Live Music

One of the big advantages of Melbourne pubs not going modern is that they have managed to avoid the invasion of poker machines. While pubs elsewhere have replaced their live music space with a gaming room, or simply installed pokies all over what once was the stage, this has been for the most part resisted by pubs in Melbourne. This has meant that pubs here still have space for bands and have continued being great places for amazing local live music. You will find live music somewhere local 7 nights a week, along with heaps of open mike nights where you'll get your chance to belt out a couple numbers yourself.

TAB's

Let’s face it, horse racing tips are more interesting with some money behind them. One great upgrade pubs in Melbourne have had is the addition of TAB facilities. In most pubs this has meant only minor physical changes and has meant that you can put on a couple bets while having a beer with your mates. All you need are some racing tips and you can be winning big while relaxing with a pint.

Social

One of the best things about pubs in Melbournes is that they are not just places to go drinking, they are also a great place to socialise. Pubs here are like social centers in each community, and put on a host of fun events that both provide a great night out for you and your friends as well as great ways to meet new people. You'll often find pubs hosting rock trivia nights, dancing lessons or even organising golf days for their local patrons. If you want to stay in the loop and meet others in your community in Melbourne, get down to your local pub.


The great Aussie pub is still alive and kicking in Melbourne, with not only great beer but also that friendly atmosphere that you can't find anywhere else. Whether you are after a quiet beer with your mates or a big night out with your entire crew of friends, if you are in Melbourne, head down to your local pub, it really is the place to be.

Let us just preface what we’re about to say with saying there is no bad time to visit Sydney. Barring of course the period during World War 2 where grave fears were held for the security of Sydney Harbour, Sydney is great no matter when you’re here. Sure, the summer brings out a range of activities and festivals to enjoy, as well as making days at the beach not only a delight but almost a necessity, but the cooler months all have their bonuses too, and so vibrant and thriving is the culture of Sydney that come rain hail or shine, you’re bound to have a good time. There are, however, certain times during the year when a visit to Sydney is enhanced by the buzz that this time creates. We’ve put together a list of three of the best times to visit Sydney, so pack those bags and get your travel insurance in order, because you really don’t want to miss this.

New Year’s Eve

If you haven’t experienced a Sydney New Year’s Eve, you simply haven’t lived. Sydney comes alive at New Years’ like no other time of year, and with the fireworks display, gorgeous weather, music festival on Bondi Beach and summer in the air, everyone is in the mood for fun and the vibe of the crowd is electric.

Tips for New Years Eve in Sydney:

• Book well in advance—penthouses in the city and apartments in general book out months in advance so make sure you don’t miss out!
• Plan your transport. Cabs are not always easy to come by on New Years’ Eve which means that you might end up stuck on one side of the bridge or waiting for a while at the end of the night. Find out where the (usually free) night buses are running from and see if that is an option.
• Grab your spot early. If you’re keen on watching the fireworks over the harbour and want a good picnic spot from which to do it, make sure you turn up early as these places pack out during the day in anticipation!

Mardi Gras

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is one of the biggest and brightest Gay Pride events in the world. The Mardi Gras actually runs for a few weeks, but the undisputed jewel in the Mardi Gras crown is the float parade that works its way through the city and down Oxford Street in Darlinghurst. The parade features floats and dancers from all over Sydney and Australia, from organisations all showing their support for equality and tolerance. It’s a sequin-covered sight to behold and be part of.

Tips for Mardi Gras in Sydney:

• Drink responsibly—a lot of the time the parade goes for several hours, so make sure that if you are drinking you are also hydrating!
• Be safe. There are always a few intent on spoiling the party for everyone so make sure you steer clear of anyone looking to cause trouble
• Get your spot early. Just like with NYE, if you want a good vantage point you have to get in early, as people begin lining the streets all day before the parade.

Whether you’re watching the fireworks from a Sydney Harbour cruise or dancing the night away at Mardi Gras, there’s no doubt that these are some of the best times to be in Sydney.