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	<title>Travel Eden</title>
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	<link>http://www.travel-eden.com</link>
	<description>Travel related tips and guides</description>
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		<title>Romantic Hide-a-way Islands On Your Honeymoon In The Maldives</title>
		<link>http://www.travel-eden.com/romantic-hide-a-way-islands-on-your-honeymoon-in-the-maldives</link>
		<comments>http://www.travel-eden.com/romantic-hide-a-way-islands-on-your-honeymoon-in-the-maldives#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:52:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maria</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Honeymoon In The Maldives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.travel-eden.com/?p=588</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Beautiful Beaches The real taste of paradise awaits you in Maldives where over a thousand islands makes up the Republic of the Maldives. You will find resort islands that are set in the clear beautiful turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Perfect white sandy beaches gently sloping into the warm water, you will find seclusion, [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>Beautiful Beaches</b></p>
<p>The real taste of paradise awaits you in Maldives where over a thousand islands makes up the Republic of the Maldives. You will find resort islands that are set in the clear beautiful turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.</p>
<div><ins><ins id="aswift_0_anchor"></ins></ins>Perfect white sandy beaches gently sloping into the warm water, you will find seclusion, peace and quiet, and feel a world away from your daily life at home. The ideal setting for your honeymoon.</div>
<p><b>Beautiful Weather<br />
</b><br />
If you are a sun lover, you will love The Maldives. The tropical climate with warm year round temperature and lots of sunshine is one of the outstanding features. The temperature stays reasonably constant all year varying between 26C and 31C.</p>
<p><b>With A Sprinkling Of Rainfall<br />
</b><br />
You may experience a little rain in the southwest monsoon from May to October but on average the overall rainfall is minimal. Theres no such thing as a winter depression when you honeymoon in Maldives.</p>
<p><b>Restaurants and Cuisine<br />
</b><br />
Enjoy the freshest seafood in the excellent restaurants to be found in hotels throughout The Maldives.</p>
<p>Many hotels will even prepare and serve the fish you catch. Shellfish and Tuna are the local specialities. You will find a variety of cuisine including Indian, Sri Lankan and European influences. Another excellent reason to honeymoon in the Maldives</p>
<p><b>Recreational Activities<br />
</b><br />
Some resorts do offer tennis and other recreational activities in the hotel. There are a few excursions available such as the submarine ride where non divers can experience the underwater pleasures of the islands and a visit to the capital, Malé where you can experience the local market and explore all the shopping opportunities. Evenings tend to be relaxing in this peaceful environment though some hotels provide entertainment in the form of bands or discos.</p>
<p><b>Diving and Snorkelling<br />
</b><br />
The Maldives is famed for its rare underwater beauty and boasts some of the best diving in the world. The profusion of psychedelic colours and the abundance and variety of life underwater have fascinated many since The Maldives was discovered as a diving destination.</p>
<p>The warm waters and excellent clarity allows you to fully appreciate all this magical region has to offer as visibility can be more than 50 meters. The perfect location for your honeymoon in Maldives.</p>
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		<title>Why Yes, You Can Take Advantage of Car hire in Italy</title>
		<link>http://www.travel-eden.com/why-yes-you-can-take-advantage-of-car-hire-in-italy</link>
		<comments>http://www.travel-eden.com/why-yes-you-can-take-advantage-of-car-hire-in-italy#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 22:13:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maria</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Car hire in Italy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.travel-eden.com/?p=582</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Car hire in Italy allows a traveler more independence and flexibility on their trip. A rented car allows you to be on your own timetable, rather than that of trains, buses, or taxis. Car hire is practically a necessity if you wish to explore the countryside, and it provides added privacy when touring the cities. [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Car hire in Italy allows a traveler more independence and flexibility on their trip. A rented car allows you to be on your own timetable, rather than that of trains, buses, or taxis. Car hire is practically a necessity if you wish to explore the countryside, and it provides added privacy when touring the cities.</p>
<p><strong>What to expect</strong></p>
<p>The most common car when it comes to the majority of Italian car hire companies are Fiats and Fords. Do take into account that most cars in Italy have standard transmissions &#8211; you will pay more for an automatic. Be specific when you make your reservation!</p>
<p>For the less adventurous, there are ways to hire a car with a driver as well. Drivers are paid by the day, but be sure to give them at least a 15% tip when you are finished with them. Most hotels can recommend drivers to you, so don&#8217;t be afraid to ask!</p>
<p>For Americans traveling in Italy, you can save more money by booking your car hire service before traveling in Italy proper. While most American chains (such as Avis, Hertz, etc.) have affiliates in Italy, the rates are much higher. If you have small children that will require a car seat, be sure to request this &#8211; a minimal fee will apply.</p>
<p><strong>Hidden Surprises and Hidden Costs</strong></p>
<p>In general, Italian car hire companies will hold you responsible for any damage to or loss of the car. Collision policies do not cover theft &#8211; in fact, all Italian car hire companies require you to purchase a theft-protection policy on top of collision coverage. However, you may already have sufficient coverage under your personal auto insurance policy, along with credit credits &#8211; save money and research!</p>
<p>If moving from one city to another, be sure to check for drop-off fees and/or one-way service charges. These can be very expensive. Other fees to note are early-return fees; some Italian car hire companies will charge you for returning the car before your contract expires, while others will give you a refund for those extra days. Before you turn in the car, check to make sure the gas in the tank is at the same level as you received it. Car hire companies will charge you a refueling fee if they have to do it for you! To save money, buy gas as far away from any car hire company as possible &#8211; gas stations around Italian car hire companies may overcharge.</p>
<p>Getting an International Driver&#8217;s Permit is not required to drive in Italy, so save your money. However, this permit may keep you from getting involved with local authorities. All the international permit does is buy peace of mind &#8211; you must decide what that is worth to you. These permits can be obtained from the American and Canadian Automobile Associations, respectively.</p>
<p>No matter which Italian car hire service you choose, keep in mind that you and anyone that will be driving your rented car must be at least 21 years of age. Those under 23 years of age are generally expected to pay with a credit card.</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t let the details keep you from using a car hire service in Italy &#8211; with a little extra planning, a wonderful trip awaits you!</p>
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		<title>Should You Consider a Clothing Optional Holiday?</title>
		<link>http://www.travel-eden.com/should-you-consider-a-clothing-optional-holiday</link>
		<comments>http://www.travel-eden.com/should-you-consider-a-clothing-optional-holiday#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:53:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maria</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clothing Optional Holiday]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.travel-eden.com/?p=579</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Spring and summer bring out the frisky side in all of us. If you&#8217;ve been wondering what you&#8217;re going to be able to do this summer traveling season to spice things up while leaving your comfort zone, we have one phrase for you: clothing optional holiday. Indeed, going natural might not be for everyone. Families [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Spring and summer bring out the frisky side in all of us. If you&#8217;ve been wondering what you&#8217;re going to be able to do this summer traveling season to spice things up while leaving your comfort zone, we have one phrase for you: clothing optional holiday.</p>
<p>Indeed, going natural might not be for everyone. Families with small children may not be comfortable with taking that plunge. Contrary to popular belief, clothing optional zones aren&#8217;t for ogling the sexual side of human beings. It&#8217;s about being out in nature, surrounded by like minded people. Naturists are all about connecting with each other in a much higher way than before. Whether it&#8217;s just topless sunbathing or a fully nude experience, there are many places all around the world to indulge in the art and joy of nudist holiday fun.</p>
<p>A few things that might cross your mind before you go:</p>
<p>Yes, you&#8217;re going to have the option of taking off your clothes, but that doesn&#8217;t mean that you have to do so. Nobody is going to pressure you at all to go nude. If you want to just go topless in the clothing optional zone of a beach, you can definitely do that. Everyone started out as a newbie, so they understand your apprehension. You just have to make sure that you&#8217;re thinking about your own comfort. Bring along a cover up in case you really do want to go bare but you get afraid to go all the way.</p>
<p>You also need to make sure that you&#8217;re looking at the opportunity through honest eyes. This isn&#8217;t about being a supermodel, or the world&#8217;s fittest dude. You have to realize that this is about stepping out of your comfort zone in a safe manner. You have a chance to let go of all of those stressful things that are holding you back. Why wouldn&#8217;t you enjoy yourself? Why wouldn&#8217;t you take advantage of it? Why wouldn&#8217;t you want to do anything you could to be able to finally have a chance to be in your natural state?</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re traveling away from home, remember that nobody&#8217;s going to tell on you. Nobody is going to judge you. That&#8217;s not what social nudism and naturist living is all about.</p>
<p>On the practical side, you needed to bring lots of sunscreen. If you’re someone that burns very easily, you might want to practice with just exposing one half of the body or the other and then covering up. Or you might want to pick the shadiest area possible. Bringing an umbrella is perfectly understandable. This is even more the case if you&#8217;re going to be very close to the Equator, where you can have very humid summers that bring plenty of heat with them.</p>
<p>Above all, don&#8217;t feel like you have to get naked or everyone will give you dirty looks, and don’t think that you have to stay naked. Design a clothing optional vacation on your own terms, based on what you do. These trips will still be about activities, making new friends, and sharing experiences. You&#8217;ll just be adding something that&#8217;s a little out of your comfort zone. Good luck!</p>
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		<title>Summer Sun and Winter Warmers</title>
		<link>http://www.travel-eden.com/summer-sun-and-winter-warmers</link>
		<comments>http://www.travel-eden.com/summer-sun-and-winter-warmers#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:34:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maria</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Canary Islands]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holiday destination]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.travel-eden.com/?p=575</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Who&#8217;d have thought that you can find a fabulous holiday destination that offers sumptuous sunshine in both the summer and winter, within just a few short hours&#8217; flying time? It&#8217;s true &#8211; and you don&#8217;t have to fork out a small fortune to get there either. One of the most popular winter warmers is the [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Who&#8217;d have thought that you can find a fabulous holiday destination that offers sumptuous sunshine in both the summer and winter, within just a few short hours&#8217; flying time? It&#8217;s true &#8211; and you don&#8217;t have to fork out a small fortune to get there either.</p>
<p>One of the most popular winter warmers is the Canary Islands. This fabulous archipelago, marooned just off the west coast of Africa, is a glorious holiday destination at any time of year. Head over to Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria or Fuerteventura for sizzling summer temperatures during summer, when the climate regularly reaches 30+, and enjoy lively beach resorts with plenty of full-on fun and non-stop nightlife. Or, book yourself a winter warmer in the Canaries when temperatures regularly hover around the 20 mark, which means t-shirt weather and a suntan at Christmas.</p>
<p>Another fabulous year-round hotspot is Egypt. Whether you&#8217;re after a voyage of discovery, taking in its ancient landmarks and historical monuments, or you fancy a beach break with exotic golden-sanded beaches and sparkling turquoise seas, this magical place is happy to oblige. Even if you travel in the depths of winter, or head out for a spring break before the peak season kicks in, you can still enjoy lovely weather with buckets of sunshine and lovely calm seas.</p>
<p>If that&#8217;s got you thinking about your next jolly, there are plenty of ways to get there. The major tour operators like <a href="http://www.thomascook.ie/">Thomas Cook</a> offer a wonderful array of holidays to some of the best and most popular summer and winter destinations on the market. You&#8217;ll also find plenty of regular scheduled flights serving the main hotspots &#8211; from Sharm el Sheikh and Luxor in Egypt to Tenerife and Gran Canaria &#8211; so keep your eyes peeled for those special offers.</p>
<p>So which sizzling summer hotspot or winter warmer has got your vote?</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Holiday Safety Tips</title>
		<link>http://www.travel-eden.com/holiday-safety-tips</link>
		<comments>http://www.travel-eden.com/holiday-safety-tips#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:59:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maria</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holiday Safety]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.travel-eden.com/?p=571</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A holiday is meant to be a chance for you to get away from the strains of everyday life and enjoy and relaxing break away. While this means a lot of time spent with your feet up, or doing whatever else you find most relaxing, it&#8217;s important not to forget about planning and precautions, which [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A holiday is meant to be a chance for you to get away from the strains of everyday life and enjoy and relaxing break away. While this means a lot of time spent with your feet up, or doing whatever else you find most relaxing, it&#8217;s important not to forget about planning and precautions, which will help to ensure that you stay safe on your travels and avoid any dreaded <a href="http://www.irwinmitchell.com/personal/personal-injury-compensation/personal-injury-resources/accidents-illness-abroad-claims/holiday-compensation-claims">holiday compensation claims</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Insurance</strong></p>
<p>Prior to going away, you’ll need to get holiday insurance, just in case something does go wrong. The likelihood is that you won’t use it, however, if you do need to make a claim, then it could save you hundreds on hospital bills.</p>
<p><strong>Arrive Safely</strong></p>
<p>To stay safe on holiday, it’s vital that you arrive in your chosen destination on top form. Even in large cities in Europe, like London or Paris, tourists are a constant target for pickpockets and thieves, so you need to make sure that you have your wits about you when you arrive. If your journey has involved a long haul flight then this could leave you at risk of suffering from jet lag, which could make you drowsy and affect you ability to look after yourself and your belongings.</p>
<p>To ensure that you arrive on holiday free from the effects of jet lag, it’s a good idea to adjust your sleep patterns before you jet off. If you’re going to the east, then going to bed a few hours earlier every night in the build up to your departure will help you to acclimatise to the time change that you’ll experience on arrival. Do the opposite if you’re going west.</p>
<p>Try to get an idea of the weather forecast of your chosen destination and take the appropriate clothing and sun protection. If you’re staying near a beach or hotel, make sure that you keep an eye on any children you’re travelling with at all times, and don’t drink and swim yourself. Similarly, if you’re travelling to an area with high altitude, it’s a good idea to avoid alcohol for the first few days, until you acclimatise.</p>
<p><strong>Do your Homework</strong></p>
<p>Before leaving for your holiday, it’s important to do your research on the places that you intend to visit. As well as giving you an idea of any areas of interest, you’ll also be able to ascertain which places you shouldn’t go to.</p>
<p>When you arrive on holiday, make sure that you know whether the running water is ok to drink, a lot of places, even locations in France and Spain. Being equipped with this information could save you from picking up a nasty illness; on the other hand, it could save you from having to buy bottled water while you’re away, which can get expensive.</p>
<p><strong>Relax</strong></p>
<p>Staying safe on your holidays doesn’t take too much effort to achieve, and the simple steps you take will really help to put your mind at ease, making your holiday as relaxing as possible.</p>
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		<title>Should Children Really Travel In a Troubled Economy</title>
		<link>http://www.travel-eden.com/should-children-really-travel-in-a-troubled-economy</link>
		<comments>http://www.travel-eden.com/should-children-really-travel-in-a-troubled-economy#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:54:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maria</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[children travel]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.travel-eden.com/?p=567</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Travel changes everything, and everything changes travel. Travel is an expression of the human need for exploration and mystery, but it&#8217;s also something that is tightly controlled, regulated, and dictated by a wide variety of factors. If you really want to make sure that you have a good time, you need to address the factors [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Travel changes everything, and everything changes travel. Travel is an expression of the human need for exploration and mystery, but it&#8217;s also something that is tightly controlled, regulated, and dictated by a wide variety of factors. If you really want to make sure that you have a good time, you need to address the factors of travel that matter most to you. If you have a family already, you might feel that children and travel are two words that just don&#8217;t belong in the same sentence. There are a lot of concerns that parents naturally have while they’re thinking about traveling with children. Safety, crime, food, entertainment&#8230; the list goes on and on.</p>
<p>We think that children should definitely be part of the travel conversation. It’s a great way to introduce your children to new cultures, and that’s always in season. You want to make absolutely sure that you let them know that travel is a safe and fun experience. Here&#8217;s what you really need to know.</p>
<p>First and foremost, you want to start small. Get the kids involved when they&#8217;re young. You want to make travel feel natural, safe, and very fun. There&#8217;s no need to bring up crimes in other countries, or the fact that other people speak a different language in a negative way. It&#8217;s important to reinforce the importance of all cultures, not just the one that we feel comfortable with.</p>
<p>Let them see where they really want to go. Show them beautiful, colorful photos of other places. You&#8217;ll find that children really do have a natural sense of wonder. They simply want to explore the world around them. This means that they&#8217;re going to be a lot more excited than you might expect. Don&#8217;t stress about how you&#8217;re going to connect everything together. It&#8217;s going to be well worth your time, don&#8217;t worry.</p>
<p>Another point that you really need to think about is the budget you set aside. Remember that it&#8217;s not just you and your spouse traveling anymore. Expect delays. Buy travel insurance. Get better cameras. Your children are going to be moving quickly to try to interact with just about anything and everything they can get their hands on.</p>
<p>Keep your first trips short. You don&#8217;t want to wear them out when they’re so excited about the entire experience. The more that you can work in, the better off you will honestly be. Why not check it out today for yourself? You&#8217;ll truly be glad that you did!</p>
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		<title>France By Ferry &#8211; A New Twist to an Old Travel Idea</title>
		<link>http://www.travel-eden.com/france-by-ferry-a-new-twist-to-an-old-travel-idea</link>
		<comments>http://www.travel-eden.com/france-by-ferry-a-new-twist-to-an-old-travel-idea#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:02:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maria</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[France By Ferry]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.travel-eden.com/?p=561</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When you think about France and traveling there for a good holiday, you might be tempted to shrug the suggestion away. After all, you think to yourself, you’ve already done France. You&#8217;ve already been traveling to different French destinations for a while now. So what would be really the point of doing it again? Here&#8217;s [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When you think about France and traveling there for a good holiday, you might be tempted to shrug the suggestion away. After all, you think to yourself, you’ve already done France. You&#8217;ve already been traveling to different French destinations for a while now. So what would be really the point of doing it again?</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s the point: France by ferry changes the travel game entirely, for a lot of different reasons. These days, most people do not travel by ferry. There are some people that might be used to this, but it&#8217;s not that common anymore. It&#8217;s like the American love affair with trains &#8212; travel by train isn&#8217;t really done in the United States anymore.</p>
<p>Ferry travel also forces us to slow down. It’s not going to be as fast as airplanes, which means that we actually have to step back and absorb some of the scenery around us. That can be hard for the super Type A busy folks among us, but this is really a good thing. If you&#8217;re going to travel you might as well savor the journey. You might find that the relaxation you truly want is right within your reach!</p>
<p>Looking for the most affordable ferry travel between the UK and France used to involve a lot of work &#8212; finding travel agents and everything else. Thankfully, those days are over.</p>
<p>The price comparison website <a href="http://www.ferryonline.co.uk/ferry_destinations/france.htm" target="_blank">ferryonline.co.uk</a> has a search function that compares all the available ferries from every ferry operator that provides sailings between the UK and France.</p>
<p>Give yourself time to look up hot deals before you take off. There&#8217;s no need to rush when there are great deals at your fingertips. You can enjoy time on the ferry, make new friends and get your mind thinking about travel, as well as the amazing adventure that you&#8217;ll have in France.</p>
<p>Sometimes when it comes to those classic vacations that we adore, we really need to spice things up. Don&#8217;t give up on the chance to do something a little bit different. You might find that just as there&#8217;s different ways to travel to France, there are different things to do in France. The travel experience is only one-dimensional if you allow it to be, you know. The time is just right to embark upon an adventure that you’ll never forget – why not look into a great ferry ticket deal today?</p>
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		<title>Travel to Auckland To Escape the Winter Chill</title>
		<link>http://www.travel-eden.com/travel-to-auckland-to-escape-the-winter-chill</link>
		<comments>http://www.travel-eden.com/travel-to-auckland-to-escape-the-winter-chill#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:56:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Maria</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Travel to Auckland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.travel-eden.com/?p=556</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Brrr! If you&#8217;re reading this from somewhere in the Northern Hemisphere, you already know one thing &#8212; it&#8217;s cold! We&#8217;re still in for a bit more winter before Spring actually comes around. Auckland is a great travel destination in the wintertime, because you will have warm weather while everyone else is fighting snow. What fun! [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Brrr! If you&#8217;re reading this from somewhere in the Northern Hemisphere, you already know one thing &#8212; it&#8217;s cold! We&#8217;re still in for a bit more winter before Spring actually comes around.</p>
<p>Auckland is a great travel destination in the wintertime, because you will have warm weather while everyone else is fighting snow. What fun!</p>
<p>Auckland is actually the largest metro area in New Zealand. You have plenty of different things to see and do. We&#8217;re going to cover just Auckland City itself &#8212; there&#8217;s a vibrant population here, and this is where most of the activities are going to be contained.</p>
<p>Auckland is well known for being a place where great ships dock. It&#8217;s known as the City of Sails because of the large number of yachts that grace the Harbour (Waitemata) and also the Hauraki Gulf. There are also 48 volcanoes but don’t get scared &#8212; the volcanic field is technically active, but the 48 volcanoes are now extinct.</p>
<p>Getting in is pretty easy &#8212; you want to go through Auckland International Airport. It&#8217;s New Zealand&#8217;s largest airport, and it has frequent service to Australia. There are direct connections to the South Pacific, the US, Asia, and even to Buenos Aires and Santiago.</p>
<p>Getting around Auckland must be frustrating for travelers that are used to public transportation in their home country. The truth is that you are going to need to use other methods to get around Auckland. It&#8217;s mostly a car city. If you have a license in your home country, you should be able to drive without a problem. An International Driving License tends to help matters as well. You need to be aware that New Zealanders do indeed drive on the left.</p>
<p>If you are going to go with public transport, you would have to go with bus service. This is the most used method of public transportation in Auckland. The buses are nice, and they run about every 5 to 15 minutes.</p>
<p>Buses, however, aren&#8217;t always reliable. You&#8217;ll find that car hire and taxis will get the job done more efficiently.<br />
Auckland is a very congested area, and this means that you&#8217;re going to be dealing with a lot of traffic. Drive carefully &#8212; there are red-light cameras around to see if you are following the rules of traffic.</p>
<p>There are some global car rental companies such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thirfty, and Europcar. They are all there to offer you private car hire service, if that&#8217;s what you would like.</p>
<p><strong>Things to see in Auckland</strong></p>
<p>Plenty! You can see tons of museums, including the Auckland War Memorial Museum. This one isn&#8217;t completely limited to a war memorial at all &#8212; it also showcases Maori arts and crafts. I&#8217;ts located in the Auckland Domain, which is a large park on an extinct volcano. Wow!</p>
<p>There&#8217;s also the New Zealand National Maritime Museum &#8212; tons of exhibits on New Zealand&#8217;s maritime history.</p>
<p>You can also check out the Sky Tower &#8212; the tallest free-standing tower in the Southern Hemisphere.</p>
<p>There&#8217;s the Auckland Art Gallery, which has the largest collection of national and international art in the country.</p>
<p>Traveling with kids? You&#8217;ll love the Auckland Zoo. There&#8217;s nearly 120 animal species, well over 750 animals, and plenty of different habitats. It&#8217;s a little expensive, but well worth it.<span id="more-556"></span></p>
<p>There&#8217;s also the StarDome observatory, Kelly Tarlton&#8217;s aquarium, the Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens, the Museum of Transport and Technology, and the Otara Flea Market. The Otara Flea market is a great way to get some really cool clothes, check out household items, and even sample local food.</p>
<p>What about things to actually do? If you&#8217;re not just the sightseeing type, you&#8217;ll want to be able to go out and do some things. You can visit the Waitakere Ranges, which are filled with amazing waterfalls and gorgeous beaches. This is about 45 minutes away from the center of Auckland.</p>
<p>You can drive or walk up one of Auckland&#8217;s many volcanic cones&#8230;if you dare! You can see the entire city around you, which is pretty cool.</p>
<p>You can climb the Auckland Harbour Bridge, which is always a challenge.</p>
<p>You can even do the Sky Jump (a base jump from the Sky Tower), or the Sky Walk &#8212; a 1.2m walkway with no hand rails!</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re not trying to walk completely on the wild side, you&#8217;ll find that the Rainbow&#8217;s End theme park is more your speed. This is also a great place to take the kids.</p>
<p>You can rent skates to skate down Tamaki Drive. There&#8217;s also sea kayaks and ferries to check out.</p>
<p>Auckland is a shopper&#8217;s dream &#8212; there&#8217;s plenty of great deals, but there&#8217;s also some luxuries woven in as well. You&#8217;ll find most of this around the central region of the city.</p>
<p>As far as eating goes, you have tons and tons and tons of choices. One restaurant that gets attention immediately is One Tree Grill Restaurant. This is all about contemporary New Zealand cuisine and there&#8217;s also a great wine list.</p>
<p>There&#8217;s Italian food, Japanese food, Chinese food, takeaways, Polynesian food, Vietnamese food, Thai food, Korean, Indian, and even Mexican and Jewish food. There are also options for people that are looking for vegetarian options.</p>
<p>New Zealand has plenty of places to think as well &#8212; you will not lack for options!</p>
<p>One thing that attracts many to New Zealand is its overall gay friendly atmosphere. Most New Zealanders aren&#8217;t even concerned about it.</p>
<p>Just as there&#8217;s plenty of places to eat, there&#8217;s plenty of place sto sleep. it just depends on your budget and what you&#8217;re looking for. If you&#8217;re going to settle into the city for a while, you should look into a serviced apartment. They will give you all of the comforts of home for a price that&#8217;s far less than the hotels.</p>
<p>Staying safe in Auckland is easy. Follow common sense rules ad you should be fine. Make sure to lock your car, as theft from cars is very common.</p>
<p>Do not try to bribe the Auckland police. While some countries (Indonesia, we&#8217;re looking at you) thrive on corruption in this manner, Auckland police are not amused. Stick to the facts and let the police officers take over from there.</p>
<p>Do be careful on the weekends if you&#8217;re going to be on the road, as there are a lot of wannabe racers out and about. Drunk driving is also unfortunately common. Being aware can help you come home alive.</p>
<p>Internet access is pretty common &#8212; just check out all of the Internet cafes around the area. If you&#8217;re ready to head out of Auckland, you can check out Waiheke Island, which is only 35 minutes by ferry. There&#8217;s also other New Zealand cities such as Rotorua, Hamilton, Waitomo Caves, and Taupo. Get out and check out New Zealand while you&#8217;re in the country for a while!</p>
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