I remember the first time I visited Tel Aviv in the summer. Walking out of the airport feeling like I just stepped into a steam room with my clothes sticking to my body and sweat already dripping down the side of my temples- it was awful. This was not the Middle Eastern chic I was accustomed to. I looked around at the Israelis around me wondering how and why they were wearing jeans in 100+ degree weather. This was the summer of 2006, when I was on my Birthright Israel trip.

Since then I’ve learned a few tricks about how to keep my cool when visiting the Middle East in the dead of summer, and want to share a few with you here:

1. I Scream- Satisfy that sweet tooth and keep your cool? Sign me up. Israel is a frozen yogurt lover’s dream- on any given street you’ll find a fresh fruit stand making fro-yo, smoothies or serving up ice cream. If you’re in a rush- grab a Magnum ice cream from a local corner store. The vanilla on vanilla crunch happens to be my fave. Go ahead, indulge.


2. Drink Water! Israel may be lacking in the natural resources department for water, but there should be enough

From the moment you decide to spend your summer vacation in Whistler’s Resort and town, the excitement begins to builds. Even though Whistler is one of the world’s greatest ski resorts, summers in Whistler are an outdoor paradise to be explored from June to September. The distance from Vancouver to Whistler is only 73 miles, and Vancouver makes a wonderful city to start your summer vacation. When summer arrives, the locals shed their winter coats and boots and get out into the beautiful Canadian sunshine. The winter months are filled with down-hill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing and even ice skating, but when the snow melts, the residents of Whistler leave their cars and hit the bike trails all across town. Whistler’s Valley Trail takes you all the way from one side of the valley to the other.

In June and July, the air is filled with beautiful music from the free outdoor concerts on Whistler Olympic Plaza every week. The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra even provides concerts in July. Whistler is a small, quaint, mountain town, perfect for an outdoor enthusiast. A vacation in Whistler will mean hiking, fishing, swimming, or taking the kids to the water park.

There are three golf courses for the adults who want to play 9 or 18 holes, and most of the mountains offer observation posts to take photos and enjoy the beauty. Golf is a great way to get exercise in the outdoors, and there are three 18-hole golf courses in the valley. There is nowhere in town where you can't see the spectacular mountains in view. For those who like to shop, there are out-of-the-way shops along with trendy stores carrying wilderness and ski clothes and equipment.



To get to Whistler, most visitors use the Vancouver Airport, which is conveniently located only 30 minutes outside the city. There, it is possible to catch all modes of transportation. When planning your trip from Vancouver to Whistler, while there are many transportation options, and while Whistler is less than two hours away, it is still important that you take a minute before you leave home to plan ahead and schedule your transportation needs. Vancouver definitely deserves at least one weekend of your vacation schedule. From Whistler, you and your family can catch a shuttle into Vancouver or spend a weekend on either side of your vacation in the mountains. To move around between Vancouver and Whistler there is a train and shuttles that offer no stops or detours. Leave your car at home, and bus from Vancouver to Whistler to a wonderful holiday in Whistler. For comprehensive travel solutions, visit Ridebooker transportation services online and start planning your Whistler vacation today!

Boutique hotels seem to be the trend these days, and this trend is most definitely because of boutique hotels like The Drake Boutique Hotel in Toronto, Canada. Toronto’s Drake Hotel certainly doesn’t disappoint. The hotel has all the amenities a guest could want and more. The hotel’s employees are waiting to help in any way that they can. A visit to this Toronto boutique hotel will surely be something you won't forget. While in Toronto, travelers should absolutely visit The Drake Boutique Hotel. A stay in this hotel is a unique experience, like a stay in the city of Toronto itself is sure to be unique.

If you are well traveled, you will immediately notice the unique, international feel of the city of Toronto. The people are open, untrammeled and caring. Though this metropolitan city has been urbanized in the way the capital of any province is, it still manages to maintain a sense of community among the people. The kindness of the populace is unforgettable. In this way, The Drake is representative of it’s city; its mid century decor is very much like the city’s atmosphere as in the fifties,a time that is memorable for its innocence and way of thought. Toronto still maintains that spirit, while still being a very modern city as well.



This strange blend of old and modern architectureand inviting atmosphere is unique and unforgettable. Moreover, there is an international quality to Toronto that doesn't exist in neighbouring cities in the United States. Likewise,the receptiveness of Canadians to people from all over the world is known internationally. While other large urban cities of the world tend to forget their hospitality sometimes; this is never the case in Toronto. It istrue that Canadians are a warm people, and your visit at The Drake will confirm that.

Toronto is young, hip and international. However, The Drake will be a treat all by itself; whether you like a quiet atmosphere, or a party atmosphere, any of the rooms will have something for you. Your stay at this Toronto boutique hotel will be something you will find yourself telling others about over and over. At The Drake Hotel, you are sure to be extremely happy with your stay and equally pleased with the service. Visit www.thedrakehotel.ca for more information about the boutique hotel and restaurant and start planning your Toronto trip today.

Are you planning for a vacation in the amazing country of New Zealand? Dunedin, being the second biggest city located in South Island, is considered as one of the most important cities in the region, given its historic past, cultural background and the geographic location. You can find a number of amazing tourist attractions in and around Dunedin that you will enjoy visiting. The city is regarded as the "Edinburgh of the South" and is very proud of its ancient Scots culture and heritage. The statue of poet Robbie Burns is present right in the center of the city, and a lot of its streets have got the same name as those in Edinburgh. Apart from this, Dunedin is also a university town, so you will see the city's colleges, churches, hidden streets and motorhomes when you go on the tour associated with the Univ. of Otago.


Mentioned here are some great tourist attractions that you must visit in Dunedin, New Zealand:

1. Dunedin Botanical Gardens

Want to enjoy in the lap of nature and feel the cool breeze in Dunedin? You should visit the botanical Gardens in Dunedin, located near the northern part of the town and have turned 150 years old this year. Given its location - that's near the University of Otago - these botanical gardens are quite popular among the students. The park has got two sections (or areas) - the Upper Park and the Lower Park. In the Upper Park, you can find Lovelock Avenue, which is a winding road having bush walks alongside it. This section also has Wetland Park, Garden Africa, the Bird's Nest and also a garden that has bright-colored rhododendrons.

The Lower Park comprises of the Winter Garden (i.e. a heated Edwardian glass-house), rose and herb gardens, band rotunda, a duck pond, and even a Japanese garden associated with Otaru (Dunedin's Japanese sister-city). The lower-gardens are also well-known for their finely crafted statues and sculptures.

2. Larnach Castle

The imposing building of Larnach Castle was built by local merchant in the year 1871. The castle presents an awesome view of the Otago Peninsula, and is surrounded by serene garden area of nearly 35 hectares. It's one of the 5 national parks that were honored by the New Zealand Gardens-Trust with the title of "a garden of international-significance," being the very first park in the whole of South Island that was given such an award. Larnach Castle is located on the Camp Road, in the Otago peninsula, and that daily timings for visiting are from 9 AM to 5 PM (local time).

3. Baldwin Street

This street, located in the northern end of Dunedin, walls noted in the famous Guinness book of world records as being the steepest street in the whole world. It's a short and straight street, about a 350 meters (or 1,150 ft) in length. The road is known for the local annual event - "Dunedin Baldwin Street Gutbuster." The event started in the year 1988, and since then - every summer - hundreds of participants compete to get to the top of the street and come back down within the record time. Although the lower-end of the road has a paved surface and isn't really steep, the upper-end happens to be a dead-end that's quite steep and is made up of concrete.

4. Otago University

Being the 1st university in New Zealand, University of Otago features some of the oldest buildings one can find in the area. The campus is a good place to enjoy the environment and even exchange some thoughts with the university's young scholars. There are some good cafes and bars in this area, so you can relish some nice food and drinks till your heart's desire.

5. St Clair Beach

Dunedin has got many beaches along the coastline and near the Otago Harbour. St Clair, the city's most popular beach, happens to be great surfing location. It's only at a 10-minute drive from the city's center and can be reached easily via public transport. You can swim in the heated saltwater swimming pool during the summers, or walk along the promenade, well you will find a number of bars and restaurant perfect for any occasion - from a quite breakfast, to a happening night-out along the seaside. You can also have a look at the many historic homes situated near the watefront and the Forbury Hill's wooded slopes.

Sydney city combines both coastal and urban lifestyles. The city offers numerous harbor coves and well-known surf beaches ranging from luxurious quiet beaches to iconic surf breaks. This makes it hard for us to select the best or favorite especially because we, Sydneysiders, value all beaches highly. Given that it is summer, the beaches will keep you smiling the whole day as they offer the best environment to relax. You can access the beaches using public transport or better still use care hire services.
                           
                           
   
At Concrete Playgrounds, we thought of enhancing your summer beach experience by giving you a list of the best beach-side playgrounds with the perfect wave.

1. TAMARAMA BEACH

Despite being very close to the busiest beach in Australia, Tamarama offers a serene and luxurious beach environment to surf and sunbathe. The narrow inlet connecting the headlands at Tamarama is an ideal quiet spot to enjoy a luxurious seclusion full of fresh air. The beach has some of the best board-riders and surfers who you can compete with at the reef break on the left-side.

You can relax or take a breather at the scenic Beach Café as you sip some fresh cold juice while watching runners from Bondi to Bronte pass by.

2. BILGOLA BEACH

You may fail to notice Bilgola beach because it is tucked away at the foot of a hill, at the rear of a forest of palm trees and lantana. As such, the beach is probably the most striking among the Northern beaches. However, due to the nature of the surrounding landscape, it is difficult to access the beach using public transport. During the afternoon, we would urge you to relax at the amazing surf clubs while taking a cold beer.

3. FRESHWATER BEACH

Surfing in Australia originated from Freshwater in the early 20th century when a Hawaiian swimmer started boasting about using a board on water. There are numerous activities you can do at this beach. You can surf, swim in the beach swimming pool, go on a picnic or play ball games with the kids. After a day of fun at the beach, u can enjoy sumptuous lunch at the Pilu beach house restaurant.

4. BONDI BEACH

This beach is Australia’s busiest and most famous beach. The beach is famous for its legendary surf and golden sands. Bondi has a mixture of lifestyles that can fit both locals and visitors. North Bondi offers the best swimming experience. A visit to the area during the mid-week is really worth and will probably make you visit time and again. For the best breakfast, drop by Brown Sugar or enjoy a cocktail at the verandah at Icebergs while watching surfers in the afternoon.

Other than surfing, you can enjoy beach volleyball, picnics, boogie board and swimming at this beach.

5. MANLY BEACH

Manly is attractive partly because of the means of transport used to get there. The beach experience is enhanced by a ferry ride to Manly. For any Sydneysiders, whether born or bred there, a ferry trip to the charming beach is a rite of passage. At the beach, you can surf at the Manly Surf Beach, go snorkeling, play ball games and enjoy food and drinks on some of the best cafes and restaurants on the Northern Beaches. Having a cocktail at the Pavilion or a drink at the Wharf is an excellent way to end your day.

6. BRONTE BEACH

Bronte is Sydney’s most accessible and intriguing city beaches. The beach is surrounded by picnic parks and embraced by headlands. You can take a walk along the beach from Bondi to Bronte before enjoying a perfect swim at Bronte. The rock ledge is ideal for an afternoon nap especially if the weather is not too hot. There are many restaurants and cafes that offer lunch or you can buy packed lunch and take it on the shore.

7. AVALON BEACH

Just like Bronte, Avalon is easily accessible to both surfers and families. The beach is not only serene but also beautiful and ideal for swimming, surfing and ball games. You can also shop at the local boutique stores before grabbing some drinks and dinner at Little Av or Different drummer, which are located some few meters from the beach.

8. WHALE BEACH

Whale Beach is relaxed and beautiful though it is far from Sydney. The long drive to the beach is worth because Whale beach is among the most fascinating and beautiful beaches on the Northern side. Given that it is a long drive to the beach, we would recommend you set a day and enjoy dinner or an overnight stay at Jonah’s.

9. SHELLY BEACH

The beach is situated in Manly and is part of the Cabbage Tree Bay marine reserve. Shelly Beach has a maximum depth of about 12 meters thus ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling. The variety of marine life in the beach can be viewed from relatively shallow water.

The beach is surrounded by spectacular headlands and bush. Take a walk or go picnicking by following the bush track to view the spectacular Northern beaches and North Head. You can get to Shelly Beach conveniently by ferry or by walking south on Manly’s main street. Enjoy a swim at Cole Classic, Australia’s biggest ocean swim, or surf in Sydney’s finest surf break at Fairy Bower.

10. PALM BEACH

Palm Beach is located at Sydney’s most Northern region. It takes about an hour to drive from the city to this beautiful peninsula. On one side of the peninsula lies Pittwater while the ocean is on the other side. Palm Beach is the ideal destination for diving, sailing and swimming. It also offers a serene environment for beach walks. There are several fancy restaurants that have replaced the cheap old-fashioned kiosks. As such, we recommend you carry you own packed lunch or sandwiches. Alternatively, you can have your meals at Boathouse on Pittwater before heading for a swim, walk or surf.

Whether you are surfing, swimming, basking, and board-riding or simply relaxing, you will not be disappointed when you visit the beaches listed above. The beaches listed above offer a perfect and safe summer beach experience and a taste of Sydney’s mixture of coastal and urban lifestyles.

                                           Image Source: www.discovery-campervans.com.au

Previously known as the Outback, the country-cum-continent of Australia has emerged to be one of the most developed and progressive countries in the whole world. One of the main reasons is that it has achieved tremendous progress in a number of diverse fields like industry, science, medicine and manufacture. It also boasts of solid tourism. This is why the cities of Sydney and Melbourne end up attracting a number of travelers every year. The cities are known for their attractions as well as their sporty spirit. Also, people like to sample natural beauty and exotic flora and fauna. Here is a lineup of the 10 most amazing Australian attractions.

10. Tasmania

The pretty coastal part of Tasmania remains to be one of the prettiest spots in Australia. The beaches and lagoons of Tasmania remain to be a hit with tourists and this is where they can savor water sports as well as some idyllic time with the Pacific lapping up nicely on the shores. Other than that, there are also nice rocky mountains and a historic prison which will be intriguing.

9. Kakadu National Park

If you think of Australia as a place for watching some exotic flora and fauna, then the Kakadu National Park next to Darwin serves as the best example. In fact, this is a big and busy place full of different animal, bird and plant species. You can definitely watch a Kookaburra or a Kangaroo in this place. There are also beautiful Aboriginal paintings to look out for.

8. Great Ocean Road

On the road to Melbourne, you will find that the route makes its way precariously through the coastline. This will give you plenty of opportunity to witness the tumultuous Pacific waves crashing down on the golden sands of the coastal region. The Great Ocean Road is what it is called. There are also rock formations on shallow waters which are worth watching.

7. Ayers Rock

Located centrally in Australia, the glittering red Ayers Rock is the Australian equivalent of the Devil's Tower at Wyoming, USA. However, Ayers is a far more charismatic monolith and it holds some special sacred value for the traditional Aboriginies. You can watch some natural attractions like the rocky outcropping or the beautiful sand dunes on the surface of the desert.

6. Whitsundays

This is the unusually zingy name given to a lagoon just off the Great Barrier Reef. Being in close proximity to the Reef, it has emerged as one of the best places for indulging in hectic water sports to get your adrenalin pumping. At the same time, this is also a place for some cozy relaxation in the way of snug bars and resorts on the beaches. This is perfect for a Sunday.

5. Magnetic Island

There is something fascinatingly magnetic about Magnetic Island. It lays merely 2 kilometers from Townsville and it is an island which comes loaded with pleasures. There are the pristine beaches and idyllic resorts where you can enjoy your Australian trip in full luxury. There are also the best abodes for the delightful Koala bears as well as kangaroos as well.

4. Fraser Island

Fraser Island is further one of the best entrance points for the Great Barrier Reef. With its beautiful and stunning lagoons and sea shores as well. Fraser Island is the best place for those who wish to opt for watching some of the best exhibits of the marine life in the whole Barrier Reef. You can also go for some elegant boating trips to near the Fraser island as well.

3. Brisbane

Brisbane is a famous place, most noted for the sports attractions that would be offered to the tourists. This is because this is where you can find a number of sporting attractions like the stadiums where a number of games and sports like tennis and cricket. This is a modern city which will appeal to everyone fond of sports and games in the world.

2. Melbourne

This is the city which is known for its campervan trips and facilities. Melbourne is a big and busy city where you can find something for everyone. This means that Melbourne is a city where you can find attractions like good sports stadiums and cultural places like museums and art studios and galleries. On the other hand, there are other interesting places.

1. Sydney

Sydney is possibly the most popular Australian city and there are many reasons for this. It is a place where you can witness some fantastic attractions like the Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and further on more cultural attractions for the travelers. This is also a place of great restaurants and eateries. This is the best place in the whole continent.