Photo from Flickr by irene

The Gold Coast of Australia is waiting for you. Quickly becoming the tourist capital of Australia, the Gold Coast immediately brings to mind sun, surf, and sand. But that is not all you will find at the holiday hot spot. The Gold Coast is home to dozens of exciting activities for the entire family.

The Hinterland is Your Land

If you are searching for rainforest paradise the Hinterland is the answer to your dreams. The Hinterland of the Gold Coast allows you to immerse yourself in nature. Mount Tamborine is home to the most picturesque trails in all of Australia. You will discover waterfalls and hidden pools where you can swim.
Wildlife watching is popular pastime of visitors to the Hinterland. Wildlife of all kinds call this tropical paradise home. The Currumbin wildlife Sanctuary is the perfect spot to get up close and personal with koalas and tropical birds.
While visiting the Hinterlands you can stop by one of country’s famous wineries located on the winery trail. Plus, homemade pastry and cheese shops and fresh produce from the farmers markets will tempt your taste buds.

Beautiful Beaches and Whales

The beaches of the Gold Coast are dazzling and offer a multitude of activities for everyone. Visitors will find everything from surfing, sunning, and kayaking.  The coastline offers sandy and sunny beaches and rocky shores. Rainbow Bay, a beautiful beach secluded between tow rocky outcroppings, is one of the most popular beaches on the Gold Coast.
The waters off of the coast are an excellent place to watch whales. Humpback whales can be seen off the Cold Coast two times a year during migration season. If whale watching is on your bucket list plan to visit between the end of May and November.

Coasters and More

Thrill seeking tourists will want to visit one or more of the fabulous theme parks located on the Cold Coast. Sea World, Wet ‘n Wild, White Water World, Dream World, and Movie World await everyone looking for daring adventure.

Fishing

Fishing draws many tourists to the Gold Coast. A variety of fishing charters are available including the famous catch-a-crab charters and cruises.

Dining and Accommodations

Restaurants situated along the beaches of the Gold Coast serve fresh and delicious seafood. You can enjoy local favorites caught the same day.  Lobster, snapper, grouper, and flounder are specialties of the area.
There are over 500 choices when it comes to accommodations in the area. Visitors can choose excellent Gold Coast deals on accommodation that fit their budget. Hotels, inns, and apartments are available with seaside views and with lush mountainside vistas.

Whether you are searching for an adrenaline rush zip-lining through the Hinterlands or want to soak up the sun on the beach, the Gold Coast of Australia is the place for the ultimate holiday.

5 Reasons You’ll Love the Gold Coast, Australia was originally published by HappytimeBlog - Backpacking around the world - Learn how to make money travel round the world with you

Photo from Flickr by Your Girl in Portland

Paris. Midnight in Paris. Gay Paree. The City of Lights. The City of Romance. Need I carry on? Everyone knows the glamorous Hollywood version of France’s capital city. So much so that there have been reports of Paris-induced depression, suffered by disappointed tourists who arrive to find that the streets aren’t filled with mimes, no-one really wears a beret, and the Champs-Elysées is more super-cher than super-chic.

While you can hunt down the old Parisian stereotypes if you’re really desperate to find them, why not go in search of the more contemporary city? When you look for a place to stay, it’s always more interesting to go off the beaten track. And the same applies to sightseeing. Here are three spots you probably won’t find in every guidebook.

Take a Pissoir

Paris wasn’t always the sophisticated centre of civilisation you might think it is now. In fact, it wasn’t so long ago that Parisians (the men at least) didn’t think twice about relieving themselves en plein air – that is, out in the open. Find your way to the La Santé prison on Boulevard Aragó, and you can gawp at the last remaining pissoir, or outdoor urinal, in Paris. You can even indulge in this age-old Parisian tradition yourself, if the mood takes you – the last of the 1,200 conveniences that once dotted Paris’s streets was fully functional at the time of writing.

Shop for charity

If you fancy bringing home some unusual and inexpensive souvenirs, or you simply want to treat yourself (why not?), then Neptune is where you need to go. Take the Métro to Mairie de Montreuil to find yourself within walking distance of this bargain-hunter’s heaven spread over two buildings. You’ll find all manner of weird and wonderful objects. Always wanted a brightly-coloured espresso set? You might just find it here. What about a brilliantly tacky parrot-themed lamp? There’s a good chance of that too! But in amongst the trashy fun items, there are plenty of real gems at rock-bottom prices. And the best part? It’s all for a good cause – Neptune’s revenue is spent on helping the socially disadvantaged get back on their feet.

Mourn the mutts

In the Cimetière de Père-Lachaise, you’ll find a host of illustrious permanent guests, including the likes of Kurt Cobain and Oscar Wilde. But if you’ve already visited the graves of the great human heroes, why not swing by the Cimetière des Chiens near Métro Gabriel Péri to pay your respects to some dearly-departed canine companions? As well as being full of extravagant and zanily-decorated tombstones, the burial ground is home to some of the world’s most famous dogs. Barry, a St Bernard who saved over forty people in the mountains, rests here, as does Rin Tin Tin, the Hollywood showdog who reputedly died in the arms of film legend Jean Harlow.

The Other Side of Paris was originally published by HappytimeBlog - Backpacking around the world - Learn how to make money travel round the world with you

Photo from Flickr by vavva_92

Choosing a destination for a quality stag do can often be tricky. After all, there are bound to be a lot of competing interests and needs in a group of red-blooded males all out to celebrate one of their friend’s last few days of single life. But if you are stuck when it comes to planning a good stag outing, then five of the best destinations are listed below.

Edinburgh to Amsterdam

The capital of Scotland has long been a destination of choice for stag parties. As well as its more civilised charms, there are some great pubs to explore, especially in the Grassmarket and close to the Castle. Scotland is, of course, also the home of golf and St Andrews in Fife is a short hop over the Firth of Forth. Rugged terrain in the rural hinterland also means that outdoor treats such as clay-pigeon shooting and white-water rafting are also easily found north of the border.

The charms of Amsterdam are legendary. One of the most liberal and permissive cities in the world, almost anything goes in this part of the Netherlands. Brown cafes offer alternative forms of relaxation should anyone become tired of the excellent lager in this corner of Europe, while the Red Light District is justifiably famous for its atmosphere of all-inclusive decadence.

From the Mersey to the Baltic

England’s North West has a great deal to offer to any stag party. While the seaside is never far away, the city of Liverpool also has a thriving nightlife scene, whether you want to enjoy a few pints of Guinness in an Irish music bar or dance like a maniac at Cream. Nearby Cheshire also offers up a good range of the usual outdoor activities, with go-karting and white-water rafting always popular options.

Heading further afield to Eastern Europe has also become very popular in recent years. Prague is one of the most picturesque capitals on the entire continent, with a host of wonderful streets to explore. The castle looms over all, while the local female population is also eye catching. Superb mountain scenery outside the city gives any paintballing expedition a real feeling of adventure, though urban facilities are close enough not to require backpackers insurance.

Heading even further east, Riga in Latvia offers one of the fastest developing nightlife scenes in Europe. One great way to mark a trip here is arrange one of the ‘arrest’ packages on offer locally. This is where the stag is the victim of a mock arrest by Russian security forces, who accuse him of drug trafficking. Of course, there is a happy ending to the story, but not until he has faced an ‘ordeal’ at the hands of his captors.

Now for the serious bit: in the excitement during the run up to the stag do, don’t forget to do your homework to make sure you’ve planned for every possible eventuality and make sure you get a comprehensive travel insurance policy to give you that extra peace of mind; above all though, make sure you enjoy yourself!

Top Stag Do Destinations was originally published by HappytimeBlog - Backpacking around the world - Learn how to make money travel round the world with you

Photo from Flickr by kozumei

Spanish is not the trickiest of languages to learn. A por favor here, a gracias there… if you’re learning Spanish, it’s amazing what you’ll know without even realising it. (I incidentally learnt a lot from that Spanish bumble bee character in The Simpsons, as it goes.)

Whether you’re learning the lingo for a short stay in the Costas or you’re interested in holiday apartments for rent in Barcelona, it goes without saying that you should learn a few basic words and phrases – hello, please, how much is this, etc.

If you’re properly learning the language, you’ll probably start out by being able to say ‘the car is red’ and other inane and useless phrases. When it comes down to it, there are a few key phrases that you’ll use a LOT but they won’t be listed as top priority in any Spanish phrasebook.

Here’s how to look like you know what you’re talking about (when really you don’t).

Situation 1: The Takeaway

You’ve ordered food in a cafe. You see them putting it on a plate but really you want a takeaway. You have around 10 seconds to think of an appropriate arm gesture to say ‘no not on a plate, in a box and preferably in a plastic bag with some cutlery please’.

You say: Por favor… para llevar
[por fav-OR, para yeh-BAR]

Translation: takeaway please!

Situation 2: The Brush-off

You’re in a club dancing. Whether you’re a guy or a girl, the Spanish love to flirt, whether it’s an ‘accidental’ stroke of the arm when dancing or a full-on smacker on the lips if it’s carnival time.

You say: Gracias, pero tengo novio/novia
[GRASS-ee-ass, perro TENgo NObio/NObia]

Translation: Thanks, but I’ve got a boyfriend/girlfriend

Situation 3: Leaving Things Somewhere

Whether you’re checking in and out of cheapie guesthouses or nice hotels, you’ll often want to ask if you can leave your backpack/luggage somewhere. Rather than construct a long sentence involving several words, you can quite politely point to your bag and then anywhere in the distance, asking:

You say: Puedo dejarlo ici?
[PWAY-doh deHAR-lo EE-see]

Translation: Can I leave this here?

Situation 4: The Embarrassing Solo Photo

Ahh, the perils of being a lone traveller. It’s always the case that your travel photos end up being about 70% scenery, 25% other people and perhaps 5% of yourself. It’s awkward enough asking someone else to take a photo of you with your own camera but you can make life that bit less embarrassing by at least asking correctly.

You say: Puede sacarme una foto?
[PWAY-doh sa-CAR-meh OOna foh-toh]

Translation: Can you take a photo for me?

As a last tip, if you’re properly learning Spanish then try out some audio CDs. I wasted hundreds of dollars on a classroom course but the audio CDs were by far the best way to learn. Give it a whirl. Buena suerte!

4 Spanish phrases for (nearly) every situation was originally published by HappytimeBlog - Backpacking around the world - Learn how to make money travel round the world with you

Photo from Flickr by messycupcakes

As a proud Londoner, it saddens me to admit that it’s no longer Europe’s clubbing capital. Brits in search of a full-on club experience have finally woken up to Berlin. Get a cheap flight, find a deal on accommodation on http://www.oh-berlin.com/ and you’ll find yourself in the dark heart of club land. Regardless of your musical taste, there’s only one club to get yourself into: Berghain.

Berghain is what Hollywood had in mind in the movie Blade. Housed in a converted power station on the border of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain (Am Wriezener Bahnhof) the cavernous club has two dance areas. The main room, Berghain, throbs to minimal techno while the upstairs Panorama Bar plays mostly house. The 30-metre ceilings, interior decor of steel and concrete combined with a dizzying layout make you feel as if you’ve gone down the rabbit hole and may never see daylight again.

This is no normal clubbing experience. DJs often pull 8-hour sets and Saturday nights are usually still going strong on Monday. As well as being world renowned for hard techno, the club operates a liberal anything-goes policy. This isn’t a gay club, but it is gay-friendly. Which, Bergain style, means there’s a men’s-only club on the first level called Lab.Oratory, and a smaller club with a separate entrance called Kantine. We’re talking sex acts to the soundtrack of a pounding bass line.

There’s no VIP section and the guest list is limited to DJs and staff. Entry is permitted at the discretion of the doormen. They can be fierce (especially the one with the tattooed face) and seem to operate a totally random entry policy. You can be partying one week and denied entry the next.

Here’s how to maximise your chances of getting into the world’s best club:

• You need to look over 25 (even if you’re not).

• Do not talk whilst queuing. Don’t say a word.

• When you get up to the door don’t act too anxious. This is the one time where playing it cool really counts.

• Don’t turn up drunk or obviously on drugs. An instant no-go.

• Speak German. When the bouncer asks how many of you there are (Wieviel sind Sie) reply Wir sind zwei (we are two people) or Wir sind drei (we are three people). Never try getting in as a group of more than three.

Finally, if you don’t make it through those iron doors then you can always head to Bar 25, Sisyhpos or Wilde Renate for an alternative club experience. Better luck next time. Because there definitely will be a next time.

Techno, Sex and Daylight Raving: This is Berghain was originally published by HappytimeBlog - Backpacking around the world - Learn how to make money travel round the world with you

Photo of Angkor Wat: From Flickr by Bruno (BRA)

**Guest post by Cambodia’s best-loved expat – Zack Hofelich**

I was supposed to be going to Australia. It was the winter of 2005. Now it’s the rainy season of 2012 and I’ve been living in Cambodia since 2006.“How did this happen?” you ask.

I’m not entirely sure, but trust me when I say the sentences that would lie between those two statements would be surprisingly dull. Just accept that it happened and you’ll be spared the tedium.

So here I sit, watching an off-white sky in between rain showers, trying to figure out why I ordered a coffee and was served toast with Marmite. Actually, that’s a lie; I’m not trying to figure it out. I’ve given up figuring. I’m just wondering how I’m going to get this Marmite down. As an American, I can eat nearly anything, as long as it’s artificial and died a jaunty (jaundicy, perhaps) yellowish colour. Marmite is just a bit too, well, Marmitey for me.

“Why would you eat marmite on toast when you ordered a coffee?” you ask. And who could blame you for asking such a ridiculous question if you haven’t spent at least a season in the Kingdom of Wonder. Because, I say, it’s less painful trying to explain that I wanted a coffee, and Americans don’t eat Marmite. In the past, when I was naïve enough to try to salvage my coffee, I would be told, “No problem, English guy like the Marmite.” “I’m not English, I’m American, we don’t eat Marmite, we eat yellow cheese.” “Aahh,” would respond my server, with a look on their face that belied the understanding in their voice.

The truth is, it’s my fault. After nearly six years in the country it would be safe to assume I’d have some proficiency in the local vernacular. I don’t. Khmer, the language of Cambodia, lacks tones (a distinction that sets the country apart from its neighbours) and most of its words are two syllables. It is almost impossible for Western ears to discern the difference in the plethora of vowel sounds contained in the language.

(To be fair, I do speak a bit of Khmer. I’m nearly fluent in cursing. I can swear in Khmer as good as any ah choi mai. This isn’t particularly helpful in a country full of polite people. Needless to say, it leads me to many problems.)

A friend of mine was once trying to source out some plastic zipper bags. He took one with him to the local market, found a housewares stall, held up the little bag and asked the very young stallholder, with as polite a tone possible, “Choi knyom?” Chuay is what he should have said. Chuay means ‘help’. Choi, on the other hand, is a word that means something that very young Cambodian women don’t do before their wedding day.

Needless to say he didn’t ever find any zipper bags. Her surly cousins found it quite amusing when they realised what he was getting at, and decided to spare his life.

On another occasion, I was asked by an inquisitive young Cambodian, “What payday UK?” Considering the accent, lack of correct syntax, and my knowledge of Khmer being mostly limited to swearing, I thought she was referring to the fact that my clothes made me look like a UK-style drag queen (b’dey is just one Khmer word for transvestite). I was more confused than offended, and by the time I realised she wanted to know how one got paid out in the UK, I didn’t even bother explaining that I wasn’t British. I simply told her (assuming that the British system works much like the American one) that your boss gives you a piece of paper called a cheque, which is worth a certain amount of money, that you can’t use to buy anything with without first going to another place called a bank, and changing it for actually money.

“Why so crazy?” she responded. “My boss him just take the money, put in my hand.”

Yes, well, that works too.

My Life in Cambodia was originally published by HappytimeBlog - Backpacking around the world - Learn how to make money travel round the world with you

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Someone once told me that New Zealand is to Australia what Wales is to England – kind of the same country but more beautiful, with nicer people and where everything is just… well, better.

Since I heard that, I’ve always wanted to go to there. Not for any of that Middle Earth stuff (I’m not into hobbits) but because it looks like it kicks Canada’s ass in terms of mountains and even those Norwegians with their lakes. Stunning.

Competition time

Right now, the lovely folks at Tourism New Zealand are running a campaign to win the holiday of a lifetime to their shores. They’re offering two different kinds of once-in-a-lifetime trip worth $30,000 each. Here’s the deal:

Holiday # 1: Winter Highlife

This is the ultimate do-or-die holiday for adrenaline junkies. You can hoon around the North and South Islands getting pumped up on the slopes, bungee jumping and getting involved with all the extreme sports NZ has to offer. Oh and don’t forget the party scene. (It’s all about the après ski.)

Holiday # 2: Natural Goodness

This is the chance to kick back and unwind, taking in the postcard views of the South Island. Pile into a campervan, fill an esky with beers and enjoy sunset drinks and barbecues in some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. This is all about taking a deep breath and appreciating nature.

The best thing is, these holidays are for two weeks and for you and three of your mates. Now that is a seriously impressive prize.

I want it! How do I win?

The idea is they’re promoting here is that Stories Beat Stuff. In life, experience is everything. Success and happiness isn’t about having the latest iPhone or cruising round in a wicked car; it’s about having mates, sharing good times together and seeing the world. That’s what life’s really about. Check out the Facebook page for Stories Beat Stuff for some interesting reads.

To enter, you need to upload a short video to YouTube or post a photo online saying what material object you’d swap so for a load of memories with your mates. The more creative your entry is, the better.

What would I swap?

I know, I look like a total nerd

Well as a bit of a technotard (I still can’t work my iTouch) I don’t really own anything commercially valuable. The most precious thing I own probably sounds a bit stupid – it’s a battered old sandboard that I was given when I was a backpacker in Chile. I dragged that board up and down sand dunes for weeks, having unspeakable amounts of fun. I shipped it home afterwards (costing me a fortune) and it’s definitely the most precious thing I brought home with me from that trip. Every time I look at it, it makes me smile.

This is what I’d give up for the chance to get me and my mates on that Winter Highlife holiday. If you fancy taking a shot at the big prizes yourself, then check out the Tourism New Zealand website and tell them what you’d give up. Good luck!

Sponsored Post

Viral video by ebuzzing

Win a kickass holiday to NZ for you and your mates was originally published by HappytimeBlog - Backpacking around the world - Learn how to make money travel round the world with you

Photo from Flickr by timsnell

What can you do for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee bank holiday weekend? Because the late May bank holiday has been moved to Monday 4 June 2012 and the Jubilee bank holiday is on Tuesday 5 June 2012, you get an extended weekend – long-awaited and well-deserved.

While the Queen will be attending the Epsom Derby, the concert organised by the BBC at
Buckingham Palace and the Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral, it’s time to get
away from it all and do something different. Why not summer ski?

Summer Skiing

While everyone is getting their bikinis and beach balls ready, something more off the beaten
track is summer skiing (and you can also get a lovely long-lasting tan up in the mountains).
Summer skiing is a popular type of active sport when you ski and board during the day and
enjoy fun summer outdoor activities in the evening. The glaciers are open from early in the
morning till late at night, so even the long weekend is enough to perfect your skiing skills.

Where To Go

France is a great destination for summer skiing. Trois Vallées is a great resort which is a
combination of three valleys: Courchevel, Méribel and Val Thorens/Les Menuires. Val
Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe, at an impressive 2,300 m. Other well-known ski
resorts in France are La Plagne and Les Arcs (420 km, 169 lifts), Tignes and Val d’Isère
(350 km , 97 lifts), as well as Chamonix, where the 1924 Olympic Games took place, which
is situated at the foot of Mont Blanc (4,792 m), the highest mountain of the Alps.

Après Ski

Since summer is traditionally a party season, you will definitely want to have fun après ski.
Ski hut entertainment venues, bars and bistros with great food and loud parties are a great
way to enjoy a summer evening. If you are looking for something sporty you can enjoy
swimming, bowling, ice-climbing, paragliding or snowmobiling at one of the sports centres
nearby. French ski resorts also boast excellent restaurants where you can try authentic cheese
fondue, Génépi herb liqueur and other gourmet delights.

Apps

Any skiing holiday requires some preparation. Today there are even apps like IgluSki’s Deals
and Ski Pad for booking accommodation, contacting property owners, hiring equipment,
etc. Ski Report lets you know where a fresh snowfall took place and with iTrailMaps or Ski
Tracks you will never get lost. Ski School has video tutorials and Hg2 for Iphone can help
you make sure you find the best restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes and shops in the area.

Before You Go

Skiing is a demanding activity so try to prepare your body for the challenge. You should
focus on making your leg muscles stronger – luckily there are special six-week courses
available to get you into the right shape. Getting the best kit for your holiday is also a
must so shop around for good deals well in advance. Going to an avalanche awareness
lecture, attending a safety course or researching safe skiing online will make you feel more

confident up in the mountains. You can also go for cross country courses or a private lesson
with Strictly Ice Dancing winner Zoia Birmingham – to learn some new skills to show off
in France. When you feel prepared and ready to go, click here to visit snowtrex.co.uk to see the prices and book accommodation. Have a fun trip!

Summer Skiing: A Holiday With A Difference was originally published by HappytimeBlog - Backpacking around the world - Learn how to make money travel round the world with you

Photo from Flickr by johnnieb

London is full of exciting things to do, irrespective of whether you’re on a tight budget or you have bottomless pockets. If you’re on holiday in the capital, you’re unlikely to succumb to boredom whether you’re there for a day trip or for a whole fortnight. Here is a list of some the best things you can do in London which are either free of charge or those that cost money:

Free things to do in London

Visit a museum:

The vast majority of London’s museums are free to enter. Whether it’s military history, science, art or royalty you’re interested in, there a museum for you. Among the best museums in the capital are the Natural History Museum, the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich and the Museum of London, which documents the city’s history from Roman times and beyond.

Art galleries:

Much like the city’s museums, most art galleries in London are also free to enter. Perhaps the best of the lot is the Tate Modern which showcases contemporary art, while the nearby Tate Britain exhibits work from artists in the UK. Other galleries of note include the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square and the relatively unheralded National Portrait Gallery.

Walk along the South Bank:

A stroll up and down the southern side of the Thames allows you to see every major landmark in London from Westminster Abbey to the Houses of Parliament, and it won’t cost you a thing. While you’re doing it, you’ve got plenty of opportunities to take a few photos.

Things to do in London that charge

A night at the theatre:

Buying some West End theatre tickets to go see a show in London’s theatre district is a must. Plays, musicals and even stand-up comedy gigs are on almost every night of the year, some of which feature some of the biggest names from the worlds of TV and film.

Ride the London Eye:

For an unrivalled view of all London’s landmarks, a ride on this futuristic 300-foot-tall Ferris wheel is something you should do. There’s nothing quite like seeing London from up high, and tickets are great value, especially if buying for the whole family.

Get a taste of London:

London is packed with top-class restaurants, some of them owned by celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver. Cuisine from just about every part of the world is served up here, as well as local delicacies such as pie ‘n’ mash and bubble and squeak, so feel free to get your fill.

This article was put together by theatre ticket provider Ticket.com – we hope you like it!

The Sights of London was originally published by HappytimeBlog - Backpacking around the world - Learn how to make money travel round the world with you

Photo from Flickr by Nick and Dana Blizzard

As summer approaches, office workers around England start planning their escape from the cities in favour of Peak District holidays and other weekend breaks. Instead of lounging in a beer garden, why not try something new? Combine a short break with the chance to learn a new skill and you’ll be guaranteed to have a few laughs in the process.

Surfing: Cornwall

The Cornish coast is absolutely stunning, with a genuine feeling of Englishness that feels like you’re stepping back half a century. Whatever the weather, surfing the pastime here. The waves are fairly consistent year-round, it’s just a question of how many tourists you’ll be competing with for a decent spot and how much of an ice cream headache you can handle from the chilly water.

Surf schools abound in Newquay and Padstow, giving you the chance to learn the sunshine sport on the north Cornish coast. If you go as a group of four or more, you can bag some pretty tasty discounts for private lessons. Board and wetsuit hire is all included in the price as standard.

Paragliding: Peak District

The Peak District is an unsung Hollywood hero, being the setting for countless movies requiring sweeping landscapes. Several Peak District cottages and stately homes have starred in Pride and Prejudice and The Other Boleyn Girl. This is easy hiking terrain for people who like to walk but aren’t serious hikers. (I scaled one peak wearing just a pair of flip-flops. I’m an idiot, I know!)

More than that, the District is one of the most spectacular places to learn to paraglide. In just one day you can learn the basics of meteorology and air movement, moving on to some basic canopy ‘hops’, before flying solo at the end of the day. Taking in the views from the air is something pretty special.

Horse Riding: Lake District

The Lake District National Park is where the rolling English countryside meets the Scottish border. Away from the well-trodden footpaths are pony trekking and horse riding bridleways, which take you across the Troutbeck Valley and the high fells. If you’ve never ridden a horse, here’s the place to do it. You can take in sweeping valley views from your mount and feel proudly like you’ve conquered the world. Several well-known riding schools cater for beginners and are genuinely enthusiastic about showing visitors the beauty of the area.

Get outside and do something different this summer. You’ll be guaranteed to have a weekend to remember and might even have some fun pictures to put in that digital photo frame you got for Christmas after all…

3 Awesome Ways to Spend an English Summer Weekend was originally published by HappytimeBlog - Backpacking around the world - Learn how to make money travel round the world with you