Look forward to a stress free holiday this year with these great pre-travel tips.

Part of striving towards a work life balance is to take a stress free holiday without feeling anxious or apprehensive about your workload. Sometimes you come back from a holiday needing a holiday – what can you do to ensure you are relaxed and free from stress and pressure? Here are five tips to go away on annual leave, avoid holiday stress and come back to work with a post holiday buzz that lasts longer than holiday romance.

Delegate your work

The chances of having a stress free holiday are enhanced by having the peace of mind that everything is under control at work. Depending on the length of your holiday, ask your boss if a trusted colleague can cover you at work. Update your manager on the status of your work, whether they need to follow up on any projects and ask them to nominate someone who can make decisions on your behalf while you are away.

Get organised

Before you leave for your holiday, allocate time to cleaning your desk, filing your paperwork and making your office free of clutter. In the last hour before you leave, set your out of office message on your email software and also put an out of office message on your telephone. In your email and phone messages, let the person know who they should contact in your absence to try and avoid a barrage of messages when you return.

Plan ahead

The earlier you book and plan your holiday, the more likely you are to get the best deals on hotels and travel and the best choice of quality accommodation and better travel times. It’s great to get a cheap flight for $59 but it might be false economy if you’re getting up at the crack of dawn to catch the plane and starting your holiday on a tense note. It may be better to pay more and get a more convenient flight time.

Set work boundaries

It can be tempting to check your work emails when you are away on holidays but the whole idea of getting away is to escape from the rigours and stresses of every day work. Leave your laptop at home or go to a region with limited Internet access so you will have no choice to enjoy your holiday in the way you intended. Alternatively, set work boundaries and only check your emails once every day for half an hour only.

Easing your way back into work

It can be a culture shock to come back into work after a relaxing holiday and be confronted by numerous emails and phone messages and a high pile of paperwork. Another way to avoid post holiday stress is to set your email auto-reply to say that you are returning one day after your actual start date. This allows you a one day buffer to try and get organised before you resume your normal work routine again.

They say no one is irreplaceable but when you’re the boss, you’re the only one who performs your role in the company or you work in a small team, sometimes you feel that you can’t take holidays without worrying about your workload and your other team members. But with adequate planning and organisation, you should be able to take a stress free holiday and leave the workload and the worries behind.

Beach Resorts

All inclusive properties at beach resorts provide some of the best family beach vacations and fun for the whole family is a top priority with this well established company. Age-appropriate activities are on offer and you can spend time relaxing on the beach while your children play with qualified staff or you can take the whole family to a water park for a day out.

Family resort holidays are effortless with beach resorts and you can find all inclusive properties around the Caribbean including:

• Beaches Negril – One of the best family beach vacations is located in Jamaica, where guests can enjoy a range of children’s programs, amenities and activities during their stay.
• Beaches Boscobel Waterpark – This Jamaican wonderland of water offers its visitors a multitude of splashing fun with a wide selection of water rides and activities to enjoy.
• Beaches Sandy Bay – Guests can enjoy world-class amenities and facilities and children of all ages are catered for at this luxurious Jamaican beachfront resort.
• Turks and Caicos – The beaches here are powdery white and the seas are crystal blue making this one of the most tranquil family resort getaways in the Caribbean.

Club Med

Club Med proudly offer their exclusive customers all inclusive family resorts that are ideal for the best family beach vacations and they boast great deals and offers for all the family throughout the year.

Those traveling with children can enjoy spacious properties in prime locations around the world as well as various children’s programs that cater for all ages and unbeatable deals for those visiting with children. All of the Club Med resorts provide their own unique tropical twist to make your family travel a memory to truly treasure.

Caribbean getaways

Some of the world’s best family beach vacations are found in the Caribbean where families spend time enjoying watersports in the turquoise waters and the exploring the numerous water parks and kids programs.

Discover the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands

Cheap family getaways can be enjoyed on the beautiful Whitsunday Islands and they are the ideal place to stay if you wish to explore the Great Barrier Reef in all its natural glory with the whole family.

Chill out in California

The infamous Golden State has something to suit all tastes and budgets from all inclusive hotels with a kids club through to luxury resorts, cabins and motels; all with fantastic amenities and facilities to cater for families.

Unwind in Hawaii

Luxurious beach resorts abound in Hawaii. Various programs aimed at children are widely available at the plush resorts and the beautiful beaches provide the perfect setting to enjoy idyllic family vacations.

Beachside holidays with all the family vary from action-packed breaks at waterparks with endless children’s programs filled with fun activities through to relaxing on the beach and swimming in the ocean while soaking up the tranquil surroundings. Wherever you want to go to in the world and whatever you want from your break, you can guarantee there is a holiday out there to suit your needs and the best family beach vacations make for memories that last a lifetime.

Exploring and enjoying the great outdoors at adventure travel destinations is the ideal way for many to let loose of our fears and inhibitions and push our limits to the max…

Planning an outdoor adventure holiday this year? We’re researched some of the best adventure travel destinations all over the globe so if its adventure you want, it’s adventure you’ll get.

African Safari

Safari outdoor adventures can be enjoyed in Africa and witnessing the so-called ‘big five’ in their natural habitats is as thrilling as it gets. See a pack of lions up close and personal in the Serengeti or a herd of wild elephants in the Kruger National Park with adventure travel in Africa.

Rock Climbing

Got a head for heights? Why not see the world from a different angle as rock climbing gets the adrenaline pumping and can be done in destinations around the world such as Krabi in Thailand; one of the ultimate adventure travel destinations.

Sailing and Cruise Destinations

Sailing or cruising your way around the world is a unique experience and one that can be done by anyone. The feel of the fresh sea air is unbeatable and you will find a new zest for life in the warm seas around the Caribbean and Asia. All aboard!

Scuba Diving and Snorkelling

Clean your face mask and flap your flippers; it’s time to explore the underwater world in all its natural glory! Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Thailand’s south coast boast unbeatable chances to see beautiful corals and colourful fish and both are considered to be two of the best adventure travel destinations.

Adventure Travel Tours

Tours promising their customers an adventure offer a wide choice of activities from jungle trekking in the Amazon to kayaking ay Niagara Falls. Enjoy a true adventure as part of an exploration or relax with some family fun!

White-water Rafting and Kayaking

Feeling the full force and power of a river with white water rafting is unmatched for those seeking adventure! Adventure travel destinations offering kayaking is another great way to experience the African Zambezi and South American travel on the Chilean Futaleufu River is ideal for those seeking water-based fun.

Hiking

Polish off your walking boots and throw on a rucksack; it’s time to go hiking! Get a 100% natural rush from conquering a peak with hiking holidays that can be enjoyed around the world from the mountainous Himalayas in Nepal to the varied landscapes of New Zealand.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Taking to the powdery white slopes with skis or a snowboard is an awesome feeling and the views alone are worth the odd slip and slide. Visit Val-d’Isere in France and Aspen in the USA if you enjoy extreme sports.

Fishing and Hunting

Hunting and fishing are enjoyed by more than 800 million people worldwide and relaxing while reeling in a frisky salmon in Canada is a great outdoor activity. If you prefer to hunt down your prey then take a trip with a hunting ranch in Texas and make it a holiday to really remember.

Swim with the dolphins, conquer a mountain or take to the piste; whatever type of adventure travel destinations you are looking for, there will be one to suit you at a budget you can afford. Speak to your travel agent, look on the internet or through travel magazines to find your next outdoor adventure.

As far as Valentine’s Day gifts go, there is simply nothing that can beat the romance of a holiday away together. There are hundreds of resorts all over the world that offer couples the opportunity to get away from all of that, and just focus on why they got together in the first place. Here are five of the best Valentine’s Day resorts for reviving and refreshing your relationship.

Turtle Island Resort, Fiji

Conde Nast Traveller described Turtle Island Resort as ‘hyper-romantic’ … and if you liked the Blue Lagoon movies with Brooke Shields when they came out, you’ll feel the same way about Turtle Island, where the movies were filmed. There are plenty of couples activities available in this romantic getaway, and all of them are made so much better by the serenity and privacy. There are massages to be enjoyed, horses to be ridden, and seaside picnics and dinners to be had in the Fijian arm of our best Valentine’s Day resorts.

Daintree Secrets Executive Retreat, Daintree/Cape Tribulation

If the idea of having a private waterfall, creek and swimming hole sounds romantic to you, then Daintree Secrets will be your ideal Valentine’s Day getaway. The resort lies within an amazing tropical wilderness, unspoilt even by power lines – the property is supplied with electricity by a private hydroelectric station. There is scuba diving and snorkelling, secluded beaches, and beautiful rainforest walks … perfect for simply enjoying each other’s company with no distractions or stresses.

Coco Reef Resort, Tobago

The tiny islands of Trinidad and Tobago are as far as you can possibly get from the concerns of everyday life, like phone bills, bosses and traffic. Coco Reef Resort was named the Best Resort in the Caribbean, by Caribbean World Travel Awards recently. Take your Valentine’s Day resort holiday with a slight delay and save – rates from May to December are lowest.

Boutique Villas (Ban Lim Pa), Koh Samui, Thailand

Thailand is one of the most cost-effective yet beautiful places for a romantic holiday. Koh Samui is a small island off the west coast of Thailand, and is as far removed from the slightly seedy Bangkok city life as you can get. Ban Lim Pa is located near the tiny fishing village of Bophut. The infinity-edge pool overlooking the Andaman Sea is a stunner – one of the best Valentine’s Day resorts in all of Asia.

Sungai Gold, Bali

Bali is another romantic destination with resort packages that are incredibly good value – romantic getaways at Sungai Gold include little touches like nightly canapés and cocktails, laundry service, 24 hour butler service, a chauffeured vehicle on call, Bvlgari bathroom products and loaded iPods in the bedrooms. All you need for a weekend of pure decadence.

The best Valentine’s Day resorts are those that make you and your partner feel special, truly take your mind away from all those annoying day to day tasks that can create friction in a relationship. A Valentine’s Day romantic getaway can oil the wheels of your partnership … well for the next year, at least.

Want to take your partner on a romantic getaway or go away on a Christmas holiday can’t afford the time or money or time to go overseas? We bring you six of the best domestic Christmas holiday destinations right here in Australia.

South Coast (New South Wales)

A South Coast holiday might be the beach escape you are looking for. The South Coast region on the southern border of NSW offers a vast number of coastal towns to suit your interests whether you’re looking for a nature holiday, water sports or just want to relax mindlessly on the beach. Popular cities along the South Coast include Werri Beach, Seven Mile Beach, Gerriwong, Kiama, Kangaroo Valley, Gerriwong, Bundeena and Stanwell Park. So if you’re looking for deserted beaches, national parks, rugged mountains and ocean cliffs, visit the unspoiled South Coast of NSW.

Find out more about the South Coast of NSW.

Whitsundays (Queensland)

If you want to combine romance and adventure, then the Whitsundays is your ticket. Bordered by the Great Barrier Reef and 74 tropical islands in the calm waters of the Coral Sea, the Whitsundays lies midway along Australia’s Queensland coast. There are so many things to see and do like sailing around the Whitsundays islands, deep sea diving at the Great Barrier Reef, whale watching or relaxing on one of the many sun kissed beaches.

Find out more about the Whitsundays.

Kangaroo Island (South Australia)

Kangaroo Island spans 155km in length and is known for its wildlife (hence it’s name) and you can see kangaroos and wallabies predominately at dawn and dusk, penguins, seals and koalas. Local attractions include the Flinders Chase National Park, Seal Bay Conservation Park and the Kangaroo Island Penguin Centre. In a study of 10,000 Australian beaches by Sydney University, Professor Andrew Short admitted that if pressed, Kangaroo Island’s Vivonne Bay with its pristine, clean waters was one of his favourites. So if you’re looking for a wilderness holiday, escape to Kangaroo Island and be one with the wildlife.

Find out more about Kangaroo Island.

Phillip Island (Victoria)

Phillip Island combines nature with adrenalin. It is only located 90 minutes away from Melbourne and hosts the International Motorcycle Grand Prix, World Championship Superbikes and Australian Touring Car Championships. Popular things to do on Phillip Island include feeding the pelicans on the world famous Penguin Parade, indulging in a multitude of water sports, taking a tour of the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and hiking and cycling around the island.

Find out more about Phillip Island.

Cradle Mountain (Tasmania)

Cradle Mountain embodies romance and is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a wilderness holiday in a tranquil setting. With its majestic alpine peaks, and beautiful lakes, it’s no wonder Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania’s most popular tourist and holiday destinations. This World Heritage National Park boasts some of the most spectacular bush walking in the state. Stay in one of the many cabins or chateaus based at the foot of the national park and indulge in outdoor hikes, massages and enjoy the best of local produce and wines.

Find out more about Cradle Mountain.

Hunter Valley (New South Wales)

The Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s oldest and well known wine regions and romantic destinations. There is no shortage of choice with over 60 restaurants, 120 wineries, 160 accommodation venues and a vast range of activities. Indulge in wine tasting, take a cooking class and sample the local produce, play a round of golf at one of Hunter Valley’s world class golf courses or visit one of the many festivals held throughout the year.

Find out more about the Hunter Valley.

So if you’re looking for a South Coast holiday, nature holiday, adventure or romantic getaway, look no further than the heart of Australia with its beautiful beaches, untouched natural habitat and spectacular wilderness.

Travel gadgets are a world away from paper maps, translation books and multiple travel guides. Now there are GPS systems, money convertors and electronic translators that can fit into the palm of your hand. Here are five handy gadgets to take with you on holiday without incurring any excess baggage fees.

Playstation Portable (PSP)

The PSP is a nifty device which allows you play games, videos, music and photos and share them with friends. With a systems software update, the PSP even doubles as a communications device with Skype functionality able to be activated on the PSP Slime, Lite and PSP-3000 models. This enables you to make free calls to anyone else using the service when you’re in range of a Wireless Hotspot or call landlines and mobile phones at very competitive rates. Go to the Playstation website to find out more.

Samsung NC10 Mini Notebook

This mini notebook boasts a 10.2” screen and a keyboard that is equivalent to the size of 93% of a full QWERTY keyboard but only weighs 1.3kg with a 6 cell battery. This laptop offers a lot of computing power at a fraction of the weight, size and cost. It’s perfect for those who want to work on the go but don’t want to carry around a bulky, full size laptop. For more details on the notebook visit the Samsung website.

Apple iPhone

As well as being a multi-media device which allows you to make phone calls, check your emails and download music, the Apple iPhone allows you to download apps that add to the functionality of your phone. The Apple iPhone can act as a GPS system, help you find restaurants, give you walking directions, tell you the weather forecast or allow you to manage your money on the go. Read our article on the Five Essential (And Free) iPhone apps or visit the Apple website for more details.

Lingo XPlorer

This multi-language translator not only gives you the translation in the foreign language characters but also shows you to pronounce them phonetically and gives you the correct pronunciation at the touch of a button. Languages include French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese with 14 languages in total. This handy device has over 800,000 words and 46,200 useful travel phrases. It also has 8 travel games including Sudoko, a world time and local time clock, alarm, calendar and a currency conversion tool. Find out more at the Lingo website.

Victorinox Presentation Pro

The ultimate gift for any Macgyver travel types out there in the wilderness but still wanting all the tech comforts of home. The knife has a 32GB USB drive included on this mini Swiss Army knife can hold your files, music and video and has a laser pointer, biometric security and bluetooth PowerPoint controller as well as the traditional Swiss Knife functionality. If you’re travelling by plane, make sure that this is stored in your cabin luggage. To find out where you can purchase the Swiss Knife go to the Victorinox website.

When you buy a travel device, make sure you check whether you can download additional apps or system’s software updates that will give your device even greater functionality without having to purchase the latest model or pay for an expensive upgrade.

A romantic getaways style holiday can sometimes make or break a relationship. Here are 5 romantic holiday destinations that will leave you loved up, happy and fulfilled…or at the least, come back with a good tan.

Venice

Venice is undeniably one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in Italy with winding canals, gondolas, narrow streets and romantic restaurants and cafes where you can linger for hours on end. You cannot leave Venice without taking the obligatory gondola ride and canal tour. But there are so many things to see and do in Venice like take a walking tour and visit the spectacular Piazza San Marco, Basilica di San Marco and Palazzo Ducale, visit a famous museum like Palazzo Venier dei Leoni and Gallerie dell’Accademia or go shopping in high fashion luxury boutiques in the San Marco area.

Mauritius

Mauritius is the perfect ‘island for two’ – dazzling turquoise waters, fabulous shopping and a fascinating culture. Mauritius is a popular spot for celebrities who want to enjoy a piece of paradise without the paparazzi in tow. Stay in a luxury beach resort or an intimate bungalow by the sea. Indulge in a variety of activities such swimming at the beautiful serene beaches at Grand Bay or Flic en Flac, deep sea fishing or water sports, shopping at the local haunts or sampling the native cuisine at one of Mauritius’ many 5 star restaurants. As Mark Twain so aptly put it: “God made Mauritius first – then Heaven.”

Los Cabos, Mexico

Los Cabos, Mexico is located where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. Lose yourself in the natural beauty of the ocean or get closer to nature on a hike through the mountainous terrain. Stay in a luxurious resort overlooking the ocean and spoil yourself at a spa or you can go surfing, deep sea diving, whale watching or tee off at a world-class golf course. There is so much to see and do and every day in Los Cabos marks a new adventure. Los Cabos will captivate you with its untamed natural beauty.

The Maldives

The Maldives is a popular tropical holiday destination. The pearls of the Indian Ocean, as it is popularly known, are situated in the South West of Sri Lanka, on the equator. The numerous coral reef islands number 1,190 coral islands spanning 820 kilometres north to south and 120 kilometres east to west with 202 inhabited islands and 87 operating as exclusive island resorts. There is more to the Maldives than exotic, secluded island resorts that promise heavenly tranquillity. Diving and snorkelling and surfing are among the wide range of water sports available, alluring world-class spas and a rich, intriguing culture are among the many other attractions of this unique country.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnick is a medieval city on the Croatian side of the Adriatic coastline and a city fraught with tradition. In more recent times, it has become the center of modern cultural and tourist events with a full event calendar of summer festivals, an international parade of top musical acts and a city of museums and galleries. Things to see and do in Dubrovnik include walking tours around the historical sites, a vast array of water sports or a visit to the Dubrovnik Sea Aquarium. Playwright, George Bernard Shaw said “Those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik and see Dubrovnik”, as well as, famously, describing it as “the pearl of the Adriatic”.

Whatever romantic getaway you decide upon, any holiday involving the beach, shopping and good weather is bound to be a crowd pleaser and a sure fire guarantee to get you in the good books for the first few days at least.