Travel Sprout Magazine - Issue #4 January 2015

DG The E T Big ISS UE

ISSUE #4 - JANUARY 2015

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INSPIRING FAMILY TRAVEL

HOW TO BOOK CHEAP AIRFARES Unusual Budget Destinations Around the World

BUY vs.

DIY

BRISBANE ON A BUDGET

HOUSE SWAPPING

the new (inexpensive) way to travel ...

6 Ways to save on family travel - BUDGET TRAVEL BOOKS - TRAVEL APPS - GREAT KIDS TEES

TRAVEL SPROUT - JANUARY 2015

travelsprout.com.au Check out our website to find previous issues, links to great destinations and more info on the organisations we support. You can also get in touch if you have ideas for articles, great family holiday photos you want to share or just have a browse.

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CONTRIBUTORS Travel Sprout Magazine travelsprout.com.au Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Jonas Ask Homaa Editor Olivia Witkowski Assistant editor Emma Kate Design & illustrations Nina Bennett Images BigStock.com unless otherwise stated Contributors for this issue Jane Chiro Anne Vichnevetskaia Published by Sprout Publications ABN 91 843 395 033 P O Box 25 Elwood VIC 3184 Australia

Front cover copyright - Bigstock.com

Jane Chiro From crossing the Atlantic Ocean to being kissed by North American snowflakes, travel adventures have always left Jane Chiro in search of wanderlust. Each trip is a treasure chest holding memories, bursting with colors, sounds, people and a promise. Next on her list is Europe. She wants to eat in Tuscany. Swim in Greece. Walk Paris at night.

Dance in Barcelona. Sleep in Spain. “Life is really what you make it” is her motto.

Anna Vichnevetskaia The first job Anna’s mum ever had was on a cruise ship and she would sometimes take Anna along. And that was probably how Anna got her travel bug. Today, 20 years later, Anna has been to 35 countries across 5 continents. Travel has not only opened her eyes and mind to new places and cultures, but also made her realize how lucky and privileged she is. That’s why she works with international social development, combining work, travel, giving back and learning.

Jonas Ask Homaa Jonas has always had an inherent urge for travelling and exploring. Having lived with his family in Copenhagen, Los Angeles and now Melbourne he always looks for new adventures both locally and out in the big world. His favorite thing is to dive or go camping with his daughter and you can always catch him eating italian ice cream on a hot summer day.

DISCLAIMER:

The opinions expressed in the editorials / articles are those of the writers and does not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher and Travel Sprout Magazine.

Information provided was believed to be correct at the time of publication.

Copyright © Travel Sprout Magazine / Sprout Publication 2014. Reproduction of any part or in whole without the permission of Travel Sprout Magazine is strictly forbidden. All reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. If you feel that we are using any images in an inappropriate way please contact us immediately.

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Follow and Like us Follow us on social media and get the latest updates with inspirational destinations and fun family travel ideas.

Get teasers for upcoming issues and links to other stuff to help you plan your next holiday with the kids.

t s e t a l e h t t e g o t k o o .. b . e c d e a e F f n s o w s e u n r u o Like y o t t h g i issue stra Follow us on Pinterest and see inspiring images from around the world on our wall ...

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A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

WELCOME

Travelling as a family can be an expensive affair, especially if you have a couple of activities, a little sightseeing or even a trip to a theme park or two planned. But it doesn’t have to be. There are several ways to keep costs down; think out of the box when it comes to destinations, know how to find cheap transportation, look for alternative accommodation or find free or cheap things for the family to enjoy on your holiday.

Some of my best childhood memories are not from expensive holidays at pricey resorts, but having a whole day on the beach with the family, going on a bike ride with a picnic basket or taking a road trip with (almost) nothing but a tent and bbq.

Hope you have a great (and inexpensive) holiday.

Jonas Ask Homaa Editor-in-Chief Travel Sprout Magazine

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DESTINATIONS on a budget 14 brisbane 10 GREAT TIPS ON WHAT TO DO WITH THE FAMILY IN BRISBANE ...

guide to House swapping 44 ANEWquick TO HOUSE SWAPPING? HAVE A LOOK AT

OUR QUICK GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY TO TRAVEL ...

BUDGET DESTINATIONS 57 UNUSUAL WE HAVE FOUND SOME GREAT FAMILY BUDGET DESTINATIONS A BIT OUT OF THE ORDINARY ...

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DESTINATIONS

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BRISBANE ON A BUDGET

A quick guide to house swapping

UNUSUAL Family Budget destinations

Images Copyright - BigStock.com and Brisbanemarketing (Brisbane on a budget)

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HOW TO Book cheap airfares

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Buy it vs. do it yourself

Images Copyright - BigStock.com, Pixabay and TheMountain.com

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6 ways to save on family travel

LOTS OF great TRAVEL stuff AND GREAT KIDS WEAR

INSPIRATION

INSPIRATION to ... BOOK CHEAP AIRFARES 27 how GET A FEW TIPS ON HOW TO SAVE MONEY WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR NEXT AIRFARES ...

vs. DIY 36 BUY WE’VE FOUND A FEW CHEAP ALTERNATIVES TO BUYING TRAVEL GAMES AND ACTIVITIES ...

WAYS TO SAVE ON FAMILY TRAVEL 40 6CHECK OUT SOME TIPS ON HOW TO TRAVEL WITH THE FAMILY ON A BUDGET ...

AND MUCH more TRAVEL stuff .. LOTS OF OTHER CONTENT LIKE GOOD

BUDGET APPS, BUDGET BOOKS, GREAT KIDS WEAR AND LOTS MORE ...

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COMPETITION

INSTAGRAM COMPETITION WINNER This photo is from Broulee Beach in NSW and is what summer holidays is all about.

The family pass to Australian Reptile Park goes to Instagram user Libcarrick.

Congratulations!

WINN 10

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WIN A FAMILY PASS TO THE AUSTRALIAN REPTILE PARK

Visit the Reptile Park

Visit one of the most family friendly hands-on zoos in Australia.

Meet Elvis, the crankiest crocodile in Australia and walk with Hugo, the giant 165kg Galapagos tortoise. See reptiles up-close and meet loads of cuddly Aussie animals. Have your photos taken with fury and scaly new friends. Experience venomous snake and funnel web spider milkings. Have fun on the new children’s reptilian adventure playground. Join a Kids 2 Keeper junior zoo keeping workshop or go on a behind the Scenes and Devilish Encounter Tassie devil tour. There are plenty of things to see and do for the whole family.

NER! WINNER! WINNER! WINNER! travelsprout.com.au

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BRISBANE ON A BUDGET

USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

BRISBANE

ON A BUDGET 10 GREAT IDEAS FOR AN INEXPENSIVE STAY IN BRISBANE

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Get your own personal guide

SEE THE CITY ON TWO WHEELS

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get creative 12

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get out on the water

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or GET IN THE WATER

go explore

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hit the local markets

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enjoy the many parks

With everything a big city has to offer plus being only a stone throw from the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast Brisbane is a fantastic destination for a great family holiday.

10 EAT OUT

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BRISBANE ON A BUDGET

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USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT Copyright - airtrain.com.au

If you arrive by air, hop on Brisbane’s Airtrain which is the fastest, easiest and most cost-effective way to reach the city from the airport. They have discounted group fares online, a 10% discount for all online bookings, an easy mobile app and a Kids Travel Free policy for kids of 14 years of age and under when

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accompanied by a paying adult. Once in the city public transport is an reasonably easy and affordable way to get around town. www.airtrain.com.au www.translink.com.au

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AUSTRALIAN BEACHES

get your own personal guide Copyright - brisbaneeventplanner.com.au

Once you have arrived the best way to start off your visit is booking your own free - tour guide. The Brisbane Greeters are locals who love living in their home city so much that they are enthusiastic about introducing you to it, and sharing their intimate knowledge. You have to book in advance and you can choose to

let the greeter take you around or decide the areas of interest by yourself. www.visitbrisbane.com.au

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BRISBANE ON A BUDGET

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see the city on two wheels Copyright - Tourism & Events Queensland

There’s probably no better (and cheaper) way to get around Brisbane than on a bike. And even if you can’t bring you own there’s still hope. The CityCycle bike scheme lets you jump on a bike at more than 150 locations around the city. You can sign up for the day for just $2 and if you only do short rides (less than 30 min)

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you can ride for free. If you plan a bit it’s a great way to get around and when you need to move on just pick up a new bike.

This is for bigger kids as there are no child seats or kid size bikes. www.citycycle.com.au

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AUSTRALIAN BEACHES

Get creative Copyright - Brisbane Marketing

Aim for GOMA, one of the country’s most exciting art galleries. With plenty of free programs for kids to create their own mini-masterpieces at The Children’s Art Centre this is a great spot to enjoy a different and cheap holiday experience.

You can even see the ‘Journey to Fantastic Lands’ exhibition (8 November until 20

May 2015) or help transform Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s popular installation “The obliteration room” with hundreds of brightly coloured dots (6 December until 22 March 2015). www.qagoma.qld.gov.au

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BRISBANE ON A BUDGET

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get out on the water Copyright - Tourism & Events Queensland

Jump on a CityCat Ferry and cruise along the iconic Brisbane River. It’s a cheap but also very pleasant way to experience this amazing city. To enjoy the full experience, board at the University of Queensland and wind your way along past the City and South Bank to Brett’s Wharf. You can hop on and off along the way and do all

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this for around $5.

If you want to splurge a little then rent a kayak and sail down Brisbane River under the Story Bridge or past South Bank. It’s a great way to see the city from a different angle. www.brisbane.qld.gov.au www.riverlife.com.au

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AUSTRALIAN BEACHES

OR GET IN THE WATER Copyright - Brisbane Marketing

On a hot day there is only one place you want to be; the water. There are a few great free options when it comes to cooling down in Brisbane.

Head to Streets Beach, the only inner-city, man-made beach in Australia with a sparkling lagoon surrounded by white, sandy beaches and sub-tropical

plants. Streets Beach is free to use and is patrolled by qualified lifeguards all year round.

You can also try Aquativity - a fun water-play park or head for the Boat pool for a swim. Both a free and patrolled.

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TRAVEL SPROUT - JANUARY 2015

BRISBANE ON A BUDGET

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go explore Copyright - Tourism & Events Queensland

Take some time to explore the adventure trail set in the heart of the shady Exotic Rainforest in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha. You can collect a map at the start of the trail (or download it online) and follow it to make sure you spot all the surprises and amazing plant facts. It’s a great way for the kids (and

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you) to take a break from the big city. www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

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AUSTRALIAN BEACHES

hit the local markets Copyright - Tourism & Events Queensland

There’s nothing like taking in the atmosphere of a local market and Brisbane has got something for every taste. From indie music, to organic foods, young home-grown designer labels, and everything you could imagine in between. Pick up a souvenir or enjoy some great food. Some of the better

markets include: The Collective Market, South Bank Young Designers Market, the Eat Street Markets and the Jan Power’s Farmers Markets.

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TRAVEL SPROUT - JANUARY 2015

BRISBANE ON A BUDGET

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Enjoy the many parks Copyright - Brisbane Marketing

There are a few parks to choose from but a sure winner is the New Farm Park where inner-city dwellers flock for their fix of green. The park has one of the world’s prettiest and most fragrant rose gardens and there is plenty of space to take a picnic, grab a frisbee or just sit under one of the gigantic fig trees and relax in

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these great gardens which are perfectly positioned by the Brisbane River. www.newfarmpark.com.au

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AUSTRALIAN BEACHES

Eat out

Copyright - Tourism & Events Queensland

Brisbane is a great food destination and there’s no reason that eating out with the kids should leave you broke. One spot is the The Crosstown Eating House where you can enjoy their famous lamb cutlet and minted yoghurt for only $5. But do a bit of research and you can eat out every night with breaking the bank.

Check out these websites for great inexpensive eats: www.thecrosstown.com.au www.mustdobrisbane.com www.theurbanlist.com

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TRAVEL SPROUT - JANUARY 2015

BRISBANE ON A BUDGET

:) ENJOY BRISBANE Copyright - Brisbane Marketing

Have a look for some of these links for more information on things to do in Brisbane on a family budget.

Family fun around Brisbane

www.visitbrisbane.com.au/freefun www.brisbanekids.com.au www.mustdobrisbane.com/kids Things to do in Brisbane

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How to

...

find cheap s e r a f r i a

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How to ...

F

inding cheap tickets is all about timing and knowing where to look. There are many online platforms that make it easier to access affordable travel, but it can be overwhelming to navigate through all of them. We’ve narrowed down some of the best ways to find cheap airfares for your next family vacation.

Know when to book ...

... and when to fly!

There are lots of statistics on when to book your flights, but generally the closer you get to departure the more expensive the flight will be. The optimal time to book varies depending on destination and flight length (short or long haul), but experts agree that you should book at least 30 days in advance, if not longer.

According to Skyscanner ticket prices are lowest between 5 to 6 weeks before departure. Farecompare says domestic flights should be booked between three months and 30 days before departure and international flights between 5 months and 90 days before departure.

Flying outside of peak seasons, like school and public holidays, is a first step towards lowering your travel costs. Most prices will go up one week before any particular holiday, so if you can travel outside of peak season you can avoid big crowds and expensive accommodation as well as getting cheaper airfares.

Some days of the week are usually cheaper to travel than others. When searching for flights, look to travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays if possible. You may need to fly early during the day or catch a red-eye flight with your family to get those cheap deals.

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FIND CHEAP AIRFARES

Leave it to the experts!

If you’re doing a more complex flight (several stop-overs, destinations with lots of possible routes) you might want to check out Flightfox. It is an expert driven site that puts you in contact with people who help you search for lower priced airfare deals. All you have to do is give them the details of your trip and they do the behind the scenes work. The experts do an extensive search for you to find the best route, airline, price and more. This is perfect for those families who don’t have the time to spend online going from site

to site to search for that cheap airline deal and for the more complex itineraries you could save up 20% on flights compared to what you might have found yourself – which can be quite a lot when traveling overseas with a couple of kids.

You pay a small fee and the total search can take anywhere from 3 hours to 48 hours - it all depends on the complexity of your trip. The best thing about using an expert, they do the tedious work so you don’t have to.

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How to ...

... or do your own

online research!

There are now many website like Momondo, Skyscanner, Expedia, Kayak, Webjet and Flight Centre that offer price comparisons on airfares. These sites make it easy to compare flights on specific dates in terms of price, stops, travel time etc.

Most of these also let you setup search agents that will email you with price updates if prices go up and down – this makes it easier to find the cheapest airfares without having to check back every other day.

Make sure to double check airfares directly on the airline websites - some of them don’t show up on flight aggregator sites. For instance, China Airlines is one of the airlines that often sell cheap deals departing from Auckland, Sydney and Brisbane. However, these deals will not always show on the comparing sites.

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Some airline websites raise their prices once they see you returning. Your return to the site is a clear indication that you’re very interested in booking a flight and are probably likely to pay a higher priced flight. To prevent this possible price hike, clear your browser cookies (for the website) prior to booking your ticket.

Sometimes different airlines (JetStar for one) promise to beat the price offered by another airline if you provide them with proof of a lower price. What better way to get lower airfare prices than to help them win you over from their competitor? The catch here is that most of these airlines will cooperate based on a certain set of criteria. The price beat will usually apply if the dates, flights and times are the same. So you may need to consider how flexible your family plans are.

CHEAP AIRFARES

WE CO MP AR ED

MOMONDO.COM.AU Compares prices (and all other relevant info like flight time, stop overs) of airlines in one easy overview with lots filtering to the result. Try the “Flight Insight” (on the top of the result page) to see details like when it is cheapest to fly, how many days in advance to book, which day of the week and what time a day is cheaper all for the specific destination you are looking for.

SKYSCANNER.COM Has the same functionality as most others, but if you haven’t yet decided your destination Skycanner lets you do a more open search like searching to a specific country to see the cheapest cities. The app version also has a map search that gives you an overview of for instance prices to all the different destinations in Europe making it easier to plan based on a budget rather than specific destinations.

EXPEDIA.COM.AU Expedia has all the bells and whistles of the others sites, but offers deals when you combine flights and hotels in one booking and also lets you search for activities in a specific city if you are looking for something for the family to do.

WEBJET.COM.AU Apart from giving you an overview of flights (price, flight time and so on) you can also find hotels offers, car hire and cruises.

KAYAK.COM.AU Much like all the other sites, but has a nice little extra feature, which gives you advice on whether to buy the tickets or wait. In the top left corner of the search result they give you an indication on whether the price are likely to go up or down in the near future along side a score on how accurate they have been in the past on this advice.

FLIGHTCENTRE.COM.AU As an Australian site there is a lot of focus on local flight deals and holiday packages for Australian families, so if you haven’t found your holiday destination yet it is a great place to find inspiration.

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How to ...

Cheaper is not

! always cheaper

Even though some low budget airlines offer extremely low airfares they often come with hidden costs. So when you book your next ticket be sure you know what fees for checked luggage, carry on and oversize luggage (prams, strollers and things like that) changes made to tickets (names, change of dates and so on) are. Also most often the reason for cheap tickets is that the airlines have low costs on things like service and airport fees. This means that cheaper tickets will most likely give you less service or departures from low cost airports or at

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very early / late departures. In turn this might add on cost for onboard food and drinks, extra transport to and from the airport or even extra accommodation so make sure that you add up all these cost when looking for your cheap airfares.

If you have toddlers, or a baby, you probably want to ensure you can fly comfortably with all your necessities (think strollers and diaper bags) so consider if you want to pay a bit more for family comfort. What you save on ticket prices you might regret later on legroom and in-flight service.

CHEAP AIRFARES

WE TE ST

Ticket price Checked baggage Seat selection In-flight service Entertainment TOTAL

AUD $952 AUD $132 AUD $5 - 24 Not included AUD $9 (per use) from AUD $1,084

Ticket prices vary a lot over the day depending on time a day so if you are flexible with departure times you can save a lot of money. Carry-on baggage is included in the price (up to 7kg) but all checked baggage is extra. For this example we have added the standard 20kg for each passenger per flight. Seat selection depends on where in the plane you want to sit. You can buy food and drinks on board. You can rent iPads with entertainment (games and movies) on.

ED

We found tickets for 2 adults and 2 children (2 - 11 years) travelling from Melbourne to Sydney on the 10th of April 2015 at 9:20AM and return on the 17th of April 2015 at 6:30PM.

Comparing airfares can be a bit like comparing mobile subscriptions.

You have to be sure to know all the added cost and read the fine print. We did a test on three of the major airlines flying Melbourne to Sydney to see what it would cost a family of four and what extra cost would come on top of the ticket price.

The search was done on Monday the 15th December 2014. Prices may have changed since then and is not meant to reflect the general pricing policy of each airline, but merely highlight general price elements.

Some airlines have reasonably steady flight prices and others vary a lot over time and depending on sales. Don’t forget to check out sales and offers.

We found tickets for 2 adults and 2 children (2 - 11 years) travelling from Melbourne to Sydney on the 10th of April 2015 at 9:05AM and return on the 17th of April 2015 at 6:45PM.

We found tickets for 2 adults and 2 children (2 - 11 years) travelling from Melbourne to Sydney on the 10th of April 2015 at 9:00AM and return on the 17th of April 2015 at 6:00PM.

Ticket price Checked baggage Seat selection In-flight service Entertainment

Ticket price Checked baggage Seat selection In-flight service Entertainment

TOTAL

AUD $1,039 Included Included Limited Included from AUD $1,039

Ticket prices were the same (for each ticket category) independent of the departure time. Carry-on baggage (up to 7kg) is included in the price and checked baggage (up to 23kg) is included for adults and children. Standard seat selection is included for domestic flight. For more leg room there is an added fee of AUD $60. Complimentary food and beverages are included on every Qantas flight. Food available for purchase. Qantas offers Q Streaming on selected flights giving direct access to over 100 hours of entertainment through customized iPads on board.

TOTAL

AUD $1,032 AUD $280 Included Limited Download app from AUD $1,312

Ticket prices were the same (for each ticket category) independent of the departure time. Carry-on baggage (up to 7kg) is included in the price and checked baggage is extra. For this example we have added the standard 23kg for each passenger per flight. Seat selection prices depend on where in the plane you want to sit. Snacks and beverages included on selected flights. All other flights - Tea/coffee/juice/water included and food available for purchase. The Virgin Australia In-flight Entertainment system can be downloaded to your own phone or tablet and is offered on selected flights.

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‘BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD’

TRAVEL SPROUT - JANUARY 2015

Have you ever wanted to see an orang-utan in its natural habitat?

Want to experience the jungles of Borneo?

Join us for our Trek for Orang-utans adventure challenge in 2015 and • Visit Tanjung Puting National Park and the famous Camp Leakey • • • • • •

Learn about the work that orang-utan researchers do in the jungle See both reintroduced and wild orang-utans in their natural environment Trek through the jungle and plant a tree Experience sleeping aboard and travelling through the jungle on a river klotok (boat) Have exclusive visitation access to the International Animal Rescue (IAR) orang-utan rescue centre in Ketapang Witness the palm oil plantations spreading across the island

TREK FOR ORANG-UTANS: BORNEO 23 October 3 November 2015 www.wwf.org.au/adventure_challenges 32

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For more about the work WWF-Australia is doing in Borneo, check out this video.

Saving the orang-utans of Arabela

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TRAVEL SPROUT - JANUARY 2015

COMPETITION

UPF50+

f o s t o l Great for 34

the beac

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h

s n g i s e d t a e r g

S

SIGN UP GIVE-AWAY

SIGN UP AND WIN A BEACH ROBE FROM GOSPLASH.COM.AU

Sign up to get Travel Sprout Magazine straight to your inbox and you might be the lucky winner of a great beach robe from gosplash.com.au

SIGN UP TO WIN - sign up to win Give-away rules: The Sign-up give-away is open to Australian residents as long as they follow the competition rules. The winners will be chosen by the Travel Sprout editorial team. The Winners will be contacted via email and have their names displayed in our magazine / website / facebook / Instagram and other social media. The Judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to. The competition will run from 7th January 2015 until 5th March 2015. No late entries. Travel Sprout is compliant with the Privacy Act. Our policy is such that we will not pass on your details to any third party without your prior consent.

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TRAVEL SPROUT - JANUARY 2015

DO IT YOURSELF

BUY IT VERSUS

DO IT YOURSELF

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TRAVEL GAMES

Finger Puppets US$11.99 The game Snakes and Ladders originated in India as a game based on morality called Vaikuntapaali or Paramapada (the ladder to salvation). The game made it’s way to Britain in the late 1800’s and is a sure family favorite for a long holiday. www.toysrus.com

GREAT HOLIDAY GAMES Rain & Rainbow Board Game Free Rainbows take you up to higher numbers (like ladders) and black clouds and rain bring you back down to lower numbers (like snakes). Got it?

Try chasing the rainbows and not get soaking wet in the rain!

This Rain & Rainbow board game is a variation of Snakes & Ladders. www.mrprintable.com travelsprout.com.au

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DO IT YOURSELF

Colouring Book AUD $23.80 A page for each day or perhaps just enough for a long haul flight.

Plenty of colouring in fun for the kids for your next holiday. www.booktopia.com.au

ROAD TRIP ACTIVITIES Colouring Pages Free Coloring is fantastic fun and our printable coloring pages have something for everyone.

Fill these cute birds with beautiful colors! Choose your favorite bird from these free printable bird coloring pages. www.mrprintable.com

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TRAVEL ACTIVITIES

Finger Puppets AUD $7.95 (Each) These super cute finger puppets from As We Grow Learning Toys will keep both kids and adults occupied for a long time. www.aswegrowlearningtoys.com.au

KEEP THE KIDS OCCUPIED DIY Finger Puppets Free Please welcome this lil mouse & co who live on our farm! Our printable farm animal finger puppets can’t wait to be chatty friends on your little fingers.

Meow! Neigh! Squeak! Oink!

Twitch twitch nibble!

Great to pass time on a long haul flight or on the back seat. www.mrprintable.com

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TRAVEL SPROUT - JANUARY 2015

FAMILY BUDGET

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Ways to travel on

Find hidden discounts / offers

Credit cards often have travel insurance (if you have paid for tickets with the credit card) and offer travel assistance so check before you buy extra. Memberships (like automotive clubs) can also be good spot to find travel specials; make sure that you get the most out of your membership fee. Finally you might find discounts / offers from work, like holiday houses you can rent cheap.

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Spend time to save money

There are many websites that will help you book your hotel - all with different advantages. Booking.com have a price guarantee and hotels.com offers a buy 10 nights get 1 free deal, on their eligible hotels. For last minute deals, check out lastminute.com, try “name your price� and bid within a specific price range on priceline.com, or get special deals on hotwire.com, a website that will give you the rating and general location of the hotel with a cheaper rate, but will not specify the actual hotel name. You can of course also try the old fashion way and call the hotel to ask for special rates.

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Think outside the (accommodation) box!

There are good alternatives to hotels, especially when you are travelling with kids. Check out AirBnB and apartment rentals for budget travel with kids - you get more room, save on food and stay in more homely surroundings. Perhaps consider house swapping (read article elsewhere in this issue).

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a Family Budget

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Save on transportation

Obviously using public transport is usually a cheap option when it comes to transportation. Check local multi-ride or tourist day passes to save on local travel. If you’re renting a car research alternative dates, as a few of days earlier or later might put you in high-season and change prices dramatically.

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Plan ahead and save a heap

A big item on the budget is often museums, sightseeing and other fun stuff. But there are lots of online promotions available for all sorts of fun things. Look for deals like coupon codes on Google, or specials like Groupon which offer considerable discounts. Do the searches locally, using the name of the city you plan to be in and you might be lucky to find what you are looking for at half the price. When it comes to museums, check their site to see if there are free or “pay what you can” days to save on the budget.

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Save on the small splurge on the big

Make a budget and save on the basics, such as food and transportation. Make your own dinner, pack a lunch and pick free days at museums. But splurge on the things you can’t do at home like amazing excursions or exciting amusement parks. travelsprout.com.au

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TRAVEL SPROUT - JANUARY 2015

R T T E G D U B

TRAVEL APPS

V

THERE’S AN A

MOMONDO Flight search has never been this fast or easy to use.

Momondo lets you search & compare billions of prices on flights worldwide.

An app dedicated to price transparency for all travellers.

Free Available on iOS and Android

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Bon Voyage: Travel Expenses Staying on top of your travel budget has never been easier. Use this app to capture your travel expenses & get your travel planning in order with your own checklist and reminders.

From AUS $0.99 Availalbe on iOS and Android

Using you phone or t can help y all the ted things you to do whe planning, or travelin found a fe that migh traveling l easier for your famil

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT

RAVEL

APP FOR THAT

ur smart tablet your with dious u need en packing ng.We’ve ew apps ht make life you and ly.

foodspotting As seen on The Today Show and in Travel + Leisure Magazine’s Top Travel Apps, Foodspotting is a visual guide to good and possibly cheap food and where to find it. It’s the leading app for finding and rating dishes, not just restaurants.

Free Available on iOS and Android

Money Manager Expense & Budget Money Manager is a very advanced tool to manage your finances and can be a great way to stay on budget when trying to save up for the next big family trip.

Free Available on Android travelsprout.com.au

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BEACH PARADISE

HOME FROM 44

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AWAY HOME A QUICK GUIDE TO HOUSE SWAPPING Copyright - BigStock.com

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HOUse swap House swap or home exchange - it all boils down to the simple concept of going on holiday in someone elses house while they stay in yours. It sounds simple enough really, but the wonders of the Internet and the boom of the share-economy has taken this kind of domestic-swap-meat to new heights.

A

little over a year ago we bought a tiny little house in the south of France. Somewhat of a dream come true and we had vivid plans of long lazy summer holidays with refreshing morning swims in the river and ice cream afternoons on the terrace.

However, two weeks later we decided to move from Europe to Australia for work reasons. The thought of selling (and with that giving up the ice cream dream) was unbearable, but at the same time having an empty house in France seemed somewhat excessive and expensive. So we began to contemplate how to get the most use out of it and as we searched the Internet extensively for cheap airfares we were introduced to the fantastic world of house swapping.

So here is how it works …

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“Round House” in France on homeexchange.com

7 Dwarf’s House in Normandy on homeexchange.com HOME AWAY FROM HOME

STEP

1

Pick a website and sign up ...

Skyfall house in New Zealand on homeexchange.com

Find the right house swapping site for you and your family. The number of listings vary and it pays of to do a little research depending on your needs.

Think about which area you want to travel in and make sure that there are lots of houses to swap with. You can normally search for potential houses before signing up and get a feel for the supply and demand. Also remember to check out the signup fee. Most of the sites have a monthly or annually fee, but compared to the accommodation expenses you will save the cost is covered at just one house swap a year.

Average yearly fee is around AUD $100 150.

Some of the bigger sites are; www.homeexchange.com www.lovehomeswap.com www.houseswapholidays.com.au www.aussiehouseswap.com.au travelsprout.com.au

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HOUse swap

STEP

2

Add a listing and be honest ...

Before you can start swapping you have to add your own house / apartment to the site. Make sure that you put as much information in as you can. When people are looking for places to stay they tend to go for places that have lots of nice photos and a good deal of information about the house and the area.

Remember that there is a great deal of trust involved in letting someone else stay in your house; so people want to know that it is in good hands. The more open and informative you are the better.

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STEP

3

Get in touch ...

OK - now you’re ready start looking for places to stay. Basically there are two ways to finding a swap; you contact somebody or they contact you. You can set your preferences for travel dates and which areas you are open to.

Be prepared to receive lots of requests if you leave these open. We found our first three house swaps by people contacting us. Be open minded to new requests. You might end up in places you never dreamed but want to visit again and again.

And don’t give up if you get turned down a few times. Some people are limited in terms of where and when they can travel. And do yourself and others the favour of answering incoming requests; these kinds of services are based on a community so treat others like you want to be treated yourself.

Ocean View in Costa Rica on homeexchange.com

“Summer house� in Iceland on homeexchange.com

Tropical Paradise in Thailand on homeexchange.com

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HOUse swap What is special about this way of traveling?

“It allows me to experience different places in the world with my kids on a more personal level that a hotel room can ever provide… along with free accommodation and in some cases, free use of our exchange partner’s car!”

Katrina from homeexchange.com

All exchange homes on homeexchange.com

STEP

4

Make arrangements Once you have established a dialogue with someone whose house you would like stay in and who seems interested in your house you need to negotiate details like the length of your stay, specific dates, car swap or not.

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Remember that you are not booking a hotel room where you just tick a few boxes and swipe the credit card. This is a delicate dance where both partners need to be happy at the end. Again the best approach is to be open and honest.

You can do simultaneous swaps, but you can also do non-simultaneous swaps if that fits into your calendar or if you are swapping a holiday home.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

STEP

5

Go on holiday!

You don’t necessarily need to lock in dates for both parties. We have “banked” a couple of stays for later, because we simply did not have time to travel at that specific moment, but they did. Of course, this requires some degree of trust (they could just close down their profile afterwards and get a “free” stay) but that is all part of the idea and the community feeling is quite strong. We have not been disappointed yet.

When it is time to travel remember to make arrangements to “hand over” your home to the people coming in.

Sometimes you can cross over and meet - sometimes not. Make sure you leave information on how things work; maybe a folder with the most important information and manual for the TV, some sort of back-up in case of an emergency and maybe a family member with an extra set of keys nearby. Don’t be fussy about your own home - most people will take really good care of it because they know you’ll do the same for them, but be prepared that a cup or two might break.

Make use of the fact that you are living in a home rather than a hotel. Shop in the local shops - make local food in your “own” kitchen. Talk to the neighbors and spend time in the neighborhood.

Relax in the garden. Don’t feel bad to take an afternoon in front of the TV if the weather is bad - don’t forget you didn’t pay for accommodation. But make sure that you leave the house as you would like to find your own.

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KIDS WEAR

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL T-SHIRTS 3 2

1

5 4

1. Home Grown Tee by ChalkedThreads.com - AUD $38.00 2. Reindeer Games Tee by Myarkadia.com.au - AUD $19.95 3. Bows and button singlet by Rockyourbaby.com - AUD $34.95 4. Ninja Tee by Chargrilled.com.au - AUD $27.95 5. Rottweiler by TheMountain.com - US $20.00

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COOL T-SHIRTS

6

8

7

9 10

6. Fantastic Fox Tee by Myarkadia.com.au - AUD $29.95 7. David Meowe Tee by Rockyourbaby.com - AUD $39.95 8. Football Boots tee by Chargrilled.com.au - AUD $27.95 9. Say it Loud Tee by ChalkedThreads.com - AUD $38.00 10. Baby Orangutan Tee by TheMountain.com - US $20.00

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You can read Travel Sprout on any platform and device It doesn’t matter if you are on a computer, laptop, tablet or your mobile phone. You can alway get to the latest issue of Travel Sprout.

You can even download an app for when you are offline.

Read Travel Sprout Magazine online at issuu.com or download the issuu app to read it on your tablet or phone.

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Unusual Family Budget Destinations Traveling as a family can easily add up. The flights alone can be an expensive affair, but when you sum up accommodation, car rentals, meals and all of the entry fees for sightseeing and entertainment, family travel can be a costly affair. Usually we think of places like Bali or Thailand for a reasonbly priced yet exotic family holiday, but there are plenty of options

around the world that are both cheap and great for exploring with your kids.

Anna Vichnevetskaia has found six adventurous destinations that won’t break the bank. Take a look at what they can offer.

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BUDGET DESTINATIONS

Croatia

Copyright - Croatian Tourist Board and Boris Kragić

CROATIA DUBROVNIK & HVAR An up and coming destination, Croatia has gained popularity over the past few years for its beaches, landscapes and architecture. Tourists here love exploring

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places like Dubrovnik and Hvar, in search of summer fun as well as some history.

Located right on the Mediterranean, there is no lack of fun in the sun here, from building sand castles, to swimming in the warm sea to travelling the country by ferry. If you like active family vacations, you will find lots of natural reserves, but if you are looking for a little bit more of a

BUDGET FAMILY DESTINATIONS

COST OF TRAVELING Meal at local pub: AUD $10 (60KN) Public transport ticket: From AUD $2 (From 10KN) Double room mid-range hotel: Approx. AUD $125 (650KN) Copyright - Croatian Tourist Board and Damir Fabijanić

history trip then Croatia offers great architecture and fantastic ancient walled cities to explore.

A tip for those looking to visit Croatia, hurry up! To date, the country has maintained relatively low prices for travelers, since it is still not euro-based, but don’t be fooled, its growing popularity will soon make it a lot more expensive.

Meal in a mid-range restaurant: AUD $25 (120KN) A guided bike tour: AUD $35 (175KN) Shorter taxi trip: AUD $6 (30KN) Costs are approximate and should be used as an indication of travel cost for planning and budgetting. Croatian currency is called kuna (KN).

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BUDGET DESTINATIONS

Washington

Copyright - Mary A. Behre

USA WASHINGTON D.C. This might not be the city on the top of most budget travel lists, but it definitely should be. Few other places boast as many free things to do as the US capital.

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The Smithsonian is a network of national museums and it includes fun places like the Air & Space Museum where you can see space crafts and sample space food and the Natural History Museum where dinosaurs and ancient cultures come alive. All in all a total of 18 museums, all of which are completely free for everyone.

The Smithsonian also runs a free zoo

BUDGET FAMILY DESTINATIONS

COST OF TRAVELING Budget breakfast: AUD $10 (US$ 8) Public transport ticket: From AUD $2.10 (From US$ 1,75) Double room mid-range hotel: Approx. AUD $185 (US$ 150) Meal in a mid-range restaurant: AUD $22 (US$ 18) Adult entry to Kreeger Museum: AUD $12 (US$ 10) 3km taxi ride: AUD $11 (US$ 9) Costs are approximate and should be used as an indication of travel cost for planning and budgetting. American currency is called American dollars (US$).

Copyright - Destination DC

with lots of endangered species and hands-on activities, as well as workshops and demonstrations for kids at the museums. Besides cultural activities, you can take a day trip to the Great Falls Park or ride a bike through Alexandria on the other side of the Potomac. In the warmer months, DC also hosts a number of free outdoors fairs and festivals. If you

are planning a trip, mind going to the city in the summer, it becomes extremely hot, and with no close-by beaches the best time to visit is spring or fall.

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BUDGET DESTINATIONS

Malaysia

Pixabay.com

MALAYSIA KUALA LUMPUR A little bit closer to home, Malaysia is a destination less travelled that offers safe but economical fun for families. Kuala Lumpur, the country’s capital, is a

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wonderful place to start, since it is home to fun museums, such as the Science Museum, a Planetarium and an Air Force Museum. There are also many water parks and amusement parks throughout the country. Some are quite expensive, however, there are cheaper options to look into, for example the Wet World Water Park,

BUDGET FAMILY DESTINATIONS

COST OF TRAVELING Budget breakfast: AUD $3 (8.50 MYR) Public transport ticket: From AUD $0.60 (From 1.70 MYR) Double room mid-range hotel: Approx. AUD $95 (270 MYR) Meal in a mid-range restaurant: AUD $7 (20 MYR) Hop-on Hop-off bus tour (adult): AUD $11 (31 MYR) 3km taxi ride: AUD $3 (8.50 MYR) Costs are approximate and should be used as an indication of travel cost for planning and budgetting. Malaysian currency is called ringgits (MYR).

Pixabay.com

A’Famosa Resort and Bukit Merah Laketown Resort. If you prefer a fun nature adventure, then there is plenty to do in Malaysia. There are many natural reserves and beautiful beaches, some are equipped with special kid-friendly trails, house zoos or have family water activities. If you are in Malaysia in February or March, check out the Kite

Festival!

While Malaysia is safe and can be done on the cheap, be sure to take care as well, especially when it comes to food. There are many street vendors and while a lot of them are very good, it might be a safe idea to ask around at your hotel before you buy food from one. travelsprout.com.au

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BUDGET DESTINATIONS

Morocco

Pixabay.com

MOROCCO MARRAKECH If you are up for something a little bit more adventurous, then Morocco is a great option. Here you can find the beach, the desert, ride camels, stroll

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through the bazaars and try local foods, such as tagine and kafta. The beaches here have wonderful resorts at much lower prices when comparing to Europe or most of the Caribbean, while at the same time having most facilities needed when traveling as a family. Since Morocco has been a popular tourist destination for many years now due to

BUDGET FAMILY DESTINATIONS

COST OF TRAVELING Budget breakfast: AUD $5 (36 MAD) Public transport ticket: From AUD $0.50 (From 3.6 MAD) Pixabay.com

its political stability and proximity to Spain, locals are pretty used to seeing foreigners on the street and the tourist areas are quite safe.

Be prepared for long distances if you plan to visit more than just Marrakech, here your best bet is to get a tour operator, which will normally include everything in the package, therefore allowing you to budget as well.

Double room mid-range hotel: Approx. AUD $85 (620 MAD) Meal in a mid-range restaurant: AUD $10 (72 MAD) Visit to El Bahia Palace (adult): AUD $1.50 (11 MAD) 3km taxi ride: AUD $3 (22 MAD) Costs are approximate and should be used as an indication of travel cost for planning and budgetting. Morrocan currency is called dirham (MAD).

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BUDGET DESTINATIONS

Cuba

Pixabay.com

CUBA HAVANNA Caribbean islands are luxurious, with picturesque beaches and fancy resorts, which usually makes them very expensive, especially if you are

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traveling as a family. Cuba, however, is the budget option for a nice Caribbean getaway. One of your options is to book an all-inclusive vacation that won’t cost you a fortune, while still satisfying your beach craving; meanwhile, most resorts will have activities and pools specifically for children. On the other hand, you can travel through Cuba on your own

BUDGET FAMILY DESTINATIONS

COST OF TRAVELING Budget breakfast: AUD $4 (3 CUC) Public transport ticket: From AUD $0.50 (From a few pesos) Double room mid-range hotel: Approx. AUD $60 (50 CUC) Meal in a mid-range restaurant: AUD $8 (7 CUC) Taxi ride from airport: AUD $30 (25 CUC) Costs are approximate and should be used as an indication of travel cost for planning and budgetting. Cuban (“tourist”) currency is called convertible pesos (CUC).

Pixabay.com

and take in some of the country´s exceptional cultural background, get to know what its nature has to offer, and do all of this safely and with access to some of the world´s top healthcare.

When picking a resort in Cuba, look for the ones that are family-friendly. You will find lots of these, but keep in mind

that there are some that are better than others in terms of their amenities and programs. Things to look out for are how many are there and how fun are the kid’s pools, whether there are calm beaches around and if the resort offers special kid’s activity programs.

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BUDGET DESTINATIONS

Argentina

Copyright - Pixabay

ARGENTINA BUENOS AIRES Way south, at the tip of the American continent you will find Argentina. It has modern architecture, lots of activities and events in Buenos Aires, and offers

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great eco-tourism options throughout the country. Rich in history and culture, as well as natural wonders, Argentina is still a lot cheaper than its neighbors, like Chile and Brazil, and much safer than some of the other countries in the region. The country is very children-friendly and has lots of fun things to do. Try the interactive science museum in Buenos Aires, the

BUDGET FAMILY DESTINATIONS

COST OF TRAVELING Budget breakfast: AUD $3.5 (25 ARS) Public transport ticket: From AUD $0.60 (From 4 ARS) Copyright - Pixabay

beaches in the South, all sort of nature walks and interactive activities all over the country, and lots of food suitable for kids, thanks to a strong Italian influence.

Two things to remember, one is that Argentina is in the Southern hemisphere, so plan your dates accordingly, and that it is a large country, so expect to either fly or stay close to your starting point, otherwise you are in for very long bus rides.

Double room mid-range hotel: Approx. AUD $100 (700 ARS) Meal in a mid-range restaurant: AUD $10 (70 ARS) Guided tour of Palacio Barolo: AUD $11 (76 ARS) 3km taxi ride: AUD $5.5 (38 ARS) Costs are approximate and should be used as an indication of travel cost for planning and budgetting. Argentine currency is called peso (ARS).

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GOOD TRAVEL BOOKS

BUDGET

V GOOD TRAV

The Everything Family Guide to Budget Travel

Gabe’s Guide to Budget Travel

From AUD $18.40

AUD $19.75

Planning a fun family vacation doesn’t have to break the bank. The Everything Family Guide to Budget Travel helps readers make the most affordable decisions about lodging, food, and tourist attractions.

’Gabe’s Guide to Budget Travel’ provides a step by step guide on the how and why of budget travel. His hassle-free approach to budget travel is ideal for first time and seasoned travelers. The book provides resources that will help any traveler in the planning stage or on the road.

www.booktopia.com.au

www.booktopia.com.au

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TRAVEL BOOKS

VEL BOOKS

Travel Happy, Budget Low

How to Create a Travel Life You love

AUD $37.25

AU $49.00

Travel Happy, Budget Low informs you how to travel economically in planes, trains, and buses, how to find inexpensive meals, and how to book inexpensive hotel rooms or stay for free with locals.

Whether more travel for you means you take your annual 2 – 4 week trip per year, a few extra weekend getaways, or an indefinite nomadic life, we’ve got the tools and strategies to help you do it in the way you love AND for a cheaper price.

www.booktopia.com.au

www.ytravelblog.com

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YOUR AD HERE? If you have content that is relevant to families that loves travelling and exploring then why not reach out?

We’re a quickly expanding online travel magazine for families with loads of content on travelling with kids.

Be part of a growing media with competitive advertising rates.

Contact Travel Sprout Magazine at contact@travelsproutmag.com

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l l a See lash p S o G signs de re he

www.gosplash.com.au

Dry off in style with comfort and ease in a Go Splash robe. It will keep you warm all year round, and with their UPF 50+ rating, protected from the sun after swimming lessons, around the pool or at the beach, surfing, sailing or boating.

Made from 100% cotton towelling with a hood and full length from zip, Go Splash robes are perfect for all the family. travelsprout.com.au

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Do you like what you see?

If you like what you see then why not follow us on Facebook?

You’ll get the latest updates with inspiration for your next family holiday and new issues of Travel Sprout Magazine right in your news stream?

Like Travel Sprout on Facebook www.facebook.com/travelsprout

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NEXT ISSUE ...

NEXT ISSUE OF

TRAVEL SPROUT The next issue of Travel Sprout will hit the Internet super highway on March 4th 2015. In the meantime keep up to date on our website with articles and other great stuff or follow us on our social media platforms.

March 4th 2015 Stay tuned for the next issue. travelsprout.com.au

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4 1 0 2 R E B OT C O - 1 E U S S I

u a . m o c . t u or p s l evar t

LE VART YLIMAF GN I R I P SN I

TRAVELLING IS TWICE THE FUN WHEN YOU ARE DOING IT WITH PEOPLE YOU LOVE AND HALF THE HASSLE WHEN YOU ARE WELL PREPARED ...

Old Travel Sprout Proverb

SEE YOU AGAIN SOON - until then keep exploring