- Around the world -

d N И σ · 05-15-2008, 10:05 PM

Hey; boyz and girlz

The topic explains itself; we're going to travel all over the world

THE RULES

Cut a ticket to GOOGLE

Choose a place u've been there or dreamin 2 be

Bring us pictures; informations ...etc

DONT forget the gifts; hehe

Rjj

d N И σ · 05-15-2008, 10:23 PM

North West France Brittany and Normandy

Easily accessible for visitors from the UK and from Northern Europe, Brittany and Normandy offer a variety of coastal and inland tourist destinations, with plenty of attractions. Situated a couple of hundred miles south of the English Westcountry, they are in many respects rather like a warmer sunnier version of the West of England.... with less crowds, notably inland! Historically, Brittany and Cornwall have a lot in common, notably their Celtic roots. The north coast of Brittany, with its rugged granite cliffs and little sandy coves, is fairly similar to North Cornwall, though a bit warmer and sunnier. The south coast of Brittany can be hot in the summer months.... though as with the West of England, rainy weeks remain a possibility in any season.
Normandy, from where William the Conqueror set out in 1066, has much in common with the south of England between Devon and Sussex: sandy beaches, rocky cliffs in the Cotentin peninsula, the famous white cliffs of Etretat, and an inland area full of wonderful small towns and villages, many boasting fine half-timbered houses. One such town is Bayeux, home of the famous mediaeval Bayeux Tapestry. On the coast in the west of the region lies the Mont St. Michel, the most visited historic site in France outside Paris. Normandy is also famous for its stables and racehorses.
Local specialities include sea food fruits de mer, famous cheeses like Camembert, and of course, like the S-W of England, cider... but also its more potent cousin Calvados
If you want to experience the real France without too much driving, Brittany and Normandy are worth considering.

Paris to the Loire Valley, Central France

This part of France needs little introduction. Paris, as they say, is Paris... and it's less than three hours by train from London, or two hours from Brussels. If choosing a hotel in Paris, check out the combined Eurostar/hotel offers available, or look for discounted hotel rates on the Internet. Paris hotels may on the whole be cheap by London standards, but they are expensive by French standards.
Southwest of Paris lies Versailles, easily accessible for an afternoon trip or a day trip. And beyond Versailles, in the direction of the Loire, lies a region called the Beauce, France's breadbasket, an area where vast wheat fields stretch out towards the horizon . In the middle of the Beauce lies Chartres, home to one of the most magnificent of France's great mediaeval cathedrals

The French Atlantic coast and hinterland

The west coast of France is a popular tourist region. From the mouth of the Loire as far as the Spanish border, France's Atlantic coastline is characterised by long expanses of sandy beaches, offshore fishing, and a broad band of very flat land, some of it marshy. In several parts, notably around La Baule, the coastline is quite heavily built up with sea front development; but in other parts, notably away from the towns, there are long sections of unspoiled coastline. The ports of La Rochelle and Rochefort are very attractive, as well as being popular with yachtsmen.
Inland from the coast, the region is very pleasant; the Charente Maritime region is often called the "green Venice", on account of its extensive network of drainage canals and waterways. This is a region where the pace of life is slow, like the water in the rivers that flow through it. Rowing boats can be hired in many places.

Of course, some things like the "baguette", the famous French bread stick, change little from one region to another; you'll find baguettes of all qualities in all regions, varying from the absolutely delicious, to the hard and tasteless. It really is a matter of seeking out the good little bakery, or getting to know the town you're staying in well. There's no sure way of knowing where that delectable baguette is going to come from - except that it probably won't be from a supermarket. Indeed, the pre-frozen "fresh-baked" bread counters in supermarkets are not even allowed, by law, to call themselves "boulangeries". But anyway, where bread is concerned, don't forget that France has a wonderful range of delicious breads to offer, from the baguette to the batard, via a whole range of wholemeal breads (pain complet), rye bread (pain de seigle), sourdough bread (pain au levain), and breads spiced up with nuts, olives, bacon, cheese and a variety of other natural additives. The real "boulangeries" are waiting for you.
If you're travelling through France, and want to stop and buy Fresh bread for a picnic, don't forget that many small shops close for up to two hours in the middle of the day. Boulangeries often stay open beyond the traditional midday closing hour, but after 12.30 you may well find a locked door if you stop off at a village bakery. Be warned

more info visit
The Tourist Regions of France - an overview and general guide

d N И σ · 05-15-2008, 10:35 PM

Location: Paris, France
Completion Date: 1889
Cost: $1.5 million
Height: 986 feet
Materials: Wrought iron
Engineer(s): Gustave Eiffel

The Eiffel Tower, built in commemoration of the French Revolution, was the tallest building in the world when it was unveiled at the Paris World's Fair in 1889. Although it has been surpassed in height by nearly a dozen skyscrapers since then, Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel's chocolate-brown, 984-foot open-lattice wrought-iron tower remains one of the world's premiere tourist attractions.
Before the Tower's construction, critics called Eiffel's design an eyesore and predicted that the Tower would cost too much to build. Eiffel knew better. His crew assembled the 18,000 pieces of iron in just 21 months, under budget and in time for the fair's opening day. With the completion of the Tower, Eiffel earned the nickname magician of iron

Eiffel was one of the first engineers to recognize the importance of wind forces on tall structures. He designed the surface of his Tower to be so minimal that the wind has virtually nothing to grab onto. All pieces of the Tower form an open lattice of light trusses through which the wind can blow.

The Eiffel Tower was one of the first tall structures in the world to contain passenger elevators, and tourists loved them. Elevator ticket sales in the Eiffel Tower regained almost the entire cost of the structure -- in just one year!

Here's how this skyscraper stacks up against the biggest skyscrapers in the world.
(height, in feet)

Fast Facts:

The Eiffel Tower is repainted every seven years -- with 50 tons of dark brown paint

Since it was unveiled at the Paris World's Fair in 1889, more than 167 million people have visited the Eiffel Tower

The names of 72 French scientists and other famous individuals are permanently affixed to the sides of the tower in 60-centimeter letters just beneath the first platform, with 18 names per side

Counting from the ground, there are 347 steps to the first level, 674 steps to the second level, and 1,710 steps to the small platform on the top of the tower

On a clear day, it is possible to see 42 miles in every direction from the top of the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is twice as tall as the Washington Monument and weighs 70,000 tons less!

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The Louvre in Paris, France is one of the largest art museums in the world. It contains some of the world’s most famous paintings including Leonardo Da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa." and other paintings by Rembrandt, Raphael, and Peter Paul Rubens. The museum is divided into seven curatorial departments: Oriental, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Object d’Art, Drawing, and Prints. The museum also publishes a magazine, which talks about new exhibits and other museums.

King Francis I built the Louvre in 1546, with the design of French architect Pierre Lescot. After that, other monarchs made additions, which formed the Louvre as we know it. It was originally built to serve as the monarch’s palace, but in 1682, King Louis XIV left it to live in the newly constructed Palace of Versailles. Then came the French Revolution in which the rebels imprisoned Louis XIV’s family in the Louvre for trying to flee the country

Since then, new wings have opened throughout the museum, including the newly opened Richelieu wing. Newer, more modern artwork has been added, such as American artist I.M. Pie’s pyramid entrance. All this makes it one of the world’s best museums. The "Mona Lisa" alone is worth the price of admission.

**jana** · 05-19-2008, 06:56 AM

Great topic sis

everyone should participate

sticky for three days

d N И σ · 05-22-2008, 06:57 PM

Italy is a land of total, startling extremes. In geographical terms alone, it is one of Europe's most disaster-prone countries. Italy's Civil Protection service works in a constant state of readiness to cope with the country's active volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, avalanches, forest fires...

A large proportion of the country is hilly, and modern Italy is shaped by its natural geography as well as by millennia of turbulent history. Over the last three thousand years, Italy has had a consistently rich culture, producing fine buildings, works of art, and a mythologised history with timeless appeal.

From the jewels of the Italian Riviera to the high slopes of the Abruzzo, the more time you spend in Italy, the more faces you will discover. Italy, and the Italians, are at times cultured and barbaric, modern and surreally old-fashioned, lazy and vibrant, in thrall of the past, and neglectful of it.

This is a country where cities have been at war with each other for centuries.. now this masquerades as football rivalry or civic pride, but really it's a continuation of the peninsula's city-state culture. Italians all feel they 'belong' primarily to their town (this may be their parents' birthplace, where they have never lived), secondly perhaps to Europe. 'Italy' is a concept which is still being worked at, and Mameli's national anthem a tool which is wielded not for custom but for political ends. If you want to please an Italian, firstly praise the beauty of their city. Secondly compare it favourably with other Italian cities.

Italy means something different to every tourist. Pizza, ruins, great works of art, hot beaches, handsome youths, good wine... The country is an obliging one, and few visitors leave disappointed. If you're looking for one aspect of Italy, you'll find it served on plate, even richer than you expected. And if you are open and receptive, the chances are you'll find much more than you dreamed of.

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Venice

Venice (Venezia) really needs no introduction. The Serenissima has been a fabled destination for centuries. Just the name Venice is enough to conjure up a host of images, even for those who have not yet set foot in Italy: gondoliers in striped jerseys, the Rialto and the Bridge of Sighs, masked balls, golden barges, courtesans in gondolas and crumbling palaces facing streets made of water. The western world's most famous figures visited Venice, marvelled at the gold mosaics of St Mark's, admired art in churches, explored the city's maze of canals (or, in Byron's case, swam in them), and then proceeded to preach Venice's wonders to those unable to make the journey. In these days of budget airlines, however, Venice really is open to anyone. Both Ryanair and Easyjet run flights to Venice, so the city of lions and doges has never been so accessible.

What is Venice really like

Venice is a glorious cliché, more romantic, more beautiful and more surprising than you could expect. No matter how many photographs or films you may have seen, it is still a jaw-dropping experience seeing Venice's canals and palaces for the first time. That first cruise down the Grand Canal - punctuated by exclamations and photo-snapping - is one of life's unforgettable experiences.

When to go to Venice

Venice's quietest season is winter. You're unlikely to find Venice empty of tourists at any time, but late autumn and the first part of the winter are the best times to come if you want to avoid the crowds and take advantage of cheaper hotel rates. This is the best time to see a (relatively) tourist-free Venice - but be prepared for icy temperatures and mists. In January and February the two-week-long Carnival is one of Venice's big attractions and the crowds flock in - it is even more important at this time to book a hotel well in advance. There are masks and parties; it's a bit tamer now, though, than the decadent excesses of the past. As the spring turns into summer, tourist numbers rise; and Venice in the height of summer is avoided by many; August can be swelteringly hot. The Venice Film Festival takes place in late August and early September

Venice geography

Venice is composed of more than a hundred tiny islets, packed closely together around canals. The city is in a lagoon, protected from the sea by a long strip of land called the Lido. Venice is famously sinking. Every year high water levels (acqua alta) threaten the city's fabric, and it has long been feared that the beautiful city will one day disappear beneath the water. Many ideas (and funds) have been put forward to protect the endangered heritage site, but the problem is a complex one and 'solutions' such as those to construct a giant water-gate are controversial.

Venice history

For centuries Venice was a republic of immense power; controlling trade routes in the Adriatic, and waging successful wars with rival states. Ruled by a doge, who had his powers controlled by a cabinet, Venice was a proud and rich republic, known as la Serenissima, the most serene. Every year the Doge would take part in a symbolic ceremony, the Marriage of the Sea, to celebrate Venice's mastery over the ocean. Like most great powers, however, Venice's glory was followed by a decline. La Serenissima lost her chattels in wars, and the city's trade routes declined in importance. By the eighteenth century, Venetians was already seeking profits from the tourist trade, leasing fine palazzi to foreign travellers.

Rome

All roads lead to Rome
For thousands of years tourists, merchants and pilgrims have wended their way towards the town on seven hills on Tiber.

Rome wasn't built in a day
Rome has unarguably the richest, fullest history of any town on earth. Its unique position in the world's greatest Empire, its significance as a religious and cultural centre, its turbulent centuries of aristocratic and papal rivalries and upheaval.. and all the while incorporating some of the finest architecture still surviving.

When in Rome
Rome is far from being a museum: it's a colourful and vibrant living city which is still an appealing destination for those with a phobia of history. The food, the culture, the ambience and the surrounding scenery make a great holiday even if you don't see a single ruin or statue

'Better than Pompeii' is how some visitors describe it. At Rome's own preserved ancient town, Ostia Antica, you can lose yourself in the sprawling streets of the former port. Abandoned by the Romans, this trading centre declined and finally became buried in silt. Much of the area is now excavated, and you can explore streets where some of the ancient character lingers. Mosaics still in place, columns reaching to the sky, careful frescoes decorating walls which still stand high .. and fascinating marble-seated communal public toilets
Ostia Antica is Rome's own, nearly-secret Pompeii. The ancient port town is a fascinating and under-visited archaeological site.

Ostia Antica is not far from the centre of Rome, and makes a pleasant half-day (allow longer if you want to lunch there or are particularly interested in archaeology). To get there, take the suburban train line to Ostia from Piramide Station (which is on Metro Linea B). You can use your normal Rome travel ticket. The train goes all the way to Rome's seaside town, Ostia Lido; the Ostia Antica station is about twenty minutes from Rome. The archaeological area is close to the station, over a footbridge - follow signs. There are a couple of restaurants near the ruins, and there is also a restaurant inside the site.

Although it is now 4 km inland, Ostia was originally developed as a sea port, prior to the silting up of the Tiber's estuary. Ostia increased in importance from the fourth century BC, becoming a major naval and trading base. As Rome's port, the town had obvious commercial significance, and expanded in size and grandeur to match this position. However, during the third century AD, its place was taken by a new port at Fiumicino, and within the next couple of centuries Ostia had begun its decline. The Tiber was no longer navigable, the roads were overgrown, and Ostia sank into muddy oblivion.

Nowadays much of the old town has been excavated, and the visitor is free to wander and explore at their will (get a street plan from the ticket kiosk). There is a lot to see, and a leisurely wander is extremely rewarding. Major sites include the Roman theatre (there are plays put on here in the summer), the impressive Forum, a large baths complex and more than one Mithraeum. Many of the buildings are preserved up to the second storey, giving a powerful sense of the past.

There are impressive mosaics and columns everywhere (statues are mostly taken away for safekeeping), but highlights include the smaller domestic details: the fishmonger's marble slab, the bar with its wares illustrated on the wall, the communal public toilets, the residential villas with peaceful courtyards.

The old village of Ostia, with a papal fortress, is just down the road from the Roman town. Modern Ostia - Ostia Lido - is further away, by the sea. It is an ugly construction of modern apartment blocks and boulevards with no atmosphere and - thanks to high fences - not much of a sea view either. Romans come here to sunbathe but the beach is nearly all private, crowded and unattractive. You're better off travelling further afield for a more pleasant seaside experience.

d N И σ · 05-22-2008, 07:02 PM

Milan

Milan is either Italy's second or first city, depending on who you ask. While Rome may be the administrative capital, Milan is the country's financial powerhouse, the home of Italy's stock exchange, at the heartland of the wealthy and productive north.

In some ways, Milan has more in common with Paris or London than with other Italian cities. It's a business-like city with a work-hard, play-hard ethos. Rome may be the capital and the seat of government, but Milan is the business heart of Italy, the place where deals are made.

The city has always been important, occupied by successive powers, and like most important cities it has been rebuilt many times. Consequently it lacks the medieval informal charm of other Italian towns, and is sometimes overlooked as a holiday destination.

But in fact Milan has a lot to offer the visitor. The city is vibrant and has many sights of interest, as well as being a good jumping-off place for other North Italy destinations, such as Lake Como and the Alps. It's a good spot to spend a city break or a long weekend, or as the starting point for a two-centre holiday.

Milan's designer clothes and furnishings are a major attraction for many fashion-conscious tourists, but not all Milan's pleasures are expensive. Sitting outside a cafe by the fantastic Duomo and admiring the well-dressed world go by, or indulging in a spot of window-shopping is enjoyable and rather more affordable. In Milan's museums and galleries are some great works of art, while more simple pleasures include climbing up to the Duomo's roof and enjoying the tranquillity and the view over the city to the mountains. The Brera and the Navigli (canal) districts are both appealing for evening strolls.

When to go
Like most large cities, Milan has plenty to offer at any time of year. It's worth bearing in mind though that winters can be cold and misty, and summers very stuffy.

Italian lakes

The most famous lakes in Italy are in what is sometimes called the Italian Lake District, in the north of the country not far from the Alps. That anglicised description is evocative of the area's poetic and literary connections. Beloved of the romantic poets as well as later writers, statesmen and royalty, the northern Italian lakes are beautiful and atmospheric, where mountains descend to meet the lakeshore, and stately grand hotels dominate pretty lakeside towns. Lake Garda, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore are particularly famous and have been popular for centuries with English, American, German and other international tourists. Several firms organise package holidays to the Italian lakes, but in these days of budget flights you may well benefit from saving money and exercising more hotel choice if you book your own holiday. Milan Bergamo Airport, Brescia and Verona are all good airports for holidays in the lake district, and the towns on the lakes are all well-connected so travel is easy.

To many, the famous northern lakes are the 'Italian Lakes', but in fact these are not the only attractive enclosed expanses of water in the Italian peninsula. Lakes don't come much more dramatic than Lakes Garda and Como, but further south in rather tamer surroundings the independent traveller may find some placid gems.

Lake Garda
Lake Garda, Italy's biggest lake, is long and slim with a southern shore of low, rolling hills, and a contrasting northern end which is surrounded by towering mountains.

Lake Como
Lake Como is more tranquil and wooded than Lake Garda, although here too, you can head easily for more rugged terrain. The lake is a reminder of bygone holiday elegance, with a steamer cruising between resort towns and stately gardens open to the public.

Lake Maggiore
Lake Maggiore is the second-largest lake in Italy, stretching between Lombardy and Piemonte and reaching into the Alps. The lake gets busy with tourists, particularly in the height of summer, but charming resorts such as Stresa, and the famous gardens of the Borromean Islands, Isola Bella and Isola Madre, make the destination a permanently worthwhile one.

more info visit
Italy Heaven: About Italy

**bundy** · 05-24-2008, 10:44 PM

Salam alukiem sister

mashallah your topic is great and if anyone intersted about Europe

he/she can comes to this topic and it will give them some information about it.

waiting for more of it

take care and have fun

your brother
bundy

محامية بطبعي · 05-28-2008, 02:18 AM

hey there girl

the topic's idea is wonderful

i was really hoping to visit france or italy one day

and your informations made me want to go there even more

i've visited alot of courties .. so i'll be back with some infos about them inshallah

^_^ thanks alot for the topic again

d N И σ · 05-29-2008, 09:32 PM

Australia is a natural wonderland of beautiful beaches, crystal blue waters, amazing ancient rock formations and pristine rainforests.

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world and has the lowest population density per square kilometre.

Australia has 16 world heritage listed properties with its historic townships, bustling cities, vivid landscapes and exotic flora and fauna all adding to its unique appeal.

Much of Australia's exotic flora and fauna cannot be found anywhere else in the world and the lifestyle is one second to none.

The culture and customs consists of a rich tapestry of nationalities including traditions, legends, myths and folklore. The indigenous 'Dream time' forms the base of tens of thousands of years of spiritual aboriginal art and culture.

In Australia over 200 different languages and dialects are spoken, including 45 indigenous languages. The most commonly spoken languages (other than English) are Italian, Greek, Cantonese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Mandarin.

States and Territories

Australia is made up of six states and two territories. To find out more about each state and territory, use the map below:

When to Go

Any time is a good time to be in Australia. Summer (December to February) can get uncomfortably hot but it's great beach weather. Up north, the summer wet season is very, very humid and the sea is swarming with box jellyfish. Winter (June to August) offers skiing in NSW, Victoria and sometimes Tasmania. In spring and autumn the weather is mild.

Weather
Summer (December to February) can get uncomfortably hot just about anywhere, even in Tasmania. If you're in the southern states during these months it's great beach weather and great melanoma weather. Up north, this is the wet season, and it's very, very humid (you'll need to check for jellyfish before jumping into the water). On the upside, the Top End is beautifully green and free of tourists at this time.

From June until August things in the north have cooled down a little and dried up a lot. This is a good time to visit Queensland or the outback. If you're here for the skiing, now's the time to head for the snowfields of NSW and Victoria. Overall, spring and autumn are probably the safest bets - the weather is reasonably mild wherever you are, and spring brings out the wildflowers in the outback, while autumn is particularly beautiful around Canberra and in the Victorian Alps.

A Handy Overview

First and foremost, Australia is massive. It is vast and varied with sometimes incomprehensible distances between locations. If you are used to countries where townships are a mere bus ride apart, then it's time to reset your sense of geography. While Australia's urban areas are sprawling and densely populated, towns in the outback can be many hours apart. With this in mind, it is important to be realistic when setting an itinerary. A month or two in Australia will give you a good look at the major sights, but a week would be more of a challenge - you're not going to see Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback and the Tasmanian wilderness in seven days (unless transit lounges are your bag). So tailor your trip to suit your time constraints and your interests and try to cluster what you wish to see. Remember that flying from the west coast to the east coast of Australia is almost identical to flying from Los Angeles to New York (and a lot more expensive). Here are a couple of sample itineraries for a week-long stay in the Lucky Country

A Bit of Chillin

Kick into Sydney and tear it up for 2 days of pure city living, shopping along Oxford St, posing in Bondi and sinking a few schooners in the many great old Sydney pubs. Then start heading north by flying to Byron Bay for a couple of days of beach-bumming and chakra-realigning. And to leave the sweetest taste in your mouth, push on even further up north and spend a couple of days diving on the sparkling Barrier Reef.

The Wingspan of a Culture Vulture
Fly into Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city situated in the southeast corner of the country. It's known for its love of the arts, so spend two days chowing down a steady diet of art, theatre, film and cafe-hopping. Then take an easy drive through the country for an overnight stay in Daylesford: spa-central. Unwind in the country environs and soak in the natural hot spas. Head back to Melbourne for a flight west to Adelaide where you can spend your final couple of days floating from winery to winery in the lush Barossa Valley with your nose firmly wedged into a wine glass.

Events

Christmas is part of the long summer school vacation and during December and January you can be forgiven for thinking that half of Australia is on holiday. This is when accommodation is almost always booked out.

Australia's arts festivals attract culture vultures from all over Australia to see mainstream and fringe drama, dance, music and visual arts. The jewel in Australia's touring rock festival crown is the annual Big Day Out, a day-long showcase of major local and international bands, which hits most major cities in late January. The huge Sydney Festival, which takes up most of January, is the umbrella for a number of events from open air concerts, to street theatre and fireworks. The Adelaide Festival of Arts takes place at the beginning of March in even-numbered years. In the second week of March in odd-numbered years there's Womadelaide, Adelaide's outdoor festival of world music and dance. Melbourne has the International Comedy Festival in April, the world's biggest Writers' Festival in August and the fabulous Melbourne International Arts Festival in October. A couple of festivals to celebrate Aboriginal arts and culture include the Stompen Ground Festival, which is held in Broome in September/October and the Barunga Festival, held 80km (50mi) east of Katherine in June.

Sporty fun includes Darwin's Beer Can Regatta in mid-July, when a series of boat races are held for craft constructed entirely of beer cans, and Alice Springs' Henley-on-Todd Regatta, a boat race 'run' in September on a dry river bed. Other mainstream events include the Sydney to Hobart yacht race (from Boxing Day); the Australian Open tennis championship (Melbourne in January); the Australian Formula One Grand Prix (Melbourne in March); Australian Rules Football (around the country from March to September); and the country-stopping Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November.

Gay festivals include Sydney's massive, outlandish Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, in February/March, and Melbourne's January Midsumma Festival.

Getting There

Air travel is Australia's best friend, with most visitors taking a long haul flight to get here

plane
Virtually all visitors to Australia arrive by air. The main international airports are Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, followed by Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin and Cairns. There are plenty of connections to Asia, Europe and the USA, but Australia's remoteness makes flights relatively expensive and long. Many flights are heavily booked, so make plans well in advance. Departure tax on international flights is US$27.00 . This tax is usually included in the price of your airline ticket.

Getting Around

With distances between cities so great, flying is the most favoured and speedy option, although buses and trains provide a more scenic, if lengthy alternative. Within the major cities, you will find thorough and convenient rail and bus systems.

bus
There are several long-distance bus companies but only one truly national service, Greyhound Australia. Buses are comfortable, but if you're travelling between major cities, be prepared for a long trip. Australia has a skeletal rail network linking all major cities.

car
Many visitors group together and hire or purchase a car. The latter can be an economical way of travelling around Australia, as long as you don't have too many mechanical failures. Highway 1 circumnavigates the continent, sticking close to the coast much of the way. Watch out for monstrous road trains (trucks with multiple trailers) on outback roads; naturally it's wise to give way to anything bigger than yourself.

train
Few people travel long distances by train because it's usually the slowest mode of overland transport and remains relatively expensive (though it is generally more comfortable for overnight trips).

plane
Australia is so vast (and so empty in places) that something like 80% of long-distance trips are made by air. Qantas is Australia's main domestic airline and has a budget subsidiary called Jetstar. A competing carrier that flies all over the country is Virgin Blue. Few people pay full fare for domestic air travel because the airlines offer a wide range of discounts, including random discounting and Internet fares.