Yes, hotels are everywhere and super easy to book. However, they are also the same just about everywhere. You can stay at a hotel chain anywhere in the world and the rooms and experiences would be just about the same. I would rather stay somewhere that felt unique and represented the culture. Every location is different, but I have a few suggestions on places to stay besides a typical hotel room.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Boat
Have you ever thought about renting a night on a boat? Neither had I until I stayed on a boat in Sydney Harbor! This is possibly one of the most unique places to stay while taveling. We did not have keys to drive the boat (which was fine with us as we never intended on driving it). We simply rented it out just like any other hotel room or Air BNB and it acted as our room for two nights. I get very seasick so I was a bit worried about getting sick while on the boat, but that was not a problem at all. Being on a dock where boats have to travel slow kept the waves to a minimum.
Camping
If you really want to dive into the natural beauty of the landscape you’re visiting, there is no better way than to camp. Whether you are tent camping or renting a camper, you are sure to experience what makes your destination unique.
Haridwar, India
Cabin
If you want the outdoor feel without the commitment of packing around camping gear, renting a cabin is a great option. I have rented a cabin in the jungle of India and in the Australian outback, both of which gave me a new perspective on the destination. The sturdiness of a cabin can also make some feel safer if you are staying in an area with a lot of wild animals.
Other location-specific options
Depending on where you go, boat houses, tree houses, igloos, or even underwater hotels are amazing places to stay for an experience you will never forget! Get creative, and do some research about the different options available to you. If you are so lucky to have friends around the world, staying with then can give you a true cultural experience. I previously stayed with a friend in Chile, and it is an experience I will never forget.
Which of these options would you like to try out? Let me know in the comments!
I am a HUGE Disney fan, and I specifically adore Disneyland in California. When MaxPass was introduced, my family was unsure about it. We had our FASTPASS routine down pat, and this was going to put a kink in our plan. The Disney Photo Pass was already available for purchase, so we didn’t see the benefit of having photos included in the MaxPass. We have visited a few times since Disney’s MaxPass system was launched and let me tell you: we were wrong. This system is a game changer in the best way. I’m going to go into detail about what the MaxPass is, how to use it, and why it really is a great deal.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What is Disney’s MaxPass?
MaxPass is a ticket add-on you can purchase when you buy your park ticket. It currently costs $20 per person per day (1). When you sync up your park tickets with your Disneyland app you have access to all the features MaxPass has to offer. These include getting FASTPASSES for a shorter wait on the most popular attractions, and viewing photos taken by Disney employees during your time in the park. Photos include those taken on attractions, during special dining experiences, character meet-and-greets, and picture taken by Disney photographers at designated PhotoPass locations, including Magic Shots! These photos may take a couple of hours to go from a camera to the app, but once they are loaded you can easily download and share them!
The Disneyland app is required to use a MaxPass, so you will need to download it and create an account. Once you have your tickets, open the Disneyland app and scan the tickets of everyone in your party. This will allow one account to make FASTPASS reservations for your entire group. This account is also where all of the photos from your trip will be located. If others in your party want access to photos and FASTPASSES, they will need to download the Disneyland app and sign into your same account. Multiple people can sign in to one account without any trouble.
FASTPASS
Disney create their FASTPASS system as a way to allow guests to hold their spot in line, thus creating a decrease in wait time for these guests. Previously, someone in your party would take all the park tickets to the ride you want a FASTPASS for and put them through a machine which popped out a FASTPASS ticket for each person. While you can still do this, MaxPass has made the process much quicker and easier.
Instead of walking across the park for a FASTPASS, you can request a FASTPASS on the Disneyland app from anywhere in the park! This means a lot less time running from one attraction to the next, and ultimately more time to enjoy other experiences Disney has to offer. You are only allowed to get a FASTPASS every so often, so make sure you make note of what time your next FASTPASS is available and get a new one as soon as you can. More details on the FASTPASS system and how to best use it will be coming in a later post. Subscribe to get email updates when a new post is published!
Attraction Photos
These are photos taken while you are on a ride. In the original Disneyland Park, photos are taken on Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. In Disney’s California Adventure, photos are taken on Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, Radiator Springs Racers, and the Incredicoaster. These photos are typically sold individually, but they come with your MaxPass purchase! After these attractions, you are dropped off in a room where you can view the photos recently taken on the ride. Each photo had an 8-digit code at the bottom to make claiming your photo easier.
To claim your photos, simply open the Disneyland app and type in the 8-digit code under your photo. That’s it! Within a few hours your photo should be available on the app! One tip to keep in mind: the photos in the post-ride gallery change quickly, so when you find yourself, have someone take a quick photo of the code in case it disappears before you get a chance to type it in. If you don’t get the code in time, don’t worry! Just ask a cast member at the photo booth for the code. They are happy to help!
Other Park Photos
Popular photo spots in the park often have a Disney PhotoPass photographer ready to snap a picture of your group! When you are done taking pictures, open up your app and go to the photos section. There should be a bar code which the photographer scans to connect your photos with your account. After a couple of hours, the photos should be on the app and ready for download! These photographers are around the park, at special dining experiences, and at character meet-and-greets. All of these photos go right to your app with a quick scan of the bar code.
Why MaxPass is a Great Deal
Let’s say you have a family of four. In my experience, a three-day park-hopper is the ideal ticket to see and do everything Disneyland has to offer. At $20 per person per day, the MaxPass in this scenario would total to $240, not including any additional fees. A Disney PhotoPass is a disc of your photos and costs $99, but does not include attraction photos which are about $35 per print. These also do not go directly to your phone. Disney PhotoPass + One Week costs $78, which does allow you to download photos directly to your phone. The only downfall here is the photos are only available for 7 days, where the MaxPass keeps your photos available for 45 days. If you only wanted the MaxPass for photos, you could only purchase the MaxPass for one ticket which would significantly reduce the cost, and depending on how many days you are staying it could be the cheapest way to get all of your photos on your phone quickly.
MaxPass is the best option because of the FASTPASS feature. Time is money, especially at Disneyland. The time you save by using the MaxPass is really worth it. In all honesty, I would purchase the MaxPass even if it was just for the FASTPASS feature, it’s that useful!
So, is a MaxPass worth it? If you just want it for pictures, then no. Other options are cheaper depending on what you really want out of your Disney experience. Would I recommend getting Disney’s MaxPass? Absolutely!
What are your experiences with Disney’s MaxPass? What other questions do you have about the MaxPass? Let me know by leaving a comment!
Anna’s Pick of the Week
I have this backpack an I use it every time I visit Disneyland! While it is small, it fits much more than I had anticipated. While at the parks I have been asked by people of all ages where I got it. Well, now you know!
With everything going on in the world right now, traveling to far-off destinations is not as feasible as it typically is. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably itching to go somewhere. What option do you have? Go on a road trip! I have collected some of the best road trip games you can play with a group of people. They are split into three categories (by “equipment”, I mean a phone or paper and pencil):
Games without equipment
Games with equipment
On-going games
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Games Without Equipment
Alphabet Sign Game
I play this game every time I go on a road trip, and it can get pretty competitive! Everyone starts at the beginning of the alphabet at the letter A, and has to search outside of the car for a word that starts with the letter A. We also allow people to use letters on license plates, even if it’s not the first letter on the plate (you can choose to not allow license plates if you want). When someone sees a word, they shout it out and nobody else can use that same word for their letter. When you successfully call out a word, you move on to the next letter of the alphabet. The first person to go all the way through and find a word that starts with Z wins! This can be challenging with less common letters which is what makes to game so competitive. The last time I played the two of us were both stuck on the letter X. I called out a sign that said “Xing Road” before the other player, which led to my victory!
One Word Story
This game is great for people who enjoy being creative! The game goes around in a circle, so determine which order people will play. The first person says one word, then the next person says a word, and so on. The goal is to create a story by having everyone say one word at a time. The stories often go in an unexpected direction which requires everyone to think on their feet! This game can go as long as you’d like it to.
Alphabet Categories
This alphabet games combines aspects of the previous two games. Just like in “One Word Story”, the game is played by going around in a circle. Someone comes up with a category sign as “fruit”, “cities”, or “animals”. The first person has letter A, so they need to come up with something in the given category that starts with the letter A. The next person has letter B, the following person has letter C, and so on. If someone gets stuck, everyone in the car can brainstorm to come up with an answer. The more specific the category, the harder the game! This game doesn’t have a specific winner, it’s just for fun!
Would You Rather
This is a classic game people often use to get to know each other better. Someone comes up with a question that starts with “would you rather…” and gives two options. For example: “would you rather go skydiving or bungee jumping?”. Everyone in the car gives an answer, including the person who asked the question. Everyone takes turns asking questions. This is another game without a winner, and it can be as long or as short as you would like.
Games With Equipment
Guess the Song/Artist
This game requires a phone, or something to play music on. The assigned DJ does not play the game and serves as a judge for the rest of the group. The DJ plays a song and the rest of the players race to give the song’s title or artist the fastest. It should be predetermined whether the game focuses on song title or artist. The DJ determines who got the correct answer first, then changes the song and repeats the process. For every answer someone gets correct, they get a point. The person with the most points at the end of the game wins! This game can be played as long as you would like. I recommend setting a number of songs for each round and swapping DJs so everyone gets a chance to play.
Road Trip Bingo
My family got competitive with this game when I was young. Instead of having numbers on the cards, road trip bingo cards have animals, cars, road signs, and anything else you might see on your ride. Just like BINGO, you mark off the item as you see it. You can buy reusable cardboard cards with built-in markers, print out cards, or download the road trip bingo app. You could even make your own cards!
On-Going Games
License Plate Game
This one isn’t so much a “game”, but something fun to pass the time. The goal of this activity is to watch license plates as they go by and keep track of what state the plate is from. On either a piece of paper or your phone, keep track of the states you have seen. We play this to and from our destination and see how many of the 50 states we see on our trip. This is something you can do while other games are going on.
Train
This is a pretty simple game I used to play to and from volleyball tournaments with my teammates. If someone sees a train, they gently punch the ceiling of the car and shout “train”! Everyone else in the car does the same, and the last person to shout “train” has to say “choo-choo” while pulling their arm down as if they are pulling the lever on a trail whistle. You get a point every time you have to say “choo-choo” and the person with the least amount of points wins. This is another game that can be played over the course of the drive while other games are going on.
Slug Bug
This one is a classic, and if you haven’t played it I’m sure you know someone who has. Basically, if you see a Volkswagen bug you are supposed to gently punch the person next to you and shout “slug bug” before the other person does it. The person who gets the most “slug bugs” over the course of the drive wins! It’s a pretty simple game and can be played over the course of the entire trip, even while other games are going on. Other variations include shouting the color of the bug or “banana car” which replaces Volkswagen bugs with yellow cars but has the same idea.
I hope you are able to take a road trip soon and try out some of these games! On road trips, it really is more about the journey than the destination. Living in the USA, I love road tripping through Oregon, Washington, and California. Do you have a favorite road trip game? Let me know what it is in the comments!
Anna’s Pick of the Week
Car BINGO is easier with these BINGO boards. I used these on road trips when I was a kid and I had a lot of fun with them! Keep them in the car and use them over and over again!
San Francisco is a great city to visit for any length of time. When I got a chance to tour the city, I only had two full days but I felt like I saw most of the notable San Francisco icons. I even toured a couple of amazing places that many people don’t know about! Here’s what I recommend you see in San Francisco if you are only able to visit for a weekend:
Golden Gate Bridge
“Full House” House
Ghirardelli Square
Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse
Walt Disney Family Museum
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Golden Gate Bridge
This iconic bridge is a symbol of San Francisco. You cannot go there without talking a walk on the bridge! I recommend visiting during the day. Near the start of the bridge is a welcome center with a store for all of your Golden Gate Bridge souvenir shopping. It is conveniently located next to a parking structure where you can leave your car during your walk.
“Full House” House
If you have never seen “Full House”, you might want to watch an episode or two before your visit. This classic show was set in San Francisco, and the scenes outside of their house were shot on an actual street in San Francisco! While you cannot go inside, it’s still fun to take photos outside! The house is located at 1709 Broderick St., San Francisco, CA 94115. You can easily find I on Google Maps by typing in “Full House”, or if you take a taxi odds are they know how to get there.
Ghirardelli Square
One of my favorite chocolates started in San Francisco! Ghirardelli square is home to the first Ghirardelli store as well as other shops and eateries. This adorable area is a great place to stop for lunch. Sometimes you’ll be lucky enough to stumble upon a performance at Ghirardelli square! When I visited in December, we watched a local school choir perform their holiday concert!
Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz
Right outside of Ghirardelli Square is another place I recommend visiting: Fisherman’s Wharf. This wharf has plenty of shops and restaurants to peruse during your free time. Along one of the piers you can take a boat tour across the way to Alcatraz. I am by no means a “history person”, but I really enjoyed visiting Alcatraz. Listening to the audio tour is necessary on Alcatraz if you want to get the full experience. Listening to the stories of people who lived there was interesting, and gave me a greater appreciation for what this island really was.
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse
Have you ever seen someone visit San Francisco and post a photo of neon lights spelling “I got baked in San Francisco”? These lights have become fairly famous and those traveling to San Francisco often stop by just to get a photo. These lights can be found at Mr. Holmes Bakehouse. The bakery is a quick stop for breakfast, and definitely worth the visit. The pastries are amazing, and with the variety you are sure to find something you like!
Walt Disney Family Museum
I love everything Disney, so of course I had to stop by the Walt Disney Family Museum while I was in San Francisco! This museum is something you could easily pass up if you didn’t know it was there. Located on Montgomery St., this museum brings the magic of Disney to San Fran. If you have ever been to a Disney park, you probably know what I call the “Disney feeling”. It’s the feeling of being a kid again through an atmosphere that is bigger and more extraordinary than daily life. This museum definitely has the “Disney feeling” with colorful sculptures and interactive displays. If you like learning more about Walt Disney and his life, this is definitely a place you want to visit.
What else would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments!
Anna’s Pick of the Week
San Francisco’s weather can vary depending on the time of year. It’s always a good idea to have a light jacket handy. This jacket is a great option as it is light weight, water resistant, and folds up into a small bag. I have a similar jacket and I love how convenient it is to throw in my backpack as I head out the door!
Many people around the world dream of visiting the magnificent Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. I have many friends who have made it a life goal to visit the monument. Personally, I never thought much about it. As a traveler I knew it was something I wanted to see eventually, but it never made the top of my list. That changed when I actually got to visit Paris myself.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
I never really appreciated how beautiful this structure was until I saw it in person. It stands much taller than I had ever imagined. I had researched before visiting and learned it was just over 1,000 feet tall, but that did not mean anything to me until I stood under it. My new fascination for the Eiffel Tower was the inspiration to write about the best way to view it.
Seine Boat Tour
A boat tour is the way to go! There are several companies available that tour up and down the Seine which gives a great view of many local attractions, including the Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower. I recommend taking a tour in the evening when the sun is about to set. Why? Because you get to see the tower in all of its glory. At night, lights on the tower turn on which you can see as the sun sets. Over the course of the night you can also watch the sparkling lights illuminate every hour. This sparkling light show only lasts 5 minutes (1), so don’t miss it! While I was on the boat tour, I saw to tower before it was lit, after it was lit, and I got to see it sparkle!
I recommend booking your boat tour ahead of time. There are several companies that give tours along the Seine, including:
After your boat tour, don’t forget to grab a crepe and take a stroll under the tower. Standing below you really get a sense of how enormous it is, especially when stand next to one of the legs. It’s a truly incredible experience!
Check out other France icons! Of the monuments you have visited, which is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!
Anna’s Pick of the Week
If you’re visiting the Eiffel Tower, you’re going to want some pictures. Keep your camera safe in this handy camera bag! It’s the perfect size traveling and fits comfortably as a cross-body bag.
Navini Island is a small resort with an average of only 20 guests staying on the island at a time (1). The number of staff always exceeds the number of visitors, so you can be sure you are taken care of. Navini Island is so small I walked around the entire perimeter in ten minutes. This small island has a lot to give including snorkeling, water sports, excursions, and traditional Fijian culture. There really is no better option for a relaxing and fun vacation!
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Navini Island is Yours
View from our Bungalow
Privacy is one of the draws to Navini Island. With an average of only 20 guests, there is never a battle for space on the sand. In fact, each bungalow has it’s own private view of the beach! When we wanted a bit more sun we walked over to the main beach on the island which is free of trees and has a nice sandy area to swim. You hardly know anyone else is on the island until meal time.
Meals
Lali Announcing Meal Time
Each morning one of the staff members bangs the lali (a traditional drum) to announce breakfast is ready. The sound of the lali travels across the whole island. All the guests on the island meet in the dining room and place orders for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the day. The meals are beautifully prepared and delicious! The lali is played again over the course of the day to announce lunch time and dinner time. One night a week the staff puts on a lovo, which is a Fijian celebration commonly compared to the Hawaiian luau. To attend the party, you are required to wear the traditional sulu that you receive when you first arrive on the island. During this celebration a buffet is served and the staff play cultural music. On lovo night, don’t leave after your meal! You’d miss out on the singing, dancing, and celebrating!
The Navini Island Staff
Nightly Beach Volleyball
The staff really make the trip. They are always so nice and are there to help however they can. Staff members taught us about Fijian culture, taught us how to play local games, and are eager to join the nightly volleyball game! When it came time to leave, saying goodbye to the staff was the hardest part. The small number of people on the island really makes it feel like a community.
Excursions
Just about every day Navini Island Resort has a different excursion available. You can go snorkeling, sightseeing, or experience more about Fijian life. As an educator, I was excited about the excursion to visit a school on a small island not too far away. These kids were more than happy to show us around their school and sing us a song they had been learning. This is truly and unforgettable experience!
Water Sports
Hobie Cat
For some more fun in the sun, Navini Island has several water sports available, free of charge! The Hobie Cat is a small sail boat you can ride alone or with a staff member. They also have kayaks, paddle boards, and seacycles available (2). Snorkeling is great around the entire island and on some of the free excursions. If you’re not into water sports, you can still enjoy the water by swimming close to the shore. Any way you spend your day on Navini Island is sure to be great!
I love this island, and I hope you get a chance to experience it for yourself! What part of this island caught your attention? Let me know by leaving a comment! Looking for more tropical destinations? Check out Hawaii, Mexico, or Puerto Rico!
Anna’s Pick of the Week
Flip-flops are the best shoes for any tropical destination as they are easy to take on and off. OOFOS are my favorite because they are water resistant, dry quickly, and have an arch support. These are the most comfortable flip-flops I have ever worn, and I would recommend them for anyone!
Going to India was one of the most interesting and eye-opening experiences of my life. If you get the chance to go, you absolutely should. I would not describe this trip as a “vacation”, but more of an “adventure”. I can tell you this will be the first of many India-specific posts I write because there is so much I want to talk about. In this post, I will go over some key things you need to consider both when booking a trip to India, and while you are there.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
1. Do Not Plan on Driving Yourself
New Delhi, India
Cars, trucks, tuk-tuks, ox-pulled carts, cows and people all share the roads. I personally would not feel confident driving myself in the cities, and I would even be weary driving from city to city. Using the different forms of public transportation is the easiest way to get around within a city, and it’s fairly inexpensive. If you are planning on visiting multiple cities during your stay, you have two main options: ride the train or rent a driver. India is famous for its trains, so I recommend planning on taking a ride to get the full India experience. If you ride the train, make sure you book your tickets in advance to ensure you get a seat.
I would also recommend having a plan on how you will get to and from the train stations. One great way to travel India is by getting a driver for the duration of your trip. We got a driver through Castle and King (1), and we were very happy with our experience! Our driver, Krishna, was very nice and honestly made our trip! We were thankful to have someone informative to give us tips that we wouldn’t have even thought about. Castle and King even helped us book our train tickets and had someone waiting for us at the next train station that took us to our next hotel. I highly recommend using Castle and King for your trip to India!
2. Hotel Room Sizes
I traveled with my family of four, and we typically have no problem finding a hotel to sleep us all. That was not the case in India. Nearly every hotel we stayed in had one large (queen, sometimes king) bed and one small (usually twin) bed. The rooms are set up to sleep three, not four. When you are booking hotels, make sure to ask how many people each room sleeps and what options they have for bringing in an additional bed if your party is greater than three.
3. Watch For Pick Pockets During Your Trip to India
Pick pockets are something to be aware of in many places around the world, and India is no exception. Be aware of your personal belongings at all times. We experienced people distracting us while a friend came in from behind, kids trying to take things out of our hands while we were walking, and people of all ages begging on the side of the road, even coming as far as to bang on our car windows.
Nothing was stolen from us, so I know you can go on a trip to India without losing any belongings. To keep your items safe, I recommend using a cross-body bag that fits under your clothes like this one (2). Put the bag on under your shirt so the strap cannot be cut off, and keep the bag at your front so you can easily clutch bag in crowded areas. Please note: this is not just specific to India. I would give this same advise to someone traveling to anywhere with known pick-pockets.
4. Be Prepared to Get Your Picture Taken
When visiting India, you really feel like a celebrity! At nearly every tourist spot someone stopped us and asked to take a picture with us because we look different. One girl around 13 was excited to see her “first white person”, and wanted to practice her English with us. Typically it’s not just one photo either. Several times there was a line of people waiting to take their picture with us. If you are not into getting your photo taken, you need to tell them “no” or you will be there all day. Sometimes, it was really neat! This picture was taken with a girl’s birthday party that was walking down the street. They were really excited to see us, and took plenty on selfies. This praparazzi moment was particularly fun.
Bonus Tip: Tampons
We learned the hard way that India does not carry tampons, or at least nobody we asked knew what we were talking about when we showed them a photo of a tampon box. If you’re thinking you’ll need some while you’re on your trip, I recommend packing plenty!
Anna’s Pick of the Week
A buff is a great thing to have in India for a couple of reasons. First, you may come across temples which require you to cover your head. Buffs can be worn as a head covering and they are easy to pack around. Second, they can be used as a mask. The air quality in India is not great, so having a mask available is always a good idea. They can also be worn as a headband or scarf which makes them great for every day!
Ayers Rock is located in the Australian Outback. Known by the native Anagua as “Uluru”, it is a sacred site where they believe ancient spirits from the area lay to rest (1). Previously, the best way to experience this world wonder was to climb it. However, out of respect for the spiritual beliefs of the Anagua, climbing Ayers Rock is no longer an option. Don’t let that discourage you! Visiting the biggest rock in the world is incredible any way you do it! I have five amazing ways to experience Ayers Rock, ending with my personal favorite.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Segway tours can be a fun and unique way to visit Ayers Rock. There are several Segway options ranging from self-guided experiences to tours of the landscape with a guide (2). If you have never ridden a Segway before it can feel weird, but you get the hang of it in just a few minutes. Should you go this route, I would recommend wearing a scarf or something you can cover your face with while you ride. The Segways can kick up quite a bit of dust which can be bothersome. If you choose to visit during the day (not sunrise or sunset), I would also recommend wearing a bug net like this one. Realistically, any time you are outside in the outback you should be wearing a bug net. I had not brought one with me and I ended up buying one within the first few hours of landing because they’re everywhere.
Did you know there are incredible views in the outback in addition to Ayers Rock? With a one- or two-day hop-on-hop-off bus pass, you can experience these sites at your own pace (3). If you have ridden a hop-on-hop-off bus before, you know how convenient they are. I also recommend them if you are planning to visit Sydney. The buses go around their route and stop at each designated location. Get off the bus when you are ready to adventure, and catch the next bus when you are ready to move on. This option will require you to have all of your gear for the day on-hand, which is easy using a backpack like this one. I use a backpack like this one whenever I travel and it perfectly fits everything I need for the day.
#3 – Rent a Car
Ayers Rock (Uluru), Australia
Renting a car seems like the most obvious way to visit Ayers Rock, so why is it number three on the list? Because of the freedom it gives you! Renting a car allows you to get just as close to the rocks as any other experience, but you can do it at your own pace. You don’t have to worry about packing everything for the day on your back, and you can stay later than the hop-on-hop-off buses run for amazing views of the stars! The Outback is the best place in the world for stargazing, so you don’t want to miss this opportunity!
An unforgettable way to experience Ayers Rock is by air. Helicopter tours may be one of the more expensive options, but for good reason. These amazing tours give you a view that no other tour can. These tours can be as short as 15 minutes, or as long as 40 minutes (4). For thrill seekers, you can also choose to skydive!
#5 – Experience Ayers Rock My Favorite Way: By Camel
Ayers Rock (Uluru), Australia
My personal favorite way to experience Ayers Rock is by camel. These tours typically occur during sunrise and sunset. The closest you get to the rock is shown in the photo I took above, so if you are wanting to get close and personal with Ayers Rock I would recommend going with a car or bus. That being said, I would recommend traveling by camel if you get the chance. These tours have guides that take photos of you during the adventure and you can purchase all of the pictures on a USB drive when you are done. Fun fact: the Australian Outback is home of the largest population of wild camels in the world!
I hope you feel inspired to visit this amazing wonder! Which experience is your favorite? Let me know in the comments! Wanting more information on Australia attractions? Check out my post on the Sydney Opera House!
Anna’s Pick of the Week
The Australian Outback has a TON of bugs! My family started wearing jackets over our heads and quickly realized we needed bug nets. They may look silly, but they’re a life saver! It’s hard to enjoy the beauty of Ayers Rock when you are constantly slapping yourself. A bug net is a necessity if you are going to the Outback!
I am a teacher and travel enthusiast! I grew up traveling with my family, and I want to encourage other families to do the same! Through my posts and products I hope to make it easy for families to travel together!
