The closest you will come to flying.

The term ‘Bucket List’ has been derived from a list of  things to do before you ‘kick the bucket’ or inevitably pass away (unless you are a Hindu and re-birth is an option in your eyes…..even if it is as a mouse).  Some save this for the latter part of their lives but we think the sooner you start the more exciting your life is going to become.

Now we are not recommending you quit your job, leave your family and start taking on all manner of death defying feats to cross off your list. No.  We would prefer if you work your way into, get a feel for knocking a few lower ideas of the list.   Maybe warm up by: learning how to make sushi, running a half marathon, writing a blog or even something simple like walking to the shops backwards.

Once you have built up your confidence (and a bit of spare cash) then start easing into the top 10 below.   But don’t feel like you have to follow the ten to the letter, oh no, mix it up if you wish and add a bit of your own personality.

This list is meant to inspire, not dictate. So good luck and if you do manage to get all these done then be sure to let us know!

Wingsuit Flying – The closest we can possibly come to flying without a machine. So don’t just sky dive, slip on a wingsuit and feel the freedom.

The Big 7 – Visit all seven natural wonders of the world.  You can take your time on this one as this will require a bit of cash but will be oh so worth it: Grand Canyon, Great Barrier Reef, Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Mount Everest, Aurora, Parícutin volcano, and Victoria Falls

Kayak down the Amazon - Take an 8 to 10 day journey down one of the worlds largest rivers and experience some of the most surreal scenery and wildlife.

Write a Movie Script – Sure it might not be technically sound when you first write it but it’s a creative outlet that you can do in your own time no matter where you are.

Bike across China – You could do this across any large continent but as long as the landscapes are vast, tourist attractions a plenty and it’s physically challenging.  Plus you will need an ass made of granite.

Roll the dice – A play on ‘The Dice Man’ (less sinister) but go on an overseas trip where the following (picked from a list of 6) are decided by a roll of the dice: destination, duration, accommodation, food every night, and the countries top extreme activities.  If you really want to mix it up let you friend pick each of the 6 choices.

Experience Weightlessness – Going into space might soon become a reality for people with a spare million.  But you can get your weightlessness thrills by other means such as Zero G who are bringing this thrill to the public.

Drive a ’57 in Cuba – Rent and drive a 1957 Pontiac or similar around Cuba before these cars are lost not only to rust but the evolving economy post-Castro.

Stand-up in New York – Write your own stand-up comedy act, go to New York.  Then perform it live to an audience of more than 50 people at an open-mic night.

Visit New Zealand – Check out the home of hobbits and bungy jumping in one one of the worlds most diverse landscapes pack into a small area  for.  The best month to travel is March.

I'm glad I bought my digital camera.

Are you looking to escape the madness and take that next holiday away in either a tropical paradise or winter wonderland?  Well you fellow dreamers are not alone, there are nearly a billion people every year travelling round the globe experiencing some of the amazing wonder’s this world has to offer.

But let’s not kid ourselves here people, it’s not all sunshine and lollipop’s when you are out there jet setting around. There are many trials and tribulations you have to endure when that next Volcano happens or in my case when we went to get married in Thailand, Cyclones!

We have help prepared you for the flights to these destinations with the Top Ten Travel Gadgets For The Plane and the Top Ten Travel Tips for Long Haul Flights. But now it’s time to get you prepared and ready to hit the ground running at your new destination  with these essential travel accessories.

Duct Tape - Oh I hear the mockery now for making this number 1.  But I’m not trying to get all MacGyver on you with this.  It has about a million uses from; taping up your broken bag to creating a make shift splint.  We recommend Intertape 5038-3 3-Pack

Smart Phone - Not only can you call your family if you are being held for ransom by a bunch of friendly Colombian drug lords.  But you can play endless games and listen to music whislt you are in a state of travelling limbo.  For the iPhone fan boy we recommend the Apple iPhone 4G 16GB and for the Android fan boy we recommend the Google Nexus One .

Robust and Waterproof Camera - Take away the stress of worrying about your digital camera breaking or getting wet and get a durable, photo snapping machine.  We have always recommend the: Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 14MP

Combination Lock - It’s a simple but safe security measure and one you will not regret (unless you leave the lock on when flying as customs/baggage handlers have been known to break them open to search.  We recommend the robust Master Lock 4684T TSA combo.

Money Belt – Yes you feel like a bit of a tool pulling this out.  But it will save you the next time you find someone trying to fleece you for all your travel money.  We recommend the trusted Rick Steves Silk Money Belt

A Good Book – With all these fancy gadgets flying round we thought we had better go old school.  It’s much easier to take a good book with you to the beach then it is an iPad….you obviously want look like a knob either.  The most entertaining  travel read we I have had lately is World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

Travel Clothes Line - Even for the ardent business or back packing traveler, this little device is essential.  It allows you to dry out anything where ever you go. Simple but effective, we recommend Rick Steves Travel Gear Clothesline

First Aid Kit - I know this sounds a little bit like your mom recommending a first aid kit.  But seriously when my Mom made me pack one for my first trip to Thailand when I was 21, I used it constantly.  We recommend patching yourself up with the Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel First Aid Kit

Universal Plug – I can hear you scoffing at the simplicity but this has truly come in handy on many a jounrney not only on the holiday but in transit.  We recommend the All-in-One Travel Power Plug Adapter for US, UK, EU, AU

Lonely Planet Guide - These little suckers will never run out battery or break due to an over zealous baggage handler. If you are going to Europe we recommend: Europe on a Shoestring: Big Trips on Small Budgets

The big boy of the sky's

Flying is more of a means to and ends then a favorite past time.  Sure we can make it that little bit easier by getting some of the best travel gadgets for long haul flights.  But if you are travelling on an airline that is absolutely rubbish then no matter how many gadgets you have, your experience will be far from ideal.

Hopefully everyone reading this list has had the pleasure of flying on one of the many Airlines this world has to offer. But rather than you having to spend a lot of money finding out what are the Top Ten airlines in the world.  The Quick Ten taken the guess work out of it for you and compiled a list based on attributes such as food, value for money, entertainment, service, leg room, and not crashing.

For the team at The Quick Ten deciding on number 1 was easy and based on numerous flights using them to ferry us across the Atlantic and the Pacific!

Singapore Airlines – Simply the best service, best planes and best food. A hands down winner on so many levels.

Thai airways – The same amazing service as Singapore and food which is actually half descent…for airplane food.

Emirates – Some of the newest planes in the industry and constantly looking to improve and actually implement changes unlike some other airlines like maybe British Airways hint hint.

Air New Zealand – Their quirky attitude to marketing the business also translates into success on their service. An all round winner with some innovation to match e.g. the cuddle class

Malaysian Airlines – They make it to number 5 purely based on service and value for money.  No frills but definitely no spills.

Virgin – There service, food and entertainment is top notch but their airfares are over priced with minimal added value between the most major airlines.

Cathay Pacific – Once one of the darlings of the sky but of late has started to suffer and whose fleet is in need of an up grade.  The staff are what make the company.

Qatar Airways – An Up and comer and trying to emulate the success of Emirates.  Keep an eye on them as their fares are very sharp…but food is not so flash.

 Qantas – The planes are fine, the food is OK but the staff are simply some of the worst in the business and massively effect the scoring in this list.

British Airways - Much like Qantas everything is OK with their food, space, entertainment but their whinging staff really leave a lot to be desired with this majestic dinosaur of the sky.

If you are making a flight with one of these airlines then make sure you read our Top Ten Essential Travel Accessories.

Star Trek?

Flying is tedious at the best of times.  Not only do you have to deal with moody flight attendants and rubbish food but the share boredom you experience on flights anything over 3 hours can be soul destroying.

But what if you could make a difference to you flight? What if the next flight you jumped on you can prepared and ready to take boredom head on?  Well we think we can help alleviate this boredom and give you the best possible opportunity to enjoy the flight and believe us when we say we have enough experience in this area to sink a battle ship. Unfortunately we do not have a gadget that removes the people sitting next to you who; snore, smell, or silent fart but the below gadgets might help you through the trip.

Smart Phone – You simply get more bang for your buck and let’s face it the gameplay is getting pretty darn good (well enough to make Angry Birds into a movie).  It also cut’s down on the bulk of carrying multiple entertainment devices and hence why it makes it to number 1. Android or iOS platforms, we don’t discriminate in this particular list but we would recommend either the Apple iPhone 4G 16GB or Google Nexus One Unlocked Phone with Android

Handheld Gaming Console – A dedicated gaming console will currently give you greater game play and video capabilities but this is quickly changing and therefore can only make it to number 2.  We recommend the always reliable PlayStation Vita – WiFi

Kindle – Yes we are specifically naming this device as it’s simply the best and most reliable in the market.  Upload a gazillion books, sit back, order a vodka on the rocks and enjoy the best literature the world has to offer. We recommend the Kindle 3G Wi-Fi

Laptop – You can get a lot of extra work or movie watching done on a laptop.  Especially if you have a laptop that is light weight, compact, energy efficient and has long battery life. We recommend the Toshiba Portege R835-P56x 13.3-Inch LED Laptop (Magnesium Blue)

In Flight Charger – With all the electrical devices floating about and lack of planes with power points (the newer planes are getting better with this) then you are going to potentially need this.  We recommend the Tekkeon TekCharge MP2250 (See all Laptop Computer Battery Chargers)

MyVu Glasses – Again we are naming the brand here but again it’s because they are the market leader.  Yes you will look like a knob but combine it with some noise cancelling headphones (number 7) and you will be in your own world. Take a look at the Myvu Personal Media Viewer Solo Plus Edition (See all Portable Audio & Video)

Noise Cancelling Headphones – We have a whole post dedicated to headphones and in the world of travel they become a life line of sanity.  In particular the noise cancelling headphones which can even be used when not listening to music or movies as they act as ear plugs.  From experience the most robust and well priced are Sennheiser Earbuds (See all Headphones)

Water – It really should be number 1 but it’s probably too boring and if you are brave enough you can make the Air stewards get you an abundance without buying liters at the airport. If you are looking for some water then we recommend FIJI Natural Artesian Water

Flight Spray – One of the worst things about long haul flights is the dry air and block nose that follows.  Stop that from happening with a really good nasal spray.  We recommend Flight Spray, Nasal Hydration Spray (See all Cold & Flu Medicine)

Travel Pillow – It’s simple but it can save you some serious neck pain and improve the amount of sleep you get.  Just make sure you don’t get a cheap one as these ones tend to have the worst pillow design ever.  The  most cost effective and well designed pillow we have used is the HoMedics Ortho Therapy Neck Support Pillow

Dingo stole my baby, no really it did!

The Southern Hemisphere contains some amazing wonders from the eclectic and memorizing landscape of  Patagonia in Argentina to the Lord of The Rings inspired wonders of the South Island in New Zealand.  But one of the heavy hitter’s of the Southern Hemisphere has to be the country of Australia.

The share size of Australia is a fact often overlook.  It is actually the 6th largest country in the world and the same size as the 48 mainland states of America.  It’s no surprise then that this vast and often inhospitable landscape has many treasures for the wandering tourist to discover.

I’m sure there is many an avid traveler who is heading down under to supplement the hedonism of the main centers with a good dose of natural wonders.  So we thought this list will let you optimise your trip, taking in the cold beers and hot beaches whilst seeing the best that Australia has to offer.

1. Great Barrier Reef – A truly remarkable attraction that has an unimaginable amount of amazing marine life which is something that goes beyond it’s rankings in the 7 marine and natural wonders of the world.  Get The Lonely Planet for this Area
2. Ayers Rock – Also know as Uluru, its the most famous sandstone formation in the world which can display array an of different colors from dawn till dusk.  Get The Lonely Planet for this Area
3. Kakadu National Park – There were too many things to do in the Kakadu National Park so we could not choose a particular attraction and just went for the whole shi-bang. Get The Lonely Planet for this Area
4. Daintree – This is the oldest rain forest in the world and probably one of the only ones that is not being deforested so that it’s natural inhabitants can flourish.  This makes for some brilliant sight seeing.  Get The Lonely Planet for this Area
5. Cradle Mountain – This Tasmanian national park gives you a taste of Patagonia or New Zealand but with an Australia twist.  Am impressive park in it’s own right.  Get The Lonely Planet for this Area
6. Lord Howe Island – Probably the least know of the lot but that’s probably the main thing that would attract the avid traveler to it’s golden shores.  Get The Lonely Planet for this Area
7. Fraser Island – Oh yes this is the largest sand Island in the world! So remember to take you best shovel and bucket.  Get The Lonely Planet for this Area
8. Katherine Gorge – Yes it’s in Darwin and yes it’s a long way away from anything.  But it’s well worth the journey and the gorge, located in Nitmiluk National Park, has enough little treats to keep you going for more than a few days.  Get The Lonely Planet for this Area
9. William Bay National Park – Take your time to relax in any of the perfectly turquoise coloured pools.  Get The Lonely Planet for this Area
10. The Great Ocean Road – Did somebody say “road trip”? Well if you are looking for one of the best roadtrips in the world then the Great Ocean Road is for you.  Get The Lonely Planet for this Area

You cannot go wrong with this bad boy.

Are you heading away on a summer holiday that is going to involve you spending most of your time either sunbathing, drinking or swimming? Well if this is the case then chances are pretty high that you will need a digital camera that is going to be waterproof.

We are not talking underwater digital cameras that Jacques Cousteau could have taken on his next underwater exploration.  No. We are talking about the most practical and robust cameras in the market that will allow you to remove the worry of dropping it in water.  In fact these cameras will quite happily go with you in the water.

Without further ado here are the top ten waterproof digital cameras that every traveler should consider buying.

1. Olympus Stylus Tough 8010

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2. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1

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3. Canon PowerShot D10

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4. Fujifilm Finepix XP10

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5. Pentax Optio W90

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6. Nikon COOLPIX S8100

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7. Panasonic Lumix FT2

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8. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5

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9. Samsung AQ100

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10. Genius G-Shot D508

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Happy New Year, well hopefully.

Is it getting to the time of the year again when all your thoughts start to focus on “the biggest” party of the year? You know the one where you get invites about 3 months out and turn them down because you think something better will come along and you don’t want to over commit?  Yes we are talking about New Years,  the one night in the year where people will do almost anything to make it “the best new years ever”.But we want to de-stress your approach and open you up to the world of possibilities that await you in this list of the Top Ten places to party for new years.  Sure you might need a passport and you might need to save some cash to get to these places.  But commit early, forget about the $50 per week coming out of your account to pay for the trip and be ready to live the NY’s dream at these destinations.

1. Rio de Janeiro – You are going to be fighting the crowds but once you get over this and get involved in the euphoric party atmosphere there will be no turning back.
2. Sydney – Not only will you get to see one of the more amazing firework displays but you can also carry on in to the wee hours and any number of the fantastic clubs.
3. New Orleans – Whether it’s Frenchmen Street or Bourbon Street you are going to have an amazing time in amongst this eclectic brew of bohemian atmosphere, music and drinking.
4. Berlin – This city is perfect all year round if you are looking to party but on New Years it kicks it up a notch.  Just be sure yo get down to the Brandenburg Gate a couple of hours before midnight.
5. Buenos Aires – City of the beautiful people with an atmosphere that you can’t help but get involved with.  Be ready to welcome in the first dawn of the new year as it’s going to be a late one.
6. Tokyo – Prepare yourself for a different new years when visiting Tokyo.  This urban jungle of gadgetry and quirk comes alive with anything and everything an avid party goer requires.
7. New York – A bit cliche and overcrowded, yes. But the time honored tradition of partying in Time Square is synonymous with New Years the world over.
8. Barcelona – It might be winter in this beautiful city but it does not mean that the locals take their celebrations any less seriously.
9. Edinburgh – The chances are it’s going to be quite cold.  But if you wrap up warm and pack a little single malt whisky then you should be fine amongst the hundreds of thousands of party goers celebrating Hogmanay (New Years) in and around Edinburgh.
10. Vancouver – Another cold city to celebrate New Years. But Vancouver has so much to offer before, after and during New Years that if you get the opportunity, take it.  If it sucks you can always pop up to Whistler for more debauchery:)

Take piggy to the beach.

You are starting to get itchy feet again but are a little strapped for cash right now. So you need a country to visit that is not going to cost you the world to visit but you can still scratch that itch and have a blast. Well this is the Top Ten List for the Cheapest Countries to visit from around the world.
Don’t worry the Quick Ten crew are not going to send you down shit creek without a paddle but you may want to remember to take some things for the flight and heed our tips for a long haul flights!  Other than that sit back and enjoy of budget driven choices. 

1. India – As long as you pack enough immodium to sink a battleship then there are an abundance of amazing sites to see right across this country and a meal will only set you back less than $1 US.

BUY NOW – Lonely Planet India

2. Cambodia – Its the new Vietnam which apparently is was the new Thailand and Thailand is amazingly beautiful and cheap which means Cambodia comes in at number 2.

BUY NOW – Lonely Planet Cambodia

3. Argentina – Land of beautiful people, cheap food and crazy currency drops.  Argentina has everything a traveler on a budget wants ; great food, beautiful and diverse scenery, great weather, brilliant nightlife and all at a great price.

BUY NOW – Lonely Planet Argentina

4. Mexico – So much ancient history to view in this country and picture perfect beaches to explore.  The food is brilliant, accommodation cheap and this is where Fiesta really comes into meaning.

BUY NOW – Lonely Planet Mexico

5. Romania – Don’t knock till you have tried it.  This place has so many hidden secrets and the nightlife (and women) in Bucharest is second to none.

BUY NOW – Lonely Planet Romania

6. Hungary – this is edged out by Romania purely on the fact that it is a little more off the beaten track than Hungary.  However this heavy hitter from the old eastern block provides cheap (and direct) airfares from Europe and a wide variety of tourist attractions.

BUY NOW – Lonely Planet Hungary

7. Turkey – this place caters for all types of budget travelers.  You can eat and drink the night away at one of the many fine seafood restaurants and clubs along the Bosphrus for a steal.  Or head on down to Antalya to soak up the sun in any number of the well priced villas.

BUY NOW – Lonely Planet Turkey

8. Morocco –  This is a very unique place to go and see on a budget.  Its got a lot of crazy wrapped up with a lot of adventure.  The Souks are where you will grab a bargain and also find great places for lunch or dinner.  Accommodation here is a steal also but don’t expect the Radisson unless you are willing to pay.

BUY NOW – Lonely Planet Morocco

9. Croatia – probably a little more expensive that it needs to be but still Croatia offers a lot of bang for you buck and the boat cruises that leave from either Dubrovnik or Split are absolutely amazing.  You can generally get these as all inclusive packages which saves you a lot of money.

BUY NOW – Lonely Planet Croatia

10. South Africa – sure there is a pretty good chance you will get robbed but hey it’s a must see country and your money will go very far at this destination with some accommodation coming in at little more than $3 US. To keep your budget adventure on the tracks check out some safari options at the Kruger National Park.

BUY NOW – Lonely Planet South Africa

Unbelievable Views

New Zealand is well known for its beautiful scenery, hobbit population and of course its extreme tourist activities.  I mean where else in the world can you get such a diverse amount of extreme activities all jam packed into this stunning little country?  However if you are heading to New Zealand and are looking to sample some of these adrenaline fueled activities which ones are the best of the best?

1. Skydiving – Queenstown
2. Bungy Jumping  - The Nevis Bungy Jump in Queenstown
3. White Water Rafting – Rangitikei River
4. Fly By Wire – Queenstown
5. Black Water Rafting – Waitomo
6. Jet Boat – Kawarau River
7. Canyon Swing – Shot Over River
8. Mountain Biking with Helicopter – Queenstown
9. Rally Car Driving – Hamilton
10. Paragliding – Te Mata Peak, Hawkes Bay

View Top Ten New Zealand Extreme Tourist Activities in a larger map

I love flying!

1. Reclining the seat back straight after or even during take off, regardless of wanting to sleep or not.
2. Passengers with BO, bad breath, smelly feet and general all round bad body odour.
3. Late passengers who hold up the flight because they are either shopping or getting a manicure .
4. Leaving their reading light on and window open on a long haul flight .
5. People who take up the arm rest and never move.
6. When passengers decide to re-pack and shuffle their luggage around whilst not moving from the aisle.
7. Stealth farter’s.
8. Kids kicking the back of the seat….for the whole flight.
9. Passengers trying to fit their “hand luggage” into the overhead compartment, generally crushing anything you or other passengers had in there.
10. Coughing, sneezing, spitting throughout the flight without trying to be discreet or cover their mouthes