Land Cruiser: Toyota, master of the heavy refresh, has applied relative restraint in updating the venerable Land Cruiser. Sheetmetal changes are limited to everything forward of the A-pillars, while additional active and passive safety features and their myriad acronyms append to the SUV’s options list. Read more ››


Mirai: see test ››

Prius: An all-new Prius steps bravely into an America where buyers have once again forgotten about fuel prices, tearing back to pickups and light trucks as if they come with a year’s worth of free Chipotle. So it is little wonder that a four-wheel-drive variant is rumored to be in the works. Still more or less tadpole-shaped, the standard front-drive Prius sits on the new Toyota New Global Architecture compact-car platform, shedding mass by incorporating more lightweight materials. Toyota will offer buyers two battery options; one is a cost-effective but lower-tech nickel-metal-hydride unit, the other a higher-capacity lithium-ion piece. The plug-in model, with a greater electric-only driving range, will follow the regular Prius by about a year, meaning that for 2016, no such model will exist in the Toyotasphere. And what about the car’s all-important EPA fuel-economy ratings? We hear they could rise by nearly 10 percent, further elevating the already-impressive 50-mpg-combined rating. See official photos and info ››

RAV4 (shown above): In addition to a minor refresh, Toyota’s original crossover also gains a hybrid variant. It borrows its hybrid parts from the four-wheel-drive Lexus NX300h, which borrows its underlying platform from, ahem, the humble RAV4. A 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine mates to an electric motor to power the front axle, while a second electric motor makes the rear axle turn. Only the mid-grade XLE and range-topping Limited RAV4 models will offer the hybrid option, which is expected to get around 30 highway mpg. As for the regular RAV4, it gets updated front and rear fascias, squishier cabin materials, improved noise insulation, and a new sporty SE model with paddle shifters. Read more ››

Tacoma: The small pickup affectionately known as the Taco has been stirred from a uniquely successful decade-long coma. A sales leader in the less-than-full-size pickup market, the Tacoma has nonetheless soldiered on without major revision since 2004. But this year, perhaps spurred by GM’s reborn Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon trucks, Toyota has reheated the Taco. While the general look and taste remain familiar, many body panels are new. Also, the expanded use of high-strength steel improves the Taco’s crunch, er, crash worthiness, and a new suspension tune provides greater travel and a more comfortable ride than before. Indicative of the Tacoma’s dotage, the 2016 model’s Corolla-like interior actually marks an improvement. An ancient 2.7-liter four-cylinder and a five-speed manual remain standard, but the optional 4.0-liter V-6 has been dropped in favor of Toyota’s corporate 3.5-liter V-6. The larger engine can be paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, and it is the first U.S.-market Toyota-branded product to be fitted with the D-4S port- and direct-injection fuel-delivery system. See first drive ››

Minor trim changes: Avalon/hybrid, Camry/hybrid, Corolla, Prius c, Sienna, Tundra, 4Runner
Unchanged: Highlander/hybrid, Prius v, Sequoia, Yaris
Dead: Prius plug-in, Venza

Spending most of your time near or in the water is a given when you’re in Vanuatu. There’s scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, and fishing. The best way to experience all these activities at once is to go on a cruise that will take you to Vanuatu’s key destinations full of stops that will let you experience the best of what the island nation has to offer.

Read on for a small sample of Vanuatu’s Cruise packages.

Sailaway Cruises

Sailaway Cruises operates out of Port Vila and brings clients to the North Efate area for snorkelling. diving and to mingle with the local underwater wildlife and coral reefs.

Sign up for a regular day trip, or the full 3 to 5 day cruise and be whisked off to popular snorkelling and dive spots like Hat Island, Survivor Beach (said to be one of the main locations the 9th season of the show Survivor was filmed) and Paul’s Rock. Don’t forget to bring your underwater camera otherwise you will miss out on capturing breath taking pictures of your adventure under the sea.

Coongoola Day Cruise

Widely regarded as a “must do” for new visitors of Vanuatu, the Congoola Day Cruise can accommodate 60 passengers and bring them to secluded coves and beaches located around the North Efate and Moso area.

Depart from Port Vila and head on over to Havannah Harbour where you will find the 23 metre sailing ketch Congoola moored to the bay. Visit the Turtle Sanctuary on Moso Island where you can even sponsor a turtle which comes with the benefit of receiving updates on how your turtle is progressing as it grows up.

A short walk along the waterfront will bring you to the Tranqulity Island Dive base where you will be given your snorkelling gear and be brought to a nearby secluded beach where you can spend the rest of the day interacting with the exotic fish that have made this place their home.

On board the Congoola, they will be firing up the grill and serving marinated fillet steaks with fresh salads and rolls for lunch. The day will go by at a leisurely pace, giving you ample time to get your fill of the amazing food and beautiful scenery.





At the end of the day, Congoola will hoist its sails and bring you back to Havannah Harbour. If you’re lucky, you may find yourselves accompanied by dolphins on the way home.

Island Escape Adventure Cruises

Island Escape Adventure Cruises cater the more affluent travellers eyeing to get the most out of their island escape while being close to the finer things in life.

Choose from a selection of week-long cruises and a premium cruise that lasts for 13 days:

The Secrets of Vanuatu (6 nights) will take you all around Espiritu Santo on board the “Island Passage.” Fascinating destinations such as the Riri River, Champagne Beach (said to be the most beautiful beach in the world), The Village of Asanvari, and many more await those who go on this culturally charged voyage.



The Mystery of Vanuatu (6 nights) cruise brings travellers to the islands of Wala, Ambryn and Malakula. You will be brought to the most remote and inaccessible parts of Vanuatu and be immersed in their culture, customs and village life.

The Romance of Vanuatu (6 nights) brings you to the island group’s best white sand beaches and offers you a taste of what it’s like to have all the time in the world to soak up the waves. The cruise itinerary is filled with deserted beaches and dive spots, making you forget the hustle and bustle of city life.

The Magical Vanuatu Cruise (13 nights), the be all and end all of Vanuatu luxury cruises gives you a comprehensive experience of visiting tribal villages, magnificent beaches, while giving you the all the luxuries only a cruise ship can offer. Witness spirit dances, active volcanoes, and the local version of base jumping called land diving.

Come away from this unique experience with the notion that you have experienced everything that can be experienced in Vanuatu.

There are many ways to experience the wonders of Vanuatu, but on board a cruise ship is regarded by some as the most luxurious way to explore this exotic island nation. If such a route appeals to you, book your trip on Air Vanuatu now. You will not regret that you did.

The cheapest accommodation can be found using our Best Hotel Deals page. Simply click here to check out the best accommodation prices in Vanuatu.

The best way to experience all the sights and sounds of Ballarat is at a leisurely pace, so you could really immerse yourself in the whole Ballarat experience.

With the amount of things to do like art galleries, museums, wine tastings, tours, and concerts, you would like to have the luxury of being able to experience all of these things at your own leisure as well having all these amazing things close by.

Here are some examples of the kinds of accommodations that will make your stay in Ballarat all the more memorable.

Bed and Breakfasts are perfect for people looking for an intimate experience during their stay. As these establishments usually contain less than 10 rooms, you are treated to having a semi-private stay in a quaint, charming house that’s probably run by a nice couple that’s always willing to regale you with stories of interesting guests and local places to check out.

Peaceful, charming, picturesque, and downright pleasant are just some of the words that come to mind when checking into one of Ballarat’s Bed and Breakfast accommodations.

Currently, the highest rated B&B in Ballarat in Trip Advisor is Ardenlee Traditional Bed and Breakfast.

Ballarat Self-contained Apartments and Cottages

Travelling with a relatively large group will probably mean your party won’t fit in a regular bed and breakfast. If you’re in such a group, you might want to look into some self-contained apartments and cottages.

Unlike bed and breakfasts and hotels and inns, most of these establishments assume that you are willing to self-cater so be ready to fire up the grill and host your own impromptu barbecue or cookout.

Facilities usually found in these establishments include kitchens, laundry, outdoor furniture, wi-fi, fireplace, and refrigerators.

According to Trip Advisor, the highest rated self-contained apartments are Lake Wendouree Luxury Apartments, and Executive Townhouse, Ballarat.

Ballarat Hotels and Motels



If you prefer luxury and comfort over quaint and charming, Ballarat also has a host of hotels and motels available to suit whatever requirements you may have.

Whether you simply need a place to stay that has room service, or a place that has restaurants, tennis courts, spas, pools, wi-fi, and bars, you can find your perfect hotel or inn in Ballarat.



Some places even have their own Cycling / Running Path. So if you feel like you need extra pampering during your stay in Ballarat, then make arrangements only with Ballarat accredited hotels and motels to ensure an enjoyable and hassle free stay.

Trip Advisor’s highest rated Hotels are Seymours on Lydiard and Comfort Inn & Suites City Views.

Ballarat Caravan and Camping

Adventurous travellers or simply those on a budget can look into the caravan parks, camping grounds, and backpackers hostel.

Get closer to nature with these outdoor accommodations and find out what makes Ballarat nights so magical.

Facilities include kitchens, kiosks, heated pools, TV / Lounge areas, spas, games / recreation room, and tennis courts.

Currently, the top rated camping grounds in Trip Advisor are BIG4 Ballarat Goldfields Holiday Park, and BIG4 Ballarat Welcome Stranger Holiday Park.

Ballarat is such a fun and welcoming place to visit. It would be a shame to cut your stay short because you did not plan for accommodations in advance. Whether you want all the luxuries that modern living can provide or you want to get closer to nature, you will find the right place to stay in Ballarat.

For more information, check out Visit Ballarat.

The cheapest accommodation can be found using our Best Hotel Deals page. Simply click here to check out the best accommodation prices in Ballarat.

Origin of Venice

Venice’s history dates back to the days when barbaric tribes from the north started ravaging the northern part of the Italian mainland. Out of pure necessity to survive from a brutal death at the hands of the barbaric tribes, mainland Italians, started to settle down on the only refuge that they could find, a muddy swamp with 118 islands near the Adriatic Sea, now known as the Venetian lagoon. Built on foundations made from the wood of Alder trees, slowly and steadily human ingenuity built one of the finest cities of the western world, a seat of power and an icon celebrating the spirit of human survival instincts.

The beautiful city of Venice, Italy.

How to reach Venice

There are several ways to reach this wonderful city. Coming from the mainland one can take the train. Getting off at the Venezia Santa Lucia station (which is on the western side of the city) one can then take a vaporetti (water bus) from there to reach the city. If you are coming by air, the nearest airport is the Marco Polo Airport near Mestre. Mestre also is the last train station on the Italian mainland. Coming by car can be both expensive and inconvenient because there are no roads in Venice and parking is very expensive. Venice never even had any routes for carts either.

All cars must stop and be parked at either Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto. From here Venice’s amazing waterways provide easy and comfortable transportation to any parts of the city. However please bear in mind that the final legs of the journey, no matter where you want to go have to be done on foot and the streets can be very narrow.

The best time to visit Venice

Venice, lying at the feet of the Adriatic Sea is influenced heavily by the kind of weather that the sea brings in. Its uniqueness in being dominated on all sides by the water is also a major challenge for both the residents and the tourists alike. Visitors to the city will be exposed to the smelly waters, the infestation of flies and the high tide (Acqua Alta) that comes and goes flooding the streets and the squares.

The beautiful water filled town of Venice, Italy.

This is also an amazing thing to experience if you are in the city at the time of the high tides. By and large the best time to visit is the winter months when the total tourist population subsides a bit and you can experience the city at your own leisurely pace.

Accommodation in Venice

Visiting Venice is exciting and a cultural experience, but you need quality accommodation for your stay. The best way to stay in Venice is to rent an apartment. Renting an apartment in Venice couldn’t be any easier, with companies like Venice Apartments Italy offering quality accommodation at excellent prices. Find out more about apartments to rent in Venice by checking out the Venice Apartments Italy website.

Moving around Venice

Back when the city was established, the citizens of Venice realised that the water around them not only formed a natural deterrent from attackers but also provided the means of easy transportation. So more than a thousand years ago, early Venetians became master boatsmen and experts in designing boats. A unique type of boat known as Gondola, with flat under side and slim hulls were designed. Even today the Gondola is an important way of getting around the city. They however are slower when compared to the water taxis that are run by the ACTV.



The gondola is the preferred method of transport in Venice, Italy.

If you are in the city only for a day or a few hours, then a quick ride in one of the ACTV water buses is the best way to see the city. It is fascinating to note that there are no cabs, no vehicles and everything is transported only via the water route. For a truly leisurely experience of Venice, however, you will have to take a walk.

What to see and do in Venice

Venice is not a big place, but can be confusing if you don’t read the signs. The total area is divided into boroughs and the most visited are the ones that make up the main 118 islands. San Polo, Santa Croce, San Marco, Cannaregio and Castello are the main places to visit along with a number of other places depending on the amount of time that you have.

This is a marvelous bridge located in Venice, Italy.

The best way to travel is by a water bus or for a more personalized experience a gondola is the ideal way to travel around apart from of course walking. However a gondola can be an expensive mode of transportation. Do your research and make a list of the places that you wish to visit and then negotiate with the gondolier so that he covers all of them for the agreed price.

The Basilica of Saint Mark is the finest specimen of Venetian architecture and the place that houses the relics of the patron saint of the city Saint Mark, the evangelist. Built in 832, legend says that the remains of the Saint were buried inside a crypt in the Basilica. Nearby is the Campanile di San Marco or the St Mark’s bell tower.

The old tower had collapsed back in the second decade of the last century and a new one exactly the same as the old one was erected in its place. The Doge’s palace is another must see. The Doges were the selected head of state in one of the earliest democracies of the world. This is the official residence of the Doges of Venice.

Getting around on the water is done by boat in Venice, Italy.

Dorsoduro is an important district of Venice and one that houses the Galleria dell’Accademia, Venice’s most important collection of renaissance works of art. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is another attraction which houses contemporary 20th century art collections from Picasso, Tanguy, Dali and Duchamp among many others.

The Mocenigo Palace houses an important collection of clothes that dates back to the 18th century. One can take a quick look at Carlo Goldoni’s house was a famous Venetian playwright.

Cuisine in Venice

The Venetian cuisine is not something of a real interest to someone coming in from other parts of Europe or the North America. The reason is Venice is not as famous for its cuisine as for its architecture and canals and food is very expensive. However having said that there are hundreds of small, medium and luxurious places to eat.

The best way to eat is how Venetians do, eating at the roadside eateries serving anything from pizza (which is by the way best served in the southern parts of the country), Venetian tapas, tramezzini (sandwiches made with white bread and cut in triangular shapes), polpette (fried meat or fish balls) and cuttlefish (which is a Venetian specialty).

Just about an hour and a half drive from Melbourne is Ballarat, a city known for its historical and cultural significance. With an area of 740 square kilometres and a population numbering of about 94,000 people, Ballarat is the largest inland centre and the third most populous city in Victoria.

The name Ballarat originally meant camp site or “resting place.” It was derived from the aboriginal words “balla” meaning reclining on the elbow, and “arat” meaning place. The credit for the name is given to a Scottish squatter Archibald Yuille when he established his first sheep settlement in 1837.

History

Ballarat played a significant role in Victoria’s gold boom in the 1850s after gold was discovered in Poverty Point, a small suburb located in the south eastern portion of the city. The gold rush sparked an influx which effectively tripled the then sheep station’s population and transformed it to a major settlement. The gold rush also earned the city the name “The Golden City” during this era.

In the early 20th century, when the gold supply started declining, the economy shifted towards the support of the lead mining industry, and agriculture. Since then, Ballarat’s modern economy is now dominated by several service industries like tourism, public services, health care, and social assistance. Manufacturing, retail, and construction still make up a significant segment of the local economy.

Climate

Ballarat summers normally exceed 30.0 oC while the average temperatures during the winter show temperatures reaching as low as 3.2 oC

What to Do

With Ballarat’s deep roots in Australian history, it only follows that the city would feature numerous historical tourist attractions detailing how life was during the Ballarat Gold Rush. The following are the more prominent landmarks and attraction you can find in Ballarat.

Sovereign Hill



Located on the site of one of the city’s major gold diggings, Sovereign Hill is an open air museum showing how the prospectors lived during the first 10 years of the gold rush. The vast complex is comprised of over 60 historically accurate buildings and manned by costumed personnel who are always willing to answer questions and pose for pictures.



The recommended length of stay is at least 2 days as the whole experience can prove to be entirely immersive. Visitors planning on a trip to Sovereign Hill are recommended to make arrangements with nearby ballarat accommodation.

Art Gallery Ballarat

Established in 1884, this gallery is regarded as the oldest and largest regional art gallery in all of Australia.

The museum features local Ballarat art on the ground floor while the upper level houses paintings from 1850 onwards.

While there is a small international collection, Australian art gets the emphasis. The gallery displays the original Eureka Flag which was used in the Eureka Rebellion at Ballarat in 1854.

Lake Wendouree

Lake Wendouree is a man-made lake located in the Lake Wendouree suburb in Ballarat. Take the family out for pleasant stroll or for a pleasant picnic as the locale makes for a relaxing visit. Various festivals and sporting events are held year round here so there will always be a reason to visit apart from the many outdoor activities you can do there.

These are only some of the reasons why Ballarat remains a popular destination for rest and relaxation in Victoria. Apart from those already mentioned, Ballarat also features some of the best fine dining, wines, theatres, and shopping in the region.

Ballarat – At a Glance

Where? – Approximately 105 kilometres west-north-west of Melbourne
Population – 94,000 people.
Transport – Visitors can choose to take the 1 and a half hour drive to Ballarat or they can also take the V/Line train. Find out more about Ballarat travel information.
The cheapest accommodation can be found using our Best Hotel Deals page. Simply click here to check out the best accommodation prices in Ballarat.