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To Do List
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By: Antonia Maiolo, Issue 47 – Winter 11
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(New York, Dubai, Nevada, Venice, Phuket, Costa Rica)
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SHOP NEW YORK | RIDE USA | DRIVE DUBAI | BIKE THAILAND | TASTE ITALY | RAFT COSTA RICA | COMPILED BY ANTONIA MAIOLO
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RETAIL THERAPY
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Shopping on Fifth Avenue
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For fashion-focussed tourists, shopping at the New York stores on Fifth Avenue is a must during a stay in the Big Apple. In the centre of Manhattan, the historical road of Fifth Avenue is home to some of the world’s most luxurious brands and boutiques like Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, Giorgio Armani, Fendi, Versace, Cartier and many more. Shop like a celebrity in New York City and hire a personal shopper for the day who will give you fashion and styling tips and introduce you to new labels. A personal shopper is a good idea for someone who wants to know the best places to shop and would like someone to develop a personalised shopping itinerary that suits his or her personal style. Prices: for a half-day with a personal shopper prices start from US$400 (about A$375) and for a full day from US$700 (about A$657).
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unique-chic.com
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4X4 SAFARI
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Desert safari in Dubai
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If you want to experience a 4WD adventure tour, the Dubai desert safari is a must do. With professional drivers at the wheel, expect to experience the thrills of climbing sand dune mountains at high speeds and 45 degree angles. After 90 minutes of driving the vehicles are parked in time to watch the sunset in the desert before the safari continues to a campsite where a BBQ dinner is prepared while guests can go camel riding and take photographs. Over dinner entertainment is provided with traditional dance performances and belly dancing demonstrations. Prices: US$75 (about A$70) for adults and US$51 (about A$48) for children for the desert safari with BBQ included. For the overnight safari with BBQ prices start from US$108 (about A$101) for adults and US$60 (about A$56) for children.
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thatsdubai.com
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ON HORSEBACK
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Riding in Nevada
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It is possible to explore the canyons and historic region of Nevada, USA by horseback. The area is vast and the horses are great for negotiating the difficult terrain. Horse riding trails take visitors along historic paths where they’ll see towns where decades of notorious feuds and shootings took place during the Wild West era. Riding on mountain terrain, horse riders will be surrounded by views of the El Dorado Canyon and forests of cholla cactus with multicoloured rock formations creating the backdrop. Horse back riders will also visit the Colorado River where they will explore gold and silver mines dating from the 19th century when cowboys and Indians were the primary residents of the land. Tours also give people the opportunity to visit some original home sites and to see a re-creation of an Old West Mining Town. Prices: start from US$149 (about A$140) for adults and children.
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actiontours.com
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FOOD AND WINE
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Tastes of Venice
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Just north of Venice is the region famous for producing Prosecco, which stretches from the town of Valdobbiadene to Vittorio Veneto. Prosecco wines are produced exclusively in northeast Italy and are famous for their intensely aromatic and crisp flavours of lemon, lime, yellow apple, pear, peach and apricot. Tourists exploring the region can also sample well-known dishes using the ingredients of polenta, mushrooms, risottos, tortelli and a range of cheeses like Morlacco, Casatella, Caciotta and Pressato. With convenient access to this region, food and wine tours beginning in Venice take tourists on a journey north to taste all that area has to offer. Make a day of it with Cellar Tours, a company that offers luxury transportation to and from Venice with an English-speaking guide, tours of wineries and the town of Treviso, gourmet lunch and wine tasting. Prices: chauffeured luxury day trips start from c1,500 (about A$687) per person per day for two people.
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cellartours.com
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ACTIVE ADVENTURE
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Mountain biking in Phuket
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Discover the island of Phuket, Thailand by cycling through its valleys and coconut groves by the sea. Phuket Tours & Travel offers a variety of cycling tours for tourists of all ages and levels, including full day cycling tours. The tour will usually include a hotel pick-up and return, English speaking tour guide, mountain bike and helmet, full support vehicle, lunch, snacks and drinks. After a biking brief of routes and safety instructions the tour takes groups through Phuket to visit farmer villages, rubber and rice plantations. Coconut groves and friendly locals will become familiar sights along the way, as will the village scenery and local culture. Tours will usually take rest stops giving cyclists enough time for a coffee break and a Thai lunch at a local restaurant. Prices: for adults start at THB2,400 (about A$74) and THB2,200 (about A$68) for children.
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phuket-travel.com
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WATERSPORTS
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White water rafting in Costa Rica
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Costa Rica’s mountainous topography makes it one of the best places in the world for white water rafting. Costa Rica lies to the south of Nicaragua and north of Panama in Central America, and is a tropical country with deep valleys and canyons carved by hundreds of years of rain forming a landscape of twists and dips which makes it ideal for rafting. Adventure seekers can experience some of the country’s most well known rivers including the Reventazon, Pacuare and Corobici each of which carves through dense rainforests and meanders along waterfalls. There are several rafting options to suit different ages and abilities, ranging from manoeuvring through the more technical rapids to effortlessly gliding along the river while nature watching. Prices: half-day rafting trips start from US$65 (about A$61) per person and one day trips from US$75 (about A$70) per person.
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anywherecostarica.com
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