I’m not much of a theatre goer so I’ve been looking into the show and theatre and their history, as I always like to know where I’m going and what I’m seeing.

Her Majesty’s Theatre is based in the West End of London and was built in 1897 by Charles Phipps. The name of the theatre has changed along with the monarch’s of Britain so it has previously been known as the Queen’s Theatre, the Kings Theatre and His Majesty’s Theatre. It has also been burnt down twice, once in an apparent arson attack.

Today, Her Majesty’s Theatre can seat around 1,200 people and the theatre has three tiers of boxes with gold detailing in the decor. The interior is said to be in the French Renaissance style and so makes for an excellent ‘gothic’ setting, which of course is an excellent backdrop to the dark and mysterious tale of The Phantom of the Opera.

The show itself has been running for more than twenty years and it is one of the most popular shows on Broadway and in the West End, so it will be an interesting show to see and looks to be full of suspense and passion, and I am sure it will be brilliant if the reviews are anything to go by.

Just a couple of weeks to go until our London visit and I can’t wait to see all the sights and now I’ve done a bit of research it sounds like our trip to Her Majesty’s Theatre could well be the highlight of the weekend!

• Be aware if you are travelling from the UK there is no British embassy in Paraguay, the embassy closed on Friday April 29 2005. Any enquiries after that day where directed to the British Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina
• There are not alot of UK tourists who actually visit Paraguay but there are a small pocket of people. Most visits to Paraguay are trouble free. However, violent crime is increasing, so tourists are advised to be on thier guard and exercise caution at all times. This is usually more recommended at night when the majority of crime tends to happen.
• Another warning given to tourists is that there is an underlying threat of terrorism in Paraguay. Attacks, although quite unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and tourists
• It is also very important that when entering Paraguay you get your passport stamped, dated and signed by an immigration officer. It is an offence in Paraguay not to do this
• As with all trips abroad too make sure you have travel insurance and the relevent vaccines and inoculations. The most common illnesses people tend to get when in Paraguay are yellow fever, dengue fever and malaria. With the exception of dengue fever, vaccines are available too protect against these. It must also be noted there have been a few cases of swine flu in paraguay including one fatality so that is something else to bear in mind before traveling.

Have a safe trip

As wonderful as it all can be, this brief yet colourful South American travel guide will help you prepare for your journey. Since we’re talking about a continent, the first course is to decide what type of holiday you’re after. Do you fancy lazy saunters along the beach? Are you thinking about backpacking around the Amazon? You are spoilt for choice so the most logical step, after you’ve narrowed down at least 3 locations, is to visit your travel agent who will not only find you a great deal but will be able to offer advice and suggestions before you fly.

Even if you still haven’t decided the exact location, be sure to prepare any travel documents. Obviously the main 2 languages spoken are Spanish and Portugese so if you aren’t fluent in either of these languages be sure to bring along a translation dictionary, even though many big cities will have English speakers. Ask about any visa requirements and figure in the time it takes to acquire them as well as costs involved.

You may want to take along a travel book that you can buy at your local bookstore as this will truly be the best South American travel guide. Your own personal guide if you will. As you’ll be travelling a long distance, be sure to bring along the essential “must haves” as well as prepare for long layovers and sleeping on the plane. Pack light enough that your luggage isn’t a burden yet be sure you know about local weather so you are prepared for the climate.

Most of all, bring along an open mind and a happy spirit as you find yourself in this magical continent known as South America.

If you plan to visit many locations then backpacking safely in South America is one of your main goals. Some locations may have problems with social unrest or may simply be unsafe for anyone, let alone foreigners who may be a target. Having said that, as long as you are prepared for both an exciting time as well as what to do in the event of an emergency then you can travel with more confidence and truly enjoy your holiday in the sun.

There are so many wonderful sights to see in the latin continent. As you map out your exciting adventures with visions of tropical beaches or the magical Andes mountains, don’t forget the colourful and energetic carnivals and ancient ruins of societies past.

Having the best time of your life is what’s most on your mind so the best advice is to do a lot of research including how you’ll carry your money and your passport. Perhaps write down a list of your country’s consulates or offices where you can go to if needed. Ask your local travel agent is areas you are interested in visiting are safe for tourists and look up these locations, even community forums, to see if you can find other peoples’ experiences of those same places. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

Backpacking safely in South America just takes a bit of prudence and planning so that you can truly experience the wonders of the continent.

A lot of people dream of visiting Australia. Young people in particular may decide to take a gap year or an extended holiday from school or their job to visit Oz yet will often times talk themselves out of the trip due to financial circumstances. If you’re one of those people then I have one question, have you ever thought of working while travelling Australia? It’s an excellent way to not only earn a bit of extra money but you’ll be able to spend a longer period in certain places allowing you to meet people, learn about the local culture, as well as make the trip that much more affordable.

Many people may not know that there is a document you can obtain called the Australia Working Holiday Visa. Of course you must meet the qualifications however, if you do qualify then you can work up to 12 months whilst travelling around on your dream vacation. UK residents may qualify for a Subclass 417 visa which will allow you this privilege of working for up to 1 year. Not bad eh?

Some people may think working while travelling Australia means leaving one job at home only to work in another country however, the job you’ll have overseas is more about experience the culture, meeting new friends, and being able to afford a longer stay than otherwise possible.

Once you arrive to any of the famous surf hot spots you’ll soon realise you aren’t the only one as loads of surfers will greet you with a warm welcome and be able to tip you to the best swells to hit up. If riding big waves or shooting through some of the most pristine African barrles is your goal then you are sure to be delighted.

Whilst you’re in South Africa you may want to visit Mossel Bay where a few major breaks are sure to suit most intermediate to advanced level surfers. You will be in awe of the natural beauty that surrounds you with breathtaking views as you ride the waves toward land.

Another list of spots to write down on your to-visit list are places like J-Bay, the Albatross, as well as Boneyards and Salad Bowls. Imagine you and your mates cruising along the South African coastline in your 1967 VW van. Whilst you’re out there you may even want to consider a few more adrenaline-pumping activities such as bunjee jumping or sky diving. I can tell you from experience that these two sports will only add to your surf experience in South Africa.

As always, the first thing on your mind when it comes to travelling cheaply is to find the cheapest airplane tickets you can find. This may sound like an obvious tip but I’ve noticed a lot of people thinking of saving money once they’re in the country. The internet is your friend folks so use it as well as contact several local travel agents because you never know which one might have a special on at the moment.

If you don’t mind slower transportation whilst you’re there then opt to take the bus. Of course you can rent a car or take a taxi everywhere but if the idea is to make the trip economical then check out the bus system. Plus, you’ll get to share company with locals who may be able to suggest places to visit, assuming you speak spanish of course. If you’re backpacking then look into staying a youth hostels. Although not as comfortable as hotels you can meet like-minded travellers like yourself who could be a lot of fun to hang out with. Youth hostels are a great way to save money.

The best advice is to go to your local bookstore and get a reputable travel guide, like those written by Frommers, Lonely Planet, or Rough Guides. Not only will they help you in planning your trip, but by bringing them along with you they’ll truly be your guide to cheap travel in Costa Rica.

If you plan your Alaskan holiday in the summer months, say from early June to late August then expect to see lots of sun. Because you are so far north the days will be very long, meaning the sun shines almost all day long. As a matter of reference at the peak of the summer you can expect over 20 hours of daylight! July tends to be the hottest month whilst as summer comes to an end in August you can expect heavy rain. Depending on when you go you’ll want to be sure to research the type of clothing you’ll need to bring. As you might expect, this time of the year is when most tourist flock to Alaska so be prepared to pay high tourist prices.

Just before the summer, around mid-late Spring or after August when most tourist begin to return home may be an ideal time for your Alaskan holiday. There isn’t much of a Spring in Alaska, more like a time when there’s snow, and a time when it breaks up. Also, weather conditions toward September could become colder than what you anticipated, unless this is what you want.

This little guide is assuming you want to explore Alaska and it’s untamed beauty whilst still having the temperature to spend lots of time outdoors. However, if you’re a cold-weather fan then you’ll find your Alaskan holiday to be cheaper in late Autumn and Winter due to the slow down in tourism. Keep in mind though, these months can be quite cold so don’t forget to pack your parka and a pair of snow shoes!