Married At First Sight star Cameron Merchant has recalled the terrifying second he was separated from his parents through the 2004 Boxing Day earthquake Facebook and tsunami. The 40-12 months-previous was holidaying in Thailand along with his parents when the deadly pure disaster struck. 20 years ago immediately in Patong Phuket Thailand I experienced one thing that modified my life and many others ceaselessly. The Boxing Day Tsunami,’ he started. Cam revealed in a candid publish shared to Instagram that in the course of the ordeal the three family members were frantically looking for each other for over eight hours. Certainly one of the largest pure disasters in history. Sadly so many others didn’t. He also shared photos of the hotel he stayed through which was utterly destroyed by the tsunami. Cam revealed he commemorated those who were impacted by the natural catastrophe this yr together with his family. Cam went on to say he is ‘grateful to nonetheless be here, to be with my household, paying tributes to these affected right here’. Sending so much like to those who had been affected 20 years ago, those who lost their lives & these nonetheless carrying the consequences,’ he added. A series of giant tsunamis up to 30m excessive caused mass devastation and triggered a worldwide humanitarian response. The catastrophic tsunami was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded historical past and killed over 225,000 individuals throughout 14 nations. As a reminder of Cam’s dance with destiny, he has a tattoo on his proper bicep that includes the three phrases: ‘Stay, Love, Embrace’.

Metropolis slickers can try Melbourne’s world-famous espresso scene, Sydney’s showstopping landmarks and Brisbane’s botanical gardens, while historical past and nature lovers are captivated by sacred Uluru, historic Aboriginal rock art websites and the vast Daintree Rainforest. Questioning easy methods to finest discover it? Hit the open street in two of Australia’s wildest regions, Northern Territory and South Australia, with Travelbag’s 15-day Ocean to Outback Campervan Adventure. It begins within the lively oceanfront city of Darwin, where you pick up your individual 4WD Safari Landcruiser, a automobile geared up to take you to distant, secluded swimming holes and strolling trails. Subsequent, fly south and sip your manner round a few of Australia’s greatest wineries in the Adelaide Hills area. See outstanding rock art on the earth Heritage Listed Kakadu Nationwide Park, a spot that saltwater crocodiles and flatback turtles name residence, and the gorge-stuffed Nitmiluk National Park. Discover the ancient gorges, bushwalking trails and pure amphitheatre Wilpena Pound throughout the Ikara-Flinders Ranges Nationwide Parks and experience Kangaroo Island, populated by sea lions, koalas, penguin colonies and distinctive chook species.

Plus, it’s rated ‘glorious’ on Trustpilot with a 4.8 score. Here’s some inspiration for a trip that will make 2024 a yr you may always remember… Every type of traveller can discover their niche in Thailand, a rustic that provides infinite showstopping views. Journey north for peaceful villages, rainforest hiking trails and the historic haven of Chiang Mai, or venture south to discover the country’s fabled beaches and isles. Start your journey in Bangkok, a bustling city filled the place each avenue is an adventure for the senses, from street food stalls to zooming tuk-tuks. Snap up Travelbag’s deal to remain in the 5-star Cape Panwa Hotel in Phuket, Thailand’s largest island. Set a stone’s throw from a personal seashore on a tranquil peninsula, the retreat provides unlimited rest and relaxation, although you are simply a brief drive from Phuket Previous Town and the seaside resorts of Karon and Patong if you desire a style of the island’s world-famous nightlife scene. In any other case, you may need to relax with a Thai therapeutic massage on the resort spa, adopted up with a session within the steam room and sauna.

Free access to Yas Island’s theme parks is part of the package.

Contact Travelbag to book it – the 14-evening bundle contains flights, resorts and campervan rent. Sci-fi-esque skyscrapers exist in the same panorama as grand mosques, spice-wealthy souks and progressive museums. From its historical civilisations to its futuristic cities, the United Arab Emirates is a posh region that may win you over with its welcoming communities, time-honoured monuments and pure magnificence. Recent years have seen Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s unofficial capital of adrenalin, develop into a should-go to destination, due to its excessive-octane theme parks and role in hosting the Grand Prix. Experience the island with Travelbag’s package break to the 5-star Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island. A tailor-made United Arab Emirates vacation could take you to the historic archaeological city of Petra, the luxurious procuring malls of Dubai, the sunkissed beaches of Ras Al Khaimah and more. It’s centrally positioned in Yas Bay, so you possibly can cafe-hop on the promenade and enjoy golden-hour strolls alongside the sparkling Yas Waterfront. Free access to Yas Island’s theme parks is part of the package. World Abu Dhabi, the place characters from Looney Tunes and DC Comics come to life. Perfect for families, the lodge has spacious bedrooms, three eating places, a playground, a youngsters’ club and a free shuttle service that whisks you to Yas Island’s leading sights, whereas the 24-hour fitness centre and the eforea spa give dad and mom the prospect to recharge. There’s Yas Waterworld, with greater than forty coronary heart-racing rides; Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, home to the world’s fastest roller coaster; and Warner Bros. Contemporary-chic in type, visitor rooms overlook Yas Bay and the resort itself, with a vast sun-lounger-lined swimming pool at the center of the advanced. The most effective half? It is simply £1,299 for 5 nights half-board including direct return flights and transfers.

Each night time you’ll lay your head in stunning areas, including hidden-gem rainforest lodges.

Highlights embody visiting the colossal 5,437ft Arenal Volcano to bask in its magnitude and navigating cloud-laced canopy bridges in the enchanting Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. You’ll cruise by way of the biodiverse canals and lagoons of Tortuguero National Park, spotting monkeys, caimans, turtles and crocodiles as you drift. Any questions you’ve gotten shall be answered by your knowledgeable guides, providing you with a deeper understanding of Costa Rica and the flora and fauna that name it dwelling. To sweeten the deal, it’s glorious worth at £1,759 for eight nights, together with return flights to the capital city San José. Each night time you’ll lay your head in stunning areas, including hidden-gem rainforest lodges. Surfers and sun seekers make for its lovely beaches, from legendary Bondi Seashore to stunning Fortunate Bay. A chameleon of a country, Australia could be the setting for numerous totally different kinds of holidays. Adventurers, meanwhile, snorkel in the great Barrier Reef, drive by the terracotta wilds of the Outback and hike by way of World Heritage Websites.

Everyone’s image of paradise is painted just a little otherwise. For some, it’s a palm-tree-fringed beach with a tropical breeze, whereas for others it is a glossy metropolis or a wildlife-dense jungle. Whether or not you will have your sights set on a single far-flung vacation spot or need to mix a number of destinations in one, Travelbag’s Journey Specialists can cater to your every wanderlust whim. If you’re somebody who’s seeking to take the plunge and e-book your dream getaway in 2024, enlisting the experience of Travelbag is the perfect place to begin. Drop into one in all their retailers throughout the UK to speak with Journey Specialists in particular person to plan your paradise escape, or converse with them over the cellphone or online. Plus, they can curate a one-off itinerary that actually takes you off the crushed observe. Launched in 1979, the corporate has earned a standout reputation over the previous 4 a long time – it received 10 awards on the 2023 British Travel Awards including the Gold prize for ‘Finest Travel Firm to Canada’ and ‘Greatest Journey Company to Southern Asia’.

Dine on fragrant curries and contemporary shrimp dishes at the beachfront Panwa House restaurant, or master Thai recipes with a cookery class. Study extra concerning the nation’s traditions with a one-on-one Thai boxing class or a batik painting session. And it is a steal – it’s £999 for seven nights bed and breakfast, together with flights and transfers, meaning couples can save as much as £430 on their stay. Or why not fuse two unimaginable breaks into one with Travelbag’s Hong Kong and Koh Samui package deal? Providing you with the better of metropolis and seaside dwelling, the trip begins in Hong Kong, famed for its dramatic skyline, Michelin-starred restaurants, verdant hiking trails and miles price of coastline. Or just rent a kayak or a paddleboard for the afternoon and navigate the crystal-clear waters of the coast. Explore its museums and evening markets before ascending to the top of Victoria Peak for a mesmerising city view. Next, you’ll fly to Koh Samui, the Thai island the place wellness, journey and elevated delicacies mix in an idyllic seashore setting.