We are off to Italy for a couple of weeks including 3 days in Rome, will be taking the cameras - any tips on what to look out for and where to go?
Also, where are you going to this year? Perhaps we could all help each other out by leaving tips on where to go, what to look out for, I'll start...
Last year we did the World trip and the places I would recommend are Big Sur, Monterey Aquarium, Pismo beach, and John Paul Getty Museum all in California, a trip down the Swan River from Perth to Freemantle in Western Australia, and Ueno Park and the Senso-Ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, all brilliant!
We did a short vacation to the Outerbanks of North Carolina from which I have been posting beach shots. We are moving from USA to Swaziland (Africa) on July 27. So my postings after that will naturally reflect southern Africa. :)
We'll be going to St. Simon's Island, off the coast of Georgia (USA), in August. We'll be meeting up with my sister and her family, my parents, and some cousins from my dad's side of the family.
The community on this island dates back to the Civil War, and it's a very *southern* place . . . old pecan trees, Spanish moss, confederate flags. Should make for some interesting photographs.
instead of going to visit my family in AZ, which would be an awesome Vacay too, we are moving....sad about missng family but really looking forward to starting fresh! Italy....ENJOY cannot wait to see what you shoot while your there!!!
Wow! You people get around! We're off this weekend to Paris for a long weekend (more anon) and then Northern Cyprus in September.
And @ Chris Adair...what do you mean nothing special ONLY a beach house!? (sigh) :-)
Looking forward to see all these new postings....
@Cherrill - we have been to Paris a couple of times, the last visit was on our honeymoon, if you really want to treat yourself, book a night trip on a Baton Mouche, superb meals on a boat trip on the Seine passing the lights of the Eiffel Tower, wonderful, and if you haven't already been, visit the Musee D'Orsay
If you have plans to visit Florence, you must eat at this restaurant "Trattoria Omero" at Via Pian dei Giullari Loc. Arcetri (Firenze) - tel +39.055.220053 - fax +39.055.2336183 - Closed on Tuesday. Tucked in a residential community with great local cusine and a view of the city. I also recommend the Medici Palace.
@Constance - unfortunately we are not going to Florence although we did visit there in the mid 1970's on a backpack tour of Europe (when we were young and fearless). I loved Florence, a beautiful city.
I'm going to Cornwall for just over a week. I'm quite excited because it'll be my first holiday on my own (as in without parents and sister) with a car, so me and my fiance can go further afield than we originally planned. I used to live there, so it'll be nice to see some of the old sites, but anyone who has any recommendations is welcome to make them. :-)
@Cherill - the Eiffel Tower lights up on the hour everynight - well worth a look. You can also climb the Arc de Triomphe (not many people seem to know that). It's also worth walking down the Champs Elysses (the massive road by the Arc de Triomphe) and looking in all the car showrooms. I know that doens't sound like a great holiday trip, but they're for "normal" cars like Citroens and Hondas, but are almost like art galleries!
Wow..thanks a lot people. We have been before but I didn't know about going up the Arc de Triomphe, thanks...worth a few photos!! Mmmm and choose myself a new car along the way...sounding better by the minute! :-)
We're going to Gettysburg, PA to watch the reinactments, then we are headed to Washington DC for a few days. Getting excited, only 2 more wakes ups. Your Italy trip sounds like fun. Someday, I would love to go to Europe.
@Cherill - OMG I am so envious of you, the last tiime we were there I spent so long in the Van Gogh room, his paintings of the Church at Auvers and his Bedroom in Arles are some of my favourite paintings, then there is Cezanne, and Degas' Absinthe and Manet's picnick image, wish I was there
Rome is amazing Peter, if you've not been there before it will knock your socks off! And huge photo opportunities, its fab :-)
I guess you'll do the touristy sites (amazing) but...
I dont know if it up your street, but there is a large enclosed cemetary that is for non-catholics, its amazing to read all the names and other religions, plus there are many wild cats that live in there. Its called Cimitero acattolico, and has Mary shelly's hubby, the poet Percy Shelley & their son in there, plus has the poet John Keats but his name isnt mentioned, it just says "This grave contains all that was mortal, of a YOUNG ENGLISH POET, Who on his Death Bed, in the Bitterness of his Heart" etc etc, followed by "Here lies One Whose Name was writ in Water".
I thought it was interesting anyway and very peaceful. Kind of step off the busy street into a quiet place. Also, wish I'd made it to this place - Capuchin Church as it is full of bones used in a decorative manner.. but ran out of time - I was just staying the weekend with a Roma friend..
Have a great time everyone!
No holiday for me - I havent had a proper two-three week holiday in 8 years, but saving up for three weeks for Vegas wedding and honeymoon in the USA.
wow Peter.. 3 days in Rome really isnt much but you'll definately not want for things to see. Personally if you're planning on going back, I would leave the vatican museum for next time and do :
- Colloseum + Palatine Hill
- Roman Forum
- Trevi Fountain
- Pantheon
- Spanish Steppes
- Piazza Novona
- Piazza Venezia
- Camp Di Fiori
- a Tiberna
- Play around Trastavere
- Shop on via Nazionale
Food wise, I went to la taverna del ghetto and thought it was amazing. It may have changed in the 2 years since i've been though but generally the food in the jewish ghetto is great.
As for me, i'm currently planning my big holiday this year. 3 weeks on the east coast of the americas which will look something like :
- toronto
- niagara falls
- NY
- boston
- washington DC
- miami
- cancun
- chichen itza
- tulum
Other trips in the works / planning :
- Oktoberfest
- milan
Staying home with hubby, just relaxing by the pool. It's suppose to be a nice weekend. We don't have any money left to go anywhere. Our son is getting married the following weekend.
What a wonderful discussion topic, Peter! I enjoyed reading about everyone's travels! I was in Paris three years ago for Christmas and I absolutely loved it!! Musee D'Orsay was my favorite place, along with the Seine, Montmartre, and the yummy bakery shops ;-)) If you haven't been to the Greek isles, you definitely should go! I fell in love with the whitewashed houses in Santorini and Mykonos, and their beautiful blue-domed churches. For a more tropical adventure Belize and Mexico are great! We went there on a Norwegian cruise (my first one), and I it was perfect! :-)
Me and my husband love travelling, but we still haven't planned anything for this year. We want to finish the house first, and we are also waiting on my Green card... I'd love to go to Italy, most of my friends have been and their photos are amazing! Barcelona is next on my list, along with all the Gaudi masterpieces. Weng's big holiday also sounds great! I still haven't gone up North in the US...
The world is so big, and I want to see it all,...! Australia is also in my distant dreams! ;-)
Here's is another holiday suggestion - visit Bulgaria! ;-) Beautiful golden beaches in summer, wonderful ski resorts in winter, lots of history and charm! It's a shame that the country is so small and I still haven't explored it all! I've been following these amazing phototgraphers on facebook - http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=313706&id=122852227740977#!/stote?v=photos&ref=ts - you can check out their photos from Bulgaria, and maybe plan your next trip there ;-))
Why not try the beautiful coast of Brittany in France?
Come and stay in our gite. See our website www.tyguen.com for more details. Special rates for 365'ers!
Great thread! I second the Musee d'Orsay in Paris... it's just got a great atmosphere. If you can get outside the city to Giverny to see Monet's gardens you won't be sorry!
Peter, I look forward to seeing Rome through your lens...it's a beautiful city and the people are just lovely! (I think I saw the whole city from behind a gelato!)
As for me, I'll be heading off to Scotland in August! We'll see Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and, because of Zafer's great pics, Aberdeen. I welcome any 'must-see' tips.
I would love to travel outside of the United States, but for now it's US trips in the plans for us. We are to Amelia Island, FL on July 23rd... It's near St. Augustine. I'm SO looking forward to seeing everyone's photos from their trips.
I'm going nowhere since I've just emmigrated so technically I live on holiday! I agree with Freida though as I've been to the Capuchin church and its quite macabre, chandeliers made form femurs, ceiling roses made from hip bones! Can't take any photos though as it's still a sacred site. It's worth visiting the top of St Peter's Basilica too as the views are immense!
My favourite places to go if I was able though are Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Mostar (Bosnia)
If you're in Paris, I recommend checking out Cafe Angelina - quite possibly the BEST hot chocolate in europe. Yes, get the cream. Also, the croque madame and the club sandwich are awesome. There's a weekend market north of the bourse which is also amazing. Grab a chicken, baguette, cheese, a bottle of wine, sit in the park and immerse yourself in the culture :)
@Slava, barcelona is awesome... we found some great tapas shops, wandered around and if you REALLY want to push the boat out, you can go to el bulli. Previously the worlds number 1 restaurant (now number 2 but hey thats not bad!). Prices are pretty steep though.
@Trevor, my brother was in brittany recently and says it was amazing! I may have to get in touch with you when I next plan some holidays :)
@Cherrill - almost forgot, while you are in Paris, if you have any time at all spare you simply must spend an hour or two in Pere Lachaise Cemetery.
It really is an amazing place, go visit... Jim Morrison, Rossini, Bizet, Chopin, Oscar Wilde, Alice B. Toklas, Edith Piaf, Stephan Grappelli, Max Enst, Modigliani, etc, etc.
How to get there:
Père Lachaise is located on Boulevard de Ménilmontant. Métro station Philippe Auguste on line 2 is next to the main entrance, while the station called Père Lachaise, on line 3, is 500 metres away near a side entrance. Many tourists prefer the Gambetta station on line 3 as it allows them to enter near the tomb of Oscar Wilde and then walk downhill to visit the rest of the cemetery. (from Wikipedia)
I have family near rome, it is so great I love it there. So much history, I prefer holidays that aren't just on the beach. I like to go to places where you can see things, experience things, and not just sit passively on a chair.
My friend is in Japan for a year and a half so I want to visit him in Tokyo sometime soon. I have been to Japan before but never at an age where I can go and explore on my own.
Monte Cassino is about 80 miles outside of rome, near where my family lives, it is this wonderful little abbey. I bet you could take some fantastic pictures there.
@Linda C - If you're in Edinburgh in August, the festival will be on, so it's well worth walking up the road to the castle. I sdid that last year and there were loads of street performers to watch and idle away the best part of a day, watching them all.
I am going to Washington, DC and Northern Virginia for a long weekend next week, and then sometime later in the year I think we are going to go to the Grand Canyon. (Never been there before).
@ Weng, Your brother is right. It is beautiful! Even more so in this lovely weather we have been having. Look forward to seeing you here one day.
For the record, we hope to be going to Venice in September. We are working for an Italian who is going to let us stay in his friends apartment there. Should be one or two photos out of that trip!
This is a great topic! This holiday I'm going to Singapore. Any suggestions of what to shoot there? I went to Europe last time, and I'd say there are lots of interesting things to see and shoot there. I enjoyed Rome, Lucerne, and London the best. Hope you guys have a great trip!
We - all 4 of us me, J, 1 grown boy and 1 almost grown boy with backpacks-went to Italy at christmas time for 3 weeks. Milan, Venice, Rome, Brindisi, Milan by train and I was not ready to go home. It was all amazing. Take heaps of photos, use public transport, go out to the catacombs- you cant take pics inside but the surrounding area is SO different from the rest of Rome I can understand why the FAO and the UN have their offices out there. Palatine Hill, The Forum, the Pantheon, St Peters (and yes its worth the wait in the queue to get to the cupola) took my breath away and made me cry. Go to eurocheapo.com and read their blogs for Italy (we used their accommodation and food suggestions and weren't disappointed but their suggestions for things to do and how to get there were great too). The graffiti was omnipresent but made for some great pics.
Where am I going this year? Cairns Australia for 2 weeks in about 20 days and probably back to NZ for Christmas as its no1 sons 21st birthday...other than that we tend to wing it a bit deciding a couple of months before a public holiday (Cambodia has more than 20) or school break looms. I'd like to see Taiwan, Japan, Borneo, Mongolia, Tibet, Palestine, Israel, Syria and Turkey and maybe get back up to Europe in the next two years then depending on where we are living tackle some African or South American countries. And one day in the not to distant future I'd like to go back to Venice which is exactly the fairytale I thought it'd be- especially in the winter.
Michelle have a look at my pics there are a quite a few of Singapore in there now.
In Paris, be sure to check out the rose gardens at the Rodin sculpture museum. In Rome, take some night shots of the Foubntain of Four Rivers (with a great gelato & biscotti shop nearby). I will be cooling my heels in August in the high country of the Colorado Rockies.
@Cherill - another tip. Get the metro to La Trocadero (I think that's spelt right) and walk from there to the Eiffel Tower, you get the best surprise view that way.
wow, I think we have most of the world covered in our travel plans between us all. But I don't think anyone has mentioned Greece yet? - we will be heading to Kefalonia in August to spend a week sailing among the islands - a perfect holiday to do with older kids because so full of activity - sailing the boat, swimming etc, and then mooring up at a taverna to watch the sun go down over a cold beer (us, not the kids!) and fabulous food. So, there will lots of photos of blue seas, blue skies and billowing white sails coming soon!
Hi Peter, I went to Italy many times. Basically the whole country is beautiful:) and you can't say no to the food and gellato:).
If you've never been to Venezia; you must go there before it sink:). It's colorful, vibrant and unique. You'll never want to go back to the hotel as there are simply a lot to take pictures of:). Florence is absolutely beautiful and .....Tuscany, of course, how can you forget Tuscany:). I have to say nothing beats the view of southern part of Itay (we're talking about Rome below:)). Go to Napoli and take a ferry to Capri island (just get stuck there for about 3 or 4 days then head back to the mainland). Then go even more south to Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi coast....the view is breathtaking. If you still have time, hop into Sicilia; the colour of the sea is really gorgeous. Generally people from the south don't speak English that much compared to those living in the north part but the good thing is they are nice(r....:)).
Hope this is useful:). Enjoy your holiday and again....forget about those diets for a while:)))).
@Richard - THANK YOU SO MUCH! My Dad took me and my sister there one day while Mum was at work and I've been trying for ages to remember where it was to go back as Dad doesn't really remember it. Now I know! :-D
@Michelle
- if you havent been then sentosa island is a fun (but touristy) little theme island (not just a theme park).
- Night Safari
- Orchard Road for shopping
- Clarke Quay + surrounding areas
- Botanic Gardens
Thats all I can really remember from my trip. Its very clean and safe. If you have extra time, it may be worthwhile to get onto a van / car and head over the boarder to Malaysia... but only if you have time :)
I believe that its monsoon season nowish so the weather shouldnt be TOO hot but if you find yourself getting heat rash, just use some talcum powder
We are going to Crete next week, for a week. I've been there before so I have a pretty good idea of what to photograph but of course there will be lots of new spots and ideas as well.
Just short little trips for me this year. I'm headed up to my Aunt and Uncle's house today, in the hills of Central Pennsylvania so there's always some good shots.
Then Sunday I'm leaving for Detroit to go apartment hunting, will only be there for a few days but hopefully I'll get something good.
Going to the beach Saturday. That's about all I have planned trip-wise but I'm moving to Detroit from Pennsylvania in August so I'm really excited about having a completely new environment to take pictures of.
@Weng - Thanks for the tips!
On my last trip there before I wasn't much into photography yet, so I just looked around Orchard Road, Sentosa, and the Night Safari... This time I'm bringing my DSLR to take a brand new view on them :)
@ Michelle Chinatown, Little India, Arab street, Joo chiat, the Helix bridge, the Armenian church and old Fire station (they are nextdoor to eachother), Thian Hock Keng Temple, Bugis, the Art museum and Chjimes (they are near eachother), Peranakan museum, pagoda at the Chinese garden, Fort Canning, very cool bridge at Southern Ridges a park connector from Mt Faber. You could visit an island if you have time like Palau Ubin.
We are there again from tuesday night till saturday afternoon (its school holidays for Mac here in Cambodia and J is working in Sg so we thought why not) and I'm hoping to get to the mosque in Little India when its not prayer time and take some pix of the Helix and MBS as I havent got one Im really happy with yet and of course eat tempeh (which I LOVE and cant find here) and go to the movies (which we also dont have here).
I've just had a week at the north coast near Mooloolaba in Queensland Australia, at a place called Buddina.
We stayed at a place called "Beachside".
180deg views of the surf, also of Buderim to Caloundra.
Great food places and shopping close by - what more could you ask for!
We could see all the huge cargo ships waiting to go to Brisbane from out unit.
We visited the Eumundi markets, which are held on wednesdays and Saturdays - they are huge and you can buy almost anything there!
Yandina - a small town close by has the Buderim Ginger Factory and "The Spirit House" restaurant and cooking school, where you can attend a cooking class and eat what you cook - fantastic place!
Underwater World is only 10 mins from this place.
I plan to go back in August for another week.
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The community on this island dates back to the Civil War, and it's a very *southern* place . . . old pecan trees, Spanish moss, confederate flags. Should make for some interesting photographs.
And @ Chris Adair...what do you mean nothing special ONLY a beach house!? (sigh) :-)
Looking forward to see all these new postings....
I guess you'll do the touristy sites (amazing) but...
I dont know if it up your street, but there is a large enclosed cemetary that is for non-catholics, its amazing to read all the names and other religions, plus there are many wild cats that live in there. Its called Cimitero acattolico, and has Mary shelly's hubby, the poet Percy Shelley & their son in there, plus has the poet John Keats but his name isnt mentioned, it just says "This grave contains all that was mortal, of a YOUNG ENGLISH POET, Who on his Death Bed, in the Bitterness of his Heart" etc etc, followed by "Here lies One Whose Name was writ in Water".
I thought it was interesting anyway and very peaceful. Kind of step off the busy street into a quiet place. Also, wish I'd made it to this place - Capuchin Church as it is full of bones used in a decorative manner.. but ran out of time - I was just staying the weekend with a Roma friend..
Have a great time everyone!
No holiday for me - I havent had a proper two-three week holiday in 8 years, but saving up for three weeks for Vegas wedding and honeymoon in the USA.
- Colloseum + Palatine Hill
- Roman Forum
- Trevi Fountain
- Pantheon
- Spanish Steppes
- Piazza Novona
- Piazza Venezia
- Camp Di Fiori
- a Tiberna
- Play around Trastavere
- Shop on via Nazionale
Food wise, I went to la taverna del ghetto and thought it was amazing. It may have changed in the 2 years since i've been though but generally the food in the jewish ghetto is great.
If you absolutely have to go to the vatican check out the official site... they can take you through places none of the other tours can and short cut your tour if it gets too long etc http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-Info/MV_Info_Servizi_Visite.html
As for me, i'm currently planning my big holiday this year. 3 weeks on the east coast of the americas which will look something like :
- toronto
- niagara falls
- NY
- boston
- washington DC
- miami
- cancun
- chichen itza
- tulum
Other trips in the works / planning :
- Oktoberfest
- milan
But I managed to get a few days off two weeks ago to go to Paris to see Bon Jovi. WORTH IT
Me and my husband love travelling, but we still haven't planned anything for this year. We want to finish the house first, and we are also waiting on my Green card... I'd love to go to Italy, most of my friends have been and their photos are amazing! Barcelona is next on my list, along with all the Gaudi masterpieces. Weng's big holiday also sounds great! I still haven't gone up North in the US...
The world is so big, and I want to see it all,...! Australia is also in my distant dreams! ;-)
Here's is another holiday suggestion - visit Bulgaria! ;-) Beautiful golden beaches in summer, wonderful ski resorts in winter, lots of history and charm! It's a shame that the country is so small and I still haven't explored it all! I've been following these amazing phototgraphers on facebook - http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=313706&id=122852227740977#!/stote?v=photos&ref=ts - you can check out their photos from Bulgaria, and maybe plan your next trip there ;-))
Come and stay in our gite. See our website www.tyguen.com for more details. Special rates for 365'ers!
Peter, I look forward to seeing Rome through your lens...it's a beautiful city and the people are just lovely! (I think I saw the whole city from behind a gelato!)
As for me, I'll be heading off to Scotland in August! We'll see Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and, because of Zafer's great pics, Aberdeen. I welcome any 'must-see' tips.
My favourite places to go if I was able though are Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Mostar (Bosnia)
@Slava, barcelona is awesome... we found some great tapas shops, wandered around and if you REALLY want to push the boat out, you can go to el bulli. Previously the worlds number 1 restaurant (now number 2 but hey thats not bad!). Prices are pretty steep though.
@Trevor, my brother was in brittany recently and says it was amazing! I may have to get in touch with you when I next plan some holidays :)
It really is an amazing place, go visit... Jim Morrison, Rossini, Bizet, Chopin, Oscar Wilde, Alice B. Toklas, Edith Piaf, Stephan Grappelli, Max Enst, Modigliani, etc, etc.
How to get there:
Père Lachaise is located on Boulevard de Ménilmontant. Métro station Philippe Auguste on line 2 is next to the main entrance, while the station called Père Lachaise, on line 3, is 500 metres away near a side entrance. Many tourists prefer the Gambetta station on line 3 as it allows them to enter near the tomb of Oscar Wilde and then walk downhill to visit the rest of the cemetery. (from Wikipedia)
Have a great trip
My friend is in Japan for a year and a half so I want to visit him in Tokyo sometime soon. I have been to Japan before but never at an age where I can go and explore on my own.
@Lori Rompolski - I'm going to Punta Cana too! Any tips?
And after Punta Cana, we are going to Orlando for one week! I'm so excited!
For the record, we hope to be going to Venice in September. We are working for an Italian who is going to let us stay in his friends apartment there. Should be one or two photos out of that trip!
Where am I going this year? Cairns Australia for 2 weeks in about 20 days and probably back to NZ for Christmas as its no1 sons 21st birthday...other than that we tend to wing it a bit deciding a couple of months before a public holiday (Cambodia has more than 20) or school break looms. I'd like to see Taiwan, Japan, Borneo, Mongolia, Tibet, Palestine, Israel, Syria and Turkey and maybe get back up to Europe in the next two years then depending on where we are living tackle some African or South American countries. And one day in the not to distant future I'd like to go back to Venice which is exactly the fairytale I thought it'd be- especially in the winter.
Michelle have a look at my pics there are a quite a few of Singapore in there now.
1. Learn French
2. Rent a car
I'm planning a round trip to London, Wiltshire, Weston-Super Mare and South Wales. Mainly visiting relatives. Cheaper accommodation!
If you've never been to Venezia; you must go there before it sink:). It's colorful, vibrant and unique. You'll never want to go back to the hotel as there are simply a lot to take pictures of:). Florence is absolutely beautiful and .....Tuscany, of course, how can you forget Tuscany:). I have to say nothing beats the view of southern part of Itay (we're talking about Rome below:)). Go to Napoli and take a ferry to Capri island (just get stuck there for about 3 or 4 days then head back to the mainland). Then go even more south to Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi coast....the view is breathtaking. If you still have time, hop into Sicilia; the colour of the sea is really gorgeous. Generally people from the south don't speak English that much compared to those living in the north part but the good thing is they are nice(r....:)).
Hope this is useful:). Enjoy your holiday and again....forget about those diets for a while:)))).
Cheers:).
- if you havent been then sentosa island is a fun (but touristy) little theme island (not just a theme park).
- Night Safari
- Orchard Road for shopping
- Clarke Quay + surrounding areas
- Botanic Gardens
Thats all I can really remember from my trip. Its very clean and safe. If you have extra time, it may be worthwhile to get onto a van / car and head over the boarder to Malaysia... but only if you have time :)
I believe that its monsoon season nowish so the weather shouldnt be TOO hot but if you find yourself getting heat rash, just use some talcum powder
Then Sunday I'm leaving for Detroit to go apartment hunting, will only be there for a few days but hopefully I'll get something good.
Going to the beach Saturday. That's about all I have planned trip-wise but I'm moving to Detroit from Pennsylvania in August so I'm really excited about having a completely new environment to take pictures of.
On my last trip there before I wasn't much into photography yet, so I just looked around Orchard Road, Sentosa, and the Night Safari... This time I'm bringing my DSLR to take a brand new view on them :)
We are there again from tuesday night till saturday afternoon (its school holidays for Mac here in Cambodia and J is working in Sg so we thought why not) and I'm hoping to get to the mosque in Little India when its not prayer time and take some pix of the Helix and MBS as I havent got one Im really happy with yet and of course eat tempeh (which I LOVE and cant find here) and go to the movies (which we also dont have here).
We stayed at a place called "Beachside".
180deg views of the surf, also of Buderim to Caloundra.
Great food places and shopping close by - what more could you ask for!
We could see all the huge cargo ships waiting to go to Brisbane from out unit.
We visited the Eumundi markets, which are held on wednesdays and Saturdays - they are huge and you can buy almost anything there!
Yandina - a small town close by has the Buderim Ginger Factory and "The Spirit House" restaurant and cooking school, where you can attend a cooking class and eat what you cook - fantastic place!
Underwater World is only 10 mins from this place.
I plan to go back in August for another week.