The Advantages of a Holiday Cruising Europe

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When you think of going on a cruise holiday, the idea of exotic islands and far off lands may well be the first thing that comes to mind.  There are, however, many incredible options available closer to home and a lot of people find that going on cruises from the UK can make for an unforgettable trip. 

One of the biggest selling points of last minute cruises is the sheer variety that can be experienced in a relatively short space of time.  Going for a week or fortnight long trip around Scandinavia, Spain and France, or the Mediterranean, allows you to see a wide range of culture, beaches and incredible natural surroundings, as there are only short distances between each port.

Not having to travel a long distance to the departure port can be another major benefit.  A long flight to a far off destination can cause jet lag and tiredness for the first few days of a cruise, but if you embark in the UK then you will be able to enjoy your entire holiday.  You may also find that it reduces your costs considerably, as travelling to a British port is likely to be much cheaper and easier than an international journey. 

Going on cruises from the UK to European destinations also means that you do not have to worry about luggage restrictions or weight limits when you are packing.  As there is no need to fly to your initial departure port or stay in hotel before you leave, you can pack whatever you like and will only have to unpack once during your entire holiday. 

Undiscovered London

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You may have visited the main tourist attractions of London – Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, Tower Bridge, etc. – but there are many other interesting spots in the UK’s capital that many tourists miss.

For example, Cannon Street, one of the longest streets in the city, is home to the ancient London Stone.  A relic of uncertain origin, it has been variously rumoured to be the site of Druidic sacrifices, an Anglo-Saxon ceremonial stone, or the point from which the Romans measured distances.  In 1328, Edward III used it as a central marker for his edict that Londoners would have the right to hold markets within a 7-mile radius of it.

Also, in the City, the artist Dennis Severs’ house at 18 Folgate Street is a fascinating recreation of the house of a Huguenot silk weaver and his family, where visitors can wander through 10 rooms of “still-life drama”.

Families will enjoy Coram’s Fields, a seven acre playground and park that includes a city farm.  No adult can enter without a child, making it a safe haven for families after a walk around the hidden city.

Cruise Tips for the Caribbean

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No doubt the word Caribbean brings to mind sun, sandy beaches, steel band music and palm trees; when cruising, such as with Caribbean cruise deals, it’s safe to assume that all those and a lot more delights will be experienced on the trip.

 Cruises are a great way to enjoy a holiday while allowing someone else to take care of the details. However, when it comes to land excursions you might want to take care of arranging them yourself. Certain ports have certain sights that should definitely be seen.  

If your cruise includes docking at St. John’s, the capital of Antigua, this is one of the best stops in this area for exploring. Leave the ship and pass through the Heritage Quay area to get to Redcliffe Quay. Here you will enjoy a more authentic and rustic experience that is less commercialised and is much quieter.  

Any stop at St. Lucia should include a visit to Pigeon Point. It is also easy enough to take a taxi to Reduit Beach. This has been proven to be much more interesting for cruise passengers than the capital city, Castries, where the ship makes port.  

For Caribbean cruises that make port in St Thomas, take a guided catamaran trip for something different. If you can’t get enough shopping, opt to spend a half-day cruising the open waters on a catamaran where you can enjoy the local islands and see the marine life. 

Cruising through the Panama Canal

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Many travellers choose cruises mostly for the relaxation provided by this calming mode of travel. Others book cruises based on the final destination and regard them as a way to get to their desired location while still having time to adjust to changing hours so they can avoid jet lag.  A cruise through the Panama Canal, however, is truly a case where the cruise route itself is the major attraction for many travellers. 

The canal took more than ten years to complete, using about 75,000 workers at the peak of construction.  Located about 80 kilometres northwest of the capital of Panama, the canal is a popular cruising route between December and April each year, though it is open all year round. 

Traversing the locks of the canal is an exciting experience that passengers will remember for a lifetime, but of course there is a great deal more to the canal zone than the science and technology that makes this journey possible.  The jungle surrounds the ship on both sides and passengers have literally hours in which they can admire the passing shoreline and marvel at the tropical rain forest on display.

Since the canal links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, it is a great way for travellers from Europe to reach destinations such as the famed Mexican resort town of Puerto Vallarta and the port city of San Diego, California.  A Panama Canal cruise truly will be a voyage to remember. 

Diving Holidays in Western Australia

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The western coast of Australia is a popular region for diving holidays, with the Ningaloo Reef a favourite destination for many tourists interested in an undersea adventure abroad.  The Ningaloo Reef, unlike many similar tropical reefs, is located close to the shoreline, making it possible to start a dive at the beach and swimming out to deeper water.  There is no need to charter a boat as one must for many reef diving experiences elsewhere.

Once at the reef, tourists on holiday can see a stunning variety of reef fish species – more than 400, in fact.  In addition, the vegetation on the reef is highly varied, as is the coral itself, with many different colours glowing like jewels under the water.  From Shark Bay to Cape Range, the Ningaloo Reef provides a diving experience to rival any on earth. 

The best time of year for tourists to go to Ningaloo is from May to February.  The reef is located about 1200 kilometres to the north of the Australian city of Perth and is itself more than 250 kilometres long.  The largest ‘fringing’ coral reef found in Australian waters, Ningaloo is also the only large reef situated so close to the shore.

Whale sharks can be seen feeding near Ningaloo from time to time, a fact that helped spur the establishment of the Ningaloo Marine Park in the 1980s. Since 2011, the area around Ningaloo Reef has also been listed as a U.N. World Heritage Site.

Chinese Historical Sites In and Around Beijing

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The capital city of China has become a major tourist destination since the death of Mao Zedong in 1976.  Although not the largest city in the nation, Beijing was the seat of power during both the Ming and Qing dynasties and contains major landmarks dating from these periods.

Tiananmen Square

The largest public square in the world, Tiananmen Square is the single most visited site in the city.  Important buildings that are attractions in their own right, including the Museum of the Chinese Revolution, the Museum of Chinese History, the Great Hall of the People, and the Qianmen Gate, surround the square. 

However, it is the complex of the Forbidden City that has the most allure for many visitors.  This is the site from which the imperial court ruled – a city that was forbidden to ordinary inhabitants of China for most of its long history. 

The National Stadium

Visitors who watched the 2008 Olympics on television may be interested to see the ‘Bird’s Nest’, or National Stadium where many of the sporting events took place.  The stadium is located in the Chaoyang District, as is the new World Trade Centre Tower.

Medieval China

The inner core of Beijing is also home to significant remains dating from the time of the Ming Dynasty.  In the Chongwen District, tourists can see the remains of the medieval city wall, while the Dongcheng District boasts ancient drum and bell towers. 

The Great Wall of China

Although not technically in Beijing, no visit to the city is complete without taking a trip to see the nearby Great Wall of China.  The sections near Beijing date from the Ming dynasty, a time when rammed earth construction gave way to stone and brick, making the wall here more impressive to view as well as harder for invaders to breach.

A Sun Holiday to Malta

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The island of Malta sits in the Mediterranean Sea, enjoying the same sunny weather as nearby Northern Africa and Italy.  The destination remains warm up until November, making it an ideal place to escape the British weather just as it gets really cold.  Although they use the Euro, it is not as expensive to holiday there compared to other Euro-zone destinations, and the flight time is only around four hours from London.

You will not find clubs or bustling malls like those of destinations such as Spain.  Indeed, Malta has a much slower pace, but that does not mean that you will not find things to keep you busy.  The sheer beauty of the countryside is breathtaking and, because the island is so small you could rent a car and tour around it.

A historic highlight of the island is the main city Valetta where the walls were constructed against the Turks by the Knights of St John.  There is also pretty St Julian’s Bay, the former Neolithic town of Qawra and the fishing village of Buggiba.  In addition to the sights, there are also various local festivals and fiestas throughout the year to celebrate the island’s history chequered with food, drink, music and dancing.

How to get the best Cruise Deals

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It is that time of year again when people begin to look for cruise deals. Whether your need for a cruise is a personal getaway, a family vacation, or a traditional holiday, the available cruise options are almost endless.  

A good place to start may be with your travel agent. Travel agents are usually informed of deals and specials that may not be publicly advertised. Speaking with a travel agent face-to-face is also the best way to get any questions that you may have, answered properly. Not all travel agents offer the same prices so if you are serious about getting a good deal, then shop around between travel agents. There are times when the larger companies will be able to pass along better cruise deals than a smaller travel agency.  

While you are visiting your travel agent, collect a few brochures and see what catches your eye. These brochures are a great way to get a feel for the different cruise companies as well as what they have to offer in the way of packages, entertainment, itineraries, prices and other options. There are more and more websites each month dedicated to ensuring you get the best deal when it comes to booking your holiday. If you are not comfortable booking online then use the sites as guidelines for any deals that may be available. You can take this information with you to your travel agent.  

If you are completely open to going any place as long as you get a good deal, then leave your holiday fate in the hands of the tourist season. Traditionally the months of January to March are the busiest for the cruise industry. This can often be the best time to try and land a great deal. 

An Island Holiday to Gozo

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Gozo is a tiny gem of an island – barely heard of, yet sunny, green and cheerful.  It is sister to the slightly larger island of Malta and is situated in the Mediterranean Sea.  Due to its small area, the whole island can be explored during your stay.

The two main coastal destinations on Gozo – Xlendi and Marsalforn – have lovely restaurants on the beach, understated bars that liven up with local music at night, and of course, fantastic sea views.   Malta and Gozo remain warm up until November, with temperatures fetching around 27 degrees Celsius, so it is a great place for a last minute holiday.

Even when you get the odd rainy day, there is still plenty to do in the way of shopping at the little markets, sightseeing at the ancient temples or exploring the lush nature reserves.  The main city of Victoria has a huge citadel as well as a few museums.  A short journey away is the ancient temples at Ggantija, built around 4,000BC.  Boat trips to Malta itself are frequent and cheap, where you can see more of the archaeological and natural wonders that this area has to offer.

Welcome to Wilderness – Antartica

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Antarctica is probably the last place on earth anyone outside of the scientific community would consider as a place to visit.  Believe it or not Antarctica, the continent where weather not time dictates the itinerary, has a thriving tourist industry.

A visit to Antarctica is not for the faint hearted.  The inbound journey is difficult and expensive.  The reward is a vast snowscape that has challenged adventurers across time and an abundance of wildlife that will hardly bat an eyelid at well behaved visitors.

The “Spirit of Shackleton”, is a 20-day trip that invites visitors to live the story, with two days to explore The Falkland Islands and a day in South Georgia.  Visitors will experience the might of the Southern Ocean before reaching the frozen continent itself and Shackleton’s final resting place.  With daily lectures that illuminate the history of his exploration and those who followed him, daily shore landings, cruises to Penguin colonies, full board and comfortable cabins, The Spirit of Shackleton is an expedition is worthy of any intrepid explorer.

Visitors don’t come to Antarctica during winter (UK summer), where it is round the clock darkness with temperatures averaging -50 degrees Celsius.  Visitor season runs from November to March.  In December and January, penguins hatch their eggs and care for their young.  Whale watching is best in February and March, when there is around 20-hours of daylight and penguin chicks grow more playful.  The longer into the season you wait, the less crowded the cruises will be. However, the wildlife of this region doesn’t hang around and by late March, they’re starting to head out to sea.

What to pack? Well, specialist warm weather clothing and plenty of thermals.  Some tour providers include water proof boots while aboard ship, while others require you to bring your own.