Archive for the ‘Holiday types’ Category
The Mediterranean has long been a favourite holiday destination for thousands of tourists. The area benefits from one of the best climates in Europe and is home to many well-known attractions, including such cities as Rome, Athens, Cairo and Jerusalem, islands like Crete and Rhodes and popular beach resorts in Spain, Italy and Turkey. There are many different types of Mediterranean cruises and cruise operators, such as Royal Caribbean, P&O and Princess Cruises, each of which can offer a different holiday package depending on your taste and budget.
A popular type of Mediterranean cruise is the city stop tour. The cruise ship sails around the Mediterranean, with the chance every one or two days to stop at a new city. In Athens, Greece, visitors can travel to the Acropolis, the ruined city dating back to Greek antiquity. In Barcelona, Spain, the Olympic Stadium and Spanish village as well as a lively social scene are the main attractions. Nice, France, is renowned for its weather, high-end shops and entertainment as well as the chance to spot some of the world’s most famous people.
Venice, Italy, has plenty of attractive historic buildings to admire, and is built on a series of small islands crisscrossed by canals and open water vistas. Cairo, Egypt, is home to the Pyramids, grand mosques and an historic city centre that welcomes visitors all year round. Jerusalem, Israel, is one of the oldest cities in the world and a place of pilgrimage for many people all around the world.
The best part of a cruise holiday is that you can easily visit the destinations above without having to worry about getting yourself there and food and accommodation when there as it is all provided for.
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If lounging by a pool or on a beach all day doesn’t float your boat when it comes to holidays and you prefer to explore and learn something whilst you’re away then why not get some inspiration from our selection of historical holidays. You can look at taking cruise holidays, which will easily get you to destinations around the world, hiking holidays which give you added adventure whilst you’re away and city breaks where you can fit in culture in one simple weekend.
Europe is full of historical castles, literally you can’t move without seeing one, well almost. Dotted across the European landscape you can find historical castles such as Medieval or Baroque dictating the historical time line of the country. Some must see castles include; Ireland’s Blarney Castle, Leeds Castle in England, Sintra Palace in Portugal, Turkey’s Topkapi Palace, Prague Castle in the Czech Republic, Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle and France’s Palace of Versailles. If you take a European Cruise holiday you can see some of these Castles as part of your itinerary, so you don’t have to worry about travel.
Visiting the Wonders of the World could prove to be a very fulfilling holiday experience, although you couldn’t do them all in one holiday obviously, unless it was a long, long break away! There are Seven Ancient Wonders of the World and at some point you may have come across them in your travels, if not they are great to base your holiday around. They are; Great Pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus, Colossus of Rhodes and the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Now obviously not all of these wonders are with us today, but there is plenty of historical information available at the areas they once stood and it’s a great way to soak up the local culture. There are also Seven Wonders of the Industrial World, the Medieval World, the Natural World, Underwater World and Modern World, to keep you going, if you run out of holiday ideas.
Keeping children entertained on holiday can be an arduous task especially when all you want to do is rest and recuperate however there is one great way so if you want to ensure an unforgettable family holiday where you can unwind while your children are widely entertained then you should look at booking a holiday through virginholidaycruises.co.uk. They have a great selection of family orientated cruise holidays to destinations all around the world on some of the best cruise ships in the world!
One of the best family cruise ships is Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Sea’s, which is the world’s largest cruise ship. It offers state of the art accommodation, numerous restaurants and a wide range of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Everyone is catered for with clubs for babies and toddlers all the way up to the troublesome teens. Not to mention adults only areas to give you the ultimate peace and tranquillity.
Other cruise lines that also cater more to families isthe Disney Cruise line who’s Disney themed ships, obviously provide the perfect back drop for the whole family plus they have also just launched their newest vessel the Disney Dream which offers unlimited activities for the whole family to enjoy. Such as a wide range of onboard sports including the classic shuffle board and ping pong or a great family pool to splash around in, kids clubs for all ages and finally plenty of entertainment for adults including a cinema and Broadway style performance.
According to the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) the number of Britons taking a cruise in 2011 is set to increase by eight per cent, up to a total of 1.77 million people. More people look to be taking a cruise holiday 2011, because travellers are dissatisfied with the service from airlines after a year of strikes and many, many delays.
PSA spokesperson Penny Guy puts the promising figures down to cruises offering good value for money and all-inclusive options. ‘With all-inclusive you know what’s included, you get food, transport and entertainment, which for the children is often excellent.’ Cruise holiday are a great all rounder, you get top class service from start to finish, with all your travel needs taken care of and no worry of long airport delays.
Kevin Griffin, managing director of cruise operator The Cruise People agrees, pointing out that ‘drinks packages in particular will make greater inroads in the year to come by offering on-board credit for alcohol or free wine with meals. Family cruises are also a big growth sector, with multi-generational cruises doing very well,’ he explains.
Fly cruises are also on the increase, because of the ease of everything been booked in one place normally for a great set price, with easy to find cruise holiday deals for 2011. Also after the problems caused by the ash cloud crisis last year, people are looking for safer ways to book, so they don’t lose out financially if and when problems occur. For example in 2010, those who booked flights separately lost their holidays while those who booked a package were refunded or had their dates altered.
Summer is still a long, long way off, however if you want to get in some winter sun to rid away your blues then there are some great last minute cruise holidays 2011 available. One of the most popular destinations for winter sun is the Caribbean and there is a wide range of different cruise itinerary’s to choose from whether you are a sports fanatic, nature lover, sun-worshipper or water baby.
The Caribbean is famed for its beaches and turquoise seas which you still get to enjoy on a cruise holiday, many lines stop off at popular holiday destinations such as Aruba, Antigua, Martinique, St Lucia and Guadeloupe as well as Dominica and Grenada which are Southern Caribbean islands. They offer exotic rainforests, sandy beaches and plenty of local charm. The Eastern part of the Caribbean offers the British and American Virgin Islands, including Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, which is a small tropical island where you will find peace and seclusion. Other great destinations here also include Puerto Rico and the Bahamas as well as the 2 nation/1 island St Maarten and St Martin.
Cruise lines that offer Caribbean holidays include Carnival, Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Thomson Cruises and many more. Each line offers a wide variety of onboard activities as well as a great number of excursions, so you won’t be short of activities keep you busy or plenty of things to help you relax and unwind.
Caribbean near Tulum
Picture courtesy of mdanys
You might think that camp is only for children and teenagers, but many adults are using their holidays to take classes and courses. If you have always wanted to learn a new skill, harbour a hidden talent that you would like to nurture, or want to improve at a hobby that you already practice, you might want to combine a holiday with a course at one of the many facilities that offer such things.
From pottery to horseback-riding to scuba-diving to painting, there is little you can think of that you cannot do on one of these learning holidays. There are even courses in how to butcher and process a whole pig.
Cooking classes are especially popular as the expert tuition, along with equipment and ingredients, mean that you can learn techniques and recipes with ease. Best of all, you get to eat your results and impress friends and family on your return.
Many of these courses are residential, so that you do not have to worry about organizing accommodation, and some are fully catered, so that your meals are also provided. If you prefer the privacy of renting your own cottage, many of these courses provide that option.
One of the best things about holidaying while developing a skill is that you will meet many other people who share your interest. The classes themselves, as well as the free time afterwards during which you can relax, give ample opportunity for you to develop these acquaintances into friendships.
Instead of spending their holiday time lounging by the sea and soaking up the sun, or whizzing down mountains on skis or a snowboard, many people opt to give a little back and do some volunteer work abroad during their holiday.
If you have a particular skill set in the field of engineering, healthcare qualifications or building experience, there are specific projects where you can put your skills to work in developing or Western countries and make a substantial difference to the lives of the less fortunate.
There are also a wealth of options for those who do not have any such skills. Volunteering in wildlife rescues, orphanages, and as unskilled labour on school construction projects or similar does not require much more than a willing heart and whatever time you can spare.
Some tour companies have specific packages available for those who wish to volunteer while abroad, or you can make contact with an organisation or particular facility in which you have an interest and discuss volunteering on your holiday with them directly. Many facilities can offer you room and board in exchange for your volunteering work, or for a small additional fee.
The memories you will have of this holiday will surely be extremely rewarding and make you feel as if you have really accomplished something with your time away. Whether you can spare just a week or a few months, your help will be gratefully received.
A Disney holiday can be a wonderful experience, for both you and the children, but it can also take its toll on your wallet if you aren’t careful. Research and planning are two essential factors when it comes to having an affordable and enjoyable Disney holiday. Here are some insights on what you can do to save hundreds on your next trip without sacrificing a good time.
Book in Advance
You will no doubt pay less if you plan ahead. Never leave planning a Disney trip to the last minute, especially during peak periods such as the winter holidays. You will need to book at least six months in advance to take advantage of the best rates and if you know exactly what you want you can do so up to a year before your planned trip. Always check for Disney special offers, as lower rates on tickets and resorts are often available during non-peak periods.
Eating
Eating at the theme parks can start to cost very quickly, though it is often unavoidable. Try not to overspend on meals throughout the day. If you must have table-service at the parks, do so at lunch, as the prices are often lower. Your best bet however is to eat dinner outside of the park or resort unless you have purchased an all-inclusive package.
Stay at the Resort
A Disney resort may seem like an expensive solution, but in the long run it may actually save you money and time. You won’t have to pay for parking at the theme park and there is often free transportation to and from the parks and between them as well. Many resorts also include breakfast in their prices as well as fast passes through the parks.
Disney Castle
Picture courtesy of Tallapragada
With the main wedding season now over, we had put to the back of our minds honeymoon destinations, however with the recent news that Prince William and Kate Middleton are now engaged, with the wedding set for next April, our thoughts turn to their pending nuptials and where they could be going for their honeymoon. According to travel industry experts a likely destination could be the Seychelles after all they headed to Desroches in 2007 to patch up their relationship after a short split.
Seychelles - La Digue - Grande Anse
Picture courtesy of dibaer
However there are plenty of other places they could o, below we have a list of the best honeymoon destinations:
Mauritius
The best time to visit Mauritius is April to June and September to November, which makes it ideal for couples like Prince William and Kate Middleton who are getting married in April. Off the east coast of Africa Mauritius boasts white powder beaches and sparkling azure seas, which with its selection of private and secluded luxury hotels makes Mauritius one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world.
Mauritius
Picture courtesy of timparkinson
Antigua
The Caribbean is renowned for luxury and there is a huge choice of secluded islands and 5* resorts and Antigua combined with nearby St Kitts, Nevis or the British Virgin Islands for a two-centred honeymoon for those who want to carry on the party after their wedding reception has finished but also want some time to themselves away from it all. It’s best to go to Antigua and the surrounding islands in the Caribbean between November and July.
Antigua
Picture courtesy of andy_tyler
Italy
If you don’t fancy exotic holidays you could always opt for a honeymoon in Italy, everything about this country is ultimately romantic from the language, food, culture, coastline, history and inimitable style, so no wonder Italy is one of the most popular European honeymoon destinations. No matter what your tastes are or what you enjoy you will find it in Italy, whether it’s a secluded Tuscan villa or a trendy hotel in Milan. Its worth bearing in mind the busiest time to visit Italy is July and August, however the best times range between April to October so you can miss out the crowds.
Isola Bella Taormina Messina Sicilia Italy
Picture courtesy of gnuckx
Even though many of the top honey moon destinations are often exclusive and expensive, if do the research and even book well in advance and find a good holiday deal then you should be able to spend you first weeks as a married couple in the lap of luxury.
A break away to New York could also save you money when it comes to Christmas shopping, the popular city break destination of New York offers more than just a typical city break, not only can you enjoy the festivities out there but you can also pick up some real bargains for Christmas too.
Even though the exchange rate may not be brilliant, according to a new survey many items such as jeans, toys and toiletries are up to 55 per cent cheaper in New York than in London. For example: A Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear toy, costing £50 in London, is just £24.27 in New York, while a pair of Levi’s 501s set Londoners back £50 but are just £22.29 in New York and a 50ml Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream costing £23 in London would be £11.79 in New York.
The poll carried out by the Post Office found that while fashion items are invariably cheaper in New York than in London, prices for perfumes and beauty products are often higher, couple that with an increase in the duty-free allowance for UK citizens travelling from the USA to the UK to £390 from £340 it’s hard to see why shopping breaks to the Big Apple have become popular as people look to get great bargains.
The Post Office’s head of travel money, Sarah Munro, said: “The duty-free allowances now mean holidaymakers can bring back higher-priced gifts like the Apple iPad. Remember too that additional savings can be made by shopping in stores like Bloomingdales and Macys, which offer a 10 per cent discount to UK visitors to offset the 8.8 per cent New York sales tax. There are great savings to be made in New York provided that shoppers have done their homework in advance and don’t assume that everything will be cheaper. Although most items are cheaper, the savings vary and we did find examples of popular Christmas gifts that were more expensive in New York. So it will pay to check carefully before splashing the cash.”
Although some people may argue the cost of the actually holiday will far outweigh the savings, it’s great to know if you do want to enjoy a break away to New York you can make savings on gifts for your family and friends this Christmas.