Going on a cruise can be quite an expensive holiday, so many people are keen to get the best price and value for money that they can. With hundreds of different cruise lines, ships and destinations on offer finding the best option can be quite a challenge.
The first thing to consider is timing, as some of the best cruise deals can be found by booking a long time in advance; preferably several months before you plan to leave. On the other hand, booking just days or weeks before you plan to depart can also result in a bargain, though this can be a gamble as there is no guarantee that the trip you want will be available.
It can also be a good idea to consider the time of year you want to travel. If you are able to be flexible with dates then great prices can be found for cruises off-season or outside of the school holidays.
Shop around and do plenty of research before booking anything, this will give you a better idea of what is available and what suits your needs the best. Try not to get drawn in by just an amazing price, check what the ship is like as well to make sure you are getting good value for money.
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Paris in springtime is the stuff of romantic ballads. Laden with blooming flowers that scent the air with fresh perfumes, the trees in the city’s parks are at their best at this time of year. In particular, Jardin du Luxemburg encapsulates what it is that Parisian parks are all about. Romantic and elegant, the park was first laid out in 1612, surrounding the palace built for the Regent, Marie de Medici.
A trip to the daily flower market at Place Louis-Lépine is made magical on Sundays, when a chirruping bird market is held. The traditional sights of Paris are made only more beautiful in the spring, from the world-renowned Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame to Montmartre, the beautiful and unique village within Paris. Surrounded by leafy greenery and budding flowers, the atmosphere is one of joy of life, what the locals would call ‘Joie de Vivre’ and of course, romance.
At anytime during the spring, heavy rains may burst from the Parisian sky, but it is a far cry from the heavy heat of summer. At this time of year, before the hordes of tourists come to explore this beautiful, historic city during summer, it is a peaceful place, though never without a spark of life.
Considered as an affordable hidden gem just waiting to be discovered, the small country of Slovenia has for some time been gaining a reputation as a beautiful must see European travel destination.
Travellers arriving by air fly in to Ljubljana, the fairy tale capital of Slovenia, filled with Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture. The River Ljubljanica winds peacefully through the town, straddled by stone bridges and banked by restaurants and riverside bars. Most of the pinturesque Old Town is pedestrianised and ideal for exploring on foot.
UK flights from Gatwick and Stansted fly into the airport where an affordable shuttle bus can take you into the city. Modern and varied accommodation is available in the city, where there are even hotels literally fit for a Queen. Such luminaries as Queen Elizabeth II and Bill Clinton have been accommodated at The Grand Hotel Union. There are also elegant boutique hotels catering for the alternative party crowds, or if you fancy something different and unique you can even rent rooms in a converted prison.
About an hour to the north lies Slovenia’s most famous landmark. Lake Bled is a magical stretch of water nestling in the Julian Alps. A boat can take you into the centre of the mirrored lake where the tiny Church of the Assumption perches on an island. Here you can ring the sixteenth century ‘bell of wishes’ housed in the chapel.
Slovenia really is a wonderful secret just waiting to be discovered.
No longer the domain of the exclusively wealthy, cruising has never been so cheap! With affordable packages to all destinations, many of which are further discounted if booked online, 2012 cruises offers 5-star luxury at a 3-star price.
Whatever your preferred destination, whether it is white Caribbean beaches, the yellow sands of Egypt or maybe further afield to the Great Barrier Reef, one thing is for sure – there is a cruise out there with your name on it and at a price to suit your pocket.
In real terms, cruises have become so cheap that they are no more expensive than a standard family all-inclusive holiday but they offer so much more. Enjoy gourmet meals every night, on-board activities, entertainment and theatre shows, and experience a different destination every day. Cruising is not only very relaxing but is also the very best way to see a variety of places in a short time.
Cheap cruises are updated on a daily basis so, if you are looking for that cruise bargain, keep on top of what is on offer and snap up your cheap cruise deal for 2012 or, if you can’t wait that long, bag yourself a Christmas Market cruise. You’ll be glad you did!
How much can you do and see in one day? Antwerp, the Flemish capital of Belgium, will challenge you to pack in more than you ever thought possible. You will be spoilt for choice as you take in the designer-led fashion quarter, the narrow cobbled streets that hide thousands of bars, restaurants, art and antique dealers, chocolatiers and of course, the famous diamond shops.
Slip into one of the bars and ask for a bolleke (a ‘little bowl’) of one of Antwerp’s famous beers, maybe a De Koninck, a mild strength ale, or a Kriek Boon, a beautiful cherry beer. If you decide to take some home – and you certainly will – visit the excellent Den Dorstvlegel beer shop.
Antwerp is a rising fashion city thanks to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, which hosts perhaps the best fashion department in Europe. Graduates tend to remain in the city to make their mark, rather than decamp to Paris or New York.
Its architecture spans medieval to modern, with The Cathedral of Our Lady dominating the skyline.
Head north of the centre to the quiet urban cool of Park Spoor Noord, a expansive centre of relaxation, play and entertainment that hosts concerts, sporting events, or if you prefer, a family picnic.
The town of Chamonix sits in a breathtaking location at the foot of Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc. Though the mountain remains capped in snow throughout the year, winter is undoubtedly the best time to visit and soak in the atmosphere of one of the world’s favourite skiing destinations.
Ski schools offering lessons in English for beginners and intermediates of all ages are to be found all around Chamonix. The ski season usually begins in mid-December and with most of the slopes above the 2,000ft mark it is what is known as a ‘guaranteed snow’ resort. The slopes and ski areas are connected by a fast and reliable shuttle bus service and a sightseeing train, which provides passengers with panoramic views of the inspirational mountains.
If skiing is not your thing, there are plenty of other wonderful activities to make winter in Chamonix a great holiday destination. Snowshoeing can bring you from the town centre to the Mer de Glace; a coiling glacier accessible by picturesque railway train.17kms of snowy footpaths will take you into the depths of the winter landscape. If a little sightseeing further afield is on your agenda, Chamonix is close to several beautiful cities, including the nearby French town of Annecy, Switzerland’s Geneva and Aosta in Italy.
Husky sledding may be one of the most memorable activities Chamonix has to offer. An adventure lasting around one and a half hours, this is a magical experience. After a long day in the cold snow, unwind with a relaxing pampering session in one of Chamonix’s spas. The local fitness centre offers saunas, Turkish baths and a solarium, while the hotels scattered within the town boast newly refurbished spa facilities.
Experience the true meaning of winter in Chamonix with a skiing holiday. Whether you have been hitting the slopes or not, the après ski atmosphere is well-worth experiencing. Relax with a glass of ‘vin chaud’ or a mug of ‘chocolat chaud’ in one of the town’s many cafes or restaurants. With world-class casinos and a cinema that often features films in their original languages, there is no end to the entertainment offered in this international French town.
What comes to mind when you think of Warwickshire? Rolling hills, Shakespeare, endless canals, quaint villages and pubs?
Warwickshire is all of these and more: the wonderful castles of Warwick and Kenilworth, the genteel town of Leamington Spa, and green and pleasant countryside.
The historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon with its black and white buildings and river is wonderful in its own right. It is a beautiful setting for the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Swan Theatre – arguably it is the best place in the country to see the great bard’s plays. Recently refurbished, it really is a dramatic experience. Visit Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare was baptised and buried. It has the accolade of being England’s most visited church and has many interesting features. The building dates from 1210 although there has been a church on the site for much longer.
The fascinatingly beautiful castle at Warwick, dating back to William the Conqueror, has seen some great historical events, and is now a major tourist attraction as well as being an impressive setting for re-enactments of jousting and falconry.
The canal system in Warwickshire is vast and yet you could be forgiven for almost not noticing it as it is hidden away from the main hub of activity. With many canalside walks, interspersed with pubs for refreshments, there is plenty of opportunity for slow, leisurely enjoyment. Hire a boat for a week and experience being afloat.
In many ways, Warwickshire epitomises English country life.
River Avon Stratford-upon-Avon
Picture courtesy of Nigel’s Europe
The West Coast Trail is located in the Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island, in Canada. It was created in 1907 as a trail to rescue sailors shipwrecked off the treacherous coast. Today, it is a 75km long gruelling hiking trail that passes through pristine rainforest and offers some of the most compelling views of the Juan de Fuca Strait, often called the Graveyard of the Pacific Ocean for its numerous shipwrecks.
West Coast Trail
Picture courtesy of Chris Breikss
Along the path, you will visit sandy beaches, rocky outcroppings, caves and ledges. The beaches offer tidal pools teeming with sea life, while the rainforest echoes to the sounds of wildlife. The spruce, hemlock and cedar trees are some of the oldest in the province and are so large you cannot see around them. You should be aware that the trail is isolated and physically challenging and is not designed for novice hikers. The trail itself is largely dirt, studded with roots and rocks, but also includes portions of stair climbing. It will take an average of five to seven days to complete the entire length of the trail. Hikers must receive a park permit before embarking on the trail, which is open from 1st May to 30th September only.
West Coast Trail
Picture courtesy of Chris Breikss
The climate in the area is considered marine temperate and is unpredictable and heavy rain may make certain parts of the trail impassable. Shuttles to the trailheads operate from Bamfield and Port Renfrew and both of these small villages offer holiday property rentals for hikers. Alternatively, the town of Port Alberni is 1½hours from Bamfield, while the city of Victoria is 2½hours from Port Renfrew.
West Coast Trail
Picture courtesy of Chris Breikss
When you think of alternative uses for cooking oil, using it to fill up the tank of air jet might not be your first thought, however Thomson Airways have used it to fly customers from Birmingham to Arrecife.
The airline used a mixture of waste fat and jet fuel to create a supposedly more eco-friendly service in a time where air travel is taking a hammering from environmental campaigners. Thomson’s current tests had been hampered by delay over the testing progress, it was originally meant to take place last July however the fuel only recently passed safety clearance. According to Thomson claims, the eco-friendly biofuel has the potential to reduce aviation emissions by up to 80 per cent in the future and the company aims to use biofuel across their whole fleet within the next three years.
Thomson Airways managing director Chris Browne said: “Sustainable biofuels offer us the opportunity to improve our own individual environmental performance as well as contributing to the UK’s carbon reduction target.”
Aviation minister Theresa Villiers echoes his sentiment, he said: “The British government believes that sustainable biofuels have a role to play in efforts to tackle climate change, particularly in sectors where no other viable low carbon energy source has been identified – as is the case with aviation.”
Biofuel costs a lot more than regular jet fuel, it’s made up of on a 50-50 mix of Jet A1 fuel and Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) fuel made from used cooking oil. This could impact prices and maybe why take-up of using this alternative fuel has been poor. Thomson owners Tui Travel hope it will help them to reduce carbon emissions by 6 per cent from 2008 to 2014.
Although Thomson state production of biofuel will create jobs in developing countries, some environmental campaigners worry that it could have an adverse effect and state the only way to cut down on aviation pollution is to cut flights, stop airport expansion and improve rail travel rather than use alternative fuels.
Thomson Aircraft
Picture courtesy of Deanster1983
Try Thomson cruises, for a family friendly cruise holiday, without the hassle. Thomson cruises cover destinations all around the globe which means you can find the perfect holiday for you and your family. The have five ships which cover not only family cruises but also adults only, all with mouth-watering cuisine and top class entertainment, not to mention Thomson’s selection of shore excursions.
Thomson Celebration
Picture courtesy of ozgurmulazimoglu
Their ships circumnavigate the globe so you can visit a wide range of destinations such as the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and the Baltic, the Red Sea, Canary Islands and Morocco and the Caribbean. On a cruise holiday with Thomson you can visit some amazing ports of call such as: Livorno from where you can enjoy Florence and Pisa, sampling a piece of Italy. Montego Bay offers you the chance to explore the rich culture and history of Jamaica and Willemstad allows you to discover Curacao in the Dutch Antilles. On a Red sea cruise you can stop off in Alanya to explore the beauty of Antalya and the Turkish Turquoise coast, in Agaba you can search out ancient histories in Jordan.
Thomson cruises also offer cruise and stay holidays to, so your holiday doesn’t have to come to an end just because you leave the boat, you can spend a week cruising before spending a week on land at a luxury hotel. Many people opt for cruise and stay holidays especially when they are visiting destinations such as the Caribbean so you can wind down before you go home and travel all that distance by air.