Holiday River Cruises: The Magnificent Nile
> Posted by channel in Cruise Advice and Tips, Travel Destinations, Travel Guides
The traditional way to see the land of Egypt was by travelling down the Nile River in a slow-moving boat powered by sails or men. Queen Cleopatra herself is known to have voyaged this way to see her vast domain. These days, motors have generally replaced the sails and rowers, but river cruises up the length of the Nile remain a wonderful way to experience the ancient “land of the Pharaohs.”
Benefits of the Cruise Experience
Travelling abroad can be a daunting and hectic experience, but it does not have to be. A traditional tour or holiday you organize for yourself is most likely includes a series of hotels in various cities you would like to visit. Every time you have exhausted the attractions in one area, you must pack up all your belongings and find your way to the airport or bus station in order to continue your journey to the next stopping point, where you will unpack and begin the process all over again.
A cruise holiday is entirely different. Because your ‘hotel’ is itself a moving entity, you can settle down into one cabin or stateroom for the duration, knowing that you will only need to unpack your belongings once. Rather than wasting valuable holiday time figuring out how to use public transport or waiting in airport lounges, you can enjoy a cool drink on deck whilst the land of Egypt on both banks amazes you with sights never before imagined.
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Madeira is a Portuguese island that is known for dramatic scenery, a lovely year-round climate, and beautiful subtropical flora. ‘The Floating Island’ as this small, unique island is called by the locals offers fascinating landscapes and a rich natural beauty. Madeira is a popular stop on both transatlantic and Western Mediterranean cruise itineraries.
Cruise ships stopping at Madeira dock at Funchal, the main port and capital city of the island, and most cruise lines will provide a shuttle to the town centre. Funchal is a charming old town that has a distinctly colonial feel to it, and offers excellent opportunities for shopping, strolling, dining, and visiting museums and tropical gardens. There are also a number of scenic hiking trails found in and around the city.
The coastline of Madeira is dramatic and rugged, and the beaches found on the island range from volcanic black sand to shingle and pebble beaches; visitors can relax at the many bathing complexes and lidos found here. Other activities to enjoy include a boat trip to Porto Santos, an island with a lovely and inviting sandy beach, or a cable car ride to Monte, an historical old town.
The cuisine found on Madeira, not surprisingly, has a heavy Portuguese influence; specialities include beef kebabs and all kinds of seafood, as well as honey soaked pastries and cakes that include the famous and delicious Madeira cake. Visitors should try and sample the sweet wines that are produced on Madeira, and tastings can be arranged at the numerous wine lodges that are located around the island.
A trip to Madeira also offers travellers the opportunity to check out the unique local handicrafts and folk art, wicker goods, exotic flowers, and embroidery work at the shops in and around Funchal.
Other ports that are visited on cruises that stop at Madeira may include Tangiers, Casablanca, Lisbon, Tenerife, and Barcelona. The ports of call will vary depending on the individual cruise.
Athens: Ancient sites of Wonder
> Posted by channel in City Guides, Travel Destinations, Travel Tips
Widely regarded as the birthplace of Western civilization, Athens is home to a rich history. Once the centre of a great empire, it still remains a vibrant and fascinating city filled with sites that have astounded tourists and locals for many centuries.
The weather in Greece tends toward hot in the summer, which makes the other three seasons better times to plan a holiday in Athens. Once in the city, tourists will find that they can reach major landmarks without needing to travel long distances.
The Acropolis
One of the most visited sites in the city is the Acropolis with its ancient temples demonstrating that the Greeks knew how to design beautiful architecture thousands of years ago. The centrepiece of the Acropolis is the Parthenon, long regarded as the international symbol of both Athens and all of Greece.
The Agora
Another important tourist site is the ancient marketplace known as the Agora. The history of the Agora alone makes it worth a visit. This is the place where the philosopher Socrates discussed justice and morality with his students. Later, the Agora became the setting for St. Paul’s efforts to persuade the ancient Greeks to convert to Christianity.
Signature Spas to Seek during Luxury Caribbean Holidays
> Posted by channel in Travel Destinations, Travel Guides, Worldwide Travel
Enjoying luxury Caribbean holidays and a bit of pampering is easy with a wide network of spas throughout the islands that offer the ultimate signature treatments and advanced techniques. Get polished from head to toe in the best luxury Caribbean spas that cater specifically to visitors. Some award-winning and spectacular full service spas and accommodation includes:
Sandy Lane of Barbados
Designed for tourists who wish to spare no expense, the owner himself is a billionaire investor who owns stakes in Manchester United as well as London City Airport. The 47,000 masterpiece construction is a five star diamond standard luxury resort featuring an award-winning spa. The likes of Rihanna, Elton John and Tiger Woods have either stayed at this luxury hotel or received spa treatments there.
Como Shambhala at Parrot Cay of Turks and Caicos
East meets west at this luxury spa that features ayurvedic therapies and treatments like chickpea scrubs and ginger baths, performed by professionals from all over the world. Como Shambhala is nestled on Parrot Cay’s spectacular and unspoiled 1,000 acre pristine property and makes holistic wellness its top priority, through products, treatments, a relaxing ambiance and healthy cuisine.
BodyHoliday Le Sport of St. Lucia
This resort guarantees a super luxurious stay with a long range of treatments, activities and top of the line catering. A winner of Conde Nast’s 2011 Best Spa Destination in the World Award, everything from archery to Thalgo Marine body treatments is available from the world’s finest practitioners. The diversity of the activities and services here make this a traveller’s favourite.
Rosewood Little Dix Bay of the British Virgin Islands
Luxurious island charm meets true sophistication with award winning fine dining, luxury villas and a relaxing and pampering full service spa. Rosewood Little Dix Bay uses rare ingredients – including indigenous botanical resources – and specializes in progressive techniques. A notable treatment includes the impossible to resist Virgin Gorda Goat Milk & Honey body wrap in the exclusive Cliff Spa Suite for couples.
A Simple Guide to Packing for a Cruise Holiday
> Posted by channel in Cruise Advice and Tips, Travel Destinations, Travel Tips
Deciding what to take with you for a cruise deal holiday can be a difficult task. Depending on the ship and itinerary, your holiday may include events with dress codes, foreign climates and a variety of activities. Making sure you are ready for all these situations will help you to fully relax and enjoy the experience. This guide offers some helpful tips to consider while you are packing your suitcase.
The most important step is to make sure you remember to pack all of the tickets and documentation that you will need for your break; including for the journey to and from the departure port. You may like to put all tickets, passports, visa documents and other paperwork safely together in a folder or envelope, so that they do not get mislaid.
You will need to think about what clothes to bring. Check your cruise itinerary to see if there are any formal dinners or other events that have a dress code and make sure you bring appropriate outfits. If activities or adventure sports are available and you would like to take part, bring suitable clothes for these too. For day-to-day clothing, it can be a good idea to pack outfits that can be mixed and matched as this will save space in your suitcase. It also helps to check the local weather and pack accordingly.
Las Vegas, Nevada truly is a city of lights. Each of the major casinos is brilliantly lit up at night with thousands of individual light bulbs and even ordinary businesses follow suit in an effort to attract customers.
The main attraction of Las Vegas is the array of gambling casinos to be found in the city. There are two major casino areas: downtown Las Vegas and the Strip, also known as Las Vegas Boulevard. The downtown area contains the “original” Vegas where the first casinos were built and now also features the “Fremont Street Experience,” which consists of an entire city street roofed in so that laser-and-music shows can entertain tourists.
The Strip, in contrast, is the place to go to see the themed hotel-casinos that have made Vegas famous. Excalibur resembles a medieval castle complete with roaming knights and ladies, while Luxor is fashioned to resemble an Egyptian pyramid and contains a recreation of the Sphinx as well as a variety of ancient Egyptian artefacts. At Treasure Island, guests can watch an actual pirate battle every evening, complete with full-scale ships, while the Mirage features nightly eruptions of a manmade volcano.
Most major casinos also offer live entertainment shows, which often feature major headline stars. The Rio, for example, located just off the Strip, has had world-famous magicians Penn and Teller performing for ten years, with tickets available almost nightly. Circus Circus takes live entertainment in a different direction and provides free carnival acts several times each day.
There is much more to Las Vegas than the casino scene, however. The Atomic Testing Museum is a case in point. The museum commemorates Nevada’s historic role during the Cold War, when the atomic testing grounds near the city were the site of numerous bomb tests.
Barbados Holidays – A Top Holiday Destinations
> Posted by channel in Travel Destinations, Travel Guides, Travel Tips, Worldwide Travel
Located in the Caribbean Sea, to the east of the Windward Islands, Barbados is an island nation that has become one of the Caribbean’s top tourist destinations. Specialising in luxury holidays, Barbados has something to offer all visitors, whether they are looking for an active, adventure-filled holiday, or simply seeking to relax and unwind while lying on a beach and enjoying a cocktail. The country is known as ‘Little England’ throughout the Caribbean and the culture on the island is a blend of colonial and West Indian traditions.
Barbados holidays are sure to be memorable, with an abundance of luxury resorts throughout the island. Visitors can be thoroughly pampered and resorts are so well equipped that it is possible to enjoy a fulfilling holiday without even leaving the comfort of your hotel. However for those wishing to explore the island, there is plenty to see and do. Water sports are a big draw to the island, with windsurfing, jet-skiing, diving and snorkelling all being popular activities. In addition, in the water, it is possible to swim with sea turtles, an amazing and unique experience.
Barbados has many former plantations to explore, where you can learn more about the history of the island. It is also possible to visit a rum distillery, tour the factory, learning about the production of rum, and sample some of the finished product. Much of the colonial architecture in Barbados still remains and makes interesting viewing, especially in the capital city of Bridgetown.
Where to Go in Scotland
Scotland is quite rightly regarded as one of the most beautiful countries in the world. A relatively small nation with a population of around five million, Scotland nevertheless offers an abundance of sightseeing and holiday opportunities.
Choosing where to go depends on a number of factors. The majority of the population reside in the country’s central belt, and this is where you will find its major cities – Edinburgh (the capital and seat of Scotland’s Parliament), Glasgow (the largest city in Scotland), and Dundee. These urban areas will provide holidaymakers with ample accommodation choices. Scotland is steeped in history and culture, and all three cities are brimming with ancient sites to be explored, as well as numerous museums and art galleries. All of these cities offer world-class shopping and entertainment venues.
Travelling further north brings travellers to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, and Aberdeen, Scotland’s third largest city. Between the central belt and Inverness travellers will find the highest mountain ranges to be found in the British Isles, containing breathtaking scenery and indigenous wildlife including red deer and ospreys.
Glasgow
Glasgow is bursting with places to visit, including the world-renowned Burrell Collection – which is an eclectic collection of paintings, sculptures, medieval weapons and armour, and artefacts from Ancient Rome and Egypt – as well as numerous other art galleries. The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, on the banks of the River Clyde, hosts major exhibitions and stages concerts by international bands and performing artists.
Those who would like to explore what Scotland’s largest city has to offer will find the Menzies Hotel in Glasgow to be an ideal accommodation option. Centrally located in the heart of the city, this luxurious five-star accommodation offers 129 well appointed rooms with floor to ceiling windows which offer splendid city views. Travellers will also find a large assortment of other hotels, self-catering apartments, and hostels located throughout the city which will fit virtually any budget.
The island nation of Barbados in the Caribbean has become a hugely popular destination for luxury holidays. Thanks to the pleasant annual climate, abundance of sandy white beaches, beautiful scenery and laid-back atmosphere, tourists flock to the island to enjoy the pampering and relaxing experience of a holiday in Barbados.
One of the most well-known resorts on the island is that of Sandy Lane. The name Sandy Lane, Barbados has become synonymous with style, elegance and luxury and the resort, which first opened in 1961, prides itself on offering the best of holiday experiences. The resort is situated in a stunning bay on the island’s exclusive Platinum Coast, an area in which 18 of the world’s billionaires are reported to have homes. The original Sandy Lane hotel was demolished and completely rebuilt with the new upgraded resort opening in 2000.
In addition to other leisure facilities, the hotel boasts two 18 hole golf courses, a spa and fitness centre, where guests can be pampered with amazing treatments from around the world. A collection of stylish boutiques is located around the resort for those who wish to indulge in a spot of shopping amongst the relaxation.
Sandy Lane Holidays are often a great way to do some celebrity spotting with many famous faces having stayed at the resort over the years. Famous guests have included Queen Elizabeth II, Tony Blair, Elton John, Jennifer Lopez and Maria Callas, while the resort provides a stunning backdrop for the most exclusive of weddings, with golfer Tiger Woods being amongst those who have been married at Sandy Lane.
An Island Paradise
Although separated from the Australian mainland by a mere 240 kilometres of sea, Tasmania is like a lost world. The landscape contains deep valleys carpeted with thick rainforests teeming with exotic animals, and white sandy beaches stretching to the horizon. As nature reserves comprise over one third of the island, Tasmania is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.
Travelling to and Around Tasmania
Most flights to Tasmania are via Melbourne, so that should really be your first port of call. Once on Tasmania, a coach tour with an expert guide is an excellent way to enjoy the exotic scenery. A number of operators run scheduled excursions to the key attractions on a daily basis. Specialised tours are available for smaller parties, such as the exploration of the island’s wine country.
A very popular way to see the sights of Tasmania and the surrounding area is by boat. There are many spectacular islands off the Tasmanian coast, and the Southern Ocean is one of the world’s best areas for seeing whales, dolphins, and seals.