There are so many cruise options available and the best way to work out which cruises will suit you, and to get the best deals is to click the links above and book online.

Holiday cruises provide the traveler with a very relaxed way to sightsee, and visit multiple ports in the one trip. Imagine watching the sunset over the ocean one evening, then waking up the next day to see it rise over a completely different country, and all without leaving your cabin.

Many companies provide seemingly endless possible combinations for cruises, whether it is a several month adventure, or shorter week long stay, or even a weekend out at sea, there are options of cruises to suit everyone’s taste and budget.

Many companies provide fly / cruise options, which offer excellent value for money, or you can simply book the cruise option and flights and meet the boat at a particular port.


Cruises are available to cover the entire spectrum of price, from budget to luxury, and from tall ships to cruise liners. Many cruises offer all of these options, and the difference is generally the quality and location of the cabin on the ship.

The budget option tends to provide an internal cabin that does not have windows or an ocean view, whereas the luxury option may provide a cabin on the side of the boat with an en-suite and lounge and possible a balcony to enjoy watching the sunsets and sunrises from.

Entertainment on Cruises
Cruises provide such fantastic value for money and are so appealing in this economic climate due to the abundance of specials being advertised and the fact they include; accommodation, transport, entertainment, and meals all in one fare.

Also cruises are available that cross the oceans, or stay on the rivers of Europe, stopping off at major tourist destinations, as well as some not so touristy ports and cities.The quality of the food and wine on cruises is of a very high standard considering the number of people that can travel on the larger cruise liners. The variety of food and the ability to cater for all tastes and nationalities makes them even more attractive. Passengers with specific dietary requirements need not worry!

The chefs on board will happily provide food to cater for people with needs such as; high blood pressure, celiac disease, diabetes, lactose intolerance, vegetarian, kosher, salt free, additive free, or high protein needs.

Whilst cruises sometimes take a little while to get to different destinations, you will never be bored when on-board.

Many cruises often provide fantastic activities such as; casinos, table tennis, aerobics classes, dance lessons, bingo, nightclubs, shopping arcades, gyms, libraries, beauty salons, internet café’s, and not to mention the bars and cinemas available to all passengers.

Many parents may be concerned that travelling with children may disrupt their rest and relaxation time; however they need not worry at all.

Cruises provide special kids clubs aimed to keep them amused while the parents go and play or relax, and can help entertain them between destinations.

Babysitters are also available on cruises, and they will stay in the cabin with the children / babies whilst mummy and daddy enjoy some well earned evenings sharing a special bottle of wine or having fun at the casino or nightclubs.

Imagine visiting seven different Greek Islands, or cruising the coast of Italy and then moving on to another 5 different European countries, all without having to ever carry your suitcase or unpack it more than once during your trip! This is all possible when you decide to book any number of fabulous cruises available online.

Holidays With A Difference!

Sightseeing on Cruises
All cruises provide excellent opportunities to explore and learn about the different cultures and experience amazing sites and the countries and languages they contain. There are organised tours available on most cruises that can be organised on the boat to make things very easy.

Once the ship arrives at a port, there are many tours or opportunities to visit the beach or learn about ancient ruins or visit the many taverns and restaurants in the area. Cruises provide you with the chance to grab a few photographs of the local area, and some postcards to send home to make the friends and family jealous.

The two major expenses on a vacation are usually the travel (fares or fuel) and the holiday accommodation.

These are a set item in your travel budget and while you can make some savings (e.g. cheap flights) they are the two constant costs over which you have little control other than choice of type of fare and lodging. Other expenses such as entertainment, dining, activities and tours are more in your control.

Location
Obviously, the type of vacation you choose will determine the accommodation location to a great extent.  However, if it is too far from the focus of your trip, such as a beach or a ski slope then it may just not suit – after all you don’t want to spend a lot of time going to and from your hotel or wherever you are staying.

If it is a trip to see scenery in a larger area (e.g. Lakes District in the UK), then, perhaps just being near to central is sufficient.  Location can make or break a vacation if you don’t do your research first.


Type Of Accommodation
The type of lodgings will depend on your budget, trip focus, length of stay and location. Nowadays, many hotels and resorts offer a variety of options – family oriented, no kids (!), catering for retirees, sports (e.g. golfing vacations), naturist, cooking (e.g. Tuscany), gay and lesbian, luxury.

And, styles: from 5 Star to caravans and anything in between, including B & B’s, cabins with self catering, chalets, service apartments, pensiones in Rome and motels.

You may need self catering facilities with a kitchen and washing machine, particularly if taking the family. Other types may be hostels for backpacking, or a chalet or resort style apartment to provide comfort and access to facilities. Knowing the type of Accommodation you want can save a lot of time when searching online.

In Paris try this link for good service Paris hotels

Facilities
Again, this aspect depends on budget – having all the ‘bells and whistles” will cost a lot more than a self catering apartment – which, in many ways may be preferable if traveling with children.

Even caravan parks often have pools and recreation areas for kids, so they may be an alternative for the budget conscious family.  Additionally, there is the benefit of a laundry, and, many parks also have site specific bathroom facilities, rather than communal.

It’s standard to expect a TV in resorts and hotels, but the higher the star rating, the more they have in the way of in-room spas, room service, cable, and gyms, plus on site shopping in exclusive stores.

DESIRE RESORT RIVIERA MAYA

Some factors to consider

• Stay reasonably near public transport – this will obviously depend on the size of the place or city you are visiting.
• The point is that after a busy day of sightseeing, shopping or whatever – why subject yourself to a tiring hike from the station back to your lodgings etc?
• This is more so if you are on a trip that involves vigorous physical activity of some sort. After a hard day on the ski slopes, or a hot day on a beach, or from a cross country walk – do you then want to have lug yourself and your gear a long way back to your holiday accommodation?
• This just takes the restfulness out of a holiday.  You don’t have to stay in a central location (can be prohibitively expensive), but staying near public transport access can give you best of both worlds.
• In rural areas it can be smart to research the layout of the region, note what you want to see and then find accommodation central to that region. One, this allows you to stay at the accommodation longer and take advantage of longer stay rates.
• Two, it also allows you to be free of constant checking in and out – and additionally, you can get a better feel for the locale and the people.  Thirdly, the staff get to know you and this can mean better or more personal service.

What do you do is the public transport is poor or not available – then choose to stay as close to the focus of your vacation (e.g. the beach or golf course) as possible.

Costs / Budget
There are many websites available to research both types and costs of accommodation. It may be advisable to confirm the suitability of your choices with a travel agent – to ensure the veracity of what is said on the web pages!

Check availability, and book early to avoid disappointment during peak holiday periods as the best accommodation can be pre-booked years in advance.

Always obtain an email confirmation of your reservation with a booking number, and re-confirm within the week of your departure. Take copies with you – to ensure that when you arrive you get what you contracted for.

Many discounts and bargains can be found when traveling out of the peak tourist / holiday season. In countries such as Italy.

The start and end of the summer tourist season can provide some great bargains and the weather and climate is still generally perfect for getting out and seeing the sights.

You can also negotiate about rates, even in places like London – when the off season means they are looking for people to stay.  Use sites like Last Minute Hotels and so on – they buy blocks of accommodation to sell at discounts.

If you are going to the tropics, just be sure you aren’t traveling in hurricane season!

Whatever accommodation you decide upon, be it  hotels, resorts, backpacking hostels, bed and breakfast chalets, apartments, or a house, enjoy your holiday and relax in the thought that you have done your homework and found the best accommodation for yourself

China experienced a period of havoc after the Chinese Communist Party took control in 1949. The Traditional Chinese Culture was totally ruined and the whole generation of intellectuals was persecuted. So even the majority of Chinese people do not know the real Chinese culture either.

In consequence this root problem has made information on real Chinese culture often unavailable to foreigners. In China, if you are traveling there or doing business there, please bear in mind that the culture in the main stream society there is actually a modernized Communist culture instead of traditional Chinese culture.

The foreign traveler to China needs to remain conscious of the fact that it is not a democratic culture, that the language is ambiguous even in translation, and that it a very large country – with varying degrees of modernization occurring all over its landscape.

It is also a very traditional country and places much importance on etiquette, and dress codes tend to be conservative.

Being well prepared – with good information about places you want to visit – how to travel domestically there – possessing good travel insurance – and giving your self enough time – will make your vacation there much more enjoyable.

There is almost an endless list of sights to see.  Beijing alone, with the Forbidden City and the old Imperial Gardens of the summer palace, offers plenty to see.  The gardens are well worth the time spent there – they are quite extraordinary.

Of course, the Great Wall of China is one of the great wonders of the world.  Considering it is over 7,000 kilometers long, you can access it at different points of your journey around China, including near Beijing (about a 40 minute drive).

Many people hire local guides when they travel in China – and any good hotel will have a list of reliable people who can smooth the way for you as you make your way around cities and regions of interest.

Suggestions

1. Ming dynasty tombs
2. terracotta warriors
3. imperial palace
4. Tiananmen square
5. temple of heaven
6. The Olympic stadium

And of course Chinese cuisine – especially Peking duck!

Shanghai – ultra modern city, and Hong Kong for shopping should also be considered as alternative cities to visit.

Practical Tips

• Have complete travel insurance
• Hire a guide
• Take appropriate clothes for the weather – the climate is quite diverse
• Don’t over-pack – travel light.
• Allow plenty of time for visa applications – if you also visit Hong Kong, you may need a multiple-entry visa.
• Check out times for festivals – these can be great fun to see – though it may pay to avoid major holidays as many workers in China return home on these days.
• Medical – check the CDC for any vaccination needs at least 8 weeks before departure
• Watch out for counterfeit Yuan when exchanging money.
• Credit cards are not as widely accepted as in the USA – cash is the norm.  Discover is more widely accepted than other cards.
• As a rule, tips remain an insult – except in tourist traps
• Traffic in China can be very dangerous, and driving in China is not for the faint hearted.

In touristy places in China be cautious about unknown people approaching you on the street and striking up a conversation in English, as this may be a prelude to a scam.

Discover Ireland

Because of the great Irish migrations of the late 18^th Century and early 19^th century, many people in the USA, Canada and Australia derive from Irish stock and nowadays seek to discover Ireland where their forebears came from.

There are many places of great interest to see in Ireland, as well as the beautiful untouched countryside. The locals are extremely friendly, and the food and drink homely.

The population is about 6 million, and the country is divided into Northern Ireland, a part of Great Britain and Eire (Ireland).  Access to Ireland is direct from the US – or it can be accessed by plane and boat from England – or by plane from Europe.

Although steeped in history, visitors will feel extremely at home, as the country villages are still very traditional, with pubs providing local entertainment such as Ceilidh bands and Irish Dancing on a regular basis. The pubs tend to be a meeting place for most villages, and deals are done, produce swapped, and much Guinness drunk.

Visiting the principal cities of Belfast and Dublin takes you back in time with the historic buildings and Universities, as well as the friendly atmosphere and great shopping.

Northern Ireland is home to the Giants Causeway, which is a geological marvel of Basalt pipes (look like Church organ pipes) that appear at the coast and continue under the seas to Scotland.

Belfast is steeped in history of wars and battles with the English, but still remains a part of the United Kingdom and is home to many of England’s high level IT workers.

There are many tours on offer and the one around the Guinness factory is very popular with sampling and items to purchase. As it is a small country, it is easy to get around by car – for the tourist from any English speaking country there are usually no complications.

The counties of the Irish countryside offer the avid tourist many beautiful sights – the ‘green’ landscape of the ‘Emerald Isle’, ancient castles, churches, pilgrimage spots and welcoming people who love to meet visitors.

Take your walking boots and raincoats and enjoy the peaceful countryside, with amazing walks along the coast and to small fishing villages.

This country has it all, enjoy a guided tour by Bus, or Hire a car and see the west coast and its untouched beauty. Visit and enjoy the ‘Luck of the Irish’.

Everyone knows about the familiar Florida tourist attraction such as Disney World, Universal Studios and other big “tourist” attractions.

However, Florida is more than them – indeed there is a world of different options that you can choose for a Florida vacation that are unique and equally interesting.

For real information from people living there, I recommend you explore Florida Backroads Travel.  There you will find great information on museums, wineries parks, towns, attractions, heritage and more to help you plan a unique Florida with a difference vacation.

Sure there is Miami and Ft Lauderdale – but they aren’t the sum of the State.  Check out a quick review of the State’s heritage,  history and attractions and get ideas from this.

If nothing else you can’t go there without visiting the Keys in the south of the State. Romance, history, offbeat, great eating are part of what you will discover.

Sure if you have kids, or the ‘kid’ in you needs satisfying, then arrange to visit Disneyworld and so on.

But balance it with a visit to some of Florida’s off the main track beauty spots and places of interest.

Read more at Florida Backroads Travel and see what a local thinks and recommends.

Florida Keys Coral

For the sake of this article LA refers to more than just the legal definition of Los Angeles as a city – we include the larger metropolitan region such as the separate counties or municipalities like Orange County where Disneyland is, Pasadena, Burbank, Santa Monica and so forth.

For those from small cities and towns, the sheer size or spread of LA is at first daunting and amazing. This is then reinforced when you get into traffic and have to navigate your way through, over, and under the maze of freeways that intertwine and interconnect LA and the surrounding regions such as Orange County, Hollywood, Santa Monica and so on.

So the first tip for an LA trip – take cabs! Let others have the stress of having to ‘muscle’ their way through the traffic and complexity of the road system.  Well, also check out the public transport as well.

Depending on the season or time of year – a simple “Google For It” will help you find many packages and tours that will no doubt match your needs.

This article isn’t about promoting specific packages – but more to just offer some ideas to whet your appetite and encourage you to really consider visiting this amazing, maddening, fabulous city.

Do It DifferentlyIn Los Angeles

Of course, you probably have to see Disneyland, Universal Studios and Hollywood – that’s part of its magic which we have grown up with. If nothing else, it brings the kid in you back alive!

However, LA is much more than that.  It is all those things we are familiar with from the cinema – and it is also a living breathing city not quite like any other.


It is an urban sprawl – that seems at once desperately degraded and worn out – yet having some spectacular architecture – in both the private and public domains.

The homes in Beverly Hills are out of this world (as are some of the occupants) and then there is the extraordinary Frank Gehry building for the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

LA is a city of extremes and contradictions – self-indulgence, celebrity obsession, fantastic cultural offerings, ghettoes of crime and deprivation, fashion, movies, world class universities, sophistication, smog and sun, sex, business, beaches and so much more.

Some attractions

• The Walt Disney Concert Hall (do see this!)
• Hollywood Museum
• LEGOLAND California
• Guinness World Records Museum
• The Queen Mary
• Petersen Automotive Museum
• Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
• Getty Museum (You have to see this to believe it!)
• Venice Beach
• Kodak Theater
• Hollywood Bowl
• The home of the Dodgers and the Lakers!

Always travel safely in LA – know where you are going – before you go.  Although LA has been experiencing significant decline in crime since the mid 1990s, it only a foolish person who goes off the beaten track into suburbs that are the territory of gangs and other illicit activities.

Pix courtesy Wikipedia

The article title To Live and Die In LA comes from the 1985 movie of the same name which starred CSI’s William Peterson

While not a vacation choice for all, nevertheless naturist holiday resorts are suitable for families and not places for sex adventurers or voyeuristic opportunists.  There is a huge selection in Europe, quite a few in the US and even in countries where there aren’t many, there are often legal nude beaches.

Nudists simply believe that there is nothing immoral or psychologically awry with going about naked and simply apply this to their preferred choice of vacation options.  Generally, in a world that has twisted ideas about sexuality, this is seen as a healthy attitude.

It obviously becomes very normal as people become accustomed to being naked – and then vacationing life continues as in any resort.  Well, the laundry bill is significantly lower!  And, you don’t have to pack a whole lot either!

The options range from the small, private and discreet to full service locations which are almost like small towns.  Most, if not all, are clothing optional, and indeed may require being dressed in parts of the venues provided.

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BOOK YOUR NEXT VACATION WITH NFN AND ENJOY THE FREEDOM

So if you want to bank naked? Shop naked? Dine naked? Buy baguettes at a brasserie naked? Lay out on a vibrant Mediterranean beach naked? Visit Cap d’Agde, the world’s capital of nudism.

This coastal town features a nudist resort with a three-mile beach, as well as its own doctors, banks, shopping and dining, just for the nudists.

France is, of course, known for its laid-back attitude about nudity. Visitors can freely go topless at just about any Mediterranean beach. But Cap d’Agde takes it all to a new level of hedonism and free living. Cap d’Agde, situated in the lush Languegoc region, is also close to many other wonderful French destinations.

Favored places are beaches and the rural countryside.  Activities are wide and varied depending on the location and size of the resort.  Anything from hiking, tennis, pools, bike hikes, horse riding and volleyball (I wish they wouldn’t!) are likely to be found.  You can even choose a clothing optional cruise!

Of course, simply vegging out in the sun is de rigueur.

So for a holiday with a difference, check out all the options available for nudist vacations.

NudistFriends.com – the largest nudist personals site!

One of the good things about this type of holiday – for scuba diving adventures the best places are in the Southern Hemisphere or in the tropics – and thus provide a good excuse to escape the northern winter for a while.

The weather is always mild in the South Pacific, and never cold in any location that straddles the tropics.   So snow and ice can be left behind and forgotten.

The choice is extensive and the variety is very wide – from the well known to those off the beaten track.  Asia is becoming a great spot for water holidays – with some unique places to go. 

The Similan Islands and other small islands dot the coast near Phuket and offer amazing diving and snorkeling opportunities in unspoiled surroundings

The various trips are geared for both beginners and the proficient – so no one misses out on the fun.  The range of options go from snorkeling in crystal clear waters to exploring reefs to the deep dives to underwater wrecks.

For the uninitiated, lessons and guides are always available – in fact you can’t go if you don’t have preparation first – safety is the number one priority.


Scuba diving and snorkeling holidays can be exclusively for that – plus relaxing evenings with good wines and fine dining at the local nightlife venues.  Or, if your choice is somewhere like the Red Sea, then your trip can have the added bonus of also touring up the Nile to see the wonders of the Land of the Pharaohs.

In fact, it is a good idea to make sure you set aside time to explore the country you visit.  From Phuket to Bangkok or Chiangmai is not onerous on the time or the pocket.

It is good to see a country from a different perspective than that gained from a beach resort – which is generally westernized anyway.

So go enjoy a holiday scuba diving and snorkeling – from surface paddling to even gaining diving certification.

It is a real adventure to go to a new place for scuba and snorkeling

Complete travel arrangements from twosomes to groups are catered for and tailored to the specific needs of the traveling golfer.  This includes the baggage allowance for golf clubs and bags right down to organized tee-times.

Golfing holidays are a great thing for an overseas trip however, most of the famous courses are right in the USA – Pebble Beach, Palm Springs, Myrtle Beach and so on.

The great thing about a golf vacation is to both play your favorite game every day, but also to benefit from the exercise and then have evenings free to relax, wine and dine.


They also give a great excuse to visit Mexico and Hawaii, Europe and Australia – both to play the game and to see new countries and enjoy new experiences at the same time.

Of course, one of the world’s oldest golf course at St Andrews in Scotland is a  golfers “Mecca” – if you can get on to it – as it is usually booked a year in advance.  There are actually seven courses administered by the St Andrews Links Trust – so you should get onto at least one!

Then, there is nearby Ireland – which has the added attraction of Guinness on tap at the 19^th hole.  The beauty of taking a golfing holiday in the UK is that the distances between great courses are small compared to the USA – so time saved is more golf time!

The other great thing about golfing tours is that they are usually organized by other enthusiasts who understand a golfer’s needs.  In fact, that is one of the best things about any themed vacation – they are planned etc by like-minded people who know their stuff.

This means less serendipity, confusion or having to do things that you don’t want to do.

The vacation is targeted to your specific requirements – and the rest is just choosing which of the golfing vacations available you want.

No matter where you go, staying in wine country is a wonderful way to see a new place from a different perspective than the usual round of ancient ruins, monuments, museums, galleries and capital cities.

Furthermore, as you will be in rural areas, you could combine the two with another favorite travel option – the golf tour.

Whether it be the Sonoma Valley in California, the Margaret River wineries of Western Australia, the Rhone region in France or any of the many wine regions in Italy, the wine country lifestyle will not only prove to be of great interest, but can be fitted to any budget.

You, of course, can take a packaged tour, but it is advisable to also include time to do your own thing when visiting any wine producing region.  A leisurely pace is best – so that you can both wine and dine to more fully experience the richness of the local wines, with local food – rather than just rush around tasting it all.

One idea is that when you go to a town or region associated with wine production, take the time to meet the locals – perhaps in a bar, at a café, in a restaurant.  From them you can learn many of the ‘hidden’ or not well known secrets about the best wines that are made there.

Listen to what the locals say are good wines and find out what they drink themselves.  They won’t always be the famous labels – but they will be quality and probably much more affordable.

So where to go on a travel and wine vacation?

If it your first time and it’s Europe where you are traveling to – then you can’t go past the Bordeaux region of France.  Rightly renowned for its wines, you can get a wide range of options to fit both your pocket and tastes.

Bordeaux is France’s largest wine region, yet surprisingly its most prestigious part, the Médoc, is also the youngest. It wasn’t until the Dutch drained this flat, gravelly, marsh in the mid-17th century that the merchants of Bordeaux, keen to compete with the wine trade between Portugal and Britain (this was the time that port was ‘discovered’), planted vines.

History, politics, commerce and engineering have all played their part in shaping the wine that has become synonymous with Bordeaux.

If you go to Italy, then almost any rural area will have good wines – simply base your selection on the type of wine you prefer.

There is no question that wine is synonymous with Italy. Making wine in Italy is like breathing – it is sewn into the fabric of Italian life. There are 900,000 registered vineyards scattered throughout Italy.

Italy is the number one wine-producing country in the world and Italians consume an average of 14.5 gallons of wine per person, per year, making them third in the world for consumption. For years, Italian wines were considered not much more than table wines but they have come into their own in recent years. No visit to Italy is complete without experiencing Italian wine at the source – the vineyard.

If you want something completely different as a tourist experience, yet still include wine and travel, then the Margaret River region of Western Australia is a must.  It is vast country, but this region is easily accessible from the State capital of Perth – and offers many other tourist sights and experiences to vary your wine touring holiday.

And, last but not least, is the rich experience of the Napa Valley in California – where a combination holiday of dining with local wines is a must.