Traveling Through Europe

By : Jonathon Hardcastle
The summer of 2005, my friend and I decided to apply for a summer program as part of our graduate degree and travel from United States to Europe and specifically to Brugges in Belgium, so as to attend an intensive seminar at The College of Europe on Politics, Policies, Lobbying and the European Union. Although I have never visited Belgium before, I was really excited to discover, while browsing the internet, that I was about to visit one gorgeous and historical city of the "Old Continent," while enhancing my academic knowledge and meeting new people.

Before leaving the US we printed any information we could find regarding the city's tourist locations, interesting cafes and historic buildings. Although Brugges is a very small town, it offers a lot of possibilities to those interested in exploring its excitements. But even if it surpassed our expectations, visiting only one European town or country seemed a waste for such a trip. Thus, we decided in advance to research the opportunities a young graduate student has while traveling around in Europe and the most convenient, cheap and interesting way to go from city to city and country to country was via train. The Eurorail trains are the simpler way people have to visit a variety of European destinations, as boarding a train actually offers to the adventure-seekers the possibility of having an extraordinary trip and admiring the countryside in the meantime.

In fact, upon the completion of the summer program, we packed our bags and traveled from Brussels to Amsterdam. The Netherlands' capital was a combination of beauty and adventure. The city streets, the people walking or bicycling around, the nice weather and its countless river docks create a unique combination of images, which are food for hungry eyes-like ours. Since we had less than 48 hours available to see as much as possible, we decided to pay a visit at the Van Gogh Museum, walk the Red District by night, and of course take the tram to travel through the city and gaze its unbelievable beat.

Next stop was Paris, France. Lucky as we were to find an available and affordable room as soon as we got off the train station, the next thing was to find a map of the city and its incredible metro system and travel around to check everything! Notre Dame, bridges, the Eiffel Tower, the Bastille, Champs-Elysees, small cafes and long walks across the Seine River or through the area of Montmartre, made our stay in Paris unforgettable. In fact, one of the best pictures we got from this trip was in front of the Arc de Triomphe and we took it by ourselves-both faces appear on the frame. Monte Carlo was our next and most expensive destination, but its beaches and sun gave our trip a legendary feel.

Next, we visited Italy. Florence and Venice, two of the most important trade cities in Europe offered us some life-time opportunities. Historical monuments, paved streets, canals, museums, restaurants and Italian cafes convinced us that Italy is actually much more than an interesting destination. In fact, I fall-in-love with almost every single building we crossed and by the time we had to catch our plain back, I though we have made a huge mistake; our eight day trip should have lasted a lifetime.

London - Top Five Attractions

By : ian Williamson
London is a city rich and varied in history and yet has a blend of modern facets to please any type of traveler. With hundreds of art galleries, museums and dozens of other attractions including zoos, music, theater and nightlife, it is no wonder that London is one of the most popular cities in the world. A visit to London should include these five must see attractions:

Westminster Abbey

This church, burial ground and coronation site, all rolled into one, is the final resting place of great kings, poets and other British notables. Westminster Abbey is still used as a church for religious services and events on a regular basis. The works of art, which are contained in the Abbey, make the visit truly worthy. Inside the west entryway hangs a painting of Richard II. This portrait was painted in 1390 and is the oldest portrait of a British monarch on display today.

Buckingham Palace

The official residence of British monarchy, Buckingham Palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in England. The best time to visit is in August and September when the Palace's 19 staterooms are open to the public. However, various areas of the Palace are open year round and tourists can still see the spectacular architecture of the building and other exhibits. A walk through the 40-acre grounds and gardens is a must as is the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Tower of London

Many have heard of the Tower of London, but not everyone knows it served as a prison for many years. The original structure was built to be used as a fort by William the Conqueror around 1100 AD. Later the Tower evolved into a prison and then into a monument for the sizable collection of Crown Jewels which are still on display today. The highlight of the collection is the 530-carat Star of Africa. The pear shaped diamond is the 2nd largest in the world and was extracted from a South African mine. The Royal Armouries are also an interesting stop at the Tower of London. The spiral staircase running up the interior is the only way up and this British national museum of arms and armour has more than 40,000 pieces on display.

Trafalgar Square

This large, open plaza is often the site of political demonstrations and other public events in London. Aside from being the intersection for several major streets, the square is a great gateway to sightseeing in the area. On the north side of Trafalgar Square, you will find the National Gallery, one of the world's prime art museums. To the west, you will come across Canada House, where visiting Canadians can get a taste of home; it's worth a visit for everyone. South Africa House is on the east side and although it is closed to the public, the stone arches with African animals are worth a look. When you have seen all there is in Trafalgar Square, be sure to visit 10 Downing Street, the home of British Prime Ministers since 1732 and the Churchill Museum, both are located within walking distance of the square.

Harrods

What would a trip to London be without a little shopping? The world's greatest department store, Harrods, is great even for the window shoppers. And, for those who are looking to spend a bit of dough, this million square feet of merchandise is every shoppers dream. In fact, Harrods motto is - Omnia Omnibus Ubique - which means "All Things For All People Everywhere". Although it has been around for 150 years, Harrods is as modern as the latest iPod. Many of its departments, including the seasonal Christmas shop and the Food Hall, are world famous for their quality and abundance of selection. Where else can you choose from 300 different types of cheese?

These top five London attractions will get you started but you will discover London has so much to do and see a second visit will be in order.
Author Resource:- For more London Articles by Ian Williamson please visit http://www.real-articles.com/Category/UK/190

The Alaska Adventure

By : Jonathon Hardcastle
Six months ago, one of my best friends called me to announce that she was going to visit Alaska and participate in a hiking group adventure! I admired her enthusiasm and her ability to overcome with ease any usual reservations one would experience when thinking of exploring an unknown land surrounded by strangers. Although my schedule did not allow me to accept her invitation and join this one-in-a-lifetime excursion, I decided to research on the opportunities Alaska gives to interested individuals and why would it pay off for someone to spend his or her summer vacations on a snow land.

Located on the northwest tier of North America and being the largest U.S. state in area, although the least populated one, Alaska is one of the greatest places one could visit to get a sense of nature's wilderness. Apart from seafood exports, Alaska's economy depends on industries such as natural resource, extraction, shipping and transportation. Recently, Alaska has been enjoying a great increase in its tourism sector. Visitors from around the globe have been allured by Alaska's beauty and decided to discover this land's amazing scenery of calm lakes and snowy mountain tops. Since Alaska is arguably the least-connected U.S. state in terms of road transportation, it offers a great opportunity, for those willing to explore the unknown, to visit its immense landscape by using one of the "alternative" ways of traveling. Backpacking, hiking and climbing, kayaking, rafting, cruising, dogsled riding, and camping or RV touring, can offer to visitors the chance to perform a number of outdoor activities, like bear watching, birding, fishing, flight seeing, glacier viewing, hunting and wildlife viewing. Alaska constitutes one of the most adventurous places one could visit and people that have explored this icy place on earth stated that its ecotourism is beyond compare.

"North to the Future" is the official state motto of Alaska, portraying this land as one of promise. If you hope that one of these days you will be given a chance to expose your eyes to Alaska's beauty, stop wishing and act. The Internet offers some amazing deals for you and your friends to enjoy again nature in its fullest and special packages can accommodate your needs and fulfill your wishes. You should always consider visiting a new place during your vacations. Why not exploring one of the purest places on this planet? Alaska is not just another place for you to engage in any outdoor activities. Some believe that it is THE place!

Planning A Vacation Getaway In London

By : Lee Dobbins
London is indeed one of the most popular choices when it comes to tourist destinations. This mainly explains why their airports are often considered as one of the busiest in the world since a lot of passengers come in and out. Interest springs from the fact that the city manifests a healthy fusion of the ancient times and the effervescent present. It likewise openly embraces what the far along future has to offer. London never loses its magnetism because of its ever-dynamic image that lures all people of varied backgrounds and interests.

Getting to London is very easy as they have five international airports ready to serve you. Once there, going around will not be much of a problem as there are different modes of transportation that you can choose from like taxi cabs, train, buses, and underground. You will never run out of places to visit and activities to do as each area offers something interesting so better arm yourself with enough energy to completely enjoy such a once-in-a-lifetime extravaganza.

Social scenes are generally vivacious in North London where you can find attractive interior suburbs like Islington and Camden Town. Areas in West London, on the other hand, are high-end in nature, examples of which are Kensington and Belgravia. A lot of major attractions may be found there like the Royal Albert Hall and Kew Gardens. It is a first-rate place for shopping and appreciation of outstanding architecture. If diversity is what you desire, then East London is the best place to be. There you will find something trendy and modern as well as something historic and deeply cultural. Central London is quite easy to explore as the spots within it are in proximity to each other like Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, London Aquarium, London Eye, Southbank, Tower Bridge, and Tower of London. Moving downward is an area influenced by different cultures and this is what South London is known for.

These only prove that in any area of London, there will definitely be a part where you can identify yourself with and enjoy. This furthers London's welcoming appeal as it appreciates and promotes everyone's individuality and uniqueness. If art, for example, is what appeals to you, art galleries are numerous and widely spread in different areas like the Tate Art Galleries, The Royal Academy, The National and the National Portrait Gallery, and many others. Each of these boasts of extensive and magnificent collections. Similarly, there are also several museums within the city like The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Science Museum, and Natural History Museum which are all located in the Kensington area. These and many others attract the attention of both young and old.

Performing arts seem to have successfully blossomed in London too. In fact, London is considered as its home base in England, specifically in West London. Thus, you need not be surprised when presented with so many options when surveying for a theatre.

Furthermore, if you aim for relaxation that is close to nature, parks are the best place to be. Fortunately, there is literally an abundance of green spaces in London. You may easily take advantage of the sunny days and lull your time off at places like St. James Park, Green Park, Hyde Park, and Regent Park. A day or so away from the busyness and complexity of the modern world is definitely worth all your time. Just a simple walk or sport in these types of places will surely soothe your senses.

Of course, food tripping often comes with any great vacation. This is specifically apt in London as the food choices are as varied as the lifestyle and culture of the people living in it. Cuisines come from all parts of the globe. If you are a little concerned about the prices in most restaurants which are quite high, you may want to try out other options like ethnic eating places, good pubs, and convenience stores. Better yet, you may want to plan ahead of time for a picnic at the park of your choice.

With this wide array of activities and places to choose from, a vacation in London will surely make time run out so easily. It will even be more exciting if you are going to enjoy such wonderful experience with your family and loved ones. Indeed, you can never go wrong in choosing London as your next vacation destination.

Unique Islands Offer a Luxurious Seychelles Vacation

By : Robert Scheer
The Seychelles islands cluster, off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, is a tropical remote location. This collection of 115 islands is home to some of the world's rarest wildlife. Unlike many of the other island clusters in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles is large enough to support a healthy population of natives. Because some of the islands are fairly distant from one another, travel between them is accomplished by small airplanes, ferry or helicopter. If seeing nature is the goal, a private helicopter transport between islands is breathtaking.

On the capital island Victoria, there are marketplaces filled with cultural arts and crafts, museums detailing the rich French culture of the area, five-star restaurants featuring exquisite local cuisine and even a golf-course. Many Seychelles hotels and resorts are attractive destinations in and of themselves. On some of the smaller islands it is possible to schedule a local guide for a hiking trip or boat tour around the island. On these nature excursions, a glimpse of the rare giant tortoise is not uncommon. In addition, the islands feature lush green jungles alive with local birds, like the glamorous Seychelles Flycatcher. In fact, the Garden of Eden, from the Judaeo/Christian faith, is said to be located in the Vallee de Mai on Praslin Island. Be sure to visit this magnificent place. Protecting wildlife as a natural resource is so important to the culture of these islands that many have been designated as wildlife conservatories and refuges.

For the more adventuresome vacation, there are high impact activities galore. Most of these islands are made from the natural upheaval of coral reefs; the surrounding waters are teeming with reef fish and beautiful living corals. This environment provides a perfect location for scuba divers and snorkelers. Many resorts offer classes in scuba and rentals for the equipment necessary to become immersed in this natural wonder. To further experience the Indian Ocean at its finest, surfboards and para sails are available for rental at many Seychelles hotels and resorts. In addition, if sailing is of interest, there is a yacht club on the capital island and many of the resorts have sailboats for hourly rent. Sailing through the beautiful clear waters and the gentle breeze surrounding these magnificent islands is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Although the cities in the Seychelles Islands are fairly modern, especially in the capital district, many of the smaller remote islands still contain Creole natives that are untouched by civilization. Be sure to visit these with the local natives that inhabit some of the remote islands and learn how they make a living by farming and fishing in the traditional way. By visiting with these people and removing oneself from civilization, even for only an hour, is a life changing experience and will instill a feeling of appreciation of nature.

Whether you are interested in hiking, sailing, scuba diving, culture, food or relaxation, Seychelles Island hotels and resorts offer something for everyone. Their secluded locale, scintillating scenery and friendly natives make the Seychelles Islands an unforgettable vacation experience like no other.

London Vacation Attractions

By : Lee Dobbins
London is among the most famous cities in the whole world. Millions of tourists flock to it every year, but most of them are not able to explore the entire city and witness its grandeur. Thus many visitors return to London during several vacations to relish more of its wonderful attractions. If you are yet to see this beautiful city, or if you have already went there but still want to see more of what it can offer, consider visiting the following attractions that will truly make your visit unforgettable:

1. The Tower of London - one of the most important sites in the great city. Consider yourself not being in London if you have not been to this attraction. This medieval fortress houses the world famous Crown Jewels. It is also known as a prison and execution sites of many of England's historical icons including Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard, and the Duke of Norfolk.

2. The Tower Bridge - this drawbridge serves as the easternmost entry of Thames. It also has a museum which allows tourists to walk along the old pedestrian paths to have a great view of the city. It is a must see for any London vacation.

3. The London Eye - this is one of the newest attractions in the city, created by the British Airways. It is a giant Ferris Wheel that sports 32 closed capsules that allow people to have a 360-degree view of the great historical city. A great theme park, this can make a vacation fun for any age.

4. Westminster Abbey - this famous religious site is known for being the venue for many coronations of English monarchs as well as their burial. It boasts of great architecture that exemplifies the style of the 13th and 16th centuries.

5. The British Museum - an art and history museum. This attraction is home to one of the world's largest collections of antiquities from ancient Rome, Greece, and Asia. It also houses artifacts from prehistoric and ancient Britain.

6. The Buckingham Palace - you probably know this as the home of the British Royal Family. Be sure not to miss the changing of the guards, which is one of London's iconic attractions.

7. The Houses of Parliament - this site combines three attractions in one. It is the location of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, and the Big Ben, which is probably the most recognizable attraction in the city. It exemplifies great gothic architecture from the Victorian era.

8. The National Gallery - this gallery is home to a great collection of European paintings. The great thing about this attraction is that the entrance is free. The permanent collection encompasses paintings from 1250 to 1900 from Western Europe.

9. St. Paul's Cathedral - this historic site has been the venue of many notable events such as the funeral of Winston Churchill and the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales. It is an architectural masterpiece rebuilt by renowned Christopher Wren in 1710. This is also one of London's attractions that offers a great view of the city, with its 530-stair high gallery.

10. Shakespeare's Globe Theater - this theater is a reconstruction of the original Globe theater where several of Shakespeare's plays were first showcased. It is a replica of the original theater and is considered to be a historical site. A great site for a cultural vacation.

11. Trafalgar Square and the Admiralty Arch - this attraction is a monument honoring England's most respected maritime heroes. Its main feature is the statue of Lord Horatio Nelson that stands 145 feet high. It is also considered to be the centermost part of London. The Admiralty Arch, which is just across this landmark, was built in 1910.

12. Sir John Soane's Museum - this attraction is an exemplification of eccentric architecture. It features a unique and unusual combination of colors, curious perspectives, and a weird display of ornaments from different historical periods.

13. Notting Hill - this very fashionable and trendy district has been popularized by a film starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. It has a very characteristic and cozy feel of a small village.

There are many other great attractions in the great city of London. A few days of vacation in the city would not be enough to see them all. However that might be an excuse to keep on returning to this fabulous city over and over again - an ordeal that you probably would not mind.

Author Resource:- Lee Dobbins writes for http://london.travel-cents.com/ where you can learn more about London vacations and sightseeing.

Las Vegas Vacationing Tips

By : Dave Poon
Are you planning for a Las Vegas vacation? You should be very well prepared before taking a flight in one of the busiest places in Nevada.

You might end up short on your budget or with no hotels to check in if you did not call for reservations. You should also have enough money to savor everything you want to experience in the city.

There are many places to visit and things to do in Las Vegas. The city itself and the surrounding areas are attractions already. You may walk on the strip and savor the wonders of its casinos and luxurious hotels.

Leisure and business activities are non stop in this busy city. At night, you may have the option of watching shows and have fun gambling on its famous casinos. When you want a vacation full of entertainment and fun, then this is the perfect destination.

Generally, the main attractions of the city are its hotels and casinos. The most popular hotels are the MGM Grand, The Ritz Carlton, Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower, The Mirage and the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel.

Other popular sight attractions in Las Vegas are the hotels and casinos' free shows like the Bellagio's water fountain ballet, masquerade show at the Rio, and the Mirage's volcano white tiger exhibit. Aside from its hotels and casinos, the museums are also places worth visiting.

However, you should prepare well before making the trip to Las Vegas especially if it is your first time. Here are some Las Vegas vacation tips that will help you to experience the best Las Vegas vacation.

1. Look and book for hotel reservations ahead preferably 2 to 3 weeks before taking the flight. It is also recommended that you purchase tickets early. You will find flights that require advance purchase of tickets, in this way you can avoid long piles of lines in the airport for ticket buys.

2. If it is your first time in the city, make sure that you stay near the strip. The strip is the best place for you to enjoy. You will savor the beauty of Vegas attractions such as the white tigers at the mirage, fountains of the Bellagio, pirates show at the Treasure Island and the lions' den of the Mirage.

3. Most of the hotels and casinos are just a few steps away. You may not need to rent a car. Staying a hotel at the center of the city would be a perfect choice to stay in.

4. Exclusive shows in the hotels and casinos may really cost expensive. You may save money by going to free shows which are also main attractions in Las Vegas. You may watch free circus acts at the Circus Circus. Visit the human statue Venetian, watch the Pirate Show at the Treasure Island, see the M&M store at New York Street and enjoy the fountain exhibition at the front of the Bellagio.

When visiting Las Vegas, remember these tips on what you can do in the city especially if you do not have enough budget to enjoy expensive entertainment. It is up to you on how to have a great time in Las Vegas. For sure, you will never forget your first Las Vegas experience.

Author Resource:- Dave Poon is an accomplished writer who specializes in
the latest in Travel and Vacationing. For more information regarding Las Vegas Vacation please drop by at http://www.vacationingtoday.com/

Caution When Traveling Overseas

By : Eric Seminara

You need to take care of yourself wherever you are, but even more so when you are traveling. It is easy to fall pray to an illness when you are in a foreign land because your body has not yet had the opportunity to shift to the atmosphere, cuisine and environment in a new place and this can have consequences. Traveling can put you in contact with germs that your body simply isn't used to.

What you need to remember if your traveling overseas is to find out what vaccinations you'll need initially because many countries maintain different requirements. In the United States, call your doctor or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to get a list of the important vaccinations. You'll need to allow plenty of time for this step in case you need to get vaccines that require more than one dose.

The three most prevalent afflictions that occur when traveling overseas are jet lag, altitude sickness, and diarrhea. When you travel globally, the change in daylight can confuse your body, resulting in jet lag. Jet lag can cause any number of problems from an upset stomach, to insomnia, and lethargy. You can avoid jet lag; for example, when traveling from west to east, you need stay out of the sun until a day after you've arrived. If you're traveling from east to west, exercise or take a walk after you touch down.

Dry air, a decrease in oxygen, and low barometric pressure are what cause altitude sickness. When you travel to a greater altitude than that to which you're used it can be a common problem. Issues such as dehydration, shortness of breath and headaches can plague you. Find out what elevation you're traveling to before you go this way you can prepare yourself.Slowly increase your altitude every day to get used to it. If that isn't possible, cetazolamide can help prevent symptoms. Check with your doctor before you set off .

Diarrhea can be a grave issue. Traveler's diarrhea is called turista, and is usually the result of a foreign microbe entering your digestive tract. This usually can occur when you consume food or water that has been contaminated. To prevent turista, be cautious of the food you eat and the water you drink on your trip.
Author Resource:- Eric Seminara likes to help fellow travelers who also may not be as well versed in overseas travel as he is. Go go CruiseShipVacationsOnline.comto find more information about overseas cruise travel.

Luxury family cruises - enjoy nature with your loved ones

By : Nicky Pilkington

A family is a family is a family. Why would any one take a vacation, just to have a nice time with the near and dear ones? And what a place to do it- the cruises.

You define quality in terms of enjoyment with your family. But when was the last time you had this 'quality time? If the answer is 'a long time back', then you need to hit on this much awaited vacation.

The last time you had a nice time with your spouse was a long time back. After you had kids, you probably got tied down to the routine activities. But you don't want to leave them while you are enjoying. So what do you do? Bring them onboard a cruise and see the difference.

You can have your idea of fun and they can have theirs. Kids can never be a nuisance when on a cruise vacation. Theydon realize they have missed you till they get out of the cruiser.

Karaoke, video arcades, teen makeovers, and toys galore, there is something for kids of all ages and interests. Disney was the ultimate in family cruises until a few years back but now, most major cruise companies have everything for families.

Your whims and fancies are by your side when you are on a cruise; there is absolutely no one to stop you from doing anything. You will just end up talking non stop about the cruises once you get back on land. That's entertainment unlimited and guaranteed.

Have A Great Adventure With Our Luxury Cruises

By : Nicky Pilkington

What is luxury + adventure? The answer is a cruise. It's a paradise on water. You literally get to see the best of things on earth at a very nominal cost.
Different people have different ways of enjoying life. Some like to just chill out while others like to take things on their own and what better way to do it than hopping on board these cruisers. You name it, you have it kind of fun available on board.

Food , fun and frolic are a major part of cruise vacations. You might just get bored of relaxing. There is no dearth in entertainment. That's why millions of people just dream about these cruises.

As said earlier, your way f enjoyment must be decided by you. You have a multitude of options available. Just sit back and enjoy on board. Or try rock climbing, explore the depths of the pyramids or the good old ocean. Go to Antarctica or the Galapagos Islands, Egypt or Alaska; there is no limit to the locations you can journey to. Extreme adventures not advised for ones with poor health, but that should not deter you from enjoying the rest. The enchanting locales just give you a breath of freshness.

If you are a bit too lazy to take a stroll, you can sit back on board and watch remote places pass by you and they have a range of options for you. Seeing a brown bear at close range or other wildlife can all be done from the comfort and safety of the boat, while you sip a drink and sit by the pool. This is probably more suited for people adventurous at heart, but that hold indulgence at a high level also. A lot of people take this as an opportunity to just chill out.

One thing for sure, you just will not go home empty handed. You will have loads of memories and unfinished business that you will just get back sooner or later.

Try a Caribbean Carnival Cruise

By : Nicky Pilkington
Are we always complaining about not getting to see that perfect place we have dreamt of? That too in a very short span of time. Herein lies the answer.

What is a paradise? Well, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. The inert twining of nature with the best she has to offer - the mountains, the sea, the land and the rest. A Caribbean Carnival cruise offers all of these things to keep you up and going - a voyage straight into the hearts and minds of people who experience it.

The cruises to the Caribbean are typically split into one of three categories: Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, or Southern Caribbean. The trips to Southern Caribbean are typically a short one and will typically depart from Puerto Rico, Aruba, or Barbados; while longer journeys may depart from the mainland of the United States. Western Caribbean cruises will depart from the Gulf of Mexico for the most part: Florida, Texas, Alabama, and Louisiana. Finally, the Eastern Caribbean cruises may depart from the Gulf of Mexico, usually Florida, or New York, for slightly longer journeys.

Every region is elegance at its best .Shopping, snorkeling or sailing is best suited to the eastern Caribbean region .Those devoid of nature can head to the western region. The strong hearted can head to the south.

The length of your trip decides where you want to head. A typical two day adventure will leave you more at sea and a bit of port too. When you are at sea, you can enjoy all of the accommodations of the cruise ship, including food, pampering, and fun. When you port at your destination, you may choose to stay aboard or go out and see the sights of your temporary new home. The longer your trip gets, you may actually get to port at several different locations, which is especially nice as it gives you the freedom to explore more. You will then set course for home and travel a day or two back to where you departed from - a little more relaxed and ready to face the next year.

This is how the Caribbean tour is lined up for you. You will have no complaints in the land of Caribbean, an enchanting experience designed to suit every bit of your needs
Author Resource:- Find more about Cruises: http://aboutcruises.info

Why Cruising is the Best Vacation Value

By : Mary Hanna

Taking a cruise is now one of the hottest vacations around. Why? Because cruising is one of a great vacation values available. You pay for your cabin and all the food you can eat for 3, 4 7, days or longer, of luxurious pampering before you leave on your cruise. That alone should put your mind at ease. Think about it. Not only don't you have to worry about keeping enough money for lunch or dinner on your fourth or fifth day of the vacation, but you don't have to worry about trying to find a place to dine.

There are a several choices for dining when you are cruising. On most of the large ships there are a multitude of restaurants to choose from. You can go casual, formal or just have pizza or hot dogs. And don't forget that there is always room service - 24 hours a day. Picture having your breakfast brought to your room, sitting on your balcony, and dining alfresco while you arrive in a new port. This is quite an exciting way to start your day no matter where you are arriving.

Some people shy away from using this great vacation outlet because they are afraid they will get bored or feel confined while they are having a day at sea. Nothing could be farther from the truth. There are activities all day, every day that cater to everyone's interest. And the best part of that is, if you want to play bridge and your spouse wants to do aerobics, your both free to do what ever you like and meet up later for a margarita or rum punch at the pool. Now all of the ships have children's programs so that the kids can go off with other children in their age group, (with youth counselors), and you don't have to worry about them or if they are having fun. These aspects afford everyone a good time without anyone feeling guilty.

Another bonus to cruising is that you get to visit multiple destinations. If you cruise the Caribbean you will go to several islands, depending on the length of the cruise. At night while you are sleeping peacefully in your bed, the captain and crew are taking you to a new exotic location for you to explore the next day.

If you cruise in Europe (after you have flown to the port of embarkation) you will find yourself in whole new countries from one day to the next. For example, if you cruise the Baltic, you will be visiting Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia and either Croatia or Estonia.

If you choose to cruise Asia, some ports you will visit are Viet Nam, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and even China. You could never cover this many places on a land tour or at resorts. If you tried to, you'd run yourself and your family ragged.

And, yes, European Cruises are great for families too. What better gift could you give a teenage son or daughter then to introduce them to other cultures and countries?

Right here, I want to dispel any fears that you would have that Cruising is for the "newly wed or nearly dead". It is simply not true anymore. On cruises we have taken over the holidays, many families do reunions that include Grandparents, Children, Great Grandchildren, Aunts and Uncles.

What better way to spend the holidays then with your family on a vacation that will cater to everyone's needs and tastes. You should know, that if enough of your family reserves cabins, you can ask for a discount, particularly if over five cabins are booked (in travel agent lingo that's a Group Rate).

So set sail, find out what you have been missing.

Great Luxury Cruise Deals

By : Nicky Pilkington

A god sent gift for you, a Christmas present or just an affordable vacation - it's the cruise vacations just for you, at a cost that you wouldn't have imagined.

When was the last time you had a great escape to the land of unknown? When was it that you truly had along dream vacation? Well, we all have dreams but that gets whitewashed once we think about the costs. However, there is one reason to celebrate now, cruise vacations. Very affordable that you will pull out all your camping gear from the closet and dust it off. A cruise answers all your questions about not having to shell out a lot.

How many times have you visited the same old dreading places? Want to take a break! The time has just arrived and nothing better than this. There is no reason to pass up a cruise with the great deals available. Just browse through those websites or your travel agent might be having the right offer for you.

A clearing house website may offer quite a few options. They come handy if time is a constraint. While you may not have the option of customization, it is far better off in terms of quality. Prices can be accommodated on these websites but you have to take extra measures to get what you want.

Package deals are other options. Airfare, hotel and other bookings could be included and helps you save in terms of time, money and other related factors.

Ultimately, you do not want to go onto these vacations without knowing what they have to offer. So check out your tastes and preferences and go that extra mile to get the extra mile.

Alaska Cruises Offer Luxury And Adventure

By : Lee Dobbins

Tired of taking the family to Disneyland for vacation? Then why not try an Alaska cruise? They offer beautiful scenery, cruise luxury and Alaskan adventure for those who want it.

But not all Alaska cruise trips are alike. You first need to decide what you want on your cruise. If you like to be pampered in the lap of luxury then you'll want to take advantage of one of the many Alaska luxury cruises. Here you can relax in the spa, have a wonderful massage and enjoy all the amenities of a first class resort. You will dine on the best foods, available at almost any hour. Just like most cruises, Alaska cruises are the ultimate in pampering guests.

Alaska cruises have something for everyone in the family. Along with the usual cruise amenities of pools, games, exercise, meeting new people and fun, Alaska cruises offer interesting scenery you won't find at home. On your cruise, not only will you'll be amazed by majestic glaciers but you might spot brown bears, eagles, humpback whales or sea lions.

If you want adventure, there are many cruise packages that can satisfy your needs as well as offer typical cruise amenities.

One popular Alaskan adventure is sea kayaking. You can pick from tours in choppy waters or, for the more tame at heart, a calmer course is offered. Sea kayaking gives you an opportunity to get outdoors and see a lot of the coastline which is abundant with local wildlife.

Hiking is another popular excursion that you can try once your cruise ship docs. You can choose from any number of guided hikes using different trails and going out for different lengths of time. It's a great chance to get out in the wilderness and experience nature Alaska style. If this isn't enough for you, you can even work in some rock climbing while you are off ship.

The best time to take an Alaska cruise is in the summer where you will be able to enjoy Alaska in fairly mild weather. There are 2 basic paths that cruises take one goes throught the inside passage which visits Alaskan panhandle ports and the other through the Gulf of Alaska visiting more glaciers and northern points. Be sure that you check the weather and pack accordingly!

Planning Your Hawaiian Cruise Dream Vacation

By : Zark Barker

You will find an almost endless list of ways to spend your time the moment you start your Hawaiian Cruise. You will be entertained and engaged by an array of tasty restaurants, fun activities and amazing shows that will guarantee that your trip will not be boring.

You will also be busy taking in the sites as you stop by popular ports. You will have a stunning array of pastimes on your Hawaiian Cruise such from beach activities to shopping excursions to taking in the sites, all in a year round pleasant climate.

As our 50th State, Hawaii has its own special culture. It was originally settled about 1300 years ago and it has the aspects of many different lifestyles. Every Island in this amazing state has its own way of doing things but all of the islands still retain their spirit of friendliness. This culture is renowned in its hospitality as well as its excellent cuisine and warm weather.

When packing for your Hawaiian vacation cruise many travelers are only planning for hot climate and bathing suit-clad sandy shoreline. Being aware that you will be spending a decent chunk of your trip on the sandy beach you will savor other pastimes also. Don't forget to plan for hot climate. But be mindful that you will have to carry as well a light-weight ensemble.

Even the bathing suit-clad Hawaii can have whimsical climate. A short chunk of researching could prevent you from being cold. Its also required to carry as well basics for example tanning cream and shades. In addition to an enjoyable prose a few Mp3s and a camcorder also.

There are a number of smaller islands that make up the Hawaiian Islands and every one has its own feel. For example there is the Kilauea crater which is on the big island. The myth is that the fire goddess Pele lives in there. Honolulu is a paradise for those who enjoy great nature. Maui has amazing water sites.

In order to make sure that you get the most out of your Hawaiian cruise, make sure to do some research on what activities and sites you want to take in. You and your family should have no problem finding a vacation package that fits your needs, there are many from which to choose.

Even the seasoned traveler will still be surprised by what there is to offer. Gorgeous scenery, friendly people and delicious food.

Cruise Ships Boost 2008 Malta Holiday Ambitions

By : Roger Munns

Welcome figures have come from Malta's cruise industry, with a record year of cruise ship passenger arrivals in 2007.

What makes the figures particularly impressive for the holiday island is that this year's record comes after a record year in 2006, while the number of tourists arriving by air had started from a low 2006 base, making air arrivals an easier target to reach last year.

Just three years ago in 2004 Malta attracted 270,000 passengers from cruises, and took that over 300,000 for 2005. Last year the island did even better to produce a record year and this year will produce an estimated 425,000 arrivals.

A new feature for cruise passengers visiting Malta is an open top bus which will take them to places of interest on the island, including the historic capital Valletta and the Grand Harbour area, to showcase what Malta has to offer.

Commenting on the new facilities and impressive tourist numbers, a travel guide for Malta welcomes both, stating that cruise passengers might decide to visit Malta in the future as a solo holiday rather than as part of a multi destination trip if cruise passengers like what they see, and with increased cruise passenger numbers Malta has the opportunity to increase the number of holidays being taken annually on the Mediterranean island.

The combination of increased tourist numbers comes at a time when the number of passenegrs arriving by air has also seen quite an increase, and the two methods of arrival for Malta helped transform the hotel and holidays industry fortunes for 2007 with 2008 Malta holidays looking good for another increase.

The number of tourists choosing Malta rose by seven per cent in the first quarter of 2007 compared to 2006, and gives vindication to the Maltese hotels and holidays lobby who had urged the government to allow low cost airlines to fly to the holiday island.

The first three months of the year are traditionally the quietest for the Malta holidays industry, and is thought to reflect the year as a whole, with perhaps even a close to ten per cent increase in tourism overall for 2007 compared to 2006.

The surprise among the statistics is where the tourists have come from. Many people in the Malta holidays industry expected a big increase in visitors from the UK, but visitor numbers have remained static, as they have from Germany and France. The increase in visitors came from Russia, Sweden, Belgium and Italy. Good news comes not only from the increase in tourist numbers, but also from the amount tourists spend while on the island - some ten per cent higher than 2006, with cruise passengers spending more per person too while visiting Malta.

Another airline called Click Air has also joined the race for the flight to Malta market recently, putting pressure on the low cost airlines already operating to Malta to further reduce their prices to stay ahead of their competition, - all good news for consumers who have a choice of flying or taking a cruise which includes Malta as a port of call.

Regular travellers to Malta have never had it so good. Not only has their choice of airline and airports serving Malta widened considerably, but the perennial favourite of many business and holiday travellers, Air Malta, has fought back against the new low cost airlines with reduced fares and offers of their own and the number of cruise ships visiting Malta could follow a similar pattern in 2008.

Cruise Review - How To Avoid A Nightmare Cruise Experience

By : Dean Caporella

Assessing the merits of a cruise review means comparing it against others of a similar nature. Instead of relying on one review before making a decision about whether to book a vacation, shop around and read as many other reviews as you can find.

The main reason concentrating on one assessment is not good practice is it could either be completely biased, which could mean the author has a vested interest or the opposite and believe it or not, some people are simply too hard to please.

Cruise Reviews On The Web

The internet is a vastly growing community catering to all sorts of topics and sea-based holidays are no different. Many websites offer the option to readers to submit a review and many take them up on the offer.

What this means for you as a shopper is you're able to witness first hand the experiences people have gone through on particular ships. You'll get both the good and the bad and if one particular ship gets several good or bad recommendations then you have either saved yourself some money of found your next holiday.

Cruise critics are well worth taking notice of. Many of these critics love the opportunity to comment and will give kudos where it's due and criticism when needed. Companies also make note of the feedback so they can either improve in a particular area or maintain current high standards.

Cruise Review Forums

If you are undecided about your next vacation and tossing up between particular companies then the ultimate decider could be achieved with a visit to a cruise forum.

There are several of these forums gaining prominence on the web and they are worth visiting. For example, you can simply go in and read the posts or if you have a question about a particular vacation you're considering then just ask it on the forum.

The great thing about these meeting places is there will always be people who have traveled on the ship you're considering. As a source for a cruise review, they are an invaluable asset and should be utilized frequently.

One of the main pitfalls for new cruisers especially is deciding if the price of a holiday is as cheap a deal as is being advertised. Yes the price may be a bargain but remember, the prices for several amenities on the ship itself can be expensive by land based standards. A forum is a great environment to get an unbiased and honest answer.

The Yacht Charter Holiday Option

By : Shaun Parker

I often find it difficult to decide what to do for the summer, even when it comes to deciding where to go on holiday. For me holidays have to be relaxing, somewhere preferably warm, but with the option of being active. One thing I have not yet tried is approaching a yacht charter specialist. The idea of travelling around on a sailing boat seems more fun and exciting than staying static on an island - though there is nothing more appealing than lying on a beach with a cool beverage in one hand.

The option for a yacht charter holiday can be expensive. They often range between 1000 pounds - 25000, pounds so opting for this kind of holiday will require a lot of scrimping and saving but is worth the extra expenditure in the end. Those that do decide on a sailing holiday will have the option of going for a skippered or bareboat yacht charter. They are available for those interested in travelling around the coast of the Greek Islands or exploring the Indian coast. Unless you are very sensitive and suffer from motion sickness, then there are a few things to have in mind before going for this kind of holiday.

Skippered or bareboat?

When I began researching various holiday destinations and yacht charter, I came across two very unfamiliar terms - skipper and bareboat. What is a skippered and bareboat yacht charter? Quite simply a skippered yacht contains a skipper or captain who controls the crew and the yacht, or just the yacht if you choose not to have the extra crew. This word originates from the Dutch for schipper or schip meaning ship. The English use this word more than the word Captain for specific types of boats and yachts. The charterer in this case does not have possession of the boat, even though they have the option to choose where to sail.

Bareboat is quite literally hiring a boat bare - no crews or a skipper in sight! The owners give up possession of the boat for a length of time, leaving the charterer responsible for their own provisions and crew. Therefore, this option is more for the yachting experts who are confident in skippering their own boats. This is not an option for a newbie like me, but bareboat yacht charter is popular with those who are more experienced and/or holding a Coastal Skipper Qualification at hand.

Experience is necessary

Yacht chartering businesses do require their customers to have some degree of yachting experience. Although some yacht charter businesses offer skippers and crews, those interested in bareboat yachts will need to know something about anchoring and mooring. Often a skipper is hired for the day, for those who are in need of a little more help in this technique, but if you choose to sail independently, you are most likely going to have to provide evidence of any suitable experience you have had.

Experience of sailing come at different levels, usually those wanting to sail around the Mediterranean coast can have a basic knowledge of yachting. The further people want to travel to, such as Australia or Vietnam, the more experience, knowledge or qualifications they will need in order to hire a boat.

One thing is for certain, if you do fancy stopping by at a beach for a bit of rest and relaxation, and maybe even a top up on your tan then those travelling independently on a yacht can do this at any point in time. The beauty of sailing is that you do not have to worry about checking in at a hotel and you are not restricted to any curfews. This may not be the case for larger luxury yachts with hired crewmembers, but you are guaranteed the experience of travelling to more than one destination on the island.

Author Resource:- Holiday enthusiast Shaun Parker looks into yacht charter holidays and the experience needed for sailing. To find out more please visit http://www.nisosyachtcharter.com/

Protecting Your Health On A Cruise

By : Ben Crabtree, LMT, CNMT

As a Licensed Massage Therapist part of my work is ensuring that people reduce their stress. Reducing stress is a easy way to ensure that you are less likely to face common health problems. One way I reduce my stress, besides getting regular massages myself, is to take cruises. I love cruises and usually have at least one planned, but I've come to know that even on the most modern of cruise ships you have to take some precautions.

When it comes to cruise ship safety, there are many individuals who are concerned with their physical safety. Physically staying safe aboard a cruise ship is important, but so is staying healthy. Due to a large number of individuals in a relatively small space, cruise ships have a number of health concerns.

The health problems and concerns found on cruise ships are often highly publicized. Despite this publicity, most cruise ships are fun, safe, and clean.

Being concerned with your health aboard a cruise ship is one thing, but you should not let it prevent you from enjoying your vacation. Rather than letting the fear of getting sick ruin your vacation, you should take a few simple steps to ensure that your health will be the same as, if not better, when you first boarded.

Before your cruise ship is scheduled to set sail, you are urged to schedule a visit with your family doctor. Be sure to inform him or her that you are planning a cruise vacation. Your doctor will likely check your health to make sure you are fit for travel. In addition to examining your general health, it is possible that your doctor may recommend a number of immunizations. These immunizations may offer you extra protection; therefore, you are urged to obtain them.

If you are taking multiple prescription medications at the time of your cruise, you will want to make sure that you have an adequate supply. If you are running low on your medication, you may want to obtain a refill before you leave for your cruise. It is also likely that your doctor may request that you bring along extra medication. This request is often made to individuals who must take their medications to survive. In the event that you misplace your medication, you will have an extra supply to fall back on.

Taking health precautions before you board the cruise ship is important. However, it is also important to take precautionary measures after you board.

These measures are simple; however, they may be vital to your health. One of the first things that you should do is familiarize yourself with the layout of your ship. Determining whether or not there is a doctor onboard and where they are located is important.

Since germs and illnesses spread easily aboard cruise ships, you will need to protect yourself. This protection involves washing your hands on a regular basis. When most individuals are at home, they wash their hands after completing certain activities. In addition to eating and using the restrooms, you should wash your hands after using all public facilities. If you find it difficult to wash your hands regularly, you may want to obtain a package of disinfecting wipes. If used properly, disinfecting wipes can be just as effective as soap and water.

Cruise ships are popular for their relaxing, stress reducing atmosphere. This relaxation may include lounging on deck. When lounging on deck or taking a stroll, it is advised that you keep your shoes on at all times. As previously mentioned germs can easily spread aboard a cruise ship. Keeping your feet covered at all times will not only protect you from contagious illnesses, but it will prevent you from stepping on harmful objects.

In addition to cruising along water, most cruise ships dock in a port. It is likely that the port you will be visiting is a foreign country. In the event that you end up in a foreign land, it is important that you carefully monitor what you eat and drink. If you notice drinking advisories, you are urged to follow them. Instead of drinking tap water, you may want to opt for bottled water or another bottled beverage. Many individuals are concerned only with the drinking water, but you should also be concerned with ice cubes and water in uncooked foods. Your cruise ship staff is often a great resource regarding safe places to eat and drink.

As you can see, the above mentioned precautionary measures are simple and easy to follow. Why put yourself at risk for illness; especially when it requires little or no effort to keep your health in good standing.

Amazing Spain

By : Francis Lua

Expanse Spain is situated on the Iberian Peninsula in the southwest of Europe. It yet encompasses two groups of islands. The Isles Balearic, in the Mediterranean, Mallorca the largest island is fully spurt one cultured class miles off the eastern coast and the Isles Canarias which are situated approximately five hundred miles to the southwest and lie off the North Pacific Ocean dust of Morocco. Mellila and Cueta are two Spanish enclaves in Morocco on the African modest.

Spain is one of the world leading destinations for the package holiday. It offers beautiful beaches of morality and unique histories. Thousand of multinational traveler charity wants to move around see what more Spain has to offer.

British Airways and the Shah fly servant to Gibraltar occasionally several departure points in the United Kingdom and King has some very avail deals on seats. Major marks provide scheduled flights to Air castle but it is also a chief destination for budget airlines with return retreats available for less than 100 Euros now and again moreover European cities. It is also possible to pick up bargain seats on the overmuch employ flights serving the tourist industry. Air travel within Spain, with the exception of a couple of good deal airlines, is expensive.

Lions gate prepare access from Portugal to the west and France which borders Spain to the northeast. Road expedition within the country can dispute. Many roads are not of an avail standard but Daydream has institution billions of Euros in aid now and again the European Union and much of this has been spent on the infrastructure and so it is also possible to travel on some of the newest and finest roads on the conservative. The terrain is well served by many bus companies union the major towns and cities with express services. Adapted is also wealth of local bus services.

The spray message service is well developed enabling road to the country from in a walk Portugal and France and fast transit between towns and cities within Spain. Fares are cheap compared to some other bigwig Indo European language countries. Madrid and Barcelona are served by reasonable Metro underground railway simulation.

In addition to the extreme cut off islands social democracy ferries run once in a while the quarry to effortlessly the island groups and the two enclaves in Morocco. The Canary Islands are served by a boat running now and again Cadiz. The individuality is long, petty 48 midnight and the sea philosophy often make for a rough passage.

10 Beach Vacation Ideas

By : Dan Farrell

When it comes to go on your beach vacation, it can be very hard to pick a destination. There are many places you can go, whether you want to explore the beaches of Hawaii or just play golf in Georgia.

Below, you'll find 10 ideas to help you decide on where to go for your vacation.

1. Hawaii Resort

You can choose to put your frequent flier miles to good use and take a beach vacation on the island of Hawaii. Here, you can relax on the beach, swim in the ocean, play golf, and even indulge in one of the many innovative spa treatments. Hawaii enjoys some of the best weather in the world - making it a great choice for your beach vacation.

2. Golf and Beach in Georgia

Popular among the East Coast, the Cloister at Sea Island in Georgia offers you 54 holes of championship golf, sandy beaches, and a wide array of things for you to do.

3. Oahu Beach Vacation

At the Kahala Mandarin Oriental you can expect to be pampered like never before. You can visit the spa, take scuba diving classes, or choose to swim it up with the dolphins. The resort is conveniently located 15 minutes away from Honolulu and Waikiki Beach.

4. Virgin Islands Vacation

At this vacation destination you can enjoy blue waters and sandy beaches. The Ritz Carlton, and St. Thomas resorts offer you the best of luxury hotels during your beach vacation in the Virgin Islands.

5. Half Moon Bay, California

Located just 30 minutes by car away from San Francisco, the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is a quick beach vacation away from the normal busy life of the city.

6. Luxury Beach Resort of Bermuda

Two hours away by flight from New York City, Bermuda is a quick and ideal vacation away from the East Coast. Ariel Sands offers you 47 guest rooms with gourmet food and breathtaking views.

7. Romance and Seclusion in Jamaica

With unique rooms and splendid views of the Caribbean, gourmet cuisine and amazing beaches, The Caves resort in Jamaica helps to set the beach vacation mood like never before.

8. Lakeside Resort, Georgia

Near Atlanta Georgia, the Lake Lanier Islands offers a golf course for golf lovers and a waterpark with several water rides, slides, and water attractions the entire family will enjoy.

9. Family fun in Hawaii

The Kona Village Resort in Hawaii offers you several vacation activities that include snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, volleyball, tennis, fishing, scuba diving, and glass bottom boat tours.

10. South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida

Mingle with international models and celebrities in this trendy, upscale resort. The beach is beautiful with green, blue water and sugar sand. There is an area for nude bathing, ala, European style, so if you are a family keep the kids from wandering. You can get a 5 star hotel and meal right across the street from the beach ensuring your stay is relaxed but a pricey vacation.

Twice the Paradise at Half the Price

By : Joanna M Lawson

I'll let you in on a well kept holiday secret. Globally, savvy travelers are increasingly opting for private holiday villas instead of more traditional hotels, motels or resorts. This trend is most noticeable across the tropical paradise islands of Asia, such as, Bali, Phuket, and Koh Samui.

Gone are the days when holiday villa rental was the domain of the jet-setters, the rich and the powerful. Today, you can rent your own piece of paradise from as little as US$ 100 per night!

So, why do savvy travelers prefer to rent private holiday villas, instead of going for hotels and resorts? We did a survey of the converts, and here their reasons for preferring rental villas:

Exclusivity

One of our responders put it: "Why would you want to queue up with 100 other people to have your breakfast in a hotel, when you can have your own villa staff queue up to serve you!"

Whilst increasingly more popular, renting your own villa does provide a level of exclusivity un-matchable by most hotels and resorts.

A fully staffed and serviced villa in Bali or Phuket for example, will typically provide you with not only your own dedicated house-keeping staff, but in many instances your own kitchen staff and even your own Chef!

Flexibility

By definition, in order to manage the large number of guests, hotels/resorts need to have rules, regulations, meal times, opening/closing times and the like.

Where as in your own tropical rental villa, it is totally up to you when you wake up, at what time you have breakfast, or that 'last drink' at night without worrying about extraneous closing/opening times, rules and regulations.

You will also find that many professionally run villas will be flexible in additional services that they offer. For example, one of my favourites, Mia Villa in Bali, offers in-villa massage services on their chill-out terrace, overlooking the rice fields, or will arrange for in-villa yoga sessions, painting classes, and even jewelry making workshops.

Yes, these services cost extra, but certainly a fraction of what such professionals cost back home.

Privacy

Again, privacy is not for the exclusive benefit of the rich and the famous. Taking a break from our typically busy lives, very likely having been surrounded by other people most of the time, it is quite normal to seek a bit of privacy, peace and quiet during a tropical holiday.

Most private rental villas in Asia provide this option for privacy. And for those of us who seek the action, we still have the option to walk out of our private haven, and enjoy the restaurants, clubs, and shopping often just a few minutes away.

Even if you don't want isolation, there is nothing worse than not having the option for privacy during a well earned tropical holiday.

Space

One of our respondents pointed out, today, even the most exclusive hotels offer typical room sizes of 40 to 50 square meters. (Unless you are splashing out on that presidential suite!)

On the other hand, most decent villas in Bali or Koh Samui will offer you at least 200 to 300 square meters of your own space, with some larger villas being in the 1,000 to 2,000 square meters in size.

Extra space means that you can be together with your loved one(s) on holiday, but at the same time you do not have to be 'on top of each other'. I find that especially when traveling with family or friends, this extra space goes a long way in making a good holiday a great one! I can peacefully read my book, whilst my partner catches up with the latest sports news on satellite, and the children use up their energy in our own private pool. All together, within a shared visual space, but each with our own space!

Savings

Many villas in Asia will offer kitchen and Chef service at no extra cost, as part of your rental rate.

What this means is that you do not have to pay hotel or restaurant rates for your meals.

You choose what you would like to eat. If you wish, your villa staff does the shopping for you, the preparation, and your own Chef prepares your feast for when you like. All you pay for are the cost of the ingredients at the local market prices.

Given that, food ingredients, in places like Bali and Thailand are considerably cheaper than 'back home', your feast is very likely to be even cheaper than eating at home.

With the added benefit of not having to spend time shopping, or labouring for hours in the kitchen.

Services

In addition to your own Chef, you can expect holiday villas in Asia to offer a full Villa Team. Typically, this will comprise of your own housekeeping team, gardener(s), pool attendants, security personnel, and of course your Villa Manager.

In some Bali Villas, our panel of respondents have come across guest to staff ratios which are as high as 1 to 1. Having said this, a dedicated guest to staff ratio of 1 to 0.7 or 0.8 is more than sufficient for most of us.

What this means is that your villa is continually kept in a pristine condition, you get gorgeous gardens kept in perfect condition, a swimming pool which is crystal clear, and on top some amazing service to meet your every request and whim during your stay.

Imagine an existence where you don't have to make your own coffee, let alone cook, where all your tour bookings are arranged for you by your Villa Manager, pool towels get magically removed, new towels appear out of no where, and an existence where your postcards are hand delivered to the nearest post office!

Price

This is where private rental villas in Asia excel above all else. If there are more than two of you, even good quality Koh Samui or Bali villas will likely cost you less than hotel/resort rooms for the same number of people. Today you can rent your own private villa in Bali, with 2-3 bedrooms and your own private pool, for as little as US$ 150-200 per night.

A standard size hotel room on the other hand, may set you back US$ 100 per room night.

So, as soon as there are more than 2 of you, a tropical rental villa is more than likely to be cheaper than a hotel room.

All the additional benefits of exclusivity, flexibility and privacy and additional services are bonus freebies!

Yes, may be, once you have enjoyed the private rental villa holiday experience in a villa in Bali or Phuket, your expectations change for life.

And yes, may be, being pampered and spoilt to this extent may not feel right to begin with. However, if you consider the fact that, financially you have not pushed the boat out, and quite likely, saved some money in the process, who is to blame you for making the right choice!

Sounds too good to be true? Well, just have a go, try something like 'bali holiday villa' on Yahoo, Google or your favourite search engine, and see what pops up. If nothing else, enjoy the photos, and see how others holiday, and get a bargain in the mean time.

Yacht Charters Offer Intimate Voyage Alternative

Sailing the deep, blue waters of an ocean on holiday is a dream come true for many. But, some prefer to do so on a much smaller scale than most cruise ships allow. More rugged and especially private, yacht charter trips are a great alternative for vacationers.

The key to finding a great yacht charter trip, however, is doing some homework. The following are some steps to consider before booking a trip or planning a vacation:

* Destination. This is paramount. If you don't know where you want to go, it will be hard to find a charter. Locations where you can find yacht charter trips include Alaska, the Caribbean, Florida, California, Europe. Pretty much anywhere there's water, you'll find a charter company available.

* Purpose of the trip. Do you simply want to sail away your vacation in a relaxing setting or do some serious sight-seeing and fishing, too? The purpose of the trip will help make it easier for you to find the right charter.

* Overnight stay or not? Are you looking for a two-week charter or a single day out on a fishing boat. This is vital information to have in advance.

* Number of people. A charter boat captain will have a set number of people he or she can allow on board. The number will determine availability of the ship and is vital for booking a trip.

Once you know where you want to go, who you want to bring and what you hope to do, the search for a good charter will become much easier. Look for charter companies in the areas you'd like to visit and do shop prices and features. It's important to know what's included in a package and what's expected of passengers. Some sailing charters, for example, actually rely on passengers to help with the process of sailing. If working doesn't sound fun to you, it's a good idea to know the expectations in advance.

Before booking a charter trip, check the following things:

* Prices. Shop them.

* Inclusions. Will you have to pay extra for food? Port of call trips? Fishing gear and lures? Make sure you understand everything that's included in the price and what is not.

* What to pack or bring. A charter is not a huge cruise line. The trip may require you to actively get involved in the sailing process. If so, you may want to pack accordingly. Captain's attire for a working trip just won't do.

* Amenities on the boat. If it's a basic boat, stripped down of all life's little luxuries, you will want to know this. It may not be the trip for you if a family will be coming along.

* Safety record, years of experience. You want to go on a charter with a captain who knows his or her stuff and the area in which you'll be sailing. This is especially so in areas with treacherous waters, but applies anywhere as things can and do happen.

A yacht charter cruise is a great idea for a vacation that's a little different than an ordinary cruise. Keep in mind, however, the little extras on a regular cruise are not likely to be present and you may, in fact, find yourself doing a little sailing, too. These are perfect vacations for those who want to get away from it all without doing it with 1,000 other people.

When Things Go Wrong, Your Choice Of Hotel Counts

By : Denise Hummel

I chose the Rome Cavalieri Hilton for a number of reasons. Rome is lovely, but it's so busy and crowded, I wanted to find an oasis from which to escape from sight-seeing at the end of the day. In the hills, overlooking Rome, not more than ten minutes from the Vatican, the Cavalieri is just such a place. Add to that a restaurant that just earned its third Michelin Star, an award-class spa, an Executive Floor Business Center, and one of the most lovely pool settings ever -- not to mention in a city environment -- and I knew I had the makings for a pleasant experience -- maybe.

As it turns out, my trip to Rome is not one that I would necessarily characterize as a "pleasant experience." In fact, it resembled more the kind of nightmare depicted on television commercials for the American Express card and travelers checks. I can remember watching those commercials and thinking, 'those poor inexperienced sots. They don't need American Express, they just need to accept the realities of city travel and be more careful.'

I've found in life that it's always a big mistake to be cocky. An example of this presumption was played out quite vividly in Rome. I travel a lot. In fact, if the total days were accumulated, you might say that they rival the days I spend in my home town. I am the epitome of the savvy traveler. I'm aware of my environment, my physical possessions and my safety. On this trip, I was truly in high spirits. I was traveling on business, but had the luxury of being accompanied by my nine year old son who had just finished school. We had toured the Vatican and chose a restaurant nearby to have lunch and talk about the splendors of the Sistine Chapel.

I chose a table in the back corner of the restaurant. I had heard stories about purses being lifted by unaware restaurant patrons who casually hang their purses on the back of their chairs. I had no intentions of being one of those people. We had a tasty meal and were commenting on how unusual it seemed to find a restaurant with good food at a reasonable price so close to one of the most important tourist sights in Rome.

When I went to pay the bill for this economical lunch, I reached for my purse. I had put it on the back of the chair against the wall and it was gone. In it were our passports, my driver's license, my credit cards, our train ticket home, my check book, and all our cash, among other valuables. My son looked at me with imploring eyes, his voice cracking. "How are we going to get home?" he managed to ask.

I was furious, confused, and incredulous. To this day, I don't understand how it happened. I don't even want to guess. "We'll get home," I said, trying not to think about the photographs in my wallet that I would never see again, or the earrings I had dropped into the internal pocket of the purse hours earlier -- the ones my husband had given me during our first year of marriage. We hailed a cab. Alex reminded me again that we had no money to pay for it. All I could say was, "The Cavalieri will take care of us."

When we arrived at the Cavalieri, I asked the cab driver to wait, went into reception, explained what had happened and asked for ten Euro to pay the driver. Without any further questions, the cashier handed me the money and I paid the tab. Then I came back in and broke down. The desk manager and client relations manager were already waiting for me. Someone else had gone to get a glass of water for Alex. I tearfully explained what had happened.

My memory of those first few moments at the Cavalieri are not exactly clear. I was distraught and exhausted. Uniformed staff was coming and going. One to get our room key, another to call the embassy, a third to get me the address and telephone number of -- you guessed it -- American Express. Within minutes we were escorted to a beautiful room, with a 180 degree view of Rome. There was a bottle of champagne being chilled. Alex quickly found the remote to the flat-screen plasma T.V. and distracted himself by watching the World Cup. I opened my laptop and began reconstructing the contents of my wallet and the phone numbers I'd need to cancel credit cards. Moments later, a vase of exotic flowers arrived. I almost burst into tears again.

While I was making telephone calls, several floors below the Concierge was investigating how to replace our train tickets. Someone else had made Alex and I a reservation at the pool-side restaurant for dinner. The front desk rang through the American embassy. Minutes later the address and telephone number of American Express was slipped under my door. A cash advance had also arrived which I quickly signed for. I would need it for cabs and other expenses into the center of town to sort out things. I was beginning to think that there was an entire staff of individuals devoted to me.

On the Executive Floor there is food and beverage all day long. Alex consoled himself with chocolate truffles and I with a glass of white wine. He put his arm around me. "It's going to be O.K. Mom." I asked for the password for the Internet. The attendant began to ask me for my passport -- A new Italian law requires hotel internet users to register --- She stopped in mid-sentence, "Oh, are you the Signora that had her purse stolen with your passport in it?" I nodded. "Go right in," she said, "I'll figure out a way to register you." I was amazed. A hotel staff that actually communicates -- what a novel concept. Later, a staff member accompanied me to the police station despite the fact that I speak Italian fluently -- "Just in case ..." he told me.

When bad things happen, there are only a few things that make me feel truly better. I tend to obsess about the event, how it could have been different, what I could have done to prevent it -- and those thoughts only make me feel worse. Sometimes, an embrace from my husband or children lifts my spirits, and in general, the indescribable consolation of being surrounded by family, inevitably makes me feel secure and gives me perspective. Alex and I had each other during this trip, and that helped a great deal. But the Cavalieri, in addition to all its efficiency, courtesy, and know how, had also treated me like family, surrounding me with a cloak of protection that gave me the overwhelming feeling that everything would, indeed, be alright.

Alex and I eventually got things sorted out. With one credit card, we had the ability to buy a new ticket and go home. But in the meantime, we went to the spa, we swam, we sipped frozen drinks in our cushy white robes, we ate at the 9th floor Michelin Star, La Pergola Restaurant, and recovered from our experience.

I do have a scar related to my experience in Rome. I can't help but remember that helpless feeling of being violated. But it's not the only thing I will remember. I will remember that my nine-year old son had the fortitude to see through his own fears to comfort me. I will remember that a thief's callousness can be over-shadowed by the caring of an able staff of strangers. I will remember the feeling of my body slipping through the cool water of the Cavalieri pool, the view of sun-drenched Rome from La Pergola Restaurant, and the cocoon that was provided to us so that we could leave concentrating more on our fortune than our misfortune. From one "savvy" traveler to another, the choice of hotel counts when all things are equal. And when things go wrong, that choice counts even more.

What to Expect From a Travel Agent

By : Guy Ray

Finding the right travel agent can be as hard as finding the right doctor. You want someone you can trust to get you the best deal. Someone you who is knowledgeable about the area you are wanting to visit and has the resources to provide you with all the information you need. Travel agents book about 75% of all air travel, 30% of all hotel reservations, and 95% of all cruises. Even with all the information online most people still prefer to avoid all the hassle and use travel agents.

The first step to finding a good travel agent is to check their credentials. Check to make sure they are a certified travel counselor. To be a certified travel counselor a travel agent with at least five years experience must complete a two year graduate level program offered by the Institute of Certified Travel Agents. For the travel agency itself you have to look for membership in one of two associations. The American Society of Travel Agents and The Association of Retail Travel Agents are the two travel agency associations.

One of the easiest ways to find a travel agent is by word of mouth. Ask your friends and family who they use. Try to pick friends and family who have similar interests as you , that way you can find a travel agent who will understand your needs. Most people use a certain agent and not a certain agency. Not all agents in a travel agency are the same. One might specialize in cruises while another specializes in low cost travel plans. Make sure you get the name of a specific agent when talking to your friends and family.

A good travel agent will keep a portfolio of all your travel needs and preferences. Things like frequent flyer miles, credit card details, hotel or airline favorites, and any other personal requirements should be kept by the travel agent in a specific folder. This saves you time when you go in to book a trip, by having everything already filed out you won't have to do it each time.

A good travel agent will also find out your preferences, like places you enjoy visiting. This way if they come across an unpublished bargain for a place that is of interest to you they can contact you with the information. A good travel agent is always looking for the best deal for their client. This includes informing you if changing the dates of your vacation or changing your itinerary can lower the price for you.

Finding a good travel agent can be frustrating and time consuming. When you find a good travel agent you should use them for all your travel needs and refer them to any one who is looking for a travel agent.

Another place to look is online. Search for one near you. Don't always go with the cheapest. Ask them their credentials upfront. If they try to avoid the question, move on. Do they provide phone contact information on their website and give office hours? This is a good way to tell if it's an agent you may want to deal with.

The Best Carnival Cruise Deals

What is the best way to relax on a vacation - a cruise? Right? However there is no free lunch, everything comes at a price. But to get the best, price is never a concern, but the value is. Taking a longer vacation on a high end cruise liner can set you back by a huge amount. Good for you that you don't have to spend a fortune on a wonderful vacation, to an exotic location like Caribbean.

Just visit the Carnival's website and feel the difference. Usually when the departure time is nearing, the company offers deals that are unbeatable and unthinkable of. The lesser the bookings the better the savings for you. The company loses money if it runs empty houses, so they start offering significant discounts to fill in vacancies. The direct relationship is with the passengers; they would want to go in on a filled cruise and makes them believe that they are headed for the right destination.

On the same lines, you get a good bargain at few websites. There are quite a few websites that offer you amazing discounts on major cruises. These are very handy when you have a budget constraint. The flip side is that you may not get to choose. So, you may not be able to customize as many options as you would if buying from another source, but you can still get a great deal on a luxury cruise.

There are also special promotions that may be offered from Carnival for various reasons. The reasons are many - company anniversary, milestones or other related factors... You should simply check the company's website periodically to see what they have available. When it comes to deals, the more research you do, the less you will probably have to pay.

So a well planned and a cozy vacation is just a click away and the best way to ensure is to do your homework. Research well and everything else falls in place

Ten Reasons To Purchase Travel Insurance

By : Michael Contaro

What would you do if you and your family planed a wonderful Cruise Vacation and your connecting flight was delayed and the ship sailed without you? If you don't have travel insurance you will lose all your money.

There are hundreds of particulars that could cause you to cancel your vacation, miss your connecting flight, return home early or make you seek emergency medical treatment while traveling.

Here is a list of 10 common examples of what could go wrong and why you should invest in Travel Insurance and Emergency Travel Services.

1) You arrive at your destination and your luggage is missing. Who will help you find it if it is lost? If your luggage goes on a separate vacation, who will pay for your essentials until your luggage joins you? If it was stolen who will pay to replace it?

2) Your airline, cruise line or tour operator goes out of business and you already paid for your tickets. Most tickets are non-refundable. Who will help you with the refunds and get you to your destination?

3) You and your families flight is delayed and you must catch a connecting flight. All other airlines are booked and can't help you. Now what do you do?

4) You bag was lost with all your medicine inside. You need to find the bag as quickly as possible or have your emergency prescription filled. Who is going to help you in a strange city/country?

5) You are travelling abroad and your passport and wallet are stolen. How do you replace your passport and where can you get emergency cash?

6) A few weeks before you leave a natural/terrorist incident occurs where you were scheduled to visit. Who will pay if you cancel your trip?

7) If a family member becomes ill and you must cancel your vacation, how do you get your non-refundable deposits back?

8) While you are on vacation you are forced to evacuate due to impending weather or a terrorist treat. Who will reimburse you for your lost vacation?

9) A family member needs emergency medical treatment and needs to be evacuated. Who will help arrange and pay for it?

10) You are in a non-English speaking country and get sick. Who will help you find an English-speaking doctor?

That's just a list of ten, I'm sure you can think of a few more. I hope you consider purchasing Travel Insurance before your next trip so you can protect yourself, have peace of mind and enjoy your next vacation!

The Best Adventure Luxury Cruise

Never wear a watch or time just flies. You might have always wanted to throw your watch away for the sheer frustration that it brings at all wrong times. You certainly don't want to think about life when you are enjoying.


You are not paying money on a cruise for nothing. You want something different from the rest and that difference can be felt on a cruise. A new vigor and vitality would be waiting. A soul searching journey into the world of Mediterranean, adding the spice to your life is an enchanting journey.

You can revisit history from atop the Acropolis in Athens, Greece; go to the house of the Virgin Mary, or Ephesus. The Mediterranean holds timeless treasures you have only read about it books. The soul of France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Egypt, and many other countries, is just a peek into what you might get to see at the Mediterranean. Time may be a constraint in visiting all of these 2000 islands dotted along the sea.

Experience all the regions once you are on port and taste the ethnicity.
You would not have imagined the world to be so beautiful. The places are breathtaking, the views are exemplary. Nights and days can be enjoyed equally. On the other hand, you can take a day off from your excursions to relax and enjoy the amenities the cruise liner has to offer. on and off land, you get to taste the best that mother nature has to offer and you would thank god that he made the cruises for us to enjoy them.

Bali Villa Rental Tips & Tricks

If like me, you have been bitten by the 'Holiday Villa Bug', you will already know that no hotel can match the privacy and luxury of a good Villa Holiday. The great news is that today there are even more villa rental options out there than ever before. Not to mention the fact that if you know how to choose the right holiday rental villa you will be saving a lot of money in comparison to the same level of service in a comparable quality hotel.

It seems that no where in the world has seen as big an explosion of luxury fully serviced holiday villas, as the island of Bali in Indonesia.

OK, I happen to be blessed with a great line of work, as a Travel Writer, and have been lucky enough to stay in some of the best tropical resorts around the world, especially in Asia. But still for me, nothing compares to the peace, luxury and delights (not to mention the cost effectiveness) of staying in a good serviced villa in Bali.

So, what makes a 'good holiday villa'?

Like everyone else, I have learned how to choose the perfect villa through luck, some mistakes and sheer experience.

Here are my top tips for choosing the right villa in Bali for your next Bali holiday.

Location-Location-Location

This sounds obvious, but it is not always easy to make the right location decision when we are sat at home, far away from our holiday destination.

Like every other world-class holiday destination, Bali offers a range of options, from 'central' locations, to those which offer 'absolute tranquility'.

I personally like a balance between the two. On a Bali villa holiday, the last thing one needs is to be sooo central that you feel like you are an extension of a night club's base unit till wee hours of the morning. On the other hand, I really don't want to be more than 15-20 minutes away from where the restaurants, shops and the action is. I like my villa to be certainly quiet, preferably amongst rice fields, but at the same time accessible (within 30 minutes of the airport, and a few minutes from the action).

The great thing is that Bali caters for all of these tastes.

Those seeking a central location, with a lively night life may want to look into Legian and Seminyak, (I exclude Kuta area from this list, as there are hardly any proper rental villas left in this bustling tourist centre).

Those who don't mind a bit of a trek, and don't want to go out and about much during their holiday, may opt for areas such as Uluwatu or Canggu and beyond.

For me the perfect choice is Kerobokan and Umalas areas. Quiet rural environment, surrounded by rice terraces and real villagers going about their real daily routines (instead of trying to push you a handicraft (Kuta) or pull you into a restaurant you really couldn't care for (Seminyak)).

Quality and Availability of Service

Now this is an area where villas differ from each other immensely. In Bali most villas proclaim to be 'fully serviced'. However, how 'fully' and how 'serviced' range from the most basic to being totally pampered.

A good villa should provide a guest to total staff ratio of nearly 1 to 1, or at least 1.5 to 1. So, if you are a group of 8 you should be looking at, at least, 5-6 full time staff, or for a group of 4 at least 3-4 full time staff. Sounds ostentatiously high? It really isn't once you consider the effort it takes to keep a holiday villa, its gardens, and the pool in a tip-top shape.

Of course, quantity is never the only answer. The staff needs to be full-time and fully-trained at a professional level. There are too many villas out there, which are run by 'part-time' managers and staff who actually have other full time jobs elsewhere!

Your Own Chef

One of the great pleasures of traveling to a foreign destination is to experiment with and experience the local cuisine. And what better place to experience this, than in the comfort of your own villa!

So, make sure that your villa comes with its own Chef. Once you have tasted the delights of enjoying home cooking in your own villa, you will probably not want to venture out to restaurants at all. The best thing is, having your own private villa Chef in Bali, is substantially cheaper than eating out.

However, make sure to check how the Chef arrangement works.

Ideally, the Chef cost should be included in your rental rate. In this case all you have to pay for are the cost of the ingredients which are purchased for you, typically at the local market/supermarket prices, with no mark-up. So, financials of eating at your own villa becomes just like eating at home, but without lifting a finger, and at substantially lower Bali prices.

Some villas claim to offer a Chef service, but charge restaurant/hotel prices for each dish that the chef prepares for you. I prefer to avoid these, as I can always pop out to a restaurant if I so wished anyway.

So, check to make sure that the Chef is part of your villa team, and that you will not be charged incrementally for food on a per item basis.

Your Villa Manager

A professional Villa Manager makes a huge difference to your enjoyment of your holiday. Even if you have been to Bali many times before, a good Villa Manager can be a much valued life-line, a great source of shopping tips, and a problem solver. A good villa manager can provide a wealth of directions/advice, from where to eat, to which river to choose for your white-water rafting adventure in which season, or where the cheapest golf courses are, to which temples to visit to see which local ceremonies.

Needless to say, they should also be managing the villa team, and making sure that the quality of service and cleanliness are never compromised.

Before I book a villa in Bali, I always check to see what the Villa Manager arrangement is like, and that there is a full time Villa Manager on site at the villa I am planning to rent. Typically, for good villas, you can expect to have your own dedicated Villa Manager, or have a Villa Manager who is working at 2-3 adjacent villas. However, if a Villa Manager is expected to look after 5-6+ villas, then you are most likely not going to see him for more than a few minutes a day, only during his courtesy visits (at best), so you loose out on the real benefits of having the inside-track.

Villa Quality & Upkeep

Be very, very weary of any rental villas which can not provide you with more than at least 20 recent photos of the property. These photos should show you not only the outside of the buildings, but also the living/dining areas, as well as insides of bedrooms.

If you are not provided with a sufficient number of photos giving you a clear idea of the property, then it is quite likely that there is something substantially wrong with the property, such as a building overlooking it, an abattoir next door, or at the least peeling paintwork or missing fixtures/furniture.

Remember, not all villas are created equal. But additionally, not all villas are kept and maintained equally well. It is your right to request and see these photos of the property.

Mod-Cons

OK, you are planning to stay on a tiny island, in the middle of the tropics. What mod-cons should you expect?

From own experience, I would suggest that even in the middle of the tropics, good Bali villas should be able to provide at least the following mod-cons:

Air-conditioning in all bedrooms

Clean, Western style kitchen -fully equipped with a fridge, microwave, electric kettle, and a coffee maker, as well as sufficient crockery and cutlery

Safe deposit box - at least one for your private villa use, and preferably one in each bedroom

TV/Satellite/DVD Player - as there will always be someone who wants to catch the news, or children who will need entertaining

Telephone - whilst many of us live attached to our mobile/cellular phones, it is important that there is a permanent phone connection at the villa, in case of emergencies

En-suite bathrooms - if you are looking at going as a family or a group of friends, you really don't want to spend your holiday in Bali queuing for the next available slot at shared facilities!

Enjoying a fully staffed and serviced villa with your own Chef may seem like an un-attainable dream in most other parts of the world. However, renting a Villa in Bali is by far one of the most cost effective ways of enjoying this beautiful island and the company of its hospitable people.

Now armed with this check-list you are ready to plan you next dream holiday in a Villa in Bali.

Like me, you will probably never want to leave, and go back to reality!

Many happy returns...