Advice and Information for the World Traveller on Many Destinations

When you arrive at each port of call on your cruise and stay holiday, you will be given the option to either join the designated cruise tour or go off on your own. However, it will not be possible to make up your mind on the day, as cruise operators require you to book tours in advance, for each destination. These tours are often arranged in cooperation with local guides and although you will be able to book your place while on the ship, in order to guarantee your place, it is highly recommended that you make your reservations before the cruise departs.

Of course, if you feel confident of your good sense of direction, there is nothing like exploring on your own. Many people choose to go it alone, as it can work out cheaper to find your own tour guide. For anyone looking to discover a more authentic side to a destination, you will see far more than you will on the cruise tours. However, unlike the guided tours provided by the ship, you are solely responsible for getting back to the ship before it is due to sail.

Whether you decide to follow the sponsored tour or go your own way will largely depend on the destination. A good way to find out if a tour would be worthwhile is to read reviews posted by other travellers, online. Booking your own tour may well be cheaper, but if you are unsure about the destination it is probably best to stick close to the main group.

Some fascinating prehistoric sites can be visited in Northern Ireland. Like Stonehenge in England, these sites draw in many intrigued tourists eager to learn more about Northern Ireland’s distant past.

The Giant’s Ring, located at Ballynahatty near Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast, is a huge earthwork circle or ‘henge’ monument. Near the centre lies a tomb composed of five upright stones and a capstone. If staying in Belfast city, a day trip to the Giant’s Ring makes for a very interesting experience. Admission to the site is free and the gates open at 10.00am (closing hours are variable depending upon the season).

Another of Northern Ireland’s prehistoric sites can be found eight and a half miles northwest of Cookstown in County Tyrone. The Beaghmore site is home to seven stone circles and numerous cairns dating from the Neolithic era. The exact purpose of the stones is still not fully understood, adding to the sense of mystery surrounding the site. The Beaghmore stone circles are always open to the public and admission is free. While in this part of Northern Ireland, the nearby Sperrin Mountains are also well worth a visit.

The Ballygroll Prehistoric Complex in County Londonderry is yet another fascinating prehistoric site. The monuments, tombs, cairns and stone circles of Ballygroll date from 4000 to 1000BC. The entire site is set within a pre-bog field system situated on Slievegore Hill. The complex is easily visited from the city of Derry. Again, admission is free and the site is always open to the public.

Whilst others flock to Spain and Portugal, the canny golfer looks to France for a relaxing break, enjoying the culture, scenery and gastronomy of our neighbours across the Channel. You can either book with a specialist company offering golf packages, or create your own custom holiday, perhaps renting an idyllic French gite or holiday cottage. This way you can tailor activities to suit everyone in your party, combining golf with beach activities, horse riding, walking, and sightseeing.

Many of France’s golf courses are in glorious settings, beautifully kept, undiscovered and free from crowds. Green fees aren’t cheap, but special offers and discount vouchers can help keep it affordable. It pays to do some research in advance. There are several regions which are perfect for a French golfing holiday. In Brittany, just a short hop across the Channel, there are golf courses on rocky shorelines, set in ancient forests and beside lakes. The area is brimming with history and character, with lots to see and do.

Northern France, also easily accessible from the UK, boasts some superb courses in an area known for its gastronomic delights, the cultural centre of Lille, and pretty seaside resorts such as Deauville and St Omer. In the southwest, you can combine your golfing holiday with the attractions of Bordeaux and Biarritz where the fairways are set amidst pine trees and sandy beaches, surrounded by famous vineyards. On the Mediterranean coast, you’ll find pristine courses near the glamorous resorts of Cannes, Nice and Montpellier.

Moscow and St Petersburg may be the most popular tourist destinations in Russia, but the city of Omsk is fast becoming a more widely recognised attraction. Omsk is located in south-western Siberia and is the administrative and industrial centre of the region. Despite its development, the city has preserved its fascinating history and culture.

Visitors to Omsk are spoilt for choice as far as sights are concerned. Lyubinsky Avenue (also known as Lenin Street) is one of the city’s main thoroughfares and provides an interesting mix of architectural styles. The old buildings of the Merchants Row (the Gostiny Dvor), the Drama Theatre and the lavish Dormition Cathedral are all to be found in and around this area.

The Omsk Museum of Fine Arts and the Pushkin Library are two more cultural highlights, as is the traditional and spectacular Omsk Circus. On warm summer days, the sandy banks of the Irtysh River become a prime spot for people watching. The opportunity to sunbathe on a beach in Siberia is one that shouldn’t be missed.

The area around Omsk also provides more adventurous outdoor activities. The forests and tundra are ideal for trekking and cross-country skiing, both of which can easily be arranged in the smaller towns outside Omsk or within the city itself.

Omsk can be reached by air from most of Russia’s major cities. Both branches of the Trans-Siberian railway pass through the city, making Omsk an ideal stop-off point for travellers on Russia’s most famous train line.

Edinburgh is one of the world’s great cities. Its castle perched on a great rock overlooking the city has soaked up history like a sponge and appears to be a symbol of defiance and dominance. This first impression can be misleading, as Edinburgh these days is renowned for its hospitality and the friendliness of the residents. With many cheap flights to Edinburgh available visitors are flocking there from all over the world.

The Old Town which dates back to medieval times, and the New Town that was being built when Sir Walter Scott lived there, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is full of splendid architecture.

Top of Edinburgh’s list of attractions is undoubtedly the famous castle, which dates from the twelfth century and has seen a turbulent and bloody past. You can take a creepy ghost tour around the Old Town if you’re so inclined, but don’t forget the more earthly delights of the five National Galleries and the National Museum. Exhibitions and festivals are held throughout the year, so it is worth looking them up when you plan your visit.

In terms of eating and drinking you are spoilt for choice, and down any main street in Edinburgh you’ll come across plush modern restaurants and smaller bars and brasseries, serving up more traditional fare from the surrounding Lothian region.

In the evenings, venues such as the Cabaret Voltaire host local bands and artistes, and there are plenty of clubs to suit all tastes in music and dance.

This city has something for everyone; so make the most of cheap flights to Edinburgh to guarantee a great time in Scotland.

Cruises don’t have to mean weeks and weeks at sea. Most cruise companies, including Carnival, Thomson, Costa and P&O offer what are known as mini cruises.

Mini cruises are perfect for anyone wanting to just sample the cruising life or for those just looking for a short break away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You will have the luxury and benefits of a full cruise, just shorter in length.

Usually, mini cruises last around two to four days, but they can be as long as a week. Most short cruises will depart from a port in the United Kingdom, while those lasting for up to seven days may require you to fly to an international port and meet the cruise liner there. Usually, mini cruises involve Mediterranean itineraries.

You will be offered exactly the same service, on a mini cruise that you would expect to find on a full length one. Meals are included in the package, as are gyms, spas, entertainment and all the usual activities. You can also join any shore excursions that may be taking place at the various ports of call.

Mini cruises are a great way to get a taste for what a full length cruise is like, this may be your first time and if you aren’t sure it’s for you a mini cruise is perfect to get your feet just wet enough to decide whether it’s your type of holiday.

With its various historical influences and owners, the island of Malta is a fascinating mix of Mediterranean cultures. Malta has been ruled by a number of nations during its fascinating history, creating a unique blend of architectural styles and cultural traditions. Exploring all that Malta has to offer will certainly keep visitors intrigued and entertained, while the beaches provide a perfect place to relax.

Malta’s small capital, Valletta, is a real historical gem. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city and its massive fortifications look over the Grand Harbour below. The narrow backstreets are ripe for exploration, while the main square bustles with activity. The Hypogeum, meanwhile, is the island’s most impressive historical structure. This prehistoric underground necropolis still baffles experts with its many mysteries. Due to its age and importance, only 80 tourists are allowed to enter per day. Be sure to book in advance in order to see this incredible temple.

Malta’s rich Mediterranean history is complemented by some equally spectacular beaches. Ghadira Bay is the island’s most popular spot, especially with families. There is always space on this large stretch of sand backed by cafes and restaurants, and the water is perfect for swimming and parasailing. For greater tranquillity, head west to Gnejna Bay. The beach here is popular with locals but never gets overcrowded.

Getting to Malta is not difficult. Regular ferries connect the island with Italy, the fastest being the catamaran service to and from Sicily. Malta’s International Airport, meanwhile, is well connected with the rest of Europe and North Africa.

Saudi Arabia has long been seen as a closed country where westerners did not go. It is still to a certain extent viewed as something of a forbidden place that does not take kindly to foreigners. Things have started to change slightly during recent years and for those who do venture into the country there are some amazing yet not widely known sites to visit.

Madain Saleh is a place where many ancient peoples came together via trading caravans, pilgrim routes, armies and explorers. Its Temples of the Nabataeans are carved from stone. These were carved by the same craftsmen that built the temples at Petra in Jordan, although they are nowhere near as spectacular.

The north of Saudi Arabia has a number of pre-Islamic sites including those at Al-Ula and the standing stones of Rajajil 25 kilometres from Sakaka, which tourists rarely get permission to visit.  Relics of the Hejaz railway and various forts stand as a reminder of times gone by when trade caravans and groups of pilgrims passed through here every day. The area around Hejaz, which means ‘barrier’ and refers to the escarpment that separates the area from the rest of the country, is the most cosmopolitan in all Saudi Arabia.  This is because of the variety of traders and travellers who have come through the area and have left their mark.

The Hejaz area is an excellent place to spend some time exploring as it is bordered by the Red Sea in the north, and mountains to the south. It also contains the old town of Jeddah which has secrets of its own to reveal and with an abundance of cheap flights available to Saudi Arabia now has never been a better time to visit.

During the past ten years Manchester has seen major changes. Prior to that it had been known as an industrial city in the north of England where it always rained. Today it still celebrates its long industrial history that is still evident in the old mill buildings and museums, but it is now a busy, vibrant city with a world wide reputation for sport and music venues, not to mention art and culture.

The modern architecture mixed in with the traditional cityscape is unique to Manchester. First impressions of the city are exciting as the whole pattern of Victorian mills and modern structures made from curved and angular steel comes into view. It somehow combines industrial heritage and state of the art modern architecture, to form an interesting skyline.

Among the places to visit are the Museum of Science and Industry and The Lowry Art and Entertainment Centre, which hosts a number of different events throughout the year, but always has a selection of L.S. Lowry paintings on view. The Lowry houses the largest collection of works by this artist to be found anywhere in the world.

Manchester Art Gallery has several permanent exhibitions and holds various events throughout the year. Among its permanent displays are items going back to the slave trade and there is also a ‘remembering slavery’ tour available.

The Hat Works houses a museum that traces the history of hat making in the city. You will find top hats, trilbies, homburgs as well as a huge collection of ladies’ hats from days gone by. At present Manchester Hat Museum is concentrating on building its collection of pre-1900 hats and adding modern designer creations to the collection.

For sporting enthusiasts, no trip to the city of Manchester would be complete without a visit to Manchester City FC Ground and of course, Manchester United FC.

Costa Cruises is a trusted provider of cruise holidays to a plethora of destinations worldwide. Choose from a number of itineraries based around such destinations as the Atlantic Ocean and Canary Islands, Canada and United States, Eastern Caribbean, Eastern Mediterranean, Far East, the Grand Orient, Indian Ocean and Mauritius, Middle East, Northern Capitals, Norwegian Fjords and Highlands, South America, Transatlantic, Western Caribbean and Western Mediterranean.

Costa Cruises offers a variety of cruises and cruise and stay holidays tailored to suit the needs of every traveller, on a fantastic fleet of well equipped and luxurious liners.

Families can enjoy a relaxing cruise holiday together safe in the knowledge that the needs of both parents and children will be well catered to.  The Costa Kids programme is open to children aged between three and 17 and offers a programme of activity and entertainment to keep youngsters occupied at sea, including arts and crafts, sports, games and parties. Run by qualified staff, the Costa Kids programme allows parents to enjoy a bit of well earned alone time safe in the knowledge that their children are well taken care of.

Costa Cruises are also a great option for couples, offering an exciting opportunity to share a wealth of experiences. As well as discovering new and interesting cruise destinations, couples will be able to bond while enjoying a variety of activities from fine dining to relaxing on deck – the stress free cruising travel style will free up time for couples to simply spend some quality time together.