Advice and Information for the World Traveller on Many Destinations

Archive for the ‘Worldwide Travel’ Category

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.

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.

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.

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.

London Heathrow airport is the biggest in the United Kingdom.  It is located just 15 miles from central London and is easily reached via the M4 and M25 motorways.  The airport now has five terminals and offers flights to and from all four corners of the world.  It is linked to the London Underground and overland rail services so is an ideal starting point for tourists.

Tourists have a vast number of hotels to choose from at Heathrow and there are several major tourist attractions within easy travelling distance. Legoland is situated at Windsor and makes a fun day out for all the family.  There are rides, shows and Lego interactive building challenges to stretch the imagination.

Ascot Racecourse has several race meetings each year and in June each year Royal Ascot offers several days of racing, royalty and celebrity spotting.  For those who enjoy rubbing shoulders with the upper classes, Windsor Castle is another popular destination for tourists.  The castle is one of the Queen’s official residences and dates back over a thousand years.  It is home to St George’s Chapel, where a number of royal weddings have taken place. Visitors can also view the Castle’s State Apartments.

For sports enthusiasts, Sunningdale and Wentworth golf clubs are close to the airport.  There is also The Guards Polo club which is one of the largest in Europe.  A large number of members are actually non-players and matches take place most weekends during the summer months in Windsor Great Park.

If you are taking your first cruise, it is important to be aware of what will need to be organised for your trip. Cruise holidays involve a little more than simply turning up at the ship and being whisked away on your voyage; there are several arrangements that will need to be made before you set sail.

Booking flights to the departure destination is, of course, the first thing you should look at. Many cruise deals offer packages, which include the cost of return flights in the price, but if you opted to fly separately, it will be well worth your while looking for the best deals, especially if you are going on a long-haul flight. It is also vital that you give yourself plenty of time between the flight arrival and the cruise departure. You should also allow for any potential delays.

Some cruise companies provide transport from the airport to the pier, but the majority will require that you book at least 14 days in advance. They can also look after your baggage, taking it right from the airport to the ship, but it will be your responsibility to ensure that this is done. If arranging your own transport to the pier, porters are nearly always on hand to take your luggage.

Another area that requires attention is the documentation for the trip. As well as tickets it is essential that you have a valid passport that will be accepted at each port of your cruise and stay holiday. Depending on the countries being visited, you may also need to obtain one or more visas.

For smokers, cruise holidays can vary on the do’s and don’ts of lighting up on board. As cruise and stay getaways cover a wide variety of countries across the world, it can be unclear as to what laws will be applicable to passengers.

Some of the major lines have banned smoking indoors, on their ships, altogether. P&O cruises, for example, have prohibited indoor smoking on their Artemis, Oceana and Ventura vessels since 2008 and passengers are only allowed to enjoy a cigarette on their own private balcony or designated outside areas. Guests who don’t abide by the rules could face a fine. Costa Cruises have adopted a similar policy.

However, if you are looking for smoking freedom, Carnival cruises, have a much more relaxed approach and allow smoking in the casinos, piano bars and live music venues, but not dining areas and the main lounges. Princess Cruises have been a little more technical with their handling of the smoking issue and cigarette smoking is allowed indoors, but cigar and pipe smokers will have to go out on the open deck.

Whether you are a smoker or someone who could do without cigarette smoke for their cruise holiday, it will be worth your while reading up on the policies for different ships. Non-smokers should select a room and balcony as far forward as possible, as when the ship pulls off, smoke from other balconies will blow back towards the stern.

Much will also depend on the nationality of the cruise line; local Mediterranean and Red Sea cruise companies often allow smoking on board.

With so much ancient history and rich culture packed into one place, travellers to Egypt may soon be overwhelmed as they try to plan the perfect holiday. The following are some destinations you might want to consider to help make the most of your flight to Egypt.

The Great Pyramids are probably the highlight of any trip to Egypt, along with the Sphinx at Giza. Plan to arrive early in the day, ideally around 8am, when tickets are still widely available and the desert heat has yet to really set in.

Marsa Alam is located on the shores of the Red Sea. This one-time fishing village is one of the absolute best places to swim or snorkel anywhere in the country. Cheap flights to Egypt are bringing more and more tourists to this quiet corner of the country every year, but it is still far less crowded than the commercial resorts further north.

The coastal region of Wadi el Gamal is a national park and a perfect destination for eco-travellers. Beautiful natural landscapes including palm trees, mangroves and coral reefs, while the dolphins and other wildlife that live in the area are protected. There are plenty of eco-lodges and campgrounds where conscientious travellers can rest after arriving on their flights to Egypt.

Lake Nasser, the largest man-made lake in the world, is located in the middle of the vast desert between two interesting towns. Abu Simbel and Aswan are a day trip away from one another, either by plane or early morning bus.

For anyone considering a cruise for their honeymoon or romantic break, you can be certain to be spoilt for choice. All the major cruise lines organise holidays aimed towards newlyweds and couples.

You should first look at the destinations offered by each cruise company; the Mediterranean and Caribbean are easily the most sought after for honeymoons. Carnival cruises offer their ship, the stunning Carnival Miracle, which has been a huge hit with couples, regularly scoring high in customer reviews and forums. The famous, Nick & Nora’s Supper Club, is said to be one of the most romantic locations at sea. This medium-size vessel has recently undergone a major refit and comes with a ‘fictional’ theme. It is also highly praised for its spa and fitness centres.

It is even possible to tie the knot at sea, something that is becoming increasingly popular with young couples. Princess cruises and Royal Caribbean are known for their wedding parties and if you are booking a large group, you would be surprised at the money you could save. Remember, if you plan to have your wedding at sea, it will be important to take note of the legal circumstances, as they aren’t as straight forward as when getting married on land.

Last minute cruise deals will always be offered to couples and many of the cruises come with special perks to suit your needs. If you are trying to impress your loved one, there could hardly be a better way than to book a luxury cruise holiday or honeymoon.

Millions of enthusiastic travellers book flights to Palma each year. Many of them spend as little time as possible in Mallorca’s capital city, as they’re anxious to get to the island’s famous beaches and luxury resorts. However, visitors who by-pass Palma miss the beauty, history and unique personality of this lovely city curved around the Bay of Palma. This is is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, full of palaces, museums, cathedrals, galleries, restaurants, clubs, shops and parks.

Palma’s historic old town district is home to most of the city’s significant attractions. The La Seu Cathedral is a breathtaking structure built in the French Gothic style, with candelabras and an altarpiece designed by Gaudi. The cathedral was built on the ruins of an ancient mosque, like so many other churches throughout Spain. Construction on La Seu began more than half a millennia ago and continues even today.

The Almudaina Palace is another architectural gem located in Palma’s old town.  Located right next to La Seu, the building was once at the centre of a Moorish fortress.  During the Christian conquest of the island, the site was converted into a royal palace.

Yet another stunning edifice is the Es Baluard. It was built by adding concrete walls to the ruins of Palma’s historic city walls. The collection at the March Foundation is also worth seeing. This gallery features more than 70 permanent works as well as a rotating collection of temporary exhibits.

Flights to Palma are usually just a means to a sunny end on Mallorca’s coast, but if you have some time to spend, it’s well worth discovering this beautiful city.