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Cruise the Seychelles on a Luxury Cruise-liner

The Seychelles is a collection of stunning and captivating islands, offering breath-taking sites that are unmatched in other parts of the world.  An exciting part of Seychelles holidays is island hopping, going from the outer to inner islands and exploring the magical unspoiled paradise of each.  There are many ways to explore the less well known secluded and unspoiled parts of the Seychelles.

One way to do is through commercial carriers.  Private planes can connect Mahe to some of the smaller islands, and a selection of regular and scheduled flights are available locally for this purpose.  Flights go to and from Mahe to the popular Praslin Island, La Digue, Bird and Denis islands.  Flights to North Island can be provided by private helicopter charters in the area, for spaciousness, privacy and luxury, charter flights are easy to organize locally.  
 
Another interesting way to explore the Seychelles islands is through Catamaran.  Catamaran ferries connect Praslin and La Digue, leaving relatively frequently.

For those who prefer more stylish and luxurious comforts than Catamarans are able to provide, Le Meridien Pearl is a luxury cruise liner that connects various points of the Seychelles, and is a wonderful way to explore the islands during longer stays.  Equipped with 34 luxury cabins, the cruise ship stops at different islands for a total of 7 days.   Full service cabins provide plush comforts of any hotel and even offer laundry and valet services en-suite.

A selection of sports are available aboard Le Meridien Pear’s luxury cruise liner, as well as live entertainment, attentive staff.  On board guests can use the pool, play golf, relax at the lounge or view live shows on stage.   Le Meridien is also equipped with amenities and equipment for windsurfing, kayaking, water skiing and snorkelling.

Three Ways to Ruin Your Thailand Holiday

Last year alone, almost 16 million people spent their holiday in Thailand.  Thailand is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture.  But, you can easily ruin your holiday if you don’t plan properly.  Make the most of your holiday in Thailand by avoiding these three common mistakes.

 Making Ko Phuket Your First Thai Beach Experience

Chances are, you’ve heard of Ko Phuket, one of the country’s biggest and most populated beaches.  However, it is over-developed and crammed with tourists.  So, you might not enjoy the beach experience.  Instead of Ko Phuket, why not try Ko Chang or Ko Lipe. Though neither island has its own airport, they are less crowded and just as beautiful.

Focusing on Khao San Road When in Bangkok

As you research a budget holiday in Thailand, you may have read about the infamous Khao San Road for shopping, dining, and nightlife.  Feel free to pass by just to satisfy your curiosity, but be aware that it is pretty shabby.  Instead, check out the affordable accommodations of Soi Kasem, near Siam Square. 

Doing Too Much in the Northern Area

Most people try to cram too much into their holiday itinerary.  The point of taking a holiday is to enjoy yourself, so why wear yourself out by cramming too much into the schedule?  In Thailand’s north, there is plenty to do – elephant rides, outdoor adventures, and treks.  Instead of spreading yourself too thin, split your time between a couple of different activities, focusing on one per day.

Choosing a Lanzarote holiday Villa

Lanzarote is a relatively small island located at the northern end of the beautiful Canary Islands.  It is a popular holiday destination for British travellers due to its seaside resorts, golf courses and scenic wonders.  The interior is barren and volcanic, but the coastal perimeter is luxuriant with tropical flora.  There are numerous Lanzarote villa rental companies operating from the UK.
 
Lanzarote is a mere 13 miles wide from west to east, but there are nevertheless many accommodation options to choose from.  A lot of villas can be found in Arrecife, the traditionally Spanish capital of the island.  Other villas can be found further afield such as the secluded and scenic northern portions of Lanzarote.  The official Lanzarote website is a good starting point for researching different locations found on the island.
 
Visit websites with listings of Lanzarote villas.  Ask a local travel agent about villa rentals within Lanzarote.  Compare the features, amenities, location and prices of the villas.  Bookings can be done through a local travel agent by phone or in person, or on an appropriate website.  Direct flights from the UK take about 3 ½ hours.  Lanzarote is in the same time zone as the UK.

Reasons to love cruises from Southampton

Cruises from the UK depart from many ports every day.  However, the Associated British Ports group reports that over a million passengers prefer booking cruises from Southampton, which is Europe’s second largest cruise port.  There are a number of reasons why people choose cruises from Southampton.

Choice

With many major cruise operators, and nearly 40 sailings per day, passengers have a large choice of cruises from Southampton.  Passengers can book luxury cruises, cruise and stay voyages or transatlantic cruises.  Cruises from Southampton allow passengers to trade the cold of winter for the warmer climates of Spain, the Canary Islands, the Caribbean or the Mediterranean.  Transatlantic cruises aboard the Queen Mary 2 or the Queen Victoria are the epitome of luxury travel.

Convenience

No-fly cruises from Southampton eliminate the hassle of crowded airports, flight delays or cancellations.  In addition, the Port of Southampton offers convenient car parks for passengers of Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruise Lines, Fred. Olson, NCL, Saga, MSC, Thomson and Silver Seas.  Cruise lines Fred. Olsen and Saga offer meet-and-greet valet parking for their passengers.  For those who must fly, the Port of Southampton has easily accessible transport links from London, the South West and the Midlands.

Value

Passengers living within driving distance of Southampton will save flight expenses that some cruise deals do not include in their prices.  This makes cheap cruise deals from Southampton especially good value for those travelling with multiple family members.

Choice, convenience and value have properly earned the Port of Southampton its title as the “Cruise Capital of Northern Europe”.

Scuba Diving in Dubai

Once a small, sleepy, desert city, Dubai is now renowned for its glitzy nightlife, shopping and international culture.  Visitors looking for a more interactive experience in Dubai will be pleased to know that there are plenty of adventure sports and activities in which they can indulge.  Foremost amongst them is scuba diving.  With its deliciously warm waters, Dubai’s coastlines are a haven for diving enthusiasts.  Visibility is quite clear even at extreme depths, and the colourful marine life is abundant.

Divers can find partners at local dive shops or by inquiring at a diving club.  Dubai is also an excellent destination for beginners who want to learn how to dive and become certified.  There is a wide range of diving conditions available, including shallower waters and wreck dives.  When planning a scuba diving vacation in Dubai, it is best to put aside an entire day, or even a full weekend.  Most scuba organisations there tend to plan two dives per day (or night).  Expect to pay between 200 to 300 dirham (£34 to £50) for the trip, including equipment rental.

Items That Will Set Off Airport Security

Over the last ten years, airport security has got much stricter.  But, did you know that there are some seemingly simple items that can trigger an airport alarm?  Here are some items that may set off those alarms and what you can do about it.

Aluminium Foil Wrappers

Although many manufacturers have moved away from metallic wrappers to paper ones, there are some that can still affect your holiday travel.  Those metallic wrappers commonly found in packs of cigarettes, sweets and gum can set off the airport metal detectors.  So, how can you avoid any problems?  Simply empty your pockets completely.

Headbands

Did you know a simple headband could trigger additional screening at the airport security line?  Although a headband isn’t prohibited, many of them are made of metal, which means they might trigger the metal detector as you pass through or might be flagged in the x-ray machine. An easy way to avoid getting stopped for your hair accessory is to send it through the x-ray machine.

Small Bottles of Alcohol

While most people don’t travel with a full minibar in their carry-on, small bottles of alcohol can definitely trigger additional security.  Remember, when travelling in or out of the United States, you are not permitted to carry any liquids larger than 3.4 ounces.  As long as your bottle is smaller than that, you should be ok.

Snow Globes

Because of the strict 3.4-ounce liquid restriction, most snow globes are not allowed in carry-on luggage.  So, if you purchase a snow globe as a souvenir on your holiday, be sure to place it in your checked bag.

Inhalers

Some inhalers are cause for concern due to their aerosol nature.  However, because inhalers are medically required for some people, they are often exempt from the 3.4-ounce liquid restriction.  In order to avoid additional security scrutiny, let the security agents know ahead of time that you have an inhaler.  Make sure your medications are all properly labelled.

Mauritius Holidays – the perfect experience

Mauritius is an island nation located off the southeast coast of the African mainland and a popular destination for luxury holidays. Mauritius is part of a group of islands known as the Mascarene Islands, which also includes Reunion and the Seychelles amongst others. The island is served by the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and is the most easily accessible of the Indian Ocean islands. With plenty of luxury accommodation and exclusive resorts, Mauritius is the perfect place for the holiday of a lifetime.

While the island’s countless beautiful beaches are the perfect place to relax and unwind, Mauritius has plenty more to offer visitors. Water sports such as diving, windsurfing and sailing are popular, while you can hire a bike or hike on foot to explore the natural beauty of the island. There are several golf courses in Mauritius as well as numerous tennis courts. Also found on the island are water parks, national parks and museums which can be exciting to explore. The food and drink is of high quality and lively music and dancing is sure to keep visitors entertained well into the night.

The official language of Mauritius is English, though Mauritian Creole and French are also commonly spoken. Visitors are welcomed to the island by locals who are friendly and enthusiastic, while still maintaining a laid-back attitude towards life. Mauritius holidays are the ultimate choice for those who simply wish to relax, enjoy the atmosphere and soak up the best the island has to offer.

Travelling by Scooter in Rome

As the old saying goes: “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”, and what better way to emulate the locals than by whizzing through the narrow streets on a scooter?  Known in Italian as motorini, these fast, light vehicles are available for rent at several locations.  Amidst the hustle and bustle, travelling in Rome by scooter is one of the fastest ways to navigate through the city.

Renting a scooter to see the sights in Rome is best recommended for experienced scooter drivers.  The clamour and confusion of the busy local traffic can be quite overwhelming at times, especially for those who have never ridden a scooter before.  Scooter drivers from abroad do not need a special licence to drive a scooter, but they should have their general driving licence or an international driving permit on hand.  For most locals, the Vespa is the scooter of choice, however, other makes and models are also available at the rental shops.  Typical prices for a one-day rental come in at around £30 to £50, depending on the type of vehicle and insurance.

Get cosy in Stechelberg

Switzerland is full of charming, rustic areas hidden amongst its larger cities.  Among these little gems is a tiny village called Stechelberg that lies in the northerly Lauterbrunnen valley.  Although Stechelberg is not your typical tourist destination, it nevertheless makes for a wonderfully relaxing getaway.  The slow, sleepy pace of the village is complimented by its fresh Alpine air, waterfalls, and greenery all around.  During the long summer days, the silence is only broken by the low hum of insects, and cowbells clanking in the distance.

Since Stechelberg sits right at the foot of Jungfrau, one of the foremost peaks of the Bernese Alps, skiing is a popular activity in the area.  Air trams connect Stechelberg to neighbouring skiing villages, so it is easy to get around.  For a more relaxed afternoon, visitors can try hiking through the beautiful landscapes.  Extreme sports are also available, in the form of bungee jumping, paragliding and base-jumping.

In terms of where to stay, there is a relatively small but varied range available.  A family-owned hotel in the village offers extremely comfortable lodgings and a restaurant, and provides warm, personable service.  Depending on one’s budget, visitors may also opt for bed and breakfast, outdoor camping sites, or rented apartments.  Despite the language barriers, the locals tend to be extremely friendly and will go out of their way to invite foreigners to dine with them, or offer tips on areas to visit.  The food in Stechelberg is usually regional fare and it is easy to pick out the German and Italian influences in the cuisine.  Rich pastas combine with smoky, cured meats and native cheeses.  If there was ever a time to try an authentic cheese fondue steeped in crisp white wine, Stechelberg is the place to do so!

Spend Your Honeymoon in Croatia

Names like Dubrovnik or Galenjak may not have the same romantic connotations as Paris or Rome, but the beautiful scenery and the friendly people make Croatia an ideal honeymoon destination. For example, Galenjak is a heart-shaped uninhabited island, which has become a big hit with romantically inclined tourists wanting to take their honeymoon or celebrate Valentine’s Day there.

Dubrovnik is the perfect retreat for honeymooners, with its many boutiques, markets, cafes, bars and intimate restaurants. Couples can take the time to enjoy the sights and smells of the cobble-stoned streets, peaceful cloisters and the massive walls surrounding the city.

For romantic evenings, Dubrovnik has restaurants that will enchant most honeymooners. The warm sea-air in Croatia makes outdoor dining mandatory, enabling honeymooners to enjoy views of the Adriatic or soak up the atmosphere of Dubrovnik’s “old city”. 

If you are an experienced sailor, boat charters compare favourably with booking into luxury hotels and you are able to follow your own schedule to visit some of Croatia’s islands that are only accessible by sea.

Honeymooning couples often take advantage of the many holiday apartments available for rent in Dubrovnik. Most are located close to the harbour and the old town and there are one-bedroom apartments that are perfect for couples.

There are many other unusual and romantic choices for your Croatian honeymoon, including staying in a 200 year-old stone house in Istria or one of many lighthouses that have been converted into apartments.  Croatia’s delightful scenery and friendly people will help you enjoy your holiday of a lifetime.