Getting Around in Venice...

Flights to Venice arrive at the city’s Marco Polo Airport, bringing thousands of international tourists to this magical destination each year. The airport is located about 16kms from the city centre and is easily accessible by water boat, water taxi, traditional taxi service and bus.

Once you reach Venice, there are just two ways to get around, on foot or on the water. 

One of the best things about visiting Venice is simply wandering the streets and exploring on foot. Chances are you’ll find hidden alleys not marked on any map, enchanting neighbourhood squares, cosy cafes and surprises around every corner. So lace up those walking shoes and discover a hidden gem before your flights from Venice depart for home.

Cars and bicycles are prohibited within the city limits, but there are plenty of other ways to get around, if you’d rather not walk. The canals are full of waterbuses, water taxis, and those famous gondolas. The vaporetti, buses and public ferries, principally serve the Grand Canal, the city’s main waterway and can be very crowded during the peak summer season, so allow extra time if you need to reach your destination by a specific time. Water taxis are expensive and you can expect to pay extra for oversized luggage, trips after dark, on Sundays and holidays or in response to a call. Gondola rides are also expensive, but flights to Venice aren’t complete without at least one ride on these iconic canal boats. Just make certain you negotiate the price with the gondolier before boarding.

Amman – more than meets the eye!...

If it’s an authentic, historic Middle Eastern experience you’re looking for, you won’t find it in Amman.  More modern than antique, Amman doesn’t hold a candle to Cairo or Damascus in terms of impressive Islamic culture.  If you’re booking flights to Amman in an attempt to find a culturally significant Arabic city, you may be sorely disappointed by the Westernised atmosphere permeating the city.

There are two sides to Amman: the rigidly Islamic and conservative eastern end of the city is home to the urban poor and contains expansive Palestinian refugee camps on its suburban fringe, while the modern western side of town is the cultural and financial hub with pleasant residential neighbourhoods, trendy restaurants and pubs, and magnificent galleries.  It is essential to experience both sides of Amman if you want to get a true sense of the city, or even Jordan itself.

The influx of Palestinian – and, more recently, Iraqi – refugees has permanently altered the personality of the city.  Most of these displaced expats are highly educated and unfazed by the closely monitored social and cultural control exercised by Amman’s Islamic conservatives.  These immigrants have joined with young Jordanians to reshape Amman into a more tolerant, forward-thinking metropolis.

If it is diversity and an international flare you’re looking for, flights to Amman will not disappoint.  If you arrive in Amman seeking medieval bazaars and classic Islamic architecture, you won’t find it.  But if you want a warm welcome, a thriving downtown scene, and a city with a charisma all its own, you won’t want your flights from Amman to depart too soon.

Have a great holiday with Princess Cruises...

Princess Cruises are a leader in the field of cruise holidays. With a fleet of 17 luxurious seagoing vessels, they offer a choice of more than 115 cruise itineraries visiting around 350 desirable destinations worldwide.

Choose the intimate atmosphere of small ship cruising on board ships such as the Pacific Princess, Royal Princess and Ocean Princess, each of which carries fewer than 700 cruise passengers adding a real element of cruise passenger camaraderie while still offering a wonderful range of onboard experiences and delightful destinations.

Or, alternatively, opt for the large liner luxury of the remainder of the Princess Cruises fleet, each of which is carefully designed and equipped to allow passengers to experience the ultimate in ocean bound activity and entertainment.

Onboard activities range from the energetic to the artistic. Passengers can take advantage of a choice of health and fitness facilities, or ask the opinions of an onboard art expert. For a little intellectual stimulation at sea, why not take advantage of the Princess Cruises’ book club where like-minded passengers indulge their passion for literature with a fascinating programme of talks and discussions.

The Princess Cruise fleet also caters to those who fancy a little retail therapy while on board, with many liners offering a boutique shopping experience for guests to indulge themselves or shop for gifts for their families and friends.

Princess Cruises offer itineraries taking in all sorts of destinations. From short Baltic cruises to longer world cruise options, cruise lovers will find a package that satisfies their needs.

Glasgow – a city of culture and history...

At the heart of the city of Glasgow is George Square, a fantastic place to begin your tour.  Flights to Glasgow allow many visitors to see George Square, where you will find stunning architecture, information kiosks, and benches where you can sit back and enjoy the atmosphere.  There are also festivals here; check out the Bagpipe Festival in August if you can, you will hear some really traditional Scottish music.

Right next to the Kelvingrove Museum is the University of Glasgow, an impressive structure and the second-oldest university in Scotland.  Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow boasts Scotland’s oldest public museum (the Hunterian Museum), which features a spectacular collection of works by Mackintosh and Whistler, among others.

After a flight to Glasgow don’t miss sampling some of Scotland’s famous whisky.  The closest distillery is Glengoyne, located about 19 kilometres from the city centre.  The distillery is open for public tours and tastings.  The best way to get there is to hire a car, especially if you want to visit Loch Lomond while you’re there.  A taxi ride will take about a half hour.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh was one of the pioneers of the famous Art Nouveau movement and his influence can be found all over Glasgow.  The architect, designer and painter’s works mark a significant period in art history, and it’s well worth taking an opportunity to appreciate some of his best work.  The Lighthouse is a converted newspaper office that now stands as a monument to architecture and design.  There is extensive information on Mackintosh here, as well as many samples of his work.  The Mackintosh Tower also provides fantastic views of the city.

Travelling to Italy...

Italy’s climate is mild and temperate, though there are more extreme fluctuations in the mountainous regions and coastal areas. Northern Italy is warm in the summer, central Italy is humid and southern Italy is very dry and hot. In the winter, the north is cold and damp, the central part of the country can reach near freezing temperatures and the south is generally fairly warm. Coastal temperatures are largely the same throughout the country and there is greater change in seasons as you climb higher into the mountains. The Italian Alps frequently experience snow squalls as early as September.

Peak and off peak seasons for flights to Italy depend largely on where you want to go.  On the coast, expect the largest crowds between June and September, while mountain ski resorts are bustling from December through to April. The inland cities are busiest between April and October, despite the uncomfortable heat and humidity of mid-summer. Venice is a popular destination during the Carnival celebrations in February or March, so if you want to stay away from crowds and enjoy the best weather, the ideal times to book flights to Italy are between April and May or September and October.

Typically, the Italian off-season lasts from early November to the middle of December and then again from Christmas to the end of March. During the winter, most major attractions limit their hours or shut down for annual renovations. This can be a great chance to book cheap flights to Italy and obtain deep discounts on hotel accommodation. 

Cairo Travel Tips...

If you are a female travelling solo, take the city’s efficient and safe Metro rather than a taxi or bus. The first coach on every Metro route is reserved for women only.

To avoid unwanted attention, both males and females should dress appropriately. Cairo has a rather conservative culture and it’s best to wear long sleeves and trousers. Always be sure to cover your shoulders, while shorts and skirts must be at least knee length.

Cairo is a bustling, busy city. International travellers may become overwhelmed after several days, so try to spend a little time in of some of the less stressful areas. For example, the Zamalek neighbourhood, on the island of Gezira, mosque courtyards and boat tours on the Nile River are all relatively quiet, peaceful ways to get away for a while.

For an interesting, though rather macabre spectacle, head to one of Cairo’s two “cities of the dead.” These cemeteries have become havens for the homeless and poor, with schools, markets and even a post office operating inside the tombs.

Flights to Cairo land in close proximity to the largest market in the country, the Birgash Camel Market. Get there early and hang back to watch the show.

Any trip to Cairo inevitably includes a stop at Giza, but don’t be surprised by the aggressive camel ride operators who camp out there. If the idea of climbing up on a camel’s back doesn’t interest you, simply give the touts a firm but polite “No” and keep walking.

What Type of Cruise Holiday Are You?...

If you are an experienced cruise ship traveller, you will probably already know which type of cruise holiday and which destinations suit you best. But, what if you have never set foot on a cruise ship before?

You may have decided that you want to try a cruise; you may also have already decided that you want to experience new and exciting destinations and a holiday on the ocean. There are masses of cruise companies and cruise liners that will take you to some utterly amazing parts of the world, but where do you start?

If you are going on a cruise for the first time, the first thing to do and the most important part of choosing your first cruise holiday is setting a budget. Most people assume that a cruise holiday is going to set them back their entire life savings and then some. However, this doesn’t have to be the case at all.

The price of a cruise not only includes your travel and port destination costs, but also the food, gym, entertainment clubs and flights. You may have to pay extra for any spa treatments and special trips when on shore, but you can check these details out directly with the cruise operator or with the travel agent you booked the holiday with.

Once you have set your budget, you can then start to look at what destinations you want to visit and what activities interest you the most. There are cruises to the Antarctic, Mediterranean, Baltic, Caribbean and Alaska and these are just a few examples of the hundreds of options available.

Travelling to England...

England is a country that forms part of the United Kingdom and the British Isles. The country has an estimated population of roughly 60 million people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.

England is widely known for two dominant factors; the growth of heavy industry that the country enjoyed during the late 19th century industrial revolution, and the long line of royal tradition and history that is the envy of many countries in the rest of the world.

England does not have the best rail system in Europe, but it has some of the most widely used airports in the world with Heathrow seeing millions of people flock through its terminals each year. There are airports, large and small, dotted around the country – making travel in and around the country fairly easy.

The capital of England is London, which has a population of seven million people. The city is visited by thousands of tourists each year and has been described as one of the most romantic cities in the world to visit. The city is also the seat of the UK government and the home of the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.  Buckingham Palace is the residence of Queen Elizabeth II when in London.

England has a very proud sporting history and tradition and the football and cricket teams are said to have the most loyal following of fans in the whole world.  They regularly travel around the globe watching their teams compete in major competitions.

England is also known for the beautiful countryside that graces many of the country’s counties and it is also home to some of the greatest architecture and art in the world.

Flights from Manchester to over 200 destinations w...

Manchester airport is a large airport situated to the south of the centre of Greater Manchester. The airport handles around 20 million people that flow through the three terminals each year.

Flights from Manchester are very varied depending on the airline and destination. Many destinations worldwide are served and can be booked through Internet sites or in person at travel agents.

You can fly from one of three terminals; the first is home to a number of airlines and flies to international destinations, the second flies to more European destinations and the third is used mainly by British Airways and handles a lot of domestic flights to and from other United Kingdom cities.

Officers from the Greater Manchester police force secure the airport and take care of security issues. Detection equipment uses the highest technology that is available in the UK and the authorities regularly carry out random checks on passengers that pass through the terminals.

There are plentiful and efficient transport links into the airport for those who are to catch a flight from Manchester. Rail links run to all of the terminals and there is ample parking for anyone who has chosen to travel by car. If you are parking your car for long periods of time, you can buy passes that mean you can park for a special price – not cheap though.

The airport currently has plans that will mean passengers can fly to a lot more destinations from Manchester airport in the coming years. The airport is rapidly becoming one of the most popular places to fly from in the whole of the UK.

Visit Belfast and see its luck charms!...

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, which forms part of the United Kingdom. The city is the 15th largest in the United Kingdom and has a population of approximately 270,000 people.

Historically, the city has been home to a lot of lesser-known industries such as linen production, rope making and tobacco production and distribution. The city is still the world leader in many of those industries as well as housing many students from across Europe who have travelled to study at Belfast University.

Belfast also has a major seaport that is the work base of hundreds of fisherman who take advantage of the natural resources that can be found in the Irish Sea.

Transport links to the city are not as great as in many other places around Europe. The city people rely a lot on the car to get around with the M2 motorway being one of the most famous in the UK for having ten lanes.

The Belfast International Airport is the main way that many people get into the country although the growth in ferry travel traffic from mainland England and Wales has started to develop greatly in recent years.

In terms of history, Belfast has been the backdrop to many violent troubles that plagued the area in the early 1920s, when Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland separated due to conflicts between Roman Catholics and Protestants. The city has also been the place of many attempted IRA bombings in more recent times.