Late cruise deals...

Leave rain and wind and snow behind and book one of the latest cruise deals on offer.  With just a few clicks the dismal wintry weather of the UK can be just a distant memory.  Instead of having to dress up in several layers of woolly clothes, pack the shorts, t-shirts and swimwear and head off to the sun.

Cruise ships sail the Med all year round as some of the destinations are best visited out of the hot summer months.  The sun is not so intense, and the tourist spots are quieter.

There are several top 2013 offers at the moment with mouth-watering itineraries.

The first gem is a fabulous 7-night cruise departing from Barcelona.  Ports of call on this cruise include Valencia; La Goulette in Tunisia; Civitavecchia the port for Rome; Genoa and Marseille before finally heading back to Barcelona.  There are special deals for children and also the option to upgrade to All Inclusive for just a few pounds.  

A cruise embarking from Bari, Italy, visits Katakolon on mainland Greece, the gateway to Olympus – the birthing ground of the original Olympic games. It also calls at the stunning island of Santorini, instantly recognisable by its beautiful whitewashed and blue-roofed buildings.  From Santorini, the cruise ship sails northwards to Piraeus, from where passengers can take a 20-minute metro ride to the Greek capital of Athens.  The Parthenon perched high on the Acropolis of Athens, the agora and the Roman Forum are all popular tourist sights.

Continuing northwards, the ship calls at romantic Venice famed for its canals, St. Mark’s Square and its sinking foundations before returning to Bari.

Picture: Jacrews7

A glimpse into Spanish culture in Madrid...

Madrid is the place to visit for a taste of the real and rich Spanish culture. Despite its modern face and infrastructure, Madrid has preserved much of its historic feel and cultural heritage, from siestas to traditional foods and fiestas. Even the ultra modern events will still have some touch of tradition in Madrid. 

Fiestas (festivals) are lively and full of colour. The most notable ones on the Madrid social calendar include the colourful Christmas market at Plaza Mayor, the New Year’s Eve celebrations and the San Isidro fiesta during which residents pay tribute to Madrid’s patron saint every 15th of May.  
   
As with the rest of Spanish culture, Spanish culinary heritage is refined. Tapas is a traditional Spanish meal.  They are appetizers that initially consisted of bread and ham and were eaten while drinking beer. Ham, olives and variations of tapas dishes feature strongly in Spanish food.

With their generally relaxed approach to life, Spaniards love their siesta. Many cafes are usually full at this time as the patrons take a break from their schedules for a couple of hours in the afternoons.

Art is also an important part of Spanish culture. The works of master artists including Pablo Picasso, Kadinsky, Dali and Miro are on display at the Reina Sofia Museum. At the Prado, there are famous artworks by El Greco, Goya and many other artists.  

For shopping, visit Madrid’s biggest flea market, the El Rastro. This is held every Sunday morning regardless of the weather; the market sells antiques, crafts, second-hand objects and many other unique items at bargain prices.

If you happen to be in Madrid during the bullfighting season, you can witness the Spanish tradition at the Plaza de las Ventas. Alternatively you can visit the Museo Taurino (the bullfighting museum) and learn everything about bullfighting including its history, costumes and evolution.

What types of cruise are there?...

Cruises are becoming increasingly popular and it’s clear to see why. Not only can they cater for your every need and provide the ultimate relaxing setting if you want it, but they also give holidaymakers the chance to stop off at a range of destinations all in one trip.

Cruises are great for any age and demographic as there is always plenty on offer for children as well as cruises designed just for the over 50s. There are several different types of cruise to choose from and whether you decide to go for a short two to four day cruise or a longer ten-night excursion, here are some of the options at your disposal.

Mini cruise

Mini cruises are great for those who want to enjoy a short break and get away from it all for just a few days. Cruises don’t have to come with luxury liners and price tags big enough to match the ship; despite what many might initially think.

This is where the mini cruise comes in. Typically a two-four day adventure, stopping off at a few places and possibly one or two overnight stays, this could be perfect for a weekend break or quick get-away.

What usually happens on a mini cruise is you spend a night on board the ferry, arrive at your destination and, like most cruise adventures, spend the day at your destination before heading back to the cruise for the evening. There are plenty of cheap cruise deals available for these mini cruises which often take travellers to familiar destinations such as Europe or the Mediterranean but give them the chance to explore it in a new light.

Cruise and stay

If you want all the benefits of a cruise and a traditional holiday you could opt for a cruise and stay break, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds. This type of holiday means you can take the best bits of a cruise liner such as the service, relaxation and ease of having everything in one place, as well as enjoying the sights and culture of a new country and holiday destination.

Cruise and stay holidays can be tailored so that you have the option to have the cruise before you stay at your destination or after. This means you could fly out and stay at your destination for a set number of days and enjoy a cruise back home or vice versa.

Long cruises
 
You don’t have to embark on a long voyage between Southampton and New York to make the most of a long cruise. Whilst this is a hugely popular route, you could stay closer to home with fourteen-day Mediterranean cruises or cruises around unique locations such as Egypt. Sharm el Shikh in particular provides an array of cruise options while the Greek island Kefalonia is another really popular cruise spot. Places onboard cruises to these destinations can fill up quickly though so it could be worth booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

Cruises: a world of adventure at your feet...

Finding the latest offers on cruise holidays can be a confusing, with a dizzying array of destinations, operators and themes on offer.  Every brochure looks like a dream trip so choosing the right one to suit your requirements is imperative.

See the world

For the ultimate experience, a round the world cruise is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  These offer the opportunity to experience a huge number of cultures, set foot on every continent and experience some of the most luxurious liners available.

Every inch of the exquisite ships designed for these trips has been designed with guests’ entertainment and comfort in mind to ensure that the voyage is unforgettable.   

A taste of home

For those who value a uniquely British culture, including in their holidays, a number of operators have ships which are specifically designed to suit these tastes.  The newly renovated Thomson Dream or P&O’s Ventura, for example, cater primarily for UK passengers.

Family first

Cruises are proving an increasingly popular option with families, particularly those with teenage children.  They afford the children with a degree of independence as they are extremely well catered for; with swimming pools, games and clubs for all ages on board.  The parents, too, can enjoy themselves and be content in the knowledge that the children are safe within the ship and with its trained staff.

Short breaks

Cruising is not just for longer holidays.  For those who have not tried a cruise before, short European breaks are an excellent way to get to know a ship and try all of the facilities it has to offer.  There are a variety of options available throughout the year, including extremely popular breaks to European Christmas markets which run right up until Christmas.

The options available when choosing a cruise are no fewer than any holiday on land, so consider what would make your dream trip and there is bound to be a ship to fulfil it.

Popular Cruise Holidays...

Caribbean Cruise

The exotic destination of the Caribbean is always popular with people looking for winter sun and to get away somewhere tropical. There are hundreds of islands in this region, so for a holiday a cruise is the easiest way to see the best of the Caribbean. You get to island hop from on tropical paradise to another with ease.

This region can be expensive but short Caribbean cruises can be affordable and offer you a little taster to this popular region. Options available include Fly, stay and cruise holidays, from a UK airport to the US or one of the larger islands and set sail from there. You can also cruise direct from a UK port, but this type of cruise will be much longer. The Caribbean islands will also form part of a world cruise and other longer cruise options.
European Cruise

Europe covers a vast area and the cruise options are endless. You get to see some fantastic capital cities, explore Europe’s vast history and see some amazing scenery. Options include taster cruises to Northern Europe, which is a great introduction to cruising. Or how about the ever popular Mediterranean, you have the east and west to choses from stopping off in cities such as; Barcelona and Venice. If you want to head further north than a Baltic cruise is for you and features wonderful historical cities which shaped the region, perfect for history buffs.
You can cruise directly from the UK to all the European destinations and there are fly and stay cruise options available at affordable prices.

Alaska and Canada cruises

This rugged terrain of the North American continent is something not many of us get to experience. Cruise holidays to this region can be harsh with freezing temperatures during the winter months, but you won’t be able to see scenery and wildlife like this anywhere else. During spring and summer temperatures are more favourable and you can enjoy the lush green country side when you enjoy an Alaska Cruise and Rockies Tour, the best of both worlds.

Other options also include Vancouver Stay and Alaska Cruise and an Alaska Cruise and Tour. No matter what cruise you take you will get to see the likes of grizzly bears, snow foxes, and humpbacked whales just to mention a few.

You can see all cruise destinations if this list doesn’t tickle your fancy or if you want something more tailor made to your holidaying needs.

Taking a Baltic Cruise...

A cruise around the Baltic is a great way to visit lots of Scandinavian countries in one go and ideal for first time cruisers from the UK or those who don’t like too much heat.

Most Baltic cruises start at the westerly end of the Baltic Sea, and are only a short flight from the UK with plenty of budget airlines flying to the boarding ports such as Copenhagen or Kiel.  Look out for sailings early or late in the season as some great bargains can be had on these less popular dates, with no real loss in terms of the weather.

Pack a good range of clothing and comfortable shoes for touring the ports and check out the available excursions in advance as they may be cheaper to book before the ship sets sail.  For those that want to disembark at St Petersburg (or anywhere else in Russia), a tourist visa is essential and must be purchased before travelling.  Passengers who are part of an official sightseeing tour do not need a visa and this is often a cheaper option.

Combining a cruise with a hotel stay...

Although a cruise is a complete holiday in its own right, many people opt for a combined cruise and hotel stay.  This gives holidaymakers the best of both worlds: a voyage punctuated by visits to places of interest along the way and the opportunity to extend their enjoyment of the attractions that a particular place offers. 

The hotel stay is usually taken at the beginning of the holiday or tacked on to the end of the cruise and the order of the events is a matter of personal preference.

How to arrange a cruise and hotel stay

It is possible to book the cruise and hotel through the cruise line itself, or via a specialist cruise travel firm.  Some travel agents offer tailored packages.

There are many websites where prices and specifications can be viewed and compared before deciding on a particular combination where you can get really good cruise offers, as well as forums containing useful advice from people who have experienced a combined cruise and hotel stay.

Examples of cruises with hotel stays

A combined cruise and hotel stay can be enjoyed anywhere in the world and port cities with tourist attractions are popular destinations, such as Venice and Bangkok.

It is possible to take in several places and enjoy a range of exciting experiences when combining a cruise with a hotel stay.  For example, a cruiser can take a flight from London to Chicago and spend a few days exploring the city, then travel on a train through the Rocky Mountains to Seattle.  Once in Seattle, there is another hotel stay, followed by a cruise around Alaska for a week, returning to Seattle for a flight back to the UK.  This is an example of a journey that provides experience of many forms of picturesque and rugged scenery from the comfort of a ship and a train.

Finding the Winter Sun...

If you’re looking for winter sun, look no further than the Caribbean. Scorching temperatures over December, January and February make it the ideal destination to shake off those winter blues. A cruise holiday is the easiest way to see the Caribbean and there are a number of fantastic deals available for this winter and next from Bonvoyage.co.uk.

You can choose from a fly and cruise holiday or if you wish set off from a UK port. There is a huge array of itineraries available hitting some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. If you book now you may be able to find a holiday so you spend Christmas in the lap of luxury on a cruise ship now that would be different.

When you cruise around the Caribbean you have the opportunity to see some of the most stunning scenery on the planet as well as enjoy the turquoise waters and white sand beaches. Plus with island excursions there is a great opportunity to learn some of the colonial history of many of these islands which is tied to the UK. You can spend the day exploring the port, or head to the glorious beaches and catch a few rays. How about enjoying some snorkelling or partaking in some fantastic water sports. If that’s not exciting enough for you there are always helicopter tours available on some of the islands too!

Some of the major islands you can visit on a Caribbean cruise holiday include:

Antigua
Barbados
Dominican Republic
Jamaica
Mexico
St Lucia

There are also hundreds of other islands as well, it all depends on which itinerary you choose, but one thing is guaranteed that no matter what islands you visit it will be an amazing experience. And if these beautiful islands aren’t enough, then the awe-inspiring cruise ships certainly will be. Some seem bigger than a small town; others are small, luxurious and intimate. There will be a ship out there to suit your needs and wallet whether you’re travelling as a family, couple or solo traveller.

Booking a cruise...

There are plenty of ways to book a cruise holiday.  Some people prefer to use the internet, whilst others may prefer to have the personal touch by speaking to a specialist.

Booking online

There are a lot of benefits to booking a cruise holiday over the internet.  There are an abundance of promotional offers that can be found online where the user just types in the code when they are paying for the holiday.  Sometimes this can greatly reduce the final price of the holiday.  Promotional offers usually only apply to specific cruises; however they can be a great option for people who are not quite sure what location they want to visit.

Booking through a travel agent

Many people still prefer the personal touch of booking cruises through a specialist travel agent like Imagine Cruising.  This is great both for people who would like to book a specific trip, and for those who would like to just get advice on which particular ship would suit them the most.  Another of the benefits of using a travel agent is that they are expert at finding special deals and offers for customers.

European Summer Holiday Ideas...

When it comes to taking a holiday in Europe, you are spoilt for choice; there are many different options available and many places to see.

Cruise Holiday

A Mediterranean cruise holiday is a great option if you like to get out and about and explore different places. You can visit a number of different countries, all in one trip without hassle. Many people choose a Mediterranean cruise holiday because you can set sail from the UK, without the need of flying. Cruise holidays are also much more affordable than people believe. You can find some great deals from Bonvoyage, that won’t break the bank. Plus with all the exciting and wonderful places you get to visit, a cruise holiday really is value for money.

Rail Tours

A European rail tour is a great way to see Europe. Crossing through countries easily by rail can also be affordable. And there is no need to fly; you can travel from the UK, from your nearest station. You can head out of London on the Eurostar and make your way snaking around tracks across Europe. Rail travel has been overlooked in recent years as people opt for cheap flights and package deals. But rail tours allow you to see so much more than you could from a package holiday. Rail tours also allow you to be flexible with where you visit and how long you stay in each place.

Driving Holiday

A driving holiday allows you to set off from home, to a UK port and across to Europe and beyond, in your car. If you enjoy driving and want freedom to explore then a driving holiday may be for you. Quite a large number of Brits choose driving holidays, whether they just simply hop across to France or further. Obviously the further you go the more driving you will do but also the more you will see. It’s easy to travel across boarder with your UK passport and with a driving holiday you are free to go wherever you please. If you go during the high season, it’s advisable to book accommodation beforehand, however low season you may be able to find places to stay along the way, whether camping, self-catering or hotels.