Whatever destination you choose, cruising is a fantastic opportunity to visit a variety of destinations within a relatively short space of time. This is advantageous in many ways; you have five-star luxury on board the ship, and you have ample time on-shore to visit each resort or island with plenty of time to take a tour or simply laze on the beach or sightsee and shop. 

A cruising holiday offers so much more than a one-stop destination, and can be as adventurous or as relaxing as you choose. Major cruise ships are equipped with everything that the very best hotels can offer, as well as allowing you to visit a variety of locations.

Between destinations you will find there is much to do on the ship.  Choose from a variety of great activities and workshops, including everything from origami to ice sculpture, deck games like giant chess, quoits and French boules, kids activities and plenty of fun in the pool. Sample some fine cuisine and wines in one of the many restaurants and cafes, or enjoy a poolside snack.  If you like to read and relax, you can visit the quiet and well-stocked library. Whether you are looking for an active holiday, some exploration or just some lazy days, a cruise will not disappoint.  In the evenings the entertainment continues, and after dinner you can choose from soft jazz clubs, ballroom dancing, discos, shows, games, the casino or movies under the stars. There are also regular theme nights for guests to enjoy.

Weddings are common sights on board as many couples now opt for a wedding at sea. Those celebrating that special anniversary or birthday also choose to cruise as cruise packages have become more affordable and represent great value, offering some wonderful memories to cherish forever.

Dong Khoi Area

Dong Khoi is actually just a street, but hotel booking sites often refer to it as an area.  Dong Khoi Street runs right down to the busy Saigon River.  This area is home to the more expensive hotels.  It is also crammed with boutique shops and many restaurants serving traditional Vietnamese food and Western favourites.  It is a relatively safe area for walking as there are traffic restrictions, so crossing the road is easier than in the rest of Vietnam.  Popular hotels in this area include the Sheraton Hotel, Hotel Majestic Saigon, the Caravelle, The Rex and Duxton Hotel Saigon.

Ben Thanh Market Area

Busy during the day, the area around the Ben Thanh market is quieter in the evening.  Small family run cafes and coffee shops are plentiful and so are the street food vendors.  It is close to many of the key Ho Chi Minh City attractions and within walking distance to Dong Khoi Street and the shopping centres.  Some hotels in this area include Lan Lan 1 Hotel, A&EM Le Prince Hotel with cheaper options such as Hoang Lien Hotel, Hong Hac Hotel.

Pham Ngu Lao Area

Pham Ngu Lao Street and surrounding areas is commonly known as the backpacker district because of the number of backpackers who choose to stay there.  Hotels are generally inexpensive here.  This area has numerous cafes, popular bars, dozens of shops and several places to book tours.  The hotels are generally on the cheap side, but prices can go up to mid-range.  Some hotels include Saigon Backpackers Hostel, Duna Hotel and Halo Guesthouse.

A solid 5 star resort offering a relaxed and intimate ambiance and exclusive elegance, this resort caters to every whim and desire.  Offering private relaxation and intimacy, service and attention, guests can greet sunrise and relax on their private terraces eating gourmet-cooked breakfasts prepared by their personal maid.   Lounge in a private en-suite Whirlpool bath in one of the 30 designer suites that face towards opulent surroundings – either the warm and inviting sea or intricately manicured gardens.

The Heaven & Earth Spa is appropriately titled; guests here are surrounded by the lush and earthy greenery of the surrounding hilltop whilst being transported to heaven inside through one of the impressively decadent spa menu.  Treatments and therapies here holistically link body, spirit and mind and encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.

The tiny paradise of Grenada itself leaves much to be discovered and there is no better time to do this than while staying at the Calabash Hotel.   Tours and treks of volcanic crater lakes, hot springs, waterfalls and trekking trails are ready to be explored.  Natural activities meet manmade entertainment in the number of bars, restaurants and eateries that compliment and surround the exotic landscape.

Onsite dining possibilities at the Calabash Hotel include sumptuous choices and dedicated personalised service.   A personal breakfast is served en-suite, along with a mid-morning refresher or fruit plate served personally at guests’ private beach perch.  The Calabash serves lunch at its beach restaurant and late afternoon canapés en-suite, as an appetite tickler for dinner.   Guests enjoy dinner in the beautiful paradise-like gardens of Rhodes restaurants, along with refreshing cocktails.

Native Peoples

Lake Titicaca has several islands that are home to the regions indigenous tribes.  The important islands include the Uros Islands, home to reed gatherers Suriqui, the last bastion of boat makers, the Amantaní, home to shepherds and agriculturists, the Taquilea home to the artisans and finally the islands of the sun and the moon – Isla del Sol and Isla del Luna.  Most islands are inhabited, although there is a lack of modern conveniences so visitors who intend to stay overnight often carry their supplies with them.

Reed Boats

The Uru and Suriqui people are considered the last practitioners of the tradition of building reed boats from Totora reeds.  These reeds grow quickly and even form small islets that last about three decades before they sink to the bottom of the lake.  Today, visitors may see the gathering of reeds and the construction of boats that are used for fishing and travel across the lake. 

The recreational facilities available at the spa are diverse in and have something to suit everyone’s tastes. Be it the fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi or the rejuvenation of the holistic ayurvedic therapies, every aspect of the resort has been developed with the absolute well-being and comfort of the guests in mind.

The spa sessions at the Angana have a therapeutic quality that has a calming effect on the senses; as a result an individual feels calm, serene and at peace with the world.  The exotic oils chosen for the massages derive their fragrance from flowers like frangipani, jasmine and rosemary amongst others. As expert hands deftly knead the tension away from the muscles, one actually experiences a higher level of bliss, relaxation and tranquillity. The resort has a daily buffet for both lunch and dinner. The menu is carefully chosen and each dish prepared with the best of local and imported ingredients.

The Angsana Spa and Resort is conveniently located and therefore easily accessible.  The Bangalore Airport is just 45 kilometres away and the shopping district is a mere 24 kilometres away.  Therefore, its location is such that one is away from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet not completely cut off.  Hence, the guests get to enjoy the finer points of both city life and the countryside at this sprawling spa and resort complex.

A stay at the Angsana Spa and Resort in Bangalore is a charming and delightful experience indeed, one that will leave you feeling restored in body, mind and spirit.

There are several famous cruise lines that have great programmes for kids. These programmes can prove extremely beneficial to both parents and children. Not only do some of them offer to take care of children under the age of three for free, they also offer great hands-on programmes. Many of these interaction programmes can be found specifically on family themed cruise ships. These particular programmes promote fun through learning via arts and crafts and science experiments. Young children will be overwhelmed with the numerous activities courtesy of Fisher Price and Crayola, while the older kids can participate in events such as toga parties, computer stations, rock climbing walls, video arcades, ice skating and rollerblading.

Of course there are other famous cruise lines that cater to families with children who range from the ages of 4 to 12 years, but almost anyone of any age will appreciate a family themed cruise. Kids on a family cruise are treated to numerous activities and entertainment. There are also a great many pools, interactive games and theatres to enjoy. Most cruise lines also have a nursery for children under the age of four years.

Finding great family cruise deals is easy as there are many ships that also cater to teens by offering them a mix of educational and entertaining activities that include trivia challenges, scavenger hunts, teen discos, video games, arts and crafts and a video wall. Younger kids can also participate in a number of great activities such as sing alongs, bingo and colouring contests.

Although in the past a ski holiday in Switzerland was regarded as one of the more expensive options, the currently favourable exchange rate and a number of excellent deals from some of the major resorts is making Switzerland an affordable and popular ski holiday destination for travellers from the UK.  Most of the Swiss resorts will allow children eight or nine years of age or younger to stay free of charge with their parents; this makes Switzerland ideal for family ski holidays.

There are a number of resorts in the country that offer a wide variety of accommodation options, and runs that will appeal to skiers ranging from the complete beginner to the accomplished expert; St Moritz alone offers more than 350 kilometres of snow covered slopes (or piste) and nearly 230 runs. 

Snowboarding is also very popular in Switzerland, with several of the larger resorts offering downhill runs, board parks, and enormous half-pipes for the enthusiastic snowboarder.
 
Travelling from the United Kingdom to Switzerland is easy.  Visitors can fly to the airports in Sion, Berne, or Zurich – all of which are about a two hour flight from most major city airports in the UK including those in London, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Manchester.  Once the traveller has landed in Switzerland they will find that there is a good system of taxi, train, and bus transport that will get them to the resorts quickly and efficiently.  Visitors who hire a car will find a good, well marked road network to get them to their ski holiday destination.

A number of operators run direct flights from London, which takes around 11 hours to reach Beijing.  Once there, an excellent bus service runs regularly into the city itself.  Alternatively, take a taxi, remembering to ask the driver to use the meter.

Top of many people’s must see list will be the Forbidden City, the ancient Chinese Imperial Palace, which lies at the heart of Beijing.  Built mainly in the 15th century, the complex of 980 buildings surrounded by a high wall offers an unparalleled view into the life of the Chinese Royal Dynasties until the early 20th Century.  Very close by is  BeiHai Park, one of the oldest and best preserved Imperial Gardens, parts of which date back 1,000 years.

Beijing cuisine often features a number of small dishes, such as rice balls and spare ribs, with a local speciality being Beijing Duck, which is slow roasted and served with pancakes.  The dish remains popular with locals and tourists alike; QuanJude, the largest roast duck restaurant in Beijing, can feed 5,000 people a day.

Accommodation is plentiful and varied, with all the major hotel chains present as well as short-term apartments and budget options such as youth hostels.  Tourists will need to arrange a visa to enter China before they travel, but these are easily obtainable.

Many of the sporting events will be taking place in the Olympic Village which is located south of the river Thames in the Stratford area of London. Specially constructed stadiums and arenas have been erected.

Other areas of London will be hosting certain sports, such as the beach volleyball competition which will take place on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall and marathon athletics events which will run through Hyde Park. Various sporting events are scattered over the capital and wider areas of the United Kingdom.

Accommodation will be in great demand during the Olympic Games so visitors planning a visit to London during this time should plan well in advance. London bed and breakfast deals during the Olympics will be widely available but make sure you reserve your room early. Olympic organisers stress that London boasts over 100,000 hotel beds, so everyone should be sure of a warm welcome.

For those who have never cruised before, the thought of staying on a ship is particularly exciting.  The typical hotel or holiday apartment is replaced by a spacious cabin.  Additionally, cruise ships have excellent facilities for you to enjoy whilst you are on board.  A cruise is also a great way to meet new people and have a lot of fun.
 
The ship will have all the facilities that you would in expect in a land based resort.  There are restaurants, cafes, bars, cinemas, spas and fitness centres, swimming pools, casinos and even ice skating rinks.  Additionally, there are activities geared especially towards children and teenagers.

Holiday cruises are renowned for their catering.  People can choose to dine in the ship’s restaurant or to have a snack in one the on board cafes.  Usually the variety of food available is phenomenal.

Holiday cruise deals can be enjoyed anywhere in the world.  There are often shore excursions for when the ship pulls into port.  You may decide to go on one of the organised tours, or, if time permits, hire a car and spread your wings further in the place you have docked.

Some packages included return flights to the port from which you embark.  Free parking is often included for those arriving at the port by car.