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If you think cruise holidays are only for sun worshippers then think again!  If you enjoy adventure or have always hankered after journeying to the less-visited areas of our planet; if you’d like to see an iceberg close-range or watch arctic seals and polar bears in their natural environment, then a polar cruise is made for you. With great 2012 cruises out now, this is the time to snap up a cruise holiday bargain!

Where else can you combine first-class luxurious living with real time adventure pursuits like glacier climbing and ice trekking.  See the working husky dogs of Greenland and bathe in the hot springs of Iceland. Visit some of the most beautifully remote regions in the world. Sail inside the Arctic Circle. Take a helicopter trip and be overawed by the spectacular beauty of the northern lights in winter or the midnight sun in summer.  Visit the rarely seen arctic cliffs and remote villages all but hidden from the rest of the world and see working reindeer and dogs in a timeless way of life.  Or choose to cruise around the northern tip of Scandinavia for spectacular views literally from ‘the top of the world’.

With so many super value polar cruise holidays to choose from the only problem you will have is making up your mind. One of the most spectacular experiences must surely be standing on the deck watching your cruise ship breaking its way through sheets of thick ice, maybe passing by a polar bear or two or a group of arctic walrus.  To see the best of the wildlife and sea life it is best to visit in the summer during the short feeding and breeding season. For the keen photographer, the polar cruise offers a second-to-none opportunity to take the kind of pictures and video footage you have only seen on television.  Check out cruise deals 2012 and do it all for real on a polar expedition cruise.

A polar cruise is the ideal way to follow the intrepid explorers from years ago and see what they saw in this unchanged landscape but see it all from the comfort and safety of your cruise ship.

Cumbria’s Natural Beauty

Located in Cumbria in the north-west corner of England, the Lake District is an extremely popular holiday destination which attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year.  Renowned for its breathtaking natural scenery, this area offers an abundant ‘to do’ list for all visitors, from outdoor sports devotees and wildlife enthusiasts to those who simply love to relax and unwind.

The landscape around the lakes consists of mountainous tracts (including England’s highest summit, 978-metre Scafell Pike) and gently rolling hills.  Nestling between the hills are the numerous large expanses of water that give the area its name.  Many of these lakes offer excellent opportunities for water sports, including waterskiing and kayaking.  The less adventurous can enjoy day or evening cruises on several of the lakes.

The area offers many striking landmarks to explore.  There are mysterious ancient stone circles that harken back to the days of the druids, as well as fabulous waterfalls.  As you might expect from an area that has welcomed tourists for decades, there is an abundance of restaurants and tranquil pubs as well as shopping and entertainment venues, many of which offer unrivalled scenic views.

Center Parcs Whinfell Forest

Set at the very edge of the Lake District, Center Parcs Whinfell Forest is an ideal holiday resort destination.  Easily accessible via all the major roadways in the northwest, this area offers first-class accommodation and entertainment, and the forest itself is home to one of England’s last red squirrel colonies.  The resort offers accommodation options for all budgets, from luxurious lodges and villas to standard hotel rooms.  Once you have spent a day around the lakes, you can enjoy top cuisine in one of the resort’s many restaurants, visit the large ParcMarket, or indulge in a pampering spa treatment.

Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel

The Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel is a four-star accommodation option which overlooks Lake Windermere, the largest lake in England.  Once owned by children’s author Beatrix Potter, this beautiful hotel makes the perfect base from which to explore all that the Lake District has to offer.  The hotel can also help guests book organised tours of nearby castles and other historical attractions, including a visit to the remains of a Roman fort.

Retreating to a 5 star diamond hotel on a secluded island is a beautiful way to spend a luxury Caribbean holiday, but for a private event or romantic retreat, go celebrity style and rent a private island for a temporary getaway.  A Robinson Crusoe private secluded paradise with a fully equipped luxury villa offers complete and unimaginable surrender.  Private islands can be both rented and sold for investment, leisure or both.  Here is where to head to get a beach all to yourself during a Caribbean holiday.

Limes Cay

Only 3 miles off mainland Nicaragua, this sandy 9.5 acre cove is dotted by white sugary sand, coconut palms and aquamarine water full of stunning coral reef.  Freshwater on the island, private pool and spacious private villas provide languishing guests a deeply intimate setting for romance or retreat.  Limes Cay is available for weekly rentals and is very easily reachable by boat for some low-key relaxation with no-frills accommodation.

Necker Island

One of Oprah’s reported favourites, this elegant and spacious island owned by billionaire Sir Richard Branson has been the site of many weddings and events of the rich and famous.  Necker overlooks the sparkling turquoise of the Caribbean Sea of the British Virgin Islands. Guests can stay in the cliff side villa and be treated to tropical drinks in the indoor garden and specially caught lobster lunches in the 26 seat dining room.  Necker Island is a premier destination for breath-taking getaways. 

Canouan of St. Vincent

The private playground of the rich and famous halfway down the Grenadines is just 4 miles long, yet packs a lot of action on its small grounds.  Canouan has a runway for long and mid-size jets for guests who need to arrive easily and privately.  Canouan claims among the whitest sands of the Caribbean and the highest point of the island offers a view of all St. Vincent.  The Ruffles Resort is on site here, featuring several private villas and 600 square foot rooms.  Its health club has a boxing ring and there is even an on-site private casino and ballroom for functions.

There’s hardly any part of Italy that is not visited by holidaymakers. The Umbrian Region is one of medieval history that still carries through into the lives of those that live there. This part of Italy is exciting with its medieval castles, massive cathedrals, monuments and many fortresses. A visit here will have you leave with a great many photos and maybe even a souvenir bottle or two of the regions finest wines.

This area is one where ample time must be given to truly enjoy all that it has to offer. It can easily take a week or more to see the nearby towns and villages. Some of the more noted include Spello, Todi, Valle of Spoleto, Perugia, Gubbio and Assisi. This region of Italy is also unique for its surrounding landscape. Very few if any other areas have such mountainous countryside and as many flowing rivers and beautiful pastures as the Umbrian Region. With a great hilltop view visitors are able to see tiny villages and medieval towns dotted across the landscape.

Visitors who seek a very low-key holiday often head south to the Umbrian area of Monti Sibillini. Here, in the Piano Grande, is the country’s most distinctive landscape, offering a true place to get away from it all.

Switzerland used to be a skiing destination reserved for the rich and famous, but now it is much more accessible to a range of snow fans thanks to better choices of accommodation and cheaper flights.

One of the most popular areas in Switzerland for skiing is Verbier, which has a good selection of courses for people of all skills to enjoy, although most of the challenging black slopes are best reserved for the true professionals.  Zermatt has outstanding scenery and is also favoured by experts, although there are kinder runs for amateurs too.  For the beginners, Crans Montana and Saas Fee are ideal, and with the help and expertise of the ski instructors on site, even amateurs will soon be stepping up to more difficult courses.

All Switzerland ski resorts have wonderful restaurants to relax and recharge in after a hard day on the slopes, serving hearty local cuisine, plenty of cheese-based dishes as well as international favourites such as pizza and pasta.  The bars can get rather lively too, playing a variety of music and serving everything from local beer to expensive champagne for those splashing out on their ski holiday.

Prices for a ski holiday can vary, so it is best to go for a package deal where you can get most things included and taken care of for you.  After all, who wants to worry about tracking down a value-for-money restaurant after hours perfecting their skiing skills?

With many world-class hotels and resorts, Barbados holidays offer sophistication and elegance for those seeking luxury holidays. Barbados benefits from a tropical climate, pristine fine, sandy beaches and clear, aquamarine seas. The exclusive palm-fringed Platinum Coast on the west side of the island boasts luxury hotels and fine-dining restaurants. The east coast is quieter and enjoys dramatic scenery.

Offering something for all visitors, Barbados has a wide choice of luxury accommodation, a host of activities and attractions, and you will have a chance to sample the island’s culture.

Barbados is a very romantic destination, with a reputation as an exclusive venue for wedding packages and honeymoons. Luxury holidays in Barbados can be tailor-made to suit, incorporating cruises, beaches and pampering spa visits. Barbados holidays will appeal to couples, families or the single traveller.

Rich in history, Barbados has a strong British heritage, being known by other Caribbean islands as “Little England”.  The island’s culture is supplemented by the renowned local Bajan hospitality, giving the visitor a truly memorable experience.

Holiday Options

As the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands, Barbados luxury holidays offer a variety of water sports including diving, deep-sea fishing and surfing.  The coral reefs also provide excellent snorkelling opportunities.  Inland, the visitor can explore rainforests, cave systems and trekking excursions on horseback or by 4×4.  Golf is available at five courses on the island, including the prestigious Royal Westmoreland and Barbados championship course.

St Lawrence Gap on the south coast is known as a lively nightspot, with music, and many bars and restaurants lining the bay.

Italy has been a long-time favourite holiday destination for the rest of the world. Choosing where in Italy to visit can prove to be a challenge. With so many vibrant cities and quaint towns, it is difficult to choose only a few places.

No holiday would be complete without a visit to Rome. The city, which is more than 2,700 years old, hosts many of Italy’s historical treasures. Aside from the Roman Ruins, the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain, there are many smaller attractions that will keep you busy. Rome is, after all, the heart of all things Italian.

The beautiful city of Florence is a great place to sightsee without having to deal with the busy streets of Rome. With a much less tourist-orientated feel, touring Florence is an enjoyable experience. Take your time as you stroll through its many narrow streets and Piazzas. Get your camera ready to take several shots of the massive Duomo.

Pisa is a city known for its leaning tower but beyond the tourist site there is so much more. Take a walk through the city’s center and enjoy the grand architecture, beautiful gardens and great pizzerias that can be found on most corners.

If you are seeking a holiday that is quite different from the traditional sun and beach holiday, consider Tozeur. Situated in the southwest part of Tunisia, Tozeur is an ancient city that remains true to its culture. Visiting Tunisia should not be an intimidating experience; the area relies heavily on tourism and most of the local people are very receptive to visitors. The lands are covered with thousands of palm trees, making Tozeur one of the largest date exporters in the world.

Part of the charm of visiting Tunisia is the uniqueness of the county’s tradition. Many people still get around on camel back. This is the perfect opportunity to indulge in a trek across the Sahara or to a nearby town or village. The location of Tozeur is ideal for those who wish to explore other areas as well. Nearby is the tiny town of Chott el-Djerid. Here you will find Fata Morganas.

Another splendid way to get around is on bicycle. While bicycles are extremely uncommon in Tunisia, they can easily be found in Tozeur. You will also notice, during daily excursions, women who are dressed completely in black with one visible colored ribbon. This ribbon is an indication of their status. A blue ribbon indicates they are married while a white ribbon indicates they are available for marriage.

Tozeur has numerous museums that are worth visiting. The most popular is the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions. If you’re not that into museums, you should still seek this one out; its location is spectacular. It can be found along a water canal that is simply exploding with exquisite tropical foliage and bushes, making it the perfect rest spot.

There are many companies in Tozeur that offer excursions to surrounding ancient cities. Most of these cities date back thousands of years and provide a great insight to the country’s history. Unlike other ancient cities that one can find in Europe, the ancient cities of Tunisia are constructed with brick and wood. They are then finished with exploding colors, which is one of the most distinctive features of the buildings of Tozeur.

Famous for its role in so much of Europe’s story over the last 70 years, Berlin is a must-visit for anyone interested in how modern history was shaped.

The Topography of Terrors exhibition is built on the former site of the Gestapo Headquarters and expertly tells the story of the Nazi rise to power, their propaganda methods and their dominance over Europe.

To understand life in the Socialist East Germany, visit the DDR Museum.  Here, you can learn how the Trabant car was made, how the DDR’s “Young Pioneers” were educated and watch government propaganda films.

Nearby is the Stasi Museum, a free exhibition showing how the secret police kept tabs on citizens.

The Kennedy Museum on Paris Platz, just a few hundred metres from the Brandenburg Gate, tells the story of John F Kennedy’s historic visit, as well as capturing his presidency in images.

The Berlin Wall Memorial and “Mauer Park” are located on Bernauer Strasse, the street famously divided in two on 13th August 1961 and the location of the 50th anniversary commemorations in 2011.  Learn about the fortifications known as The Death Strip and how escapees tried to outwit East German Border Guards and find freedom in the West.

Courchevel is a winter paradise, a heaven for skiers or those who simply wish to enjoy the wintery atmosphere. Spread out over five different levels, each at a different altitude, the majesty and magic of Courchevel constantly surprises.

As one of the world’s foremost ski areas, Courchevel is the last word in excellence. Whether skiing or sightseeing, the rich and varied range of activities are sure to delight visitors and the friendly, helpful staff and locals go out of their way to make every day a special memory.

At level 1300 stands a historical, traditional village. This beautifully quaint alpine village is the site of the Olympic ski-jumping hills and connects to level 1850 via forested alpine ski slopes.

For pure family fun, level 1550 offers great value for money, as it includes access to the entire Trois Vallées ski area and a wonderful sledding route from 1850 to 1550.

The first ski lift and a multitude of green and blue slopes can be found at level 1650; it is a great hit with families during the day and for those seeking a celebratory atmosphere in the many après ski establishments.

Travel between all five levels, including that of the lowest and original 1100, which is the end of many ski slopes, is simple and direct.