Airline & Holiday Information

Archive for the ‘Worldwide Travel’ Category

P&O Cruises is Britain’s largest and most modern cruise line. The company has a long history, first inventing modern cruises in 1837. P&O Cruises sail to more than 180 different destinations in 72 countries.

P&O offers cruises throughout the year, departing from Southampton for European and Mediterranean cruises. Overnight stays are available at the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel, with free transfer to the port. Travellers can fly from most UK airports for cruises to North America and other fly cruises. As well as Red Sea cruises, Caribbean cruises, Far East cruises and Baltic cruises (and Fjords), destinations include Africa, Alaska, Australasia, Asia, the Black Sea, Canada, the Canary Islands and Azores, Dubai, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, North America, Pacific Islands, the Panama Canal, South America and Europe.

P&O Cruises offers travellers a traditional and relaxed style, with plenty of opportunity to dress up for evening entertainment. Their six modern cruise ships have elegant interiors and acres of deck on which to sunbathe, each one offering something slightly different. The P&O Aurora and Oriana offer a more traditional style of holiday cruise, whilst the Arcadia and Oceana are more contemporary. Some of the cruises are adults only, whilst others are aimed at families, with the emphasis on fun and activities.

On-board entertainment includes comedy, cabaret, quizzes, music and themed nights. Passengers can relax in one of the bars with a drink, or sit on deck under the stars.

P&O has always had a reputation for its quality of dining and high standards of service. Traditionally the menus were mainly British, but with the introduction of menus by Gary Rhodes and Marco Pierre White, the dining experience has become more modern and varied.

P&O cruises are popular with first-time cruisers, and they also offer good itineraries and facilities for families. Cruise weddings with P&O Cruises have become increasingly popular.

The Far East is one of the most fascinating cruise destinations. Steeped in customs and tradition, the Far East mixes the old with the new in perfect harmony. Gleaming high-tech skyscrapers give way to serene collages of paddy fields. The ultra-modern cities bustle with activity, where everyone seems to be on the move – working, eating, buying or selling. In contrast, life in the picturesque rural villages seems hardly to have changed for centuries.

Far East cruises take in the fast-growing cities of Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Manila and Kuala Lumpur, as well as the fast-emerging countries such as Vietnam. Exploring these cities, the visitor’s senses are bombarded with sounds, smells and sights. Bicycles, tuk tuks and rickshaws speed past on the street, bright neon signs create a display of vivid colour, and colourful and vibrant festivals create an air of energy and mystery. The architecture is stunning and innovative, ranging from the latest high-tech soaring skyscrapers to the more traditional and beautifully craved temples.

As frenetic as life can be in the cities, there are quiet oases. Travel the klongs (canals) of Bangkok for views of the extraordinarily ornate temples, and visit the floating markets. Many cruise stops also offer picturesque beaches and stunning clear blue waters.

Bali is a top destination for Fast East cruises, most of which include a visit to the inspiring temple of Tanah Lot, which sits on a rocky outcrop, surrounded by the sea. Beijing is another top destination, where a visit to the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, and the circular blue-tiled shrines of the Temple of Heaven is not to be missed. Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia offer beautiful beaches, lively markets, delicious foods and serene temples.

Far East cruises are offered by many cruise lines, including Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises and Carnival Cruises.

Aspen, one of the most popular ski resorts in the United States, is a playground for the rich and famous. Many celebrities frequently take ski holidays in the area and the town is filled with upmarket boutiques, art galleries and exclusive restaurants.

Even through all the glitz and glamour, Aspen shines. Formerly a silver mining town with Victorian streets, the town offers the holiday maker everything they can expect from a ski resort.

The four mountains that make up the Aspen Ski Area are, Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands.  Access to all four of these mountains is on the same lift pass. There is a shuttle bus that runs between all of the mountains to take skiers where they wish to go.

Each mountain offers the skier something different. Buttermilk is for the beginners, Aspen Mountain has no beginner trails so the inexperienced skier should avoid this one. Intermediates will find that Aspen Highlands has the most to offer while expert skiers should head for Snowmass. It is the second largest mountain in the whole of the state of Colorado and there are plenty of off-piste areas.

Aspen is also a lovely place to bring the family and lessons are offered for children aged from 3 to 12. Pre-teen programmes for 13-17 year olds are also available. There is a childcare service for children aged from 8 weeks old up to 4 years. Ski lessons for adults are also available and there are also lessons on how to snowboard for those that are curious about this activity.

Many ski deals can be found to Aspen by searching the internet and specialist ski holiday travel agents.

You may be in for a long haul but when you get to this infinitely fascinating continent, flanked on all sides by breathtaking seascapes, you’ll quickly realise that the travelling was worth every minute. All Australian state capitals have major airports (and many also have ports), so one of them is inevitably going to be your arrival point. Most holidaymakers visit the country between May and October, and most of these head for the stunning Southern coastline. Bear in mind that, if you’re travelling from Europe, your flight time will not be under 24 hours (travellers from Los Angeles get off lightly with 14 hours). Australia is, however, serviced by more than 50 international airlines, with Qantas, for example, flying in and out every week, every year.  With distances like this, however, you must expect flights to be expensive. Keep your eyes peeled, even so; during the slower travel times there are invariably excellent deals to be found.

If you’d prefer to cruise to Oz, you’ll almost certainly arrive at Sydney. Don’t be under any illusions though; fabulous though the cruise experience usually is, you’ll certainly pay for it. Floating holidays to Australia are not cheap. And they’re very popular, so you’ll nearly always discover there’s a waiting list. So either plan well ahead, or fly to Asia and pick up a Princess Cruise from there (the waiting period is usually shorter this way).

When you arrive, don’t be fazed by the strict customs controls. Australia has kept itself free of many diseases and pests for many years, so it prides itself on its customs rigour. You’ll be asked to declare anything you’re bringing in – so don’t even think about taking any fruit, vegetables, meat or other foodstuffs or you’ll instantly fall foul of the authorities. Be extra careful about your passport and visa, though; visas must be issued in the visitor’s country of origin and passports must expire well after the specified departure date.

Cruise and stay deals give you the chance to enjoy all the delights of a cruise, while still allowing you to get off and enjoy a few days on land as well.  Various companies can offer you cruise and stay experiences, but you should do some research first to find out which companies offer the best cruises for your needs.

Some providers have specific areas on their website that enable you to search for a cruise and stay holiday deal quickly and easily.  A good example comes from the Thomson website. This has a specific tab under their cruises heading which outlines their cruise and stay holidays.  When you reach the page you can view a few sentences describing what each kind of holiday is all about, allowing you to select one which best fits your needs or travelling group

With other companies you may need to do a bit more research to find what you need. For instance the P&O Cruises website has a comprehensive search feature where you can check if they have any cruise and stay deals you would enjoy.

You should also consider whether you want to take the cruise first and then stay for a week or more on land, or do it the other way around.  Depending on the cruise and the company you book it with, you may not have a choice. This is why you should always check out all the available options before deciding on the right cruise and stay deal for you.

Flights to Damascus and other destinations in the Middle East make it easy to reach exotic cities and diverse peoples whose ways of life differ often dramatically from our own.

The very name Damascus conjures up images of bazaars, magic carpets, minarets and all the other associations with the mystic Middle East so beloved of orientalists.

Capital of Syria, Damascus is one of the world’s oldest cities, with a huge, covered souk and a labyrinthine complex of narrow streets at its heart. The old city centre is where any visitor will find all his dreams and expectations of what the Middle East should be like fully realised. It is packed with markets, mosques and various shrines, with the Omayyad Mosque with its high encircling walls the most famous of all. Take the weight off your feet with a refreshing glass of the local beverage in a tea house behind the mosque, or have a Turkish bath to wipe away the grime of what can be a rather dirty city.

Large sections of the city are poor and overcrowded, but the Al Mouhajarine district is dominated by modern office blocks, in a trend seen elsewhere in other great cities in the region such as Istanbul, Beirut and Cairo. This often sharp intrusion of the modern world of corporate capitalism into traditional cityscapes may not be too easy on the eye, but it does highlight the fact that ancient and ultra-modern can usually happily co-exist in the same metropolis and indeed create an arresting contrast.

Arriving in Croatia, you might imagine that you’ve travelled back in time, to an era when idyllic beaches and islands, wild scenery, sunny weather and picturesque towns and villages were as yet undiscovered by mass tourism. Independent since 1991, the country had been part of Hungary, Austria and the Turkish Ottoman Empire before becoming a member of the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia during the 20th century.

Despite its politically turbulent past, Croatia has become a peaceful and welcoming place for visitors and is brimming with cultural attractions and natural beauty. It boasts six UNESCO world heritage sites, including the historic cities of Trogir and Dubrovnik. The mix of cultural influences has resulted in fascinating architecture, delicious cuisine and a unique personality.

The mountainous landscape and rocky coastline of the Dalmatia region is dotted with seaside resorts and easily reached from the airport at the historic old town of Split. Luxury holiday villas on Croatia’s many islands offer you access to the deserted beaches and unspoilt fishing villages that you assumed no longer existed. 

In the ancient centre of Dubrovnik you’ll find many first class apartments and houses with character and available for holiday rentals. Unspoilt beaches, forest covered islands and pretty coastal towns surround you in the area known as the Dubrovnik Riviera. Further north, the tranquil region of Istria is dotted with medieval hilltop towns and famous for its wild truffles. The country’s capital city, Zagreb, is a bustling metropolis full of museums and attractions, including impressive Roman ruins.

Baku is the capital city of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is one of the Caucasus countries close the Middle East. It borders the Caspian Sea to its immediate East, Georgia and Russia to its north, Armenia and Turkey to its east and Iran to its south.

Throughout the 20th century, Baku was known as an oil town. The city is heavily industrialised due to oil exploration and transportation. Travel to and from Baku, especially that related to the oil industry, is mostly by air. Flights to Baku will take you to the Heydar Aliyev International Airport. The airport was modernised in the mid 2000s to develop its function as a major cargo centre serving the wider region. Though there are further airports surrounding Baku, these tend to be private or military ones, making Heydar Aliyev International Airport the only commercial travel destination in the area.

Other than the oil industry, Baku is the main cultural destination within Azerbaijan. The city has a number of museums, principally devoted to history and art. The city is home to the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic, the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Baku International Film Festival and the Baku International Jazz Festival.

Baku is a place of historic interest, with ancient buildings, palaces and mosques, mainly concentrated in what is known as the Old City. Parts of the Old City have been named as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Modern culture is represented by an array of nightclubs, cafes and European or eastern style restaurants.

Turkey is steeped in history. This is the land where Alexander the Great slashed the Gordion Knot, Achilles fought with the Trojans at the siege of Troy and the Ottoman Empire fought battles that would shape the future of the world. The country is dotted with reminders of its past from ruined castles and palaces to battlegrounds. For those interested in history and how the modern world has been shaped, Turkey is a fascinating place.

However, for those seeking a more hedonistic holiday Turkey has beautiful beaches where the warm waters of the Mediterranean will lap at your feet. Alternatively take a trip to a local Haman and be pampered. More adventurous holidaymakers should head for the Nemrut Dagi National Park in Eastern Turkey. The peak of Nemrut Dagi rises to 2150 metres and a pre-Roman local king cut two ledges into the rock and had them filled them with colossal statues of him. Earthquakes have knocked the heads off the statues, but it is still an intriguing place to visit. Other activities include balloon flights, trekking and white-water rafting on the Dalaman River, the Zamanti River, the Koprulu River or the Coruh River. Professionals rate the latter as one of the top rafting descents in the world

Istanbul is a colourful cosmopolitan city whose markets and bars are among the most stylish and atmospheric in the world. Modern Ottoman cuisine is also highly rated. A ferry from Eminonu dock will take the visitor to Princes’ Islands a popular summer getaway with local people. Cars are banned and the transport of choice is bicycles or horse-drawn carriages.

There is a large range of villas or holiday apartments for rental in Turkey, ranging from stunning luxury villas to more modest family villas. Luxury villas can be rented on the beach front with a private jetty and pool. Cheaper options are available and if there are a group of you then renting a villa may not work out as expensive as you might think. Generally the cheaper villas will be less secluded and may be on complexes.

Costa Cruises boasts 15 ships which take passengers to every corner of the globe. Destinations include the Americas (both North and South America), the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Middle and Far East, and even a trip through the Norwegian fjords.

Each destination offers a choice of shore excursions, with cruises having up to 50 planned shore excursions per trip. These can be both booked in advance of departure or while on board. It is a good way of packing several short holidays into one.

Choices of rooms and suites to suit all budgets are available with Costa Cruises from standard inside or outside rooms for the smaller budget, up to an outside cabin with balcony for those wanting a little more luxury. All rooms come with satellite television, air conditioning, safe and telephones for making international calls. All rooms are cleaned twice daily by maid service.

Costa Cruises offer a massive amount of on board entertainment also, from live music discos to the more sedate piano bars, plus shows that include ballet dancers and singers, and even bingo and casinos. And of course for those with children there is plenty of daytime and evening entertainment to keep everyone happy.

If you are looking for something a little less lively, then Costa Cruises also offer libraries, art galleries and spa treatments. And of course they even cater for the more sporty types too, with running tracks, tennis courts and group aerobic activities such as aqua-gym, yoga and Pilates. You can even choose to have a personal trainer. All instructors are fully qualified and offer you the best of their expertise.