Monday, January 31, 2011

Alaska Cruise Tours Welcomes You Aboard

Enjoy the exceptional scenery offered during a trip from Alaska cruise tours. Enjoy a wonderful journey whilst seeing spectacular views which you will remember forever. This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see nature at its best, whilst cruising in style.

This country offers stunning views not to be missed. Cruising will provide opportunities to see fjords, waterfalls, landscapes and in addition there are many chances to see whales and bears. Do not forget your camera and record all your memories of this trip.

Cruising is a fabulous way to enjoy many different places whilst being catered for on-board along with fantastic food and entertainment. There are many different types of Alaska cruise tours to consider ranging from luxury ships, medium size and even small boats.

Alaska cruise tours route options vary, but the main ports of call tend seen on most itineraries are: Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan Tracy Arm Fjord, Skagway, Inside Passage, Victoria, Alyeska, Talkeetna, Fairbanks, Denali, Tracy Arm Fjord. One single trip will not cater for all these places but you can do some homework before deciding the best route for you.

Organised trips are offered when arriving at one of the ports; this would cost extra but provides you with an opportunity to see what on shore life is like. Some people choose to get off the ship and have a walk around the port, staying close to the ship and others may relax and stay on-board enjoying the scenery from the decks.

Entertainment on-board Alaska cruise tours is exceptionally good, leaving you with no time to wonder what to do next as there is always some entertainment going on to suit every age group. Entertainment is great and there is always the option of just sitting on the outside deck and having a quiet evening or even retiring to your cabin for an early night in preparation for the wonders to experience the next day.

The cruising season here is generally May to September. Be sure to book early for one of the Alaska cruise tours. Do not miss the opportunity to sail along the superb coast and experience the joys of being on-board.

Monday, January 24, 2011

What Are The Choices of Luxury Cruises From The UK?

Standard cruise holidays are great, but they are definitely bettered by a luxury cruise holiday. On luxury cruises, the level of service and attention paid to you is even more superior, making you feel like pampered royalty. From the exquisite cuisine on offer and the fine wines available for you to sample, to the exotic destinations you’ll visit, choosing a luxury cruise is a way to completely relax on your holiday.
What can you expect from luxury cruises from the UK? First of all is the sumptuous accommodation. Luxury cruises generally offer a level of accommodation equal to that of a luxury hotel, with fine linens, comfortable beds and, most important of all while holidaying on board a ship, plenty of room to stretch out. Little added extras like comfortable robes and slippers, as well as a fully-stocked bar in your suite, make your stay even better.
If the amazing accommodation on board these luxury cruises are a cut above the norm, then life on board should be even more memorable. Luxury cruises are famous for the interesting places they visit, and the high level of service you’ll experience.
Some of the more exciting luxury cruises from the UK you can take include seeing the northern lights in the Arctic, exploring the glacial wonders of Alaska, island-hopping in the Caribbean and soaking up the warm sun in Hawaii.
With the popularity of cruises going up steadily within the UK, it’s now possible to take a cruise right from a port near you. When you’ve booked a luxury holiday, you don’t want to have to travel through three airports and multiple trains just to get to the place where you actually leave the country, so you can leave on your cruise from the port nearest to you.
What better luxury than being able to begin your journey right from your own door?
Looking for luxury cruises for the perfect getaway? You have come to the right place. We can find you the perfect luxury cruise, heading for the destination of your choice. Visit our website for more details.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Halong Bay Cruise Boat

 
Halong Bay Cruise Boat is my Picture of the Week. I took this picture while I was on board another Vietnamese Junk Boat doing the day cruise around Halong Bay. During my trip there in April 2010, I went for both cruises - the Halong Bay Day Cruise and Halong Bay Overnight Cruise. The reason for this was that I wanted to fully experience the entire UNESCO World Heritage Site and it was something that I had never planned to do until I got there. Seriously, if you are visiting Ha Long Bay and have the extra time, I would recommend trying this. 

During the day cruise, I visited the Thien Cung Caves of Halong Bay and apparently, the overnight cruise I took the following day did not visit this cave. So it was a worthwhile experience if you ask me. Just for the record, when I took the day cruise, I booked the entire Vietnamese Junk Boat to myself for only VD500,000. This has to be the best bargain throughout my Vietnam trip and during my Halong Bay Cruise.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Top 11 Luxury Travel Trends for 2011

With the start of 2011, these trends identify what influences people's choices of where and how to travel.

Luxury Travel Magazine and New York City public relations firm, Abelow PR (abelowpr.com), who counts among their luxury travel brand clients: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Singapore Airlines, Trump International Hotel and Tower, Virgin Atlantic, Necker Island, and Leela Palaces Hotels and Resorts, among many others, reveal their TOP 11 LUXURY TRAVEL TRENDS FOR 2011:

1. Luxury Resorts in Far Flung Places - New exclusive luxury hotels in off-the-beaten-path destinations such as Hangzhou and Tibet, China; Damascus, Syria; Trancoso, Brazil; Beirut, Lebanon; Luang Prabang, Laos; Montenegro, Colombia, Panama...now allow travelers to escape to the exotic while still enjoying luxurious accommodations and fine food.

2. The Urge to Splurge - After a couple of tough years, the Mendelsohn Affluent Study confirms that spending on travel is up again, especially in the luxury market. According to the motto 'carpe diem' (seize the day), travelers are looking for authentic experiences that are life-changing, while enjoying the luxury of high-end accommodation, great dining and exceptional journeys that go beyond the ordinary.

3. Myanmar (Burma) is Wide Open for Tourism Now - With the release from house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, more travelers are seeking to visit this magical place. Frozen in time, Burma remains the last country in Southeast Asia that is almost entirely untouched and is also one of the most devoutly Buddhist countries left on earth.

4. Sri Lanka is hot - Arrivals to the country have increased 36%, and priceless cultural treasures, World Heritage sites, fabulous off-shore islands and superb cuisine await intrepid travelers keen on seeing what has been called one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

5. Book Lover Trips - With book groups all the rage, Asia Transpacific Journeys has organized trips based on books such as a Beyond the Sky and Earth based in Bhutan.

6. Vow Renewals on the Upswing - This old favorite is returning as the baby boomers approach milestone anniversaries with many wanting to renew their vows in unique locales. An example is a Jewish couple that renewed their vows at a Hindu temple in India.

7. Sabbaticals To Make a Difference - Sabbaticals are an increasingly popular way to re-prioritize and help others, like helping at a literacy program in Laos or a soup kitchen in Delhi.

8. Authentic Travel Experiences - Festivals and holidays provide authentic and eye-opening ways of experiencing a culture, which is exactly what today's travelers are after. Abelow PR's top choices include a local summer festival in the northern Himalaya, and the Tumbuna Sing-Sing in Papua New Guinea.

9. Brazil: Why Wait? - With the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics around the corner, Brazil is on the cusp of exploding, so travelers should get in before the crowds heat up. Beyond famous and beautiul Rio de Janeiro and Amazon River cruises, other exotic experiences await such as the thundering Iguazu Falls, Afro-Brazilian culinary courses and samba lessons, the jet set hot spot of Florianopolis, and stunning new boutique properties on remote beaches such as Trancoso, Bahia are awaiting travelers.

10. Closer to Home - "Utah is the hottest new luxury destination in the U.S. with the recent openings of many high-end hotel brands," says Christine Gray, Editor-in-Chief of Luxury Travel Magazine: Amanresorts' Amangiri near Lake Powell (pictured above), The St. Regis Deer Valley, Montage Deer Valley, and the Waldorf Astoria Park City.

11. New Amanresorts - "One of the most interesting themes in Luxury Travel is speculating about where the new Amanresorts and GHM Hotels are being developed," says Christine Gray, Editor-in-Chief of Luxury Travel Magazine. "These trendsetting luxury brands are indicators of where future luxury resort development will occur. For example, Porto Heli, Greece (an area compared to the Hamptons in New York) will be a hot spot in 2011/2012 with the opening of both an Amanresort and a GHM managed hotel."

Luxury Travel Magazine has uncovered more of these "top secret" destinations that include: Amanresorts in Portugal's Douro Valley wine region, on the island of Nevis in the Caribbean, Playa Grande in the Dominican Republic, Paraty Brazil, Cavtat Croatia, Pulau Besar in Malaysia, and Shanghai, China. GHM Hotel development includes: The Nizuc, Riviera Maya, Mexico; The Malkai, Barka, Oman; The Chedi, Kilada Hills, Greece; The Chedi, Thracian Cliffs, Cape Kaliakra, Bulgaria; The Chedi, Andermatt, Switzerland; and The Chedi, Taiping Lake, Anhui Province, China.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Deluxe Egypt Nile Cruises – Take A Good Ole Family Vacation

Life gets busy, work is at all times demanding, and there are way too many things that demand our time and attention each day. Certainly, we all say that we put a high priority on our families, but how many of our schedules and planners would reflect that our families are at the top of our lists? Not too many I suspect. Among the best ways to take a break from the demands of life and focus on what truly matters, your family, is to plan a family vacation.
The notion of a family vacation raises several mixed ideas and emotions for people. Some think back to their childhood and the early camping trips which they shared with their parents and siblings. Others look back on dreadful family reunions or weeks they would have instead been anywhere than on a family vacation. Let’s face it, our families are weird, and it takes only the right kind of family vacation to keep everyone happy.
The good news for people trying to plan a fantastic family vacation today is that there are so many ways and places to spend enjoyable and relaxing time together. Take a moment to truly consider the members of your family and your family as a whole before you make any quick reservations or buy plane tickets. Consider the things your family enjoys doing and consider what it takes for your family to really unwind and relax. A family who hardly ever spends time outside may not enjoy a week long camping trip to a state park. On the other hand, a family that likes to be outside and explore the wilderness may not totally appreciate an all-inclusive resort with no access to anything natural. Make sure that your family vacation truly fits your family.
One more thing to take into consideration as you plan your perfect family vacation is what the intention of the time together will be. Would you like to have a lot of time to basically relax and enjoy one another’s company? If so, look for a resort or cabin which is not in the middle of a ton of must-see attractions. If, however, your family relaxes best even when they’re busy, you will wish to embark on famiy vacation to an exciting place that will keep everybody amused.
Whatever you decide to do for your family vacation, the most important thing is that you make the trip about your family. Don’t invite any guests to come, and be sure everyone in the family knows the expectations for the trip. Do whatever needs doing to get your family away from their everyday routine and utilize a family vacation to get to know one another again.
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