Northern Cyprus: An Exotic Mediterranean Wedding Destination

January 27th, 2010 by admin

Looking for an exotic location in the Mediterranean for your wedding, but don’t want to pay an extortionate price? Northern Cyprus could just be your dream answer! The island is blessed with more than 300 days of Eastern Mediterranean sunshine, hundreds of miles of white-golden sand beaches and a dramatic landscape touched by the magic of more than 6,000 years of humanity. Weddings can be arranged at a number of venues across the island. There is also a selection of fine hotels and restaurants in which to stage a daytime or evening wedding reception.

Do your research
Getting married in North Cyprus needs a bit of planning. You can obviously make the wedding arrangements yourself, but if you do no live in North Cyprus it is highly recommended that you employ the services of the one of the island’s wedding planners. They have expert local knowledge that will make it so much easier to get the wedding arrangements you want in place.

Read before you book North Cyprus hotels as a wedding venue or for your wedding reception. Many hotels have special wedding offers available that include packaged services. For example, some North Cyprus hotels provide a wedding car, wedding flowers and wedding photography services. Coastal hotels are worth investigating if you wish to have access to private gardens with sea views, or a private beach on which to have your wedding photographs taken.

Whichever venue you choose for your wedding day, you’ll need to consider the logistics of access and transport for guests. The harbour town of Kyrenia, the quaint village of Esentepe and the historic citadel of Famagusta are all great locations that are easy to reach from the airport, and offer dramatic inland and coastal backdrops for your wedding day.

Honeymoon in North Cyprus?
You may wish to combine your wedding day with a honeymoon in North Cyprus. If you do you may want to book a hotel in a quieter location away from the main tourist hotspots. If that’s the case consider staying out along the tranquil Karpaz Peninsula that runs to the northeast. You won’t be disappointed!

Update me when site is updated
Filed under : travel
tag 1 Comment »

How To Find Great Deals On Cruises Online

November 14th, 2009 by admin
Josh Webber asked:


Finding, booking and paying for a cruise online has never been easier. The internet has made the whole process fast and convenient. What might be more difficult is deciding which cruise to take and just where to cruise to, there are cruises to suit every taste and budget, ranging from a few days sailing around the Bahamas to a once in a lifetime six month luxury world cruise.

Generally speaking, the lowest rates for cruises are going to be found on web sites that specialize in cruise bookings, rather than on the cruise lines’ actual sites. Cruise booking sites are usually linked directly to the main cruise lines’ inventories; not only are they able to sell at a discount, they often have advance notice of when specials or promotions are going to be offered. The savings can vary, but expect to save anything from 10% to 40% by booking this way.

When it comes to finding a great deal on a cruise, should you plan ahead or wait until the last minute to book? Both approaches have their pros and cons; many online cruise booking agents offer features aimed at the last minute traveler, including emailed alerts of any sales or specials. Booking at the last minute means you may have to be flexible as far as your ship, itinerary and cabin are concerned, although if this does not bother you, it is probably the best strategy. Although there is no specific timeframe, around two months before departure is often considered the cheapest time to book.

On the other hand, booking early gives you a lot more choices and discounts are often given to those who book far ahead as an incentive to fill up the ship’s cabins. It can be frustrating booking your cruise a long way ahead of time and then noticing that the price comes down as departure time nears. If this happens to you, call the cruise line and see if they will give you some kind of refund or a credit towards a future cruise, as always, it never hurts to ask.

Just like buying a new car, purchasing a cruise towards the end of the year, especially in November and December, can often provide the best bargains. This is because all the cruise lines are anxious to fill as many cabins on next year’s cruises as possible and often offer what is known in the travel industry as closeout deals. A search online will give you a selection of these deals; you can also sign up to be alerted by email. Also, certain times of the year are regarded as off-peak to take a cruise and sometimes have generally lower rates, such as the last two weeks of January, the first two weeks of May and the first two weeks in November. All of these dates fall into the off-peak category.

You may not have heard of a repositioning cruise as they are known in the travel industry, but those who know about them maintain they offer some of the best cruising bargains around. Suppose a cruise line needs to move its ship from the Caribbean to the Arctic to connect with another cruise. This can be time consuming and costly to move the ship, so the cruise line determines it may as well have paying passengers on board and make some money while doing this.

Most repositioning cruises take place during the spring and fall, when ships are being moved between warmer and colder waters. Many of these cruises are not advertised and you have to do some detective work to find them. The biggest advantage is the cost, the cruise lines tend to offer big discounts to make up for the fact that there may be fewer ports of call and the on-board entertainment may be more limited. Ships tend to be less crowded and the atmosphere on board is more relaxed.

Consider booking a ship’s inaugural cruise. Cruise lines can often offer significant discounts and then rely on word of mouth and repeat bookings to recoup any money they may have lost. Statistically however, a ship’s inaugural cruise has more chance of being cancelled, so if you are doing this it is a good idea to make sure you have adequate travel insurance in case of that eventuality. Book early, as inaugural cruises tend to get booked up quickly.

It is not difficult to find great deals on cruises, but it can be time consuming. You may have to spend some time researching and planning, although that process will be well worth the effort when you cast off to your vacation destination.



Update me when site is updated
Filed under : travel
tag 0 Comment »

An Introduction To Caribbean Cruises

November 11th, 2009 by admin
Thomas DeSimone asked:


Caribbean cruises are a popular vacation choice for adults, couples and families alike. One reason for this is the convenience of planning a cruise. Another reason is that Caribbean cruises visit a variety of destinations and last for a various amount of days. You can take a 3-day cruise to Cancun or a 10-day cruise with excursions to a number of places. You can virtually set up a cruise to meet your time and financial needs.

The benefit of taking a Caribbean cruise is that you get to visit multiple locations in one trip. You will enjoy fine dining, meet new people, experience adventure, have a wide variety of experiences and see some of the most beautiful places in the world.

Plan the Perfect Vacation with a Caribbean Cruise

Caribbean cruises are the perfect vacation for couples, honeymoons and family vacations because each cruise is tailored to meet your traveling needs. A family cruise typically offers babysitters (at an hourly rate), adventure camps and playgroups for kids. This allows kids to have fun at their own level while adults get some free time of their own to explore.

Caribbean Cruise Destinations

Caribbean cruises depart regularly from Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, Houston, New Jersey, New York and Cape Canaveral. Just as you can plan the kind of activities on your cruise, you can plan the types of excursions you want too have too. There are many counties, cities and islands you can incorporate into a Caribbean cruise:

* Alaska cruises Stop in Alaska for scenic arctic tours, glacial waterfalls, wilderness adventures and salmon fishing.

* In Asia try exotic foods; see the worlds tallest building, and visit local markets and beaches.

* In the Bahamas enjoy warm temperatures, sandy beaches or swim with the dolphins when you stop in the Bahamas.

* In Mexico roam the colonial city of Mexico or enjoy sandy beaches, coral reefs and tropical fish.

* In Hawaii catch the waves, surf, hike through the rain forest, see volcanoes or stretch out on the beach.

* In Europe experience the culture, history, art and architecture of European cities.

All Inclusive Cruises

Sometimes you can find an all inclusive Caribbean ruise. Not only does an all inclusive cruise save you money, but it saves a lot of time and effort you would have had to put into planning the vacation otherwise. You can find deals that include your meals, drinks, taxes, tips, airport transfers, water sports, cruise entertainment and select activities on excursions.

Last Minute Caribbean Cruises

Travelers can save a lot of money with last minute cruise deals. Cruises that have limited spaces left open them up to the public at a discounted rate just to fill the empty spots. This allows people to travel in luxury for as little as $100 to $150 per night, which is less than a fine hotel without all of the perks.

The Luxury of a Caribbean Cruise

Cruise ships come in difference size, decor and price ranges. Each ship offers a variety of room choices, as well, from inside cabin rooms to rooms with a window and a private balcony. One thing that will not leave you disappointed is the food on your cruise. Large buffets of food are set up throughout the day and well into the night. Its hard not to overdo it, but as long as you remain active on the cruise ship and participate in offshore activities, you will not have a problem.



Update me when site is updated
Filed under : travel
tag 0 Comment »

Ever Thought About Booking a Cheap Cruise?

November 9th, 2009 by admin
Rakesh Gaikwad asked:


Cruises - once only available to the rich and famous. Those with plenty of money and a separate tuxedo for every meal. That’s not longer the case, with the introduction of several cruise lines offering cheap cruises.

Now available freely to all, there’s a cruise for everyone. Young, old, couples, families, and singles. Weekend cruises, year long cruises, summer cruises and winter cruises. Exotic destinations, cosmopolitan destinations. Family orientated couples or adult only. Relaxed and casual or classic and formal, there’s a cruise to suit everyone’s requirements.

One common myth about cruise ships is that they are extortionately priced whilst onboard. The image of the rich and famous only taking cruise has led people to believe you must have deep pockets to be able to afford a coffee whilst onboard - this isn’t the case! The majority of cruises are fully all inclusive. This includes all meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper and as many snacks or meals in-between as you wish - and all soft drinks. The only things that aren’t included are alcoholic beverages. However a large amount of cruise liners now offer unlimited alcohol for a small fee when booking. Usually worth taking advantage of if you are partial to a small tipple, this can make your cheap cruise even cheaper! What’s more, a large amount of cruise lines now provide every booking with on board credit to spend on whatever you wish. This can be anywhere from £50 to a massive £250!

Cheap cruises offer the perfect insight into cruising for the first timer cruiser. Without paying thousands, you can have an all inclusive cruise around the Mediterranean to see if cruising is for you. Which I’m sure it will be - most people onboard a cruise are first timers or returning customers!

Although cheap cruises are more available, it doesn’t mean they travel to unknown destinations. How does Barcelona or Palma sound? Maybe Rome or Pisa? Or one of the many destinations in the Caribbean? Whilst there are cruises that travel to some of the lesser known destinations, which are fantastic for those who are looking for a bit of excitement and intrigue on their holiday, the majority of cheap cruises travel popular, well known destinations.

When in port at one of the various locations around the world, there are always excursions available. Whether it’s stopping at Naples and viewing Mount Vesuvius or getting a coach into Toulon and seeing the places that inspired Van Gogh, some of the sights are awe inspiring. However, these excursions aren’t included and an additional fee is payable. The excursions aren’t compulsory though, so your cruise can stay a cheap cruise by either walking into the town or simply staying onboard and enjoying the piece and tranquility.

Cheap cruises are becoming more and more available each year. The number of people cruising is expected to reach over 12 million this year, meaning more cruise lines offering more cruises at more affordable prices, meaning now is the perfect time to enjoy cruising.



Update me when site is updated
Filed under : travel
tag 0 Comment »

Take your Cruise Vacation From the Philadelphia Cruise Port

November 8th, 2009 by admin
Mary Hanna asked:


There are now cruise lines that depart the Philadelphia cruise port from early spring to late fall. All of the cruise lines are now making cruise travel a close to home event. The Philadelphia cruise port has undergone a $15 million dollar upgrade to enable it to handle cruising using state of the art facilities. Normally if you mentioned cruising, the Port of Philadelphia would never come to mind, but thanks to the new cruise lines marketing of close to home cruise travel, the Philadelphia cruise port has become very popular. Since this new concept of cruise travel, thousands more people have chosen a cruise vacation.

The Philadelphia cruise lines include Norwegian Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises, both offering cruise vacations to Bermuda. The Philadelphia cruise port is uniquely situated; 62 million people live within a five mile drive. And Philly has so much to offer. There are first class hotels, good transportation, colorful neighborhoods and lots of history. All of it is within walking distance. As the tourism board says when it is touting the Philadelphia Cruise Port, it is Americas “Berthplace”.

The United States Constitution was written in Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell lies directly across from it. In Independence Hall the chair that George Washington sat in and Thomas Jefferson’s walking stick are on view. A short distance away is the house where Betsey Ross sewed the American flag. At Penn’s Landing is the Independence Seaport Museum, a delight for people who love the sea. There is also the Reading Market, the oldest continually running marketplace in the US. The Amish people bring their homemade items to sell Wednesdays through Saturdays. Don’t forget to eat a Philly Cheese steak then run up the famous steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art just like Rocky.

For people who choose to take their cruise vacation from here, the Philadelphia cruise port is five minutes from interstate 95. Parking is plentiful and will run you about $10.00 per day. If you fly in to take your cruise vacation, taxis are a flat rate of $20.00 from the airport to Philadelphia’s Cruise Terminal.

After boarding one of the cruise lines, you will most likely leave the Philadelphia cruise port at 3:00 PM. Use this time to explore your cruise ship and to unpack and settle in. Make any appointments you want on this day as spa and beauty appointments go fast. Tonight will be a causal night for dinner. The next day you will have a leisurely day at sea to do what ever you want. This night will probably be formal night and will be billed as the Captain’s Welcome Dinner.

The next day is exciting because you will land at St. George Island at two o’clock. Head to St. Catherine’s Fort, built in the 1600’s, it has spectacular views of the ocean. Go inside to view a replica of the British Crown Jewels and various military paraphernalia. St. Catherine’s Beach is at the foot of the Fort and is one of the nicest beaches around.

Bermudas oldest church, St. Peter’s, contains many relics. You will have to climb many steps but it is worth it. Don’t forget to visit King’s Square where you can view pillories, stocks and whipping posts the favored form of punishment in the 16th and 17th centuries.

You will overnight on your cruise ship at St. George Island, departing the next day at 7:00 AM for Hamilton, Bermuda, arriving there at 9:00 AM. You have the whole day and night to explore the historic Churches, Forts, Lighthouses and Museums. You may just want to go to their beautiful blue water beaches. Wonder over to the Royal Naval Dockyard or opt to experience swimming with the dolphins. Once again you will overnight on the cruise ship and depart the next morning at 8:00 AM.

You will have another day at see before returning to the Port of Philadelphia

Now that you know about the Philadelphia cruise port and their cruise lines, call your travel agent and book a cruise vacation.

Happy Cruising!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.



Update me when site is updated
Filed under : travel
tag 0 Comment »

You couldn’t get any greener in the Czeck Republic

November 6th, 2009 by admin

If you’re thinking of making the Czech Republic your next holiday destination, you might be surprised to find that this unlikely country has some impressive eco-friendly credentials to boast of.

Just an hour from Prague, Chateau Mcely is a plush eco retreat set within the beautiful Czech countryside.  As only the second five-star eco-hotel in the EU, and voted World’s Leading Green Hotel in the 2008 World Travel Awards, you can be sure you will be doing your bit for the environment on your stay. The neo-classical castle houses a modern heating system based on combustion of waste wood chips and heat preserving windows. Only electricity from renewable sources and energy-efficient light bulbs are used, whilst water is utilized through its very own waste water treatment system. All waste materials are recycled, with food waste used to support regional farm production, and guests are also encouraged, albeit discreetly, how they can respect the local environment.

If you prefer something a little more rustic, why not try an eco-friendly farm stay in the Jeseniky mountain range? Near Zábreh, Písarov has some excellent farm stay accommodation, boasting its own water supply, waste system, use of eco-friendly cleaning and washing products and recycling programme. Your hosts are entirely self-sufficient and environmentally friendly, who will cook you fresh food to order, all either locally bought or grown and picked from their own organic garden. The accommodation also benefits from no noisy roads – just the surrounding peace of forests, hills and fields, where you can enjoy scenic walks, cross-country skiing, cycling and more.

But what about ‘green’ in the other sense of the word? If you feel like you’ve done your bit for the environment with that little lot, why not absorb yourself in the greenery of the Czech countryside with a spot of golf? Just 30 miles south of Prague lies the unparalleled Konopiště Golf Resort, boasting a two par-72 championship course as well as a nine-hole academy course. Here you can relax amongst the lush green landscapes and impressive woodland backdrops of the surrounding countryside.  The resort is also suitable for players of all skill levels, with the d’Este and Radecky Course providing challenges such as hemmed in fairways for the more experienced golfer, while the academy layout of the Public Course offers a more manageable option to beginners.

Update me when site is updated
Filed under : travel
tag 0 Comment »

A helping hand with holiday injuries.

November 2nd, 2009 by admin

We all look forward to a little time away from the stresses and strains of every day life with a holiday, but what happens if you are one of the growing number of tourists injured overseas?

After recovery many still feel the after effects for some time, whether it be bitterness over financial losses or annoyance over an accident that wasn’t your fault. However on returning home you don’t have to suffer in silence. You could be entitled to receive financial help in recovering losses caused as a result of the injury. From food poisoning cases to slips and falls around your hotel, it may be worth contacting an injury lawyer, for free, no obligation advice to see if you are entitled to compensation.

Update me when site is updated
Filed under : travel
tag 0 Comment »

Planning Your First Cruise - Things To Consider Part 1

October 29th, 2009 by admin
Kristen Olsen asked:


So you’ve heard how great cruise vacations are, and now you’ve decided to take to the high seas for a fortnight of luxury and pampering. But there’s a lot to think about. So before you select a cruise line, a cruise ship or even get in touch with a travel agent, there are certain issues that are vital to consider.

1) Who is going on the cruise?

Although this question should be easy to answer, it can have a bearing on the type of cruise line and ship that you ultimately choose.

If you and your partner want to take a relaxing cruise, there are many ships that are aimed at couples. In fact some cruise ships actively discourage or even ban people from taking children onboard.

If you will be cruising as a couple, it’s also important to consider the dining situation. On ships with assigned seating, you will have to specify the size of table that you want. However, on many ships, tables for two are in short supply, so if this is an important issue, this may influence your choice of cruise line and ship. Just make sure that you make this clear to your travel agent or the cruise line when booking.

On the other hand, if you want to take your children or travel with the rest of your extended family, there are certain cruise lines and ships within cruise lines that are specifically tailored with family vacations in mind.

2) How much have you got to spend?

It’s possible to find a cruise vacation to suit almost any budget. So before you go any further it’s important to work out how much you’re willing to spend on your holiday.

But as a general rule, you’ll need to set aside at least $150 per person per day to cover the cost of your cruise. However, bigger cabins in more luxurious ships can cost many times this figure.

However, it is possible to get more for your money if you;

a) Book early: Most cruise lines are willing to give generous discounts if you book your cruise 6-12 months in advance.

b) Book late: Likewise, if you book within 2 months of setting sail, most cruise lines will give you hefty discounts to fill the remaining cabins.

3) How long have you got?

The number of days that you want your vacation to last will determine the type and location of cruises that are available to you.

If you only have a few days, the main option is a one port cruise. This means that the ship leaves port sails around the sea/ocean for two or three days and then returns to the same port. The ship doesn’t call at any other ports, but it does give you a few days at sea. This is a good way to get the feel for a certain cruise ship, or even cruising in general.

If you have a week to spare, this gives you more choices. If you live in the US, this gives you the choice of Hawaii, Alaska, Florida, Mexico or even a Caribbean cruise. If you live in Europe this will give you access to the mediterranean, north africa, or even a nordic cruise.

Alternatively, if you want to increase the number of locations available, you could fly to and from the start/finish location of your cruise or take a one way cruise either flying to the start location or flying home after disembarkation.

If you have two weeks or longer, you can cruise almost any part of the world.

4) What time of the year?

The time of year that you take your cruise will have a major affect on two issues;

a) The Price: As with all forms of travel, your holiday will cost more during the peak season. In contrast, most cruises are cheaper in the spring or fall.

Traditionally, the winter was considered the high season for Caribbean destinations, but due to the weight of supply and demand (people who have to take their vacation during the summer) the summertime costs are almost on a par with the cost of a winter Caribbean cruise.

b) The Locations Available: The time of year that you take your cruise will also determine the locations that are available. Although this won’t make much difference to the more mainstream locations such as the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, certain places have a distinct cruise season.

If you want to go to Alaska or northern Europe, the main cruise season lasts from May till September.

For Antartica, the season is even shorter, running from November to February.

Although the tropical regions are in season all year, there is a great variation in the amount of rainfall throughout the year. Locations such as the Caribbean will have less rain during the summer months and more rain during the winter months.

And finally, although not a restriction as such, some people prefer to avoid places that may be affected by the hurricane season. If a cruise ship encounters a storm it will alter its route to avoid it, which means you may miss certain places that you wanted to visit.

5) What part of the world do you want to visit?

You can cruise almost anywhere in the world, even landlocked countries are often available to explore through river cruises. So it’s no surprise that this is one of the hardest decisions for cruise newcomers to make.

The amount of days that you have for your vacation will narrow your options, but beyond that, consider other issues, such as;

If you want to or have to take your vacation at a certain time of the year, which locations are available?

If you particularly want to use a certain cruise line, which locations do their ships visit?

What type of weather and climate do you prefer?

Are there any particular landmarks that you want to visit?

Are there any activities or adventures that you want to experience?

Now all you have to do it to get in touch with your travel agent.



Update me when site is updated
Filed under : travel
tag 0 Comment »

Winter sun

October 26th, 2009 by admin

Each year ends and after a long hard slog in the workplace, everyone deserves a nice long relaxing holiday, and what better way to relax than to take a winter holiday.

There are some excellent deals to be had around Christmas time and it doesn’t always have to involve skiing and staying in chalets.

To really get into the feel of Christmas, an excellent destination which is truly magical, especially if you have children to entertain has to be Lapland.

Children and adults alike can really get into the Christmas spirit whilst visiting Father Christmas, seeing the elves, huskies and reindeer.

Yet, some people prefer to leave during the winter and not have anything to do with Christmas, if this is you, then maybe you would prefer a golfing holiday during winter. One of the best places in Europe for playing golf is definitely Portugal. Famous for some of the best golf courses, Portugal has an excellent choice when it comes to choosing the right course.

As with many sporting hobbies, there are some excellent deals on websites enabling you to make the right choice as to where exactly you want to go and experience the best course. Here are some ideas on where to golf in Portugal

Winter holidays often have the perception of cold and snow but maybe you fancy a bit of excitement when it comes to spending your money. If this is you, why not consider visiting a casino during your winter place. What better place than Las Vegas. The biggest little city in the world, Las Vegas is quite frankly one of the most phenomenal places on Earth. It’s the city that never sleeps, boasting some of the most luxurious hotels, biggest buffets and of course, casinos that offer fantastic entertainment.

Make sure you have two forms of I.D and that you’re over twenty one to gamble in this city. The great thing about Las Vegas is that you need never leave the area if you don’t want to; as it has everything you could ever need. As well as the blackjack and roulette tables often casinos have in house entertainment. Cher, Celine Dion and Tom Jones are just some of the names that have regular ongoing shows in Las Vegas so it’s a place that can be enjoyed by couples or groups of friends travelling together.

When you think of Las Vegas please note that Americans do things bigger and better than most places in the world,  so take a large pair of trousers to ensure your can enjoy that slap up dinner after you win all those dollars.

For further reading see best casinos in the world

Update me when site is updated
Filed under : travel
tag 0 Comment »

Planning Your Holiday

October 26th, 2009 by admin

Planning a holiday is probably the most vital thing to do to ensure you get the best out of it without having to suffer any consequesnces afterwards- be it financially, mentally or physically.

When it comes to going on holidays, most people fail to think of the important factors such as travel insurance and safety. It could be the excitement but by failing to take this into consideration, the holiday could be definitely one to remember- but for all the wrong reasons.

A large number of personal injuries occur whilst people are away. This is because they are more prone to illnesses in different countries as their bodies are not used to it.

Some holiday resorts also fail to meet the health and safety requirements and food hygiene requirements which leaves holidaymakers suffering from illnesses such as food poisoning.

Other places such as active sport holidays, fail to provide holidaymakers with adequate training and facilities which can leave a person to suffer a personal injury.

With an increase in the number of holidaymakers travelling abroad on winter sport holidays, the number of personal injury claims is expected to rise as more people seek compensation for injuries and losses caused through no fault of their own.

If you plan your holiday and ensure you know your stuff before going, the chances of falling ill are less likely- although this does not mean an accident wont happen.

Update me when site is updated
Filed under : travel
tag 0 Comment »