There are many cruise deals offering fabulous trips across the world where the winter blues can be forgotten for a week or two; the choice of destination depends only on personal preference and budget.

A visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza and the mysterious Sphinx is sure to be an unforgettable sight as part of a cruise along the river Nile, which flows through nine countries in addition to Egypt.

The West Indies, set in the Caribbean Sea southeast of the Gulf of Mexico, consists of over 7,000 islands including Antigua, Barbados and Jamaica, as well as Cuba and the British Virgin Islands. The area is remarkable for the wealth of animals, plants and marine life and renowned for its distinctive cuisine.

The Hawaiian Islands are made up of eight major islands and many atolls and islets in the North Pacific Ocean. Due to the latitude of the location, the climate remains around 28 °C all year round. In addition to many ruined temples, the islands’ stunning natural attractions include Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to an active volcano and Akaka Falls State Park with its spectacular waterfalls.

Cruises from Southampton call at several destinations in Southeast Asia including Singapore, Penang, Phuket and Ho Chi Minh City. Thousands of ancient temples are scattered around Southeast Asia alongside busy shopping areas, while perfect beaches and clear blue water offer a choice of scuba diving, surfing and sailing.

The Mexican Riviera incorporates twenty cities and lagoons situated off the west coast of Mexico. Many cruise deals stop at several destinations, including Acapulco with beautiful beaches for sunbathing and water sports and a superb shopping district. Mazatlan, the largest port on Mexico’s Pacific coast is popular with fishermen and has a promenade of over ten miles with a mouth watering selection of fish restaurants.

Once you’ve chosen your holiday destination, there are a few tips that will help you to pack like a pro and make sure the whole holiday goes smoothly especially getting there!

First of all make yourself a checklist – include on it all the things you must take:

Passports
Insurance information
Medications any of the family take
Sun screen
Clothes
Small first aid kit
Tickets & hotel booking letters
Camera

Think about luggage weight allowances and check what yours are. Spread heavier items among different family members luggage to make sure no one goes over.

Pack essentials like medication etc. in your carry on luggage so there is no chance of it getting lost and include a set of undies for everyone (lost luggage doesn’t happen often, but no one wants paper knickers to wear!). If you split clothing amongst several cases it’s much less likely for anyone to be left with nothing to wear too.

Sort out some bits and pieces to keep your kids amused on the flight and pack these in your carry on luggage too. Depending on the age of your child this can be hand held games devices (with headphones), simple toys like finger puppets and

Include nibbles to eat as well such as boiled sweets (good for take off and landing during plane journeys) dried fruit and crackers, and some wet wipes to cleanse fingers with afterwards. Take a bottle of milk or juice for children still using bottles as sucking on the teat can help their ears and reduce them being upset by the take off and landing on flights.

For long journeys by car, have the odd roadside game in mind that you can play with kids: Counting crows – count the crows your side of the road first to get to a specific number wins… if you pass a cemetery your opponent shouts ‘your crows are burried’ and you have to start again.

Pub Cricket – look for pub signs. The batting team want signs with legs – every leg is a run… so The Shire Horse scores 4 (a horse has 4 legs) etc. The bowling team want signs with no legs – 3 signs with no legs and you bowl the other team out… so The Rose & Castle (no legs) would be one out.

Blow up pillows can be great for letting kids and adults alike sleep on long journeys of all sorts, and if you can break the journey so everyone gets to stretch their legs do so even if it’s just to stop for an icecream somewhere.

If you are getting ready for summer and would like to book a late deal Easyjet Holidays offer great deals on holidays across the Med and beyond.

Traveling at Christmas time can be pure joy. It primarily depends upon what you are looking for and possibly what spots are not overcrowded. Most people have gone “over the river and through the woods” to Grandma’s house, but many people fly and this can make the airports congested this time of the year. If you have kids, your choice may be totally different than if it is just the two of you. If you are an alone traveler not interested in being lonely, then you are looking for a very special and most likely, luxurious spot to light.

Two Great Spots at Christmas for Two Great People:

• If you are thinking of spending Christmas holiday in South Africa, remember Christmas happens in their summer time. It would be a nice time to golf, to lie on the beach or shop in all the major merchandise districts. Christmas in South Africa is a bit unusual and may be worth the time spent there.

• A desire for nightlife and sunny warm weather, Christmas time entertainment, luxurious hotels and beautiful beaches make a trip to the Bahamas a great experience. During the week of December 25th festivals and cultural celebrations of all types begin their mesmerizing events. On December 26th the Junkanoo (junkman) Festival starts at dawn. This particular event is quite elaborate and draws people from all across the globe. Natives dress in god-like garb and parade down the streets while doing rhythmic dance accompanied by very loud music. Beach and cave exploration, as well as water sports and sunbathing are just some of the additional attractions in the Bahamas. A party of two would have a special vacation in this wonderfully warm spot.

Two Great Places for the Single Traveler at Christmas:

• Consider a luxury holiday in the form of a Caribbean Cruise where you can find spas, and have a massage. Christmas time celebrations are plentiful and exciting. Meals on board a cruise ship are scrumptious, with an array of food presented on a daily basis. There is great entertainment provided on these luxury liners, and they offer beautiful accommodations. For the price of a cruise, there can not be a better holiday for the person alone who is looking for an adventure.

• Try renting a small mountain chalet for a week of peace and quiet that will also afford a main dining area, a roaring log fire and possibly other singles who just wanted to get away for the holidays.

One Very Special Spot for the Kids Involved (and the kid in you!)

• Christmas at one of the many Great Wolf Lodge locations, such as Ohio, Virginia or Niagara Falls will create an unforgettable Christmas for your kids. Decorating their own Christmas tree and participating in the indoor water park events will be sure to delight. “Snowland” creates a special atmosphere offering many special events. A bunk bed in the wolf den is something to giggle about after the vacation is over.

How To Start Your Holiday A Day Early

If you have ever had the pleasure of an early morning flight, be it for business or pleasure, you will be able to empathise with the many other travellers who have had this rather tiring experience. Not only do you need to get up hours before sunrise, you then have to spend a good bit of time actually travelling to the airport, sometimes in early-morning traffic when you’re in a rush. When you finally arrive and find parking, it dawns on you that you’ll have a large parking bill on your return. Rather treat yourself and start your holiday a day early with a stay in an airport hotel the night before your departure date.

Airport hotels have grown in popularity, as they have vastly improved from the budget hotels of years gone by. Today’s airport hotels are given much more attention by their chain owners and often you will find some of the top hotelier names such as Hilton, Premier Inn and Holiday Inn with affordable accommodation close to, or on-site of, all major airports throughout most of the world. These airport hotels have made it priority to provide their customers with comfort and service comparable to some of the best holiday resorts in the world. They know that by providing a great service to travellers spending as little as one night in their hotels, these customers will keep coming back time and time again.

Airport hotels are especially useful to families travelling with small children, the infirm, frail and disabled. Frequent transfer services from the hotels and the convenience of an early morning breakfast and cup of coffee put you in good stead for a relaxing flight.

A plus with airport hotels is also the fact that many of them now offer excellent parking packages when you book your room with them. Often booking the two together can work out cheaper than if you were to book them separately or pay for them on the day. A major way to benefit from this is to book your stay at an airport hotel – with or without parking – online.

An airport hotel is a simple way to ensure a smooth start to any holiday and will get you in the mood for your trip, as well as helping you to begin to relax and unwind. Start your holiday a day early, by booking into an airport hotel the evening before your trip.

How to Ease Back Pain on a Holiday

Back pain is one of the worst physical problems a person can experience. One minute you are going about your day as usual and the next minute, you are doubled over, unable to move. Back pain can causing blinding discomfort and make it impossible to perform even the simplest task such as showering, dressing or using the bathroom.

When back pain strikes, there are a number of things you can do. Some people contact a physician for a prescription pain relief remedy. Others call a chiropractor or massage therapist to help them alleviate the pain without taking any medication. All of these methods are helpful, but if back pain should strike on a day when these professionals are not available, it can be difficult to relieve the intense pain.

So what should you do if you hurt your back on a holiday? There are several solutions ranging from temporary relief to things that are just as helpful as your usual non-holiday methods. You might even discover a way to relieve pain during an unexpected holiday back pain emergency that can help you all the time.

One option for relieving back pain is gentle stretching and exercise. If your back pain is caused by being out of shape or another non-injury related problem, exercise can be the best solution. When pain strikes, find a position that eases the pain and supports your back. Gently stretch your back as best you can. You might have to spend several minutes stretching, but as the pain eases, you should be able to return to better mobility. Sometimes stretching other parts of your body works better than focusing on your back.

If stretching and exercise don’t work, try cold and heat compressions. Some people make the mistake of applying only heated compresses. Applying heat and ice in phases of 20 minutes eases pain and lessens further damage. While applying the compresses, remember to relax and breathe deeply. This is a great time to meditate or listen to soft music. You might also want to read a book or chat quietly with a friend to take your mind off the pain.

Many people find that using a back support when sitting helps to relieve back pain.  The majority of back supports help to promote a healthy posture and most can be used in different locations such as at home, in the office or in the car.  A support such as the Dynaspine Back Support is great for keeping the back moving, thus building the strength of the back muscles and allowing it to support the spinal joints more effectively.

Another option for relieving back pain on a holiday is to use over-the-counter pain relief medication. Ibuprofen or other muscle soothing medicines offer pain relief similar to what you would get with prescription relief.  Do not take more than the recommended dosage unless you speak with your doctor first.  Remember, a combination of these solutions might work best for you but it is always best to discuss which method is best for you with a clinical practitioner.

Most of us know that the earlier we book our holidays the more chance we have of getting a good deal on the cost of it all. What many people don’t realise is that this concept can be carried across to other things such as pre-booking cheap airport parking and hotels.

When you pre-book car parking and hotels at an airport, it means that you guarantte your parking space and hotel room that you want to book will be there for you on the date you want them. As airport car parks like Gatwick fill up very quickly, this is an important consideration as it means you don’t need to worry about arriving super early in case the car park you want to park in is already full, so compare Gatwick airport parking before hand.

If you’ve planned your holiday, and are planning on parking your car at the airport, but weren’t thinking of booking into a hotel, it may actually be worth you considering this as an alternative. Combined car parking and overnight stay in a hotel before your flight can often cost a similar amount to just parking the car alone, and you get the added advantage of not needing to rush or fearing delays on the road too.

In airport car parks like those at Heathrow and Birmingham, lower prices are available for advance bookings. This means that the earlier you book the space, the more likely you are to find a good price, and when you do a search and find a good price, you are best to book it straight away so that it doesn’t get snapped up by someone else or removed from availability.

The financial savings that can be made by booking your car parking ahead of time instead of just turning up on the day and paying can be as high as 60% of the cost, so booking in advance is well worth while doing.

Something else to look out for when you’re doing your advance parking search is ‘best price guarantees’. Some companies will even offer free parking at the airport to anyone who finds the same airport parking deal cheaper elsewhere within a fixed time frame (often 24 hours). So if you find somewhere that offers this, search hard and see if you can find the same deal somewhere else cheaper, then book the one offering price guarantee and contact them to tell them of the cheaper deal!

As a general rule, off airport parking is cheaper than airport parking, but strangely this doesn’t always mean you have further to travel from your car to the terminal. Sometimes, transfer times can actually be shorter for off site parking than they are for parking within the airport boundaries due to layouts and locations of car parks and terminals. Simply make sure you check the transfer times for the car parks you look at to make sure you’re not opting for the further away choice. Again with this, look at combined hotel and car parking because, as well as often being cheaper, they can sometimes be nearer and more secure parking locations too.

Driving Holidays in Hungary, Austria and Slovakia – Castles, Medieval Architecture and Gorgeous Scenery

A driving holiday in Europe is a great way to see this beautiful continent. There are no places you have to be, tour groups you have to stick with and timetables you have to follow. A driving holiday allows you to choose the cities and attractions you wish to visit. Eastern Europe is a wonderful place to consider for a driving holiday as it is less explored then its western counterpart. Consider beginning a driving holiday in Hungary with Budapest as your starting point.

Hungary
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, has most of its area designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located on both sides of the Danube Budapest is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Art connoisseurs will appreciate the over 100 museums in Budapest alone, history buffs can learn all about the history of Hungary which started around the early 9th century and architecture enthusiasts can walk among buildings built in the styles of Art Nouveau, Baroque and Neo-classical including Fishermen’s Bastion and Mátyás Church. Located in the heart of Budapest is Margaret Island, a small island with medieval ruins, meandering pathways, bicycles to rent, beaches, a musical fountain and several restaurants. Do not forget to drive through cities such as Esztergom, with the largest church in Hungary, Balatonfüred, with the largest lake in Central Europe and Lillafüred with its castles and waterfalls.

Austria
Vienna, Austria’s capital, is another delightful city with architecture and music. Opera houses such as Theater an der Wien and the Staatsoper are popular tourist destinations with concerts and Viennese operetta. Museums abound in Vienna with the Naturhistorisches Museum and the Austrian Museum of Applied Arts being top picks. Visitors will enjoy being surrounded by architectural buildings in Romanesque, Baroque and Art Nouveau. Make sure to visit Schönbrunn Palace which was the summer home of the Habsburgs, St. Stephen’s Cathedral which was built in 1147 and the Spanish Riding School with the Lipizzaner horses. Other cities to visit in Austria include Salzburg for the Mozart Museum, Obertraun for the Dachstein Ice Caves where visitors walk among natural ice sculptures and Durnstein for the Durnstein Castle, built in the 12th century.

Slovakia
Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital, is a cosmopolitan city characterized by 20th century buildings intermixed with medieval architecture. Grassalkovich Palace was built in 1760 for Hungarian nobleman Antal Grassalkovich in a Rococo/Baroque style and was also used by the Habsburgs. St. Martin’s Cathedral, built in a Gothic style in 1452, is famous for its stained glass window and a replica of Hungary’s Crown on top of the tower. Another one of Slovakia’s highlights are the Carpathian Mountains which border the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine. The highest ranges are the Tatras where visitors flock to for summer activities like camping and hiking as well as winter sports like skiing. Other cities to consider include Levoca for Spis Castle, Rožňava which has one of the 3 aragonite caves in the world and Kolárovo which has Europe’s longest wooden bridge.

It may feel like a bit of an unnecessary drag, but you never know what will happen when you’re out there enjoying your holiday. You could be bitten by a dog or lose your luggage on the way out. There are lots of reasons to take out travel insurance and these are some of them.

Cancellation – Ever had a day where the world seems to conspire against you? Well it can happen with holidays too. If you fell ill before travelling, or had a family emergency, holiday insurance would help you claim back money lost through no fault of your own so you’re not left seriously out of pocket.

Medical – If you’re fit and healthy it’s not real fun to think of what might happen to make you unwell, but you do need to be covered for everything from an infected insect bite to deli belly or a broken arm, and although an EHIC card is helpful, it only covers you for what local people can expect, and the standards across Europe do vary widely so insurance is important.

Curtailment – If your trip has to be cut short for some unforeseen reason, travel insurance can get you back money for things you’ve paid for but not used.

Lost Documents – Replacing your passport or lost tickets can cost serious money and what would you do if you lost them while you were away? It’s something to consider eh!

Theft – Whether it’s a lost bag on the flight, or your hotel room being ransacked, or your bag stolen while you’re clubbing, almost nothing is worse than personal theft. Insurance can at least cover the cost of replacing all the items either on holiday or when you get back.

Personal Liability – No one ever intends to cause an accident – that’s why they’re called accidents, but if you did inadvertently cause someone or something damage, personal liability insurance can protect you in a legal claim situation.

Legal Expenses – If you need to claim for compensation after injury or accident that occurred abroad, legal assistance can be expensive.

Peace of Mind – Easy though it is to think ‘it’ll never happen to me’ unfortunately bad things do happen sometimes so it’s always better to be prepared. Any of the above scenarios could happen to any one of us unfortunately so making sure you’re covered with cheap travel insurance is really important.

Cruises are well known for their peace and enjoyment, but many people think of them as being something that takes you a long way off to cruise in other parts of the world, whereas in fact, there are many cruises which take place around Europe. The variety that is available is huge as well, from two night taster cruises to voyages that last several weeks and visit many destinations. For people who are new to cruising, or those who want to explore Europe in a new and interesting way, cruising around Europe is a fantastic option.

Beginning close to home, you could look at a Cruise deal UK around the British Isles, visiting some of the many unspoilt coastlines of the UK. England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Chanel Islands can be taken in on such trips, with excursions inland to many beautiful landmarks in such places as Dublin, Cork, Liverpool and the wilds of Scotland.

A short two night taster cruise to Bruges beginning with lunch aboard the ship, a gentle stroll on deck, and then dinner and drinks with the rest of the passengers, surrounded by the majestic beauty of unspoilt skies full of stars. In the morning wake up as your ship docks in Bruges and enjoy a trip inland to see the sights before returning and cruising home again.

Alternatively you could enjoy the Fjords of Scandinavia, with breakfast in Norway, or a trip to St Petersburg and sightseeing around the Peter and Paul Cathedral. You might take in Holland, Germany, Sweden or Denmark along the way. You could sail amongst the islands of the Mediterranean, taking in Majorca, Corsica, Italy, France and Spain along the way.

Whatever your taste, as long as it includes boats and water, you are very likely to enjoy a cruise. The luxury, the peace, the total emersion in your holiday experience, with entertainment and fine dining on board and off creating a dream holiday.

For more information check this great cruise forum

If your dream is to ski and stay at a luxury holiday resort, three to seriously consider when making your choice are Val D’Isere, Courchevel, or Banff.

VAL D’ISERE in Savoie, France, is one of the finest ski resorts in the world and is located in the French Alps. Once used for hunting by Dukes, the site boasts an old church and other historical sites. Its claim to fame, however, was as a host for races in the 1992 Winter Olympics. You can reach the slopes in a huge gondola containing 30-person cabins for an unusual experience. The high altitude provides a reliable likelihood of snow.

Located here is the French National Ski School and other schools that appeal mostly to beginners, but the advanced skiers will find plenty of challenging runs with the wide range of slopes amid the stunning mountain views. The chalets offer authentic French cuisine as well as a broad range of other foods. Although the prices here are generally on the high side, the value is worth what you pay.

COURCHEVEL is another popular French Alps ski destination. and is in the world’s largest linked ski area The four villages are named for their altitudes and attract different clienteles who are looking for everything from a family vacation to a more glamorous lifestyle by affluent visitors seeking a luxurious place to stay in the best accommodations and shop in exquisite jewelry and boutique shops. The numerous mountain restaurants are a delight. The more than 100 ski runs are of all levels and can be reached by an efficient lift system. In fact, Courchevel has some of the world’s most difficult black runs. Le Praz in the Courchevel valley was the host for the 1992 Winter Olympics ski jump. Snowmobiling and snowboarding are also popular.

Courchevel also holds the record of having one of the world’s shortest runways, and only certain aircraft can maneuver the steep hill and deep valleys that specially certified pilots have to navigate on their approach. Often helicopters and Cessnas are chosen for this feat.

BANFF in the Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, is known for having some of the world’s driest and coldest snow and a long snow season in its large ski area. The runs go from nursery slopes to green to black and double-black diamond ones The mountain views are spectacular, and you can spot wildlife in the valley.

You can get good value in lodging, and over 100 restaurants offer a variety of international cuisine such as Mediterranean, Italian, Korean, Western, and Mexican as well as steak, game, fish, spaghetti, crab, ribs, burgers, fondues, and a Sunday brunch. There is a lively night life with live music, dancing, buffets, an Irish pub with a wide variety of beers, and more. You can also enjoy a gondola ride, tobogganing, or dog sledding.

Other attractions include the Banff Centre for Performing Arts, great shopping, Indian art and souvenirs, a cinema, galleries, museums, wildlife walks, hot springs pools, and ski or snowboard lessons.