Cruise - Image by Edward Roberts Jr

One of the most relaxing and diverse holiday options comes in the shape of a delightful cruise through the beautiful Mediterranean region. A perfect way for the entire family to indulge themselves in a variety of activities, or for single people, especially women, to meet like-minded individuals, a cruise combines every single aspect of food, entertainment, exercise or leisure that needs your special attention.

If you are a single woman, the prospect of travelling alone can be slightly daunting. There is the safety issue, when travelling in foreign countries, and also the fact that travelling on your own means, you don’t have a partner to help you out of a tight spot. At times like these, enjoying your holiday takes a back-seat to ensuring that nothing goes wrong – in other words, you end up being in the last place you want to be.

Picking your Cruise

For most people, this is the hardest part. If you are going with your family, then you need to ensure that the ship has everything your family members will need to keep themselves entertained. If you have teenagers travelling with you, you cannot keep a watch on them at all times. Nor can you constantly worry about where your children are and what they are doing.

When you are out on a cruise ship, you can see exactly what the ship has to offer. While the port-stoppages, for different cruise ships, might be the same, what changes are the facilities on-board! A lot of time, in cruise holidays, is spent on the ship itself and for you to be able to relax and enjoy yourself, the last thing you need is to worry about the others with you. The meals are always at a nice restaurant with a beautiful view; swimming pool is always shimmering in the sunshine; the sun-bathing is fantastic, and there’s always that wonderful spa-treatment to rejuvenate your mind and body.

A cruise ship also becomes a community of sorts, with a group of people spending their time in a particular area, all of whom are thinking about relaxation! You can play tennis with a complete stranger and come out at the other end with a life-long friend. A simple game of poker can become a great way to start a weekly ritual when you get back home. Numbers are exchanged, lives are shared and people fall in love, all over the course of a simple cruise.

Why the Mediterranean?

When looking for a cruise destination, there’s more to the holiday than just the ship itself. Every time the ship docks at a port, you get to step off and enjoy a brand new culture in all its magnificence. If you are travelling alone, you can always meet someone and head off to the shores together, exploring the lay of the land. Then there are the places you go to – from the crystalline waters off the coast of Greece to the magnificent islands near Italy – every stop is a trip from one magical land to another.

Mediterranean holidaygive you the opportunity to do everything any other tourist could do. You could head down to Venice for a beautiful ride on a Gondola or simple stop over at a local Spanish restaurant for some Paella and a Flamenco show. There are thousands of tiny Turkish alleyways to get lost in and when it all gets too much, you can let the gentle sea-breeze massage your senses on the gorgeous beaches of Capri.

These routes have always been the most sought after route thanks to the diverse cultures and countries that fall on it. Whether you are thinking about the time you spend on the cruise ship or on land, the experience is something that everyone must enjoy at least once in their lifetime.

Anna Rodriguez

As a freelance travel-writer, Anna was living her dream when she worked with some of the bigger travel-related businesses in Greece and Spain. Since becoming her own boss, Anna has constantly travelled & blogged about her experiences and cruises are the best way, according to Anna, to experience a variety of different cultures under a tight schedule. You cannot always spend the kind of time you want in a particular location, but if you don’t want to miss it completely, Caribbean and Med cruises are the way to go!

Going away by yourself is deeply liberating, once you’ve taken the first step – you just need to muse on what you’d really like to do. Whether there’s a skill you’ve long wished to develop, or a landscape you’d love to explore – whatever your energy level, and whether or not you want the company of others – you will find something.

Learn to sail in England

Sailing - Image byaquababe

There’s something about powering along using nothing but the wind – it’s a bit hard to describe, as there’s a thrill involved, for sure, but it also just feels cool to be cooperating so directly with nature. You steer the boat, adjust your sails, and through the boat’s reactions you feel how all the forces are interacting. You can learn on small dinghies or big yachts – it’s up to you – although dinghy courses tend to be cheaper (yacht moorings & maintenance are expensive) and, unlike yachts, can be found inland, in places like the Lake District and the Norfolk Broads.

Pilates or yoga in the sun

Yoga holidays in Greece and Thailand are big business, and there’s certainly something to be said for stretching yourself out on a sunny island somewhere. But pilates, which looks less strenuous but actually works strongly and deeply, on your core muscles and posture, can fix all kinds of problems – backache, headache, saggy tummies – and centres you in a very practical sense. On the other hand, pilates does not have yoga’s more spiritual connection. Many retreats offer both, letting you find out which suits you best.

Horse-riding in Spain

Horse Riding - Image by mikebaird

Spain is famous for its beautiful horses; you can stay on stables in the countryside and spend a week or two, first learning the basics and then heading out on “hacks” through hazy vineyards, aromatic olive groves, cool leafy mountain trails and then back to laze around and enjoy barbecued fish, good wine and warm evenings.

Rainforest wildlife in Borneo

Not the cheapest trip on the list, but this is once-in-a-lifetime territory. Eco-tourism and earnest conservationists are still just holding back the paper, logging and palm oil tides that threaten so much of South-East Asia’s forests and wildlife. Borneo contains some of the planet’s most biodiverse habitats; the ocean around it is also teeming with life, with dozens of excellent dive-sites. You can explore Borneo on foot or, more flexibly, by boat, along the rivers that penetrate the island’s jungly interior. You can meet Orang-utans at various rescue centres and sometimes spot them in the wild, but there are many other species to see wherever you are, from Pygmy Elephants and Sun Bears to Green Turtles and thriving coral beds. Mount Kinabalu, SE Asia’s highest peak, is also here – it’s a deeply satisfying two day trek, but you do need to be reasonably fit to make it.

Paris - Image by Moyan_Brenn

Tons of people go to Paris for food, but few really look for those best restaurants that can please the palate like no other. If you adore food and want to taste some of the best cuisine in the world, then you need to check out these restaurants. Each one is fairly expensive, so make sure you have a good amount of money on you. However, if you really want to taste authentic French food, then the price shouldn’t scare you.

Paris Bon Vivant
This is a beautiful hidden gem found on rue Amelie. This small restaurant is perfect for people who love French home cooking. Every meal is perfectly portioned and topped with the best spices and freshest ingredients. Nearly everything on the menu is made in-house. The only exceptions are wine and bread.

This is the perfect place if you want a close setting that serves home cooking without adding on too much fat.

Illios
This restaurant has been around for 20 years and it is family owned. The food is absolutely wonderful, and the chef often greets newcomers like old friends. Aside from the warm welcome, you can sample dishes like Scampi Provencale or Blanc de PintadeFermiere.

This restaurant is also away from tourist traps. If you don’t want to dine with a lot of noisy tourists, then this is a great place to dine.

Atelier Maitre Albert

Atelier Maitre Albert - Image by roboppy

The Atelier Maitre Albert is unlike many other Paris restaurants. Featured within the restaurant is a large fireplace that is used for cooking. This restaurant specializes in spit roasting. If you like that crunchy bark on meat with a flavorful and juicy center, then this restaurant is a dream come true. There are also soups and spiced breads that really add to the meal.

Le Buisson Ardent
Known for its inventive cuisine, the Le Buisson Ardent is a place for people who love to try new foods. You can get scallops or shrimp with a lime and coriander emulsion, and they serve unconventional desserts like mango tarts. This is not the place to go if you want safe and common cuisine, because everything on the menu is an adventure.

Mon Vieil Ami
Most restaurants treat vegetables as a garnish or an addition to the plate. While most people like meat being the centerpiece of their meal, the Mon Vieil Ami treats vegetables as the main attraction in the dish. Wonderfully spiced and cooked to perfection, each dish will give you that bitter and sweet flavor so iconic of vegetables.

Meat is also included in the meals, such as lamb, but the portions are usually smaller than at other restaurants.

BoucherieRouliere
This restaurant is opposite to the Mon Vieil Ami. Meat is the main centerpiece here. Often labeled as one of the best places for beef in France, the BoucherieRouliere really stacks on the meat. If the taste of beef, pork, bone marrow and just meat in general gets your mouth watering, then try out this restaurant.

Le Pre Verre

Le Pre Verre
There is an appreciation for French and Asian fusion meals, but few people add Asian spices and staples to French classical dishes. The Le Pre Verre is one such restaurant that fuses the two styles together in a bold and new way. The taste is unique and authentic, and there is even a branch restaurant located into Tokyo.

Chez Dumonet-Josephine
How does classic French bistro sound to you? This restaurant mostly serves the classics like steak tartare and boeuf bourguignon. The food quality is easily above average, but so are the prices. Make sure you have some money on you, because the bill may be steep. But, you will get a great taste of classic French cooking in return.

Conclusion
Paris is known for its fine cooking. From classic meals to inventive ones, Paris can satisfy every foodie’s cravings. Try out one of the local hotspots and find out what real French cuisine tastes like. Some restaurants are good for light meals, while others will leave you feeling stuffed and satisfied. Each restaurant on this list is a treat and you should enjoy checking them out.

Author Bio

Ken Thomas writes for USA News Brief; giving customers the inside scoop.

Chocolate Spa - Image by sirap

For high end exclusivity and luxury, guests need look no further than the Sacher Spa in Vienna. This gorgeous hotel and spa caters to guests in outrageously indulgent fashion. Chief among their popular treatments are those that involve chocolate. For guests who love the scent and feel of chocolate, this is a particularly decadent treat. Sacher Spa believes in chocolate’s healing properties. A chocolate body wrap leaves skin unbelievably soft and smooth. Rich cacao butter firms the skin and makes it glow with health and well-being. A cacao bean peeling massage and an aroma steam bath are also on the menu.

Sacher has plenty of other indulgences for clients who prefer their spa treatments without chocolate. La Prairie’s Art of Beauty products are also employed by aestheticians at the spa. These exclusive products are used on the face and body to reverse age damage and to leave skin glowing and healthy. The Caviar Firming Facial is one of the most sought-after treatments. Caviar perfects tone and texture while leaving skin radiant. For an infusion of platinum, try the Platinum Rare Facial. This treatment promotes overall health and balance while the skin is left hydrated.

This spa has not forgotten men in its menu of treatments. Sacher offers a full line of treatments like body massages, facial peels and manicures designed exclusively for men. Who says that women are the only ones who can get pampered on a spa holiday in Austria?

Gastein Thermal Pool

Escape the city in favor of the mountains to find the Grand Park Hotel Bad Hofgastein. This state-of-the-art hotel and spa is unrivaled in the country for the quality of its treatments and the excellence of its personalized service. The resort takes full advantage of the local Gastein thermal springs in designing services that can’t be found elsewhere. A range of saunas are available on the property. Every temperature from an ice igloo to a Finnish sauna is represented, with varying degrees of humidity. Centrally located within the Grand Park Spa, guests can relax in the Gastein Thermal Pool. A generous view of Gastein’s mountains and plenty of comfortable loungers make this a great place to relax and get away. For many centuries, the thermal springs have been recognized for their healing properties. Here, the guests drink from the springs, bathe in them and inhale their restorative vapors. At this resort, guests are encouraged to experience firsthand what even the ancient Romans knew – that Gastein’s waters have amazing abilities to both relax and rejuvenate.

In the Styrian thermal region is located a singularly gorgeous resort called the Quellenhotel and Spa. Found in Bad Waltersdorf, thermal springs are also a highlight here. A complete sauna village, said to improve the cardio vascular system, accelerate the metabolism and tone the skin, is available on site. This resort also boasts a complete Wellness Parc. In the midst of a well-tended garden sits a fitness oasis where guests may find a quiet area to stretch or a path that helps them train their back for spinal health and alignment. A sunny terrace, a yin and yang energy path and a walking course are all included. The resort offers a comprehensive health and fitness program and also features gourmet dining designed to cleanse and protect. At Quellenhotel, the individual’s total well-being is pampered and nurtured.

Spa holidays in Austria are remarkably luxurious. In one of the many sophisticated facilities that dot the countryside, guests can indulge in a wide variety of exclusive, innovative services that just might give them a whole new outlook on life.

Author Bio

Denise Hill is a safety expert, spreading her family safety tips for traveling abroad.

Cameras - Image by rachel a. k.

Cameras, and now digital cameras have become an essential part of the holiday experience. But due to their cost they are often a target for thieves when you are travelling overseas. If this sounds alarmist to you, and you are the trusting sort who rarely bothers to protect themselves against theft; you should know that an article from 2010 estimated that in 5 years Britons were robbed of 1.7 Billion Pounds, whilst on holidays abroad.

If you are travelling to an area with a low GDP per capita; you have to consider how lucrative the theft of cameras and other items could be to a local. But it’s not only the poorer countries, but also the more affluent countries where people take an opportunity to steal. The price of a high quality camera, such as an SLR is a tidy sum no matter where the thief resides. For a professional thief, a few good quality SLR cameras would be a very good haul for a week’s work.

Many thieves also specifically target tourists. When you are on holiday, you are much more likely to drop your guard. You will be unfamiliar with the local law enforcement, and often not able to easily press charges. With that being the case, it is important to research in preparation for such incidents, to see exactly who you need to contact.

The loss of a camera can be devastating. Not only because of the price of the camera itself, but also because you may have had some special memories taken from you as well.  So try to back up your photos every night before you go to bed, or swap the SD cards, this way you won’t lose too much footage should the worst happen.

Here are 5 simple ways to ensure you don’t lose your bridge camera to thieves on holiday:

1) Lock your hotel door

This is seemingly obvious, but it’s surprising how many people leave their hotel room door unlocked whilst heading down for breakfast, or walking around the hotel. Even if you’re out of the room for only half a minute, this is all a professional thief needs. If your camera goes missing whilst the door is locked, then (after a thorough search) you know it has most likely been stolen by hotel staff, which happens more than you think, and you can then make a formal complaint.

2) Never leave your camera unattended, even for 10 seconds

If you are going for a swim, keep your eyes on your bags or clothing. If you are travelling with someone else, try and ensure that at least one person is with the bag at all times. If this is not possible, then make sure it’s in visual range.

3) Get into the habit of patting down your pockets and pouches

Every now and then, just feel around your pockets and the pouches in your bags to feel if anything is missing. Be organised, and put your items in the same pockets and pouches all of the time. That way, when something does go missing, you’ll know instantly. You may be able to still do something about it. Keep your camera and wallet to the front of your person if possible. It is certainly worth getting a bag to strap to your waste, you won’t be the coolest person on the resort, but it is a sure fire way to keep things safe.

4) Be wary of people standing behind you

If you are waiting to board or leave a train or bus, be careful of people standing behind you, especially if you are carrying a backpack with your camera in. A zip can be unzipped very easily and quietly without you noticing. Try and keep a distance between yourself and other people and if possible carry your camera in front of you at all times.

5) Insure expensive items

Digital cameras and other expensive items should ideally be insured if you are taking a lot of expensive items with you on holiday. You will still lose your holiday snaps, but you will not be hit too hard financially, if that is any consolation.